Antibacterial activity of essential oils from Australian native plants

Citations Over TimeTop 10% of 2005 papers

Abstract

To date, of the Australian essential oils, only tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) and Eucalyptus spp. have undergone extensive investigation. In this study a range of Australian essential oils, including those from Anethole anisata, Callistris glaucophyllia, Melaleuca spp. and Thyptomine calycina, were assayed for in vitro antibacterial activity. M. alternifolia was also included for comparison purposes. Activity was determined using standard disc diffusion assays with each oil assayed at 100%, 10% and 1% against five bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Alcaligenes faecalis) and the yeast, Candida albicans. All bacteria, with the exception of Ps. aeruginosa, were susceptible to one or more of the essential oils at 100%, with only Eremophilia mitchelli inhibiting the growth of any bacteria at 1% (inhibition of Sal. typhimurium). Where multiple samples of a single oil variety were tested variability in activity profiles were noted. This suggests that different methods of preparation of essential oils, together with variability in plant chemical profiles has an impact on whether or not the essential oil is of use as an antimicrobial agent. These results show that essential oils from Australian plants may be valuable antimicrobial agents for use alone or incorporated into cosmetics, cleaning agents and pharmaceutical products.

Related Papers

• → Melaleuca oil (tea tree oil) dermatitis(1994)143 cited
• → Indian Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia Cheel) Essential Oil(1996)8 cited
• → Critical Evaluation of <i>Melaleuca alternifolia</i> : A Review of the Phytochemical Profile, Pharmacological Attributes and Medicinal Properties in the Botanical, Human and Global Perspectives(2021)6 cited
• → Essential oil from Melaleuca dissitiflora: a potential source of high quality tea tree oil(1994)19 cited
• Study on the Quality Standard of Essential Oil of 1,8-cineole Rich Melaleuca alternifolia(2011)