Ginkgo Biloba
Session Number
Project ID: CHEM 05
Advisor(s)
Dr. John Thurmond; Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Discipline
Chemistry
Start Date
22-4-2020 10:25 AM
End Date
22-4-2020 10:40 AM
Abstract
As more bacteria and diseases are being discovered and spread throughout the human population, there is a larger need than ever for new antibiotics, which have caused many drug manufacturers to turn to alternative sources of potential antibiotics, such as natural products. The purpose of this study was to examine and determine whether the herbal medicine, Ginkgo Biloba, has any antimicrobial properties. The results varied as we used different combinations and methods of extraction and testing procedures. However, through our data, we determined that Ginkgo leaf in a methanol extract and Ginkgo in an ethanol extract produced the best results for this study. Our procedure included extracting the organic compounds from gingko leaves and pill concentrates with grinding and mixture with ethanol and methanol. Then we used the extract to test it against different ESKAPE pathogens: the most successful cases being Bacillus subtiliis and Acinetobacter baylyi. A major problem faced was determining whether our Ginkgo solution did not work or if we had a faulty plate due to observing our faulty Ampicillin control. Our conclusion is that Ginkgo Biloba has some medicinal properties that could help in killing bacteria. This project requires more combinations of solutions to use and bacteria to pick out to strengthen this claim and have more conclusive data.
Ginkgo Biloba
As more bacteria and diseases are being discovered and spread throughout the human population, there is a larger need than ever for new antibiotics, which have caused many drug manufacturers to turn to alternative sources of potential antibiotics, such as natural products. The purpose of this study was to examine and determine whether the herbal medicine, Ginkgo Biloba, has any antimicrobial properties. The results varied as we used different combinations and methods of extraction and testing procedures. However, through our data, we determined that Ginkgo leaf in a methanol extract and Ginkgo in an ethanol extract produced the best results for this study. Our procedure included extracting the organic compounds from gingko leaves and pill concentrates with grinding and mixture with ethanol and methanol. Then we used the extract to test it against different ESKAPE pathogens: the most successful cases being Bacillus subtiliis and Acinetobacter baylyi. A major problem faced was determining whether our Ginkgo solution did not work or if we had a faulty plate due to observing our faulty Ampicillin control. Our conclusion is that Ginkgo Biloba has some medicinal properties that could help in killing bacteria. This project requires more combinations of solutions to use and bacteria to pick out to strengthen this claim and have more conclusive data.