Impact of using low-cost packaging material of commercial herbal oil on its antibacterial compounds.

A commercial herbal oil with different bottle materials on the Indonesian markets was studied. The effects of the different specimens viz. PET-new, PET-open, and AL-new on the main antibacterial components of herbal oil were investigated. Step-1, analysis of antibacterial activity (against S. aureus and E. coli) and testing of non-toxic (in-vivo). Step-2, detection of the main antibacterial compounds (6 types) during the storage times. The market and environmental aspects were also considered. The results, all specimens had antibacterial activity and they showed non-toxic. At the 0-month, six types of main antibacterial compounds were detected in all specimens. The longer the storage time, the more main antibacterial compounds were lost. The most loss (4 types) was observed in AL-new (12-months) and PET-open. PET-new showed the least loss (1 type) at 6-months and 12-months, namely eugenol. Interestingly, PET-new was able to retain curcumene, farnesol, and p-cymene for up to 12 months of storage. PET-new was also more economical (8.7% cheaper) and environmental-friendly than AL-new. The sprayer cap types are strongly recommended for PET herbal oil packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]