Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Jojoba Wax Liquid (Simmondsia chinensis)

Abstract

Introduction: Plants are a rich source of bioactive compounds. Simmondsia chinensis, also known as Jojoba, is the sole member the Simmondsiaceae's family and has been known traditionally for many medical uses. Objectives: Herein we evaluate the value of crude jojoba oil (J.O) as an antimicrobial agent in vitro. Methods: J.O was tested for potential antimicro bial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris, P. mirabilis Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Asperigillus flavus. Results: Our results did not show any effect on fungi or yeast. However a significant antibacterial activity was observed against B. subtilis, S. aureus, P. vulgaris, P mirabilis. A high activity was observed for J.O at Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC level of 12.5 mg/ml. Interestingly, S. typhimurium, E. coli and Ps. aeruginosa were found to be highly resistant. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that J.O may have a medicinal potentia as natural antibacterial agent.

Full text

Pharmacognosy Journal, Vol 11, Issue 1, Jan-Feb, 2019 191
Pharmacogn J. 2019; 11(1): 191-194
A Multifaceted Journal in the eld of Natural Products and Pharmacognosy
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Original Article
INTRODUCTION
ere are thousands of species of medicinal plants
used globally for the cure of dierent infections.1,2
For example previous studies proved that the extracts
of Casuarina equisetifolia Forest., Euphorbia hirta L.
and Euphorbia tirucalli L. have antibacterial activities.3
ese plants, and others, are used as antimicrobial
agents and, extensive work has been carried out to
determine their scientic basis.4,5,6,7,8 Other plants
including Zingiber ocinale, have been used as herbal
drugs to treat inammation by local inhabitants from
ancient times until today.9 e medicinal value of the
plants lies in some chemical substances that can either
produce a denite physiological action on the human
body or even act as antibiotics by attacking bacterial
cells.10,11,12
Simmondsia chinesisis is a plant from the family
(Simmondsiaceae) known as Jojoba. It is native of
southern Arizona, USA. e seeds of Jojoba plant
produce more than 45% w/w of colourless, odourless
oily material which was discovered by the native
Americans who recognised its important medicinal
values.13,14 Due to its high economic value, Jojoba is
being cultivated in dierent parts of the world including
the Egyptian dessert and Saudi Arabia.15,16 Many studies
have focused on understanding the antibacterial
features of Jojoba.17,18,19
Jojoba oil has a unique chemical structure; it is com-
posed of oil sterols, and dierent toccopherols.13,20,21
Against Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Jojoba Wax
Liquid (Simmondsia chinensis)
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Plants are a rich source of bioactive compounds. Simmondsia chinensis, also
known as Jojoba, is the sole member the Simmondsiaceae’s family and has been known
traditionally for many medical uses. Objectives: Herein we evaluate the value of crude jojoba
oil (J.O) as an antimicrobial agent in vitro. Methods: J.O was tested for potential antimicro-
bial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris, P. mirabilis,
Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and
Asperigillus avus. Results: Our results did not show any effect on fungi or yeast. However,
a signicant antibacterial activity was observed against B. subtilis, S. aureus, P. vulgaris, P.
mirabilis. A high activity was observed for J.O at Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)
