Search Results (195)

Seasonal environmental conditions can modulate the chemical composition and biological activity of essential oils from medicinal plants. This study investigated the phytochemical profile, antioxidant potential, cytotoxic activity, and cytoprotective effects of Lippia alba essential oils collected during dry and rainy seasons. Gas chromatography analysis revealed that all samples preserved a citral chemotype. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) confirmed citral as the primary discriminant metabolite, while quantitative seasonal variations were mainly associated with minor oxygenated monoterpenes, particularly geraniol, carvone, and nerolidol. The essential oil obtained during the rainy season (A5T–RS) exhibited significantly higher antioxidant activity, as determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), reducing power, total antioxidant capacity, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) evaluation using the 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) method demonstrated that both oils reduced oxidative stress in murine fibroblasts—L929, with enhanced cytoprotective effects observed for A5T–RS. Cytotoxicity assays against non-tumor (murine fibroblast-NIH/3T3, L929, Chinese hamster ovary—CHO-K1) and tumor (human cervical carcinoma—HeLa, and human hepatocellular carcinoma—HepG2) cell lines revealed selective antiproliferative activity, with tumor cells displaying greater sensitivity, particularly to the rainy-season oil. These results demonstrate that seasonal metabolomic modulation enhances the biological performance of L. alba essential oil without altering its chemotypic identity, highlighting the importance of environmental factors in the development of bioactive plant-derived products. Full article

Peppermint tea is one of the most widely consumed herbal beverages worldwide, yet limited data are available on the chemical variability and quality of commercial products. This study assessed the essential oil (EO) yield and composition of 39 commercial peppermint (Mentha × piperita L.) teas and commercial EOs obtained from different countries. EO yield showed pronounced variability, ranging from 0.8 to 26.8 mL/kg. In total, 112 compounds were identified by GC-MS, accounting for 88.4–99.5% of the total EO composition. The major constituents were menthol (0.1–25.2%), menthone (0.1–21.8%), and carvone (0.6–30.0%), revealing marked chemical heterogeneity among marketed products. Several samples exhibited unusually high carvone levels accompanied by reduced menthol and menthone contents, reflecting substantial chemotypic diversity and inconsistency among marketed products. The concentrations of the regulated constituents, pulegone (0.02–2.56%) and menthofuran (0.02–6.58%), remained within the European Pharmacopoeia limits. Based on the observed levels of pulegone and menthofuran, the results do not indicate a safety concern for consumers under normal tea preparation and consumption conditions. Overall, the findings demonstrate substantial variability in the quality of commercial peppermint teas and highlight the relevance of essential oil profiling as a tool for assessing the quality and safety of herbal beverages. Full article

Background: Aging is characterized by a decrease in olfactory, attentional, memory, language, and visuospatial/executive abilities. In this context, our study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary) and Carum carvi L. (caraway) essential oils (EOs) on aging. First, we assessed, in 402 participants, the age-related changes in olfactory functions (odor threshold, discrimination, and identification), gustatory perceptions (sweet, sour, salty, and bitter taste), cognitive functions (focusing on attention, memory, language, and visuospatial/executive functions), and their possible correlations with aging. To achieve this, olfactory function, gustatory perception, and cognitive abilities were evaluated in healthy participants across different age groups. Then, to evaluate the age-related decrease in trigeminal function (59 participants), we used rosemary and caraway EOs that contain carvone, limonene, and 1,8-cineole, all of which are considered typical trigeminal stimuli. Methods: Olfactory function was assessed with the Sniffin’ Sticks test, gustatory function by the Taste Strips test, and rosemary and caraway EOs by the ratings of odor pleasantness, intensity, and familiarity using a labeled hedonic Likert-type scale. Results: Olfactory function could be a potential early indicator of attentional, memory, language, and visuospatial/executive dysfunctions. Our data indicated that rosemary and caraway EOs were perceived without any significant decrease in odor pleasantness, intensity, and familiarity ratings in relation to aging. Conclusion: Our results suggest the potential bioactive effects of rosemary and caraway natural EOs as a new strategy to promote healthy aging. Full article

