GC-MS based comparative phytochemical profiling with anti-acne and antidermatophytic activities of commercial and organic tea tree oils

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Pekacar S., Göçmen İlhan İ. E., Kürkçüoğlu M., Özçelik B., Deliorman Orhan D.

JOURNAL OF HERBAL MEDICINE, cilt.10164, sa.1, ss.54-62, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 10164 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101064
  • Dergi Adı: JOURNAL OF HERBAL MEDICINE
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Food Science & Technology Abstracts, Scopus, Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), CAB Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.54-62
  • Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Introduction: Tea tree oil (TTO), mainly derived from Melaleuca alternifolia, is widely used in herbal medicine for

its antimicrobial effects, particularly in treating acne and dermatophytic infections. With increasing clinical use,

ensuring TTO quality is essential for efficacy and safety. This study aimed to evaluate the quality and antimicrobial,

anti-acne, and antidermatophytic activities of commercially available TTO.

Methods: Twelve commercial TTO obtained from pharmacies, herbal stores, and health product retailers, along

with one organic pure TTO reference, were analyzed following the European Pharmacopoeia 8.0 monograph

criteria. Quality assessments included visual inspection, solubility and staining tests, thin-layer chromatography,

and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Antimicrobial activities were tested against Cutibacterium

acnes ATCC 6919 and dermatophyte strains Trichophyton rubrum RSKK 486, Epidermophyton floccosum RSKK

3027, and Microsporum gypseum NCPF 580 using standard microbiological methods.

Results: Only the organic TTO complied with the compositional requirements of the European Pharmacopoeia

(EP) monograph, based on GC-MS analysis. Commercial samples showed significant deviations in chemical

composition and physicochemical properties, exhibiting markedly lower antimicrobial and antidermatophytic

activities compared to the organic reference.

Conclusion: This study shows only the organic TTO fulfilled ISO standards and EP compositional requirements,

with notably higher antimicrobial activity against dermatophytes and C. acnes. These findings reveal concerns

about the quality and potential adulteration of commercial TTO products. Ensuring product authenticity and

adherence to standards is critical for their safe and effective use in managing acne and dermatophytosis.

Strengthened quality control and regulatory measures are necessary to protect public health and support therapeutic

applications.