Kundmannia sicula is an herbaceous plant belonging to the family Apiaceae and distributed in the Mediterranean coastal areas where occurs in arid places. In this work we have analysed the essential oil distilled from the aerial parts of K. sicula from Sicily (Italy) by GC-MS and evaluated its antioxidant capacity and cytotoxicity on three human tumor cells (A375, MDA MB-231 and HCT 116) by DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and MTT methods, respectively. The essential oil resulted very rich of the sesquiterpene hydrocarbon germacrene D (81.2%). Moreover, the K. sicula oil displayed relevant scavenging activity towards the ABTS radical (IC50 values of 14.5 µg/ml) and noteworthy antiproliferative effects on tumor cell lines (IC50 values in the range 21.59-31.94 µg/ml). Results of this study may support uses of K. sicula as a natural source of germacrene D to be exploited on an industrial level

One of the main factors affecting historical art crafts material is the biodeterioration performed by bacteria and fungi, in archives, museums or private collections. Several microorganisms cause degradation to the natural organic material such as fibers, woods, and dyes as well as to stone objects. These alterations produce deterioration of physical, chemical, mechanical and esthetic properties. Consequently, in this publication, we report the high antibacterial and antifungal activities of wild thyme essential oil, oil that can be used as an alternative natural tool in the fight against microorganisms affecting historical art crafts.Essential oil of the Thymus capitatus growing wild in northern Sicily has been extracted by hydrodistillation from aerial parts collected at different growth times. The constituents of the essential oil have been characterized by gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry.

Dianthus rupicola Biv. (cliffs carnation) is a camephytic, suffruticous, perennial plant growing up to 40 cm high. The plant is widespread in Sicily and neighbouring islands (Egadi, Lampedusa, Lipari) and in some areas of southern Italy. GC and GC-MS analyses of the essential oil distilled from the flowers showed the presence of 66 components. Its composition is characterised by the high content of thymol and carvacrol derivatives. A good antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus and Bacillussubtilis, both infesting cellulosic historical material, was shown, whereas the antioxidant capacity was determined to be quite poor.

In this study the chemical composition of the essential oil from aerial parts of Moluccella spinosa L. collected in Sicily was evaluated by GC and GC-MS. The main components of M. spinosa L. were α-pinene (26.6%), caryophyllene oxide (16.8%) and β-caryophyllene (8.6%). A comparison with other studied oils of genus Moluccella is made. Antibacterial and antifungal activities against some microorganisms infesting historical textiles were also determined.

The chemical composition of the essential oil from aerial parts of L. nepetaefolia (L.) R. Br. collected in Nicaragua was evaluated by GC and GC-MS. The main components were (Z)-phytol (22.8%), caryophyllene oxide (18.9%) and hexahydrofarnesylacetone (9.0%). The antibacterial activity against several Gram + and Gram-bacteria, including Bacillus cereus and B. subtilis, both infesting historical cellulosic material, was also determined. B. cereus, B. subtilis and Staphylococcus epidermis were the most affected by the action of the oil.