Journal article
Antifungal activity of the components of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil
Journal of Applied Microbiology, Vol.95(4), pp.853-860
2003
Abstract
Aims: To investigate the in vitro antifungal activity of the components of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil.
Methods and Results: Activity was investigated by broth microdilution and macrodilution, and time kill methods. Components showing the most activity, with minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum fungicidal concentrations of ≥0.25%, were terpinen-4-ol, α-terpineol, linalool, α-pinene and β-pinene, followed by 1,8-cineole. The remaining components showed slightly less activity and had values ranging from 0.5 to 2%, with the exception of β-myrcene which showed no detectable activity. Susceptibility data generated for several of the least water-soluble components were two or more dilutions lower by macrodilution, compared with microdilution.
Conclusions: All tea tree oil components, except β-myrcene, had antifungal activity. The lack of activity reported for some components by microdilution may be due to these components becoming absorbed into the polystyrene of the microtitre tray. This indicates that plastics are unsuitable as assay vessels for tests with these or similar components.
Significance and Impact of the Study: This study has identified that most components of tea tree oil have activity against a range of fungi. However, the measurement of antifungal activity may be significantly influenced by the test method.
Details
- Title
- Antifungal activity of the components of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil
- Authors/Creators
- K.A. Hammer (Author/Creator) - The University of Western AustraliaC.F. Carson (Author/Creator) - The University of Western AustraliaT.V. Riley (Author/Creator) - The University of Western Australia
- Publication Details
- Journal of Applied Microbiology, Vol.95(4), pp.853-860
- Publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell
- Identifiers
- 991005541792307891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Murdoch University
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.16 Phytochemicals
- 3.16.314 Essential Oil
- Web Of Science research areas
- Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
- Microbiology
- ESI research areas
- Biology & Biochemistry