Regresar

Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oil of Minthostachys mollis Griseb against Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract:

Introduction: Minthostachys mollis Griseb is an aromatic bush that grows in Latin America and is recognized as a producing plant of essential oils with medicinal value. Traditionally, it is used as digestive, carminative, antispasmodic, respiratory infections, muscle aches and rheumatism.Objective: To evaluate the chemical composition of essential oils obtained from the mixture of leaves and flowers (Mp1) and the aerial parts (Mp2) of the species growing up in Quito, Ecuador. To assess in vitro antibacterial activity of the essential oils against Staphylococcus aureus.Methods: The species M. mollis (Mp1 y Mp2) were used. Essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation method, and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The preliminary evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of the oil was performed against S. aureus through its inhibition halos.Results: The yield of the essential oil of Mp 1 was 0.41 %, while for Mp 2 was 0.21 %. The study by GC-MS allowed identification of metabolites from the family of monoterpenes. The main components in Mp 1 were neomenthol (32.34 %), pulegona (28.42%) and menthone (19.32 %); while, geraniol (24.93 %) and citronellol (14.84 %) are predominant in Mp2. It was preliminarily demonstrated antibacterial activity of essential oils against S. aureus.Conclusions: There are qualitative and quantitative variations, attributed generally to intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The mixture of metabolites in the extract justifies the antimicrobial activity of essential oil.