Foeniculum Vulgare Mill Research Articles

ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF SELECTED ESSENTIAL OILS AGAINST RHIZOPUS STOLONIFER

Nowadays, it is very important to find out the protection of plant products as an alternative to synthetic fungicides. The promising alternative is the use of the essential oils (EOs). The aim of our research was to evaluate the antifungal effect of angelica (Angelica archangelica L.), anise (Pimpinella anisum L.), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Miller.), camphore (Cinnamonum camphorum Nees & Eberm), litsea (Litsea deccanensis L.), cumin (Carum carvi L.), dill (Anethum graveolens L.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), mint (citrate) (Mentha citrata L.), mint (piperita) (Mentha piperita L.), laurel (Laurus nobilis L.), cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum L.) EOs against three isolates of the genus Rhizopus obtained from moldy plants source the chemical composition of selected EOs was determined by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC – MS) and by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC – FID). The antifungal activity of EOs against the growth of Rhizopus spp. was investigated by gas diffusion method (625 μL/L of air). The mycelium growth inhibition was measured on the 2nd, 4th, and 7th days of cultivation. Six EOs: litsea, mint (citrata), mint (piperita), cumin, thyme and cinnamon completely inhibited the growth of all tested fungi. For these EOs the minimum inhibitory doses were determined. According to probit analyses, the most effective tested EO was thyme and the least effective was cumin. Our results indicated that EOs are effective in the vapor phase and had a potential antifungal activity against Rhizopus stolonifer strains. So, they could be utilized in novel biological fungicide development.

Appraisal of biofilm forming bacteria in developing buffalo dung-based bioformulation coupled to promote yield of Foeniculum vulgare Mill.

Chemical fertilizers impart deleterious effects on crop productivity and its nutrients which is a serious concern among agriculturist. Current research focuses on the commercial preparation of an eco-friendly and cost-effective bioformulation using buffalo dung slurry and beneficial plant growth-promoting (PGP) and biofilm forming strains. 40 strains were isolated from buffalo dung showing PGP activities. Among them, 03 strains were further selected to sequence by 16S rRNA technology and identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa BUFF12, Proteus mirabilis BUFF14, Enterobacter xiangfangensis BUFF38. The strains were used for consortium preparation on the basis of increase in PGP activity. The consortium of strains increases in vitro PGP attributes at different percentage, i.e., 22% increase in IAA production, 10% increase in siderophore production, 5% increase in P- solubilization, 8% increase in K- solubilization, and 11% increase in S-oxidation. Three carrier materials, i.e., molasses of sugarcane, rice gruel, and buffalo dung slurry, were chosen to conduct the study. Among them, dung slurry proved to be an effective supportive material on the basis of their physico-chemical analysis and viability of strains for long-term storage. It maintained the population mixture of strains (9.4 × 108cfu/ml) for 120 DAI followed by molasses (9.1 × 108cfu/ml) and rice gruel (7.9 × 108cfu/ml). These beneficial strains were further applied in field for crop productivity and slurry-based formulation with mixture of strains exhibited incredible plant growth after definite interval of time. Chemotactic activity proved these strains as strong root colonizers which was confirmed by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM). This research disseminates a successful technology to develop an eco-friendly bioformulation of buffalo dung slurry augmenting the crop growth in an eco-friendly manner leading to sustainable agriculture.

An evaluation of qH NMR: A complementary approach to GC-FID for quantification of Thymol and trans-Anethole in essential oils and supplements

Sweet fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill. var. dulce) and thyme (Zataria multiflora Boiss.) are regarded as the important supplies for pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic, and perfume industries. The major components trans-anethole and thymol are represented in fennel and thyme, respectively. The essential oils (EOs) content and the value of their related constituents should be given in strict quality control due to the storage conditions, source, and adulterations. In this study, we compared the validation of quantitative 1H NMR (qH NMR) method with the gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) to quantify the trans-anethole and thymol in fennel and thyme EOs and their related supplements. The current results showed that the quantification of trans-anethole and thymol by qH NMR method was successfully achieved from their EOs and supplements. All the validation parameters including linearity, robustness, repeatability, and stability were authenticated for thymol and trans-anethole quantification. Similar results were obtained in both qH NMR and conventional GC-FID methods. Therefore, according to the measured values, the qH NMR method was adequate to determine the constituents of the EOs, with the results being roughly comparable to those obtained by GC-FID, with the advantage of being simple, repeatable, rapid (8–10 min, while for GC-FID 55 min) and essential for quality control of commercial samples.

