Abstract

Moringa stenopetala is a multipurpose tree with considerable economic and social potential as it has vital nutritional, industrial, and medicinal applications. The study was aimed to investigate the antimicrobial activities of M. stenopetala seed oil against pathogenic microorganisms. M. Stenopetala seeds were collected from three locations (Damba Gofa, Shelle, and Konso) and extracted using two different solvents (hexane and petroleum ether). Pathogenic microorganisms: bacteria (gram-positive, Staphylococcus aureus, and gram-negative Escherichia coli) and the fungal strains (Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Candida albicans) were used in this study. Standard procedures were followed to determine antimicrobial activities of M. stenopetala extract against pathogenic microorganisms. The result revealed that M. stenopetala seed extract has shown inhibitory activity against T. mentagrophytes fungi at the concentration ≥ 12.5% at all locations and both extraction solvents used. However, the extract did not show any inhibitory activity against tested bacteria and C. albicans fungi. The finding indicated that M. stenopetala seed could be used as an alternative to chemical fungicide to control T. mentagrophytes fungi. Further investigation is needed on the identification of compounds that inhibits the pathogenic microorganism.

Key words: Antimicrobial activity, bacteria and fungi, Moringa stenopetala seed, extract.