BIOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF Origanum onites L.FROM TURKEY

摘要

This study investigates the phytochemical composition,antimicrobial,and antioxidant potential of oregano flowers {Origanum onites L.)cultivated in Turkey.Thirty two compounds were identified in essential oil(4.12%)and carvacrol(48.22%)was found to be the major component.The essential oil was tested against different foodborne pathogens,as it exhibited pronounced antimicrobial effect only against Staphylococcus aureus in the concentrations 0.05-1.15 mg/ml.The total phenolic content recalculated as gallic acid(GAE)to dry weight(dw)and the total flavonoid content expressed as quercetin(QE)to dw were determined in 95 and 70% ethanol extracts.In addition,the antioxidant activity of both extracts were evaluated by the methods 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl,2,2 azinobis(3)ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid,ferric reducing antioxidant power assay and modified cupric reducing antioxidant capacity.The highest values of total phenolic and the total flavonoid were found in 70% ethanol extract 29.54 mg GAE/g dw and 5.16 QE/g dw,respectively.In addition,the amino acid composition characterised this plant as a natural source of essential and non-essential amino acids.