ANTIOXIDANT, ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY AND ESSENTIAL OIL COMPOSITION OF THYMELEA MICROPHYLLA Coss et Dur.

Abstract

The investigation of essential oil of all species belonging to the Thymeleaceae family is very poor especially the genus Thymelea . In Algeria it is represented by 7 species. Thymelea species are reported to be medicinal plants in the literature as well as in folklore, and their medicinal values are well documented. Their properties are attributed to a variety of active phytochemical constituents Essential oil components of the aerial parts of Thymelea microphyla Coss et Dur. have been studied by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to afford 11 components. The major components were found to be: D-menthone (41.86 %), 2- Undecanone (23.74 %), Pulegone(11.94%) and Perillal (9.34 %). Some other compounds were only present in minor amounts. In total, volatile oil composition of Thymelea microphyla Coss et Dur. was considered as a rich source of oxygenated monoterpenes . The antioxidant activity were evaluated by spectroscopic dohtem , used for that free radical compound (DPPH) and in comparison with a reference(vitamin C ). The crude extract showed a good activity against free radical compound (DPPH) . The antimicrobial activities of essential oil were evaluated by disc diffusion method and tested against Gram-positive and Gram- negative bacteria and showed a strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia