Search Results (51)

The integration of HS-SPME-GC/MS and UPLC-MS/MS techniques enabled the profiling of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and amino acids (AAs) in 18 crabapple flower cultivars, facilitating the development of a novel VOC–AA model. Among the 51 identified VOCs, benzyl alcohol, benzaldehyde, and ethyl benzoate were predominant, categorizing cultivars into fruit-almond, fruit-sweet, and mixed types. The amino acids, namely glutamic acid (Glu), asparagine (Asn), aspartic acid (Asp), serine (Ser), and alanine (Ala) constituted 83.6% of the total AAs identified. Notably, specific amino acids showed positive correlations with key VOCs, suggesting a metabolic regulatory mechanism. The Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) model, when combined with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and amino acid profiles, enabled more effective aroma type classification, providing a robust foundation for further studies on aroma mechanisms and targeted breeding. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study is the first report on isolating a natural benzyl benzoate (nBB) from Acridocarpus smeathmannii (DC.) Guill. & Perr roots. Methods: The structure was verified using GC-MS, HPLC-UV-VIS, and two-dimensional NMR. Since it is known for its vasodilatory and anti-spasmolytic actions, we investigated the biological effects of nBB on human prostate smooth tissue (rPx) obtained from a radical prostatectomy. For this purpose, rPx was incubated with nBB (0.05, 0.25, or 0.5 µM) in an organ bath, and then cumulative concentration–response curves were constructed for adrenergic agonists and electrical field stimulation (EFS). Results: Adding the various concentrations, nBB showed potential inhibition during agonist-induced contractions (0.1–100 µM). Also, neurogenic contractions of rPx by EFS (2–32 Hz) were reduced by up to 57%. Conclusions: Overall, this study reports on an efficient protocol of nBB isolation from A. smeathmannii and its contractility effects on human prostate smooth muscle. Potentially, this could contribute to the natural production of BB from A. smeathmannii species while giving it evolutionary recognition. However, since BB influences prostate smooth muscle contractility, caution in patients taking herbal supplements containing nBB is essential, as this may play a role in contributing to the symptoms of urinary tract conditions. Full article

Zanthoxylum nitidum is a traditional Chinese herb, but limited information is available concerning its composition and pharmacological effects of essential oils from different parts of Z. nitidum. This study examined the composition and in vitro antioxidant activity of essential oils from different parts of Z. nitidum in China. The results indicate that the highest essential oil extraction rate was obtained from the pericarps (0.42%), primarily consisting of caryophyllene oxide (15.33%), nerolidol 2 (14.03%), and spathulenol (9.64%). This was followed by the leaves (0.21%), stems (0.09%), and roots (0.05%), with the highest content in their essential oils being caryophyllene (27.03%), cadina-1(10),4-diene (25.76%), and benzyl benzoate (17.11%), respectively. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that, compared with the essential oils from stems and leaves, the essential oils from roots and pericarps showed relatively smaller differences and were usually clustered into one category. The leaf essential oil has the highest in vitro antioxidant activity, followed by the root, pericarp, and stem. This study aims to provide a scientific reference for the rational development and utilization of different parts of Z. nitidum, especially the leaf essential oil. Full article

The present study investigated the antifungal potential of hydroalcoholic extracts of propolis against the causal agent of grey mould, Botrytis cinerea, by in vitro and in vivo assays. Five different propolis from different Italian regions were subjected to hydroalcoholic extraction using different ethanol concentrations and extraction methods. The preliminary bio-assay showed significant inhibitory effects on B. cinerea mycelial growth of propolis extracts obtained using 90% ethanol and subjected to sonication. The calculation of EC50 values, based on the demonstrated efficacy of non-volatile and volatile metabolites of propolis extracts, was useful to understand the main fraction involved in the antifungal activity of the samples and to perform the in vivo assay on grape and blueberry fruits. Three of the propolis extracts showed a high amount of genistein. Conversely, the other two propolis showed a fair amount of apigenin, caffeic acid, chrysin, ferulic acid, kaempferol, luteolin, p-coumaric acid and quercetin. From the volatile analysis of propolis, the main compounds detected were α-cadinol, α-eudesmol, calamenene, cadinol, benzyl acetate, benzyl benzoate and benzyl alcohol. The results suggest that propolis extracts have potential as an effective postharvest antifungal treatment, with varying degrees of efficacy depending on the extraction method and the type of propolis metabolites. Full article

