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Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of the Essential Oil of Lippia multiflora Moldenke from Nigeria

Moses S. Owolabi, Akintayo Ogundajo, Labunmi Lajide, Matthew O. Oladimeji, William N. Setzer and Maria C. Palazzo

Department of Chemistry, Lagos State University, P.M.B. 001, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria
Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
Department of Chemistry, Bowen University, Owo, Osun State, Nigeria
Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899, USA

Abstract: The steam distilled volatile oil obtained from dried Lippia multiflora Moldenke was examined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).  The major components were 1,8-cineole (60.5%), sabinene (16.9%), α-terpineol (14.1%) and α-pinene (4.4%).  The oil displayed no antibacterial activity against either gram positive Bacillus cereus or Staphylococcus aureus or gram negative Escherichia coli, (MIC = 1250 µg/mL).  A cluster analysis was performed for comparison and characterization of L. multiflora essential oil from Nigeria with other oils reported in the literature from different locations across central Africa, and reveals much chemical variation in this species with at least 13 different chemotypes.

Keywords: Lippia multiflora; Verbenaceae; essential oil; 1,8-cineole; sabinene; α-terpineol; α-pinene; antibacterial activity; cluster analysis.