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The plants of the Apiaceae family are mainly used for food purposes and their multiple therapeutic properties and biological activities. This study aims to determine the chemical composition of Essential Oil (EO) of the fruits of Smyrnium olusatrum L. obtained by hydrodistillation in Clevenger-type apparatus. GC/MS analyzed the EO and the antibacterial activity was evaluated against clinical bacterial strains by two complementary methods (Disc diffusion and micro-atmosphere) and determination of Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). The results of chemical composition show that the EO is dominated by hydrocarbon monoterpenes (55,95%). The antibacterial effect shows that Gram-positive bacteria are the most sensitive to the inhibitory action of EO with inhibition zone diameters (DZI) ranging from 18 to 20 mm for Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus faecium strains. The same results were reported with the micro-atmosphere

The present work aims to study the chemical composition of Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn essential oil and its antibacterial activity against three important phytopathogenic Gram-negative bacteria: Erwinia amylovora, Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. caroto-vorum, and Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi. The chemical composition of P. aquilinum L. essential oil produced by hydrodistillation was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The antibacterial activity was tested using disk diffusion method and by determination of minimum inhibitory concentration values. The major components were linalool (10.29%), carvacrol (8.15%), benzaldehyde (5.95%), 2-undecanone (5.32%), and cuminaldehyde (4.57%). The essential oil tested revealed a powerful antibacterial effect against all tested strains, with inhibition zone diameters ranging from 32.0 ± 0.58 to 33.7 ± 0.88 mm. P. aquilinum EO contained 32.86% of oxygenated monoterpenes, which are known for their very powerful antimicrobial activities. The minimum inhibitory concentration values showed that P. aquilinum essential oil has very strong activity against E. amylovora (0.625 ul/ml), followed by P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (2.50 ul/ml) and P. savastanoi pv. savastanoi (5.00 ul/ml). The results obtained could contribute to the development of new potential agents for the control of bacterial diseases.

In the present study, we were interested in conducting an ethnobotanical survey on Mountain germander: Teucrium polium L growing wild in the region of Djelfa, known locally as Dj'aaida, with the aim of knowing its different Traditional and medicinal uses. With the help of 100 questionnaires, an ethnobotanical survey was carried out with people using currently medicinal plants (villagers and herbalists). The survey revealed a multitude of results on the use of this plant, the plant’s used parts and the treated diseases. Thus, it is very well known in all age groups with a predominance among people aged between 30 to 50 years. Its use allows them to minimize the physical loads required by doctors and pharmacists. Leafy branches are the most used parts (80%). The use of mountain germander is traditionally recommended for the treatment of infected wounds, burners and wounds (26%), gastric ulcer (24%), and diabetes (20%). It is recommended in cases of newborns vomiting and lack of appetite (12%), fever reduction (10%) and abdominal pain (8%).

Despite the reputation earned by aromatic and medicinal plants of Algeria, the chemical constituents of Eucalyptus globulus essential oil (EGEO) of Blida origin has not previously been investigated. Thus, the present study has been conducted for the determination of chemical constituents and different physico-chemical properties of the EGEO. Chemical composition of the EGEO, grown in Algeria, was analysed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. The chemical components were identified on the basis of Retention Time and comparing with mass spectral database of standard compounds. Relative amounts of detected compounds were calculated on the basis of GC peak areas. Fresh leaves of E. globulus on steam distillation yielded 0.96 % (v/w) of essential oil whereas the analysis resulted in the identification of a total of 11 constituents, 1.8 cineole (85.8 %), α-pinene (7.2 %), and β-myrcene (1.5 %) being the main components. Other notable compounds identified in the oil were β-pinene, limonene, α-phellandrene, γ-terpinene, linalool, pinocarveol, terpinen-4-ol, and α-terpineol. The physical properties such as specific gravity, refractive index and optical rotation and the chemical properties such as saponification value, acid number and iodine number of the EGEO were examined. The oil extracted has been analyzed to have 1.4602 - 1.4623 refractive index value, 0.918 - 0.919 specific gravity (sp.gr.), +9 - +10 optical rotation that satisfy the standards stipulated by European Pharmacopeia. All the physical and chemical parameters were in the range indicated by the ISO standards. Our findings will help to access the quality of the Eucalyptus oil which is important in the production of high value essential oils that will help to improve the economic condition of the community as well as the nation.

