Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Eucalyptus CinereaEssential Oil with Its Insecticidal Effect Against Ceratitis CapitataAdults

This work was designed to explore the chemical composition, antioxidant, antibacterial and insecticidal activities of Eucalyptus cinereaessential oil collected from Ain Draham, North-Western of Tunisia. GC/MS analysis revealed the identification of twenty two compounds with 1,8-cineole (63.51%), camphene (15.53%), α-pinene (7.55%) and α-terpineol (3.52%) as major components. The antioxidant potential was assessed using two methods 1.1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP). IC50value was 161.59 µg/mL in the DPPH assay. Moreover, the antibacterial acitivity was evaluated towards Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coliATCC25922, Staphylococcus aureusATCC29213, Enterococcus faecalisATCC29212). The diameter of inhibition varied between 22 ± 0.57 mm and 7 ± 0.5 mm. The largest one was found in Staphylococcus aureus. However, the smallest one was found in Enterococcus feacalis. The insecticidal potential was established against Ceratitis capitataadults using contact toxicity by topical application. Results revealed that all E. cinereaoil concentrations exhibited strong contact properties. The originality of this research is to offer farmers an innovative solution to control C. capitatabased on the application of natural insecticidal molecules extracted from Eucalyptus cinerea.Moreover, this oil deserves better considerations due to its antioxidant and antibacterial properties.