Bassem Jamoussi

Chemical composition, phytotoxic and antifungal activities of Pinus pinea essential oil

The chemical composition of essential oils isolated by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts of Tunisian Pinus pinea Linn. was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Sixty-six compounds were identified, representing 98.5% of total oil, which was found to be rich in monoterpene hydrocarbons (73.1%) particularly limonene (54.1%), α-pinene (7.7%), and β-pinene (3.4%). The yield and the physico-chemical properties were determined. Results of the antifungal activity study by in vitro contact assay showed that P. pinea oil significantly inhibited the growth of ten plant pathogenic fungi. Moreover, herbicidal properties of the oil, tested on Sinapis arvensis L., Lolium rigidum Gaud., and Raphanus raphanistrum L., indicated that the oil completely inhibited the seed germination at a high concentration, while at low doses the oil acted by decreasing and delaying the germination and inhibiting the seedling growth of all tested weeds unlike the commercial herbicide. Our results showed that P. pinea essential oil could be valorized as bioproduct for biocontrol of weeds and fungal plant diseases.

Chemical composition, physico-chemical properties, antifungal and herbicidal activities of Pinus halepensis Miller essential oils

The chemical composition, physico-chemical properties, and antifungal and herbicidal activities of essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation from needles, stems and cones of Pinus halepensis Miller were investigated. The chemical composition analysed by GC and GC/MS varied significantly among organs. Among the 67 identified components, α-pinene (63% and 51.7%, respectively, in stems and cones) and (Z)-caryophyllene (33.9% in needles) were found to be the major ones. Moreover, it was found that chemical composition of essential oils extracted from different organs of P. halepensis Miller growing in Tunisia showed noteworthy differences with the same species cultivated in Algeria, Morocco, Greece and Italy based on a comparison with published results. In addition, the physico-chemical properties of essential oils from different organs of P. halepensis were analysed. The analysis of the refraction index, density and acid index of different oil samples showed a weak variability among organs. The in vitro antifungal activity of the essential oil samples evaluated against 10 cultivated crop fungi was found to be low, probably due to the low level of oxygenated compounds in P. halepensis oils. In contrast, the herbicidal activity investigated towards three common weeds in Tunisian cereal crops was very strong and seed germination was inhibited at 2 μl ml− 1. Thus, P. halepensis essential oil appears to have more value as a bioherbicide than as a biofungicide.

Comparative study of two coniferous species (Pinus pinaster Aiton and Cupressus sempervirens L. var. dupreziana [A. Camus] Silba) essential oils: chemical composition and biological activity

Maritime pine ( Pinus pinaster Aiton) and Saharan cypress ( Cupressus sempervirens L. var. dupreziana [A. Camus] Silba) are two cone-bearing seed coniferous woody plants. The chemical composition of their essential oils, isolated from needles and leaves by hydrodistillation, was analyzed with gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS). A total of 66 and 28 compounds were identified, which represented 99.5% and 98.9% of total pine and cypress oils, respectively. Pinus pinaster oil was found to be rich in α-pinene (31.4%), (Z)-caryophyllene (28%), and α-humulene (6.7%); it was characterized by relatively high amounts of monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (44.5% and 46.3%, respectively). The major components identified in cypress oil were manoyl oxide (34.7%), α-pinene (31.8%), α-humulene (9%), and 6-3-carene (8.7%). Results of in vitro antifungal test assays showed that both oils significantly inhibit the growth of 10 plant pathogenic fungi. Herbicidal effects of the oils on seed germination, seed vigor, and seedling growth of three common crop weeds Sinapis arvensis L., Phalaris paradoxa L., and Raphanus raphanistrum L. were also determined; the oils completely inhibited seed germination and seedling growth of all the weeds.

Chemical composition, phytotoxic and antifungal properties of Ruta chalepensis L. essential oils.

The chemical composition, and phytotoxic and antifungal activities of the essential oils isolated by using hydrodistillation from the aerial parts of Tunisian rue were evaluated. Significant variations were observed among harvest periods. The analysis of the chemical composition by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry showed that 2-undecanone (33.4–49.8%), 2-heptanol acetate (13.5–15.4%) and α-pinene (9.8–11.9%) were the main components. The antifungal ability of rue essential oils was tested by using disc agar diffusion against ten plant pathogenic fungi. A high antifungal activity was observed for the essential oil isolated at flowering developmental phase. Furthermore, rue essential oils showed high level of herbicidal activity against several weeds.

Allelopathic effects of essential oils of Pinus halepensis Miller: chemical composition and study of their antifungal and herbicidal activities

The chemical composition, phytotoxic and antifungal activities of the essential oils isolated by hydrodistillation from the needles of Tunisian Aleppo pine harvested from different provenances were evaluated. The chemical composition analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) revealed variability among provenances displaying interesting chemotypes, (Z)-caryophyllene (16.16–28.9%), β-myrcene (8.5–22.9%), α-pinene (11.7–13.14%), β-pinene (3.13–11.8%), bicyclogermacrene (5.2–12.37%), α-terpinolene (8.11–11.01%) and α-humulene (2.85–5.2%), which were the main components in the oil. Antifungal ability of Aleppo pine oils was tested by disc agar diffusion against 10 phytopathogenic fungi. Weak antifungal activity was observed for the essential oils isolated. Furthermore, in contrast, the herbicidal activity investigated for three common weeds in Tunisian cereal crops was very strong and seed germination was inhibited at a low concentration and their herbicidal effects were higher than those of a commercial herbicide.

