Antimicrobial evaluation of sutures containing Lippia sidoides Cham essential oil.

Triclosan has been used to coat sutures and reduce surgical-site infections (SSI). However, due to environmental issues search for safer antimicrobials is on the way and essential oils are promising candidates. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial activity of a suture containing Lippia sidoides Cham essential oil (LSEO). Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 15656) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) were cultivated in BHI (Brain Heart Infusion) medium. Broth microdilution technique for determining the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), agar diffusion test and a monospecies biofilm experiments for testing bacteria adherence were carried out in triplicate. For diffusion agar and multispecies biofilm methods the LSEO was incorporated in a testing suture (Poliglactin 910) using chemical procedures. A suture with triclosan (Vycril® Plus) was used as a positive control. MIC values of LSEO were < μg/mL for both of strains. The halos of LSEO-suture and triclosan-sutures against S. aureus were of same magnitude (20 mm). The halo for LSEO-suture and triclosan-sutures against E.coli were 5 and 3 mm, respectively. The LSEO-suture presented the same bacterial anti-adherence effect as the triclosan-suture. This study showed that Lippia sidoides Cham oil is a promising antimicrobial material to coat sutures and reduce surgical-site infections (SSI).