Resumen

MARTINEZ, J et al. Antibacterial activity of mandarin essential oil. Rev. Fac. Agron. [online]. 2003, vol.20, n.4, pp.502-512. ISSN 0378-7818.

The antibacterial activity and the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of mandarin essential oil (Citrus reticulata Blanco) variety Dancy was studied. Fruit peels were cold pressed for oil extraction. Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 259923, Listeria monocytogenes, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 y Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 were used to determine the antibacterial activity by agar diffusion in different essential oil concentrations: 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 y 100%. The MIC was determined by dilution in broth using six different concentrations. Mandarin essential oil showed anti-bacterial activity for B. subtilis, S. aureus and L. monocytogenes in all concentration but not at 1% .The MIC was 9% for B. subtilis and 7% for S. aureus and L. monocytogenes.

Palabras clave : Anctibacterial activity; essential oil; Citrus reticulata Blanco; diffusion agar method; cold-pressed.