The effect of aqueous extracts of Zingiber officinale (Ginger) on some microorganisms

Abstract

The crude aqueous extracts of fresh and dried rhizome of Zingiber officinale were screened for their antimicrobial effect.  Five test organisms, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa  and Candida albicans obtained from the Department of Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, were used.  All the organisms, except P. aeruginosa, were sensitive to the crude extracts at the concentrations tested.  C. albicans was most sensitive by showing distinct zones of inhibition at 250 mg/ml, 500 mg/ml and 1000 mg/ml of the crude extracts of the fresh rhizome.  S. aureus, E. coli and S. typhi were next in sensitivity by being inhibited at concetrations of 500 mg/ml and 1000 mg/ml.  The growth of S. typhi and C. albicans were only inhibited at a crude extract concentration of 1000 mg/ml of the dried rhizome.  These results confirm that Zingiber officinale possesses antimicrobial activity.