Antibacterial Activity of Allium Cepa (onion) Extract Against Bacteria Isolates from a Person Suffering With Conjunctivitis.

Student: KHAMIS MUHAMMAD (Project, 2025)
Department of Applied Biology
Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna

Abstract

Conjunctivitis is a common ocular infection often caused by bacterial pathogens, and the increasing rate of antimicrobial resistance has encouraged the search for alternative treatment options. This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of Allium cepa (onion) extract against bacterial isolates obtained from conjunctivitis patients. Conjunctival swabs were collected and cultured using standard microbiological techniques to identify causative bacteria. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of A. cepa were prepared and tested at different concentrations using the agar well diffusion method, and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined. The major organisms isolated included Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Results showed that both extracts exhibited measurable antibacterial activity, with the ethanolic extract producing larger zones of inhibition and lower MIC values compared to the aqueous extract. Gram-positive isolates demonstrated greater susceptibility than Gram-negative isolates. The findings suggest that Allium cepa contains bioactive compounds with potential for use in the management of bacterial conjunctivitis. Further clinical and toxicological studies are recommended to establish safety, dosage, and formulation for therapeutic application.

Keywords
antibacterial activity allium onion extract against bacteria isolates person suffering
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