Carvone-rich essential oils (EOs), and carvone specifically, exhibit a broad spectrum of protective effects against major agricultural threats. They display strong antifungal and moderate antibacterial effects, effectively inhibiting numerous phytopathogenic fungi. EOs exhibit significant insecticidal, acaricidal, and repellent activity against various insects and mites, and some EOs are highly effective against agricultural nematodes, suppressing mobility and egg hatching. Crucially, the EOs demonstrate a strong capacity to suppress the germination and initial growth of different weed species, highlighting their viability as natural herbicides. This review analyzes the chemical composition, biological effects, and potential agricultural applications of carvone and carvone-rich essential oils, primarily sourced from Mentha spicata (Lamiaceae), Carum carvi (Apiaceae), and Anethum graveolens (Apiaceae). The biological activity of these EOs is significantly influenced by their specific composition, which varies among plant species and chemotypes. While EOs’ inherent volatility limits direct field application, this challenge is being successfully addressed by innovative formulation technologies, such as nanoemulsification and encapsulation, which enhance stability, bioavailability, and targeted delivery. In conclusion, carvone-rich EOs offer effective, environmentally low-risk agents for the integrated management of pathogens, pests, and weeds in sustainable agriculture. They help reduce reliance on synthetic chemicals and minimize the potential for resistance development. Full article

The essential oil (EO) of Mentha spicata L. (spearmint) exhibits pronounced biological activity, making it valuable for applications in agrochemistry as an insecticidal agent, in perfumery and cosmetics, and as a natural preservative in the food industry. However, maintaining the integrity and yield of EO during post-harvest processing and extraction remains a key technological challenge. This study aimed to enhance the vacuum-drying (VD) process of spearmint using calcium chloride as a desiccant and to optimize the conditions of supercritical CO₂ extraction (SC-CO₂), including EO separation and the evaluation of its solubility under dynamic extraction conditions. The incorporation of calcium chloride into the VD process reduced drying duration by 21.1% and processing costs by 31.0%, while increasing EO yield by 11%. A decrease in separator pressure from 70 to 10 bar during SC-CO₂ extraction resulted in nearly a threefold increase in EO yield by minimizing the loss of volatile constituents. The solubility of spearmint EO in supercritical CO₂ was successfully described by the Chrastil model and correlated with carvone solubility. The maximum total phenolic content (72.3 ± 2.2 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram) was observed at a CO₂ density of 353.91 kg/m³. The solubility of EO was studied directly using the plant matrix under dynamic conditions. Full article

Essential oils (EOs) of Mentha spicata var. crispa (Benth.) Danert and M. × piperita var. citrata (Ehrh.) Briq. and EO components are widely used in medicine, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, hygiene products, the food industry, and other fields, and have a high commercial value. The variety Mentha spicata var. crispa is also used as an ornamental plant due to its distinctive curled leaves. Studying the influence of growing conditions and harvest timing on EO yield and the major compound concentrations is one of the key research directions for Mentha species, aimed at the ascertainment of the ways of increasing EO production and quality. Gas chromatography analysis of the component composition of EOs from leaves of Mentha spicata var. crispa “Kurchavaya” (MscK) showed that it remained stable both in July and September, with carvone predominating (81% and 85%, respectively). In contrast, the EO composition from M. × piperita var. citrata “Apelsinovaya” (MpcA) leaves changed in the course of the vegetation period. In July, menthofuran dominated (30%), while in September, linalool and its acetate were predominant (34% and 47%, respectively), which was typical for this chemotype. At the same time, the content of EOs and the density of glandular trichomes (GTs) (the OE storage sites) in MscK were higher in July and decreased by September, whereas in MpcA, both EO content and the number of GTs increased from July to September. These changes may have been caused by temperature fluctuations. Thus, MscK proved to be more resistant to environmental factors than MpcA. Full article

