MINIMUM INHIBITION AND BACTERICIDAL CONCENTRATIONS OF THE PLANT MORINGA OLEIFERA EXTRACTS AGAINST THE BACTERIA ESCHERICHIA COLI AND STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

Abstract

This study aimed at assessing the MICs (Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations) and the MBCs (Minimum Bactericidal Concentrations) of the methanolic extracts from 4 different parts (leaves, seeds, stem, roots) of the plant Moringa oleifera against the bacteria E. coli and S. aureus. Phytochemical profile of each extract has been determined using LC/MS analyses. Microbial analyses were done using 96-wells plate method. Results showed that the four parts on the plants contain heterosides and glucosinolates. Iridoids were found in leaves, stem and roots. Flavonoids were found in leaves and stem. Phenolic acids were found only in leaves and carboxylic acids found only in stem. The abundance and the number of identified compounds of a given class varied from one part of plant to another. The MICs and MBCs varied with respect to the microorganism and the part of the plant. With E. coli, the MICs varied from 0.009 (leaves) to 1.25 mg/mL (seeds), and the MBCs varied from 0.156 (leaves) to 2.5 mg/mL (seeds and stem). With S. aureus, the MICs varied from 0.009 (stem and roots) to 0.039 mg/mL (leaves and roots), and the MBCs varied from 0.078 (leaves) to 4 mg/mL (stem). The bactericidal or bacteriostatic properties of the extracts varied depending on the part of the plant and the microorganism considered. Against E. coli, the leaves, stem and roots extracts were bacteriostatic whereas seeds extract was bactericidal. Against S. aureus, the seeds, stem and roots extracts were bacteriostatic whereas leaves extract was bactericidal.