Comparative Analysis of Chemical Profile and Biological Activity of Juniperus communis L. Berry Extracts

Abstract

Researchers are looking for the most effective ways to extract the bioactive substances of Juniperus communis L. berries, which are capable of displaying the greatest range of biological activity, namely antimicrobial potential “against phytopathogens”, antioxidant activity and nematocidal activity. This study provides detailed information on the chemical activity, group composition and biological activity of the extracts of juniper berries of 1- and 2-year maturity (JB1 and JB2), which were obtained by using different solvents (pentane, chloroform, acetone, methanol and 70% ethanol) under various extraction conditions (maceration and ultrasound-assisted maceration (US)). Seventy percent ethanol and acetone extracts of juniper berries were analyzed via gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and they contained monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, polysaccharides, steroids, fatty acid esters and bicyclic monoterpenes. The antimicrobial activity was higher in the berries of 1-year maturity, while the acetone extract obtained via ultrasound-assisted maceration was the most bioactive in relation to the phytopathogens. Depending on the extraction method and the choice of solvent, the antioxidant activity with the use of US decreased by 1.5–1.9 times compared to the extracts obtained via maceration. An analysis of the nematocidal activity showed that the sensitivity to the action of extracts in Caenorhabditis elegans was significantly higher than in Caenorhabditis briggsae, particularly for the acetone extract obtained from the juniper berries of 1-year maturity.

Phytochemical Characterization and Antibacterial Activity of Albanian Juniperus communis and Juniperus oxycedrus Berries and Needle Leaves Extracts

“…Belov et al [ 14 ] reported an extraction yield of 8.79 ± 0.15% from the ethanolic ultrasound-assisted maceration of J. communis berries. Additionally, Meringolo et al [ 30 ] used the methanolic extraction of J. macrocarpa and J. oxycedrus needle leaves and reported an extraction yield of 10.4% and 10.8%, respectively.…”

“…The ethanolic extracts of J. communis berries collected in Slovakia, for 3 years showed a total phenolic content varying between 6.87 ± 0.47–42.23 ± 2.62 GAE mg/g DM (dry matter) [ 33 ]. Belov et al [ 14 ] reported for J. communis berries, from the first and the second year of maturation, total phenolic content of 44.31 ± 0.33 mg GAE/g DE (dry extract), and 10.84 ± 0.15 mg GAE/g DE, respectively, and total flavonoid content of 40.33 ± 0.33 mg QE/g DE and 9.37 ± 0.37 mg QE/g dry extract, respectively. Methanolic extracts of J. oxycedrus needle leaves and berries collected in Morocco have shown a TPC of 292.52 ± 11.68 mg GAE/g DW and 131.48 ± 4.58 mg GAE/g DW, respectively, and TFC of 54.58 ± 2.98 mg QE/g DW and 8.28 ± 0.74 mg QE/g DW [ 34 ].…”

“…Ethanol is one of the most used solvents to extract bioactive compounds from plant material. Therefore, the leaves were extracted using ethanol 70% ( v / v ) [ 14 ], while, for the berries, an organic acid like acetic acid (considered safe for consumption) was added to modify the polarity of ethanol, expanding the range of the extracted compounds and protecting sensitive photochemical compounds from oxidation [ 15 ]. The extraction solution applied to berries consisted of a mixture of ethanol 70% ( v / v ) and acetic acid (9:1 v / v ).…”

Exploration of New Lipid Nutrients and Their Characterization in Herbal Teas Using Non-Targeted Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

“…The high-resolution mass spectra (HRMS) and the MS/MS spectra of the two identified FAHFA lipids are shown in Figure 6B The results of this analysis will provide valuable insights into the bioactive properties and industrial applications of these herbal teas in food production. Fennel, ginger, and juniper are commonly used as spices in the kitchen and have been shown to possess various biological effects [2,5,15]. Similarly, lemon peel, orange peel, and rosehip are used as foods and dietary supplements for both animals and humans [25,31].…”

“…Previously, the lipid metabolites detected in ginger were lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs), including LPC 16:0, LPC 18:1, LPC 18:2, and LPC 18:3, as determined using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and targeted/non-targeted analysis using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) [ 14 ]. Juniper, an evergreen shrub, grows in forests, especially in Western and Eastern Siberia and in Europe, and has a wide range of biological activities and industrial applications [ 15 ]. It is recognized as a traditional medicine with diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, analgesic, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties [ 16 ].…”