Bactericidal effects of essential oils from clove, lavender and geranium on multi-drug resistant isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

ABSTRACT

The inhibitory effects of essential oils including clove, lavender and geranium extracted from Eugenia caryophyllata, Lavandula officinalis and Pelargonium graveolens on multi-drug resistant isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were investigated. The main constituents of clove, lavander and geranium oil were eugenol [80-90%], 1,8-cineol [13%] and citronellol [45%] respectively. Clove had the most effective essential oil against P. aeruginosa. A combination consisting of clove, lavender and geranium oils at a ratio of 311 showed the most inhibitory effect [32-64 microg/ml] and strong synergy with gentamicin. The essential oils from clove, lavender and geranium exhibited bactericidal activity against multi-drug resistant strains of P. aeruginosa and may be alternatives compounds against these strains in the future