This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of fresh garlic (Liliaceae Allium sativum) and its aqueous extracts against Candida albicans (Ca) and group B Streptococcus (GBS). Fresh garlic and its aqueous extract in concentrations of 30% and 170% were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity using the agar diffusion technique. The results showed that fresh garlic showed a halo of inhibition of 55.3 ± 2.6 millimeters (mm) towards Ca and 27.1 ± 2.6 mm towards GBS while the inhibition halo of miconazole was 24 ± 0.5 mm and the inhibition halo of Penicillin G was 29.8 ± 0.3 mm. The aqueous extract of garlic in the concentration of 30% showed no antimicrobial activity towards Ca and GBS The aqueous extract of garlic at 170%, showed a halo of inhibition towards Ca, of 11.3 ± 0.7 mm in the disk technique and 14.5 ± 0.9 mm in the well technique, but did not inhibit the growth OF GBS We conclude that the fresh garlic showed a better inhibitory effect against the strains of Ca and GBS
Allium sativum L.; antimicrobial activity; aqueous extract
