ANTIBACTERIAL POTENTIAL OF THE ESSENTIAL OIL OF LIPPIA ALBA MILL. ASSOCIATED WITH LED LIGHTS

Abstract

Lippia alba, also known as erva cidreira, is an aromatic bush occurring throughout Brazil. Its essential oil has many bioactivities, but few studies of its use are associated to phototherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the essential oil of Lippia alba (OEL) associated  with blue, red, and yellow LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights against strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The oil was extracted by the  hydrodistillation method. The antibacterial and modulatory activity was performed by the method of gas contact using the oil, LED lights, and  antibiotics. All experiments were carried out in triplicate. The OEL has  antibacterial potential against all strains tested, with a more expressive 
result against the multi-resistant strain of E. coli when associated with the LED lights. The modulation of bacterial resistance, both in the combinations  of oil + antibiotic + LED lights and oil + antibiotics, showed synergism  against the tested multi-resistant strains. Therefore, the essential oil of  Lippia alba associated with LED lights has an antibacterial and modulating  effect by gas contact. These data may contribute to future research linked to  development of new therapeutic strategies to combat resistant microorganisms.