Effect of solution conductivity on the volatile constituents of Origanum dictamnus L. in nutrient film culture

The chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from leaves and bracts of hydroponically cultivated Origanum dictamnus L. (Cretan dittany), growing under various electrical conductivity (EC) levels (2.0, 4.0, and 6.0 mS/cm), was studied, using the nutrient film technique (NFT). The analysis of the essential oil content was achieved by GC-MS technique, and totals of 41 and 38 different compounds were identified in both cases of large-leaved and narrow-leaved samples of leaves and bracts, respectively. Differences in the composition content and of the percentage of each of the constituents in the two studied samples (i.e., large-leaved and narrow-leaved) and within the essential oils of leaves and bracts in both samples were observed. Carvacrol and p-cymene were identified as the main constituents in all essential oils, whereas thymoquinone was found in higher percentage in the essential oils of large-leaved than in narrow-leaved plants. The results obtained from GC-MS analysis were submitted to chemometric analysis, and a phenotypic similarity of the essential oils of narrow-leaved O. dictamnus was observed, whereas the essential oils of large-leaved O. dictamnus showed two separate subgroups.     

Composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of five taxa of Sideritis from Greece

The chemical compositions of the essential oils obtained from the aerial parts of five taxa of Sideritis were analyzed using various GC-MS techniques. A total of 99 different compounds was identified, and significant differences (qualitative and quantitative) were observed between the samples. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the essential oils against six bacteria and three fungi is also reported.     

Chemical composition of volatiles in Sardinian myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) alcoholic extracts and essential oils

The chemical composition of the volatile fraction of myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) alcoholic extracts and essential oils from leaves and berries collected in different places in Sardinia (Italy) was studied. A simple and rapid liquid-liquid extraction method was used to isolate volatile compounds from myrtle alcoholic extracts followed by GC and GC-MS analysis allowing the detection of 24 compounds. The volatile fraction was characterized by the terpenes fraction corresponding to that of the essential oils and by a fatty acid ethyl esters fraction. The variation during extraction of the volatile fraction in alcoholic extracts of berries and leaves was evaluated. Essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation, and the yields were on average 0.52 +/- 0.03% (v/w dried weight) and 0.02 +/- 0.00% for leaves and berries, respectively. The essential oils were analyzed by GC and GC-MS, and a total of 27 components were detected, accounting for 90.6-98.7% of the total essential oil composition. Strong chemical variability depending on the origin of the samples was observed. The major compounds in the essential oils were alpha-pinene (30.0 and 28.5%), 1,8-cineole (28.8 and 15.3%), and limonene (17.5 and 24.1%) in leaves and berries, respectively, and were characterized by the lack of myrtenyl acetate.     

Effect of nitrogen concentration of the nutrient solution on the volatile constituents of leaves of Salvia fruticosa Mill. in solution culture

Essential oils from hydroponically cultivated Salvia fruticosa were analyzed by GC-MS techniques. Three different levels of nitrogen (100, 150, and 200 mg/L) were used in the nutrient solution for the cultivation, using the nutrient film technique. A total of 79 compounds were identified, and qualitative and quantitative differences have been observed between the samples collected at full bloom (flowering stage) and at the end of the seed formation stage. 1,8-Cineole, beta-caryophyllene, and viridiflorol were the predominant constituents in most cases. 13-epi-Manool was identified by using GC parameters and mass spectrum fragmentation pattern, whereas labd-7,13-dien-15-ol, a labdane type diterpene, was identified for the first time in the genus Salvia, using GC parameters and an authentic sample. The results obtained from GC-MS analyses were submitted to chemometric analysis.     

