Gender Dependent Differences in Composition, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Wild and Cultivated Laurus nobilis L. Leaf and Flower Essential Oils from Aegean Region of Turkey

Abstract

Laurus nobilis L. is a dioecious species that have separate female and male plants. The Aegean region of Turkey is a common place for laurel where it is cultivated for industrial purposes and wildly grown. In this study, we aimed to determine the gender-specific properties of laurel leaf and flower essential oils by means of chemical compositions and biological activities. In both genders -whether it is cultivated or notlaurel leaves presented the same yield of essential oils having almost the same compositions. According to the results, we found that the differences in yields and compositions of flower essential oils were only affiliated with gender. All essential oils performed mild antioxidant activities and significant antimicrobial effects yet essential oils of leaves were much more superior in every aspect. The alterations in the chemical composition of flower essential oils from different genders did not affect the overall biological activities so we presumed that trans-ocimene and α-terpinyl acetate were not effectual in antioxidant and antimicrobial capabilities.