Aromatic plants from Patagonia: chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Senecio mustersii and S. subpanduratus

The objective of this investigation was the determination of the antimicrobial activity of two plants from Patagonia Argentina; Senecio mustersii and Senecio subpanduratus (Asteraceae). Until the present day, no previous studies have been reported on the composition of the essential oil for these two species of Senecio. The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation with a yield of 0.81% for Senecio subpanduratus and 0.71% for Senecio mustersii, expressed as ml of essential oil per 100 g of fresh vegetable matter. The activity against bacteria and yeast was tested; Senecio mustersii showed activity against S. aureus and Senecio subpanduratus against all tested bacteria (S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa). Senecio mustersii didn't showed antifungal activity; meanwhile Senecio subpanduratus was active against some species of Candida.