Influence of the Duration and Conditions of Storage on the Composition of the Essential Oil from Coriander Seeds

The composition of volatile components of the essential oil extracted from seeds of coriander (Coriandrum sativumL.) grown in different years in either Russia or Georgia was studied by capillary gas chromatography. Climatic conditions had a weaker effect on the essential oil composition than the region of growth. After one-year storage in the dark, minor changes were observed in the oil composition, and its organoleptic properties were virtually unchanged. However, the essential oil underwent significant chemical transformation of monoterpenes when stored in the light.     

Chemical composition,intraspecies variation and seasonal variation in essential oils of Calendula arvensis L.

The essential oil composition of Calendula arvensis was established for the first time using GC and GC/MS. Eighty-five essential oil components were identified, which accounted for 90.3 g/100 g of essential oil. The oil contained a high concentration of sesquiterpenes, of which δ-cadinene and α-cadinol were the main components. The chemical composition of 25 Corsican C. arvensis oils was analyzed to determine intraspecies variation in essential oil composition. A matrix linking essential oil composition to sample location was composed to identify relationships between concentrations of volatile samples and the geographical origins of samples. Two main groups of compounds were identified according to the amount of sesquiterpenic compounds (hydrocarbons and alcohols) and soil characteristics. Seasonal variation (winter vs. spring) in the concentrations of two major compounds during the flowering period was observed.     

Relationship among some ecological factors and chemical composition of Ajuga chamaecistus Ging. plant species

Ajuga chamaecistus belongs to Lamiaceae plant family. Plant samples were collected from four habitats during vegetative and flowering periods for comparing the essential oil yield and composition. After drying, the essential oil was extracted by distillation method. Essential oil yields of plants in four habitats were calculated which the analysis and identification of essential oil composition was performed using GC and GC–MS. Ultimately, the PCA was used to determine the relationship between plant major components and environmental factors. The results showed that β-Pinene and Linalool compounds had the highest percentage of essential oil composition. Environmental factors including elevation, annual precipitation, mean annual temperature, annual evaporation, sand and clay content were identified as the most effective factors in the isolation of A. chamaecistus habitats. It appears that the difference between ecological and soil factors of four habitats can have a significant effect on the type and percentage of essential oil components.     

Antioxidant properties of essential oils: autoxidation of essential oils from laurel and fennel and effects of mixing with essential oil from coriander

Changes in the composition of essential oils from the seeds of laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill., var. dulce Thelling) and their mixture with essential oil from coriander were studied by capillary gas-liquid chromatography during storage in the dark and in light. Under these conditions, essential oil of laurel retained its composition for 12 months. Essential oil of fennel was rapidly oxidized in light. However, the rate of its oxidation in the dark was lower. The major component of essential oil of fennel, transanethol, had a lower antioxidant activity than essential oil of coriander. The mixture of essential oils from laurel and coriander possessed antioxidant properties and strongly inhibited the oxidation of components of the fennel oil.     

The composition of the essential oil from raw material and cones of Juniperus sibirica from Evenk region

The composition of the essential oil from raw material and cones of Juniperus sibirica from Evenk region has been investigated using chromato-mass-spectrometry. The essential oil was shown to comprise no less than 120 components, more than 40 of which are major and were identified in the present study. It was established that quantitative distillation of the essential oil takes 22 h, and during its extraction the composition of the oil changes.     

几种典型植物精油的化学成分与其抗菌活性

【目的】植物精油萃取自天然植物, 因具有抗菌活性, 近年来受到广泛关注。论文的目的是分析植物精油的化学成分, 测试其抗菌活性, 并研究其化学成分与抗菌活性之间的联系。【方法】实验选取了肉桂、山苍子、丁香、香茅、迷迭香和大蒜精油等6种典型植物精油, 通过气质联用分析方法研究了其化学组分, 并通过污染食物技术研究了其对黑曲霉和绳状青霉的抗真菌活性, 以及对大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的抗细菌活性。【结果】气质联用分析结果表明, 肉桂、山苍子、香茅和迷迭香等4种植物精油的化学成分主要是醛类和醇类, 丁香精油的主要化学成分是丁香油酚, 大蒜精油化学成分基本上都是含硫的醚类, 其中二烯丙基三硫醚(大蒜素)含量最高。抗菌活性结果显示, 不同植物精油的抗菌活性不同, 6种植物精油的抗真菌活性由强到弱依次为: 肉桂>大蒜>丁香>山苍子=香茅>迷迭香, 抗细菌活性由强到弱依次为: 肉桂>山苍子>丁香>香茅=迷迭香>大蒜。【结论】植物精油的抗真菌、细菌活性与其化学组分密切相关, 肉桂、山苍子、香茅和迷迭香等4种精油的抗菌活性可能主要与其化学成分中的醛类和醇类有关, 丁香精油较高的抗菌活性可能主要源于丁香油酚; 大蒜精油具有高效的抗真菌活性主要源于其化学成分中的含硫醚。不同植物精油化学成分不同, 抗真菌、细菌活性也不同, 表明其可能有不同的抗真菌与抗细菌机制。     

