Composition Of Oil Research Articles

Altitudinal Effects on Soil Microbial Diversity and Composition in Moso Bamboo Forests of Wuyi Mountain.

Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) forest is a key ecosystem and its soil microbial community plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecosystem's functions, but it is very vulnerable to climate change. An altitude gradient can positively simulate environmental conditions caused by climate change, and hence, it provides an efficient means of investigating the response of soil microorganisms to such climatic changes. However, while previous research has largely concentrated on plant-soil-microorganism interactions across broad altitudinal ranges encompassing multiple vegetation types, studies examining these interactions within a single ecosystem across small altitudinal gradients remain scarce. This study took Moso bamboo forests at different altitudes in Wuyi Mountain, China, as the research object and used high-throughput sequencing technology to analyze the soil microbial community structure, aiming to elucidate the changes in soil microbial communities along the altitude gradient under the same vegetation type and its main environmental driving factors. This study found that the structure of bacterial community was notably different in Moso bamboo forests' soil at varying altitudes, unlike the fungal community structure, which showed relatively less variance. Bacteria from Alphaproteobacteria phylum were the most dominant (14.71-22.91%), while Agaricomycetes was the most dominating fungus across all altitudinal gradients (18.29-30.80%). Fungal diversity was higher at 530 m and 850 m, while bacterial diversity was mainly concentrated at 850 m and 1100 m. Redundancy analysis showed that soil texture (sand and clay content) and available potassium content were the main environmental factors affecting fungal community structure, while clay content, pH, and available potassium content were the main drivers of bacterial community structure. This study demonstrates that the altitude gradient significantly affects the soil microbial community structure of Moso bamboo forest, and there are differences in the responses of different microbial groups to the altitude gradient. Soil properties are important environmental factors that shape microbial communities. The results of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of the impact of altitude gradient on the soil microbial community structure of Moso bamboo forests, thus providing support for sustainable management of Moso bamboo forests under climate change scenarios.

Dynamic interplay of soil parameters and CO2 sequestration in Solanku-runi Freshwater Pond Wetland, Tamil Nadu, India

This study investigates the dynamic interplay between soil temperature, pH levels, and CO2 sequestration across ten sample sites over a four-month periods from January to April 2018 in Solankuruni freshwater pond wetland in Madurai District, Tamil Nadu, India. The soil temperature fluctuations, ranging from 31°C to 44°C, reveal distinct site-specific patterns, with sample site six consistently exhibiting the highest temperatures. Soil temperature exhibited notable variations, influenced by factors such as soil composition, and microclimate variations. Regarding pH level, the range between 6.23 to 8.1 display variability influenced by factors like soil composition and anthropogenic influences, study site five consistently leading in pH levels. Soil CO2 sequestration varying from 1517.857 g/m² to 3357.143 g/m², highlight the influence of soil microbial activity, vegetation cover, and soil moisture content, ninth site consistently showing the highest sequestration rates. The findings reveal substantial variations in factors such as soil composition, vegetation type, microclimate, and anthropogenic activities, prominence the intricate nature of soil dynamics. These results stress the importance of understanding the interconnections among soil properties to create effective climate change mitigation strategies. Moreover, the research provides valuable understanding of the intricate connections between soil properties, emphasizing the necessity for region-specific studies to inform comprehensive environmental policies. Understanding these dynamic soil processes is crucial for advancing sustainable land management practices and boosting soil carbon sequestration in wetland ecosystems.

Effect of stationary factors on the yield and chemical composition of essential oils of Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Masters from Sdama Chergui massif’s (Tiaret, North-West Algeria)

