Ruta chalepensisL. Essential Oil: Chemical Composition and Phytotoxic Activity

The aim of this work is to study the use of Ruta chalepensis essential oil as a bioactive substance in order to propose ways of valuation and rational exploitation of the plant. In this context, the extraction of essential oil was carried out using hydrodistillation process. 23 compounds were identified in the aerial part of Ruta chalepensis essential oil. The major compound is undecan-2-one (77.7 %). In addition, the phytotoxic activity of Ruta chalepensis essential oil was investigated. An important toxicity on the germination of the hard wheat was observed. Indeed, the rate of hard wheat germination passes from 65.55 % at 0.5 μ1.ml−1 essential oil concentration to 31.11% at 1 μ1.ml−1.