江西迷迭香精油的成分分析及抗氧化、抑菌活性研究

为了研究江西迷迭香精油的化学成分及抗氧化、抑菌活性,采用水蒸气蒸馏法提取迷迭香精油,利用气相色谱-质谱联用法(GC-MS)对迷迭香精油成分进行分析,通过对DPPH自由基、羟基自由基的清除活性和还原力来研究迷迭香精油的体外抗氧化活性;通过以枯草芽孢杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌和大肠杆菌为供试菌,测定抑菌圈大小和最低抑菌浓度(MIC)来研究迷迭香精油的抑菌活性。实验结果表明,从迷迭香精油中鉴定出40种化学成分,占精油总量的99.46%,其主要化学成分有α-蒎烯(39.05%)和1,8-桉叶素(16.86%),其次是莰烯(4.22%)、D-柠檬烯(3.87%)、龙脑(3.74%)、β-石竹烯(3.11%)等,α-蒎烯的含量高于国内其他产地;迷迭香精油对DPPH、羟基自由基和还原力的半数清除率IC₅₀值分别为76.42、51.40和49.15μL/mL;精油对枯草芽孢杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌和大肠杆菌的抑菌圈大小分别为14.40±0.66、11.41±0.19、11.70±0.27 mm,最低抑菌浓度(MIC)分别为2.50、10.00、10.00μL/mL,对枯草芽孢杆菌的抑制作用明显强于金黄色葡萄球菌和大肠杆菌。结果表明迷迭香精油具有较好的抗氧化、抑菌活性。     

家蝇幼虫血淋巴粗提物抑菌活性初步研究

以4种细菌(大肠杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、巨大芽孢杆菌、枯草芽孢杆菌)为供试菌,测定了家蝇幼虫血淋巴粗提物的抑菌活性。结果显示,家蝇幼虫血淋巴各浓度粗提物对4种供试细菌均有一定的抑菌活性,其中对金黄色葡萄球菌的抑菌率最大,其他依次为大肠杆菌>枯草芽胞杆菌>巨大芽孢杆菌,在0.8mg/mL时的抑菌率分别为51.09%、48.66%、43.27%和40.62%;在各浓度下不同菌种之间的抑菌率差异不显著,抑菌活性随着血淋巴粗提物浓度的增加而增强。在0.8mg/mL时对各细菌的抑菌圈直径分别为12.00mm、12.22mm、9.11mm和10.33mm,均显著大于对照,但低于头孢霉素。     

马缨丹抑菌试验研究

目的：研究马缨丹的体外抑菌效果。方法：制备马缨丹水煎煮液和乙醇提取液,测定其对枯草芽孢杆菌、大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的抑菌圈直径、最小抑菌浓度及灭菌前后提取液抑菌效果的变化。结果：当两种提取液生药含量大于0.4 g/mL时,它们对三种细菌的抑菌效果依次为：枯草芽孢杆菌〉金黄色葡萄球菌〉大肠杆菌。马缨丹乙醇提取液对三种细菌的最小抑菌浓度分别为1/64g/mL1、/16g/mL和1/32g/mL,都比水煎煮液的结果1/32g/mL、1/8g/mL和1/16g/mL低。两种提取液经121℃高压蒸汽灭菌处理后对枯草芽孢杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的抑制作用有所增强。结论：两种提取液对三种细菌均有不同程度的抑制作用,因此,马缨丹可考虑用于食品、化妆品及饲料防腐等领域,以提高产品质量。     

