Chemical composition of essential oils of different organs of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) plant, biological activity and level of influence by environmental factors

In this study, the chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from four different organs (stem, leaf, flower and seed) of the fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) plant, which grows naturally in Sinop province, was determined and compared by GC/MS analysis (morphogenetic variability), and the disc diffusion of the obtained essential oils was performed. Its biological activity on test microorganisms was studied using the method and its level of influence from environmental factors was investigated. For this purpose, the essential oils of fennel plants collected were extracted by hydrodistillation method and their chemical compositions were determined. Accordingly, the main component in seed, flower and leaf essential oils was estragole (methyl chavicol) (53,3%; 38,9; 51,4%, respectively), while the main component in stem essential oil was fenchyl acetate (35,2%). According to the disc diffusion and MIC results in the study, it was observed that the essential oils of fennel had different antimicrobial activities depending on the area obtained and the microorganisms applied. It has been determined that essential oils are more effective on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria than on fungi. It has been determined that the best activity is in fennel seed essential oil in all microorganisms. It was determined that there was no growth in the A. niger strain among fungi to which the E. faacalis strain was resistant. When the MIC results were examined, it was determined that the highest inhibitory activity in fennel essential oils was in the seed essential oil and Gram-positive bacteria, and that the essential oils did not show any inhibitory effects on E. faacalis and A. niger strains. Obtained results; It has been observed that the essential oil chemical compositions of different organs of the fennel plant vary and their antimicrobial effects are high, although they vary among the organs.