Chemical Characterization of Essential Oils With a Biocide Base for Conservation and Restoration

Essential oils (EOs) are acclaimed for their antimicrobial properties, leading to their multiple applications in various fields. In this work, four aromatic plants were used, namely thyme (Thymus mastichina L.), everlasting (Helychrysum stoechas Moench), European pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.). Hydrodistillation was the extraction method used, and the obtained extracts were composed of a variety of volatile molecules, mainly terpenoids and phenylpropenoids. The EO yields were determined, and the chemical composition of these natural products was obtained by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The yields varied greatly in the range of 0.99 to 4.27% (v/w). The two major chemical constituents of the EOs analysed by GC-MS were as follows: thyme – 1,8-cineole and champhor; everlasting – α-pinene and limonene; European pennyroyal – pulegone and isomenthone; fennel – trans-anethole and limonene. This preliminary study is an important contribution to the understanding of EO bioactive compounds that are under investigation to establish their ability to control the biocolonization of cultural heritage.
 Keywords: aromatic plants, chemical characterization, essential oils, green biocides

Effect of different extraction techniques on the composition of essential oil isolated from fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) rhizome

ABSTRACT The aim of the presented work was to compare the efficiency of innovative (solvent-free microwave extraction, microwave-assisted hydrodistillation and supercritical CO2 extraction) extraction techniques vs. conventional Clevenger hydrodistillation of essential oil (EO) from poorly studied fennel rhizome. It was found that innovative extraction techniques enhance the EOs/extracts isolation, save time and exclude solvents providing green ecologically technologies. Solvent-free microwave extraction proved to be the most efficient with limonene and (E)-anethole as dominant compounds in concentration of 12.34 ± 0.31 and 35.63 ± 1.51 mg/ml, respectively, as well as with the largest number of isolated and identified compounds. Primary aroma compounds were identified by two direct headspace techniques – static headspace extraction (HSS) and headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) confirming limonene and (E)-anethole as dominant compounds in primary aroma mixture with 53.7 ± 2.02% and 30.9 ± 1.43% (HSS) and 69.8 ± 2.80% and 13.1 ± 0.11% (HS-SPME), respectively.

UPLC-ESI-QTRAP-MS/MS Analysis to Quantify Bioactive Compounds in Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) Waste with Potential Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

Foeniculum vulgare is a perennial aromatic plant whose cultivation produces large amounts of waste rich in bioactive compounds with promising anti-inflammatory activities. Nine selected metabolites were quantified through Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) hyphenated to QTRAP mass spectrometry by using MRM (multiple reaction monitoring) was performed on four parts of fennel: bulb, stem, little stem, and leaf. Analysis revealed significant differences in the amount of quantified metabolites, suggesting that little stem and leaf are the most valuable parts of the waste. Phenolic acids and glycosylated flavonoids were quantified for their known possible anti-inflammatory activities; in fact, due to this reason their ability to inhibit COX-1 and COX-2 isoforms was evaluated through a fluorometric assay, resulting in specific inhibitors of COX-2 at certain concentrations. In conclusion, as the leaf of fennel may be beneficial to human health, clinical studies should include it in nutraceuticals or functional foods for human consumption.

Studies on Genetic Variability and Character Association in Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.)

