Phytoconstituents and biological activities of essential Oil from Rhus lancea L. F

The present study determined the major phytoconstituents, the antioxidant and the antimicrobial activities of Rhus lancea essential oil against eight bacterial and four fungal species. The yield was 0.18% and the major phytoconstituents found were µ-pinene, benzene and d-3-carene. The oil exhibited remarkable anti-oxidant and dose dependent antibacterial and antifungal activities with highest activities against Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens and Aspergillus flavus. To the best of ourknowledge this is the first report on the antimicrobial activity of the essential oils from this plant. Further studies are warranted to test the toxicity and the suitability of this essential oil for pharmaceutical and other uses