Major Volatile Components Research Articles

Essential oils of hedgenettles (Stachys inflata, S. lavandulifolia, and S. byzantina) have antioxidant, anti-Alzheimer, antidiabetic, and anti-obesity potential: A comparative study

Stachys species (hedgenettle or woundwort) are important medicinal plants known for their flavor and fragrance. They are widely consumed in Europe and Asia as aromatic herbal teas. In this work, essential oils (EOs) of three popular Stachys herbs namely Stachys inflata Benth., S. lavandulifolia Vahl., and S. byzantina K. Koch were investigated for their chemical composition, antioxidant activity, and health benefits. The major volatile components of S. inflata were identified as germacrene D (21.6 %) and β-pinene (15.6 %). S. lavandulifolia contained mainly germacrene D (22.5 %) and α-pinene (15.5 %) whereas S. byzantina showed hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (25.7 %) and valeranone (17.1 %) as major volatile constituents. EOs exhibited promising reducing power in cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (58−204 mg Trolox equivalents/g EO) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (32−104 mg Trolox equivalents/g EO) assays. Moreover, the metal chelating activity of EOs was determined from 15 to 36 mg EDTA equivalents/g EO. S. inflata showed anti-Alzheimer’s disease effect through inhibition of cholinesterase enzymes (5.2–7.8 mg galantamine equivalents/g EO). All samples had a strong antidiabetic effect (α-glucosidase inhibition) with values ranging from 4.47 to 4.62 mmol acarbose equivalents/g EO. Also, remarkable anti-obesity (lipase inhibition with 88−159 mg orlistat equivalents/g EO) and anti-hyperpigmentation (tyrosinase inhibition with 24−35 mg kojic acid equivalents/g EO) potential were observed for Stachys EOs. These findings showed that EOs of hedgenettle (betony) plants could be employed in the preparation of formulations to be used in cosmetics, food, and pharmaceutical products due to their valuable antioxidant, neuroprotective, hypoglycemic, anti-obesity, and skin-care effects.

Identification and characterization of polyphenols and volatile terpenoid compounds in different extracts of garden sage (Salvia officinalis L.)

Introduction: Garden sage (Salvia officinalis L.) is an important medicinal and aromatic herb, used in various food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetic industries for its potential antioxidant properties. Leaves are the source of essential oils and polyphenols, used as a raw material in food and pharmaceutical industries. Materials and Methods: The study aimed to develop a complete phytochemical profile of S. officinalis leaves through liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS) and gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Soxhlet and sonicated extract were analyzed using UHPLC, data-independent acquisition in negative electrospray ionization mode. Essential oil profiling of leaves in comparison with leaves+ stem was carried out using GC-FID. Results: Among the extraction methods, Soxhlet extraction yielded significantly high levels of caffeic acid (92.45 ± 1.92 μg/g), rosmarinic acid (18821.33 ± 150.20 μg/g), luteolin-7-glucoside (635.13 ± 11.20 μg/g), carnosic acid (27.48 ± 2.37 μg/g), carnosol (1347.67 ± 30.04 μg/g), and ursolic acid (14938.67 ± 82.20 μg/g). Among the 43 identified phenolic compounds, two flavonoids, diosmetin and pectolinarigenin and two triterpenoids benthamic and micromeric acids have been first time detected in S. officinalis leaves. The results of essential oil analysis indicated the presence of α-thujone (34.43- 38.93 %), β-thujone (6.03-7.58 %), camphor (15.77-18.12 %), 1,8-cineole (5.45-6.21 %), α-humulene (5.20 %), and camphene (4.29-5.10 %) as major volatile terpenoid components in S. officinalis. Conclusion: Soxhlet extraction found to be the best method for polyphenol extraction and the essential oil extracted only from leaves best suitable for therapeutic purposes due to less α-thujone and β-thujone content.

Basil Essential Oil and Its Nanoemulsion Mitigate Non Alcoholic Steatohepatitis in Rat Model with Special Reference to Gut Microbiota.

