The Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association          www.ana-jana.org

Vol. 6, No. 3, Summer 2003 Reprint

A Peer-Reviewed Journal on Nutraceuticals and Nutrition

Mark Houston, MD

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN-1521-4524

 

 

Antimicrobial Effects of Plant-Derived

Essential Oil Formulations on Pathogenic Bacteria

Robert A. Settineri, MS,1 Stuart M. Krassner, PhD2 Anne Vermilye, MNSh,3*

1 Sierra Productions, Research Division, Irvine, California

2University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California

3 Bio Excel, LLC^®, Researcher, Mill Valley, California

* Correspondence:

Anne Vermilye

775 E. Blithedale Ave., Suite 337

Mill Valley, California  94941

(415) 482-0555

anne@bioexcel.com

ABSTRACT

Antimicrobial disk susceptibility tests serve as standard assays for measuring the activity of compounds against pathogenic bacteria. In the current study, two plant-derived proprietary essential oil blends were tested for their antibacterial activity against five common strains of pathogenic bacteria using disk susceptibility tests. A formulation intended for topical use (EOF 1) inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, andStaphylococcus aureus as evidenced by zone inhibition diameter measurements when compared to those reported for standard antibiotics. EOF 1 exhibited no activity against Proteus vulgaris and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The second formulation (EOF 2), intended for inhalation use, inhibited the growth of all five test bacteria strains with zone inhibition diameters two to three times greater than those reported for standard antibiotics.

The growth of all five bacteria strains was inhibited when a cotton swab impregnated with EOF 2 was suspended above the bacterial lawn, indicating a true vapor or fume effect by this formulation.

Key words: essential oils, antibacterials, disk susceptibility testing, zones of inhibition, aromatherapy, botanical oil extracts, antimicrobials.

INTRODUCTION

The antimicrobial properties of some plant-derived essential oils have been recognized for hundreds of years1,2 and have been documented in scientific studies.3-7 It has been demonstrated that the antimicrobial activities of one natural oil, tea tree oil, obtained from Melaleuca alternifolia, are attributable to its hydrocarbon and terpine constituents, including terpinen-4ol, α-terpineol and linalool.8 The purpose of this study was to determine the inhibitory effect of two botanical combinations of essential oils against five common and clinically significant bacterial pathogens. Antimicrobial activity was assayed by the standard method adopted from the National Committee on Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) for antibiotic susceptibility testing.9,10

One of the two proprietary formulations (EOF 1) Dental Delight was developed for topical use, in the mouth and the other (EOF 2) Breathe Great for inhalation.

Besides the direct contact disk sensitivity method we devised a technique for the inhalation formulation where a cotton swab was suspended above the agar-based bacterial lawn, mimicking a true vapor or aroma effect.

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Culture Preparation

The following strains of gram negative and gram positive bacteria were purchased from American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) Manassas, VA: Escherichia coli ATCC‚® 25922, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC‚® 27736, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC‚® 25923, Proteous vulgaris ATCC‚® 5380, and Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC‚® 12228. Each strain was plated out on blood agar plates and incubated for 18 hours at 35°C. Three to five identical 28 colonies from each agar plate were lifted with a sterile wire loop and transferred into a tube containing 5 mL of tryptic soy broth (TSB). Turbidity of each bacterial suspension was adjusted with TSB media to reach an optical comparison to that of a 0.5 McFarland standard, resulting in a suspension containing approximately 1 to 2 x 108 CFU/mL. A Wickerham Card (Hardy Diagnostics, Santa Maria, CA) was used for the visual comparison.11 Within 15 minutes after adjusting the turbidity of the inoculum suspension, Mueller-Hinton agar plates were inoculated by streaking the swab over the entire sterile agar surface. This procedure was repeated by streaking two more times, rotating the plate approximately 60° each time to ensure even distribution of the inoculum. As a final step, the rim of the agar was also swabbed.

