Chemical composition,antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of basil (Ocimum basilicum) essential oils depends on seasonal variations

Chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oils from aerial parts of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) as affected by four seasonal, namely summer, autumn, winter and spring growing variation were investigated. The hydro-distilled essential oils content ranged from 0.5% to 0.8%, the maximum amounts were observed in winter while minimum in summer. The essential oils consisted of linalool as the most abundant component (56.7–60.6%), followed by epi-α-cadinol (8.6–11.4%), α-bergamotene (7.4–9.2%) and γ-cadinene (3.2–5.4%). Samples collected in winter were found to be richer in oxygenated monoterpenes (68.9%), while those of summer were higher in sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (24.3%). The contents of most of the chemical constituents varied significantly (p < 0.05) with different seasons. The essential oils investigated, exhibited good antioxidant activity as measurements by DPPH free radical-scavenging ability, bleaching β-carotene in linoleic acid system and inhibition of linoleic acid oxidation. Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of the essential oils and linalool, the most abundant component, against bacterial strains: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pasteurella multocida and pathogenic fungi Aspergillus niger, Mucor mucedo, Fusarium solani, Botryodiplodia theobromae, Rhizopus solani was assessed by disc diffusion method and measurement of determination of minimum inhibitory concentration. The results of antimicrobial assays indicated that all the tested microorganisms were affected. Both the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the oils varied significantly (p < 0.05), as seasons changed.     

Chemical composition and biological activities of Algerian Thymus oils

The compositions of essential oils isolated from nine samples of three Thymus species (Thymus algeriensis, Thymus pallescens and Thymus dréatensis) were analysed by GC and GC–MS, and a total of 114 components were identified. T. pallescens collected from various regions showed a great similarity in their compositions and were characterised by carvacrol (44.4–57.7%), p-cymene (10.3–17.3%) and γ-terpinene (10.8–14.2%) as the major components for four samples; only one sample was thymol-rich (49.3%) with a small amount of carvacrol (9.0%). On the other hand, T. algeriensis showed a chemical polymorphism, even for samples from the same location, and two new chemotypes for this species were proposed. Oxygen-containing monoterpenes were the predominant class (76.3%) in T. dreatensis oil, with linalool (30.4%), thymol (20.2%) and geraniol (19.6%) as the principal constituents. The oils were screened for their possible antioxidant activities by four complementary assays, namely DPPH free radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, inhibition of lipid peroxidation and reducing power. The two new chemotypes of T. algeriensis exhibited strong hydroxyl radical scavenging (IC₅₀ = 2.2–3.3 μg/ml), but were not or only slightly active against the other radicals and exhibited a weak reducing power. Despite their chemical similarity, T. pallescens oils sometimes produced significant differences in their antioxidant activities. The essential oils were also screened for their antimicrobial activity against five bacteria (three Gram-positive and two Gram-negative) and one yeast (Candida albicans). The tested essential oils showed antimicrobial activity against the microorganisms used, in particular against two important pathogens, C. albicans and Helicobacter pylori.     

Selecting new peach and plum genotypes rich in phenolic compounds and enhanced functional properties

Fourteen red-fleshed plum (Prunus salicina Erhr. and hybrids) and eight peach [Prunus persica (Batsch) L.] genotypes were characterized for their total phenolic and anthocyanin contents. Selected rich phenolic genotypes showed high antioxidant activity, stable colour properties and good antimicrobial activity. Results indicated positive correlations between phenolic compounds (r² = 0.83) and antioxidant activity for both types of fruit. Colorants prepared from an anthocyanin rich plum genotype showed similar hue to that of synthetic colorant FD&C red 3 and higher stability than a commercial red grape colorant with respect to time, temperature and pH. Additionally, a selected rich phenolic plum genotype exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against Salmonella Enteritidis and Escherichia coli O157:H7. This study proposes that selection of crops high in phenolic compounds can be related to enhanced functional properties and opens the possibility of breeding fruits with targeted functional properties for the fresh produce and processing market.     

Chemical composition,angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory,antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil from Periploca laevigata root barks

The present study describes the chemical composition, and antimicrobial, antioxidant and angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activities of essential oil from Periploca laevigata root barks (PLRB), an aromatic plant widely distributed in Tunisia and used as a traditional medicinal plant. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to determine the composition of the PLRB oil. Forty-three components were identified in the essential oil and the main compounds were benzaldehyde (56%), methyl 4-methoxysalicylate (6.55%) and carvacrol (4.75%). The PLRB essential oil exhibited a dose-dependent manner of inhibitory activity toward ACE. The highest ACE inhibitory activity (54%) was observed at a concentration of 30 μg/ml. The PLRB oil was also found to possess antioxidant activities, as evaluated by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical method, β-carotene bleaching and reducing power assays. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was also investigated on several microorganisms. The inhibition zones and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of bacterial strains were in the range of 12–46 mm and 50–300 μg/ml, respectively. The inhibitory activity of the PLRB essential oil against Gram-positive bacteria was significantly higher than against Gram-negative. It also exhibited remarkable activity against several fungal strains.     