This paper aims to study the influence of exposure, altitude, and soil pH on the yield and chemical composition of essential oils (EOs) from the leaves of Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Masters, developed in the Sdama Chergui massif in northwestern Algeria. These EOs were obtained by hydrodistillation, resulting in average yields of 0.33±0.13 %, 0.29±0.07 %, 0.24±0.07 %, and 0.2±0.03 %, recorded at the south, west, north, and east exposures, respectively. Upon analyzing the obtained EOs by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS), a total of chemical molecules grouped into 22 families were identified. The predominant compounds were Bornyl acetate (9.14 %, 7.95 %, 11.20 %, and 9.78 %), Limonene (5.03 %, 7.18 %, 5.76 %, and 5.41 %), α-Pinene (4.97 %, 5.26 %, 5.09 %, and 4.79 %), Camphor (7.53 %, 3.69 %, 3.01 %, and 5.91 %), and Borneol (5.20 %, 6.26 %, 4.93 %, and 5.11 %). Additionally, the analysis of these molecules by Factorial Analysis of Mixed Data (PCAmix) revealed that exposure, altitude, and soil pH have little effect on the yield and chemical composition of the essential oils of Tetraclinis articulata. Finally, careful attention to stationary parameters is crucial for obtaining essential oils of high quality and optimal quantity.

Phytochemical Characterization of the Aerial Parts of Teucrium nuchense K. Koch: An Endemic Species of Caucasian Flora

Background: The genus Teucrium L. is frequently employed in traditional medicine, primarily for addressing disorders of the digestive and respiratory systems. Biological investigations focused on essential oils have substantiated their antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-diabetic, and anti-rheumatic properties. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the chemical composition and biological activities of the aerial parts of the endemic species Teucrium nuchense K. Koch. Methods: The chemical composition of the essential oil was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antioxidant activity was evaluated through the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) assay and tested on normal skin fibroblasts (WS-1). Additionally, the antiinflammatory efficacy was assessed by monitoring nitric oxide production. The total phenolic content in the aqueous, methanolic, and chloroformic extracts was quantified using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. Individual compounds were isolated using preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. Their identification was accomplished using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) with an ESI-Q-TOF detector in conjunction with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Results: The essential oil yield was 0.32 ml/kg. Caryophyllene oxide, constituting 15.19 %, and 1- octen-3-ol, constituting 8.75%, emerged as the primary components in the essential oil. Oxygenated sesquiterpenes dominated the terpenic compounds, representing 25.1 % of the essential oil. The aqueous and methanolic extracts displayed a notable phenolic content, with percentages of 27 ± 2 % and 35 ± 0.1 %, respectively. Both the aqueous and methanolic extracts demonstrated robust antioxidant activity in the ORAC test and in vitro assessments using WS-1 cells. The methanolic extract, at a concentration of 160 μg/ml, inhibited NO formation by 90 %, without toxicity in RAW 264.7. Individual compounds, teucrioside from the phenylethanoid glycoside class, two neo-clerodane diterpenes, teucrin A, and 6-alpha-hydroxyteuscordine, were isolated. Conclusion: The essential oil extracted from the aerial parts of Teucrium nuchense is characterized by the presence of caryophyllene oxide and 1-octen-3-ol. The methanolic extract exhibits notable antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory properties, whereas the aqueous extract demonstrates high antioxidant activity. Additionally, three compounds of teucrioside, teucrin A, and 6-α- hydroxyteuscordine have been isolated and characterized.

Extraction of Origanum onites L. using an industrial-type microwave-assisted distillation (MWAD) system: Increasing energy saving and essential oil yield compared to conventional steam distillation

Oregano species are commonly utilized for different medical purposes as well as for other essential oil products. One of the oregano species, Origanum onites L. has a dense natural distribution in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions of Turkey and Greece and is cultivated mainly in Denizli province. Turkey meets 80 % of the world's oregano market. Since Origanum onites L., whose essential oils are of high quality, has a high economic value, assessing the quality and production of essential oils extracted using various methods is important. Microwave-assisted distillation (MWAD) processes are generally carried out under laboratory conditions using clevenger or small-scale specialized instruments made for research in the lab. Thus, designing industrial-scale distillation systems with microwave power is necessary. For this reason, an industrial-type MWAD system with 12 magnetrons (power output of 1 kW) was developed in this work, and both conventional steam distillation (SD) and MWAD of oregano plant were realized, as a novelty. This study experimentally investigated the effects of microwave power and applied time on both energy saving (%) and essential oil yield (%). System was designed to distill 9 kg of dried plants chopped at once and the results obtained were used to obtain reference data for MWAD systems that can be used in industrial systems. The obtained essential oil samples were subjected to GC-MS analysis for chemical analysis. A statistical analysis of the experimental data was performed via Design Expert software to elucidate the impact of microwave power and time on essential oil yield and energy savings. When the results were evaluated, the essential oil yield of oregano plant increased by 4–22 % with the MWAD system compared to SD. The highest increase in yield was achieved with the test (500 W + 40 min). Also, the distillation time with MWAD system was 50 % shorter than with SD system. The MWAD system consumed at least 25 % less energy. According to the GC-MS analysis results, carvacrol increased steadily depending on the time applied microwave power as well as oxygenated monoterpenes. The chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from the proposed MWAD system did not show any incompatible value according to the ISO-7925 standard. As a result, this proposed method can be safely used in industrial systems.

