Scientific Studies on the Variability of Phytochemical, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Essential Oils of Thymus hirtus sp. algeriensis
Fatma Guesmi *
Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, Tunisia.
Saidi Issam
Research Unit of Macromolecular Biochemistry and Genetics, Faculty of Sciences of Gafsa, 2112, Tunisia
Hfaiedh Najla
Research Unit of Macromolecular Biochemistry and Genetics, Faculty of Sciences of Gafsa, 2112, Tunisia.
Ahmed Landoulsi
Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, Tunisia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Objectives: To delineate the mechanism of action of bioactive compounds extracted from the aerial parts of Thymus algeriensis collected from four mounts in Tunisia.
Materials and Methods: Essential oil phenolic content was measured, and its effect on the free radicals was investigated, along with their antibacterial potential following exposure to various doses.
Results: Our finding suggested that the essential oil of four populations contain a high amount of phenolic compounds. The antioxidant effect was detected with a low dose of Thymus samples. Whereas, T. algeriensis collected in the Orbata location exhibited the moderate antiradical effect. The exposure to thyme essential oils suppressed the bacteria strains growth. TJO and TJB exhibited the best antibacterial activities amongst all essential oil.
Conclusion: The volatile compounds and its antiradical and antibacterial effects support the effectiveness of Thyme towards several diseases.
Keywords: Thymus Eos, phenolic content, DPPH, FRAP, antibacterial effect