Antimicrobial activities of the essential oils of four Salvia species from Turkey

In the present study, antibacterial and antifungal activities of essential oils of four Salvia species against five bacteria and one fungus were evaluated at concentrations of 1/10, 1/20 and 1/30 and incubated for 24 h. Aqueous and hexane extracts of each plant were tested for their antibacterial and antifungal activity by using agar disc diffusion method. The result indicated that all essential oils exhibit antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, essential oils of Salvia multicaulis exhibit the antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Essential oils of Salvia syriaca exhibit antibacterial and antifungal activities against all micro-organisms.