In Vitro Antibiofilm Efficacy of Citronella, Lemongrass, Ylang-Ylang, and Clove Essential Oils Against Clinical Isolates of Staphylococcus spp.

Marta Setiabudy; Anak Agung Gede Indraningrat; Anak Agung Ayu Lila Paramasatiari; Anak Agung Dewi Megawati; Ni Wayan Widhidewi; Putu Arya Suryanditha; Kadek Suryawan; Ni Luh Putu Harta Wedari

doi:10.30742/jikw.v15i2.5443

Authors

Marta Setiabudy Universitas Warmadewa
Anak Agung Gede Indraningrat Microbiology and Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Warmadewa University
Anak Agung Ayu Lila Paramasatiari Microbiology and Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Warmadewa University
Anak Agung Dewi Megawati Microbiology and Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Warmadewa University
Ni Wayan Widhidewi Microbiology and Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Warmadewa University
Putu Arya Suryanditha Microbiology and Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Warmadewa University
Kadek Suryawan Microbiology Department and Laboratory, Sanjiwani General Hospital, Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
Ni Luh Putu Harta Wedari Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30742/jikw.v15i2.5443

Abstract

Background: Antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation highlight the need for alternative natural antimicrobial agents. Essential oils, including lemongrass, citronella, ylang-ylang, and clove oils, contain bioactive compounds with potential antibiofilm activity. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the antibiofilm activity of lemongrass, citronella, ylang-ylang, and clove essential oil againts clinical Staphylococcal isolates. Method: This experimental study was conducted from June to October 2025 at the Warmadewa University Research Laboratory. A total of 36 clinical Staphylococcus spp. isolates from a regional hospital in Bali were tested. Biofilm formation was assessed using a microtiter plate assay with crystal violet staining after treatment with 9.1% (v/v) essential oil. Chloramphenicol and aquabidest were used as positive and negative controls, respectively, and optical density was analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA. Result: This study showed that lemongrass, citronella, and ylang-ylang essential oils significantly reduced the formation of bacterial biofilms by 53%, 67%, and 47% compared to untreated group (p<0.001). Citronella was the most effective antibiofilm agent, followed by lemongrass and ylang-ylang, while cloves showed no significant effect. We hypothesize that these effects are due to cell membrane disruption, quorum sensing inhibition, and decreased biofilm matrix production. Conclusion: Citronella, lemongrass, and ylang-ylang essential oils significantly reduced biofilm formation by clinical isolates of Staphylococcus spp., with citronella showing the greatest reduction in biofilm biomass. These findings suggest that selected essential oils may have potential as natural agents for preventing or inhibiting biofilm formation and warrant further investigation, including studies evaluating their effects on established biofilms.

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