Abstract

The traditional use of the Moringa Oleifera seeds for domestic household water treatment has been well known in some part of the world. The study was conducted to evaluate the disinfection effects of Moringa seeds extract against bacteria isolated from River Wudil, Kano State Nigeria. Two hundred and fifty millilitres (250mL) of water sample was collected in a sterile bottle from the bank of river. The bacteria were filtered from the water sample using Membrane filters (MF) method and inoculated onto the surface of nutrient agar. Identification of bacterial isolates was done by Gram staining, microbiological analysis and biochemical test. The Moringa seeds extract was screened for phytochemical screening and test for disinfection efficacy of the extract against bacteria isolated from river Wudil. The result of the study showed a total of 5 isolates obtained namely; Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Enterobacter, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis. The results of phytochemical screening of the extract indicated the presence of saponins, flavonoids, glycoside, anthraquinones, tannin and terpenoids. The finding of the study on the disinfection property of the extract demonstrated that the extract possessed disinfection effect against the isolate and the activity of the extract is dose dependent wise. Higher activity was shown by 100mg/L. The sensitivity of the isolate to the extract also differs. Statistical analysis of the result showed that Proteus mirabilis is more sensitive to the extract with average zone of inhibition of 13.75mm while Escherichia coli is the less sensitive (10.37mm) among the isolates. However, there is no statistical difference on the sensitivity of the isolates to the extract. Based on the finding of the study, Moringa seeds extract can be applied in water treatment as disinfection agent.

Keywords: Moringa oleifera; Disinfection; Bacteria; Seeds extract; River water