Antimicrobial activity of spices

Spices have been shown to possess medicinal value, in particular, antimicrobial activity. This study compares the sensitivity of some human pathogenic bacteria and yeasts to various spice extracts and commonly employed chemotherapeutic substances. Of the different spices tested only garlic and clove...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of antimicrobial agents 1999-08, Vol.12 (3), p.257-262
Main Authors: Arora, Daljit S, Kaur, Jasleen
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Anti-Infective Agents - pharmacology
Antimicrobial
Antiyeast
Bacteria - drug effects
Bactericidal
Biological and medical sciences
Clove
Garlic
General pharmacology
Humans
Medical sciences
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Pharmacognosy. Homeopathy. Health food
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Plants, Medicinal
Salmonella typhi
Spices
Staphylococcus epidermidis
Yeasts - drug effects
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Summary:Spices have been shown to possess medicinal value, in particular, antimicrobial activity. This study compares the sensitivity of some human pathogenic bacteria and yeasts to various spice extracts and commonly employed chemotherapeutic substances. Of the different spices tested only garlic and clove were found to possess antimicrobial activity. The bactericidal effect of garlic extract was apparent within 1 h of incubation and 93% killing of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Salmonella typhi was achieved within 3 h. Yeasts were totally killed in 1 h by garlic extract but in 5 h with clove. Some bacteria showing resistance to certain antibiotics were sensitive to extracts of both garlic and clove. Greater anti-candidal activity was shown by garlic than by nystatin. Spices might have a great potential to be used as antimicrobial agents.
ISSN:0924-8579
1872-7913
DOI:10.1016/S0924-8579(99)00074-6