Chemical Composition, Olfactory Analysis and Antibacterial Activity of Thymus vulgaris Chemotypes Geraniol, 4-Thujanol/Terpinen-4-ol, Thymol and Linalool Cultivated in Southern France

Abstract

The essential oils of four chemotypes of Thymus vulgaris L. (Lamiaceae) were analyzed for their composition and antibacterial activity to assess their different properties. GC-MS and GC-FID analyses revealed that the essentials oils can be classified into the chemotypes thymol (41.0% thymol), geraniol (26.4% geraniol), linalool (72.5% linalool) and 4-thujanol/terpinen-4-ol (42.2% cis-and 7.3% trans-sabinene hydrate, 6.5 % terpinen-4-ol). The olfactory examination confirmed the explicit differences between these chemotypes. Furthermore, antibacterial activity was investigated against several strains of two Gram-positive (Brochothrix thermosphacta and Staphylococcus aureus) and four Gram-negative food-borne bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella abony, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and P. fragi). All essential oil samples were demonstrated to be highly effective against Gram-positive strains, whereas the impact on Gramnegative microorganisms was significantly smaller, but still considerable. The results obtained indicate that, despite their different properties, the essential oils of selected T. vulgaris chemotypes are potent antimicrobials to be employed as useful additives in food products as well as for therapeutic applications.

Chemical Composition and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Algerian Thymus vulgaris Essential Oil

“…Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L., Lamiaceae)is widely used in traditional medicine and phytotherapy [2]. Its essential oil has been proven to possess a great variety of biological properties, including antibacterial [3,4], antifungal [5], anthelmintic [6], insect repellent [7], antioxidant [8] and anticancer [4,9]effects, often attributed to its high yield of phenolic compounds, i.e. thymol and carvacrol.…”

Part II

“…15 Corroboration of chemotypes by genetic coding has not been done. Plant species that produce oils with several chemotypes include thyme (both from T. vulgaris (thyme oil) 16,17 and from Thymus zygis (Spanish thyme oil), Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil), rosemary, and ravensara.…”

Новые Терапевтические Возможности Фитопрепаратов При Лечении Острых Респираторных Инфекций У Детей

“…Тимьян представляет собой невысокую ароматическую многолетнюю вечнозеленую траву, типичную для иллирийско-средиземноморской флоры, традиционно используемую в качестве средства от простуды, гриппа, кашля, нефрита и абдоминального болевого синдрома. Трава тимьяна содержит около 2,5 % эфирного масла, основными активными компонентами которого являются монотерпеноидные низкомолекулярные фенолы -тимол (41 %), гераниол (26,4 %) и карвакрол (3-15 %), а также лютеолол (72,5 %), 4-туянол, апигенин и розмариновая кислота [30].…”