Chemical Profiling, Antioxidant, and Antifungal Activities of Cupressus sempervirens L. Essential Oils from Algerian Arid Regions

This study investigates the chemical composition and bioactivity of essential oils (EOs) extracted from leaves and cones of Cupressus sempervirens L., collected from six different geographic zones in Algeria. Antioxidant potential was assessed via DPPH and β-carotene bleaching (BCB) assays, while antifungal activity was tested against Fusarium culmorum (BTCR) and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis (Foa). Steppe-derived EOs showed superior bioactivity than Saharan derived EOs. The leaves EOs from Ain Maabed (Djelfa) exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity (2.322 ± 0.21 mg VE/g EO), and the leaves EOs from Gtaya demonstrated the strongest antifungal effect (1.274 ± 0.03 g H/mL EO). Statistical analysis identified limonene and umbellulone as key contributors to these effects. Findings highlight the potent antifungal properties of C. sempervirens leaf EOs, supporting their potential as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic fungicides in plant disease management.