Aromatic Plant Extracts Research Articles

Anti-Quorum-Sensing Potential of Ethanolic Extracts of Aromatic Plants from the Flora of Cyprus.

Quorum sensing (QS) is a form of intra- and inter-species communication system employed by bacteria to regulate their collective behavior in a cell population-dependent manner. QS has been implicated in the virulence of several pathogenic bacteria. This work aimed to investigate the anti-QS potential of ethanolic extracts of eight aromatic plants of Cyprus, namely, Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum, Rosmarinus officinalis, Salvia officinalis, Lavendula spp., Calendula officinalis, Melissa officinalis, Sideritis cypria, and Aloysia citriodora. We initially assessed the effects of the extracts on autoinducer 2 (AI-2) signaling activity, using Vibrio harveyi BB170 as a reported strain. We subsequently assessed the effect of the ethanolic extracts on QS-related processes, including biofilm formation and the swarming and swimming motilities of Escherichia coli MG1655. Of the tested ethanolic extracts, those of Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum, Rosmarinus officinalis, and Salvia officinalis were the most potent AI-2 signaling inhibitors, while the extracts from the other plants exhibited low to moderate inhibitory activity. These three ethanolic extracts also inhibited the biofilm formation (>60%) of E. coli MG1655, as well as its swimming and swarming motilities, in a concentration-dependent manner. These extracts may be considered true anti-QS inhibitors because they disrupt QS-related activities of E. coli MG1655 without affecting bacterial growth. The results suggest that plants from the unexplored flora of Cyprus could serve as a source for identifying novel anti-QS inhibitors to treat infectious diseases caused by pathogens that are resistant to antibiotics.

Essential oils and plant extracts for tropical fruits protection: From farm to table.

The tropical fruit industry in Malaysia makes up a large proportion of the agriculture sector, contributing to the local economy. Due to their high sugar and water content, tropical fruits are prone to pathogenic infections, providing optimal microorganism growth conditions. As one of the largest exporters of these fruits globally, following other Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines, the quality control of exported goods is of great interest to farmers and entrepreneurs. Traditional methods of managing diseases in fruits depend on chemical pesticides, which have attracted much negative perception due to their questionable safety. Therefore, the use of natural products as organic pesticides has been considered a generally safer alternative. The extracts of aromatic plants, known as essential oils or plant extracts, have garnered much interest, especially in Asian regions, due to their historical use in traditional medicine. In addition, the presence of antimicrobial compounds further advocates the assessment of these extracts for use in crop disease prevention and control. Herein, we reviewed the current developments and understanding of the use of essential oils and plant extracts in crop disease management, mainly focusing on tropical fruits. Studies reviewed suggest that essential oils and plant extracts can be effective at preventing fungal and bacterial infections, as well as controlling crop disease progression at the pre and postharvest stages of the tropical fruit supply chain. Positive results from edible coatings and as juice preservatives formulated with essential oils and plant extracts also point towards the potential for commercial use in the industry as more chemically safe and environmentally friendly biopesticides.

Substantiable bioconversion of the aromatic plant extracts biomass as feed additives in broiler performance: effects and prefeasibility comparison of thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Substantiable bioconversion of the aromatic plant extracts biomass as feed additives in broiler performance: effects and prefeasibility comparison of thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of Greek medicinal and aromatic plant extracts using pulsed electric field followed by ultrasounds extraction process

