GC-MS analysis of essential oil and exploration of Anethum graveolens extracts for antimicrobial and antioxidant activity

The present study investigated the chemical composition of essential oil obtained from Anethum graveolens seeds, one of the under explored crop. The evaluation for antimicrobial activity revealed that the essential oil exhibited MIC value of 0.02% (v/v) against Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, 0.05% (v/v) against S. aureus, 0.1% (v/v) against Listeria monocytogenes, 0.5% (v/v) against Escherichia coli and 1.0% (v/v) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. Essential also exhibited the antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. The current study also investigated the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using A. graveolens leaves extracts followed by their role in free radical scavenging and antimicrobial activity. It was observed that the silver nanoparticles exhibited a free radical scavenging IC value of 40 µg ± 3 per ml of DPPH. Moreover, the plant extract used for silver nanoparticle biosynthesis also mitigated the toxic effect of silver at 1mM to 10mM. Thus, the present study indicates that the A. graveolens seeds being rich source of various volatile compounds can be explored for its antimicrobial properties whereas the plant extract could be used for alienating the heavy metal stress based oxidative stress and bioremediation.