The outer membrane of Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCTC 6749 contributes to its tolerance to the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil)

C. M. Mann, S. D. Cox, J. L. Markham

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

247 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is less susceptible to the antimicrobial properties of tea tree oil than many bacteria and its tolerance is considered to be due to its outer membrane. Polymyxin B nonapeptide (PMBN), which has no antibacterial action, was used to permeabilize the outer membrane. The addition of PMBN to Ps. aeruginosa NCTC 6749 markedly increased this organism's susceptibility to tea tree oil and to its normally inert hydrocarbons, p-cymene and γ-terpinene.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)294-297
Number of pages4
JournalLetters in Applied Microbiology
Volume30
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - 2000

Keywords

  • Melaleuca alternifola
  • anti, infective agents
  • essential oils
  • monoterpenes
  • tea tree oil

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