TEOP 18 (1) 2015 pp 112 - 123 112

ISSN Print: 0972-060X

ISSN Online: 0976-5026

Chemical Composition and Herbicidal Effects of Essential

Oils of Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf, Eucalyptus cladocalyx,
Origanum vulgare L and Artemisia absinthium L. cultivated in Morocco

Rida Fouad 1*, Dalila Bousta 2, Abdelhakim El Ouali Lalami 3, Fouad

Ouazzani Chahdi 4, Ismail Amri 5, Bassem Jamoussi 6, Hassane Greche 1

1
National Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, University of Sidi
Mohamed Ben Abdellah- BP 8857, 30100 -Atlas -Fez, Morocco
2
Toxicological laboratory, National Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic
Plants, University of Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah- Fez, Morocco
3
Regional laboratory of Epidemiologic Diagnosis and Hygiene of the Medium,
Regional Direction of Health, Hospital EL Ghassani, Fez, Morocco
4
Laboratory of Applied organic chemistry (LCOA), Faculty of Science and
Techniques, University of Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah- Fez, Morocco
5
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science of Bizerte,
University of Carthage, Zarzouna, 7021 Bizerte, Tunisia
6
Laboratory of chemistry, Higher institute of Education and
Continuous training, 43 Rue de la Liberté, 2019 Le Bardo, Tunisia
Received 07 August 2013; accepted in revised form 25 February 2014

Abstract: This study is designed to examine the chemical composition of the hydrodistillated essential
oils obtained from Cymbopogon citratus ( DC) Stapf, Eucalyptus cladocalyx, Origanum vulgare L, and Artemisia
absinthium L. GC and GC-MS analysis of the four oils has shown a determination of 18 different components
representing 89.3 % of the total oil for Cymbopogon citratus ( DC) Stapf that are neral (29.2 %) and geranial (18.2
%), followed by α-pinene (4.8 %) and myrcene (3.9 %) which are determined as the major compounds of the oil;
for Eucalyptus cladocalyx oil there are 29 different components representing 79.0 % of the total oil , the major
components are spathulenol (21.6 %) and 1,8-cineole (20.5 %), followed by p-cymene (15.1 %); for Origanum
vulgare L. oil there are 25 different components representing 87.6 % of the total oil , the major components are
carvacrol (34.0 %) and γ-terpinene (21.6 %), followed by p-cymene (9.4 %) and for Artemisia absinthium L. oil
there are 26 different components representing 72.3 % of the total oil , which are determined as the major
compounds of the oil. On the other hand, the four oils were experimented for their herbicidal activity against
Sinapis avensis weed at different concentration then compared with commercial herbicides (2.4 D and
glyophosate). The four essential oils have presented an interesting activities, the activity of C. citratus (DC)
Stapf and E. cladocalyx have been evaluated as important. In the light of these findings, we suggested that the
four essential oils may be considered as an interesting sources of bioherbicide components used as potent
agents in weeds control.

Key words: Essential oils, Cymbopogon citratus, Eucalyptus cladocalyx, Origanum vulgare,
Artemisia absinthium [Link] species, herbicidal activity, chemical compositions.

*Corresponding authors (Rida Fouad)

