Composition and antimicrobial activity of the leaf and twig oils of Litsea mushaensis and L. linii from Taiwan

The hydrodistilled essential oils of the leaves and twigs of Litsea mushaensis and L. linii were analyzed. Sixty-nine and ninety compounds were identified in the leaf and twig oils, respectively, of L. mushaensis. The main components of the leaf oil were beta-eudesmol (24.2%), tau-cadinol (10.2%), alpha-humulene (10.1%), alpha-pinene (9.7%), and trans-beta-ocimene (6.5%), whereas the main components of the twig oil were trans-beta-ocimene (19.5%), alpha-pinene (12.8%) and cis-beta-ocimene (7.7%). With L. linii, 72 and 78 compounds were respectively identified in the leaf and twig oils. The main components of the leaf oil were beta-selinene (15.7%), alpha-selinene (15.5%), beta-caryophyllene (12.2%), alpha-humulene (7.2%), and delta-cadinene (5.6%), and of the twig oil trans-beta-ocimene (20.8%), beta-selinene (11.4%), alpha-cadinol (6.0%), delta-cadinene (5.8%), tau-cadinol (5.4%) and beta-eudesmol (5.2%). L. mushaensis leaf oil was shown to have excellent antimicrobial and anti-wood-decay fungal activity, superior to the other oils.     

Composition and antifungal activities of the leaf essential oil of Litsea coreana from Taiwan

The hydrodistilled leaf essential oil of Litsea coreana was analyzed by GC/FID and GC/MS. Fifty-two compounds were identified, the main components being n-decanal (27.5%), 2E,6E-farnesol (25.8%), beta-eudesmol (10.3%), ethyl n-dodecanoate (8.0%) and tau-cadinol (6.6%). Oxygenated sesquiterpenes (56.8%) and non-terpenoids (37.0%) were the predominant groups of compounds. The leaf oil exhibited excellent antifungal and anti-wood-decay fungal activities.     

Composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of leaf and twig essential oils of Litsea akoensis from Taiwan

This study analyzed the hydrodistilled essential oils in the leaves and twigs of Litsea akoensis to determine composition and yield. Seventy-one and 40 compounds were identified in the leaf and twig oils, respectively. The main components of leaf oil were limonene (18.5%), thymol (10.1%), p-cymene (9.6%), beta-caryophyllene (8.9%), and carvacrol (8.2%). The main components of twig oil were beta-phellandrene (43.7%) and trans-beta-ocimene (10.4%). The results demonstrated that leaf oil had excellent antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, superior to those of twig oil.     

Composition and antimicrobial activity of the leaf and twig oils of Litsea acutivena from Taiwan

The chemical composition, and antimicrobial and anti-wood-decay fungal activities of the essential oils isolated from the leaves and twigs of Litsea acutivena of Taiwan were investigated. The essential oils from the fresh leaves and twigs were isolated using hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus, and characterized by GC-FID and GC-MS. Ninety-five and fifty-two compounds were identified in the leaf and twig oils, respectively. The main components of the leaf oil were gamma-patchoulene (11.0%), delta-cadinene (6.3%), trans-muurola-3,5-diene (5.9%), and beta-selinene (5.3%), whereas the main components of the twig oil were tau-cadinol (13.1%), beta-selinene (9.6%), trans-beta-ocimene (6.2%) and alpha-cadinol (7.7%). Bioactivity studies demonstrated that twig oil had excellent antimicrobial and anti-wood-decay fungal activities, superior to those of the leaf oil. For the antimicrobial and anti-wood-decay fungal activities of the twig oil, the active compounds were determined to be tau-cadinol and alpha-cadinol.     

Leaf essential oil of Manekia naranjoana (Piperaceae) from Costa Rica and its cytotoxic activity

The chemical composition of the leaf oil of Manekia naranjoana (C. DC.) Callejas (Piperaceae) from Costa Rica was analyzed by capillary GC/FID and GC/MS. Fifty-five compounds were identified. Major compounds from the leaf oil were beta-pinene (30.6%), alpha-pinene (18.8%), limonene (13.7%), and beta-caryophyllene (6.1%). The oil presented very low toxicity to tumor and non-tumor cell lines, even though it contains components, such as alpha- and beta-pinene, limonene and others, which have been shown to be cytotoxic. This is the first report of the chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from this species.     

