SEEKING AN ALTERNATIVE ANTIBACTERIAL AND COAGULATION AGENT FOR HOUSEHOLD WATER TREATMENT

Crude water extracts of seeds, root and leaves of Moringa oleifera were examined for their antimicrobial activity against Salmonella, Shigella and Enterobacter, as well as their coagulation potentials. Among the three extracts, the crude leaf extracts had the highest antimicrobial index on all the microorganisms tested. The Moringa oleifera seed powder extract showed the least antibacterial action compared to the extracts of leaf and root. The seed extract on the other hand exhibited the highest flocculation potential. A combination of seed and leaf extracts will be valuable in household water treatment in developing countries.