Susceptibility Disk Method

The essential oil formulations were acquired from Bio Excel, LLC, Mill Valley, CA., manufactured and formulated by, Bio Excel and Anne Vermilye, Mill Valley, CA. Both formulas contain a combination of , essential oils that are plant-derived oil extracts (see Table 1). Fifteen microliters of either tryptic soy broth (Control), or EOF 1, or EOF 2 was placed on separate 0.25-inch blank filter paper disks (Hardy Diagnostics, Santa Maria, CA.) The disks were dispensed onto the surface of the inoculated agar plates and incubated at 35°C for 18 hours. The diameters of the zones of complete inhibition were recorded and each Petri dish were photographed.

Suspended Cotton Swab Method

Sterile cotton swabs were dipped in either sterile water for control plates or in EOF 2 and pressed firmly against the sides of the vessels to prevent dripping. They were then taped to the lid of each Petri dish. The swabs were suspended above the agar to avoid contact with its surface so that only the volatile components of EOF 2 elicited inhibitory activity.

Figure 1. Susceptibility of Bacteria to Essential Oils

Each 8 mm sensitivity disk was impregnated with 15 μ l of either sterile TSB media

Figure 2. Bacteria Susceptibility to Essential Oils to access new and complementary approaches to antibiotic therapy. This screening study in the laboratory indicates that essential oils may be considered to be used in combination with standard topical and antibiotic therapies.

However, to verify clinical utility, it is necessary to extend this research to human applications against similar strains of pathogens and examine dose responses of both topical and inhalation forms of the oils as well as testing various modes of administration. Because of minimal, if any, toxicity12 and pleasant odor, these oils may have the advantage of greater acceptance by patients and the community. This initial antimicrobial screen also warrants further studies with these formulations on antibiotic-resistant strains and other pathogens such as viruses, fungi, mycoplasma, chlamydia, and yeasts.

Figure 2

 

RESULTS

The zones of bacterial inhibition were measured to the nearest whole millimeter. The results of susceptibility disk tests showed moderate zone inhibition with three of the five bacterial strains in the EOF 1-treated cultures. Inhibition diameters in this group ranged from 11 to 18 mm. All five bacterial cultures treated with EOF 2 exhibited appreciable increases of zones of inhibition ranging from 25–68 mm.

Both groups resulted in irregular zone patterns, unlike those typically seen in standard antibiotic susceptibility tests. Antibiotics, for the most part, present a clean circular edge within the bacterial lawn, whereas the essential oil formulations produced an asymmetric jagged or spiked edge (see Fig 1).

  This effect may be a result of the pattern of radial diffusion penetration through troughs of uneven growth distribution within the bacterial lawn, giving rise to micro channels of less dense or sparse bacterial accumulation. The suspended swab method, incorporating EOF 2, resulted in zones of inhibition ranging from 26–36 mm in diameter in all five bacterial strains studied. An elliptical pattern mimicking the shape of the cotton impregnated with EOF 2 was observed (see Fig. 2). There appeared to be a concentration gradient of clear pronounced inhibition in the center, gradually feathering and fading to the periphery of the zone in four of the five bacterial strains tested. Presumably, the highest concentration of vapor molecules was at the center of the swab. This feathered zone edge effect was not prominent with Staphylococcus aureus.

