Laboratory assessment of the antibacterial effect of Moringa oleifera Lam Azadirachta indica L and Jatropha curcas L on Pantoea spp and Sphingomonas spp in rice seed in Benin

The antibacterial effect of Moringa oleifera Lam., Azadirachta indica L. and Jatropha curcas L. on Pantoea spp and Sphingomonas spp was assessed in rice seeds in Benin Republic. Isolates of three bacteria - Pantoea stewartii (IIIV11BE2_Sterw), Pantoea ananatis (IIIV6LB31_Anan) and Sphingomonas spp (IIIV27BE_Sphingo) - were used. The treatments were neem oil (Azadirachta indica) and neem seed powder, Moringa oleifera. seed and leaf powder, and Jatropha curcas. oil. The diameter of the inhibitory zone for each treatment was measured at 72, 96, 120 and 144 hours after incubation (HAI). The effects of the treatments on the size of the inhibition zone of IIIV11BE2_Sterw and IIIV27BE_Sphingo were not significant 72 HAI but were significant on both isolates 96, 120 and 144 HAI. The largest diameters of the inhibition zone of IIIV11BE2_Sterw (0.27 cm at 96 HAI; 0.23 cm at 120 HAI and 0.23 cm at 144 HAI) were recorded with moringa seed extract. For Sphingomonas spp (IIIV27BE_Sphingo), the highest values of the inhibition zone were 0.20 cm with moringa seed extract at 96 and 144 HAI and 0.20 cm with moringa leaf extract at 120 HAI. M. oleifera Lam. has a great potential as antibacterial and its active ingredients should be identified for exploitation.