In vitro antibacterial properties of essential oil and organic extracts of Premna integrifolia Linn

The aims of this study were to examine the chemical composition of the essential oil of Premna integrifolia Linn (Lamiaceae), and to test the efficacy of the oil and various organic extracts as an antibacterial potential. The chemical compositions of the essential oil were analyzed by GC–MS. Twenty-nine compounds representing 94.81% of the total leaves oil were identified, of which phytol (27.25%), α-humulene (14.21%), spathulenol (12.12%), 1-octen-3-ol (8.21%), eugenol (6.69%) and phenylethyl alcohol (5.81%) were the major compounds. The oil (15μLdisk−1) and extracts (300μgdisk−1) of P. integrifolia displayed a great potential of antibacterial activity against Sarcina lutea IFO 3232, Bacillus subtilis IFO 3026, Escherichia coli IFO 3007, Pseudomonas sp. ATCC 13867, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 10031 and Xanthomonas campestries IAM 1671 with their respective zones of inhibition of 12.0±1.2 to 22.1±1.2mm and MIC values of 62.5–250μgmL−1. The results of this study suggest that the natural products derived from P. integrifolia may have potential use in food, pharmaceutical and/or agro industries for preservatives or antimicrobial agents.