Antibacterial Efficacy of Allium Cepa, P. Emblica and Zingiber Officinale against E.Faecalis in Comparison to Sodium Hypochlorite

Topic/ Aim: To determine whether fresh juices obtained from Allium cepa, P. emblica and Zingiber officinale have antibacterial activity against E. faecalis n comparison to sodium hypochlorite. Methodology: Agar plates were prepared using Mueller Hinton Agar and cultures were grown in BHI broth at 37 degrees centigrade. Lawn culture was carried out on Mueller Hinton Agar plates. Well diffusion method was used to derive the results. Wells were cut in agar plates which were 6 mm in diameter and 4 mm in depth. Then 50, 70, 90μl of fresh juice obtained from Allium cepa, P. emblica and Zingiber officinale was poured in the wells using a micropipette with sterile tips. Plates were incubated for 48 hrs at 37 degrees centigrade. Then agar plates without the culture but with wells containing 30μl fresh juices were also prepared as a negative control to confirm that the juices as well as the plates were free of contamination. Sodium hypochlorite was taken as a positive control. Result: results were calculated by measuring the zones of inhibition in mm. using a transparent ruler which were: 1. P. emblica: 29mm 2. Z. officinale:R 3. A. cepa: 23mm 4. Sodium hypochlorite:25mm Further study is being conducted to prove it statistically by altering the volume of the various juices used. This study can open up new pathways in search of herbal alternatives that can be used against E faecalis that is known to cause endodontic treatment failure.