In vitro Evaluation of the Antibacterial Activity of β-Triketones Admixed to Melaleuca Oils

Abstract

The in vitro antibacterial properties of mixtures of Australian tea tree oil and niaouli oil after adding the β-triketone complex isolated from manuka oil were tested. MIC and MBC values for four different bacteria were determined applying the broth dilution method. Both Melaleuca oil mixtures showed good antimicrobial effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Moraxella catarrhalis, exceeding the effectiveness of myrtol, which is well established in the treatment of acute and chronic bronchitis and sinusitis. The death kinetics of S. aureus were determined to draw subtle comparisons between the mixtures. The kill rate data indicated that both Melaleuca oil mixtures achieved a complete kill within 240 min.

Abbreviations

MIC:minimal inhibitory concentration

MBC:minimal bactericidal concentration

CFU:colony forming unit

MHB:Mueller Hinton Broth

TSA:Trypticase Soy Agar

TSB:Trypticase Soy Broth

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