Abstract:
This study was designed to study the constituents of the oils of some Sudanese medicinal plants and to assess their antimicrobial effect. The GC-MS analysis of Azadirachta indica oil revealed the presence of 29 components. Major constituents are : 9-octadecenoic acid methyl ester(37.20%) ; methyl stearate(20.42%) ;hexadecanoic acid methyl ester(19.13%) and 9,12-octadecadienoic acid methyl ester(12.60%). At a concentration of 100mg/ml the oil showed moderate activity against Escherichia coli .The GC-MS analysis of Gerwia tenax seed oil showed 12 components dominated by : 9,12-octadecadienoic acid methyl ester (51.69%) ; hexadecanoic acid methyl ester(18.83%) ; 9-octadecenoic acid methyl ester(16.41%) and methyl stearate(9.33%). The oil exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus.It also showed significant anticandidal activity. The GC-MS analysis of Citrus aurantifolia oil revealed the presence of 24 components. Major constituents are: 9,12-octadecadienoic acid methyl ester(34.23%); hexadecanoic acid methyl ester(26.24%); 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid methyl ester(14.09%) and methyl stearate(10.66%). The oil showed moderate antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The GC-MS analysis of Lawsonia mermus seed oil showed 49 components dominated by: 9,12-octadecadienoic acid methyl ester(34.15%); hexadecanoic acid methyl ester(14.00%);and methyl stearate(7.50%).The oil showed moderate antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli. The GC-MS analysis of Senna italic revealed the presence of 19 components. Major constituents are: 9,12-octadecadienoic acid methyl ester(40.27%); hexadecanoic acid methyl ester(20.06%); 9-octadecenoic acid methyl ester(17.32%); and methyl stearate(13.47%);The oil showed moderate antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis. In the GC-MS analysis of Carthamus tinclorius oil 24 components were detected, dominated by: 9,12-octadecadienoic acid methyl ester(51.13%); hexadecanoic acid methyl ester(13.49%); methyl stearate(9.05%); and 9-octadecenoic acid methyl ester(7.99%);This oil showed moderate antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.