Qualitative and quantitative changes in the essential oil of Laurus nobilis L. leaves as affected by different drying methods

The effect of six different drying methods on the content and chemical composition of the essential oil of Laurus nobilis L. leaves was studied. The essential oils from fresh and dried samples were isolated by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger apparatus and analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Results showed that air drying at ambient temperature and infrared drying at 45 °C increased significantly the essential oil content. Forty-seven components were determined in essential oils, which were mostly oxygenated monoterpenes. This class of compounds is not significantly affected by the method of drying except for air drying at ambient temperature. The main components 1,8-cineole, methyl eugenol, terpinen-4-ol, linalool and eugenol showed significant variations with drying methods. The concentrations of these compounds increased significantly in the case of air drying at ambient temperature. These results allowed considering this method of drying as the method that produced the best results in terms of essential oil and bioactive compounds contents.     

Evaluation of a chemotype of spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) grown in Siwa Oasis,Egypt

A distinguishable chemotype of spearmint (Mentha spicata) was found in Siwa Oasis, Egypt. The locals in very limited areas grow this type. Stolones of this type were transplanted to some other locations in Egypt namely; Owainate, Kharga, Samallot, and Arish. The oil content in the air-dried herb grown in Siwa reached 2.93 and 2.99% in the seasons of 2001 and 2002, respectively. The oil content of that type increased to 3.85 and 3.90%, in the two seasons when it was cultivated in Owainat territory, while it decreased to 1.59 and 1.61% when cultivated in Arish territory. These two geographical locations greatly differed in the average, maximum and minimum temperatures, relative humidity, sunshine duration, and solar radiation. Samples of spearmint distributed in the local market and cultivated around Cairo contained only 1.28% oil. In oils of Siwa mint cultivated in the different locations, carvone was the main constituent; its content ranged between 42.23 and 57.61%, while limonene came in the second rank ranging between 26.15 and 34.83%. In contrast, oil of spearmint collected from the local market (grown in Cairo) was characterized by higher carvone (73.18%) and lower limonene (5.00%) contents. Siwa mint is a distinguishable type of spearmint regarding its oil content and composition.     

Changes on essential oil composition of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) fruits during three stages of maturity

The essential oils composition of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) fruits obtained by hydrodistillation was studied at three stages of maturity by GC–FID and GC–MS. Essential oil yields showed marked increase during maturation process and forty one compounds were identified. Geranyl acetate (46.27%), linalool (10.96%), nerol (1.53%) and neral (1.42%) were the main compounds at the first stage of maturity (immature fruits). At the middle stage, linalool (76.33%), cis-dihydrocarvone (3.21%) and geranyl acetate (2.85%) were reported as the main constituents. Essential oils at the final stage of maturity (mature fruits) consist mainly on linalool (87.54%) and cis-dihydrocarvone (2.36%). Additionally, accumulation of monoterpene alcohols and ketones was observed during maturation process of coriander fruit.     

Comparative essential oil composition of flowers,leavesand stems of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) used as herb

The chemical composition of flower, leaves and stems from basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) have been examined by GC and GC–MS. The identified components constituting 99.03%, 95.04% and 97.66% of the flower, leaves and stem oils, respectively. The main constituents of the essential oil of flower, leaves and stem oils, respectively, were estragole (58.26%, 52.60% and 15.91%) and limonene (19.41%, 13.64% and 2.40%) and p-cymene (0.38%, 2.32% and 2.40%). Dill apiole (50.07%) was identified as the highest main constituent for stem. Estragole (15.91%), apiole (9.48) and exo-fenchyle acetate (6.14%) followed in order to decreasing them. Minor qualitative and major quantitative variations for some compounds of essential oils were determined with respect to different parts of O. basilicum. It was reported that the chemical composition of different parts oils of basil are very variable. It is known that specific estragole chemotypes are also known.     