Activités antioxydante, apoptotique et antiproliférative de Tetraena gaetula (Emb. & Maire) Beier & Thulin et de Berberis hispanica Boiss. & Reut. originaires du Maroc

RésuméLes extraits aqueux (EA) de la partie aérienne de Tetraena gaetula et de l’écorce de la racine de Berberis hispanica ont montré d’intéressants profils immunomodulateurs dans nos travaux précédents [16,17]. Dans ce sens, nous avons entrepris des études sur les activités antiprolifératives et apoptotiques d’EA de Tetraena gaetula et de Berberis hispanica sur les sous-populations des leucocytes des rats, après avoir étudié leur pouvoir antioxydant in vitro. Nous rapportons ici que l’administration du peroxyde d’hydrogène « H2O2 » à une dose de 34 mg/kg de poids corporel (p.c.) de l’animal, utilisé comme lot témoin, induit une prolifération incontrôlée du cycle cellulaire des sous-populations leucocytaires. Nous avons également noté une activité antiproliférative importante après le traitement avec l’EA de Tetraena gaetula à 300 mg/kg, p.c., avec un arrêt du cycle en phase G0/G1 (85 %) et une apparition d’un pic pré-G0/G1 (14 %). Dans cette étude, nous avons également évalué, au moyen de deux tests, les activités antioxydantes (test DPPH) et apoptotiques (annexine V-FITC/IP). À ce propos, nos extraits ont montré une activité antioxydante, avec une plus grande activité in vitro de l’EA de Berberis hispanica (IC 50 = 0,2 mg/ml). Nous avons également noté une activité apoptotique in vivo des deux extraits de Berberis hispanica et de Tetraena gaetula respectivement à 80 et 300 mg/kg, p.c., probablement via des voies différentes. L’analyse phytochimique a révélé la présence d’alcaloïdes et des coumarines dans l’EA de Berberis hispanica, de saponines de type triterpénoïde et d’alcaloïdes à noyau tropolone dans l’EA de Tetraena gaetula. En conclusion, notre travail a mis en évidence le pouvoir antioxydant, antiprolifératif et apoptotique des EA de Berberis hispanica et de Tetraena gaetula, in vitro et in vivo. Ces résultats peuvent contribuer à l’élaboration de nouveaux médicaments anticancéreux d’origine naturelle complémentaires à la médication chimique.AbstractThe aqueous extracts (AE) of aerial part of Tetraena gaetula and root bark of Berberis hispanica showed some interesting immunomodulatory activities in our previous works [16,17]. In this sense we undertook studies on the antiproliferative and apoptotic activities of AE of Tetraena gaetula and Berberis hispanica on leukocyte subpopulations in rats, after studying their antioxydant power in vitro. Here, we report that administration of hydrogen peroxide “H2O2” at a dose of 34 mg/kg of animal body-weight (b.w.), used as control, causes uncontrolled proliferation of the cell cycle of leukocytes subpopulation. The higher antiproliferative activity was observed with the AE of Tetraena gaetula (300 mg/kg, b.w.), inducing a cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase (85%) with the appearance of sub-G0/G1 peak detection (14%) for Tetraena gaetula. According to the antioxydant (DPPH test) and apoptotic profiles (annexine V-FITC/IP) tests, our extracts show a radical-scavenging power with a higher in vitro activity for AE of Berberis hispanica (IC 50 = 0,2 mg/ml). We also noted an in vivo apoptotic activity of AE of Berberis hispanica and Tetraena gaetula, respectively at 80 and 300 mg/kg, b.w. in the same order, probably by different pathways. Further, the phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids and coumarins in AE of Berberis hispanica, and triterpenoid saponins and tropolone-alkaloids in the Tetraena gaetula ones. Therefore, this work demonstrated an antioxidant, antiproliferative and apoptotic activities of AE of Berberis hispanica and Tetraena gaetula, in vitro and in vivo. These results may contribute to the development of natural anticancer-drugs, complementary to chemical medication.

Propriétés antifongiques des huiles essentielles de Biota orientalis L.