Essential Oils from the Leaves and Stem Barks of Pluchea indica (L.) Less.: Chemical Analysis, Cytotoxicity, Anti-inflammation, Antimicrobial Activity, Molecular Docking, and ADMET Profiling.

Pluchea indica(L.) Less. is a medicinal plant native to Asia. Traditionally, it is known for numerous traditional uses, such as treatments for fever, cough, and digestive issues. The present investigation aims to determine the chemical compositions of essential oils from its fresh leaves and stem barks. By using hydro-distillation and the GC-FID/MS (gas chromatography-flame ionization detection/mass spectrometry) analysis, the studied samples were dominated by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (76.8-82.2%) and their oxygenated derivatives (8.4-19.0%). β-Selinene (42.0-43.5%) and silphinene (21.1-22.9%) were the main compounds. Significantly, the stem bark essential oil strongly monitored the growth of four cancer cell lines K562, HeLa, HepG2, and MCF-7 with IC50values of 2.89-7.34 µg/mL. Both studied samples showed strong anti-inflammatory activity against NO (nitric oxide) production with IC50values of 21.81-23.18 µg/mL. The studied sample also exhibited antimicrobial activity at different levels. The molecular docking study revealed that β-selinene exhibited the strongest binding affinity for all four cancer-related protein targets: epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), Abelson tyrosine-protein kinase 1 (ABL1), and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K-α). The ADMET profiles of the major compounds were also predicted to provide insights for further research considerations.

Larvicidal activity and chemical composition of essential oils against Aedes aegypti Linn (Diptera: Culicidae) and Aedes albopictus Skuse (Diptera: Culicidae)

Introduction Aedes mosquitoes are the main vectors of the dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. Essential oils have been used in research as alternatives to the synthetic insecticides traditionally used in programs to control these diseases. Methods: leaves of plants from the Caatinga biome were used to obtain essential oils which were used for larvicide essays against Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus larvae. Results: significant differences were observed in the LC50 values of C. zeylanicum, C. winterianus, E. citriodora, O. micranthum, and T. erecta essential oils in Ae. aegypti, while these differences were observed for A. conyzoides, C. winterianus, E. citriodora, and O. micranthum essential oils in Ae. albopictus, at the analyzed times. The LC50 for 24 h revealed a significant larvicidal effect for all tested samples, with emphasis on the effect of A. conyzoides and L. gracilis essential oils on Ae. aegypti, and the effect of A. conyzoides, C. zeylanicum, C. winterianus, L. gracilis, and O. micranthum essential oils on Ae. albopictus, all with an LC50 < 100 ppm. It was observed a predominance of terpenes as components in the essential oils, and, in some of them, representing the major constituent (citronellal: 47.71% in E. citriodora and 47.63% in C. winterianus; geraniol: 30.54% in C. winterianus; citronellol: 25.61% in E. citriodora; carvacrol: 55.13% in L. gracilis; and cyclohexen-1-one, 2-isopropyl-5-methyl-: 69.94% in T. erecta). The other major compounds observed were precocene (chromene - 97.66% - A. conyzoides), and eugenol (phenylpropanoid - 96.28% and 73.21% - C. zeylanicum and O. micranthum, respectively). Conclusions: the findings of this study revealed the larvicidal potential of these essential oils on Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus control, representing an alternative source to the traditional chemical controls used against the populations of these vectors. Further studies on the effects on non-target organisms and the combined action of two or more essential oils evaluated under field conditions are essential for obtaining commercially efficient formulations of these extracts.