Antifungal,antiaflatoxin and antioxidant potential of chemically characterized Boswellia carterii Birdw essential oil and its in vivo practical applicability in preservation of Piper nigrum L. fruits

The study explores the chemical profile, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Boswellia carterii essential oil (EO). The EO significantly inhibited growth and aflatoxin production by the food borne toxigenic strain of Aspergillus flavus at 1.75 μl/ml and 1.25 μl/ml respectively. It exhibited broad fungitoxic spectrum against 12 food borne moulds and also showed strong antioxidant activity, IC₅₀ value and % inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation being 0.64 μl/ml and 51.68% respectively. The antifungal action of EO was observed in terms of reduction in ergosterol content of plasma membrane of A. flavus. As fumigant in food system in storage containers, the EO provided 65.38% protection against fungal deterioration of Piper nigrum. GC–MS results revealed 31 components of EO. The chemically characterized B. carterii EO may thus be recommended as plant based preservative in view of its antifungal, antiaflatoxigenic, antioxidant activity and efficacy in food system.     

Active chitosan–polyvinyl alcohol films with natural extracts

Active films were prepared from chitosan (Ch) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) containing aqueous mint extract (ME)/pomegranate peel extract (PE). The effect of these extracts on the physical, mechanical, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of the films were studied. Increased protection against UV light was observed in the films containing the extracts. Addition of ME/PE improved the tensile strength of the films without affecting their puncture strength. Ch–PVA films incorporated with PE had the highest tensile strength (41.07 ± 0.88 MPa). Permeability characteristics of the films were not altered due to addition of extracts. ME/PE conferred antioxidant properties to Ch–PVA films as determined by DPPH radical scavenging activity. The films also exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus. PE containing films totally inhibited the growth of B. cereus and reduced the number of S. aureus by 2 log cycles. These results suggest that Ch–PVA film containing ME/PE can be used for development of active food packaging materials.     

Phytochemical composition and in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of some medicinal plants

Different parts of three plants (Primula auriculata, Fumaria vaillantii and Falcaria vulgaris) were extracted with three different solvents to yield 72 crude extracts. The phytochemical analysis (chemical screening, GC–MS) of three plants was investigated for their antioxidant and antibacterial activity using nine Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The principal antioxidant and antimicrobial components were determined using HPLC with UV detection. All extracts possessed antibacterial activity especially methanolic extracts from flowers of P. auriculata. The DPPH-radical scavenging assay exhibited high antioxidant activities in three plants (more than 80% at 50 μg). The F. vulgaris showed high content of carvacrol (29.8%) as main component. The contents of carvacrol and fumaric acid in the methanolic–water extracts were 1119 and 1966 mg/l respectively. Our results indicate that these plants would be able to promise sources of natural products with potential antibacterial and antioxidant activity.     

Antimicrobial activity of extract and two alkaloids from traditional Chinese medicinal plant Stephania dielsiana

Two alkaloids, stephanine and crebanine, were isolated from tubers of the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Stephania dielsiana, using an activity-directed isolation method, and inhibitory activity of methanol extract, stephanine and crebanine against ten animal pathogenic bacteria and eight plant pathogenic fungi was evaluated in vitro. The results showed that extract from S. dielsiana exhibited high inhibitory activity against five gram-positive and four gram-negative animal pathogenic bacteria, with MIC values of 0.625–7.5 g/l; stephanine and crebanine had high inhibitory activity against gram-positive animal pathogenic bacteria, with MIC values of 0.078–0.312 g/l, but low inhibitory activity against gram-negative animal pathogenic bacteria. Methanol extract, stephanine and crebanine also inhibited hyphal growth of the plant pathogens Cercospora kaki, Gymnosporangium haraeanum, Pyricularia oryzae, Rhizoctonia solani and Colletotrichum graminicola, and spores germination of Thielaviopsis paradoxa, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum, Sphaceloma fawcettii and G. haraeanum.     

