Essential oil composition and tannin contents of the leaves of Eugenia uniflora L grown in Egypt

ABSTRACT

The essential oil prepared by hydrodistillation [0.32%] of the leaves of Eugenia uniflora L. [family Myrtaceae] was analyzed by capillary gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry [CGC-MS]. The results showed that the oil is rich in oxygenated sesquiterpenes [constitute 63.3% of the oil composition]. They are composed mainly of selina-1, 3,7 [11]-trien-8-one [20.33%], furanodiene [16.52%], oxidoselina-1,3,7 [11]-trien-8-one [10.53%], selina-11-en-4 alpha-01 [6.23%] and spathulenol [4.39%]. The essential oil of the leaves exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Sarcina lutea and Mycobacterium phlei. It also exhibited good antifungal activity against C and ida albicans and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The phytochemical and thermographical studies revealed the presence of condensed tannins [22.2%, 18.5% and 17.4%] as determined by hide powder, gelatine and Cu acetate methods, respectively