Search Results (392)

BisphenolA (BPA) is a common endocrine disruptor that impairs male fertility through oxidative stress and alterations in membrane lipids. This study evaluated the protective effects of Myrtus communis L. essential oil (EOMC) on BPA-induced sperm toxicity in Wistar rats in vitro. BPA significantly decreased sperm motility and viability. It also increased lipid peroxidation, depleted thiols, and reduced the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT-like and GPx-like). Concomitant treatment with low and intermediate doses of EOMC (0.5–1 µL/mL) restored sperm function, reduced oxidative stress, and preserved membrane phospholipids. However, the highest dose (5 µL/mL) further impaired sperm function and disrupted membrane phospholipids. BPA also altered amino acid profiles and accumulated intracellularly, effects partially reversed by EOMC, which redistributed free BPA into the culture medium. Bioavailability analysis revealed selective absorption of α-pinene, while d-limonene and 1,8-cineole were undetectable. Molecular modeling indicated strong binding of BPA to antioxidant enzymes, potentially disrupting their structure and activity. Overall, these results show that EOMC protects sperm from BPA-induced damage in a dose-dependent manner through antioxidant, membrane-stabilizing, and redistribution mechanisms. This highlights its potential application in phytotherapy for male reproductive health. Full article

Cover crops are crucial in conservation agriculture for preventing soil erosion. For Citrus unshiu production, rattail fescue (Vulpia myuros (L.) C.C. Gmel) is a popular cover crop because its growth season differs from the citrus season, minimizing nutrient competition. However, no studies have examined its effects on the seasonal concentrations of flavonoids and monoterpenes in citrus peels, which are often used as medical ingredients. In this study, our aim is to determine the effects of cover crops on the sugar content and medicinal properties of unripe citrus fruit during the growing season. Samples collected in 2022 were examined for the effects of cover crops on the sugar concentration of fresh pulp. In addition, samples were taken from three randomly selected trees in each cover crop treatment (0, 50, and 100% area coverage) at the thinning (July, August, and September) of 2023 and 2024 to analyze hesperidin and d-limonene concentrations using standard methods. The results showed that cover crops reduced the sugar concentration of fresh pulp but had no impact on hesperidin concentrations across all thinning events and had inconsistent effects on the d-limonene concentration. Hence, while the use of rattail fescue might negatively affect the sugar concentration of mature Citrus unshiu, the use of premature fruits for medical ingredients could compensate for this loss. Full article

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disturbance characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, which stems from defective secretion and/or action of insulin. D-Limonene has been studied for the confirmation of its antidiabetic and antioxidant effects. This paper aims to investigate the antidiabetic and antioxidants effects of D-Limonene in an experimental model of DM1. Methods: Female Wistar rats (180–250g) received streptozotocin (STZ, 45 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Animals with capillary glycemia ≥ 250 mg/dL were considered diabetic. D-Limonene at oral doses of 12.5 mg/kg, 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg was administered during 28-day treatment. Water and food intake, weight gain and capillary glycemia were evaluated. At the end of the treatment, the following biochemical parameters were assessed: serum glucose, HbA1c, urea, creatinine, AST, ALT, GGT, ALP and albumin. The oxidative stress markers were determined in plasma, erythrocytes, and aortic homogenates: malondialdehyde, nitrite, myeloperoxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase. Results: D-Limonene (25 and 50 mg/kg) significantly reduced serum glucose, HbA1c, AST, ALT, GGT and ALP when compared to DC, as well as plasma MDA and nitrite concentrations. Interestingly, D-Limonene (25 and 50 mg/kg) decreased both plasma and aortic myeloperoxidase activities, as well as increased both erythrocytic and aortic catalase activities. Conclusions: These findings, besides a marked D-Limonene-induced hypoglycemic effect, pave the way for further studies comprising a multi-target treatment by providing benefits on hepatic and vascular complications related to the diabetic condition. Full article

