Micromorphology of trichomes of Thymus malyi (Lamiaceae).

Micromorphological, ultrastructural and morphometric investigations of the trichomes of Thymus malyi were carried out using a light microscope, a scanning electron microscope and a transmission electron microscope. Unbranched non-glandular trichomes, peltate and capitate glandular trichomes were described. The leaves of Thymus malyi bear non-glandular and glandular trichomes on both sides. Estimates of the volume density (i.e. their volume fraction per unit volume) of non-glandular trichomes were higher as compared to volume density of peltate and capitate glandular trichomes. Estimates of the number of these trichomes per area on sections showed that the capitate trichomes were the most abundant. Ultrastructural analyses of cell inner structure have shown numerous mitochondria, big nuclei and plastids with lipid globules and starch grains.

Antimicrobial activity of essential oils and ethanol extract of Phlomis fruticosa L. (Lamiaceae).

The essential oils and an ethanol extract of Phlomis fruticosa L. were evaluated for antibacterial and antifungal activities. Seven bacterial and seven fungal species were used. Among them were human, animal and plant pathogens, food poisoning bacteria and fungi which are known as potential mycotoxin producers. The essential oils showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Micrococcus luteus. The essential oils extracted from the plants collected from two different localities showed similar antibacterial activities. The antifungal activity of the essential oils was positive against Aspergillus niger, A. ochraceus, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Fusarium tricinctum and Phomopsis helianthi. The ethanol extract showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis and antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger, A. ochraceus, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Fusarium tricinctum and Phomopsis helianthi.