Inhibitory effect of some spice essential oils on growth of some gram‐negative and gram‐positive bacteria and a yeast

Abstract

Disk diffusion method to determine antimicrobial activity of plant essential oils was used. While the essential oil extracted from oregano has a high effect on nine of our test microorganisms (75%), one of them had a medium effect and two of them had a weak effect in the test results. While the essential oil obtained from thyme was effective on VRE, MSSA, Escherichia feacalis, and Staphylococcus epidermidis, it was not effective on Salmonella enteritidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. The most effective essential oils on microorganisms were oregano, thyme, and lavandula oils. The essential oils were more effective to MSSA, VRE, E. feacalis, and S. epidermidis. In our study, we aimed to shed light on the beneficial use of herbal products for human health. The pandemic process has shown the importance of fight against pathogenic microorganisms. We believe that this study will contribute to conservation medicine. Practical applications In recent years, plant products such as exytract, essential, oleoresin oil, etc. have become crucial due to the rapid resistance microorganisms have built to antibiotics. Essential oils have been generally used in cosmetics, medicine, and food industries. Also, the volatile compounds obtained from plants have antimicrobial, antifungal, and insecticidal effects. The antimicrobial activity of essential oil is fundamentally attributed to its main components, but the synergistic or antagonistic effect of a compound in the small percentage of the mixture must be taken into consideration.