Changes in the Composition of the Essential Oil of Marjoram during Storage

The composition of volatile components of the essential oil of marjoram plants (Majorana hortensis M.) and its stability during storage were studied by capillary gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Storage in the dark for 1 year was associated with insignificant changes in the composition of the essential oil, and its organoleptic characteristics remained largely unaffected. Storage in the light produced considerable changes in the composition of the oil, due to chemical transformations of terpenoids.     

Changes in the composition of the essential oil in stored marjoram

The composition of volatile components of the essential oil of marjoram plants (Majorana hortensis M.) and its stability during storage were studied by capillary gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Storage in the dark for 1 year was associated with insignificant changes in the composition of the essential oil, and its organoleptic characteristics remained largely unaffected. Storage in the light produced considerable changes in the composition of the oil, due to chemical transformation of terpenoids.     

Diversity of essential oil glands of clary sage (Salvia sclarea L., Lamiaceae)

The Lamiaceae is rich in aromatic plant species. Most of these species produce and store essential oils in specialised epidermal oil glands, which are responsible for their specific flavour. Two types of glands producing essential oil and possessing different morphological structure can be found in Salvia sclarea : peltate and capitate glands. The content of single oil glands from different positions on the plant (corolla, calyx and leaf) were sampled using an SPME fibre and analysed by gas chromatography in order to study variability of the essential oil composition. It was found that the composition of terpenoids is quite variable within an individual plant. Capitate oil glands mainly produce three essential oil compounds: the monoterpenes linalool and linalyl acetate, and the diterpene sclareol. Peltate oil glands, however, accumulate noticeable concentrations of sesquiterpenes and an unknown compound (m/z = 354). Furthermore, the oil composition varies within each gland type according to the plant organ. Linalool and linalyl acetate are characteristic substances of flowers, whereas the sesquiterpenes occur in higher proportions in leaves. Even within one gland type on a single leaf, the chemical variability is exceedingly high.     

Cosuppression of limonene-3-hydroxylase in peppermint promotes accumulation of limonene in the essential oil

cDNA clones encoding limonene synthase and limonene-3-hydroxylase, both driven by the CaMV 35S promoter, were independently transformed into peppermint (Menthaxpiperita) to alter the production and disposition of (-)-limonene, the first committed intermediate of essential oil biosynthesis in this species. Although both genes were constitutively expressed in leaves of transformed plants, the corresponding enzyme activities were not significantly increased in the glandular trichome sites of essential oil biosynthesis; thus, there was no effect on oil yield or composition in the regenerated plants. Cosuppression of the hydroxylase gene, however, resulted in the accumulation of limonene (up to 80% of the essential oil compared to about 2% of the oil in wild type plants), without influence on oil yield. These results indicate that limonene does not impose negative feedback on the synthase, or apparently influence other enzymes of monoterpene biosynthesis in peppermint, and suggests that pathway engineering can be employed to significantly alter essential oil composition without adverse metabolic consequences.     

Effect of seasonal climatic changes on biomass yield and terpenoid composition of rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium species)

Variations in biomass yield, essential oil yield and terpenoid composition in rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium species) in response to seasonal climatic changes were investigated under semiarid tropical climatic conditions. A large number of essential oil samples were collected during different seasonal months (once a month) and daily during the peak summer season months of May and June. They were analysed for terpenoid composition by GC and GC-MS. The crop yielded the lowest values for biomass yield, essential oil yield and essential oil concentration in the summer months of April to June. Evaluation of terpenoid compositions showed minimum concentrations (% of essential oil) of linalool, geraniol and its esters and maximum concentrations of citronellol and its esters during summer months. The percentages of geraniol and its esters were highest during cool winter season months of December and January followed by rainy and autumn season months. Isomenthone, 10-epi-gamma-eudesmol and other minor terpenoid compounds (present in <1% amounts in the essential oil) did not exhibit any definite seasonal trends. Rainy/monsoon (August and September) and autumn (October and November) season months were characterised by high rainfall, cloudy days and short photoperiods. These favourable environmental conditions encouraged crop growth and produced highest biomass yields, essential oil yields and maximum concentration of essential oil in rose-scented geranium plants.     

