Composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the essential oil of Artemisia kermanensis Podl., an endemic species from Iran

The essential oil of the aerial parts of Artemisia kermanensis was analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS methods. Twenty-five compounds, accounting for 92.3% of the total oil, were identified. The main components of the oil were isoborneol (21.5%) and camphor (9.8%). The oil was found to be rich in regards to oxygenated monoterpenes (80.2%). The antimicrobial activity of oil was determined against eight bacteria and two fungal strains. The results of inhibition zone showed that this oil was active against some of the tested strains. As the results, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were the most sensitive microorganisms to the oil (having MIC value 1.25 mg/ml). The oil antioxidant activities were measured by DPPH assay and beta-carotene-linoleic acid tests. The essential oil significantly reduced the concentration of DPPH free radical (71.6%), with an efficacy higher than that of trolox (48.1%). Also, a 50% inhibition was noted in formation of peroxidation products in beta-carotene bleaching test. The activity of the oil may be due to the presence of phenolic and major compounds.