Phytochemical and Antibacterial Properties of Ethanolic Seed Extracts of Chrysophyllum albidum (African Star Apple) SAMUEL I. OPUTAH 1 , RAPHAEL C. MORDI 1 *, KOLAWOLE O. AJANAKU 1 , JOSEPH A. O. OLUGBUYIRO 1 , SHADE J. OLORUNSHOLA 2 and DOMINIC E. AZUH 3 1 Department of Chemistry. 2 Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Technology. 3 Department of Economics and Development Studies, College of Business and Social Sciences, Covenant University, Canaan Land, Km 10 Idiroko Road, Ota, Ogun State Nigeria. *Corresponding author E-mail: raphael.mordi@covenantuniversity.edu.ng (Received: 15 Dec 2016; Accepted: 26 Dec 2016) Oriental Journal of Physical Sciences Vol. 1(1 & 2),05-09 (2016) ABSTRACT Phytochemical and antibacterial properties of ethanolic extract of the seeds of African Star Apple (Chrysophyllum albidum) were investigated. The phytochemical result revealed the presence of saponins, carbohydrates, flavonoids, quinones, cardiac glycosides, fatty acids and terpenoids. The antibacterial activity was studied using agar well diffusion method at different concentrations against six pathogenic bacterial strains, three Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus varians and Bacillus cereus) and three Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris). Significant inhibitory activities were exhibited by the ethanolic seed extracts for all test organisms except Bacillus cereus. Zone of inhibition of the crude ethanolic extract was correlated with that of a standard antibiotic Gentamicin, for antibacterial activity. The results indicated a notable inhibition of the bacterial growth. Key-words: Chrysophyllum albidum, Seed Extract, Cotyledon, Phytochemicals, Antibacterial. INTRODUCTION Many people in developing countries depend on plants and herbs and concoctions derived from plants and herbs for the treatment of ailments. 1 Several studies in vitro have revealed that secondary metabolites of plant origin function as antimicrobial agents. 2 Extracts from different parts, including the bark, leaves, roots and seeds of C. albidum have been used for the treatment of different ailments, such as yellow fever, malaria, certain skin diseases, stomach ache, and diarrhoea, vaginal and infertility problems as well as dermatological and urinary related infections. The extracts have also found use as liniments and in stopping microbial growth in open wounds. 3-7 The extracts of the leaves and fruits using different solvent of varying polarity have shown antimicrobial and antioxidant properties in vitro and in vivo. 8-10 Other studies relating to extracts from different parts of the plant show that ethanolic extracts from the plant significantly reduced blood glucose levels and hepatic lipids at higher dose concentrations except HDL-cholesterol, which was found to increase significantly in diabetic rats. 11