Identification of the Volatile Components of Galium verum L. and Cruciata leavipes Opiz from the Western Italian Alps

Abstract

The chemical composition of the volatile fraction from Galium verum L. (leaves and flowers) and Cruciata laevipes Opiz (whole plant), Rubiaceae, was investigated. Samples from these two plant species were collected at full bloom in Val di Susa (Western Alps, Turin, Italy), distilled in a Clevenger-type apparatus, and analyzed by GC/FID and GC/MS. A total of more than 70 compounds were identified, making up 92%–98% of the total oil. Chemical investigation of their essential oils indicated a quite different composition between G. verum and C. laevipes, both in terms of the major constituents and the dominant chemical classes of the specialized metabolites. The most abundant compounds identified in the essential oils from G. verum were 2-methylbenzaldheyde (26.27%, corresponding to 11.59 μg/g of fresh plant material) in the leaves and germacrene D (27.70%; 61.63 μg/g) in the flowers. C. laevipes essential oils were instead characterized by two sesquiterpenes, namely β-caryophyllene (19.90%; 15.68 μg/g) and trans-muurola-4(15),5-diene (7.60%; 5.99 μg/g); two phenylpropanoids, benzyl alcohol (8.30%; 6.71 μg/g), and phenylacetaldehyde (7.74%; 6.26 μg/g); and the green-leaf alcohol cis-3-hexen-1-ol (9.69%; 7.84 μg/g). The ecological significance of the presence of such compounds is discussed.

Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Activity of Selected Estonian Galium Species

“…There were three volatile compounds, hexanal, anethole, β -caryophyllene, that were identified in all analysed samples (out of all compounds that made up more than 1.0% of total volatiles in a specific sample). According to the previous studies, these are all compounds that should be present in Galium species [ 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 ]. It has previously been proven that anethole is effective against yeast, bacterial and fungal strains [ 52 , 53 ], and caryophyllene-rich oil has been reported to have high inhibitory activity against some fungi and bacteria [ 54 ].…”

“…In addition to non-volatile compounds, volatile phytochemicals are also known to possess many favourable biological activities, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects [ 41 , 42 ]. There are a few studies on the comparison of chemical volatile profiles of Galium species [ 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 ]. Ciotlaus et al analysed volatile compounds in Galium verum by SPME-GC-MS method using Carboxen/PDMS fibre coating and compared fresh and dried plant material [ 43 ].…”

Antioxidants from Galium verum as Ingredients for the Design of New Dermatocosmetic Products

“…There are detailed research showing a complex and rich content of phytochemicals in flowers and leaves of Galium verum , with the highest total phenolic and flavonoid composition, alongside G. purpureum . The major constituents identified belong to iridoid glycosides terpenes, phenolic acids, flavonoids, polysaccharide complex, aldehydes, alcohols, anthraquinones, acids, small amounts of tannins, saponines, waxes, pigments, vitamin C and essential oils [ 1 , 5 , 6 , 9 , 10 ].…”

Recent Updates Regarding the Antiproliferative Activity of Galium verum Extracts on A375 Human Malignant Melanoma Cell Line

“…Still, the most known is Galium verum L. (a species with yellow flowers), known also as lady's bedstraw or yellow bedstraw and called sânziana in Romanian folklore [33]. This species has been used for many years in food manufacturing and folk medicine, being a rich source of bioactive phytocompounds such as iridoid glycosides, terpenes, monoterpene glycosides, phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, essential oils, and vitamin C [34][35][36][37][38][39]. With regard to food manufacturing, the Galium verum L. flowers were used for cheese production, as they cause milk coagulation [40].…”