Biomimetic Studies on the Antimicrobial Activity of Some Biocides Based on Garlic and Lavender in Surface Waters

Abstract

For a given aquatic ecosystem that will be used as a water source, it is necessary to establish the quality of the water from a microbiological point of view by identifying the pathogens present in the water. The aim of this study was to determine and analyze the antimicrobial activity of some biocides derived from garlic (garlic–methanol extract) and lavender (lavender–water extract). Their efficiency was evaluated at different concentrations and contact times. Initially, through specific laboratory analyses, the microbiological characteristics of the river were determined. Biomimetic studies on the antimicrobial activity of biocides based on garlic and lavender in surface waters involved detailed exploration of how the natural antimicrobial properties of these plants can be effectively utilized to treat water contaminated with harmful microorganisms. Both the contact time and the amount of biocide used have a significant effect on the microorganisms of interest. Thus, to describe the degradation rate of coliform bacteria, a pseudo-first-order and zero-order kinetic model was used, r=−(dN/dt)=kobs·t şi r0=kobs·N0=k0, where r is the rate of degradation of microorganisms (CFU/min), N0 is the initial number of microorganisms in the aqueous solution (colony-forming unit, CFU), N is the final number of microorganisms after a contact time t (CFU), kobs is the pseudo-first-order rate constant (min−1), t is the contact time (min), r0 is the initial rate of degradation of microorganisms (CFU/min), and k0 is the pseudo-rate constant zero order (min−1). Following 60 min of treatment with 1 mL of lavender-water biocide, the inhibition rate of pathogenic microorganisms in the water reached 59.09%, whereas, under the same conditions, the garlic–methanol biocide achieved an inhibition rate of 40.86%. This study confirms the antimicrobial activity of both lavender and garlic biocides, highlighting their potential in mitigating water pollution caused by pathogens.

Keywords

• biomimetics
• pathogen agents
• aquatic ecosystems
• antimicrobial activity
• biocides
• garlic