The results of the present study demonstrated that essential oil
and various extracts from chamomile and fennel show good antioxidant
and free radical scavenging activities. Furthermore, essential
oil also exhibited appreciable antimicrobial activity. The production
of such essential oil and bioactive components from indigenous
resources and their utilization as potential natural food preservatives
could be of economic value. However, further investigations
involving more detailed in vitro and in vivo studies to establish
which components of the essential oil or extracts offer the best
antioxidant activity are recommended. Overall, this study presents
valuable information on the composition and antioxidant attributes
of chamomile and fennel essential oil and their extracts from Egypt.
It advocates its consumption in food and pharmaceutical preparations
local industries. In addition, fennel showing antioxidant
activity might be explored for functional food and nutraceutical
applications, besides its traditional uses.