Antimicrobial activity of three essential oils against several human pathogens

Abstract

Essential oils are products derived from various parts of plants. These products have therapeutic, pharmacological and antimicrobial properties against human pathogens. In this paper, the impact of clove, spruce and pine essential oils against Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Staphylococcus aureus was determined using disc diffusion method. Liquid bacterial inoculum was streaked onto Muller-Hinton agar using the sterile swab. Antimicrobial activity was estimated by measurement of inhibition zone around the discs previously impregnated by essential oil and placed onto agar. Results showed that the antimicrobial activity of essential oils depended on the type of oil and bacterial species. The significantly highest diameter of inhibition zone against tested bacteria was recorded using clove essential oil, whilst the lowest diameter was noticed using pine essential oil. Clove oil was most effective against Staphylococcus aureus, whilst spruce and pine oil against Salmonella spp. compared to other bacteria. Strong positive correlation between the effect of the spruce oil against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, spruce and with clove oil against Staphylococcus aureus was recorded. The results of this research indicate the possible application of essential oil of clove against human pathogens.