Dept. of Lifescience, Beehive College of Advance Studies, Dehradun, U.K., India

The present investigation was done to evaluate the activity of essential oils of (Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Cedrus deodara, Eucalyptus globulus, Rosmarinus officinalis) against different pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains. Different antibiotics were also included as a positive control against bacterial strains used. Cinnamomum zeylanicum was found effective against all the bacterial strains used and one of the fungi used. Cedrus deodara showed moderate antibacterial activity against six of the strains used. Eucalyptus globulus also showed moderate inhibitory activity against seven of the bacterial strains used.  Rosmarinus officinalis showed selective inhibitory activity against some of the bacterial strains used. The oil of Cinnamomum zeylanicum showed moderate activity against Candida albicans. Tetracycline and Ofloxacin were tested against the bacterial strains used. Ofloxacin was found to be more effective as compared to tetracycline. Cinnamomum zeylanicum was found to be more active so we performed its Minimum Bactericidal Concentration which showed Cinnamon oil to be active against different bacterial strains. The results showed that oil of Cinnamomum zeylanicum was far more effective in controlling the growth of bacterial strains in all the oil used. It was found to be more effective than the antibiotics used.

Keywords: Agar disc diffusion; Antibacterial; Essential oils; MBC.