The antibacterial properties of Allium cepa (onion) and Zingiber officinale (ginger) extracts on Staphylococcus aureus Pseudomonas aeruginosa Escherichia coli and Candida albicans isolated from vaginal specimens

The antibacterial properties of raw aquatic and ethanolic extracts of Allium cepa (onion) and Zingiber officinale (ginger) were investigated against Staphylococcus aureus Pseudomonas aeruginosa Escherichia coli and Candida albicans isolated from vaginal specimens. These four organisms cause reproductive and urinary tract infections. In an experimental study the above mentioned organisms were investigated using Agar diffusion method. Raw cold-water heat-water and ethanolic extracts of onion and ginger were provided and injected to the culture. The results showed that ethanolic extract of ginger gave the widest zone of inhibition against the tested organisms. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was more sensitive to the extracts of onion and ginger compared to other organisms. Both plants had antibacterial activities on the gram negative test organisms but not effective on the gram positive test organism. Ginger compared to the onion extracts produced marked inhibitory effect on the test organisms. The result indicates that ginger has more inhibitory effect and antibacterial activities compared to the union. Thus it can be used widely in folk medicine in this regard.