A comparative study of chemical composition and antibacterial properties of essential oils of Tanacetum turcomanicum (Krash.) and Tanacetum walteri (C.Winkl.) from northern Khorasan Province

Abstract

<strong>Background & Aim: </strong><em>Tanacetum</em> is a member of Asteraceae family and its twelve species such as <em>Tanacetum walteri</em> are endemic to Iran. In this investigation, chemical compounds and antimicrobial activity of essential oils of <em>Tanacetum turcomanicum</em> (Krash.) and <em>Tanacetum walteri</em> (C.Winkl.) were studied.<br /> <strong>Experimental: </strong>The plants were collected from north Khorasan province of Iran, in spring of 2016. The essential oils were extracted by the hydrodistillation method using clevenger. Identification of the essential oils chemical composition was conducted by GC/MS instrument. Also, Agar well diffusion method was used to investigate its antibacterial effects against <em>E. coli, S. aureus, B. atrophaeus</em> and <em>M. luteus</em>.<br /> <strong>Results: </strong>Essential oil efficiency of <em>T. walteri</em> species was obtained 0.2% v/w. In total 92.84 percent of essence constituents of 43 components were recognized in which α-pinene (22.37%), 1,8-cineole (12.52%), camphor (11.91%) and ß-thujone (4.52%) were recognized as the main constituents. By isolating essence of <em>T. turcomanicum</em> species, 39 constituents of 89.28% of the whole essential oils were recognized with efficiency of 0.3% v/w. Davanone (20.79%), 1,8-cineole (15.63%), p-cymene (10.20%), camphor (10.14%) and borneol (4.95%) were the main components of the essence. The highest antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of <em>T. turcomanicum</em> and <em>T. walteri</em> were observed against <em>M. luteus</em>, <em>B. Atrophaeus </em>and <em>S. aureus</em>, respectively. The essential oil of <em>T.turcumanicum </em>did not show significant activity against <em>E. coli</em> bacterium.<br /> <strong>Recommended applications/industries: </strong>The results showed the environmental influences and the effect of plant species on the amount and type of volatile components of essential oils. Also, antibacterial efficacy shown by these oils provides a scientific basis and thus validates their use as medicinal remedies. Isolation and purification of different phytochemicals may yield to significant antibacterial agents.