Antibacterial activity of leaves and seed pods extractions of moringa oleifera against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria / Nur Syazana Aqilah Salim

The present study was performed to identify any antibacterial activity of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria species using different concentrations of methanolic extractions. The leaf and seed were extracted by using methanol. The extracts were further screened against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Disc diffusion method was used and the inhibitory effect was measured and recorded. Among the two sample extracts tested, leaf showed maximum zone of inhibition against both S. aureus and E. coli. In the 100 % leaf extraction, the inhibition zone was the highest at the average of 24.7 mm against S. aureus while an average of 13.7 mm against E. coli. The seed pod extraction was the highest in 100 % concentration with inhibition zone of 12.3 mm against S. aureus. The positive result was further screened for phytochemical tests for tannins, flavonoids and alkaloids. All tests showed positive results for the presence of phytochemical. The result proved that M. oleifera extract especially from leaf has potential application as antibacterial agent.