<i>Canarium subulatum</i> and <i>Illicium petelotii</i> Essential Oils from Vietnam: Compositions with Concomitant Antimicrobial and Mosquito Larvicidal Effects

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the essential oil extracted from the in continuation of an extensive research on the chemical compositions and biological potentials of essential oils from Vietnamese plants as they are made available, we studied the leaves of Canarium subulatum Guillaumin (Burseraceae) and Illicium petelotii A. C. Smith (Schisandraceae). Methods Chemical compounds in essential oils were identified using GC-FID/MS (gas chromatography-flame ionization detection/mass spectrometry) analysis. The broth microdilution method was used for the antimicrobial assay. The larvicidal activity was evaluated against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus larvae, with lethal concentration (LC 50 and LC 90 ) values calculated after 24 and 48 h of exposure. Results The leaves were collected from Pù Hoạt Natural Reserve, Vietnam. From the mass spectral analysis, ( E )-caryophyllene (17.0%), α-pinene (16.9%), limonene (15.1%), and ( E )-β-ocimene (13.8%) were the major compounds in C. subulatum. Caryophyllene oxide (26.8%), and ( Z )-β-elemene (11.3%) are the significant constituents of I. petelotii . The antimicrobial results showed that I. petelotii exhibited minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 64.0 µg/mL against three microbes of namely exhibited Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, and Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579. C. subulatum exhibited MIC value of 128.0 µg/mL to the mentioned microbes. Both C. subulatum and I. petelotii showed anti-candidal activity at MIC of 64.0 µg/mL against Candida albicans ATCC 10231. The essential oils of C. subulatum and I. petelotii were toxic against Aedes aegypti with median lethal concentrations (LC 50 ) values of 39.33 μg/mL and 36.88 μg/mL, respectively at 24 h. Both samples. Both oil samples displayed larvicidal activity towards Culex quinquefasciatus with LC 50 values of 32.60 μg/mL and 48.94 μg/mL, respectively, at 24 h. This is the first reported data on C. subulatum and I. petelotii volatile contents, antimicrobial and larvicidal activities . Conclusion This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the chemical composition and biological activities of Canarium subulatum and Illicium petelotii essential oil. The findings highlight its potent antimicrobial and mosquito larvicidal properties. Further research is warranted to explore its mechanisms of action and potential applications in pharmaceuticals and pest control.