The temperature resistance may be an
indication that the phytoconstituents can
withstand higher temperatures. This also
explains the traditional usage of these plant
parts where a very high temperature is used to
boil them and for a longer period of time. The
antibacterial activity of the extracts slightly
increased at acidic pH. Increase in activity of
phyotoconstituents in the presence of acidic
medium has earlier been reported8. The local
application of these plants involves the addition
of high doses of potash which is a strong basic
salt, and for the fact that the activity of the
extracts reduced at alkaline pH in this study, it
may explain why the plant concoction is taken
for longer period of time before any curative
effect is noticed.