Botanic Garden as a Factory of Molecules: Myrtus communis L. subsp. communis as a Case Study

Abstract

A novel perception of botanic gardens as complex “factories of molecules” (Lombardy Region Project–Lr. 25/2016, year 2021), that mediate plant–environment interactions, and are the basis of their utility for humans, is presented. The core-topic is the medicinal plant heritage of the Ghirardi Botanic Garden (Toscolano Maderno, Brescia, Italy) of the University of Milan. In this work, we studied Myrtus communis L. subsp. communis (Myrtaceae) at multiple scale levels: macro- and micromorphological, with special emphasis on the secretory structures responsible for the production of secondary metabolites; phytochemical, with the analysis of the essential oil (EO) composition from leaves (fresh, dried, stored at −20 °C and at −80 °C) and fruits over two consecutive years (2018 and 2019); bio-ecological, with a focus, based on literature data, on the ecology and biological activity of the main EO components. The occurrence of secretory cavities producing terpenes, along with flavonoids, was proven. A high level of chemical variability across the obtained EO profiles emerged, especially that concerning quantitative data. However, regardless of the different conservation procedures, the examined plant part, or the phenological stage, we detected the presence of three ubiquitous compounds: α-pinene, 1,8-cineole, and linalool. The overall results will serve to enrich the Ghirardi Botanic Garden with novel labeling showing accurate and updated scientific information in an Open science perspective.

Achillea moschata Wulfen: From Ethnobotany to Phytochemistry, Morphology, and Biological Activity

“…For SEM observations, small segments of the examined samples were F.A.A.-fixed for 7 days, dehydrated with ascending ethanol series up to absolute, critical-point dried, mounted on aluminum stubs, and carbon gold-coated [ 53 ]. Observations were performed under a Zeiss ® EVO MA15 SEM (Oberkochen, Germany) operating at 10 kV at the Interdepartmental Center for Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis Services (M.E.M.A.)…”

<strong><em></em></strong><em>Myrtus Communis </em>Leaves; Source of Bioactives, Traditional Use and Their Biological Properties

“…comminis from Iran origin is rich in α-pinene (27.87%), 1,8-cineole (20.15%) and linalool (10.26%) (29). M. comunis L is a factory of molecules, regardless of the plant part or the phenological stage three ubiquitous compounds α -pinene, 1,8-cineole, and linalool are found in M. communis grown in Ghirardi Botanic Garden, of the University of Milan Italy (30).…”

Essential Oils in the Treatment of Various Types of Acne—A Review

“…The quantity and quality of MCLO depend on geographical origin and harvest time, but genotype may also play a role in the chemical variability ( Table 3 ). The oil from the leaves harvested in March contained more α-pinene and linalool and less 1,8-cineole than in October [ 53 ]. MCLO of plants growing in various regions of Iran contains mainly: α-pinene, 1,8-cineole, linalool, and α-terpineol, with eugenol, δ-3-carene, 1,8-cineole, and α-terpineol [ 54 ].…”

“…The essential oil content of myrtle fruit is relatively low compared to the yield obtained from this plant’s leaves or flowers. The fruit oil is obtained with a yield of 0.10–0.59% [ 53 , 58 ] and contains mainly geranyl acetate, a compound with a floral or fruity rose aroma, as well as: 1,8-cineole, α-terpinyl acetate, methyleugenol, linalool, α-terpineol, β-caryophyllene, α-humulene, trans-caryophyllene oxide and humulene II epoxide [ 58 ]. Giuliani et al [ 53 ] showed an almost twice as high content of α-pinene and 1,8-cineole and a smaller amount of α-terpineol in the oil obtained from fruits harvested in October than in July.…”