Abstract:
The chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from the aerial parts of Helichrysum cymosum and H. fulgidum, from Tanzania, were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. A total of sixty-five compounds, representing 92.4% and 88.2% of the two oils, respectively, were identified. trans-Caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, -pinene, p-cymene, spathulenol and - bourbonene were found to be the main components. Furthermore, the oils were tested
against six gram (+ & -) bacteria and three pathogenic fungi. It was found that the oil of H.fulgidum exhibited significant antimicrobial activity, while the oil of H. cymosum was not active at all.
