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This study aimed to determine the chemical compositions and the biological activity of coriander and lavender and their combinations. Results showed that coriander and lavender essential oils (EOs) were dominated by oxygenated monoterpenes (79.91-91.89%) owing to the predominance of linalool (25.83-86.63%). Lavender EO had the potent antioxidant (IC50DPPH = 48.53 µg/ml and IC50ABTS = 195.84 µg/ml), anticancer (IP = 54.07%) and anti-inflammatory (IC50 = 64.73 µg/ml) capacities while C. sativum EO was the most effective antidiabetic agent (IC50 = 643.57 µg/ml). The combination of coriander and lavender EOs had enhanced the antiradical ABTS (IC50 = 048.53-187.34 µg/ml) and anti-inflammatory (IC50 = 40.90-60.10 µg/ml) activities. Neutral interaction was detected between coriander and lavender EOs for antiradical DPPH (IC50 = 58.89-82.26 µg/ml) and antidiabetic (IC50 = 690.64-756.94 µg/ml) activities. However, an antagonist effect was produced between coriander and lavender EOs against HT-29 (IP = 11.13-21.52%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to characterize the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the oil and the methanolic extract of Myrtus communis var. baetica seed. The oil yield of myrtle seed was 8.90%, with the amount of neutral lipid, especially triacylglycerol, being the highest, followed by phospholipids and glycolipids. Total lipids and all lipid classes were rich in linoleic acid. The content of total phenols, flavonoids, tannins, and proan-thocyanidins of the methanolic extract and the oil from myrtle seed was determined using spectrophotometric methods. Antioxidant activities of the oil and the methanolic extract from myrtle seed were evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging, β-caroteneelinoleic acid bleaching, and reducing power and metal chelating activity assays. In all tests, the methanolic extract of myrtle seed showed better antioxidant activity than oil. This investigation could suggest the use of myrtle seed in food, industrial, and biomedical applications for its potential metabolites and antioxidant abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Essential oils (EOs) obtained by hydrodistillation of the dried aerial parts of two horehound species: Marrubium vulgare L. and endemic Marrubium aschersonii Magnus (family Lamiaceae), were investigated by GC and GC-MS. Thirty five components and thirty seven components were identified respectively in EO of M. vulgare and that of M. aschersonii, They accounted for 74.6% and 79.5% of the whole oils. Both EOs were characterized by high amounts of sesquiterpenes (50.5% and 37.7%). β-bisabolene (28.3%), β- caryophyllene (7.8%), (E)-β-farnesene (7.4%) and 1,8-cineole (4.8%) were the major constituents of M. vulgare oil, while β-bisabolene (22.0%), a-thujene (10.3%), eugenol (10.1%), a-humulene (6.2%) were the major constituents of M. aschersonii oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to examine the essential oil composition, phenolic contents and antioxidant activity of the essential oils and methanol extracts from two coriander fruit samples, the first from Tunisia (Tn) and the second from Canada (Can). The highest essential oil yield was observed for Can with 0.44% (w/w) and 0.37% (w/w) for Tn. Forty-five compounds were identified in the essential oils and the main compound of both samples was linalool. The total phenol contents varied between two coriander fruit samples; Can sample presented high polyphenol contents (15.16 mg GAE/g) compared with Tn one (12.10 mg GAE/g). Significant differences were also found in total tannin contents among representing 0.7 mg GAE/g in Can and 0.34 mg GAE/g in Tn. The highest contents of total flavonoids were observed in Can sample with 13.2 mg CE/g. Antioxidants of essential oils and methanolic extracts of these fruit samples were evaluated by using DPPH radical scavenging, β-carotene-linoleic acid bleaching and reducing power activity assays. In all tests, methanolic extracts of coriander fruits showed better antioxidant activity than essential oils. DPPH scavenging ability of methanolic extracts of two fruits was higher than that of synthetic antioxidant BHT (IC50 = 25 µg/mL). Both extracts and essential oils had lower β-carotene bleaching activity than BHA and BHT and had lower reducing power than ascorbic acid (EC50 = 40 µg/mL). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The effect of six different drying methods on the content and chemical composition of the essential oil of Laurus nobilis L. leaves was studied. The essential oils from fresh and dried samples were isolated by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger apparatus and analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Results showed that air drying at ambient temperature and infrared drying at 45°C increased significantly the essential oil content. Forty-seven components were determined in essential oils, which were mostly oxygenated monoterpenes. This class of compounds is not significantly affected by the method of drying except for air drying at ambient temperature. The main components 1,8-cineole, methyl eugenol, terpinen-4-ol, linalool and eugenol showed significant variations with drying methods. The concentrations of these compounds increased significantly in the case of air drying at ambient temperature. These results allowed considering this method of drying as the method that produced the best results in terms of essential oil and bioactive compounds contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The essential oil and fatty acid composition of two provenances of Ruta chalepensis from four organs (leaves, flowers, stems and fruits) was determined. The effect of the plant part on total fatty acid contents, essential oil yields, fatty acid and volatile constituents was significant. Fatty acid profiles varied significantly among the studied provenances and organs. Linolenic acid had the highest amount in leaves of the two provenances. From R. chalepensis, in all organs, the main fatty acids were palmitic (13.10–25.31%), followed by palmitoleic (0–15.72%), stearic (1.03–6.85%), oleic (1.90–24.04%), arachidic (0.11–4.03%), eicosatetraenoic (0.10–5.60%) and behenic (0.47–6.09%) acids. Saturated fatty acids had the highest amounts in growing wild R. chalepensis flowers, and cultivated R. chalepensis stems were characterized by the predominance of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Oil composition of all studied organs has a healthy and nutritionally value. Essential oil yields varied from 0.39% to 2.46% and showed a remarkable variation with plant organs. Thirty-six volatile compounds were identified in different analyzed essential oils; 2-undecanone, 2-nonanol and 2-dodecanone had the highest percentages. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Corn oil was submitted to dynamic headspace to eliminate volatile compounds remained after refining process. The optimization of extraction parameters leads to an important deodorization after 4h of extraction with residual aroma content of about 0.901μg/ml of deodorized corn oil. Different peel quantities and different incubation times were used during this experiment while oil volume, incubator temperature and shaking speed were hold constant. Essential oil components retained in corn oil were mainly represented by monoterpene hydrocarbons and limonene was the major one (ranging from 92.57% to 96.11%). Samples containing 15g of Citrus peel and incubated for 1h, showed the highest total volatiles with 2.4mg/ml and limonene represented 2.3mg/ml. Fatty acid analysis showed that aromatization did not affect fatty acid composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: High amounts of neutral lipids (NL) were found (95.65% of total lipids) in whole fruit oil, while glycolipids (GLs) occurred at high levels in pericarp oil (73.21% of total lipids). Triacylglycerol was found to be the principal lipid fraction of NL which formed 93% in seed and whole fruit. However, monoacylglycerol constituted the major fraction of NL in pericarp (34.5%). At least two GLs and five phospholipids (PL) were identified. The GL composition of the pericarp is characterized by monogalactosylacylglycerol as the major fraction with a percentage of 53.39% of total lipids. The major individual PL subclasses were phosphatidylcholine followed by phosphatidylethanolamine in seed and whole fruit. However, the PL were not detected in pericarp oil. The principal fatty acids identified in most lipid classes were petroselinic acid (C18:1n −12), linoleic acid (C18:2n −6), palmitic (C16:0) and oleic acid (C18:1n −9). The total tocopherol and tocotrienol (tocol) contents were 27.78mg/100g oil in whole fruit, 26.42mg/100g oil in seed and 5.36mg/100g oil in pericarp. Fruit and seed oils were characterized by a high amount of γ-tocotrienol with 19.56mg/100g oil. However, α-tocopherol (1.82mg/100g oil) was found to be the tocol marker in pericarp oils. The results are important as an indication of the potentially economical utility of Coriandrum sativum L. seed oil as a new source of PL. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Myrtus communis var. italica leaves, fruits and stems were gathered from North Tunisia in order to investigate their essential oils during a one-year vegetative cycle by GC-FID and GC/MS. The yield and composition of myrtle oils were found to depend on the organ type and on the harvest period. The oil yield varied from 0.14-0.61% for the leaves, 0.003-0.11% for the fruits, and 0.001-0.06% for the stems. Forty-eight compounds were identified in leaf oils; α-pinene (28.3-58.0%), 1,8-cineole (12.7-30.7%), linalool (2.4-21.5%) and limonene (0.1-13.3%) were the main components. In the fruit oils, 46 compounds were identified with 1,8-cineole (7.3-44.9%), geranyl acetate (1.8-20.5%), linalool (0.7-18.9%) and α-pinene (1.2-12.6%) being the main compounds. Only 40 components were identified in stem oils, which were rich in 1,8-cineole (21.0-52.4%), linalool (3.1-18.4%) and α-pinene (1.5-16.1%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Seed, pericarp and whole berry of Myrtus communis var. italica were compared in terms of oils, glycerolipid classes and fatty acids. The fruit is composed of pericarp and approximately 9 seeds which constituted 63.5 and 36.5% of the whole ripe fruit, respectively. The latter presented a weight of 8.8g% fruits while seed had only 0.5g% seeds. The moisture contents were 80.1% in pericarp, 72% in whole fruit and 39.7% in seed. The oil yield of seed (11.7%) was significantly higher than that of whole fruit (5.9%) and pericarp (2.1%). Total lipid amounts were 61.26mg/g in seed, 28.97mg/g in whole fruit and 4.14mg/g in pericarp. The amounts of polar glycerolipids were lower than those of neutral glycerolipids in all samples. Triacylglycerol constituted the main neutral glycerolipid with 57.47mg/g in seed, 25.68mg/g in whole fruit and 1.67mg/g in pericarp. The predominant fatty acids of total lipids and different glycerolipid classes were linoleic, palmitic, oleic and α-linolenic acids in all samples but with different proportions. Whole fruit, seed and pericarp provided low yields of oil but they were a rich source of essential fatty acids which will be important as an indication of the potentially nutraceutical and industrial utility of myrtle fruit. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of seed Borago officinalis essential oil (EO) revealed the presence of 16 volatile components. β-Caryophyllene (26%) and p-cymene-8-ol (19.7%) represented the major components, while nonadecane (0.7%) and hexanol (0.7%) were the minor ones. The EO composition was characterized by higher abundance of oxygenated monoterpenes (27.7%), followed by sesquiterpenes (26%). Fatty acid composition showed the predominance of linoleic (35.4%), oleic (24.2%) and γ-linolenic (20.4%) acids. Polyphenols were analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography after acid hydrolysis of phenolic acid esters. Six phenolic acids were identified in seed extract and rosmarinic acid was the predominant one with 1.65 mg/g dry matter weight equivalent to 33% of total phenolic acids. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Borage ( Borago officinalis L.) is of great interest because of its medicinal and nutritional properties. In fact, thanks to its characteristic composition in fatty acids, particularly high levels of gamma-linolenic acid in its seed oil, borage has gained importance. The potent consumers of this medicinal plant are hypertensive and hypercholesterolemic people. Borage consumption is also recommended for people suffering from rheumatism and eczema. Unfortunately, the knowledge about antioxidative/antiradical properties of borage is very scanty. So, recently, an extensive investigation was focused on the antioxidant properties of borage extracts. These extracts showed excellent antioxidant properties and their effects were attributed to their phenolic constituents. These antioxidants can be concentrated, either as crude extracts or individual phenolic compounds, to be used in highly unsaturated oils such as marine oils. Furthermore, borage consumption has been reported as a possible gastric cancer protective factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the variability of antioxidant and antibacterial activities of essential oil (EO) from geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) aerial parts, collected from four Tunisian regions. The highest EO yield was obtained in Korba, followed by Beja, Tozeur and Sfax. In all regions, geranium EO was rich in oxygenated monoterpenes mainly due to the predominance of citronellol and geraniol. Antioxidant potential of geranium EO was evaluated by DPPH, ABTS, iron reducing power and β-carotene bleaching assays. Independently of region, geranium EO showed a weak antioxidant potential as compared to the positive control BHT. However, geranium EO was endowed with important antibacterial properties. In fact, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were the most sensitive strains than Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus hirae. These findings suggested that geranium EO could be used as new and rich potential sources of many future multipurpose products for food preservation, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aggregation and deposition of misfolded β-amyloid peptide (Aβ 42 ) is a consistent pathological hallmark