Bactericidal Property of Zingiber officinale (Ginger) Extract Against Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli, and Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase Escherichia coli (ESBLEC)

Abstract

The researchers proved in this study that Zingiber officinale (Ginger) has bactericidal property.  An ethanolic extract of ginger was confirmed effective against four test organisms – two (2) drug resistant and two non drug resistant bacteria.  Thus, it is remarkable to recognize the potential use of the ginger extract in treating infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase Escherichia coli.  

This study determined the efficacy of the ethanolic extract of ginger in inhibiting the growth of four bacteria.  There were 72 plates included in the study, of which only 60 were considered valid.  Treatments consist of the different concentrations of the ginger extract (150mg/mL, 100mg/mL, 50mg/mL and 25mg/mL).  The zone of inhibition is the measure used in determining the growth inhibiting effect of the different treatments.    

The results of the study strongly show that ginger extract can inhibit the growth of the four test organisms.  Although it is apparent that the ginger extract was not as effective as the positive control of each of the four test organisms, the mean zones of inhibition of the ginger extract (particularly 150mg/mL, 100mg/mL and 50mg/mL concentrations) were statistically significant when compared to that of distilled water. Thus, all three concentrations inhibited the growth of the four test organisms.  The 25mg/mL extract did not exhibit antibacterial activity against S aureus and MRSA because it may have been very diluted that it lost its inhibitory capacity