Phytochemical screening and in vitro antibacterial activity of Moringa oleifera (Lam.) leaf extract

The aim of the study was to investigate the phytochemical constituents and antibacterial activity of ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera Lam. belonging to family Moringaceae. Distilled water and ethanol was used to extract the bioactive compounds from the leaves of M. oleifera to detect the phytochemical constituents and to screen its antibacterial activity. The phytochemical constituents were screened by qualitative analysis method. The phytochemical screening indicated the presence of tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids, phenols, etc., in leaf extract of M. oleifera. The antibacterial activity of ethanolic leaf extract of M. oleifera was examined against gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli). Antibacterial assay were done with ethanolic extract of M. oleifera in volumes 50, 100, 150 and 200 μL/well, using agar well diffusion method. The study showed that ethanolic extract of M. oleifera showed potent antibacterial activity against S. Aureus and E. coli