A new approach on essential oil production of Origanum onites L.: Microbial fertilization and microwave extraction.

In many studies plant and microbe interaction has been observed due to its stimulating effect on plant oil content. Bacillus spp. isolates used as microbial fertilizer/biostimulant have shown a higher potential for enhancing plant production and quality. However, there is still a need for investigating the essential oil content of plants, particularly for the pharmaceutical industry, to increase the targeted essential oil quantity and quality. Thyme is a crucial plant in medicinal aromatic herbal production and export, and its economic value is steadily increasing due to its high essential oil content. This study explores a novel approach to increase essential oil content through microbial fertilization (biostimulation) and microwave extraction methods. The microwave extraction method offers comparable yields to other methods, requiring less time, energy, and only a small amount of water to hydrate the dried plants. Microbial fertilizer formulations were applied to Izmir thyme (Origanum onites L.) to assess their effects on yield and quality. Three distinct microbial fertilizer formulations (N, P, NP) containing bacterial isolates of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus megaterium, as well as a consortium of these two bacteria, were employed in this study. Among the applications on Izmir thyme, the NP formulation (a combination of two bacteria at a dosage of 6 L/ha-1) exhibited the highest efficacy in terms of yield and quality criteria. Moreover, the essential oil ratios (1-2%) obtained from the same fertilizer application, using microwave extraction to enhance quality and accelerate the extraction process, yielded higher than other methods. This study provides preliminary data and a new approach to regulate and enhance the targeted yield and essential oil content of thyme plants by utilizing microbial fertilizer applications and the microwave extraction method.

Study of phylogenetic relationship of Turkish species of Klasea (Asteraceae) based on ISSR amplification.

Klasea is a taxonomically complex genus in which there are many problems, mostly with Klasea kotschyi and Klasea hakkiarica. It is challenging to differentiate the genera based on morphological characters alone. Revision studies performed on the basis of molecular data obtained from studies conducted in recent years have made the phylogenetic relationships and systematic positions of the taxa more apparent and reliable. In this study, Klasea, Serratula, Jurinea and Centaurea species native to Turkey, were collected from different localities of Anatolia and DNA was isolated from the collected samples. The data were analyzed ordination analyses including UPGMA and PCA using NTSYSpc 2.1. The infrageneric and intergeneric phylogenetic relationships between Klasea and other related genera were also characterized. The Klasea species were grouped into three clusters. It was determined that taxa Klasea kotschyi and Klasea hakkiarica are separate but closely related. Moreover, it was observed that the Klasea lasiocephala a separate group within the genera. Clearly the genera Klasea, Serratula, Jurinea and Centaurea are phylogenetically differentiated on the dendogram.

A new subspecies of Seseli gummiferum (Apiaceae) from Ilgaz Mountain National Park, northern Turkey.

A new subspecies Seseli gummiferum Pall. ex Sm. subsp. ilgazense A.Duran, Ö.Çetin & M.Öztürk, subsp. nov. (Apiaceae) is described from Kastamonu province, Turkey. It was collected from the open Pinus sylvestris L. and Abies nordmanniana (Steven) É.Spach. mixed forest in the northern Anatolian region. An endemic apparently confined to the Ilgaz Mountain National Park, the new taxon is closely related to Seseli gummiferum subsp. gummiferum. Diagnostic morphological characters for closely similar taxa are discussed, and a key to the subspecies of Seseli gummiferum is presented. ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) region of the nuclear ribozomal DNA of closely related Seseli L. taxa and Pimpinella is used to constract phylogenetic tree by using BioEdit and Seaview Programme.

Psephellusvanensis (Asteraceae), a new species from east Turkey.

A new species, Psephellusvanensis A.Duran, Behçet & B.Dogan (Asteraceae) from Anatolia, Turkey, is described and illustrated. The species grows on the serpentine stony field of the village of Çaldiran in the district of Baskale (Van province) in eastern Anatolia. It is morphologically similar to Psephelluspyrrhoblepharus (Boiss.) Wagenitz. Diagnostic characters are discussed, and a key to the most similar species is provided. Ecology, conservation status and notes on biogeography of the species are also presented. In addition, the geographical distribution of the new species and other related species in Turkey is mapped.

