Antimicrobial activity of patchouli (Pogostemon cablin Benth) citronella (Cymbopogon nardus), and nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) essential oil and their mixtures against pathogenic and food spoilage microbes

Abstract

New natural compounds that are effective against pathogenic and food spoilage microbes are needed, especially those that are resistant to conventional antimicrobial compounds. This study aimed to determine the composition and antimicrobial activity of patchouli, citronella, nutmeg essential oil and their mixtures against pathogenic and food spoilage microbes that is Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella sp, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger. The antimicrobial activity test was carried out by using the disc diffusion method to determine the zone of inhibition. Citronella oil has higher antimicrobial activity in inhibiting the growth of Aspergillus niger, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans, namely 38.28 mm, 26.22 mm and 16.21 mm, respectively. Meanwhile, for Shigella sp, patchouli oil is better able to inhibit the growth of Shigella sp, namely 6.80 mm. The combination of the mixture of citronella oil with patchouli oil and citronella oil with nutmeg oil can increase the inhibitory ability of patchouli oil and nutmeg oil respectively against the growth of Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger and Staphylococcus aureus. The sensitivity of pathogenic and food spoilage microbes tested against these three essential oils shows the potential for patchouli, citronella, and nutmeg essential oils to be used as natural preservatives in the food industry.