Innovative Technology of Continuous-Steam Distillation with Packed Column to Obtain Essential Oil-Differentiated Fractions from Mexican Lime (Citrus aurantifolia)

Continuous distillation (CD) by steam is a patented emerging technology that allows us to obtain essential-oil fractions from citrus juices. It presents benefits such as reducing steam consumption by 50%, lowering environmental impact, and, by its design, obtaining fractions enriched in terpenic and oxygenated compounds that can be further processed. The CD of essential oils from Mexican lime juice (Citrus aurantifolia) was studied and the results were compared with conventional steam distillation (batch) in terms of steam consumption, extraction yield, chemical composition, and quality of the essential oils. Different steam flows were used: distillation without a packed column (sc); with packed column (cc); and steam flows of 10, 15, and 20 mL/min with a reflux ratio of 0.5, 1, and 2, respectively. CD was superior in terms of composition, extraction energy savings (0.63 kg steam/kg juice with 1.39 kg steam/kg juice in the conventional), and the extraction yield recovery efficiency was >90%. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the extracted essential oils indicated that the use of CD with a column increases the fractionation of volatile compounds. The result of this study demonstrates that CD can be used as an alternative method to extract the essential oil from lime or any citrus fruit, obtaining differentiated fractions in aroma and composition.

Taxonomic and functional characterization of biofilms from a photovoltaic panel reveals high genetic and metabolic complexity of the communities.

Biofilms are complex microbial cell aggregates that attach to different surfaces in nature, industrial environments, or hospital settings. In photovoltaic panels (PVs), biofilms are related to significant energy conversion losses. In this study, our aim was to characterize the communities of microorganisms and the genes involved in biofilm formation. In this study, biofilm samples collected from a PV system installed in southeastern Brazil were analyzed through shotgun metagenomics, and the microbial communities and genes involved in biofilm formation were investigated. A total of 2030 different genera were identified in the samples, many of which were classified as extremophiles or producers of exopolysaccharides. Bacteria prevailed in the samples (89%), mainly the genera Mucilaginibacter, Microbacterium, Pedobacter, Massilia, and Hymenobacter. The functional annotation revealed >12 000 genes related to biofilm formation and stress response. Genes involved in the iron transport and synthesis of c-di-GMP and c-AMP second messengers were abundant in the samples. The pathways related to these components play a crucial role in biofilm formation and could be promising targets for preventing biofilm formation in the PV. In addition, Raman spectroscopy analysis indicated the presence of hematite, goethite, and ferrite, consistent with the mineralogical composition of the regional soil and metal-resistant bacteria. Taken together, our findings reveal that PV biofilms are a promising source of microorganisms of industrial interest and genes of central importance in regulating biofilm formation and persistence.

Ecological study of false saffron in Russia, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan to ensure food security

Safflower oilseed is a crop native to Egypt and India with arid climates. Global warming in the world requires an alternative approach to well-known oilseeds (sunflower, rapeseed). Many years of research have been carried out to study the culture of safflower oilseed in contrasting natural conditions Russia, Southern Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan. The goal was to study the biological characteristics, productivity, accumulation of oil content, and the manifestation of the main disease in arid conditions and to create a variety with adaptive potential for a specific region. Based on the research results, new varieties of safflower oilseed Krasa Stupinskaya (Russia), Akmai, Nurlan, Iirkas, and Moldir-2008 (Kazakhstan), Shifo (Tajikistan) were created and recommended for sustainable farming in the above regions. In terms of the accumulation of oil and fatty acid composition in the seeds, the Krasa Stupinskaya variety from the Central region of the Russian Federation is at the level of southern varieties from Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. In a warming climate, the above varieties will ensure food security in their countries due to stable yields, sufficient accumulation of oil content in seeds and disease resistance.

