Root Essential Oil Research Articles

Comparison of vetiver root essential oils from cleansed (bacteria- and fungus-free) vs. non-cleansed (normal) vetiver plants

‘Karnataka’ and ‘Malaysia’ cultivars of vetiver ( Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash, = Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty) were subjected to meristem tissue culture in order to produce plants that were bacteria- and fungi-free. Tissue cultured (“cleansed” or phytosanitary) vetiver was grown for five months in sterilized soil contained in pots, and the oil content of plants grown on the medium was compared to that of non-cleansed (normal) vetiver plants grown in unsterilized soil under the same conditions. Statistical analysis of 49 of the major oil components revealed numerous significant differences between tissue culture derived and natural plants for both genotypes. Although oil yields differed, this may reflect the larger size of the initial plantlets obtained from natural sources. Tissue cultured vs. natural plantlets grown in sterilized soil resulted in the largest number of differences in compounds. The least number of differences of compounds were between tissue cultured vs. natural plantlets grown in non-sterile soil. The thesis that many of the compounds found in vetiver roots originate from endogenous fungi was not supported.

GC-MS Analysis of the Essential Oils of Roots and Leaves of Foeniculum vulgare Mill

Present paper reports the chemical composition of essential oils of roots and leaves from Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (Family Apiaceae). The oils were isolated using hydro-distilla-tion method and characterized by GC and GC-MS. 32 constituents amounting 95.7 % of the roots oil and 29 constituents constituting 92.1% of the leaves oil were identified. Myristicin, dillapiole and apiole were the major components in the root oil, while trans-anethole was the major constituent in the leaves oil.

California Lomatiums, Part VI. Composition of the Essential Oils of Lomatium foeniculaceum ssp. fimbriatu

The fruit essential oil of Lomatium foeniculaceum ssp. fmbriatum collected from the Inyo National Forest in California contained myrcene (24.5%), β-phellandrene/limonene (12.9%), germacrene D (13.9%), (E)-β-ocimene (10.4%), and (Z)-ligustilide (9.8%) as the major components. Germacrene D and (Z)-ligustilide also constituted the major components of the stem and leaf oil. (Z)-Falcarinol (38.1%) was the major component of the root essential oil.

Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and antioxidant activities of Carlina acanthifolia root essential oil

The root of Carlina acanthifolia All. (Asteraceae) has been traditionally used in the treatment of various disorders including stomach and skin diseases. We studied antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and antioxidant activities of Carlina acanthifolia root essential oil, in order to validate some of the ethnopharmacological claims. Antimicrobial activity was tested on 15 bacteria and three strains of fungi using the agar diffusion and broth microdilution methods. In assessing anti-inflammatory activity the carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema test was used, while ethanol-induced stress gastric ulcer test in rats was used in testing anti-ulcer activity. Antioxidant properties were evaluated trough the effect of the essential oil on lipid peroxidation (TBA assay) and its capability of quenching 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and OH radicals. The oil expressed significant antimicrobial activity, being the most active against Gram (+) bacteria: Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus subtilis and against Candida albicans. In all applied concentrations, Carlina acanthifolia root essential oil reduced carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema in dose-dependent manner, achieving high degree of anti-inflammatory activity. The effect was comparable with that of indomethacin used as a reference drug. In the ethanol-induced stress gastric ulcer test in rats, it was shown that the tested essential oil produced significant dose-dependent gastroprotective activity. The results also pointed out substantial and dose-dependent antioxidant activity of the investigated essential oil, with carlina oxide as the main antioxidant component.

Chemical Composition of the Essential Oils of Serbian Wild-Growing Artemisia absinthium and Artemisia vulgaris

The chemical composition of the aerial and root essential oils, hydrodistilled from Artemisia absinthium L. and Artemisia vulgaris L. (wild-growing populations from Serbia), were studied by gas chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance. During the storage of plant material under controlled conditions, a significant decrease of essential oil yields (isolated directly after drying and after 1 year of storage) and significant differences in their chemical compositions were observed. A possible mechanism for the observed oil component interconversion has been discussed. The noticeable differences in the chemical composition of the oils isolated from roots and aerial parts of A. absinthium and A. vulgaris were also correlated with the diverging biosynthetic pathways of volatiles in the respective plant organs. The antimicrobial activities against the common human pathogens of all of the isolated oils were tested according to National Committee on Clinical Laboratory Standards. The oils showed a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against the tested strains. Therefore, these oils can be used as flavor and fragrance ingredients.

