Rapid, cost-effective and organic solvent-free production of biologically active essential oil from Mediterranean wild Origanum syriacum

• Published in: Saudi pharmaceutical journal Vol. 27; no. 5; pp. 612 - 618
• Main Authors: Shehadeh, Mayadah, Jaradat, Nidal, Al-Masri, Motasem, Zaid, Abdel Naser, Hussein, Fatima, Khasati, Ahmad, Suaifan, Ghadeer, Darwish, Rula
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Saudi Arabia Elsevier B.V 01.07.2019; Elsevier
• Subjects: Antibacterial; Antioxidant; Essential oil; GC-MS; Microwave-ultrasonic assisted hydrodistillation; Origanum syriacum; GC-MS; Essential oil; Antibacterial; Origanum syriacum; Antioxidant; Microwave-ultrasonic assisted hydrodistillation
• ISSN: 1319-0164; 2213-7475
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2019.03.001

Origanum syriacum (O. syriacum) is a very popular edible and medicinal plant in the East Mediterranean countries. The aims of the current study were to use microwave-ultrasonic assisted hydrodistillation (MUAHD) method to produce essential oils (EOs) from wild O. syriacum samples collected from four different geographical areas in The West Bank using water as a solvent, determine the phytochemical profile using GC-MS analysis and assess their antioxidant and antibacterial potential. Essential oils were produced using MUAHD method. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometer detector (GC-MS) was employed for phytochemical analysis. In vitro antibacterial and antioxidant potentials were carried out. Differences in the EOs yield among the four Origanum samples were observed. GC-MS analysis of EOs revealed terpenes as the major constituents; monoterpenes (22–56%) and oxygenated monoterpenes (28–57%). Thymol, α-terpinene and carvacrol represent the bulk of all phytochemicals detected by GC-MS analysis. γ-Terpinene-rich EOs, exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity. Thymol-rich EOs were found to be most effective against Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (MIC 390 µg/mL). Alpha-terpinene-rich chemotype EOs exhibited the highest inhibitory effect of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC of 1560 µg/mL). Interestingly, γ-terpinene-rich EO showed promising antibacterial properties against Enterococcus faecium (MIC 97 µg/mL) and a powerful anti-oxidant effect (91.45% ±2.30). The current study supports the use of MUAHD as a time-saving, cost-effective, environment-friendly method for production of high quality O. syriacum EO for potential use as a natural complementary treatment and in the prevention of bacterial infections as well as oxidation by free radicals without compromising the quantity.