In vitro studies on the antibacterial activity of phenoxyethanol in combination with lemon grass oil

Lemon grass oil (LGO) has been reported to possess appreciable antibacterial activity especially against Grampositive bacteria. The effect of LGO on the antibacterial activity of phenoxyethanol was studied using MIC, growth inhibition, diffusion tests and bactericidal activity studies. Results showed appreciable increase in the activity of phenoxyethanol against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus when combined with 0.03% v/v LGO but not against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results show that the combined use of LGO and phenoxyethanol would increase the spectrum of activity of phenoxyethanol whose activity is mainly against Ps. aeruginosa. In addition, the combination reduced the effective concentration of both compounds necessary for activity. This would reduce any toxicological hazards as well as production costs.