Avaliação da atividade antibacteriana dos óleos essenciais de Ocimum americanum, Ocimum gratissimum e Ocimum selloi frente a bactérias aeróbias prevalentes em úlceras de decúbito

Abstract

Decubitus ulcers are lesions developed on interfaces of bony prominences of the body support, reaching bedridden or immobilized patients. Lesions favor microbial colonization, difficult healing, and may establish an infection. The essential oils of medicinal plants have been shown to be an important source for obtaining new antimicrobial compounds. In this study, we evaluated the antimicrobial activity of essential oils of O. americanum, O. gratissimum, and O. selloi. The antibacterial activity was determined by the method of agar diffusion and microdilution against Gram-positive aerobic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) prevailing in lesions. The variations in concentration and presence of biocompounds in essential oils have directly influenced the antibacterial capacity. Species were identified by analyzing the chemical composition of the oils by the method of Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry GC-MS. There were identified the chemotypes: O. americanum linalool-1, 8cineol-camphor; O. gratissimum eugenol and O. selloi methyl-chavicol, with reference in chemotypes described in scientific articles. The essential oil of O. selloi did not show significant antibacterial activity; the oil of O. americanum showed activity against S. aureus with MIC of 625 μg/mL; the oil of O. gratissimum exhibited promising antibacterial activity, with MIC 625 μg/mL for S. aureus, S. epidermidis and E. coli. which may constitute an antiseptic for decubitus ulcers.