Antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of the bark oil of Croton stellulifer, an endemic species from S. Tome e Principe

The composition and the antimicrobial activity of the bark oil of Croton stellulifer, an endemic and rare species of these islands (S. Tome and Principe) are reported. Analysis was carried out by GC, GC/MS and C-13-NMR. The major constituents were alpha -phellandrene (15.4 - 18.6 %), p-cymene (14.4 - 17.7 %), linalool (12.0 -12.6 %) and alpha -pinene (8.1 - 9.1 %). Kessane, a ses quiterpenoid oxide, not yet reported in the genus Croton, was identified by NMR. The essential oil of C.stellulifer was active against both bacterial and fungal strains, except Aspergillus niger.