Molecular composition and antibacterial effect of essential oil of Nigella sativa

Abstract

The aim of this work was to test the antibacterial effects of essential oil extracted from Nigella sativa strains on gram positive and negative (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia) bacteria. This study was based on extraction by steam distillation and analysis of organoleptic and physico-chemical properties of the essential oil of Nigel. The examination of the organoleptic properties of this essential oil shows that it is relatively comparable to those cited in the AFNOR. The anti-bacterial and antifungal properties of this oil reveal an important anti-microbial effect. Moreover, it shows an excellent activity against the Gram positive strains studied as compared to Gram-strains. The essential oil of black cumin possesses a very interesting antimicrobial effect against the pathogenic bacteria and fungi studied so far.

Keywords: Antimicrobial effect, essential oils, Staphylococcus aureus, medicinal plants

African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(20), pp. 3006-3012