Assessment of the antimicrobial impact of Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil on Klebsiella pneumoniae strains

Assessment of the antimicrobial impact of Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil on Klebsiella pneumoniae strains

Sadia Rana1*, Zartashia Arooj1

1School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia

*Corresponding address: School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia

Email: sadiarana@student.usm.my

Received: 29 January 2024 / Revised: 09 May 2024 / Accepted: 27 May 2024 / Available Online: 10 June 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.63137/jsteam.879580

ABSTRACT

Objective: Tea tree oil (TTO) from Melaleuca alternifolia is renowned for its therapeutic properties, including antimicrobial effects. Standardized by ISO 4730:2017, TTO’s major component, terpinen-4-ol, contributes to its broad spectrum of activity. Notably, TTO demonstrates efficacy against Cutibacterium acne, suggesting a potential role in acne treatment. In the context of Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp), a carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacillus associated with pneumonia, this study explores TTO’s antibacterial and anti-adherent activities.

Methods: A 15% TTO solution was prepared, chemically analyzed via GC-MS, and tested in vitro against Kp strains. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using the microdilution method. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was calculated using the tube dilution method. Minimum inhibitory adherence concentration (MIAC) was also calculated using the Albuquerque protocol.

Results: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined, revealing strong antimicrobial effects with an MIC50 of 128 µg/mL, an MBC of 256 µg/mL, MIAC of 256 µg/mL concentration against Kp strains, respectively.

Conclusion: The study underscores TTO’s pharmacological potential against antibiotic-resistant bacteria like Kp, particularly in nosocomial infections. Further research is needed to validate efficacy, elucidate mechanisms, and develop suitable formulations for clinical use.

Keywords: Tea Tree Oil; Melaleuca alternifolia; Klebsiella pneumoniae; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Terpenes; Drug Resistance, Bacterial

Data Availability: The data supporting this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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How to Cite: Rana S, Arooj Z. Assessment of the antimicrobial impact of Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil on Klebsiella pneumoniae strains. J Sci Technol Educ Art Med. 2024;1(1):23-30