The e effect of co- solvents and extraction time on the extraction of bio active solutes in Jatropha Tanjorensis (hospital-too far) leaves was investigated in this work. Four solvent combinations, 50cm3 of water added to 50cm3 each of ethanol, methanol, acetone and propylene glycol were used as extractants for the powdered leaves. The optimal soaking period for the extraction was examined by leaving powdered leaves in each solvent combination for 6, 24 and 72 hours with occasional shaking. While the bioactivity of the extracts was tested on bacteria isolates; Staphylococcus Spp., Proteus Spp., E- Coli Spp., and Pseudomonas Spp. The result revealed that the water- ethanol co solvent was the most effective after 72 hours soaking time as the growth of all the bacterial isolates studied were inhibited and gave better zones of inhibition. Although crude leaf extracts of Jatropha Tanjorensis inhibited the bacterial strains studied, solvent combination and soaking time affected the effectiveness of the extracts. as depicted by their zones of inhibitions, Thus, implying that the used co-solvents are good extractants of bioactive solutes (Phytochemicals) contained in the plant matrix, due to the formation of a solvent system of optimal polarity and conducive medium for the dissolution of the solutes.
