Abstract

The hexane extracts from root and seed of Levisticum persicum Freyn and Bornm, which were collected from northwestern Iran were obtained by Soxhlet apparatus. The fatty acids were derived to methyl esters and determined by gas chromatography/flame ionization detector (GC/FID) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) systems. The extracts from the root and seed were characterized by a high amount of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) (45.9 and 58.6%, respectively) and some of sesquiterpenoid compounds. The main components of the root and seed extracts were ω-3 (29.2 and 48.1%), acorenone B (12.6 and 8.3%), ω-6 (9.9 and 7.6%), germacrene D (8.8 and 9.6%) and β-farnesene (8.7 and 8.3%), respectively. The hexane extract from seed of L. persicum detected as an important source of ω-3 compound. The antioxidant activity of both hexane extracts was evaluated by 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. The results indicate that extracts from different parts of L. persicum possess considerable antioxidant activity. The highest radical scavenging activity was detected in seed (IC₅₀ = 95 μg/mL). The antimicrobial activity of the extracts of those samples were determined against seven Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae), as well as three fungi (Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus niger). The bioassay showed that the both oils exhibited good antimicrobial activity. This study reveals that all the parts of this plant are attractive sources of fatty acid components, especially the essential ones, as well as of effective natural antioxidants.  

Key words: Levisticum persicum, Apiaceae (Umbelliferae), fatty acid, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, ω- 3.