E-mail: < ridafouad@[Link] > © 2015, Har Krishan Bhalla & Sons
 Rida Fouad et al., / TEOP 18 (1) 2015 112 - 123 113
Introduction high perfume shop. The citral is also used in the
Weeds may be defined as plant with little production of vitamins A and E 10, as well as in
economic value and possessing the potential to the synthesis of linalool 11, of the rosafuran 12 and
colonize disturbed habitats or those modified by in the formulation of eye-drops 13. Tomoyuki et
human activities. Interference of weeds with al. showed that the essential oil of Cymbopogon
agricultural crops causes huge economic losses citratus possesses an antimicrobial activity against
to farmers in two ways. Firstly, it reduces crop Helicobacter pylori, bacterium responsible for
quality and quantity, and secondly it increases cost peptic diseases 14. In November, 2003, Koba et
of labor and herbicides to control them. According al. showed from their part that the essential oil of
to an estimate, in US alone, weeds cause a loss C. citratus has an antimicrobial activity 15 .
of around 12 % costing to nearly US$ 33 billion Recently the anxiolytic-like activity of C. citratus
and it is even more in developing countries 1. EO was evaluated by Celso A. Rodrigues et al.16.
Furthermore, the increasing herbicidal resistance Eucalyptus cladocalyx belonging to the
of weeds has resulted in a dramatic increase in myrtaceae family is a large genus of aromatic
the use of herbicides. On the other hand, there is trees comprising more than 500 species indigenous
increasing public concern over the level of to Australia, Tasmania and neighbouring islands.
pesticide residues in food. This concern has Various species of Eucalyptus are cultivated
encouraged researchers to look for other solutions particularly in subtropical and warm temperate
to synthetic pesticides. Recently they have been regions on account of their economic and
considerable interest in gras (generally regarded medicinal value. Eucalyptus is one of the world’s
as safe) compounds. Naturally occurring bio- most important and most widely planted genera.
logically active compounds from plants are Among its main uses is the production of essential
examples of gras compounds. These plant extracts oils, which are used for medicinal and pharma-
are generally assumed to be more acceptable and ceutical purposes 17,18. One of the most important
less hazardous than synthetic compounds. In this compounds extracted from Eucalyptus is 1,8-
regard, a greater attention is towards the use of cineol, mainly due to its antibacterial and
allelopathic plants and their products for managing expectorant properties 18. It is reported to be
weeds in a sustainable manner 2. Many plants has particularly abundant in leaves and its content in
been demonstrated to control agricultural weeds the essential oil of different Eucalyptus species
when used as mulch under field conditions and varies between 25 and 90 %. Apart from 1,8-
without affecting growth and yield of the crops 3. cineol, the essential oil of leaves from Eucalyptus
It is therefore worthwhile to explore the plants species contains, in relatively high amounts,
with strong allelopathic activity for the control of several monoterpene hydrocarbons, (α-pinene,
agricultural weeds. The allelopathic effects of limonene, p-cymene, β-pinene, α-phellandrene,
some essential oils have been also studied, earlier camphene, γ-terpinene, etc., with the first three
studies have documented those volatile oils and in major amounts) and in lower percentage several
their constituents are potent seed germination sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (aromadendrene, allo-
inhibitors and retard plant growth 4,5,6,7,8, which aromadendrene, globulol, etc.), oxygenated
explain their possible use as alternative herbicide. monoterpenes (myrtenal, carvone and
Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf is one of the pinocarvone) and others 19,20.
plants, most studied worldwide for its cheap Origanum vulgare L., lamiaceae family, is
essential oil which finds its applications in cosmetic widely known as possessing therapeutic properties
and hygienic products 9. C .citratus (DC) Stapf. (diaphoretic, carminative, antispasmodic,
possesses a strong smell of lemon because of its antiseptic, tonic) being used in traditional medicine
high contents of citral, which is an aldehyde in systems in many countries 21,22 . Due to the
two geometrical isomers, geranial (citral a) and variability in chemical and aroma characteristics,
neral (citral b), these have a big application in the Origanum plants belonging to different species
industry and are widely used in the synthesis of and ecotypes (biotypes) are widely used in
ionones, which are important compounds in the agriculture and the pharmaceutical and cosmetic
 Rida Fouad et al., / TEOP 18 (1) 2015 112 - 123 114
industries as a culinary herb, flavouring substances of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of Taounate in
of food products, alcoholic beverages and Morocco. We used the aerial parts for Cymbo-
perfumery for their spicy fragrance 23,24,25,26. It pogon citratus (DC) Stapf, Origanum vulgare
has also used been as a traditional remedy to treat L, and Artemisia absinthium L. for Eucalyptus
various ailments such as a spasmodic, anti- cladocalyx we used [Link] plant materials
microbial, expectoran carminative and aromatic were identified by experimented botanist
for whooping and convulsive coughs, digestive (Ennabili Abdeslam). Authenticated voucher
disorders and menstrual problems 23,27,28,29,30,31,32. specimens were deposited in the Herbarium of
In previous studies, it has been demonstrated that The National Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic
the content of essential oil and extracts of Plants, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University,
medicinal plants like Origanum species containing Fez, Morocco.
antimicrobial, antioxidant and other biological
activities may change based on the differences in Extraction of the essential oils
cultivation, origin, vegetative stage and growing The essential oils were extracted by hydro-
seasons of the plants 18,33,34,35,36. Recently, this distillation of fresh plant material (100 g of each
spice plant has drawn more attention of consumers sample in 500 mL of distilled water) using a
due to the antimicrobial, antifungal and insecticidal Clevenger-type apparatus for 3 h. The oils were
effects of this herb on human health 37,38,39. dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and stored
Artemisia absinthium L., species of the family in sealed glass vials at 4°C prior to analysis.
of asteraceae, known well for her medicinal
virtues, possesses multiple aromatic properties. Analysis of the essential oils
