Bioactive compounds, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of endemic Origanum hypericifolium O.Schwartz & P.H. Davis in Turkey

Abstract

The chemical composition, total phenolic content, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities with oxidant status of the essential oils from Turkish endemic species, Origanum hypericifolium, were investigated. Steam distillation was used to isolate the essential oils, and the chemical analyses were performed by GC-MS. The antimicrobial activity was tested by agar disc diffusion method against Morganella morganii, Micrococcus flavus, Micrococcus luteus NRLL B-4375, Proteus vulgaris RSKK 96026, Escherichia coli ATCC 11230, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Yersinia enterocolitica RSKK 1501, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25933, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 12598, Staphylococcus aureus (clinic isolate), MRSA 1 (clinic isolate), MRSA 2 (clinic isolate), MRSA 3 (clinic isolate), and MRSA 4 (clinic isolate). The major compounds found in volatiles of O. hypericifolium were p-cymene, carvacrol and γ-terpinene. Results showed that O. hypericifolium had a potential of being used in food and medicine because of its antioxidant and antibacterial activity.