Evaluation of Chemical Composition and Anti-Staphylococcal Activity of Essential Oils from Leaves of Two Indigenous Plant Species, <i>Litsea leytensis</i> and <i>Piper philippinum</i>

Abstract

Many indigenous plants of the Philippines, including essential oil-bearing species, remain phytochemically and pharmacologically unexplored. In this study, the chemical composition of leaf essential oils (EOs) hydrodistilled from Litsea leytensis (Lauraceae) and Piper philippinum (Piperaceae) was determined using dual-column (HP-5MS/DB-WAX)/dual-detector gas chromatography and mass spectrometry analysis. Caryophyllene oxide (15.751/16.018%) was identified as the main compound in L. leytensis EO, followed by β-caryophyllene (11.130/11.430%) and α-copaene (9.039/9.221%). Ishwarane (25.937/25.280%), nerolidol (9.372/10.519%) and 3-ishwarone (6.916/2.588%) were the most abundant constituents of P. philippinum EO. Additionally, the in vitro growth-inhibitory activity of the EOs in the liquid and vapour phases against Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated using the broth microdilution volatilisation assay. Although the results showed no anti-staphylococcal effect, the presence of various bioactive compounds in both EOs suggests their potential future use in industrial applications.

Keywords

• essential oil
• GC-MS
• hydrodistillation
• Lauraceae
• Piperaceae
• volatile compounds