title: Antibacterial constituents in the essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf.
abstract: Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf., commonly known as lemon grass and used, over many years, for medicinal purposes in West Africa, produces a volatile oil on steam extraction of its leaves. The antibacterial properties of the essential oil have been studied. These activities are shown in two of the three main components of the oil identified through chromatographic and mass spectrometric methods. While the alpha-citral (geranial) and beta-citral (neral) components individually elicit antibacterial action on gram-negative and gram-positive organisms, the third component, myrcene, did not show observable antibacterial activity on its own. However, myrcene provided enhanced activities when mixed with either of the other two main components identified.
mesh_terms: D000080462:Acyclic Monoterpenes; D000354:Africa, Western; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000187:drug effects; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D039821:Monoterpenes; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D013729:Terpenes / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000080462:Acyclic Monoterpenes; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D039821:Monoterpenes; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D013729:Terpenes; C008574:beta-myrcene; C007076:citral