Abstract

The chemical composition of essential oils isolated from the leaves by steam-distillation of Algerian Juniperus phoenicea L. and Cupressus sempervirens L. were analyzed by GC-MS. The oils were predominantly composed of monoterpene hydrocarbons (72.9 and 75.7%), with α-pinene as major constituent (34.5 and 60.5%). β-phellandrene (22.4%) and α-Terpinyl acetate (14.7%) were the second most important constituents of the J. phoenicea oil. While cedrol (8.3%) was found to be the second most important constituent in the oil of C. sempervirens. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oils was evaluated against five bacteria (3 Gram-positive and 2 Gram-negative), and 3 fungi. Results showed that the oils exhibited moderate antibacterial and antifungal activities.

Key words: Juniperus phoenicea L., Cupressus sempervirens L., Cupressaceae, essential oils, GC-MS, antimicrobial activity.