Antimicrobial activity of Eucalyptus essential oil

Abstract

Introduction: Eucalyptus essential oil has long been used in traditional medicine such as an antiseptic to treat colds, coughs and cure the inflammation. Literature reviews shows that, Eucalyptus
essential oil contained several bioactive compounds and has pharmacological effects of antimicrobial activity. The objective of this research aims to evaluate the antibacterial and antifungal
activities of essential oil from leaves of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. against 17 bacterial species and 6 yeast species.

Method: The essential oil from leaves of E. globulus Labill. was extracted by steam distillation. The antibacterial and antifungal activities were determined using disc diffusion method.

Result: The results showed that the essential oil from Eucalyptus exhibited potent antibacterial activity against the Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with 9 species bacterial including S. aureus, L. monocytogenes, Bacillus sp., E. coli, S. marcescens, P. vulgaris, P. mirabilis, Citrobacter sp. and A. baumannii. The extracts showed activity against the Gram-positive and Gram-negative
bacteria in a dose dependent. Furthermore, the essential oil showed antifungal activity against 4 yeast species as C. albicans, C. krusei, C. tropicalis and C. glabrata.

Conclusion: The essential oil exhibited the antibacterial effect on A. baumannii that has become resistant to many antibiotics. The results revealed that the essential oil from leaves of E. globulus
Labill. shows the interesting pharmacologic benefits for the development of a new alternative medicine.