Antimicrobial investigation of Linum usitatissimum for the treatment of acne.

Light petroleum, dichloromethane and methanolic extracts of Linum usitatissimum were investigated using GC/MS. The main components of three sequential extracts were methyl linolenate (11.9-33.9%) and methyl linoleate (3.4-9.1%). Components possessing antimicrobial activity against acne causing bacteria, namely alpha-linolenic acid (7.0 -7.1%), alpha-terpinene (1.7-3.1%), terpinen-4-ol (1.3-4.6%), 4-cymene (1.6-7.1%) and alpha-pinene (1.1%), were found in varying amounts. Antimicrobial screening indicated that the light petroleum extract was more active against aerobic and anaerobic test strains with a MIC value of 1.25 mg/mL and a MBC of 2.5 mg/mL against S. aureus and P. acnes. A MIC of 2.5 mg/mL was observed against S. epidermidis.