This study presents a comparative evaluation of the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and phytochemical activities
of Moringa oleifera leaves and their native endophytic bacterial isolates. Surface-sterilized leaves of M.
oleifera were subjected to crude extract preparation using various organic solvents and distilled water, while
endophytic bacteria were isolated using tryptic soy agar. The antimicrobial activities of both leaf extracts
and bacterial isolates were assessed via the well diffusion assay against selected clinical pathogens.
Phytochemical components in the leaf extracts and culture filtrates were screened using standard protocols,
and antioxidant potential was evaluated through the DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Among the tested
solvents, the ethyl acetate extract demonstrated the highest antimicrobial activity, indicating its
effectiveness in extracting potent bioactive compounds. Five predominant endophytic isolates were
identified based on morphological, microscopic, and biochemical characteristics, belonging to the genera
Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Serratia. Notably, the isolate MLEB4, identified as Pseudomonas sp.,
exhibited the most pronounced antimicrobial activity. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of
alkaloids, phenols, and terpenoids in both the leaf extracts and the endophytic bacterial culture filtrates. Theantioxidant analysis indicated that while the Moringa leaf extract showed strong radical scavenging activity,
the endophytic extracts also demonstrated moderate antioxidant potential. These findings underscore the
potential of endophytic bacteria, particularly Pseudomonas sp. MLEB4, as alternative sources of natural
therapeutic agents. Moreover, the study reinforces the concept that endophytes associated with medicinal
plants may share or mimic the host plant’s bioactive traits, paving the way for novel pharmaceutical and
agricultural applications.
Keywords: Antioxidant activity, endophytes, Pseudomonas sp. Phytochemical analysis, Moringa
oleifera, Ethyl acetate, antimicrobial activity
Publication date: 01/05/2025
https://ijbpas.com/pdf/2025/May/MS_IJBPAS_2025_9064.pdf
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https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2025/14.5.9064
