Abstract:
Essential oil is the liquid products obtained by extraction process from various part of aromatic
plants. Akway (Drimys piperita Hook f.) is an aromatic plant which has stem barks contained essential
oils. The concentrations and types of essential oil compounds highly affected its physicochemical and
antibacterial properties. The objectives of the research were to determine physical properties,
phytochemical contents and antibacterial potency of essential oil extracted from akway stem bark.
Extraction process were done by using hydrodistillation method. Determination of phyical properties
were performed to colour, solubility in alcohol 80% and refractive index while phytochemical
contents were done qualitatively to terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids and saponins. Antibacterial
activity assays were done using agar disc diffusion method on essential oil concentration of 0-10%.
The results indicated that physical properties of akway stem barks essensial oil : light yellowish
colour, solubility in alcohol 80% was 1:2, and refractive index 1.4942. The essential oil contained
terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids and saponins also could inhibited growth of pathogenic bacteria at
minimum inhibition concentration 2.7-5.0 mg/ml.
