Molecular characterization, GC-MS analysis, and biological activities of Matricaria chamomilla var. recutita L. essential oils from Taounate, Morocco: In vitro and in silico investigations of antioxidant, antimicrobial, and insecticidal effects

Chamomile ( Matricaria chamomilla L.), a widely recognized medicinal plant, was investigated for its chemical composition, functional properties, and molecular characterization, focusing on samples cultivated in the Taounate region of Morocco. Essential oil (EO) was extracted using a Clevenger apparatus, and GC/MS analysis identified 26 compounds, with germacrene (19.46%), α-curcumene (19.00%), and caprinic acid (15.81%) as the major components. The EO exhibited significant antioxidant activity, with an IC₅₀ of 456.57 µg/mL against the DPPH radical. It demonstrated strong antibacterial effects, particularly against E. coli, with an inhibition zone of 21.50 ± 0.50 mm and a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 20.00 µg/mL. Antifungal activity was also notable, inhibiting Aspergillus niger by 31.19 ± 0.00 mm. In fumigation tests, the EO caused 100% insect mortality at 16 µL/L after 72 hours, with an LC₅₀ of 1.86 µL/L of air, and showed a 55% repellency rate at 12 µL/cm². DNA sequencing confirmed a 99.22% similarity with Matricaria chamomilla var. recutita (L.). These results highlight the EO's multifaceted biological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and insecticidal properties, underscoring its potential for applications in healthcare, agriculture, and food production.