Essential Oil Composition Analysis, Antimicrobial Activities, and Biosystematic Studies on Six Species of .

The essential oil constituents, antimicrobial properties, and biosystematic characteristics (morphological, palynological, and anatomical features) of six species from different regions of Turkey were investigated qualitatively and quantitatively in this study. The chemical composition of the essential oils of dried aerial parts of species, i.e., , , , , , and were analyzed by GC-MS. The main constituents of the six species studied were 1,8-cineol, caryophyllene oxide, spathulenol, and borneol in different ratios. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil extracted from the aerial parts of species of the genus was tested by the disc diffusion method. The essential oils of species showed different antimicrobial activity against the studied microorganisms. The highest antimicrobial activity against was observed in and the highest antimicrobial activity against was observed in . The morphology of the stem, leaf, bract, and flower structures of the species were analyzed in this study. Anatomical investigations focused on the root, petiole, and stem in more detail. Our research has broadened the criteria of anatomical characters unique to the species. Under light microscopy, the pollen grains of the six species belonging to were isopolar and radially symmetrical. The properties of the essential oil constituents, antimicrobial properties, and biosystematic data obtained in this study contribute to the bioactive and biosystematic studies of species used for food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic purposes.