Antimicrobial interest of essential oils extracted from Tunisian plants

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activities of some essential oils (EOs) of Tunisian plants that were extracted by hydro-distillation and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. EOs (from e.g. Thymus vulgaris, Ruta graveolens, Artemesia herba alba) were tested individually and in combinations against various pathogenic bacteria and fungi using the 96-well microplates method. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined. The results showed that the EOs of Thymus vulgaris has a high activity against all the tested species: Legionella pneumophila (MIC=0.06µL/mL), Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus epidermidis (MIC=0.31µL/mL), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (MIC=0,007µL/mL), Cryptococcus neoformans (MIC=0.015µL/mL). Ruta graveolens'EOs has a lower activity: L. pneumophila (MIC=0.12µL/ml), T. mentagrophytes and C. neoformans (MIC=4µL/mL). Analysis of Thymus vulgaris'EOs showed that thymol is the major component. The various EOs combinations showed synergic activities in some associations, such as EOs from Thymus vulgaris and Ruta graveolens. Our results suggest a potential interest of these EOs in water and food protections (spas, hammams, food packaging, etc.).