Effect of chemical modification of hydrodistillation on yield, composition and biological activity of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil

Studies on the chemical modifications of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil hydrodistillation process (HD) by using 5% citric acid (CA-HD) and 5% trisodium citrate (TSC-HD) ase water phase were performed. Composition of essential oils obtained in conventional and modified conditions was analyzed by gas chromatography with mass selective detector method (GC-MS) and compared. Antioxidant activity of all essential oils was determined spectrophotometrically by using DPPH radical scavenging method. It was found that applied modifications of hydrodistillation process enhanced yields and antioxidant activity and the best results were obtained using 5% citric acid as a modifier. Effect of this modification on fungicidal activity of essential oils against 8 various fungi strains (Alternaria alternata, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium culmorum, Phythophtora cactorum, Rhizoctonia solani, Phythophtora infestans, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Ascosphaera apis) was also determined and in most cases enhanced activity was observed

Influence of extraction technique on yield and antioxidant activity of extracts from Moringa oleifera leaf

The article presents research on the exploring of extraction process of biologically active substances from the leaves of the Moringa oleifera tree using ethanol. Ethanolic extracts were obtained using three different techniques: maceration with shaking, ultrasound-assisted extraction and extraction in Soxhlet apparatus, in different time variants: 1, 2 and 4-hours. After solvent evaporating and drying, the yields of dry extracts obtained in particular processes were calculated. The antioxidant activity of extracts was analyzed spectrophotometrically using DPPH radical scavenging method, and total phenolic content (TPC) was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method. By means of gas chromatography with mass selective detector (GC-MS), 11 biologically active compounds present in ethanolic extracts were identified, among which α-tocopherol had the greatest share. Based on the results, the influence of the extraction technique and time on the yield and antioxidant activity of M. oleifera leaf extracts were discussed

Influence of enzymatic pretreatment on yield and chemical composition of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil

Effect of enzymatic pretreatment before hydrodistillation process on yield and composition of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil was studied. Results obtained by using two selected commercial enzymes applied in food and beverage industry were compared. Control process with non-enzymatic pretreatment in analogous conditions was also performed for proper interpretation of results. Application of gas chromatography with mass selective detector (GC-MS) enabled analysis and comparison of essential oils composition. Moreover, total phenolic content (TPC) was determined spectrophotometrically in post-processing hydrolates, which are also valuable products e.g. for cosmetic applications. Modifications of isolation process by pretreatment with selected enzymes resulted in significant increase in essential oil yields in comparison to conventional hydrodistillation and control process with non-enzymatic pretreatment in analogous conditions. No substantial changes in the composition of obtained essential oils were observed. In post-processing hydrolates higher values of total phenolic content (TPC) were found both after enzymatic and non-enzymatic pretreatment

Study of compounds emitted during thermo-oxidative decomposition of polyester fabrics

Compounds emitted during thermo-oxidative decomposition of three commercial polyester fabrics for indoor outfit and decorations (upholstery, curtains) were studied. The experiments were carried out in a flow tubular furnace at 600°C in an air atmosphere. During decomposition process the complex mixtures of volatile and solid compounds were emitted. The main volatile products were carbon oxides, benzene, acetaldehyde, vinyl benzoate and acetophe-none. The emitted solid compounds consisted mainly of aromatic carboxylic acids and its derivatives, among which the greatest part took terephthalic acid, monovinyl terephthalate and benzoic acid. The small amounts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were also emitted. The emission profiles of the tested polyester fabrics were similar. The presence of toxic compounds indicates the possibility of serious hazard for people during fire

<i>Lavandula angustifolia</i> Essential Oils as Effective Enhancers of Fluconazole Antifungal Activity against <i>Candida albicans</i>

The increasing prevalence of Candida albicans resistance to commercial antifungal agents in recent decades has prompted modern medicine and veterinary medicine to search for combined treatment options. The aim of the study was to determine the activity of essential oils from different cultivars and morphological parts of the medicinal lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) in combination with fluconazole against Candida albicans ATCC 10231 strain. The effect of the combination of lavender essential oil with fluconazole was tested using the checkerboard method, and the obtained results were interpreted on the basis of fractional inhibitory concentration indices (FICIs). A synergistic interaction was found for all combinations of fluconazole with essential oils isolated both from flowers and leafy stalks of two tested lavender cultivars: ‘Blue River’ and ‘Ellagance Purple’. The observed enhancement effect of fluconazole antifungal activity was significantly stronger in the case of essential oils obtained from flowers and leafy stalks of ‘Blue River’ cultivar. Analogous studies were performed for linalool, one of the main components of lavender essential oils, and a similar synergistic interaction with fluconazole was found

Comparison of the composition and fungicidal activity of essential oils from fennel fruits cultivated in Poland and Egypt

