Phytochemical Profiling and Antibacterial Potential of Hydroethanolic Moringa oleifera Flower Extract

Abstract

Background: Moringa oleifera is known for its phytochemical richness and therapeutic value, particularly its antimicrobial activity. However, little is known about the bioactive compounds and antibacterial effects of its flowers grown in Iraq. Objective: This study evaluated the phytochemical profile and in vitro antibacterial activity of M. oleifera flower extract collected from Ramadi, Anbar Governorate, Iraq. Methods: Fresh flowers were washed, air-dried, powdered, and extracted using a Soxhlet apparatus with 60% ethanol and 40% water. The crude extract was concentrated by rotary evaporation. Phenolic and flavonoid compounds were identified using HPLC, and antibacterial activity was tested by agar well diffusion against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus, with nitrofurantoin as the reference antibiotic. Results: HPLC detected gallic, caffeic, and ferulic acids, along with quercetin, rutin, and apigenin. The extract inhibited both bacterial species. For K. pneumoniae, the undiluted extract showed the highest inhibition zone (25 mm), followed by the first (23 mm) and second (12 mm) dilutions, while the third dilution was inactive. For S. aureus, the first dilution showed the greatest inhibition (20 mm), followed by the undiluted extract (15 mm) and second dilution (13 mm), with no activity at the third dilution. Conclusion: Hydroethanolic M. oleifera flower extract is a promising source of phenolic and flavonoid compounds with antibacterial potential. Further studies should assess MIC and MBC values, isolate active compounds, clarify mechanisms of action, and evaluate cytotoxicity and in vivo efficacy against wider clinical and multidrug-resistant isolates.