Comparison of the antioxidant capacity and the antimicrobial activity of black and green tea

Tea is a common beverage. The green tea is preferentially recommended for its strong antioxidant properties and also for its antimicrobial activity. The antioxidant capacities of 30 samples (black and green tea) were determined by the chemiluminescent Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) determination. The average value of TEAC of the non-fermented (green tea) and semi-fermented tea samples was 1.43 mM and the average value of TEAC of the fermented teas (black tea) samples was 1.43 mM. All samples were stored in freezer (?20 °C) and the TEAC determination was repeated after a year. The average values of TEAC of non-fermented and semi-fermented tea samples were twofold lower in comparison to fermented tea samples and only 20% of average value of TEAC of the fresh tea infusion. The parallel determinations of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) on gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains (Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli) were done. Also the MIC was possible to determine after a year. The assumed prevailing antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of non-fermented tea infusions were not confirmed as well as the dominant antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of specific type of tea infusion.     

Chitosan and mint mixture: A new preservative for meat and meat products

Meat is prone to both microbial and oxidative spoilage and therefore it is desirable to use a preservative with both antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Mint extract alone had good antioxidant activity but poor antimicrobial activity, while chitosan alone showed poor antioxidant activity with excellent antimicrobial properties. Therefore, the potential of chitosan and mint mixture (CM), as a preservative for meat and meat products, was investigated. Addition of chitosan to mint extract did not interfere with the antioxidant activity of mint. In the case of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, the IC₅₀ value for CM (17.8 μg/ml) was significantly (p ? 0.05) lower than that for mint extract (23.6 μg/ml). CM efficiently scavenged superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. The antimicrobial activities of CM and chitosan were comparable against the common food spoilage and pathogenic bacteria, the minimum inhibitory concentration being 0.05%. CM was more effective against Gram-positive bacteria. The shelf life of pork cocktail salami, as determined by total bacterial count and oxidative rancidity, was enhanced in CM-treated samples stored at 0–3 °C.     

Chemical composition,antioxidant activity and antimicrobial properties of propolis extracts from Greece and Cyprus

Chemical composition, antioxidant activity and in vitro antimicrobial activity of twelve propolis ethanolic extracts (PEE) from mainland Greece, Greek islands, and east Cyprus were determined. The PEE studied contained significant amounts of terpenes and/or flavonoids, anthraquinones – mainly emodin and chrysophanol – and low amounts of phenolic acids and their esters, presenting differences from typical European propolis, and similarities to East Mediterranean propolis. Simple polyphenols and terpenic acids content ranged between 11.9–373.5 and 7.23–286.5 mg/g of PEE, respectively, with anthraquinones representing the 1.3–28.9% of simple polyphenols. Despite differences in composition, the PEE samples exhibited significant antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities, affecting a wider spectrum of microorganisms than the food grade antibacterial nisin, and presenting lower or no activity against several Lactobacillus strains. The presence of significant amounts of terpenoids seemed to enhance the antimicrobial activity of PEE. The conclusion, given the non-toxic and natural origin of PEE, is that, besides their potential pharmaceutical and nutraceutical value, propolis balsams from Greece and Cyprus are attractive candidates for use as natural antioxidant and microbicidal additives in food systems, especially those containing lactic acid bacteria.     

Studies on the anthocyanin profile and biological properties from the fruits of Acanthopanax senticosus (Siberian Ginseng)

The anthocyanin profile and biological activities, including antioxidant, xanthine oxidase inhibitory, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory, and anticancer of Acanthopanax senticosus fruits were evaluated for the first time. The acidified 80% methanol extract of this species exhibited high biological properties at a concentration of 60 μg/ml. Moreover, cyanidin-3-O-(2″-O-xylosyl)-glucoside was identified using C₁₈ column chromatography, NMR spectroscopy, and HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS analysis. This compound was present at 5.2 mg/g, representing approximately 91% of the total peak area and possessed strong antioxidant effects against DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radicals (IC₅₀ of 85.2, 43.7, and 126.6 μg/ml, respectively). Cyanidin-3-O-(2″-O-xylosyl)-glucoside also exhibited significant inhibitory activities against xanthine oxidase and ACE (IC₅₀: 55.5 and 47.1 μg/ml, respectively). Especially, LNCap (prostate), MOLT-4F (leukaemia), and ACHN (renal) cell lines exhibited potent anticancer effects, with IC₅₀ of 5.2, 11.2, and 22.5 μg/ml, respectively, in comparison with other cancer cell lines. Therefore, A. senticosus fruit may be utilised as an effective source for food and nutraceutical uses due to its high anthocyanin content as well as various biological properties.     

