title: Chemical composition and antifungal activity of the essential oils of Lavandula pedunculata (Miller) Cav.
abstract: The chemical composition and antifungal activity of the essential oils of Lavandula pedunculata (Miller) Cav., harvested in North and Central Portugal, were investigated. The essential oils were isolated by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The minimal-inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimal-lethal concentration (MLC) of the essential oils and of their major constituents were used to evaluate the antifungal activity against different strains of fungi involved in candidosis, dematophytosis, and aspergillosis. The oils were characterized by a high percentage of oxygenated monoterpenes, the main compounds being 1,8-cineole (2.4-55.5%), fenchone (1.3-59.7%), and camphor (3.6-48.0%). Statistical analysis differentiated the essential oils into two main types, one characterized by the predominance of fenchone and the other one by the predominance of 1,8-cineole. Within the 1,8-cineole chemotype, two subgroups were well-defined taking into account the percentages of camphor. A significant antifungal activity of the oils was found against dermatophyte strains. The essential oil with the highest content of camphor was the most active with MIC and MLC values ranging from 0.32-0.64 microl/ml.
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, Coimbra.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zuzarte
authors.forename: Maria J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cavaleiro
authors.forename: Augusto M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Dinis
authors.forename: Jorge M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Canhoto
authors.forename: Lígia R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Salgueiro
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003883:Arthrodermataceae / Q000187:drug effects; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D027523:Lavandula / Q000737:chemistry*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010938:Plant Oils