1.1 Background to the Study
Moringa oleifera commonly called
moringa, is regarded as one of the most popular and valuable trees in
the world. It is known in India as drum stick, I'm Senegal as Nebedy, in
Thailand as Morum, in Hiati as Benzolive tree and in Philippine as
Malungay. It is also well known in all parts of Nigeria, in the North ,
the Hausa's refer to it as zogale or Bagaruwarmakka, in the South west;
the Yoruba's call it Ewe igbale or idagbomonoye and in the South- east,
the Igbo's call it Ikwaoyibo (Thilza et al., 2010). Virtually, all parts
of Moringa tree are consumable (leaves, flower and pods). Studies from
around the world revealed that Moringa leave have remarkable nutritional
values such as vitamins, mineral and amino acids. The leaves have been
used to fight malnutrition mostly among pregnant woman, nursing mothers
and infants (Anwar et al., 2007). They are considerable variations among
the nutritional values of Moringa which depends on factors such as
genetic background, environment and cultivation method (Brisibe et al.,
2009).
According to Ramachandran et al.,1980
and Fahey,2005, moringa could be very simple and readily available
solution to water treatment problems. It is called a multipurpose tree
because it has been found to have nutritional, antimicrobial, medicinal,
industrial and water treatment properties. The seeds have been found to
be effective in removing turbidity, heavy metals and bacteria from
water in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way (kwaambwa et
al., 2010). Previous studies have reported that various parts of moringa
roots, flowers, bark and stem including seed possess antimicrobial
properties (Walter et al., 2011; Onuha et al., 2013).
Infectious diseases are the leading
cause of death worldwide. Antibiotic resistance has become a globe
concern (Mahalingam et al.,2011). The issue of multi drug resistant is
continuously increasing at an alarming rate especially in developing
countries where there are increases in the indiscriminate use of wide
broad spectrum antibiotic as a result of self- medication, immuno
suppressive agent and outbreak of epidemics along with the use of
adulterated drugs with side effects. Therefore there is a need to
research new infection compacting strategies to fight microbial
infection.
1.2 Problem Statement
The potential of medicinal plants as
source for new drugs is still widely unexplored. Among the estimated
250,000-500,000 plant species only a small percentage has been
investigated phytochemically and the fraction submitted for biological
or pharmacological screening is even smaller. Moringa and other
medicinal plant has a long history of been traditionally used as a cure
for illness such as cough, cold, asthma, nausea, fever e.t.c. Hence
there is need to assess the antibacterial properties of medicinal plant
such as Moringa.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
Theajor objectives of the study is to assess the antibacterial properties of Moringa roots and stem in Nigeria.
1.4 Research Questions
(1) What is Moringa plant?
(2) why are they important?
(3) why is it necessary to assess the antibacterial properties of Moringa roots and Stem?
1.5 Significance of the study
This study gives a clear insight into
the health and economic benefit of moringa root and stem, investigating
the phytochemical composition of the root and stem as well as examining
the antibacterial activity of the plant root and stem.
1.6 Scope of the study
This research focuses on the antibacterial properties of Moringa oleifera root and stem in Nigeria.
References
Anwar F, Sajib L, Muhammed A, Anwarul HG (2007). Moringa oleifera a food plant with dicinal uses. Phytol Res. 21: 17-25.
Brisibe EA, Umoron UE, Brisibe F,
Magalhaes PM, Femeira JFS, Luthria D, Wux, Prior RL (2009). Nutritional
characterization and antioxidant capacity of different tissues of
Artemisia annual L. food Chem. 115: 1240-1246
Fahey, J.W.(2005) Moringa oleifera: A
review of the Medical Evidence for its Nutritional. Therapeutic and
Prophylactic properties. Trees for life journal. 1,5.
Kwaambwa, H.M., Hellsing, M. and Rennie, A.R. (2010) Adsorption of a water Treatment Protein Moringa.
Mahalingam R, Bharathidasan R,
Ambikapathy V, Panneersel Van A (2011). Study on antibacterial activity
of some medicinal plant against han pathogenic microorganisms. Asian J.
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Onuoha, S.C. and Alisa, C.O (2013)
Antibacterial Potential of leaf juice and Extracts of Moringa oleifera
Lam against Human Pathogenic Bacteria. IOSR Journal of Pharmacy and
Biological Sciences
Thilza IB, Sanni S, Zakari AI, Sanni FS,
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extract of Moringa oleifera leaf stalk on bacteria normally implicated
in eye diseases. A cad. Arena. 2(6): 80-82.
Walter A. Samuel, W., Peter, A. and
Joseph, O. (2011) Antibacterial Activity of Moringa oleifera and Moringa
stenopetal a methanol and n- Hexane seed Extracts on Bacteria
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