Antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of essential oil of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. from Arauco, Chile. Morales Rivera MF1, González-Rocha G1;Dominguez M1; Hernandez V2; Bello H 1. 1 Research Laboratory in Antibacterial Agents (LIAA-UdeC), Microbiology Department, Biological Sciences Faculty, 2Natural products Laboratory , Natural and Ocenoghafic sciences Faculty, Barrio Universitario s/n, Arco U. de Concepción. Casilla 160-C. Concepción, Chile • E-mail:
[email protected]
RESULTS
INTRODUCTION Eucalyptus globulus is one of the main forest resources in Chile, its logging generates tons of biomass available for use [1]. Several tests have determined the antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties of Eucalyptus oils and their various components [2-4]. Furthermore, the currently available antibiotics are becoming less effective as bacteria have evolved mechanisms that allow them to resist their action. In recent decades, resistance has become a most pressing worldwide public health problem [5].
OBJECTIVE In the search for new antimicrobials, the activity of E. globulus oil from adult and young leaves and fruits was evaluated against various bacterial species.
MATERIALS & METHODS
Forty-nine compounds were identified in the oils. The main compounds from adult leaves were eucalyptol (29.6%), 1R-α-pinene (26.2%), Aromandrene (24.9%); Eucalyptol (19%), globulol (9.5%) and α-terpineolacetate (9.5%) from juvenile leaves. Finally, α-phellandrene (21.8%), globulol (11%), 1R-α-pinene (10.1%), and aromadendrene (10%) were the main compounds in the oils from fruits. . The oils displayed a variable degree of antimicrobial activity (ANOVA p
