A comparative microbiological study of the essential oils from the genus Rosa L.
Authors: Odyntsova V. M. , Polishchuk N. M. , Denysenko O. M. , Mozul V. I. , Holovkin V. V. , Zhyvora N.V. , Rudko Ye. V. 
Published: November 2024

The medicinal plant raw material containing essential oils always attract the attention of scientists from various countries worldwide. The search for new sources of the plant raw material rich in biologically active substances, particularly volatile compounds, remains a relevant task in modern pharmaceutical science. Our focus has been drawn to Rosa damascena Mill. of the “Veselka” (“Rainbow”) variety grown in the natural environment of Zaporizhzhia; its essential oil exhibits anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiseptic effects. To obtain a valuable medicinal plant raw material from Rosa damascena with a high content of essential oil, it was introduced into in vitro culture to produce aseptic regenerants, followed by their reintroduction into the natural environment.
Aim. To conduct a comparative microbiological study of essential oils from Rosa damascena of the “Veselka” variety grown via clonal micropropagation in in vitro culture and in the natural environment of Zaporizhzhia.
Materials and methods. The study objects were essential oils obtained by water distillation from rose petals cultivated using the method of clonal micropropagation in in vitro culture (at the premises of the Educational and Scientific Medical Laboratory Center with a vivarium) and the natural environment of Zaporizhzhia. The study of the antimicrobial activity was conducted in the microbiological laboratory of the Department of Microbiology, Virology, and Immunology at Zaporizhzhia State Medical and Pharmaceutical University.
Results and discussion. The essential oils from Rosa damascena grown via clonal micropropagation in in vitro culture and under natural conditions in Zaporizhzhia effectively inhibited the growth of E. coli (21.3 mm and 12.0 mm, respectively) and S. aureus (11.3 mm and 10.2 mm, respectively). The results of the study on C. albicans indicate a high antifungal activity in both essential oils; the mean inhibition zone diameter in the experiments using the oil from Rosa damascena cultivated in in vitro culture is less: 33.3 mm compared to 40 mm in the experiments with the oil from roses grown in the natural environment of Zaporizhzhia.
Conclusions. The method of clonal micropropagation of Rosa damascena of the “Veselka” variety is effective for obtaining a large amount of planting material in a short time with the subsequent reintroduction into the natural environment to expand the raw material base of valuable medicinal plants with a high content of essential oils. The results of the study of the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Rosa damascena of the “Veselka” variety cultivated through clonal micropropagation in in vitro culture have exhibited a high antimicrobial activity and moderate antifungal activity compared to the essential oil from Rosa damascena grown in the natural environment of Zaporizhzhia. Therefore, Rosa damascena Mill. of the “Veselka” variety cultivated under in vitro conditions is a promising source of essential oil with a high antibacterial effect in order to create new herbal formulations.