Essential oil and antibacterial activity of Senecio perralderianus

The analysis and identification of essential oils hydrodistilated from one species (Senecio perralderianus Cos. & Dur.), by means of gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy, was realized in this investigation. A low yield (0.1%) for S. perralderianus was obtained. From the leaf essential oil 50 compounds were separated and elucidated, representing 96.9% of the total essential oil mass. The major compound was γ-cadinene (15.3%), other components present in appreciable contents were: α-pinene (8.8%), germacrene-D (5.8%), β-caryophyllene (5.5%), γ-eudismol (4.9%), γ-muurolene (4.2%), trans-β-farnesene (3.8%), β-pinene (3.5%) and β-cubebene (3.3%). 16 other components have a significant concentration, which is between 1 and 2.7%. The effects of these oils on the growth of Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Pseydomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) were investigated by the diffusion method. The oils showed a low antibacterial activity.