Effects of Wild Artemisia herba-alba Essential Oil on Biofilm-Forming Bacteria

Aims: The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of essential oil of wild Artemisia herba-alba grown in south Jordan on biofilm-forming bacteria.
Study Design: Seven bacterial clinical isolates were used in this study. Biofilm formation was first quantified in microtitre plates. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and biofilm inhibitory concentration (BIC) assays were performed in microtitre plates using a two fold dilution series. The most tolerant isolate were then used to test the effectiveness of Artemisia herba-alba essential oil on initial adherence to polystyrene surface.
Place and Duration of Study: Faculty of Medicine, Mutah University, Mutah, Jordan; Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan; and Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, Albalqa' Applied university, Albalqa, Al-Salt, Jordan. Between August 2012 and June 2014.
Methodology: Using a microtitre plate assay we measured inhibitory adherence effect for Artemisia herba-alba essential oil against seven biofilm-forming bacterial clinical isolates.
Results: Artemisia herba-alba essential oil produced inhibitory effects against all isolates and susceptibility varied considerably. The MIC values were found to be in the range of 0.5-4% v/v. In addition Artemisia herba-alba essential oil was able to inhibit initial adherence in the most tolerant isolate (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) at sub-inhibitory concentrations.
Conclusions: Artemisia herba-alba essential oil showed a significant activity against all isolates. It was able to inhibit initial adherence in the most tolerant isolate at sub-inhibitory concentrations.