Impact of soil types on chemical composition of essential oil of purple basil

Purple basil is among the most important basil varieties and its essential oil is used for several purposes including medicinal and aromatic uses. Soil types may impact the plant growth, development, and essential oil composition. Hence, it is important to find the most suitable soil type which may produce basil plants having essential oil with the best composition and concentration. For this reason, plant samples of purple basil that were grown in areas with clay, loamy sand, and sandy-clay loam soil types were collected and evaluated to determine the changes in the yield and essential oil components. Essential oil contents were determined with the Clevenger Device, and essential oil compositions were determined by using GC and GC/MS analysis. The highest essential oil yield according to soil types was obtained from the plant samples that were grown in the loamy sand soil. It was also found that the main compounds present in Arapgir town purple basil were methylcinnamate and linalool that was also present in all Turkish purple basil under all types of soil. According to the soil types, the highest concentration (46.03%) of methylcinnamate was observed in loamy sand soils, and the lowest (42.33%) was obtained from sandy-clay loam soils and found to be significantly different. Data regarding correlations between soil types and essential oil ratios showed that organic matter and P₂O₅ had a significant negative correlation with methylcinnamate. The present study will help researchers and farmers to choose the most suitable soil type to achieve maximum essential oil production from purple basil.     

Effect of different photoperiodic regimes on growth, flowering and essential oil in Mentha species

Three major cultivated Mentha spp. (M. arvensis, M. citrata and M. cardiaca) were grown under short-days, normal-days or long-days for 60 cycles. Subsequent to photoperiodic treatment, the plants were assessed for growth behaviour, essential oil content, oil composition and essential oil biosynthesis. The species grew better under long-day conditions. The long-day treatment resulted in flowering in M. citrata, which normally does not flower under our conditions. The oil concentration and biogenesis was maximal in short-day plants. The photoperiodic treatment also affected the oil composition. The observations are discussed in relation to physiology of the oil biogenesis.     

Antioxidant Properties of Essential Oils: Autoxidation of Essential Oils from Laurel and Fennel and of Their Mixtures with Essential Oil from Coriander

Changes in the composition of essential oils from the seeds of laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill., var. dulce Thelling) and their mixture with essential oil from coriander were studied by capillary gas-liquid chromatography during storage in the dark and in light. Under these conditions, essential oil of laurel retained its composition for 12 months. Essential oil of fennel was rapidly oxidized in light. However, the rate of its oxidation in the dark was lower. The major component of essential oil of fennel, trans-anethol, had a lower antioxidant activity than essential oil of coriander. The mixture of essential oils from laurel and coriander possessed antioxidant properties and strongly inhibited the oxidation of components of the fennel oil.     

Dittrichia graveolens (L.) Greuter Essential Oil: Chemical Composition,Multivariate Analysis,and Antimicrobial Activity

The chemical composition and in vitro antimicrobial activities of Dittrichia graveolens (L.) Greuter essential oil was studied. Moreover, using agglomerative hierarchical cluster (AHC) and principal component analyses (PCA), the interrelationships of the D. graveolens essential‐oil profiles characterized so far (including the sample from this study) were investigated. To evaluate the chemical composition of the essential oil, GC‐FID and GC/MS analyses were performed. Altogether, 54 compounds were identified, accounting for 92.9% of the total oil composition. The D. graveolens oil belongs to the monoterpenoid chemotype, with monoterpenoids comprising 87.4% of the totally identified compounds. The major components were borneol (43.6%) and bornyl acetate (38.3%). Multivariate analysis showed that the compounds borneol and bornyl acetate exerted the greatest influence on the spatial differences in the composition of the reported oils. The antimicrobial activity against five bacterial and one fungal strain was determined using a disk‐diffusion assay. The studied essential oil was active only against Gram‐positive bacteria.     