Composition of Carlina acanthifolia Root Essential Oil

The root of Carlina acanthifolia All. (Asteraceae) contained 1.0% of essential oil (expressed in g per 100 g of dried plant material). Using GC and GC/MS, nine components were identified (100% of total oil). The structure of benzyl 2-furylacetylene (carlina oxide), which is the principal component of the oil (91.5%), was spectrometrically identified.

Growth and essential oil composition of hairy root cultures of Levisticum officinale W.D.J. Koch (lovage)

Transformed root cultures of Levisticum officinale (lovage) were established by inoculation of aseptically grown seedlings with Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain A4 carrying plasmid pRiA4::70GUS. Hairy roots growth in four different types of liquid culture media was determined by the dissimilation method and by measuring the fresh and dry weight of the roots. The composition of the essential oils from the hairy roots and from lovage plant roots was analysed by GC and GC–MS. The main components of the oil samples from the hairy roots were falcarinol, ( Z)-ligustilide, ( Z)-3-butylidenephthalide, trans-β-farnesene, β-phellandrene, n-octanal, γ-elemene and n-heptanal, in varying amounts depending on the culture media tested. The hairy roots essential oil yields ranged from 0.006 to 0.018% (v/fr. wt.). The main components of the oil from the lovage plant roots were ( Z)-ligustilide, β-pinene, pentylcyclohexadiene and α-pinene. The yield of the oil from the lovage plant roots was 0.16% (v/fr. wt.).

Volatile constituents of different parts (roots, stems and leaves) of Smyrnium olusatrum L.

AbstractSmyrnium olusatrum L. is a biennal plant growing in western and southern Europe. Several phytochemical studies have identified flavonoids, phenolic acids and sesquiterpene lactones as main constituents. In this work the root, stem and leaf essential oils of Smyrnium olusatrum L. (Umbelliferae) collected in Urbino (Marche, Italy) were studied by GC and GC‐MS. Myrcene (1, 13 and 14%), β‐phellandrene (34, 17 and 9%), β‐caryophyllene (1, 3 and 12%), furanodiene (19, 8 and 17%), curzerene (13, 6 and 12%), germacrene B (7, 14 and 10%) and germacrone (8, 7 and 8%) were identified as the major components in the root, stem and leaf oils, respectively. SPME analysis of fresh material of the same different organs showed β‐myrcene (3, 21 and 36%), β‐phellandrene (25, 34 and 12%), β‐caryophyllene (1, 7 and 22%) and furanodiene (4, 7 and 7%) as typical components in the headspace of fresh roots, stems and leaves, respectively. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Dérivés phénoliques et benzéniques des huiles essentielles de trois Uvaria (Annonaceae) de Côte-d'Ivoire : Uvaria chamae (P.Beauv), Uvaria afzelii (Sc. Elliot) et Uvaria sp. (Aké Assi)

Essentials oils phenolic and benzenic derivatives from three Uvaria ( Annonaceae) of Ivory Coast: Uvaria chamae (P. Beauv), Uvaria afzelii (Sc. Elliot), and Uvaria sp. (Aké Assi) . The chemical compositions of roots and barks oils from Uvaria chamae, Uvaria afzelii and Uvaria sp. were determined by chromatographic (CPG) and spectroscopic (RMN 1H, 13C and SM) analysis. The benzyl benzoate was identified as dominant compound of barks oils. Besides, the roots essential oil from Uvaria sp. contains a single major compound, namely the 1-hydroxy 2,5-dimethoxy-paracymene (72%). As for the roots essential oils from Uvaria chamae and Uvaria afzelii, different representative products were identified, among which the 2,5-dimethoxy-paracymene and the benzyl benzoate. To cite this article: A.M. Koffi et al., C. R. Chimie 7 (2004) .