The aim of this study was to evaluate an advanced water extraction method applying pulsed electric field followed by ultrasound. For this purpose, antioxidant capacity (AC) and total phenolic content (TPC) of Olea europaea L. leaves and unripe fruit, Melissa officinalis L. leaves, Cistus incanus L. ssp. creticus leaves, Vitis vinifera L. cv. “Xinomavro” leaves, marc, and fruits, Aronia melanocarpa L. fruits, Punica granatum L. peel, and Crocus sativus L. petals were analyzed. The results showed that a ratio of 1/20 g plant material/ml water, 5 min pulsed electric field and 30 min ultrasounds presented the maximum extraction efficiency. Melissa officinalis L. and Punica granatum L. had high TPC exhibiting 155 mg GAE/g DW (DW: dry weight) and 208 mg GAE/g DW, respectively, comparing to Vitis vinifera L. marc (31 mg GAE/g DW). All aqueous extracts studied, had high AC approaching 90% (except 32% in Crocus sativus L. petals and Vitis vinifera L. marc). Practical applications The beneficial use of medicinal and aromatic plants extracts in human health has been widely accepted. However, the efficiency of the process for the extraction of phenolic compounds from plants constitutes a challenge, since it is highly depended on the applied technique itself and the imposed operating conditions. In this regard, this work studies the application of a novel combined process of pulsed electric field extraction followed by ultrasounds assisted extraction for the recovery of polyphenols from selected Mediterranean plants. The evaluated process showed high extraction yields at short processing time and at moderate temperatures, which in conjunction with the use of water as a “green” extraction solvent lead to bioactive compounds stability and increased applicability of aqueous extracts.

Changes in Serum Blood Parameters in Farmed Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Fed with Diets Supplemented with Waste Derived from Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

The antimicrobial and immunostimulant proprieties of aromatic plant extracts have been widely described, but their effects on serum blood biochemistry in fish have not. For this study, we assessed the changes in serum blood biochemical parameters in rainbow trout fed with a fish diet supplemented with a basil supercritical extract (F1-BEO). Our hypothesis was that treatment and time would be associated with changes in 10 serum blood biochemical parameters. F1-BEO was added to a commercial feed (0.5, 1, 2, 3% w/w). The fish were fed for 30 days, and the blood samples were collected at 2 time points (15 and 30 days). A two-way ANOVA showed a significant effect of treatment, time, and interaction treatment × time on creatinine, urea, total protein, albumin, magnesium, and phosphorus (p < 0.05), a significant effect of both time and interaction treatment × time on cholesterol (CHOL), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) levels, and a significant effect of time on triglycerides (p < 0.05). While changes in several of the parameters were observed, the levels remained within the normal range for rainbow trout. Notably, after 30 days there was a significant decrease in CHOL in fish treated with 0.5% and 1% w/w F1-BEO (p < 0.05). The statistically non-significant increase in GOT and GPT in the fish fed with F1-BEO up to 3% w/w indicated a positive effect of basil on liver health. Our findings suggest a potential use for basil extracts (for example., F1-BEO) in fish feed to reduce antibiotic use and improve fish welfare.

Effects of aromatic plant extract mixture on laying efficiency, egg quality and antioxidant status in laying quails

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of commercial plant extract mixture added to laying quail rations on performance, egg quality, plasma antioxidant and blood biochemical parameters. In this experiment, 160 Japanese quails aged twelve weeks were equally divided into four groups of 40 (five replicates of 8 quails each). The study included a control and three treatment groups. The treatment groups were as follows: (1) 100 mg/kg aromatic plant extract mixture-group 1; (2) 150 mg/kg aromatic plant extract mixture-group 2 (3) 200 mg/kg aromatic plant extract mixture-group 3, respectively. When examined the egg parameters at the end of the study, significant differences (P<0.05) were found in the parameters of egg weight, Haugh unit (HU), albumen index, egg yolk color and eggshell thickness. Egg weight and eggshell thickness values were measured the highest (P<0.05) in group 1. HU, egg yellow color and albumen index values were found significantly higher (P<0.05) in all experimental groups compared to the control group. Significant differences (P<0.05) were determined in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) values of plasma antioxidant parameters in the study. In the study, High density lipoprotein (HDL) value, one of the blood (plasma) parameters, was found to be higher (P< 0.001) in the experimental groups. Consequently, we can say that the addition of herbal extract mixture to quail diets increases egg quality and has a positive effect on cholesterol and plasma antioxidant parameters

A Complete Review on Aromatherapy: A Complementary Alternative Medication Therapy with Recent Trend

