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Abstract
In the present study, seven thyme species Origanum onites, O. vulgare var. hirtum, O. vulgare var. gracile, O. syriacum, Satureja hortensis, Thymbra spicata, and Thymus vulgaris were used. The essential oils of these plants were obtained by the hydrodistillation method. Antimicrobial activities of the essential oils against microorganisms, including multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria, were investigated using the disc diffusion method. All the essential oils used in this study were very effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, which included multiple resistant strains. All essential oils tested were especially very effective against Streptococcus pyogenes. The maximum antimicrobial activity was observed with the essential oils of S. hortensis. The antimicrobial activities of the essential oils varied depending on the species. In fact, the essential oils of some thyme species showed different levels of antimicrobial activities. The antioxidant activity results show that the percentage of inhibition values ranged from 28.32 to 94.55 %. Among essential oils, O. vulgare var. gracile oil showed the lowest antioxidant capacity (28.32 %), while S. hortensis showed the highest one (94.55 %). Generally, the data suggest that different thyme species oil possesses useful antimicrobial and antioxidant properties and may be utilized in the food industry and as a dietary supplement.