GC-MS characterization, antioxidant, antimicrobial and insecticidal potential of Moroccan <i>Cuminum cyminum</i> L. essential oil

Abstract

Human health has constantly been improved using medicinal plants. Notwithstanding synthetic chemistry advancements, medicinal plants remain widely used due to their effectiveness, reduced toxicity, and therapeutic use. This investigation examines the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and insecticidal properties of essential oil extracted from Moroccan cumin seeds (Cuminum cyminum L.). The essential oil was obtained through hydrodistillation from cumin seeds with a 3% yield. The EO was subjected to antioxidant, antimicrobial, and insecticidal activity screening using standard methods. The EO was investigated against a panel of pathogenic microorganisms using the disc diffusion method. The GC-MS analysis of the EO revealed the presence of 41 constituents. The major compounds identified were cuminaldehyde (21.94%), γ-terpene (18.20%), mentha-1,3-diene-7-al (14.93%), and α-pinene (13.789%). The EO showed moderate antioxidant activity against DDPH free radicals with an IC₅₀ values of 273.409 mg/mL. The antibacterial screening results revealed that the EO of Cuminum cyminum possesses potent antibacterial activity against all tested bacterial strains, with MIC of 0.5 μL/mL against Acinetobacter baumannii and 1 μL/mL against Proteus mirabilis. The EO exhibited potent insecticidal activity against black bean aphids (Aphis fabae Scop.), with an 80% mortality rate. In conclusion, this study shows that Cuminum cyminum L. has interesting pharmacological effects and could be used to develop insecticidal and antimicrobial drug leads.