Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity in the seeds of &lt;i&gt;Origanum vulgare&lt;/i&gt; L. subsp. &lt;i&gt;gracile&lt;/i&gt; (C. Koch) Ietswaart and &lt;i&gt;Origanum acutidens&lt;/i&gt; (Hand.-Mazz.) Ietswaart from Turkey

M Kurşat,P Erecevit,İ Emre,Ö Yılmaz

doi:10.3989/gya.113610

Abstract

The present study determined some biological compounds (fatty acids, vitamins, sterols and flavonoids), radical scavenging capacity and antimicrobial activity of two Origanum L. species of Origanum vulgare L. subsp. gracile (C. Koch) Ietswaart and Origanum acutidens (Hand.-Mazz.). Ietswaart. Linolenic acid was found to be the main fatty acid in both species, which was followed by palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), oleic acid (C18:1 n9), linoleic acid (C18:2 n6) and stearidonic acid (C18:4). In addition, the two Origanum species were recorded as containing high levels of stigmasterol. It was also found that Origanum vulgare L. subsp. gracile (C. Koch) Ietswaart had a high β-sitosterol content (152.8±2.6 µg/g); high amounts of D3 (33.1±0.8 µg/g), K1 (29.4±0.8 µg/g), K2 (26.0±0.8 µg/g) vitamins; and low amounts of α-tocopherol (7.8±0.2 µg/g) and D2 (1.8±0.1 µg/g), while Origanum acutidens (Hand.-Mazz.) Ietswaart contained high amounts of D2 (42.9±1.5 µg/g) vitamin; and low amounts of D3 (2.9±0.1 µg/g), α-tocopherol (3.1±0.1 µg/g), r-tocopherol (3.5±0.2 µg/g), K2 (1.3±0.1 µg/g), retinol (1.3±0.2 µg/g) and retinol acetate (1.2±0.1 µg/g) vitamins. The present study showed that Origanum vulgare L. subsp. gracile (C. Koch) Ietswaart and Origanum acutidens (Hand.-Mazz.) Ietswaart contained the lowest amount of flavonoid. Furthermore, methanol extracts were recorded to be the most effective agent against the DPPH radical in both Origanum L. species examined. Experimental results showed that the vitamins, flavonoids and fatty acid extracts of both Origanum L. species were effective in the inhibition of the growth of the tested microorganisms at varying levels.

Highlights

Reactive oxygen radicals have been detected to play a significant role in the occurrence and progression of various diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis and inflammatory injuries (Verma et al, 2009)
Origanum L. is represented by three groups, 10 sections, 43 species, 6 subspecies and 18 hybrids
Origanum is represented in Turkey by 23 species and 32 taxa and Origanum vulgare by four subspecies (Origanum vulgare L. subsp. vulgare, Origanum vulgare L. subsp. hirtum (Link) Ietswaart, Origanum vulgare L. subsp. viride (Boiss.) Hayek, Origanum vulgare L. subsp. gracile

Summary

Introduction

Reactive oxygen radicals have been detected to play a significant role in the occurrence and progression of various diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis and inflammatory injuries (Verma et al, 2009). Origanum L. is represented by three groups, 10 sections, 43 species, 6 subspecies and 18 hybrids. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity in the seeds of Origanum vulgare L. subsp. Origanum is represented in Turkey by 23 species and 32 taxa and Origanum vulgare by four subspecies Recent research has shown that oregano extracts, among all aromatic herbs, have the most effective antioxidant activity and antimicrobial properties (Milos et al, 2000; Kouri et al, 2007) and that oregano is used as an antidiabetic, carminative, tonic, stimulant, diuretic and to treat asthma (Nakiboglu et al, 2007). Flavonoids or unsaponifiable matter are among the groups of compounds able to inhibit the growth of specific microorganisms (Dib et al, 2010; Mohamed et al, 2010)

Objectives

Results

Conclusion