9. Antimicrobial activity of essential oils obtained from aromatic plants of Argentina

M.S. DEMO,; MA DE LAS M. OLIVA; M.L.LOPEZ; M. P. ZUNINO; J.A. ZYGADLO.

PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY

Año: 2005 vol. 43 p. 129 - 134

1388-0209

The aim of this work was to evaluate the antibacterial and antifungal activity of essential oils obtained from medicinal plants of the Argentine Republic. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of 14 plants collected from different zones was analized. The microorganisms used were: S. aureus, S. epidermidis, B. cereus, M. luteus, E. faecalis, E. coli, Klebsiella sp, P. mirabilis, P. aeruginosa and the yeast C. albicans. The disc difussion method was performed to test antimicrobial activity. B. cereus and S. aureus were inhibited by most of the essential oils. A. triphylla, P. spartoides and A. tomentosa were the most effective compunds against B. cereus, while A.. triphylla and B. flabellata were effective against S. aureus. None of the oils inhibited P. aeruginosa. B. flabellata and P. odorata were active only against Gram positive bacteria. A. triphylla and P. spartoides inhibited all tested microorganism while the remaining essential oils showed variable activity. The minimun inhibitory concentration (MIC) of A. triphylla and P. spartoides essential oils were determined using the disc difussion method. The lowest MICs were against S. aureus (1/16), B. cereus (1/16), S. epidermidis (1/8) and C. albicans (1/32), for A. triphylla. The lowest MICs were against S. aureus (1/32), B. cereus (1/32), P. mirabilis (1/32) and C. albicans (1/64) with P. spartoides. The results showed that B. cereus and S. aureus were the most sensitive microorganisms and P. aeruginosa was the most resistent microorganism. This study may contribute to improve ethnobotanical knowledge and would help to discover substances with potential therapeutical uses, as food preservants or as food-born pathogen inhibitors.