Extraction methods effects on composition and toxicity of Eucalyptus essential oil

The current investigation was designed to determine the influence of three extraction methods on the composition and insecticidal activity of essential oils extracted from Eucalyptus globulus and E. camaldulensis. The evaluated extraction methods were steam-distillation, steam water-distillation and hydro-distillation. Fumigant toxicity of the extracted essential oils was evaluated against Sitophilus oryzae. The GC and GC–MS methods were used for analyzing the oil chemical composition. Both E. globulus and E. camaldulensis showed significant differences in oil yield (w/w, based on dry weight) with direct steam distillation resulting in low oil yields (0.8%; 0.35%) compared to water distillation (2.35%; 2.22%) and water + steam distillation (2.03%; 1. 53%). We identified nineteen compounds in the essential oils of these species. 1, 8-Cineol (27.67-82%), α-Pinene (4.67-8.13%) and Limonene (2.49-10.53%) were the major components of the oils and the highest amount of 1, 8-Cineol (82%) was obtained with water distillation, while steam-distillation resulted in the lowest amount of Cineol (27%). The results of the toxicity study of the essential oils demonstrated that the highest toxicity (LC50 = 24.89 µL/L air) was observed against S. oryzae populations treated with oils extracted by water distillation. In conclusion, the extraction of Eucalyptus essential oils by hydro-distillation had some priorities over the oil extractions by the other methods because hydro-distillation extracted oil had the highest fumigant activity, high and fast-oil yields as well as high percentage composition of 1,8-Cineol

Iran supports a great share of biodiversity and floristic endemism for Fritillaria spp. (Liliaceae): A review.

Iran supports a great share of exotic and/or endemic plant genera and species. The genus Fritillaria (Liliaceae) is a precious part of this botanical richness with 19 species, of which 10 are endemic to the country. However, signs are mounting that the country is truly at a crossroads when it comes to preservation of this national wealth. In this regard, an effective conservation strategy should thoroughly consider the classification of Fritillaria, as conservation practices are compromised by knowledge gaps in systematics and taxonomy. As published studies on Fritillaria in Iran have been sporadic and limited in scope, the aim of this review is to provide information necessary to help bridge these information gaps. Our objective is to facilitate increased understanding of the geographic, taxonomic, cytogenetic and phylogenetic status of Iranian Fritillaria, which is vital to meeting the goal of sustainable conservation of the genus in Iran and neighboring areas

Investigation of Altitude on Morphological Traits and Essential Oil Composition of Nepeta pogonosperma Jamzad and Assadi from Alamut Region

Nepeta is one of the biggest geniuses of Lamiaceae family which N. pungens, N. binaludensis, N. isphanica, N. pogonosperma and N. bracteata has been used traditionally in Iran. Nepeta pogonesperma is one of the endemic Nepeta species in Alamut region (Qazvin Province ). So in this research the aerial parts of Nepeta pogonesperma in full flowering stage were collected from Kheshchal altitudes of Alamut (2400, 2600 and 2800 m). Some main morphological characters of plant were measured. Essential oil were obtained by hydro distillation (Clevenger apparatus) and were analyzed by GC/MS. Results were showed that in high altitude (2800m) the yield and quantity of the essential oil components of plant were increased and the 1,8-cineole had the highest content (80.7%). 19 compounds were identified in the essential oil of this plant, Such as α-Pinene, Sabinene, β-Pinene, Myrcene, δ-3-Carene, ρ-Cymene, Limonene, 1,8-Cineole, Cis-Sabinene hydrate, Terpinolene, Linalool, Cis-p-Menth-2-en-1-ol, Pinocarvone, Borneol, Terpinen-4-ol, α-Terpineol, 4aα-7α-7aβ-Nepetalactone, α-Humulene and Viridiflorol. Variance analysis revealed that there was a significant difference between altitudes in the weight of leaf, stem and flower and total plant weight and oil percentage (α≤0.01).  According to the means comparison of the highest leaf and flower weight were belonged to 2400 and 2600 m with 63.7 and 35.7g, respectively. The maximum amount of oil percentage and 1,8-Cineole were observed in 2400 m with 0.55 and 80.7%, respectively. In this research, there were many changes in altitudes in essential oil combinations, which can be increased the production and performance of Nepetalactone, by applying nature-generated modeling factors

