Foeniculum Vulgare Var Research Articles

Effect of sterilization of sweet fennel fruits (Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce Mill.) on essential oil yield and composition

The sweet fennel fruits (Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce Mill.) are processed to obtain their essential oil. It is part of the composition of various products from the food industry, pharmacy, medicine and cosmetics. The scope is to investigate the influence of the fruits sterilization with superheated water steam on the yield and composition of the essential oil, before the fruits processing by water distillation. The main components in the essential oil, obtained from fruits before sterilization, are trans-anethole (67.10%), fenchone (21.58%), methyl chavicol (3.14%), and α-pinene (2.31%). The essential oil, obtained from fruits after sterilization, has the same main components in its composition but their amount is different: trans-anethole (71.38%), fenchone (16.75%), methyl chavicol (2.89%), and α-pinene (2.26%).

Agro-Ecological and Varietal Effects on The Infestation of Two Types of Aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on Fennel Fruits and Essential Oil Under Middle and Upper Egypt Conditions

The medicinal and aromatic plants in Egypt became vital economic crops for the local and export market. One of these crops is the Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), it is an important herbaceous plant. The fennel aphids, Hyadaphis foeniculi (Passerini) and cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (Linnaeus) cause reductions on the yield components and amount of essential oil in the fennel fruits. This study was conducted to investigate the aphids infestation on two fennel varieties (Foeniculum vulgare var. vulgare (Local) and Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum (Holland) cultivated in two agro-ecological zones in Middle and Upper Egypt during 2016/2017 and 2017/2018. Depend on the obtained results, there were significant effects of different locations on the infestation level by fennel aphids, while there was no significant interaction between seasons. This results on susceptibility degrees of fennel varieties showed that none of the tested varieties was found completely free from aphid attack. At Al-Fayoum, the Local and Holland were exhibited low resistance in the first season, whereas, both varieties were susceptible (S) in the second season. However, at Luxor, Local var. was low resistance (LR) and susceptible (S) in the first and second seasons respectively. While Holland var. was susceptible (S) in both seasons. The different treatments were similar in both seasons and highly significant compared to untreated plants. The efficient treatments are Tracer and Saif oil followed by KZ Oil + Potassium Soap. It is clear from the results that the local cultivar preferred to cultivate in Luxor, where the best vegetative growth, as well as the highest yield of fruits and the highest productivity of essential oil percentage and the highest oil yield, provided the treatment of plants with Tracer or Saif oil, where they have a strong impact on aphid resistance, which reflected on the production of local fennel type increased. On the other hand, Holland variety, the best yield was given in Al-Fayoum in terms of vegetative growth, fruit yield and oil yield, provided that the plants were treated with Tracer or Saif oil, which was efficient on the reduction the aphid infestation, leading to increased productivity. Our investigation suggested that the agro-ecological region have a high concern in widespread of the medicinal and aromatic plant for high production and quality of the essential oil especially the foreign fennel verities.

Determination of the maturity stage and the most suitable age for harvesting of sweet fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce, Mill)

Sweet fennel is a native Mediterranean plant and has widely naturalised and escaped from cultivation worldwide. We aimed to study the changes occurred in the physical, chemical and biochemical characteristics during development and under cold storage to determine the maturity stage and the most suitable age for harvesting. Two experiments were carried out on sweet fennel cultivar in the winter seasons of 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 at a private farm located in Behiera Governorate. Bulbs of 70, 90, 110, 130, 150 and 170 days age from seed sowing were examined The obtained results showed that there were gradual increases in the bulb fresh weight, size and diameter till the age of 130 days after which a rapid increase took place up to the last examined age of170 days exhibiting statistically a curvilinear pattern. However, the bulb firmness increased gradually with the age proceeding till 170 days age. Moreover, an increase in the T.S.S, ascorbic acid and antioxidant activity was detected up to the age of 130 days then followed by a decline up to the age of 170 days showing statistically a curvilinear shape. Furthermore, storing the developmental stages at 15oC and 95% RH showed that the bulbs of 130 days age reflected the minimum loss in weight and the lower unmarketable percentage during storage and the highest contents of T.S.S, ascorbic acid and antioxidant activity. From the obtained results, it was clear that the bulb maturity stage of the variety Florence of sweet fennel was reached after 130 days and this age was fortunately the most suitable age for harvesting.

