Antimicrobial activities of eucalyptus leaf extracts and flavonoids from Eucalyptus maculata.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the antimicrobial activities of eucalyptus leaf extracts to find effective antibacterial agents.


RESULTS
The antimicrobial activities of leaf extracts from 26 species of eucalyptus were measured. Extracts of Eucalyptus globulus, E. maculata and E. viminalis significantly inhibited the growth of six Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus faecalis, Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris, Propionibacterium acnes), and of a fungus (Trichophyton mentagrophytes), but they did not show strong antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas putida). 2',6'-dihydroxy-3'-methyl-4'-methoxy-dihydrochalcone, eucalyptin and 8-desmethyl-eucalyptin, isolated from E. maculata extracts, exhibited potent antimicrobial activities against seven micro-organisms with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging from 1.0 to 31 mg l(-1).


CONCLUSIONS
The eucalyptus extracts and three compounds from E. maculata were found to be effective against micro-organisms that cause food poisoning, acne and athlete's foot.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows potential uses of extracts from E. globulus, E. maculata and E. viminalis, and antimicrobial compounds isolated from E. maculata.
Takahashi
T
T
Advanced Technology Research Laboratory, Oji Paper Co., Ltd, Shinonome, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan. tetsunari-takahashi@ojipaper.co.jp
Kokubo
R
R
Sakaino
M
M
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005052:Eucalyptus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D005419:Flavonoids; D010936:Plant Extracts