The Antimicrobial Activities of Myrtus communis and Micromeria fruticosa Essential Oils

This study was aimed to investigate the antimicrobial activity of Myrtus communis and Micromeria fruticosa against four Gram-positive (Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis) and four Gram-negative [(Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Enterobacter aerogenes) bacteria by employing broth microdilution methods. The main components determined by GC-MS for Myrtus communis essential oil were Eucalyptol (45,41%), α-Pinene (20,86%), Linalool (9,71%), α-Terpineol (6,11%) and Limonene (5,88%) and for Micromeria fruticosa L. essential oil were Pulegone (58,32%), p-Menthan-3-one (12,99%) and Levomenthol (9,85%). Antibacterial activities of Myrtus communis and Micromeria fruticosa essential oils were searched against Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia and Enterobacter aerogenes. In order to evaluate the MIC values of the bacterial strains, Minimal inhibition concentrations (MICs) determined by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory standards. Amikacin was selected as standard drug for bacterial strains. As a result, it has been found that Myrtus communis and Micromeria fruticosa essential oils are very promising against these bacteria, which are among the major infectious agents in the world as well as in our country. Essential oils of these plants have been found very promising in the production of new antimicrobials. Further in vivo studies are needed in this regard.