Comparative Study on the Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Grecian Juniper (Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb) Unripe and Ripe Galbuli

Abstract

Grecian juniper (Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb.) is an evergreen tree and a rare plant found in very few locations in southern Bulgaria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical content and antioxidant potential of J. excelsa unripe and ripe galbuli from three different locations in Bulgaria. The essential oil content ranged between 1.9% and 5.1%, while the lipid fraction yield was between 4.5% and 9.1%. The content of total chlorophyll was 185.4–273.4 μg/g dw. The total carotenoid content ranged between 41.7 and 50.4 μg/g dw of ripe galbuli, and protein content was between 13.6% and 16.4%. Histidine (5.5 and 8.0 mg/g content range) and lysine (4.0 and 6.1 mg/g) were the major essential amino acids. The antioxidant potential of the 95% and 70% ethanol extracts was analyzed using four different methods. A positive correlation between the antioxidant potential and phenolic content of the galbuli was found. The results obtained in this study demonstrated the differences in phytochemical composition and antioxidant capacity of J. excelsa galbuli as a function of maturity stage and collection locality.

Sex‐Related Differences on Chemical Composition, Anatomy, Histochemistry, and Biological Activities of Juniperus rigida

“…Besides, catechin and ellagic acid were significantly higher in Fugu than Yijun, podophyllotoxin were significantly higher in Yijun than Fugu, and formononetin were not detected in Fugu. This is consistent with the previous studies that the sampling sites can affects phenols [14,23] …”

Cone and seed characteristics of Juniperus excelsa (M. bieb) in Balochistan province, Pakistan

“…Despite week natural regeneration capacity, higher number of unhealthy plants, slow growth rate, low vegetation cover, mature and over mature prevalence, the main concerns are due to human disturbances. The current study recommends initiation of long-term management and conservation programs in the area to avoid any further damage[8][9][10][11].ConclusionThe present study conducted to study cone and seed characteristics of J. excelsa concluded that the aspects (facing direction) did not play any substantial role in determining cone diameter, cone weight, seed weight, and seed characteristics of J. excelsa. A positive correlation was observed between cone diameter and cone weight, cone diameter and number of seeds per cone.…”

Chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb. leaves from Türkiye

“…The genus Juniperus (Cupressaceae) includes more than 60 species common in the northern hemisphere, primarily including North America, Europe, and Asia [Stankov et al 2020]. One of these species Juniperus excelsa, belonging to the family Cupressaceae, locally known as "boyluardıç" are traditionally important because of its use in folk medicine to treat abdominal spasm, asthma, diarrhea, fever, headache, gonorrhea, leucorrhoea, and is considered useful as an antihypertensive, appetizer, diuretic, carminative, stimulant, anticonvulsant [Khan et al 2012], and used for flavor and organoleptic development and food preservatives [Gülser et al 2012].…”