Chemical and antimicrobial properties of Moringa (Moringa oleifera) root and its impact on water quality

Abstract

Moringa oleifera is a tropical tree with nutritious, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Moringa seeds have been studied for their ability to purify water, however roots have not. This study identified the nutrient composition of Moringa roots grown in a greenhouse, and tested whether the roots improved water quality. Moringa roots were dried, powdered and added to contaminated water to test their impact on E. coli, pH, turbidity, and electrical conductivity. The chemical composition of Moringa roots were measured using ICP-MS. The five main elements observed were potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and calcium. None of the elements extracted were of health concern for drinking water quality. Electrical conductivity and pH remained within drinking water quality guidelines. Moringa root powder resulted in a significant increase in turbidity. Moringa concentration of 600 mg/L removed up to 87% of E. coli in water.Moringa root powder shows some potential as a point-of-use water treatment.

Natural Medicine: In-Depth Exploration of Moringa oleifera’s Bioactive Compounds and Antimicrobial Effects

“…Candida albicans [4]which is discernible through the disc diffusion method [2,[5][6][7]. Additionally, antimicrobial peptides play a significant role in inhibiting essential enzymes and disrupting cell membranes [8].…”

“…In fact, some studies revealed that none of the elements extracted from Moringa roots were of concern for drinking water quality. Extracts from this miraculous plant are used not only in medicine but also in other industries such as water treatment [4].…”