生姜精油化学成分及其抗菌活性

【背景】随着耐药微生物种类的增多和耐药性增强,抗耐药微生物新药的发现已成为全球关注的问题。生姜精油是纯天然植物精油,是天然抗菌材料的优选。【目的】分析生姜精油的化学成分,研究生姜精油对常见条件致病菌抗菌活性的影响,并阐明其可能的抗菌机制。【方法】采用气相色谱/质谱技术(Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry,GC/MS)对生姜精油的化学成分进行分析,利用牛津杯法、最小抑菌浓度法(Minimum Inhibitory Concentration,MIC)、最小杀菌浓度法(Minimum Bactericidal Concentration,MBC)和生长曲线绘制法研究生姜精油的抗菌活性和抗菌动力学特征,并通过透射电镜(Transmission Electron Microscopy,TEM)观察生姜精油对细菌超微结构的影响。【结果】生姜精油的化学成分主要为姜烯(22.014%)、β-倍半水芹烯(11.276%)、α-法呢烯(8.222%)、α-姜黄烯(6.854%)、姜酮(5.610%)、姜辣二酮(5.192%)、6-姜烯酚(4.670%)、桧烯(3.393%)和β-红没药烯(3.080%)等萜类物质。生姜精油对枯草芽孢杆菌的MIC和MBC分别为2.3μg/mL和4.6μg/mL;对表皮葡萄球菌及金黄色葡萄球菌的MIC均为9.2μg/mL,MBC均为18.4μg/mL;对肺炎克雷伯菌的MIC和MBC分别为18.4μg/m L和36.8μg/mL。生长曲线结果显示,生姜精油能延长细菌的生长停滞期、抑制细菌的生长速率。透射电镜结果表明,生姜精油能引起细菌细胞膜破损,致使胞内物质渗漏。【结论】生姜精油富含萜类化合物,具有中度的抗菌活性,能破坏细菌细胞膜的完整性,引起菌体损伤和死亡。本文有望更好地为有害微生物的防控提供新方法。     

壳聚糖微球分散体系的抑菌性研究

以乳化交联法制备的壳聚糖微米微球(CMs)为试验材料,研究其对金黄色葡萄球菌和大肠杆菌的抑菌行为,并对其浓度因素、粒径因素和抑菌机理做了探讨。结果表明CMs的抑菌作用随其浓度的增加和粒径的减小而增强。在浓度<0.7 mg/mL时,CMs对细菌的生长具有先抑制后促进的作用;当浓度≥0.7 mg/mL时对细菌有杀灭作用。CMs对两种细菌的最小抑菌浓度和最小杀菌浓度分别为0.8、1.4 mg/mL和1.0、1.8 mg/mL,表明壳聚糖微球对金黄色葡萄球菌和大肠杆菌均具有明显的抑制作用,且金黄色葡萄球菌对微球抑制作用的反应比大肠杆菌更敏感。扫描电子显微镜观察发现,细菌能迅速贴附在CMs表面,并且贴壁后的细菌发生了明显的形态变化,有的甚至完全被破坏。     

2,5-二氨基-1,4-苯醌类化合物的抑菌活性

通过稀释和测量抑菌圈大小的方法,测定了10种不同氨基醌对大肠杆菌、枯草芽孢杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的生长抑制性。这些醌的DMSO溶液对三种菌的抑制程度随浓度的提高,效果越明显。当浓度达500 mg/L时,对三种细菌的生长完全抑制。在同样条件下,这些醌的DMSO溶液对大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的抑菌效果比枯草杆菌好,大肠杆菌对2,5-二氨基-1,4-苯醌类的敏感度略大于金黄色葡萄球菌。     

苍术挥发油的提取及其抑菌活性研究

采用水蒸气蒸馏法、微波萃取法和索氏提取法3种方法提取苍术挥发油。平板法涂布研究了3种苍术挥发油对3种细菌和4种真菌的最低抑菌浓度(MIC),滤纸片固相扩散法研究了苍术挥发油对供试菌体的抑菌活性。结果表明,3种方法提取的苍术挥发油对金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠杆菌、枯草芽孢杆菌、酵母、青霉、黑曲霉、黄曲霉的MIC分别为:水蒸气蒸馏法为5.00、150.00、150.00、5.00、5.00、5.00、20.00 mL/L;索氏提取法的为10.00、150.00、200.00、20.00、5.00、60.00、40.00 mL/L;微波萃取法的为10.00、150.00、150.00、20.00、20.00、20.00、20.00 mL/L。3种苍术挥发油对供试细菌和真菌都具有相当强的抑菌活性,且浓度越高效果越好。抑菌实验表明3种方法提取的苍术挥发油对金黄色葡萄球菌、酵母、青霉、黑曲霉、黄曲霉的抑菌圈直径都比对大肠杆菌、枯草芽孢杆菌的抑菌圈直径大。不同提取方法得到的苍术挥发油对同一种菌的最低抑制浓度和抑菌效果不相同,同一种方法提取的苍术挥发油对不同菌的最低抑制浓度和抑菌效果也不相同。     