level of 12.5 mg/ml. Interestingly, S. typhimurium, E. coli and Ps. aeruginosa were found to
be highly resistant. Conclusion: Our ndings suggest that J.O may have a medicinal potential
as natural antibacterial agent.
Key words: Jojoba oil, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial activity, Simmondsia chinesisis, Minimum
inhibitory concentration (MIC).
Ahmed Al-Ghamdi1*, Thanaa Elkholy2, Shahd Abuhelal3, Hatim Al-Abbadi4, Dina Qahwaji5,
Nahlaa Khalefah5, Hanaan Sobhy6, Mohammad Abu-Hilal7
Ahmed Al-Ghamdi1*, Tha-
naa Elkholy2, Shahd Abuhe-
lal3, Hatim Al-Abbadi4, Dina
Qahwaji5, Nahlaa Khalefah5,
Hanaan Sobhy6, Mohammad
Abu-Hilal7
1Department of Medical Laboratory Technol-
ogy, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King
Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, SAUDI ARABIA.
2Al-Azhar University, Al Mokhaym Al Daem,
Cairo, Cairo Governorate, EGYPT.
3Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Faculty
of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College
London, Franklin-Wilkins building, 150
Stamford Street, London SE1 8NH, UNITED
KINGDOM.
4Consultant General Laparoscopic Surgeon,
King Abdulaziz University, University Hospi-
tal, Director of
Experimental Surgery Unit, KFMRC*, Jeddah,
SAUDI ARABIA.
5Departments of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty
of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdul-Aziz
University, Jeddah, SAUDI ARABIA.
6Head of Pharmacology Unit,
-Biochemical, and Toxicology and Food
Deciency.
7Consultant Hepatobiliary and
Pancreatic Surgery, University Hospital,
Southampton University, UNITED KINGDOM.
Correspondence
Ahmed Al-Ghamdi
King Fahd Medical Research Centre,
King Abdulaziz University-Jeddah,
Saudi Arabia, P.O.Box 80200,
Jeddah 21589, SAUDI ARABIA.
Phone no : 7714-653155-653155
E-mail: aalghamdi@kau.edu.sa.
History
• Submission Date: xx-xx-xxxx;
• Review completed: xx-xx-xxxx;
• Accepted Date: xx-xx-xxxx
DOI : 10.5530/pj.2019.11.31
Article Available online
http://www.phcogj.com/v11/i1
Copyright
© 2019 Phcog.Net. This is an open-
access article distributed under the terms
of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International license.
Cite this article: Al-Ghamdi AK, Elkholy TA, Abuhelal S, Al-Abbadi H, Qahwaji D, Khalefah N,
Sobhy H, Abu-Hilal M. Phytochemical Investigation and In-vitro Anthelmintic Activity of the Leaves
of Gynura lycopersicifolia Linn. Pharmacog J. 2019;11(1):191-4.
Jojoba seeds also contain a considerable amount
of tannins.22,23,24 It has straight chains of C-20 and
C-22 acids and alcohol monoesters, in addition to
some triglycerides and stanols.13,25 Flavonoids are
believed to be responsible for the antibacterial activity
of Jojoba oil.26,27 Since it also works as a carrier
substance for oxidation sensitive materials such as
Vitamin A; the crude J.O. was used as a cosmetic
and skin care material.26,27,28,29 Moreover, Jojoba wax
has been shown to be the best liquid wax to stabilize
penicillin products.28
e aim of the present work is to study the anti-
microbial activity of J.O at dierent concentrations
against dierent microorganisms.
Experimental
MATERIALS
Tested oil Crude J.O. was obtained from Egyptian
Natural Oil Company. It was prepared from Jojoba
nuts (Simmondsia Chinensis).
Microorganisms e microorganisms used in this
study were isolated locally and consisted of bacterial
and fungal strains. ese strains (Bacillus subtilis,
Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris, P. mirabilis,
Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Pseudo-
monas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Asperigillus
avus) were obtained from the Microbiological
Department of Animal Health Research Institute

