TITLE:

The Effectiveness of Virgin Cocos nucifera Oil and Artemisia dracunculus Oil
as Supposed Antibacterial Agents against
Staphylococcus aureus 

AUTHORS:

Esperanza, Xavier John P. | Meer, Allyssa Beatrice G. | Angeles, Shem Jazeel A. | Deunida,
Aaron Vince M. & | Torres, Ma. Samantha Y.| Collegio San Agustin- Binan

INTRODUCTION:

 Acne Vulgaris, generally distinguished as Acne, is a skin infection instigated by the

abnormal activity of the sebaceous glands found at the bottom of a cluster of hair
follicles.
 Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, is the most generalroot of the complication known as

folliculitis where small white-headed pimples grop when hair follicles are infected with

bacteria. Folliculitis is caused by S. aureus is marked by itchy, white, pus-filled bumps,

known as pimples.

 Coconut oil also contains capric, caproic and caprylic medium-chain fatty foods. While
not as powerful as lauric acid, some of these are also effective against the bacterium that
causes acne.
 Artemisia dracunculu soil or tarragon oil can also be an efficient acne remedy. The
distillation process can lead to the accumulation of steamed tarragon leaves’ residue
which is an antioxidant that clears skin impurities.

OBJECTIVES:

The study aims to determine the possible antibacterial activities of virgin Cocos nucifera oil and

Artemisia dracunculusoil against Staphylococcus aureus . Specifically, the study aims to:

1. examine the supposed effectiveness of virgin Cocos nucifera oil as an antibacterial agent

for Staphylococcus aureus  by determining its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)

and comparing it to its confirmed MIC according to an established literature ;

 2. examine the supposed effectives of Artemisia dracunculus oilas an antibacterial agent for

Staphylococcus aureus  by determining its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and

comparing it to its confirmed MIC according to an established literature; and

3. determine which between the extra-virgin coconut oil and the tarragon oil has the smaller

minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) through charts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

1.0 Acquisition of Staphylococcus aureus

1.1 Obtaining of the Independent Vairables

1.1.1 Coconut Oil Extraction

1.1.2 Tarragon Oil Extraction
2.2 Broth Microdilution Test
2.2.1 Preparation of Broth Medium
2.2.2 Preparation of Bacterial Inoculum
2.2.4 Application
2.2.5 Incubation
2.2.6 Measurement of the Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations
3.3 Statistical Analysis

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

 Characterization and Yield of Extracted Virgin Coconut Oil

The virgin coconut oil extracted through the use of boiling method was partially clear

and predominantly yellowish in color. The 451.5g white layer equivalent to 500mL

diminished its volume to 110mL pure virgincoconut oil after 45minutes of heating. The coconut

oil was poured into a 220g container. The coconut oil weighed 99.33g. Virgin Coconut Oil was

extracted using the boiling method. Before extraction there is 500mL of oil then reduced to

110ml. Its actual percent yield is 22%.

  Characterization and Yield of Extracted Tarragon Oil

After processing the liquid residue in the rotary evaporator for 5 hours, Tarragon oil extract with

a color ranging between green and yellow was produced. 420mL of the liquid residue equivalent

to 275,100mg reduced its weight to only 125mg pure Tarragon oil. Tarragon oil was extracted

using the Rotary Evaporation method. Before extraction there is 275,000mg of oil then reduced

to 125mg. Its actual percent yield is 0.05%.

 Analysis of Wells

7
6
5
4
3
2
1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Figure 1. 96-well plates after
incubation
  blue and red frames comprise of the first six columns of the 96-well plates which held48
wells

 The third and last column occupied by the solution of virgin coconut oil and DMSO
 yellow frame comprises of the seventh column which contained four wells and referred to
the positive control
 the purple frame comprises of the ninth column which also contained four wells and
referred to the negative control

4.4 Comparison of the Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC)

3.5

2.5
Mean MIC (µg/ml)

1.5 Virgin Coconut Oil

Tarragon Oil
1

0.5

0
Category 1
Plant Extract

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

1. the virgin coconut oil extract inhibits the growth of S. aureus, contradicting the claim

of an established literature that it had no MIC against the stated bacterium

2. the MIC of Tarragon oil against S. aureus is higher than its already concluded MIC

against the stated bacterium according to an established literature ; and

3. virgin coconut oil is a more effective antibacterial agent against S. aureus

RECOMMENDATIONS

 collect more Tarragon leaves

 use another extraction method to accumulate virgin coconut oil

 determine the minimum bactericidal concentrations

 utilize more wells provided by the 96-wells plate

 apply an indicator dye to the wells

 perform more trials of the broth micro-dilution method