Melaleuca leucadendron (Linn.), (Myrtaceae) endemic to western part of Maharashtra, were collected from Mumbai.The essential oil (cajeput oil) was hydro distilled by using Clevenger apparatus. Cajeput oil has been historically reported for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory actions. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was evaluated using Well-Agar plate diffusion method and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined. The essential oil was observed to be effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria; the essential oil is most effective against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus whereas the MIC for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli was observed to be 5% and 10% respectively. The result suggests that the essential oil of this variety of Melaleuca leucadendron possess constituents with antibacterial properties and thus has a potential for use as an antibacterial agent.
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