Cupressus sempervirens L., Juniperus communis L. and Cistus ladanifer L. are Mediterranean
arboreal and shrub species that possess essential oils (EO) in their leaves and branches. This study
aimed at characterizing the EOs obtained by steam distillation from the three species collected in
different locations from Spain (Almazán, Andévalo, Barriomartín, Cerezal, Ermitas and Huéscar).
For this purpose, volatiles composition was determined by GC-MS, and different bioactivities
were evaluated. The highest content in terpenes was observed in C. sempervirens (Huéscar origin)
followed by J. communis (Almazán origin), corresponding to 92% and 91.9% of total compounds,
respectively. With exception of C. ladanifer from Cerezal that presented viridiflorol as the most
abundant compound, all the three species presented in common the -pinene as the major compound.
The EOs from C. ladanifer showed high antibacterial potential, presenting MIC values from 0.3 to
1.25 mg/mL. Concerning other bioactivities, C. ladanifer EO revealed an oxidation inhibition of 83%,
while J. communis showed cytotoxicity in the MCF-7 cell line, and C. sempervirens and C. ladanifer EOs
exhibited the highest potential on NCI-H460 cell lines. Nevertheless, some EOs revealed toxicity
against non-tumoral cells but generally presented a GI50 value higher than that of the tumor cell lines.
Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support through
national funds FCT/MCTES to the CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020). L. Barros, R. Calhelha and S.A.
Heleno (CEEC-IND/03040/2017) thank the national funding by FCT, P.I., through the institutional
and individual scientific employment program-contract for their contracts. This project has received
funding from the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking (JU) under grant agreement No 887917
BeonNAT. The JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation
programme and the Bio Based Industries Consortium.
