Analysis of essential oil composition of Thymbra spicata var. spicata: Antifungal, antibacterial and antimycobacterial activities

Abstract

The fresh leaves and brine of leaves of Thymbra spicata var. spicata (KARAKIZ (TM)) were analyzed by hydrodistillation, headspace and GC/MS techniques. The main components were determined as carvacrol, p-cymene, beta-myrcene, gamma-terpinene, alpha-terpinene and trans-caryophyllene. The essential oil and the main compounds, carvacrol and trans-caryophyllene, have been tested against E. coli, S. epidermidis, B. subtilis, S. aureus, S. typhimurium, K. pneumoniae, P aeruginosa, E. faecalis and C. albicans. While the essential oil and carvacrol showed strong activity against all microorganisms, except P aeruginosa, trans-caryophyllene showed activity only against C albicans. The essential oil and carvacrol also showed strong antimycobacterial activity.