ANBAR JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

Abstract

The chemical composition of thyme seeds Thymus vulgaris and phytochemicals were investigated using standard analytical methods in order to assess the numerous potential of the plant seeds. The proximate analysis showed the percentages of moisture, ash, crude protein, lipids and crude fibers content of the seeds on dry weight basis as 7.00%, 10.00%, 7.55%, 35.00%, 9.87 % respectively. The qualitative determination of seeds showed the presence of phytochemicals tannins, alkaloids, resins, flavonoides, phenols, saponins and free of glycosides. The aqueous extract of the plant had acidic pH 6.2. Aqueous extracts were prepared in concentrations (25,50,75,100%) and alcoholic extracts 100% Each aqueous and alcohol extracts were tested for antimicrobial activity towards seven different strains of microorganisms included three bacterial which were Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus as well as four Fungal strains which were Alternaria alternata ,Aspergillus niger, Penecillium italicum and Trichoderma harzianum. The inhibitory activity of extracts were varying based on kind of extract, concentration and microorganism.
It was shown that inhibition activity of aqueous extracts against Pseudomonas aeruginosa higher compared with other bacteria. The water extracts at (25,50,75) % concentration were not showed any inhibition effect against Staphylococcus aureus. The alcoholic extract was more effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa than another bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Each aqueous and alcohol extracts displayed antifungal activity it was observed decline in diameter growth with increased of aqueous extracts concentrations. The aqueous extract 100% had high inhibition activity compared with other aqueous extracts
This study confirms that thyme is one of plants that can used of its extracts in field of food preservation and the medicine. The presence of phytochemicals indicates its importance as a source of useful drugs.