Planta Med 2014; 80 - P2O56
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1395046

Use of eugenol and cuminaldehyde for disinfection of stainless steel surfaces

I Gomes 1, J Malheiro 1, A Abreu 1, A Borges 1, F Mergulhão 1, M Simões 1
  • 1LEPABE, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, s/n, 4200 – 465 Porto, Portugal

Healthcare-associated infections are a major, yet often preventable, threat to patient safety. The use of efficient disinfectants to clean and sterilize medical devices and hospital surfaces is an important measure to prevent infection transmission. However, several cases of bacterial resistance to disinfectants have been reported [1]. Therefore, it is essential to find alternatives to guarantee an efficient disinfection. The aim of this work is to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of eugenol and cuminaldehyde. Eugenol is the major constituent of clove oil and it is often used as antiseptic in dentistry [2,3]. Cuminaldehyde is usually found in Cuminum cyminum and has also been described as an antimicrobial compound [4]. Two strains of Staphylococcus aureus (SA1199b- with NorA MDR efflux pump and RN4220- with MsrA macrolide efflux pump) were used as microbial models and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was assessed by microdilution broth method. In suspension assays, cuminaldehyde (MIC: 600 – 700 µg.mL-1) seems more efficient than eugenol (MIC: 1000 – 1300 µg.mL-1). However, eugenol at MIC showed to be more efficient in the inactivation of adhered bacteria to stainless steel AISI 316 (SS316). Current hospital disinfectants, particularly benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and peracetic acid (PAA) were also tested for comparison. It was found that eugenol had a similar behavior to PAA. Eugenol when used in combination with BAC was also able to improve the action of this disinfectant. The overall results demonstrated that phytochemical products are sustainable sources of new antimicrobial products with potential application as hospital disinfectants.

Keywords: Antimicrobial, Cuminaldehyde, Eugenol, Staphylococcus aureus

References:

[1] Russel, A. D. Bacterial resistance to disinfectants: present knowledge and future problems. J Hosp Infect 1998; 43: S57-S68.

[2] Devi, P.K. et al. Eugenol (an essential oil of clove) acts as an antimicrobial agent against Salmonella typhi by disrupting the cellular membrane. J Ethnopharmacol 2010; 130: 107 – 115.

[3] Pavithra, B. Eugenol – A review. J. Pharm Sci Res 2014; 3: 153 – 154

[4] Johri, R. K. Cuminum cyminum and Carum carvi: an update. Phcog Rev 2011; 5: 63 – 72