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January/February 2010

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Table of Contents:

Chemical Constituents of the Essential Oil of Otostegia michauxii Briq. From Iran

by: K. Javidnia, R. Miri, M. Soltani and A.R. Khosravi

The essential oil of Otostegia michauxii Briq. growing wild in the Fars province of Iran was obtained by hydrodistallation and analyzed by GC and GC/MS techniques. Forty-five components representing 97.9% of the total oil were identified. The main components of the oil were dillapiole (23.9%), 2-methylbenzofuran (12.9%) and α-pinene (8.1%).

Analysis of Linalool Content in the Inflorescence (Flower) Essential Oil and Leaf Oil of Lippia alba Cultivar ‘Kavach’

by: R.K. Mishra, S. Chaudhary, R. Pandey, S. Gupta, G.R. Mallavarapu and S. Kumar

Lippia alba cultivar ‘Kavach’ is an aromatic, multi-branched, trailing, deep-rooted shrub that can be planted on slopes to control soil erosion. Cuttings of this genotype were planted on the edges of field plots developed by depositing agricultural soil on the rocky terrain of Aravalli mountain range land on which the Institute is located in New Delhi. Shoots harvested several times a year in the third, fourth and fifth year from planting were sampled for leaves and flowers bearing inflorescences to determine their biomass yield. The inflorescences and leaves sampled from the harvests of third year were analyzed by GC and GC/MS for their oil quality. Altogether 55 compounds were identified in leaf and inflorescence oils; a set of 47 compounds made up 96.3% of the leaf oil and 46 compounds made up 97.0% of inflorescence oil. The concentrations of linalool and 1,8-cineole were 67.7% and 6.4% in the leaf oil, whereas these were 79.3% and 5.2%, respectively, in inflorescence oil. The inflorescence oil also contained cis- and trans-linalool oxides (2.8%). The importance of the flower oil of L. alba cultivar ‘Kavach’ as a linalool-rich oil resource is discussed in terms of traditional sources of such oil and unique features of the cultivar.

Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of Atalantia roxburghiana Hook f.

by: D.P.T. Minh, H.L.Mai, A.M. Pawlowska, P.L. Cioni and A. Braca

The essential oil obtained from the branches and leaves of Atalantia roxburghiana Hook f. (Rutaceae) has been analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Forty-three components of the essential oil, representing 98.6% of the total amount of the oil, were identified. The main constituents were monoterpene hydrocarbons: γ-terpinene (38.3%), p-cymene (15.7%), β-pinene (5.2%) and α-pinene (4.7%). A comparison between constituents of the branch and leaf oil with the ones reported in the literature for other Atalantia ssp. is pointed out and some chemotaxonomical considerations have been provided.

Identification of the Volatile Compounds of Leaf Oil of Anacardium humile (Anacardiaceae)

by: C.R. Winck, C.A.L. Cardoso, A.H. Jeller, N. Ré-Poppi, R.M. Coelho and E.J.D. Schleder

The essential oil obtained from the leaves of Anacardium humile (Anacardiaceae) were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Thirty-five compounds were identified in the leaf oil. The major constituents in the leaf oil were α-bulnesene (8.6%), γ-cadinene (7.5%), selina-3,7(11)-diene (6.7%), α-himachalene (6.1%) and cyperene (5.0%).

Changes in Essential Oil Composition of Tunisian Myrtus communis var. italica L. During Its Vegetable Cycle

by: W. Aidi Wannes, B. Mhamdi, J. Sriti and B. Marzouk

Myrtus communis var. italica leaves, fruits and stems were gathered from North Tunisia in order to investigate their essential oils during a one-year vegetative cycle by GC-FID and GC/MS. The yield and composition of myrtle oils were found to depend on the organ type and on the harvest period. The oil yield varied from 0.14–0.61% for the leaves, 0.003–0.11% for the fruits, and 0.001–0.06% for the stems. Forty-eight compounds were identified in leaf oils; α-pinene (28.3–58.0%), 1,8-cineole (12.7–30.7%), linalool (2.4–21.5%) and limonene (0.1–13.3%) were the main components. In the fruit oils, 46 compounds were identified with 1,8-cineole (7.3–44.9%), geranyl acetate (1.8–20.5%), linalool (0.7–18.9%) and α-pinene (1.2–12.6%) being the main compounds. Only 40 components were identified in stem oils, which were rich in 1,8-cineole (21.0–52.4%), linalool (3.1–18.4%) and α-pinene (1.5–16.1%).

