Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate Senecio anteuphorbium, an endemic plant growing in West Morocco and widely used in local folk medicine. The essential oil (EO) extracted from the aerial parts was analyzed by gas chromatography and tested for allelopathic activity. The quantitation of the volatiles was carried out by means of GC-FID with response factors, which were validated through reliable calibration procedures, based on external and internal standardization. This analytical approach allowed to define the real concentration of each constituent (weight%, g/100 g) alongside the conventional relative percent. On the other hand, the identification process was supported by a dual matching based on both mass spectra and retention indices. The essential oil resulted in being rich in sesquiterpenes, with the predominant constituents being bicyclogermacrene (22.75 g/100 g), spathulenol (25.26 g/100 g), epi-γ-eudesmol (6.8 g/100 g), and selina-4,11-diene (5.08 g/100 g). The allelopathic effect was evaluated by studying the inhibition of the germination and growth of Lactuca sativa seeds. A potent allelopathic effect was recorded by the essential oil at a dose of 0.281 mg/mL, with almost a total inhibition of germination.
Highlights
The hydro-distillation extraction of the aerial parts of S. anteuphorbium from Taghazout region yielded 0.3% (v/w) of oil distillates. This essential oil (EO) was characterized by a dark brown color, an oily appearance, a density of 0.9 g/mL, and a freezing point above −21 ◦ C
With regard to the yield, 0.15% was that obtained from S. anteuphorbium harvested in Essaouira region [20]
S. anteuphorbium can be safely described as a sesquiterpene-rich oil, reporting as predominant components bicyclogermacrene (25.02%)
Summary
The use of natural resources has attracted the attention of many researchers due to their diversity, durability, bioactivity, and eco-friendly characteristics. The use of essential oils as natural antioxidants attracts the interest of many scientists and researchers due to their utility in the prophylaxis and treatment of diseases related to oxidative stress [4]. Speaking, an essential oil is usually regarded as a complex sample comprising a wide variety of volatile compounds strictly embedded with each other in a matrix. To unravel such an intricate composition, the high separation power of gas chromatography works as the most effective technique.
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