EUCALYPTUS OIL PREVENTS STAPHYLOCOCCUS EPIDERMIDIS BIOFILM FORMATION

Marianne Haddad, Salam Zein, Hawraa Shahrour, Krivoruchko Elena, Ali Chokr and Hussein Kanaan*

ABSTRACT

Objective: To evaluate the antibacterial activity of the essential oil extracted from Eucalyptus Globulus cultivated in Lebanon against three Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 and Staphylococcus epidermidis CIP 444) and two Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853). Also, the antibiofilm activity has been investigated against the biofilm produced by Staphylococcus epidermidis CIP 444. Materials: The essential oil extracted from Eucalyptus leaves were used in broth microdilution methods to test the minimal inhibitory concentration, and then the minimal bactericidal concentration was determined. The antibiofilm activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis was determined by quantification of total biofilm biomass with crystal violet. Results: The results have shown that Eucalyptus oil, have good antibacterial activities against the 5 bacterial strains used in this study. A negligible biofilm eradication but a promising biofilm prevention activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis was shown to be dose-dependent. Conclusion: Eucalyptus oil has a promising antibacterial activity and prevents Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm formation, and therefore could be used in pharmaceutical and medical applications.

Keywords: Eucalyptus globulus; Essential oil; Antibacterial activity; Antibiofilm prevention; antibiofilm eradication.