Aromatherapy is one of the most actively growing forms of alternative medicines that use essential oils and aromatic plant compounds combining massage together with counselling and nice odour. Aromatherapy using essential oils can help to relieve stress and anxiety symptoms, which may help improve sleep indirectly. A study found aromatherapy improved both depression and anxiety in a group of post - partum women. Aromatherapy can do more than soothe your mind. Scientific studies show that aromatherapy- inhaling or absorbing aromatic plants extracts also may help soothe your body and relieve pain. Studies have shown that essential oils have an effect on brainwaves and also alter behaviour. It is possible that most of the effect of the oils is probably transmitted through the brain via the olfactory system. Used professionally and safely, aromatherapy can be of great benefit as an adjunct to conventional medicine or used simply as an alternative. Keywords: Aromatherapy, Essential oils, Alternative medicines

Studies on the Effect of Extracts of Aromatic Plants on Fungal Growth

Annotation: Article describes Bio-control of pathogenic fungi Keywords: Anti-fungal, Medicinal, Aromatic Plants

Study of the antioxidant properties of some aromatic plant extracts

In this study the effect of extraction conditions (time - temperature-type of aromatic plants-extraction method) on the antioxidant activity, pH extracts was investigated. The extraction process was carried out using water as a solvent, and also through using the ultrasonic treatment. Aromatic plants that have been used are rosemary, a mixture of herbs (black cumin+ oregano). The extracts were prepared by the solvent extraction method, and the ultrasonic treatment was under the following conditions: time - (10-20-30 min), temperature - (40-60-80°C ), then pH extracts were estimated using pH meter, and the antioxidant activity of all extracts was determined by scavenging of DPPH (1,1-diphenyl 2-picrylhydrazyl) radicals. The results have showed that the values of pH extracts increase in the use of ultrasonic treatment. Also it was revealed that the highest value of antioxidant activity (95.43 %) was when extracts were obtained from rosemary using ultrasonic treatment according to the following parameters: (60 °C, 30 min). Therefore, these conditions could be applied for further extraction for their use in the preparation of medicinal products or functional food.

Tıbbi Aromatik Bitki Ekstraktının Ahşabın Anatomik Yapısına Etkileri

In Since the beginning of history, the global world structure and medicinal aromatic plants in our country have been used in very rich areas (medical, cosmetic, food, spice, agriculture, animal husbandry, spice, paint industry, etc.). New human / environment friendly wood protective materials are being developed, thus efforts are made to create an antioxidant / antibacterial product structure in various areas such as hygienic furniture structure, children's toys, hospitals, etc. It has been reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) that the number of herbs used as medicinal and spice in the world is around 20,000. Preparing extracts from plants and using them as medicine, in China in BC. It dates back to 2700 BC. Rapid depletion of forest resources and exposure to synthetic / chemical effects in the environment in which human beings have lived pose serious threats. The anatomical properties of this material, which was aimed to create a much more organic structure by obtaining extracts (1%, 3%) of various medicinal and aromatic plants (meadow onion, chives) and bringing it into relationship with borax by double process, were examined and the scale of attachment was determined in relation to this. Due to its anatomical structure, the level of adhesion on spruce wood cross-sectional surfaces was evaluated microscopically and the net dry impregnation amount was calculated. In spruce wood, especially the passage aspiration structure is known to be among the most important elements that make it difficult to hold the material in the impregnation process.

Selected Aromatic Plants Extracts as an Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Finish for Cellulose Fabric- Direct Impregnation Method

Selected Aromatic Plants Extracts as an Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Finish for Cellulose Fabric- Direct Impregnation Method

