Chemical Characterization, Enantiomeric Distribution and Antibacterial Efficacy of The Essential Oils of Salvia officinalis from Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65820/ejsr-1vol2-issue1-2026Keywords:
Salvia Officinalis, Essential Oil, Enantiomeric Distribution, Antibacterial Activity, ChemotypeAbstract
Purpose: This study investigated the chemical composition, enantiomeric distribution, and antibacterial activity of the essential oil of Salvia officinalis cultivated in Nigeria.
Methodology: Essential oil was extracted by hydro-distillation and analysed using GC–MS and chiral GC–MS to determine both qualitative and stereochemical profiles. Antibacterial activity was assessed against seven clinically relevant bacterial strains using the microbroth dilution method.
Results: A total of 73 constituents were identified, representing 98% of the total oil. The oil exhibited a sesquiterpene-rich chemotype, dominated by β-caryophyllene, germacrene D, trans-β-ionone, α-copaene, and δ-cadinene. Chiral analysis revealed five pairs of monoterpenoid enantiomers and three enantiomerically pure sesquiterpenoids, with β-caryophyllene, δ-cadinene, and trans-β-ionone showing 100% enantiomeric excess. The essential oil demonstrated broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, with the strongest inhibition against Streptococcus faecalis (MIC = 156.3 μg/mL) and the weakest against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC = 2500 μg/mL). Major components, β-caryophyllene and germacrene D, exhibited activity comparable to the crude oil. Hierarchical cluster analysis indicated a distinct Nigerian sesquiterpene-rich chemotype, differing from the classical camphor- or α-thujone-dominant Mediterranean chemotypes.
Novelty and Contribution: This study provides first comprehensive report detailing the chemical profile, enantiomeric distribution, and antibacterial potency of Nigerian S. officinalis essential oil. The discovery of a unique β-caryophyllene/germacrene D chemotype and stereochemically pure sesquiterpenoids adds new chemotaxonomic data for the species.
Social and Practical Implications: The findings support the potential use of Nigerian S. officinalis oil as a natural antimicrobial agent and provide baseline information for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and quality-control applications.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Rayhana Olubukola Davies-Sani, Sani Alkali Hamza, Moses Sunday Owolabi, Akintayo Lanre Ogundajo, William N Setzer, Prabodh Satyal, Ambika Poudel, Lukman Olalekan Afolabi, Muhammad Sani Musbahu (Author)
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