Helichrysum italicum extract interferes with the production of enterotoxins by Staphylococcus aureus

Aims: The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of Helichrysum italicum extract on enterotoxin (A–D) production by Staphylococcus aureus strains. Methods and Results: The production of enterotoxins A–D in the presence or absence of H. italicum diethyl ether extract was estimated in microtiter plates using a reversed passive latex agglutination (SET-RPLA) kit (Oxoid, Basingstoke, UK). The results indicate that, in culture medium, inhibition of staphylococcal growth and enterotoxins appeared with 250–125 lg ml )1 of the extract. Lower concentrations of the extract (62Æ5–31Æ25 lg ml )1) did not affect the final viable count of Staph. aureus but reduced the production of enterotoxins B and C. Conclusions: H.italicuminterfereswithgrowthandproductionofenterotoxinsbyStaph.aureus. Significance and Impact of the Study: There is considerable interest in the use of natural compounds as alternative methods to control undesirable pathogenic micro-organisms.