Antibacterial activities and essential oil composition of chaste tree (Vitex agnus cactus L.)

Essential oil composition and antibacterial activity of chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus L.) have investigated. Twenty seven components were identified in the essential oil that represented 91.8 % of the oil. The major components of the essential oil were alpha-pinene (16.22%), Eucalyptaol (1,8 cineole) (20.12 %), a terpenylacetate (6.12 %), Sabinene (8.33%), Limonene (5.85 %), beta-farnesene (5.48%) and 4-terpineol (6.17/0). After determining the phenolic contents of the essential oils in the seeds and leaves of our plant, by disc diffusion method, Gr (-), The antimicrobial effects of Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Gr (-) Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Gr (+) Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Standard Gr (+) Micrococcus lute67 NCIMB 132 were investigated. It has been proven that this active ingredient have a positive effect against bacteria and fungi and 1.8 cineole compound has been found to be effective against the Aspergillus niger pathogen. However, it was seen that the inhibition zone formed by the seed oil on the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterium is higher than on the Escherichia coli bacterium.