Abstract
Health issues related to bacterial infections, and the rise of bacterial resistance, have pushed the need for improved control options. Recently there has been a renewed interest in testing essential oils as antimicrobials, and combinatorial therapy combining conventional antibiotics and essential oils is ongoing. The popularity of essential oils as homeopathic remedies has increased in recent years due to the thought that natural products might prove safer than ingredients currently in consumer products. Several scientific reports exist relating to the efficacy of essential oils in controlling microbes, however most of these publications are either microbe centric, or are specific to one particular essential oil or oil constituent. This work was undertaken to develop a more comprehensive picture of the antibacterial effects of essential oils by evaluating the effectiveness of a large panel of essential oils against four diverse strains of bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, and Serratia marcescens). Of the essential oils tested, cinnamon bark, lemongrass, oregano, and thyme oils were the most potent, and had activity comparable to a concentration of a penicillin-streptomycin solution commonly used to inhibit bacterial growth. This study supports the idea that certain essential oils could play an important role in the development of antimicrobial products.
Highlights
Essential oils (EOs) are natural aromatic compounds isolated from plants
Escherichia coli (ATCC® 25922TM), Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus Rosenbach (ATCC® 25923TM), Micrococcus luteus (Schroeter) Cohn (ATCC® 49732TM), and Serratia marcenscens subsp. marcescens Bizio (ATCC® 13880TM) strains were purchased through ATCC (Manassas, VA)
100 μL of bacteria was added to a 100 mm tryptic soy agar plate and spread out using an L spreader to create a uniform layer of bacteria. 20 μL of each EO was applied on a sterile paper disc aseptically placed on the inoculated plates
Summary
Essential oils (EOs) are natural aromatic compounds isolated from plants. Oil is “essential” in the sense that it contains the “essence of” the plant’s fragrance. These complex mixtures have been used medicinally throughout history for a wide range of purposes. Interest in essential oils has been revived as a natural alternative to conventional treatments and therapeutic practices. Suggested applications for the use of antimicrobial oils span multiple microbes, such as viruses, fungi, and bacteria, and extend into many industries, from agricultural, to hospitals, to home use. As harmful bacterial strains in homes and hospitals become increasingly resistant to conventional antibiotics and antibacterial agents in consumer products, better and alternative products will certainly be needed
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