Changes in terpene content in milk from pasture-fed cows.

Changes of terpene content in milk from cows grazing natural diversified upland pasture were examined in this observational trial. A homogeneous plot divided into 2 subplots was used from May 31 to July 1, 2003 (first growth) and again from October 1 to October 7, 2003 (vegetative regrowth). Each subplot was grazed by 6 dairy cows in 2 ways: strip grazing (SG), with new allocations of pasture strips at 2-d intervals, and paddock grazing (PG). The PG subplot was divided into 3 paddocks and the cows were moved to a new paddock on June 13 and June 24, 2003. Milk from the 6 cows was collected twice a week, pooled, and used for terpene analyses by dynamic headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system. Twenty mono- and 23 sesquiterpenes desorbing from the milk fat were separated. The most abundant monoterpenes were beta-pinene, alpha-pinene, gamma-terpinene, limonene, alpha-tujene, terpinolene, and alpha-phellandrene. The most abundant sesquiterpenes were beta-caryophyllene, alpha-copaene, beta-cedrene, transmuurola-4-(14)-5-diene, beta-bisabolene, and delta-cadinene. Both mono- and sesquiterpenes in SG milk increased across time with an 8-fold increase in total terpenes in milk from the beginning to the end of June. In parallel, dicotyledons, including the main terpene-rich plants, increased from 17 to 31% of total biomass of the vegetation and the development of Dactylis glomerata progressed from boot to ripening stage. The terpenes in PG milk were equivalent to those in SG milk for the first paddock at the beginning of June and remained constant or doubled for the sum of mono- and sesquiterpenes, respectively. The lower variability of the PG milk terpene content could be related to the opportunity that PG cows had to choose ingested herbage, whereas the SG cows had limited choice within the smaller allocated pasture strips. Milk from cows grazing regrowth pastures in October contained low levels of terpenes, and values were similar for PG and SG milks. Change in the sum of monoterpenes is representative of changes for most monoterpenes (except for limonene) and, conversely, the change in the sum of sesquiterpenes mainly reflected changes in beta-caryophyllene and alpha-copaene. In addition to effects of botanical composition of pasture, it appears that terpene content in milk may vary according to factors linked to grazing management that need more intensive study. Nevertheless, current results raise questions about the precision of terpenes as feed tracers.

Major dicaffeoylquinic acids from Artemisia vulgaris.

The two major caffeoylquinic acids, 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid and 1,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, were new-isolated from the flowering tops of Artemisia vulgaris (yield 2.0% and 0.3% on dry weight, respectively) and characterized by spectroscopic analysis.

The aromatic and polyphenolic composition of Roman camomile tea.

The qualitative and quantitative composition of the main aromatic and polyphenolic constituents of infusion from Chamaemelum nobile flowers was examined. The camomile tea contained a large amount of polyphenolic compounds (340 mg/l), the most important being chamaemeloside (155 mg/l). Only traces of essential oil were recovered in tea (7 mg/l).

Luteolin 3'-glucuronide, the major flavonoid from Melissa officinalis subsp. officinalis.

Luteolin 3'-O-beta-D-glucuronide (1) was isolated from the leaves of Melissa officinalis subsp. officinalis and characterized by spectroscopic analysis.

Quercetin 3-arabinopyranoside, a major flavonoid compound from Alchemilla xanthochlora.

Quercetin 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside (1) was isolated from the aerial parts of Alchemilla xanthochlora and characterized by spectroscopic analysis.

[Standardization of the aerial parts of Alchemilla]. / Standardisation des parties aériennes d'alchémille.

Dried aerial parts of Alchemilla xanthochlora Rothm. (16 batches), A. glabra Neygenf. (1 batch), A. coriacea Buser (2 batches) and A. filicaulis Buser (3 batches) present a similar flavonoid and tanin pattern. In the case of A. xanthochlora, the mean levels of the principal compounds were: total flavonoids 2.22%, glucuronyl-3 quercetol 1.18%, tanins 16.0% and ellagic acid 0.36%. The flavonoid levels were higher before flowering and the tanin levels higher during flowering. Four commercial batches were examined for a comparative study. Pharmacopoeial specifications were proposed for a revision of the monograph "Alchemillae herba".

[Standardization of hazel leaf]. / Standardisation de la feuille de noisetier.

Dried leaves of 9 harvested batches and 5 batches of commercial origin from Corylus avellana L. were examined. The levels of principal polyphenolic compounds averaged respectively: total flavonoids 2.58 and 2.58%, myricitrin 1.09 and 1.35%, quercitrin 0.30 and 0.40%, tannins 5.2 and 6.5%. Specifications were discussed for a French Pharmacopoeial monography.

[Standardization of the sour orange flower and leaf]. / Standardisation de la fleur et de la feuille d'oranger amer.

