ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY AND PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF MORINGA OLEIFERA LAM. LEAVES AND SEEDS EXTRACT ON STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial effect and identify the phytochemical constituents of Moringa oleifera leaves and seeds extract on Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) clinical isolates using agar well diffusion method. The samples were collected from the premises of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. The Seeds and Leaves were collected fresh. They were extracted using methanol and ethyl acetate. Various concentrations from 100mg/ml to 500mg/ml were prepared. The test bacteria used is Staphylococcus aureus obtained from Microbiology laboratory of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University. The bacteria were re-identified using biochemical tests. The bacterial inoculums were standardized to McFarland scale 0.5. Zone of inhibition were read after 24 hours of incubation at 370C.The results of the antibacterial study revealed that the methanolic leaves extracts at 500 mg/ml had effect on S. aureus with zone of inhibition of 20mm. The methanolic seed extract have effect on S. aureus with zone of inhibition of 19.5mm. The MIC for the leave and seed extracts for Staphylococcus aureus was 250mg/ml. The MBC was 500mg/ml. The results of the phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoid, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, volatile oil, saponin glycosides, and glycosides but anthraquinone and steroids were absent in the extracts. The zones of inhibition showed that both the methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts at 500mg/ml were active to all the tested bacteria. ANOVA and Duncan Multiple Mean Range test was used to analyze the data. Based on Duncan's grouping, there is significant difference between the solvents and the concentrations used.