Preliminary study on the In-Vitro Susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates to Virgin Coconut Oil

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Background: Tuberculosis remains a major public health threat. Studies have shown that medium chain fatty acids (MCFA), such as, those found in Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO), possess activity against a wide range of microorganisms including Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The goal of the study was to determine the in-vitro susceptibility of M. tuberculosis (TB) isolates to two commercial brands of VCOs each containing different amounts of lauric acid and produced by two different extraction processes. Two brands of VCO were tested for their anti-TB actions compared to pure lauric acid and a negative control. Two replicate runs were done. VCO samples were inoculated with 0.1 mL of the H37RV strain of M. tuberculosis and incubated at 37 0 C with shaking for 5 days. After incubation, the mixtures were diluted 10-fold up to 10 -4concentration to obtain countable colonies using Middlebrook 7H10 agar plates and LowensteinJensen (L-J) slants. Colony growths of M. tuberculosis were examined in each dilution every week for three to eight weeks.Results: Both brands of VCO at increasing dilution from 1:10 to 1:10000 lowered the colony counts of M. tuberculosis by 46% to 100 % on the Middlebrook 7H10 agar. Similar results were noted on L-J slants with colony counts decreasing by 25% to 96%. Lauric acid solution showed complete inhibition of bacterial growth in both the agar plates and LJ slants. potential of VCOs agent against the growth of M. tuberculosis Similar effect on other organisms is a possibility and should also be explored. But more studies are needed to replicate the studies using different concentrations of VCOs, lauric acid and other fatty acids in VCO such as myristic acid, caproic or caprylic acids. Conclusion

Virgin coconut oil and tuberculosis: A mini-review

“…Dalmacion et al 32 The effect of VCO in reducing Mycobacterium tuberculosis 2 brands of VCO can reduce the number of mycobacterium tuberculosis colonies, 46-100% on Middle brook 7H10 media.…”

“…This is because different VCO preparations contain varying amounts of lauric acid. 32 In addition, giving VCO combined with the administration of catfish albumin impacts the cure rate and shortens the length of treatment due to conversion of the sputum smear and interferon-gamma composition in the third month. 33 The positive impact of the use of VCO can be caused by the content of saturated fatty acid chains or glycerol monolaurate or also called monolaurin, which has chemical and biological effects or has strong antimicrobials in killing pulmonary tuberculosis bacteria by penetrating membranes and synthesizing, making efforts to inhibit the reproduction and replication of tuberculosis germs.…”

THE ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECT OF ENZYMATIC HYDROLYZED VIRGIN COCONUT OIL ON Propionibacterium acne, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis AND METHICILLIN-RESISTANT Staphylococcus aureus

“…Monolaurin is the component that has the most important role of VCO's antimicrobial activity. 9,12 Studies about VCO and its hydrolyzed product (HVCO) on some bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Propionibacterium acne, Salmonella typhii, Eschericia coli, Bacillus cereus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis have been reported [13][14][15][16][17][18][19] . However, study on VCO and its enzymatically hydrolyzed product on some bacteria especially bacteria reported to be resistant to antibiotics still requires to be developed.…”