Search Results (78)

This study, conducted in Southern Italy in 2023, investigated the effects of a dynamic agrivoltaics (AV) system on microclimate, water consumption, plant growth, and essential oil yield in six medicinal species: lavender (Lavandula angustifolia L. ‘Royal purple’), lemmon thyme (Thymus citriodorus (Pers.) Schreb. ar. ‘Aureus’), common thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. ‘Severn seas’), mint (Mentha spicata L. ‘Moroccan’), and sage (Salvia officinalis L. subsp. Officinalis). Due to the rotating solar panels, two distinct ground zones were identified: a consistently shaded area under the panels (UP), and a partially shaded area between the panels (BP). These were compared to an adjacent full-sun control area (T). Microclimate parameters, including solar radiation, air and leaf infrared temperature, and soil temperature, were recorded throughout the cultivation season. Reference evapotranspiration (ET_O) was calculated using Turc’s method, and crop evapotranspiration (ET_C) was estimated with species-specific crop coefficients (K_C). Results showed significantly lower microclimatic values in the UP plot compared to both BP and especially T, resulting in ET_C reductions of 81.1% in UP and 13.1% in BP relative to T, an advantage in water-scarce environments. Growth and yield responses varied among species and treatment plots. Except for mint, all species showed a significant reduction in fresh biomass (40.1% to 48.8%) under the high shading of UP compared to T. However, no biomass reductions were observed in BP. Notably, essential oil yields were higher in both UP and BP plots (0.60–2.63%) compared to the T plot (0.51–1.90%). These findings demonstrate that dynamic AV systems can enhance water use efficiency and essential oil yield, offering promising opportunities for sustainable, high-quality medicinal crop production in arid and semi-arid regions. Full article

The prevention of biofilm formation and algal biodeterioration on building materials, particularly on cultural heritage sites, is a growing concern. Due to regulatory restrictions on conventional algicidal biocides in Europe, natural alternatives such as essential oils are gaining interest for their potential use in heritage conservation. This study evaluates the anti-algal activity of Salvia officinalis and Equisetum arvense (essential oils, hydrolates, and extracts) against a mixed culture of five green algae species (Bracteacoccus minor, Stichococcus bacillaris, Klebsormidium nitens, Chloroidium saccharophilum, and Diplosphaera chodatii). The plant materials were processed using hydrodistillation and solvent extraction, followed by chemical characterization through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Biological efficacy was assessed by measuring algal growth inhibition, changes in biomass colour, chlorophyll a concentration, and fluorescence. S. officinalis yielded higher extract quantities (extraction yield: 23%) than E. arvense and contained bioactive compounds such as thujone, camphor, and cineole, which correlated with its strong anti-algal effects. The essential oil of S. officinalis demonstrated the highest efficacy, significantly inhibiting biofilm formation (zones of inhibition: 15–94 mm) and photosynthetic activity at 0.5% concentration (reduction in chlorophyll a concentration 90–100%), without causing visible discolouration of treated surfaces (∆E < 2). These findings highlight the potential of S. officinalis essential oil as a natural, effective, and material-safe algicidal biocide for the sustainable protection of cultural heritage sites. Full article

Milk is frequently susceptible to contamination by potential pathogens, posing risks to both food safety and public health. Cheesemaking often relies on raw milk, where microbial communities—including Staphylococcus xylosus—can play a dual role: (i) contributing to fermentation and (ii) acting as opportunistic pathogens that can be often present in subclinical mastitis and be subjected to carry over in dairy products. In this study, Staphylococcus xylosus was isolated from raw bovine milk (preclinical mastitis) and identified via matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Biotyper scores: 1.87–2.19). Its susceptibility to erythromycin and to an essential oil blend composed of Myrtus communis, Salvia officinalis, and Cistus ladanifer was evaluated. The essential oil blend produced inhibition zones ranging from 9 mm to 13.3 mm, indicating moderate antibacterial activity. Further Minimum Inhibitory Concentration analysis revealed that Myrtus communis, Salvia officinalis, and the essential oil blend inhibited Staphylococcus xylosus growth at concentrations between 0.5 and 0.25 percent, while Cistus ladanifer required higher levels (1 to 0.5 percent). These findings suggest that selected essential oils—especially in combination—hold promise as complementary antimicrobial agents in food safety and antimicrobial resistance mitigation efforts. Full article