Chemical composition of the essential oils of Juniperus from ripe and unripe berries and leaves and their antimicrobial activity

The composition of the essential oil from ripe and unripe berries and leaves of Juniperus oxycedrus L. ssp. oxycedrus, Juniperus phoenicea ssp. turbinata and Juniperus communis ssp. communis was analyzed by GC-MS, and microbiological assays were carried out. Samples were collected in different localities (Sardinia, Italy) and hydro distilled. The yields ranged between 2.54% +/- 0.21 (v\w dried weight) and 0.04% +/- 0.00. A total of 36 components were identified. The major compounds in the essential oils were alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, delta-3-carene, sabinene, myrcene, beta-phellandrene, limonene, and D-germacrene. Both qualitative and quantitative differences between species and between different parts of the plant were observed. The essential oils and their major compounds were tested against Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration were determined. The results obtained led to a nonsignificant inhibitory effect, although all the essential oils from Juniperus phoenicea ssp. turbinata and the essential oil from leaves of Juniperus oxycedrus ssp. oxycedrus exhibited rather good or weak activity against Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus.     

Differences in the fragrances of pollen,leaves, and floral parts of garland (Chrysanthemum coronarium) and composition of the essential oils from flowerheads and leaves

Headspace analyses of pollen, whole flowerheads, ligulate and tubular florets, flower buds, involucral bracts, and leaves have been performed on the food plant Chrysanthemum coronarium L. (Asteraceae). The analyses permitted differences in the pattern of volatiles emitted by the different floral parts to be observed and the site and phenological stage of emission of these chemicals to be verified. Camphor and cis-chrysanthenyl acetate were emitted mainly by ligulate and tubular florets; the production of myrcene and (Z)-ocimene was higher in the flower buds, whereas beta-caryophyllene, (E,E)-alpha-farnesene, and (E)-beta-farnesene seemed attributable mainly to the involucral bracts. The leaves showed a quite different volatile profile, with (Z)-ocimene as the main constituent. Pollen showed a completely different composition of its volatiles, with perilla aldehyde, cis-chrysanthenyl acetate, and camphor among the principal compounds; many carbonylic compounds and linear hydrocarbons have been detected exclusively in pollen. Furthermore, the essential oils obtained from flowerheads and leaves have been studied. These samples showed mainly quantitative differences. Camphor (22.1%) and cis-chrysanthenyl acetate (19.9%) were the main constituents of the oil from flowers, whereas the oil from the leaves contained mainly (Z)-ocimene (45.4%) and myrcene (28.2%).     

Chemical composition and larvicidal activity of the essential oils from Eupatorium betonicaeforme (D.C.) Baker (Asteraceae)

The volatile composition of the essential oils from leaves and roots of Eupatorium betonicaeforme (D.C.) Baker was analyzed by GC-MS. A total of 12 compounds were identified. beta-Caryophyllene (12.4-41.7%), alpha-humulene (11.7-14.6%), gamma-muurolene (10.4-19.0%), bicyclogermacrene (15.0-17.5%), 2,2-dimethyl-6-vinylchroman-4-one (10.3-25.5%), and 2-senecioyl-4-vinylphenol (8.5-41.0%) were the most prominent constituents. The former two compounds were isolated and characterized by spectroscopic data. The essential oils and the isolated compounds were tested against Aedes aegypti larvae survival. The results obtained show that the essential oil from roots and 2,2-dimethyl-6-vinylchroman-4-one (10.3-25.5%) could be considered as natural larvicidal agents.     

Comparison of the essential oils of Glehnia littoralis from Northern and Southern Japan.

The essential oils from aerial and root parts of Glehnia littoralis were investigated by GC and GC-MS, and 125 compounds were identified. Plants were obtained from Northern and Southern Japan, and samples from the same locations were cultivated either exposed or unexposed to sunlight. The main constituents of the essential oils were found to be alpha-pinene (0.03-13.40%), limonene (0.15-10.71%), beta-phellandrene (0.03-22.93%), germacrene B (0.27-8.33%), spathulenol (0.24-6.50%), beta-oplopenone (0.06-6.47%), panaxynol (0.38-24.58%), propyl octanoate (3.44-27.85%), hexadecanoic acid (0.45-27.80%), and linoleic acid (0.16-17.56%). Terpenoid compounds were found in higher concentrations in the Northern type oils than in the Southern types, whereas the concentration of polyacetylenic compounds was higher in one of the Southern samples, except from the aerial parts of those cultivated exposed. Consequently, the constitution of the essential oils from G. littoralis could be separated into Northern and Southern types.     