Effects of essential oil on the water binding capacity,physico-mechanical properties,antioxidant and antibacterial activity of gelatin films

Gelatin films were prepared from gelatin solutions (10% w/v) containing Zataria multiflora essential oil (ZMO, 2, 4, 6 and 8% w/w of gelatin). Scanning electron microscopy observations indicate that ZMO droplets were well dispersed in the film matrix. Water solubility, water swelling, water uptake, water vapor permeability, tensile strength, elongation at break and Young's modulus for gelatin films were 27 ± 0.8%, 391 ± 11%, 135 ± 5%, 0.22 ± 0.014 g mm/m² kPa h, 4.4 ± 0.4 MPa, 125 ± 7% and 8.8 ± 0.4 MPa, respectively. Incorporation of ZMO into gelatin films caused a significant decrease in swelling and water uptake and increase in solubility and water vapor permeability, a significant decrease in tensile strength, increase in elongation at break, decrease in Young's modulus of the films, dose-dependently. Gelatin/ZMO showed UV–visible light absorbance/transmission ranging from 280 to 480 nm with maximum absorbance at 420 nm. Gelatin films exhibited very low antioxidant activity while, gelatin/ZMO films exhibited excellent antioxidant properties. The gelatin/ZMO films also exhibited excellent antibacterial properties against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Our results suggested that the gelatin/ZMO films could be used as an active film due to its excellent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties for food packaging applications.     

Liposomal incorporation of carvacrol and thymol isolated from the essential oil of Origanum dictamnus L. and in vitro antimicrobial activity

The chemical composition of the essential oils from Origanum dictamnus L. (wild and organic cultivated plant) was analysed by GC–MS. Carvacrol, thymol, p-cymene, and γ-terpinene were identified as major constituents and isolated from both samples. The above components were successfully encapsulated in phosphatidyl choline-based liposomes and the possible improvement of their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities was tested against selected microbia. The antimicrobial properties of the oils were tested by a diffusion technique against four Gram positive and four Gram negative bacteria and three human pathogenic fungi, as well as the food-borne pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes. The percentage of the encapsulated carvacrol, the major component of the oil, was determined by GC–FID. In order to investigate any possible synergistic or antagonistic effect between carvacrol/thymol and carvacrol/γ-terpinene, the antimicrobial activities of the mixtures, were also determined before and after encapsulation in liposomes. All tested compounds presented enhanced antimicrobial activities after the encapsulation. Finally, in all cases, their antioxidant activity using differential scanning calorimetry was studied, in order to gain knowledge about their oxidation stability.     

Chemical analysis of edible aromatic plants growing in Tanzania

The volatiles from the aerial parts of edible plants growing in Tanzania, Leucas glabrata, Plectranthus laxiflorus, Salvia nilotica and Vernonia smithiana, were investigated by GC and GC/MS. Thirty-five compounds were identified from L. glabrata, representing 80.4% of the total oil; forty-three from P. laxiflorus (86.7%); twenty-four from S. nilotica (94.3%); and thirty-nine compounds from V. smithiana (92.9%). Among the identified components, menthone, (p + o)-cymene, trans-caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide were found as the main ones. Furthermore, the essential oils were investigated for their antimicrobial activity as well as for their antiradical activity, through the DPPH method. Upon antimicrobial assays, the oil of V. smithiana showed very strong antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, oral pathogens and pathogenic fungi; the oil of P. laxiflorus also exhibited strong activity, mostly against Gram-positive bacteria and especially oral pathogens, while L. glabrata showed strong activity against all assayed bacteria. The essential oil of S. nilotica appeared to have the most antioxidant activity but was almost inactive against all tested microorganisms.     

Effect of the monascus pigment threonine derivative on regulation of the cholesterol level in mice

Different amino acid derivatives were synthesized during cultivation of a Monascus species. Derivatives exhibiting an inhibitory activity against HMG-CoA reductase were screened by in vitro tests. The threonine derivative had a high inhibitory activity of 38% while four other derivatives showed a greater than 23% activity. The orange monascus pigment showed a high activity of 36%. In vivo tests using female C57BL/6 mice were performed with the threonine derivative and orange pigment. Changes in the cholesterol and lipid levels in mice due to addition of the pigments were investigated. The total cholesterol (TC) level of mouse serum was reduced by 8–9% with the threonine derivative and by 16% with orange pigment. Supplementation with the threonine derivative and orange pigment decreased the LDL cholesterol level by 18–26% and increased the HDL cholesterol level by 1–9%. The atherogenic index (AI) value was reduced by 23–27% with pigment supplementation. The anti-atherosclerosis effect of monascus pigments can be induced by control of the lipid content in the serum rather than in the liver of mice.     

