The antimicrobial activity of green tea (Camillia sinensis) on Staphylococcus aureus in combination with ascorbic acid, acetic acid, and sodium chloride

Team 3: Timothy Barnum, Steven Castellano, Annie Chen, Neha Jariwala,

Andy Jung, Kelvin Mei, Christina Sedberry, Maggie To, Heather Tynan, Charles Zou

1st brewed 4000 years ago 2nd most popular drink

History of Green Tea

http://www.spiritcommunity.com/tea/images/tea_leaf.jpg http://www.taijichinesemedicine.com/images/doc12.jpg

Composition Polyphenols

EGCG, EC, C, ECG, EGC, GC, CG

http://www.i-sis.org.uk/graphics/Tea-polyphenols.jpg

Health Benefits Antioxidant

Neurodegeneration Cardiovascular disease Cancer

Antimicrobial Viral activity Bacterial growth

Staphylococcus aureus Spherical, Gram-positive bacteria Halotolerant Immune response resistance

http://www.biology4kids.com/extras/dtop_micro/7821.html

Green Tea Effects on S. aureus Green Tea has been shown to have

antibacterial effect on S. aureus

Toda et. al (1989) reported growth inhibition at “cup” of tea concentrations

Antibacterial Hypothesized modes of action

Peptidoglycan binding Lipid bilayer binding

http://www.palaeos.com/Kingdoms/Prokaryotes/Images/GramPosCellEnvelope.gif

Question Based on this information, can green tea be

used as a household cleaner?

http://www.health-news-blog.com/blogs/health-articles.html

Enhancing substances Ascorbic acid Acetic acid Sodium chloride

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Hypothesis Green tea alone will act as an

antibacterial. The enhancing substances and increased brewing times will increase the antimicrobial activity of green tea.

Experimental Design Microbe Microbe preparation

S. aureus in tryptic soy broth at 37◦C under aerobic conditions

1.14 x 108 CFU per mL

Efficacy of green tea as antibacterial Paper disk diffusion Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC)

Preparation of Solutions Green Tea:

10 mg/mL Brewing periods: 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, 10.0

min. Lemon Juice: 2% by volume Vinegar: 24% by volume

Salt: 2% w/v

Preparation of Solutions

BrewingTime

(minutes)Green Tea

Green Teaand

Lemon Juice

Green Teaand

Vinegar

Green Teaand

Table Salt

Control A B C D

0.5 E F G H

1.0 I J K L

5.0 M N O P

10.0 Q R S T

The Paper Disk Diffusion Method 20 disks placed on the inoculated plates and control plate Following 48 hour incubation, zones of inhibition were measured

http://rfdp.seafdec.org.ph/publication/manual/antibiotics/pic19.jpg

Determination of the MIC 20 test tubes in triplicate were inoculated

with loop-full of 72-hour culture of S. aureus

Test tubes incubated for 48 hrs at 37°C Turbidity examined:

Scale of 0 to 3

Data

All other solutions had no measurable zone of inhibition

MIC results inconclusive

Discussion Solutions of green tea and vinegar most

effective

Zones of inhibition were most likely a result of vinegar

Green tea did not have significant effect on S. aureus growth

Future Studies Increase polyphenol content

Investigate the processing of tea

Modify MIC

Concentration of bacteria

Future Studies Prospects:

Toothpaste/Mouthwash Anti-cavity effects (Elvin-Lewis and Steelman, 1992)

Deodorizers

Conclusion No support as a household cleaner

Potential to be incorporated into daily life

Acknowledgments Advisors

Mrs. Rachel Sandler Danielle Cusmano Dr. Miyamoto Dr. Quinn Dr. Surace

Donors (YAY!) Jewish Communal Fund John and Laura Overdeck NJGSS Alumnae and Parents

(1984 -2008) Novartis Schering-Plough Foundation The Dorr Foundation The Edward W. and Stella C.

Van Houten Memorial Fund The Jennifer A. Chalsty

Foundation

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