The chemical analysis of its essential oil showed Essential oil was analyzed by chromatograph in
that it is rich in it thujone. Used in the diseases of gas phase (GC) equipped with a detector with
the stomach, to provoke rules, in the fight against ionization with flame (FID) and by a chromato-
the laziness, against the seasickness and her graph in gas phase coupled with a mass spectro-
nausea, it is also used as a vermifuge, an meter (GC-MS).
insecticide, in the treatment of chronic fevers and The analytical GC was carried out on an
for the inflammation of the liver, as an anti- Shimadzu GC-2014 gas chromatograph , equipped
spasmodic and antiseptic 40 and as an anthelmintic with a capillary column DB5 (30 m x 0.25 mm
41
. Recently the antifeedant, antiparasitic and ID, film thickness of 0.25 μm). The detection is
antioxidant effects of Artemisia absinthium L. assured by a Flame Ionization Detector (FID),
were evaluated by Azucena Gonzalez-Colomaa fed by a gas mixture H2 / Air. The carrier gas
et al.42. was nitrogen at a flow rate of 0.9 ml/min; injector
Finally, Sinapis arvensis, is a herbaceous temperature: 250°C, detector: 280°C; the volume
annual plant of the family of Brassicaceae, placed injected: 0.1 ml of 1 % solution (diluted in hexane).
often in weed, invading fields and gardens, and The oven temperature was held at 50°C for 5
considers very aggressive in the cereal fields in min then programmed at rate of 4°C/min to 250°C
the Mediterranean zone. and held isothermal for 10 min.
The present study aims at putting the essential The identification of constituents was realized
oil composition of Cymbopogon citratus (DC) by basing itself on their retention indications and
Stapf, Eucalyptus cladocalyx, Origanum by the chromatography in gas phase coupled with
vulgare L, and Artemisia absinthium L. the mass spectrometry. This coupling is realized
Cultivated in Morocco against the seeding and the on a chromatograph with gaseous phase (Track
growth of weeds. GC ULTRA) coupled with a mass spectrometer
(Polaris Q MS with Ionic trapdoor) recording at
Materials and methods 70 eV; scan time: 1.5 s; mass range: 40-300 amu.
Plant material The used column is VB-5 capillary column
The used plant material is collected in march 2011 (Methylpolysiloxane in phenyl 5 %, 30 m x 0.25
by the scientific garden of the National Institute mm ID, film thickness of 0.25 μm). The carrier
 Rida Fouad et al., / TEOP 18 (1) 2015 112 - 123 115
gas was helium, with a flow rate of 1.4 ml/min. variance (ANOVA), using the SPSS 13.0
Oven temperature was programmed (50°C for 1 software package. Differences between means
min, then 50-240°C at 5°C/min) and subsequently were tested through Student-Newman-Keuls
held isothermal for 4 min. Injector port: 250°C, (SNK) and values of p < 0.05 were considered
detector: 280°C, split ratio: 1:50. Volume injected: significantly different.
0.1 ml of 1 % solution (diluted in hexane). Software
adopted to handle mass spectra and chromato- Results
grams was ChemStation. Chemical composition of the essential oil
The identification of the compounds was based The essential oil yield of Citratus C. (DC) Stapf
on mass spectra (compared with a mass spectral was 2.43 % (v/w). GC-MS analyses of hydro-
library NIST MS search). Further confirmation distillated essential oil of Citratus C. (DC) Stapf
was done from retention index data generated from allowed the identification of 18 different compo-
a series of alkanes retention indices 43,44. nents representing 89.32 % of the total oil. The
major components detected in the oil were neral
Seed germination and seedling growth (29.2 %) and geranial (18.2 %), followed by α-
studies pinene (4.8 %) and myrcene (3.9 %).
The seeds of Sinapis arvensis, were collected The essential oil yield of Eucalyptus cladocalyx
from parent plants growing in Tunisia, in July 2009. was 0.8 % (v/w). GC–MS analyses of hydro-
Seeds were sterilized with 15 % sodium hypo- distillated essential oil of E. cladocalyx allowed
chlorite for 20 min, and then rinsed with abundant the identification of 29 different components
distilled water. Empty and undeveloped seeds representing 79.0 % of the total oil. The major
were discarded by floating in tap water and the components detected in the oil were spathulenol
remaining seeds were air-dried. Two filter papers (21.6 %) and 1.8-Cineole (20.5 %), followed by
were placed on the bottom of each Petri dish (9 p-cymene (15.1 %) .
cm diameter) and 30 seeds of the respective plant The essential oil yield of Origanum vulgare L
species were placed on the filter papers 45. The was 2.7 % (v/w). GC-MS analyses of hydro-
oil was dissolved in tween-water solution (1 %; distillated essential oil of Origanum vulgare L
v/v). The final concentrations of the treatments allowed the identification of 25 different compo-
were 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 μL/ml. The emulsions (8 nents representing 87.7 % of the total oil. The
ml) were transferred to Petri dish placed on the major components detected in the oil were
bottom two layers of filter paper. A similar set-up carvacrol (34 %) and γ-Terpinene (21.6 %),
but without essential oil served as control and in followed by p-cymene (9.4 %) .
addition, 2,4-D, isooctyl ester was used as The essential oil yield of Artemisia absinthium
reference. Afterward Petri dishes were lined with L. was 1.73 % (v/w). GC-MS analyses of hydro-
a piece of Whatman no. 1 filter paper held in place distillated essential oil of Artemisia absinthium
with a transparent tape. The Petri dishes were L. allowed the identification of 26 different
closed and sealed with adhesive tape to prevent components representing 72.3 % of the total oil.
the volatile oils from escaping and kept at 25°C The major components detected in the oil were
on a laboratory bench supplied with 12 h of β-thujone (35.6 %), followed by chamazulene (3.0
fluorescent light 45. The number of germinated %) (Table 1).
seeds was daily counted and seedling lengths were
measured. The assays were arranged in a comp- Herbicidal activity of essential oil.
letely randomized design with three replications The herbicidal effect of 4 essential was tested
including controls. on seed germination, and seedling growth of
Sinapis arvensis which as considered very
Statistical analysis aggressive weed in cereal field. The results show
Data of seed germination and seedling growth different degrees of inhibition on germination and
assays were subjected to one-way analysis of seedling growth of this plant relative to the control.
 Rida Fouad et al., / TEOP 18 (1) 2015 112 - 123 116
Table 1. Essentials oils composition of Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf,
Eucalyptus Cladocalyx, Origanum vulgare L. and Artemisia Absinthium L.

