Unveiling the Bioactive Architecture of Garlic (Allium sativum): Optimized Extraction, Molecular Profiling, and Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Potency
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64229/88c51z39Keywords:
Allium sativum, Antimicrobial activity, Phytochemical profiling, Organosulfur compounds, DPPH radical scavenging assayAbstract
The increasing issue of antimicrobial resistance has increased the effort to discover effective plant-based therapeutic options, and as a result, the bioactive composition and antimicrobial potential of garlic (Allium sativum) were investigated. Garlic cloves were processed in this study; air-dried; ground; and Soxhlet and maceration extraction using ethanol produced a high extract recovery of 50 percent. They were used to characterize the extract using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), phytochemical screening, antimicrobial bioassays, and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) elemental analysis. FTIR data showed the existence of prominent functional groups of alcohols, phenolics, aliphatic chains, carbonyl compounds, and sulfur-based compounds, indicating the presence of key organosulfur compounds, including allicin and ajoene. The phytochemical assessment revealed very high levels of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, terpenoids, phenols, and steroids, which are all well-known agents of antimicrobial activity. Antimicrobial tests showed that it exhibited high and medium-high inhibitions against Staphylococcus aureus (25-32 mm), Escherichia coli (22-27 mm), and Candida albicans (24-28 mm), respectively, which showed to be broad-spectrum performance, especially against Gram-positive microbes. XRF analysis also confirmed mineral oxides such as Fe₂O₃, MnO, ZnO, TiO₂, CaO, MgO, and SO3, which are favorable SO₃, in the stimulation of oxidative stress, disruption of enzymes, destabilization of membranes, and promotion of overall antimicrobial activity. All these findings are to support the fact that garlic extract has considerable antimicrobial and antioxidant effects that are stimulated by synergistic effects of the phytochemicals and the bioactive mineral constituents. The results highlight the benefits of Allium sativum as a natural therapeutic agent and a feasible complementary approach to traditional antibiotics, in particular in the treatment of resistant microbial pathogens.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ruslan Shamsudden, Ajayi Israel Oluwasanmi, Kabiru Bashir Ahmad, Musa Yahaya Abubakar, Ataitiya Hyelalibiya, Ogar Faith Anani (Author)
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