Antimicrobial Activity of the Leaves of Pistacia khinjuk

Background: Pistacia khinjuk is one of the three species Pistacia growing in Iran. The essential oils of some Pistacia plants contain variety of components with different therapeutical effects. Objective: The purpose of this study was to provide the examination of antibacterial and antifungal effects of chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethyl alcohol and diethyl ether extracts obtained from the leaves of P. khinjuk.Method: for obtaining different extracts of P. khinjuk, 30 gr of leaves powder was macerated with 120 ml of each solvent (chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethyl alcohol, diethyl ether). The antibacterial and antifungal activities of different extracts was individually tested against a panel of microorganisms, including Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Results: Some major constituents of essential oil from the aerial parts of P. khinjuk are α-pinene, β-pinene, Myrcene, beta-caryophyllene, Germacrene B and Spathulenol. The extracts showed antimicrobial activity against bacteria (MIC = 0.02 - 0.5 mg/ml) and fungi (MIC = 0.06 - 0.4 mg/ml).Conclusion: In conclusion the different leaves extracts of P.khinjuk (chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethyl alcohol, diethyl ether) like other species of Pistacia show antibacterial and antifungal activities.