Assessment of agronomic, chemical and genetic variability in common basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

In the present work, agro-morphological characteristics, essential oil composition and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were studied to estimate the relationships among 12 basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) genotypes, belonging to nine known cultivars grown in Italy. The basil cultivars were distinguished on the basis of agro-morphological determinations and constituents of essential oil. Chemical compounds of essential oils were found variable in the various basil cultivars. As a consequence, the plants were classified into main phenotypes and chemotypes. RAPD markers were used in order to assess the genetic relatedness among the basil cultivars. On the basis of their genetic similarities, RAPD analysis allowed to group the samples into two main clusters. One of these included cultivars suitable for food industry, which were also correlated via agro-morphological features. However, the same cultivars produced distinct essential oil profiles, which did not match with results obtained by agronomic and genetic analysis. This fact, maybe, is due to a different genic expression of the key enzymes involved in biosynthetic pathways that produce chemical compounds.     

荆条挥发油中β-丁香烯的提取分离

首次从荆条植物中分离得到β-丁香烯。利用水蒸气蒸馏法提取荆条挥发油,得油率1.2%。经减压精馏、硅胶柱色谱、硝酸银-硅胶柱色谱等分离过程得到产物β-丁香烯,色谱纯度98.2%。通过红外光谱、质谱、核磁共振确认了结构。     

Essential oil composition of the turpentine tree (Pistacia terebinthus L.) fruits growing wild in Turkey

Constituents of essential oils from fruit samples of the turpentine tree (Pistacia terebinthus L.) collected from fifteen different localities of Turkey on August 2001 were identified by GC–MS. Twenty-eight compounds representing 92.3–100.0% of turpentine fruit oils were identified. The oil yields varied between 0.06% and 0.16%. The highest yield of oil was obtained from fruits of Antalya origin (Akba?-Serik) (0.16%). α-Pinene (51.3%), limonene (39.0%), p-cymen-8-ol (40.0%) and caryophyllene oxide (51.0%) were found as major components for different localities in Turkey. The predominant constituents in most samples were α-pinene (9.5–51.3%), limonene (tr-39.0%) and caryophyllene oxide (tr-51.5). Except for one collection (Manavgat-Antalya), which contained spathulenol (20.7%) and p-cymen-8-ol (40.0%), all the other samples yielded oils rich in α-pinene and limonene. β-Caryophyllene oxide is the most abundant compound in Hisarönü (?zmir), Alanya (Antalya) and Yaylada? (Hatay) oils. Results confirm the effect of locality on the oil content and composition.     

芳香植物荆条叶、枝的挥发性成分分析

同时蒸馏萃取方法分别制备北京地区野生芳香植物荆条叶、枝2个部位的精油,气-质联机分析,采用计算机质谱库检索结合气相色谱保留指数二维定性的方法,共鉴定出75种化合物,其中β-甲基紫罗兰酮、对伞花-8-醇、反,反-金合欢醇、2-戊基呋喃、愈创木酚、β-大马烯酮、顺-桧烯水合物、顺-对薄菏烷-2-烯-1-醇、糠醛、苯甲醛、苯乙醛等33种组分在荆条植物化学成分研究中首次报道。荆条叶、枝的挥发性化学组成相似,多数为单萜及倍半萜类化合物。荆条叶、枝的主要挥发性成分为β-丁香烯(叶38·8%、枝31·8%),香桧烯(叶9·8%、枝5·1%)和β-金合欢烯(叶5·7%、枝5·5%)。     

Variations in the essential oil composition in buds of six blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) cultivars at various development phases

