ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF OILS FROM PUMKIN SEEDS, GRAPE SEEDS AND SEA-BUCKTHORN FRUITs

Abstract

Currently, the search for new alternative effective sources for obtaining compounds with antimicrobial activity does not lose its relevance. Aim. To investigate the antimicrobial activity of oils obtained by cold pressing from pumpkin seeds, grape seeds and sea-buckthorn fruits. Methods. Antimicrobial activity of oils from pumpkin seeds, grape seeds and sea-buckthorn fruits against strains of indicator microorganisms Staphylococcus aureus АТСС 25923, Micrococcus luteus АТСС 4698, Enterococcus faecalis АТСС 29212, Bacillus subtilis АТСС 6633, Kocuria rhizophila DSM 3480, Escherichia coli АТСС 25922, Proteus vulgaris АТСС 6896, Salmonella enterica NCTC 6017, Klebsiella pneumoniae АТСС 10031, Pseudomonas aeruginosa АТСС 27853, Pseudomonas putida KT 2440 and Candida albicans АТСС 18804 was determined on semi-liquid LB medium by the well method. Results. All tested plant oils showed antimicrobial activity against certain strains of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, but were ineffective against B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa, P. putida and the eukaryotic microorganism C. albicans. Strains of Gram-positive bacteria were more sensitive to the action of all three types of plant oils. The most sensitive strain was M. luteus ATCC 4698, the size of which zones of no growth exceeded 16 mm under the influence of all tested oils. Pumpkin seeds oil was more effective against sensitive test strains of indicator microorganisms. Conclusions. Plant oils obtained by cold pressing from pumpkin seeds, grape seeds and sea-buckthorn fruits showed variable antimicrobial activity, which was better in pumpkin seeds oil. K. rhizophila DSM 3480 and M. luteus ATCC 4698 strains were the most sensitive to its influence, the sizes of the zones of no growth were 16.5 ± 0.1 mm and 16.3 ± 0.2 mm, respectively. Further researches are necessary to determine the chemical composition and quantitative assessment of the bioactive compounds of these oils, as well as the mechanisms of their action on the cells of microorganisms.