Antimicrobial properties of Achillea millefolium L. essential oil against clinical bacterial isolates
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/2786-7684/2025-2-19Keywords:
medicinal plant extracts, antimicrobial properties, phytoseptics, antibiotic resistance, wound infectionsAbstract
Introduction. Due to the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant infections, interest in plant-based alternatives – particularly essential oils – has grown substantially. Achillea millefolium L. exhibits pronounced antimicrobial activity, which varies depending on growing conditions and extraction methods. Studies have confirmed its efficacy against a range of pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, and Helicobacter pylori, owing to its content of phenolics, flavonoids, and sesquiterpenes.The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial properties of essential oil extracted from Achillea millefolium L. collected in the Zakarpattia region of Ukraine. The essential oil was obtained from wild plant material harvested near the village of Uzhok, Zakarpattia region, using hydrodistillation with a Clevenger-type apparatus. The chemical composition of the essential oil was analyzed by gas chromatography using a DB-WAX capillary column. The antimicrobial activity of the oil was tested against multidrug-resistant clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Citrobacter freundii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Hafnia alvei, Enterococcus faecalis, and Enterococcus faecium, all isolated from wound surfaces of military personnel.The results demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity of Achillea millefolium L. essential oil against a broad spectrum of pathogens responsible for infectious complications. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined to be 12.5% for Gram-positive isolates and 37.5% for Gram-negative isolates, corresponding to a bacteriostatic effect of 6.7%. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of α- and β-pinene, 1,8-cineole, estragole, and camphor, which are likely contributors to the sample's biological activity.
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