Antimicrobial activity of essential oil of Monarda citriodora Cerv. ex Lag.

Abstract

The results of studying the antimicrobial activity of an essential oil obtained by steam distillation from dry raw materials of lemon monarda (Monarda citriodora Cerv. ex Lag.), grown in the conditions of the Steppe Crimea (Prisivashye). The major components of the studied essential oil are thymol (61.52%), p-cimene (7.55%), carvacrol (6.54%), γ-terpin (5.56%). The high antimicrobial activity of the essential oil against reference cultures and clinical isolates of Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms has been established, which indicates the prospects of its use as a potential antibacterial drug of natural origin.