Abstract
Many plants are able to synthesize essential oils (EOs), which play key roles in defense against weeds, fungi and pests. This study aims to analyze the chemical composition and to highlight the antioxidant, antimicrobial and phytotoxic properties of the EOs from Eucalyptus falcata, E. sideroxylon and E. citriodora growing in Tunisia. EOs were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and their antioxidant properties were determined by total antioxidant capacity (TAC), DPPH and ABTS assays. The phytotoxic potential was assessed against weeds (Sinapis arvensis, Phalaris canariensis) and durum wheat crop (Triticum durum) and compared to chemical herbicide glyphosate. The antifungal activity was investigated in vitro against eight target fungal strains. All EOs displayed a specific richness in oxygenated monoterpenes (51.3–90%) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (4.8–29.4%), and 1,8-cineole, citronellal, citronellol, trans-pinocarveol, globulol, spathulenol and citronellyl acetate were the main constituents. Eucalyptus EOs exhibited remarkable antioxidant activity and E. citriodora oil exhibited significant activity when compared with E. falcata and E. sideroxylon EOs. The phytotoxic potential of the tested oils had different efficacy on seed germination and the growth of seedlings and varied among tested herbs and their chemical composition variability. Their effectiveness was better than that of glyphosate. At the post-emergence stage, symptoms of chlorosis and necrosis were observed. Furthermore, a decrease in chlorophyll and relative water content, electrolyte leakage and high levels of MDA and proline were indicators of the oxidative effects of EOs and their effectiveness as bioherbicides. Moreover, all the EOs exhibited moderate fungitoxic properties against all the tested fungal strains. Therefore, according to the obtained results, Eucalyptus EOs could have potential application as natural pesticides.
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Claims 11
Claim · model-written summary
Eucalyptus oils contained 51.3–90% oxygenated monoterpenes.
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“All EOs displayed a specific richness in oxygenated monoterpenes (51.3–90%) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (4.8–29.4%)”
Claim · model-written summary
Eucalyptus oils contained 4.8–29.4% oxygenated sesquiterpenes.
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“All EOs displayed a specific richness in oxygenated monoterpenes (51.3–90%) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (4.8–29.4%)”
Claim · model-written summary
The oils had seven named major constituents.
- Outcome
- main constituentse0
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“1,8-cineole, citronellal, citronellol, trans-pinocarveol, globulol, spathulenol and citronellyl acetate were the main constituents”
Claim · model-written summary
Eucalyptus oils displayed antioxidant activity.
- Outcome
- antioxidant activitye0
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“Eucalyptus EOs exhibited remarkable antioxidant activity”
Claim · model-written summary
E. citriodora oil had significantly greater antioxidant activity than the other two oils.
- Taxon
- E. citriodora
Corymbia citriodorae0 - Outcome
- activitye0
- Comparator
- E. falcata and E. sideroxylon EOse0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“E. citriodora oil exhibited significant activity when compared with E. falcata and E. sideroxylon EOs”
Claim · model-written summary
Tested oils differed in effects on seed germination and seedling growth across plant targets.
- Outcome
- seed germination and the growth of seedlingse0
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“The phytotoxic potential of the tested oils had different efficacy on seed germination and the growth of seedlings and varied among tested herbs and their chemical composition variability”
Claim · model-written summary
The tested oils were more effective phytotoxins than glyphosate.
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“Their effectiveness was better than that of glyphosate”
Claim · model-written summary
Post-emergence oil exposure caused chlorosis and necrosis.
- Outcome
- chlorosis and necrosise0
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“At the post-emergence stage, symptoms of chlorosis and necrosis were observed”
Claim · model-written summary
Oil effects included reduced chlorophyll and relative water content and electrolyte leakage.
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“a decrease in chlorophyll and relative water content, electrolyte leakage and high levels of MDA and proline were indicators of the oxidative effects of EOs”
Claim · model-written summary
Oil effects included high MDA and proline levels.
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“a decrease in chlorophyll and relative water content, electrolyte leakage and high levels of MDA and proline were indicators of the oxidative effects of EOs”
Claim · model-written summary
All oils showed moderate fungitoxicity against all tested fungal strains.
- Outcome
- fungitoxic propertiese0
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“all the EOs exhibited moderate fungitoxic properties against all the tested fungal strains”