The geographical variation and antimicrobial activity of African wormwood (Artemisia afra Jacq.) essential oil

Viljoen A. M., van Vuuren S. F., Gwebu T., Demirci B., Baser K. H. C.

JOURNAL OF ESSENTIAL OIL RESEARCH, vol.18, pp.19-25, 2006 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 18
  • Publication Date: 2006
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/10412905.2006.12067114
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF ESSENTIAL OIL RESEARCH
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.19-25
  • Keywords: Artemisia afra, Asteraceae, essential oil composition, 1,8-cineole, artemisia ketone, alpha-thujone, beta-thujone, artemisia alcohol, camphor, antimicrobial activity, death kinetics
  • Anadolu University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The aerial parts of 16 individual Artemisia afra plants from four natural populations were hydrodistilled and the essential oil analyzed by GC/MS. The oil composition varied quantitatively and qualitatively within and between natural populations and showed no correlation to the geographical distribution. The antimicrobial activity was demonstrated by means of time-kill methodology using the respiratory pathogens C. neoformans and K pneumoniae. Antimicrobial activity was most prominent within 10 min at concentration 0.75% for K pneumoniae and within 60 min at concentration 1% for C. neoformans. Investigation of the four major compounds most abundant in the A. afra oil (artemisia ketone, 1,8-cineole, alpha- and beta-thujone) indicated minimal antimicrobial activity when investigated independently and in various combinations against K pneumoniae.