In vitro evaluation on antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of spice extracts of ginger, turmeric and garlic

Spices like turmeric, ginger, alliums are indispensable for the preparation of our daily food and are reported to possess compounds, which have varied beneficial biological effects and also prevent the microbial spoilage of food. This study evaluates the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of spice extracts such as ginger, turmeric and garlic by 2, 2’-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) Radical Scavenging Method and also to evaluate their antimicrobial effects by Slant method. The antioxidant activities when compared among ginger, turmeric and garlic the potency of these spices was found to be in the order of Vit C > Ginger > Turmeric ≥ Dry garlic > Fresh garlic. The antimicrobial activity of these spices was found to be in the order of Turmeric > Ginger > Garlic. The study indicates that the spices like ginger, garlic and turmeric have antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. Further studies are needed to study the biological effects of antioxidant-rich herbs and spices on oxidative stress related diseases.