Efeito antimicrobiano de óleos essenciais sobre enterococcus faecalis

Abstract

In the present research, the antimicrobial activity of essential oils against the standard strain of Enterococcus faecalis was evaluated. The minimum inhibitory concentration and the minimum bactericidal concentration of rosemary, lemongrass, oregano, and rosehip oils were determined. Additionally, the percentage reduction of colony-forming units in relation to different oil concentrations and exposure times was analyzed. With rosemary and oregano oils showing antibacterial activity at lower concentrations to inhibit bacterial growth (12.5% and 3.2%, respectively). It was found that these oils, along with lemongrass and rosehip oils, exhibited antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis, both at a concentration of 25%. It was observed that the nullification of colony-forming unit counts was achieved in 120 minutes for rosemary oil at 12.5% and in 60 minutes for oregano oil, 180 minutes for lemongrass oil, and 210 minutes for rosehip oil. These results indicate the possibility of using essential oils in antibacterial therapy against infections caused by E. faecalis.