Working with Dr. Minnerath, Teresa Doheny conducted a research project evaluating the antimicrobial activity of garlic. Results from this study should either support or disprove the ability of garlic to inhibit bacterial growth. Hannah Warthesen , working with Drs. McConville and Cochran, assessed the effects of deicing salt and water softener salt on fathead minnows by conducting laboratory tests for determining LC50's. She received a third place award for her presentation of this research at the Beta Beta Beta district convention.
Melaleuca oil is a natural oil isolated from the Australian tea tree.
Currently, it is marketed by Melaleuca, Inc. as a natural antiseptic, fungicide and cleanser and is found in a variety of products such as toothpaste, soaps, and vitamins. Jenny attempted to purify the compounds from crude melaleuca oil by several distillation methods, none of which were successful. Using the GC-MS, she was able to separate the components and identify them. Melaleuca oil and cineole were found to inhibit cell growth. Janel Wren's research assessed the amount of fluoride found in tooth enamel from a variety of teas.