DISCUSSION

The range of sensitivity to a wide variety of antibiotics by strains of bacteria similar to those used in this study (13 – 29 mm with concentrations of antimicrobials ranging from 1 μg to 350 μg per disk content) is documented in the NCCLS “tables of zone diameter interpretive standards and equivalent minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) breakpoints.”9 In this screening study, the bacteriostatic and/or bactericidal activities of two combination essential oil formulations (EOF 1, EOF 2) were observed against five ubiquitous strains of both gram negative and gram positive pathogenic bacteria. EOF 1 is intended for topical use and showed minimal to moderate antibacterial action comparable to the lower zone inhibition ranges reported for most antibiotics, 11–18 mm versus 13–29 mm respectively. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus were more sensitive to EOF 1 as evidenced by 15 mm, 16 mm, and 18 mm inhibited zone diameters respectively. Insensitivity was observed with Proteous vulgaris and Staphylococcus epidermidis with 11mm and 12mm zone diameters respectively, when compared to NCCLS-reported antibiotic minimal inhibitory range diameters. EOF 2 is targeted for inhalation use. When the disk method was utilized, the inhibition zone diameters for all bacterial strains were approximately two to three times the diameter of those of NCCLS-reported antibiotic sensitivity tests, 25–68 mm compared to 13–29 mm respectively. The suspended swab method more closely paralleled the intended inhalation use of EOF 2 by permitting only the gaseous phase of the formulation to make contact with the bacteria hence giving meaning to so called, aromatherapy. The inhibition seen by EOF 2 is greater than twice the reported antibiotic inhibitory diameters (26–36 mm) and is noteworthy since only a small concentration of the vapor molecules would probably come in contact with the growing bacteria.

The inhalation application of EOF 2 may prove useful in the prevention and/or treatment of upper respiratory infections caused by some strains of bacteria, or in the treatment of viral-induced secondary bacterial infections. With the increase of worldwide bacterial resistance of many strains of disease-producing bacteria, there is a need for further rsearch.

 

Figure 1. Susceptibility of Bacteria to Essential Oils

for controls or 15 μ l of each essential oil formula.

 

Table 1. Essential Oil Formulation Ingredients.

EOF 1

Melaleuca alterniflolia

Cymbopogon martinii

Commiphora molmol

Thymus vulgaris linalool

Helichrysum itallicum serot

Vitamin E

EOF 2

Melaleuca alternifloria

Ravensara aromatica

Rosmarinus officinalis camphora

Radiata

Thymus vulgaris thymol

Lavandula vera

Menta piperita   

Table 2. Bacterial Zone of Inhibition Diameters with

Essential Oil Formulations

*nearest whole millimeter

Zone Diameter (mm)*

Bacteria                  EOF 1                       EOF 2

Escherichia coli                     15                                    45

Staphylococcus epidermidis  12                                     25

Staphylococcus aureus          18                                     47

Klebsiella pneumoniae          16                                     55

Proteous vulgaris                   11                                    68

 

Table 3. Bacterial Zone of Inhibition Diameters with EOF 2 Suspended Swab Test, Breathe Great

Bacteria Zone Diameter (mm)*

Proteous vulgaris                       26

Klebsiella pneumoniae               25

Escherichia coli                          32

Staphylococcus epidermidis       25

Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) 36

REFERENCES

1. Potterton D, Shellard EJ, Press JR. Culpeper’s Colour Herbal,

2d ed. . London, England: Foulsham 1996.

2. Lee K. Herbal success in MSRA treatment. Hospital Doctor.

1996;(6):10-15.

3. Celso VN, et al. Antibacterial activity of Occimum gratissimum

L. essential oil. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janiero.

1999;4(5):675-678.

4. Jedlickova Z. Antibacterial properties of Vietnamese cajeput oil

and occimum oil in combination with antibacaterial agents. J

Hyg Epidemiol Immunol. 1992;36:303-309.

5. Lima EO, et al. In vitro antifungal activity of essential oils

obtained from officinal plant against dermatophytes. Mycoses.

1993;36:333-336.

6. Nwosu JO, et al. Preliminary studies of the antifungal activities

of some medical plants against Basidiobolus and some other

pathogenic fungi. Mycoses. 1995;38:191-195.

7. Ramanoelina AR, et. al Antibacterial action of essential oils

extracted from Madagascar plants. Arch Inst Pasteur

Madagascar. 1987;53:271-276.

8. Carson CF, et al. Susceptibility of methicillin-resistant

Staphylococcus aureus to the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia.