Aim: To study the genetic variability and character association in fennel.
 Study Design: Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD).
 Place and Duration of Study: Horticultural Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Prayagraj. Between November 2021 to April 2022.
 Methodology: 10 genotypes of fennel were sown in three replications in RCB design. In each replication data were observed on five plants and averaged for all twelve characters under study.
 Results: Analysis of variance showed the presence of significant variation among different genotypes for all characters studied. Number of primary branches per plant and seed yield per hectare exhibited moderate estimates of GCV and PCV and also High estimates of Heritability (Broad-sense). Positive and significant correlation was observed for number of umbels per plant, number of umbellets per umbel, number of seeds per umbel, seed yield per hectare and seed index with seed yield per plant at both phenotypic and genotypic level. Path Coefficient analysis revealed that days to maturity, number of primary branches per plant, number of seeds per umbel, seed index and harvest index had direct positive effect on seed yield per plant at genotypic level. While days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, number of umbels per plant, number of umbellets per umbel, number of seeds per umbel, seed yield per hectare and seed index had direct positive effect on seed yield per plant at phenotypic level.
 Conclusion: Selection in these traits will lead to higher efficiency in breeding programme for improving yield. Thus these traits may be ranked as most important attributing traits for seed yield per plant in fennel.

Cytomorphological and biochemical implications of UV-B priming in fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.)

Aim: The aim of this study was to create variability on the morphogenetic make- up, and biochemical attributes of fennel plant which incurred as a result of different exposure of UV-B radiation. Methodology: Seedlings of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. were treated with four different exposure times viz. Set A for Control, Set B for 20 min, Set C for 40 min, Set D for 60 min and Set E for 80 min, respectively. UV-B exposure seedlings with respect to control were transplanted to their respective pots and fields. Three replicates were prepared for each treatment. During the course of growth and development, few morphological, biochemical, and cytological parameters were estimated. Results: The results clearly elucidate that the higher exposure to UV-B radiation substantially affected the growth parameters whereas UV-B radiation (40 min) induced certain beneficial traits viz., increased plant height, intermodal length, etc. Various types of chromosomal aberrations such as stickiness, scattering, precocious, laggard, etc., were also observed. Scattering was the main chromosomal abnormality encountered at longer durations (60-80 min) to UV-B exposure. It was also observed that withincrease in the duration of UV-B exposure (20-80 min), there was a decrease in chlorophyll a (0.98 to 0.82) and chlorophyll b (0.68), and increase in carotenoids (at lower duration of UV-B radiation) was also observed. A maximum increment in carotenoid content was recorded in 40 min treated sets. Interpretation: The present research would be helpful in selecting doses which impart characters of interest in Foeniculum vulgare Mill. The cytological alterations caused by UV-B radiation changes the genetic makeup of fennel, which can be inherited to the subsequent generation to create agronomical superior mutants which will be promising materials for plant breeders in near future.

Studies on genetic variability and character association in fennel (Foeniculum vulgare mill.)

Studies on genetic variability and character association in fennel (Foeniculum vulgare mill.)

Fennel outperforms ajwain and anise in saline environment: physiological response mechanisms in germinating seeds and mature plants

The potential of different medicinal species as alternative crops for saline conditions needs to be explored. Comparative physiological responses of germinating seeds and mature plants of three genotypes of anise (Pimpinella anisum L.), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), and ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L.) to salt were studied in a 2-year field experiment using 0 and 100 mcM, and a laboratory experiment using 0, 25, 50, 75, 100, and 125 mM NaCl. Catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activities increased in the salt-stricken plants of all genotypes, but only peroxidase activity of the salt-treated plants of anise genotypes and two of the fennel genotypes increased under field conditions. Chlorophyll and K+ concentrations of all genotypes decreased, but proline and Na+ concentrations and Na+/K+ increased under saline conditions. Dry mass, grain yield, and essential oil yield decreased in the salt-exposed plants across all genotypes and species. Germination, root, and shoot length were suppressed upon exposure to saline water. Despite the increasing trend of the proline and polyphenol concentrations and catalase and peroxidases activities, ascorbate peroxidase activity of germinating seeds decreased with an increase in NaCl concentration. Smaller adverse effects of salt on fennel germination attributes, grain and essential oil yields were evident. Moreover, greater activities of antioxidative enzymes and maintained Na+ and Na+/K+ of salt-stricken fennel plants were observed. These findings indicate that germinating seeds and mature plants of fennel have a greater ability to withstand salinity than the other examined species.

