In vitro antibacterial activity guided isolation and characterization of beta sitosterol from the mesocarp of the fruits of Diospyros mespiliformis

Abstract

A phytochemical and antibacterial study of te chloroform extract of the mesocarp of the fruits of Diospyros mespiliformis and its fractions led to the isolation of β-sitosterol (a phytosterol) for the first time from the fruits of the plant. The structure of the isolated compound was elucidated using physical parameters, colour reactions, spectroscopic identification and literature search. The isolated compound at 100 µg/cm3 dosplayed moderate inhibitory activity against tested Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms in comparison to that exhibited by erythromycin (100 µg/cm3) against the test organisms.