Evaluation of antibacterial activity of essential oil from Algerian Pistacia lentiscus resin

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of the essential oils from the resin of Pistacia lentiscus against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram–positive bacteria) and Escherichia coli (Gram–negative bacteria). The agar disc diffusion method was used for microbial growth inhibition at various dilutions of the oils. Results showed that the tested essential oils possess antibacterial activity against S. aureus but inactive on E. coli. These results may have significant implications for the future development of resin oils of P. lentiscus as an antimicrobial agent for the treatment of the infections caused by S. aureus.