Department of Chemistry, A.N.D.N.N.M College, Kanpur India

Email:-golyangel.2010@rediffmail.com

The antimicrobial activity of plant extracts and phytochemicals was evaluated with antibiotic susceptible and resistant microorganisms. In addition, the possible synergistic effects when associated with antibiotics were studied. Extracts from the following plants were utilized. The selected ten essential oils were screened against gram negative bacteria [Escheria coli (ATCC 25922) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa(ATCC 27853)] and gram positive bacteria [Bacillus subtilis (MTCC 441) and Staphyloccus aureus(ATCC 25923)] at four different concentrations (1:1, 1:5, 1:10 and 1:20) using disc diffusion method. Out of ten essential oils tested, 8 oils showed antimicrobial activity against one or more bacterial strains. Cinnamon, clove, lime, rosemary and lemon oils exhibited significant inhibitory effect. Cinnamon oil showed promising inhibitory activity even at low concentration, whereas aniseed and basil oil were least active against the tested bacteria. Majority of oils showed antimicrobial activity against the tested strains. However Cinnamon oil was the most potent oil and can be a good source of antimicrobial agents.