Essential Oil Composition and Antibacterial Activity of Levisticum officinale Koch at Different Developmental Stages

GC-FID and GC-MS analyzed the essential oil composition obtained by hydrodistillation from aerial parts and roots of Levisticum officinale W.D.J. Koch at flowering and fruiting stages. The oils obtained in yields 2.5-3.0 % (v/w). The analysis of data resulted in the identification of twenty-eight compounds. The major compounds of oil from the aerial parts at flowering and fruiting stages were pentyl cyclohexa-1,3-diene (22.7-28.1 %), Z-ligustilide (24.5-26 %), neocnidilide (15.9-23 %). the beta-phellandrene was in high percentages in roots. The components of oil from root at flowering and fruiting stages were Z-beta-ocimene (13-28.1 %), Z-ligustilide (0.8-5.8 %), neocnidilide (4.8-11.6 %), p-menth-1-en-8-ol acetate (21.1-42.1 %) and pentyl cyclohexa-1,3-diene (2.2-2.4 %). The biological activity of essential oils was studied against two Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Entrococcus faecium) and two Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) strains. The essential oil from the aerial parts at fruiting stage showed activity against S. aureus (MIC = 2.0 mg/ml), E. faecium (MIC = 8.0 mg/ml) and E. coli (MIC = 4.0 mg/ml).