Essential Oil Profile and Yield of Corolla,Calyx, Leaf,and Whole Flowering Top of Cultivated Lavandula angustifolia Mill. (Lamiaceae) from Utah

Lavandula angustifolia Mill. (lavender) is an essential-oil-bearing plant in the Lamiaceae family. Volatile oil produced through the steam distillation of lavender was examined to establish the essential oil yield and aromatic profile from each portion of the plant—namely, the corolla, calyx, leaf, and whole flowering top. The resulting essential oils were analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. The different plant parts generally shared similar compounds but in varying relative percentages. Aromatic profiles of the whole flowering top and calyx were similar, with prominent compounds being linalool acetate (34.3%, 32.0%), linalool (26.5%, 32.9%), lavandulyl acetate (5.6%, 4.9%), terpinen-4-ol (5.3%, 7.0%), and (Z)-β-ocimene (4.5%, 5.4%), respectively. Aromatic profiles for the corolla and leaf were unique. Prominent aromatic compounds of the corolla included linalool acetate (18.4%), linalool (10.8%), epi-α-cadinol (10.0%), borneol (7.3%), and lavandulyl acetate (6.3%). Prominent aromatic compounds of the leaf included epi-α-cadinol (19.8%), γ-cadinene (11.0%), borneol (6.0%), caryophyllene oxide (4.9%), and bornyl acetate (4.8%). Complete profiles and essential oil yields of corolla, calyx, leaf, and whole flowering top were established. This study establishes the influence the corolla, calyx, and leaf exert on the aromatic profile of the whole flowering top and provides insight into authentication of lavender essential oil.     

Chemical Compositions of the Essential Oils of Stems,Leaves, and Roots of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prangos latiloba</Emphasis>

Hydrodistilled volatile oils from crushed dry stems, leaves, and roots of Prangos latiloba Korov. (Umbelliferae) growing wild in Sabzevar (Iran) were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Eight compounds constituting 84.72% of stem oil, twelve compounds constituting 95.39% of leaf oil, and nine compounds constituting 88.73% of root oil have been identified. The main components of stem oil were γ-cadinene (30.39%), α-pinene (25.47%), and sabinene (12.55%). The main components of leaf oil were germacrene D (27.79%), α-pinene (17.81%), β-caryophyllene (12.75%), and β-pinene (11.23%). The main components of root oil were spathulenol (29.5%), 1,8-cineol (19.42%), p-cymene (17.03%), and α-bisabolol (15.33%). __________ Published in Kimiya Prirodnikh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 443–444, September–October, 2005.     

Composition and antifungal activities of the leaf essential oil of Neolitsea parvigemma from Taiwan

The hydrodistillated leaf essential oil of Neolitsea parvigemma was analyzed to determine its composition and yield. Sixty-two compounds were identified, the main components being beta-caryophyllene (14.2%), beta-eudesmol (12.9%), alpha-cadinol (10.2%) and tau-cadinol (8.8%). Oxygenated sesquiterpenes (48.9%) and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (48.8%) were the predominant groups of compounds. The antifungal indexes of the leaf oil against the 7 fungi, Aspergillus clavatus, A. niger, Chaetomium globosum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Myrothecium verrucaria, Penicillium citrinum and Trichoderma viride, were 100.0, 72.3, 100.0, 100.0, 100.0, 75.8 and 88.6% at a 1 mg/mL concentration, respectively. The oil also exhibited anti-wood-decay-fungi activity against Trametes versicolor, Phaneochaete chrysosporium, Phaeolus schweintizii, and Lenzites sulphureu with MIC values of 50, 50, 25 and 25 microg/mL, respectively. For the antifungal and anti-wood-decay fungal activities of the oil, the active source compounds were determined to be alpha-cadinol, beta-eudesmol and tau-cadinol.     

Analysis of the essential oil of Amsonia illustris

The root and leaf essential oils, present in trace amounts in Amsonia illustris Woods. (Apocynaceae), were isolated by steam distillation and their chemical constituents identified by GC-FID and GC-MS. More than 80% of the thirty volatile compounds in the leaf oil were identified, the major constituents being mainly sesquiterpenes like a-humulene (14.5%), beta-caryophyllene (12.4%) and guaiol (11.6%). The volatile ingredients of the root oil were pinocampheol, methyl salicylate, (2E,4E)- decadienal, eugenol and trans-isoeugenol.     