Plant Growth Regulators Improve Grain Production and Water Use Efficiency of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. under Water Stress.

The development of methods increasing plant water use efficiency (WUE) would enhance the ability to grow wild aromatic and medicinally important species. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of plant growth regulators (PGRs) applied by spraying on stress resistance and WUE of fennel subjected to water stress. Plants in the generative stage were more drought tolerant than those in the vegetative stage. Water stress at vegetative stage decreased plant biomass and grain yield by 60% and 61%, respectively. Severe water stress in vegetative stage reduced grain production by 56%, and grains had 43% lower mass than those from non-stressed plants. Application of PGRs at both stages of growth increased grain yield and biomass, but the magnitude of increase depended on the type and application time of PGRs. Plants grown in well-watered conditions and sprayed with methyl jasmonate during the vegetative stage had the highest grain production (2.7 g plant−1), whereas under moderate water stress, plants yielded the best (2.1 g plant−1) when sprayed with epibrassinolide. The maximum WUE for grain (0.91 g L−1) and essential oil production (20 mg L−1) was noted in plants exposed to moderate stress and treated with methyl jasmonate during the vegetative stage.

Formulation and Evaluation of Polyherbal Gel containing Ethanolic Extract used as Local Anesthetics in Oral Cavity

Conventional dosage forms frequently produce leakages and drip. There is a need for the development of innovative formulation technology that fulfills certain criteria such as desirable product dispersion throughout the system, retention for intended intervals, and adequate release of drug. These features can be achieved using bioadhesives based novel delivery systems. In-situ gelation is a process of gel formation at the site of application after the composition or formulation has been applied the site. Formulation and evaluation of one such bioadhesive based novel drug delivery system for an effective and patient friendly use of drug to formulated In-situ polyherbal gel. Piper betel L. (Pan, leaves) fam. Piperaceae; Spilanthesacmella Murr. (Akarkara, fruit), fam. Asteraceae; Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (Fennel, fruits) fam. (Umbelliferae); Eugenia caryophyllus (Spreng.) Bullock and S.G. Harrison (Clove, clove bud) fam. (Myrataceae) and Capsicum annum L. (Capsicum, fruits) fam. Solanaceae is medicinally important and is used as local anesthetics in oral cavity and these herbs were taken for formulation of polyherbal gel using Carbopol 934 and HPMC. The prepared formulation was evaluated, and the results were presented. The results indicate that the PHG-3 have satisfactory results when compared with other formulated PHG.

An In Silico Investigation to Explore Anti-Cancer Potential of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Phytoconstituents for the Management of Human Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in the world. Traditionally, medicinal plants have been used to cure various types of diseases and disorders. Based on a literature survey, the current study was undertaken to explore the anticancer potential of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. phytoconstituents against breast cancer target protein (PDB ID: 6CHZ) by the molecular docking technique. Molecular docking was done using Autodock/vina software. Toxicity was predicted by the Protox II server and drug likeness was predicted by Molinspiration. 100 ns MD simulation of the best protein-ligand complexes were done using the Amber 18 tool. The present molecular docking investigation has revealed that among the 40 selected phytoconstituents of F. vulgare, α-pinene and D-limonene showed best binding energy (−6 and −5.9 kcal/mol respectively) with the breast cancer target. α-Pinene and D-limonene followed all the parameters of toxicity, and 100 ns MD simulations of α-pinene and D-limonene complexes with 6CHZ were found to be stable. α-Pinene and D-limonene can be used as new therapeutic agents to cure breast cancer.