The present research evaluated the protective effect of basil essential oil nanoemulsion (BNO) and its parent basil essential oil (BO) towards steatohepatitis. Chemical composition of BO was assessed followed by formulation into different BNOs using the low energy spontaneous emulsification technique. An ideal formula of BNO was selected among the others based on its ultra-fine particle size (15.42 nm) and physical stability at 25-37°C, which was then tested in steatohepatitis rat model along with BO. Rats were divided into four groups, the first was fed on balanced diet (C), and the other groups were maintained on high fructose saturated fat diet deficient in choline to induce steatohepatitis, one of such groups served as control steatohepatitis (SC), the other groups received daily oral dose of BO and BNO, respectively. Microbiota (Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes) were counted in colon content and their ratio (F/B) was calculated. Liver fat, plasma lipid profile, plama interlukin-6, plasma lipopolysaccharides and plasma and colon content of lipocaline were assessed with histopathological examination of liver and colon. Results showed that the major volatile components of BO were linalool (60.9 %), eugenol (5.1 %) and eucalyptol (9.5%). SC group exhibited significant increase in liver lipids, plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol and significant reduction in high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) compared to C group. Significant increase in plasma TC/HDL-C, interlukin-6, and lipocaline and F/B ratio and lipocaline in colon content were demonstrated in SC group without changes in plasma lipopolysaccharides compared to C. Histopathology of SC group showed liver fatty degeneration and fibroblasts activation while the colon demonstrated erosion and mucosal epithelium detachment. Treatment with either BNO or BO showed improvement compared to SC group. BNO was superior in reducing F/B ratio, liver lipids and histopathological changes. BO was more efficient in reducing TC, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein cholesterol. It is concluded that BO and BNO reduced the progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in rat model. Gut microbiota in relation to steatohepatitis and related new therapies needs further investigations.

Disease Resistant Bouquet Vine Varieties: Assessment of the Phenolic, Aromatic, and Sensory Potential of Their Wines.

The search for grape varieties resistant to diseases and to climatic changes notably concerns the wine industry. Nine monovarietal wines from new red grape varieties resistant to cryptogamic diseases (downy and powdery mildews) were evaluated in terms of their total phenolic, anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin contents, anthocyanin profile, volatile composition, and sensory attributes. Thus, the question remains, will these hybrid grapes (≥97.5% of Vitis vinifera genome) lead to wines with organoleptic properties similar to those of Vitis vinifera wines that consumers are used to? Total phenolic (1547–3418 mg GA/L), anthocyanin (186–561 mg malvidin/L), and proanthocyanidin (1.4–4.5 g tannins/L) contents were in broad agreement with those previously described in the literature for monovarietal wines produced with well-known red grape varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah). With regard to fruity aroma, ethyl esters of straight-chain fatty acids (530–929 μg/L) stood out clearly as the major volatile components for all hybrid wines considered. Sensory analysis revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) for visual aspect, aroma, flavor, global balance, astringency, and body. Overall, these new hybrid grape varieties are not only resistant to cryptogamic diseases, but also present enough potential to become quality wines, since their phenolic and volatile attributes are close to those of common red monovarietal wines.

Prunus persica by-products: A source of minerals, phenols and volatile compounds

Large amounts of peach (Prunus persica) leaves and stems are by-products deriving from peach tree cultivation and canned industries. This work aimed to evaluate mineral nutrients, phenolic and volatile profile and antioxidant activities from the by-products of five peach cultivars (Early Maycrest, Sweet Cap, O’Henry, Flordastar and Rubirich).Minerals showed significant variations with respect to peach by-product. N showed higher contents in peach leaves among macronutrients, while Mn showed higher contents among micronutrients. Stems had high levels of Ca and traces of micronutrient levels. The HPLC-DAD phenols analysis showed twelve compounds identified (neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acids, catechin and epicatechin, gallic, caffeic, syringic, ferulic and coumaric acids, quercetin-3-rutinoside, quercetin-3-galactoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-galactoside). Flavonols showed the highest values (quercetin-3-galactoside with 70.79–232.16 mg 100g-1 DW, quercetin-3-rutinoside with 63.88–206.37 mg 100g-1 DW), while the least content was observed for anthocyanins. Cultivar had a significantly (P < 0.05) impact on phenolic compounds. Comparing by-products, stems showed higher levels of phenols. The GC-MS volatile compounds analysis revealed 43 compounds in different percentages and occurrences, depending on the cultivar and the by-product. Benzaldehyde was detected as the major volatile leaf component (70–95%), whereas myrcene (18–21%) and terpinolene (18–26%) were found to be the most important compounds in stems. Methanolic extracts of mature leaves were characterized by lower antioxidant capacity. Finally, peach by-products could represent a natural source of minerals, volatiles and phenolic compounds with high antioxidant activities having a great potential use in food products as natural flavouring agents and as nutraceutical supplements and pharmaceutical and cosmetic molecules.

