Composition of Sulla (Hedysarum coronarium L.) honey solvent extractives determined by GC/MS: norisoprenoids and other volatile organic compounds

Samples of unifloral sulla (Hedysarum coronarum L.) honey from Sardinia (Italy) were analysed. To investigate the chemical composition of the honey volatiles two solvent systems were used for ultrasonic solvent extraction (USE): 1) a 1:2 (v/v) pentane and diethyl ether mixture and 2) dichloromethane. All the extracts were analysed by GC and GC/MS. These procedures have permitted the identification of 56 compounds that include norisoprenoids, benzene derivatives, aliphatic compounds and Maillard reaction products. Norisoprenoids were the major compounds in both extracts, dominated by vomifoliol (5.3-11.2%; 9.6-14.0%) followed by minor percentages of other norisoprenoids such as α-isophorone, 4-ketoisophorone, 3-oxo-α-ionol or 3-oxo-α-ionone. Other abundant single compounds in the extracts were 3-hydroxy-4-phenylbutan-2-one (0.8-5.4%; 0.6-5.7%) and methyl syringate (3.0-5.7%; 2.2-4.1%). The composition of the volatiles and semi-volatiles in the obtained extracts suggests that sulla honey is quite distinctive relative to the other honeys that have been chemically studied by GC/MS, but no specific markers of the honey botanical origin were foun

Qualitative profile and quantitative determination of flavonoids from Crocus sativus L. petals by LC-MS/MS

From the methanolic extract of Crocus sativus petals nine known flavonoids have been isolated and identified, including glycosidic derivatives of quercetin and kaempferol as major compounds (1–2), and their methoxylated and acetylated derivatives. Additionally, LC-ESI-MS qualitative and LC-ESI-MS/MS quantitative studies of the major compounds of the methanolic extract were performed. The high content of glycosylated flavonoids could give value to C. sativus petals, which are a waste product in the production of the spice saffron

GC-MS Fingerprints and Other Physico-chemical Characteristics of Rare Unifloral Prunus cerasus L. Honey

GC-MS fingerprints of unifloral sour cherry ( Prunus cerasus L.) honey were investigated for the first time by GC-FID and GC-MS {after headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and ultrasonic solvent extraction (USE)}. Additionally, other physico-chemical characteristics of the samples were determined (total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and CIE L*a*b*C*h chromatic coordinates). The principal volatile components of the honey headspace were lilac aldehydes (46.0; 50.6%) along with benzaldehyde (18.0; 19.4%). The dominant component of the dichloromethane USE extract was vomifoliol (39.6; 44.9%). The abundant identified compounds may only serve as non-specific markers of the honey's botanical origin since they also occur in other honey types. The honey contained low-moderate amount of polyphenols (209.0 - 309.5 mg GAE/kg) and exhibited moderate antioxidant activity (0.4 - 0.6 mmol TEAC/kg; 1.6 - 1.9 mmol Fe2+/kg)

Screening of Satureja subspicata Vis. honey by HPLC-DAD, GC-FID/MS and UV/VIS: prephenate derivatives as biomarkers

The samples of Satureja subspicata Vis. honey were confirmed to be unifloral by melissopalynological analysis with the characteristic pollen share from 36% to 71%. Bioprospecting of the samples was performed by HPLC-DAD, GC-FID/MS, and UV/VIS. Prephenate derivatives were shown to be dominant by the HPLC-DAD analysis, particularly phenylalanine (167.8 mg/kg) and methyl syringate (MSYR, 114.1 mg/kg), followed by tyrosine and benzoic acid. Higher amounts of MSYR (3-4 times) can be pointed out for distinguishing S. subspicata Vis. honey from other Satureja spp. honey types. GC-FID/MS analysis of ultrasonic solvent extracts of the samples revealed MSYR (46.68%, solvent pentane/Et2O 1:2 (v/v); 52.98%, solvent CH2Cl2) and minor abundance of other volatile prephenate derivatives, as well as higher aliphatic compounds characteristic of the comb environment. Two combined extracts (according to the solvents) of all samples were evaluated for their antioxidant properties by FRAP and DPPH assay; the combined extracts demonstrated higher activity (at lower concentrations) in comparison with the average honey sample. UV/VIS analysis of the samples was applied for determination of CIE Lab colour coordinates, total phenolics (425.38 mg GAE/kg), and antioxidant properties (4.26 mmol Fe2+/kg (FRAP assay) and 0.8 mmol TEAC/kg (DDPH assay)