Ghamdi and Elkholy, et al.: Against Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Jojoba Wax Liquid (Simmondsia chinensis)
192 Pharmacognosy Journal, Vol 11, Issue 1, Jan-Feb, 2019
(AHRI), Cairo, Egypt. All the used microorganisms were prepared and
tested according to Kone man and Cruickshank.30,31
METHODS
Microorganisms maintenance Bacterial strains were grown and maintained
on Nutrient Agar slants and on Sabouraud Glucose Agar slants, and then
stored at 4°C. Both bacteria and Candida albicans were sub-cultured in
fresh media at regular intervals while, Aspergillus avus was cultured on
Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and sub-cultured at regular intervals until
used for the antimicrobial tests. All bacterial strains were compared with
a reference (standard strains) which were obtained from bacterial strain
bank.
All tested strains were prepared and tested against J.O. for estimating
the Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Each isolate was tested
three times to determine the mean reading. At the same time, the reference
isolates, were tested against the same extract with the same concentra-
tions and the same environmental conditions to determine the MIC
mean reading (each isolate was tested 3 times)
Antibacterial Activity
e antibacterial activity of J.O was determined using the Agar Diusion
Method with 1 ml of inoculum, containing 105 bacterial cells (Bookye
-Yiadam, 1979). Fresh broth cultured of test organisms (standardized
Table 1: Antimicrobial activity of jojoba oil on dierent tested microorganisms tested using agar gel growth inhibition test.
Micro-organism conc mg/ml Standard strain +J. O Tested strain +J. O
12.5 25.5 50 100 12.5 25.5 50 100
Bacillus subtilis Inhibition zone diameter mean
value (mm)
10.07 15.13 22 27.1 10 15 22 27
Standard deviation 0.351 0.306 0.2 0.346 0.3 0.231 0.2 0.3
Staphylococcus aureus
Inhibition zone diameter mean
value (mm)
10.1 13.07 20.3 24.1 10 13 20 24
Standard deviation 0.404 0.416 0.889 0.436 0 0.3 0.3 0.3
Salmonellatyphimurium Inhibition zone diameter mean
value (mm)
-----* ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Standard deviation ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Escherichia coli Inhibition zone diameter mean
value (mm)
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Standard deviation ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Pseudomonasaeruginosa Inhibition zone diameter mean
value (mm)
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Standard deviation ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Proteus vulgaris