Essential Oil from Arnica Montana L. Achenes: Chemical Characteristics and Anticancer Activity.

Mountain arnica Arnica montana L. is a source of several metabolite classes with diverse biological activities. The chemical composition of essential oil and its major volatile components in arnica may vary depending on the geographical region, environmental factors, and plant organ. The objective of this study was to characterize the chemical composition of essential oil derived from A. montana achenes and to investigate its effect on induction of apoptosis and autophagy in human anaplastic astrocytoma MOGGCCM and glioblastoma multiforme T98G cell lines. The chemical composition of essential oil extracted from the achenes was examined with the use of Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry GC-MS. Only 16 components of the essential oil obtained from the achenes of 3-year-old plants and 18 components in the essential oil obtained from the achenes of 4-year-old plants constituted ca. 94.14% and 96.38% of the total EO content, respectively. The main components in the EO from the arnica achenes were 2,5-dimethoxy-p-cymene (39.54 and 44.65%), cumene (13.24 and 10.71%), thymol methyl ether (8.66 and 8.63%), 2,6-diisopropylanisole (8.55 and 8.41%), decanal (7.31 and 6.28%), and 1,2,2,3-tetramethylcyclopent-3-enol (4.33 and 2.94%) in the 3- and 4-year-old plants, respectively. The essential oils were found to exert an anticancer effect by induction of cell death in anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma multiforme cells. The induction of apoptosis at a level of 25.7–32.7% facilitates the use of this secondary metabolite in further studies focused on the development of glioma therapy in the future. Probably, this component plays a key role in the anticancer activity against the MOGGCCM and T98G cell lines. The present study is the first report on the composition and anticancer activities of essential oil from A. montana achenes, and further studies are required to explore its potential for future medicinal purposes.

Chemical Composition and Cytotoxic Activity of the Essential Oils from Orobanche cernua Loefling Whole Plant

Orobanche cernua is one of the species of Orobanche in Orobanchaceae family, which has been used in folk medicines for boost immunity and relieve swelling. The present study aimed to analyse the chemical constituents of the essential oils (EO) from O. cernua by GC/MS and evaluate the cytotoxic activity in vitro. Twenty-eight compounds, representing 83.41 % of the total EO were identified and the major volatile components were diethylhexyl adipate (35.34 %), followed by 2-methylheptane (12.65 %), α-cadinol (7.25 %), diethylphthalate (5.17 %), dibutyl phthalate (4.07 %), 3-methylheptane (3.51 %) and 1-tetradecanol (3.39 %). The EO cytotoxicity on the tumor cell lines (SH-SY5Y and BV-2) was determined by MTT assay and cell imaging, the results indicated that the potent cytotoxic effects with the IC50 values (55.89 μg/mL) in SH-SY5Y cells but weak in BV-2 cells with the IC50 (482.1 μg/mL) for 24 h, respectively. This paper is the first report of the chemical composition and cytotoxic activity of EO from O. cernua.

