Illicium verum Essential Oil Antimicrobial Activity in vitro and in situ

Abstract

Star anise, or Illicium verum, is a widely used term. Star anise, a culinary flavor that is primarily used in Asian nations, is derived from the evergreen Chinese plant Illicium verum. In addition to being flavorful, it has significant medicinal value. Illicium verum has strong antimicrobial properties, and was once used to treat a variety of illnesses with microbial origins. In our study the antimicrobial activity of Illicum verum essential oil (IVEO) against ten microorganisms Candida albicans CCM 8186, C. glabrata CCM 8270, C. krusei CCM 8271, C. tropicalis CCM 8223, Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus CCM 4223, Micrococcus luteus CCM 732, Listeria monocytogenes CCM 4699, Escherichia coli CCM 3954, Pseudomonas putida CCM 1977, and Enterobacter aerogenes CCM 2531 were tested in vitro and in situ. The antimicrobial activity of CCEO was evaluated using the disc diffusion method in vitro and in vapor phase on carrot in situ. The Chinese star anise essential oil showed the best antibacterial and antifungal activity against Listeria monocytogenes and Candida glabrata in vitro. The best results of antimicrobial activity in vapor phase on carrot were found against Micrococcus luteus and Candida tropicalis in situ. The results of this study suggest that IVEO is more active against Gram-positive bacteria and star anise essential oil could be used as a natural antimicrobial agent.

Keywords

• illicium verum essential oil
• antimicrobial activity
• in vitro
• in situ
• bacteria
• candida