Chemical Composition and Allelopathic Effect of Essential Oil of Litsea pungens

Natural plant resources with herbicidal activity may be substitutes for synthetic chemical pesticides, likewise aromatic plant extracts, especially essential oils. Essential oil from Litsea pungens has been proved to possess a strong antibacterial property. Interestingly, we found the essential oil also showed a strong allelopathic capacity. Therefore, in the present work, the chemical composition of the essential oil from the fruit of L. pungens was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The weed control abilities of the essential oil were also further evaluated. The results show that the yield of essential oil extracted by steam distillation was 1.4%, and 17 compounds, mainly terpenoids, were identified by GC–MS. In allelopathic tests, the essential oil exhibited a negative effect on seed germination rate and seedling growth of Lolium perenne and Bidenspilosa. Moreover, chlorophyll content, malondialdehyde content, electrolyte leakage, catalase, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase of seedlings treated with essential oil were also negatively affected. This work could provide a better understanding of the rational utilization of L. pungens essential oil for crop cultivation and further development of environment-friendly herbicides.

Oxidative stability of chia seed oil and flax seed oil and impact of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and garlic (Allium cepa L.) extracts on the prevention of lipid oxidation

Chia seed and flax seed oils are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, but are susceptible to oxidative deterioration. The aim of this study was to determine the oxidative stability of chia seed and flax seed oils and enhance the stability using rosemary or garlic extracts. During accelerated storage at 65 °C for 14 days, the antioxidant abilities of rosemary or garlic extracts were evaluated and compared with those of butylated hydroxy toluene, ascorbyl palmitate, and α-tocopherol using peroxide value, conjugated dienoic acids, free fatty acid, thiobarbituric acid value analysis. The profile of volatiles, fatty acid composition, and the tocopherol contents in the treated and/or untreated oils were also determined. Active ingredients of rosemary and garlic extracts were also determined. Rosemary extract was found to provide higher oxidative stability than garlic extract after 14 days in most assays (e.g., the CDA values of 4.8% for rosemary extract and 5.2% for garlic extract in chia seed oil). The contents of γ-tocopherol, linoleic acid, and α-linolenic acid were well retained in the functional oils treated with the two extracts. After accelerated storage, the content of the major odor-active volatiles varied based on the type of oil. Our findings show the potential of natural aromatic plant extracts with respect to improving the oxidative stability of functional oils.

Management of Erwinia amylovora by Potential Bio-Pesticides in vitro and in vivo Conditions

Erwinia amylovora, the causative agent of fire blight disease, threatens a lot of species of the Rosaceae family. Antibiotics and copper compounds in chemical applications are most frequently are applied, but these can be phytotoxic and cause resistant strains of the pathogen. In our experiments, 20 herbal materials were tested for their antimicrobial effectiveness against the fire blight pathogen in vitro and in planta. The air-dried plants ground into fine powder and extraction was performed at room temperature by maceration with 80% (v/v) methanol/distilled water. The minimum inhibitory concentration values were determined by using disc diffusion method and streptomycin was used as control in all experiments. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by measuring the inhibition zones in reference to the pathogen. Among the tested plants, Szygium aromaticum, Thymus vulgaris and Rhus cararia showed a good antibacterial activity and they inhibited the growth of E. amylovora with inhibition zone diameter ranging from 21 to 27 mm at 20% (w/v) in absolute methanol compared to streptomycin (31 mm) in vitro conditions. In vivo tests were performed by using highly virulent E. amylovora isolate (Eak24b, 91%) grown on TSA medium and inoculation on young shoots of 3-year-old Gala variety of apple and Santa Maria variety of pear seedlings at 107 CFU ml-1 density of the pathogen. Disease severity (%) was assessed by by proportion of blighted shoot length to the whole shoot length and also efficacy of the extracts was determined by using Abbott formula. The highest efficacy was obtained by S. aromaticum and T. vulgaris extracts of reducing shoot blight of cv. Gala and cv. Santa Maria by 67.81% - 64-12% and 51.50% - 51.04% ratios, respectively. Obtaining results showed that some medicinal and aromatic plant extracts might be used against fire blight disease as potential new generation chemicals on pome fruits within integrated and organic control programs.

