GC-MS Profiling and Antibacterial Activity of Cold-Macerated Garlic Extracts Against Multidrug-Resistant Uropathogens

Fatima A. Khalaf, MSc. Student, Department of Biotechnology, College of Applied Sciences, University of Fallujah, Iraq.
Saeed A. Fayadh, Professor (Plant Physiology), Department of Biotechnology, College of Applied Sciences, University of Fallujah, Iraq.Follow

Abstract

The growing number of cases of multidrug-resistant (MDR) urinary tract infections has made the clinical management of urinary tract diseases a significant challenge; therefore, the need for effective adjunctive therapies cannot be overemphasized. This study evaluated the bioactive components and antibacterial efficacy of cold-macerated garlic extracts obtained using distilled water, 70% ethanol and hexane solvents against antimicrobial-resistant urinary isolates. Out of 250 urine samples that were analyzed, 124 (49.6%) showed significant microbial growth, with Escherichia coli being the most frequently isolated organism. The results of the phytochemical screening and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis showed that the ethanolic extract had the most diverse profile of pharmacologically active compounds, and the ethanolic extract was particularly rich in fatty acid derivatives and terpene alcohols, which were identified with high analytical confidence. The antibacterial activity of the extracts was assessed using broth microdilution and optical density at 600 nm, and the results showed that the ethanolic garlic extract had significantly better efficacy than the aqueous and hexane extracts (P < 0.05), while the lowest inhibitory concentrations ranged from 6.25 to 12.5 mg/mL for Gram-positive isolates and from 25 to 100 mg/mL for Gram-negative pathogens, indicating that Gram-positive bacteria were more susceptible. Therefore, these data suggest that cold-macerated ethanolic garlic extract has a more diverse secondary metabolites profile and potent in vitro antibacterial activity against MDR uropathogens that warrant its possible use as an adjunct antibacterial agent, however, further preclinical studies and well-designed human trials are required to evaluate its therapeutic potential and clinical efficacy

Recommended Citation

Khalaf, Fatima A. and Fayadh, Saeed A. (2026) "GC-MS Profiling and Antibacterial Activity of Cold-Macerated Garlic Extracts Against Multidrug-Resistant Uropathogens," Karbala International Journal of Modern Science: Vol. 12 : Iss. 3 , Article 14.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.33640/2405-609X.3479