Phytochemical Composition and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activities of Five Salvia Species

Abstract

In this study, the phytochemical composition and antimicrobial efficacy of five T & uuml;rkiye native Salvia species (S. albimaculata, S. blepharochlaena, S. palaestina, S. virgata, and S. absconditiflora (syn. S. cryptantha) were investigated. The essential oils isolated with yields ranging from 0.2% to 0.66% were assessed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The major constituents were found to be alpha-pinene (up to 12.0% in S. albimaculata), camphor (up to 28.5% in S. blepharochlaena), borneol (up to 19.5% in S. virgata), 1,8-cineole (30.2% in S. absconditiflora), and linalool (26.5% in S. palaestina). Methanol extracts were produced with yields ranging from 8.2% to 9.5% and examined via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and isolated phenolic acids (e.g., rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid) and flavonoids (luteolin and apigenin). Rosmarinic acid emerged as the dominant common compound in all the species. Antimicrobial testing against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and Candida microorganisms showed potent activity: S. blepharochlaena essential oil showed good antifungal activity against C. utilis, with a MIC value of 31.25 mu g/mL, while S. palaestina and S. virgata extracts showed antibacterial activity against Bacillus and Staphylococcus strains. This detailed study broadened the chemotaxonomic profile of Turkish Salvia species and listed possible antimicrobial agents.