In-vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extracts from the Niger Delta Region

Authors: Smith, J.A.,¹ & Dede, T.A.²

¹Department of Biochemistry, ²Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Niger Delta University, Amassoma.

Background: Moringa oleifera is widely used in traditional medicine across Nigeria. This study aimed to scientifically evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of M. oleifera leaves sourced from Bayelsa State, Niger Delta.

Methods: Leaves were extracted using ethanol and water. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and FRAP assays. Antimicrobial efficacy was tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans using the agar well diffusion method.

Results: The ethanolic extract showed significantly higher antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 45.2 µg/mL in DPPH assay) compared to the aqueous extract. It also demonstrated notable zones of inhibition against S. aureus (18mm) and E. coli (15mm) at 100 mg/mL concentration.

Conclusion: The findings validate the traditional use of Moringa oleifera and highlight its potential as a source of natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agents. Further bio-assay guided fractionation is recommended to isolate the active compounds.

Keywords: Moringa oleifera, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Niger Delta, Ethnopharmacology.