title: Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oils of Thymus algeriensis, Eucalyptus globulus and Rosmarinus officinalis from Morocco.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study reports on the antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) of Thymus algeriensis, Eucalyptus globulus and Rosmarinus officinalis from Morocco.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The composition of these species was analysed by GC-MS, and 65 components were identified. Eucalyptus globulus EO showed a great similarity with EOs from other regions, with 1,8-cineole (79.85%) the major component. Also rich in this constituent was Rosmarinus officinalis (43.99%). However, the chemical profile of Thymus algeriensis was rather different, and for the first time such a high content of borneol (23.48%) has been described in this EO. The antimicrobial activity of these species has also been studied against seven pathogenic and spoiling bacteria of significant importance. According to the results, Thymus algeriensis showed the best bacteriostatic and bactericidal effect, followed by Eucalyptus globulus and Rosmarinus officinalis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As far as we know this is the first time that minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentration values have been reported for Eucalyptus globulus EO. Our data support the possible use of this EO as well as Thymus algeriensis EO, as potential natural agents in preservatives for food and pharmaceutical products.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Production and Food Science, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain.
authors.forename: Abdenour
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ait-Ouazzou
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lorán
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bakkali
authors.forename: Amin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laglaoui
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rota
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Herrera
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pagán
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Conchello
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001892:Camphanes / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D000077591:Eucalyptol; D005052:Eucalyptus / Q000737:chemistry*; D005520:Food Preservatives / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D009018:Morocco; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial / Q000737:chemistry; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D027542:Rosmarinus / Q000737:chemistry*; D046930:Thymus Plant / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001892:Camphanes; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D005520:Food Preservatives; D039821:Monoterpenes; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; C053775:rosemary oil; C022871:isoborneol; D000077591:Eucalyptol