Evaluating the Antibacterial Activity Against Escherichia coli ‎Using Aqueous Extracts of (Mint, Wormwood, Rosemary, and ‎Clove) Plants

Ahlam A. Zaet; Awatf A. Abuifalyjah; Hadeel Izeit

doi:10.26629‎/uzjms.2026.03‎

Authors

Ahlam A. Zaet Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Zawia, Libya.‎ https://orcid.org/0009-0008-3790-3031
Awatf A. Abuifalyjah Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Zawia, Libya.‎ https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8159-6708
Hadeel Izeit Department of Genetic, Faculty of Science, University of Misurata, Libya. https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7934-212X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26629‎/uzjms.2026.03‎

Keywords:

Escherichia coli, E. coli, Plant extracts, Clove extract.‎

Abstract

Background: Escherichia coli is an opportunistic bacterium that can become a serious pathogen if conditions are favourable, this study aimed to find biologically effective alternatives to inhibit the growth of this bacterium.

Materials and Methods: Using aqueous extracts of mint (Mentha piperita), wormwood (Artemisia herba-alba), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), and clove (Syzygium aromaticum) at concentrations of 40% and 60%, compared to a control (distilled water only). The agar well diffusion method was employed on Nutrient Agar (NA) medium.

Results: The results demonstrated that all plant extracts exhibited inhibitory activity against the tested bacterium, though to varying degrees. Clove extract achieved the highest mean inhibition zone of 21.17 mm at 60% concentration, followed by mint extract at 40% concentration with a mean of 19.17 mm, then rosemary extract at 40% concentration with a mean of 16.50 mm, and finally wormwood extract with a mean of 15.00 mm.

Conclusions: This study concluded that aqueous extracts of mint, wormwood, rosemary, and clove plants possess varying inhibitory activity against Escherichia coli. The results showed that these extracts can form clear inhibition zones depending on the plant type and extract concentration.