Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Hesperis isatidea (Boiss.) DAGerman & Al-Shehbaz Essential Oil

The essential oils of aerial parts of Hesperis isatidea were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the first time in the present study. The major components were determined as benzyl salicylate (13.40%), phytol (9.66%), benzyl benzoate (8.57%), undecanal (8.45%), and linalool (5.71%). The essential oil exhibited notable antibacterial activity against Clostridium perfringens, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 125 mu g/mL, and Escherichia coli, with an MIC of 62.5 mu g/mL. However, it showed limited effectiveness against Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes, both with an MIC of 250 mu g/mL, and no antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis and Bacillus cereus. The results demonstrate that the essential oil possesses selective antibacterial properties, especially against specific Gram-negative bacteria, indicating its potential as a valuable complementary antimicrobial agent.