Lavandula Latifolia Research Articles

Synergistic antibacterial combination of Lavandula latifolia Medik. essential oil with camphor.

Combination of various compounds and essential oils for pharmaceutical formulations withdraw attention. In this present study, it was aimed to evaluate the in vitro potential synergistic antibacterial effect of Lavandula latifolia (spike lavender) essential oil with camphor by using the checkerboard method against the human pathogens; Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes. Pharmacopoeia quality L.latifolia essential oil and racemic camphor were analyzed and verified by GC-FID and GC/MS, simultaneously. In vitro antibacterial activity of essential oil and camphor (MIC range: 0.16-20mg/mL) and standard antimicrobial clarithromycin (MIC range: 0.125-16μg/mL) were carried out by broth microdilution against S.aureus and L.monocytogenes standard strains, respectively. Resulting antibacterial effects were evaluated for their fractional inhibitory concentrations (FICs) as antagonistic, additive and synergistic effects. The analytical results showed that the major component of essential oil was linalool (45.2%) and 1,8-cineole (25.6%). Antibacterial effects of essential oil were determined as MIC 1.25-5mg/mL. As a result of the experiments, L.latifolia essential oil-camphor combinations were identified as "synergistic (FIC≤0.5), and additive (0.5<FIC≤1)" in the respective combinations, suggesting further evaluation for formulations for potential antimicrobial applications in food and pharmaceuticals.

Performance of natural oil blend formulation (NOBF) against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) agent in Penaeus vannamei boone, 1931

The white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is lethal in penaeid shrimp. Successful efforts made to develop a natural oil blend formulation (NOBF) by blending Eucalyptus globulus, Pinus sylvestris, and Lavandula latifolia in different compositions with anti-WSSV properties. A bioassay challenge trial conducted using 1 g of specific pathogen-free Penaeus vannamei Boone, 1931 shrimp in 4 replicates of aquaria for each group. The NOBF dose of 0.4 ppm applied throughout the trial period by mixing in the aquarium water daily, starting seven days before the challenge. The efficacy of NOBF against WSSV was measured using the per os method of a challenge. The cumulative mortality in the positive control group reached 100 % after ten days of the challenge. The NOBF was applied in the commercial shrimp ponds to study its efficacy and palatability. A study in 8 ponds in a WSSV prone area in Indonesia, demonstrated no significant difference in crucial water quality parameters, especially on algae as natural food. The NOBF applied ponds had higher productivity (1.28 Kg of shrimp per m3) as compared to control (1.18 Kg of shrimp per m3). The FCR of NOBF group was lower (1.41) than control (1.53). The survival rate of the NOBF group was higher (86.96%) than control (80.36). The trial outcomes show that NOBF is safe and user-friendly, with properties to reduce pathogen load.

Adulticidal activity of plant oil of Lavandula latifolia against the selected mosquito species

Adulticidal activity of plant oil of Lavandula latifolia against the selected mosquito species

Effects of essential oils on symptoms and course (duration and severity) of viral respiratory infections in humans: A rapid review

Oral doses of certain essential oils may reduce symptoms of acute respiratory infections of viral origin. It is likely that the commercially available essential oil capsules Myrtol® (a mixture of essential oils of eucalyptus Eucalyptus globulus, sweet orange Citrus sinensis, myrtle Myrtus communis and lemon Citrus limonum) and Tavipec® (spike lavender Lavandula latifolia) could also provide mild to moderate symptom relief in patients with viral respiratory diseases. Myrtol® may also improve the course (duration and severity) of acute bronchitis of viral origin, in humans. Both products were well tolerated, with most of the mild to moderate side-effects affecting the gastrointestinal tract. This review found no research evidence describing the clinical effect of inhalation of essential oils for acute respiratory viral infections.

Seed Oil from Mediterranean Aromatic and Medicinal Plants of the Lamiaceae Family as a Source of Bioactive Components with Nutritional.

