DOI: 10.21276/sajp.2016.5.12.1

Pages: 406-412

This study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of Commiphora molmol (Myrrh) extracts on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii from Iraqi hospital isolates. The chloroform, methanol and water extracts of C. molmol were tested against the five clinical microbial strains. Gel diffusion method, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were used in this study. Also Phytochemical analysis of most biological active extract was determined by general phytochemical screening and GCMS, The findings indicated that C. molmol methanol and chloroform extracts had growth inhibitory effect against tested bacteria. Methanolic extract of C. molmol exhibited the highest inhibitory effect on all tested microorganisms, MIC of methanolic extract was 3.12mg/mL for each of E.coli, K.pneumoniae and P.aeruginosa, 12.5mg/mL for A.baumannii and 6.25mg/mL for S.aureus. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of terpenoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins and flavonoids. GC MS investigation of C. molmol methanol extract showed the different peaks of the different constitutes with highest intensity that recorded β-elemene (classified as sesquiterpenes) with retention time 10.82 and other sesquiterpenes constitutes showing that the resin is rich in sesqiuterpenes that possess the antibacterial activity.