African Journal of
Microbiology Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Microbiol. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0808
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJMR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 5233

Full Length Research Paper

Antimicrobial activity of fixed oils found in Brazil nuts and sunflower seeds against microorganisms isolated from bovine subclinical mastitis

Cristina Hallal de Freitas
  • Cristina Hallal de Freitas
  • Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica e Bioprospecção, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.
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Carolina Lambrecht Gonçalves
  • Carolina Lambrecht Gonçalves
  • Programa de Pós-Graduação em Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.
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Josiara Furtado Mendes
  • Josiara Furtado Mendes
  • Programa de Pós-Graduação em Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.
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Deborah Murowaniecki Otero
  • Deborah Murowaniecki Otero
  • Instituto Federal Farroupilha, Campus Jaguari, RS, Brasil.
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Cláudio Martin Pereira de Pereira
  • Cláudio Martin Pereira de Pereira
  • Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica e Bioprospecção, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.
  • Google Scholar
Helenice de Lima Gonzales
  • Helenice de Lima Gonzales
  • Faculdade de Veterinária Laboratório de Inspeção de Produtos de Origem Animal, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.
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Patrícia da Silva Nascente
  • Patrícia da Silva Nascente
  • Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil.
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  •  Received: 23 March 2016
  •  Accepted: 22 April 2016
  •  Published: 21 June 2016

Abstract

Concern with traces of antibiotics found in milk and resistant bacteria has led to the search for alternatives, mainly natural products, to treat mastitis. This study aimed at evaluating the antimicrobial activity of fixed oils found in Brazil nuts and sunflower seeds against microorganisms isolated from mastitic milk and at analyzing their fatty acids. The following microorganisms were isolated from milk produced by cows with subclinical mastitis and selected for the antimicrobial test: Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus spp., Candida spp. and Cryptococcus laurentii. The oil components and the antimicrobial activity were determined by gas chromatography and by the broth microdilution technique, respectively.  The following fatty acids were identified: myristic, palmitic, palmitoleic, margaric, stearic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic, arachidic, gadoleic, behenic and lignoceric. Averages of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for S. aureus, Enterococcus spp., Candida spp. and C. laurenti were 36.30; 21.35; 15.62 and 10.41 μg.mL-1 (Brazil nut oil) and 23.5; 19.21; 7.81 and 1.2 μg.mL-1 (sunflower seed oil), respectively. These values show that these oils, in low concentration, have antimicrobial activity against the microorganisms under study. Therefore, this study shows that these fixed oils may be used as therapeutic resources for the control of mastitis. 

 

Key words: Mastitis, antimicrobial activity, fixed oils.