Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of Pistacia lentiscus var. chia

The chemical composition of the three essential oils obtained by steam dist illation of the mastic gum, leaves and twigs of Pistacia lentiscus var. chi a, was studied by GC/MS. Sixty nine constituents were identified from the o ils. alpha-Pinene, myr-cene, trans-caryophyllene and germacrene D were foun d to be the major components. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the th ree essential oils and of the resin (total, acid and neutral fraction) agai nst six bacteria and three fungi is reported.