Chemical Analysis, Antimicrobial Activity, and the Essential Oils from Some Wild Herbs in Egypt

The composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils in aerial parts of Achillea fragrantissima (Forssk.) Sch. Bip., Artemisia judaica L., and Pituranthos tortuosus (Dest.) Benth & Hook collected from Southern Sinai were determined. The volatile oil yield of Achillea fragrantissima was 0.81 percent (v/w) and consisted of 18 components with thujone (57.5%) and santolina alcohol (31.4%) as the major constituents. Artemisia judaica yielded 1.57 percent (v/w) volatile oil with camphor (37.3%) and piperitone (27.4%) as the major constituents of 20 components. The volatile oil of Pituranthos tortuous (0.56%, v/w) consisted of 32 components with camphene (31.0%) as the major constituent, although the alcoholic components constituted more than 42 percent of the oil. The essential oils of both Achillea fragrantissima and Artemisia judaica inhibited the growth of all tested microorganisms, whereas Pituranthos tortuosus oil was ineffective against gram-positive bacteria. At high concentrations, the tested oils appeared more effective against mold than against yeast.