Alireza Salimi Beni, Mehrzad Kocheki Shahmokhtar, Asad Masoumias and Habibollah Khajehsharifi
Myrtus communis L. is one member of the Myrtaceae family. It is one of the important medicinal plants in the Zagros region of Iran. The Essential oils include a large percentage of compounds called terpenes. In this study, the chemical composition of essential oils of Myrtus (Myrtus communis L.) was identified by the GC-MS method. Results showed that essential oils of populations from different regions have a series of similar compounds, but different in quality and quantity. In fact, they have several organic compounds such as hydrocarbons, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, ethers, esters, oxides and other volatile oil and so on. Percentage of essential oils in different populations were variable. Essential oil of “Basht” population has 35 compounds such as 1,8-cineole, linalool, α- pinene and lynalyl acetate. Essential oils of “Dehno-Rostam” population has 30 compounds include 1, 8 cineole, linalool, α terpineol, α-pinene. Essential oils of “Sarab-Bahram” population has 19 compounds include α-pinene, 1,8- cineole, linalool, and α terpineol. Essential oils of “Keveshk” population has 29 compounds such as 1,8-cineole, α- pinene, linalool, and α-terpineol and Essential oils of “Tang-Tamoradi” population has 25 compounds include Eugenol, δ-3-carene, 1,8-cineole, and α-terpineol. Aqueous extracts of those populations were evaluated, and the results showed that they have antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but have not any antifungal activity (Aspergillus oryzae).