The house fly, Musca domestica L., is a pest of great medical and agricultural importance, serving as a vector for various diseases and undermining the quality of agricultural products. Traditionally, synthetic insecticides have been the primary means of control; however, their efficacy has declined over time, and they are now less preferred due to their safety and environmental concerns. This study evaluated the insecticidal and repellent properties of essential oils from Eucalyptus globulus, Foeniculum vulgare and Salvia officinalis against M. domestica. All EOs exhibited insecticidal activity: eucalyptus achieved 100% fumigant mortality at 34 µL L⁻¹ air and showed the lowest LC₅₀ (18.1 µL L⁻¹ air), while fennel and sage required 50 µL L⁻¹ air. In contrast, fennel showed the highest contact toxicity (100% mortality at 150 µL L⁻¹). Repellency exceeded 87% for all EOs, with sage being the most repellent at the lowest concentration tested (94% at 5 µL L⁻¹). These results highlight the potential use of essential oils and their constituents as environmentally friendly alternatives for the control of M. domestica. However, further field validation and studies on individual components and their synergistic combinations are needed to understand their efficacy and fully optimize their use. Full article

The tomato russet mite (TRM), Aculops lycopersici, is a destructive pest of tomato crops worldwide. It poses a significant challenge to growers in both greenhouse and open-field conditions. Traditional chemical control methods are often ineffective, promote resistance, and have negative environmental impacts. This has prompted the search for alternative strategies, such as biological control and eco-friendly botanical pesticides. In this study, we evaluated the acaricidal effects of essential oils (EOs) extracted from three officinal plants, Origanum vulgare L., Salvia rosmarinus Spenn., and Salvia officinalis L., cultivated using precision aromatic crop (PAC) techniques. Their efficacy was evaluated against A. lycopersici under laboratory conditions. The chemical composition of the EOs was determined by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The dominant component of O. vulgare EO was carvacrol (83.42%), followed by ρ-cymene (3.06%), and γ-terpinene (2.93%). In S. rosmarinus, α-pinene (28.0%), 1,8-cineole (11.00%), and borneol (7.72%) were the major components. S. officinalis EO was characterized by high levels of 1,8-cineole (27.67%), camphor (21.91%), and crisantenone (12.87%). We tested multiple concentrations (320–5000 μL L−¹) and exposure times (1–4 days) to assess mite mortality. The results revealed both dose- and time-dependent toxic activity, with significant differences among EOs. O. vulgare EO was the most toxic, causing 90% mortality at 0.5% (w/v) concentration after 4 days. S. rosmatinus and S. officinalis EOs had more limited effects, with 46% and 42% mortality, respectively. Lethal concentration (LC₅₀) values were 2.23 mL L−¹ (95% CI: 1.74–3.05) for O. vulgare, 5.84 mL L−¹ (95% CI: 3.28–22.29) for S. rosmarinus, and 6.01 mL L−¹ (95% CI: 2.63–261.60) for S. officinalis. These results indicate that O. vulgare EO shows efficacy comparable to commercially available botanical pesticides. Our findings support the potential of O. vulgare EO as a viable alternative for the control of A. lycopersici, contributing to integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. Full article

Infectious diseases, the second leading cause of death worldwide, have traditionally been treated with antimicrobials. However, the emergence of drug-resistant microorganisms has driven the need for alternative therapies. This study aimed to assess the antibacterial efficacy of Capparis spinosa crude extracts and five essential oils (EOs) derived from Salvia officinalis, Eucalyptus globulus, Micromeria barbata, Origanum vulgare, and Juniperus excelsa. The EOs were extracted using hydro-distillation, and C. spinosa extracts were obtained using ethanol and acetone solvents. Microdilution assays revealed that O. vulgare EO exhibited the strongest activity against Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Brucella melitensis, while C. spinosa demonstrated significant antibacterial effects against L. monocytogenes and notable inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The combination of EOs with antibiotics, including M. barbata, J. excelsa, S. officinalis, and E. globulus, enhanced the efficacy of the antibiotics against recalcitrant bacterial strains. The synergistic effects were evaluated through Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index (FICI) analysis. These findings confirm that the antibacterial efficacy observed in the tested EOs, especially when used in synergy with antibiotics, offers a promising therapeutic strategy to combat antimicrobial resistance. Full article

