Toxic “blue-green algae” (cyanobacteria) blooms threaten drinking-water reservoirs and aquaculture worldwide. This study tested whether Moringa oleifera seed can control one of the worst offenders, Microcystis aeruginosa.
Filtrates from crushed moringa seeds were applied to M. aeruginosa cultures at a range of doses, and both growth rate and Photosystem II (photosynthetic) efficiency were monitored.
Key findings
- At low doses (4–8 mg/L), the cyanobacteria grew normally.
- At 20–160 mg/L, growth turned negative — the cyanobacteria died.
- The die-off was confirmed by a sharp drop in Photosystem II efficiency at the higher doses.
Why it matters for MORIFA: Algal-bloom control is a real, high-value environmental problem for reservoirs and fish farms. Evidence that moringa seed suppresses toxic cyanobacteria adds another industrial/environmental application for our seed.
Caveat: a controlled culture study; field dosing in open water bodies is more complex.
Summary of: (2010). “Anti-cyanobacterial activity of Moringa oleifera seeds.” Journal of Applied Phycology, 22. DOI: 10.1007/s10811-009-9485-y. Summarised by MORIFA; full paper via the link above.