COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE ANTIBACTERIAL PROPERTIES OF TURMERIC, BITTER LEAF AND MORINGA EXTACT

An imicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a major global health concern, necessitating the search for new, effective, and affordable antibacterial agents. Medicinal plants remain a promising source of natural therapeutics due to their rich phytochemical composition. This study comparatively evaluated the antibacterial activities of methanolic extracts of bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina), turmeric (Curcuma longa), and moringa (Moringa oleifera) against Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. Plant materials were collected, dried, pulverized, and extracted using the maceration method with methanol. Antibacterial activity was assessed using the agar well diffusion method at extract concentrations of 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. Results showed varying extraction yields, with turmeric producing the highest yield (2.50%), followed by bitter leaf (2.80%), and moringa (1.20%). All three extracts exhibited antibacterial activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Bitter leaf demonstrated the highest inhibitory effect against both E. coli and Klebsiella spp., followed by turmeric, while moringa showed moderate activity. Klebsiella spp. displayed lower susceptibility compared to E. coli, likely due to its stronger resistance mechanisms. The findings confirm that these medicinal plants possess significant antibacterial potential, supporting their traditional use in treating infections. Bitter leaf, in particular, exhibited strong broad-spectrum activity and may serve as a promising candidate for further phytochemical and drug development studies aimed at addressing AMR.