Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of essential oil of Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Masters branches of eastern Morocco

Abstract Background Some pathogenic microbial species are becoming less sensitive to antibiotics and developing resistance multiples. The use of essential oils is a serious substitute for treatment with antibiotics in infectious diseases. The present study aims to investigate the chemical composition and to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the essential oil of branches of Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Masters (Cupressaceae). Methods The extraction of the essential oil was realized by hydrodistillation, and the analysis was carried out by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy (GC–MS/FID). The antibacterial test was carried out using two different methods: the disc diffusion method and the macrodilution method which aims to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Results The yield of essential oil was 0.84%. Chromatographic analysis revealed that the major constituents were α-pinene (38.75%), limonene (13.24%), bornyl acetate (8.78%) and camphor (7.68%). The results of the antibacterial activity show that the essential oil exerts a powerful effect to inhibit some strains tested. Conclusions The antibacterial activity demonstrated in this study could justify the traditional uses of this plant and could contribute to value its potential in order to develop new bioactive compounds