Constituents Rt RI Origanum C. Citratus Artemisia Eucalyptus

vulgare L. (DC) Stapf Absinthium L. Cladocalyx

α-Thujene 17.116 926 0.9 tr - -

α-Pinene 17.902 939 0.6 4.8 0.3 0.5
Camphene 19.175 953 0.1 - Tr -
Sabinene 19.311 974 0.3 - 1.2 0.3
β-Pinene 19.533 980 0.1 - 0.2 tr
Myrcene 19.832 991 0.1 3.9 - -
α-Phellendrene 20.577 1006 1.0 - - -
α-Terpinene 21.154 1015 2.3 - 0.2 0.3
p-Cymene 21.498 1026 9.4 - tr 15.1
Limonene 21.729 1029 tr 0.1 - -
1.8-Cineole 21.85 1032 - - 0.4 20.5
β-Phellendrene 21.867 1031 tr - - -
(E)-β-Ocimene 22.45 1046 - tr Tr -
γ-Terpinene 23.056 1062 21.6 0.9 0.2 0.8
cis-Sabinene hydrate 23.427 1070 tr - 0.5 tr
Terpinolene 24.337 1090 tr - - -
Linalool 24.667 1096 tr 0.1 1.9 0.1
Nonanal 24.63 1104 - tr - -
trans-Sabinene hydrate 24.762 1104 - - - tr
α-Thyjone 24.808 1102 0.9 - - tr
Fenchol 25.071 1112 - - - tr
β-Thujone 25.60 1128 - - 35.6 0.2
trans-Pinocarveol 25.695 1139 - - - 0.5
Camphor 26.16 1142 - - 0.3 -
Citronellal 26.71 1155 - 1.3 - -
Pinocarvone 26.78 1163 - - - 0.5
Borneol 26.745 1165 0.4 - - 0.3
Terpinen-4-ol 27.553 1180 2.0 - - 1.8
α-Terpineol 27.939 1189 0.6 0.6 tr 0.9
Myrtenol 28.13 1194 - - - tr
n-Decanal 28.37 1201 - - tr -
trans-Dihydrocarvone 28.626 1205 tr - - -
trans-Carveol 28.962 1217 - - tr
Nerol 29.55 1229 - - tr tr
cis-Carveol 29.447 1232 - - - tr
Citronellol 29.55 1234 - 0.1 - -
Neral 30.12 1249 - 29.2 - -
Geraniol 30.41 1257 - tr tr -
Geranial 31.13 1276 - 18.2 - -
Bornyl acetate 31.37 1281 - - tr 0.6
Thymol 31.685 1290 3.3 - - tr
2-Undecanone 31.67 1291 - 0.4 - -
 Rida Fouad et al., / TEOP 18 (1) 2015 112 - 123 117
table 1. (continued).