of Alzheimer Disease (AD). Mounting pieces of evidence indicate that the auto-assembly of Aß 42 into toxic oligomers and fibrillar aggregates is a multi-steps process that causes an increase of ROS (Reactive oxygen species) level, disruption of calcium homeostasis and altered membrane integrity leading to neuronal death. Oxidation is thought to promote Aß 42 aggregation, so the use of natural dietary antioxidants that can interfere or inhibit Aß aggregation and its cytotoxicity is a promising approach. In this study, we investigate a panel of extracts from eight Tunisian medicinal plants for their ability to counteract amyloid aggregation. A screening assay was developed to identify and to rank extracts that hinder Aβ aggregation. Thus, we report that secondary metabolites extracted from Lawsonia inermis L., Punica granatum L. and Pistacia lentiscus L. hinder Aβ 42 aggregation during the early secondary structure transitions to amyloid by inhibiting the conformational changes to a β sheet-rich structure, thus inhibiting its polymerization and fibrillogenisis. Cellular study allowed us to select the extract of L. inermis as the most bioactive extract; we showed that the extract of L . inermis reduces the toxicity, ROS and calcium levels induced by Aß 42 aggregates. FRET analysis confirmed the ability of the extract of L. inermis to inhibit the interaction between Aβ 42 aggregates and plasma membrane, thus reducing their cytotoxicity. These results suggested that methanolic extract from L. inermis could act as neuroprotective and therapeutic factors against toxic Aβ aggregates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The leaf essential oil yields of clementine, cypress, rosemary, tea, and thyme were 0.22, 0.87, 1.46, 1.20, and 0.72%, respectively, based on the dry weight of the plant material. The leaf essential oils of rosemary, tea, and thyme contained the highest levels of oxygenated monoterpenes (60.14-91.70%). Rosemary and tea leaf essential oils were rich in 1,8-cineole (49.98% and 57.55%, respectively), and they have potent antifungal activity against Alternaria alternata strain (MIC = 5000 μg/ml). Thyme was rich in carvacrol (78.54%) and had a MIC of 6000 μg/ml against A. alternata strain. Clementine leaf essential oil was characterized by the predominance of monoterpene hydrocarbons (88.65%), and it possessed a weak antifungal activity against A. alternata (MIC = 8000 μg/ml). Cypress leaf essential oil was characterized by the predominance of oxygenated sesquiterpenes (60.67%), having an antifungal activity of 8000 μg/ml. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the present investigation, seed methanolic extracts of three Vitis vinifera (Muscat d’Italie, Syrah and Carignan) were assayed for their antioxidant activities. Results showed that there are strong variations in the contents of total phenols (440.97–121.94mg GAEg−1 DW), flavonoids (48.07–16.81mgECg−1 DW) and tanins (37.15–14.9mg ECg−1 DW) from the studied seeds. The phenolic composition of these extracts was determined by RP–HPLC after acid hydrolysis. The main phenolic compound was quercetin with 27.2% in Muscat d’Italie, 48.8% in Syrah and 28.4% in Carignan. Besides, all seed extracts showed remarkable DPPH radical scavenging activity with IC50 values ranged from 1.8 to 30μgml−1. EC50 values of reducing power activity ranged from 100 to 120μgml−1. The high phenolic content and the considerable antioxidant activities of vitis seed extracts could potentially be considered as an expensive source of natural antioxidants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the replacement aspects of conventional methods (petroleum-based solvent and Folch assay) by alternative methods (bio-based and biodegradable solvent 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (MeTHF) and supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2)) for seed oil extraction from anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.). Results showed that the highest oil yield of aniseeds was obtained by using Folch (24.07%) and MeTHF (23.65%) extraction methods whereas fennel seeds had 20.02% and 18.72%, respectively. Fatty acid composition of both seed oils obtained by the two green extraction methods was similar to the conventional ones with the predominance of petroselinic acid (54.22–61.25% in fennel and 42.39–48.97% in anise). Besides, SC-CO2 method allowed to obtain the maximum of sterol content in anise (3.85 mg/g of oil) and fennel (4.64 mg/g of oil) seed oils. Furthermore, anise and fennel seed oils extracted with MeTHF method significantly showed higher total phenolic content (2.43 and 1.32 mg GA/g oil, respectively), stronger antioxidant activity (9.23 and 5.04 μmol TEAC/g oil, respectively), and oxidative stability (8.23 and 10.15 h, respectively) than the other methods (p < 0.05). In conclusion, MeTHF