Extracts of Flourensia cernua (L): Volatile constituents and antifungal, antialgal, and antitermite bioactivities

The chemical components of tarbush (Flourensia cernua) leaves were fraction ated by extracting successively with hexanes, diethyl ether, and ethanol. V olatile profiles of each fraction were identified by using GC-MS. The hexan es fraction contained mostly monoterpenoids, while the ethanol fraction vol atiles were primarily sesquiterpenoids. Crude fractions were tested for act ivity against fungi, algae, and termites. Application of as little as I jug of the essential oil from the hexanes fraction was sufficient to provide v isible antifungal activity in bioautography assays. The diethyl ether fract ion showed selective activity against the cyanobacterium responsible for th e 2-methylisoborneol-induced off-flavor sometimes associated with catfish f arming operations. All three fractions exhibited a high degree of antitermi te activity.