A comparison of the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential

oils obtained from the aerial parts of two types of Ocimum basilicum L.O.
basilicum L. (green type) and O. basilicum (purple type)were carried out. The oils
were obtained by hydrodistillation and were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The main
components of the oil of the O.basilicum (green type) were methyl chavicol (62.5%),
geranial (12.5%) and neral (9.9%) while in the oil of O.basilicum (purple type), transa-bergamotene (17.5%), linalool (17.0%) and 1,8-cineole (9.0%) were the prominent
components. The antimicrobial activity of each oil was determined by measurement
of the growth inhibitory zone, against three Gram positive, one Gram negative and
one fungus using the well diffusion assay.

The herb essential oil of Ocimum sanctum from Nigeria was investigated for
mosquito larvicidal activity and its composition studied by gas chromatography and
gas chromato-graphy-mass spectrometry for the first time. A good larvicidal action
(LD50 85.11 ppm) against fourth instar Aedes aegypti mosquitoes which was far
less than that of a positive control, endosulphan (LC50, 0.96 ppm) was observed for
the oil. Seventeen components representing 88.4 % of total oil were fully identified.
Oxygenated monoterpenes (51.1 %) and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (27.5 %)
formed the main chemical groups in the oil. The major constituents of the oil were
methyleugenol (44.7 %) and isocaryophyllene (16.8 %), which categorise the oil into
a different chemical variety.

The biological activities of essential oils from Ocimum basilicum L. and Salvia
officinalis L. against Sitophilus oryzae were investigated in the laboratory
experiments. Contact toxicity (applied essential oils on filter papers), grain
treatment for mortality and repellency assays, and also effect of oils on insect
fecundity were obtained during four weeks. Only the most concentrated solutions of
essential oils (2 %) of both plants caused the significant mortality, repellency and
anti-reproductive effect. All grain-protective properties of essential oils were
concentration- and time-dependent. Insecticidal effectiveness of applied oil's
solutions on the grain surface was similar as on filter paper; repellency of the most
concentrated oils was significant, but their effect in reduction the F1 progeny was
the most striking.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of citronella oil (Java type)
(Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) on Propionibacterium acnes DMST 14916.
Citronella oil compositions were determined by gas chromatography mass
spectrometry (GC/MS). Anti-P. acnes activity of citronella oil and its major
components were also investigated. After exposure with P. acnes at various
concentrations of citronella oil (0100 L/mL), time-kill profiles, pentose leakage and

electron microscopic characteristics were determined. The GC/MS results revealed

that the major constituents of the oil were citronellal, geraniol and citronellol. At all
concentrations above Minimum Bactericidal Concentrations (MBCs; 0.625L/mL),
this essential oil killed P. acnes in a dose-dependent manner. The intracellular
materials leakage and electron microscopic characteristics evidenced that the major
target sites of antibacterial activity appeared to be cell wall, cytoplasmic membrane
and intracellular materials. Citronella oil exerted satisfactory bacteriostatic and
bactericidal actions against P. acnes.

Essential oils extracted by steam distillation from Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf,
Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle and Eucalyptus citriodora Hook were evaluated for
their repellent effects against Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes under laboratory
conditions. Blended oils, ointments and cream formulations of the oil of C. nardus in
different bases were also evaluated. At 10 % and 20 % concentrations, all the oils
showed a minimum of 90 % and 95 % relative protection, respectively, soon after
application. These were not significantly different in efficacy from NN-diethyl-metatoluamide (DEET), P<0.05. Afterwards however, only C. nardus oil produced more
than 70 % protection for 3 h and 4 h at a concentration of 10 % and 20 %,
respectively. Combinations of 10 % or 20 % of each of the oils of C. citratus and C.
nardus gave better protection than their individual effects. In the presence of the oil
of E. citriodora, the effects of C. citratus and C. nardus were significantly reduced at
both concentrations. The oil of C. nardus in oleaginous ointment (i.e. Vaseline)
provided above 80 % relative protection for as long as 4 h which was better than
the effect of the 20 % oil, P<0.05. Similarly, the oil in hydrophilic ointment, 1:1 w/w
blend of PEG 4000 and PEG 600, gave better repellent effect than the 20 % oil
(P<0.05). However, the effect of the o/w cream was not statistically different from
the 20 % oil, P>0.05. The blends of C. citratus and C. nardus oils and the ointment
formulations of the oil of C. nardus showed improvement on the percentage of
protection of the oil of C. nardus. However, both the blending and the formulations
did not improve the duration of protection. In addition, both the percentage and
duration of protection were not as good as DEET, P<0.05. This study demonstrated
the potential of essential oil of C. nardus as topical repellent against An. arabiensis.