The Effect of Curcumin and Tea Tree Oil on the Growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis
School Name
Spring Valley High School
Grade Level
10th Grade
Presentation Topic
Microbiology
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
Staphylococcus epidermidis is one of the top acne-causing bacteria found on human skin. Acne vulgaris, also known as acne, is a common and chronic inflammatory skin condition that commonly affects adolescents. Current treatments for acne are synthetic and have been found to cause drug resistance, dry skin, and skin irritation. The purpose of this study was to create a natural and topical acne treatment using curcumin and tea tree oil considering both present germicidal and soothing skin effects. It was hypothesized that a 1:1 curcumin to tea tree oil solution would increase the zone of inhibition using Staphylococcus epidermidis in the disk diffusion method due curcumin and tea tree oils' strong antibacterial effects. For this research experiment, 38 agar plates were poured, streaked with bacteria, and divided into quadrants after creating 1:1, 1:3, and 3:1 curcumin to tea tree oil solutions. Antimicrobial disks were soaked in these solutions and one disk was placed in every quadrant. Each solution had 30 trials and after 177 hours, zones of inhibition were measured. It was found that the 3:1 solution and control are statistically significant with F(3,116)= 2.79, p= 0.044. Additionally, the 3:1 curcumin to tea tree oil solution was found to have the largest zones of inhibition. Post-hoc test results indicate that the 3:1 curcumin to tea tree oil solution had a greater average compared to the other curcumin to tea tree oil solutions. It was concluded that a 3:1 curcumin to tea tree oil solution can be used as an antibacterial topical ace treatment for the skin as a natural remedy.
Recommended Citation
Gilbert, Blair, "The Effect of Curcumin and Tea Tree Oil on the Growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis" (2026). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 90.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2026/all/90
Location
Furman Hall 111
Start Date
3-28-2026 10:00 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
Group Project
No
The Effect of Curcumin and Tea Tree Oil on the Growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis
Furman Hall 111
Staphylococcus epidermidis is one of the top acne-causing bacteria found on human skin. Acne vulgaris, also known as acne, is a common and chronic inflammatory skin condition that commonly affects adolescents. Current treatments for acne are synthetic and have been found to cause drug resistance, dry skin, and skin irritation. The purpose of this study was to create a natural and topical acne treatment using curcumin and tea tree oil considering both present germicidal and soothing skin effects. It was hypothesized that a 1:1 curcumin to tea tree oil solution would increase the zone of inhibition using Staphylococcus epidermidis in the disk diffusion method due curcumin and tea tree oils' strong antibacterial effects. For this research experiment, 38 agar plates were poured, streaked with bacteria, and divided into quadrants after creating 1:1, 1:3, and 3:1 curcumin to tea tree oil solutions. Antimicrobial disks were soaked in these solutions and one disk was placed in every quadrant. Each solution had 30 trials and after 177 hours, zones of inhibition were measured. It was found that the 3:1 solution and control are statistically significant with F(3,116)= 2.79, p= 0.044. Additionally, the 3:1 curcumin to tea tree oil solution was found to have the largest zones of inhibition. Post-hoc test results indicate that the 3:1 curcumin to tea tree oil solution had a greater average compared to the other curcumin to tea tree oil solutions. It was concluded that a 3:1 curcumin to tea tree oil solution can be used as an antibacterial topical ace treatment for the skin as a natural remedy.
