In-vitro assessment of biological properties and antioxidant activity of leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera L.

Moringa oleifera is native to India and being used as medicinal and nutritive plant for thousands of years. The plant is an important source for essential nutrients and biochemical constituents. The present study is carried out to investigate the biochemical constituents through FT-IR, GC-MS analysis. The antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of the M. oleifera leaves extract are studied using DPPH assay and antimicrobial activity is observed by selecting various indicator microorganisms. In the present study, the methanolic extract is evaluated for its antioxidant activity and free radical scavenging activity was found through DPPH assay. The IC50 value is found to be 275 mu g/ml. The antimicrobial activity is studied through well diffusion assay and highest inhibitory activity is observed for E. coli and K. pneumoniae. Further, the biochemical constituents are identified through FTIR and GC-MS analysis and the presence of fatty acids such as dodecanoic acid, n-hexadecanoic acid, 11-octadecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid trimethyl silyl ester and alpha-Linolenic acid trimethylsilyl ester are found. The fatty acids occupied major portion of the leaves and the other compounds identified through this analysis are diterpenoids, carotenoid pigments, silanes and diterpene alcohol. The leaves consist of a rich source of bioactive components with antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. The carotenoid pigments and omega fatty acids are considered as food supplements for boosting the immunity and also for scavenging of free radicals.