Composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of Micromeria cristata subsp. phrygia and the enantiomeric distribution of borneol.

Water-distilled essential oils from herbal parts of Micromeria cristata (Hampe) Griseb. subsp. phrygia P. H. Davis (Endemic) (Lamiaceae) collected from three different localities were analyzed by GC-MS. The major component characterized in the three oils was borneol (27-39%). Other main components were determined as camphor (9-15%), caryophyllene oxide (4-6%), and trans-verbenol (4-6%) in the oils. Enantiomeric distributions of borneol and camphor in the oils were determined on a fused silica Lipodex-E capillary column using a multidimensional GC-MS system. The three essential oils and both enantiomers of borneol have been evaluated for their antimicrobial activity. They showed inhibitory effects on Gr (-) and Gr (+) pathogenic microorganisms.