Phytochemical constituents, antioxidant activity, and toxicity assessment of the aerial part extracts from the infraspecific taxa of Matthiola fruticulosa (Brassicaceae) endemic to Sicily

In a project designed to investigate the specific and infraspecific taxa of Matthiola endemic to Sicily (Italy) as new potential sources of bioactive compounds in this work, the infraspecific taxa of Matthiola fruticulosa were studied, namely, subsp. fruticulosa and subsp. coronopifolia. HPLC-PDA/ESI-MS and SPME-GC/MS analyses of hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from the aerial parts of the two subspecies led to the detection of 51 phenolics and 61 volatile components, highlighting a quite different qualitative-quantitative profile. The antioxidant properties of the extracts were explored through in vitro methods: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), reducing power and Fe2+ chelating activity assays. The results of the antioxidant tests showed that the extracts possess a different antioxidant ability: Particularly, the extract of M. fruticulosa subsp. fruticulosa exhibited higher radical scavenging activity than that of subsp. coronopifolia (IC50 = 1.25 ± 0.02 mg/mL and 2.86 ± 0.05 mg/mL), which in turn displayed better chelating properties (IC50 = 1.49 ± 0.01 mg/mL and 0.63 ± 0.01 mg/mL). Lastly, Artemia salina lethality bioassay was performed for toxicity assessment. The results of the bioassay showed lack of toxicity against brine shrimp larvae for both extracts. The data presented indicate the infraspecific taxa of M. fruticulosa as new and safe sources of antioxidant compounds

Biodiversity of Indigenous Saccharomyces Populations from Old Wineries of South-Eastern Sicily (Italy): Preservation and Economic Potential

In recent years, the preservation of biodiversity has become an important issue. Despite much public discussion, however, current practices in the food industry seldom take account of its potential economic importance: on the contrary, the introduction of industrialized agriculture practices over large areas has often resulted in a dramatic reduction in biodiversity

Palynological and chemical volatile components of tipically autumnal honeys of the western Mediterranean

[EN] Twenty-five samples of autumnal honeys from the western Mediterranean (Mallorca and Eivissa, Balearic Islands) were examined for pollen content (qualitative and quantitative melissopalynological analysis), moisture, electrical conductivity, colour, sensorial qualities and volatile components. Quantitative analysis showed that the honey contained Maurizio's Class II: 64%, Class III: 28%, Class IV: 4% and Class V: 4%. Fifty-four pollen types, with an average number of 16.68 per sample, were identified, belonging to 29 botanical families. Only two taxa (Ceratonia siliqua and Erica multiflora) were found in all samples. Seventeen samples were unifloral (68%) - ten (40%) of C. siliqua, six (24%) of E. multiflora and one (4%) of Hedera helix. All honeys have a low honeydew index (<?0.09%), while the values for electrical conductivity and water content were high. The major honey volatile components are: cis- and trans-linalool oxides (64.2%) and hotrienol (10.4%) for the carob (C. siliqua) and trans-linalool oxide (13.4%), p-menthane-1,8-diol (11.1%), safranal (9.7%), limonene (5,4%), -pinene (3.7%) and oxoisophorone (3.4%) for the winter heather (E. multiflora).The authors would like to extend their gratitude to the Mallorca Rural 'Leader plus' programme and the beekeepers of Mallorca and Eivissa for their support and friendly collaboration. The authors also thank an anonymous reviewer for useful comments and suggestions on an earlier version of the manuscript.Boi, M.; Llorens Molina, JA.; Cortés, L.; Lladó, G.; Llorens, L. (2013). Palynological and chemical volatile components of tipically autumnal honeys of the western Mediterranean. Grana. 52(2):93-105. doi:10.1080/00173134.2012.744774S93105522Andrade, P. B., Amaral, M. T., Isabel, P., Carvalho, J. C. M. F., Seabra, R. M., & Proença da Cunha, A. (1999). 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Effect of Harvesting Time on Volatile Compounds Composition of Bergamot (Citrus × Bergamia) Essential Oil

Bergamot (Citrus × bergamia) is mainly cultivated in Calabria area (Italy) for its essential oil that is widely used in cosmetics, food and medicine. The harvest season (November to February) affects the quality of essential oil, consequently the aim of our study was to evaluate the composition of volatile fractions at different harvesting stages. Two different cultivars, Femminello and Fantastico, were collected in November, December and January and their volatile compounds composition was determined by SPME GC/MS. Fourty‐two compounds were identified. Monoterpenes were the preponderant group; limonene was the most representative compound with similar concentrations in the varieties and at the three harvesting times. β‐Ocimene, β‐mircene and α‐terpinene showed higher concentration in Femminello than Fantastico, while trans‐α‐bergamotene, α‐pinene and citronellal were mostly concentrated in Fantastico. The concentration of β‐pinene in Fantastico and Femminello was higher in December and January, respectively, and γ‐terpinene concentration was higher in Femminello in November and January and in Fantastico in December. Linalool was the most preponderant monoterpene alcohol with a significantly higher concentration in Femminello than in Fantastico, but without significant differences during ripening. cis‐γ‐Bisabolene was the most preponderant sesquiterpene; it was more concentrated in Fantastico than in Femminello and showed a significantly higher concentration in December and January than in November. Linalyl and neryl acetate were the most abundant esters, with a significantly higher concentration in Fantastico. Fantastico seems to be the variety that produces higher volatile organic compounds in essential oil; moreover, the volatile compound concentration was higher at the second and third harvest time

Uruguayan essential oils. Part V. Composition of bergamot oil

he analysis of industrial and laboratory-prepared bergamot oils produced in Uruguay during the 1995 production season was carried out by GC and GC/MS. The composition of the Uruguayan bergamot oils were compared with those of Italian bergamot oils. They were found to be very similar; however, they could be differentiated from their psoralen and coumarin contents. The enantiomeric ratio of linalool and linalyl acetate was also studied by GC using a β-cyclodextrin column. The results were similar to that found in Italian oils