Influence of the environmental factors on composition of volatile constituents and biological activity of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) Don (Asteraceae)

The biovariability of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) Don grown wild in Calabria and Sardinia(Italy) was reported. This species has been characterized through the detection, isolationand quantitative evaluation of chemical markers (alpha-terpinolene, trans-cariophyllene and nerylacetate) by GC and GC-MS. Antioxidant activity of the methanolic H. italicum extractsusing DPPH and beta-carotene bleaching test showed that the Calabrian samples were moreactive than those from Sardinia. The antibacterial activity of all extracts evidenced the bestperformance on the Gram positive bacteria particularly on Micrococcus luteus. Moreover,antifungal activity of all extracts was also tested evidencing important results particularly onthe phytopathogene fungus Pythium ultimum. In general, as regards the antifungal activity,the extracts from Sardinia were more active than those from Calabria. The phytochemicalanalysis and the biological activity data suggested a possible use of these plant matrices inalimentary, cosmetic and pharmaceutical fields.