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.     

Retention of essential oil components sorbed by native cornstarch during storage

Changes in the content of essential oil components sorbed by native dry cornstarch during storage were studied by the method of capillary gas chromatography. The composition of volatile substances changed insignificantly, and the sample retained its organoleptic characteristics over 3-month storage. We revealed that up to 70-80% monoterpene carbohydrates and lower sulfides disappeared after 6-month storage. The loss of terpene alcohols, acetates, and ketones did not exceed 10%. Storage was accompanied by an increase in the content of essential oil components bound to the surface of starch granules.     

Retention of Essential Oil Components Sorbed by Native Cornstarch during Storage

Changes in the content of essential oil components sorbed by native dry cornstarch during storage were studied by the method of capillary gas chromatography. The composition of volatile substances changed insignificantly, and the sample retained its organoleptic characteristics throughout storage for 3 months. Up to 70–80% of monoterpene hydrocarbons and lower sulfides disappeared after 6 months. The loss of terpene alcohols, acetates, and ketones did not exceed 10%. Storage was accompanied by an increase in the content of essential oil components bound to the surface of starch granules.     

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.     

Effect of conditions and duration of storage on composition of essential oil from coriander seeds]

The composition of volatile components of the essential oil extracted from seeds of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) 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 and biological activity of the essential oil of Ballota hispanica (L.) Benth. growing wild in Sicily

Ballota L. comprises several relevant species largely used for their excellent therapeutic properties. Ballota hispanica (L.) Benth. is widely used in herbal medicine, and it is sold in herbalist shops for its sedative and antispasmodic properties. Considering its traditional medicinal use and the lack of scientific studies on the volatile components of this species as well as on its biological activities, in this study the chemical composition of the essential oil from aerial parts of B. hispanica, collected in Sicily, was evaluated by gas chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. α-Elemol was the most abundant component of the oil (10.9%), followed by α-ylangene (8.5%), γ-dodecalactone (5.1%), and manoyl oxide (4.8%). A comparison was made of the composition of the different Ballota taxa studied so far showing a peculiar profile of B. hispanica. Futhermore, the antimicrobial and the free radical scavenging activities of the oil were determined.     

Composition and variability of essential oils of Platycladus orientalis growing in China

Essential oils were isolated from the leaves of Platycladus orientalis growing in 16 areas of China. The essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In total, 98 volatile compounds were identified. Chemical variability in essential oil composition was evaluated using cluster analysis and principal component analysis. The two analyses led to the identification of four chemotypes: α-pinene, α-pinene/3-carene, cedrol, and cedrol/terpinyl acetate. Geographically, the populations growing in close proximity had similar essential oil composition. The chemical variability could possibly be attributed to genetic and environmental factors.     

Larvicidal activity of major essential oils from stems of Allium monanthum Maxim. against Aedes aegypti L

The stems of Allium monanthum were extracted, and the major essential oil composition and larvicidal effects were studied. The analyses were conducted by gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy revealed that the essential oils of A. monanthum stems. The A. monanthum essential oil yield was 4.25%, and gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy analysis revealed that its major constituents were dimethyl trisulfide (23.21%), dimethyl tetrasulfide (11.24%) and methlyl propyl trisulfide (8.21%). The essential oil had a significant toxic effect against early fourth-stage larvae of Aedes aegypti L with an LC(50) value of 23.14 ppm and an LC(90) value of 36.31 ppm. Also, dimethyl trisulfide (≥95.0%), dimethyl tetrasulfide (≥95.0%) and methlyl propyl trisulfide (≥95.0%) were tested against the F(21) laboratory strain of A. aegypti. Methlyl propyl trisulfide (≥95.0%) has good activity with an LC(50) value of 19.38 ppm. Also, the above indicates that other major compounds may play a more important role in the toxicity of essential oil.     

