Effect of vegetation cycle on chemical content and antibacterial activity of Satureja montana L.

Abstract

Effect of vegetation cycle on phytochemical composition of the essential oil obtained from the aerial parts of wild-growing winter savory (Satureja montana L.) from Montenegro was analysed by GC-MS and its antibacterial activity tested at different oil concentrations. A total of 36 and 34 constituents were identified in the hydrodistilled oil obtained from herb before flowering and during flowering stage, with major components: thymol (37,36% and 27,68%), carvacrol (15,47% and 4,40%), γ-terpinene (11,75% and 8.66%) and p-cymene (7,86% and 31, 37%), respectively. The gained results revealed that essential oil of S. montana has rather significant antibacterial activity against chosen bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. Also, it was found that vegetation cycle affects the chemical composition and antibacterial activity of savory essential oil. Essential oil gained prior to herb flowering period showed stronger antibacterial activity in comparison with the oil gained during herb flowering.