Phytochemical, antioxidant, and antibacterial analysis of essential oils from <i>Zingiber officinale Roscoe</i>(Ginger) and <i>Curcuma long Linn.</i>(Turmeric)

Abstract

This study was conducted to characterize and compare the phytochemistry, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of essential oils extracted from the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (ginger) and Curcuma longa Linn. (turmeric). Percent yields in the steam distillation of ginger and turmeric were 0.42±0.02% and 0.43± 0.02%, respectively. Qualitative phytochemical screening showed that both essential oils are positive for flavonoids, phenols, saponins, terpenoids, tannins, and quinones. Antibacterial activity was tested against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli using 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% (v/v) essential oil in ethanol with positive control tetracycline and negative control ethanol. It was determined that C. longa did not have antibacterial activity against both bacteria while Z. officinale had “moderately inhibitory” to “strongly inhibitory” activity against S. aureus with zone of inhibition (ZOI) from 17.67±1.53 mm to 23.67±0.58 mm and “weakly inhibitory” to “moderately inhibitory” activity against E. coli (ZOI from 12.33±1.15 mm to 15.67±2.08 mm). The standard antibiotic tetracycline also showed “moderately inhibitory” activity against both S. aureus (ZOl = 19.00±0.89 mm) and E. coli (ZOI = 17.33±1.21 mm). Antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH free radical inhibition. Highest % DPPH free radical inhibition was exhibited by the standard antioxidant ascorbic acid (92.98%), followed by C. longa essential oil (88.74%), and Z. officinale (76.30%).