Abstract
Introduction: Leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera (aqueous, diethyl ether, ethanol, and ethyl
acetate) were tested on Echerichia coli, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Staphylococcus aureus,
Salmonella typhi, Streptococcus pyogenes and Klebsiella aerogenes using agar well diffusion
method.
Methods: Antibiotics (control) used were tetracycline and ciprofloxacin at 250 mg/mL.
Results: Results obtained showed that 200 mg/mL of diethyl ether, ethanol, ethyl acetate
and 100% aqueous extracts had more effect than 160 mg/mL of diethyl ether, ethanol,
ethyl acetate and 80% aqueous respectively. The results showed that Salmonella typhi was
more susceptible than other organisms and ethyl acetate extract was more effective than
other extracts. The phytochemical screening indicated the presence of flavonoid, alkaloids,
tannin, glycoside, saponin, and phenol.
Conclusions: The study showed that Moringa oleifera can be used as potential herbs for
treatment of bacteria pathogens tested in this study and these activities could be attributed
to the presence of these secondary metabolites.