金樱子茎提取物体外抑菌活性研究

采用纸片扩散法和试管稀释法,研究金樱子茎不同溶剂粗提取物对临床常见病原细菌的抑菌活性。结果表明,金樱子茎水提取物对绿脓杆菌、痢疾杆菌、大肠杆菌、变形杆菌无抑菌活性;对伤寒杆菌的最低抑菌浓度（MIC）为20 mg（生药）/mL;对金黄色葡萄球菌的MIC为10 mg（生药）/mL。金樱子茎75%乙醇提取物对绿脓杆菌、伤寒杆菌、痢疾杆菌、大肠杆菌、变形杆菌无抑菌活性;对金黄色葡萄球菌MIC为10 mg（生药）/mL。金樱子茎乙酸乙酯、氯仿、石油醚提取物对绿脓杆菌、伤寒杆菌、痢疾杆菌、大肠杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、变形杆菌无抑菌活性。     

黄连内生真菌的分离鉴定及抑菌活性研究CSCD

为研究四川省峨眉地区黄连内生真菌多样性及菌株抑菌活性和机制,发掘黄连内生真菌资源,本研究从川黄连植株分离鉴定14株黄连内生真菌,分属于2纲,5目,7科,11属。根状茎、茎、叶和须根中的内生真菌定殖率分别是27.8%、56.7%、52.5%和39.6%。14株黄连内生真菌对金黄色葡萄球菌均有抑菌效果,Cop S01、Cop L01、Cop FR01的抑菌圈直径超过35 mm,纸片扩散法测得3株内生真菌发酵液对金黄色葡萄球菌均有效,Cop L01抑菌圈直径大于20 mm,抑菌效果最好,其发酵产物最低抑菌浓度(MIC)为10 mg/mL,最低杀菌浓度(MBC)为11 mg/mL。初步探究Cop L01抑菌机制发现该菌株发酵产物破坏金黄色葡萄球菌细胞膜,引起胞内核酸及蛋白外泄,造成金黄色葡萄球菌死亡。本研究表明川黄连内生真菌具有丰富的多样性,部分菌株及其发酵产物对金黄色葡萄球菌均表现出较好的抑菌效果,预示着黄连内生真菌Cop L01具有产生新型抗菌活性物质的潜力,为后续深入开发这一资源宝库提供了新的菌种和思路。     

云南省4种蕨类植物提取液的抑菌活性

为了合理开发利用蕨类植物资源,本研究利用圆纸片法分析了云南省4种蕨类植物单芽狗脊蕨(Woodwardia unigemmata)、蜈蚣蕨(Pteris vittata)、鸡足山耳蕨(Polystichum jizhushanense)和灰绿耳蕨(Polystic-hum eximium)的提取液对金黄色葡萄球菌(Staphylococus aureus)、大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)和枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)的抑菌活性。抑菌试验结果表明,当4种蕨类植物提取液浓度分别为10%、8%、6%和4%时,对照组无抑菌圈出现,单芽狗脊蕨提取液对大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌无抑菌活性,灰绿耳蕨提取液对金黄色葡萄球菌无抑菌活性,其它的蕨类植物提取液对供试微生物都表现出不同程度的抑菌活性;并且这4种蕨类植物提取液至少对一种供试细菌具有抑菌活性,抑菌活性范围为8～14mm,平均抑菌圈直径为11.2mm,4种提取液对枯草芽孢杆菌抗菌活性效果最明显。由此,我们推测本研究中的4种蕨类植物均有抗菌物质存在,并将有望成为筛选抗菌新型药物的种质资源。     

