Original Research Article

Antimicrobial and phytotoxic effects of Allium sativum methanolic extract

Odutuga A. A., *Dairo J. O., Ukpanukpong R. U. and Uyabeme R. N.

Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: olugbenga005@yahoo.com

Accepted November 26, 2014

Abstract

The phytochemical screening of Allium sativum was investigated showing large quantities of phenolics, glycosides and flavonoids. Six pathogenic microorganisms, namely; Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergilleus niger and Rhizopus arrhizus were used for antimicrobial test. At concentration of 10% Allium sativum methanolic extract, microbial growth rates were inhibited except Rhizopus arrhizus. Nevertheless, Escherichia coli demonstrated the highest level of inhibition at 10% concentration of the extract with 45% inhibition rate. Methanolic extract of Allium sativum has enhanced the growth of bean and maize seedlings with shoot growth rate of 34.49 ± 0.35% and 21.35 ± 0.25% taller than the control at 2% concentration respectively. The methanolic extract of Allium sativum served as growth enhancer and exhibited good antimicrobial properties.

Keywords: Allium sativum, phytochemicals, pathogenic microorganism