The potential use as food ingredients of 12 commercial seed species belonging to the Lamiaceae family constitutes the main goal of this research. For that, the oil yield, the lipid profile, tocopherol content, phenolic profile and antioxidant capacities were determined. Seeds from Satureja hortensis, S. montana, Lavandula angustifolia, L. latifolia and Origanum vulgare can be considered as important sources of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (50.5; 52.4; 52.1; 48.5 and 45.5 g/100 g, respectively), likewise for seed oils from Salvia lavandulifolia and Rosmarinus officinalis regarding ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (52.2 and 50.0 g/100 g, respectively). The total tocopherol concentration varied between 42.8 and 113.8 mg/100 g of oil. The highest antioxidant capacities corresponded to Thymbra capitata and Origanum vulgare seed oils, in which carvacrol was the major phenolic monoterpene quantified. The presence of cinnamoyl-apigenin derivatives and hydroxycoumarin-apigenin-derivatives in spike lavender is described for the first time. Most of these seeds can be considered as an important source of oil rich in bioactive components of interest for human nutrition.

Efficacy Bioactive Components of Lavender (Lavandula latifolia) Leaves as a Natural Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and its Uses as a Cake Preserving Agent

This search aimed to study the bioactive components of lavender leaves and using it to prolong the shelf life of the cake. Different preparations of the lavender leaves including the extraction of the essential oil, the water extract, and the dried powder were obtained. The chemical composition and total phenols and flavonoids of lavender leaves were determined. The antioxidants, antibacterial, and cytotoxic activities of lavender leaves essential oil were measured. Total phenols content in lavender leaves powder was higher than that of lavender leaves water extract (15.74 vs. 2.36 mg gallic acid equivalent /g). The lavender leaves essential oil exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (85.32%) followed by lavender leaves powder (76.71%) then lavender leaves water extract (27.38 %). Also, lavender leaves essential oil has activity against pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi, also it has a strong antitumor activity against intestinal carcinoma cells line (Caco-2). The results of sensory evaluation showed that the best characteristics were obtained with using 600 ppm of essential oil, 10% of the water extract, or 7.5% of the leaves powder. In conclusion, it is possible to extend the shelf life of the cake to 28 days by addition of 10% of the lavender leaves water extract or 7.5% of lavender leaves powder to cake ingredients or to 4 months by addition of 600 ppm of lavender leaves essential oil compared to 7 days for control sample at room temperature and also with good sensory properties for the produced cake.

Fumigant toxicity of Lavandula spica essential oil and linalool on different life stages of Tribolium confusum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Abstract The confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum, is a common and severe pest of stored products. Here, using fumigation tests during four different exposure times, we evaluated the toxicity of different doses of essential oil of spike lavender, Lavandula spica and one of its major constituents, linalool, on different life stages of T. confusum under laboratory conditions. The toxicity of the L. spica oil and linalool varied as a function of the developmental stage and treatment duration. Young larvae (L1) were the most susceptible to toxic effects, with LC50 = 19.535 μl/L of air for L. spica oil and LC50 = 14.198 μl/L of air for linalool after 24 h of exposure, whereas older larvae (L8) were affected only very little by fumigation. Linalool caused higher egg mortality than L. spica oil at equivalent doses, but lower mortality in pupae and adults. Emergence of intact adult insects from surviving eggs, larvae and pupae was further reduced as a function of dose and exposure time to both L. spica oil and linalool compared to control-treated insects. Our results show that L. spica oil and linalool might be suitable for biological control of T. confusum, but tests at a larger scale are necessary to confirm our results.

Influence of Lavandula latifolia and Ricinus communis Oils on the Corrosion Control of Mild Steel in HCl Solution

Influence of the combined admixture of Lavandula latifolia and Ricinus communis oils (LACA) on the corrosion inhibition of mild steel immersed in 0.5 M HCl media was evaluated at an operating temperature of 25 °C by weight loss and potentiodynamic polarization methods. Observation shows inhibition efficiency increased with an increase in concentration. At 336 h of the experiment, the concentration of the 2, 4, 6 and 8 per 200 mL HCl concentrations exhibited minimal but stable weight loss till 144 h. In 2 mL HCl solution, weight loss value of 0.307 g was obtained at 312 h. HCl concentration of 12 mL exhibited optimal performance at 312 h with weight loss and corrosion rate value of 0.088 g and 0.48 mm/y. The corresponding inhibition efficiency is 88%. Results of cathodic and anodic Tafel slope indicate mixed-type inhibition effect. Adsorption isotherm showed that the inhibitor protection mechanism followed both the Frumkin and the Freundlich models more than the Langmuir isotherm model.