Characterization of Summer Savory (Satureja hortensis L.) Honey by Physico-Chemical Parameters and Chromatographic / Spectroscopic Techniques (GC-FID/MS, HPLC-DAD, UV/VIS and FTIR-ATR)

Satureja hortensis L. unifloral honey was characterized by pollen analysis, electrical conductivity, pH and extensively by chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. UV / VIS spectro-scopy measurements revealed total phenol content of 682.1 mg GAE / kg by Folin-Ciocalteu assay, antiox-idant capacity by DPPH assay of 1.7 mmol TEAC / kg and by FRAP assay of 4.3 mmol Fe2+ / kg as well as CIE L*a*b*Cab*h°ab chromaticity coordinates. GC-MS after headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) revealed hotrienol (22.8 %) along with other linalool derivatives, benzaldehyde (6.1 %), phenylacetaldehyde (4.9 %) and few norisoprenoids (safranal (7.6 %) as the major). Ultrasonic solvent ex-traction (USE) followed by GC-MS allowed identification of methyl syringate (54.7 %) as predominant compound along with other benzene derivatives. HPLC-DAD analysis determined tyrosine (382.0 mg kg−1), phenylalanine (140.4 mg kg−1) and methyl syringate (39.32 mg kg−1). Methyl syringate and hotrienol can be considered non-specific chemical markers of S. hortensis honey. FTIR-ATR spectral characteristics of S. hortensis honey in fingerprinting region were not significantly different from other honey types, but the integrated intensity of the region was smaller than in other unifloral honeys

Liposomal Formulations to Improve Antioxidant Power of Myrtle Berry Extract for Potential Skin Application

Many substances in plant extracts are known for their biological activities. These substances act in different ways, exerting overall protective effects against many diseases, especially skin disorders. However, plant extracts’ health benefits are often limited by low bioavailability. To overcome these limitations, drug delivery systems can be employed. In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant power of an ethanolic extract from Myrtus communis L. (myrtle) berries through colorimetric tests (DPPH and FRAP). The antioxidant activity was also verified by using fibroblast cell culture through cellular Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels measurements. Moreover, the myrtle extract was formulated in phospholipid vesicles to improve its bioavailability and applicability. Myrtle liposomes were characterized by size, surface charge, storage stability, and entrapment efficiency; visualized by using cryo-TEM images; and assayed for cytocompatibility and anti-ROS activity. Our results suggest that myrtle liposomes were cytocompatible and improved the extract’s antioxidant power in fibroblasts, suggesting a potential skin application for these formulations and confirming that nanotechnologies could be a valid tool to enhance plant extracts’ potentialities

Nanotechnology for Natural Medicine: Formulation of Neem Oil Loaded Phospholipid Vesicles Modified with Argan Oil as a Strategy to Protect the Skin from Oxidative Stress and Promote Wound Healing

Neem oil, a plant-derived product rich in bioactives, has been incorporated in liposomes and hyalurosomes modified by adding argan oil and so called argan-liposomes and argan-hyalurosomes. Argan oil has also been added to the vesicles because of its regenerative and protective effects on skin. In the light of this, vesicles were specifically tailored to protect the skin from oxidative stress and treat lesions. Argan-liposomes were the smallest vesicles (~113 nm); the addition of sodium hyaluronate led to an increase in vesicle size (~143 nm) but it significantly improved vesicle stability during storage. In vitro studies confirmed the free radical scavenging activity of formulations, irrespective of their composition. Moreover, rheological investigation confirmed the higher viscosity of argan-hyalurosomes, which avoid formulation leakage after application. In vitro studies performed by using the most representative cells of the skin (i.e., keratinocytes and fibroblasts) underlined the ability of vesicles, especially argan-liposomes and argan-hyalurosomes, to counteract oxidative stress induced in these cells by using hydrogen peroxide and to improve the proliferation and migration of cells ensuring the more rapid and even complete closure of the wound (scratch assay). View Full-Text Keywords: liposomes; hyalurosomes; keratinocytes; fibroblasts; skin diseases; viscosity; oxidative stres

Chemical Composition of the Essential Oils of Achillea millefolium L. Isolated by Different Distillation Methods

