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The aim of this study was to characterize the chemical composition of some volatile components, in vitro antimicrobial and anticancer activity of essential oil and n-hexane extract from Trachyspermum ammi L. (Family Apiaceae). The chemical composition of samples was obtained by GC-MS analysis, the antimicrobial activity was evaluated by disc diffusion method whereas the in vitro anticancer activity was evaluated by sulphorhodamine method. Twenty-three monoterpenoide compounds were identified in the essential oil in which four compounds; -terpinene, thymol, P-cymene and -pinene were the major components of the oil with quantity 266. 28, 201.97, 194.91 and 38.49 mg/g oil respectively whereas the other nineteen compounds had quantity < 10 mg/g oil. Twelve monoterpene compounds were identified in the n-hexane extract in which three compounds. Thymol, -terpinene and P-cymene were the major components of volatile components of the n-hexane extract with quantity 138.85, 56.41 and 32.69 mg/g extract respectively whereas the other nine compounds had quantity < 10 mg/g extract. The essential oil and n-hexane extract exhibited an antimicrobial activity against five microorganisms and an anticancer activity against HepG2. The essential oil showed higher activity than the n-hexane. Thymol, terpinene and P-cymene of the two samples play an important role in antimicrobial and anticancer activity. In conclusion, this considered the first report that gave the real quantity of each volatile compound in the essential oil and n-hexane extract of T. ammi. Also, this the first work dealing with the anticancer activity of the two samples in addition to the agreement of antimicrobial activity with previous studies. More safety and toxicological studies will need to be addressed if the essential oil and n-hexane extract of T. ammi are to be used for food preservation or medicinal purposes.

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In the present study, cell-free cultures of four isolates of Rhizobium leguminosarum, an isolate of Azotobacter chroococcum and compost tea were investigated for their biocontrol potential against the root parasitic weed Orobanche crenata. Individual cell-free cultures of Azotobacter chroococcum or Rhizobium sp., dual and mixture of cell-free cultures of Rhizobium spp. or compost tea were applied to infested pots in greenhouse conditions. The treatments showed variable effects on many developmental parameters of both faba bean and broomrape. Significant decrease in the number of broomrape attachments, dry weight of the attached tubercles on faba bean roots and the reduction in percentage of broomrape seed germination were recorded. Compost tea, individual and mixture of R. leguminosarum isolates were more reducing on broomrape germination and growth than A. chroococcum alone did; being the former treatment is the best. The reduction in broomrape incidence by compost tea was due to certain phenotypic mechanisms, which acted alone or in combination. These mechanisms included negative effect of natural stimulant broomrape on seed germination, prevention of radical penetration inside the host roots, parasite yield reduction, and thus increasing the growth and vitality of faba bean. In vitro experiment indicated that seed germination percentage of broomrape was also negatively affected by the combination of root-exudates and compost tea. Radical apexes of the germinated seeds were distorted. These distortions may prevent the radicals to follow up the infestation. In conclusion, the study presents the potential of R. leguminosarum isolates and compost tea in biocontrol of broomrape. More investigations should be carried out with viable bacterial cells on the parasite plant before use in sustainable agricultural systems.

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