Trade‐off between attraction to aggregation pheromones and repellent effects of spike lavender essential oil and its main constituent linalool in the flour beetle Tribolium confusum

AbstractEssential oils of aromatic plants and their individual volatile components have been tested in pest management strategies for their toxic and often repellent effects on target insects. When evaluating their possible effects on crucial behaviours of the pest insects, the olfactory environment including intraspecific communication cues has to be considered. We used the flour beetle Tribolium confusum du Val (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), a common stored‐product pest, to investigate the influence of oil of spike lavender, Lavandula spica Medik. (Labiaceae), and its main component, linalool, at various doses on olfactory‐guided behaviour. Using four‐way olfactometers, a dose‐dependent repellent effect of L. spica oil and linalool alone was revealed. On the other hand, we confirmed that T. confusum is attracted by conspecifics, by means of an aggregation pheromone and by 10 ng of one of its components, 1‐tetradecene. Twenty‐four hour pre‐exposure to 10 μl of L. spica oil abolished subsequent attraction to 1‐tetradecene and reduced attraction to five conspecifics. Simultaneous exposure to L. spica oil or linalool and five conspecifics reduced the repellent effect of the volatiles in a dose‐dependent manner, whereas simultaneous exposure to 1‐tetradecene at 10 ng abolished the repellent effect of L. spica oil only at a dose of 0.01 mg. These results indicate a dose‐dependent trade‐off between attractive and plant‐derived repellent volatiles, which may influence the effectiveness of such volatiles in their potential use in alternative pest management strategies.

Tavipec in acute rhinosinusitis: a multi-centre, doubleblind, randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial.

This randomized clinical trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Tavipec® (Spicae aetheroleum), a phytomedicine obtained by steam distillation of the flowering tops of Lavandula latifolia, as compared to placebo in adult patients suffering from acute viral rhinosinusitis. Patients with acute viral rhinosinusitis were randomly assigned to treatment with 2 capsules Tavipec® 150 mg or placebo thrice daily over a period of 7 days in a double-blind, parallel-group design. No additional treatment was admitted. The efficacy endpoints comprised the improvement of the main rhinosinusitis symptoms as per Major Symptom Score (MSS) and Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) as well as of quality of life (QoL) by global assessment scale, evaluated at baseline, day 5 and day 8, respectively. 288 patients were enrolled and randomized to treatment. At day 8 the patients in the Tavipec® group had a significantly lower MSS compared to placebo and the impact of rhinosinusitis symptoms on QoL was significantly reduced. A significantly higher proportion of Tavipec® treated patients experienced a change in SNOT-22 score greater than or equal to 10 points at day 5 or day 8. No new safety signals were identified. The treatment with Tavipec® effectively reduced the symptoms of acute rhinosinusitis in adult patients.

Effects of Drought Stress on Biomass, Essential Oil Content, Nutritional Parameters, and Costs of Production in Six Lamiaceae Species

Lamiaceae is one of the largest families of aromatic plants and it is characterized by the presence of external glandular structures which produce essential oils highly valued in cosmetics and medicine. Plants of Lavandula latifolia, Mentha piperita, Salvia sclarea, Salvia lavandulifolia, Thymus capitatus, and Thymus mastichina were grown for one year. In order to evaluate the effects of drought stress, plants were subjected to two water treatments (100% ETo and 70% ETo, including the rainfall during the experimental period). At the end of the experiment, the biomass, the essential oil content, and leaf nutrients concentration were assessed for each water treatment and species studied. At the end of the experiment, L. latifolia, M. piperita and T. capitatus plants showed a significant fresh weight reduction under drought stress conditions whereas the other species studied remained unchanged. With respect to dry weight, only L. latifolia plants showed a reduction under water deficit conditions. As far as essential oil content was concerned, L. latifolia and S. sclarea plants had a reduction under water deficit conditions. Leaf nutrient concentration showed different trends between species considering the nutrient assessed. The economic viability of the growth of this species will be dependent on the benefits achieved which are related to yield production obtained and the price accorded for both raw material and the essential oil extracted.

Brassinosteroids Promote Growth and Secondary Metabolite Production in Lavandin (Lavandula intermedia Emeric ex Loisel.)

Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia), a hybrid between L. angustifolia (English lavender) and L. latifolia (spike lavender), is a valuable aromatic and medicinal plant cultivated in the world. Lavandin essential oil with characteristic scent and fragrance properties is mainly used in cosmetics, perfumes and pharmaceutical industries. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of foliar application of 24-epibrassinolide (24-eBL), a brassinosteroid analogue, on growth and secondary metabolite production of lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia var. Super). 24-eBL at 0, 0.75, 1.5 and 2.25 mg/L concentrations was applied to 8 years old plants twice. The highest growth parameters were obtained from the plants applied with 1.5 and 2.25 mg/L of 24-eBL. 24-eBL also increased the total phenolics and essential oil contents. Especially 1.5 mg/L 24-eBL application was the most suitable concentration for total phenolic and essential oil contents. Besides 24-eBL also modified essential oil composition. The percentages of linalyl acetate and 1,8-cineol increased while some of the components such as camphor, borneol, geraniol and lavandulyl acetate decreased with the 24-eBL applications. To conclude, 24-eBL may be a promising compound for use in lavandin cultivation because of its positive effects on plant growth, phenolic content, essential oil content and oil quality.

Ріст, розвиток та формування продуктивності лаванди вузьколистої в умовах Південного Степу України

It was represented the specific features of growth, development and productivity formation of spike lavender plants (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) in the conditions of southern steppe of Ukraine depending on the use of growth stimulants such as Radostim and Stimpo. It was established that lavender plants of the third year of cultivation were characterized in the conditions of the southern Steppe of Ukraine by rather high frost resistance as 82.7 up to 98.1%. The greatest stimulating effect on the processes of growth of lavender plants was found by the treatment of plants by Stimpo bio-stimulator: shoots formed with height from 62.4 up to 78.4 cm, bush diameter was from 60.2 up to 72.4 cm, the number of inflorescences were from 285.&nbsp;up to 352.0 PCs/bush. The optimal parameters of yield structure defined in plants of lavender by the processing with Stimpo bio-stimulator: inflorescence length was from 5.8 up to 7.4 cm, the number of rings in the inflorescence was from 5.9 up to 7.1 PCs. The treatment with bio-stimulators did not significantly effect on the number of flowers in a semicircle, this factor for studied varieties ranged from 4.2 up to 4.9 PC. It was marked differences between varieties in terms of yield structure. The Stepova variety formed inflorescences of the greatest length from 6.6 to 7.4 cm, the Sineva variety formed the largest number of rings in the inflorescence from 6.8 to 7.1 PCs, the Vdala variety formed the largest number of flowers in the semicircle 4.5-4.9 PCs. The largest lavender yield was formed in the variant with the treatment by Stimpo bio-stimulator: the Stepova variety yield was 6.6 t/ha, the Sineva variety yield was 7.6 t/ha, the Vdala variety yield was 6.0 t/ha. Increasing to the control in this variant was 1.3, 2.3 and 0.7 t/ha, respectively, for varieties. The mass fraction of essential oil in the plant raw material of lavender did not depend on the use by growth stimulants, and it differed depending on the genotype of the plant. The largest mass fraction of essential oil was determined in the Vdala variety &ndash; 2.30-2.32%, which was more by 0.38-0.40% compared to the control. The greatest collection of essential oils noted in the variant with of the Stimpo biostimulator: the Stepova variety had 127.36 kg/ha, the Sineva variety had 142.34 kg/ha, the Vdala variety had 139.17 kg/ha. Increasing compared to control was 25.66 kg/ha, 40.64 kg/ha and 37.47 kg/ha, respectively on varieties. After processing by the Radostim preparation it was also marked stimulating effect on increasing of the productivity of lavender plants, however, the yield in this variant was significantly lower in comparison with the processing plants by the Stimpo bio-stimulator

Transgenerational epigenetics: Inheritance of global cytosine methylation and methylation-related epigenetic markers in the shrub Lavandula latifolia.

