African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12487

Short Communication

Phytoconstituents and biological activities of essential Oil from Rhus lancea L. F

M. Gundidza1, N. Gweru2, V. Mmbengwa3, N. J. Ramalivhana4, Z. Magwa5 and A. Samie6*
1School of therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical School, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. 2Department of Pharmacy, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP 167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe. 3Department of Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology, University of South Africa, Private bag X6, Florida, Johannesburg, South Africa. 4College of agriculture and life sciences, University of South Africa, Private bag X6, Florida, Johannesburg, South Africa. 5Department of Botany and Electron Microscope Unit, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, Eastern Cape, South Africa. 5Department of Microbiology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 02 May 2008
  •  Published: 18 August 2008

Abstract

The present study determined the major phytoconstituents, the antioxidant and the antimicrobial activities of Rhus lancea essential oil against eight bacterial and four fungal species. The yield was 0.18% and the major phytoconstituents found wereµ-pinene, benzene and d-3-carene. The oil exhibited remarkable anti-oxidant and dose dependent antibacterial and antifungal activities with highest activities againstEscherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens and Aspergillus flavus. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report on the antimicrobial activity of the essential oils from this plant. Further studies are warranted to test the toxicity and the suitability of this essential oil for pharmaceutical and other uses.

 

Key words: Antibacterial, antifungal, anti-oxidant, medicinal plant, essential oil, phytochemicals.

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