Planta Med 2008; 74 - PI15
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1084923

Essential oil composition of different parts of Greek Foeniculum vulgare and larvicidal activity of the stem oil

S Manolakou 1, D Pitarokili 1, G Koliopoulos 2, A Michaelakis 2, O Tzakou 1
  • 1Department of Pharmacognosy and Chemistry of Natural Products, School of Pharmacy, University of Athens, Panepistimioupoli Zographou, 157 71 Athens, Greece
  • 2Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 8 S. Delta Str. 145 61 Kifissia, Athens, Greece

Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (fennel) is a well-known perennial or biennial herb that is native to the Mediterranean region [1]. Its original Greek genus name was Marathron and it has been widely used in traditional Greek medicine as appetizer, digestive and diuretic [2].

The plant material was collected from a natural population at the University of Athens campus at the end of flowering stage in July (2007). The essential oils of the fresh leaves, inflorescences and stems were obtained separately by hydrodistillation and analyzed by means of GC-FID and GC-MS. All samples possessed high levels of phenylpropenes (27.4–55.1%) and monoterpene hydrocarbones (34.0–53.2%), with methyl chavicol (27.4–49.8%) being the major constituent. In stem and inflorescences oil α-phellandrene (14.6% and 8.7%, respectively) and limonene (12.9 and 9.5%) were present in considerable amounts, while in the leaf oil p-cymene (17.5%) and α-pinene (13.4%) were important constituents. All samples contained low percentage of fenchone (3.0–9.0%), whereas trans-anethole, the most frequent found dominated compound, was a minor constituent (traces-5.3%) in all samples. In order to test the larvicidal activity against Culex pipiens biotype molestus the air-dried stem oil was obtained and analyzed. The oil was characterized by the presence of methyl chavicol (36.2%), α-phellandrene (16.8%) and limonene (11.8%). F. vulgare stem oil revealed complete larvicidal activity at 75 mgL-1.

References: 1. Tutin, TG. (1968) Flora Europaea. Vol.2. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge. 2. Blumenthal, M. et al. (2000) Herbal Medicine, Expanded Commission E Monographs. American Botanical Council. Austin, Texas.