Enhancing Gingerol Production and Antibacterial Efficacy of Zingiber officinale Using Plant Growth Regulators

Abstract

     The paper aims to examine how plant growth regulators [indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA 3), and brassinosteroid (BR)] can be used to improve the gingerol levels in Zingiber officinale and its antimicrobial properties against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. The growth of Zingiber officinale was conducted in greenhouse conditions, with growth regulator concentrations of 100, 200, and 300 mg L-1 applied through a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and three technical replications. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine gingerol in rhizomes. Also, the concentration of rhizomes ethanolic extract (25, 50, 100mg.L1-( was determined in relation to four MDR bacterial strains, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa , using the agar well diffusion method. The findings indicated that GA3 had a significant effect on raising the levels of gingerol, whereas BR boosted the rhizome biomass. The extract concentration had a direct proportional relationship with the antibacterial activity, with the best inhibition being observed at the 100% extract with BR. P. aeruginosa was the most resistant of the tested strains, and S. pneumoniae was the most susceptible one. These findings suggest the potential of plant growth regulators to stimulate the production of bioactive compounds in ginger, offering a promising natural solution for combating antibiotic-resistant pathogens.