The Volatile Constituents From the Leaves, Bark and Fruits of Bursera aromatica (Proctor) Found in Jamaica

by: G.-A.O. Junor, R.B.R. Porter, T.H. Yee and T. Waugh

The essential oil from the leaves, bark and fruits of Bursera aromatica (Burseraceae) collected from the Cockpit Country region of Jamaica were obtained by hydrodistillation in 0.03%, 0.09% and 1.12% (w/w) yields, respectively, and were analyzed by GC-FID and GC/MS. Thirty-eight constituents of the leaf oil (92.1%), 26 constituents of the bark oil (96.5%), and 27 constituents of the fruit oil (93.5%) were identified. The predominant compounds were nonane (14.7%, 5.2% and 23.7%), α-copaene (15.8%, 23.7% and 14.0%), β-caryophyllene (21.7%, 12.8% and 6.8%), δ-cadinene (11.3%, 21.5% and 4.3%) and viridiflorol (5.9%, 11.8% and 7.9%) in the oils from the leaves, bark and fruits, respectively. In addition to the components listed above, β-pinene (7.0%) and limonene (8.0%) were also among the major components of the fruit oil.

The Leaf Essential Oils of Juniperus communis L. Varieties in North America and the NMR and MS Data for Isoabienol

by: R.P. Adams, P.S. Beauchamp, V. Dev and R.M. Bathala

This is first report on the composition of the leaf essential oils of J. communis L. varieties from the Western Hemisphere. The oil of Juniperus communis var. jackii had the most distinct oil and contained moderate amounts of α-pinene (16.1–18.9%), δ-3-carene (17.9–28.4%) and β-phellandrene (9.2–13.4%) along with several diterpenes including isoabienol. Juniperus communis var. charlottensis oil had a very high concentration of α-pinene (59.3%), with moderate amounts of β-pinene (5.9%), δ-3-carene (3.6%) and β-phellandrene (2.9%). The oil of J. communis var. depressa was dominated by α-pinene (53.9%), δ-3-carene (9.3%) and β-pinene (5.5%) and was a little unusual in also containing citronellol, citronellyl acetate, neryl acetate and geranyl acetate with no diterpenes. The oil of J. communis var. megistocarpa possessed large amounts of α-pinene (58.5%), limonene (20.4%) and β-pinene (5.0%) and, like J. communis var. depressa, its oil also contained citronellol, citronellyl acetate, neryl acetate and geranyl acetate. Putative J. communis var. saxatilis from Idaho, USA, had a high concentration of α-pinene (56.5%) with moderate amounts of δ-3-carene (11.5%), β-pinene (5.4%), myrcene (4.5%) and β-phellandrene (3.1%). The oils of these North American varieties were compared to J. communis var. communis (Sweden) and J. communis var. saxatilis (Switzerland). A survey of approximately 65 species of Juniperus revealed that isoabienol was present in eight species. X-ray, MS and 13C-NMR were used to determine the structure of isoabienol (I) and KI and a mass spectrum is presented to aid future identification.

Salinity Impact on Growth, Essential Oil Content and Composition of Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) Stems and Leaves

by: M. Neffati and B. Marzouk

The influence of salt stress on vegetative growth, essential oil content, and composition of Tunisian coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) grown in hydroponic culture was investigated. The volatile constituents of stems and leaves were isolated by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Seedlings were treated with different levels of salt stress (25 mM, 50 mM and 75 mM NaCl). Results showed that the stem and leaf biomasses were not affected under 25 mM NaCl, compared to the control, although it decreased significantly at 50 mM and 75 mM. Essential oil content was 1762.64 ?g/g DW (0.18%) and 1255.77 ?g/g DW (0.12%) in stems and leaves, respectively. At low and moderate stress, a significant difference in the essential oil content was developed between stems, with a significant decrease, and leaves, with an increase up to 43%. Under high salinity, the oil content of both organs decreased significantly. The major volatile compound of stems and leaves was (E)-2-decenal with 24% and 52%, respectively. Other important components were decanal, (E)-2-dodecenal, dodecanal, (E)-2-undecenal, (E)-2-tridecenal and (E)-2-undecanal. Further, the content of these compounds were affected differently by the treatment level and by the organ type.

