GC-MS Analysis, phytochemical characterization, antioxidant, antifungal, and antimicrobial activities of Carthamus tinctorius oil

The current work aimed to determine the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Carthamus tinctorius seed oil, also called safflower, from the Tiaret region (Algeria). The primary goals of the present study were to identify the chemical composition of the oil by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry analysis, as well as the biological activities, especially antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Seeds were carefully harvested, identified, and then subjected to Soxhlet apparatus extraction. From the GC-MS profile, it was observed that oil was rich in bioactive principles dominated by such compounds as benzyl chloride (22.01%), hexanal (7.61%), and 2,4-decadienal (15.74%), known to possess antioxidant activity besides providing sensory quality to oils. Antioxidant activity was assayed by using DPPH and ABTS assays, which presented the maximum inhibition of 75.82% at 500 µg/mL concentration, with an IC50 calculated at 351.98 µg/mL, indicating a good capacity for neutralizing free radicals. Therefore, according to the results, safflower oil is a beneficial natural antioxidant agent in the food and cosmetic industries. However, antimicrobial action tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans did not have any essential effect, evidenced by the absence of inhibiting zones; hence, it is of low efficiency against such strains. This may be attributed to the low concentration of volatile antibacterial compounds in safflower oil. In conclusion, while Carthamus tinctorius oil has a high potential in terms of antioxidant action, antimicrobial efficiency remains low. More focused studies are probably required to consider improved extraction methods or the supplementation of synergistic compounds to enhance the overall effectiveness.