Phytochemicals and antimicrobial activities of aerial parts and roots of Trigonella tehranica L. essential oils

Background and objectives: Trigonella tehranica (Leguminosae) is an indigenous plant in northern regions of Iran. There were many reports about antimicrobial activity of other specious of this genus; therefore, the aim of present study was investigation of chemical compounds and antimicrobial activities of T. tehranica essential oils for the first time. Methods: The essential oils of aerial parts and roots of T. tehranica from Taleqan, Alborz Province, Iran were obtained by hydro-distillation and analyzed by GC-MS. Antimicrobial activities of essential oils were tested against some Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus), Gram-negative bacteria (Salmonella paratyphi-A, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Shigella dysenteriae and Proteus vulgarisis) and fungi (Aspergillus brasiliensis, Aspergillus niger and Candidia albicans) via disc diffusion method and minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were reporte. Results: The abundant compounds of aerial parts essential oil were n-hexadecanoic acid (20.84%), camphane (11.45%) and neo-menthol (5.05%). The major volatiles of roots essential oil were hexanal (14.83%), butane, 2-methyl (13.39%) and 1-pentene (12.80%). The roots essential oil showed the most antimicrobial activitiy on Bacillus stubtilis (inhibition zone (IZ) equal to 21 mm) and the aerial parts essential oil demonstrated the most effects on Bacillus stubtilis (IZ as16 mm) and Candida albicans (IZ as 20 mm). Conclusion: Although essential oils of T. tehranica were effective on many examined microorganisms, their antifungal activity was higher significantly.