Abstract

EVALUATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECT OF FORMULATED ESSENTIAL OIL BY DIRECT CONTACT AND VAPOUR PHASE METHOD

L. Chithra*

Abstract

Medicinal plants and their essential oils have been used for centuries in traditional system of medicine and they have been appreciated for multiple effects against a variety of infections. Bacterial infections and their complications are presently regarded as the most difficult and expensive to treat. Though the discovery of antibiotics has proven to be a major asset against bacteria, the extensive use of antibiotics since recent days has led to the emerging increase in resistant strains of bacteria. Therefore the present millennium is in search of safe and natural drugs to tackle these common pathogens and to prevent the optimum increase in mortality rates due to multi drug resistant bacteria. The purpose of this research was to estimate the antibacterial effect of the formulated essential oil against common and selected pathogens E.coli, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio cholera by means of Disc diffusion assay and Agar vapour assay. The zone of inhibition was compared in both states of direct contact and vapour phase methods at the concentrations of 10, 15, 20 and 25 micro litre/ml against the selected pathogens. The results were statistically analysed by paired T test and P Value

Keywords: Antimicrobial Action, Inhalation Therapy, Vedhu, Siddha, Essential Oil, Herbal Medicine.