OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the susceptibility of a range of transient and commensal skin flora to the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia, or tea tree. METHODS: A modified broth microdilution method was used. Polyoxyethylene sorbitan mono-oleate detergent was added to the test medium to enhance solubility of the tea tree oil. RESULTS: Serratia marcescens had the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC90) of 0.25%. The highest MIC90 was 3% for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The lowest minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC90) was 0.25% for S. marcescens and Klebsiella pneumoniae, whereas the highest was 8% for Staphylococcus capitis. CONCLUSIONS: S. aureus and most of the gram-negative bacteria tested were more susceptible to tea tree oil than the coagulase-negative staphylococci and micrococci. These results suggest that tea tree oil may be useful in removing transient skin flora while suppressing but maintaining resident flora.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the susceptibility of a range of transient and commensal skin flora to the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia, or tea tree. METHODS: A modified broth microdilution method was used. Polyoxyethylene sorbitan mono-oleate detergent was added to the test medium to enhance solubility of the tea tree oil. RESULTS:Serratia marcescens had the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC90) of 0.25%. The highest MIC90 was 3% for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The lowest minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC90) was 0.25% for S. marcescens and Klebsiella pneumoniae, whereas the highest was 8% for Staphylococcus capitis. CONCLUSIONS:S. aureus and most of the gram-negative bacteria tested were more susceptible to tea tree oil than the coagulase-negative staphylococci and micrococci. These results suggest that tea tree oil may be useful in removing transient skin flora while suppressing but maintaining resident flora.
Authors: Margaret Edmondson; Nelly Newall; Keryln Carville; Joanna Smith; Thomas V Riley; Christine F Carson Journal: Int Wound J Date: 2011-05-12 Impact factor: 3.315
Authors: E Guinoiseau; A Luciani; P G Rossi; Y Quilichini; S Ternengo; P Bradesi; L Berti Journal: Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis Date: 2010-05-20 Impact factor: 3.267
Authors: Monika Sienkiewicz; Anna Głowacka; Katarzyna Poznańska-Kurowska; Andrzej Kaszuba; Anna Urbaniak; Edward Kowalczyk Journal: Postepy Dermatol Alergol Date: 2015-02-03 Impact factor: 1.837