Biological Study from Ruta Plants Extracts Growing in Tunisia

Ruta species are known as a potential source of natural products with biological activities. They are used in several fields such as in therapeutic and traditional medicine. In order to contribute to the valorization of these plants, this work investigated the chemical composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oils of Ruta montana and Ruta gravelons growing in tunisia (north of tunisia). The total phenolic content of these two essential oils was also studied. The antibacterial activities of essential oils were assessed against Escherichia coli (ATCC7625), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC76110), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 7624), Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Results show that the chemical composition of essential oils was dominated by 2-undecanone (86.77%), followed by 2-decanone (4.91%) and 2-nonanone (23.62%). Furthermore, the total phenolic content in essential oil of Ruta gravelons is more important than the total phenolic content in essential oil of Ruta montana. Indeed, the value of total phenolic content is 41.70 mg Gallic acid equivalents per gram of dry extract, in essential oil of Ruta gravelons but the total phenolic content in essential oil of Ruta montana is a 7.50 mg  Gallic acid equivalents per gram of dry extract. Besides, the ruta montana essential oil has the most important antibacterial activity than the Ruta gravelons essential oil especially against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC76110) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 7624).