Scabies is a worldwide parasitic dermatosis with a significant health burden on the young and the elderly. Statistics about the prevalence of scabies in Hong Kong are not available. This is a retrospective study of patients from a regional hospital cluster in Hong Kong with microscopy-documented Sarcoptes scabiei infestations from January 2018 to December 2022. The condition was categorised into classical scabies and crusted scabies upon clinical presentation. Demographic data, comorbid diseases, mobility and residential status, seasonal variability, secondary bacterial infection, treatment and outcomes were described. These were compared between classic and crusted scabies. In total, 604 patients were identified, representing 51.65 per 100,000 discharged patients during the study period. The median age was 84 years and 54.5% were male. The majority (506 or 83.8%) came from residential care homes for the elderly. The mean time from admission to diagnosis was 8.8 days for community-acquired infestation. There were 564 and 40 cases of classic and crusted scabies, respectively. The two groups of patients were comparable in terms of residence in elderly homes, co-existing chronic illnesses, mobility, and time from admission to diagnosis. Forty-five (7.5%) patients had positive blood cultures temporally associated with scabies. Patients with crusted scabies were at higher risk for bacteraemia (7/40 versus 38/564, p = 0.022). Permethrin and benzyl benzoate were the most popular treatment regimens, with treatment failure observed in 59/397 (14.4%) and 18/173 (10.4%), respectively. There were 172 (28.5%) mortalities within 30 days of scabies diagnosis. Thus, the burden of scabies infestation is significant in Hong Kong. Hospitalised patients diagnosed with scabies are mainly senior citizens living in residential care homes for the elderly, suggesting reservoirs of S. scabiei in the community. Of concern, bacteraemic illnesses are common and significant mortality is temporarily associated with infestation. With a rising elderly population, there is a pressing need to understand and control scabies in Hong Kong. Our study did not find that common medical illness, besides immunosuppressive therapy, predisposed patients to crusted scabies. The crusted form of scabies was associated with a higher risk of bacteraemia. The current study provides a better perspective of the disease load of scabies in Hong Kong. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study investigates the chemical composition, antioxidant, antibacterial, and hemolytic properties of ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata) essential oil, with a focus on its potential therapeutic applications for dermatological diseases and the importance of transforming such bioactive properties into a stable, safe, and effective formulation. Methods/Rsults: Essential oils were extracted from flowers harvested in northern Grande Comore using hydro distillation at three different distillation times to examine the impact on yield and quality. Gas chromatographic analysis identified a complex mixture of compounds, including linalool, geranyl acetate, and benzyl benzoate. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH, FRAP, TAC, and beta-carotene bleaching inhibition assays, revealing significant radical scavenging capabilities, with DPPH IC50 varying between 1.57 and 3.5 mg/mL. Antibacterial activity was tested against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, showing promising inhibition zones and minimum inhibitory concentrations. Hemolytic tests indicated varying degrees of red blood cell damage, emphasizing the need for careful concentration management in therapeutic applications. Molecular docking studies highlighted potential therapeutic targets for dermatological conditions, identifying high binding affinities for specific compounds against proteins involved in acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Conclusions: This comprehensive analysis underscores the potential of ylang-ylang essential oil (YEOs) as a natural alternative for antimicrobial treatments and dermatological applications, with its success dependent on optimized extraction methods and precise formulation to reduce cytotoxic effects. A formulation approach is crucial to ensure controlled release, improve bioavailability, and minimize skin irritation. Full article

The flowers of the ylang ylang tree contain an essential oil which is utilized in high-quality perfumes. The traditional mode of extraction is by steam distillation but it has been shown that the more modern supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) using carbon dioxide has potential for replacing steam distillation. This technology, however, generally operates under high pressures, up to 500 bar. The work described in this paper examines the possibility of using carbon dioxide at much lower pressures, close to the critical point, i.e., 75 bar and 30 °C. Two series of experiments were therefore carried out under such conditions, the first using carbon dioxide alone and the second utilizing ethanol as a co-solvent, the conditions being chosen by applying the Design of Experiments (DOE) technique over ranges of pressure from 80 to 120 bar and temperatures from 35 to 50 °C. Extraction curves are presented which show the rates of extraction to be significantly increased by the use of the co-solvent, with the measured values being 0.74% to 0.97% with no co-solvent addition, increasing to 0.92% to 1.16% with co-solvent addition. These rates are, however, lower than the rates previously reported at higher pressures, i.e., 0.9 to 1.8%. Better quality oils are, however, produced compared to those at higher pressures, with the major components being benzene benzoate, benzene salicylate, cubebene, and benzyl acetate. It is recommended that an economic study be carried out to evaluate whether it is feasible to utilize this process commercially. Full article

