Effects of sigla storax (liquidambar orientalis) on commensal and pathogenic intestinal bacteria

The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory and stimulatory effects of sigla storax (Liquidambar orientalis), rich in essential oils and phenolic compounds, on commensal-beneficial (Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei) and pathogenic (Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella Typhimurium) intestinal bacteria. Luria-Bertani (LB) was used for E. coli, Tryptone Soya Broth (TSB) for S. Typhimurium and S. aureus, de Man, Rogosa, Sharpe (MRS) for L. acidophilus and L. casei, MRS with 0.05% cysteine added for B. bifidum, and Medium 2, an anaerobic medium for B. longum and C. perfringens. Facultative anaerobic E. coli, S. Typhimurium and S. aureus were grown in an incubator and other bacteria were grown in an anaerobic chamber. The effects of sigla oil on intestinal bacteria were investigated in the incubator and anaerobic chamber by liquid microdilution method at concentrations of 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 mg/ml. It has been observed that commensal intestinal bacteria are more resistant to sigla storax than pathogenic bacteria. Sigla oil did not have a completely inhibitory effect on the beneficial bacterial strains used. In addition, it stimulated the growth of L. acidophilus at all concentrations used and the growth of B. longum at concentrations of 1 and 2 mg/ml. Sigla storax did not have a stimulatory effect on the growth of pathogenic intestinal bacteria. It was observed that the most sensitive pathogenic bacteria against sigla storax was S. Typhimurium, and the most resistant pathogenic bacteria was E. coli. Sigla storax showed potential antibacterial activity against S. Typhimurium at a concentration of 8 mg/ml, and completely inhibited the growth of S. Typhimurium at a concentration of 16 mg/ml (Minimal inhibitory concentration, MIC). It showed potential antibacterial activity on other pathogens, S. aureus and C. perfringens, in the dose range of 0.25-16 mg/ml and completely inhibited the growth of both bacteria at a concentration of 32 mg/ml. Although sigla storax has shown potential antibacterial activity on E. coli in the dose range of 4-64 mg/ml, it could not completely inhibit the growth of this bacterium. It was concluded that sigla storax, which has stimulatory effects on beneficial bacteria and inhibitory effects on pathogens in the intestines, has the potential to contribute to intestinal microbiota eubiosis conditions and intestinal homeostasis.