Insecticidal activity and chemical composition of volatile oils from Hyptis martiusii Benth

The essential oils from leaves and inflorescences of Hyptis martiusii Benth were analyzed by GC-MS. Twenty-six compounds representing 93.2% of the essential oil of leaves were characterized; Delta-3-carene (22.5%), 1,8-cineole (24.27%), beta-caryophyllene (6.15%), and bicyclogermacrene (6.32%) were found as the major components. In the essential oil of inflorescences 27 compounds representing 87.7% of the oil were identified. The major components were Delta-3-carene (13.5%), alpha-pinene (5.78%), beta-caryophyllene (6.59%), viridiflorene (8.25%), and germacrene B (5.21%). The essential oil of leaves and 1,8-cineole showed pronounced insecticidal effect against Aedes aegypti larvae and Bemisia argentifolii, the vectors of dengue fever and white fly fruit plague, respectively.     

Composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of two Origanum species

The essential oils obtained from the aerial parts of Origanum scabrum and Origaum microphyllum, both endemic species in Greece, were analyzed by means of GC and GC-MS. Forty-eight constituents were identified, representing 98.59 and 98.66% of the oils, respectively. Carvacrol, terpinen-4-ol, linalool, sabinene, alpha-terpinene, and gamma-terpinene were found as the major components. Furthermore, both samples exhibited a very interesting antimicrobial profile after they were tested against six Gram-negative and -positive bacteria and three pathogenic fungi.     

Composition and seasonal variation of the essential oil from leaves and peel of a Cretan lemon variety.

The essential oil of leaves and peel from the Cretan variety Zambetakis (Citrus limon) was obtained by steam distillation with a Clevenger apparatus. The essential oil was subjected to GC-MS analysis, and 35 substances were identified. The main component in both essential oils was limonene. beta-Pinene, myrcene, neral, geranial, neryl acetate, geranyl acetate, and beta-caryophyllene have been identified in the leaf oil. The peel oil contained gamma-terpinene, beta-pinene, myrcene, neral, and geranial. The quantification of volatile substances was based on the internal standard method, using octyl acetate as internal standard, and expressed in milligrams per kilogram of the essential oil. The high contents of neral and geranial were indicative of the high quality of both essential oils. The aroma profile and quantitative variations among the essential oil components were measured at six different time intervals over a period of greater than one year. Differences between the components of lemon leaves and peel were observed.     

不同海拔高度和竹龄对黄甜竹叶精油成分及其生物活性的影响

为探究海拔和竹龄对黄甜竹叶精油品质的影响,本研究采用气相色谱-质谱联用技术（GC-MS）测定不同海拔高度下新叶和老叶精油的化学成分,并分别采用平板抑菌法和1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼（DPPH）法测定各竹叶精油的抑菌效果和抗氧化活性。结果表明,黄甜竹叶精油中的成分以烷类、醇类、萜烯类和芳香族化合物为主,中高海拔有利于萜烯类化合物的合成和积累,新叶精油中的醇类、萜烯类和芳香族化合物含量高于老叶。各竹叶精油对干腐病菌（Fusarium）和葡萄座腔菌（Botryosphaeria dothidea）均有抑制效果,海拔越高竹叶的抑菌效果越好,新叶精油的抑菌效果强于老叶。各竹叶精油均表现出较高的抗氧化活性,表现为低海拔>中高海拔、新叶>老叶。本研究结果为黄甜竹叶资源的开发提供了数据支撑和新的利用方向。     