Chemical composition, larvicidal, and biting deterrent activity of essential oils of two subspecies of Tanacetum argenteum (Asterales: Asteraceae) and individual constituents against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae).

Water-distilled essential oils from dried aerial parts of Tanacetum argenteum (Lam.) Willd. subsp. argenteum (Lam.) and T. argenteum (Lam.) Willd. subsp. canum (C. Koch) Grierson were analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In total, 27 and 32 components were identified representing 97.2 and 98.7% of essential oils of subsp. argenteum and canum, respectively. Main compounds of T. argenteum subsp. argenteum were alpha-pinene (67.9%) and beta-pinene (4.8%), whereas alpha-pinene (53.6%), 1, 8-cineole (14.8%), and camphor (4.7%) were the major constituents of subsp. canum. Essential oil of T. argenteum subsp. canum at 10 microg/cm2 with Biting Deterrent Index (BDI) value of 0.73 showed activity similar to N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) at 25 mol/cm2, whereas the activity of essential oil of subsp. argenteum was lower (BDI = 0.47) than subsp. canum and DEET. Based on 95% CIs, activity of beta-caryophyllene (BDI value = 0.54) and caryophyllene oxide (BDI = 0.66) were significantly lower than DEET. In larval bioassays, essential oil of T. argenteum subsp. argenteum showed LC50 value of 93.34 ppm, whereas T. argenteum subsp. canum killed only 40% of the larvae at the highest dose of 125 ppm. Among the pure compounds, beta-caryophyllene (LC50 = 26 ppm) was the most potent compound followed by caryophyllene oxide (LC50 = 29 ppm), which was also similar to (-)-beta-pinene (LC50 = 35.9 ppm) against 1-d-old Ae. aegypti larvae at 24-h post treatment. Compounds (-)-alpha-pinene and (+)-beta-pinene showed similar larvicidal activity. Activity of (+)-alpha-pinene with LC50 value of was similar to the essential oil of T. argenteum subsp. argenteum.

The fatty acid compositions of several plant seed oils belong to Leguminosae and Umbelliferae families.

In samples with 1,009, 7,723, 7,618, 7,618, 1,004 and 1,009 number, oleic acid were found as 62.0, 77.0, 74.84, 71.55, 54.52 and 62.30 %, respectively. In other samples, oleic acid content was determined between 17.43 % (1,589) and 34.86 % (1,298). Linoleic acid content of seed oils ranged from 6.52 % (7,727) to 57.29 % (1,501). In addition, linolenic acid content was found between 0.22 % (7,618) and 46.91 % (1,589). Palmitic acid content of samples changed between 2.03 % (7,727) and 19.81 % (1,298). Capric acid was found at high level in 1,009 (8.53 %), 7,727 (37.31 %) and 1,004 (8.28 %) samples. Caproic acid was found in only 7,727 (3.38 %).

Assessment of the antioxidant potential and fatty acid composition of four Centaurea L. taxa from Turkey.

This paper focused on the assessment of antioxidant property and fatty acid composition of four Centaurea species. The antioxidant activity of its methanol extract was evaluated by several in vitro experiments including phosphomolybedum assay, DPPH assay, ß-carotene/linoleic acid, ferric and cupric reducing power. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also evaluated. The methanol extract of Centaurea pulcherrima var. pulcherrima showed the superior free radical scavenging activity, linoleic acid inhibition capacity, reducing power and also had the highest total phenolic content. A significant relationship between antioxidant capacity and total phenolic components was found. The oils of Centaurea taxa were also analysed for fatty acid concentration by gas chromatography. The principal fatty acids in the species were palmitic acid (23.38-30.49%) and linoleic acid (20.19-29.93%). These findings suggest that the Centaurea species could be used as a potential source of new natural antioxidants and unsaturated fatty acids in food industry, cosmetics and pharmaceutical preparations.

Antioxidant potentials and anticholinesterase activities of methanolic and aqueous extracts of three endemic Centaurea L. species.

