Abstract
In this study, we identified some Bacillus sp. from soil by16S rDNA sequence analysis and tested the efficacy of essential oil and various organic extracts from Cassia sophera L. against those isolated bacteria. We also determined the chemical composition of the essential oil which was analyzed by GC-MS. Twenty-nine compounds representing 94.14% of the total oil was identified. The zones of inhibition of essential oil and organic extracts against the tested bacteria were found in the range of 12.6-24.9 mm. Among all the extracts, ethanol extract showed the highest activity against Bacillus megaterium with an MIC value of 62.5 lg/ml. In most of the cases, the essential oil and organic extracts exhibited similar or higher antibacterial activity than the standard drug. The results of this study suggest that the essential oil and organic extracts of C. sophera L. can be a source of natural antimicrobial agents with potential applications. (C) 2013 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.