This photomicrograph shows rapid inhibition of antibiotic-resistanct Campylobacter jejuni strain H2a by three concentrations of cinnamaldehyde at 30 minutes. This experiment was done to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of plant compounds against antibiotic resistant and susceptible strains of Campylobacter jejuni. The strains were exposed to the antimicrobial compounds at various concentrations (0.05, 0.1, 0.2%) and sampled for enumeration at 0, 30, 60 and 120 min. Cinnamaldehyde is the active component of cinnamon oil. Antimicrobial activity of cinnamaldehyde was evident at concentrations of 0.05% and higher within 30 min of exposure, when very few or no survivors were detected. At higher concentrations activity was seen immediately upon exposure. No survivors were detected immediately upon exposure with cinnamaldehyde concentration of 0.2%. This research was performed in the Ravishankar Laboratory.
