Abstract Lepidium sativum L. is an annual fast-growing edible plant in the family Brassicaceae. This plant is a key element in African traditional system of medicine. This herb has many health promoting properties including: hypoglycemic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiosteoporotic, antiasthmatic and diuretic properties [1]. The GC-MS analysis of Lepidium sativum oil revealed the presence of twenty four components. Main constituents are: i)-linolinic acid, 2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl) (31.88%) ii)- 11-eicosenoic acid, methyl ester (15.18%). iii)- methyl 10-trans,12-cis-octadecadienoate (13.60%), iv)-hexadecanoic acid methyl ester (9.99%) and v)-13-docosenoic acid, methyl ester (7.88%). The antibacterial activity of the oil was evaluated via the diffusion assay against five standard human pathogens (Gram positive: Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtitlis; Gram negative: Esherichia coli and Pseudomonasa aeruginosa and the fungus Candida albicans). Foeniculum vulgare oil showed excellent activity against Staphylococcus aureus in the concentration range: 100-12.5 mg/ml. It also exhibited significant activity against the yeast Candida albicans at 100mg/ml. It seems that the oil is a lead for further optimization.
Keywords Lepidium sativum, Oil, GC-MS Analysis, Antimicrobial Activity.