Abstract

Momordica foetida, a medicinal plant from the Cucurbitaceae family, has been traditionally used across tropical
Africa for its therapeutic properties. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial effects of extracts from
different parts of Momordica foetida (leaves, stems, and fruits) against common bacterial pathogens and analyze
their phytochemical composition. The extraction process involved cold water, hot water, and ethanol methods.
Antibiotic susceptibility testing and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays were conducted against
Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Phytochemical
screening was performed to identify the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, quinolones, terpenoids, and
saponins. Results showed significant antibacterial activity of ethanol stem extract against Staphylococcus aureus.
Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of various bioactive compounds across all extracts. The findings
suggest the potential of Momordica foetida as a source of antibacterial agents, particularly against Staphylococcus
aureus infections.