Antimicrobial activity of encalyptus tereticornis and comparison with daily life antibiotics

Abstract

Eucalyptus is a fast growing tree which has shown to possess high degree of resistance against stressed environmental conditions. Eucalyptus tereticornisis widely cultivated in various parts of the world even in Pakistan. The medicinal properties of this tree reside in its oil. The main aim of our study is to check the antimicrobial activity of this valuable tree and to compare it with commercially available antibiotics. Eucalyptus tereticornis oil was extracted from the fresh leaves and branch tips during flowering season from surrounding areas of Hazara University, Pakistan. Different concentrations of oil were checked against Gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC6538), Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC49452), Gram negative bacteria including Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Salmonella typhimurium (ATCC14028) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC27853), and also against yeast Candiada albican (ATCC2091). The oil was significantly active against all the microbes studied. The activity of E. tereticornis oil was compared with standard antibiotics Ciprofloxacin (CIP-5 µg), Chloramphenicol (C-30 µg), Tetracycline (TE-30 µg) and Ampicillin (AMP 25-µg). The comparison gives the significant results and proves the antimicrobial efficiency of this valuable plant.

Keywords: Eucalyptus tereticornis, leave extracted oil, Antimicrobial activity, Antibiotics.