Oregano essential oil as an inhibitor of higher fatty acid oxidation

Inhibition of the oxidation of fatty acids methyl esters by oregano essential oil was studied using capillary gas chromatography. A mixture of fatty acids which contained saturated, mono-, di-, and polyunsaturated acids with 16–24 carbon atoms was extracted from mice brain. Changes in the composition of esters in hexane solutions both in the presence of oregano essential oil and without it were examined during their autooxidation in light for 1 year. It was found that the oxidation rate of unsaturated fatty acids increases with increasing degree of their unsaturation. Oregano essential oil inhibited the oxidation process. Antioxidant activity of the oil increased with increase of its concentration. It was shown that carvacrol and thymol are the main antioxidant components of oregano oil.     

Studies on the Chemical Composition of the Head Space and Essential Oil of Fresh Flower of Ku-Shui rose (Rosa setate X R. rugosa)

The chemical composition of the head space and essential oil of fresh flowers of KU-Shui rose, which were collected by adsorption with Paropark Q (60–80 mesh) and steam distillation-extraction respectively, have been identified both by capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and the Kovats Index of the components. From the head space, 63 compounds have been identified, among which 27 compounds were not present or found only in trace amount in the essential oil. From the essential oil, 79 compounds have been identified, among which 55 compounds have not been found in this flower previously.     

陕西南部地区茶叶挥发性成分的研究

用水蒸气蒸馏法分别从陕西南部不同产地的茶叶中提取挥发油,利用气相色谱-质谱联用技术对挥发油中的化学成分进行分离和结构鉴定,运用气相色谱面积归一化法确定各个成分的相对百分含量。从南郑县茶叶挥发油中鉴出51种成分,从宁强县茶叶挥发油中鉴出47种成分,从西乡县茶叶挥发油中鉴出46种成分,各挥发油成分存在着一定的差异。对陕南不同产地茶叶的挥发油做了抗氧化试验,结果表明各挥发油对.OH均有明显的清除作用。     

Variation in essential oil composition of Leonotis leonurus,an important medicinal plant in South Africa

Leonotis leonurus widely used by traditional healers in southern Africa for treatment of various ailments, is well known for its reported psychoactive properties. The present study was undertaken to investigate the variation in essential oil composition between geographically distinct populations of L. leonurus in South Africa using gas chromatography. Plant material (n = 50) was collected from three provinces of South Africa. Essential oils of the aerial parts were obtained by hydrodistillation and analysed using one and two dimensional gas chromatography. Twenty-six compounds accounted for more than 80% of the total composition of the oil. Eight major constituents in the oil, representing about 50% of the total oil composition, were identified by both GC–MS–FID and GCxGC–ToF–MS. These major compounds were trans-β-ocimene (0.1–5.0%), cis-β-ocimene (0.1–31.5%), β-caryophyllene (0.3–15.0%), caryophyllene oxide (0.1–5.0%), α-humulene (0.4–18.2%), γ-elemene (0.4–10.6%), α-cubebene (0.2–12.0%) and germacrene D (0.1–22.1%). Marked similarities exist in the essential oil composition between populations; differences are mostly quantitative when determined by GC–MS–FID, while GCxGC–ToF–MS data reveals both quantitative and qualitative differences.Untargeted multivariate analysis was performed using SIMCA-P + 14.0 PCA and OPLS-DA methods, identifying two distinct clusters, inland and coastal populations.     

Constituents of the essential oil of Cymbopogon jawarancusa

The composition of the essential oil of Khavi grass, Cymbopogon jawarancusa, was investigated by glass capillary gas chromatography in combination with mass spectrometry. Sixty-four compounds were identified, 55 of which are reported for the first time. The oil contains a high percentage of piperitone (60–70%), which is mainly responsible for the smell of Khavi grass.     

