Plants vs Pills

Grade:

8

Teacher:

Laura Robinson

The experiment tested if the natural substances; manuka honey, garlic, thyme, oregano oil, and black seed oil, could inhibit the growth of E. Coli better than a standard antibiotic. Each substance was applied to a sterile disc and tested on nutrient agar plates covered in E. Coli with a standard antibiotic disc for comparison. Results were measured after 24 hours of incubation at 36 degrees Celsius. The results showed that manuka honey, thyme, and black seed oil produced no measurable inhibition zone. Garlic changed the appearance of the bacteria but did not inhibit the growth of it. Oregano oil was the only substance that consistently inhibited bacterial growth with ⅘ outperforming the antibiotic. The findings did not support the hypothesis that none of the natural substances would be as effective as the antibiotic. Instead, oregano oil demonstrated antibacterial activity. This find was surprising and could be used in place of antibiotics if studied further. Future research could test how oregano affects other forms of bacteria, both harmful and beneficial ones.

Project presentation