Abstract
The chemical composition and antibacterial activity of basil oil (Ocimum americanum L.) against Escherichia coli, Shigellasonnei and Salmonella enteritidis have been determined. Basil oils were isolated from leaves and stems of basil (Ocimum americanumL.) with percolation method and analyzed by FTIR and GC-MS spectrometry. The antibacterial activity of basil oils were obtained byAgar diffusion method with various concentration (v/v) 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10% with ethanol p.a. as negative control, thiamfenicol, andtetracycline 500 mg as positive control. The produces essential oils from leaves and stems of basil by percolation are 1.06 and 0.22%,respectively. There are 22 components of basil oil were identifi ed, with a major component are citral (35.58%) and neral (29.56% ).Basil oil has not effectively against Escherichia coli and Shigella sonnei but effectively against Salmonella enteritidis at concentration 8 and 10%, with inhibition zone diameter are 10.25 and 10.93 mm respectively.