Dried flowers (1 batch) and leaves (6 batches) of sour orange Citrus aurantium L. had a similar flavonoid pattern. But the flavonoid levels of flowers were higher than those of leaves. The mean levels of the principal flavonoid compounds were respectively: total flavonoids 12.35 and 1.06%, neohesperidin 5.44 and 0.08%, naringin 1.93 and 0.06%, eriocitrin 0.38 and 0.25%. 18 batches of commercial origine were also examined for a comparative study. Specifications were proposed for a revision of the monographs "Sour orange flower" and "Sour orange leaf" of the French Pharmacopoeia.

[Aromatic and polyphenolic composition of infused peppermint, Mentha x piperita L]. / Composition aromatique et polyphénolique de l'infusé de Menthe, Mentha x piperita L.

The qualitative and quantitative composition of the main aromatic and polyphenolic constituents of Mitcham type peppermint (Mentha x piperita L.) tisane, were examined and compared with those of leaves before and after infusion. The original peppermint leaves contained 2.4% essential oil of which menthol was 0.99%, total polyphenolic compounds 19% and total flavonoid compounds 12% comprising eriocitrin 7%, luteolin-7-rutinoside 1.5%, hesperidoside 0.6% and total hydroxycinnamic compounds 7% (rosmarinic acid 1.4%). The tisane contained 21% of the original essential oil corresponding to 25 mg/l, with increased alcohol and ketone contents and lower contents of hydrophobic terpenecarbons, oxides and esters. It contained also a high proportion of the polyphenolic compounds (about 750 mg/l) corresponding to an extraction yield of 75%. In consequence the monograph "Peppermint leaf" of the Pharmacopoeia should be amended.

[Flavonoid and dianthranoid levels of the St.-John's-wort flowering tops]. / Teneurs en flavonoïdes et en dianthranoïdes de la sommité fleurie de millepertuis.

Dried flowering tops of Hypericum perforatum L. (16 batches) and H. maculatum (3 batches) were studied according to the harvest period. The mean levels of the flavonoid and dianthranoid compounds were respectively: total flavonoids 3.20 and 3.92%, hyperoside 0.87 and 2. 12%, rutin 0.54 and 0.02%, isoquercitrin 0.48 and 0.75%; total dianthranoids 0.14 and 0.13%, hypericin 0.04 and 0.02%, pseudohypericin 0.08 and 0.11%. The flavonoid and dianthranoid levels were higher in young flowering tops of H. perforatum. 3 commercial batches were also examined for a comparative study. Pharmacopoeial specifications are proposed for a revision of the monograph "St.-John's-wort".

[Normalization of hedge mustard, Sisymbrium officinale L]. / Normalisation de l'érysimum, Sisymbrium officinale L.

Dried flowering aerial parts of 11 harvested batches and 14 batches of commercial origin from Sisymbrium officinale L. were examined. The levels of principal constituents averaged respectively: total glucosinolates 0.63 and 0.94%, mucilages 13.5 and 10.9%, total itols 8.9 and 10.2%, total flavonoids 0.50 and 0.56%. Specifications were discussed for a French Pharmacopoeial monography.

[Hydroxycinnamic acid levels of various batches from mugwort flowering tops]. / Teneur en acides hydroxycinnamiques de différents lots de sommités fleuries d'armoise.

Dried flowering tops of 24 harvested batches (Artemisia vulgaris: 13; Artemisia verlotiorum: 11) and 12 batches of mugwort from commercial origin were examined. The levels of principal compounds averaged respectively: total hydroxycinnamic acids 6.09; 10.29 and 9.13%, chlorogenic acid 0.79; 2.05 and 1.35%, 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid 0.51; 4.01 and 1.25%, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid 2.21; 1.25 and 2.60%. Specifications were discussed for an European Pharmacopoeial monography.

[Principal constituents from flowering aerial parts of wild pansy]. / Principaux constituants des parties aériennes fleuries de Pensée sauvage.

Dried flowering aerial parts of 12 harvested batches and 9 batches of commercial origin from Viola arvensis Murray were examined. The levels of principal compounds averaged respectively: total flavonoids 2.86 and 1.63%, rutin 1.15 and 0.57%, violanthin 0.80 and 0.82%, violarvensin 0.75 and 0.20%, mucilage 21.5 and 16.5%, total ashes 10.6 and 14.8%, potassium 2.75 and 2.85% and also salicy lic acid 0.11 and 0.09%. Saponins were not detected. Specifications were discussed for an European Pharmacopoeial monography.

[In vitro enzyme inhibitory and in vivo cardioprotective activities of hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.)]. / Activités inhibitrices enzymatiques in vitro et angioprotectrice in vivo d'extraits de karkadé (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.).

A crude hydroalcoholic extract from Hibiscus sabdariffa L. calyces showed in vitro an appreciable enzyme-inhibiting activity towards the Angiotensin I Converting Enzyme (ACE), attributable to flavones, but weak inhibiting activities towards elastase, trypsin and alpha-chymotrypsin. The angioprotective activity in vivo, also important, was due to flavones and anthocyanins.