Authors: Lucia BIĆANIĆ, Silvester MEŽNARIĆ, Ivana GOBIN*
Corresponding author: Ivana GOBIN
Type of paper: Original scientific article
Issue: Volume 14 | number 1 – 2020
Abstract:
Pathogenic bacteria of the genus Legionella cause atypical pneumonia known as Legionnaires’ disease and flu – like disease known as Pontiac fever. As pathogens of the respiratory system, these bacteria represent a public health problem and there is a need for examine new alternative ways to inactivate them. These bacteria live naturally in water and are transmitted by infectious aerosols. To purify the air, essential oils that show antimicrobial properties are widely used. The anti-Legionella activity of five exotic essential oils and five Mediterranean essential oils characteristic for coastal Croatia was examined. Model organism used in experiments was L. pneumophila (strain 130b). This experiment was conducting with modified version of sealed plate method using a BCYE medium. The exotic essential oil with highest anti-Legionella activity was Niaouli essential oil, and the best anti-Legionella activity among Mediterranean essential oils showed Immortelle essential oil. Anti- Legionella activity of four main chemical compounds was examined and compound that show significant highest anti-Legionella activity was α – pinene. Volatile components of essential oils have a great potential as anti-Legionella agents and further research are needed.
Key words: essential oils; volatile components; Legionella; antibacterial effect
POVZETEK
Patogene bakterije iz rodu Legionella povzročajo atipično pljučnico, poznano pod imenom Legionarska bolezen in Pontiaška vročica. Tako kot drugi povzročitelji bolezni respiratornega sistema tudi te bakterije predstavljajo javnozdravstveni problem. Iz tega sledi nenehna potreba po iskanju novih alternativnih načinov preprečevanja in obvladovanja njihovega pojava. Bakterije iz rodu Legionella lahko najdemo v naravnih in umetnih vodnih sistemih, prenašajo pa se preko onesnaženih aerosolov. Za čiščenje zraka se pogosto uporabljajo eterična olja, ki delujejo protimikrobno. Z uporabo BCYE medija smo analizirali protimikrobno delovanje na bakterijo Legionella pneumophila (sev 130b). Pri tem je bilo testiranih pet eksotičnih eteričnih olj in pet sredozemskih eteričnih olj, značilnih za obalo Hrvaške. Med eksotičnimii olji smo največjo protimikrobno aktivnost zabeležili pri olju »Niaouli«. Med sredozemskimi eteričnimi olji pa je bilo to olje »Immortelle«. Med glavnimi kemičnimi snovmi ima največji antibakterijski učinek spojina α – pinen. Velik potencial antimikrobnega delovanja hlapnih snovi eteričnih olj na bakterijo Legionella pnemuophila kaže potrebo po nadaljnjih raziskavah.
Ključne besede: eterična olja; hlapne snovi; Legionella; antibakterijski učinek