Chemical composition and antimicrobial activities of the essential oils from Ocimum selloi and Hesperozygis myrtoides.

Ocimum selloi, a traditional medicinal plant from Brazil, is sold in open-air markets at Rio de Janeiro State. Hesperozygis myrtoides is a very aromatic small bush found in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, growing at an altitude of 1800m. The chemical composition of both essential oils was analyzed as well as their antimicrobial activity against fungi and bacteria. For all specimens of Ocimum selloi obtained at open-air markets, methylchavicol was major compound found (93.6% to 97.6%) in their essential oils. The major compounds identified in the oil of H. myrtoides were pulegone (44.4%), isomenthone (32.7%), and limonene (3.5%). Both oils displayed antimicrobial activity against all tested microorganisms but Candida albicans was the most susceptible one. Combinations of the two oils in different proportions were tested to verify their antimicrobial effect against C. albicans, which, however, was not modified in any of the concentrations tested. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined to confirm the antimicrobial activity against C. albicans as well as other clinical isolates (C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis).