Biomolecular Characterization of Wild Sicilian Oregano: Phytochemical Screening of Essential Oils and Extracts, and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant Activities

Abstract

An extensive survey of wild Sicilian oregano was made. A total of 57 samples were collected from various sites, followed by taxonomic characterization from an agronomic perspective. Based on morphological and production characteristics obtained from the 57 samples, cluster analysis was used to divide the samples into homogeneous groups, to identify the best biotypes. All samples were analyzed for their phytochemical content, applying a cascade-extraction protocol and hydrodistillation, to obtain the non volatile components and the essential oils, respectively. The extracts contained thirteen polyphenol derivatives, i.e., four flavanones, seven flavones, and two organic acids. Their qualitative and quantitative characterization was carried out by LC/MS analyses. The essential oils were characterized using a combination of GC-FID and GC/MS analyses; a total of 81 components were identified. The major components of the oils were thymol, p-cymene, and γ-terpinene. Cluster analysis was carried out on both phytochemical profiles and resulted in the division of the oregano samples into different chemical groups. The antioxidant activity of the essential oils and extracts was investigated by the Folin-Ciocalteau (FC) colorimetric assay, by UV radiation-induced peroxidation in liposomal membranes (UV-IP test), and by determining the O(2)(∙-)-scavenging activity.

Dietary effects of a mix derived from oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) essential oil and sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) wood extract on pig performance, oxidative status and pork quality traits

“…Among Mediterranean plants, the antioxidant activity of oregano (Origanum vulgare L. and other species) is well documented in in vitro trials or when the oregano is directly added to food, as an essential oil or in different formulations (Hernández-Hernández, Ponce-Alquicira, Jaramillo-Flores, & Guerrero Legarreta, 2009;Lahucky, Nuernberg, Kovac, Bucko, & Nuernberg, 2010;Rojas & Brewer, 2008;Sanchez-Escalante, Djenane, Torrescano, Beltran, & Roncales, 2003;Tanabe, Yoshida, & Tomita, 2002;Teixeira et al, 2013). These antioxidant effects are primarily exhibited due to the presence of different phenolic active compounds such as thymol and carvacrol (Bozin, Mimika-Dukic, Simin, & Anackov, 2006;Cavero et al, 2006;Kikuzaki & Nakatani, 1989;Tuttolomondo et al, 2013;Yang et al, 2007). The radical-scavenging activity of these phenolic compounds is optimal for blocking alimentary free radicals, their chain-breaking activity protects against peroxidized foods, and their iron-chelating activity defends the body from the deleterious action of free iron (Cervato et al, 2000).…”

Agronomical evaluation of Sicilian biotypes ofLavandula stoechasL. spp.stoechasand analysis of the essential oils

“…Several medicinal properties of the species are reported in the literature and pharmacopeias. Lavandula stoechas is traditionally used for its carminatives, antispasmodic, expectorating, anticonvulsant, sedative, diuretic, analgesic and antiseptic properties (3)(4)(5).…”

Wild Sicilian Rosemary: Phytochemical and Morphological Screening and Antioxidant Activity Evaluation of Extracts and Essential Oils

“…Okamura et al also isolated and characterized two acetyl-glucuronide derivatives of the flavonel uteolin (7;c ompounds with elution orders 7 and 8 in Table 5). Their presencei sk nown to be substantially characteristic for this plant [49 -51].C onversely,t he presence of flavone derivatives with several MeOg roups is quite commona mong the Lamiaceae,a sp reviously reported [4]; these particular compounds have been found of external occurrence (excretion flavonoids)a nd have therefore successfully been used in chemotaxonomic studies [52].…”