In vitro anti-biofilm activity of Boswellia spp. oleogum resin essential oils

Schillaci D, Arizza V, Dayton T, Camarda L, Di Stefano V
Letters in Applied Microbiology, 2008


ABSTRACT:

AIMS:
To evaluate the anti-biofilm activity of the commercially available essential oils from two Boswellia species.

METHODS AND RESULTS:
The susceptibility of staphylococcal and Candida albicans biofilms was determined by methyltiazotetrazolium (MTT) staining. At concentrations ranging from 217·3 μg ml−1 (25% v/v) to 6·8 μg ml−1 (0·75% v/v), the essential oil of Boswellia papyriferashowed considerable activity against both Staphylococcus epidermidis DSM 3269 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 biofilms. The anti-microbial efficacy of this oil against S. epidermidis RP62A biofilms was also tested using live/dead staining in combination with fluorescence microscopy, and we observed that the essential oil of B. papyrifera showed an evident anti-biofilm effect and a prevention of adhesion at sub-MIC concentrations. Boswellia rivae essential oil was very active against preformed C. albicans ATCC 10231 biofilms and inhibited the formation of C. albicans biofilms at a sub-MIC concentration.

CONCLUSIONS:
Essential oils of Boswellia spp. could effectively inhibit the growth of biofilms of medical relevance.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY:
Boswellia spp. essential oils represent an interesting source of anti-microbial agents in the development of new strategies to prevent and treat biofilms.

CITATION:

Schillaci D, Arizza V, Dayton T, et al. In vitro anti-biofilm activity of Boswellia spp. oleogum resin essential oils. Lett Appl Microbiol. 2008;47(5):433-438.


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