Tree tea oil does not cause antibiotic resistance: Study

Contradicting the results of previous research studies, a recent study reported that low concentration of tree tea oil does not cause antibiotic resistance. The study results have been published in the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents.

Antibiotic resistance is a major public healthcare problem that causes as a result of inappropriate, low doses or indiscriminate use of antibiotics. Antibiotics prescribed by physicians should be taken in proper doses and duration to avoid antibiotic resistance. Some bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus develop a special protein (gene) against antibiotics, escape from treatment drugs, and infect the body. Antibiotic resistance leads to poor or almost no response to antibiotic therapy.

The so-called “superbug” or Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the common example of antibiotic resistance that kills more than half million, global population every year. Nearly, 2 million people in the world carry some form of MRSA and continue to infect others.

Tree tea oil is well known for antiseptic properties. The commonly used cosmetics and personal care products contain low levels (2%) of tea tree oil. As we know, exposure of bacteria to low doses of anti-bacterial products can cause antibiotic resistance. However, low concentration of tea tree oil does not cause such resistance.

A team of scientists from University of Western Australia tested the efficacy of tea tree oil in 30 different strains of skin infection causing Staphylococcus.

The team tested the efficacy of tea tree in two different concentrations 0.25% and 0.0075% against the bacteria. The former concentration killed the bacterial colony without antibiotic resistance. Tree tea oil in 0.0075% concentration did not kill the organisms. However, no antibiotic resistance were found in such organisms, and susceptibility to other antibiotics remains unchanged.

The study results are encouraging, and low concentration of tea tree oil in personal care and cosmetic products do not cause risk of antibiotic resistance, the authors wrote in the publication.

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