Antimicrobial Efficacy of Moringa oleifera and Sesbania grandiflora against Streptococcus Mutans and Candida Albicans: An In vitro Study

AIM: To evaluate the antibacterial and antifungal efficacy of Moringa oleifera and Sesbania grandiflora against S. mutans and C. albicans.

Settings and Design: The study design involves an in-vitro study.

Subjects and Methods: The microbial strains Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans was inoculated in PDA-Himedia and SDA Media respectively. About 10 g of sample leaves powder was soaked in 99.9% ethyl alcohol and filtered using filter paper and crude extract was obtained. The crude extract was dissolved in ethanol and made into different concentrations of about 12.5 μl, 25 μl, 50 μl, 100 μl and 200 μl. Agar well diffusion method was followed for determination of antimicrobial activity. Agar wells (6mm diameter) were made and different concentrations of plant sample as 12.5 μl, 25 μl, 50 μl, 100 μl, 200 μl and respective standard 30 μl were added using sterilized dropping pipettes into the wells. The bacterial plates were incubated at 37°C for 24 h and fungal plates were incubated at 37°C for 48 h.

Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was performed using IBM software SPSS version 20 at one-way ANOVA.

Conclusion: The Moringa oleifera and Sesbania grandiflora leaves extract has an effective antimicrobial efficacy against S. mutans and C. albicans and its antimicrobial efficacy approximates that of standard ampicillin and clotrimazole. Moringa oleifera and Sesbania grandiflora leaves extract can be used as an antimicrobial agent in clinical trials.