Extraction and antibacterial activity of pure and diluted eucalyptus oil against Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Streptococcus species

Abstract

This study involved the extraction of pure eucalyptus oil using a Clevenger apparatus and its subsequent biological activity assessment. Oral swabs were collected from two individuals infected with SARS-CoV-20 and cultured on agar plates to isolate bacterial strains. Growth of Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Streptococcus species was observed. The sensitivity of these bacteria to pure eucalyptus oil and its dilutions in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was tested. The results demonstrated that pure eucalyptus oil exhibited high antibacterial activity (+++), while the 50% diluted oil showed moderate activity (++). However, further dilutions at 35% and 25% were found to be ineffective (-).