Resumen

Moringa oleifera, a tree belonging to the Moringaceae family, is native to the southern foothills of the Himalayas and is currently cultivated in virtually all tropical, subtropical, and semi-arid regions of the world. It can grow under conditions of water scarcity, but its intensive cultivation, with irrigation and fertilization, increases biomass yields to exceed 100 tons per hectare. The leaves, flowers, fruits and roots are appreciated for their nutritional value and can be used in human and animal nutrition. The leaves are exceptionally rich in vitamins and different amino acids. Reports on chemical composition reveal the presence of different phytochemicals such as: glucosinolates, isothiocyanates, flavonoids, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins and cinnamates. The high content of vitamins, minerals and other phytochemicals such as vanillin, omega fatty acids, carotenoids, ascorbates, tocopherols, β-sitosterol, octacosanoic acid, moringin, moringinin and phytoestrogens is also an important factor in the therapeutic effects of M. oleifera. Compounds isolated from the plant such as benzyl isothiocyanate and benzyl 4- (α-Lramnopyranosiloxy) -glucosinolate have anticancer, hypotensive and antibacterial activity. The scientific evaluation of the processes of use of the plant, as well as the identification of active principles and mechanisms of action, have made it possible to explain many of the previously known beneficial effects, optimize their exploitation and propose new applications. The present work presents the evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of moringa extract in order to provide a quantitative scientific basis for its eventual use as an antimicrobial. To obtain the extract, different methods were carried out, which were discussed about its performance and the qualitative recognition of secondary metabolites