Background: Scabies is a prevalent dermatological condition with significant public health implications. The recent rise in drug-resistant scabies presents new challenges for effective disease management and control. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Studies published from 2000 to August 2024 were considered, focusing on those reporting drug-resistant scabies and advancements in treatment approaches. Results: Clinical studies, in vitro investigations, and case reports show significant resistance of human scabies to permethrin. Main resistance mechanisms involve genetic mutations in the mites’ voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) and enhanced activity or expression of the detoxifying enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST). Resistance to ivermectin and benzyle benzoate, although suggested by some authors, seems less obvious. The clinical evidence of widespread ivermectin resistance in human scabies infestations is lacking, despite indications of increased tolerance in laboratory settings and anecdotal reports of resistance in patients with crusted scabies. Benzyl benzoate resistance in scabies mites remains unconfirmed. Conclusions: Permethrin-resistant scabies is an escalating threat requiring new management strategies and updated guidelines. Infection control measures, alternative treatments, and ongoing research into new therapeutics are crucial to mitigate the impact of drug-resistant scabies. Full article

Scented green tea (Camellia sinensis) is a type of reprocessed green tea produced by scenting with flowers. To investigate the differences in the volatiles of scented green tea processed with four different flowers (Jasminum sambac, Osmanthus fragrans, Michelia alba, and Rosa rugosa), gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry (GC–IMS) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) were employed to detect and identify the volatile compounds in the four types of scented teas. GC–IMS and GC–MS identified 108 and 101 volatile compounds, respectively. The key characteristic volatile compounds, namely indole, linalool, β-myrcene, benzyl acetate, and ethyl benzoate (jasmine tea); cedrol, (E)-β-ionone, γ-decalactone, and dihydro-β-ionol (osmanthus tea); geraniol, phenylethyl alcohol, jasmone, methyl jasmonate, hexadecanoic acid, 4-ethyl-benzaldehyde, 2-methylbutyl hexanoate, and indole (michelia tea); and 3,5-dimethoxytoluene, (E)-β-ionone, and 2-methylbutyl hexanoate (rose tea), were identified through chemometric analysis combined with relative odor activity values (ROAVs) and sensory evaluation. This study provides new insights into the formation of aroma molecular fingerprints during green tea scenting with flowers, providing theoretical guidance for infusing distinct aroma characteristics into green tea during scented tea processing. Full article

The aim of this study was to indicate the type of preservatives used in selected categories of cosmetic products sold in Poland (part of the EU market) and determine the frequency of their use. The tested products consisted of 200 leave-on cosmetics, viz. body lotions (n = 100) and face creams (n = 100) and rinse-off cosmetics (n = 100) and mascaras (n = 25). The product labels of 325 adult cosmetic products from international brands were analyzed for the presence of preservatives based on the INCI compositions. The survey focused on preservatives included in Annex V of the Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and Council of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products. The tested products contained 29 different preservatives belonging to eight chemical groups. Most preservatives were alcohols or their derivatives, carboxylic acids or their salts, or parabens. The most common types were phenoxyethanol, present in 198/325 (60.9%) formulations, followed by sodium benzoate, in 137 (42.2%), potassium sorbate, in 116 (35.7%), benzyl alcohol, in 76 (23.4%), and methylparaben in 33 (10.2%). Also, 33 of the 60 preservatives included in Annex V of Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 were not used in any of the tested preparations. In each category of products, the most common were combinations of two preservatives per single product (34.8% of all products), followed by single-preservative products (25.5%) and three-preservative products (19.4%). Full article

We describe here the palladium hydrogenation of ethyl 5-(benzoyloxymethyl)isoxazole-3-carboxylate. The presence of two reducible sites in the molecule, namely the benzylic-like position and the isoxazole N–O bond, creates a possible competition. The results show that under the applied conditions, ethyl (Z)-2-amino-4-oxo-2-pentanoate is obtained as the only product. Accordingly, a domino process occurs, consisting of deoxygenation to the 5-methylisoxazole derivative followed by reductive opening of the isoxazole ring. The isoxazole substrate was prepared by NaOH-catalyzed cycloaddition-condensation of ethyl nitroacetate and propargyl benzoate in water. Complete characterizations of the isoxazole and Z-enaminone derivatives are reported. Full article

The synthesis of benzaldehyde, a compound widely utilized in food, medicine, and cosmetics, was achieved through a one-step catalytic hydrogenation using the cost-effective raw material, methyl benzoate. This process aligns with the principles of atom economy and green production. Despite the development of numerous high-performance catalysts by scholars, the challenge remains in achieving lower reaction temperatures, ideally below 400 °C. In this study, a series of MnO_x/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts were meticulously prepared using the precipitation-impregnation method. These catalysts featured supports calcined at various temperatures and distinct manganese active components. Characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ physical adsorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), H₂ temperature programmed reduction (H₂-TPR), and NH₃ temperature-programmed desorption (NH₃-TPD) were employed to analyze the structure and surface properties of the catalysts. Notably, the optimized reaction temperature was found to be 360 °C. The catalyst exhibited the most favorable performance when the calcination temperature of the support was 500 °C and the Mn/Al molar ratio reached 0.18. Under these conditions, the catalyst demonstrated the most suitable oxygen vacancy concentration, yielding impressive results: a conversion rate of 87.90% and a benzaldehyde selectivity of 86.1%. These achievements were attained at 360 °C, atmospheric pressure, a hydrogen to methyl benzoate molar ratio of 40:1, and a Gas Hourly Space Velocity (GHSV) of 800 h⁻¹. This research underscores the potential for optimizing catalysts to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of benzaldehyde synthesis. Full article