appeared to be a good substitute to petroleum solvents for recovery of high oil quality from Pimpinella anisum and Foeniculum vulgare seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triterpenoids, tocopherols, and phytosterols presented in unsaponifiable fraction of grape seed oil have several beneficial effects comprising antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and antitumor capacities. In this study, the unsaponifiable fraction of three Tunisian grape seed varieties (Vitis vinifera L.), namely Merlot, Carignan, and Syrah, was investigated. The identified compounds were two triterpenic compounds (β‐amyrin, lanosterol), six phytosterols (campesterol, ∆7‐avenasterol, stigmasterol, β‐sitosterol, β‐sitostanol, cholesterol), and three tocopherols (α, β, and γ tocopherols). The unsaponifiable fraction had significant protection against oxidative damage by modulating NO production and antioxidant activity. Statistical analysis showed the presence of three clusters of varieties associated to specific composition patterns. These results clearly demonstrated that unsaponifiable fraction profiles of grape species could be considered as a complementary data to the existing taxonomic evidence and classification purposes. Practical applications: Recently, much attention has been focused to substitute artificial antioxidant by others originating from natural products as plant matrices. The unsaponifiable fraction of grape seed oils is an interesting source of bioactive components like phytosterols, tocopherols, triterpenoids, and other various components. These components are known for their antitumor, anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant capacities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to examine the effect of provenance on the phytochemical and antioxidant properties of essential oil and methanolic extract from Tunisian and French fennel seeds (FFS). Analysis of the essential oil showed that although the same main compounds were found in Tunisian and FFS cultivars, some differences were present in their proportions allowing to classify them in two chemotypes. The first class was composed by trans‐anethole (63.41%–78.26%) for Tunisian cultivars and the second one by estragole (44.72%–88.92%) for French cultivars. The phenolic composition of all fennel seed extracts was characterized by its richness in quinic acid, 4‐O‐caffeoylquinic acid, p‐coumaric acid, and 4‐O‐caffeoylquinic acid. All fennel seed extracts showed a better antioxidant potential than their essential oils depending on the origin. Principal component analysis showed a dispersion of the cultivars on three groups depending on the chemotype diversity. Practical applications: Recently, much attention has been focused on fennel due to the nutritional and health‐protective value of their seeds. Several studies have highlighted the importance of fennel seed extracts and essential oils as key ingredients rich in bioactive compounds serving in formulation of new functional food products. This investigation designed to examine the effect of provenance on phytochemical and antioxidant potentials of Tunisian and French fennel seed extracts and essential oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The variation in the content and composition of Origanum majorana L. essential oil has been studied. Plant material has been harvested at four phenological stages (early vegetative, late vegetative, budding and full-flowering). Essential oil yield varied from 0.04 to 0.09% reached during the full-flowering stage. Analysis of the essential oils by GC and GC/MS revealed the presence of 38 components represented mainly by oxygenated monoterpenes (64.01–71.4%), monoterpene hydrocarbons (21.73–29.92%) and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (1.47–4.05%). The main components were terpinen-4-ol (29.13–32.57%), cis-sabinene hydrate (19.9–29.27%), trans-sabinene hydrate (3.5–11.61%), γ-terpinene (2.11–8.20%), bornyl acetate (1.52–2.94%) and linalool (1.05–1.39%). On the other hand, phenolic contents varied from 2.706 to 6.834mg/g of dry weight obtained during the later vegetative stage. RP-HPLC analysis of the methanolic extract of O. majorana L. dried aerial parts showed the predominance of phenolic acids during the early vegetative stage whereas flavonoids predominate during the other stages of growth. The main phenolic acids identified were trans-2-hydroxycinnamic, rosmarinic, vanillic, chlorogenic, gallic and cinnamic whereas the main flavonoids were amentoflavone, apigenin, quercetin, luteolin, coumarin and rutin. Results obtained showed that later vegetative stage is characterized by the highest contents of bioactive compounds and therefore it could be considered as the best stage for harvesting marjoram plants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]