This study aims to highlight the therapeutic potential of some Lamiacea essential oils (EOs). For this purpose, eight EOs, including two from Lavandula angustifolia Mill. cultivated in Romania and Spain (LA1 and LA2), Salvia officinalis L. (SO), Lavandula hybrida Balb. ex Ging (LH), Salvia sclarea L. (SS), Mentha smithiana L. (MS), Perovskia atriplicifolia Benth. (PA), and Mentha x piperita L. (MP), were evaluated in vitro in terms of antioxidant, cytotoxic, antimicrobial, and anti-migratory activities. As regards the antioxidant capacity, expressed as the EO concentration that produces 50% of the maximum effect (IC₅₀ value), the EOs obtained from the cultivated plants of the Lamiaceae family are ordered as follows: LA2 ˃ LA1 ˃ LH > MP > MS > SO > SS > PA. For the determination of antimicrobial activity, the reference strains used for testing were Salmonella enterica serotype typhimurium, Shigella flexneri serotype 2b, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and Candida parapsilosis. The most intense inhibitory effect was observed in EOs of MS and MP on all tested microbial strains. The cytotoxic and anti-migratory activity of EOs was tested on two melanoma cell lines (A375 and B164A5) and on a healthy keratinocyte line (HaCaT). EOs LA1 and MP manifested the highest selectivity on the analysed tumoural cells, by reducing their migration in comparison with the control, proving to have therapeutic potential. Full article

The extraction processes for medicinal plants, particularly the distillation of aromatic plants, generate significant quantities of by-products, consisting of fibrous biomass and hydrosols. These by-products pose challenges for disposal and recovery. Consequently, it is imperative to make the entire highly energy-intensive process more sustainable by valorizing all derivatives. This study aims to recover polyphenols from the exhausted biomasses of Artemisia dracunculus, Echinacea purpurea, Helichrysum italicum (from the Asteraceae family), and Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula × intermedia, Melissa officinalis, Salvia officinalis, Salvia sclarea, and Salvia rosmarinus (from the Lamiaceae family) after steam distillation. The residual biomasses were extracted using ethanol (conventional solvent) and different natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) composed of choline chloride in combination with citric and lactic acids at different molar ratios. The NADES containing choline chloride and lactic acid at the molar ratio 1:1 (CLA11) exhibited the highest recovery of representative phenols of the plants, namely chicoric and rosmarinic acids. The CLA11 solvent demonstrated a stronger extractive capacity compared to ethanol in all the biomasses belonging to the Asteraceae and Lamiaceae families. Specifically, CLA11 extracts showed a higher number of compounds in UHPLC-HRMS and greater concentrations of chicoric and rosmarinic acids determined by HPLC-DAD than ethanol extracts. In conclusion, NADES were demonstrated to be a viable alternative system for the recovery of bioactive compounds that could be used to formulate new products for the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Moreover, the use of NADES can enhance the sustainability of the whole production chain of essential oils being environmentally friendly. Full article

Over the years, several studies have investigated the essential oils (EOs) of Salvia taxa, revealing significant chemical variability in their composition. The present study focused on the characterization of the EOs of seven Salvia taxa growing wild in Greece, namely S. aethiopis L., S. argentea L., and S. sclarea L. (Aethiopis section); S. officinalis L. subsp. officinalis and S. tomentosa Mill. (Eusphace section); S. verticillata L. subsp. verticillata (Hemisphace section); and S. amplexicaulis Lam. (Plethiosphace section). Chemometric analysis, including PCA, HCA, and a clustered heat map, were applied to identify possible relationships among the samples based on their constituents, chemical groups, and thujone contents. The analysis classified the samples into two distinct groups based on their chemical classes; Group I (Svert, Sarg, Sampl, and Sath) was characterized by the highest amounts of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (42.7–88.0%), followed by oxygenated sesquiterpenes (6.7–41.6%) and monoterpenes (0–17.2%), while Group II (Soff, Stom, and SScl) showed the highest amounts of oxygenated monoterpenes (47–66.4%), followed by monoterpene hydrocarbons (4.9–22.7%), sesquiterpenes (3.2–15.3%), and oxygenated diterpenes (3.5–9.0%). Regarding thujone content, two major groups were detected. The first group comprised Sscl, Svert, Sarg, Sampl, and Sath while the second group comprised Soff and Stom (Subgenus Salvia/Section Eusphace), which exhibited the highest percentages of thujones. These findings provide a basis for further investigation into taxonomic studies of the Salvia genus. Full article

