Natural Agents against Bovine Mastitis Pathogens

Abstract

Bovine mastitis is the most widespread and economically important disease worldwide. The present study aimed to determine bioactive compounds in two essential oils (EOs) from wild (Thymus serpyllum) and common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and to assess the antioxidant potential as well as antibacterial efficacy of the EOs against mastitis-associated bacteria. The study also included antibiotic susceptibility tests. The strains were previously isolated from lactating animals with clinical and subclinical mastitis. The antioxidant potential of the commercial EOs of wild and common thyme was evaluated by five in vitro assays. The antibacterial activity was performed using the microdilution technique, while antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. The dominant compound in wild thyme was thymol (45.22%), followed by p-cymene (23.83%) and γ-terpinene (3.12%), while in common thyme, it was thymol (54.17%), followed by γ-terpinene (22.18%) and p-cymene (16.66%). Among the fourteen mastitis-associated bacteria, strain IX Streptococcus spp. (β-hemolytic) was the most sensitive to the tested EOs (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)/minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) were 0.78/1.56 and 0.39/0.78 mg/mL for T. serpyllum (TS) and T. vulgaris (TV), respectively). Regarding Streptococcus spp. β heamoliticus, MICs for TS ranged from 0.78 to 1.56 mg/mL, while for the same oil, MBCs ranged from 1.56 to 12.5 mg/mL. In the case of T. vulgaris, MICs ranged from 0.39 to 3.125 mg/ mL, while MBCs ranged from 3.125 to 6.25 mg/mL. TV is more active against E. coli, E. sakazakii, and Streptococcus spp., while it is less effective against Staphylococcus spp. than TS. The study revealed that the tested EOs possess remarkable antioxidative and antibacterial activities and could be used in the development of pharmaceutical formulation as an alternative to conventional mastitis therapy.

Antibiotic Susceptibility of Staphylococcus Species Isolated in Raw Chicken Meat from Retail Stores

“…Antibiotics included in the testing were augmentin, amoxicillin, erythromycin, tetracycline, cloxacillin, gentamicin, cotrimoxazole, and chloramphenicol. According to Kovačević et al [ 54 ], the most used antibiotics in inflammation therapy in food animals are penicillin, streptomycin, gentamicin, tetracycline, cephalexin, sulfonamides, and enrofloxacin.…”

Thymus serpyllum Essential Oil and Its Biological Activity as a Modern Food Preserver

“…T. serpyllum is a suitable alternative to artificial fungicides because of the high content of monoterpene compounds. Kovacevic et al [ 15 ] determined the main compounds of T. serpyllum EO to be thymol, 54.17%; γ-terpinene, 22.18%; and p-cymene 16.66%. Thymol (15.21% and 41.8%) was the main compound of T. serpyllum EO in the studies of Šojić et al [ 16 ] and Tazabayeva and Sylibaeva [ 17 ].…”

New Perspective of Origanum vulgare L. and Satureja montana L. Essential Oils as Bovine Mastitis Treatment Alternatives

“…These oils are used in medicine, cosmetics, food and as dietary supplements. Many studies have shown good antimicrobial effects of EOs against the common mastitis pathogens in vitro [ 9 , 10 ]. Additionally, in vivo experiments have demonstrated EOs’ effectiveness in mastitis treatment by improving udder condition, reducing number of somatic cells and elimination of intramammary infection [ 11 ].…”