Micromeria myrtifolia: Essential Oil Composition and Biological Activity

Detailed chemical composition of the essential oil of Micromeria myrtifolia Boiss. & Hohen., as well as its antioxidant and enzymatic activity, was analyzed. The most abundant constituents of the oil were sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, beta-caryophyllene (40.8%) and alpha-copaene (17.9%), followed by oxygenated sesquiterpene, caryophyllene oxide (13.5 %). Antioxidant activity of the oil was tested via 8 different methods based on reduction of both radicals and stable metal cations. The oil of M. myrtifolia showed weaker, but still comparable activity with the known antioxidants, butylated hydroxyanisole and disodium edetate, that are used as positive controls. In addition, the essential oil of this aromatic plant species revealed strong inhibitory effects against tyrosinase and alpha-amylase. Present results suggest the use of the essential oil of endemic M. myrtifolia in a wide variety of applications in food and pharmacological industries.