Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
Abstract
Introduction: The idea of holistic medicine is becoming more popular by the day. More and more people are using essential oils rather than prescribed antibiotics.
Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the antibacterial effectiveness of Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree Oil), Lavandula officinalis (Lavender Oil), and Eucalyptus citriodora (Eucalyptus Oil), against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Materials & Methods: Blank filter paper disks were placed into 1mL of each essential oil. The disks soaked in the oil at room temperature for two hours. Three blood agar plates (BAP) were inoculated with each organism using the lawning technique. The disks from each essential oil tube were placed in a triangular manner on the lawned plates. Plates were incubated in ambient air at 37 degrees Celsius for twenty four hours. Plates were then read for zones of inhibition around the kirby bauer disks. The zone of inhibition, if present, was recorded in mm.
Results: Pseudomonas aeruginosa demonstrated resistance to all essential oils tested. Tea tree oil consistently recorded the largest zone of inhibition with S. aureus and E. coli. Lavender oil recorded the second largest zones of inhibition followed by eucalyptus oil.
Conclusion: Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli have been shown to be susceptible to all essential oils tested while, Pseudomonas aeruginosa demonstrated resistance to all essential oils. Further studies with more organisms as well as oils should be performed.
ScholarWorks Citation
Naheedy, Darby, "Antibacterial Effectiveness of Essential Oils Against Common Pathogens" (2017). Honors Projects. 659.
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/honorsprojects/659