Bioactive and Fragrant Constituents of Artemisia sieberi Besser Grown on Two Different Soil Types in Central Iran

The dried leaves and aerial parts of Artemisia sieberi Besser, which belongs to the Asteraceae family (Anthemideae) and grows in central Iran, were hydrodistilled to produce essential oils. The oil concentrations of the leaves and aerial parts were 0.32% and 0.79% (w/w), respectively. The essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The amounts of the samples injected were 1.0 nL (diluted 1.0 μL of sample in 1000 ml of n-pentane, v/v). Twenty-three and 14 bioactive, flavor, and fragrance molecules were identified, representing 99.04% and 99.40% of the aerial parts’ essential oils from sites A and B, respectively. Aerial parts of the plants and the habitat soils were sampled at random in full flowering stages in a completely randomized (CR) design with three replications from two sites with different soil types. The main components were trans-methyl isoeugenol (32.60%) in the first site (A) and β-bisabolene (33.59%) in the second site (B) oils. The compositions of the oils were mostly quantitatively rather than qualitatively different.     

Chemical composition and insecticidal activity of essential oils from Vanillosmopsis pohlii baker against Bemisia argentifolii

Essential oils from the heartwood and leaves of specimens of Vanillosmopsis pohlii collected in two different localities were analyzed by GC-MS. The major constituent of both heartwood essential oils was the sesquiterpene alpha-bisabolol. Essential oil composition from leaves was quite different for two specimens and showed beta-pinene and E-caryophyllene as principal constituents. The essential oil of heartwood and the pure sesquiterpene alpha-bisabolol were tested against Bemisia argentifolii, the white fly fruit plague, and pronounced insecticidal effects were observed.     

Comparison of the amounts of volatile compounds in French protected designation of origin virgin olive oils

Headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) -gas chromatography using flame ionization detection and multivariate analysis were applied to the study of the specificity of protected designation of origin (PDO) virgin olive oils produced in a southern French region (Alpes-Maritimes) based on their volatile compounds. A total of 35 PDO olive oils from Nice, 6 commercial oils, and 12 other French PDO olive oils were analyzed. Recorded data were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) and soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA). The method developed here was able to perfectly distinguish different qualities of olive oils. Representative samples from each class obtained by chemometric treatment were analyzed by HS-SPME and GC-MS. PCA and SIMCA of chromatographic data were related to sensory analysis and led to a better understanding of the chemical features and observed sensory effects of olive oils.     

Composition and antioxidant activity of the essential oils of Xylopia aethiopica (Dun) A. Rich. (Annonaceae) leaves, stem bark, root bark, and fresh and dried fruits, growing in Ghana

The chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from the leaves, the barks of the stem and the root, as well as from the fresh and dried fruits of Xylopia aethiopica, growing in Ghana, was investigated by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analyses. Kovats indices, mass spectra, and standard compounds were used to identify a total of 93 individual compounds. The monoterpene hydrocarbons formed the main portion in all studied samples. beta-Pinene was predominant in all cases, while trans-m-mentha-1(7),8-diene was the main compound in the essential oils of the leaves and the barks of roots and stems. Their potential antioxidant activity was also investigated and found to be significant in scavenging superoxide anion radical.     

Composition and antifungal activity on soil-borne pathogens of the essential oil of Salvia sclarea from Greece

The hydrodistilled essential oils of the aerial parts of wild-growing Salvia sclarea originated from two localities in Greece were analyzed by GC-MS. Sixty-six compounds, representing 93.26-98.19% of the oils, were identified. Linalyl acetate (19.75-31.05%), linalool (18.46-30.43%), geranyl acetate (4.45-12.1%), and alpha-terpineol (5.08-7.56%) were the main components. The antifungal activity of the oil of one locality and of the main components, linalyl acetate and linalool, was evaluated in vitro against three soil-borne pathogens.     