Comparative analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of the essential oils from bark and leaves of Cedrelopsis grevei Baill, an aromatic and medicinal plant from Madagascar

The essential oils from bark and leaves of Cedrelopsis grevei Baill (Ptaeroxylaceae), an aromatic and medicinal plant from Madagascar, are widely used in folk medicine. These two commercially available oils have been examined separately by means of GC-MS. The oil constituents were identified according to their mass spectra and their relative retention indices determined on both polar and non-polar stationary phase capillary columns. A total of 55 compounds have been identified constituting 76.7% (bark) and 91.6% (leaves) of the volatile constituents. Both oils were found to have a similar composition; however the relative percentages of some compounds notably differed. The bark essential oil contained beta-pinene (17.1%), cis-sesquisabinene hydrate (12.8%) and caryophyllene oxide (7.0%) as the main components whereas the leaf essential oil was largely dominated by trans-beta-farnesene (35.6%); beta-pinene (12.8%), cis-sesquisabinene hydrate (9.8%) and ar-curcumene (8.6%) were also present as major components. As far as we know, this is the first report on the Cedrelopsis grevei bark and leaf essential oils which therapeutic properties may be attractive for aromatherapy.     

Chemical composition of essential oil and headspace-solid microextracts from fruits of Myrica gale L. and antifungal activity

The essential oil and the volatile compounds of Myrica gale fruits were analysed by gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The volatile compounds were detected using two different fibres for headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME), Carboxen/PDMS and PDMS. Sixty two compounds were identified, which represented more than 90% of the total extracts. Major components of fruit essential oil are alpha-pinene (22.6%), 1,8-cineole (18.9%) and germacrone (14.2%), whereas they are germacrone (25.1%), alpha-pinene (12.2%), limonene (8.1%) and alpha-phellandrene (8.0%) for the leaf essential oil. Major volatile fruit compounds detected in HS-SPME were alpha-pinene, 1,8-cineole, p-cymene and eth-cadinene. As M. gale fruits are traditionally used in brewery for flavouring beer or as a spice in soups or stews, the antifungal properties of these essential oils were investigated on a panel of foodborne fungi, namely Aspergillus flavus, Cladosporium cladosporioides and Penicillium expansum. A complete antifungal activity was observed at 1000 ppm against C. cladosporioides. Both essential oil and entire fruits could thus be used as an additive in food or cosmetic preparations for their flavour, odour and their conservative properties.     

Essential oil of Galinsoga parviflora leaves from Colombia

The chemical composition of the volatile compounds from the leaves of Galinsoga parviflora Cav. (Asteraceae) from Colombia was studied by GC and GC/MS. Eighty-eight volatile compounds were identified, of which the major ones were (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol (21.7%), beta-caryophyllene (12.4%), and 6-demethoxy-ageratochrome (14%). The leaf oil presented antimicrobial activities against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus.     

Composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the leaf essential oil of Machilus japonica from Taiwan

The chemical composition, and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil isolated from the leaf of Machilus japonica from Taiwan have been investigated. The essential oil from the fresh leaves was isolated using hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus, and characterized by GC-FID and GC-MS. A total of 97 compounds were identified, representing 100% of the oil. The main components identified were alpha-phellandrene (14.5%), alpha-pinene (12.8%), thymol (12.6%), beta-pinene (8.3%), alpha-terpineol (6.5%) and carvacrol (6.0%). The antioxidant activity of the oil was tested by the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging capability test. The results showed that the IC50 was 51.8 microg/mL. The antimicrobial activity of the oil was tested by the disc diffusion and micro-broth dilution methods against ten microbial species. The oil exhibited strong growth suppression against Gram-positive bacteria and yeast, with inhibition zones of 48-54 mm and MIC values of 16.12-32.25 microg/mL, respectively. For the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the oil, the active source compounds were determined to be thymol and carvacrol.     

Antimicrobial,Mosquito Larvicidal and Antioxidant Properties of the Leaf and Rhizome of Hedychium coronarium

The essential oil, methanolic and aqueous extracts of the leaves and rhizomes of Hedychium coronarium Koen. (Zingiberaceae) were assayed for their antimicrobial, mosquito larvicidal and antioxidant properties. The chemical composition of the essential oil of two organs was analyzed by GC/MS analysis. β‐Pinene (33.9%), α‐pinene (14.7%), 1,8‐cineole (13.3%), r‐elemene (11.0%) and carotol (9.1%) were the main components in the leaf oil, including 82.0% terpenoid compounds. The major constituents of the rhizome oil were 1,8‐cineole (37.3%), β‐pinene (23.0%), α‐terpineol (10.4%) and α‐pinene (9.9%), comprising 80.6% of the oil. The leaf and rhizome essential oil displayed significant antimicrobial activity, as determined by the disc‐diffusion method, inhibiting the growth of all five fungal and four bacterial strains tested. The antimicrobial nature of the essential oil is related to high terpenoid contents. The leaf oil exhibited the mosquito larvicidal activity with 2 h and 24 h LC₅₀ values of 111 and 90 ppm, respectively, while the rhizome oil showed the larvicidal activity with 2 h and 24 h LC₅₀ values of 86 and 47 ppm, respectively. β‐Pinene, α‐pinene and 1,8‐cineol in H. coronarium serve as the principal larvicidal components of both oils. The individual antioxidant assays such as DPPH scavenging activity, chelating effect of ferrous ions and reducing power have been used. The present study demonstrated that the polar extracts of H. coronarium possessed anti‐oxidant. Appreciable total phenolic content (18.5‐26.3 mg/g) was also detected by Folin‐Ciocalteu test.     

Composition of the essential oils and antibacterial activities of Hymenocrater yazdianus, Stachys obtusicrena and Nepeta asterotricha three Labiatae herbs growing wild in Iran

Water-distilled essential oils from leaves of Hymenocrater yazdianus Rech.f., flowers of Stachys obtusicrena Boiss., and stems and flowers of Nepeta asterotricha Rech.f., which are endemic to Iran, were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Fifty-five components of the leaf oil of H. yazdianus were characterized, representing 95.1% of the total components detected. The major constituents were identified as 1,8-cineole (17.6%), beta-caryophyllene (13.9%), alpha-pinene (10.6%) and caryophyllene oxide (10.4%). Germacrene-D (37.5%) and alpha-bisabolol (23.5%) were the main components among the twenty constituents characterized in the flower oil of S. obtusicrena, representing 90.8% of the total components detected. Thirty-five compounds representing 93.0% of the stem oil of N. asterotrica were identified among which terpinen-4-ol (22.8%) and gamma-terpinene (14.1%) were the major ones. The flower oil of the species was characterized by higher amounts of terpinen-4-ol (24.8%), 4a alpha, 7a beta-nepetalactone (18.2%) and 1,8-cineole (11.6%) among the thirty-three components comprising 98.5% of the total oil detected. The antibacterial activity of the stem, leaf and flower oils of Hymenocrater yazdianus, Stachys obtusicrena and Nepeta asterotricha against seven Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were determined using the MIC method. The growth inhibitory zone (mm) was also measured.     

Constituents and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils from flower, leaf and stem of Helichrysum armenium

The chemical constituents from the flower, leaf and stem of Helichrysum armenium DC. (Asteraceae) growing in Iran were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The oil of flower was characterized by higher amount of limonene (21.2%), alpha-cadinol (18.2%), borneol (11.9%), delta-cadinene (9.0%), bornyl acetate (8.0%) and alpha-humulene (7.3%). Twenty one constituents representing 96.2% of the chromatographical leaf oil were identified of which limonene (29.2%), alpha-pinene (14.4%), caryophyllene oxide (6.5%), alpha-gurjunene (6.3%), bornyl acetate (5.5%) and torreyol (5.2%) were the major components. The main components of the stem oil were limonene (23.6%), alpha-pinene (13.4%), spathulenol (6.4%), alpha-gurjunene (6.3%), caryophyllene oxide (5.3%), bornyl acetate (5.2%), beta-cubebene (4.8%) and delta-cadinene (4.3%). The composition of the oils is different, although the most abundant components are identical in leaf oil (96.2%). The antimicrobial effect of flower, leaf and stem essential oils from Helichrysum armenium was studied according to the agar diffusion cup method. The essential oils had a moderate effect on the Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and had a substantial fungicidal effect on the fungi under study.     

