Garlic-derived natural preservative for antimicrobial liquid applications

Overview

This research proposes a natural, nontoxic preservative derived from garlic (Allium sativum) for use in antimicrobial liquid products such as detergents and cleaning agents. The core innovation centers on allicin, a reactive sulfur compound released when garlic is crushed, which has demonstrated the ability to suppress pathogenic bacteria including extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing strains. By encapsulating allicin within polyethylene glycol (PEG), the formulation achieves extended shelf stability while retaining the ability to release its antimicrobial payload when environmental pH conditions trigger aggregate breakdown. This approach offers industries seeking natural alternatives a pathway to effective biocidal preservation without synthetic chemicals.

Technical specifications

Key features and findings:

• Allicin extracted from garlic inhibits proteins related to bacterial growth and modulates resistance-related protein molecules
• PEG 6000 encapsulation achieves a critical aggregation concentration of 1.5 mM
• Inhibition zone diameter of 24 mm demonstrated against both Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6051)
• Stability retention assessed over 15 days of repeated testing with minimal variation
• Approximately 1.5-year shelf stability with less than 5% alteration in inhibition zone diameter
• pH-responsive release mechanism: aggregates break under increased or reduced pH, releasing allicin for enhanced antimicrobial action
• Two-way ANOVA confirmed PEG 6000 sensitivity to pH change (p<0.05), enabling controlled release kinetics

Technology readiness level

The formulation has completed initial laboratory validation with demonstrated biocidal efficacy and stability data against two reference bacterial strains. Future validation will extend testing to cleaning substance applications, including aggregation concentration at basic pH, microenvironment stability of encapsulated allicin, release kinetics through aggregate disruption, and inhibition zone determination following pH-triggered release. This extended validation is estimated to require approximately 1.5 years. The research team is seeking partnership support for equipment, testing infrastructure, and funding for key personnel to advance the formulation toward commercial cleaning agent applications.