Biological Potential and Essential Oil Profile of Two Wild Apiaceae Species from Algeria (Daucus carota L. and Foeniculum vulgare Mill.): Larvicidal and Antibacterial Effects

Infectious diseases, including vector-borne and antibiotic-resistant infections, present significant global health challenges, necessitating the exploration of natural alternatives for disease control. In this study, we investigated the essential oil (EO) profile as well as larvicidal and antibacterial properties of two wild Apiaceae species used in Algeria: <i>Daucus carota</i> L. (DCEO) and <i>Foeniculum vulgare</i> Mill. (FVEO). EO was extracted from the aerial parts by steam distillation and analyzed using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). Major constituents identified in DCEO were geranyl acetate (50.07%) and elemicin (10.77%), while FVEO contained estragole (24.93%), fenchone (20.20%), and α-phellandrene (17.96%). Both EOs were highly effective towards <i>Culex pipiens</i> larvae, with low LC₅₀ values of 30.6 ± 1.06 ppm for DCEO and 34.7 ± 1.06 ppm for FVEO, indicating their potential as bioinsecticides due to their bioactivity and bioavailability. Additionally, the two Eos demonstrated moderate antibacterial efficacy against gram-positive bacteria, <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> ATCC 25923 and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> MRSA ATCC 43300, respectively, with DCEO showing MIC values of 10 and 20 mg/mL, respectively, and FVEO exhibiting MIC values > 20 mg/mL. However, both EOs showed limited effectiveness against gram-negative bacteria, <i>Escherichia coli</i> ATCC 25922 and <i>Klebsiella pneumonia</i> ATCC 700603. These results highlight the potential applications of DCEO and FVEO as natural bioinsecticides and antibacterial agents, offering promising avenues for further research and development in pest control and food preservation.