Assessment of nutrient differences in detached soil particles between cropland and revegetated abandoned land

AbstractCropland (CRL) abandonment is a worldwide phenomenon of land use change with significant impacts on agro‐ecosystems. This research attempts to deepen the analysis of the positive and negative effects arising by focusing on the changes in soil properties and the amount and composition of soil particles detached after several periods of rainfall and the resulting exported sediment that occurs in abandoned areas with natural revegetation compared to CRL. The study was carried out in an agroforestry catchment with a temperate climate, on which CRL and abandoned land with natural vegetation were compared. The soil was sampled along two representative hillslopes integrating elements of the landscape and land use/land covers. Sediments were collected after seven periods in which flood events were recorded during the period July 2016 to December 2017, using artificial‐lawn mats. Soil and sediment composition (texture, soil organic carbon [SOC] and nutrients [total nitrogen and total phosphorous]) under both land uses were assessed and compared and related to rainfall characteristics using principal component analysis. Nutrient enrichment factors in the sediments compared to soils were also evaluated. The results highlight that after abandonment, SOC increased significantly, reaching contents almost three times higher than in CRL. Consequently, soil erodibility decreased, resulting in substantially lower sediment generation after erosive rainfall events. On average, sediment generation was three times lower in abandoned areas than in CRL, despite their steeper slopes. Soil total nitrogen also increased on abandoned lands, reaching values about twice as high as those in CRL. However, total phosphorous content was almost twice as high in CRL than in abandoned land posing a potential risk for water due to higher erosion rates recorded in CRL. The results confirmed the association of phosphorous with smaller particles and also demonstrated the total phosphorous‐SOC link in abandoned land. Furthermore, the effect of rainfall intensity on phosphorous mobilisation was confirmed, whilst nitrogen losses were mainly related to the total amount of rainfall recorded. In a scenario of increasing extreme precipitation, both total amount and increased precipitation intensity may exacerbate water pollution problems following nutrient loss in cultivated areas. This research contributes to identifying the impacts on agroforestry systems within the current context of converting natural areas into cultivated land, whilst in other regions revegetated natural areas are developed from abandoned agricultural land.

Variation in the essential oil composition of wild Artemisia haussknechtii Boiss. populations collected from Iran

Variation in the essential oil composition of wild Artemisia haussknechtii Boiss. populations collected from Iran

Interaction of Te(IV) and Te(VI) with the soil matrix – Sorption and fractionation as a function of soil composition

Tellurium is a technology-critical element (TCE), with relatively limited data on its behavior in the environment, especially the pedosphere. As with other TCEs, its more widespread use, especially in new energy sources, might lead to Te spillage during production or in the eventual waste. Investigation of tellurium's interaction with soil is a necessary step in the research into the physiochemical transformation and determining the mobility of different tellurium species. To broaden the hitherto scarce knowledge of tellurium behavior in the soil environment, selected soluble tellurium compounds were introduced into different types of well-characterized soil (content of fertilizers, organic matrix, clay minerals, Mn, Fe, pH). The study of Te(IV) and Te(VI) sorption indicated that after 7 days the sorption is quantitative and close to 100%. Addition of Fe2O3 to a soil deficient in Mn and Fe increases its sorption potential by about 10 percentage points. Based on fractionation study (0.11 mol L−1 CH3COOH, 0.1 mol L−1 ascorbic acid in oxalate buffer (pH 3), 30% H2O2 at 85 °C followed by 0.5 mol L−1 CH3COONH4), it was shown that the presence of Mn/Fe (oxyhydr)oxides plays an essential role in the mobility of Te, especially Te(VI), regardless of the soil type. In the soil poor in reducible fraction and rich in organic matrix (peat), the organic fraction was responsible for the immobilization of Te, especially Te(IV). Extraction of the mobile fraction after incubation in the presence of DI water (Te extraction: 7–8%), oxalic acid (5–7%) or citric acid (6%) (mimicking rhizosphere activity) indicated that these did not play a significant role in Te retention. Nevertheless, soil modification with biocarbon limited the effect of citrates on Te mobilization. This knowledge is fundamental, i.e. in the context of soil remediation processes and counteracting the migration of Te in the environment from anthropogenic sources (e.g. solar farms).

