Antimicrobial activity of oil from the root of Cinnamomum porrectum

Abstract

The steam-distilled oil from the root of Cinnamomum porrectum was tested for its antimicrobial activity against human pathogens including bacteria, yeasts and dermatophytes. It exhibited strongestactivity against Streptococcus mutans (MIC 0.01 mg/ml) followed by Candida albicans and dermatophytes (0.5-1.0 mg/ml), Bacillus subtilis (2 mg/ml), and susceptible strains of Staphylococcus aureus (4-16 mg/ml).It showed moderate activity against Cryptococcus neoformans (MIC 16-64 mg/ml) but no activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and methicillin-resistant S. aureus. These data indicate that C. porrectum oil hasantibacterial and antifungal activity.

Keywords

• Cinnamomum porrectum
• oil
• antibacterial
• antifungal