This study aimed to develop a sustainable approach for isolating bioactive lipophilic components from Taraxacum officinale flowers using supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (SFE-CO₂) and to assess the effect of adding 5% ethanol (EtOH) as a co-solvent on extraction yield, in vitro antioxidant capacity in CUPRAC and ABTS assays (TEAC_CUPRAC and TEAC_ABTS), total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid (TFC) content, β-carotene concentration, and photoprotective potential, expressed as the sun protection factor (SPF). SFE-CO₂ at 35 MPa and 40 °C resulted in 50% of the total yield within 15 min, with equilibrium reached after 120 min (final yield of 4.6 g/100 g flowers). Co-solvent addition increased yield by ~50% and shortened extraction time. The EtOH-modified extract exhibited markedly higher antioxidant activity, with a 2-fold increase in TEAC_CUPRAC (167 mg TE/g E), an 11-fold increase in TEAC_ABTS (194 mg TE/g E), and a 3-fold increase in TPC (91 mg GAE/g E), along with improved recovery of flavonoids and β-carotene. Volatile profiling revealed monoterpenoids, aldehydes, and esters as dominant groups, with carvone (14.0–16.5%) and dill ether (4.2–5.8%) as major contributors to aroma. The SFE-CO₂ + 5% EtOH extract achieved the highest SPF value (49.5 at 1 mg/mL; SPF > 6 at >0.1 mg/mL), indicating strong photoprotective potential and potential suitability for natural antioxidant and cosmetic applications. Full article

The study presents the potential application of three essential oils (EOs) obtained from various mint species: peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), spearmint (Mentha spicata L.), and pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.), as alternative agents against multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli strains isolated from poultry. The aim of research was to determine the effectiveness of EOs from these mint species and their main chemical components (menthol, menthone, carvone, pulegone) against 19 clinical E. coli strains with varying drug susceptibility and the reference strain E. coli ATCC 25922. GC-MS analysis revealed a unique chemical profile for each mint species. In M. piperita, menthol (35.14%), trans-menthone (23.11%), and menthyl acetate (6.96%) were the dominant compounds. In M. spicata, the main components were carvone (58.61%) and 1,8-cineole (18.74%), while in M. pulegium, pulegone was the dominant ingredient (76.54%). Antibacterial activity tests showed that all tested E. coli strains, both susceptible and multidrug-resistant, were sensitive to the EOs. The strongest antibacterial activity was observed for peppermint oil (Minimal Inhibitory Concentration–MIC 0.5–2.0% v/v), which was attributed to its high menthol content. Menthol was also the most effective single component (MIC 0.125–0.5% v/v). The essential oils containing carvone and pulegone showed lower activity (MIC ≥ 2% v/v). Research indicates that mint EOs, particularly those rich in menthol, represent a promising alternative or complement in the treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant E. coli strains. Full article

Culinary herbs and spices are highly valued for their contribution to aroma, color, and overall flavor in traditional foods. Microbial inactivation in fresh herbs and spices is challenging due to their complex surface structures and dense natural microflora, which limit the effectiveness of conventional methods. Atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) is an innovative non-thermal technology with potential applications in the fresh spice industry. This study investigates the efficacy of ACP, generated using a practical, simple, and original system that allows uniform treatment without complex equipment, on microbial inactivation and quality attributes of fresh spices. Treatments of 1 and 3 min were applied, and their effects on natural microflora, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas syringae spp. were evaluated on the first day and after 7 days of storage. Results showed that 3 min treatments achieved higher reductions in natural microflora (2.91 log CFU g⁻¹), E. coli (2.76 log CFU g⁻¹), and P. syringae spp. (2.24 log CFU g⁻¹) compared to 1 min treatments (1.87, 1.93, and 1.65 log CFU g⁻¹, respectively). Different herbs exhibited varying responses to ACP, reflecting differences in leaf structure and chemical composition, which highlights the need for tailored treatment strategies. ACP treatment did not significantly affect water activity, color, or moisture content (except for rosemary, bay leaf, and thyme), nor total anthocyanin content (TAA), total phenolic content (TPC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), or total flavonoid content (TFC). However, total chlorophyll content (TCC) and pH increased significantly in most samples (except rosemary and dill). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the tissue integrity of rosemary and mint was affected by ACP, although more than 50% of carvone in mint was preserved, and its concentration increased. The observed microbial reductions and 3–8-day shelf-life extension suggest meaningful improvements in safety and storage stability for industrial applications. Overall, ACP demonstrates promise as a safe, efficient, and scalable alternative to conventional decontamination methods, with broad potential for enhancing the quality and shelf life of fresh spices. Full article

Postharvest fungal rot causes significant economic losses in the agroindustry. Current control methods involving the use of synthetic fungicides are becoming increasingly ineffective and pose environmental risks. This necessitates exploring sustainable alternatives, such as essential oils derived from medicinal plants, to achieve safer and effective disease control. This research examined the chemical composition and efficacy of essential oils from Aloysia citriodora, Aloysia polystachya and their compounds against the postharvest rot fungi Monilinia fructicola, Monilinia laxa, and Botrytis cinerea. The main compounds of essential oils were analyzed by GC/MS and revealed differences in their composition. A. citriodora is characterized by the presence of spathulenol and caryophyllene oxide. In contrast, A. polystachya is characterized by the predominance of carvone. The results show that the essential oil of A. citriodora and the compound farnesol are able to inhibit the three pathogens. Notably, against M. fructicola, the EC₅₀ values were 61.89 μg/mL and 72.18 μg/mL, respectively. Against B. cinerea, the EC₅₀ values were 85.34 μg/mL and 47.6 μg/mL. Molecular docking also showed that farnesol has affinity for the enzyme succinate dehydrogenase suggesting a possible mechanism of action. This compound and A. citriodora essential oil show potential in the control of phytopathogens. Full article

Due to its high content of lignocellulose, cotton stalk is difficult to degrade naturally and utilize effectively, so it is often regarded as waste. In this study, the effects of Pleurotus ostreatus XH005, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LP-2, and cellulase enzyme on the cotton stalk substrate under aerobic solid-state fermentation (SSF) conditions were investigated, and the metabolites were analyzed to identify potential functional compounds in the cotton-stalk-fermented feed. Preliminary optimization results obtained through single-factor experiments were as follows: fermentation time 14 days, XH005 inoculum size 8.00% (v/m), material-to-water ratio 1:0.50 (v/m), LP-2 inoculum size 2.00% (v/m), and cellulase addition 0.60% (m/m). Based on these single-factor experimental results, XH005 inoculum size, LP-2 inoculum size, material-to-water ratio, and cellulase addition were selected as independent variables. Through response surface methodology (RSM) optimization experiments, 29 experimental groups were designed. Subsequently, based on Box–Behnken analysis of variance (ANOVA) of lignin and cellulose content, along with contour and response surface plots, the optimal aerobic solid-state fermentation parameters were determined as follows: fermentation time 14 days, XH005 inoculum: 7.00% (v/m), material-to-water ratio: 1:0.55 (v/m), LP-2 inoculum: 2.00% (v/m), and cellulase enzyme addition: 0.65% (m/m). Results showed that compared with the control group (CK), the optimized group exhibited a 27.65% increase in lignin degradation rate and a 47.14% increase in cellulose degradation rate. Crude protein (CP) content increased significantly, while crude fiber (CF), detergent fiber and mycotoxin contents decreased significantly. Non-targeted metabolic analysis indicated that adding cellulase and inoculating Pleurotus ostreatus XH005 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LP-2 in aerobic SSF of cotton straw feed produced functionally active substances such as kaempferol (C343), carvone (C709) and trilobatin (C604). Therefore, this study demonstrates that microbial-enzyme co-action SSF significantly enhances the nutritional composition of cotton stalk hydrolysate. Furthermore, this hydrolysate is suitable for the production of functional compounds, endowing the fermented feed with health-promoting properties and enhancing the utilization of cotton processing byproducts in the feed industry. Full article

Mentha piperita is an essential oil (EO)-producing species with high commercial relevance. Its EOs are widely used in the pharmaceutical, fragrance, food and cosmetic industries. This study evaluated alternative substrates to industrial fertilizers, aiming to enhance plant development and EO yield while reducing environmental impact and costs. Three treatments were tested: corrected soil (CS), soil with vermiculite, vermicompost, and rock powder (SVR), and soil with bovine manure (SM). Growth parameters, macro- and micronutrient content, antioxidant and enzymatic activity (PAL), EO yield, and chemical composition were assessed. The SM treatment resulted in the highest fresh and dry biomass, nitrogen content, and PAL. The SVR treatment showed higher potassium levels, shoot/root ratio, and arylsulfatase activity. EO yield was similar across treatments, but SM had the highest carvone content (74.18%). Anthocyanin concentration was higher in SM, whereas antioxidant activity, assessed by DPPH and β-carotene assays, was greater in CS (3.98% and 96.25%, respectively) and SVR (2.96% and 98.59%, respectively). CS also exhibited higher phenolic content (687.65 mg GAE 100 g⁻¹). Overall, CS and SVR enhanced antioxidant potential; however, considering biomass productivity, the use of bovine manure (SM) demonstrated greater potential, making it a more advantageous and sustainable alternative for M. piperita cultivation compared to the other treatments. Full article