Preliminary comparison of vetiver root essential oils from cleansed (bacteria- and fungus-free) versus non-cleansed (normal) vetiver plants

The ‘Sunshine’ cultivar of vetiver ( Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash, = Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty) was subjected to meristem tissue culture in order to produce plants that were bacteria- and fungi-free. Tissue cultured (“cleansed” or phytosanitary) vetiver was grown for five months in pots of sterilized soil, and the oil compared to non-cleansed (normal) vetiver plants grown in the same conditions except using pots of unsterilized soil. The steam distilled (24 h) oil of the roots from tissue cultured (cleansed) vetiver yielded 0.02% clear oil compared to a 0.35% yield of light yellow oil for the normal vetiver plants, a 17-fold smaller yield. GC/MS analyses of the oils revealed that the non-cleansed (normal) vetiver had the typical vetiver oil profile, whereas the tissue cultured (cleansed) vetiver produced large amounts of C 19–C 29 alkanes plus several alkanols along with typical vetiver oil compounds, but lacked presumed fungal metabolites such as β-funebrene, prezizaene, α-amorphene, and β-vetispirene. An unidentified biotic factor (apparently bacteria or fungi) appears to enhance the oil production in normal vetiver by both increasing yield and by the generation of signature oil compounds. These preliminary results of endogenous microbial transformations of plant chemistry may have broader physiological implications, especially among monocotyledons (including cereals).

3,5-Nonadiyne isolated from the rhizome of Cachrys ferulacea inhibits endogenous nitric oxide release by rat peritoneal macrophages.

3,5-Nonadiyne, in vitro, selectively inhibits endogenous nitric oxide release (IC(50)=6.7+/-0.8 microM) by rat peritoneal macrophages at doses that do not inhibit T cell proliferation. 3,5-Nonadiyne was isolated from root essential oil of Cachrys ferulacea (L.) CALESTANI, synonym Prangos ferulacea (L.) LINDLEY, obtained by hydrodistillation and spectrometricaly identified unambiguously.

Application of combined approach to analyze the constituents of essential oil from Dong quai.

A combined approach of sub-window factor analysis and spectral correlative chromatography has been employed to analyze the constituents of essential oils of Dong quai. Essential oils are the main pharmacological active individuals of Dong quai. Some constituents in the main root of Dong quai have been identified by GC-MS with the help of sub-window factor analysis resolving two-dimensional original data into mass spectra and chromatograms. Correlative constituents in another part of the root fiber have been recognized by spectral correlative chromatography. Seventy six of 97 separated constituents in the essential oil of main root were identified and quantified, accounting for about 91.36% of the total content. Sixty seven correlative components in the essential oil of root fiber were recognized. The result proves that the combined approach is powerful enough for the analysis of complex herbal samples.

Oviposition-Stimulatory Activity against Ostrinia Zealis by Essential Oil of Root Part from Cirsium Japonicum DC

The essential oil components from root part of Cirsium japonicum and oviposition-stimulatory activity against Ostrinia zealis by root essential oil were investigated. The main component of fresh root essential oil was aplotaxene (75.14%) and of dried root stock was found to be palmitic acid (14.42%). The root oil was significantly more active than the control against O. zealis.

Volatile constituents from leaf, inflorescence and root oils of Ocimum americanum L. grown in north‐eastern Brazil

AbstractChemical composition of essential oils obtained by microwave and steam distillations from several parts of Ocimum americanum L. growing in north‐eastern Brazil were determined by GC–MS and retention time analysis. (E)‐Methyl cinnamate was found to be the major constituent in the leaves (82.7–82.7%) and inflorescence (87.1–97.5%), respectively, while eugenol, which was not traceable in these parts, reaches 88.2% in the root essential oil. In view of these data O. americanum from north‐eastern Brazil today represented a novel chemotype and would appear to be akin to the African, Commodore Island and French Congo plants, as well as to the US and Nigerian plants. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Composition and some biological activities of the essential oils from an African pasture grass: Elionurus elegans Kunth.

The volatile oils of the aerial parts and roots from a pasture plant, Elionurus elegans, were studied by GC-MS analyses. Both organs studied contained only terpenic constituents. The main components found in the extract essential oils of the aerial parts were campherenone (43.0%), caryophyllene oxide (4.9%), and bisabolone (4.9%), whereas those found in the root essential oils were campherenone (39.0%), epi-beta-santalene (12.0%), and caryophyllene oxide (4.6%). Furthermore, the oils were tested for antibacterial and antifungal activities. The results obtained led to a nonsignificant inhibitory effect, although an increase of the lag stage was shown for the kinetics growth of Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Enterococcus hirae, and Staphylococcus aureus. When alpha-tocopherol is used as a control, the antioxidant activities of the oils obtained from the aerial parts and roots were 30 and 46% IC(50), respectively.

