Thymus species are wild species mostly found in the arid lands of Portugal. Possible antimicrobial properties of Thymus essential oils have been investigated. The chemical composition of the essential oils and the antimicrobial activity of Thymus mastichina (L) L. subsp. mastichina, T. camphoratus and T. lotocephalus from different regions of Portugal were analysed.
Faculdade de Engenharia de Recursos Naturais, Universidade do Algarve, Faro and INETI, IBQTA, Departamento de Tecnologia das Indústrias Químicas, Lisboa and Centro de Biotecnologia Vegetal, FCL, Lisboa, Portugal. mfaleiro@ualg.pt