ANALYSIS OF THE ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF COPAIBA AND EUCALYPTUS ESSENTIAL OILS

Abstract

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to achieve a more just and sustainable world by 2030. Specifically, SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being – seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all. Within this goal, target 3.3 highlights the elimination of epidemics and communicable diseases. Essential oils, such as those from copaiba and eucalyptus, possess pharmacological properties with antimicrobial potential, representing promising alternatives in the face of increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics. This study aims to investigate and compare the possible antibacterial activity of copaiba and eucalyptus essential oils, at different concentrations, against the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Copaiba and eucalyptus essential oils contain bioactive compounds with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and medicinal potential. Their medicinal use is ancient, with records of therapeutic and antiseptic applications in various cultures. Currently, the global market is growing, with Brazil as the main exporter, although challenges remain in standardization and investment. Given the rising bacterial resistance to standard antibiotics, these oils stand out as promising natural alternatives in combating pathogenic microorganisms. Tests showed that copaiba oil exhibits increasing antibacterial activity with concentration, while eucalyptus oil showed no inhibitory effect, possibly due to the need for higher concentrations than those tested to observe an antimicrobial effect. It is recommended to repeat the experiments with copaiba oil to confirm its performance and test eucalyptus oil at higher concentrations to verify its possible antimicrobial action