Antimicrobial Chemother. 1995;35:421-424.

9. Performance Standards for Antimicrobial Disk Susceptibility

Tests, 5th ed. M2-M5. Villanova, Pa: National Committee for

Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCLS). 1930.

10. Bauer AW, Kirby WM, Sherris JC, Turck M. Antibiotic susceptibility

testing by a standardized single disk method. Am J

Clin Pathol. 1966;45:493-496.

11. Carlberg D. Determining the effect of antibiotics on bacterial

growth by optical and electrical methods. Antibiotics in

Laboratory Medicine, 2d ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Williams and

Wilkins. 2001;64-92.

12. Tisserand R, Balacs T. Essential Oil Safety. Churchill

Livingstone, Medical Division of Pearson Professional Limited.

New York, NY. 1996:228-229

 

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN NUTRACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION

A Peer-Reviewed Journal on Nutraceuticals and Nutrition www.ana-jana.org

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Mark Houston, MD – Associate Clinical Professor of

Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine;

Director, Hypertension Institute and Vascular Biology,

Saint Thomas Medical Group, Saint Thomas Hospital,

Nashville, Tennessee.

EDITORIAL BOARD

Jordan Asher, MD – Co-Founder, Hypertension Institute,

Saint Thomas Medical Group - Saint Thomas Hospital,

Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, Vanderbilt

University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee.

Ethan Basch, MD, MPhil – Fellow in Hematology/Oncology,

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, Chief

Editor, Massachusetts General Hospital Primer of Outpatient

Medicine.

Jan Basile, MD – Associate Professor of Medicine, Ralph

H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Medical University of

South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.

Russell Blaylock, MD – Clinical Assistant Professor,

University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson,

Mississippi.

Hyla Cass, MD – Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, UCLA

School of Medicine, President, The Healthy Foundation -

Vitamin Relief - USA/Children First. Los Angeles, California.

Lisa R. Colodny, PharmD, BCNSP – Clinical

Coordinator, Broward General Medical Center, Ft.

Lauderdale, Florida.

Loren Cordain, PhD – Professor, Department of Health

and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Ft.

Collins, Colorado.

Jeanette Dunn, EdD, RN, CNS – Former Associate Dean

of Nursing, University of Tennessee. Co-director,

Foundation for Care Management, Vashoon, Washington.

Brent Eagan, MD – Professor, Pharmacology and

Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina,

Charleston, South Carolina.

Christopher M. Foley, MD – Medical Director,

Integrative Care, St. Paul, Minnesota. Serves on the teaching

faculty, University of Minnesota, School of Pharmacy.

Clare M. Hasler, PhD – Assistant Professor of Nutrition,

Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition,

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Ralph G. Hawkins, MD, FRCPC – Associate Professor of

Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of

Tennessee-Memphis.

Robert Krueger, PhD – Professor of Pharmacognosy,

School of Pharmacy, Ferris State University, Big Rapids,

Michigan.

Alexander Mauskop, MD, FAAN – Director, New York

Headache Center, and Associate Professor of Clinical

Neurology, State University of New York (SUNY),

Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York.

Mark J.S. Miller, PhD – Research Professor and Director

of Pediatric Laboratories, Department of Pediatrics, Albany

Medical College, Albany, New York.

Garth L. Nicolson, PhD – President, Chief Scientific Officer and Research Professor, The Institute for Molecular Medicine, Huntington Beach, California.

Anthony J. Silvagni, DO, PharmD, MSc, FACOFP – Dean, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Catherine Ulbricht, PharmD – Senior Attending Pharmacist, Massachusetts General Hospital. Adjunct Clinical Professor, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, Boston, Massachusetts. Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy.

C. Wayne Weart, PharmD, BCPS, FASHP – Professor and Chair, Department of Pharmacy Practice, and Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.

Bernd Wollschlaeger, MD – Board-certified family practice; Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine and Family Medicine, University of Miami, School of Medicine.