Essential Oil from Aerial Parts of Wild Algerian Rosemary: Screening of Chemical Composition, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities

Essential oils from the aerial parts of 15 samples of Algerian Rosmarinus officinalis L. were analysed by gas chromatography (GC) and Gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. Thirty eight components have been characterized; among the monoterpene hydrocarbons α-pinene, camphene and limonene were individuated as the main components; camphor, 1,8-cineole and borneol were the principal oxygenated compounds, caryophyllene, α-bisabolol and partly humulene were the most represented sesquiterpenes. The scavenging activity of the oils was determined by the DPPH model system. The SC50 (Scavenging Concentration) values were in the range 120.4-326.1 μL/mL, representing a moderate antioxidant effectiveness. Essential oils were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus; as well as against ten fungal strains belonging to Aspergillus, Alternaria, Candida, Fusarium, Penicillium and Saccharomyces genera. The results showed a moderate antimicrobial activity. The Algerian rosemary essential oils could be promising sources of biologically active compounds if they receive further studies on their biological properties.