STUDIES ON THE ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECT OF SYZYGIUM AROMATICUM AND LAVANDULA ANGUSTIFOLIA ON SOME MICROBES
N. Alum Basha and Vedavyasa Sagar*
ABSTRACT
Present investigation was undertaken to evaluate antimicrobial activity of Syzygium aromaticum (Clove) and Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender) and to determine its inhibition effect by different exposure times against some microbes. The volatile oil of Clove and Lavender was assessed for antimicrobial activity using the micro atmosphere method. An assay was performed to determine the exposure times of essential oil for the inhibition of microbes. The oil was tested against five microbe’s namely- methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pyogenes and Candida albicans. The oil was bacteriocidal against all organisms except for VRE. There was considerable variability in size of zone of inhibition depending on amount of oil used and a statistical significant difference in antimicrobial activity was observed. L.angustifolia gave a total reduction in growth of microbes. C. albicans was also observed to be susceptible to L. angustifolia after three hours of exposure. Neither of the essential oils used were observed to be best against all microbes. Essential oils have the potential to be used as antimicrobial agents both for medical and for more commercial applications. Thus Clove and Lavender oil could serve as good antimicrobial agents.
Keywords: Antimicrobial, Clove oil, Lavender oil, microbes.
[Full Text Article]
[Download Certificate]