Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of essential oils obtained from Thymus vulgaris L., Origanum vulgare L., Origanum majerana L., Mentha × piperita L. and Allium ursinum L. against Prototheca zopfii strains that cause inflammation of the udder (mastitis) in cows. The study was conducted on ten strains derived from milk samples. The microdilution method was used to determine the sensitivity of P. zopfii strains to the studied essential oils, and the disk diffusion method was used to determine the sensitivity to antifungal chemotherapeutics. The plates were incubated for 48 h at 37 °C under aerobic conditions. All strains of algae were sensitive to the essential oils marjoram, thyme and oregano and resistant to mint and garlic oils. MIC values ranged from 0.25 to 1 μl/ml. Marjoram oil demonstrated the greatest activity, and oregano oil the weakest. Among the antifungal agents tested, 90% of strains showed sensitivity to nystatin. One of the tested strains (71/IV) was resistant to all investigated antifungal agents. The tested essential oils are known to have anti-algae activity and can be used as natural agents for prophylaxis in animals, particularly in mastitis-affected cows.
Highlights
Viruses, bacteria or fungi are commonly known to be pathogenic to animals and humans, the algae of the genus Prototheca may present a threat
Treating Prototheca mastitis is difficult, and the applied therapy is beset by resistance, which may be caused by the presence of sporopollenin in the algal cell wall [2]
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of essential oils obtained from Thymus vulgaris L., Origanum vulgare L., Origanum majerana L., Mentha 9 piperita L. and Allium ursinum L. against P. zopfii strains that cause inflammation of the udder in cows
Summary
Bacteria or fungi are commonly known to be pathogenic to animals and humans, the algae of the genus Prototheca may present a threat. Prototheca zopfii is mainly responsible for infection in animals, and the most common protothecosis is mastitis. The pathogen is transmitted through sick animals and the environment: drinking water, slurry, feces, the walls and floors in stalls, equipment and cups of milk [2]. A number of factors are known to promote infection, including age of cows, number of episodes, past inflammation and treatment method. Treating Prototheca mastitis is difficult, and the applied therapy is beset by resistance, which may be caused by the presence of sporopollenin in the algal cell wall [2]. Used antibacterial and antifungal agents are ineffective, despite demonstrating biological activity in vitro. The use of intramammary administration of levamisole and tetramisole has failed to demonstrate clinical efficacy [2, 4]
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