|
Phytochemical composition
and biological activities of essential oil of Rhynchosia
minima (L) (DC) (Fabaceae)
M. Gundidza1, N. Gweru2, M. L.
Magwa3, N. J. Ramalivhana4, G.
Humphrey5, A. Samie6* and Mmbengwa V7
1School
of therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical
School, University of Witwatersrand
2Department
of Pharmacy, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP 167, Mount
Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe.
3Department
of Botany and Electron Microscope Unit, University of Fort
Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, Eastern Cape, South
Africa.
4College
of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of South
Africa, Private bag X6, Florida, Johannesburg, South Africa.
5Faculty
of Applied Natural Sciences and Engineering, Technikon South
Africa, Private Bag X6, Florida 1710, Johannesburg, South
Africa.
6Department
of Microbiology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950,
South Africa.
7Department
of Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology, University
of South Africa, Private bag X6, Florida, Johannesburg,
South Africa
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
samieamidou@yahoo.com.
Accepted
2 May, 2008 |
|
The major constituents, antimicrobial activities against 12
bacterial and 4 fungal species and the antioxidant activity
of Rhynchosia minima essential oil were determined. The
yield of the oil was 0.21%. The main components of the oil
included isopropyl toluene,
camphene and O-cymene. The
essential oil exhibited marked activity against
Escherichia coli,
Staphylococcus aureus and
Candida albicans, but was
not active against Clostridium perfringens
up to the concentration of 100 μg/ml. The essential oil also
exhibited anti-oxidant activity.
The
significant antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of R.
minima
oil suggests that it could serve as a source for compounds
with therapeutic potential.
Key words:
Rhyncosia minima,
essential oil, antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-oxidant,
phytoconstituents. |
