Study on the inhibition of the growth of skin pathogens by turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) essential oils

In Vietnam, turmeric is grown in Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Lam Dong, Quang Ngai, Nghe An, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, Hai Duong, Son La, Vinh Phuc and other provinces. The study's goal was to examine the chemical components and antimicrobial activity of turmeric essential oils on skin pathogens, which is critical. By the GC-MS method, nineteen chemical components in turmeric essential oil have been identified, of which six are hydrocarbons (such as 39.42% monoterpenes and 3.58% sesquiterpenes), and the rest are oxygenated hydrocarbons (8.09% alcohols, 3.12% aldehydes, and 44.24% ketones). The turmeric essential oils exhibited inhibitive effects on all of the test organisms. They showed excellent in vitro antimicrobial activity against all the tested skin pathogens, including gram-positive bacteria and yeast strains, with zones of inhibition ranging from 10.13 to 21.64 mm in diameter. The turmeric essential oils were most active against antibiotic-susceptible Staphylococcus epidermidis (MIC = 0.15 μL/mL). The MICs for turmeric essential oils ranged from 0.06 μL/mL to 0.68 μL/mL for all test microorganisms. These research results are a valuable premise for the development of research and the application of turmeric essential oil in medicine. © 2024 The Authors.