Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Fraxinus excelsior L. Seeds Essential Oil

Abstract

Background: Fraxinus excelsior L. has been traditionally used as a diuretic, carminative and gallstone crusher. The antimicrobial activity of Fraxinus excelsior L. leaves and bark extract has been confirmed against bacteria and fungi. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Fraxinus excelsior L. seed essential oil. Methods: Chemical composition of F. excelsior was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and its antimicrobial activity was evaluated by disc diffusion and micro broth dilution assays. Results: Overall, 53 components were identified in the essential oil, which constitute 99.98% of total oil composition. Carotol (16.25%), α-cadinol (13.33%), δ-cadinene (12.4%), bicyclogermacrene (10.34%), α-muurolol (9.69%), and E-caryophyllene (5.9%) were the main components of the essential oil. The essential oil showed the best activity against the standard strain of Staphylococcus aureus, while Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans had less sensitivity to it. The mean minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of the essential oil against clinical isolates of S. aureus were 0.162 ± 0.024 and 0.31 ± 0.067 μL/mL, respectively. Conclusions: Therefore, the essential oil can be a suitable candidate for further studies against staphylococcal infections.