A Comparative Study of the in vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Tea Tree Oils s.l. with Special Reference to the Activity of β-Triketones

Abstract

The in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities of Australian tea tree oil, cajuput oil, niaouli oil, kanuka oil and manuka oil as well as of a β-triketone complex isolated from manuka oil were investigated in a constituent-oriented study. The compositions of the oils were analysed by capillary GLC and GLC-MS. The MICs for sixteen different microorganisms were determined applying the broth dilution method. Australian tea tree oil showed the best overall antimicrobial effect. The best inhibitory effects on Gram-positive bacteria and dermatophytes were achieved with manuka oil due to its β-triketone content.

Abbreviations

MIC:minimal inhibitory concentrationCFU:colony forming unitBHIB:brain heart infusion brothMHB:Müller Hinton brothSDA:Sabouraud dextrose agarSDB:Sabouraud dextrose brothTSA:trypticase soy agarTSB:trypticase soy broth

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