GEO-PGS composite shows synergistic and complementary effect on Escherichia coli and improvement of intestinal dysfunction

Abstract Palygorskite (PGS) is a kind of clay minerals with the property of absorbent capacity, and ginger essential oil (GEO) is a kind of natural antibacterial substances. In the present study PGS was used as carrier of GEO, and thus, a kind of new anti-bacterial composite GEO-PGS has been obtained. Characterization, inhibitory effect of GEO-PGS on Escherichia coli (E. coli) and its function of improvement of intestinal health would be investigated. Results showed that characterization analysis of GEO-PGS (FTIR, TG-DSC, BET, Zeta potential, specific surface area, total pore volume and size, TEM observation) demonstrated combination of GEO and PGS, and GEO was absorbed on the surface of PGS, partially filled the micropores of PGS. GEO-PGS had obvious inhibitory effect on E.coli, in combination of the antibacterial activity of GEO and bacteria-absorbed capability of PGS. GEO-PGS also had ameliorating effect on enteritis and intestinal dysfunction in vivo, which might be related to the inhibition of gene expression of inflammatory cytokines (TLR2, IL-6, TNFα, and IL-8). In conclusion, the novel composite GEO-PGS has the potential usage as functional component having effect of improving intestinal health.