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Susceptibility of pseudomonads to Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil and components

Chelsea J Papadopoulos1, Christine F Carson, Katherine A Hammer

  • 1Microbiology and Immunology Discipline, School of Biomedical, Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, The University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia. chelsea@cyllene.uwa.edu.au

The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
|June 1, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Pseudomonas species show susceptibility to tea tree oil (TTO) and its components. While less susceptible than other bacteria, TTO remains a potential antimicrobial agent against these Pseudomonas strains.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Natural Products Chemistry

Background:

  • Pseudomonas species are opportunistic pathogens with increasing antibiotic resistance.
  • Tea tree oil (TTO), derived from Melaleuca alternifolia, possesses known antimicrobial properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas putida, and Pseudomonas fluorescens to TTO and its primary components.
  • To determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of TTO and its constituents against these bacterial species.

Main Methods:

  • Bacterial isolates (30 P. aeruginosa, 15 P. putida, 11 P. fluorescens) were tested.
  • Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined using broth microdilution.
  • Mueller-Hinton medium with 0.002% Tween 80 was used for MIC determination.

Main Results:

  • The MIC90 of TTO against all tested Pseudomonas isolates was 4% (v/v) or lower.
  • Variations in susceptibility to individual TTO components (terpinen-4-ol, alpha-terpineol, cineole, gamma-terpinene, rho-cymene) were observed among the different Pseudomonas species.
  • Pseudomonas species demonstrated susceptibility to TTO, though generally less so than previously studied bacteria.

Conclusions:

  • Pseudomonas species are susceptible to tea tree oil and some of its key chemical constituents.
  • TTO exhibits potential as an alternative or adjunct antimicrobial agent for certain Pseudomonas infections.
  • Further research is warranted to optimize TTO efficacy against Pseudomonas and understand resistance mechanisms.

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