GC-MS STUDIES AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF SUDANESE CAPSICUM ANNUM FIXED OIL.

The present study was designed to investigate the chemical constituents of Capsicum annum seed oil and to evaluate its potential antimicrobial activity. 27 components were detected by GC-MS analysis. Major constituents are: 9,12-octadecadienoic acid(56.57%) , , hexadecanoic acid(17.60%), 9-octadecenoic acid (5.62%) , methyl stearate(5.50%) and stigmasterol(2.37%) . Butylated hydroxytoluene, a potent antioxidant, was detected as a minor constituent(0.22%). The antibacterial activity of the oil was evaluated via cup plate agar diffusion assay against six standard human pathogens(Gram positive: Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis; Gram negative : Escherichia coli and Pseudomonasa aeruginosa and the fungi Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger) . The oil showed different antimicrobial responses against test organisms. It was partially active against the fungus Candida albicans but significant activity against Staphylococcus aureus was observed.