Antimicrobial activity of some of the south-Indian spices against serotypes of Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes and Aeromonas hydrophila

ABSTRACT

Antibacterial activity of extracts of Allium sativum (garlic), Myristica fragrans (nutmeg), Zingiber officinale (ginger), Allium cepa (onion) and Piper nigrum (pepper) has been evaluated against 20 different serogroups of Escherichia coli, 8 serotypes of Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes and Aeromonas hydrophila. Garlic extract showed excellent antibacterial activity against all the test organisms, except L. monocytogenes. Nutmeg showed good anti-listerial activity, although activity against E. coli and Salmonella were serotype dependent. Both garlic and nutmeg extracts were effective against A. hydrophila. Extracts of ginger showed inhibitory activity against two serogroups of E. coli as O8 (enterotoxigenic E. coli) and O88 only. Extracts of onion and pepper did not show any antibacterial activity against the test organisms.

RESUMO

Avaliou-se a atividade antimicrobiana de extratos de alho (Allium sativum), noz-moscada (Mysritica frangrans), gengibre (Zingiber officinale) cebola (Allium cepa) e pimenta do reino (Piper nigrum) sobre 20 sorotipos de Escherichia coli, 8 sorotipos de Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes e Aeromonas hydrophila. O alho apresentou atividade antimicrobiana excelente sobre todos os microrganismos testados, excepto L. monocytogenes. A noz-moscada apresentou boa atividade antilisteria, emboara atividade sobre E. coli e Salmonella tenha sido sorotipo-dependente. Tanto alho como noz-moscada foram eficientes contra A. hydrophila. O extrato de gengibre apresentou atividade inibitória sobre dois sorotipos de E. coli 08 (enterotoxigenico) e 088. Os extratos de cebola e pimenta do reino não apresentaram nenhuma atividade contra os microrganismos testados.