The variations in the content and the composition of dormant bud essential oil in six blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) cultivars collected at various vegetation phases (from December 15, 2004 until April 19, 2005) were studied. Essential oil yield varied from 0.6% to 1.8%, except for the buds harvested in April, when the yield was considerably lower, 0.19–0.27%. Fifty volatile compounds were identified in the bud oils, hydrocarbon (38–55%) and oxygenated (on average 30%) terpenes being the major chemical constituents. Sabinene, δ-3-carene, terpinolene were dominant components, while cis- and trans-β-ocimene, α-thujene, α- and β-pinene, myrcene, α- and β-phellandrene, α- and γ-terpinene, p-cymene, cis- and trans-sabinene hydrate, terpinen-4-ol, α-terpineol, trans-piperitol, bornyl acetate, terpinyl acetate, citronellyl acetate, germacrenes D, β-caryophyllene, α-humulene, α-selinene, δ-cadinene and α-cadinol were found in reasonable amounts. Almiai may be considered as a superior cultivar, as possessing the most even content of oils ant the main constituents at all harvesting periods, except for April; however some other cultivars (Gagatai, Joniniai) accumulated higher amounts of oil at particular vegetation phases. January may be considered as a preferable harvesting time of buds; the amount of major terpenes at this phase was the highest in the all cultivars except for Joniniai. The concentration of the main oil compounds in buds harvested in April was 2–50 times lower than at other periods in the all six cultivars.     

3种染色剂检测大米中米象虫卵感染效果比较

比较了改进后的高锰酸钾、酸性品红、碘-碘化钾溶液处理感染米象虫卵大米的染色效果和检出结果,研究了高锰酸钾对新陈大米卵斑的检测效果.试验结果显示,相对于感染虫卵的大米中幼虫达43.3％的情况,高锰酸钾溶液染色的百粒大米卵斑检出率最大,可达29.0％;新大米感染虫卵的第1天卵斑检出率最高,为26.0％,且不同感染时间的卵斑检出率差异显著;陈大米感染虫卵的第1天卵斑检出率也最高,为22.0％,不同感染时间的卵斑检出率差异不显著.结果表明,采用质量分数为1％的高锰酸钾溶液染色处理大米10s,可较为快速、准确地检测大米中米象虫卵感染情况;新大米感染虫卵的时间对染色检出卵斑效果有显著影响,而陈大米感染虫卵的时间对染色检出卵斑效果影响不显著.     

Efficacy of silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) chrysalis oil as a lipid source in adult Wistar rats

The effects of silkworm chrysalis oil, rich in n-3 α-linolenic acid (ALA), on lipid metabolism in Wistar rats were investigated. The rats were fed diets containing 7% soybean oil (control), silkworm chrysalis oil (SWO), or fish oil (FO) for 8 weeks. Plasma triglyceride and glucose levels were significantly lower in the SWO group after 8 weeks compared to the control and FO groups. The total cholesterol and blood urea nitrogen levels were higher in the control group than in the SWO and FO groups at 8 weeks post-consumption. However, aspartate amino transferase and alanine amino transferase levels were not significantly different among all groups. A higher arachidonic acid (AA) content was detected in the control group, while lower AA levels were observed with the increase in EPA and DHA in the SWO and FO groups. These results suggest that n-3 α-linolenic acid-rich silkworm chrysalis oil can improve hyperlipidaemia and hyperglycaemia.     

不同方法提取艾纳香叶挥发性成分的气相色谱-质谱分析

采用气相色谱-质谱法(GC-MS)分析水蒸汽蒸馏法(SD)、同时蒸馏萃取法(SDE)和顶空固相微萃取法(HS-SPME)3种方法提取的艾纳香叶挥发性成分。结果表明:3种方法提取艾纳香叶挥发性成分中主要是醇类和烯类化合物,其中萜类物质占较大比例。3种方法的提取物中分别鉴定出化合物50种(SD)、24种(SDE)和49种(HS-SPME)。水蒸汽蒸馏法和同时蒸馏萃取法提取的油状挥发物中主要成分相似,水蒸汽蒸馏法提取油状挥发物与顶空固相微萃取法提取挥发性成分的种类和相对含量相似,同时蒸馏萃取法提取油状挥发物中低沸点化合物较少。     

