Eastern Kentucky University

Grade Level at Time of Presentation

Senior

Major

Forensic Science, concentrations in Forensic Biology and Forensic Chemistry

Minor

Chemistry

Institution 24-25

Eastern Kentucky University

Department

Department of Chemistry and Forensic Science

Abstract

Antibiotics are commonly used to treat bacterial infections within the medical field, however there are growing concerns of antibiotic resistance. Before the introduction of antibiotics herbs were commonly used to treat infections, and herbal medicine is still used in many communities and cultures. Bacteria’s increasing resistance to traditional antibiotics has caused herbal medicines to become a significant research topic recently. Methods of herbal medicine preparation include preparing teas using hot water, and tinctures that soak herbs in alcohol for several weeks. Previous research has shown significant antimicrobial effects of some herbs when soaked in water and other liquids. The aim of this study was to assess the antimicrobial effects of herbs extracted in ethanol, mimicking a tincture, compared to that of the antibiotic ampicillin. The ability of 20 different herbs to inhibit the growth of E. coli bacteria was compared to the antibiotic ampicillin using a minimum inhibitory concentration assay. It was found that eucalyptus leaves, cloves, and cinnamon extracted in ethanol were able to inhibit E. coli growth better than ampicillin at clinically relevant concentrations, indicating significant antimicrobial effects. Future research will identify which chemical compounds in these 3 herbs led to their extremely high ability to kill E. coli bacteria, and determine if they are effective against other bacteria species that are resistant to traditional antibiotics.

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Antimicrobial Effect of Herbs Extracted with Ethanol Compared to Ampicillin

Antibiotics are commonly used to treat bacterial infections within the medical field, however there are growing concerns of antibiotic resistance. Before the introduction of antibiotics herbs were commonly used to treat infections, and herbal medicine is still used in many communities and cultures. Bacteria’s increasing resistance to traditional antibiotics has caused herbal medicines to become a significant research topic recently. Methods of herbal medicine preparation include preparing teas using hot water, and tinctures that soak herbs in alcohol for several weeks. Previous research has shown significant antimicrobial effects of some herbs when soaked in water and other liquids. The aim of this study was to assess the antimicrobial effects of herbs extracted in ethanol, mimicking a tincture, compared to that of the antibiotic ampicillin. The ability of 20 different herbs to inhibit the growth of E. coli bacteria was compared to the antibiotic ampicillin using a minimum inhibitory concentration assay. It was found that eucalyptus leaves, cloves, and cinnamon extracted in ethanol were able to inhibit E. coli growth better than ampicillin at clinically relevant concentrations, indicating significant antimicrobial effects. Future research will identify which chemical compounds in these 3 herbs led to their extremely high ability to kill E. coli bacteria, and determine if they are effective against other bacteria species that are resistant to traditional antibiotics.

 

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