Roberta Dizon-Lauzon and Linda B. Mabesa
ABSTRACT
The essential oil of the aerial part of Coleus amboinicus showed antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis (gram +) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (gram -) and antifungal activity against Cladosporium cucumerinum. Bioassay-guided fractionation revealed that carvacrol and ß-caryophyllene-4,5-oxide were the major contributors to the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil. The sesquiterpene α-humulene and monoterpenes α-pinene, α-terpmene and cymene present in significant amounts were inactive.
Keywords: Coleus amboinicus, essential oil, antibacterial, antifungal, carvacrol, caryophyllene-4,5-oxide
Annals of Tropical Research 26(1&2):(2004)
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