Distillation time (DT) is a key parameter influencing yield and chemical composition, and its optimisation is crucial for production. This study is the first laboratory-scale investigation of the effect of distillation time (DT) on the leaf essential oils of Abies koreana, aiming to maximise oil yield and target bioactive components for cosmetic applications. Essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation at 14 DTs (1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 120, 160, 200, 240, 280, 360, and 480 min), and the yields, chemical profiles, and fragrance characteristics were comparatively analysed. The control (exhaustive hydrodistillation: 20 h) yielded 2.82% and was dominated by D-limonene, bornyl acetate, and camphene. The contents of bioactive compounds associated with whitening and anti-wrinkle activities (α-pinene, D-limonene, borneol, and bornyl acetate) varied markedly with DT. The highest oil yield was obtained at 80 min (0.30 ± 0.01%), while the targeted components were achieved at 80–160 min. Heatmap-based multivariate analysis revealed distinct compositional differences between oils distilled at 80 min and 160 min, with DT shifting fragrance profiles from fresh, monoterpene-rich notes (linalyl acetate, camphor, and fenchol) to longer-lasting, sesquiterpene-dominated aromas (α-bisabolol and β-eudesmol). Therefore, distillation time significantly influenced A. koreana oil, with shorter distillation (80 min) maximising yield and longer distillation (80–160 min) enriching bioactive components for cosmetic applications. Full article

The orange juice industry generates large amounts of waste, leading to significant environmental impacts. Within the framework of a citrus biorefinery, this study evaluates an integrated pilot-scale scheme combining essential oil extraction with hydrolysis of orange waste. A self-designed modular system was used, characterized by ease of operation and maintenance, consisting of a 20 L sealed reactor and a condenser with water recirculation. Essential oil extraction was carried out by hydrodistillation, producing 35 mL of essential oil per run and a yield of 2.57 mL per 100 g of orange peel. Hydrolysis was investigated using a 2³ factorial design considering time (30 and 60 min), waste type (with and without pulp), and H₂SO₄ concentration (0 and 0.25% v/v). ANOVA results showed that the waste type was the dominant factor, while the acid concentration had no significant effect. The optimal hydrolysis condition was waste with pulp, 0% acid, and 30 min, achieving 108.5 g/L of glucose and 30.4 g/L of xylose. Under these conditions, the kinetics of glucose and xylose release were determined. The energy consumption was 45.96 MJ, equivalent to 70.61 kJ/g of glucose and 236.59 kJ/g of xylose, with corresponding costs of 0.0017 and 0.0057 USD/g, respectively. Orange waste containing pulp, obtained directly from juice-processing facilities, exhibits greater valorization potential than orange waste without pulp to produce essential oil, glucose, and xylose within a biorefinery scheme. Full article

The present study aimed to investigate the performance of two green solvents (2-methyloxolane (2-MeOx) and d-limonene) for the extraction of glyceride oil from tobacco seeds. Glyceride oil was isolated by three extraction methods with both solvents—Soxhlet extraction, maceration, and ultrasonic-assisted extraction. Soxhlet extraction with 2-MeOx gave the highest oil yield (35.0%), while maceration and ultrasonic methods resulted in lower yields (~25%). Tobacco seed oil extracted with 2-MeOx was rich in unsaturated fatty acids (69.2–84.0%), with linoleic acid predominating (38.0–68.5%). Soxhlet extraction with d-limonene resulted in the highest yield of glyceride oil (47%), while maceration and ultrasonic extraction produced 16% and 23%, respectively. Previous studies by the research group showed that Soxhlet extraction with n-hexane yielded 38.4 ± 0.5% oil. The fatty acid composition of oils obtained with d-limonene differed depending on extraction type—Soxhlet extraction showed higher saturated fatty acids (69.4%), whereas maceration and ultrasonic extraction produced a more unsaturated profile (57.4% and 72.4%, respectively). Ultrasonic extraction with both solvents generated oils approaching the ideal saturated: monounsaturated: polyunsaturated ratio. Lipid index evaluation indicated that oils extracted with 2-MeOx exhibit a healthier but thermally sensitive profile, while d-limonene oils are more stable and suitable for storage and processing. Full article

