Seasonal and Phenological Variations of the Essential Oil from the Narrow Endemic Species Artemisia molinieri and Its Biological Activities

Abstract

The volatile components of the aerial parts of Artemisia molinieri, an endemic wormwood of southern France, were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Among the 69 compounds identified, major components were ascaridole (19-76%), alpha-terpinene (traces-36%), p-cymene (1-17%), 1,8-cineole (0.3-8%), and germacrene D (0.6-15%). Quantitative variations have been characterized following the season, the phenological cycle, and the aging of the plants. Bioassays have been performed on a sample of essential oil, which has shown a strong inhibition of the growth of both tested yeasts (Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. chevalieri) and minor activity on both tested Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Enterococcus hirae). The oils have shown interesting antioxidant activities on the basis of alpha-tocopherol as reference compound, up to 400-1200%.

Bioactive properties of some selected Libyan plants

“…The mode of action of natural products toward microbial infections is not fully understood but is speculated to involve membrane disruption by the lipophilic compounds (Tsuchiya et al, 1996). There are many factors such as climate, soil composition, age and vegetation cycle stage that explain the differences of antimicrobial activities of medicinal plants belonging to different regions of the world on quantity, and quality of bioactive compound and composition of extracted natural products (Masotti et al, 2003;Angioni, 2006;Noumedem et al, 2013). In addition the effect of solvent polarity used in the extraction play an important role in the amount of biologically active materials (Al-Zubaydi et al, 2009;Bakht et al, 2011;Bedi, 2010;Anmar, 2015).…”

The Fascinating History of Bergamot (Citrus Bergamia Risso & Poiteau), the Exclusive Essence of Calabria: A Review

“…Most molecules are present in traces while two to three, are often the most representative components, accounting for 20-70% of the whole oil and responsible for determining its biological activities [21]. There is a high variation in the chemical profile of essential oils depending on the extraction methods, organ used, age and vegetative stage of the plant, the time of the harvest and the soil composition [22,23]. Bergamot oil, is one of the most important perfume materials; its pleasant refreshing scent, blends into almost, any perfume composition so that, today, there is not a perfume which does not contains BEO (Bergamot Essential Oil).…”

Use of Essential Oils as Natural Food Preservatives: Effect on the Growth of Salmonella Enteritidis in Liquid Whole Eggs Stored Under Abuse Refrigerated Conditions

“…Indeed, environmental factors, such as geography, temperature, day length, and nutrients, have been examined and are thought to play a role in the chemical composition of EOs (Masotti, Juteau, Bessière, & Viano, 2003;Angioni, Barra, Coroneo, Dessi, & Cabras, 2006;Gardeli, Vassiliki, Athanasios, Kibouris, & Komaitis, 2008). These factors influence the biosynthetic pathways of the plant and, consequently, play a role in the relative proportions of the major characteristic compounds, leading to the existence of different chemotypes that distinguish EOs from different regions.…”