Composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Murraya exotica L

The essential oils of fresh flowers, leaves and fruits of Murraya exotica L., cultivated in Egypt, were analysed by GC-MS. Forty-four components were identified in the oils. The monoterpene hydrocarbon α-pinene was the major constituent in all cases. The oils exhibited strong antifungal activity against Candida albicans and showed a modest antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Sarchina lutea.