The genus Scutellaria (Lamiaceae) is a phytochemically rich and medicinally important group of plants. Scutellaria species have been characterized by biologically active flavonoids such as baicalin, baicalein, and wogonin. In the present study, the essential oils of S. angustifolia, S. baicalensis, S. barbata, and S. lateriflora, cultivated in eastern Oregon, were obtained by means of hydrodistillation and analyzed using gas chromatographic methods. We hypothesize that the essential oils have compositions that may play a role in the traditional uses and biological activities of the genus. The major components in S. angustifolia essential oils were germacrene D (32.5–58.3%), (E)-β-caryophyllene (4.9–29.2%), and β-bourbonene (2.8–9.4%). Scutellaria barbata essential oil was dominated by 1-octen-3-ol (59.9%), with lower concentrations of linalool (9.5%) and (2E)-hexenal (5.1%). The major components in the essential oil of S. lateriflora were 1-octen-3-ol (28.3%), acetophenone (24.8%), benzaldehyde (7.5%), limonene (6.0%), (E)-benzalacetone (5.9%), and β-phellandrene (5.1%). The major components of the essential oil of S. baicalensis were 1-octen-3-ol (22.3%), (E)-β-caryophyllene (22.3%), and germacrene D (28.3%). This study demonstrates that Scutellaria can be cultivated in eastern Oregon. Additionally, S. angustifolia essential oil has been characterized for the first time. Full article

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) waste poses a major environmental concern due to its high volume, low density, and resistance to biodegradation. In this study, post-consumer EPS was reprocessed into continuous microfibers by Air Jet Spinning (AJS) using chloroform and chloroform/D-limonene as solvent systems. The effects of polymer concentration, air pressure, and solvent ratio on fiber formation were systematically investigated through rheological and surface tension analyses. The incorporation of 10 vol. % D-limonene improved jet stability and reduced bead formation, attributed to its lower volatility and favorable solubility with EPS, as supported by Hansen solubility parameters. SEM analysis confirmed uniform microfiber formation within a defined processing window. FTIR spectra indicated preservation of the polystyrene chemical structure, while TGA and DSC analyses were used to evaluate thermal behavior and assess potential residual solvent retention, particularly related to D-limonene. The results elucidate the interplay between solvent volatility, solution properties, and fiber morphology, establishing a sustainable processing framework for converting EPS waste into value-added fibrous materials via AJS. This work contributes to the United National Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by promoting EPS waste valorization, and SDG 13 (Climate Action) through the partial replacement of conventional solvents with sustainable alternative. Full article

Zanthoxylum planispinum var. dingtanensis (hereafter Z. planispinum) is a pioneer plant for the ecological restoration of karst rocky desertification, offering both ecological rehabilitation and economic benefits. Due to the combined pressure from soil degradation and fruit harvesting, nutrient depletion and quality decline have intensified. Therefore, investigating the effects of fertilization on pericarp yield and quality provides the scientific basis for its precise fertilization. This study examined a Z. planispinum plantation subjected to five treatments in 2021: no fertilization (CK); organic fertilizer + chemical fertilizer + sprinkler irrigation (T1); chemical fertilizer + sprinkler irrigation (T2); chemical fertilizer alone (T3); and legume (soybean) intercropping + chemical fertilizer + sprinkler irrigation (T4). It explored the intrinsic relationships between fruit quality and soil physicochemical properties, identified key soil factors, and conducted a comprehensive quality evaluation, providing a scientific basis for precise fertilization in karst regions. The results indicated that (1) whole-fruit water content ranged from 61.30% to 64.37%, showing no significant differences, while variations were observed in the other phenotypic traits. T1 exhibited the highest values for Hydroxy-β-sanshool (2.42 mg·g⁻¹), Hydroxy-ε-sanshool (0.80 mg·g⁻¹), essential oil content (8.57%), and fresh weight per plant (9.9 kg). After long-term soybean intercropping, pericarp thickness reached its maximum (0.45 mm), but the content of aroma compounds decreased significantly. Compared to the other four treatments, the unfertilized control (CK) showed significantly higher values for the pericarp dry weight ratio, proportion of closed-eye peppercorns, and relative content of d-limonene, with increases of 5.5–13.94%, 130.91–568.42%, and 8.74–14.46%, respectively. (2) An inhibitory effect was observed between pericarp numbing compounds and soil calcium/phosphorus levels, while the synthesis of aroma compounds was constrained by the soil C/N ratio. Soil P/K ratio was identified as the dominant factor affecting overall quality. (3) The comprehensive fruit quality index ranked as follows: T1 (1.2933) > T3 (0.666) > T2 (0.5285) > CK (−1.1555) > T4 (−1.2098). Therefore, the T1 treatment is recommended for promotion as the fertilization management practice for Z. planispinum plantations in karst regions. Full article

