The Effects of Some Phytotherapeutic Plants on Escherichia coli spp. that are Exposed to Different Doses of Gamma Radiation

Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine the antioxidant effects of phytotherapeutic plants on bacterial groups to which gamma radiation at different doses was applied. By this way, the effects of antioxidant ethanolic extracts of plants and the effect of gamma radiation on Escherichia coli spp. (E. coli) were investigated. Methods: In the present study, E. coli spp. in the areas of agar and agar+plant extracts (83 mu l) was irradiated by increasing gamma radiation (100, 200, 500, 1000, 3000, and 6000 cGy). In our study, six plants (carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.), basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), ginger (Zingiber officinale), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.), and cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.)) were found to be consumed by people, and their phytotherapeutic effects were investigated. Results: In the present study, a decrease in the number of colonies of E. coli spp. was demonstrated due to the increasing gamma radiation dose. It has been assumed that the ethyl alcohol components of phytotherapeutic plants cannot be assessed but are distributed and clustered on the Petri dish and plant extracts may show antioxidant effects. Conclusion: It is understood that some phytotherapeutic plants used in gamma radiation applications may show a protective effect.