Antimicrobial Activity of Syzygium aromaticum L. Leaves Essential Oil against Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans

Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans infection cases are increasingly common diseases giving bad impact on humans. High evidence of microbial included bacterial and fungal resistance because frequently used antibiotics contributes disability and death significantly worldwide. Hence, alternative and safe of antimicrobial agents are required. Clove leaves (Syzygium aromaticum L.) are part of the Myrtaceae family containing essential oils that are rich in eugenol as the main component having high antimicrobial activity. Therefore, this study focuses on evaluation of antimicrobial activity of clove leaf essential oil against Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans.

In the current study, the antibacterial efficiency of Syzygium aromaticum L. leaf essential oil against Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans was determined by the disc diffusion method. Furthermore, the physical characterizations of essential oils that were carried out were colour, odour, solubility, density and total eugenol, respectively.

Clove leaf essential oil exhibited antimicrobial activity against pathogenic isolates Candida albicans was recorded at 0.5% having inhibition zones of 33.3±0.28 mm, 1% of 34±0.00mm, 1.5% of 35±0.28mm. While against gram-positive bacteria Streptococcus mutans at 0.5% presented an inhibition zone of 19.95±1.76mm, 1% of 20.5±2.12mm, 1.5% of 22.1±1.55mm. The physical characterization obtained from Clove leaf essential oil revealed that the essential oil presented yellow and distinctive odour, solubility in ethanol was 70% (1:2 clear), the density was 1.047g/ml, and eugenol total was 80%.

This study indicates that essential oil of Syzygium aromaticum L leaves can be considered as potential antimicrobial agents.