Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Erodium species: E. ciconium L., E. cicutarium L., and E. absinthoides Willd. (Geraniaceae)

The present study gives results of chemical composition analyses and antimicrobial activity testing of three Erodium species: E. ciconium L., E. cicutarium L., and E. absinthoides Willd. Essential oils were obtained by hydro-distillation from air-dried entire plants and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. A total of 209 different compounds were identified: 162 for E. cicutarium, 107 for E. ciconium, and 79 for E. absinthoides. Antimicrobial activity (broth microdilution method) of the oils was screened against a panel of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and a number of fungi. Moderate susceptibility of all tested strains was observed. Determined MIC values were 0.156–5 mg mL⁻¹ (bacterial strains) and 0.039–0.325 mg mL⁻¹ (fungal strains). Major component of the most active oil, palmitic acid, was also tested for activity together with stearic and myristic acids.