Research Information System
Journal of microbiology, biotechnology and food sciences, vol.20, pp.6206, 2023 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
Nowadays, antibacterial resistance to synthetic antibiotics has become a big issue worldwide. Mentha piperita essential oil (EO) and its
bioactive components with antibacterial, antibiofilm, and antioxidant properties are recommended for the treatment of microbial infections
in traditional medicine. This study aimed to detect phytochemical components, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity; to evaluate antibacterial
and antibiofilm effects of M. piperita EO on strains.
Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-
diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) tests were used to determine chemical composition, antioxidant and cytotoxic potentials of EO,
respectively. Antibacterial activity was carried out through disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays. The
biofilm biomass of bacteria was determined by the crystal violet (CV) staining method.
Menthone (27.28%), L-menthol (23.71%), and limonene (7.48%) were the main components. M. piperita EO was found to have strong
antibacterial activity with the MIC-MBC values in the range of 0.125-16.00% (v/v) and moderate antioxidant activity. The peppermint
EO showed an antibiofilm effect on all strains and a cytotoxic effect on NIH 3T3 cells. M. piperita EO may be used alone or in combination
with antibiotics or carrier oils as a therapeutic agent against bacterial infections. Further in vivo experiments should be carried out to detect
a safe dosage of EO.