Plants of the Lamiaceae family are widely used for the extraction of essential oils, and this industry generates a large number of solid residues as by-products, which contain non-volatile valuable compounds. The aim of this work was to identify and quantify the phenolic compounds present in these solid residues from different important Spanish species of Lamiaceae to characterize and valorize them. Forty-seven phenolic compounds were identified by HPLC-DAD-MS and quantified by HPLC-DAD. Different concentrations and types of phenolic compounds were found between the solid residues. The Rosmarinus officinalis extracts showed the highest total phenolic content due to their high phenolic terpene concentrations. The Thymus mastichina extracts were characterized by kaempferol and flavanones, and some flavones were derived from luteolin and apigenin. Finally, the sample Lavandula and Salvia lavandulifolia extracts presented the lowest content of most phenolic compounds, with the exception of some phenolic acids, such as danshensu, salvianolic acid A, and glucosides of hydroxycinnamic acids. Therefore, this work provides information on the quantification of a large number of phenolic compounds using a simple, sensitive, reproducible, and accurate methodology. In addition, the results indicate that these solid residues still contain important amounts of different polyphenols, which are antioxidants and can be used in different industries. Full article

Revegetation emerges as a promising approach to alleviate the adverse impacts of mining residues. However, it is essential to evaluate the characteristics of these materials and select suitable plant species to ensure successful ecosystem restoration. This study aimed to investigate the effects of phosphate-mine residues (MR) on the growth, biochemical properties, and essential oil concentration of Rosmarinus officinalis L., Salvia Officinalis L., Lavandula dentata L., and Origanum majorana L. The results showed that R. officinalis L. appeared to be particularly well-suited to thriving in MR soil. Our finding also revealed that L. dentata L., O. majorana L., and S. officinalis L. grown in MR exhibited significantly lower growth performance (lower shoot length, smaller leaves, and altered root structure) and higher antioxidant activities, with an alterations of photosynthetic pigment composition. They showed a decrease in total chlorophylls when grown on MR (0.295, 0.453, and 0.562 mg g⁻¹ FW, respectively) compared to the control (0.465, 0.807, and 0.808 mg g⁻¹ FW, respectively); however, they produced higher essential oil content (1.8%, 3.06%, and 2.88%, respectively). The outcomes of this study could offer valuable insights for the advancement of revegetation technologies and the utilization of plant products derived from phosphate-mine residues. Full article

Listeria are Gram-negative intracellular foodborne pathogens that can cause invasive infections with high mortality rates. In this work, the antibacterial activity of ten essential oils, infusion extracts, and decoction extracts of some medicinal plants was tested against Listeria monocytogenes and listeria ivanovii strains. The effects of different physical conditions including temperature, pH, sodium chloride, and some organic acids were studied. The results showed that the water extracts gave the maximum bacterial inhibition, while ethanolic extract was inactive against the tested Listeria spp. The antibiotic sensitivity of L. monocytogenes LMG10470 and L. ivanovii LMZ11352 was tested against five antibiotics including imipenem, levofloxacin, amikacin, ampicillin, and amoxicillin. Imipenem was the most effective antibiotic, resulting in inhibition zones of 40 mm and 31 mm for L. monocytogenes and L. ivanovii, respectively. When imipenem mixed with Syzygium aromaticum oil, Salvia officinalis oil, Pimpinella anisum infusion, and Mentha piperita infusion each, the water extract of Moringa oleifera leaves and seeds against LMG10470 and LMZ11352 resulted in broader antibacterial activity. The antimicrobial activity of both Pimpinella anisum and Mentha piperita plant extracts is related to a variety of bioactive compounds indicated by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of these two plant extracts. These two plant extracts seemed to contain many chemical compounds elucidated by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and infrared radiation spectra. These compounds could be classified into different chemical groups such as ethers, heterocyclic compounds, aromatic aldehydes, condensed heterocyclic compounds, ketones, alicyclic compounds, aromatics, esters, herbicides, saturated fatty acids, and unsaturated fatty acids. The use of these natural compounds seems to be a useful technological adjuvant for the control of Listeria spp. in foods. Full article

