Efficacy of Moringa pterigosperma Gaertn leaf extracts on bacterial and fungal pathogens

Harikrishna Ramaprasad Saripalli; Lydia Swapna Nandam; Vijayalakshmi; Madan Prasad

Volume : V, Issue : II, February - 2015

Efficacy of Moringa pterigosperma Gaertn leaf extracts on bacterial and fungal pathogens

Harikrishna Ramaprasad Saripalli, Lydia Swapna Nandam, Vijayalakshmi, Madan Prasad

Abstract :

In vitro antimicrobial activity of Moringa pterigosperma leaf extracts were studied against selected pathogenic bacteria and fungi by using antimicrobial assay method. Leaves were extracted with various solvents such as acetone, chloroform, methanol, hexane and petroleum ether. Among the five solvents used, acetone extracts of the leaves of M. pterigosperma were found to be effective against the test organisms, where the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranged between 250 to 1000&micro;g/ml. The chloroform extracts showed MIC of 250 to 1000&micro;g/ml for all test organisms except B. megaterium and E. coli. The extracts of petroleum ether and hexane were ineffective in inhibiting the test organisms. The methanol extracts showed MIC of 750 to 1000&micro;g/ml for both tested bacteria and fungi. The antimicrobial activity of this plant was discussed.