Altitudinal effects on the chemical profile and antimicrobial activity of Selinum tenuifolium Salisb. essential oils

The volatile compositions of the aerial and underground sections of the wildly growing Selinum tenuifolium Salisb. (Apiaceae) in the Chopta region of Uttarakhand, India, plants were investigated at three varying elevations (2150 m, 2593 m and 3178 m). Field sampling was conducted in September 2021 during the flowering stage. Plant materials were collected from 3–4 individual plants at each elevation. Employing a Clevenger apparatus, we isolated the sample’s volatile elements, which were then analysed via capillary gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection (GC-FID) followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Six aerial components were discovered, making up 54 %, 67 % and 76 % of the total oil composition. Meanwhile, 18 elements constituted 77.6 %, 72.8 % and 75.0 % of the overall composition. Terpenoids, including α-Pinene, Limonene and 14-hydroxy-δ-cadinene, were the main components in the oil of underground regions. Antibacterial activity against 8 bacterial strains and antifungal activity against 4 fungi were both assessed on the oil samples. According to the findings, oil from underground regions growing at a height of 2150 m was effective against SA-96 and SE Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)=250 g/mL). Plants growing at an altitude of 2150 m produced essential oils that were very active against SE (MIC=125 g/mL). Maximum fungicidal activity against CA-227 (FIC=250 g/mL) was observed in oil from the underground and aerial parts growing at an altitude of 2150 m. Therefore, essential oils from both aerial and underground parts of S. tenuifolium harvested at 2150 m elevation are recommended as potential natural antifungal agents, particularly for controlling Candida albicans infections. This low-altitude population should be prioritised for sustainable cultivation and commercial development of antifungal formulations.