Yield and Composition of the Essential Oil of Ocimum selloi Benth. Cultivated Under Colored Netting

by: L.C.B. Costa, J.E.B.P. Pinto, E.M. Castro, E. Alves, L.F. Rosal, S.K.V. Bertolucci, P.B. Alves and T.S. Evangelino

The objective of the present work was to determine the effects of colored shading on the density of glandular and tectorial trichomes, and on the yield, productivity and composition of the essential oil of Ocimum selloi Benth. Plants were cultivated for 90 days under full sunlight or under ChromatiNet 50% red or blue netting. The highest density of glandular trichomes was observed in plants that had received full sunlight. None of the light treatments altered the yield of oil, although productivity was higher in plants grown under full sunlight by virtue of the greater leaf biomass that accumulated under such conditions. The compositions of the oils varied according to the quality of light. Although the qualitative profiles of the oils of plants grown under full sunlight or red shading were similar, that obtained from plants grown under blue shading presented a larger number of constituents. The highest level of methyl chavicol (93.2%), the major component of the oil, was observed in plants grown under full sunlight.

Essential Oil Composition of Three Balkan Micromeria Species

by: I. Palic, J. Ursic-Jankovic and G. Stojanovic

The composition of the essential oil of aerial parts of Micromeria kosaninii Šilic, Micromeria parviflora (Vis.) Reincheb. and Micromeria juliana (L.) Benth. ex Reich was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. One hundred and twenty-four compounds were identified in M. kosaninii oil, 143 in M. parviflora oil, and 111 in M. juliana oil, accounting for more than 96.0%, 97.5% and 97.9% of the total oils, respectively. Sixty-three compounds were common for all three oils. The major constituents of both M. kosaninii and M. juliana oils were borneol (8.2% and 9.3%, respectively), isomeric verbenols (11.7% and 8.7%) and furanoid linalool oxides (9.8% and 6.5%). The oil of M. parviflora was marked by a high content of the main constituent spathulenol (29.9%).

Effect of the Selected Weather Conditions on Essential Oil, a-Bisabolol and Chamazulene Content in Flower Heads of Chamomile [Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rausch.]

by: K. Seidler-Lozykowska

In 1994–2003 samples of chamomile flowers were analyzed in order to determine the essential oil, α-bisabolol and chamazulene content. The correlation between changes in weather conditions and these active compound contents was estimated to understand the reason of significant differences over the years. The results showed different reactions of chamomile genotypes to weather conditions. High temperature and intensive insolation had a negative effect on the oil content, whereas it had a strongly positive effect on the α-bisabolol content.

Camphor in Commercial and Potentially Commercial Oils of Eucalyptus Species and Other Myrtaceae

by: C.P. Cornwell and E.V. Lassak

Analysis of a variety of Eucalyptus species shows that the concentration of camphor typically lies below 60 ppm; for commonly traded oils, this figure can be halved. These values are at odds with the current British and European Pharmacopoeia values of up to 0.1% (1000 ppm).

Essential Oil Variation in Thymus daenensis subsp. daenensis Cleak Populations

by: B. Bahreininejad, M. Mirza and A. Arzani

The chemical composition of the essential oils in 11 populations of Thymus daenensis subsp. daenensis Cleak was evaluated using GC and GC/MS. Carvacrol, thymol and geraniol were found as the main constituents in the oils of the tested populations. Variation of the oils in populations was subjected to cluster analysis and three different chemotypes including carvacrol (47.3–80.1%), thymol (53.1–72.2%) and geraniol (65.6–75.7%) were identified. Other important components were β-caryophyllene (1.7–9%), p-cymene (0.1–10.9%) and γ-terpinene (0.1–7.8%). Although Thymus is known as having high thymol content in its oil, it is revealed that T. daenensis subsp. daenensis has also a high potential for carvacrol and geraniol constituents in the oil.

