Asian Journal
Of Traditional Medicines

Abstract: Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oils of Ocimum gratissimum L. and Ocimum kilimandscharicum Guerke grown in sub-tropical region of northern India during spring/summer cropping season were investigated. The essential oil content in the fresh herb of O. gratissimum and O. kilimandscharicum was 0.45% and 0.48%, respectively. The essential oils of both Ocimum species was analyzed by capillary gas chromatography (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Major components of the O. gratissimum essential oil were eugenol (63.7%), (Z)-β-ocimene (19.6%), and germacrene D (7.3%), while the principal components identified in the O. kilimandscharicum essential oil were camphor (63.4%), limonene (7.9%), camphene (5.8%), and γ-terpinene (4.7%). These oils were evaluated against four pathogenic bacteria. Interestingly, both oils showed good activity against tested strains. The activity index was noticed higher for O. gratissimum than O. kilimandscharicum essential oil.

Key words: Ocimum gratissimum L., Ocimum kilimandscharicum Guerke, essential oil, composition, eugenol, camphor, antibacterial activity