The chemical composition of the essential oil from flowering tops of Achillea millefolium L. isolated by different distillation methods was studied, Samples were hydrodistilled with Clevenger-type (HD), simultaneous microdistillation-extraction (SMDE), and microwave (MAHD) apparatus. The yields were 0.46% ± 0.03 for the HD and 0.48% ± 0.03 for the MAHD (v/w, volume/dry weight). The oils were analyzed by GC and GC/MS and a total of 58 components were detected. The major compounds in the oils were 1,8-cineole (10.4-17.2%), sabinene (11.6-14.6%), α-terpineol (4.4-5.2%), terpinen-4-ol (2.4-5.7%), and, among sesquiterpenes, γ-eudesinol (8.7-17.9%) and 6S.7R-bisabolone (4.4-14.9%). From a qualitative point of view, no relevant differences between the different methods of isolation were observed, while statistically significant differences on relative percentage were noticed. Oils obtained by HD showed a higher amount of monoterpenoid compounds (69.2%), while L-SMDE, H-SMDE and MAHD were richer in sesquiterpenes (47.9%, 42.7% and 47.6%, respectively)

Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) berries: composition and properties

Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) berries are very popular fruits in the Mediterranean area. They are used for food aromatization and for the preparation of characteristic alcoholic products such as liqueur, eau-de-vie and wine. The berries are spherical in shape, dark red to violet in color, and contain organic acids, carbohydrates, phenolic compounds, volatiles, lipids, anions and cations. Their distinctive flavor and color are due to their volatiles and polyphenols content, respectively. The main compounds in myrtle berries’ volatile fraction are -pinene, limonene and 1,8-cineole. The phenolic compounds fraction is characterized by gallic acid, flavonoids and anthocyans that represent the most abundant phytochemicals in myrtle berries. The anthocyanin profile shows five anthocyanin glucosides and four anthocyanin arabinosides with malvidin-3-O-glucoside, delphinidin-3-O-glucoside, and petunidin-3-O-glucoside as major peaks. Flavonoid profile is characterized by myricetin-3-O-galactoside, myricetin-3-O-rhamnoside, myricetin and quercetin. Myricetin and gallic acid derivatives are thought to be the most efficient molecules in inhibiting free radical and lipid peroxidation. Myrtle berry extracts prepared using solvents with different polarity (water, ethanol, and ethyl acetate) were analyzed using several in vitro tests to investigate their antioxidant properties. The strongest antiradical and antioxidant activities (measured with DPPH and FRAP tests, respectively) were found in ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts. These same extracts also showed the highest content of phenolic compounds. The ethyl acetate extract had the strongest protective effect in assays of thermal (140 °C) cholesterol degradation and Cu2+-mediated LDL oxidation, inhibiting the reduction of polyunsaturated fatty acids and cholesterol, and the increase of their oxidative products. These results suggest that besides the well-established food use, myrtle berries could be used in dietary supplement preparation or as food additives. Therefore, because of their multiple possible uses, a cultivar selection programme has been recently started with the aim of providing berries with the best nutritional properties for industrial use

Effect of different technological processes on the chemical composition of myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) alcoholic extracts

Several technological processes were applied to improve the extraction efficiency in the production of myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) liqueur. The variations in the chemical composition of myrtle hydroalcoholic extracts were monitored in a laboratory scale for 40 days after the application of: double dose of berries; ultrasonic extraction; enzymes, to improve either the color or aroma extraction; and atmosphere saturated with nitrogen to improve the stability against oxidative degradations during extraction. Moreover, freezing at -20 °C was applied to myrtle berries as a technological strategy to prolong the use of berries, and macerates were obtained after 4, 8, and 12 months. Chemical investigation of macerates was performed using different analytical methods such as GC and GC-MS for the volatile compounds, HPLC-PDA for free anthocyanins, and spectrophotometric analysis for CIE L*a*b *coordinates and total anthocyanins. Dry matter and pH were also monitored during maceration. Among the different technological processes, the nitrogen-modified atmosphere was the most suitable technique to be applied in industrial scale. An industrial trial was applied with this process and alcoholic extracts and liqueurs have been obtained. The liqueur maintained a higher amount of anthocyanins, better CIE L*a*b*parameters and superior organoleptic characteristics compared to the traditional storage