Inhibitory Effect of Quercus ilex Wood Ash on the Growth of Pathogenic Microorganisms

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the antimicrobial (antibacterial and antifungal) activity of green oak (Quercus ilex) wood ash from Beni Snous region (Tlemcen, Algeria). For the evaluation of antimicrobial potency, we tested the effect of different ash concentrations on reference bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, and Proteus mirabilis) and reference yeasts (Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and Candida albicans 444IP). The antibacterial activity test results show that Gram-positive bacteria have a higher sensitivity than Gram-negative bacteria. Concerning the antifungal activity, inhibition of yeast growth was found even at low ash concentrations (5%). The results of this preliminary investigation thus revealed that wood ash from green oak exerts a remarkable antimicrobial activity.