Analysis of the Essential Oils of Nepeta straussii, N. amoena, N. haussknechtii and N. speciosa from Iran: Analysis of the Essential Oils of Nepeta straussii, N. amoena, N. haussknechtii and N. speciosa from Iran

The aerial parts essential oils of nine populations of four Nepeta species (N. straussi Hausskn. & Bornm., N. amoena Stapf., N. haussknechtii Bornm. and N. speciosa Boiss. & Noë), from Iran, were analyzed by gas chromatography, flame ionization detector (GC-FID), and mass spectrometric detection (GC/MS). In the oil of one population of N. straussi, 1,8-cineole (40.1%) was the main constituent. In contrast, the oil of the second population consisted of germacrene D (11.6%), caryophyllene oxide (11.9%), and n-nonadecane (10.3%) as major compounds. Caryophyllene oxide (36.2%) in one population and hexadecanoic acid (33.4%) in another population of N. amoena were the major compounds. In the oils of two populations of N. haussknechtii, 1,8-cineole (45.1% and 48.6%) was the main constituent, while 4aα-7α-7aα-nepetalacton (26.7%) and 1,8-cineole (24.5%) were major components in the oil of third population. In the essential oil of one population of N. speciosa, 4aα-7β-7aα-nepetalacton (74.8%) and the other population, 1,8-cineole (32.3%), were the main constituents. Therefore, in addition to variations between essential oil compositions of different Nepeta species, there are variations in the oil composition of one Nepeta species from different localities that may be due to climatic conditions or having the potential to form chemotypes

Antimicrobial characteristics of some herbal Oils on Pseudomonas aeruginosa with special reference to their chemical compositions

Abstract Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important opportunistic pathogen causing widespread infections by numerous virulence factors. Increasing resistance to antibiotics makes the Pseudomonas infections treatment further difficult. The purpose of this study was to evaluate antimicrobial characteristics of essential oils from Matricaria chamomilla, Artemisia persica, Zataria multiflora, Myrtus communis, Ruta graveolens, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Ferula gummosa on Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853). The selected essential oils were screened against P. aeruginosa using the disc diffusion method. The minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC) of the active essential oils were tested using macrodilution method at concentrations ranging from 0.125 to 256 μg/ml. It was found by GC/MS analyses that Z. multiflora, M. communis and E. camaldulensis possess the most potent oils. Three of the seven essential oils (Z. multiflora, M. communis and E. camaldulensis) were significantly active against P. aeruginosa exhibiting MIC/MBC of 64/128, 64/64 and 64/128 µg/ml, respectively. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis led to identification of 32, 21 and 22 components in M. communis, E. camaldulensis and Z. multiflora oils, respectively. With a view to antibacterial activity of some oils against the tested bacterium, their safe antibacterial potentials can therefore be exploited as alternative agents in combating infections of P. aeruginosa origin

Effects of Organic and Chemical Fertilizers on Leaf Yield, Essential Oil Content and Composition of Lemon Verbena (Lippia citriodora Kunth)

