Antibacterial Effect of Malunggay (moringa oleifera) Stem Extract against Escherichia Coli

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the components of the malunggay stem and its antibacterial property based on phytochemical analysis. It also aimed to identify the effect of the different treatments of malunggay stem extract on E. coli. Furthermore, this study was conducted to find out the best concentration to inhibit E. coli against the control group. The study made use of the experimental, quantitative research design. The experiment utilized the decoction method of extraction to obtain the extracts. The study was conducted at the laboratory CVM, BSU from February 22-27, 2016. The researchers used the CRD – Completely Randomized Design which is also called as Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) as their statistical tools. Five treatments were used including the control ciprofloxacin. There were four concentrations of malunngay stem extract used Treatment 1 was composed of 25% malunggay stem extract and 75% distilled water. Treatment 2 was composed of 50% malunggay stem extract with 50% distilled water. Treatment 3 was composed of 75% malunggay stem extract and 25% distilled water and Treatment 4 was composed of 100% malunggay stem extract and 0% distilled water. Each treatment had 3 replicates. The study made use of ciprofloxacin which was dissolved in 10 ml distilled water as control treatment. The zone of inhibition of the bacteria was measured using a Vernier caliper. In the study, the bioactive compounds alkaloids, saponins, triterpenes, phenolics and flavonoids were found to be the constituents of the malunggay stem that have antibacterial properties. It was concluded that the best experimental treatment - Treatment 4, with 100% malunggay stem extract concentration respectively, was effective in inhibiting the growth of the bacteria E. coli though not as effective compared to the control, ciprofloxacin. From the data gathered, analyzed and interpreted, the following recommendations were identified: future studies to test the potentials of the other parts of the malunggay tree like its roots, spods, and flower in inhibiting the growth of E. coli; a comparative study on the plant’s efficacy against other bacteria; future researchers to use other methods of extraction like ethanol and crude methods to determine the best way of extracting active antibacterial components of malunggay stem; future researchers to determine the best for of usage of malunggay stem and similar studies should be made to validate the findings of this research work. Furthermore, information from the results of the study should be disseminated.