Chemical Composition of the Leaf Oils of Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) Burtt et Smith and A. purpurata (Vieill) K. Schum. From Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

by: C.P. Victório, S.G. Leitão and C.L.S. Lage

Fresh leaves of Alpinia zerumbet and A. purpurata (Zingiberaceae) were collected in Rio de Janeiro city and subjected to hydrodistillation; their chemical composition was analyzed by GC/MS. These species are used as ornamental plants and in folk medicine. Variations in the leaf oils content and composition of A. zerumbet were found between April and August 2005. In April, the main constituents identified in leaf oil of A. zerumbet were terpinen-7-al (40.5%) and sabinene hydrate (15.4%); in August, the major components identified were terpinen-4-ol (29.4%) and 1,8-cineole (23.1%). Leaf oil of A. purpurata was rich in β-pinene (34.7%) and α-pinene (11.8%).

Composition of the Essential Oils of Subspecies of Scutellaria albida L. From Turkey

by: M. Cicek, B. Demirci, G. Yilmaz, O. Ketenoglu and K.H.C. Baser

The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from subspecies of Scutellaria albida L. (Lamiaceae): S. albida L. subsp. albida, S. albida L. subsp. colchica (Rech.f.) J.R.Edm., S. albida L. subsp. condensata (Rech.f.) J.R.Edm., and S. albida L. subsp. velenovskyi (Rech.f.) Greuter et Burdet from Turkey were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), simultaneously. Linalool (20% and 29%) was identified as major component in the oils of S. albida subsp. albida and S. albida subsp. condensata oil, respectively. In the oil of S. albida subsp. colchica, hexadecanoic acid (13%) was found as major component. β-Caryophyllene (20%) was the main component of the oil of S. albida subsp. velenovskyi.

Chemical Composition of Essential Oils From Bark and Leaves of Individual Trees of Ravensara aromatica Sonnerat

by: H.S. Andrianoelisoa, C. Menut, P. Ramanoelina, F. Raobelison, P.C. de Chatelperron and P. Danthu

The chemical composition of essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of leaves and bark (taken individually, tree by tree) of Ravensara aromatica Sonnerat of Madagascar was investigated by gas chromatography and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Results were treated by principal component analysis. Four chemotypes highlighted about leaves in an earlier work were confirmed: chemotype 1 (> 90% methyl chavicol), chemotype 2 (72–80% methyl eugenol), chemotype 3 (25–28% α-terpinene) and chemotype 4 (25–34% sabinene). The chemical composition of R. aromatica bark is in all cases characterized by a high amount of methyl chavicol (83–98%), whatever the chemotype. One can conclude that the bark oil of R. aromatica corresponds to the oil described previously under the name “oil of R. anisata.”

Comparison of Essential Oils Compositions of Citrus maxima Merr. Peel Obtained by Cold Press and Vacuum Stream Distillation Methods and of Its Peel and Flower Extract Obtained by Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction Method and Their Antimicrob

by: N. Thavanapong, P. Wetwitayaklung and J. Charoenteeraboon

The oils and extracts of the fruit peels of pomelo (Citrus maxima Merr. cultivar ‘khao–yai’) were obtained by cold-pressing (CP), vacuum steam distillation (VSD) and supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (SC-CO₂) and the extract of the flowers was obtained by SC-CO₂. The composition of the oils and extracts of the peel and flower were determined by GC and GC/MS. Fifty, 53 and 60 components of the oils and extract from peels by CP, VD and SC-CO₂ were identified, respectively. Their main components were limonene (93.4–95.4%). Fifty-one components of the flower extract were identified and the main component was also limonene (86.2–86.8%). The oils and extract of pomelo showed fairly good activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans.

