GC–MS Analysis, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Achillea Odorata Subsp. Pectinata and Ruta Montana Essential Oils and Their Potential Use as Food Preservatives

Abstract

In order to discover new natural resources with biological properties, the chemical composition, the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, and the potential use as food preservative of essential oils of Moroccan Achillea odorata subsp. pectinata (AOpEO) and Ruta montana (RMEO) were studied. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed the presence of 21 and 25 compounds in AOpEO and RMEO, respectively. The results showed that the major compounds of AOpEO are camphor (45.01%), bornyl acetate (15.07%), borneol (11.33%), β-eudesmol (4.74%), camphene (3.58%), and 1.8-cineole (eucalyptol) (2.96%), whereas 2-undecanone (63.97%), camphor (3.82%) and cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (3.66%) were the main components of RMEO. The antioxidant activities were evaluated by diphenylpicrylhydraziyl radical (DPPH) and reducing power assays. The antimicrobial activities of essential oils were tested against bacterial strains and food contaminant yeast using agar disc diffusion and microdilution methods. A significant antimicrobial activity of AOpEO was observed against Bacillus subtilis, Proteus mirabilis and Candida albicans, compared to RMEO. The efficacy of AOpEO was also evaluated in model food systems (cabbage and barley) artificially inoculated during storage. The results found that the adding of a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and 4× MIC were potent in decreasing the Proteus mirabilis growth in food model systems. Our findings suggested that AOpEO may be potentially used as an alternative food preservative.

Use of New Glycerol-Based Dendrimers for Essential Oils Encapsulation: Optimization of Stirring Time and Rate Using a Plackett—Burman Design and a Surface Response Methodology

“…Essential oils are natural mixtures of volatile compounds frequently used in cosmetics, perfume, and sanitary products for both their fragrance and biological activities [4][5][6][7]. Another principal characteristic of EOs is their volatility, which limits residues after treatment.…”

Studies of efficacy of Achillea species ethanol extract and honey on full thickness wound healing in diabetic albino rats

“…Achillea millefolium, one of Achillea species was proved to prevent biofilms formation of Staphylococcus genus bacteria, the most common cutaneous bacterial commensals 19 . Antimicrobial property of Achillea was also demonstrated by others Benali et al 20 using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Herman and Herman 21 reported that Achillea species were among herbal substances used for burn wounds management due to its antimicrobial effect.…”

Anti-Proliferative Properties, Biocompatibility, and Chemical Composition of Different Extracts of Plantago major Medicinal Plant

“…Fatty acids, such as oleic acid, linoleic acid, and palmitic acid, are important sources with antimicrobial and antifungal activities [18] . The antimicrobial properties of P. major are attributed to the presence of camphor, bornyl acetate, and borneol compounds; the biological activities of these compounds have previously been investigated [49] .…”