Molluscicidal activity of four Apiaceae essential oils against the freshwater snail Radix peregra

Snails of the family Lymnaeidae are an essential link in the transmission of zoonotic diseases. Radix peregra is a European freshwater snail and a susceptible intermediate host of Fasciola hepatica, the causing agent of fascioliasis. Essential oils (EOs) extracted from Anethum graveolens (dill), Cuminum cyminum (cumin), Foeniculum vulgare var. vulgare (bitter fennel) and Petroselinum crispum (plain leaf parsley) were characterized by GC and GC–MS. Seven EOs and 11 constituents were first screened through a single-dose bioassay against R. peregra (10 mg L−1 for juveniles and 50 mg L−1 for egg masses and mature snails). EOs from parsley, cumin and bitter fennel (leaves plus stems) were highly active towards eggs and adults at 50 mg L−1. Subsequently, dose and time–lethality bioassays were performed against adults to determine lethal parameters (LC50;90 and LT50;90). Estimated 48 h LC50s varied from 13.7 to 46.5 mg L−1, with P. crispum fruits EO exhibiting the most significant activity. EOs from cumin fruits and bitter fennel infrutescences, and cuminaldehyde, were the most time-effective treatments when assessed by continuous exposure (LT50 for a 50 mg L−1 dose = 15.1, 19.3 and 19.5 h, respectively). A short-time exposure (8 h) to bitter fennel EOs was effective for the control of adults (LT50 ≤25 h). The present study uncovers the potential of four well-known Apiaceae species as natural sources of biomolluscicides.

Chemical composition, antioxidant activity and antimicrobial properties of three selected varieties of Iranian fennel seeds

Essential oils of the seed of three organically grown cultivars of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum, Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce, and Foeniculumvulgare var. vulgare) were examined for their chemical compositions, as well as antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of the essential oils revealed the presence of eighteen major monoterpenoids in all three cultivars. However, significant differences were observed among percentages of the components. trans-Anethole (61% for azoricum), estragole (57% for vulgare), fenchone (13% for dulce), and limonene (28% for dulce) were highly abundant in all of the examined oils. Antioxidant activities of the essential oils were evaluated through DPPH radical scavenging, lipid peroxidation, and metal-chelating assays. Essential oils from the azoricum and dulce cultivars were more effective antioxidants than those from the vulgare cultivar. Antimicrobial activities of essential oils were measured against two species of fungi, two species of Gram-negative, and two species of Gram-positive bacteria. All three cultivars indicated similar antimicrobial activity. In summary, Iranian fennels have potential for use as natural antioxidants and antimicrobial agents in the industry.

English

Wild fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. Vulgare) is a perennial aromatic herb. It is native to the Mediterranean region and currently it iscultivated as an annual or perennial herb worldwide. Dried ripe fruits are commonly used plants part for obtaining essential oil. Fruits oil of wild fennel contains many volatile oils, such as α-pinene, phellandrene, p-cymene, fenchone, estragole, anethole and anisaldehyde. Important biological activities of the volatile oil of fennel fruits are hepatoprotective, hypotensive, anticancer, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, hypoglycemic, spasmolytic, analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and C.N.S activities. Wild fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. vulgare) is categorized as rare and endangered in the Egyptian flora due to urban sprawl, especially along northern coastal area and it has turn into a retreat in Egypt. Therefore attempts were made to find in vitro germination of its seeds as well as to explore the ability of organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis in the produced callus. In order to continue the micropropagation process, transplantation of developed plantlets to the soil was also investigated. This study also looks into the production of different medicinally valuable volatile oils in the formed calluses and micro-propagated plants. Key words: Wild fennel, Foeniculum vulgare, seed germination, callus production, somatic embryogenesis.

