Chemical composition, repellent and antimicrobial activity of Schinus molle L

The aim of this research was to determine the repellent and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil and hexanic extracts obtained from the leaves and fruits of Schinus molle L. (Anacardiaceae). The composition of essential oils and hexanic extracts were analyzed by GC-MS. Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis L.) adults and nine bacterial strains were used for repellent and antimicrobial activity assays, respectively. The best antimicrobial activities were determined at 30 µg/ml dosage for Escherichia coli 0157:H7 and Bacillus cereus with leaf extracts. At all doses (176, 70 and 35 µg/cm 2) the leaf essential oil showed not significant repellency than the positive control, DEET (N,N diethyl-m-toluamide), Hexanic extract of the leaf showed good repellency (83.33%) at the highest concentration (0.075 mg/L) against the oriental cockroach. The results indicated that the essential oil and hexanic extracts of S. molle showed potential in terms of antimicrobial and repellent activities. © 2010 Academic Journals