title: Effect of essential oils on the viability and morphology of Escherichia coli (SP-11).
abstract: The four essential oils (aromatic plant products) from palmarosa (Pm), lemongrass (Lg), peppermint (Pt) and eucalyptus (Eu) plants were found to be bactericidal to Escherichia coli strain SP-11, at a concentration of 1.66 (Pm, Lg and Eu) or 2.5 (Pt) microl ml-1. This effect was observed both at 37 degrees C and 4 degrees C and was not prevented by immediate tenfold dilution or by the presence of 0.5 M sucrose. Pm and Pt but not Lg or Eu induced the formation of elongated filamentous forms, some measuring 60-70 micrometers long.
authors.affiliation: Division of Microbiology, Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pattnaik
authors.forename: V R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Subramanyam
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Rath
mesh_terms: D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D009822:Oils, Volatile