title: Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the essential oil of Artemisia echegarayi Hieron. (Asteraceae).
abstract: Artemisia echegarayi Hieron. (Asteraceae) is commonly known in Argentina as "ajenjo". Many studies report high efficacy of essential oils against food-borne pathogenic bacteria. The antimicrobial activity and minimal inhibitory concentration of A. echegarayi essential oil were evaluated against seven bacterial species of significant importance in food hygiene, by using the disc diffusion assay and the micro-well dilution method, respectively. Volatile components of the extract were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and major components were determined. Furthermore, the essential oil was tested for its antioxidant activity. The essential oil inhibited the growth of gram-positive and gram-negative tested bacteria, with the exception of Proteus mirabilis. A. echegarayi essential oil presented the lowest minimal inhibitory concentration against Listeria monocytogenes and Bacillus cereus. Two terpenes, thujone and camphor, were identified from this essential oil as the principal constituents responsible for antibacterial activity. The oil showed a free radical scavenging activity equivalent to 50% of the reference compound. These preliminary studies showed promising results since this essential oil may provide an alternative to promote its use as a natural food additive.
authors.affiliation: Area Microbiología, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, Chacabuco y Pedernera, Argentina. alaciar@unsl.edu.ar
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laciar
authors.forename: M L Vaca
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ruiz
authors.forename: R Carrizo
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Flores
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Saad
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019306:Artemisia / Q000737:chemistry*; D000081008:Bicyclic Monoterpenes; D002164:Camphor / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005503:Food Additives / Q000494:pharmacology; D005516:Food Microbiology; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D000081008:Bicyclic Monoterpenes; D005503:Food Additives; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D039821:Monoterpenes; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010938:Plant Oils; D002164:Camphor; C005790:beta-thujone