RésuméLa composition chimique des huiles essentielles d’aiguilles et de cônes de Biota orientalis L. extraites par hydrodistillation a été analysée par chromatographie gazeuse associée à une détection à ionisation de flamme (CG-DIF) et par chromatographie gazeuse couplée à la spectrométrie de masse (CG-SM). Vingt et un composés ont été identifiés chez l’huile essentielle de Biota orientalis, qui s’est avérée particulièrement riche en monoterpènes hydrocarbonés. Des différences quantitatives principalement ont été observées entre les aiguilles et les cônes, quoiqu’ils affichent le même chémotype. Pour les deux huiles, α-pinène (67 et 47 % respectivement chez les cônes et les aiguilles), β-phellandrène (5,1 et 10,9 %) et α-cédrol (4,6 et 7,5 %) constituent les composés majeurs identifiés. L’étude de leur activité antifongique vis-à-vis d’une dizaine de champignons phytopathogènes a révélé des propriétés intéressantes qui pourraient être valorisées en tant que biofongicide.AbstractThe chemical composition of essential oils isolated by hydrodistillation from needles and cones of Biota orientalis L. was analyzed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Twenty one compounds were identified in Biota orientalis essential oil which appeared to be rich in monoterpene hydrocarbons. Quantitative differences mainly, between cone and needle oils, were observed, although they displayed the same chemotype. For both oils, α-pinene (67 and 47% respectively in cones and needles), β-phellandrene (5.1 and 10.9%) and α-cedrol (4.6 and 7.5%) were the major constituents. The study of their antifungal activity towards ten plants pathogenic fungi revealed interesting properties that could be applied as biofungicide.

Activity antifungal of the essential oils; aqueous and ethanol extracts from Citrus aurantium L.

Our study is about the essential oil of Citrus aurantium L. in Tunisia and its plant extract. The yield of this essential oil is 0, 56% but the yield of the extract of plant was 17.1% for the aqueous extract ant 18.3% for the ethanolic extract. The analysis of chemical composition by using GC and GC/MS showed the essential oil of C. aurantium L. species to be rich in monoterpenes such as α-terpineol, lianolyl acetate, linalool and limonene. The antifungal activity of this oil showed us an inhibition of the germination of mushrooms, in the same way we could note that the biologic activities are generally assigned to the chemotypes high content in oxygenated monoterpene.

Essential oils as biological alternatives to protect date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) against Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The aims of this research were to determine the chemical composition of the essential oil of three Tunisian plants and to evaluate their biological activity against eggs, larvae, and adult insects of Ectomyelois ceratoniae Zeller. The essential oils extracted from leaves of Thymus capitatus (L.) Hoffmanns. & Link, Rosmarinus officinalis L. and needles of Pinus halepensis Mill. were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; 34, 16, and 56 constituents were identified, respectively. The major constituents were (Z)-caryophyllene (23.8%), β-myrcene (20.5%) and α-pinene (13.3%) in P. halepensis oil, carvacrol (66.9%), p-cymene (9.1%), and δ-terpinene (6.2%) in T. capitatus oil and 1,8-cineole (47.5%), camphor (14.9%), α-pinene (14.1%), and borneol (13.1%) in R. officinalis oil. The insecticidal effects of essential oils on eggs, larvae, and adults of E. ceratoniae were investigated. Ovicidal activity of oils was studied by spray on eggs while larvicidal and adulticidal activities were assessed by fumigation and spray. Number of hatched eggs was verified after 10 d, larva and adult mortalities were observed after 6, 12, and 24 h. Globally, eggs and larvae were the most resistant to the three different oils, needing higher doses to obtain a higher mortality. The spray method was most effective than fumigation. Essential oil extracted from T. capitatus proved to be very toxic towards E. ceratoniae on all three phases at the dose of 20 μL mL-1 (100% inhibition), followed by the oil from R. officinalis (90-100% inhibition), nevertheless, weak activity was obtained with P. halepensis oil (68.3-85% inhibition). Results obtained may suggest that the essential oils of T. capitatus and R. officinalis possess high insecticidal activity and therefore, can be used in biotechnological application as natural preservative in stored dates and could be useful in managing populations of E. ceratoniae in field.

Chemical Composition and Herbicidal Effects of Essential Oils of Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf, Eucalyptus cladocalyx, Origanum vulgare L and Artemisia absinthium L. cultivated in Morocco

Abstract This study is designed to examine the chemical composition of the hydrodistillated essential oils obtained from Cymbopogon citratus ( DC) Stapf, Eucalyptus cladocalyx, Origanum vulgare L, and Artemisia absinthium L. GC and GC-MS analysis of the four oils has shown a determination of 18 different components representing 89.3 % of the total oil for Cymbopogon citratus ( DC) Stapf that are neral (29.2 %) and geranial (18.2 %), followed by α-pinene (4.8 %) and myrcene (3.9 %) which are determined as the major compounds of the oil; for Eucalyptus cladocalyx oil there are 29 different components representing 79.0 % of the total oil, the major components are spathulenol (21.6 %) and 1,8-cineole (20.5 %), followed by p-cymene (15.1 %); for Origanum vulgare L. oil there are 25 different components representing 87.6 % of the total oil, the major components are carvacrol (34.0 %) and γ-terpinene (21.6 %), followed by p-cymene (9.4 %) and for Artemisia absinthium L. oil there are 26 different components representing 72.3 % of the total oil, which are determined as the major compounds of the oil. On the other hand, the four oils were experimented for their herbicidal activity against Sinapis avensis weed at different concentration then compared with commercial herbicides (2.4 D and glyophosate). The four essential oils have presented an interesting activities, the activity of C. citratus (DC) Stapf and E. cladocalyx have been evaluated as important. In the light of these findings, we suggested that the four essential oils may be considered as an interesting sources of bioherbicide components used as potent agents in weeds control.