Abstract

Essential oil of Pinus roxburghaii stems was analyzed by GC MS and their antibacterial activity was studied. Seventeen components out of fifty-two were identified in the oil. Major component in essential oil was α- pinene (41.9%) followed by 3-carene (16.3%), caryophyllene (12.3%), p-cymene (1.9%), Terpinenol (1.8%), Limonene (1.7%), Borneol acetate(1.1%), Caryophyllene oxide (1.0%),camphene (0.9%),Tepinyl acetate (0.8%), β-Phallenderene (0.7%), farnesene (0.6%),o-cymene (0.4%), Butanoic acid, 3-methyl-, 2-phenylethyl ester (0.3%),1-terpinen-4-ol (0.2%), Farnesyle acetate (0.2%) and γ-terpinene (0.2%). Antibacterial activity of stem essential oil was observed againstStaphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis while no activity was observed against E. coli and Enterobacter aerogenes. Similarly, antifungal activity of Pinus roxburghaii essential oil was also found to be active against Aspergillus terrus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus candidus, Aspergillus vessicolor, Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma viride.

Key words: Pinus roxburgahii, antibacterial activity, antifungal activity, α-pinene, caryophyllene.