Essential oil composition from sweet and bitter fennel fruits from Serbia

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) is aromatic plant from Apiaceae family. There are two types that have commercial importance, sweet fennel Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce, and bitter fennel – Foeniculum vulgare var. vulgare. The aim of this study was to examine the quality of essential oil of the fruits of these two varieties. Plants were grown in the experimental field in Mosorin for two years and from the produced fruits, essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation method according to Clevenger apparatus, while the essential oil components were determined through GC/MS.Sweet fennel (variety “Fino”, Austrosaat AG, Austria) and bitter fennel (variety “Vojvođanski”, Dr Josif Pancic, Serbia) grown in Serbia, as most abundant compound of the essential oil had trans-anethole. In the var. dulceits part was from 77.2-80.0%, while the content of methyl-chavicol was 2.22.7 %, and fenchone 3.9-5.1%. The var. vulgarehad 61.1-67.1 % trans-anethole and fenchone 22.6-26.6 % depended on the year.

Vliv ošetření desikanty na kvalitu fenyklu obecného (Foeniculum vulgare var. vulgare Mill.)

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. vulgare Mill.) is an perennial herb, it is cultivated for the essential oil in the fruits. The quality criteria are essential oil content, microbiological contamination and residua of pesticides. The important part of the cultivation technology is ununiform maturity of the fruits. The aim of this work was to find out the influence of the desiccants on quality and yield characteristics of fennel fruits produced in field conditions in the first years of growing. Three preparations were applied: glufosinate-NH4, 150 g.l–1 (2 l.ha–1), diquat dibromide, 200 g.l–1 (3 l.ha–1) and glyphosate-IPA, 480 g.l–1 (3 l.ha–1) in three repetitions. The non treated control variant was also repetited three times. The samples were analysed for quantitative and qualitative parameters: the fruit yield (t.ha–1), the essential oil content (%, V/m), the essential oil yield (kg.ha–1), the essential oil composition and the residua content.

Larvicidal, molluscicidal and nematicidal activities of essential oils and compounds from Foeniculum vulgare

Plant-based products, namely essential oils (EOs), are environmentally friendly alternatives for the control of disease vectors, hosts and/or parasites. Here, we studied the general toxicity and biopesticidal potential of EOs and phenylpropanoids from Foeniculum vulgare var. vulgare (bitter fennel), a perennial plant well adapted to temperate climates. EO/compound toxicity was tested against a freshwater snail and potential intermediate host of Fasciola hepatica (Radix peregra), a mosquito and former European malaria vector (Anopheles atroparvus) and one of the most damaging plant-parasitic nematodes, the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne javanica). Lethal concentrations (LC50; LC90) of EOs (infrutescences/stems with leaves) and compounds were calculated by probit analysis. All displayed noteworthy activity against R. peregra adults (LC50 21–39 µg ml−1) and A. atroparvus larvae (LC50 16–56 µg ml−1). trans-Anethole revealed acute nematicidal activity after 24 and 48 h (LC50 310 and 249 µg ml−1, respectively), and estragole (1,000 µg ml−1) showed some effectiveness against M. javanica hatching and juveniles after 15 days. Plant and EO yields were determined to evaluate the bitter fennel productivity. The chemical composition of the EOs was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. EOs extracted from whole plants, infrutescences and stems with leaves were characterized by estragole-dominant profiles (28–65 %), considerable amounts of phellandrene (10–34 %) and fenchone (6–16 %), and minor trans-anethole contents (1–4 %). Although additional toxicological studies against nontarget organisms are required, our study demonstrates that bitter fennel is a productive source of molluscicides and larvicides, and thus a potential sustainable biological agent to control particular host species, namely freshwater snails and mosquitoes.