Anthraquinone profile,antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of bark extracts of Rhamnus alaternus, R. fallax, R. intermedia and R. pumila

The quantity of phenols, as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, were investigated in bark of Rhamnus alaternus L., R. fallax Boiss., R. intermedia Steud. et Hochst., and R. pumila Turra from natural stands in Croatia. The most abundant anthraquinones in the investigated extracts were chrysophanol in R. alaternus (3.14 mg/g), emodin in R. pumila (0.339 mg/g), and physcion in R. fallax (2.70 mg/g) and R. intermedia (0.285 mg/g). The species exhibiting the highest antioxidant activity were R. fallax and R. pumila. A positive correlation was observed between total phenolic and flavonoid levels of the extracts and antioxidant activity in some of the assays. All species showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger and Microsporum gypseum with minimal inhibitory concentrations equal to or below 2.500 mg/mL. The results indicate that the investigated Rhamnus species are a source of anthraquinones and other phenols, which act as multifunctional antioxidants with antimicrobial activity.     

Antioxidant activity of phenolics–saponins rich fraction prepared from defatted kenaf seed meal

The current study is aimed to determine the antioxidant properties of crude ethanolic extract (CEE) of defatted kenaf seed meal (DKSM) and its derived n-butanol (BF) and aqueous (AqF) fractions. Spectrophotometric assays showed that BF contained the highest amount of phenolic compounds and saponins, followed by CEE and AqF (p < 0.05). Similarly, HPLC-DAD analysis revealed that level of all the detected predominant phenolic compounds was significantly higher in BF (p < 0.05). Through multiple antioxidant assays, BF exhibited higher antioxidant activity than CEE and AqF, except for iron chelating activity (p < 0.05). Antioxidant activity of CEE and fractions were strongly correlated to their phenolic and saponin contents. This study showed that phenolic compounds and saponins could be extracted and partially purified simultaneously from DKSM by employing a simple alcoholic extraction–fractionation procedure. High antioxidative phenolics–saponins rich fraction from DKSM is a potential active ingredient that could be applied in nutraceuticals, functional foods as well as natural food preservatives.     

Antibacterial activity of Thai edible plants against gastrointestinal pathogenic bacteria and isolation of a new broad spectrum antibacterial polyisoprenylated benzophenone,chamuangone

Twenty-two edible plant extracts were subjected to evaluation of their antibacterial activity against some gastrointestinal pathogenic bacteria, including Escherichiacoli, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella typhi, Shigella sonnei and Helicobacter pylori using the disc diffusion and broth microdilution methods. Sixteen of the plant extracts exhibited antibacterial activity against one or more tested bacteria. Only Garcinia cowa leaf extracts exhibited antibacterial activity against all tested bacteria. Purification of the ethyl acetate extract of G. cowa leaves using an antimicrobial assay-guided isolation afforded a new polyprenylated benzophenone, chamuangone, that exhibited satisfactory antibacterial activity against Streptococcus pyogenes (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) 7.8 μg/ml), Streptococcus viridans and H. pylori (MICs 15.6 μg/ml), and Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus sp. (MICs 31.2 μg/ml).     

Chemical composition,antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the essential oils isolated from Tunisian Thymus capitatus Hoff. et Link.

The chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of essential oils isolated by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts of Tunisian Thymus capitatus Hoff. et Link. during the different phases of the plant development, and from different locations, were evaluated. The chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The main components of the essential oils were carvacrol (62–83%), p-cymene (5–17%), γ-terpinene (2–14%) and β-caryophyllene (1–4%). The antioxidant activity of the oils (100–1000 mg l⁻¹) was assessed by measurement of metal chelating activity, the reductive potential, the free radical scavenging (DPPH) and by the TBARS assay. The antioxidant activity was compared with that of synthetic antioxidants: butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Both the essential oils and BHA and BHT showed no metal chelating activity. Although with the other methodologies, there was a general increase in the antioxidant activity, with increasing oil concentration, maxima being obtained in the range of 500 and 1000 mg l⁻¹ for flowering and post-flowering phase oils. Major differences were obtained according to the methodology of antioxidant capacity evaluation. Antibacterial ability of Th. capitatus essential oils was tested by disc agar diffusion against Bacillus cereus, Salmonella sp., Listeria innocua, four different strains of Staphylococus aureus (C15, ATCC25923, CFSA-2) and a multi-resistant form of S. aureus (MRSA-2). Antibacterial properties were compared to synthetic antibiotics. Higher antibacterial activity was observed with the flowering and the post-flowering phase essential oils.