title: Antimicrobial activity of juniper berry essential oil (Juniperus communis L., Cupressaceae).
abstract: Juniper essential oil (Juniperi aetheroleum) was obtained from the juniper berry, and the GC/MS analysis showed that the main compounds in the oil were alpha-pinene (29.17%) and beta-pinene (17.84%), sabinene (13.55%), limonene (5.52%), and mircene (0.33%). Juniper essential oil was evaluated for the antimicrobial activity against sixteen bacterial species, seven yeast-like fungi, three yeast and four dermatophyte strains. Juniper essential oil showed similar bactericidal activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial species, with MIC values between 8 and 70% (V/V), as well as a strong fungicidal activity against yeasts, yeast-like fungi and dermatophytes, with MIC values below 10% (V/V). The strongest fungicidal activity was recorded against Candida spp. (MIC from 0.78 to 2%, V/V) and dermatophytes (from 0.39 to 2%, V/V).
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. spep33@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Stjepan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pepeljnjak
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kosalec
authors.forename: Zdenka
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kalodera
authors.forename: Nikola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Blazević
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000081008:Bicyclic Monoterpenes; D001643:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D005638:Fruit; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D018653:Juniperus; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000032:analysis; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015003:Yeasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000081008:Bicyclic Monoterpenes; D001643:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds; D039821:Monoterpenes; D009822:Oils, Volatile; C010789:beta-pinene; C035127:sabinene; C005451:alpha-pinene