Variation in the essential oil constituents in indigenous populations of Foeniculum vulgare var. vulgare from different locations of Iran

The aim of this study was to determine the chemical variation in indigenous populations of bitter fennel originating from Iran. Essential oils isolated from the fruits of eight different populations of Foeniculum vulgare var. vulgare from different locations of Iran were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and GC/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). According to the results, the essential oil content in the fruit varied from 2.7% to 4%. The major chemical constituents exhibited higher differences between the populations. trans-Anethole was found to be the main component of the oil with rates of 46.5% and 84% in fruits and this component was followed by fenchone (9.1–23.8%), which is the second major phenylpropanoid detected in fennel oil. Limonene, estragol (methyl chavicol), γ-terpinene, α-pinene and β-mercene are other main components identified in the fennel oils. trans-Anethole was detected at the highest level (84%) in ‘Zanjan’ population oil and the ‘Marvdasht’ population contained the highest concentration (12.2%) of estragol compared with other populations. Fenchone, limonene, γ-terpinene, α-pinene and β-mercene were in higher concentrations in ‘Ardabil’ population oil than the other populations, while trans-anethole was the lowest in this population’s oil. The results suggest that there were important variations among the fennel population’s fruit in Iran concerning the essential oil content and composition.

Antimycobacterial Activity of Constituents from Foeniculum vulgare Var. Dulce Grown in Mexico

Bioassay guided fractionation of an antimycobacterial extract of Foeniculum vulgare var dulce (Apiaceae) led to the isolation and characterization of 5-hydroxyfurano-coumarin. The chemical structure of this compound was elucidated by 1H and 13C (1D and 2D) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. In addition, the active fractions were analyzed by GC-MS and seventy eight compounds were identified; the major compounds were 1,3-benzenediol, 1-methoxycyclohexene, o-cymene, sorbic acid, 2-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one, estragole, limonene-10-ol and 3-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one. Twenty compounds identified in the active fractions were tested against one sensitive and three MDR strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using the Alamar Blue microassay. Compounds that showed some degree of antimycobacterial activity against all strains tested were the following: linoleic acid (MIC 100 µg/mL), oleic acid (MIC 100 µg/mL), 1,3-benzenediol (MIC 100–200 µg/mL), undecanal (MIC 50–200 µg/mL), and 2,4-undecadienal (MIC 25–50 µg/mL), the last being the most active compound. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the presence of 5-hydroxy-furanocoumarin in F. vulgare.

Effect of NP and foliar spray on growth and chemical compositions of some medicinal Apiaceae plants grow in arid regions in Egypt

Abstract Arid regions in Egypt are characterized by poor nutrients such as macro and microele-ments and unfavorable environmental conditions which negatively affect growth and productivity of medicinal and aromatic plants including anise ( Pimpinella anisum L.), coriander ( Coriandrum sativum L.) and sweet fennel ( Foeniculum vulgare var. Dolce) plants. Thus, the main objective of the present investigation was to study the effect of different levels of NP fertilizers, trace elements and their interactions on the morpho-logical and biochemical contents of these three plants under arid regions conditions. The effects of NP and trace elements on the growth (height, leaf number, branch num-ber, umbel number, fresh weight, dry weight and fruit yield per plant) was measured and quantitative analysis of essential oils, fixed oil, total carbohydrates, soluble sugars and nutrient content of anise, coriander and sweet fennel were performed. The most effective rate was N3P3 x trace elements interaction, resulting in a positive increase in vegetative growth characters. The highest values of vegetative growth characters were 53.4, 45.9, 10.3, 33.5, 36.8, 11.8 and 7.9, respectively for anise; 83.0, 69.3, 9.8, 29.0, 34.0, 17.5 and 14.4, respectively for coriander; 89.8, 32.6, 7.8, 22.9, 257.8, 99.1 and 27.8, respectively for sweet fennel. As well as N3P3 x trace elements led to higher biochemical contents than the control. The increases were 0.9, 0.3 and 0.9% in essen-tial oil; 5.4, 4.4 and 3.7% in fixed oil, 9, 7.9 and 8.2% in total carbohydrates; 2.4, 2.8 and 1.6% in soluble sugars; 5.0, 7.5 and 14.4% in crude protein; 0.8, 2.0 and 2.3% in nitrogen; 1.5, 0.6 and 0.4% in phosphorous; 1.3, 1.2 and 1.7% in potassium for anise, coriander and sweet fennel, respectively.

