Chemical Composition and Allelopathic Potential of Essential Oils from Citharexylum spinosum L. Grown in Tunisia |
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Authors: | Asma El Ayeb‐Zakhama Lamia Sakka‐Rouis Guido Flamini Hichem Ben Jannet Fethia Harzallah‐Skhiri |
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Affiliation: | 1. Laboratory of Genetics Biodiversity and Valorisation of Bio‐resources (LR11ES41), High Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia;2. Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy;3. Laboratory of Heterocyclic Chemistry, Natural Products and Reactivity, Team: Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, Faculty of Sciences of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia |
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Abstract: | Citharexylum spinosum L. (Verbenaceae) also known as Citharexylum quadrangulare Jacq . or Citharexylum fruticosum L. is an exotic tree introduced many years ago in Tunisia, specially used as a street and park ornamental tree. Essential oils (EOs) were obtained by hydrodistillation of the different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits; drupes) collected from trees grown in the area of Monastir (Tunisia). In total, 84 compounds, representing 90.1 – 98.4% of the whole oil composition, were identified by GC‐FID and GC/MS analyses. The root EO was distinguished by its high content in monoterpene hydrocarbons (α‐phellandrene; 30.8%) whereas that obtained from stems was dominated by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (cuparene; 16.4%). The leaf oil was rich in an apocarotenoid derivative (hexahydrofarnesylacetone; 26%) and an aliphatic hydrocarbon (nonadecane; 14.5%). Flowers oil was rich in esters (2‐phenylethyl benzoate; 33.5%). Finally, drupes oil was rich in oxygenated sesquiterpenes (β‐eudesmol; 33.1%). Flowers oil showed a significant phytotoxic effect against lettuce seeds germination, it induces a total inhibition when tested at 1 mg/ml. Root and shoot elongation seemed to be more affected than germination. The inhibition of the shoot length varied from 3.6% to 100% and that of the root from 16.1% to 100%. The highest inhibition of 100% was detected for flower oil tested at 1 mg/ml. Our in vitro studies suggest a possible and new alternative use of C. spinosum EOs in herbicidal formulations, further experiments involving field conditions are necessary to confirm its herbicidal potential. |
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Keywords: | Allelopathy Chemical characterization
Citharexylum spinosum
Essential oils
Lactuca sativa
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