Avaliação da atividade antibacteriana do Gengibre (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) e do maracujá amarelo (Passiflora edulis Sims)

Abstract

In recent decades, numerous studies have been directed to give the plant its real value in therapy. There are many factors that have been collaborating with the development of this health practice, particularly economic and social rights. The application of traditional knowledge, or popular, about the curative use of plants in the development of herbal medicine shows up as a very consequent and consistent strategy. In this context, it is essential to the evaluation of the biological activities of these plants, especially those widely used by the population. So, the present study evaluated the antibacterial activity of tinctures and powders of leaves of Passiflora edulis Sims (yellow passion fruit) and roots of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (ginger), as well as infusions and decoctions, respectively, obtained commercially, in order to evaluate which is normally consumed by the population. Therefore, the methodologies used were the agar diffusion and microdilution techniques against the micro-organisms Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 19659), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Salmonella sp (ATCC 19196) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853). The results showed that ginger has antibacterial effect, mainly on Gram-positive bacteria, while the passion fruit did not show activity in any tests and concentrations. Thereby, the results obtained in this study contribute to the screening of antibacterial activity in the search for new antimicrobial agents.