International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology

ISSN 2326-7267

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 2 (8), pp. 001-005, August, 2011. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Essential oil from gum of Pistacia atlantica Desf.: Screening of antimicrobial activity

B. R. Ghalem* and B. Mohamed

Biotoxicology Laboratory Biology Institute, Science Faculty, Djillali Liabès University of Sidi Bel Abbès , Algeria.

Accepted 12 February, 2011

Abstract

The essential oil from the gum of Pistacia atlantica Desf. grown in Algeria was obtained by the hydrodistillation method, and its antimicrobial activities against the growth of clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pyogenes were evaluated using three different methods; agar disc diffusion and dilution broth methods and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) which was subsequently, determined. The results of the study revealed that essential oil resin of P. atlantica has antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and -negative bacteria which are resistant to commonly used antimicrobial agents, and they were considerably dependent on concentration.

Key words: Gum of Pistacia atlantica Desf., essential oil, antimicrobial activities, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pyogenes.