Improving the productivity of medicinal and aromatic species via eco-friendly approaches is imperative worldwide because of their therapeutic impacts. Biostimulants have been recognized among the best cultural practices in the last few decades. Among them, bee honey (BH) and ginger extract (GE) are new sources of multifunctional biostimulants that positively influence plant growth and development. However, there are currently no detailed reports on the impacts of BH or GE as promising growth and yield enhancers for medicinal and aromatic species. Also, the mechanism involved in stimulating growth and essential oil content with BH or GE is still unidentified. This work was, therefore, undertaken to analyze the impact of BH and GE on the growth, productivity, and essential oil content of sage plants (Salvia officinalis L.). Sage plants were sprayed monthly for three months with the same volume of BH (0, 5, 10, and 15 g L⁻¹), GE (0, 5, 10, and 15 mg L⁻¹), or tap water, which was used as a control. BH or GE application improved the plant height, branch number, herb yield, total chlorophyll content, total phenolics, and antioxidant capacity relative to the controls, more so with GE. Intriguingly, the essential oil percentage, oil yield, and oil constituents were enhanced by BH and GE. In this respect, the highest levels of biostimulants, particularly GE, were more effective. On a percentage basis, the essential oil yield per hectare was largely increased by 127.91 and 138.89% with GE (10 g L⁻¹) in both seasons relative to the controls. The contents of IAA, GA₃, and CK in THE sage leaves were substantially increased by BH and GE, and higher levels of both biostimulants and GE were more effective. The nutrient levels of N, P, K, Fe, Zn, and Mg were also elevated by BH and GE compared with the untreated plants. These results suggest that BH or GE application could be a promising biostimulant for improving the productivity of sage and provide a new understanding of their mechanisms in this aspect. Full article

Honey bees are crucial for ecosystem pollination and honey production, yet the Varroa destructor mite hinders their productivity and health. Efforts to manage Varroa mites with synthetic pesticides have had limited success, highlighting the need for naturally derived acaricides as a primary option. However, the acaricidal efficacy of essential oils from Salvia officinalis L. (sage), Cannabis sativa (hemp), and Laurus nobilis (laurel) remains to be fully understood. This study aims to investigate the acaricidal efficacy of these three essential oils at varying concentrations and their impact on honey production, focusing on the efficient reduction in Varroa mites. The sugar roll method was employed to assess Varroa mite infestation levels, while GC-MS analysis was utilized to verify the composition of the essential oils. Honey production measurements were also performed. The efficacy rates (%) at concentrations of 15%, 10%, and 5% for hemp oil were 95.4% ± 0.30%, 85.71% ± 0.85%, and 64.48% ± 0.26%, respectively; for sage oil, they were 81.08% ± 0.57%, 69.42% ± 1.72%, and 50.35% ± 0.70%; and for laurel oil, they were 68.96% ± 0.34%, 54.66% ± 0.37%, and 33.58% ± 0.30%, respectively. Key compounds identified include trans-caryophyllene, α-pinene, and viridiflorol in hemp oil; myrcene, limonene, and β-caryophyllene in sage oil; and phytol, β-myrcene, and n-heneicosane in laurel oil. The overall findings indicate that hemp oil is highly effective in controlling Varroa mites. However, further research is needed to evaluate its potential side effects on bees to ensure its sustainability and safety. Full article

The Lamiaceae family, which includes several well-known aromatic plants, is scientifically relevant due to its essential oils (EOs). In this work, four EOs from Mediterranean species, namely Origanum vulgare L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Salvia officinalis L., and Thymus vulgaris L., were evaluated for their volatile profiles and the biological activity in vitro to assess their potential use in the food and cosmetic sector. GC/MS analysis revealed dominant compounds, such as carvacrol, thymol, and eucalyptol. Regarding biological action, the samples exhibited antioxidant, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antifungal activities, with O. vulgare and T. officinalis standing out. T. vulgaris showed the lowest EC₅₀ in the reducing power assay, and O. vulgare had the lowest EC₅₀ in the DPPH assay. Most EOs also displayed excellent anti-inflammatory responses and antifungal properties, with O. vulgare and T. vulgaris also demonstrating antibacterial activity. All EOs from Mediterranean species showed cytotoxicity against tumoral cell lines. Overall, the selected EOs stood out for their interesting bioactivities, with the obtained results underscoring their potential as natural preservatives and bioactive agents in various industrial applications, including food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Full article