Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils and Single Fragrance Ingredients for Cosmetic Applications

Abstract

Purpose: Plant-derived essential oils are widely used as pharmacological drugs and fragrances. In this study, 16 natural essential oils and 14 single fragrance ingredients were investigated for their potential as antimicrobial agents.Methods: Paper disk diffusion assays were performed to assess the antimicrobial activities of the essential oils and single fragrance ingredients against Staphylococcus aureus , Staphylococcus epidermidis , Escherichia coli , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Bacillus subtilis , Candida albicans , Aspergillus niger , and Malassezia furfur.Results: Cinnamon bark and neroli essential oils, which contain linalool, exhibited significant antimicrobial activities against S. aureus and C. albicans. The single fragrance ingredients citral, D -limonene, and hydroxycitronellal exhibited antibacterial effects against S. aureus and C. albicans. Cinnamon bark oil also showed good antifungal effects against A. niger and M. furfur . Clove essential oil, which contains eugenol as the main ingredient, showed antifungal effects against M. furfur, and aurantiol also exhibited antibacterial effects against M. furfur . S. aureus , E. coli, and P. aeruginosa , which are regulated in distributed cosmetics, were susceptible to the effects of cinnamon bark oil and phenylethyl alcohol. Bergamot and lavender oils exerted good antibacterial effects against S. aureus , but not S. epidermidis . In addition, rosemary oil, rose absolute, and phenylethyl alcohol, which showed good antifungal effects against C. albicans , had no or little antibacterial effect on S. epidermidis .Conclusion: Our results suggest that essential oils can be used as alternative preservatives and antimicrobial agents for atopic dermatitis and dandruff.