An evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of some commonly used wood species

Abstract

Aims: Antibiotic resistance mechanisms in pathogenic bacteria constitute an important obstacle in the fight against infection. Controlling the spread of resistant pathogens by utilizing antimicrobial activity on their surfaces may help us in this fight. There are many plant and wood species that have been previously tested for their antibacterial and antiviral properties. In this study, walnut (Juglans regia), white mulberry (Morus alba), white oak (Quercus alba), yellow pine (Pinus sylvestris), and beech (Fagus sylvetica), which are among the wood species used in the production of products that are in constant contact with humans in daily life, such as furniture, doors, and beads, were examined in terms of an antistaphylococcal effect. Methods: Five groups of tree species and glass samples selected as a positive control were cut into 1 cm3, contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus solution with a concentration of 1*106 CFU/ml, and monitored for five days. Each day, five randomly selected samples from each group were sonicated with phosphate buffered saline. Samples taken from the sonicated solution were cultured on tryptic soy agar, and the number of bacteria per sample was calculated. One sample selected from the uncontaminated samples was incubated with 0.5 McFarland standard bacterial solution on Müller Hinton agar, and the diameter of inhibition was evaluated. The study was repeated twice. The significance level was set at 0.05. Results: The agar diffusion method showed inhibition zone only in Q. alba and M. alba. In samples contaminated with bacteria, the highest antistaphylococcal effect was found in Q. alba. This was followed by M. alba, P. sylvestris, F. sylvetica. There was no significant difference between J. regia and the positive control. Conclusion: In this study in which we wanted to emphasize the importance of the antimicrobial activity of surfaces for pathogens known to live on the surface environment, all trees except J. regia showed antistaphylococcal activity. It is thought that the procyanidins?phenethyl, benzyl, and benzyl?in the bark of the trees are effective. In previous studies, Q. alba in particular is recommended for anti-infective use due to its high inhibition effect. Antibacterial activity was also found in F. sylvetica, which is known to have antiviral activity. Antibacterial activity was not demonstrated for J. regia. In order to prevent the spread of infection in collective living areas, it is recommended that trees be selected that contain antimicrobial raw materials such as M. alba, Q. alba, P. Sylvestris, and F. sylvetica and to evaluate the use of extracts from these trees as natural and edible products to combat bacteria.