Introduction: Organic fertilizers with beneficial effects on soil structure and nutrient availability help maintain yield and quality, and they are less costly than synthetic fertilizers. Vermicompost and vermiwash are two organic fertilizers that they contain a biologically active mixture of bacteria, enzymes and phytohormones, also these organic fertilizers can supply the nutritional needs of plants. Lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora Kunth, Verbenaceae) is an evergreen perennial aromatic plant. The lemon-scented essential oil from the lemon verbena has been widely used for its digestive, relaxing, antimalarial and lemony flavor properties. In order to decrease the use of chemical fertilizers for reduction of environmental pollution, this research was undertaken to determine effects of vermicompost and vermiwash in comparison with chemical fertilizer on leaf yield, essential oil content and composition of lemon verbena. Materials and Methods: A pot experiment based on a completely randomized design with six treatments and three replications on Lemon verbena was carried out in the experimental greenhouse of the Department of Horticulture Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, 2012. Treatments consisted of 10, 20 and 30 % by volume of vermicompost and vermiwash (with an addition to irrigation in three steps, including: two weeks after the establishment of plants in pots, the appearing of branches and three weeks before harvest), complete fertilizer and control without any fertilizer. Each replication contained six pots and each pot contained one plant of Lemon verbena provided from Institute of Medicinal Plants, Karaj, therefore 108 pots were used in this experiment. The pots were filled up by a mixture contained 3/5 soil and 2/5 sand (v/v). After three months, plant aerial parts were harvested concomitantly at starting of the flowering stage. Aerial parts were dried at room temperature for 72 hours and dry weights of dried branches and leaves were measured. For isolation of essential oils, about 20 g of dried leaves (three replications of each treatment) was subjected to hydro-distillation for 2 h with a Clevenger apparatus. The extracted essential oils were dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and then they analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The data were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS software and means compared with Duncan's multiple range test. Results and Discussion: The results showed that differences between treated plants with organic fertilizers were not significant for aerial part yield, but leaf yield and essential oil content were affected by fertilizer type (

Effect of cold plasma on essential oil content and composition of lemon verbena

Cold plasma is known as a novel nonthermal processing method for decontamination of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs); however, there are little research studies about its effects on active ingredients of these plants. The aim of this research was to investigate the influence of low‐pressure cold plasma (LPCP) treatments (1, 3, and 5 min) on the essential oil (EO) content and composition of lemon verbena leaves. The EO content was determined using hydro‐distillation, and the composition of the extracted EOs was quantified using gas chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry techniques. The results showed that by increasing the LPCP treatment duration, the EO content was reduced from 1.2 to 0.9 (% v/w). The highest content of monoterpene hydrocarbons (e.g., limonene) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (e.g., spathulenol and globulol) was also observed in LPCP‐treated ones, whereas the oxygenated monoterpenes (e.g., citral) content of control was measurably higher than those treated with LCPC

Evaluation of Some Postharvest Storage Approaches on Essential Oil Characteristics of Fresh Organic Damask Rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) Flowers

Damask rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) is an economically important species in the Rosaceae family for rose oil and rose water production, obtained exclusively from freshly-gathered Damask rose flowers. Iran is famous for producing organic rose essential oil, mainly used in the perfume industry and for folk medicines due to its healing properties. Due to their high perishability, postharvest handling of the flowers prior to oil extraction are a key point in rose essential oil production. In this study, postharvest handling conditions of Damask rose flowers were evaluated for the effect on yield and quality of the extracted essential oils. Organically-grown flowers were stored under different conditions included packaging in polyethylene bags and immersing into water containers, and then held at 25 ± 2 °C or 4 ± 1 °C for 1, 2, or 3 days. Identification of the chemical composition of the essential oils was performed by GC and GC/MS. The results indicated that petal storage in water resulted in the highest essential oil content and quality, and storage in polyethylene bags resulted in the greatest loss, compared to those from unstored petals. The results provide a reference for interested groups such as producers and consumers who are concerned about Damask rose flower storage and subsequent oil extraction

Influence of climatic factors on essential oil content and composition of 20 populations of Nepeta binaludensis Jamzad from Iran

Highlights By increasing the altitude, changes in growth and essential oil composition of the plant are observed Result of correlation analysis showed that essential oil yield was positively correlated with precipitation, and negatively with temperature. In the present study the populations with high-amount of nepetalactone and 1,8 cineole were identified, The populations of cluster 2 with higher amount of 1,8-cineole, were growing in the high altitude, cold, rainy and sloping area