Antimicrobial activity of some plant essential oils and an antimicrobial-peptide against some clinically isolated pathogens

Background: Essential oils and antimicrobial peptides are two well-known safe and natural products that have been considered as alternatives to antibiotics. In the present study, the antibacterial activity of four plant essential oils and one lactoferrin-derived peptide was investigated. Results: The chemical profile of each essential oil was determined by GC and GC-MS. Antimicrobial activity was shown against seven clinically isolated veterinary pathogens. MIC and MBC assessment of the essential oils and cLFchimera exhibited different antibacterial properties (MIC from a range of 62.5 to 500 mu g/mL and 3.5 to 39.0 mu g/mL for essential oils and cLFchimera, respectively). Compared to the essential oils, cLFchimera showed more significant antibacterial activity. Among the essential oils,Vitex agnus-castusandSalvia officinalisshowed relatively better antibacterial activity. Conclusions: The in vitro results reported here suggested that, for animals suffering from these pathogens, cLFchimera and the essential oils particularlyVitex agnus-castuscould be considered as potential antimicrobial agents.