title: [Antimicrobial activity of Eucalyptus globulus oil, xylitol and papain: a pilot study].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of the Eucalyptus globulus essential oil, and of the xylitol and papain substances against the following microorganisms: Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Samonella sp.; Staphylococus aureus; Proteus vulgaris; Escherichia coli and Candida albicans.
  
  
  METHODS
  The in vitro antimicrobial evaluation was used by means of the agar diffusion test and evaluation of the inhibition zone diameter of the tested substances. Chlorhexidine 0.5% was used as control.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Eucalyptus globulus oil showed higher inhibition than chlorhexidine when applied to Staphylococcus aureus, and equal inhibition when applied to the following microorganisms: Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris and Candida albicans. Papain 10% showed lower antimicrobial effect than chlorhexidine in relation to Candida albicans. Xylitol showed no inhibition of the tested microorganisms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Eucalyptus globulus oil has antimicrobial activity against different microorganisms and appears to be a viable alternative as germicidal agent hence, further investigation is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Lorena, Lorena, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Valéria de Siqueira
authors.initials: Vde S
authors.lastname: Mota
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ruth Natalia Teresa
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Turrini
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Vanessa de Brito
authors.initials: Vde B
authors.lastname: Poveda
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005052:Eucalyptus; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010206:Papain / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014993:Xylitol / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010206:Papain; D002710:Chlorhexidine; D014993:Xylitol