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Research: MICKIENE and COLLEAGUES,
Listed in Issue 192
Abstract
MICKIENE and COLLEAGUES, Department of Food Safety and Animal Hygiene, Veterinary Academy of Lithuanian University of Health Science, Kaunas, Lithuania. mickiene@lva.lt evaluates the antimicrobial activity of essential oils in vitro against a number of pathogenic bacteria.
Background
The aim of the study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of essential oils in vitro for possible applications to reduce the content of microorganisms in the air of animal houses.
Methodology
The essential oils of Cymbopogon citrarus L. and Malaleuca alternifolia L. were screened against bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and yeast Candida albicans. The minimal inhibitory concentration of the active essential oils was tested using broth dilution assay. The essential oils concentrations ranged from 0.1-50.0%. The combined effects of essential oils were tested for Malaleuca alternifolia L. and Cymbopogon citrarus L. concentrations ranged from 0.005-50.0%.
Results
The oils showed a wide spectrum of antibacterial activity. Concentrations of 0.1-0.5% of Cymbopogon citrarus L. and Malaleuca alternifolia L. reduced total microorganisms count of Proteus mirabilis and Candida albicans. High antibacterial activity was also revealed for Cymbopogon citrarus L. with bactericidal concentrations of 0.8% for Escherichia coli, 5.0% for Enterococcus faecium, 5.0% for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 8.0% for Staphylococcus aureus. Bactericidal concentrations of Malaleuca alternifolia L. were 5.0% for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecium, and 8.0% for Staphylococcus aureus.
Conclusion
The essential oils of Cymbopogon citrarus and Malaleuca alternifolia may be a promising alternative of air disinfection in animal houses.
References
Mickiene R, Bakutis B and Baliukoniene V. Antimicrobial activity of two essential oils. Source Annals of Agricultural & Environmental Medicine. 18(1): 139-44. Jun 2011.
Comment
The results of this research demonstrates the antimicrobial efficacy of a variety of essential oils against a wide spectrum of pathogenic bacteria.
