title: Inhibition by the essential oils of peppermint and spearmint of the growth of pathogenic bacteria.
abstract: The effects of the, essential oils of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), spearmint Mentha spicata L.) and Japanese mint (Mentha, arvensis L.), of four major  constituents of the esssential oil of peppermint, and of three major constituents of the essential oil of spearmint, on the proliferation of Helicobacter pylori, Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli O157:H7, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin sensitive Staphylococccus aureus (MSSA) were examined. The essential oils and the various constituents inhibited the proliferation of each strain in liquid culture in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, they exhibited bactericidal activity in phosphate-buffered saline. The antibacterial activities varied among the bacterial species tested but were almost the same against antibiotic-resistant and antibiotic-sensitive strains of Helicobacter pylori and S. aureus. Thus, the essential oils and their constituents may be useful as potential antibacterial agents for inhibition of the growth of pathogens.
authors.affiliation: Functional Foods Section, Central Laboratory, Lotte Company Ltd, Urawa, Saitama, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Imai
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Osawa
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yasuda
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hamashima
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Arai
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sasatsu
mesh_terms: D003470:Culture Media; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D036142:Mentha piperita; D008712:Methicillin / Q000494:pharmacology; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010406:Penicillins / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010406:Penicillins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D008712:Methicillin