Potential of the essential oil from Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus as an antimicrobial agent

Acta Pharm. 2014 Sep;64(3):379-85. doi: 10.2478/acph-2014-0024.

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the essential oil of Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus in inhibiting the growth of the main bacteria responsible for bad perspiration odor (Staphylococcus epidermidis, Proteus hauseri, Micrococcus yunnanensis and Corynebacterium xerosis). The chemical profile of the essential oil was evaluated by high-resolution gas chromatography (HR-GC) and four constituents were identified, eugenol being the major component (88.6%). The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by means of the turbidimetric method, using the microdilution assay. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the essential oil ranged from 500 to 1,000 μg mL⁻¹. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations confirmed the physical damage and morphological alteration of the test bacteria treated with the essential oil, reference drugs and eugenol. The findings of the study demonstrated that this essential oil can be used in the formulation of personal care products.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Gram-Negative Aerobic Bacteria / drug effects
  • Gram-Negative Aerobic Bacteria / growth & development
  • Gram-Negative Aerobic Bacteria / ultrastructure
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / drug effects
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / growth & development
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / ultrastructure
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Oils, Volatile / isolation & purification
  • Oils, Volatile / pharmacology*
  • Phytotherapy
  • Pimenta* / chemistry
  • Plant Oils / isolation & purification
  • Plant Oils / pharmacology*
  • Plants, Medicinal

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Oils, Volatile
  • Plant Oils