Phytochemical profile, physicochemical, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Juniperus phoenicea and Tetraclinis articulate: in vitro and in silico approaches

IntroductionThis research aims to explore the molecular composition, antioxidant capabilities, and antibacterial effects of the essential oils from Tetraclinis articulateata and Juniperus phoenicea.MethodsEssential oils were extracted using hydrodistillation. Gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry was used to determine the chemical makeup of essential oils. Two methods are used to assess the antioxidant activity of essential oils: the reduction of iron (ferric reducing antioxidant power or frap) and the trapping of the free radical 2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The antimicrobial potential of essential oils was assessed using the diffusion method on a solid-state disk in comparison to nine bacterial and seven fungal souches.Results and DiscussionThe essential oil yields from Tetraclinis articulata and Juniperus phoenicea are 0.46% ± 0.02% and 0.83% ± 0.05%, respectively. According to CG/SM’s chromatographic analyses, the predominant constituent in the essential oil of J. Phoenicea is α-pinène (59.51%), while the main constituents in the essential oil of T. Articulata? are Bornyle acetate (18.91%) and camphor (28.48%). The assessment of antioxidant activities reveals intriguing antioxidant qualities in the essential oils of the species under investigation. T. Articulata essential oils yield the greatest results in the DPPH and FRAP tests, with CI50 values of around 266.9 ± 5.4 μg/mL and EC50 values of 433.16 ± 4.13 μg/mL, respectively. Except for Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus BLACT, and Pseudomonas aeroginosa, the two essential oils have demonstrated significant bactericidal activity against all bacterial and fungal souches (MIC