No abstract

These findings indicated that the quality and quantity of anise fruit essential oil components were significantly altered by application of low levels of Zn. After foliar application of Zn, polyphenolic contents as well as antioxidant activity of anise fruit increased. Using Zn fertilizer is an efficient method to improve the pharmaceutical and food properties of anise fruit. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Abstract:The leaves of Laurus nobilis were collected in the middle of four seasons (spring, summer, autumn, and winter) to determine the best harvesting time for obtaining the highest oil yield, 1,8-cineole and polyphenol content and antioxidant activity. After drying the plant materials in shade, their EOs (essential oils) were obtained by hydro-distillation method. Analysis of variance showed harvesting time had significant effect on the oil yields of L. nobilis. Seventy one components were identified in the oils of L. nobilis with 1, 8-cineole (5.7%--terpinyl acetate (3.2%-13.1%), sabinene (2.3%-12.0%), beta-elemene (0.2%-17.7%) and (E)-caryophyllene (0.2%-16.9%) as the main constituents in different seasons. The predominant phenolic constituents in L. nobilis were cinnamic acid, carvacrol, quercetin and coumarin, respectively. Gallic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, chloregenic acid, p-Comaric acid and rutin were not detected in any seasons. The best antioxidant activity was in spring (268.6 µg/mL) and the lowest one was in winter (702.1 µg/mL).

The genus Bunium comprised 14 species in Iran, two of them (B. wolfi and B. lurestanicum) are endemic. Among these species, only B. persicum is famous and used in medicinal and nutrition industries. In this research, the essential of five Iranian Bunium species, named B. lurestanicum, B. microcarpum, B. badghayzi, B. wolffi and B. carioides were studied. At first, different parts of these plants were collected from their habitats; if possible the plant parts were separated and then dried. The dried plant materials were subjected to hydro-distillation for obtaining the essential oils. The oils were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography, using flame ionization and mass spectrometric detection. Fifteen compounds were identified in the oil of leaves, flowers and fruits (seeds) of B. lurestanicum at the end of flowering stage. Germacrene D (25.1 %), Ecaryophyllene (11.6 %) and bicyclogermacrene (11.5 %) were the main components. 23 components were characterized in the oil of the leaves and flowers of B. microcarpum. Elemicine (21.7 %), germacrene D (12.7 %), (Z)-β-ocimene (12.2 %), limonene (11.8 %) and β-pinene (9.6 %) were the main constituents. 23 components were characterized in the oil of flower and seed of B. wolffi. Germacrene D (30.1 %), β-selinene (11.6 %) and β-pinene (8.1 %) were the main constituents. 16 components were characterized in the oil of the leaves and flowers of B. badghayzi. β-sesquiphellandrene (32.8 %), germacrene D (21.3 %), germacrene B (14.5 %) and E-caryophyllene (7.5 %) were the main constituents. 13 compounds were identified in the seed oil of B. carioides with β-sesquiphellandrene (24.2 %), germacrene D (13.5 %) and germacrene B (13.1 %) as main components.