In Vitro Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Melaleuca alternifolia Essential Oil

Abstract

The in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from Melaleuca alternifolia (M. alternifolia) was evaluated in this report. The antioxidant potential of the essential oil from M. alternifolia was evaluated by the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) method, thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) assay, and the hydroxyl radical scavenging activity method. The essential oil from M. alternifolia was able to reduce DPPH with an EC50 (concentration for 50% of maximal effect) of 48.35 μg/ml, inhibit the lipid peroxidation with an IC50 (50% inhibitory concentration) of 135.9 μg/ml, and eliminate hydroxyl radicals with an EC50 of 43.71 μg/ml. Antimicrobial screening, minimum inhibitory concentration, and minimum bactericidal concentration assays showed that the essential oil from M. alternifolia inhibited strongly the growth of different types of microorganisms, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Penicillium italicum Wehmer, and Penicillium digitatum Sacc. Thus, the essential oil of M. alternifolia possesses antioxidant and antimicrobial activity and could be suitable for use as a natural preservative ingredient in food, agriculture, and pharmaceutical industries.

The Antifungal Potential of Carvacrol against Penicillium Digitatum through 1H-NMR Based Metabolomics Approach

“…Moreover, it has also been tried to explore new preservation technologies that can replace synthetic fungicides. Compared with synthetic fungicides, natural antifungal substances have attained much attention in recent years [6][7][8][9].Various essential oils refined from Melaleuca alternifolia have strong inhibitory effects on multiple fungal strains, particularly P. italicum Wehmer and P. digitatum Sacc., and hence can be used as natural preservatives in agricultural and food processing [10]. Previously we have reported that cinnamaldehyde contained in cinnamon has a good antifungal effect against P. italicum and clarifies the method for dynamic detection of the antifungal effect of cinnamaldehyde [11].…”

“…Various essential oils refined from Melaleuca alternifolia have strong inhibitory effects on multiple fungal strains, particularly P. italicum Wehmer and P. digitatum Sacc., and hence can be used as natural preservatives in agricultural and food processing [10]. Previously we have reported that cinnamaldehyde contained in cinnamon has a good antifungal effect against P. italicum and clarifies the method for dynamic detection of the antifungal effect of cinnamaldehyde [11].…”

Development of active cassava starch cellulose nanofiber‐based films incorporated with natural antimicrobial tea tree essential oil

“…(MIC 0.008–0.25% v/v), which causes plant diseases . The antimicrobial efficacy of TTO has also been proved for microorganisms that must have its growth controlled and tackled by the cosmetic and food industry such as: Candida albicans (MIC 0.06–8% v/v), Escherichia coli (MIC 0.08–2% v/v) and Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 0.5–1.25% v/v) . The hydrophobicity of the essential oils is one of the characteristics responsible for the antimicrobial action, since the lipids present in the oil alter the balance of the cell membrane of the microorganisms, making them more permeable and consequently generating the rupture of the cell wall …”

The Influence of Vaginal Suppositories “Melanizol” on the System of Lpo-Aos in Condition of Model of a Nonspecific Vaginitis in Rats

“…Antioxidant activity of vaginal suppositories "Melanizol" can be explained by the presence of tea tree oil in their composition, which is confirmed by literature data [17]. The antiradical activity of herbal drugs is explained by presence of phenolic compounds, monoterpene alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, carbohydrates, etc., in their composition [18]. Literature data shows that tea tree oil has a strong ability to remove free radicals and to inhibit lipid peroxidation.…”

“…Thus, new vaginal suppositories "Melanizol" have antioxidant properties, because metronidazole and tea tree oil are present in their composition [17][18][19][20]. This activity is the ability to restore pathologically reduced levels of G-SH, to restore the activity of intracellular antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase) and to reduce pathological level of TBA-AP in the vaginal homogenate and in the blood serum of rats with nonspecific vaginitis modeled by an intravaginal application of the mixture of turpentine oil with dimethyl sulfoxide.…”