Volatile profile of Echinacea purpurea plants after in vitro endophyte infection.

The differences in volatile profile of Echinacea purpurea plants not-inoculated (EpC) and inoculated with their endophytes from roots (EpR) and stem/leaves (EpS/L) were analysed and compared by GC-FID/GC-MS in an in vitro model. Non-terpenes and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were the most abundant classes with an opposite behaviour of EpS/L showing a decreased emission of sesquiterpenes and an increase of non-terpene derivatives. The main compounds obtained from EpS/L were (Z)-8-dodecen-1-ol and 1-pentadecene, while germacrene D and ß-caryophyllene were the key compounds in EpC and EpR. For the first time, this work indicates that bacterial endophytes modify the aroma profiles of infected and non-infected in vitro plants of the important medicinal plant E. purpurea. Therefore, our model of infection could permit to select endophytic strains to use as biotechnological tool in the production of medicinal plants enriched in volatile bioactive compounds.

Chemical composition of essential oil from plants of abandoned mining site of Elba island.

The essential oil composition of three spontaneous species growing in an abandoned mining of Elba island was analyzed by GC-MS. A total of 194 compounds were identified representing 73.7-100% of the whole oil composition. The essential oils of Cistus salvifolius and Dittrichia viscosa from this site showed different profiles in comparison with those from not polluted area, where oxygenated sesquiterpenes were the main class. Volatiles from D. viscosa growing in ex-mining area presented 10-epi-γ-eudesmol and α-eudesmol as main compounds while ß-caryophyllene and limonene were the main ones in not polluted area. Ambroxide and ambrial were the most important compounds in the essential oil from C. salvifolius harvested in polluted area while nonanal and tridecanal were the main compounds in control samples. Oxygenated monoterpenes were the most abundant class from both Lavandula stoechas samples, with fenchone and camphor as main compounds.

Chemical composition and antifungal activity of essential oils from four Asteraceae plants grown in Egypt.

The objective of the present paper was the assessment of the chemical composition of the essential oils from four Asteraceae species with a considerable food, medicinal, and agricultural value, collected in Egypt, together with their in vitro inhibitory activity against molds and yeasts. The essential oil of Launaea cornuta flowers was also evaluated for the first time, but because of its very low yield (<0.01%), no antifungal test was performed.

Traditional Mediterranean plants: characterization and use of an essential oils mixture to treat Malassezia otitis externa in atopic dogs.

Several plants extracts from Mediterranean countries are traditionally employed in skin troubles both in humans and in animals. Malassezia pachydermatis is a lipophylic yeast responsible for otitis externa and dermatitis in dogs and for cutaneous and systemic disease in humans. Five mixtures of essential oils obtained from Mediterranean plants (Citrus paradisi, Salvia sclarea, Ocimum basilicum, Rosmarinus officinalis, Citrus limon, Anthemis nobilis, Lavandula hybrida and Thymus vulgaris) provided with antifungal and/or anti-inflammatory action assayed in vitro, were tested in vivo versus M. pachydermatis to treat once daily for 2 weeks 25 atopic dogs with Malassezia otitis externa. Mixture composed by C. limon 1%, S. sclarea 0,5%, R. officinalis 1%, A. nobilis 0,5% yielded excellent results in all treated dogs. Despite of clinical resolution after all treatments the number of blastospores did not decrease. This study confirms recent findings suggesting a multifactorial alternative approach for the management of canine Malassezia otitis.

Aroma Profile of Rubus ulmifolius Flowers and Fruits During Different Ontogenetic Phases.

The chemical composition of spontaneous volatile emission from Rubus ulmifolius flowers and fruits during different stages of development was evaluated by HS-SPME-GC/MS. In total, 155 chemical compounds were identified accounting 84.6 - 99.4% of whole aroma profile of flowers samples and 92.4 - 96.6% for fruit samples. The main constituents were α-copaene, ß-caryophyllene, germacrene D, (E,E)-α-farnesene, 1,7-octadien-3-one,2-methyl-6-methylene, tridecane, (E)-2-hexenol acetate, (E)-3-hexenol acetate and cyperene. The results give a chemotaxonomic contribution to the characterization of the VOCs emitted from flowers and fruits during their ontogenic development.