Eradication of Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms By Synerigistic Action of Basil Oil and Vancomycin

Zeb Jose Joshua Cabalfin1, Abigail Grace Gerona1, Victor Amadeus Labrador1, Jeanelyn Remaneses1 and Harold Mediodia1
1Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines


Abstract
The purpose of this study is to quantify the in vitro synergistic activity of basil oil and Vancomycin. A microtiter plate assay was used to determine the anti-microbial activity of the combination of both compounds against Staphylococcus aureus biofilms. The pre-formed biofilms were exposed to three different treatments: (1) Vancomycin, (2) basil oil, (3) and the combination of both. Water was used as the negative control. The three treatments were all active in eradicating the pre-formed biofilms with Vancomycin being the most effective followed by the combination of the two compounds. However, total biofilm removal was not achieved in any of the three treatments. The resulting action of the combination is less than that of vancomycin alone, but higher than that of basil oil alone, suggesting that there is an antagonistic interaction between the two compounds.