ALGERIAN Juniperus phoenicea ESSENTIAL OIL: ASSESSEMENT OF HEAVY METAL LEVELS, PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING, ANTIOXYDANT, AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITIES

Abstract

Juniperus phoenicea essential oil (JPEO) contains various biologically active constituents with remarkable biological activity. This study focuses on the chemical content, antimicrobial efficacy, heavy metal levels and antioxidant capacity of the essential oil extracted from the foliage of Algerian Juniperus phoenicea. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and then analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). To assess the heavy metal composition, energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF) was applied to the extracted oil. The agar disk diffusion technique was employed to test antibacterial activity, and the MIC and MBC values were identified. Reducing power (RP) and DPPH assays were performed to evaluate the antioxidant capacity. The results showed significant antibacterial effects against Gram-positive bacteria, while Gram-negative bacteria were insensitive. The antioxidant activity was noteworthy compared to ascorbic acid, with IC50 values of 1.10 ± 0.01 mg/mL (DPPH) and 1.55 ± 0.01 mg/mL (RP). The oil contained heavy metals at concentrations lower than those permitted by the World Health Organization. These results suggest that Juniperus phoenicea essential oil is an interesting new source of healthy natural compounds with antioxidant and antibacterial capacity, confirming its application in food biosafety as a preservative.