Nutritive Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Moringa stenopetala (Baker f.) Cufod

Aims: The present study was carried out to determine nutritive composition and to screen antimicrobial activity of leaf extract of Moringa stenopetala (Baker f.) Cufod.

Place and Duration of the Study: The study was performed at Wollega University, Ethiopia, BGK Life Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Bagalkot and Department of Microbiology, S.R.N.M.N College of Applied Sciences, Karnataka, India between May-2016 to July-2016.

Methodology: The powdered leaf material was subjected for determination of various proximate parameters namely moisture, ash, crude fibre, crude fat, protein and carbohydrate content. Mineral analysis was carried out using ICP-OES technique. For determining antimicrobial activity, extraction of shade dried and powdered leaf material was carried out by maceration process. Antibacterial activity of extract was assessed against a panel of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria by Agar well diffusion assay. Antifungal activity was tested against three phytopathogenic fungi by Poisoned food technique.

Results: Leaf material of M. stenopetala was found to contain appreciable quantity of carbohydrates (42.20%), crude fibre (07.34%) and protein (26.33%) while the crude fat (05.25%) content was lesser. Among minor elements, the iron content was found to be 962.50 ppm and nickel content was found to be 2.89 ppm. In case of major elements, potassium (18426.75 ppm) content was found to be highest while the content of sodium (1519.68) was less when compared with other major elements. Extract caused dose dependent inhibition of test bacteria with marked activity against Gram positive bacteria. Extract was not effective against Ralstonia solanacearum and showed no activity when tested up to 50 mg/ml. A dose dependent suppression of mycelial growth of test fungi was observed in plates poisoned with different concentration of extract.

Conclusion: The leaf of M. stenopetala is a good source of proteins, carbohydrates and minerals needed for normal physiology of the body and hence, the leaves can be used as food or feed supplement to enhance growth and health. The plant can be used against infectious microorganisms as the extract exhibited marked antibacterial and antifungal activity.