Chemical composition and antifungal activity of essential oil of Soqotran Pulicaria stephanocarpa Balf. f

ABSTRACT

Chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from the leaves of the endemic Soqotraen Pulicaria stephanocarpa Balf. Fil. was analyzed by GC-MS. Sesquiterpenes are the predominant portion of both essential oils. Major compounds of Pulicaria stephanocarpa oil were a-cadinol [42.5%], spathulenol [22.%], caryophyllene [10.8%], 8-cadinene [5.4%], cis-[-]-2,4a,5,6,9,9a-hexahydro-3,5,5,9-tetramethyi-1H-Benzocyclohepterie [4.6%], and oc-muurolene [4.1%]. The essential oils were screened for their antifungal activity against the phytopathogenic fungus [Cladosporium cucumerinum] by using a microbioassay on TLC plates at concentrations of 400, 200 and 100 microg. At the concentration of 400 micro g, the oil showed marked antifungal activity with an inhibition zone of 18.6.mm