Surveying the chemical composition and antibacterial activity of essential oils from selected medicinal plants against human pathogens

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Essential oils (EOs) with different biological activities, such as antibacterial properties, are a valuable resource for developing new drugs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ingredients of six medicinally important EOs, including Artemisia dracunculus, Anethum graveolens, Citrus limon, Citrus sinensis, Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Zingiber officinale, were identified using GC-MS analysis. Moreover, their five major compounds were also listed. Furthermore, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) against four important human bacteria was also investigated using the 96-well plate microdilution. RESULTS: C. sinensis EO with IC(50) of 1.0 and 4.7 mg.mL(–1) have the most effect on the growth of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. Moreover, EOs of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (IC(50): 1.0 mg. Ml(–1)) and Artemisia dracunculus (IC(50): 1.3 mg.mL(–1)) significantly showed better inhibitory effect on E. coli and K. pneumoniae. CONCLUSION: These EOs could be used for developing inexpensive, potent, and green antibacterial agents.