Characterization of the Essential Oil Volatiles of Satureja thymbra and Satureja parnassica:  Influence of Harvesting Time and Antimicrobial Activity

Abstract

Seasonal variation in chemical composition of essential oils obtained from Satureja parnassica subsp. parnassica Heldr. & Sart ex Boiss. and Satureja thymbra L. was determined by GC and GC-MS analysis. The in vitro antibacterial activities of these essential oils were evaluated at two different initial levels against two common foodborne bacteria. Their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and noninhibitory concentration (NIC) values were determined via an innovative automated technique, which was applied on a Malthus apparatus combining the conductance measurements with the common dilution method. The essential oil concentration fluctuated greatly during the period examined and established that the Satureja oils obtained during the flowering period were the most potent, exhibiting the lowest MIC values and retaining remarkable bactericidal properties. Thus, they represent an inexpensive source of natural antibacterial substances that exhibit potential for use in food systems to prevent the growth of foodborne bacteria and to extend the shelf life of the processed food.

Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Properties of the Essential Oils of Satureja thymbra and Satureja parnassica and their Major Constituents

“…Essential oils of S. thymbra and S. parnassica originated from plants that were harvested after their flowering season and were extracted as described in the study by Chorianopoulos et al (4). The main components of the oils is presented in Table I.…”

“…Moreover, thymol and carvacrol, together with their biosynthetic precursors, p-cymene and γ-terpinene, comprise more than 70% of the oil (3,4).…”

Essential Oils of Satureja Species: Insecticidal Effect on Culex pipiens Larvae (Diptera: Culicidae)

“…p. biotype molestus; b) the oils of SM and ST were the most potent and their activity is superior when compared to previously reported results concerning other natural means [32]; c) the chemical composition of the essential oil varies depending on plant's vegetative stage. In this regard it must be pointed out that carvacrol constitute the major component during the flowering period, while thymol prevailed before and after flowering [33]. Since carvacrol constitute the most active component, the collection period affects greatly the larvicidal activity.…”

“…The fresh plant material was collected in the summer of 2004 from various mountain sites in Greece. All plants were collected around their full flowering vegetative stage, which is richest in secondary metabolite content [33]. Full collection details are provided in Table 1.…”

Anti-asthmatic activities of Cypress oil in a mouse model of allergic asthma

“…에센셜 오일은 전통적으로 민간에서 그 효능이 입증 되어 오다가 근래 양약의 부작용에 대한 우려로 안전한 대체제나 보조제에 대한 관심이 높아지면서 항염증 [9], 항균 [10], 항바이러스 [11], 항암작용 [12] Penh was measured in a Buxco box, as previously described. Data are presented as means ± SE from 6 individual mice in each group.…”