Introduction. Sweet majoram (Origanum majorana L.), green plant from family Lamiaceae is common used in traditional medicine. Herba majoranae containing from 1 to 3.5% essential oil. The main components of the oil depend on the geographic origin of the plant and include: terpinen-4-ol, α-terpineol, terpinene, γ-terpinene, cis-sabinene hydrate, p-cymene, triterpenic acid, phenolic acid, flavonoids glycosides, tanins, diterpenoids and triterpenoids. The oil is used for treatment of lung diseases, spleen, kidneys, hepatitis, alimentary tract and headaches. It has antiemetic, anticancer, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Aim. The aim of the study was to determine the susceptibility of anaerobic bacteria isolated from oral cavity to majoram oil. Material and methods. A total of 57 anaerobic bacteria belonging to the genus of Porphyromonas (4 strains), Prevotella (9), Bacteroides (11), Parabacteroides (1), Tannerella (2), Fusobacterium (7), 11 strains of Gram-positive cocci, 12 strains of Gram-positive rods and 6 reference strains were tested. Investigation was carried out using the plate dilution technique in Brucella agar supplemented with 5% defibrynated sheep blood, menadione and hemine. Inoculum containing 106 CFU per spot was seeded with Steers replicator upon the agar with various oil concentrations as well as upon that no majoram oil (Semifarm, Elbląg). The concentrations oil were: 0.06, 0.12, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/ml. The plate were incubated in anaerobic conditions, in anaerobic jars for 48 hours in 37°C. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was interpreted as the lowest concentrations oil inhibiting the growth of strains of anaerobes. Results and discussion. The results of investigations indicated that the from Gram-negative bacteria belonging to the genus of Bacteroides uniformis, Tannerella forsythia and Bacteroides vulgatus were the most susceptible to the essential oil (MIC <0.06-0.5 mg/ml). But the 89% strains from genus of Prevotella was sensitive to 2.0 mg/ml and more. Tested oil was less active against the strains from genera of Fusobacterium. MIC of the strains were in ranges 1.0-> 2.0 mg/ml. The rods from the genera Prevotella bivia, Prevotella buccalis, Prevotella loescheii, Bacteroides fragilis, Parabacteroides distasonis and Fusobacterium nucleatum were the lowest sensitive (MIC > 2.0 mg/ml). The oil was very active vs. Gram-positive cocci. MIC for 50% this strains was in ranges < 0.06-0.25 mg/ml. But the Gram-positive rods were less sensitive. The growth of the strains were inhibited by concentrations in ranges 1.0-> 2.0 mg/ml (without Actinomyces viscosus – MIC 1.0 mg/ml). It appears that Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria were more susceptible to majoram oil than Gram-negative rods. Conclusions. The most susceptible to majoram oil from Gram-negative bacteria were rods of Bacteroides uniformis, Tannerella forsythia and Bacteroides vulgatus. The oil was very active against Gram-positive cocci and rods. The Gram-negative anaerobes were less susceptible to majoram oil than Gram-positive anaerobes.
The Phosphorus-containing Compounds of Gram-positive and Gram-negative Organisms in Relation to the Gram Staining Reaction
