GC-MS analysis of Essential oil Components of the Libyan Thymus capitatus

Essential Oil Components from the Libyan Thymus capitatus

Authors

  • Abdulaziz .Sh. Suwaydan 1Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy,University of Elmergib, Libya
  • Mohamed Altraiki Assistant Lecturer in Libyan Center for Sustainable Development Research - Libyan Authority for S

Keywords:

Thymus capitatus, Medicinal & Aromatic plants, essential oil, GC-MS analysis, phenolic monoterpenoids

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the essential oil components from Libyan Thymus capitatus utilizing gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for identification and classification .The essential oil was extracted from samples collected in the Mesellata region of northwestern Libya. Among the identified compounds, monoterpene hydrocarbons were most prevalent, particularly Carvacrol, which constituted 56.27% of the total area. Other notable compounds included p-Cymene and γ-Terpinene. Oxygenated monoterpenes, led by Carvacrol, contributed significantly to the composition (69%), with Thymol, Linalool, and Terpinen-4-ol also being present. Additionally, Caryophyllene was identified as a significant Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon (3.57%), while Carvacryl acetate emerged as a notable oxygenated heterogeneous hydrocarbon, accounting for 1.81% of the composition. the findings highlight the potential health benefits and aromatic properties of these compounds, reinforcing the significance of Thymus capitatus essential oil as a source of natural bioactive compounds. This comprehensive analysis underscores the necessity for further exploration of this essential oil in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications

Author Biographies

Abdulaziz .Sh. Suwaydan, 1Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy,University of Elmergib, Libya

Abdulaziz .Sh. Suwaydan

Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy,University of Elmergib, Libya

Mohamed Altraiki, Assistant Lecturer in Libyan Center for Sustainable Development Research - Libyan Authority for S

 Mohamed. S. Altraiki

Libyan Center for Sustainable Development Research, Libyan Authority for Scientific Research, Libya

References

Solomou, A.D., et al., Medicinal and aromatic plants diversity in Greece and their future prospects: A review. Agricultural Science, 2016. 4(1): p. 9-21.

Pergola, M., et al., The most relevant socio-economic aspects of medicinal and aromatic plants through a literature review. Agriculture, 2024. 14(3): p. 405.

Nieto, G., A review on applications and uses of thymus in the food industry. Plants, 2020. 9(8): p. 961.

de Sousa, D.P., et al., Essential oils: Chemistry and pharmacological activities. Biomolecules, 2023. 13(7): p. 1144.

Mugao, L., Factors influencing yield, chemical composition and efficacy of essential oils. Int. J. Multidiscip. Res. Growth Eval, 2004. 5: p. 169-178.

Khwaza, V. and B.A. Aderibigbe, Antibacterial Activity of Selected Essential Oil Components and Their Derivatives: A Review. Antibiotics, 2025. 14(1): p. 68.

Benomari, F.Z., et al., Chemical variability and chemotype concept of essential oils from Algerian wild plants. Molecules, 2023. 28(11): p. 4439.

Trindade, H., et al., Chemotypes and terpene synthase genes in Thymus genus: State of the art. Industrial Crops and Products, 2018. 124: p. 530-547.

Chouhan, S., K. Sharma, and S. Guleria, Antimicrobial activity of some essential oils—present status and future perspectives. Medicines, 2017. 4(3): p. 58.

Salem, M.A., et al., Metabolomics in the context of plant natural products research: From sample preparation to metabolite analysis. Metabolites, 2020. 10(1): p. 37.

Pirintsos, S., et al., The therapeutic potential of the essential oil of Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav., Origanum dictamnus L. and Salvia fruticosa Mill. and a case of plant-based pharmaceutical development. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2020. 11: p. 522213.

Mączka, W., et al., Carvacrol—A natural phenolic compound with antimicrobial properties. Antibiotics, 2023. 12(5): p. 824.

Tammar, S., et al., Regional effect on essential oil composition and antimicrobial activity of Thymus capitatus L. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 2019. 31(2): p. 129-137.

Anh, T.T., L.T. Thu Ngan, and T.D. Lam. Essential oil from fresh and dried Rosemary cultivated in Lam Dong province, Vietnam. in IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. 2019. IOP Publishing.

Zielińska-Błajet, M. and J. Feder-Kubis, Monoterpenes and their derivatives—Recent development in biological and medical applications. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2020. 21(19): p. 7078.

Goudjil, M.B., et al., Biological activities of essential oils extracted from Thymus capitatus (Lamiaceae). South African Journal of Botany, 2020. 128: p. 274-282.

Said, A., et al., Allelopathic effects on seeds germination of Lactuca sativa L. seeds and antibacterial activity of Thymus capitatus essential oil from Zintan-Libya flora. Am. Sci. Res. J. Eng. Technol. Sci.(ASRJETS), 2016. 17: p. 121-131.

El-Ageeli, W.H., et al., Identification and Classification of Libyan Rosmarinus Officinalis Essential Oil Components by GC-MS and Predication of Its Antioxidant Activity. Al-Mukhtar Journal of Sciences, 2020. 35(3): p. 184-192.

Tagnaout, I., et al., Chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Thymus broussonetii Boiss and Thymus capitatus (L.) Hoffmann and Link essential oils. Plants, 2022. 11(7): p. 954.

Mkaddem, M.G., et al., Essential oil of Thymus capitatus Hoff. et Link. from Matmata, Tunisia: gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis and antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Journal of medicinal food, 2010. 13(6): p. 1500-1504.

El-Ouariachi, E.M., et al., Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of essential oils and solvent extracts of Thymus capitatus (L.) Hoffmanns and link from Morocco. 2011.

Maniki, E., et al., Chemical composition, antioxidant, and antibiofilm properties of essential oil from Thymus capitatus plants organically cultured on the Greek Island of Lemnos. Molecules, 2023. 28(3): p. 1154.

Additional Files

Published

2025-04-27

How to Cite

Suwaydan, A., & Altraiki, M. (2025). GC-MS analysis of Essential oil Components of the Libyan Thymus capitatus : Essential Oil Components from the Libyan Thymus capitatus. Lebda Medical Journal, 10(1), 1–11. Retrieved from https://lebmedj.elmergib.edu.ly/index.php/LMJ/article/view/220