Inhibition zone diameter mean
value (mm)
8.1 10.1 14.17 20    
Standard deviation 0.361 0.265 0.451 0.1    
P.mirabilis Inhibition zone diameter mean
value (mm)
 8.1 10.27 15  8 10 15
Standard deviation  0.458 0.493 0  0.3 0.1 0.3
*No inhibition zone        
Table 2: antimicrobial activity of jojoba oil on dierent tested fungi.
Strain of Fungi control Jojoba concentration
0.0 12.5 25 50 100
Candida albicans -------* --- --- -- --
Asperigillus avus -------- --- --- -- --
* No inhibition zones.
Figure 1: antibacterial activity against dierent bacterial strains.

Ghamdi and Elkholy, et al.: Against Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Jojoba Wax Liquid (Simmondsia chinensis)
Pharmacognosy Journal, Vol 11, Issue 1, Jan-Feb, 2019 193
inoculate) was swabbed onto sterile Mueller Hinton Agar in petri dishes.
A sterile stainless-steel corn borer (12mm) was used to make the wells
on the plates. e holes were lled with crude J.O. in dierent concentra-
tions in water (12.5, 25, 50 and 100 mg/ml). For control experiments,
holes were lled with sterile distilled water. Incubated petri dishes were
le for an h at room temperature for the J.O. to diuse before the growth
of organisms commenced and then incubated at 37°C for 24h. e
microbial growth was determined by measuring the diameter of the zone
of inhibition (mm). e experiments were done three times and mean
values have been presented in our results.
Antifungal Activity
Pour Plate Method was used for the assay of J.O eect against Asperigillus
avus (4x105 fungal spores / plates). J.O was introduced into the test
tubes containing sterile Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). Dierent J.O
Concentrations (12.5, 25, 50 and 100 mg /ml) were used. ese were
dispensed on petri dishes and could set. Each plate was bored with sterile
corn borer of 12 mm in diameter. Control experiments were also set up
performed without the presence of J.O. Plates were incubated at 30 °C
for 3 days.
Determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC)
Aer determining the inhibition, the MIC of tested samples at dierent
concentrations was measured against the tested organisms. Agar Diusion
Method described for antibacterial test was also used in determining
antifungal action of J.O against Candida albicans.
RESULT
Antibacterial Activity
e antibacterial activity tests of J.O was tested against dierent bacterial
strains. Standard bacterial strains obtained from bacterial strain bank
were used as a reference. All results are shown below Table 1. Growth
inhibition is indicated by clear zones. As shown, the J.O was eective
against some of the common bacteria (B. subtilis, S. aureus, P. vulgaris,
P. mirabilis).
Antifungal Activity
e antifungal activity tests of J.O results are shown below Table 2.
Determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC)
MIC results are shown in both Table 1 and Table 2. Results for Agar
Diusion Method are shown in Figure 1(A-F).
DISCUSSION
e results of testing the antibacterial activity of J.O on nine dierent
microorganisms demonstrated the presence of antimicrobial activity in
J.O. ese results are in line with previous reports.32,33,34 However, the
results disagree with Hani et al who reported that Jordanian J.O. did not
exhibit any antimicrobial activity although it exhibited strong anti-
oxidant activity. is can be related to the lower doses used in their
experiments.35 In addition, the Jojoba used in our study and that used
by Hani et al come from two dierent sources; whether the content and
the ecacy of the plant diers when grown in dierent countries and
under dierent climates is an interesting matter of discussion. In fact,
El-Mallah et al have reported on the presence of unique properties and
dierences in the oil components of the Jojoba seeds cultivated in Egypt
in comparison with Jojoba seeds cultivated in Arizona,21 however further
assessment and investigations on this can be the subject of future studies.
ere was no signicant dierence in the results observed for our teste
bacterial strains and the reference strains, this indicates that the bacteria
which was used for the tests had the same expected sensitivity of the
standard bacterial strains. Our data showed that the control samples
were not sensitive towards any of the microbial species used. Moreover,
S. typhimurium, E. coli, Ps. aeruginosa were not sensitive (with no zone
of inhibition) to all concentrations of J.O. Similarly, C. albicans and
A. avus did not show any sensitivity to J.O.
P. mirabilis was the least sensitive bacterium with 15mm and 10mm
zones of inhibition at concentrations of 100 and 50 mg/ml respectively.
On the other hand, B. subtilis and S. aureus were the most sensitive with
10 mm at concentration of 12.5 mg/ml and reached to 27mm at concen-
tration of 100 mg/ml.
ose results reinforce the previous ndings on the presence of antimi-
crobial activities in Jojoba.2,36 We do agree that the antibacterial constitu-
ents in some plants may not be well eective if the concentrations are
inadequate.2,35
CONCLUSION
Our ndings suggest that J.O exhibits potent antimicrobial properties.
Antimicrobial tests showed that J.O exhibited a broad spectrum of activity
by inhibiting the growth of some of the investigated bacteria. J.O appears
to be a promising source of bioactive compounds with antimicrobial
properties.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
e authors acknowledge with thanks Deanship of Scientic Research
(DSR) technical and nancial support.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
e authors certify that they have NO aliations with or involvement in
any organization or entity with any nancial or non-nancial interest in
the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.
ABBREVIATIONS
JO: jojoba oil
MIC: Minimum inhibitory concentration
PDA: Potato Dextrose Agar
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Cite this article: Al-Ghamdi AK, Elkholy TA, Abuhelal S, Al-Abbadi H, Qahwaji D, Khalefah N, Sobhy H, Abu-Hilal M. Phytochemical
Investigation and In-vitro Anthelmintic Activity of the Leaves of Gynura lycopersicifolia Linn. Pharmacog J. 2019;11(1):191-4.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT SUMMARY
• Jojoba oil has been attracting researcher’s attention in the medical and phar-
maceutical eld for a while. Many studies about the use of Jojoba oil antibac-
terial and antifungal activities has been performed with different ndings. In
this study, we evaluate the value of crude jojoba oil (J.O) as an antimicrobial
agent in vitro. J.O was tested for potential antimicrobial activity against Bacil-
lus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris, P. mirabilis, Salmonella
typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and
Asperigillus avus. Our results did not show any effect on fungi or yeast. How-
ever, a signicant antibacterial activity was observed against B. subtilis, S. aureus ,
P. vulgaris, P. mirabilis. A high activity was observed for J.O at Minimum inhibi-
tory concentration (MIC) level of 12.5 mg/ml. Interestingly, S. typhimurium, E.
coli and Ps. aeruginosa were found to be highly resistant. These results, sug-
gest that J.O may have a medicinal potential as natural antibacterial agent.
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