羟基酪醇抑菌活性及抑菌稳定性研究

本研究探究了羟基酪醇对大肠杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、铜绿假单胞杆菌和枯草芽孢杆菌等四种供试菌的抑菌活性及抑菌稳定性。采用试管半倍稀释法确定MIC和MBC,并探讨羟基酪醇对供试菌的生长和细胞膜完整性的影响以及在不同介质下的抑菌稳定性。结果表明,羟基酪醇对大肠杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、铜绿假单胞杆菌和枯草芽孢杆菌的MIC分别为0.625、0.625、1.250、2.500 mg/mL,MBC分别为1.250、1.250、2.500、5.000 mg/mL。与对照组相比,四种供试菌核酸和可溶性蛋白泄漏显著,细胞膜的完整性被破坏。在不同NaCl浓度下,羟基酪醇对枯草芽孢杆菌的抑菌活性稳定;在1.0%和2.0%NaCl浓度下,羟基酪醇对大肠杆菌和铜绿假单胞杆菌的抑菌活性稳定;在2.0%NaCl介质下低浓度的羟基酪醇对金黄色葡萄球菌的抑菌活性稳定,在0.5%、1.5%和2.0%NaCl介质下高浓度的羟基酪醇对金黄色葡萄球菌的抑菌活性稳定。在蔗糖介质中,羟基酪醇对四种供试菌的抑菌活性均不稳定。因此,羟基酪醇可以作为一种新型的防腐剂。     

黄粉虫抗菌肽Tenecin蛋白的纯化及其抑菌活性研究

目的 纯化黄粉虫抗菌肽Tenecin蛋白,并检测其抑菌活性.方法用1 mmol/L IPTG大量诱导表达Tenecin蛋白,纯化后检测其抑菌活性,包括金黄色葡萄球菌（Staphylococcus aureus）ATCC 29213,大肠埃希菌（Escherichia coli）ATCC 25922,白色念珠菌（Candida albicans）ATCC 10231和痢疾志贺氏菌（Shigella dysenteriae）CMCC 51252等4种标准菌.结果 SDS-PAGE电泳检测表明已获得纯化的Tenecin蛋白;体外抑菌试验结果表明,浓度为120、60、30、15 μg/ml的Tenecin与4种标准菌共培养18 h后,对金黄色葡萄球菌的抑制作用最强,而对白色念珠菌的抑制作用最弱.对同一菌种而言,浓度为60和30 μg/ml两组间无统计学意义（P＞0.05）,而其他各浓度的组间均有显著性差异（P＜0.01）;对同一浓度的Tenecin而言,其对白色念珠菌和痢疾志贺氏菌的抑菌效果组间无统计学意义（P＞0.05）,其余各组之间均有显著性差异（P＜0.01）.结论 获得的Tenecin蛋白可明显抑制病原菌,为进一步研究其抑菌机理和后期研发奠定了基础.     

Antibacterial action of a heat-stable form of L-amino acid oxidase isolated from king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) venom

The major l-amino acid oxidase (LAAO, EC 1.4.3.2) of king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) venom is known to be an unusual form of snake venom LAAO as it possesses unique structural features and unusual thermal stability. The antibacterial effects of king cobra venom LAAO were tested against several strains of clinical isolates including Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli using broth microdilution assay. For comparison, the antibacterial effects of several antibiotics (cefotaxime, kanamycin, tetracycline, vancomycin and penicillin) were also examined using the same conditions. King cobra venom LAAO was very effective in inhibiting the two Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus and S. epidermidis) tested, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.78μg/mL (0.006μM) and 1.56μg/mL (0.012μM) against S. aureus and S. epidermidis, respectively. The MICs are comparable to the MICs of the antibiotics tested, on a weight basis. However, the LAAO was only moderately effective against three Gram-negative bacteria tested (P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae and E. coli), with MIC ranges from 25 to 50μg/mL (0.2-0.4μM). Catalase at the concentration of 1mg/mL abolished the antibacterial effect of LAAO, indicating that the antibacterial effect of the enzyme involves generation of hydrogen peroxide. Binding studies indicated that king cobra venom LAAO binds strongly to the Gram-positive S. aureus and S. epidermidis, but less strongly to the Gram-negative E. coli and P. aeruginosa, indicating that specific binding to bacteria is important for the potent antibacterial activity of the enzyme.     

