Chemical analysis and antimicrobial activities of the essential oils of Satureja thymbra L. and Thymbra spicata L. and their main components

This work covers the chemical composition and antimicrobial activities of the essential oils isolated from Satureja thymbra and Thymbra spicata analyzed using GC/MS. The main components of S. thymbra oil were thymol (33.8 %), γ-terpinene (30.8 %) and p-cymene (11.8 %). The main components in T. spicata oil were carvacrol (74.5 %) and γ-terpinene (11.2 %). The oils and their main components, thymol and carvacrol, were assayed by applying the microdilution method for antibacterial and antifungal activity against food poisoning, plant, animal and human pathogenic microorganisms. The oil of T. spicata and carvacrol showed the highest antimicrobial activity.Projekat ministarstva br. 17303

Protein hydrolysates supplement in the nutrient solution of soilless grown fresh peppermint and spearmint as a tool for improving product quality

7openInternationalInternational coauthor/editorThe present study investigated the potential of fresh peppermint (Mentha × piperita L.) and spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) production on a floating raft system combined with a commercial protein hydrolysate supplement (Amino16®) in a nutrient solution aiming to improve plant product quality. Three levels of the protein hydrolysate solution (0, 0.25 and 0.50%) were added in the nutrient solution, and the plants were harvested after twenty-four days. Plant growth characteristics were recorded, and nutritional, essential oil and polyphenolic composition were determined in fresh tissue. The addition of protein hydrolysates did not affect the fresh or dry weight but reduced plant height. Nitrate content significantly decreased, while total chlorophyll and essential oil content increased in both species. Moreover, the protein hydrolysate solution further increased total antioxidant capacity, total soluble phenol and carotenoid contents in spearmint plants, while it did not affect the essential oil and polyphenolic composition in both species. In conclusion, protein hydrolysates solution may be added in the nutrient solution, to improve the quality of peppermint and spearmint grown in a floating system, without adverse effects on crop yield or the essential oil and polyphenolic profile.openAktsoglou, D.; Kasampalis, D.; Sarrou, E.; Tsouvaltzis, P.; Chatzopoulou, P.; Martens, S.; Siomos, A.Aktsoglou, D.; Kasampalis, D.; Sarrou, E.; Tsouvaltzis, P.; Chatzopoulou, P.; Martens, S.; Siomos, A

Chemical analysis and antimicrobial activities of the essential oils of Satureja thymbra L. and Thymbra spicata L. and their main components

This work covers the chemical composition and antimicrobial activities of the essential oils isolated from Satureja thymbra and Thymbra spicata analyzed using GC/MS. The main components of S. thymbra oil were thymol (33.8 %), γ-terpinene (30.8 %) and p-cymene (11.8 %). The main components in T. spicata oil were carvacrol (74.5 %) and γ-terpinene (11.2 %). The oils and their main components, thymol and carvacrol, were assayed by applying the microdilution method for antibacterial and antifungal activity against food poisoning, plant, animal and human pathogenic microorganisms. The oil of T. spicata and carvacrol showed the highest antimicrobial activity.Projekat ministarstva br. 17303

Chemical and Biological Characterization of the Anticancer Potency of \u3ci\u3eSalvia fruticosa\u3c/i\u3e in a Model of Human Malignant Melanoma

Malignant melanoma is one of the most aggressive types of skin cancer with an increasing incidence worldwide. Thus, the development of innovative therapeutic approaches is of great importance. Salvia fruticosa (SF) is known for its anticancer properties and in this context, we aimed to investigate its potential anti-melanoma activity in an in vitro model of human malignant melanoma. Cytotoxicity was assessed through a colorimetric-based sulforhodamine-B (SRB) assay in primary malignant melanoma (A375), non-malignant melanoma epidermoid carcinoma (A431) and non-tumorigenic melanocyte neighbouring keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. Among eight (8) different fractions of S. fruticosa extracts (SF1-SF8) tested, SF3 was found to possess significant cytotoxic activity against A375 cells, while A431 and HaCaT cells remained relatively resistant or exerted no cytotoxicity, respectively. In addition, the total phenolic (Folin–Ciocalteu assay) and total flavonoid content of SF extracts was estimated, whereas the antioxidant capacity was measured via the inhibition of tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation levels. Finally, apoptotic cell death was assessed by utilizing a commercially available kit for the activation of caspases - 3, - 8 and - 9. In conclusion, the anti-melanoma properties of SF3 involve the induction of both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathway(s), as evidenced by the increased activity levels of caspases - 8, and - 9, respectively

Impact of targeted UPLC-MS/MS metabolomics on chemical and biochemical characterisation of MAPs

Analysis of natural product pattern (metabolites; metabolomics) and its formation (pathway; biosynthesis) in plants, especially in non-model or crop plants such as medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), is a research field with significant potential for breeders, growers and consumers. There is an increasing importance for constant and sustainable quality of MAPs final products. Polyphenols are one of the most important compounds for the antioxidant properties of MAPs and are often, if not identified as active principle, used as lead compounds in quality assessment of herbal drugs and related preparation (herbal tea, alcoholic extracts etc.). Therefore, offering an efficient, robust and reliable fast tool to determine these quality features of MAPs will guarantee the growers, industrial users and the consumers from possible frauds

Evaluation of agronomical and qualitative characteristics of Greek Oregano (Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum) germplasm for breeding purposes.

