ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECT OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF Moringa oleifera LEAF ON THE RAW SEMEN OF DUROC BOARS

Abstract

The study was carried out to determine the antibacterial activities of methanolic extract of Moringa oleifera leaf on the microorganisms found in raw Duroc semen. Qualitative screening for phytochemicals was carried out and Disc diffusion method was used to determine the antimicrobial activities of the plant extract which was compared with standard antibiotics (Penicillin and Streptomycin). The extract showed the presence of alkaloids, saponin and phenols in appreciable amount, tannin, phlobatannins, steroids, terpenes and cardiac glycosides were present in moderate amount, while cardenolides and chalcones were completely absent. There was the presence of microorganisms in the boar semen but not higher than the allowed value. Methanolic extract of Moringa oleifera leaf showed zones of inhibition against Esherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Enterobacter sp and Staphylococcus aureus while it did not inhibit the growth of Klebsiella sp. The control, penicillin and streptomycin had zones of inhibition against all the isolates. The results obtained in the present study indicate that the leaves of Moringa oleiferaare a potential source of natural antibacterial.