Chemical Composition, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Essential Oils from Organically Cultivated Fennel Cultivars

Essential oils of the fruits of three organically grown cultivars of Egyptian fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum, Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce and Foeniculum vulgare var. vulgare) were examined for their chemical constituents, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of the essential oils revealed the presence of 18 major monoterpenoids in all three cultivars but their percentage in each oil were greatly different. trans-Anethole, estragole, fenchone and limonene were highly abundant in all of the examined oils. Antioxidant activities of the essential oils were evaluated using the DPPH radical scavenging, lipid peroxidation and metal chelating assays. Essential oils from the azoricum and dulce cultivars were more effective antioxidants than that from the vulgare cultivar. Antimicrobial activities of each oil were measured against two species of fungi, two species of Gram negative and two species of Gram positive bacteria. All three cultivars showed similar antimicrobial activity.

Effect of soil and plant covering and sowing time on the yield of fennel bulbs grown from sowing directly in the field

Abstract A field experiment on fennel growing (Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum Mill.) was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, on a grey-brown podzolic soil. The experiment included the following factors: three kinds of covers - soil covering with black polyethylene film (PE 0.05 mm), soil covering with black polypropylene non-woven fabric (PP 50 g m-2) and flat covering of plants with white polypropylene non-woven fabric (PP 17 g m-2); three sowing terms - April, May, June; two fennel cultivars - ‘Rudy F1’ and ‘Zefa Fino’. Soil mulching with PP50 and, to a slightly lesser degree, black PE, caused an increase in the total and marketable yield of fennel bulbs and had a favourable effect on the yield structure. The lowest yield, with the highest share of non-marketable bulbs, was obtained following plant covering with PP17. The bulbs were the largest in the experimental treatments with PP50 mulching. The smallest bulbs were harvested following PP17 plant covering. For fennel growing, the most favourable sowing time was April. The lowest yield was obtained from the June sowings. The cultivars studied did not vary in terms of yield level and structure. The bulbs of the ‘Zefa Fino’ cultivar were longer and more slender than those of the ‘Rudy F1’ cultivar

Gas Composition and Temperature Affect Quality of Fresh-cut Fennel

Freshly harvested bulbs of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce) `Clio' were sliced at 5 °C, dipped in 100 mg·L–1 NaOCl solution, and packaged in passive modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) by using trays covered and thermal sealed with unperforated or perforated polypropylene film. According to common commercial needs a shelf life of 14 d at 0 and 5 °C was applied. The respiration rate of fresh-cut fennel was 1.3- to 1.7-fold higher at 5 °C than at 0 °C, and was 1.4- to 1.8-fold higher than that reported for whole bulbs. MAP did not prevent the declines in SSC and TA that occurred during storage, while pH did not change. Water loss was lower than 0.1% in all treatments, and no decay or physiological disorders developed during storage. The gas compositions of 16 to 18 kPa O2 plus 2 to 4 kPa CO2 generated within the perforated packages at 0 and 5 °C or 1.5 to 2 kPa O2 plus 18 to 20 kPa CO2 in unperforated packages at 5 °C did not inhibit browning on the cut surface or other sensory changes of the slices. However, atmospheres in unperforated packages of 4 to 6 kPa O2 plus 10 to 14 kPa CO2 at 0 °C maintained the sensory quality like at harvest.