The methanol and aqueous extracts of three endemic Centaurea species (C. polypodiifolia var. pseudobehen, C. pyrrhoblephara and C. antalyense) were investigated for their antioxidant and cholinesterase inhibitory activities. The antioxidant activities of these extracts were evaluated by in vitro models including, phosphomolybdenum assay, free radical scavenging assays (DPPH and ABTS), ß-carotene/linoleic acid test system, metal chelating assay, FRAP assay, ferric and cupric reducing power. Cholinesterase inhibitory activities were examined using Ellman's colorimetric method. Total phenol, flavonoid, and saponin contents were also measured. Among the six Centaurea extracts evaluated, the highest antioxidant abilities were obtained from C. polypodiifolia var. pseudobehen. Methanolic extracts from C. polypodiifolia var. pseudobehen and C. antalyense had a noticeable inhibition towards AChE and BChE. These findings suggest that Centaurea species could be an anticholinesterase agent and antioxidant resource in some industries, such as food, pharmacology, and cosmetics.

Studies on antioxidant activity, volatile compound and fatty acid composition of different parts of Glycyrrhiza echinata L.

The essential oil compound, fatty acid composition and the in vitro antioxidant activity of the root and aerial of Glycyrrhiza echinata L., a medicinal plant growing in Turkey, have been studied. The antioxidant capacity tests were designed to evaluate the antioxidant activities of methanol extracts. Total phenolic and flavonoid concentrations of each extract were also determined by using both Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and aluminum chloride. The aerial part was found to possess the highest total phenolic content (146.30 ± 4.58 mg GAE/g) and total antioxidant capacity (175.33 ± 3.98 mg AE/g). The essential oil from root and aerial parts was analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) systems. The major components identified were n-hexadecanoic acid, hexahydro farnesyl acetone, α-caryophyllen, hexanal and phytol. In fatty acid profiles of plant, palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acid were detected as the main components. The results of this study have shown that the extracts G. echinata are suitable as a natural antioxidant and food supplement source for pharmacological and food industries due to their beneficial chemical composition and antioxidant capacity.

Screening for in vitro antioxidant properties and fatty acid profiles of five Centaurea L. species from Turkey flora.

Centaurea species are used for the treatment of various ailments in the popular medicine in some countries. This study was designed to examine antioxidant potentials and fatty acid profiles of five Centaurea species from Turkey flora. Antioxidant properties of methanolic extracts from these species were evaluated by six different methods: phosphomolybdenum assay, free radical scavenging assay, ß-carotene/linoleic acid test system, metal chelating activity, ferric and cupric reducing power. Total phenolic and flavonoid concentrations of each extract were also determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and aluminum chloride. The results of these assay showed a significant antioxidant capacity in all researched extracts. Centaurea cheirolopha extract, with the highest amount of total phenolic and flavonoids, showed the highest antioxidant activities in all assay, except for metal chelating. Fatty acid profiles of these species were examined by GC-FID and 30 fatty acids were identified. Palmitic, linoleic, oleic, and linolenic acid were detected as the main components. The results of the study indicated that the Centaurea species can be considered as a source of new natural antioxidants and unsaturated fatty acids for food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

APACHE III score on ICU admission predicts hospital mortality after open thoracoabdominal and open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

BACKGROUND: No prior studies, to our knowledge, have examined the performance of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III score in predicting mortality of patients undergoing open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) or open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. We sought to evaluate APACHE III scores in the prediction of postoperative mortality in elective TAAA and AAA repairs. METHODS: Over a 9-year period (July 1998 through June 2007), prospective data (demographics, admitting diagnosis, APACHE III score, intensive care unit [ICU] and hospital length of stay, ICU and hospital mortality) were collected by a dedicated APACHE III coordinator for all patients admitted to a tertiary academic surgical ICU (20 beds). Observational and comparative analyses were performed. Emergent repairs for ruptured aneurysms were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Forty-one patients underwent open elective repair of TAAA and 404 underwent open elective repair of AAA. Mean age of the TAAA group was 63.4 ± 9.8 years and the AAA group was 70.3 ± 8.3 years. Mean APACHE III score was 54 (range: 10-103) for the TAAA group and 45 (range: 11-103) for the AAA group. The in-hospital mortality rate for TAAA patients was 4.9% (n = 2) and for AAA patients was 2.0% (n = 8). Mean APACHE III scores on ICU admission were significantly greater in nonsurvivors versus survivors (79 vs. 45, p < 0.0001). For the entire patient cohort, the APACHE III score on ICU admission was an excellent discriminator of hospital mortality (receiver operating characteristic and area under the curve 0.92 [standard error of 0.05, 95% CI: 0.83-1.0]). CONCLUSIONS: APACHE III is an accurate predictor of survival to hospital discharge in both open elective TAAA and AAA repairs.

