Evaluation of Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Moringa Concanensis

Abstract

In today’s scenario, fungal and bacterial infections are one of the most challenging pestilential diseases for the health-care professional which is increasing with a very high rate in the growing population, especially among the immune compromised people.The present work involved the study to extract active principles of Moringa concanensis and perform antibacterial and antifungal activity for various extracts. The leaves were dried powdered unexpected using solvents petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol and water. Chemical tests were performed to ascertain presence of various classes of phyto-constituents like alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids tannins, flavonoids and phenolic substances. All four extracts showed the presence of various phytochemicals responsible for multiple pharmacological activities. The extracts were reconstituted using 1% aqueous solution of carboxy methyl cellulose and were tested for antibacterial and antifungal activity against six microorganisms, namely Bacillus subtilis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Bacillus cereus, Aspergillus Flavus, Aspergillus Niger and Helminthosporium, using well diffusion method. The results of the activity are promising with chloroform extract showing highest inhibitory activity against most of the organisms. All the extracts were able to demonstrate significant activity compared to control inhibition of microorganisms tested and hold key to discover lead molecules after further scientific investigation.