Several essential oils of medicinal plants possess proven antimicrobial activity and are suitable for applications on the food industry. The oil from Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) has been reported to have a wide range of biological activities. However, there are few controlled studies confirming its antimicrobial activity. The aim of our study was to assess the antimicrobial potential of lemongrass oil against a wide spectrum of food spoilage and pathogenic bacteria and yeast in liquid and vapour phase. The chemical composition of the oil was analyzed by gas chromatography; 14 components were identified and geranial (28.93 %), neral (24.30 %) and myrcene (23.92 %) were the most abundant constituents. Lemongrass oil showed potent antimicrobial activity against Gram positive bacteria and exhibited the strongest antifungal effect against Candida albicans and C. parapsilosis. Minimum inhibitory concentration varied from 0.019 to 1.25 mg mL−1 for Gram positive bacteria and yeasts, indicating Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis and C. albicans as the most susceptible strains. Moreover, the diameter of inhibition zone (DIZ) increased with increasing essential oil (EO) volume. Considerably superior antimicrobial activity was observed in the vapour phase. The DIZ resulting from the exposure to EO vapour was significantly larger than that from the same volume in the liquid phase. The DIZ varied from 22 to 90 mm for Candida strains. There is growing evidence that EO in vapour phase are effective antimicrobial systems and that they do have advantages over the use of oil in liquid phase. Our results imply that lemongrass oil could be useful for the development of novel types of natural preservatives for food control.

The aim of this study was to analyse the chemical composition of essential oil of rose-scented geranium ( Pelargonium graveolens L.) growing in Algeria and to test the efficacy of the oil against food spoilage and food-borne pathogens. The chemical composition of the oil was analysed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). A total of 45 compounds representing 94.2% of the essential oil were identified. The main constituents were citronellol (30.2%), citronellyl formate (9.3%) and geraniol (7.6%). The antimicrobial activity of essential oil was evaluated against 23 food spoilage microorganisms in liquid and vapour phase at three different concentrations (10, 20 and 30 μl/disc). The oil exhibited promising antibacterial effect against Gram positive more than Gram negative bacteria and provides a good inhibitory effect against Candida strains. Furthermore, the zone of inhibition increased with increasing oil concentration. Significantly higher antimicrobial activity was observed in the vapour phase. This is the first report on the antimicrobial properties of the essential oil of Algerian rose geranium. Our results suggest that rose-scented geranium oil could be used for the development of novel types of antibacterial agents to control food spoilage and food-borne pathogens.

Myrtus nivellei Batt & Trab. est une plante saharo-endémique, très réputée au sud algérien pour ses vertus thérapeutiques en médecine populaire. Cependant, ses usages restent, toutefois, exclusivement limités au savoir-faire ancestral. Ce travail apporte une première contribution à l'investigation du pouvoir anti-oxydant des extraits méthanoliques de cette espèce récoltée in situ ainsi que des cals multipliés in vitro. Les analyses spectrophotométriques effectuées ont montré que l'extrait méthanolique de la plante récoltée in situ s'est avéré plus riche en polyphenols par rapport à l'extrait des cals. Il a éventuellement exprimé un bon pouvoir de capture des radicaux libres avec une EC50=0,98 mg/ml, et un très bon pouvoir inhibiteur de la peroxydation de l'acide linoléique estimé à 74,01%, qui s'est avéré largement supérieur à celui exprimé par l'acide ascorbique (50,57%) utilisé comme contrôle positif. Néanmoins, les extraits méthanoliques préparés à partir des cals ont exprimé le meilleur pouvoir chélateur des ions Fe2+ estimé à 66,71%.

Background: Since the available anti-inflammatory drugs exert an extensive variety of side effects, the search for new anti-inflammatory agents has been a priority of pharmaceutical industries. Aims: The aim of the present study was to assess the anti-inflammatory activities of the essential oil of rose geranium (RGEO). Methods: The chemical composition of the RGEO was investigated by gas chromatography. The major components were citronellol (29.13%), geraniol (12.62%), and citronellyl formate (8.06%). In the carrageenaninduced paw edema, five different groups were established and RGEO was administered orally in three different doses. Results: RGEO (100 mg/kg) was able to significantly reduce the paw edema with a comparable effect to that observed with diclofenac, the positive control. In addition, RGEO showed a potent anti-inflammatory activity by topical treatment in the method of croton oil-induced ear edema. When the dose was 5 or 10 µl of RGEO per ear, the inflammation was reduced by 73 and 88%, respectively. This is the first report to demonstrate a significant anti-inflammatory activity of Algerian RGEO. In addition, histological analysis confirmed that RGEO inhibited the inflammatory responses in the skin. Conclusion: Our results indicate that RGEO may have significant potential for the development of novel antiinflammatory drugs with improved safety profile. Keywords: essential oils; rose geranium; citronellol; anti-inflammatory effect; skin inflammation; histopathology; carrageenan; croton (Published: 7 October 2013) Citation: Libyan Journal of Medicine 2013, 8 : 22520 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/ljm.v8i0.22520

The present work joins in an initiative, for main objective the determination and the biochemical characterization of a medicinal plant with wide use in certain regions of Algeria. Samples of Aristoloche were collected from the region of Médéa (West of Algiers). By stream training we obtained essential oil and by hydro distillation concrete of the stalks, rhizomes and leaves. With theTLC we detect and confirm the presence of esters of Methyl in our samples. Besides, Gaz chromatography (CG), allowed us to determine the main group of fatty acids characterizing our essential oil and diluted concrete. An important proportion was showed by the palmitic acid with 22, 97 %, linoleic acid demonstrate a rate of 11, 50 %, oleic acid illustrate 7,24 %.