Chemical composition and antioxidant capacity of free volatile aglycones from basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) compared with its essential oil

The present paper examines the chemical composition and antioxidant capacity of free volatile aglycones from basil compared to their essential oil. The comparison of chemical composition of volatile aglycones with the chemical composition of essential oil reveals four common compounds: eugenol, chavicol, linalool and α-terpineol. For the evaluation of the mentioned antioxidant capacities, two different methods were performed: the 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging method (DPPH) and ferric reducing/antioxidant power assay (FRAP). DPPH method shows that free volatile aglycones possess good antioxidant properties comparable with that of the essential oil and well-known antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), but less than pure eugenol. The results obtained by FRAP method show that these compounds are some less effective antioxidants than essential oil and BHT.     

大葱挥发油含量与化学成分的分析

采用水蒸气蒸馏法提取莱芜鸡腿葱中的挥发油 ,测知其含量为 0 0 1 % ;并用毛细管气相色谱 /质谱法定性鉴别了挥发油中的 2 5种化学成分。其中含硫有机硫化合物为 2 0种 ;主要成分有 :丙基甲基硫代硫磺酸酯 ,甲基烯丙基硫代硫磺酸酯 ,甲基丙烯基三硫醚 ,烯丙基硫醇 ,甲丙基二硫醚 ,反式甲基烯丙基二硫醚 ,二甲基三硫醚 ,二丙基二硫醚 ,反式烯丙基丙基二硫醚 ,二甲基四硫醚 ,二丙基三硫醚 ,反式烯丙基丙基三硫醚 ,顺式烯丙基丙基三硫醚 ,甲硫醇 ,丙硫醇 ,二巯基甲烷 ,2 ,5 二甲基噻吩等含硫化合物 ,还鉴定出不饱和脂肪醛 1种 (3 ,7 二甲基 2 ,6 二辛烯醛 ) ,脂肪酮 1种 (十一酮 2 ) ,萜烯类化合物 2种 (2 甲基 庚稀 2和顺式 2 ,6 二甲基 2 ,6 辛二烯 ) ,挥发性无机化合物 1种 (SO2 )。     

Odour gradients and patterns in volatile emission of different plant parts and developing fruits of grapefruit (Citrus paradisi L.)

The volatiles spontaneously emitted in vivo by different plant parts of grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf., Rutaceae) were collected by solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) during the whole vegetative cycle of the plant and characterised by GC–MS to verify their involvement in entomophilous pollination, a controversial topic in the biology of this species. Furthermore, the essential oils obtained by expression of the pericarp from unripe and ripe fruits were studied. Altogether 127 compounds were identified, accounting from 82.1% to 99.9% of the whole volatiles. The main constituents detected were mono- and sesquiterpenes, with limonene (0.5–95.2%), linalool (0.2–52.5%), sabinene (0.5–42.5%), myrcene (0.2–15.4%), and β-caryophyllene (0.3–41.0%) as the most represented ones.     

Changes in fatty acid and essential oil composition of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) leaves under NaCl stress

Fatty acids and essential oils from hydroponically cultivated Salvia officinalis leaves were analyzed by GC and GC–MS. Four different levels of NaCl (25, 50, 75 and 100 mM) were applied. The first results showed that salt treatment reduced significantly the plant growth by 61% and the total fatty acids (TFA) content by 32% at 100 mM NaCl. Alpha-linolenic, gadoleic, palmitic and oleic acids were the major fatty acids. Moreover, the polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased, while the monounsaturated ones increased with respect to increasing salinity. Regarding the essential oil composition, the main compounds were α-and β-thujone, 1,8-cineole, camphor, α-humulene, viridiflorol and manool at all salt treatments. The yield had a maximum increase at 75 mM NaCl. Hence, sage can be considered as moderately salt sensitive.     