Coding smell patterns of crude oil by the electronic nose: A soil pollution case

In our study, we leveraged an electronic nose to detect the patterns of crude oils and their mixtures, sourced from the oil fields from neighboring regions in pursuit of the task of environmental impact evaluation. The temporal dynamics of oil-related patterns acquired by an electronic nose was tracked to identify the influence of high or low emissions of volatiles that depend on the oil composition. Analyzing the oils by Fourier-transform IR-spectroscopy and GC×GC-MS, we confirmed the correlation between sensor responses and the oil compositions, significantly dependent on the ratio of aromatic compounds/alkanes. Using pattern recognition techniques, Random Forest classifier enabled good accuracy of classification of oil samples and contaminated soils underscoring a high-resolution distinction between the response data. Applying these principles to determine the oil origin, we observed that the studied oil samples and contaminated soil samples corroborate with the dynamic changes in odor patterns based only on volatile and semivolatile compounds. Crude oils from the border of two oil fields facilitate a change in the odor pattern to remain one of the fields depending on the weathering time. These proposed intelligent multisensor systems show great promise as a tool for estimating oil-contaminated soils, thereby potentially enhancing environmental monitoring practices.

An improved prediction model for miscibility characterization and optimization of CO2 and associated gas co-injection

Insufficient reservoir pressure and gas source problems seriously limit effective applications of CO2 flooding in hydrocarbon reservoirs. An attractive strategy is to co-inject the produced associated hydrocarbon gas with CO2 to achieve miscible/near-miscible flooding to enhance oil recovery. However, the composition of the injected mixture and the in-situ spatio-temporal composition evolution of the displacing/displaced fluids significantly affect the CO2-oil miscibility and the overall hydrocarbon recovery performance. In this work, based on slim tube simulation results, a prediction model of minimum miscible pressure (MMP)/minimum near-miscible pressure (MNMP) is established. This model takes into account the effects of CO2 concentration distribution, oil composition and temperature changes to achieve accurate spatiotemporal characterization of miscibility in the reservoir. In addition, the distribution law of the phase and components front for the impure CO2 injection process was also investigated. The miscible volume factor and recovery efficiency were used as the basis for judging the minimum injection concentration limit of CO2. The simulation results of slim tube experiment indicate that the MMP and MNMP obtained are 16.74 MPa and 12.35 MPa, respectively. Furthermore, the error caused by the traditional slim tube experiment can be reduced by using the CO2 produced fraction. It is found that CO2 injection concentration and reservoir temperature are the main factors affecting miscibility, but injection rate has less effect. Moreover, the fast migration of CH4 front leads to the shrinkage of miscible/near-miscible zone, which is not conducive to CO2 flooding. Finally, the CO2 injection concentration of non-breakthrough stage, breakthrough stage and large-scale breakthrough stage was determined to be 78.3%, 61.5% and 29.2%, respectively. This work provides strong evidence for the treatment of associated gas reinjection, which is beneficial for optimization of carbon capture, EOR-utilization and storage (CCUS-EOR) projects.

Insecticidal and Repellent Activity of Essential Oils from Copaifera reticulata, Citrus paradisi, Lavandula hybrida and Salvia sclarea Against Immature and Adult Stages of Ctenocephalides felis felis.

The flea Ctenocephalides felis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae), parasitizes dogs and cats globally, acting as a vector for various pathogens affecting both animals and humans. Growing interest in environmentally friendly, plant-based products prompted this study. The aim of the study was to determine the chemical composition of essential oils (EOs) from Copaifera reticulata, Citrus paradisi, Lavandula hybrida and Salvia sclarea, assessing their insecticidal and repellent properties, determining lethal concentrations (LC50 and LC90), and evaluating residual efficacy in vitro against Ctenocephalides felis felis. Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detector analyzed EO composition. In vitro tests involved preparing EO solutions at various concentrations. Ten specimens from each life stage (egg, larva, pupa, adult) were used for insecticidal activity assessment. Adulticidal activity was assessed using 10cm2 filter paper strip, each treated with 0.200mL of the test solution. Immature stages activities were evaluated using 23.76cm2 discs of the same filter paper, each treated with 0.470mL of the test solution. Mortality percentage was calculated using (number of dead insects × 100) / number of incubated insects. Probit analysis calculated LC50 values with a 95% confidence interval. Major EO constituents were β-caryophyllene (EOCR), linalool (EOLH), linalyl acetate (EOSS), and limonene (EOCP). LC50 values were obtained for all stages except for the essential oil of C. paradisi. All oils showed repellent activity at 800μg/cm2. OECR exhibited greater residual efficacy. Each EO demonstrated superior insecticidal activity against specific C. felis felis stages.