A comparative analysis of the volatile components of green tea produced from various tea cultivars in China

China is a major producer and consumer of green tea and possesses numerous high-quality tea cultivars, which can be used to make green tea. However, the green teas produced from these tea cultivars vary markedly in aroma. In this study, a sensory evaluation method and headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with GC-MS were employed to determine the primary substances that contribute to the aromas and key differences in the aroma components of green tea produced from 20 tea cultivars. The results revealed 57 major volatile components, among which aldehydes, alcohols, and esters were the most prevalent. For the volatile components, the linalool, nonanal, and geraniol contents were the highest, followed by dimethyl sulfide, methyl salicylate, heptanal, and caproicacidhexneylester. The volatile components varied considerably among the green tea samples, and some contained substances with a high content that gave off unique aromas. The correlation analysis revealed significant correlations between the sensory evaluation scores and contents of linalool, geraniol, methyl salicylate, cis-linalool oxide, 3-carene, phenethyl alcohol, limonene, (Z)-3-cis-3-hexenyl isovalerate, citral, (E)-s-ocimene, alcohols, esters, and alkenes, as well as between the sensory evaluation scores and total volatile component contents. Aromatic substances with the highest odor activity values were, in descending order, linalool, capraldehyde, dimethyl sulfide, s-ionone, geraniol, nonanal, heptanal, (E)-2-nonenal, and caproicacidhexneylester. These substances were the major contributors to aroma formation in the green tea samples. The principal component analysis and orthogonal projections to the latent structure-discriminant analysis suggested that the 20 tea cultivars could be grouped into 6 categories and that the high content of linalool, nonanal, and geraniol substantially contributed to the categorization of the tea cultivars. A key variable analysis revealed that 23 volatile components played a critical role in the categorization of the tea cultivars.

The Essential Oil of Thymbra capitata and its Application as A Biocide on Stone and Derived Surfaces.

Many chemicals used nowadays for the preservation of cultural heritage pose a risk to both human health and the environment. Thus, it is desirable to find new and eco-friendly biocides that can replace the synthetic ones. In this regard, plant essential oils represent effective alternatives to synthetic substances for the preservation of historical monuments. Thymbra capitata (syn. Thymus capitatus) is a medicinal and aromatic plant growing in the Mediterranean area and endowed with important pharmacological properties related to its essential oil. Among them, the antimicrobial ones make the T. capitata essential oil an ideal candidate for industrial applications; for instance, as biocide for the inhibition and elimination of biological patinas of cyanobacteria and green algae on historical monuments. In the present work, we studied the chemical composition of the essential oil from T. capitata growing in Malta by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The major volatile component is the phenolic monoterpene carvacrol (73.2%), which is capable of damaging the cytoplasmic membrane and to interfere both in the growth curve and in the invasive capacity, though the contribution of minor components γ-terpinene and p-cymene cannot be disregarded. For the oil application on the stone surface, Pickering emulsions systems were prepared with an essential oil/water 1:3 mass ratio stabilized with kaolinite at 4 mass% in the presence of Laponite®; this allowed to limit the fast volatility of the oil and guaranteed a better application and an easier removal from the artefacts attacked by biodeteriogens both indoor and outdoor. This formulation caused the elimination of biodeteriogens from treated surfaces without residuals or films on artworks surface, and the effect was retained up to four months.

Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Bamboo (Phyllostachys Heterocycla cv. Pubescens) Leaf Hydrosols

The aim of this study was to examine the chemical composition of the major volatile components of bamboo leaf hydrosols and their antimicrobial activities. The chemical components were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and 45 compounds were identified from bamboo leaf hydrosols. The major volatile compounds (%) determined were ionone (16.76%), damasone (10.38%), geranylacetone (7.98%) and β-ionone (6.68%). The antimicrobial activities were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae (VINTAGE WHITE and ES488). The inhibition zone and minimum inhibitory concentration test results showed that bamboo leaf hydrosols had the highest antimicrobial activity against gram-positive bacteria. The antimicrobial stability tests showed that the hydrosols also exhibited good stability under heat treatment, change in pH, and exposure to UV irradiation. Results of cell constituent release assay and atomic force microscope observations indicated that bamboo leaf hydrosols destroyed the cell wall and cell membrane permeability causing leakage of intracellular constituents.