The ecological and evolutionary significance of natural epigenetic variation (i.e., not based on DNA sequence variants) variation will depend critically on whether epigenetic states are transmitted from parents to offspring, but little is known on epigenetic inheritance in nonmodel plants. We present a quantitative analysis of transgenerational transmission of global DNA cytosine methylation (=proportion of all genomic cytosines that are methylated) and individual epigenetic markers (=methylation status of anonymous MSAP markers) in the shrub Lavandula latifolia. Methods based on parent-offspring correlations and parental variance component estimation were applied to epigenetic features of field-growing plants ('maternal parents') and greenhouse-grown progenies. Transmission of genetic markers (AFLP) was also assessed for reference. Maternal parents differed significantly in global DNA cytosine methylation (range = 21.7-36.7%). Greenhouse-grown maternal families differed significantly in global methylation, and their differences were significantly related to maternal origin. Methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP) markers exhibited significant transgenerational transmission, as denoted by significant maternal variance component of marker scores in greenhouse families and significant mother-offspring correlations of marker scores. Although transmission-related measurements for global methylation and MSAP markers were quantitatively lower than those for AFLP markers taken as reference, this study has revealed extensive transgenerational transmission of genome-wide global cytosine methylation and anonymous epigenetic markers in L. latifolia. Similarity of results for global cytosine methylation and epigenetic markers lends robustness to this conclusion, and stresses the value of considering both types of information in epigenetic studies of nonmodel plants.

Bioaccessibility and biological activity of Melissa officinalis, Lavandula latifolia and Origanum vulgare extracts: Influence of an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion

Melissa officinalis, Lavandula latifolia and Origanum vulgare are widely used medicinal plants and spices. Their extracts were evaluated as potential antioxidants for functional food formulations. After being submitted to an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, all the extracts showed antioxidant activity (measured by DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, TPC). Furthermore, their main polyphenols maintained high stability. Biological activity was measured using Caenorhabditis elegans, which is a widely used model in this context. Treatments of 50 and 100 µg/mL of M. officinalis significantly attenuated juglone-induced stress in the survival assay performed; moreover, all tested concentrations decreased intracellular ROS. Lavandula latifolia and O. vulgare had no significant effect against acute stress in the survival assay, but significantly decreased ROS basal levels. GST-4 expression under juglone-induced oxidative stress was significantly down-regulated by treatment with the three plant extracts (up to 63%). Besides, similar biological activity of all digested extracts was demonstrated in all in vivo assays.

Chemometric Evaluation of Discrimination of Aromatic Plants by Using NIRS, LIBS

Aromatic plants have different chemical compositions that give them specific properties such as colour, aroma and taste and can be classified based on differentiation of various chemical constituents such as protein, vitamins, minerals, volatile and non-volatile oil, carbohydrates and the presence of adulterants. The aim of the present study was to develop a fast, simple and non-destructive method for discrimination of aromatic plants, juniper (Juniperus communis), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), laurel (Laurus nobilis), sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum), black pepper (Piper nigrum), thyme (Origanum majorana), lavender (Lavandula latifolia), spearmint (Mentha spicata) and ginger (Zingiber officinale), commonly used. In order to discriminate aromatic plants, chemometric methods, namely principal component analysis (PCA), were used together with spectroscopic methods. Analysis of plant samples was carried out using Raman spectroscopy (RS), near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Although Raman spectra of aromatic plant samples could not be obtained due to problems with sample degradation and fluorescence effect, satisfying classification of aromatic plant samples was accomplished by LIBS and NIRS. PCA models developed using NIRS data showed that the first two principal components explained 82.56% of the total variance. Elemental composition of the aromatic plant samples was investigated using LIBS, and the first two principal components explained 77.97% of the total variance in the PCA model generated by using the LIBS data. The ability to rapidly discriminate various culinary herbs makes these spectroscopic methods available to use by the aromatic plant industry in order to perform a fast quality control of incoming raw materials.

Dynamics of Monoterpene Formation in Spike Lavender Plants.

The metabolic cross-talk between the mevalonate (MVA) and the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathways was analyzed in spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia Med) on the basis of 13CO2-labelling experiments using wildtype and transgenic plants overexpressing the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase (HMGR), the first and key enzyme of the MVA pathway. The plants were labelled in the presence of 13CO2 in a gas chamber for controlled pulse and chase periods of time. GC/MS and NMR analysis of 1,8-cineole and camphor, the major monoterpenes present in their essential oil, indicated that the C5-precursors, isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) of both monoterpenes are predominantly biosynthesized via the MEP pathway. Surprisingly, overexpression of HMGR did not have significant impact upon the crosstalk between the MVA and MEP pathways indicating that the MEP route is the preferred pathway for the synthesis of C5 monoterpene precursors in spike lavender.

Spicae aetheroleum in uncomplicated acute bronchitis: adouble-blind, randomised clinical trial.