Essential oil constituents and in vitro antimicrobial activity of Decalepis hamiltonii roots against foodborne pathogens.

Hydrodistillation of Decalepis hamiltonii roots yielded an essential oil (0.33% v/w) that contained 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde (37.45%), 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde (31.01%), 4-O-methylresorcylaldehyde (9.12%), benzyl alcohol (3.16%), and alpha-atlantone (2.06%) as major constituents, with aromatic aldehydes constituting the main fraction of this root's essential oil. The oil was tested for its antimicrobial activity against foodborne pathogens responsible for food spoilage and human pathologies using standard antimicrobial assays. It exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus, Bacillus megaterium, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, Micrococcus roseus, and Staphylococcus aureus at a concentration range of 1:0 with inhibitory activities of 27, 23, 16, 19, 22, 19, and 23 mm, respectively, which are comparable to those of the standards. The roots of D. hamiltonii, therefore, may be considered as an inexpensive source of an essential oil rich in antimicrobial compounds against foodborne pathogens.

Essential oils from hairy root cultures and from plant roots of Achillea millefolium

Abstract The essential oils isolated from roots of two Achillea millefolium populations (BGL and CGA) and from two hairy root cultures (A4 and LBA) derived from one of these were analysed by GC and GC–mass spectrometry. The essential oils from the plant roots were obtained in a yield of 0.10% (BGL) and 0.05% (CGA) (v/w), whereas that of both hairy root cultures attained 0.05% (v/w). Compared on a dry weight basis, the yield from the hairy root cultures was similar to or higher than that from the plant roots. The oxygen-containing sesquiterpene fraction of the root oils from both plant populations was the most characteristic one, epi-cubenol being the main component of these oils (18% for BGL and 26% for CGA). Oxygen-containing monoterpenes constituted the most important fraction of the essential oils from both hairy root cultures, neryl isovalerate being the main component (27% and 43% for A4 and LBA, respectively). No major differences were detected in the root essential oil profiles of the two A. millefolium plant populations, but qualitative and quantitative differences were found between the essential oils from the plant roots and those from the hairy roots, and also between the oils from the two hairy root cultures.

VETIVERIA ZIZANIOIDES AS A TOOL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

This report deals with an exotic graminaceous plant, Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Stapf., a species of great economical and ecological interest, owing to its root essential oil of value in perfume industry and for its potential as a tool against soil erosion. An in vitro procedure of cell culture and plant regeneration has been developed to produce selected plants with an high C 4 photosynthetic efficiency. The experimental results and the phenologic characteristics of V zizanioides strongly support plant spreading in temperate and Mediterranean countries, where vetiver grass could find several applications in environmental engineering and bioremediation.

Aromatic plants of tropical Central Africa. Part XXXI. Tricyclic sesquiterpenes from the root essential oil of Echinops giganteus var. lelyi C. D. Adams

The essential oil from the roots of Echinops giganteus var. lelyi C. D. Adams from Cameroon was investigated by GC, GC–MS and NMR spectroscopy. The oil contains exclusively sesquiterpenes, two-thirds of which are hydrocarbons. Eighteen components, representing 83% of the oil, could be identified; 14 of them (80%) are tricyclic sesquiterpenes with presilphiperfolane, silphiperfolane, isocomane and modhephane skeletons. The main constituent is silphiperfol-6-ene (26.9%), accompanied by presilphiperfol-7(8)-ene (9.4%) which is found for the first time as a natural product. Only one of the four silphiperfolan-6-ol stereoisomers I–IV detected has been described previously. All constituents identified seem to be generated by the same biogenetic pathway.

Composition of the root essential oils of several Geum species and related members of the subtribus geinae (rosaceae)

AbstractThe root essential oils of several members of the genera Geum, Waldsteinia and Coluria, together representing the subtribus Geinae, were analysed by GC‐MS. The qualitative composition of these oils was relatively similar with eugenol and some pinane derivatives, e.g. myrtanals, myrtenal, myrtanols and myrtenol, as characteristic constituents. The oils differed considerably concerning the quantitative composition, e.g. two groups of Geum species could be observed, one with a high (>65%) and one with a low (<5%) content of eugenol. In the root oil of Waldsteinia ternata Fritsch, only traces of this phenylpropanoid were found. Headspace analysis of a root extract of W. geoides Willd. showed a high percentage of cinnamyl alcohol.