Susceptibility of transient and commensal skin flora to the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil)

K.A. Hammer; C.F. Carson; T.V. Riley

doi:10.1016/S0196-6553(96)90011-5

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Susceptibility of transient and commensal skin flora to the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil)

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Susceptibility of transient and commensal skin flora to the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil)

K.A. Hammer, C.F. Carson and T.V. Riley

American Journal of Infection Control, Vol.24(3), pp.186-189

1996

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0196-6553(96)90011-5

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Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the susceptibility of a range of transient and commensal skin flora to the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia, or tea tree. Methods: A modified broth microdilution method was used. Polyoxyethylene sorbitan mono-oleate detergent was added to the test medium to enhance solubility of the tea tree oil. Results: Serratia marcescens had the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC90) of 0.25%. The highest MIC90 was 3% for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The lowest minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC90) was 0.25% for S. marcescens and Klebsiella pneumoniae, whereas the highest was 8% for Staphylococcus capitis. Conclusions: S. aureus and most of the gram-negative bacteria tested were more susceptible to tea tree oil than the coagulase- negative staphylococci and micrococci. These results suggest that tea tree oil may be useful in removing transient skin flora while suppressing but maintaining resident flora.

Details

Title: Susceptibility of transient and commensal skin flora to the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil)
Authors/Creators: K.A. Hammer (Author/Creator) - The University of Western Australia
C.F. Carson (Author/Creator) - Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre
T.V. Riley (Author/Creator) - Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre
Publication Details: American Journal of Infection Control, Vol.24(3), pp.186-189
Publisher: Mosby Inc.
Identifiers: 991005543258907891
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: Infectious Diseases; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
ESI research areas: Immunology