| |
| author |
Ashley Hoebee-Elardo
| | title |
Neroli Essential Oil as a Broad-Spectrum Killing Agent Against Bacterial Persister Cells
| | abstract |
Persister cells are a small subpopulation of dormant bacteria that can survive antibiotic
treatment while maintaining their genetic makeup. Once antibiotics are removed from a system,
persisters repopulate, contributing to both antibiotic tolerance and antibiotic resistance. Essential
oils contain antimicrobial properties that may disrupt a cell membrane and directly kill dormant
persister cells. Essential oils commonly used in skincare, such as Neroli Essential Oil (NEO), can
eliminate Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including Staphylococcus epidermidis and
Escherichia coli, respectively, through this quick mechanism that can potentially kill infections.
This study examines the effects of NEO on persister cells using a biphasic kill curve, anti-biofilm
testing, and colorimetric assays. At concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, and 2.5%, NEO eliminated over
99% of persister cells within 1 h and fully eradicated them by 24 h in both S. epidermidis and E.
coli. NEO also effectively killed some persister cells in biofilms, highlighting its potential as an
anti-biofilm agent. Upon colorimetric analysis with Erythrosin B, increasing absorbance of E.
coli demonstrated that the killing mechanism disrupts the cell membrane, though results were
inconclusive for S. epidermidis. Spectrophotometric assays further confirmed leakage of DNA
and proteins from NEO-treated cells, reinforcing a direct, membrane-disrupting killing
mechanism that leads to cell lysis. Future work should explore NEO's activity within biofilm
environments, isolate the oil's major active chemical components, and investigate drug delivery
strategies to translate these findings into practical medical treatments. Overall, NEO
demonstrates strong potential as a broad-spectrum natural therapeutic capable of targeting both
persister and biofilm-associated infections.
| | school |
The College of Liberal Arts, Drew University
| | degree |
B.S. (2025)
|
| advisor |
Christopher Fazen
|
| committee |
MaryAnn Pearsall
Claire Sherman
|
| full text | AHoebee-Elardo.pdf |
| |