GC-MS Analysis of Volatile Components in Partridge Tea (Mallotus obongifolius)

Partridge tea is one of the famous local herbal teas of Hainan Island, China. In the present study, headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were combined to determine and analyze the volatile components in the red and green leaves of partridge tea. Seventeen volatile components were identified in the red young leaves. The olefins, alkanes, and alcohols accounted for 71.24%, 1.1%, and 0.54%, among which the main components were caryophyllene (22.50%), humulene (18.73%), and α-guaiene (8.78%), respectively. Twenty volatile components were identified from red mature leaves, including 34.74% olefins, 6.14% esters, and 3.11% acids. Eighteen volatile components were identified from green young leaves, among which olefins (70.52%), alkanes (4.32%), and alcohol (0.89%) were the major components. Nineteen volatile components were identified from green mature leaves, among which the olefins, esters, and acids were the major components with the contents of 46.04%, 6.38%, and 1.37%, respectively. Results showed that the major volatile components of partridge tea were olefins, in which caryophyllene was the most abundant. The contents of volatile components between red leaves and green leaves had notable differences, which might be useful for germplasm identification of partridge tea.

Identification of Headspace Volatile Compounds of Blended Coffee and Application to Principal Component Analysis.

Coffee can be blended to create a variety of products to meet consumer’s needs. In order to uncover the blending effect of coffee beans, we performed an experiment using principal component analysis (PCA). Twelve varieties of green beans were tested in 11 experimental groups, and the volatile compounds of the beans were analyzed. A total of 41 volatile compounds were identified. PCA was performed on 13 compounds that had a low odor threshold value or a high concentration among the identified compounds. PCA of total volatile compounds showed that principal component (PC) 1 and PC2 were extracted within 80% cumulative dispersion level. In PC1 and PC2, furfuryl alcohol and formic acid ethyl ester showed the greatest positive correlation coefficients among all the volatile compounds. The largest negative correlation coefficients in PC1 and PC2 were 4-hydroxy-2-butanone and 3-(ethylthio)propanal, respectively. Using PCA of the major volatile compounds in coffee, propanal and 1-methylpyrrole were found to have the largest positive correlation coefficients in PC1 and PC2, respectively. In the score plot of the major volatile components, 4 kinds of blended coffee were closely grouped, therefore showing similar aroma qualities. However, 5 kinds of other blended coffees showed a positive correlation with PC2. This is probably due to 3-(ethylthio)propanal acting as a specific value. The application of statistical methods to blended coffee allows for logical and systematic data analysis of data and may be used as a basis for quality evaluation.

Variation in essential oil composition of Rydingia michauxii at the three developmental stages

In this study, the essential oil composition of Rydingia michauxii was evaluated during the dormant, vegetative and flowering stages. The major chemical constituents of R. michauxii at the dormant stage were eugenol (36.81%), eugenol acetate (21.02%), and carvacrol (9.35%). While the main chemical constituents for the vegetative stage were carvacrol (16.08%), eugenol (13.23%), cumin aldehyde (9.63%), and linalool (8.28%). In addition, carvacrol (14.20%), eugenol (8.98%), δ-cadinene (8.90%), caryophyllene oxide (8.43%) and n-hexadecanoic acid (7.07%) were the major volatile components during the flowering stage. Variation in chemical compositions of R. michauxii during the various developmental stages might be affected by environmental and climatic factors.

Schinus molle L. Collected from Jordan and Turkey: Essential Oil Composition and Anticholinesterase Activity

The aim of this work was to determine the composition of the hydro-distilled essential oil of Schinus molle L. (Anacardiaceae) fruits, leaves and flowers grown in Ghor-Jordan (75 mm total precipitation per year) and Izmir-Turkey (725 mm total precipitation per year) by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass-spectrometry(GC/MS) and to report the actual composition of the emitted volatile substances from the different organs using solid phase micro-extraction (SPME). This is the first description of the aroma profile of S. molle grown in two different regions. Despite quantitative differences α-phellandrene was detected as the major volatile component in all studied samples. Limonene, the second major component in all samples from Turkey was absent in the oils from Jordan; instead β-phellandrene was detected as the second major component of the hydro-distilled oils of fresh and dry fruits’, leaves’ and flowers’ oils from Jordan. The fruits obtained from the dry desert regions of Jordan yielded about 8-fold more volatile oils, compared to the fruits of S. molle grown in Turkey (2.5 ml and 0.3 ml/100 g fresh plants, respectively). Additionally, the essential oil, water, ethylacetate and chloroform extracts of S. molle, grown in Jordan were assayed for their inhibitory effect against acetyl-cholinesterase (AChE) and butyryl-cholinesterase (BChE). Most of the extracts revealed moderate to strong inhibitory activities and the chloroform extract showed the strongest inhibitory activity against both, AChE and BChE with IC50’s of 6.54 x 10-2± 0.15 x 10-2 and 8.13 x 10-2± 0. 27 x 10-2 μg/μL, respectively, compared to Tacrine, the positive control.

