| Abstract: | Moringa oleifera is a miracle plant rich in nutrients, antioxidants, and antibiotic properties. Present study was
designed to evaluate various biochemical attributes of leaves and flowers of M. oleifera. Plant parts (leaves, flowers) of M. oleifera, collected from different roadsides of Multan district, Punjab, Pakistan, were used as experimental material. Result indicates that alkaloids, saponin, carbohydrates, fats, and protein had a high value in the
aqueous extract of both leaves and flowers of M. oleifera. Whereas phenol content was high in methanolic leaves
extract and the phenol contents were high in aqueous extract of flowers. The extract yield of M. oleifera leaves and
flowers both showed a higher percentage in aqueous extract (57.5%), followed by methanol extract and lowest in
ethyl acetate extract. Flavonoids contents were higher in ethyl acetate extract of leaves (33.67%) and aqueous
extract of flowers (53.71%). While crude fiber was high in methanolic extract of leaves (12.40%) and in flowers
crude fiber was high in ethyl acetate extract (15.86%). The moisture contents were higher in leaves (8.87%) than
flowers (7.3%) and similarly, ash percentage in flowers (52.60%) than leaves (41.84%). Ethyl acetate extracts of
M. oleifera leaves show antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa while methanolic extract of M. oleifera flowers shows antibacterial activity against Xanthomonas sp. Maximum growth inhibits show in all extracts of
leaves against Aspergillus flavus, F. oxysporum, and P. glabrum except for the concentrated aqueous extract of
leaves. While in flowers maximum growth inhibits all extracts against P. glabrum, A. niger, and A. flavus except
the diluted ethyl acetate extract. Phytochemicals present in different parts of moringa have significant edible and
commercial potential. Moringa extracts exhibited significant antimicrobial activity, therefore have applications in
pharmaceuticals. |
