<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Plant extracts and essential oils (EOs) are characterized by their antibacterial properties against various bacterial pathogens, including staphylococci. Some strains of these bacteria are resistant against the adverse effects of the environment including antibiotics, e. g. methicillin-resistant <italic>Staphylococcus aureus</italic> (MRSA). EOs alone cannot substitute for antibiotics but their treatment may be useful to intensify and strengthen the effects of antibiotics on pathogenic staphylococci. In this work, we tested the antibacterial effects of the essential oils of <italic>Mentha</italic> species with menthol as one of the effective substances against different strains of <italic>S. aureus</italic>. Two <italic>in vitro</italic> methods were used, the qualitative disc diffusion assay and the quantitative minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of selected essential oils. Peppermint oil from <italic>Mentha piperita</italic>, spearmint oil from <italic>Mentha spicata</italic> var. <italic>crispa</italic> and cornmint oil from <italic>Mentha arvensis</italic> were tested in this study against the various strains of <italic>Staphylococcus aureus</italic>, including methicillin resistant <italic>Staphylococcus aureus</italic> (MRSA). The oils were dissolved in DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) and diluted at the following ratios: 1 : 1, 1 : 2, 1 : 5, and 1 : 10. Based on the results determined by the agar disc diffusion test, the highest antibacterial properties were observed in spearmint oil against <italic>S. aureus</italic> CCM 4223 at 1 : 2 ratio where the inhibition zone varied at a range of 35.67 ± 6.81 mm. We determined also the MIC of all the oils where concentrations of the oils were as follows: 1 %; 0.5 %; 0.25 %; 0.125 % and 0.0625 %. The lowest concentrations of essential oils that possessed inhibitory effects on the growth of <italic>S. aureus</italic> varied between 0.125 % and 0.25 %.</p></abstract>

Plant extracts and essential oils (EOs) are characterized by their antibacterial properties against various bacterial pathogens, including staphylococci. Some strains of these bacteria are resistant against the adverse effects of the environment including antibiotics, e. g. methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). EOs alone cannot substitute for antibiotics but their treatment may be useful to intensify and strengthen the effects of antibiotics on pathogenic staphylococci. In this work, we tested the antibacterial effects of the essential oils of Mentha species with menthol as one of the effective substances against different strains of S. aureus. Two in vitro methods were used, the qualitative disc diffusion assay and the quantitative minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of selected essential oils. Peppermint oil from Mentha piperita, spearmint oil from Mentha spicata var. crispa and cornmint oil from Mentha arvensis were tested in this study against the various strains of Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The oils were dissolved in DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) and diluted at the following ratios: 1 : 1, 1 : 2, 1 : 5, and 1 : 10. Based on the results determined by the agar disc diffusion test, the highest antibacterial properties were observed in spearmint oil against S. aureus CCM 4223 at 1 : 2 ratio where the inhibition zone varied at a range of 35.67 ± 6.81 mm. We determined also the MIC of all the oils where concentrations of the oils were as follows: 1 %; 0.5 %; 0.25 %; 0.125 % and 0.0625 %. The lowest concentrations of essential oils that possessed inhibitory effects on the growth of S. aureus varied between 0.125 % and 0.25 %.

<italic>In vitro</italic> Antibacterial Activity of Mentha Essential Oils Against <italic>Staphylococcus aureus</italic>

Department of Microbiology and Immunology

University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy

Folia Veterinaria

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

 Antibacterial Activity of Mentha Essential Oils Against 

Plant extracts and essential oils (EOs) are characterized by their antibacterial properties against various bacterial pathogens, including staphylococci. Some...

In vitro Antibacterial Activity of Mentha Essential Oils Against Staphylococcus aureus

Published Online: Oct 11, 2017

Page range: 71 - 77

Received: Jul 07, 2017

Accepted: Sep 08, 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/fv-2017-0030

Keywords
antibacterial activity, essential oils, methods,

© 2017 Horváth, P. et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

In vitro Antibacterial Activity of Mentha Essential Oils Against Staphylococcus aureus

Published Online: Oct 11, 2017

Page range: 71 - 77

Received: Jul 07, 2017

Accepted: Sep 08, 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/fv-2017-0030

Keywordsantibacterial activity, essential oils, methods,

© 2017 Horváth, P. et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
antibacterial activity, essential oils, methods,