Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography
Open Access

Abstract

The Numidian fir (Abies numidica) which belongs to the family of conifers (Pinaceae) is a tree up to 20 m. A. Numidica appears only on the tops of mountains of Babor and Tababort from Algeria. Fir forests of Babors receive in some places quantities greater than 2000 mm rain and the snow lasts 3-5 months a year. The aim of present study was to determine the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of essential oil and different extracts from Abies numidica leaves. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was used to detect in vitro the antioxidant activity. Antibacterial activity was tested against nine bacterial species, representing both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Antifungal activity was evaluated using two Candida species. The results indicate that the crude methanolic extracts and the essential oil resulted in the highest antioxidant activities compared to other solvents. All extracts of A. numidica showed antimicrobial activity against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, as well as fungi, especially methanolic extracts and essential oil. A. numidica could be exploited for the isolation of bioactive compounds which could be a potential source for antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. In this subject, we advice to conserve this tree using tissue culture and in vitro propagation because a little number (about 400 trees) of this fir exists and it is endangered extinction actually.

Biography

Email: mouloud_ghadbane@yahoo.fr