Planta Med 2011; 77 - PE23
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1282354

Determination of the chemical main composition and anti bacterial effectiveness of the volatile oils in two in Syrian wide spread plants Micromeria rubestris L., Mentha viridis L. (Lamiaceae)

M Hasan Agha 1, S Alnouree 1, M Maarouf 2
  • 1Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria
  • 2Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria

Micromeria rubestris L., Mentha viridis L. (Lamiaceae), two widespread plants in Syria are commonly used in herbal medicine.

The aim of this research was to determine the chemical composition and antibacterial activities of the volatile oils in dried leaves of these plants. Using water distillation method, the volatile oils were obtained and their main chemical composition was determined using GC/MS. To determine the effectiveness of the volatile oils against bacteria, disk diffusion methods, MIC and MBC, were used (2).

The results showed that the yield of volatile oil was 1.2% in Micromeria rupestris (main components β-caryophyllene 49% and piperitone oxide 29%; the best antibacterial effect was against Staphylococcus aureus) and 1.5% in Mentha viridis (main components carvone 53% and limonene 21%, the best antibacterial effect against Micrococcus luteus).