SummaryBackgroundThe trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Spicae aetheroleum (Spicae ae.), a phytomedicine obtained by steam distillation of the flowering tops of Lavandula latifolia, as compared to placebo in adult patients with acute bronchitis.MethodsPatients with uncomplicated acute bronchitis (bronchitis severity score [BSS] ≥ 5 score points) were randomly assigned to treatment with Spicae ae. or placebo in a double-blind, parallel-group design. No additional treatment was admitted. The primary objective was the mean difference of a defined total BSS of 25% between the Spicae ae. and the placebo group after 7 days of full medication dose. Secondary endpoints included the BSS at day 10, additional signs and symptoms of bronchitis, quality of life (QoL) and safety.ResultsThe mean decrease in BSS at day 7 and day 10 was significant with 4.79 vs. 3.20 (p < 0.005 for a 25% difference) and 6.47 vs. 4.32 (p < 0.009 for a 25% difference) score points respectively in the Spicae ae. (n = 119) vs. placebo group (n = 110). Accordingly, most additional signs and symptoms of acute bronchitis as well as the patients’ QoL improved significantly with Spicae ae. as compared to placebo. In all, 258 patients were eligible for safety analysis. The treatment with Spicae ae. was well tolerated; no serious adverse events occurred.ConclusionThe defined objectives both for the primary and secondary endpoints have been met. The results of this study provide evidence that Spicae ae. is well tolerated, effective and superior to placebo in the symptomatic treatment of uncomplicated acute bronchitis in adult patients.

Within-plant variation in seed size and inflorescence fecundity is associated with epigenetic mosaicism in the shrub Lavandula latifolia (Lamiaceae).

Sub-individual variation in traits of homologous structures has multiple ecological consequences for individuals and populations. Assessing the evolutionary significance of such effects requires an improved knowledge of the mechanisms underlying within-plant phenotypic heterogeneity. The hypothesis that continuous within-plant variation in some phenotypic traits can be associated with epigenetic mosaicism was examined. Fifteen individuals of the long-lived, evergreen Mediterranean shrub Lavandula latifolia were studied. Five widely spaced 'modules', each consisting of a single inflorescence plus all its subtending basal leaves, were collected from each shrub. Genomic DNA was extracted from leaf samples and genome-wide cytosine methylation determined by reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with spectrofluorimetric detection. The number and mean mass of seeds produced were determined for each inflorescence. An assessment was made of whether (1) leaves from different modules in the same plant differed significantly in global DNA cytosine methylation, and (2) mosaicism in cytosine methylation contributed to explain variation across modules in number and size of seeds. Leaves from different modules in the same plant differed in global DNA cytosine methylation. The magnitude of epigenetic mosaicism was substantial, as the variance in DNA methylation among modules of the same shrub was greater than the variance between individuals. Number and mean mass of seeds produced by individual inflorescences varied within plants and were quadratically related to cytosine methylation of subtending leaves, with an optimum at an intermediate methylation level (approx. 25 %). The results support a causal link between global cytosine methylation of leaves in a module and the size and numbers of seeds produced by the associated inflorescence. It is proposed that variation in global DNA methylation within L. latifolia shrubs may result from the concerted action of plant sectoriality and differential exposure of different plant parts to some environmental factor(s) with a capacity to induce durable epigenetic changes.

Volatiles formation in gelled emulsions enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acids during storage: type of oil and antioxidant.

Gelled emulsions with carrageenan are a novel type of emulsion that could be used as a carrier of unsaturated fatty acids in functional foods formulations. Lipid degradation through volatile compounds was studied in gelled emulsions which were high in polyunsaturated oils (sunflower or algae oil) after 49days of storage. Aqueous Lavandula latifolia extract was tested as a natural antioxidant. Analysis of the complete volatile profile of the samples resulted in a total of 40 compounds, classified in alkanes, alkenes, aldehydes, ketones, acids, alcohols, furans, terpenes and aromatic hydrocarbons. During storage, the formation of the volatile compounds was mostly related to the oxidation of the main fatty acids of the sunflower oil (linolenic acid) and the algae oil (docosahexaenoic acid). Despite the antioxidant capacity shown by the L. latifolia extract, its influence in the oxidative stability in terms of total volatiles was only noticed in sunflower oil gels (p<0.05), where a significant decrease in the aldehydes fraction was found.