Bachar Zebib

Stabilization of curcumin by complexation with divalent cations in glycerol/water system.

The purpose of present study was to stabilize curcumin food pigment by its complexation with divalent ions like (Zn2+, Cu2+, Mg2+, Se2+), in “green media” and evaluate its stability in vitro compared to curcumin alone. The curcumin complexes were prepared by mechanical mixture of curcumin and sulfate salts of each metal (metal : curcumin 1/1mol) into unconventional and nontoxic glycerol/water solvent. Two stoichiometry of complex were obtained, 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 (metal/curcumin), respectively. On evaluation of in vitro stability, all complexes were found to provide a higher stability from curcumin alone.

Essential oil composition of Myrrhis odorata (L.) Scop. leaves grown in Lithuania and France

The chemical composition of essential oils of sweet cicely (Myrrhis odorata (L.) Scop.) leaves from two geographic areas (Lithuania and France) were determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Comparatively slight differences were observed in the chemical composition of essential oils from both selected origins. The yield of essential oil varied from 0.4±0.02% in Lithuanian to 0.5±0.01% in French origin. In total twenty and twenty-six components were identified in the hydrodistilled oils of Lithuanian and French origin, respectively. The essential oils of both origins were found to be rich in E-anethole (48.1±1.4% and 50.7±1.1%), methyleugenol (14.3±0.5% and 13.1±0.4%), E-nerolidol (10.2±0.8% and 12.0±0.3%) and germacrene-D (5.0±0.1% and 4.3±0.3%).

Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of Satureja myrtifolia (Boiss. & Hohen.) from Lebanon

Abstract Satureja myrtifolia (Boiss. & Hohen.) Greuter & Burdeta medicinal plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family was collected from south of Lebanon and hydro-distilled by Clevenger method. Essential oil composition from aerial parts was analyzed by GC-MS technique. The odor of essential oil is characteristic, and clear yellow liquid oil was obtained after hydro-distillation. The yield of the essential oil was 1.25±0.02 % of dry matter (w/w). Thirty nine volatile components were identified in the Satureja myrtifolia oil, which shows a high amount of hydrocarbons class (57.82±0.1 %). Other classes were also identified such assesquiterpene hydrocarbons (12.96±0.1 %), oxygenated sesquiterpenes (10.65±0.2 %), phenolic compounds (10.32±0.1 %), acids (5.53±0.1 %), and monoterpenes hydrocarbons (2.21±0.1 %).In addition, a comparison with the unique study performed on Satureja myrtifolia was also carried out.

Aframomum stipulatum (Gagnep) K. Schum and Aframomum giganteum (Oliv. & Hanb) K. Schum as Aroma Tincto Oleo Crops resources: essential oil, fatty acids, sterols, tocopherols, and tocotrienols composition of different fruit parts of Congo varieties

BACKGROUND Today, few known plant species provide both an essential oil (EO) and a vegetable oil (VO). Seed and husk of two Aframomum species were investigated and compared in terms of EO, fatty acids, tocopherols, and tocotrienols. RESULTS EO yield reaches 15.3 g kg(-1) in the seeds and 3.2 g kg(-1) in the husks, while VO yield is 180.0 g kg(-1) in the seeds and 25.0 g kg(-1) in the husks. β-Pinene, 1,8-cineol, α-selinene, terpine-4-ol, linalool, myrtenal and β-caryophyllene are the major compounds of seed and husk EO. Fatty acid analysis of two Aframomum species shows that oleic, linoleic, and palmitic acids were the major compounds of VO. Total sterol contents reached 4.3 g kg(-1) in seed VO and 8.5 g kg(-1) in husk VO. An appreciable amount of tocopherols (0.52 g kg(-1) ) was found in seed VO. CONCLUSION The seed and husk oil of A. stipulatum and A. giganteum fruits are rich sources of many bioactive constituents such as fatty acids, sterols, tocopherols and tocotrienols. These tropical wild fruits can be considered as new Aroma Tincto Oleo Crops (ATOC) resources that contain both EOs and VOs.

Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Essential Oil of Achillea millefolium L. Grown in France

Background: This study aimed to examine the composition of essential oil (EO) of A. millefolium aerial parts wild plant grown in France and evaluate its antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. Methods: GC-MS was used to identify the chemical composition of EO. Antioxidant activity (AA) of EO was evaluated by Oxipres method. Antimicrobial activity of EO was evaluated by Agar-well diffusion and a broth microdilution assay. Results: Forty-three volatile compounds were identified. Major compounds were camphor (12.8%), germacrene-D (12%), (E)-nerolidol (7.3%), sabinene (6.7%), (E)-p-mentha-2,8-dien-1-ol (4.5%), and 1,8-cineole (4%). EO shows strong AA against Sunflower oil oxidation. Additionally, an inhibitory effect against microbial organisms (bacteria and fungi) was found. Conclusion: The EO composition of A. millefolium chemotype located in France was studied. The EO of the A. millefolium wild plant grown in France is quite an effective antioxidant in sunflower oil oxidation; it also possesses inhibitory effects against famous bacteria and fungi.