In Vitro Antibacterial Effect and Sensitization Evaluation of Tea-Tree Oil Preparation

Abstract

In order to promote the development and utilization of tea tree oil in china, The tea tree oil which was extracted from terpinen-4-ol typed Melaleuca alternifolia introduced and selected by Guangxi Forestry Science Institute, was tested in antibacterial activity, local irritation and sensitization research. The results demonstrated that the tea tree oil preparation to the selected staphylococcus aureus, epidermis staphylococcus aureus, escherich-ia coli, pseudomonas aeruginosa and candida albicans has good antibacterial activity. There were no irritating reations observed in the dermal irritation test in rabbits and 0.5% tea tree oil has no sensitization in guinea pigs. This study confirms that tea tree oil has significant antibacterial activity, low -irritating and hypo-allergenic properties, promising a broad development value.