Antimicrobial effect of essential oil of Citrus reticulata on Fusobacterium nucleatum associated with periodontal disease

Chlorhexidine as a treatment of periodontal disease has achieved bactericidal effects over periodontopathogens and oral biofilm. Its use generates adverse effects; therefore natural alternatives are presented with a similar antimicrobial effect. Essential oils have proved effective in controlling dental plaque without the adverse effects of chlorhexidine. The aim of this study was to determine the bacteriostatic and bactericidal effect of essential oil of tangerine against Fusobacterium nucleatum. The extraction of the essential oil was performed by expression of tangerine peels (Arrayana and Oneco varieties). Concentrations at 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% of the essential oil diluted in 0,02% Tween were evaluated. The bacteriostatic and bactericidal effect was determined by antimicrobial susceptibility testing by disk diffusion. As a positive control 0,2% chlorhexidine and water as negative control were used. Inhibition zone (mm) was measured and presence or absence of bacterial growth was determined from colony forming units. To compare proportions of bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity, Fisher and T student test (95% CI p = 0,05) were performed. The 100% concentration zone of inhibition showed a similar behavior as chlorhexidine (p <0,05). 100% and 80% concentrations were bactericides, 60%, 40% and 20% showed bacteriostatic behavior. No significant differences between the proportions of inhibition of the two varieties of tangerine (p> 0,05). The use of essential oils of tangerine could be a complementary alternative to treatment of periodontal disease