T.A.  Adeniyi, P.A.  Adeonipekun, A.E.  Omotayo, 
    Investigating the Phytochemicals and Antimicrobial Properties of Three Sedge (Cyperaceae) Species,
    International Journal of Tropical Medicine,
    Volume 8,Issue 4,
    2013,
    Pages 92-98,
    ISSN 1816-3319,
    ijtmed.2013.92.98,
    (https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=ijtmed.2013.92.98)
    Abstract: In order to evaluate the medicinal value of notorious sedge 
  weeds, three species: <I>Cyperus esculentus</I>, <I>Cyperus rotundus</I> and 
  <I>Mariscus alternifolius</I> were investigated for their phytochemical constituents 
  and antimicrobial properties. Preliminary qualitative phytochemical constituents 
  and <I>in vitro</I> antimicrobial activities were evaluated against four fungi 
  species <I>Aspergillus niger</I>, <I>Aspergillus fumigatus</I>, <I>Penicillium 
  chrysogenum</I> and <I>Candida albicans</I> and three bacteria species <I>Escherichia 
  coli</I>, <I>Salmonella typhi</I> and <I>Staphylococcus aureus</I>. Two solvents, 
  water and ethanol were used to produce the extracts and screened for their antimicrobial 
  activity. Antimicrobial activity evaluation of extracts against the pathogens 
  was carried out at 100 mg mL<SUP>-1</SUP> concentration by Disc Diffusion Method 
  for fungi and Disc Diffusion and Agar Well Diffusion Methods for bacteria. Observed 
  activities were related to standard antibiotics fulcin (antifungal), tetracycline 
  (antibacterial) and Ciprofloxacin (antibacterial) which served as controls. 
  Phytochemically, the plant extracts showed the presence of carbohydrates, flavonoids, 
  ketose sugars, steroids, reducing sugars and tannins. The ethanolic extract 
  of <I>C. rotundus</I> exhibited highest activity against <I>A. niger</I>, <I>E. 
  coli</I> and <I>S. aureus</I>. No extract was active against <I>C. albicans</I>. 
  From these findings, <I>C. rotundus</I> is a potential source of bioactive compounds 
  for new drugs upon isolation and purification for treating infections caused 
  by these pathogens.
    Keywords: Cyperus esculentus;Cyperus rotundus;Mariscus alternifolius;phytochemicals;antimicrobial properties;plant extracts;sedges