Analysis of phthalate esters from vegetable oils by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry coupled with headspace solid-phase microextraction using cyclodextrin-based hypercrosslinked polymer coated fiber

Phthalate esters (PAEs) are used as additives to enhance the pliability and malleability of plastics. These substances frequently migrate from packaging materials to vegetable oils because of the absence of covalent bonds. Over time, this migration could result in the accumulation of PAEs in the human body through ingestion, contributing to various diseases. Therefore, accurate qualitative and quantitative analyses of PAEs in vegetable oils are imperative to assess the origins of contamination and investigate their toxicity, degradation, migration, and transformation patterns. However, the concentration of PAEs in most samples is low, and the composition of vegetable oils is complex. Thus, PAEs must be enriched and purified using appropriate sample pretreatment procedures before analysis. Common methods for pretreating PAEs in oil include solid-phase extraction (SPE), dispersive SPE, and magnetic SPE. These techniques require time-consuming and labor-intensive procedures such as oil dissolution, solvent extraction, and degreasing. These approaches also require numerous solvents and containers, increasing the risk of sample cross-contamination. Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) integrates sampling, extraction, purification, concentration, and injection into a single process, significantly accelerating analytical testing and reducing the potential for sample cross-contamination. In headspace (HS) mode, the analytes achieve equilibrium on the coating and are extracted in the gas phase. The fibers are shielded from nonvolatile and high-relative molecular mass substances in the sample matrix. Thus, SPME is an ideal method for extracting volatile compounds in vegetable oils. When HS-SPME coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), it can achieve the rapid screening of PAEs in vegetable oil. In this study, an SPME with cyclodextrin-based hypercrosslinked polymers (BnCD-HCP) coated on stainless steel fibers was employed to extract PAEs from vegetable oil. The structure and morphology of the polymers were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. BnCD-HCP exhibited high stability and diverse interactions, including π-π, hydrophobic, and host-guest interactions. The oil samples were incubated with methanol, and the PAEs were extracted from the headspace using the probe. The optimal extraction parameters included an extraction time of 20 min, extraction temperature of 50 ℃, desorption time of 4 min, and desorption temperature of 275 ℃. The BnCD-HCP/HS-SPME method was evaluated under optimized experimental conditions. The limits of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs) were determined by applying signal-to-noise ratios (S/N) of 3 and 10, respectively. Method accuracy was evaluated using relative standard deviations (RSDs). Single-needle precision was evaluated by conducting three consecutive analyses at 3 h intervals within a day. Inter-needle precision was assessed by conducting the same analyses (three replicates) with differently coated fibers. The 12 PAE compounds exhibited good linearity with correlation coefficients (R2) of at least 0.99. The LODs and LOQs ranged from 0.21 to 3.74 μg/kg and from 0.69 to 12.34 μg/kg, respectively. The RSDs were in the range of 1.8%-11.4% and 5.1%-13.9% for the single-needle and needle-to-needle methods, respectively. The proposed method was applied to soybean, peanut, and sunflower oils, and two PAEs were found in all three oils. Moreover, the method demonstrated good precision (RSD=1.17%-11.73%) and recoveries (72.49%-124.43%). Compared with other methods, the developed method was able to extract many target analytes and had a low or comparable LOD and high recovery. More importantly, this method does not require tedious operations such as solvent extraction and purification. Consequently, the developed method can be used to extract not only PAEs in oils but also other substances with a high lipid content.

