Using Soxhlet Ethanol Extraction to Produce and Test Plant Material (Essential Oils) for Their Antimicrobial Properties

As the issue of antimicrobial resistance continues to grow, there is a renewed interest in deriving antimicrobial products from natural compounds, particularly extracts from plant materials. This paper describes how essential oil can be extracted from the common herb, thyme (Thymus vulgaris) in the...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: James Redfern, Malcolm Kinninmonth, Dariel Burdass, Joanna Verran
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Society for Microbiology 2013-11-01
Series:Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education
Subjects:
Online Access:http://jmbesubmissions.asm.org/index.php/jmbe/article/view/656
Description
Summary:As the issue of antimicrobial resistance continues to grow, there is a renewed interest in deriving antimicrobial products from natural compounds, particularly extracts from plant materials. This paper describes how essential oil can be extracted from the common herb, thyme (Thymus vulgaris) in the classroom. Subsequently, the extract can be tested for its antimicrobial activity. A number of variables are suggested.
ISSN:1935-7877
1935-7885