Daucus carota subsp. maximus (Desf.) Ball from Pantelleria, Sicily (Italy): isolation of essential oils and evaluation of their bioactivity

Daucus is a genus of economically important plants belonging to Apiaceae family spread in temperate regions. Species of this genus are used as food and several biological properties have reported. The chemical composition of the essential oils from different organs (roots, stems and flowers) of Daucus carota subsp. maximus, a species not previously investigated, was analyzed by GC-MS. Our results showed the presence of beta-phellandrene as the most abundant component of stems and flowers and of gamma-terpinene as a major compound of the oil from the roots. Flower essential oil caused a greater increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) cells compared to stem and root essential oils. The antimicrobial activity of the flower and stem oil were more effective, compared to root oil, against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. [GRAPHICS] .

Automated summary

Daucus is a genus of economically important plants in temperate regions, used as food with reported biological properties. The chemical composition of essential oils from different organs of Daucus carota subsp. maximus was analyzed, revealing differences in components and activities among roots, stems, and flowers. Flower essential oil showed higher antioxidant and antimicrobial activities compared to stem and root oils.