Antibacterial effects of Mentha piperita extract and their synergistic effects with Some Antibiotics Against Escherichia coli Isolated From minced Meat

Mentha piperita extract and an antibiotic were tested against Escherichia coli isolated from minced meat for their antibacterial and synergistic effects. Ninety-nine samples of minced meat were procured from local supermarkets in the province of Babylon. In order to determine the presence of E. coli in the minced beef samples, the samples were tested for microbiological quality (Aerobic plate count and total coliform count). A total of 18 (or 16.2%) of the 90 minced meat samples tested were positive.

The result indicated that high significance (p≥0.05) between Mentha piperita, sulfonamide, and tetracycline different concentrations (0.5 and 8 mg\ml) (11.5±0.748 to 21.2±1.2), (3.8±0.374 to 24.4±1.630) and (1.6±0.244 to 17.4±0.871) respectively.

A significant (p≥0.05) correlation was found between the synergistic effects of Mentha piperita and both sulfonamide and tetracycline when used together against E. coli in this study.

The obtained demonstrated that minimum inhibition of the synergistic effect of Mentha piperita extract with sulfonamide could inhibit E. coli in different concentrations (6.4 ± 0.678 to 26 ± 0.836) while antibiotic drugs of tetracycline in some concentrations could inhibit E. coli (1.6 ± 0.244 to 17.4 ± 0.871).