Callus induction and plant regeneration of the endemic Astragalus nezaketae in Turkey

A callus induction and plant regeneration protocol was developed from leaf and petiole explants of the endemic Astragalus nezaketae. Explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) supplemented with different plant growth regulators (PGRs) [a-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), benzyladenine (BA), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), kinetin (Kin), thidiazuron (TDZ)]. The combinations and concentrations of PGRs were shown significant variations for the frequency of callus formation, appearence of callus and the potential of callus differentiation. NAA x BA have been found highly affective in callusing and plant regeneration. Other PGRs have not resulted in callus differentiation for shoot formation. The highest number of shoots (6/explants) was obtained from leaf explants cultured on MS with 0.5 mg/l NAA and 4 mg/l BA. The regenerated shoots transferred to rooting medium (MS with 0.5 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid) were successfully rooted (100 percent) and showed rapid elongation. Rooted plantlets were acclimatized in pots containing 1:1 mixture of peat and perlite.

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of volatiles obtained by four different techniques from Salvia rosifolia Sm., and evaluation for biological activity.

Four different isolation techniques, conventional hydrodistillation (HD), microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MWHD), microdistillation (MD) and micro-steam distillation-solid-phase microextraction (MSD-SPME), have been used to analyze the volatile constituents from the aerial parts of Salvia rosifolia Sm. by gas chromatography and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. HD and MWHD techniques produced quantitatively (yield, 0.39% and 0.40%) and qualitatively (aromatic profile) similar essential oils. alpha-Pinene (15.7-34.8%), 1,8-cineole (16.6-25.1%), beta-pinene (6.7-13.5%), beta-caryophyllene (1.4-5.0%) and caryophyllene oxide (1.4-4.4%) were identified as major constituents of this Turkish endemic species. Besides, the hydrodistilled oil of S. rosifolia was evaluated for antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. The hydrodistilled oil of S. rosifolia showed antibacterial activity against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with a MIC value of 125microg/mL. Other human pathogenic microorganisms (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter aerogenes, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Candida albicans) were also inhibited within a moderate range (MIC=125-1000microg/mL). Antifungal activity of the oil was also observed against the strawberry anthracnose-causing fungal plant pathogens Colletotrichum acutatum, C. fragariae and C. gloeosporioides. No cytotoxicity was observed for S. rosifolia oil up to 25mg/mL against malignant melanoma, epidermal, ductal and ovary carcinoma.

Caryological study on four Hesperis L. (Cruciferae) taxa from the Diaplictos (Dvorák) Dvorák section in Turkey.

This study examined chromosome numbers and karyotypes of four taxa, Hesperis novakii Dvorák, H. bottae Fourn., H. balansae Fourn. and H. syriaca (DC.) Dvorák, from naturally growing Diaplictos (Dvorák) Dvorák section, which is represented by only these four taxa in Turkey, in the genus Hesperis. H. novakii and H. syriaca have 2n=14 chromosomes, H. bottae and H. balansae have 2n=12 chromosomes in somatic cells. Total chromosome lengths are 5.37 mum and 2.17 mum in H. novakii, 5.38 mum and 2.70 mum in H. bottae, 9.59 mum and 4.28 mum in H. balansae, 4.88 mum and 2.32 mum in H. syriaca (no. 4969), 7.89 mum and 3.44 mum in H. syriaca (no. 4971). The karyotypes are as follows: H. novakii consists of 3m+1sm+1st+2T, H. bottae consists of 4m+2st, H. balansae consists of 4m+2sm, H. syriaca (no. 4969) consists of 3m+1sm+1st+2T and H. syriaca (no. 4971) consists of 3m+1sm+1st+2T chromosome pairs. Results were discussed from a cytological and taxonomical point of view.