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Planta Med 2000; 66(6): 556-560
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-8604
Letter
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

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

F. Christoph1, 3 , P.-M. Kaulfers2 , E. Stahl-Biskup1,*
  • 1 Institut für Pharmazie, Pharmazeutische Biologie, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
  • 2 Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Immunologie, Universitäts-Krankenhaus Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
  • 3 Part of the thesis
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

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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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Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Stahl-Biskup

Institut für Pharmazie Abteilung für Pharmazeutische Biologie Universität Hamburg

Bundesstr. 43

20146 Hamburg

Germany

Email: stahl-biskup@chemie.chemie.uni-hamburg.de

Phone: +49 40-42838 3895