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Screening of Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils against Bovine Respiratory Pathogens - Focusing on Pasteurella
Doris Bismarck1, Jens Becker2, Elisabeth Müller1
1Laboklin GmbH & Co.KG, Bad Kissingen, Germany.
Abstract:
Administration of essential oils as natural plant products with antimicrobial activity might be an alternative to antibiotic treatment of bovine respiratory disease. The aim of this study was to analyse the in vitro antimicrobial activity of 11 essential oils against Pasteurella multocida isolated from the respiratory tract of calves using microdilution with determination of minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentration as well as agar disc diffusion. Additionally, antimicrobial activity against Mannheimia haemolytica and bacteria in the Mannheimia clade was assessed by agar disc diffusion. Seven essential oil mixtures were also tested against all bacterial isolates. P. multocida was strongly inhibited by cinnamon cassia and lemongrass oil followed by coriander, winter savory, thyme, clove, and peppermint oil in the microdilution assays. Eucalyptus, wintergreen, spruce, and star anise oil showed lower activity. Comparison of both methods revealed an underestimation of cinnamon cassia oil activity by agar disc diffusion and conflicting results for wintergreen oil in microdilution, which precipitated in broth. Cinnamon cassia, thyme, wintergreen, lemongrass, and winter savory oil all showed strong antimicrobial activity against M. haemolytica. Bacteria in the Mannheimia clade were mostly inhibited by cinnamon cassia and thyme oil. Pasteurella isolates were more susceptible to inhibition by essential oils than Mannheimia isolates. Essential oil mixtures did not show stronger antibacterial activity than single essential oils. In conclusion, cinnamon cassia and lemongrass as well as coriander, winter savory, and thyme oil are promising candidates for treatment of P. multocida-associated bovine respiratory infections.
Insights
Certain essential oils show strong antimicrobial activity against bovine respiratory disease pathogens. Cinnamon cassia and lemongrass oils are particularly effective against Pasteurella multocida, offering a potential alternative to antibiotics.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) poses a significant economic challenge in cattle farming.
- Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern, necessitating alternative therapeutic strategies.
- Essential oils (EOs) derived from plants exhibit known antimicrobial properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of 11 individual essential oils and 7 mixtures against key BRD-associated bacteria.
- To determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) for Pasteurella multocida.
- To assess the efficacy of EOs against Mannheimia haemolytica and other bacteria within the Mannheimia clade.
Main Methods:
- Microdilution assays were employed to determine MIC and MBC values for Pasteurella multocida.
- Agar disc diffusion assays were used to assess antimicrobial activity against P. multocida, M. haemolytica, and Mannheimia clade bacteria.
- Eleven single essential oils and seven essential oil mixtures were tested.
Main Results:
- Pasteurella multocida was highly susceptible to cinnamon cassia and lemongrass oils, followed by coriander, winter savory, thyme, clove, and peppermint oils.
- Cinnamon cassia, thyme, wintergreen, lemongrass, and winter savory oils demonstrated strong activity against Mannheimia haemolytica.
- Pasteurella isolates were generally more susceptible to essential oils than Mannheimia isolates; essential oil mixtures did not outperform single oils.
Conclusions:
- Cinnamon cassia, lemongrass, coriander, winter savory, and thyme oils show significant potential as natural alternatives for treating P. multocida-associated bovine respiratory infections.
- Further research into these essential oils could lead to novel, sustainable treatments for BRD.
- The study highlights the importance of essential oils in combating antibiotic resistance in veterinary medicine.
