Antimicrobial activity and essential oil composition of Cuminum cyminum L. and Carum carvi L. seeds from Iran

摘要

The essential oils of Cuminum cymnum and Carum carviseeds obtained from Iran, were screened for their antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans and Escherichia coli. Essential oils were obtained by hydro-distillation using Clevenger type apparatus during approximately 3 hours and analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Forty one components were identified in C. cyminumoil that represented 99.98% of the oil. The main components of the oil were, α-Terpinene-7-al (33.48%), n-Dodecane (25.54%), Cumin aldehyde (14.56%), 1,8-Cineole (9.4%), α-Terpinene (4.76%) and Sabinene (4.74%). Forty one components were identified in C. carvioil that represented 99.97% of the oil. The main components of the oil were,.-Terpinene (17.79%), .-Terpinene-7-al (16.81%), 9-epi-(E)-Caryophyllene (14.92%),Cumin aldehyde (13.68%), α-Terpinene-7-al (7.21%), p-Cymene (5.21%) and Limonene (4.40%).Antimicrobial activity of the essential oils were evaluated by disc diffusion methods. The oils showed high antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans andEscherchia colitwo medically important pathogens