Chemical composition and insecticidal, repellent and antifungal activities of essential oil of Mentha rotundifolia (L.) from Algeria

The biological struggle by the use of the natural substances that have a pesticide effect may be an alternative to harmful chemicals; among these natural substances are the extracts of aromatic plants especially essential oils. The present work aims to highlight the fungicidal and insecticidal effect of the essential oil (EO), of an aromatic plant Mentha rotundifolia, against respectively, a phytopathogenic mold (Fusarium culmorum) and the adults of two pests (Sitophilus granarius and Tribolium confusum) of stored grains. The evaluation of the chemical composition of the EO was carried out by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The analysis made it possible to identify 27 compounds, which corresponds to 97.93 % of the totality of the oil of which the majority compounds are: Piperitenone oxide 35.49 ± 0.08, Caryophyllene oxide 35.27 ± 0.13 and cis-Cinerolone 10.95 ± 0.05. The bioassays to assess the EO toxicity towards the pest insects revealed a very high effect, which increases significantly with the dose and the time of exposure. Similarly, the test for the repellent effect shows that this extract is a powerful insect repellent. In addition, we found that both the liquid and vapor phases of the EO present an inhibitory effect of the growth of the fungal strain. In the light of the results obtained, the plant studied is promising as a source of natural pesticides and lends itself well to research in the field of pest control using biochemical alternatives.

THE EFFECTS OF MEDICAL AND AROMATIC PLANT EXTRACTS ON SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF HONEYBEE (APIS MELLIFERA L.) COLONIES

In this study, the effects of extracts obtained from medicinal and aromatic plants added to syrups used to feeding honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies on some physiological characteristics of colonies were investigated. The experiment was carried out on 6 groups of 5 colonies. These groups are syrup (S), syrup + Urtica dioica (SU), Syrup + Melissa officinalis (SM), Syrup + Hypericum perforatum (SH), Syrup + Achillea millefolium (SA) and syrup + Thymus serpyllum (ST). As a result of the research, the sealed brood area data were determined as 3013.24±1939.26, 3107.00±2060.42, 3270.81±2194.80, 3091.20±1962.69, 3273.90±2095.49 and 3613.06±2348.27 cm2 in S, SU, SM, SH, SA, ST groups, respectively. When we compare the honey yields of the experimental groups, according to group S, SU increased by 18.48%, SM 43.10%, SH 16.04%, SA 27.35% and ST 53.86%. Therefore, syrup + medicinal and aromatic plant extract mixture given to honey bee colonies may have a positive effect on colony development and honey yield.

Discrimination and Quantification of Aflatoxins in Pistachia vera Seeds Using FTIR-DRIFT Spectroscopy after their Treatment by Greek Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Extracts

A method for detection and quantitative determination of aflatoxins (AFs) produced by Aspergillus flavus in Pistachia vera seeds (pistachio) using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, coupled with Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (FTIR-DRIFT) is examined in this study. Greek medicinal and aromatic plant extracts with established bioactivity against A. flavus AFs production were used as treatments on pistachio seeds. Classes were analyzed using discriminate analysis algorithm, and distance values were calculated in Mahalanobis distance units. Strong absorptions were detected in the spectral ranges between 1750 and 1500 cm-1, which were different in contaminated and not contaminated samples. The spectra regions that gave matching values less than 50.00 in absolute difference for AFs in pistachio paste samples were 1705 – 1575 cm-1 and 1350 - 900 cm-1. Also, the high performance of FTIR as analytical tool for quantitative estimation of AFs was emerged by the Partial Least Square (PLS) regression model that found to fit perfectly the actual concentration values (R2=99.99%) in combination with low levels of errors of calibration, validation and prediction along with a minimum and low-cost sample preparation. The developed methodology presents a great potential of a valuable and reliable technique for composition determination, differentiation and evaluation of AFs in food products. We also aimed to reduce sample preparation in the methodology described and to include pistachio and plant extract matrix in classification demonstrating the suitability of FTIR DRIFT spectroscopic methods for direct AFs detection and quantification in biorefineries and industry.

