Preliminary Determination of the Antimicrobial Activity of Manaoag Oil

Abstract

Essential oils have long been studied for their antibacterial and antifungal properties. Manaoag oil is known among the locals of Pangasinan to have curative and antimicrobial effects. The oil was tested against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces sp. and Penicillium spp. using the disc-diffusion method. This test was run parallel to that of eucalyptus and coconut oils. No zones of inhibition was found in all four microorganisms. Eucalyptus oil produced large zones of inhibition in all the tested microorganisms — an indication of antimicrobial activity. Coconut oil was ineffective in inhibiting bacterial or fungal growth in vitro. Phytochemical screening of Manaoag oil revealed traces of sterols and no other precursor components.