From the leaves of Senecio bonariensis Hook. & Arn. three sesquiterpenoids were isolated. β-caryophyllene (1), β-caryophyllene oxide (2) and germacrene D (3) were characterized by GC-EI-MS, IR, ¹H and 13C-NMR data. Their ecological and chemotaxonomical significance for the genus Senecio are discussed, as well as the biosynthetic correlation between the isolated substances. The antimicrobial activity of substances 1 and 2 were evaluated by the microdilution method against bacterial and fungal strains. Both compounds did not inhibit the microorganism growth at the tested concentrations.
Senecio bonariensis; β-caryophyllene; β-caryophyllene oxide; germacrene D; chemotaxonom y; antimicrobial activity