Chemical composition and antimicrobial activities of the essential oils of Teucrium chamaedrys subsp. chamaedrys, T. orientale var. puberulens, and T. chamaedrys subsp. lydium

Abstract

The composition of the essential oils obtained from the air-dried Teucrium chamaedrys L. subsp. chamaedrys, Teucrium orientale L. var. puberulens, and Teucrium chamaedrys L. subsp. lydium (Lamiaceae) were analyzed by GC-MS. Thirty-six, 35, and 33 components were identified in the essential oils, and germacrene D (16.7%) was the most abundant constituent in T. chamaedrys subsp. chamaedrys, and β-caryophyllene was the most abundant component in both T. orientale var. puberulens and T. chamaedrys subsp. lydium in the ratios 21.7% and 19.7%, respectively. The isolated essential oils of the plants were tested for antimicrobial activity and showed moderate antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, but no antifungal activity was observed against two yeast-like fungi. © 2006 Informa Healthcare.