The aerial parts essential oils of Ocimum basilicum (Lamiaceae) from Togo were steam-distilled and investigated for their percentage composition (GC and GC/ MS) and in vitro antimicrobial activities. Five oil chemotypes were identified and classified as follows in line with their principal components: Estragole type; linalool/estragole type; methyleugenol type; methyleugenol/t-anethole type; tanethole type. The in vitro microbiological experiments revealed that only the methyleugenol and methyleugenol/t-anethole chemotypes were active against tested fungi and bacteria. Their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranged from 80-150 µL/L and from 200-500 µL/L respectively. Likewise, on tested bacteria the MIC varied from 200-400 µL/L and from 250-500 µL/L respectively. These findings are supportive of the potential of both basil oil chemotypes for use as active ingredients in natural antibiotic drugs.

The aerial parts of Ocimum gratissimum L. (Lamiaceae) harvested in Togo was steam-distilled and investigated for essential oil composition (GC and GC/MS) and in vitro antifungal activities. Thymol (31.79 %), p-cymene (15.57 %) and γ-terpinene (12.34 %) and were the major components of the oil. Other notable components identified in this oil were myrcene (6.94 %) and α-thujene (6.11 %).The in vitro antifungal activity was recorded with the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 80 to 150 µl.l-1, 150 to 500 µl.l-1  and from 100 to 150 µl.l-1 respectively on dermatophytes, imperfect filamentous fungi and pathogenic yeasts. Likewise, on tested fungi the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) varied from 300 µl.l-1 to 500 µl.l-1, 500 to 700 µl.l-1 and from 250 to 300 µl.l-1, respectively on dermatophytes, imperfect filamentous fungi and pathogenic yeasts. Keywords: O.gratissimum,  Antifungal, Essential oil; Thymol. © 2009 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved. DOI: 10.3329/jsr.v1i1.1131Â