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The anti-biofilm activity of lemongrass (cymbopogon flexussus) and grapefruit (citrus paradisi) essential oils against five strains of staphylococcus aureus

Adukwu, E., Allen, S. C. H. and Phillips, C. A. (2012) The anti-biofilm activity of lemongrass (cymbopogon flexussus) and grapefruit (citrus paradisi) essential oils against five strains of staphylococcus aureus. Journal of Applied Microbiology. 113(5), pp. 1217-1227. 1365-2672.

Item Type: Article
Abstract: AIMS: To determine the sensitivity of five strains of Staphylococcus aureus to five essential oils (EOs) and to investigate the anti-biofilm activity of lemongrass and grapefruit EOs. METHODS AND RESULTS: Antimicrobial susceptibility screening was carried out using the disk diffusion method. All of the strains tested were susceptible to lemongrass, grapefruit, bergamot and lime EOs with zones of inhibition varying from 2·85 to 8·60 cm although they were resistant to lemon EO. Lemongrass EO inhibited biofilm formation at 0·125% (v/v) as measured by colorimetric assay and at 0·25% (v/v) no metabolic activity was observed as determined by 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT) reduction. Grapefruit EO did not show any anti-biofilm activity. Following exposure to lemongrass EO extensive disruption to Staph. aureus biofilms was shown under scanning electron microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison to the other EOs tested, lemongrass exhibited the most effective antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activity. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The effect of lemongrass EO highlights its potential against antibiotic resistant Staph. aureus in the healthcare environment.
Uncontrolled Keywords: biofilms, microbial contamination, staphylococci
Subjects: R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Q Science > QR Microbiology > QR75 Bacteria
Creators: Adukwu, Emmanuel, Allen, Stuart C H and Phillips, Carol A
Publisher: Blackwell Publishing
Northamptonshire and East Midlands: Health
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Health & Society
Date: November 2012
Date Type: Publication
Page Range: pp. 1217-1227
Journal or Publication Title: Journal of Applied Microbiology
Volume: 113
Number: 5
Language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2012.05418.x
ISSN: 1365-2672
Status: Published / Disseminated
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/4752

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