Ameliorating effect of vermicompost on Foeniculum vulgare under saline condition

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) is a medicinal plant that all parts of it can be used in various industries such as food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. To investigate the effect of vermicompost (VC: 0 and 5%), as an organic fertilizer, on the morphophysiological and biochemical characteristics of two fennel landraces (Shiraz and Urmia) under saline conditions (0, 40, 80, and 120 mM NaCl), a factorial experiment was conducted in greenhouse condition. After 3 weeks of culturing, plants were irrigated with experimental treatments until 5 weeks more. The results showed that salinity stress induced a significant decrease in leaf area, biomass, photosynthetic pigments content, relative water content, membrane stability index, minerals (Fe, K, Ca, and Mg) concentration, total protein content, and gibberellin concentration of the shoot. A significant increase in malondialdehyde, total phenol, and the activity of catalase and peroxidase enzymes in the same organ was also observed. In contrast, for most of these variables, the opposite results were obtained under VC alone or its interaction with salinity stress. In comparison between two fennel landraces, Shiraz was less affected by salinity stress, while the effect of VC on Urmia was more evident. It can be concluded that VC can limit the adverse effects of salinity stress on fennel by affecting photosynthetic pigments, membrane integrity, minerals concentration, water status, protein content, gibberellins biosynthesis, and antioxidants activity.

Value adding search among a selection of Tunisian fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) cultivars: Diversity assessment and selection among a local fennel germplasm

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) is a very popular, aromatic, herbaceous plant that belongs to the Apiaceae family. It is among most important spices and medicinal species over the world. Nevertheless, in Tunisia fennel cultivation doesn't cover the local market needs. Also, fennel seeds are produced by farmers traditionally, and none of the local cultivars is named nor labelled in the market. Efforts have been deployed during the present work aiming to the characterization and valorization of genetic fennel resources. Hence, morphological diversity assessment was carried out among 62 entries of fennel acquired from different origins. Two steps principle component analysis (PCA) were applied. It came out with 7 selected cultivars of fennel representative of the initial diversity as assessed within the 62 collected fennel entries. Interestingly, among these latter, some of them exhibited particular phenotypic features linked to production traits.

Value adding search among a selection of Tunisian fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) cultivars: Nutritional composition, chlorophyll and β-carotene contents of fennel seeds

Foeniculum vulgare has an important medicinal and economic role due to the frequent use of different parts of the plant. However, fennel seeds are the most exploited especially in culinary preparations and food industries. In order to highlight the benefits of this spice, physico-chemical composition of 7 fennel cultivars was carried out. Results revealed high contents of sugars, proteins and ash, and low contents of fat and water. The highest sugar content was displayed by the cultivar Cv2 (61±1.87 %) and the lowest one was obtained by cultivar Cv5 (31.41±1.77 %). Statistically significant differences between the 7 fennel cultivars were shown among their respective protein contents. Interestingly, all of the 7 cultivars, except one (Cv3: 7.91±0.07 %), revealed high levels of protein contents. Moreover, assessment of physiological parameters of the 7 cultivars gave evidence of high β-carotene contents. Despite, chlorophyll assessment results gave moderate content levels. Taking into account results from the present work, in addition to our previous published findings, 4 fennel cultivars were selected, essentially, based on their nutritional composition while searching for future potential industrial applications.

Simultaneous Determination of Fenchone and Trans-Anethole in Essential Oils and Methanolic Extracts of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Fruits Obtained from Different Geographical Regions Using GC-MS Approach

The gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) approach is established for the simultaneous determination of fenchone (FCO) and trans-anethole (TOH) in the essential oils and methanolic extracts of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) fruits obtained from India (IND), Pakistan (PAK), and Saudi Arabia (SA). The simultaneous determination of FCO and TOH was performed via Agilent 190914S HP–5MS fused-silica capillary column (30 m × 250 µm ID, 0.25 µm film thickness). The proposed GC-MS approach was linear in the range of 0.10–50 µg/g for FCO and TOH. FCO’s detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) limits were calculated to be 0.04 and 0.12 µg/g, respectively. The LOD and LOQ values for TOH, on the other hand, were calculated to be 0.05 and 0.15 µg/g, respectively. In addition, the proposed GC-MS approach was accurate and precise for the simultaneous determination of FCO and TOH. The amount of FCO in essential oils of F. vulgare was computed as 0.021, 0.034, and 0.029 mg/g in the samples obtained from IND, PAK, and SA, respectively. The amount of TOH in the essential oils of F. vulgare was computed as 7.40, 14.8, and 10.2 mg/g in the samples obtained from IND, PAK, and SA, respectively. However, the amount of FCO in the methanolic extract of F. vulgare was estimated as 0.031, 0.021, and 0.057 mg/g in the samples obtained from IND, PAK, and SA, respectively. On the other hand, the amount of TOH in the methanolic extract of F. vulgare was estimated as 0.440, 0.498, and 1.74 mg/g in the samples obtained from IND, PAK, and SA, respectively. These findings suggested that the proposed GC-MS approach might be used to simultaneously determine the FCO and TOH in a variety of essential oils and plant extracts.

Metabolite profiling and potential antioxidant activity of sixteen fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) populations growing wild in Tunisia

Sixteen wild Foeniculum vulgare Mill. populations native to Tunisia were investigated based on their phenolic profile of methanol extracts of seeds. The antioxidant potential was evaluated using four model systems such us total antioxidant capacity (TAC), DPPH-radical scavenging activity, ABTS test and reducing power assay (RPA). Results showed significant variations on extracts yields, total polyphenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and CTC (condensed tannin content). LC-MS analysis revealed the identification of 26 phenolic compounds. The cirsiliol was reported for the first time as the predominant phenolic compound in all fennel samples with range from 76.16 to 1021.70 µg/g Dry Extract (DE). The different methanol extracts exhibited strong antioxidant capacities with significant differences among locations. The BeniAyech population showed the highest antiradical capacity with IC50= 23.66 and 7.6 µg/mL for DPPH and ABTS tests, respectively. However, the strongest iron reduction capacity of the methanol extract from El Alia location has reached an efficacy concentration of EC50= 34.16 μg/mL similar to the butylatedhydroxytoluene (BHT) standard. This investigation of Tunisian wild fennel showed the great potential of this species as natural source of bioactive antioxidants molecules for food industry.

Character association and path analysis for yield improvement in fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.)

A total of 18 genotypes of the fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) were evaluated for estimation of correlation and path analysis for yield improvement during Rabi season of 2016-17 at Mandor, Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Results indicated that the variation among genotypes was highest for biological yield (54.3-88.3 q ha-1), followed by seed yield (15.8-25.2 q ha-1). The analysis of genotypic (GC) and phenotypic correlations (PC) indicated that the seed yield per ha was significantly and positively correlated with seed yield per plant (GC r=0.978**; PC r=0.842**), number of seeds per umbel (GC r= 0.752**, PC r=0.505*) and number of umbels per plant (GC r=0.543*). Path coefficient analysis suggested that the highest positive direct effect on seed yield per ha was exerted by biological yield per ha (0.953) followed by the number of umbels per plant (0.484), harvest index (0.463), number of seeds per umbel (0.387), 1000-seed weight (0.289), oil content (0.150), days to maturity (0.102) and the number of umbellets per umbel (0.070). Therefore, it is inferred that for initiating breeding programmes of fennel, the primary emphasis should be given for selecting characters having a positive and higher magnitude of correlation and have direct effects on characters associated with higher yield.

Effect of Organic Manure and Plant Growth Promoting Microbes on Yield, Quality and Essential Oil Constituents of Fennel Bulb (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.)

Effect of Organic Manure and Plant Growth Promoting Microbes on Yield, Quality and Essential Oil Constituents of Fennel Bulb (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.)