Abstract:

Multi-drug resistance in disease causing micro-organisms is the medical emergency going throughout the world. The medicinal plants contains secondary metabolites that possesses antimicrobial potency. Essential oil obtained from medicinal plants could be used as the substitute of synthetic drugs. In this regard, the aim of this study was to find the antimicrobial properties of Essential oil obtained from Valeriana hardwickii. The essential oil of Valeriana hardwickii showed lowest inhibition zone about 7.82 mm against K. rhizophila at the concentration of 500 μg/ml and showed highest zone of inhibition about 12.34 mm against E.coli  at the concentration of 1000 μg/ml for bacterial strains. The essential oil of Valeriana hardwickii showed lowest inhibition zone about 7.12 mm against C.albicans at the concentration of 125 μg/ml and showed highest zone of inhibition about 11.67 mm against C.albicans at the concentration of 1000 μg/ml for fungal strains. The essential oil of Valeriana hardwickii almost showed same antimicrobial activity against bacterial strains in comparison to the fungal strains. The order of antibacterial activity for these strains were E.coli>P.aeruginosa>S.aureus>S.typhi>K.rhizophila>M.luteus>S.epidermis. This work lead to the findings that described the antimicrobial potential of Valeriana hardwickii essential oil and usefulness of essential oil against pathogenic bacteria and fungi. However, further studies are needed to evaluate active compounds and probable medicinal benefits in chemotherapy among humans

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