Constituents Rt RI Origanum C. Citratus Artemisia Eucalyptus

vulgare L. (DC) Stapf Absinthium L. Cladocalyx

trans-Sabinyl acetate 32.09 1295 - - tr -

Carvacrol 32.083 1300 34.0 - - tr
α-Cubebene 33.58 1342 - 0.4 - -
Neryl acetate 34.30 1361 - 0.7 - -
Linalyl propanoate 34.44 1364 - - tr -
β-Caryophyllene 36.277 1415 2.8 - 1.0 -
α-Humulene 38.00 1456 - 0.6 0.4 -
allo-Aromadendrene 38.205 1461 - - - tr
Germacrene D 38.71 1482 0.1 - 0.6 -
(E)-Nerolidol 41.66 1566 - - tr -
Spathulenol 42.232 1576 - 2.8 - 21.6
Caryophyllene oxide 42.46 1583 0.4 - tr -
Viridiflorol 42.765 1590 - - - 0.8
Gaiol 43.077 1595 - - - 0.8
Chamazulene 47.47 1720 - - 3.1 -

RI: Retention Index (colonne DB-5)

Rt : Retention time
These 4 essential oil was tested on different doses Thus, providing statistical analysis, herbicidal
of (0.5,1,1.5 and 2 μL /ml), all the oils have given activity of essential oil is significantly higher and
a herbicidal effect which is comparable with the more efficient than the chemical herbicide.
commercial herbicide 2.4D. Cymbopogon
citratus (DC) Stapf and Eucalyptus cladocalyx Discussion
oils have given a very increased effect with an All the studies that are published before have
inhibition of 100 % at decreased doses of 0.5 μL / shown that the chemical composition of the
ml for Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf and 1 essential oils of Cymbopogon citratus (DC)
μL /ml for Eucalyptus cladocalyx ,Whereas the Stapf, Eucalyptus cladocalyx, Origanum
essential oil of 0riganum vulagare and of vulgare L, and Artemisia absinthium L. differ
Artimisia absinthium have given an inhibition of from one country to another. These differences
100 % at the dose of 2 μL /ml. (Table 2). could be related to the environmental factors
The essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus (DC) (climate and soils) and the genetic diversity of the
Stapf has shown a very increased phytotoxic specie.
effect which is much more better than the The analyses of the essential oil of Cymbo-
commercial herbicide 2.4D with a dose of 0.5 μL / pogon citratus (DC) Stapf cultivated in Ethiopia
ml. The result leads to another experiment, we has shown the presence of geraniol (40 %),
have sought the inhibitive minimal dose of this geranial (13 %), neral (15 %) and α-oxobisabolene
essential oil, therefore the herbicidal effect of the (12 %) as a major constituents 46. in Zambia
oil was evaluated at doses of (0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and Esmort et al., have identified 16 components of
0.4 μL /ml). The doses of (0.1, 0.2 ,0.3 and 0.4 the essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus
μL /ml) have partially stopped the seed germi- represented 93 % of the chemical composition of
nation, and seedling growth of Sinapis arvensis, the essential oil in these the citral-trans (39 %),
whereas we obtained an inhibition of 100 % in citral-cis (29.4 %) and myrcene (18 %) are the
the dose 0.4 μL /ml. (Table 3). major components 47 . Whereas the major
 Rida Fouad et al., / TEOP 18 (1) 2015 112 - 123 118
Table 2. Contact inhibitory effects of Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf, Eucalyptus
Cladocalyx, Origanum vulgare L, and Artemisia Absinthium L. essential oils
on the germination, seedling growth, and seed vigor of weeds

