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The essential oils obtained by water distillation from the aerial parts of Helichrysum italicum subsp. italicum growing on Tuscan Archipelago Islands were analyzed by CG-RI and CG-MS. These oils were characterized by the predominance of oxygenated compounds and by a qualitatively homogeneous composition. However, according to the amounts of β-diketones and neryl acetate, two chemical compositions were distinguished. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, a plant originating in Paraguay, produces a variety of high-potency, low calorie sweeteners in its leaf tissue. The essential oil composition of the aerial parts of five different Stevia rebaudiana genotypes cultivated in Tuscany coast (Italy) were examined by GC and GC/MS. Forty different components were identified and the main constituents in all studying samples were spathulenol (13.4-40.9%), caryophyllene oxide (1.3-18.7%), β-caryophyllene (2.1-16.0%) and β-pinene (5.5-21.5%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major components of Laurus nobilis and L. novocanariensis leaf oils were identified and their acaricidal activity against Psoroptes cuniculi evaluated. Monoterpenes were predominant in L. nobilis oil (91.8%), while sesquiterpenes were only 1.4%. The main components of this oil were 1,8-cineole (39.2%), α-terpinyl acetate (11.3%), sabinene (10.6%) and linalool (7.4%). The acaricidal activity of L. nobilis oil, at a concentration of 10%, led to a mortality rate of 73%; at 5% the average activity was significantly reduced to 51%, while dilutions of 2.5%, 1.25% and 0.625% were ineffective. Laurus novocanariensis oil, compared to L. nobilis, was richer in sesquiterpenes; the main constituents were α-pinene (10.4%), 1,8-cineole (9.6%) and β-selinene (7.2%). After 24 h of contact, the oil of L. novocanariensis killed all the mites when used at 10% and 5% concentrations. At lower concentrations the mortality significantly decreased; a dilution of 0.625% was ineffective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new triterpenoids, lup-20(29)-en-3 α ,28-diol ( 1 ) and lup-20(29)-en-3 α ,28,30-triol ( 2 ), have been isolated from aerial parts of Bupleurum flavum , a native plant of the Eastern Mediterranean area (Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey). Their structures were elucidated by spectral analysis. The known compounds betulin, betulinic acid, jasminol, together with the lignan nemerosin and eight flavonoids (kaempferol, isokaempferide, gossipetin, quercetin, luteolin, isorhamnetin 3- O - β -D-glucopyranoside, isorhamnetin 3-rutinoside, and rutin) were also characterized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smyrnium olusatrum L. is a biennal plant growing in western and southern Europe. Several phytochemical studies have identified flavonoids, phenolic acids and sesquiterpene lactones as main constituents. In this work the root, stem and leaf essential oils of Smyrnium olusatrum L. (Umbelliferae) collected in Urbino (Marche, Italy) were studied by GC and GC-MS. Myrcene (1, 13 and 14%), β-phellandrene (34, 17 and 9%), β-caryophyllene (1, 3 and 12%), furanodiene (19, 8 and 17%), curzerene (13, 6 and 12%), germacrene B (7, 14 and 10%) and germacrone (8, 7 and 8%) were identified as the major components in the root, stem and leaf oils, respectively. SPME analysis of fresh material of the same different organs showed β-myrcene (3, 21 and 36%), β-phellandrene (25, 34 and 12%), β-caryophyllene (1, 7 and 22%) and furanodiene (4, 7 and 7%) as typical components in the headspace of fresh roots, stems and leaves, respectively. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility of methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MSS, MRS) to oregano essential oil, carvacrol and thymol. The commercial aerial parts of Origanum vulgare L. were hydrodistilled and the essential oil analysed by gas- chromatography/electron impact mass spectrometry. The inhibition efficacy of this essence and its major components was assayed against 26 MSS and 21 MRS, using an agar dilution method. The methicillin resistance was thoroughly typed by Epsilometer test (E-test), polymerase chain reaction for mecA gene detection and PBP2′ latex agglutination test. The results clearly demonstrated that the comparison between the susceptibility of MSS and MRS to oregano oil, carvacrol and thymol showed no significant differences (Fisher’s exact test, P>0.05). The best minimum inhibitory concentration values were reported for carvacrol (0.015–0.03%, v/v) followed by thymol (0.03–0.06%, v/v) and oregano oil (0.06–0.125%, v/v). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The essential oils obtained from the flowering aerial parts of Galeopsis pubescens and G. tetrahit growing on Monte Amiata (Italy) have been studied. Sesquiterpenes were the main constituents of both essential oils (88.9% and 90.4%, respectively); the major compounds were germacrene D and bicyclogermacrene (about 60% and 6%, respectively). The differences between the two essential oils were mostly quantitative and were referred mainly to β-caryophyllene (5.7% and 2.1%, respectively) and ( E)- β-farnesene (1.1% and 5.6%). This is the first report about the composition of essential oils from this genus. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essential oils of leaves, branches and female cones of Cupressus arizonica Greene from Italy have been analyzed by means of the complementary techniques of GC, GC/MS and 13 C-NMR. The main constituent of the leaf oil was umbellulone (45.1%), while in the branch and cone oils it was α-pinene (74.6% and 72.0%, respectively). The composition of the oils of branches and female cones have not been previously reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new phenolic ester, 1-O-(2,4-dihydroxy)benzoylglycerol, was isolated from Nigella damascena seeds, together with the three known phenolic compounds 3,4-dihydroxy-β-phenethyl alcohol, 2,4-dihydroxy-phenylacetic acid, and 2,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid methyl ester. The structures were determined on the basis of NMR spectral studies, as well as by mass spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two aristolactams N -glucosides, aristolactam IIIa N-β- D- glucoside and aristolactam I N-β- D-glucoside, were isolated and identified from the roots of Aristolochia rotunda L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]