Bactericidal activity of human peritoneal macrophages from patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis

Peritoneal macrophages (PM) play an essential role in the pathogenesis of bacterial peritonitis, the main complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). We determined the antibacterial activity of PM from 31 PD patients using gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis) and gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) test organisms. In an 8-hour test assay, PM revealed the highest antibacterial activity against E. coli [median bactericidal index (Bi) = 5.46 representing 0.74 log growth inhibition compared to controls] and the lowest against P. aeruginosa (Bi = 1.63, 0.21 log growth inhibition, p less than 0.05). The antibacterial activity against S. aureus (Bi = 1.99, 0.3 log growth inhibition) and S. epidermidis (Bi = 2.0, 0.31 log growth inhibition) was within this range. When compared to peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes, PM reached only 4% (S. aureus) and 8.1% (E. coli) of their antibacterial activity (p less than 0.05). Using E. coli as a test organism, PM isolated after a 4-hour dialysis period revealed the highest antibacterial activity when compared to PM isolated after longer dialysis periods (p less than 0.05). Increasing the duration of PD to 6 and 8 h subsequently decreased the antibacterial activity of PM, suggesting that unphysiologic concentrations of toxic metabolites in the peritoneal effluent might have a harmful influence on PM functions.     

Interaction of air ions and bactericidal vapours to control micro-organisms

AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial activity of candles containing specific-antibacterial compounds, such as essential oils and their constituent compounds. The importance of the ionization products from the flame and the aerial concentration of the volatile compounds were investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Agar plates inoculated with Escherichia coli (DH5alpha) or Staphylococcus aureus (NCTC strain number 8532) were exposed in a large air-tight chamber to candle flames combined with the volatile bactericidal compounds beta-pinene and orange oil. A steady decline in E. coli numbers was observed over time because of the effect of a candle flame. This was significantly increased by the addition of volatile oils. The number of S. aureus colonies was not reduced by a plain candle, but significant reductions were caused following exposure to beta-pinene and orange oil candles. As aerial concentration of the volatiles was increased the viability of E. coli and S. aureus declined. Ionization products from the flame made a significant contribution to the observed effects, as intercepting the ions on a grounded grid over the agar plates allowed at least 20% more cells to survive. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the antibacterial properties of ionization products from a candle flame, and that this effect can be significantly increased by the addition of specific-antibacterial compounds, such as orange oil and beta-pinene. The role of both the ionization products from the candle flame and the concentration of volatile compounds released are important to the effect. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The technique described here offers a new and novel technique for reducing the concentration of bacteria on surfaces.     

Antimicrobial potential of Indian Cinnamomum species

Cinnamomum is the largest genus of Lauraceae family and has been used as spices, food, and food additives by the people. Total 15 Cinnamomum species are distributed in different parts of Indian sub-continent. Different parts (leaves, stem bark, stem wood, roots, flowers, and fruits) of these species were shade-dried and used for the determination of essential oils. A total of 19 essential oils were identified and quantified from the different parts of (leaf, stem bark, stem wood, root, flower, and fruit) of 15 Cinnamomum species. The stem bark of C. altissimum was rich in the presence of essential oils (52.2 %) whereas minimum levels of essential oils were recorded in roots (17.9 %). The γ-terpinene (11.1 %) was reported as the major component essential oil in C. subavenium flowers. Methanol extract of C. camphora stem wood showed stronger lowest minimum inhibitory concentration against S. aureus (25 ± 0.01 μg/ml), H. pylori (29 ± 0.05 μg/ml), B. subtilis (31 ± 0.03 μg/ml), E. faecalis (33 ± 0.01 μg/ml), C. albicans (38 ± 0.03 μg/ml) when compared to amoxycillin (S. aureus 56 ± 0.05 μg/ml; B. subtilis 27 ± 0.04 μg/ml, E. faecalis 22 ± 0.01 μg/ml), streptomycin (H. pylori 38 ± 0.02 μg/ml) and fluconazole (C. albicans 56 ± 0.01 μg/ml). Methanolic extract of C. camphora stem wood demonstrated maximum antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, H. pylori, B. subtilis, E. faecalis and C. albicans. The essential oil of C. altissimum stem bark displayed significant lowest MIC against S. aureus (21 ± 0.03 μg/ml), E. coli (22 ± 0.03 μg/ml), E. cloacae (37 ± 0.06 μg/ml), L. monocytogenes (47 ± 0.08 μg/ml), and P. chrysogenum (101 ± 0.07 μg/ml) when compared to amoxycillin (E. coli 18 ± 0.01 μg/ml, E. cloacae 21 ± 0.05 μg/ml, L. monocytogenes 31 ± 0.03 μg/ml), and fluconazole (P. chrysogenum 101 ± 0.07 μg/ml). The essential oil of C. altissimum stem bark displayed maximum antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, E. coli, E. cloacae, L. monocytogenes, and P. chrysogenum. Cinnamomum essential oils may be used as an alternative source of antibacterial and antifungal compounds in the treatment of various types of infections.     

