Ziziphora tenuior L. in two regions of Iran

In the present study, essential oil composition and antibacterial effects of Ziziphora tenuior in Hesarak (Karaj) and Venarch (Qom) were studied and compared. The aerial parts of plants were collected at full flowering stage and essential oil was isolated by hydrodistillation and analyzed by capillary GC and GC-MS. Thirteen and sixteen compounds were identified in essential oils of plants in Hesarak and Venarch respectively. In both regions, the highest content was recorded for pulegone (85 to 87 %) and no significant differences were observed. Limonene in plants of Hesarak (5.1%) were more than that of Venarch(3.64 %). Ethanol extracts of the plants in Hesarak significantly showed an effective controlling and antimicrobial effect against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus compared with plants of Venarch. Concentrations of Mn, Fe and Ni in soil of Venarch (2766.67, 40333, 0.384 ppm respectively) were higher than that of Hesarak (558.33, 28600, 12.25 ppm respectively), however, soluble manganese and iron contents in soil of Hesarak (6.53 and 4 ppm respectively) were higher than that of soil of Venarch (4.6 and 1.9 ppm respectively). Since concentration of Mn, Fe and Ni in aerial parts and roots of the studied plant in Hesarak and Venarch showed significant difference, antibacterial activity of the plants in both regions is also different. According to the results and with regard to the changes in elements concentration of the soil, essential oil composition and antibacterial effects of Ziziphora tenuior are affected by elements content in soil.