Antibacterial activity of essential oils from Psidium and Pilocarpus species of plants

Abstract

The antibacterial activity of six essential oils obtained from the leaves of Pilocarpus and Psidium species of plants have been studied. The leaf oils of Psidium guyanensis, Psidium pohlianum and Pilocarpus spicatus showed the most potent antibacterial activity (MIC 52.5-75.0 μg/mL) against Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, P. guyanensis demonstrated marked activity (MIC 75.0 ± 15.0 μg/mL) followed by P. spicatus and Pilocarpus pauciflorus (MIC 100.0 ± 28.9 μg/mL). The efficacy of some tested oils against P. aeruginosa, the most resistant organism may have significant clinical implication.