Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of Essential Oil of Cymbopogon citratus and Cymbopogon nardus against Enterococcus faecalis

Abstract

Cymbopogon citratus and Cymbopogon nardus is a common medicinal plant that is widely used for various medicinal properties. The aim of this study is to determine the chemical composition and to assess the antibacterial activities of Cymbopogon citratus and Cymbopogon nardus. Chemical composition of C. citratus and C. nardus essential oils were analyzed by using GC and GCMS. The chemical analysis was carried out by using GC-MS for identification of components of the two essential oils. The percentage composition of the studied oil samples listed twenty four compounds identified in C. citratus oil sample that included geranial (32.4%), beta citral (23.8%) and geraniol (12.0%) as major components. Twenty three compounds were identified in C. nardus essential oil including Elemol (17.3%), Citronellol (12.5%) and Naphthalene (10.1%) as major components. C. citratus and C. nardus essential oils were studied for their antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis. In vitro antibacterial activity was performed by disc diffusion method in MH agar. C. citratus essential oil showed maximum zone of inhibition against E. faecalis (6.00±1.73) whereas the highest zone of inhibition of C. nardus oils against E. faecalis (7.00±2.65). Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was carried out. C. citratus essential oil extract showed MIC results at the concentration of 62.5 mg/ml, whereas C. nardus essential oil showed MIC results at the concentration of 31.25 mg/ml. As a conclusion, the current study found these oils have the potential to be used as anti bacterial properties.