Composition of essential oil in genetically transformed roots of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ruta graveolens</Emphasis>

The composition of essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from genetically transformed roots of common rue (Ruta graveolens L.) was analyzed. Using gas chromatography and complex gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, it was established that the major component of rue essential oil was a root-specific sesquiterpene geijerene comprising 67% of total amount of volatile compounds. In essential oil of cultured rue roots, furocoumarins characteristic of intact plant roots were found, viz. osthole, halepensin, and rutacultin. The content of essential oil in genetically transformed rue roots was 0.23% of root dry weight, which is comparable with that in the roots of intact plants. The long-term maintenance in the in vitro cultured rue roots of a capability for the synthesis of essential oil major components characteristic of intact plants allows their usage for studying the physiological activity of these volatile compounds and their putative role in the plant root interaction in biocenoses.     

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.     

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.     

Diurnal rhythms of certain sesquiterpenes in wild camomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.)

A study was made of the changes in the the content of camomile essential oil and its components [(-)-α-bisabolol, (-)-α-bisabololoxide A, (-)-α-bisabololoxide B and spathulenol, and chamazulene] in dependence on the time of day under field conditions. The essential oil, distilled immediately after sampling, was analysed by means of gas chromatography at 3-h intervals in the course of 51 h. A 24-h period rhythm of (-)-α-bisabolol with maximum content in the scotoperiod, was demonstrated in 1976 using periodogram and cosinor tests. The other substances investigated exhibit a rhythm with a 12-h period. The latter test did not reveal any rhythm in the total content of essential oil.     

野生蜂窝草籽中挥发油的研究

采用水蒸气蒸馏法从野生蜂窝草籽中提取挥发油,利用气相色谱-质谱联用技术对其挥发油中的化学组分进行分离和结构鉴定,运用气相色谱面积归一化法确定各个组分的相对百分含量。从蜂窝草籽挥发油中鉴出56种成分,主要组分是油酸(12.57%),棕榈酸(10.36%),1-辛烯-3-醇(7.96%),石竹烯(5.98%),2,4,6-三甲基-1,3,6-庚三烯(5.63%)等。对蜂窝草籽挥发油进行了抗氧化实验和抗菌实验,结果表明蜂窝草籽挥发油对.OH有明显的清除作用,蜂窝草籽挥发油对实验菌株均有明显的抑制和灭活作用特别是对大肠杆菌ATCC25922株和肠炎沙门菌50040株的抗菌活性表现得更为显著。     

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.     

Evaluation of chemical composition and anti-inflammatory,antioxidant, antibacterial activity of essential oil of Sardinian Santolina corsica Jord. & Fourr.

Santolina corsica Jord. & Fourr. Corsican-Sardinian is an endemism almost present all around Corsica; in Sardinia, it can only be found in Monte Albo (calcareous substratum and poor in nutrients). The aim of our study is to investigate the chemical composition of S. corsica essential oils from plants growing in three different stations located at different altitudes and evaluate the biological activity using anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial test. The composition of the essential oils was determined by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The essential oils of the Sardinian-Corsican endemism S. corsica, growing in Monte Albo, showed a great variability, probably due to genetic characters different from the Corsican type. We found three different chemotypes: artemisia ketone-β-fellendrene; myrcene and β-fellandrene-myrcene. Standard microbiological assays demonstrated that the essential oils collected in the selected stations, compared with oil and compound with demonstrated antibacterial activity, don’t have any antibacterial activity. DPPH test carried out on the tree samples, compared with chatechin, demonstrated that the oils don’t have antioxidant activity.Regarding anti-inflammatory activity the study demonstrated that the essential oils have a good anti-inflammatory activity on the bronchial tract.The addition of essential oil make easy the exocytose and the histiocytes can expel the anthracotic pigment into the culture medium, purifying its cytoplasm and restoring its ability to phagocytize more material. With a higher concentration of granulocytes in the sample, the incubation of cells shows a non-specific inflammatory pattern in which the addition of the essential oils has a positive impact on the decrease of granulocytes.More experiments are requested to confirm the data, but on the basis of these first results S. corsica essential oil showed potential activity against respiratory infections.