Óleo essencial de Origanum vulgare Linnaeus: uma alternativa contra as principais bactérias causadoras de mau odor

Abstract

The use of personal care products became a daily concern in the life of ordinary people. However, due to the toxicological effects of some synthetic compounds, consumers are increasingly interested in the use of natural actives. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial potential of essential oil of Origanum vulgare L. against the main bacterial strains responsible for bad perspiration odor (Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228, Proteus vulgaris ATCC 13315, Micrococcus luteus ATCC 7468 and Corynebacterium xerosis IAL 105) and to develop an antiperspirant deodorant containing only the essential oil of O. vulgare as an antimicrobial agent. The chemical profile of the essential oil was evaluated by high-resolution gas chromatography and the major component was identified γ-terpinene. Bactericidal activity was observed against P. vulgaris ATCC 13315, M. luteus ATCC 7468 and C. xerosis IAL 105, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 1400, 2800 and 1400 μg/mL, respectively and bacteriostatic activity against all of them (MIC=700 μg/mL) and S. epidermidis ATCC 12228 (MIC=2800 μg/mL). The antiperspirant deodorant containing 2% essential oil presented bactericidal activity against all tested bacteria. Electron microscopy images confirmed the physical damage and morphological alteration in the structure of bacteria exposed to the treatments. The development of antiperspirant deodorant formulation containing the essential oil of O. vulgare can be a natural antimicrobial alternative to the use of triclosan.