Physicochemical Properties, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) Seed and Leaf Oils

Abstract

Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Commonly known as fennel has been used in traditional medicinal plant belonging to Apiaceae. The aim of this study was to examine quality and biological activities of fennel seed and leaf oils. The oil extraction was done in Soxhlet apparatus using hexane as a solvent.  The result for physicochemical properties presented significantly higher oil yield (4.39%) and peroxide value (3.90) was observed for seed oil. Significantly higher antioxidant activities with respect to DPPH (24.45±3.74) and hydrogen peroxide (62.70±0.28) free radical scavenging activities for leaf oil. However, ascorbic acid was found to be significantly higher for seed oil (82.44±4.63). The strongest antibacterial activity with maximum zone of inhibition (14.25mm), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC, 0.25µl/ml) and corresponding minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC, 0.50 µl/ml) was recorded for leaf oil extract against Staphylococcus aureus. On the other hand, the strongest antifungal activity with maximum zone of inhibition (13.50mm), MIC (0.38µl/ml, the least value) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC, 0.75µl/ml) was recorded for leaf oil against Aspergillus Niger. It can be observed from the result in this study that leaf oil extract has demonstrated more effective biological activities including both antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials.