The Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oil of Satureja intermedia C. A. Mey.

Abstract

Background: The genus Satureja belongs to Lamiaceae family. 12 species exist in Iran of which 8 are endemic. Some of this genus had shown antibacterial effects. Objective: In this study chemical compounds and antibacterial activity of essential oil of Satureja intermedia was identified. Methods: Satureja intermedia has been collected from the elevation of Ardabil province in August 2006. Then air-dried aerial parts of the plant were submitted to hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus to produce the essential oil and was analysed by GC/MASS. Investigation of antimicrobial activity was conducted by Disc-diffusion, MIC and MBC technique and different antibiotics compared with antimicrobial activity of this essential oil. Results: In this study, 34 constituents were found representing 99.8% of the oil. The major components were thymol (25.6%), para-Cymene (21.44%), gamma-Terpinene (20%), Carvacrol (9.48%), alpha-Terpinene (7.94 %) and Myrcene (3.58 %). The antibacterial test results showed that essential oil of this plant had a great potential antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Conclusion: Results presented here may suggest that the essential oil of Satureja intermedia possess antibacterial properties and is therefore a potential source of antibacterial ingredients for the food and pharmaceutical industry.

Keywords

• satureja intermedia c. a. mey.
• savory
• essential oil
• antimicrobial activity