Antimicrobial examination of moringa olefera was carried out using Escherichia coli and Candida albican to know its efficacy, the seed and leaves was collected and dried under a shade .The moringa was then pounded and immersed in hot water and ethanol solution and the extract was used to determine the inhibition zone of microorganisms the result showed the antimicrobial activity of the crude water and ethanol extract of the seeds and leaves of moringa olifera. Among the two extracts the crude leaf ethanol extract had the highest antimicrobial index on all the microorganisms tested. The moringa oleifera seed powder extract showed the least antibacterial and antifungal action compared to the extract of the leaves. A combination of seed and leaf extract will be valuable in household health treatment in developing countries.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Moringa is the sole genus in the flowering plant family moringacease. It contains 13 species form tropical and subtropical climates that ranges in size from tiny herbs to massive tree. Moringa grows quickly in many types of environments

The plant is edible by humans or by farm animals. The leaves are rich in protein vitamin A, B C and minerals 100g of fresh moringa leave have (8.3g proteins, 434mg calcium, 404mg potassium, 738ug vitamin A and 164 mg vitamin C). The plant is valued for its leaves and high-protein seeds also for its nutrient Robert E (2008). It is a remarkable tree whose leaves and pods have;

7 time the vitamin C or orange

4 times the vitamins A of carrot

3 times the iron of spinach

4 times as much calcium as milk

3 time the potassium of bananas.

Scientifically speaking moringa sounds like magic. It can malnourished mother to nurse her starving baby “Mohamed, S. (2001). In developing countries due to the cost of efficient antimicrobials, a large proportion of the population utilizes medicinal plants for the treatment of infection diseases. According to the world health organization estimation, traditional healing provides the primary health care needs for a large Marjory (80%) of the population is Africa.

Antimicrobial components of moringa have been validated after the discovery of inhibitory activity against several microorganisms. In this resent study aqueous extract of moringa was found to be inhibitory against many pathogenic bacteria. Leaf extract of moringa was found to be effective in checking growth of fungi Basidiobolus haptoones and bacidiobolus ran arums Nwosu Okafor (1995) That is besides the antibacterial activity of moringa it also possesses antifungal activity. The antibacterial and antifungal efficacy of moringa steam distillate was observed to inhibit the growth of E. Coli. In the case of fungi Aspergillus was strongly inhibited followed by Aspergillus terreus. Moringa leaves are capable of controlling parasitic worms. Every part of the tree is used form the leaves to the small and large pods both of which can be eaten like nuts.

Moringa contain more than 92 nutrients and 46 types of antioxidants moringa is said to cure about three hundred diseases and almost have al the vitamins found in fruits and vegetables KM F.M (2009) even in larger proportions, with all the health benefits of this miracle herb, it can easily be termed as the most nutritive herb on earth. There are no side effects which also has tried, tested, documented and proved evidence to support the same it can be consumed by small children and adults. Today, millions world over have stated using moringa based product in porridge, pastas, bread and to reap the everlasting health benefit of the extraordinary moringa herb. It also contains 36 Anti-inflammations and 18 Amino acids, 9 essential amino acids build strong healthy bodies.

1.1 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the antibacterial and antifungal properties of leaf and seed extract of moringa olefiera