The Influence of Weather Conditions on the Immortelle Volatile Constituents from Essential oil and Hydrosol with a Focus on Italidiones and Its Molecular Docking Anti-Inflammatory Potential

Objectives Immortelle has garnered global attention for its cosmetic, medicinal, and culinary applications worldwide. Apart from neryl acetate, α-pinene and γ-curcumene as the most important components for the estimation of the essential oil quality, in recent years a group of β-diketones, known as italidiones, appear as significant quality parameters. However, it is unknown how weather conditions (temperature and precipitation) influence their accumulation in essential oil and hydrosol, nor their anti-inflammatory potential. Methods This study investigates the chemical composition of immortelle essential oil and hydrosol over three successive years (2019/20, 2020/21, and 2021/22), by GC-FID and GC-MS analysis. In silico molecular docking model with Vascular Adhesion Protein-1 (VAP-1) was used for the simulation of the anti-inflammatory potential of italidiones, as well as other β-diketones present in immortelle essential oil and hydrosol. Results During the three-year trial, it was established that essential oil compounds such as α-pinene, neryl acetate, and italicene were positively correlated with temperature and negatively correlated with precipitation, as well as β-diketones and total italidiones. Moreover, trans-caryophyllene, γ-curcumene, and ar-curcumene were in negative correlation with temperature, and a slight positive correlation with precipitation. On the other side, in the hydrosol the content of both total β-diketones and total italidiones was strongly negatively correlated with temperatures, and positively correlated with precipitation, which was the opposite of essential oil. Additionally, findings indicated that italidiones could bind the human VAP-1 protein in the vicinity of the topiquinone and block its function. Conclusion Weather conditions affect variations in the accumulation of volatile compounds in essential oil and hydrosol, which in some cases can affect changes in olfactory characteristics, as well as criteria prescribed by standards, and even changes in biological activities. These results indicate that italidiones, as well as other β-diketones present in immortelle, may be responsible for its anti-inflammatory activity.

Phytochemical Profiling, Molecular Docking, and ADMET Evaluation of Essential Oils from Anaphalis busua and Anaphalis margaritacea in Uttarakhand's Himalayan Terrain

BackgroundThe study focuses on a comparative analysis of essential oils derived from two species of the Anaphalis genus, namely Anaphalis busua and Anaphalis margaritacea, collected at varying elevations in the hilly terrain of Uttarakhand. The investigation aims to explore the phytochemical composition, conduct in silico molecular docking studies, and evaluate ADMET properties of the essential oils to understand their potential bioactivity. MethodsEssential oils were extracted from the whole plants using the hydrodistillation method, and GC-MS was employed for compound identification. A total of 31 compounds were identified in A. busua and 32 in A. margaritacea, constituting 87.86% and 87.83% of the total composition, respectively. Major compounds included isocaryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, geranyl-α-terpinene, α-pinene, γ-muurolene, δ-cadinene, humulene, and copaene. ResultsMolecular docking studies were conducted using PyRx software on ten notable compounds as ligands, targeting cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and human peroxiredoxin 5 to assess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Isocaryophyllene, with concentrations of 14.07% (A. busua) and 17.82% (A. margaritacea), exhibited significant binding affinities of -5.7 and -7.2 kcal/mol against 1HD2 and 4COX, respectively. ConclusionThe research provides valuable insights into the chemical composition of essential oils from Anaphalis plants and validates their bioactive potential through in silico analysis. Isocaryophyllene emerges as a key compound with noteworthy binding affinities, emphasizing its importance in the medicinal and pharmacological applications of essential oils derived from A. busua and A. margaritacea. The results enhance our understanding of the therapeutic potential of Anaphalis essential oils, opening avenues for future research in natural products and drug discovery.

Response surface optimization for supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of Korarima (Aframomum corrorima) seed oil and its antibacterial activity evaluation

Oils extracted from natural plants are valuable resources because of their diverse biocidal activity against microorganisms. This paper reports, for the first time, supercritical CO2 extraction of oil from Korarima (Aframomum corrorima) seeds and its antibacterial activity evaluation. The influences of pressure, temperature, and extraction time on the yield of supercritical CO2-extracted oil (scCO2-extracted oil) were optimized using the Response Surface Methodology. Under the optimal extraction conditions of 46 °C, 15.5MPa, and 147min, the extraction yield reached 1.60±0.04%, consistent with the theoretical value of 1.58%. The compositions of the scCO2-extracted oil were identified by GC-MS, primarily consisting of nerolidol (33.97-41.20%), geraniol (23.08-24.50%), and α-terpinene (8.90-9.06%). The oil exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus. aureus with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 1mg·mL-1. This study highlights the potential applications of supercritical CO2 extraction technology for extracting Korarima seed oil and its use as an antibacterial ingredient in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.