Comparative study of volatile oil constituents, anti-microbial properties, and antibiofilm activities in Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus globulus: insights from central Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Eucalyptus is a fragrant plant with a highly volatile oil content grown worldwide. This study investigated the phytochemical and biological features of two Eucalyptus species, E. camaldulensis and E. globulus, cultivated in Central Saudi Arabia. Phytochemical analysis revealed 17 compounds in E. camaldulensis and 13 in E. globulus, with α-pinene and 1,8-cineole being both plants’ most abundant volatile components. The antimicrobial activity revealed that Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 13311 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 are the most susceptible to E. camaldulensis, with the zone of inhibition diameters (ZIDs) of 17.0 ± 0.2 mm and 22.0 ± 0.3 mm, respectively. In contrast, for E. globulus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 were the most susceptible, with ZIDs of 13.0 ± 0.2 mm and 20.0 ± 0.2 mm, respectively. E. camaldulensis had minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) range from 1.56 to 12.5 μL/mL, minimum biocidal concentration (MBC) range from 3.125 to 25.0 μL/mL, minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) range from 3.125 to 25.0 μL/mL, and minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) from 6.25 to 50.0 μL/mL, while E. globulus had MIC range from 3.125 to 12.5 μL/mL, MBC range from 6.25 to 25.0 μL/mL, MBIC range from 6.25 to 25.0 μL/mL, and MBEC range from 12.5 to 50.0 μL/mL, for the tested organisms. E. camaldulensis demonstrated better antimicrobial activity than E. globulus against the tested organisms, making it a promising antimicrobial drug candidate. Further research is required to determine its effectiveness in treating different human infections.