Moringa oleifera: A strong antimicrobial agent

Abstract

In India a large part of population depend on traditional herbal medicine for their health needs as herbal medicines are widely accepted as natural, safe and less toxic. Moringa oleifera, commonly known as drumstick tree, have been used from decades in human health due to their antimicrobial, antioxidant properties and other health benefits. The present study is an attempt to study the antimicrobial potential of different plant parts of M. oleifera against some pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas syringae, Pseudomonas putida, Bacillus subtilis and Agrobacterium tumefaciens procured from IMTECH, Chandigarh. Disc diffusion method was used to determine the antimicrobial activity of different extracts (Aqueous, Ethanol, Chloroform and Petroleum Ether). The drumstick tree proved to be an important antibacterial agent, which showed highest antimicrobial action in petroleum ether extract of leaves against E. coli, Bacillus subtilis and P. putida. Similarly petroleum ether extract of flowers was also highly effective against S. mutans and A. tumefaciens. Extracts of pods and seeds also showed significant antibacterial properties. Primary phytochemical screening was also done.