This review examines the implementation dimensions of integrated lemon biorefinery systems, including cascade valorisation design, circular-economy integration, life-cycle assessment, techno-economic feasibility, and regulatory frameworks. Bibliometric analysis of Web of Science data (2015–2025) reveals exponential growth in citrus-biorefinery research, with lemon representing a burgeoning subset. Techno-economic assessments indicate that cascade biorefineries recovering essential oils, pectin, polyphenols, nanocellulose, and bioenergy can achieve cumulative revenues of USD 400–650 per tonne of dry peel. Whilst small-scale units (<500 tonnes per year) struggle to achieve viability, industrial simulations demonstrate Internal Rates of Return exceeding 18% at processing scales above 100,000 tonnes annually (2025 basis). Life-cycle assessments confirm environmental benefits, with greenhouse gas reductions of 60–85% relative to conventional disposal. Critical success factors include adopting green extraction technologies to preserve bioactive integrity and mitigating D-limonene inhibition in downstream anaerobic digestion. These findings establish essential oil extraction and pectin recovery as commercially mature technologies, whilst integrated multi-product lemon biorefineries remain economically promising based on techno-economic modelling and pilot-scale demonstrations, provided regulatory hurdles are effectively navigated. Full article

Ripened Pu-erh tea (RPT) experiences notable aroma transformations during industrial pile fermentation, yet the stage-dependent evolution of key aroma compounds remains poorly understood. This study analyzed two independent industrial batches of RPT across three fermentation stages: raw material (RM), intermediate fermentation (IF), and final fermentation (FF). Using HS-SPME/GC-MS coupled with multivariate statistical analysis and relative odor activity values (rOAVs), 134 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified, with hydrocarbons, alcohols, and esters as predominant classes. In total, 13 key aroma-active compounds (rOAVs > 1) were found to be major contributors to RPT’s characteristic aroma. During early fermentation, relative levels of VOCs responsible for fresh and green aromas (e.g., linalool, D-limonene) diminished, while those for woody and minty aromas (e.g., isophorone, methyl salicylate) increased. A flavor wheel was developed to illustrate the dynamic shifts in aroma profiles. This stage-resolved analysis offers new mechanistic insights into aroma formation, aiding in the optimization of aroma quality control and process standardization for RPT production. Full article

Heat stress (HS) poses a significant stress challenge to growing lambs, impacting growth performance, health, and physiological responses. The study evaluated feeding an essential oil blend (EOB) on growth performance, physiological and blood parameters, oxidative, and immune responses. Thirty-two 3 mo old female (BW 18.6 ± 2.43 kg) crossbred (Mongolian × Thin-tailed Han F1) lambs were randomly assigned to either: (1) control (CON)—grain mix without EOB; or (2) EOB—an EOB blend supplemented at 4 g/kg grain mix. The EOB blend was comprised of 4.34% Zanthoxylum, 1% capsicum, and 1.06% cinnamon oils with 93.6% attapulgite carrier containing linalool, sabinene, limonene, capsaicin, cinnamaldehyde and eugenol. Extreme heat stress occurred for 39 out of the 45 d experiment. Feeding HS lambs EOB increased (p < 0.05) ADG (107.4 and 162.0 g/d for CON and EOB, respectively), forage intake (239.2 and 287.0 g/d), DMI (863.1 and 930.2 g/d), and feed efficiency (0.123 and 0.181 ADG, g/DMI, g) compared with lambs fed CON. Feeding EOB reduced (p < 0.01) respiration rates (RR) and rectal (RT) and skin temperatures (ST) compared to CON-fed lambs. Lambs fed EOB had a higher T-SOD activity and IgM concentration (0.05 < p < 0.10) than CON-fed lambs. Growing heat-stressed lambs fed EOB demonstrated a lower (p < 0.05) eosinophil percentage. Feeding EOB ameliorated HS conditions for growing crossbred lambs, which demonstrate improved growth performance, enhanced physiological responses, and overall health status. Full article

