title: An in vitro evaluation of the antibacterial activity of the non-volatile phenolic fraction from rosemary leaves.
abstract: In this study, the aim was to evaluate the antimicrobial action of the non-volatile phenols of rosemary leaves against two Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and two Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis). Three extracts with different phenolic compositions were tested. By the agar disc diffusion method, Gram-positive bacteria were more sensitive to the extracts, and S. epidermidis showed the highest inhibition zones. Overall, all the extracts tested by the broth dilution method showed higher activity than results from the agar disc diffusion method. The minimal bactericidal concentration values indicated that E. coli was the most susceptible strain. This study demonstrated that the flavonoidic fraction of rosemary leaves does not play a crucial role as antimicrobial agents against these microorganisms. The most active extract was characterised by the highest amount of non-volatile terpenoidic compounds.
authors.affiliation: a Health Sciences Department , University of Florence , V.le Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence , Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sacco
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bellumori
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Santomauro
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Donato
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Capei
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Innocenti
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mulinacci
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010636:Phenols / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects; D027542:Rosmarinus / Q000737:chemistry*; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: MBC; antibacterial activity; carnosic acid; disc diffusion method; flavonoids; rosmarinic acid