Chemical Analysis, Bacteriostatic and Fungistatic Properties of the Essential Oil of Elecampane (Inula heleniumL.)

ABSTRACT The chemical composition of the Elecampane (Inula helenium L.) oil was analyzed by means of GC/MS. Besides the already known alantolactones (alantolactone (52.4%) and isoalantolactone (33.0%)), additional fifteen minor constituents were also identified in the oil. The essential oil sample and a hexane extract were subjected to microbiological screening against five bacteria and seven fungi and these results were compared to natural compounds known for their antimicrobial activities.