Single-Laboratory Validation of a Gas Chromatographic Method of Direct Determination of Volatile Compounds in Spirit Drinks: Need for an Improved Interlaboratory Study.

Background: The quality and safety control of an alcoholic drink is mainly the establishment of its chemical content, particularly the quantity of volatile compounds. Objective: A single-laboratory validation of a gas chromatographic method of direct determination of volatile compounds in spirit drinks was conducted. The discussed method applies ethanol, the major volatile component of an alcoholic beverage, as an internal standard. Possible algorithms of method validation based on interlaboratory study were proposed and described. Methods: Seven standard solutions of the following volatile compounds were prepared gravimetrically in 40% (v/v) water-ethanol solution: acetaldehyde, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, methanol, 2-propanol, 1-propanol, isobutanol, 1-butanol, and isoamylol. Each sample was measured with the proposed method 30 times in repeatability conditions. Results: Flame ionization detector response was linearly correlated with assigned concentrations at a range of 2 to 5000 mg/L of absolute alcohol (AA) with coefficients of determination (R²) more than 0.995 for all analyzed components. Repeatability (RSDr ≤ 4.5%; RSDr ≤ 2.0%), reproducibility (RSDR ≤ 5.0%; RSDR ≤ 2.0%), and trueness (relative bias ≤ 2.6%; relative bias ≤ 1.4%) were obtained for low (10-25 mg/L AA for methanol and 2-10 for other volatiles) and high (25-5000 mg/L AA for methanol and 10-5000 for other volatiles) ranges of concentrations, correspondingly. Conclusions: The method increases the reliability of measurements and eliminates manual procedures of internal standard addition into both calibration standard solutions and spirit drinks.

Hexanal, a major volatile found in fresh peanut seed, elicits foraging behavior in the laboratory-reared brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae).

Phytophagous insects utilize visual, olfactory and gustatory cues to find food. The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), quickly approaches fresh peanut seeds newly introduced into the rearing cage in the laboratory but shows less interest in stale peanut seed previously infested by conspecifics. This observation suggests that H. halys can perceive the quality of food by detecting the volatile(s) from fresh peanut seeds. A bioassay revealed that H. halys adults could more quickly find fresh peanut seeds than three-day-infested peanut seeds, which is consistent with laboratory observations. Hexanal was found to be the major volatile component of fresh peanut seeds but not of previously infested ones. In the two-choice assays, the adult bugs that did respond were significantly attracted to fresh peanut volatiles and hexanal. Hexanal also induced proboscis-protruding behavior in adult H. halys, which suggested that this compound is a key stimulant of foraging behavior of laboratory-reared H. halys adults.

The combined and single effect of salinity and copper stress on growth and quality of Mentha spicata plants.

Copper is essential for plant growth, but in excess may cause adverse effects on plant physiology. Harmful effects are also caused by plant exposure to salinity (NaCl) due to the excessive use of fertilizers, soil degradation and/or the quality of the water used for irrigation. The impact of single and combined salinity (Sal) and copper (Cu) stress on spearmint metabolism were studied in hydroponics. Spearmint plants (Mentha spicata L.) were subjected to salinity stress (150 mM NaCl) and/or excessive Cu concentration (60 μM Cu) via the nutrient solution. Not only Sal and Cu, but also their combination suppressed plant growth by decreasing plant biomass, root fresh weight and plant height. Chlorophyll content decreased mainly for the combined stress treatment (Sal + Cu). Polyphenols and antioxidants (FRAP, DPPH, ABTS) increased in single stress treatments (Sal or Cu), but decreased in the combined stress (Sal + Cu). The application of Sal or Cu stress decreased Zn, N and K (leaves), K, Ca, P and Mg (roots) content. Copper application increased Ca and Mg in leaves. In conclusion, salinity stress and Cu exposure may change the primary metabolic pathways in favor of major volatile oil components biosynthesis, resulting in significant changes of essential oil yield and composition.

