Arnaldo L. Bandoni

Survey of Argentine Medicinal Plants -Folklore and Phytochemical - Screening. II

Argentina has around 500 native medicinal plants, according to the folklore use, plus nearly 200 toxic species. So there are 700 indigenous species suitable to be used in pharmacognostical-pharmacological studies with a high probability of getting active compounds from them. As the Instituto Nacional de Farmacologia y Bromatologia was interested in the medicinal flora to be studied we considered that a catalog of Argentine species with their uses and chemical composition would help in promoting research on them. Nevertheless, as there have been few species exhaustively investigated we screened them for different constituents ( 1,2) (Table I) while surveying the literature for chemical composition and folklore data for medicinal use up to 1972 (Table II)2.

Volatile constituents of leaves, roots and stems from Aristolochia elegans

The volatile oils from roots, stems and leaves of Aristolochia elegans Mast., collected at different stages of development, were obtained by hydrodistillation and analysed by GC and GC-mass spectrometry. All the samples of essential oils were found to be rich in sesquiterpenes. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, in particular β-caryophyllene, isocaryophyllene and bicyclogermacrene were the predominated components in the oil from the leaves, whereas their amounts were significantly decreased in the essential oils of the other plant parts. The oxygenated sesquiterpenes, mainly E-nerolidol, were the main constituents of the oils from stems and roots.

Composition and Quality of the Essential Oil of Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) from Argentina

Abstract The essential oils obtained from fruits of coriander growing in six different zones of Argentina were analyzed by GC, IR and olfactive evaluation. The composition of five commercial oils produced in two areas of Buenos Aires Province were compared with three Russian oils imported by the Argentinian fragrance and flavor industry. Twenty components were identified which accounted for 96.6-99–7% of the total oils composition. The main constituents were linalool (68.9-83–7%), γ-terpinene (2,2-5.1%), camphor (3.2-4.8%), α-pinene (1.0–6.5%), geraniol (1.4–3.2%) and geranyl acetate (0.8–3.8%). The contents of cis- and trans-linalool oxide (0.1–0.4%) were low.

The Essential Oil of Rosmarinus officinalis Growing in Argentina

ABSTRACT Rosemary oil was produced from plants grown in two different zones of Argentina (Sumalao and Castelar). The highest yield of fresh plant material and oil was found in Sumalao. The physico-chemical properties, chemical composition and odor quality of the Argentinian oils were very similar to commercial oil, in particular Portuguese oils. Twenty compounds were identified in the oils, of which the major ones were α-pinene (7.9–10.9%), myrcene (17.9–20.4%), 1,8-cineole (14.5–15.3%) camphor (9.0–9.3%) and β-caryophyllene (14.5–15.3%). Some differences were observed in chemical composition of two oils produced by different methods of distillation.

Characterization of Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citriodora Palau) from Argentina by the Essential Oil

Abstract The oils of twenty-three samples of Aloysia citriodora from the most important growing areas in our country have been analyzed using GC/FID/MS. Characterization of the oil compositions revealed chemical markers which can be used to define the quality of a typical Argentine lemon verbena. In addition to the normal neral (20.0%) and geranial (29.0%) rich oils, two unusual oil compositions were detected: one with high contents of limonene (40.3%) and citronellal (21.6%), the other rich in β-thujone (73.4%). These specifications can be used for the standardization of this plant, defining the best available quality of leaves and volatile fractions of argentine lemon verbena, and discriminating from potentially toxic materials and adulterants.

Influence of Polyphenol Levels on the Perception of Aroma in Vitis vinifera cv. Malbec wine

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of two ranges of polyphenols naturally present in Malbec wine, high concentrations (4.5-7.2 g/L) and low (1.4-3.2 g/L), on the perception of aroma. Samples with a maximum ethanol level of 13.5% were taken from the fermentation tanks before the clarification and filtration process. A Quantitative Descriptive Analysis of wines was assessed by ten trained assessors, and HS-SPME-GC-MS and physicochemical analyses were performed. The intensities of fruity (P < 0.01), citrus (P < 0.01), strawberry (P < 0.05), cooked fruit (P < 0.01) and floral (P < 0.01) aromas decreased when the level of polyphenols increased. Neither volatile compounds nor physicochemical analyses were significant in the two groups of wines.

Volatile constituents of five Baccharis Species from Northeastern Argentina

Essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts of Baccharis gaudichaudiana, B. microcephala, B. penningtonii, B. phyteumoides and B. spicata collected from different locations in Argentina were analyzed. Qualitative and quantitative analysis were performed using a GC/FID/MS system with a special configuration. Essential oil yields ranged from 0.1 to 0.2% (m/v of dry material). Different chemical patterns were observed in the essential oils composition of the species studied: spathulenol and β-pinene were the main constituents in B.gaudichaudiana, whereas caryophyllene oxide and spathulenol were the major constituents in B. microcephala and B. spicata. In this latter species, β-pinene has also been found in high amounts. Germacrene D was the major compound in B. penningtonii. Finally, β-selinene and phytol acetate E were the main components in B. phyteumoides.

Screening of Argentine plants for aliphatic nitro compounds: Hiptagin from Heteropteris angustifolia

Abstract Plants of 46 families encompassing 98 genera and 124 species were screened for the presence of aliphatic nitro compounds. A single species, Heteropteris angustifolia Gris. (Malpighiaceae) proved positive and was found to contain hiptagin (1,2,4,6-tetra-3-nitropropanoyl-β- d -glucopyranoside) as the major nitro constituent. In addition, Argentine herbarium specimen of Astragalus (Leguminosae) were screened and three [ A. arnottianus (Gill.) Reiche, A. bellus (O.K.) Fries and A. diminutivus Johnst.] gave positive tests.

Investigation of the Essential Oils from Aristolochia triangularis

ABSTRACT The volatile oils from roots, stems and leaves of Aristolochia triangularis Chamisso were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Twenty components were identified including the previously reported (−)-α-copaene and β-elemene. The oils consist mainly of sesquiterpenes and a small amount of monoterpenes. Caryophyllene and other sesquiterpenes hydrocarbons predominate in the oil from leaves, whereas the stems and roots contain β-bisabolene, trans-nerolidol and unidentified sesquiterpene alcohols as major components. The characteristic pungent earthy aroma of these oils could make them of potential interest to the fragrance industry.

Alkaloidal content of argentine Argemone

Abstract The alkaloid content of different Argentine Argemone has been determined. Two varieties of A. subfusiformis subsp. subfusiformis Ownb. and A. subfusiformis subsp. subinermis Ownb. yielded a similar ratio and content of the following alkaloids: protopine, allocrytopine, berberine, sanguinarine, and chelerythrine. The A. subfusiformis taxa showed a markedly high sanguinarine content in roots as opposed to aerial parts. A. polyanthemos (Fedde) Ownb. showed a different ratio between alkaloids but a qualitative similar result. N -Norchelerythrine was isolated from A. polyanthemos . The chemotaxonomic value of the alkaloid analyses is discussed.