Abstract:

The effect of extraction solvent on phytochemical recovery and antimicrobial activity remains a critical factor in medicinal plant research because of rising antimicrobial resistance worldwide. Moringaoleifera seeds are known to contain diverse bioactive phytochemicals with antimicrobial properties. This research examined how solvent choice influences phytochemical extraction recovery and antimicrobial activity of M. oleifera seed extracts using water, methanol, ethanol, and ethyl acetate. Seeds were air-dried, pulverized, and subjected to cold maceration in respective solvents. Extracts were concentrated and screened for phytochemicals using standard qualitative methods. Bioactivity was evaluatedagainst Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus , and Candida albicansusing broth microdilurionfollowing Cinical and LaboratoryStandard Institute (CLSI) M07 gudelines. Extraction yield result revealed that methanol generated the highest extraction (18.73 ± 0.21), followed by ethanol (16.93± 0.20), water (12.40± 0.26), while ethyl acetate yielded the least (10.27± 0.15). Qualitative phytochemical analysis showed terpenoids, alkaloids, steroids,flavonoids, glycosides tannins, saponins, and phenolics. Methanolic extract contained maximum Total PhenolicContent, TPC (85.40 ± 2.10 mg GAE/g), Total Flavonoid Content, TFC (62.32 ± 1.80 mg QE/g), and Tannins (41.20 ± 1.50 mg/TAE/g) and exhibited the most potent antimicrobial activity with least MIC and MCM/MFC of 12.5 mg/mL and 25.0 mg/mL, respectively. Among the organisms, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicanswere more susceptibleto the extracts. ANOVA indicated significant differences (p < 0.05) across extract concentrations, with mean separation by Tukey’sHonestly Significance Difference (HSD) Test. Methanol extract demonstrated maximum bioactivity, followed by ethanol, ethyl acetate, and water. The findings confirmed that solvent polarity significantly influences phytochemical composition and antimicrobial efficacy of M. oleifera seed extracts. Polar organic solvents, particularly methanol and ethanol are more efficient for recovering antimicrobial bioactive compounds from M. oleifera seeds, suggesting their suitability for pharmaceutical applications.