In Vitro Antibacterial Effect of Essential Oil and Two Extracts of Myrtus Communis Leaves

Abstract

Our study aims at evaluating the efficacy of extracts and essential oil of Myrtus communis leaves from the Syrian coast against several bacterial strains. The leaves were collected and dried, extracted for essential oil and ethanolic and hexan extracts were prepared. The yield of essential oil was measured and the chemical composition of the essential oil was determined using Gas Chromatography. The yield of essential oil was 1.3 ml/100 g, and the richest component was alpha-pinene. Our results showed that the ethanolic and hexan extracts of Myrtus communis had higher antibacterial activity against Gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes) than Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The ethanolic extract showed the greatest inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus aureus. These results demonstrate that Myrtus communis leaves extract has high antibacterial activity, making it a source of compounds to be used for the treatment of Gram-positive bacterial infections.