This study presents the development and evaluation of surface functionalized solidly mounted resonators (SMRs), including custom developed at the University of Warwick (UWAR) devices and commercial Sorex sensors, for the detection and classification of plant-emitted volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The sensors were tested against linalool, trans-2-hexenal (T2H), and D-limonene at different concentrations under both dry and humid conditions (30% ± 3% RH). A Python-based (v3.13.5) signal-processing workflow was established to filter frequency responses and extract key features, such as baseline, saturation point, and frequency shift ($\Delta f$). Adsorption behaviour was modelled using the Freundlich isotherm, showing good agreement with experimental data and suggesting heterogeneous, multilayer adsorption on CH₃-terminated EC surfaces. A 2D polar classification framework combining vector-normalized $\Delta f$ values from UWAR and Sorex sensors enabled a clear separation of the VOCs. The results highlight the complementary performance of the two types of SMR sensors and demonstrate that feature-engineered resonant devices, combined with computational classification, offer strong potential for future use in plant health monitoring systems. Full article

Mentha are historically important regarding their volatile oils. Since limited accounts exist for Australian species, we document the variation in volatiles across all Australian Mentha species, using the GC/MS of pentane extractions from leaf samples of replicate populations for all known species. Oil yields were consistently poor (<0.2% w/w) for freshly dried and herbarium specimens. Many species uniformly had high percentages of volatiles characteristically attributed to Mentha (viz. Menthone, Pulegone); yet, others—consistently or variably—lacked them. Mentha australis had the highest concentrations of menthone (25%), isomenthone, (9%) and pulegone (24%), and M. diemenica had menthone (32.5%) and pulegone (29.8%). Extracts from M. grandiflora from herbarium specimens produced weak traces, high in menthone and pulegone. Mentha satureioides had the highest menthone (20–30%) and pulegone (22–28%) in populations across the extent of its range; yet, an entirely different chemotype was identified from eastern New South Wales that contained limonene (17%), 1,8-cineole (19%), and α-terpineol (8%). Mentha laxiflora consistently exhibited limonene (27%); yet, the levels of the other main components (e.g., menthone, β-pinene, germacrene-D, and bicyclogermacrene) varied across populations. Mentha atrolilacina exhibited the most unique oil profile, with main components consisting of linalool (21%), β-caryophyllene (14%), germacrene-D (14%), and bicyclogermacrene (23.7%). Commercial samples of M. satureioides were found only to be the chemotype high in limonene (17%) and 1,8-cineole, which warrants further taxonomic research and caution for the industry seeking mint flavours from Australian sources. Full article

The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance, especially in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), underscores the need for alternative therapies from natural sources. This study investigated the chemical composition, antibacterial activity, and gene expression modulation of Melaleuca cajuputi essential oils. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified 91 compounds, with naphthalene (23.90%), guaiol (12.92%), caryophyllene oxide (9.69%), D-limonene 98% (8.59%), and gamma terpinene (7.54%) among the most abundant. In Silico molecular docking against MRSA virulence proteins revealed that alloaromadendrene had the strongest binding to toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) (−7.948 kcal/mol), suggesting high inhibitory potential, while cyclohexane showed weak binding with staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) (−3.532 kcal/mol). Antibacterial assays demonstrated concentration-dependent inhibition, with the zones ranging from 6.33 ± 0.33 mm to 16.67 ± 0.88 mm. MIC and MBC values ranged from 1.56 to 12.5% and 3.13 to 25%, respectively, with most isolates showing bactericidal effects (MBC/MIC ≤ 2). Gene expression analysis of MRSA isolate 4 indicated that sea was moderately upregulated (FC = 1.44), while sec remained unchanged (FC = 1.02). In contrast, fnbA (FC = 0.72), seb (FC = 0.33), and mecA (FC = 0.23) genes were downregulated, and the tsst-1 gene (FC = 0.05) was nearly silent. These findings highlight M. cajuputi essential oils as a promising candidate with both antibacterial efficacy and regulatory effects on MRSA virulence genes. Full article