Antibacterial effects of trisubstituted quinazoline derivatives

Five trisubstituted quinazolones and eight trisubstituted quinazoline-4-thiones have been tested for antibacterial effects by a microdilution method. Four derivatives exerted a significant effect on E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus and B. subtilis (IC50 < 100 mg/L). In the bacterium P. aeruginosa six quinazolines showed a higher antibacterial effect than ampicillin. The most sensitive to the effects of the quinazolines was S. aureus; a concentration of 100 mg/L of six derivatives induced a bacteriostatic effect on S. aureus. The quinazoline-4-thiones were generally more active than the quinazolones. All the tested concentrations of the four most effective quinazolines influenced the specific growth rate.     

Antimicrobial activity of plant essential oils against bacterial and fungal species involved in food poisoning and/or food decay

The currative properties of aromatic and medicinal plants have been recognized since ancient times and, more recently, the antimicrobial activity of plant essential oils has been used in several applications, including food preservation. The purpose of this study was to create directly comparable, quantitative data on the antimicrobial activity of some plant essential oils prepared in the National Institute of Research-Development for Chemistry and Petrochemistry, Bucharest to be used for the further development of food packaging technology, based on their antibacterial and antifungal activity. The essential oils extracted from thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), sage (Salvia officinalis L.), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare L.), spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) and carraway (Carum carvi L.) were investigated for their antimicrobial activity against eleven different bacterial and three fungal strains belonging to species reported to be involved in food poisoning and/or food decay: S. aureus ATCC 25923, S. aureus ATCC 6538, S. aureus ATCC 25913, E. coli ATCC 25922, E. coli ATCC 35218, Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis Cantacuzino Institute Culture Collection (CICC) 10878, Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19112, Bacillus cereus CIP 5127, Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778, Candida albicans ATCC 10231, Aspergillus niger ATCC 16404, Penicillium spp. CICC 251 and two E. coli and Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis clinical isolates. The majority of the tested essential oils exibited considerable inhibitory capacity against all the organisms tested, as supported by growth inhibition zone diameters, MICs and MBC's. Thyme, coriander and basil oils proved the best antibacterial activity, while thyme and spearmint oils better inhibited the fungal species.     

Antibacterial effect of some essential oils administered alone or in combination with Norfloxacin

The objective of the present study was that of verifying a possible synergistic antibacterial effect between Pelargonium graveolens [Lis-Balchin, M., Deans, S.G., Hart, S., 1996. Bioactive Geranium oils from different commercial sources. J. Essential Oil Res. 8, 281-290.] essential oil (and its main components) and Norfloxacin antibiotic. As a first step growth inhibition by some types of essential oils was assessed in five microbial species. The antimicrobial effects of P. graveolens oil, as well as those of its components, were evaluated by means of the agar dilution method (ADM) against Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Escherichia coli ATCC 35218, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and S. aureus ATCC 29213. The results obtained highlighted the occurrence of a pronounced synergism between P. graveolens essential oil and Norfloxacin against three of the five bacterial species under study with a FIC index in the 0.37-0.50 range. Such antibacterial effects were also shown to increase, although to a lesser extent, when Norfloxacin was given with the main components of P. graveolens essential oil. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The combination of Norfloxacin with either P. graveolens essential oil, or with some of the main components of this latter, in the treatment of infections caused by some bacterial species is likely to reduce the minimum effective dose of Norfloxacin thus minimizing the side effects of the antibiotic.