The Role of Diallyl Sulfides and Dipropyl Sulfides in the In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of the Essential Oil of Garlic, Allium sativum L., and Leek, Allium porrum L.

Abstract

The in vitro antibacterial activity of essential oils (EOs) obtained from fresh bulbs of garlic, Allium sativum L., and leek, Allium porrum L. ( Alliaceae), was studied. A. sativum (garlic) EO showed a good antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (inhibition zone 14.8 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (inhibition zone 21.1 mm), and Escherichia coli (inhibition zone 11.0 mm), whereas the EO of A. porrum (leek) had no antimicrobial activity. The main constituents of the garlic EO were diallyl monosulfide, diallyl disulfide (DADS), diallyl trisulfide, and diallyl tetrasulfide. The EO of A. porrum was characterized by the presence of dipropyl disulfide (DPDS), dipropyl trisulfide, and dipropyl tetrasulfide. The antimicrobial activities of the DADS and DPDS were also studied. The results obtained suggest that the presence of the allyl group is fundamental for the antimicrobial activity of these sulfide derivatives when they are present in Allium or in other species (DADS inhibition zone on S. aureus 15.9 mm, P. aeruginosa 21.9 mm, E. coli 11.4 mm).

Antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of various Greek garlic genotypes

“…Although, the species originates from Central Asia, it is widely distributed and well adapted throughout the Mediterranean basin, while in Greece there are many regions where garlic is the main agricultural product and a part of popular culture throughout the centuries.So far, there is great interest in its therapeutic properties and health benefits and many reports confirm the beneficial effects of garlic and garlic related products, e.g. aged garlic extracts (AGE), garlic oils, essential oils and so forth against various diseases (Casella, Leonardi, Melai, Fratini, & Pistelli, 2013;El-Hamidi & El-Shami, 2015;Kopec, Piatkowska, Leszczynska, & Sikora, 2013;Kyung, 2012;Martins, Petropoulos, & Ferreira, 2016;Zeng et al, 2017). Moreover, considering the vegetative propagation of garlic, there is a great interest for local landraces and ecotypes regarding their bioactive compounds content and the importance of genetic material conservation (Baghalian, Naghavi, Ziai, & Badi, 2006;Baghalian, Ziai, Naghavi, & Naghdi Badi, 2005;Gonzalez, Soto, Sance, Camargo, & Galmarini, 2009;Kamenetsky et al, 2005).One of the major beneficial effects of garlic is related with antioxidant properties which have been tested in animal models and clinical studies with various forms, e.g.…”

Avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana do alho (Allium sativum Liliaceae) e de seu extrato aquoso

“…Os resultados apresentados no presente estudo trouxeram evidências de que o alho apresenta efeito inibitório sob o desenvolvimento microbiano, fato também comprovado por outros estudos (Venturoso et al, 2011;Silva et al, 2012 ;Cohain, 2010;Casella et al, 2012). Estas evidências nos indicam que o alho pode ser considerado uma alternativa para o tratamento de infecções causadas por fungos ou bactérias.…”

“…n=3 para todas as amostras. (Venturoso et al, 2011;Silva, 2012;Venturoso et al, 2010;Casella et al, 2012).…”

“…A partir desses resultados pode-se pressupor que o alho (Allium sativum) possui substâncias com uma ampla gama de ações, incluindo a antibacteriana e a antifúngica, corroborando os resultados de outros estudos que também referem que o alho (Allium sativum) possui atividade antimicrobiana, antiviral, antiprotozoário, antihelmíntico e atribui isso ao efeito da alicina, que é o principal constituinte de Allium sativum Cohain, 2010;Rodrigues et al, 2009;Casella et al, 2012).…”

Composition of the Essential Oil of <i>Allium neapolitanum</i> Cirillo Growing Wild in Sicily and its Activity on Microorganisms Affecting Historical Art Crafts

“…Many sulphur compounds found in Allium species are responsible for several biological properties such as antimicrobial 3 , antiprotozoal, antioxidant, antihypertensive, hypolipidaemic, hepatoprotective and antithrombotic activities 4 .…”