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is one of the most commercially valued species with remarkable biological properties, while its world trade and consumption is steadily increased. In order to identify a standardized plant material of Greek Oregano (Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum), sixteen native populations collected from different regions of Greece, were evaluated for their essential oil yield and composition. A breeding program was initiated for the most effective populations, concerning the most desirable biochemical, agronomic and morphological characteristics, using pedigree method and honeycomb design for plant selection

Volatile Constituents and Antioxidant Activity of Peel, Flowers and Leaf Oils of Citrus aurantium L. Growing in Greece

The volatile constituents of the essential oils of the peel, flower (neroli) and leaves (petitgrain) of bitter orange (Citrus aurantium L.) growing in Greece were studied by GC-MS. The analytical procedures enabled the quantitative determination of 31 components. More specifically, the components of the essential oils identified were: twelve in the peel, twenty-six in the flowers, and twenty and sixteen in old and young leaves, respectively. The major constituents of the different parts of Citrus aurantium L. essential oils were: β-pinene (0.62%–19.08%), limonene (0.53%–94.67%), trans-β-ocimene (3.11%–6.06%), linalool (0.76%–58.21%), and α-terpineol (0.13%–12.89%). The DPPH test demonstrated that the essential oils in the old leaves had the maximum antioxidant activity, followed by the flowers, young leaves and the peel in that order. This study updates the data in the literature on the essential oils of bitter orange, and provides information on the composition of the oils for a further evaluation of this product

Volatile Constituents and Antioxidant Activity of Peel, Flowers and Leaf Oils of Citrus aurantium L. Growing in Greece

The volatile constituents of the essential oils of the peel, flower (neroli) and leaves (petitgrain) of bitter orange (Citrus aurantium L.) growing in Greece were studied by GC-MS. The analytical procedures enabled the quantitative determination of 31 components. More specifically, the components of the essential oils identified were: twelve in the peel, twenty-six in the flowers, and twenty and sixteen in old and young leaves, respectively. The major constituents of the different parts of Citrus aurantium L. essential oils were: β-pinene (0.62%–19.08%), limonene (0.53%–94.67%), trans-β-ocimene (3.11%–6.06%), linalool (0.76%–58.21%), and α-terpineol (0.13%–12.89%). The DPPH test demonstrated that the essential oils in the old leaves had the maximum antioxidant activity, followed by the flowers, young leaves and the peel in that order. This study updates the data in the literature on the essential oils of bitter orange, and provides information on the composition of the oils for a further evaluation of this product

Bioactive Profile of Distilled Solid By-Products of Rosemary, Greek Sage and Spearmint as Affected by Distillation Methods

By-products of essential oils (EOs) in the industry represent an exploitable material for natural and safe antioxidant production. One representative group of such by-products is distilled solid residues, whose composition is properly modulated by the distillation method applied for the recovery of EOs. Recently, in terms of Green Chemistry principles, conventional extraction and distillation processes are considered outdated and tend to be replaced by more environmentally friendly ones. In the present study, microwave-assisted hydro-distillation (MAHD) was employed as a novel and green method for the recovery of EOs from three aromatic plants (rosemary, Greek sage and spearmint). The method was compared to conventional ones, hydro-distillation (HD) and steam-distillation (SD), in terms of phytochemical composition of distilled solid residues, which was estimated by spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods. Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant activity (ABTS, DPPH and FRAP) results highlighted the distilled solid residues as good sources of antioxidants. Moreover, higher antioxidant activity was achieved for MAHD extracts of solid residues in comparison to HD and SD extracts. A metabolomics approach was carried out on the methanolic extracts of solid residues obtained by different distillation methods using LC-MS analysis followed by multivariate data analysis. A total of 29 specialized metabolites were detected, and 26 of them were identified and quantified, presenting a similar phenolic profile among different treatments, whereas differences were observed among different species. Rosmarinic acid was the most abundant phenolic compound in all extracts, being higher in MAHD extracts. In rosemary and Greek sage extracts, carnosol and carnosic acid were quantified in significant amounts, while trimers and tetramers of caffeic acid (salvianolic acids isomers) were identified and quantified in spearmint extracts, being higher in MAHD extracts. The obtained results pointed out that MAHD extracts of distilled solid by-products could be a good source of bioactives with potential application in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, contributing to the circular economy

Phenolic extracts from solid wastes of the aromatic plant essential oil industry: Potential uses in food applications

During the production of essential oils (EOs) at an industrial scale, a large amount of solid waste (SW) rich in phenolics is left, which constitutes a major management challenge for the EO industry. This review aims to discuss recent developments in the valorization of the phenolic extract obtained from SW remaining after aromatic and medicinal plants (AMPs) distillation. Methods of extraction, health benefits and their potential use as food additives or as functional modifiers in packaging systems are explored. Other applications as antimicrobial/antifungal agents are also elaborated. The SW of AMPs has a similar phenolic profile to that of the raw plant material, representing thus a sustainable source for natural phenolics. However, pre-treatment and extraction methods have an impact on the composition and antioxidant potential of SW extracts. Emerging technologies in preparing phenolic extracts excel in time, solvent and energy savings, compared to conventional methods, but still, there are issues related to high equipment cost and implementation. Phenolic extracts from SW could find applications in the food industry due to their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, but improvements are needed in terms of extraction efficiency and their potential functionality at an industrial scale