Background Terpenes are important mediators of plant-environment interactions as well as often being economically important. Terpenes are biosynthesized via two spatially separate pathways: the MEP pathway in the plastid, the site of monoterpene biosynthesis and the MVA pathway in the cytosol, the site of sesquiterpene biosynthesis (McGarvey and Croteau 1995; Eisenreich et al. 1998; Rohmer 1999...

Phytomedicine such as tea tree (melaleuca) oil have become increasingly popular in recent decades. This essential oil has been used for almost 100 years in Australia but is now available worldwide both as neat oil and as an active component in an array of products. The primary uses of tea tree oil have historically capitalized on the antiseptic, antifungal, antiviral and anti-inflammatory actio...

OBJECTIVE To compare the acaricidal activity of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil (TTO) and some of its individual active components on the itch mite Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis. DESIGN In vitro acaricide sensitivity assessment. SETTING The Menzies School of Health Research laboratory, located near the Infectious Diseases Ward of the Royal Darwin Hospital, Australia, where patients ar...

Microorganisms are ubiquitous in every habitat on earth. Some can be pathogenic and the need for controlling them is a topic of immense research. Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) is known to have antibacterial effects and in this experiment we tested its abilities to control the growth of five bacteria Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus roseus, Sarcina luteus, and Serratia ma...

Candida species are an important cause of opportunistic infection in the oral cavity of immunocompromised patients, especially HIV infected patients. Melaleuca oil obtained commercially was investigated since it is known to have broad antifungal properties. The in-vitro susceptibilities of Aspergillus and susceptible and resistant Candida species were performed utilizing serial dilutions in mic...