Research
Phytochemical composition and antimicrobial activities of the essential oils and organic extracts from pelargonium graveolens growing in Tunisia
1 College of Science and Arts, Al-Rass, Qassim University, P.O. Box 53, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
2 Bio-pesticides Team (LPIP), Center of Biotechnology of Sfax, P.B. 1177, Sfax, 3018, Tunisia
3 Higher Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Borj-Cédria, TUNISIA" & "University of Carthage, Carthage, Tunisia
Lipids in Health and Disease 2012, 11:167 doi:10.1186/1476-511X-11-167
Published: 5 December 2012Abstract
Background
Pelargonium graveolens (P. graveolens) L. is an aromatic and medicinal plant belonging to the geraniacea family.
Results
The chemical compositions of the essential oil as well as the in vitro antimicrobial activities were investigated. The GC-MS analysis of the essential oil revealed 42 compounds. Linallol L, Citronellol, Geraniol, 6-Octen-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl, formate and Selinene were identified as the major components. The tested oil and organic extracts exhibited a promising antimicrobial effect against a panel of microorganisms with diameter inhibition zones ranging from 12 to 34 mm and MICs values from 0.039 to10 mg/ml. The investigation of the phenolic content showed that EtOAc, MeOH and water extracts had the highest phenolic contents.
Conclusion
Overall, results presented here suggest that the essential oil and organic extracts of P. graveolens possesses antimicrobial and properties, and is therefore a potential source of active ingredients for food and pharmaceutical industry.