The palliation of nausea in hospice and palliative care patients with essential oils of Pimpinella anisum (aniseed), Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce (sweet fennel), Anthemis nobilis (Roman chamomile) and Mentha x piperita (peppermint)

This case study examines a variety of aromatherapy treatments offered to twenty-five patients suffering from the symptom of nausea in a hospice and palliative care program, using a synergistic blend of Pimpinella anisum (aniseed), Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce (sweet fennel), Anthemis nobilis (Roman chamomile) and Mentha x piperita (peppermint). Outcomes were measured using the Bieri scale, a visual-numeric analogue. A majority of patients who used the aromatherapy treatments reported relief. However, all patients in this study were also using a variety of other treatments for their symptoms. While it is therefore impossible to establish a clear scientific link between the aromatherapy treatments and the nausea relief, this case study suggests that the oils used in this aromatherapy treatment were successful complements to the relief of this symptom.

Effect of Nicotinamide on Growth and Volatile Oil Composition of Various Parts of Sweet Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce) Plants

Effect of Nicotinamide on Growth and Volatile Oil Composition of Various Parts of Sweet Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce) Plants

Chemotypic differentiation in indigenous populations of Foeniculum vulgare var. vulgare in Israel

Abstract Chemical analysis of the volatile fraction of oleoresins from fruits of seven natural populations of Foeniculum vulgare var. vulgare (bitter fennel), from the wild and after cultivation indicated the presence of two groups of populations. The first included three indigenous populations with a profile of constituents similar to that observed in their cultivated representatives, suggesting a high chemical heritability. In the second group, with four populations, the major chemical constituents exhibited higher differences between the natural populations and their cultivated representatives, suggesting a lower heritability. Cluster analysis within the first group revealed a remarkable similarity between the chemical composition of the oleoresins from plants in nature, and that of their cultivated representatives, suggesting two different chemotypes: a trans-anethole chemotype, represented by the populations of the Negev desert and of the northern coastal plane, and an estragole dominated chemotype of a northeastern population of Mt. Dov. It is conjectured that northwestern winds, during the flowering season (July–October) restrict free westwards movement of pollinators. As a result, panmictic pollination is adversely affected, enhancing isolation and genetic differentiation. In populations of lower heritability, chemical response to cultivation was variable. In two mountainous populations (Mt. Tayyasim and Mt. Meron) cultivation had reduced trans-anethole, whereas in two other populations of lower elevations (Ramat-ha’Sharon and Ma’alot-Tarshicha), cultivation had decreased the relative content of estragole and elevated that of trans-anethole. Either chemotypic differentiation or phenotypic plasticity increases within species chemical variability, but the specific ecological roles of these essential oils remain to be uncovered.

Chemical Variation Among Indigenous Populations ofFoeniculum vulgarevar.vulgarein Israel

The composition of hexane extract constituents of ripe mericarps ("achenes") of eleven indigenous populations of Foeniculum vulgare var. vulgare (Apiaceae) was studied. Natural populations were selected along a gradient of annual rainfall from ca. 1000 mm in the northern region down to 125 mm in the Negev desert. Eighteen constituents, with estragole, trans-anethole, fenchone, limonene and alpha-pinene as the major components were separated by GC-MS. Characterized by the level of estragole and trans-anethole, four different groups were obtained: (1) highest estragole (63%) and the lowest trans-ane-thole (3%) characterized the population of Mt. Meron; (2) estra-gole (39-47%) and trans-anethole (17-29%) in 3 mountainous populations; (3) estragole (21-29%) and trans-anethole (38-49%) in the coastal and lowland populations; (4) two exceptional populations with the lowest content of estragole (ca.8%) and high content of trans-anethole (55 and 74%). A reversed association between the content of estragole and trans-anethole suggests a common precursor. In habitats with a high precipitation, the content of estragole was high and that of trans-anethole was low, and vice versa under limited rainfall. It is proposed that the composition of oleoresins of F. vulgare var. vulgare could be governed by environmental conditions. Nevertheless, it is not ruled out that genetic variations account for the recorded differences.

Diuretic action of hydroalcohol extracts ofFoeniculum vulgare vardulce(D.C.) roots in rats

Hydroalcohol extracts of Foeniculum vulgare var dulce (D.C) root were tested for their diuretic activity in rats. Pharmacological evaluation revealed that they led to an increase in urine flow and urinary sodium excretion in rats. Dose effect relations were also assessed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.