In vitro and in situ Antibacterial and Insecticidal Activity of Fragaria ananassa Essential Oil

In folk medicine, the fruits and leaves of Fragaria ananassa have been used as a source of vitamins, as an agent in the treatment of inflammation, and as a diuretic, diarrhea and choleretic agent. It is used in the treatment of anaemia, in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Besides, the leaves have a styptic, astringent, wound-healing effect and are used for preparation of infusions, tinctures and tea. Infusion and decoction of leaves are applied at inflammation of mucous membranes of an oral cavity, at a headache, at jaundice, as an antiseptic and externally - at rashes and dermatitis. Infusion of leaves of F. ananassa shows antibacterial activity with respect to various microorganisms. The essential oil of F. ananassa was used in this study to determine its antibacterial potential against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and its insecticidal activity against insect. Bacteria from the Czech Collection of Microorganisms Bacillus subtilis, Paenibacillus larvae and Listeria ivanovii from the group of Gram-positive bacteria and Enterobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Shigella sonnei from the group of Gram-positive bacteria were used in the study to test the antibacterial activity. Megabruchidius dorsalis was used as the model insect for insecticidal activity. The best antimicrobial activity was found against P. larvae under in vitro conditions, as well as under in situ conditions on pear and parsley models. Insecticidal activity against M. dorsalis was observed at the highest concentrations. F. ananassa essential oil demonstrated very good antibacterial activity against various bacterial species under in vitro and in situ conditions, as well as good potential against insects.