Variation in essential oil composition and biological activities ofFoeniculum vulgareMill. populations growing widely in Tunisia

Abstract

Chemical composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of essential oils from 16 wild edible Tunisian Foeniculum vulgare populations were evaluated. The essential oil yields of fennel seeds ranged from 1.2 to 5.06%. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 20 compounds. Except one sample, essential oils from different locations were mainly composed of phenylpropanoid and the major compound was estragole with a percentage ranging from 66.09 to 85%. The phenolic content of fennel oils varied significantly among populations which could explain the high variation in antiradical scavenging activity. Furthermore, essential oils presented antimicrobial activity against several strains. Results showed that the Gram-positive strains of bacteria were most sensitive to fennel oils. This study encourages the use of wild fennel as a potential source of natural antioxidants and antimicrobial agents and supports an assessment of this species in several application domains. Practical applicationsThe growing interest in the use of medicinal plants in food and pharmaceutical industries has led to a systematic examination of plant extracts for their biological properties. Wild fennel is one of aromatic and medicinal plant known for its biological and pharmaceutical activities. In this study, chemical composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of fennel essential oil were analyzed with a view of their industrial applications. The variations in essential oil composition and their biological activities in different populations may provide baseline data for breeding programs and large scale multiplication for commercial cultivation of the best fennel population.

Chemical composition and antioxidant potential of essential oil and methanol extract from Tunisian and French fennel ( Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) seeds

“…From Figure , fennel seeds contained a noticeable yield of essential oil ranged from 5.26% to 3.24% for Tunisian fennel seeds (TFS) and from 4.12% to 3.81% for French fennel seeds (FFS). TFS results were significantly higher than those obtained by Khammassi et al () and in agreement with Anwar et al (), Aprotosoaie et al () and Abou El Nasr, Ibrahim, Aboud, and Al‐Kordy (). Even Tunisian and French accessions were seemed under the same pedoclimatic and cultural circumstances, the fluctuation in their essential oil yields was closely related to genetic factors while the environmental and technical parameters were negligible (Laribi, Kouki, Bettaieb, Mougou, & Marzouk, ).…”

“…From Figure 1, fennel seeds contained a noticeable yield of essential oil ranged from 5.26% to 3.24% for Tunisian fennel seeds (TFS) and from 4.12% to 3.81% for French fennel seeds (FFS). TFS results were significantly higher than those obtained by Khammassi et al (2018)…”

“…Thus, trans ‐anethole chemotype was found when studying the Algerian, Turkish, Romanian, Brazilian, Bengladeshian Indian, Portuguese, Egyptian, and Chinese essential oil seeds (Aprotosoaie et al, ; Chowdhury, Mobarok, Bhuiyan, & Nandi, ; Conforti, Statti, Uzunov, & Menichini, ; Diao, Hu, Zhang, & Xu, ; Hammouda et al, ; Lopes et al, ; Singh et al, ; Stefanini et al, ; Telci, Demirtas, & Sahin, ; Zoubiri & Baaliouamer, ). Estragole chemotype was revealed in Italian, Turkish, Egyptian, and TFS (Abou El Nasr et al, ; Khammassi et al, ; Napoli, Curcuruto, & Ruberto, ; Ozcan et al, ). Whereas, Estragole/trans‐anethole was also noted to be the chemotype of Italian sample (Piccaglia & Marotti, ).…”

“…The accumulation of these compounds varied considerably depending on the vegetative stage and area of fennel (Bettaieb Rebey et al, 2016). According to Muckensturm, Foechterlen, Reduron, Danton, and Hildenbrand (1997) Khammassi et al, 2018;Napoli, Curcuruto, & Ruberto, 2010;Ozcan et al, 2006). Whereas, Estragole/ trans-anethole was also noted to be the chemotype of Italian sample (Piccaglia & Marotti, 2001).…”

Variation of floral volatiles and fragrance reveals the phylogenetic relationship among nine wild tree peony species

“…In general, the volatile variation may result from the genetic variability of species contributing to the selection of particular compounds dictated by the isolation . Climatic and environmental conditions at different latitudes and longitudes as well as altitudes considerably influenced the plants response for volatile emission . On the other hand, selection by pollinators is also capable of urging the diversification and specialization of floral volatiles .…”