Abstract

The antibacterial activity of Eucalyptus citriodora oil was evaluated. The volatile oil was extracted by steam distillation method. The tested bacterial strains wereEscherichia coli ATCC 25922, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilisNCIM2241, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC27853, Proteus vulgaris NCTC8313, Salmonella typhimurium, Enterobacter aerogenes ATCC13048, Pseudomonas testosteroni NCIM 5098, Alcaligenes fecalis, Bacillus cereus ATCC11778 and Citrobacter freundii ATCC10787. Piperacillin and Amikacin were used as the positive controls. The activity of the oil increased with increase in concentration but decreased after a certain level. The study suggests that isolation of the active compound from oil would give more satisfactory and promising results.

Keywords: Eucalyptus citriodora, Antibacterial activity, medicinal plant, volatile oil.