The yield, composition and fungicidal activity of essential oils obtained from fennel fruits cultivated in Poland (FEOPOL) and Egypt (FEO-EG) were compared. The influence of the duration of hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus on the essential oil yield was studied. The composition of the fennel essential oils was determined by GC-MS method. Studies have shown that FEO-POL and FEO-EG are two distinct chemotypes, which differ in yield and composition. The fennel fruits cultivated in Poland contained 4.14% of essential oil with trans-anethole as a main component. The plant material from Egypt was characterised by low content of essential oil (1.32%) with a predominant share of estragole. The fungicidal activity was tested in vitro against ten species of pathogenic fungi. The best result for FEO-POL was achieved against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Rhizoctonia solani and Botrytis cinerea. Antifungal activity of FEO-EG against tested fungi was weak or none

Comparison of the composition and fungicidal activity of essential oils from fennel fruits cultivated in Poland and Egypt

The yield, composition and fungicidal activity of essential oils obtained from fennel fruits cultivated in Poland (FEOPOL) and Egypt (FEO-EG) were compared. The influence of the duration of hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus on the essential oil yield was studied. The composition of the fennel essential oils was determined by GC-MS method. Studies have shown that FEO-POL and FEO-EG are two distinct chemotypes, which differ in yield and composition. The fennel fruits cultivated in Poland contained 4.14% of essential oil with trans-anethole as a main component. The plant material from Egypt was characterised by low content of essential oil (1.32%) with a predominant share of estragole. The fungicidal activity was tested in vitro against ten species of pathogenic fungi. The best result for FEO-POL was achieved against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Rhizoctonia solani and Botrytis cinerea. Antifungal activity of FEO-EG against tested fungi was weak or none

Mineral, Nutritional, and Phytochemical Composition and Baking Properties of Teff and Watermelon Seed Flours

Demonstrated limitations in the mineral and nutritional composition of refined flours have led to calls for the possibility of enriching them with health-promoting supplements, such as high-value non-cereal seeds. Teff and watermelon seeds have been found suitable for the production of gluten-free flour, but so far, their potential to enrich conventional baking flours has not been comprehensively studied. Hence, the present study aimed at farinographic evaluation of dough based on refined wheat flour with additions of whole white teff (TF) and watermelon seed (WSF) and pomace (DWSF) flours (tested levels 10%, 20%, and 30%), as well as possibly extensive chemical characterization of the plant material tested, including LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, total phenolics, flavonoids, melatonin, and antioxidant potential. Most of the rheological traits were improved in the flour mixtures compared to the base white flour: development time and quality number (above 1.6-fold increase), softening and stability time (up to 1.3-fold change), and water absorption (up to 6%). Overall, the best results were achieved after the addition of watermelon seed pomace. The DWSF material was characterized by the highest levels of P, Mg, Na (7.5, 1.7, 0.4 g/kg, respectively), and Fe and Zn (124 and 27 mg/kg), while TF was the richest in Ca (0.9 g/kg) and Mn (43 mg/kg). Protein and fat levels were significantly higher in watermelon seeds compared to teff (about double and up to 10-fold, respectively). Phytochemical analyses highlighted the abundance of phenolics, especially flavones, in TF, WSF and DWSF flours (244, 93, and 721 mg/kg, respectively). However, the value of total polyphenols was low in all materials (<2 mg GAE/g), which also correlates with the low antioxidant potential of the samples. Watermelon seed pomace was characterized by significantly higher melatonin concentration (60 µg/kg) than teff (3.5 µg/kg). This study provides new information on the chemical composition and application opportunities of teff and watermelon seeds

Influence of Technological Parameters on the Isomerization of Geraniol Using Sepiolite

In the current study, the isomerization of geraniol over a natural sepiolite as a catalyst was investigated and optimized. Prior to application in the isomerization process, the physical and chemical properties of sepiolite were characterized using a battery of instrumental techniques, including XRD, nitrogen adsorption at 77 K, SEM, EDXRF, UV–Vis and FT-IR. Results indicated that geraniol isomerization is very complicated due to the large number of reactions taking place. The catalytic studies showed that the main reaction products were β-pinene, ocimenes, linalool, nerol, citrals, thunbergol and isocembrol; all chemical products with commercial applications. The quantity of each of these products depended on the temperature, catalyst content and reaction time employed in the isomerization process. During the current study, these parameters were varied in a step-wise approach over the ranges 80–150 °C (temperature), 5–15 wt% catalyst content and reaction time of 15–1440 min. As linalool is one of the most commercially important reaction products, the geraniol isomerization method was studied to identify conditions producing the highest selectivity for this compound. The most beneficial conditions for geraniol conversion and linalool formation were established as a temperature of 120 °C, catalyst content of 10 wt% and a reaction time of 3 h.Influence of Technological Parameters on the Isomerization of Geraniol Using SepiolitepublishedVersio