Comparison of the Structures and Antioxidant Activity of the Major Compounds of Lippia multiflora Mold (Verbenaceae) Leaves Essential Oils Collected in Center of Côte d'Ivoire

The growing interest in natural antioxidants is motivated by the harmful effects of the use of synthetic antioxidants. Medicinal plants such as Lippia multiflora are being studied for their multiple biological potentials, in particular their ability to provide new sources of natural antioxidants. The aim of this study was to determine the chemical composition and assess the antioxidant activity of Lippia multiflora essential oils from five (5) localities in Côte d'Ivoire. The essential oils were extracted by steam stripping and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine their chemical composition. Their antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH and ABTS tests.The analyses revealed that the major compounds in the essential oils from Yamoussoukro, Tiébissou, Bouaflé, Toumodi and Dimbokro were α-phellandrene, Eucalyptol (1,8-cineole), Linalool, β-citral (Neral), trans-geraniol, α-citral (Geranial), Germacrene D and (±)-trans-nerolidol, respectively. The best antioxidant activities for the DPPH and ABTS tests were obtained for Dimbokro and Toumodi essential oils respectively. These results suggest that Lippia multiflora essential oils have significant biological potential and could be used as an alternative to synthetic antioxidants, with possible applications in the agri-food and pharmaceutical industries.