COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ANTIMICROBIAL EFFICACY AND ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE OF ENDOPHYTIC BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM ZINGIBER OFFICINALE AND CURUCUMA

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the antibacterial and antibiotic properties of endophytic bacteria that have been isolated from ginger (Zingiber officinale) and turmeric (Curcuma longa). Bacterial isolates from both plants, which are famous for their therapeutic properties, were tested for salt tolerance, catalase activity, antibacterial potential, and antibiotic resistance. The salt tolerance varied between the bacterial isolates obtained from ginger and those obtained from turmeric. Observations from Gram staining showed that most bacteria were Gram-negative. Among the tested isolates, only one did not show catalase activity, that is, G3. Ginger’s bacterial isolate, G2 had lipase activity shown by the presence of bacterial growth in the nutrient agar. The findings of further ginger isolate G2 showed promising antibacterial effects on E.Coli with a zone of inhibition measuring 2mm. When looking at the drug sensitivity patterns of bacteria against Drotvine M, it was realized that only one bacterium isolate G2 showed resistance by forming 1.5mm diameter of zone inhibition. The significance of plant-derived sources in combating antibiotic resistance are underscored by these findings because they suggest that endophytic bacteria from ginger may act as natural antibacterial agents.