Characterization of several hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) cultivars based in chemical, fatty acid and sterol composition

Nineteen cultivars of hazelnuts (Corylus avellana L.) collected during the 2001 crop, from Vila Real, Portugal, were analysed for chemical composition, including moisture, total oil content, crude protein, ash, carbohydrates and nutritional value. Fat was the predominant component, ranging from 59.3 to 69.0%. Total oil was extracted and analysed for fatty acid and sterol compositions and oxidative stability. Fatty acid and sterol compositions were determined by Gas–Liquid Chromatography coupled to a Flame Ionisation Detector (GLC/FID). Monounsaturated fatty acids, particularly oleic acid, were predominant (78.7–84.6%). Total phytosterol content ranged from 133.8 to 263.0 mg/100 g of oil. Among the nine sterols identified and quantified, β-sitosterol was the major one with a mean percentage of 83.6%, while Δ⁵-avenasterol and campesterol were the second and the third components of the group with mean values of 6.1 and 5.8%, respectively. Since hazelnut oil can be used in olive oil adulteration, the values obtained were compared with published mean values of olive oils from different geographical origins.     

琼产艾纳香叶精油的抗氧化和抗菌活性

采用水蒸气蒸馏法收集琼产艾纳香叶精油,经过GC-MS分析,精油中45种化合物被定性检出,主要是单萜类(48.55%)和倍半萜类(39.91%),相对含量列前五位的组分分别是(-)-龙脑(28.45%)、石竹烯(22.98%)、樟脑(9.56%)、α-荜澄茄烯(8.32%)和β-蒎烯(4.32%)。经过DPPH自由基清除试验、β-胡萝卜素漂白试验和硫代巴比妥酸法试验发现精油具有较强的抗氧化活性。琼脂扩散法和琼脂稀释法证实精油对6种受试菌都有抑制活性,对金黄色葡萄球菌、假丝酵母和黄曲霉具有较好的抑制能力(MIC:625μg/mL),对大肠杆菌、李斯特氏菌和沙门氏菌也表现出了抑制能力(MIC:2 500μg/mL)。以上结果证实琼产艾纳香叶精油具有明显的抗氧化和抗菌活性,拥有成为食品和化妆品的天然抗氧化剂及抗菌剂的潜力。     

Effect of air-drying temperature on antioxidant capacity and stability of polyphenolic compounds in mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves

The mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaf is a promising dietary source of antioxidants such as quercetin due to its relatively high content of that compound. We investigated effects of an air-drying process on the antioxidant capacity and stability of antioxidant polyphenolic compounds in mulberry leaves. Main compounds playing a central role in antioxidant activities in mulberry leaves are quercetin glycosides and chlorogenic acid. Raw mulberry leaves were air-dried at various temperatures, and antioxidant activity using DPPH radical scavenging assay and levels of antioxidant compounds were measured. DPPH radical scavenging activity and levels of polyphenolic compounds in mulberry leaves air-dried at 60 °C or below were not significantly different from those of freeze-dried mulberry leaves, whereas both values in mulberry leaves air-dried at 70 °C and over decreased significantly. These results indicate that strict temperature control is important in the production of mulberry leaf products to maintain antioxidant activity and levels of polyphenolic compounds.     

Comparative analysis of clary sage (S. sclarea L.) oil volatiles by GC–FTIR and GC–MS

The comparative analysis of volatiles in essential oil by gas chromatography–Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (GC–FTIR) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) are investigated using a DB-wax capillary column. This technique is applied to allelochemicals present in volatiles. The identification analysis of volatile components in four kinds of clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.) oil is described. The GC–FTIR information obtained is complementary to the information obtained from GC–MS. With the IR subtractive spectrum technique, the GC overlap peaks can be resolved without further separate step on the other column of different polarity. Combined with GC–FTIR, GC–MS techniques, and linear retention indices (RI) of the volatile compounds, the reliability of qualitative analysis is greatly enhanced.