Abstract

This study aims to assess the pharmacological potential of essential oils extracted from two aromatic plants, Cymbopogon citratus and Eucalyptus globulus, cultivated in Lebanon, taken individually and in combination in order to determine possible synergistic interactions. The extraction of these essential oils was carried out by hydrodistillation. Then, an organoleptic characterization and an evaluation of their antioxidant, repellent/insecticidal and antibacterial activities have been evaluated. The obtained results showed that the two oils had an antioxidant activity dependent on the dilution used and reaching 85% for eucalyptus and 60% for lemongrass. While the combination of these oils showed an antioxidant activity of 65%. In addition, they showed an insecticidal effect when used individually, and an increase in this effect when were used in combination. Also, these two essential oils demonstrated an antibacterial effect which increases when they are in combination according to the types of bacteria.

Keywords: Eucalyptus globulus; Cymbopogon citratus; Essential oils; Hydrodistillation; Antioxidant; Antibacterial; Insecticidal effecte