Chemical Composition, and Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Alpinia nutans Rosc.

by: S. Joshi, O. Prakash, A.K. Pant and C.S. Mathela

The essential oils of the aerial parts and flowers of Alpinia nutans Rosc. were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Oil from aerial parts was rich in monoterpenoids (85.7%) with sabinene (27.8%), 1,8-cineole (17.4%), terpinen-4-ol (14.9%), p-cymene (5.2%), γ-terpinene (5.1%), cis-sabinene hydrate (1.3%) and linalool (3.3%) as the major components identified, and with β-caryophyllene (3.9%) and caryophyllene oxide (1.3%) as sesquiterpenoids. Terpinen-4-ol (25.1%), γ-terpinene (19.4%), sabinene (14.2%), 1,8-cineole (10.8%), linalool (1.6%) and caryophyllene oxide (1.0%) were the major components characterized in the flower oil. The oils were evaluated for DPPH radical scavenging ability, chelation of Fe⁺², and reducing power activities. Further, these oils were also examined for their antimicrobial activities against Pasteurella multocida, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Shigella flexneri and Staphylococcus aureus. The aerial parts oil was found to be more active than the flower oil in all the cases.

Chemical Composition, and Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Essential Oil of Spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) From Pakistan

by: A.I. Hussain, F. Anwar, M. Shahid, M. Ashraf and R. Przybylski

Chemical composition, and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil isolated from aerial parts of Mentha spicata L. (spearmint) were investigated. The oil content was found to be 1.2%. A total of 19 chemical constituents were identified in the spearmint oil using GC and GC/MS. The main components were carvone (51.7%) and cis-carveol (24.3%), followed by limonene (5.3%), 1,8 cineol (4.0%), cis-dihydrocarvone (2.2%), carvyl acetate (2.1%) and cis-sabinene hydrate (1.0%). The investigated oil exhibited good antioxidant activity as assessed by DPPH free radical-scavenging ability, bleaching β-carotene in linoleic acid system, and inhibition of linoleic acid oxidation. Antimicrobial activity of spearmint oil and its major components (cis-carveol and carvone) was followed by disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays against four strains of bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Pasturella multocida and five pathogenic fungi: Aspergillus niger, Mucor mucedo, Fusarium solani, Botryodiplodia theobromae, and Rhizopus solani. All the tested microorganisms were strongly affected indicating an appreciable antimicrobial potential of spearmint oil.

Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of the Essential Oils of Micromeria thymifolia (Scop.) Fritsch., M. dalmatica Benth., and Satureja cuneifolia Ten. and Its Secretory Elements

by: K.P. Savikin, N.R. Menkovic, G.M. Zdunic, S.R. Tasic, M.S. Ristic, T.R. Stevic and Z.P. Dajic-Stevanovic

Light yellowish, pleasant-smelling essential oils were obtained in 0.3%, 1.3%, and 0.8% yields from the aerial parts of S. cuneifolia Ten., M. thymifolia (Scop.) Fritsch., and M. dalmatica Benth, respectively. Thirty-four compounds were identified in the oil of M. dalmatica representing 98.7% of total oil composition, while in the oil of M. thymifolia, 21 were identified representing 78.2% of total oil composition. The major compounds in the oil of M. thymifolia included pulegone (50.4%), piperitenone (10.3%) and piperitenone oxide (4.3%), while the oil of M. dalmatica was rich in pulegone (26.7%), piperitenone (21.8%) and piperitenone oxide (25.4%). Fifty-five compounds were characterized in the oil of S. cuneifolia, representing 92.1% of total oil composition. Linalool (19.9%) and a-pinene (12.3%) were found to be the dominant compounds. Antimicrobial activity was noticed in all examined oils with MIC values ranging from 5.6–54 mg/mL. The most active was the oil of S. cuneifolia, which completely inhibited the growth of mostly all tested microorganisms at the lowest supplied concentration. Glandular trichomes (both peltate and capitate) and nonglandular, uniseriate, simple hairs were distributed on abaxial and adaxial surface of the leaves, calyces and stem in all examined species.