Comparative Evaluation of the Volatile Constituents in Some Verbena Species Cultivated in Egypt

ABSTRACT The composition of the volatile constituents of the fresh aerial parts of Verbena venosa Gill & Hook, Verbena bonariensis L., Verbena hybrida Vass. and Verbena supina L., were investigated by GC and GC-MS. Trans-isoelemicin was the major component (18.90% w/w) of the volatile constituents in Verbena venosa, while dihexyl phthalate, was the major component of the volatile constituents in Verbena bonariensis (48.11% w/w), Verbena hybrida (48.57% w/w), and Verbena supine (45.10% w/w). The essential oil from all the tested Verbena species exhibited significant antimicrobial and antifungal activities.