Purification of pulp mill condensates by an adsorptive process on activated carbon

Abstract In order to close the water cycle in pulp mills with condensates instead of fresh water, the malodorous/hazardous volatile compounds and colored substances have to be removed by appropriate efficient methods. In the present work, the condensate from the evaporation of black liquor (BL) from a kraft mill was purified by a batch adsorptive process by means of commercial activated carbon (AC). The effluent was found to contain a wide range of aromatic and organosulfur volatile compounds, including toluene, ethylguaicol, syringaldehyde, dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS), 2,3-dimethylthiophene, benzothiol and benzothiophene derivatives. Methanol was the major volatile organic component in the condensate (201 mg l−1), which was, however, poorly adsorbed on the AC surface. Aromatics and organosulfur contaminants were adsorbed almost completely in 2–5 min at 23°C under the optimized AC load (900 mg l−1). The treatment allowed the elimination of up to 99% of the obnoxious odor, color and turbidity of the condensate. The adsorption equilibrium followed the Langmuir model and the pseudo-second-order kinetics. The new process could be incorporated in the pulp mill with relatively low additional reagent costs.

Cichorium intybus from India: GC-MS Profiling, Phenolic Content and in vitro Antioxidant Capacity of Sequential Soxhlet Extracted Roasted Roots

Abstract Research on the bio-activities and chemical composition of roasted C. intybus roots from India is very little. In present studies GC-MS analysis of volatile components of roasted C. intybus roots, phenolics and flavonoid content estimation and antioxidant potential of roasted C. intybus roots was carried out. Antioxidant potential was also evaluated using FRAP, DPPH, hydroxyl radical, nitric oxide and superoxide free radical scavenging method. Extracts were prepared by sequential Soxhlet extraction. GC-MS analysis of volatile components of roasted C. intybus root extracts revealed that 5-hydroxymethyl furfural was major volatile component in dichloromethane and methanol extract whereas lupeol and its derivative compounds were major constituents of hexane extract. Quantitative estimation for total phenols and flavonoids showed that the methanol extract of C. intybus roots contained highest phenolic and flavonoid content as compared to other extracts and also showed strong radical scavenging activities which were comparable with ascorbic acid used as standard. All extracts showed IC50 values less than 0.6 mg/mL furthermore, extracts of roasted C. intybus showed the high total antioxidant potential for the reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+. The C. intybus roots possess good antioxidant capacity even after roasting and all the extracts showed good activities.

Interlaboratory study of ethanol usage as an internal standard in direct determination of volatile compounds in alcoholic products

A collaborative interlaboratory study on the method of direct quantitation of volatile compounds in spirit drinks and alcoholic products was conducted. The discussed method applies ethanol, the major volatile component of an alcoholic product, as an internal standard. In this study 9 laboratories from 4 different countries were supplied with standard solutions for gas chromatographic measurements. Five aqueous ethanol 40% (v/v) standard solutions containing target compounds in concentrations ranging from 10 mg/L to 400 mg/L of absolute alcohol were prepared and sent to the participants for quantification of acetaldehyde, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, methanol, 2-propanol, 1-propanol, 2-methyl-1-propanol, 1-butanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol. The interlaboratory study was evaluated according to the ISO 5725 standards and the Eurachem guide. The within-laboratory precision varied between 0.4% and 7.5% for all samples and compounds, showing a sufficiently high repeatability of the method. The between-laboratory precision was found to vary within a satisfactory range of 0.5% ÷ 10.0%. Precision of the method was well within the range predicted by the Horwitz equation for all analytes. The analysis of trueness showed that the bias of the method is insignificant at the significance level α = 5%. The determined concentrations of the analytes compared well to the gravimetrical values thus showing very satisfactory accuracy of the method. The results of the interlaboratory study confirmed that “Ethanol as Internal Standard” method is robust and reliable and can be used as a standard reference method for analysing volatile compounds in water-ethanol samples. The possibilities of method validation according to the previously obtained experimental data were shown.