Abstract

Antimicrobial activity of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and Onion (Allium cepa) were tested against
pathogenic bacteria like Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using agar disc diffusion method.
The results obtained showed that ethanolic extract of yellow ginger gave the widest zone of inhibition in
B. subtilis and P. aeruginosa. Ethanolic extracts of onion also showed inhibitions however, B. subtilis
reacted more in Purple onion hence, P. aeruginosa reacted less in purple onion and reacted more in
white onion. The investigation indicated that though both ginger and onion have anti-microbial
activities, varieties of these plants may also have different inhibitory effect in both gram (+) and gram (-)
bacteria thus confirming their medicinal capabilities in folk medicine.