槲寄生挥发性成分研究

目的：研究槲寄生挥发性成分。方法：利用水蒸汽蒸馏法提取槲寄生挥发性成分,用GC/MS进行分离测定,结合计算机检索技术对分离的化合物进行结构鉴定,应用色谱峰面积归一化法计算各成分的相对百分含量。结果：分离出119个成分,确定了66个化合物,占挥发油总量的77．31％。结论：槲寄生挥发性成分大于2％的化学成分有12种。     

Interpopulation congruence in Chinese Primula ovalifolia revealed by chemical and molecular markers using essential oils and ISSRs

The chemical composition of the essential oils of five natural populations of P. ovalifolia from central and southwest China and their interpopulation variability were first analyzed by using GC-MS. Twenty-two essential oil compounds were obtained, in which eighteen ones were identified and characterized representing 95%-96% of the oil composition. Three main chemotypes, i.e., the methyl-acetyl-hydroquinone-rich, hydroquinone-rich, and acetyl-hydroquinone-rich chemotypes, were then differentiated, corresponding to the three groups obtained from the cluster analysis based on the essential oil composition percentages. Genetic variations among the five populations were also investigated using the Inter-Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) markers. Finally, the Mantel test showed that there was a significant correlation between two distance matrices based on the chemical compounds of essential oils and ISSR markers, confirming the congruence of interpopulation relationships in the P. ovalifolia revealed by the chemical and molecular markers     

Autooxidation of a mixture of lemon essential oils,methyl linolenoate,and methyl oleinate

Stability of components of a mixture of methyl linolenoate and methyl oleinate with two lemon (Citrus limon L.) essential oils in hexane during their autooxidation in light was studied by gas chromatography. The essential oils differed by their quantitative ratio of components: the single-fold (1x) oil contained approximately 90% monoterpene hydrocarbons and 1.47% citral, whereas the proportions of hydrocarbons and citral in the tenfold (10x) oil were approximately 60 and 18.32%, respectively. The concentration and composition of essential oils influence the rates of fatty-acid oxidation and fatty-acid peroxide cleavage. The 1x lemon oil inhibited the oxidation of methyl linolenoate and methyl oleinate, whereas the 10x oil accelerated these processes. The distinctions in the resistance of the major components of lemon essential oil to oxidation, which are determined by their composition and antioxidant properties of unsaturated fatty acids, were revealed.     

中药砂仁挥发油化学成分及其抗菌活性(英文)

本研究将Bligh-Dyer溶剂提取法首次应用于植物挥发油的提取,通过GC-MS方法分析,从干燥成熟的砂仁种子和果壳四种挥发油提取物中共鉴定出138种化学成分,挥发油成分主要包括乙酸龙脑酯(5%～47%)、樟脑(4%～17%)、龙脑(1.5%～6%)、莰烯(0.2%～3%)、α-蒎烯(0.2%～3%)、β-蒎烯(0.2%～5%)以及α-柯巴烯(0.1%～2%)等,其中总烯类物质相对含量占总挥发油总成分的10%～40%。从该植物中首次鉴定出蓝桉醇、二环大根香叶烯、薄荷烯醇、二十三烷、二十四烷等新的化学成分35个。所得挥发油对部分真菌及细菌的抑制试验表明其对红色毛癣菌、须毛癣菌、石膏样小孢子癣菌、金黄色葡萄球菌和粪肠球菌均表现出显著的抑制活性。因此,砂仁不仅可作为抗菌药物应用于临床,也可以作为食品原料或天然的食品防腐剂用于食品工业的生产。     

(Chemotaxonomic) Implications of Postharvest/Storage‐Induced Changes in Plant Volatile Profiles – the Case of Artemisia absinthium L. Essential Oil

The plant volatile profile and the essential‐oil chemical composition change during the storage of plant material. The objective of this study was to develop a mathematical model able to predict, explain, and quantify these changes. Mathematical equations, derived under the assumption that the essential oil contained within plant material could be treated as an ideal solution (Raoult's law), were applied for tracking of postharvest changes in the volatile profile of Artemisia absinthium L. (the essential oils were analyzed by GC‐FID and GC/MS). Starting from a specific chemical composition of an essential‐oil sample obtained from plant material after a short drying period (typically 5–10 d), and by using the equations derived from this model, one could easily predict evaporation‐induced changes in the volatile profile of the plant material. Based on the composition of the essential‐oil sample obtained after a given storage time t, it is possible to identify those components that were involved in chemical reactions, both as reactants and possible products. The established model even allowed the recognition of pairs of transformation, i.e., ‘daughter’ products and their ‘parent’ compounds. The obtained results highlight that the essential‐oil composition is highly dependent on the storage period of any plant material and urges caution in different types of phytochemical studies, especially chemotaxonomic ones, or practical application.