Abstract
The objectives of this study were (a) to obtain the essential oils (by hydrodistillation [HD] and microwave‐assisted extraction [MAE] methods) to determine the effect of the oil extraction method on the chemical composition, oil yield (%), free radical scavenging activity (IC50), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) value, and antimicrobial properties of Thymus vulgaris (thyme) and Thymbra spicata (zahter); and (b) to determine the effect of different solvents (methanol [80%] and ethanol [80%]) on extraction by means of the phenolic acid composition, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, IC50, and FRAP value of thyme and zahter. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis showed that the amount of thymol (55.35%; 50.53%) and p‐cymene (11.2%; 11.79%) was found to be highest in thyme, when using HD and MAE, respectively. However, the highest amounts of carvacrol (68.20%; 66.91%) and γ‐terpinene (13.25%; 13.94%) were found in zahter, when using HD and MAE, respectively. Thyme essential oil had higher antioxidant capacity for both HD and MAE in comparison with zahter essential oil. Methanol extracts of both thyme and zahter had higher phenolic composition in comparison with their ethanol extracts. Extracts of both plants did not show any antimicrobial properties. However, essential oils of both thyme and zahter showed antimicrobial activity against chosen bacteria. Highest inhibition zone (radius) was shown against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 9144 by the essential oils.
Highlights
Thymus vulgaris L. and Thymbra spicata var. spicata are aromatic herbs and members of the Lamiaceae family
Results showed that microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE) of zahter had a significantly (p < 0.05) higher oil yield (2.16% ± 0.16%) in comparison with its hydrodistillation (HD; 1.59% ± 0.06%)
The essential oils of both thyme and zahter obtained with MAE were darker in color
Summary
Thymus vulgaris L. (thyme) and Thymbra spicata var. spicata (zahter) are aromatic herbs and members of the Lamiaceae family. Spicata (zahter) are aromatic herbs and members of the Lamiaceae family. These perennial shrubs are found in many parts of the world, especially in the Mediterranean region (Golmakani & Rezaei, 2008). Different varieties of Lamiaceae family plants have been found in various parts of Turkey (Kizil, Toncer, Diraz, & Karaman, 2015; Sokmen et al, 2004). Both thyme and zahter have a significant culinary use. Local people prepare herbal teas from these herbs to relieve headaches, toothaches, colds, asthma, and rheumatism (Lee, Umano, Shibamoto, & Lee, 2005; Uysal, Gencer, & Oksal, 2015)
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