This study compared the quality parameters of four popular sweet cherry fruits (“Tieton”, “Pioneer”, “Sunburst”, and “Huangmi”) in Shanxi Province and used untargeted metabolomics to analyze the differential metabolites (DMEs) among them. The results showed that the four fruits have distinct differences in their skin color, texture, size, weight, and solid-to-acid ratio. Notably, “Huangmi” fruit showed greater physical damage and bitterness and lower overall likeability than the other three fruits after short-distance road transportation. Untargeted metabolomics identified 97 DMEs among the four fruits. Specifically, the levels of 44 DMEs (such as cellobionate, allose, L-histidine, kaempferol, ascorbic acid, cinnamaldehyde, and Qing Hau Sau), 22 DMEs (such as raffinose, neochlorogenic acid, epicatechin, carvone, and (S)-norcoclaurine), 9 DMEs (such as melibiitol, 3′-ketolactose, and all-trans-retinoic acid), and 3 DMEs (D-maltose, shikimic acid, and selenocysteine) were highest in the “Huangmi”, “Sunburst”, “Pioneer”, and “Tieton” fruits, respectively. Moreover, the red cultivars (“Tieton”, “Pioneer”, and “Sunburst”) showed a higher citrulline content than the yellow cultivar (“Huangmi”). This study can serve as a reference for cultivar breeding, market segmentation, growers, and related industries, laying a foundation for further research on food nutrition and human health. Full article

This study established a biological fermentation process using Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus plantarum to deodorize squid cartilage homogenate. The optimal fermentation conditions for S. cerevisiae were determined as follows: fermentation time 105 min, temperature 34 °C, and inoculum size 0.85%. For L. plantarum, the optimum conditions were 79 min, 34.5 °C, and 4.5% inoculum. Based on electronic nose and HS-SPME-GC-MS analyses, S. cerevisiae outperformed L. plantarum in eliminating key offensive odor compounds, especially sulfur-containing compounds and aldehydes, while promoting the formation of pleasant aroma compounds such as esters and ketones (e.g., carvone and δ-pentenol). Mechanistic insights suggest that the enhanced deodorization efficiency of S. cerevisiae may be attributed to its multi-pathway synergistic metabolism, involving enzymes like dioxygenases and sulfide oxidases that facilitate the conversion of malodorous substances into odorless or pleasantly aromatic compounds. These findings provide a valuable theoretical and practical foundation for the high-value utilization of squid processing by-products and propose a promising bio-deodorization strategy for aquatic products. Full article

The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance and the limited availability of antiviral therapeutics for pathogens such as human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) underscore the need for novel, plant-derived antimicrobial substances. In this study, we evaluated the antiproliferative, antibacterial, and antiviral activities of aqueous leaf extracts from two plants commonly found in North America, Osage orange (M. pomifera) and spearmint (M. spicata). Both extracts exhibited no significant cytotoxic or morphologic impact on HEp-2 human cancer cells up to 25 mg/mL. However, both extracts demonstrated strong dose-dependent antibacterial activity, significantly inhibiting replication of E. coli and S. aureus at concentrations ≥ 1 mg/mL. Antiviral assays revealed that both extracts inhibited hRSV infectivity, with spearmint extract showing higher potency (EC₅₀ = 1.01 mg/mL) compared to Osage orange (EC₅₀ = 3.85 mg/mL). Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified three major extract constituents: 3-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (Osage orange), and R-(-)-carvone (spearmint). Among these, only carvone significantly inhibited hRSV in vitro, suggesting its key role in spearmint’s antiviral activity. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of Osage orange and spearmint leaf extracts, particularly as sources of water-soluble compounds with antimicrobial properties, and support further investigation into their mechanisms of action and broader clinical relevance. Full article