Evaluation and application of extracts of rosemary leaves, araçá pulp and peel of bacuri in the inhibition of the oxidation reaction of biodiesel

This research evaluated the efficiency of the extracts of aromatic plants and native fruits with antioxidant properties, such as bacuri (Platonia insignis), araçá (Psidium cattleianum) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), in biodiesel, through the study of the induction period and the oxidation reaction rate constant at the temperature of 110 °C using the simplex-centroid mixtures. The araçá pulp, rosemary leaves and bacuri peels extracts showed total phenol content of 3.67, 19.29 and 19.60 mgGAE/gdrymatter, respectively. The experimental design used was a simplex centroid with 7 assays and a duplicate of the central point. Biodiesel and extracts were mixed in the proportion established by the simplex-centroid experimental design, and ethyl alcohol was removed previously. All the samples with extracts showed an induction period higher than the control, indicating the antioxidant efficiency of all the extracts. All models obtained were significant at the 5% level. The most relevant results were obtained in the tests containing the highest proportions of the bacuri and rosemary leaves extracts. It was possible to obtain the optimization, in which an optimal mixture was achieved with 50% of bacuri and 50% of rosemary leaves extract, and with induction period of 8.14 h, a value above the minimum of 6 h provided in the legislation EN 14214 [1].

Anticancer Activity of Essential Oils and Other Extracts from Aromatic Plants Grown in Greece.

Aromatic plants have a long and significant history in the traditional medicine of many countries. Nowadays, there is an increasing interest in investigating the biological properties of aromatic plant extracts mainly due to their diversity, high availability, and low toxicity. Greece is abundant in aromatic plants, which can be attributed to the country’s geographical position, the morphology of its landscape, and its numerous mountainous and insular areas. In the past 15 years, a number of aromatic plant extracts of Greek origin have been studied for their bioactivities, including their antiproliferative potential against different types of cancer. Although the pharmacological activities of specific species of Greek origin have been reviewed before, no gathered information on explicitly Greek species exist. In this review, we summarize existing data on the antiproliferative activity of extracts isolated from Greek aromatic plants and discuss their molecular mode(s) of action, where available, in order to identify promising extracts for future research and link chemical constituents responsible for their activity. We conclude that essentials oils are the most frequently studied plant extracts exhibiting high diversity in their composition and anticancer potential, but also other extracts appear to be worthy of further investigation for cancer chemoprevention.

New herbal bitter liqueur with high antioxidant activity and lower sugar content: innovative approach to liqueurs formulations.

Herbal liqueurs are spirits with numerous functional properties, due to the presence of bioactive extractable compounds deriving from herbs. The aim of this study was to obtain new herbal bitter liqueur (HBL) on the basis of twelve selected bitter and aromatic plants extracts, with an optimal sensory profile for consumer acceptance. Also, the determination of optimal sugar content in HBL was done. Furthermore, antioxidant (AO) capacity and total phenolic content (TPC) of HBL was evaluated and compared to similar commercial herbal spirits. Among five tested formulations, assessed by 9-point hedonic scale, HBL with the ratio of bitter and aromatic plants 1:4 was the most acceptable. Ideal concentration of sugar in HBL, determined using a just-about-right scale, was found to be 80.32g/l of sucrose, which is approximately 20% less than the minimum stipulated by European Union Regulation and several times lower than in the majority of commercial liqueurs. Obtained result indicates the possibility of sugar reduction in liqueurs, and suggests the need to carry out sensory analysis before production of these high-calorie beverages. Radical scavenging ability against DPPH and ABTS radicals, as well as ferric reducing antioxidant power and TPC of HBL were convincingly superior in comparison to similar commercial herbal alcoholic beverages. High correlation coefficients between TPC and other assays applied strongly support the significant role of the polyphenols in the total AO capacity of the HBL and other tested commercial herbal spirits. Headspace GC/MS revealed that the most abundant terpenes were menthone (3.75%), eucalyptol (3.42%) and menthol (3.10%), whereas methanol was present in a small amount (4.97mg/l).