Evaluating the Effectiveness of Natural Antimicrobials and Chemical Disinfectants on the Inhibition of E. coli K12 Growth

Abstract

E. coli is one of the most researched and common microorganisms found in the natural world, with many different strains that can be both harmless and harmful, and the growth of those more dangerous strains must be prevented inside and outside the household. Natural antimicrobials and chemical disinfectants are two common, but very different, forms of defense against the growth of E. coli, each containing different chemical components and mechanisms of action that can have both positive and negative impacts on food, as well as safe cleaning and hygienic practices. With the growth of the “clean eating” movement, many people are leaning more towards the usage of natural antimicrobials instead of chemical disinfectants. This influx of interest in natural antimicrobials brings about a necessity for further research on their mechanisms of action and ability to prevent the growth of bacteria. Therefore, this paper will evaluate the efficiency of both natural antimicrobials and chemical disinfectants to compare the inhibition of growth of E. coli K12. Within this study, chemical disinfectants were found to be more efficient than natural antimicrobials in the inhibition of E. coli K12 growth, however natural antimicrobials do still have a measurable effect. The difference in efficiency between the two cleaning agents demonstrated a significantly higher suppression of E. coli growth, which could help to inform individuals when making the choice between natural antimicrobial or chemical disinfectant products, especially in household cleaning and disinfecting.