Samples Dose Germination Seedling Growth (mm)

μL/ml)
(μ (%) Aerial part Root

Control 0 100± 0.0 42.6±3.2 24.8±2.3

Gly 1 63.5±11.9 5.4±0.3 2.4±0.1
2.4D 2 0.0±0.0 0.0±0.0 0.0±0.0
[Link]. 0.5 0.0±0.0 0.0±0.0 0.0±0.0
1 0.0±0.0 0.0±0.0 0.0±0.0
1.5 0.0±0.0 0.0±0.0 0.0±0.0
2 0.0±0.0 0.0±0.0 0.0±0.0
[Link] 0.5 1.1±0.9 26.6±2.4 3.3±0.2
1 0.0±0.0 0.0±0.0 0.0±0.0
1.5 0.0±0.0 0.0±0.0 0.0±0.0
2 0.0±0.0 0.0±0.0 0.0±0.0
[Link] 0.5 48.8±8.4 13.7±1.7 10.5±1.5
1 27.1±5.7 2.1±0.1 1.2±0.1
1.5 8.2±3.5 1.7±0.1 1.2±0.1
2 0.0±0.0 0.0±0.0 0.0±0.0
[Link] 0.5 30.6±6.3 27.5±2.4 23.3±2.2
1 7.7±4.9 8.0±1.0 10.1±1.7
1.5 2.2±1.2 1.0±0.1 5.0±1.7
2 0.0±0.0 0.0±0.0 0.0±0.0

2.4D : 2,4-D, isooctyl ester (commercial herbicide)

Gly : Glyphosate (commercial herbicide)
Table 3. Contact inhibitory effects of Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf
essential oil on the germination, seedling growth, and seed vigor of weeds

Samples Dose Germination Seedling Growth (mm)

μL/ml)
(μ (%) Aerial part Root

Control 0 100± 0.0 42.6±3.2 24.8±2.3

2.4D 2 0.0±0.0 0.0±0.0 0.0±0.0
C. citratus 0.1 47.3±11.1 11.5±2.3 10.5±2.2
0.2 30.4±9.7 8.5±1.5 8.7±1.7
0.3 6.6±4.7 2.8±0.1 2.8±0.1
0.4 0.0±0.0 0.0±0.0 0.0±0.0

2.4D : 2,4-D, isooctyl ester (commercial herbicide).