Tribolium castaneum is a damaging pest of stored grains, causing significant losses and secreting lethal quinones, which render the grains unfit for human consumption. Chemical insecticides are the most commonly used approach for control; however, they create insecticide resistance and affect the health of humans, animals, and the environment. As a result, it is critical to find an environmentally friendly pest-management strategy. In this study, two naturally occurring chemicals, benzyl alcohol (BA) and benzoyl benzoate (BB), were investigated for insecticidal activity against T. castaneum using different assays (impregnated-paper, contact toxicity, fumigant, and repellency assays). The results showed that BA had a significant insecticidal effect, with the LC₅₀ achieved at a lower concentration in the direct-contact toxicity test (1.77%) than in the impregnated-paper assay (2.63%). BB showed significant effects in the direct-contact toxicity test, with an LC₅₀ of 3.114%, and a lower toxicity in the impregnated-paper assay, with an LC₅₀ of 11.75%. Furthermore, BA exhibited significant fumigant toxicity against T. castaneum, with an LC₅₀ of 6.72 µL/L, whereas BB exhibited modest fumigant toxicity, with an LC₅₀ of 464 µL/L. Additionally, at different concentrations (0.18, 0.09, 0.045, and 0.0225 µL/cm²), BA and BB both showed a notable and potent repelling effect. BA and BB significantly inhibited acetylcholinesterase, reduced glutathione (GSH), and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) in treated T. castaneum. This is the first report of BA insecticidal activity against the red flour beetle. Also, the outcomes of various assays demonstrated that the application of BA induces a potent bio-insecticidal effect. BA may be a promising eco-friendly alternative to control T. castaneum due to its safety and authorization by the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority). Full article

Several methods have been used to determine the volatile organic compounds emitted by Ophrys orchids. The use of different methods results in incomparable data. Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) has not been used extensively on Ophrys orchids. The main components found in the SPME analysis of the scent in Ophrys orchids were as follows: O. apifera: benzyl benzoate and α-copaene; O. crabronifera subsp. biscutella: pentadecane, heptadecane, and nonadecane; O. bertolonii subsp. bertolonii: pentadecane and heptadecane; O. passionis subsp. garganica: i-propyl palmitate and heptadecane; O. holosericea subsp. apulica: α-copaene, pentadecane, and heptadecane; O. lacaitae: α-copaene, pentadecane, and heptadecane; O. bombyliflora: cyclosativene, pentadecane, and ethyl dodecanoate; O. insectifera: 8-heptadecene and pentadecane; O. lutea: heptadecane and docosane; O. tenthredinifera subsp. neglecta: α-copaene, caryophyllene, and i-propyl palmitate. Full article

Aroma is a vital factor influencing tea quality and value. It is a challenge to produce a kind of black tea with a floral/fruity aroma, good taste, and without a green/grassy odor simultaneously using small- and medium-leaf tea species. In this study, the effect of re-rolling treatment on the aroma quality of small-leaf Congou black tea was investigated using the methods of the equivalent quantification of aroma and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Sensory evaluation showed that re-rolling treatment improved the aroma quality of Congou black tea by conferring upon it floral and fruity scents. In total, 179 volatile compounds were identified using GC-MS, of which 97 volatiles showed statistical differences (Tukey s-b(K), p < 0.05). Re-rolling treatment significantly reduced the levels of alcoholic fatty acid-derived volatiles (FADVs) and volatile terpenoid (VTs), but increased the levels of aldehydic and ester FADVs, most amino acid-derived volatiles (AADVs), carotenoid-derived volatiles (CDVs), alkene VTs, and some other important volatile compounds. Based on the odor characteristics and fold changes of differential volatile compounds, hexanoic acid, hexyl formate, cis-3-hexenyl hexanoate, (Z)-3-hexenyl benzoate, hexyl hexanoate, phenylacetaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, β-ionone, α-ionone, dihydroactinidiolide, ipsenone, β-farnesene, β-octalactone, melonal, etc., were considered as the potential key odorants responsible for the floral and fruity scents of re-rolled black tea. In summary, this study provides a novel and simple processing technology to improve the aroma quality of small-leaf Congou black tea, and the results are beneficial to enriching tea aroma chemistry. Full article