Aroma compound analysis of Eruca sativa (Brassicaceae) SPME headspace leaf samples using GC,GC-MS,and olfactometry

The aroma compounds of rocket salad (Eruca sativa) SPME headspace samples of fresh leaves were analyzed using GC, GC-MS, and olfactometry. More than 50 constituents of the Eruca headspace could be identified to be essential volatiles, responsible for the characteristic intense green; herbal; nutty and almond-like; Brassicaceae-like (direction of cabbage, broccoli, and mustard); and horseradish-like aroma of these salad leaves. As aroma impact compounds, especially isothiocyanates, and derivatives of butane, hexane, octane, and nonane were identified. 4-Methylthiobutyl isothiocyanate (14.2%), cis-3-hexen-1-ol (11.0%), cis-3-hexenyl butanoate (10.8%), 5-methylthiopentyl isothiocyanate (9.3%), cis-3-hexenyl 2-methylbutanoate (5.4%), and 5-methylthiopentanenitrile (5.0%) were found in concentrations higher than 5.0% (calculated as % peak area of GC analysis using a nonpolar column).     

Chemical composition and antifungal activity of essential oils from different tissues of Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica)

In this study antifungal activities of essential oils from different tissues of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) against four wood decay fungi and six tree pathogenic fungi were investigated. In addition, the yields of essential oils obtained by water distillation were compared and their constituents determined by GC-MS analyses. The yield of essential oils from four tissues of Japanese cedar is in the decreasing order of leaf (27.38 mL/kg) > bark (6.31 mL/kg) > heartwood (3.80 mL/kg) > sapwood (1.27 mL/kg). Results obtained from the antifungal tests demonstrate that the essential oil of Japanese cedar heartwood used against Laetiporus sulphureus and Trametes versicolor and sapwood essential oil used against L. sulphureus had strong antifungal activities at 500 mug/mL, with IC(50) values of 39, 91, and 94 microg/mL, respectively. Besides, the essential oils of Japanese cedar heartwood used against Rhizoctonia solani, Collectotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium solani, and Ganoderma australe had strong antifungal activities at 500 microg/mL, with IC(50) values of 65, 80, 80, and 110 microg/mL, respectively. GC-MS analyses showed that the sesquiterpene hydrocarbon compounds dominate in the essential oil from Japanese cedar heartwood, amounting to a total percentage of 82.56%, with the major compounds of delta-cadinene (18.60%), isoledene (12.41%), and gamma-muurolene (11.82%). It is proposed that the excellent antifungal activities of Japanese cedar heartwood essential oils might correlate with the presence of these compounds.     

Determination of the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the essential oil of Artemisia dracunculus and of the antifungal and antibacterial activities of Turkish Artemisia absinthium, A. dracunculus, Artemisia santonicum, and Artemisia spicigera essential oils

The essential oil isolated from Turkish tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) by hydrodistillation was analyzed by GC-MS. Thirty compounds representing 99.5% of total oil were identified. The predominant components in the oil were (Z)-anethole (81.0%), (Z)-beta-ocimene (6.5%), (E)-beta-ocimene (3.1%), limonene (3.1%), and methyleugenol (1.8%). The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the essential oils isolated from A. dracunculus, Artemisia absinthium, Artemisia santonicum, and Artemisia spicigera oils were also evaluated. In general, the oils exhibited potent antifungal activity at a wide spectrum on the growth of agricultural pathogenic fungi. Among the oils, the weakest antifungal activity was shown by the oil of A. dracunculus. In many cases, the oils of A. absinthium, A. santonicum, and A. spicigera completely inhibited the growth of some fungal species. As compared with antibacterial activities of all of tested oils, A. santonicum and A. spicigera oils showed antibacterial activities over a very wide spectrum. However, the essential oils tested showed lower inhibition zones than the inhibition zones of penicillin. In addition, antioxidant and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities of tarragon oil were determined, and weak antioxidant and DPPH radical scavenging activities were found in comparison to butylated hydroxytoluene.