Screening of the constituents, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of endemic Origanum hypericifolium O. Schwartz & P.H. Davis.

The chemical compositions, total phenol content, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities with oxidant status of the essential oil from an endemic Turkish species, Origanum hypericifolium, were investigated. Steam distillation (SD) was used to isolate the essential oils, and the chemical analyses were performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antimicrobial activity was tested by agar disc diffusion method against Morganella morganii (clinic isolate), Micrococcus flavus (clinic isolate), Micrococcus luteus NRLL B-4375, Proteus vulgaris RSKK 96026, Escherichia coli ATCC 11230, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Yersinia enterecolitica RSKK 1501, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, S. aureus ATCC 25933, S. aureus ATCC 12598, S. aureus (clinic isolate), MRSA 1 (clinic isolate), MRSA 2 (clinic isolate), MRSA 3 (clinic isolate) and MRSA 4 (clinic isolate). The major compounds found in volatiles of O. hypericifolium were p-cymene, carvacrol and γ-terpinene. Results showed that O. hypericifolium has the potential for being used in food and medicine because of its antioxidant and antibacterial activity.

Antimicrobial activity and pollen composition of honey samples collected from different provinces in Turkey.

The antibacterial activity of honey samples from different sources were collected and investigated against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 27736, Morganella morganii, Micrococcus luteus NRRL B-4375, Escherichia coli ATCC 35218, and Candida albicans. Pathogens exhibited different sensitivities towards the honey samples. The results showed that majority of the honey samples (75%) generally inhibitied the bacteria tested. The honey samples which were obtained from Izmir (samples 1 and 2) proved more effective as inhibitors against P. aeruginosa, E. coli, and S. aureus. The honey which was obtained from Mugla (sample 5) exhibited high anticandidal activity on C. albicans. A comparison of the honey samples on the basis of pollen content revealed that they were heterofloral, and samples which had highest antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa, E. coli, and S. aureus were dominated by pollen from Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae (sample 1), and Trifolium, Trigonella, Cyperaceae, Zea mays and Anthemis taxa (sample 2). The honey proved more effective on bacteria than antibiotics.