Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Myrica gale L. Leaf and Flower Essential Oils and Hydrolates

Myrica gale L. (sweet gale) leaves and flowers were subjected to industrial steam distillation in order to obtain essential oil and hydrolate. Obtained products were investigated to determine their chemical composition and antimicrobial activity. The main components found in both leaf and flower essential oils were monoterpene hydrocarbons: alpha-pinene (12.3, 23.5.%), p-cymene (12.8, 4.9%), and limonene (11.0, 5.6%), respectively. While oxygenated monoterpenes: 1,8-cineole (28.6, 44.2%), terpinen-4-ol (14.3, 13.4%), and alpha-terpineol (15.6, 11.3%) were dominant compounds in leaf and flower hydrolates. Essential oil and hydrolate from M. gale leaves exhibited antimicrobial activity against obligatory and opportunistic bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecalis. Interestingly, the leaf essential oil, but not the hydrolate, was also active against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata - yeast included in human skin and mucous membrane microbiota and simultaneously important fungal pathogens.

Automated summary

The essential oil and hydrolate from sweet gale leaves and flowers showed antimicrobial activity against a variety of bacterial and fungal pathogens, indicating their potential as natural antimicrobial agents.