Determining the Antibacterial Efficacy of Ylang Ylang (Cananga ordorata) Plant Extract on Esherichia coli

Esherichia coli (E.coli) is a bacterium with high prevalence in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals. Discovered in 1885, E. coli is part of normal gut bacteria flora. However, some strains can be pathogenic and may also lead to serious infection. For instance, the pathogen E. coli O157:H7 produces a Shiga toxin, a toxin also produced by the bacterium Shigella dysenteriae, and can cause dysentery in humans. This pathogen is notorious for causing illness, hospitalizations, and deaths annually. The objective of our research is to determine the antibacterial effectiveness of the Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata) and its essential oil extract on E. Coli. Ylang Ylang is a widespread plant on Saipan and has been a prevailing medicine used by locals. Medicinal properties that attribute the plant include its anti-depressant, hypotensive, and antiseptic related substances. We will utilize these properties by extracting the essential oils through steam distillation. Moreover, we hypothesize that due to its medicinal properties the Ylang Ylang plant will have a significant impact on E.coli. We expect the findings of our research to enable a better comprehension of local medicinal plants and their effect on distinct bacteri