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Antimycotic activity of Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil and its major components

  1. B. Oliva1,
  2. E. Piccirilli1,
  3. T. Ceddia1,
  4. E. Pontieri1,
  5. P. Aureli2,
  6. A.M. Ferrini2

Article first published online: 11 JUL 2003

DOI: 10.1046/j.1472-765X.2003.01375.x

Issue

Letters in Applied Microbiology

Letters in Applied Microbiology

Volume 37, Issue 2, pages 185–187, August 2003

Additional Information

How to Cite

Oliva, B., Piccirilli, E., Ceddia, T., Pontieri, E., Aureli, P. and Ferrini, A. (2003), Antimycotic activity of Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil and its major components. Letters in Applied Microbiology, 37: 185–187. doi: 10.1046/j.1472-765X.2003.01375.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Microbiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, and

  2. 2

    Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Laboratorio Alimenti, V.le Regina Elena, 299-Rome, Italy

*Brunello Oliva, Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Microbiology, University of L'Aquila, Coppito II, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy (e-mail: oliva@univaq.it).

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 11 JUL 2003
  2. Article first published online: 11 JUL 2003
  3. 2002/357: received 21 November 2002, revised 19 February 2003 and accepted 15 May 2003

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Keywords:

  • antifungal activity;
  • essential oil;
  • Melaleuca alternifolia;
  • tea tree

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study was to analyse the antimycotic properties of Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil (tea tree oil, TTO) and its principal components and to compare them with the activity of 5-fluorocytosine and amphotericin B.

Methods and Results: The screening for the antimycotic activity was performed by serial twofold dilutions in Roswell Park Memorial Institute medium with the inclusion of Tween-80 (0·5%). TTO and terpinen-4-olo were the most active compounds.

Conclusions: The majority of the organisms were sensitive to the essential oil, with TTO and terpinen-4-olo being the most active oils showing antifungal activity at minimum inhibitory concentration values lower than other drugs.

Significance and Impact of the study: This study provides a sample large enough to determine the antifungal properties of TTO and terpinen-4-olo and suggests further studies for a possible therapeutic use.

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