components are identified in the essential oil of study, we could identify 18 components, the major
Cymbopogon citratus cultivated in the Lagos components are neral (29.0 %), geranial (18.2 %),
state campus university are geranial (33.7 %), α-pinene (4.8 %) and myrcene (3.9 %).
neral (26.5 %) and myrcene (25.3 %) 48. In our In Turkey Sahine et al., identified 62 compounds
 Rida Fouad et al., / TEOP 18 (1) 2015 112 - 123 119
representing about 89 % of Origanum vulgare The chemical composition of Artemisia
L. oil, caryophylene (14.4 %) and spathulenol (11.6 absinthium L. essential oils isolated from aerial
%) are the most prominent compound, followed parts of wild sages from Western Canada was
by germacrene-D (8.1 %) and α-terpineol (7.5 characterized by high amounts of myrcene (10.8
%) 22. in Germany they found a total of 42 %), trans-thujone (10.1 %) and trans-sabinyl
constituents that are identified in the oregano acetate (26.4 %) 51. Whereas in Turkey the major
essential oil: 36 constituents for O. vulgare ssp. components identified in the Artemisia absin-
hirtum, 30 constituents for O. vulgare var. thium L. essential oil are Camphor, 1,8-cineole,
creticum and 27 constituents for O. vulgare var. chamazulene, nuciferol propionate, nuciferol
samothrake . Carvacrol content is the dominant butanoate, caryophyllene oxide, terpinen-4-ol,
constituent of the essential oil for all three borneol and α-terpineol 52. In our study we
populations tested, ranging from 70.0 to 77.4 %. identified 26 different components representing
The second major constituent is terpinene (ranging 72.3 % of the total oil. The major components
from 8.1 to 9.5 %) and the third one is p-cymene detected in the oil were β-thujone (35.6 %),
(ranging from 4.5 to 5.3 %). The other main consti- followed by chamazulene (3.0 %) .
tuents are trans-sabinene hydrate (2.8 %) for O. The herbicidal effects of essential oils against
vulgare ssp. hirtum, thymol (3.7 %) for O. weeds have been previously reported and their
vulgare var. creticum, and caryophyllen (2.8-3.1 phytotoxicity is generally attributed to the allelo-
%) for all three populations 49. In our study we pathic properties of some terpenes 4,5,6,8 .
identified 25 compounds representing about 87.7 In our study, the 4 oils are rich in monoterpenes,
% of the oil. Carvacrol (34.6 %) and γ-terpinene especially citral , myrcene and allelopathic. α-
(21.6 %) are the most prominent compound, Pinene found in Cymbopogon citratus; γ-
followed by p-cymene (9.4 %). terpinene and carvacrol are found in Origanum
One of the most important compounds extracted vulagare; 1.8 cineol is detected in eucalyptus; β-
from Eucalyptus is 1,8-cineol. It is reported to be thujone is detected in Artimisia absinthium and
particularly abundant in leaves and its content in p-cymene is found in Origanum vulgare and
the essential oil of different Eucalyptus species Eucalyptus cladocalyx, while we have found
varies between 25 and 90 %. Apart from 1,8- chamuzulene in Artimisia absinthium and
cineol, the essential oil of leaves from Eucalyptus spatulenol in Eucalyptus cladocalyx that are two
species contains, in relatively high amounts, sequiterpenic components which are known by
several monoterpene hydrocarbons, (α-pinene, their phytotoxic effects. Our results are in agree-
limonene, p-cymene, β-pinene, α-phellandrene, ment with several studies that have demonstrated
camphene, γ-terpinene, etc., with the first three the herbicidal activity of monoterpenes in particular
in major amounts) and in lower percentage several that of oxygenated components 8,53,54. On the other
sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (aromadendrene, allo- hand, other reports have demonstrated the
aromadendrene, globulol, etc.), oxygenated herbicidal activity of sesquiterpenes; β-caryo-
monoterpenes (myrtenal, carvone and pino- phyllene and undecanone53,55,56,57.
carvone) and others 19,20. In Morocco Farah et For these reasons the herbicidal activity of our
al. identified 24 compounds representing about oil was attributed to the presence of both sesqui-
81,1 % of Eucalyptus cladocalyx oil, α-pinene terpenes and monoterpenes and the synergism
(23 %), p-cymene (16.3 %) and 1,8-cineol (13.7 between components play an important role.
%) are the most prominent compound, followed Although the exact mechanisms of action of
by β-pinene (6.3 %), trans-pinocarveol (4.3 %) essential oil on germination and seedling growth
and α-terpineol (4 %) 50. In our study we identified inhibition remain unclear however, a number of
29 different components representing 79 % of the effects and hypothesis have been reported by
total oil. The major components detected in the many authors.
oil were spathulenol (21.6 %) and 1,8-cineole (20.5 In general, the majority of reports agree that
%), followed by p-cymene (15.1 %). essential oils have phytotoxic effects that may
 Rida Fouad et al., / TEOP 18 (1) 2015 112 - 123 120
cause anatomical and physiological changes in absinthium L. essential oils showed phytotoxic
plant seedlings leading to accumulation of lipid effects against weeds. Based on the present
globules in the cytoplasm, reduction in some results, the four oils could be suggested as
organelles such as mitochondria, possibly due to alternative herbicides. However, further studies
inhibition of DNA synthesis or disruption of are required to determine the cost, applicability,
membranes surrounding mitochondria and nuclei safety and phytotoxicity against the cultivated
58,59,60
. plants of these agents as herbicidal potential .

Conclusion Conflict of interest

The development of natural herbicides would The authors declare that they have no conflict
help to decrease the negative impact of synthetic of interest.
agents, such as residues, resistance and environ-
mental pollution. In this respect, natural herbicides Acknowledgements
may be effective, selective, biodegradable, and We are grateful to Pr. Abdeslam Ennabili,
less toxic to environment. In our study, Cymbo- National Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic plants
pogon citratus (DC) Stapf, Eucalyptus clado- (Province Taounate) for botanical identification
calyx, Origanum vulgare L, and Artemisia of plant material.

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