•  
  •  
 

OBSERVING THE ANTI-BACTERIAL PROPERTIES OF OREGANO AND THYME ON ORAL BACTERIA

Abstract

Essential oils have been researched medically as a holistic alternative to allopathic treatments over the last century. Oils like oregano and thyme have been shown to possess anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-carcinogenic, and many other properties. This research aimed to understand the effectiveness of oregano and thyme on S. mutans and S. salivarius, two prominent dental bacteria. Dental caries affects 2.4 billion people annually and are one of the most common chronic diseases. A disk diffusion assay on Brain Heart Infusion agar and a minimum inhibitory concentration (MHC) test with BHI broth were performed on S. mutans and S. salivarius to determine the effectiveness of the oregano and thyme essential oils. Oregano, thyme, and DMSO were undiluted when tested on S. salivarius, and oregano was diluted to a 50/50 concentration, while thyme and DMSO remained undiluted when tested on S. mutans. Oregano had a 15.33 mm average zone of inhibition against S. mutans. Thyme had a 13.33 mm average zone of inhibition against S. mutans, while DMSO had a 5.33 mm average zone of inhibition against S. mutans. Oregano had a 41.66 mm average zone of inhibition against S. salivarius. Thyme had a 28 mm average zone of inhibition against S. salivarius, while DMSO had a 9 mm average zone of inhibition against S. salivarius. The diluted oregano had a MIC of 0.3125% against S. mutans. The undiluted oregano had a MIC of 0.391% against S. salivarius. Thyme had a MIC of 3.125% against S. mutans and a MIC of 6.25% against S. salivarius. DMSO had a MIC of 12.5% against S. mutans and a MIC of 1.56% against S. salivarius, despite the DMSO serving as a control for both the S. salivarius and the S. mutans. This study suggests that oregano and thyme essential oils can be used as an alternative to allopathic treatments.

Acknowledgements

YHC Undergraduate research initiative

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS