Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus, a Gram positive, non-motile, catalase and coagulase positive, facultative anaerobe coccus is a common type of bacteria that normally lives on the skin and nasal passages of healthy people. Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis, is a woody, perennial herb with fragrant, evergreen, needle-like leaves and white, pink, purple or blue flowers, native to the Mediterranean region. It is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae, which includes many other herbs, and is one of two species in the genus Rosmarinus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of Rosemary (R. officinalis L.) essential oils against Staphylococcus spp. Fourteen clinical isolates of Staphylococcus were cultured from patients. The disc diffusion method was used for determination of antimicrobial activity of essential oil. Results showed that this inhibitory effect is dose-dependent, to wit, by increasing the concentration of the extract in the culture media, reduction in growth was obviously revealed. In conclusion, it can be stated that rosemary essential oils have inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus spp.

Key words: antimicrobial activity, rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), essential oils, staphylococcus spp.