Chemical Constituents of Oils from Some Medicinal Plants and Their Antimicrobial Activity

Abstract

The oil from Cymbopogon citratus was subjected to GC-MS analysis. Thirty four components have been detected. Major components were : citral (44.20 %) ,2,6-octadienal, 3,7-dimethyl- β- citral (27.41%), caryophyllene oxide (4.88 %), squalene (4.64 %), 1Hcycloprop[ e]azulen-7- ol,decahydro1,1,7trimethyl4methylene,[1ar(1a.alpha.,4a.alpha.,7.beta. ,7a.beta.,7b.alpha.)]- (3.65 %). Myritica fragrans oil was analyzed by GC-MS . Thirty six constituents have been detected dominated by : benzene, 1,2,3- trimethoxy-5-(2-propenyl)-(17.83 %),stigma sterol (13.52 %),thiazolo[3,2-a]benzimidazol-3(2H)-one, 2-(2-fluorobenzylideno)- 7,8-dimethyl- (12.02 %),methyl tetradecanoate (8.03 %) , are 1,3- benzodioxole- 4-methoxy-6-(2-propenyl)- (7.58 %). Vigna radiata oil was studied by GC-MS. Twenty two components have been detected .Major components were : 9,12-octadecadienoic acid methyl ester (20.50%),hexadecanoic acid methyl ester(16.06%) and methyl stearate(12.59%). Sesamum indicum oil has been investigated by GC-MS analysis. The GC-MS analysis showed 13 constituents. Major components were : 9- hexadecanoic acid methyl ester (Z)- (33.70%), 9- octadecenoic acid (Z)-, methyl ester (33.05%), hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (15.52%) and methyl stearate (12.75%). The constituents of Arachis hypogoea oil were characterized by GCMS . Twenty five components have been detected dominated by : 9- octadecenoic acid methyl ester(33.44%,)9,12-octadecadienoic acid methyl ester(24.29%) ,hexadecanoic acid methyl ester(13.33%) and methyl stearate(6.28%). GC-MS analysis of Eucalyptus camaldulensis volatile oil was conducted. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 42 components and the major components wer : eucalyptol (21.24%), decahydro-1,1,7-trimethyl-4-methylene - 1H-cycloprop[e]azulen-7-ol (12.59 %),p-cymene (12.11 %),decahydro-1,1,4,7-tetramethyl- 1Hcycloprop[ e]azulen-4-ol (11.64%) and β-phellanderene(8.59%). The oil from Eucalyptus camaldulensis was evaluated for its antimicrobial potency. At a concentration of 100mg/ml the oil showed moderate activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Arachis hypogoea oil was assayed for antimicrobial activity. The oil showed significant activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It also exhibited good activity against Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. Sesamum indicum oil was evaluated for antimicrobial activity against five standard human pathogens. The studied oil showed significant activity for Escherichia coli. Myristica fragrans oil was assessed for antimicrobial. The oil exhibited significant activity Staphylococcus aureus and moderate activity against Bacillus subtilis. The oil from Vigna radiata was screened for antimicrobial activity. The oil exhibited significant activity Escherichia coli and moderate activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans.