Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Artemisia herba-alba essential oil cultivated in Tunisian arid zone

This study was conceived to examine the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of four essential oil types extracted by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts of Artemisia herba-alba cultivated in southern Tunisia. The chemical composition was investigated using both capillary GC and GC/MS techniques. β-thujone, α-thujone, α-thujone/β-thujone and 1,8-cineole/camphor/α-thujone/β-thujone were respectively, the major components of these oil types. The antimicrobial activity of different oils was tested using the diffusion method and by determining the inhibition zone. The results showed that all examined oil types had great potential of antimicrobial activity against strains. In addition, antioxidant capacity was assessed by different in vitro tests and weak activity was found for these A. herba-alba oils.     

Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of the Essential Oils of Two Endemic Species from Turkey: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sideritis cilicica</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sideritis bilgerana</Emphasis>

Aerial parts of Sideritis cilicica Boiss. & Bal. and Sideritis bilgerana P.H. Davis (Lamiaceae) were hydrodistilled to obtain essential oils that were then analyzed by GC and GC/MS. β-Pinene (39%), α-pinene (28%), and β-phellandrene (20%) were the main components in the oil of S. cilicica, while β-pinene (48%), and α-pinene (32%) were the major constituents in the oil of S. bilgerana. The antimicrobial activities of the oils were evaluated by using the microdilution broth method. Both of the oils showed good inhibitory effects on C. albicans. __________ Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 559–561, November–December, 2005.     

Essential oil from Artemisia herba-alba Asso grown wild in Algeria: Variability assessment and comparison with an updated literature survey

The chemical variability of the essential oils of Artemisia herba-alba Asso aerial parts, collected at Algeria was evaluated. A. herba-alba populations were collected in four regions, Benifouda; Bougaa; Boussaada and Boutaleb, at two different periods, July (flowering phase), and October and November (vegetative phase). The essential oils were isolated by hydrodistillation and analyzed by Gas Chromatography (GC) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The essential oils yield ranged between 0.2% and 0.9% (v/d.w.). Fifty components were identified in A. herba-alba oils, oxygen-containing monoterpenes being dominant in all cases (72–80%). Camphor (17–33%), α-thujone (7–28%) and chrysanthenone (4–19%) were the major oil components. Despite the similarity in main components, three types of oils could be defined, (a) α-thujone : camphor (23–28:17–28%), (b) camphor : chrysanthenone (33:12%) and (c) α-thujone : camphor : chrysanthenone (24:19:19%). The comparison between the present data and an updated survey of the existing literature reinforces the major variability of A. herba-alba essential oils and stresses the importance of obtaining a defined chemical type crop production avoiding the wild harvest.     

Comparative analysis of essential oil compositions from leaves and stems of Rhododendron adamsii, R. aureum, and R. dauricum

Chemical compositions of essential oils (EO) from leaves and stems of Rhododendron adamsii, R. aureum, and R. dauricum were studied by GC/MS. The analysis demonstrated that the EO of these plants contained mainly mono-and diterpene hydrocarbons. A large amount of alkanes was also found in the EO of R. aureum. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 344–347, July–August, 2006.     

Composition of essential oils from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salvia anatolica</Emphasis>, a new species endemic from Turkey

The component composition of essential oils produced by steam distillation from flower heads, leaves, and stems of Salvia anatolica (Lamiaceae), a recently described new species endemic from Turkey, was studied by GC/FID and GC/MS. A total of 127 volatile components representing 96% of the oil was identified in essential oil from flower heads and leaves. It was found that the principal oil components of flower heads and leaves were α-pinene (10.9%), β-pinene (6.7%), α-copaene (6.3%), heptacosane (6.2%), and hexadecanoic acid (5.0%). A total of 109 volatile compounds representing 87.9% of the oil was characterized in essential oil isolated from stems. The principal oil components of stems were identified as hexadecanoic acid (27.2%), tetradecanoic acid (15.2%), dodecanoic acid (5.5%), and α-copaene (5.0%). __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 552–555, November–December, 2007.     

Study of the essential oil composition of Pinus sylvestris from Turkey

The needle oils of Pinus sylvestris L. were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The results showed some qualitative and quantitative variations. Forty-three components were identified in the oils of P. sylvestris. All the samples of essential oils contained α-pinene, camphene, and β-pinene as major constituents. Chemical variations of P. sylvestris samples were discussed. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 22–25, January–February, 2006.     

Essential oil of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Laurus nobilis</Emphasis> from Montenegro

Steam distilled oil from the shoots, separated leaves, and stem, as well as from the flower of laurel (Laurus nobilis), grown in Montenegro, were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The yield of essential oil was as follow: 1.4% in young shoots, 1.5% in the separated leaves, and 0.7% in separated stems. The main constituents of all investigated oils were 1,8-cineole, methyleugenol, and α-terpinyl acetate. Besides, α-pinene, β-pinene, sabinene, and linalool were also present. It was interesting and important for commercial samples of laurel essential oil that there was no significant difference among the essential oil obtained from young shoots and those obtained from leaves and stem. The main constituents of the flower oil were 1,8-cineole (15.7%), β-caryophyllene (9.5%), γ-muurolene (7.1%), α-terpinyl acetate (6.5%), and methyleugenol (3.9%). Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 337–339, July–August, 2007.     

Characterization of the leaf essential oils of an endemic species Cinnamomum perrottetii from Western Ghats,India

Essential oils from the leaf of Cinnamomum perrottetii Meissn. collected from three distinct populations in the southern Western Ghats, India were analysed by GC–FID and GC–MS. A total of 56 volatile constituents representing 92.2–96.3% of the oils were identified. Variations in the chemical constituents of the oils were found. Only three major components namely, α-pinene (5.1–6.6%), tau-cadinol (8.7–20.5%) and α-cadinol (7.3–13%) out of 10 were found in all three samples. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the chemical compositions of leaf essential oil of C. perrottetii.     

Chemical composition of essential oils from the vegetative and reproductive structures of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf.

GC/FID and GC–MS analysis revealed germacrene D, bicyclogermacrene, α-cadinol and cubenol as major compounds from aril. Germacrene D, bicyclogermacrene, trans-caryophyllene and δ-elemene are major compounds in fruits. Germacrene D, spathulenol, trans-caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide are major compounds in leaves. Furthermore, multivariate analysis revealed distinct groups between the composition of essential oils from aril and fruit, when compared with terpene production found in leaves. Lipid composition found in arils could be protected by the presence of non-oxygenated sesquiterpenes, as germacrene D and bicyclogermacrene. Chemical profiles of essential oils from the fruits, arils and leaves of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. revealed different compositions, which could be related to environmental pressures. Thereby, non-oxygenated sesquiterpenes can also work against herbivory, pathogens and predator's attack, emphasising the importance of further studies among terpenes, ecology interactions and plant physiology.     

Application of Comprehensive Two‐Dimensional Gas Chromatography (GC×GC) to the Qualitative Analysis of Essential Oils

This paper investigates the separation of moderately complex samples by comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC). The analysis of peppermint (Mentha piperita) and spearmint (Mentha spicata) essential oil components, including acetates, alcohols, furans, ketones, sesquiterpenes, and terpenes, was achieved by one‐dimensional gas chromatography with quadrupole mass spectrometry detection (GC/MSD) and GC×GC with flame ionization detection. Peppermint essential oil was found to contain 89 identifiable peaks by GC×GC compared to 30 peaks in the GC/MSD chromatogram. Likewise, 68 peaks were found in the GC×GC chromatogram of spearmint (compared to 28 in GC/MSD). Plots of the first dimension versus second dimension retention times provided a fingerprint of the two essential oils, which revealed 52 similar compounds between the two essential oils as opposed to 18 matches by 1D GC.     

Comparative analysis of essential oil composition from flower and leaf of Magnolia kwangsiensis Figlar & Noot.

The essential oils from Magnolia kwangsiensis Figlar & Noot. were obtained using hydrodistillation, and analysed by GC and GC–MS. A total of 31, 27 and 26 constituents were identified in the oils from male flower, female flower and leaf of M. kwangsiensis, and they comprised 99.2, 98.5 and 96.2% of the oils, respectively. Monoterpene hydrocarbons predominated in the oils and accounted for 48.3% of male flower oil, 54.0% of female flower oil and 44.6% of leaf oil. The compositions of flower oils were quite similar but with different content, and were different from those of leaf oil.     

Chemical composition,antimicrobial and insecticidal activities of the essential oils of Conyza linifolia and Chenopodium ambrosioides

Two essential oil-containing plants growing wildly in Egypt: Conyza linifolia (Willd.) Täckh. (Asteraceae) and Chenopodium ambrosioides L. (Chenopodiaceae) were subjected to essential oil analysis and biological investigation. The essential oils from both plants were prepared by hydrodistillation, and GC/MS was employed for volatiles profiling. This study is the first to perform GC/MS analysis of C. linifolia essential oil growing in Egypt. C. linifolia essential oil contained mainly sesquiterpenes, while that of C. ambrosioides was rich in monoterpenes. Ascaridole, previously identified as the major component of the latter, was found at much lower levels. In addition, the oils were investigated for their antimicrobial activity against two Gram positive and two Gram negative bacteria, and one fungus. The insecticidal activities of both oils, including mosquitocidal and pesticidal potentials, were also evaluated. The results of biological activities encourage further investigation of the two oils as antimicrobial and insecticidal agents of natural origin.     

The volatile constituents of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dracocephalum kotschyi</Emphasis> oils

The chemical composition of the essential oils of Dracocephalum kotschyi (Lamiaceae) aerial parts, grown in Iran and obtained from three different methods, were determined by GC and GC/MS. Fifty-seven compounds (93.3%) in the hydrodistillate oil, 55 compounds (94.2%) in the steam distillate oil, and 34 compounds (98.4%) in the hydrolate were identified. The major compounds in the hydrodistillate oil were α-pinene (12.1%), methyl geranate (11.2%), β-ocimene (8.6%), and limonene (7.2%). α-Pinene (15%), methyl geranate (14.5%), limonene (11.2%), and β-ocimene (8.4%) were the most abundant components in the steam distillate oil. The percentages of geraniol (13%), trans-verbenol (11.6%), and terpinen-4-ol (11.2%) were more than other constituents in the hydrolate. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 35–37, January–February, 2007.     

Investigation of the composition and stability of the essential oils of origanum vulgare ssp.vulgare L. andO. vulgare ssp.hirtum (Link) letswaart

Summary The essential oils ofOriganum vulgare L. ssp.hirtum (Link) letswaart andOriganum vulgare L ssp.vulgare (Fam. Lamiaceae), cultivated in Hungary, have been studied by GC and GC-MS and the qualitative and quantitative chemical composition of the essential oils in the two species have been compared.O. vulgare ssp.hirtum oil was found to contain carvacrol (76.4%), γ-terpinene (6.6%), thymol (0.23%), andp-cymene (4.7%) as the main constituents whereas the major compounds inO. vulgare ssp.vulgare oil werep-cymene (22.3%), caryophyllene oxide (10.2%), sabinene (7.9%), γ-terpinene (5.1%), thymol (0.34%), and spathulenol (4.8%). The stability of content and composition of the oils during the flowering period (economically beneficial period) were observed. The effect of long-term storage on the composition of the oil was also investigated for both the crude and distilled oil ofOriganum vulgare ssp.vulgare. Presented at Balaton Symposium '01 on High-Performance Separation Methods, Siófok, Hungary, September 2–4, 2001     

Phytochemical analysis of Saponaria officinalis L. shoots and flowers essential oils

Phytochemical analysis by GC and GC/MS of the essential oil samples obtained from fresh shoots and flowers of Saponaria officinalis L. allowed the identification of 96 components in total, comprising 94.7% and 86.0% of the total oils compositions, respectively. Regarding the shoots essential oil, the major of 87 identified volatile compounds were phytol (14.1%), tricosane-6,8-dione (13.4%), patchouli alcohol (7.9%) and tricosane (7.2%), whereas patchouli alcohol (20.0%), heneicosane (11.5%) and tricosane (8.4%) were dominant among the 66 volatiles in the flower oil. Nonterpenoid compounds had the highest contribution in S. officinalis shoots essential oil (53.7%), while in the flower oil, constituents were almost evenly distributed between the oxygenated sesquiterpenoid (41.2%) and nonterpenoid compounds (39.5%).     

Composition and antimicrobial activity of Prangos platychlaena and P. uechtritzii

The chemical compositions and antimicrobial activities of the essential oils from two Turkish endemic species, Prangos platychlaena and P. uechtritzii, were investigated. Hydrodistillation was used to isolate the essential oils, and the chemical analyses were performed by GC and GC-MS. The antimicrobial activity was tested by the microdilution technique against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium, Candida albicans, C. krusei, and C. tropicalis. δ-3-Carene (3.39%) and p-cymene (3.38%) were identified as major components in P. platychlaena, and α-pinene (40.82%), nonene (17.03%), β-phellandrene (11.14%), δ-3-carene (7.39%), and p-cymene (4.90%) in P. uechtritzii. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 139–140, March–April, 2006.     

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.     

Lippia origanoides chemotype differentiation based on essential oil GC‐MS and principal component analysis

Chromatographic (GC/flame ionization detection, GC/MS) and statistical analyses were applied to the study of essential oils and extracts obtained from flowers, leaves, and stems of Lippia origanoides plants, growing wild in different Colombian regions. Retention indices, mass spectra, and standard substances were used in the identification of 139 substances detected in these essential oils and extracts. Principal component analysis allowed L. origanoides classification into three chemotypes, characterized according to their essential oil major components. α‐ and β‐phellandrenes, p‐cymene, and limonene distinguished chemotype A; carvacrol and thymol were the distinctive major components of chemotypes B and C, respectively. Pinocembrin (5,7‐dihydroxyflavanone) was found in L. origanoides chemotype A supercritical fluid (CO₂) extract at a concentration of 0.83±0.03 mg/g of dry plant material, which makes this plant an interesting source of an important bioactive flavanone with diverse potential applications in cosmetic, food, and pharmaceutical products.     

Chemical Composition of the Essential Oils of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bunium elegans</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bunium caroides</Emphasis>

Analyses of the essential oils of Bunium elegans (Fenzl) Freyn and B. caroides (Boiss.) Hausskn. ex Bornm., using GC, GC/MS, and¹³ C-NMR spectroscopy resulted in identification of their chemical constituents. The oils of both species contain mainly the sesquiterpene hydrocarbons germacrene-D and E-caryophyllene, which amounted to 24.1% and 38% for B. elegans and 22.1% and 26.6% for B. caroides respectively. The oil of B. caroides contained the monoterpenes α-pinene and Z-β-ocimene in 4.1 and 5.9% respectively, while traces of monoterpenes were detected for B. elegans. On the other hand, in B. caroides the phenylpropanoid derivatives asaricin (7.5%) and dillapiole (10.2%) were among the major constituents. __________ Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 335–336, July–August, 2005.     

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of Ferula latisecta and Mozaffariania insignis from Iran

The hydrodistilled oils from the aerial parts of Ferula latisecta and Mozaffariania insignis, which is endemic to Iran, were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. (Z)-Ocimenone (32.4%), (E)-ocimenone (20.3%), and cis-pinocarvone (11.4%) were the main components among the 22 constituents characterized in the oil of F. latisecta, representing 87.7% of the total components detected. Twenty-five compounds were identified in the oil of M. insignis, representing 99.0% of the total oil, with octyl acetate (41.1%), β-pinene (30.3%), and α-pinene (23.9%) as the main constituents. The essential oils were examined for their potential antimicrobial activities. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 561–563, November–December, 2006.