Composition and antioxidant activities of leaf and root volatile oils of Morinda lucida

Morinda lucida (L.) Benth. (Rubiacae) is used in traditional medicine in many West African countries for the treatment of various human diseases. The leaves and roots of this plant were subjected to hydro-distillation to obtain volatile oils which were analyzed by high resolution GC/MS. Fifty compounds were identified in the leaf volatile oil and the major compounds were alpha-terpinene (17.8%) and beta-bisabolene (16.3%). In the root oil, 18 compounds were identified, the major constituents being 3-fluoro-p-anidine (51.8%) and hexadecanoic acid (12.0%). Antioxidant activities of the oils were examined using the DPPH, ABTS, reducing power and lipid peroxidation assays. All assays were concentration dependent with varying antioxidant potentials. The antioxidant activity of the root volatile oil of M. lucida was similar to that of the standard drugs used.     

Antimicrobial activity and chemical constituents of the essential oils from flower, leaf and stem of Gypsophila bicolor from Iran

The volatile constituents from flower, leaf and stem of Gypsophila bicolor growing in Iran were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The flower oil was characterized by high amounts of germacrene-D (21.2%), p-cymene (20.6%), bicyclogermacrene (17.6%), gamma-dodecadienolactone (13.7%) and terpinolene (9.4%). Twenty-four constituents representing 97.4% of the leaf oil were identified of which germacrene-D (23.4%), terpinolene (14.5%), bicyclogermacrene (7.5%), gamma-dodecadienolactone (6.8%), p-cymene (6.7%) and cis-beta-ocimene (6.3%) were major components. The main components of the stem oil were gamma-dodecadienolactone (28.5%), bicyclogermacrene (14.8%), germacrene-D (12.6%), p-cymene (12.5%), terpinolene (11.6%) and trans-beta-ocimene (4.2%). The antimicrobial effects of flower, leaf and stem essential oils from Gypsophila bicolor were studied according to the agar diffusion cup method. The essential oils had a moderate effect on the Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, but had a substantial effect on the fungi studied.     

Thermal Degradation of Linalool-Chemotype Cinnamomum osmophloeum Leaf Essential Oil and Its Stabilization by Microencapsulation with β-Cyclodextrin

The thermal degradation of linalool-chemotype Cinnamomum osmophloeum leaf essential oil and the stability effect of microencapsulation of leaf essential oil with β-cyclodextrin were studied. After thermal degradation of linalool-chemotype leaf essential oil, degraded compounds including β-myrcene, cis-ocimene and trans-ocimene, were formed through the dehydroxylation of linalool; and ene cyclization also occurs to linalool and its dehydroxylated products to form the compounds such as limonene, terpinolene and α-terpinene. The optimal microencapsulation conditions of leaf essential oil microcapsules were at a leaf essential oil to the β-cyclodextrin ratio of 15:85 and with a solvent ratio (ethanol to water) of 1:5. The maximum yield of leaf essential oil microencapsulated with β-cyclodextrin was 96.5%. According to results from the accelerated dry-heat aging test, β-cyclodextrin was fairly stable at 105 °C, and microencapsulation with β-cyclodextrin can efficiently slow down the emission of linalool-chemotype C. osmophloeum leaf essential oil.     

In vitro antimicrobial properties and chemical composition of Santolina chamaecyparissus essential oil from Algeria

The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from the aerial parts of Santolina chamaecyparissus L., growing in Algeria, was investigated by GC-MS analyses. A total of 36 compounds were identified, accounting for 91.7% of the essential oil obtained. Camphor (31.1%) and cubenol (17.0%) were the predominant compounds. The potential of the antimicrobial activity was also investigated and the tested sample proved to be very active against Klebsiella pneumonia and Candida albicans (34.1 +/- 0.02 mm and 35.0 +/- 0.01 mm, respectively). Transverse sections of the leaf and stem of the plant suggest that the essential oil is localized in endogenous and exogenous sites.