Chemical Composition, Antibacterial and Antibiotic Potentiating Activity of the Essential Oil of Allium sativum L. Bulbils and Allicin
José Ricardo F. Guedes1, Priscilla Ramos F. Alexandre1,2, Lariza Leisla L. Nascimento2, Mariana P. da Silva2, Guilherme F. Teixeira2, Cicero do N. Ferreira2, Regivânia L. Silva2, José Thyálisson da C. Silva2, Maria Hellena G. Novais3, Severino Denicio G. de Sousa4, Deivyson Bruno L. da Cunha5, Maria Érika de O. Silva1, Dieferson L. de Souza2, Janaína de S. Bezerra1, Luciene F. de Lima2, Rebeca Azevedo de L. Madeira6, Jefferson de S. Diodato1, José Weverton Almeida-Bezerra2*, Fabiola Fernandes G. Rodrigues2, José Galberto M. da Costa2, José Walber G. Castro1,2
1Doctor Lea o Sampaio University Center, Juazeiro do Norte - CE, Brazil.
2Regional University of Cariri, Crato – CE, Brazil.
3Federal University of Cariri, Crato – CE, Brazil.
4Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiaba – MT, Brazil.
5Federal University of Paraí ba, Joa o Pessoa – PB, Brazil.
6Medical School of the University of Juazeiro do Norte, Juazeiro do Norte - CE, Brazil.
*Corresponding Author: Jose Weverton Almeida-Bezerra, Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri, 63105-000, Crato, CE, Brazil.
https://doi.org/10.58624/SVOAMB.2025.06.015
Received: June 29, 2025
Published: August 11, 2025
Citation: Guedes JRF, Alexandre PRF, Nascimento LLL, da Silva MP, Teixeira GF, Ferreira CN, Silva RL, da Silva JTCS, Novais MHG, de Sousa SDG, da Cunha DBL, de O Silva ME, de Souza DL, de S Bezerra J, de Lima LF, de L Madeira RA, de S Diodato J, Almeida-Bezerra JW, Rodrigues FFG, da Costa JGM, Castro JWG. Chemical Composition, Antibacterial and Antibiotic Potentiating Activity of the Essential Oil of Allium sativum L. Bulbils and Allicin. SVOA Microbiology 2025, 6:4, 125-136. doi:10.58624/ SVOAMB.2025.06.015
Abstract
The present study aims to analyze the chemical profile, antibacterial activity, and modifying effect of the essential oil from the bulbils of Allium sativum L. in comparison with allicin. To this end, the plant was collected near the city of Caririaçu - CE and taken to the municipality of Juazeiro do Norte - CE for the experiments. Allicin was obtained from Sigma-Aldrich®. The bulbils were crushed and subjected to hydrodistillation using a modified Clevenger-type apparatus to obtain the essential oil. The antibacterial activity of the oil and the isolated compound was evaluated using the microdilution method against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Finally, the modifying activity was determined in association with aminoglycoside and beta-lactam antibiotics. Regarding beta-lactams, results showed that the MIC of benzylpenicillin against Staphylococcus aureus was reduced from >1024 μg/mL to <1024 μg/mL. However, no activity was observed in several combinations, such as cefalotin and benzylpenicillin against Escherichia coli. For Pseudomonas aeruginosa, activity was observed in several combinations, including amikacin, with MIC reduction from 512 μg/mL to 256 μg/mL, and gentamicin, from 1024 μg/mL to 64 μg/mL. The combination of essential oil with antibiotics such as benzylpenicillin and amikacin can enhance antibacterial efficacy by altering bacterial membrane permeability. Allicin exhibited significant synergistic mechanisms when combined with aminoglycosides. Thus, further experiments with different bacterial strains are essential for the development of new therapies using garlic.
Keywords: Allium sativum L.; Antibacterial; Allicin; Chemical profile; Modifying agent.
