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Ocimum basilicum (sweet basil) is an economically important aromatic herb; in Italy, approximately 1000 ha of "Genovese-type" basil are grown annually in greenhouses and open fields and are subjected to Downy Mildew (DM) disease, caused by Peronospora belbahrii, leading to huge crop losses. Mutation of the Susceptibility (S) gene DMR6 (Downy Mildew Resistant 6) has been proven to confer a broad-spectrum resistance to DM. In this work, an effective Genome Editing (GE) approach mediated by CRISPR/Cas9 in O. basilicum 'Italiko', the élite cultivar used to produce "Pesto Genovese D.O.P", was developed. A highly efficient genetic transformation method mediated by A. tumefaciens has been optimized from cotyledonary nodes, obtaining 82.2% of regenerated shoots, 84.6% of which resulted in Cas9+ plants. Eleven T0 lines presented different type of mutations in ObDMR6; 60% were indel frameshift mutations with knock-out of ObDMR6 of 'FT Italiko'. Analysis of six T1 transgene-free seedlings revealed that the mutations of T0 plants were inherited and segregated. Based on infection trials conducted on T0 plants, clone 22B showed a very low percentage of disease incidence after 14 days post infection. The aromatic profile of all in vitro edited plants was also reported; all of them showed oxygenated monoterpenes as the major fraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrodistilled essential oils from eighteen samples of Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. collected in six localities of Elba Island (Tuscany, Italy) during three different seasonal periods were analyzed by GC-MS for the first time. Fifty-five components were identified, representing 96.8–99.6% of the total chemical composition. All the tested essential oils were characterized by a high content of monoterpenes (oxygenated 49.2–80.3%; hydrocarbons 18.7–48.3%). Among them, 1,8-cineole (26.4–49.1%), α-pinene (4.5–34.8%), camphor (1.1–18.8%) and borneol (1.7–16.2%) were the main constituents. The high amount of 1,8-cineole/α-pinene/camphor/borneol may suggest the presence of an intermediate rosemary chemotype. Statistical analysis was also performed on the essential oil (EO) composition evidenced an expected difference depending on the collection seasons, to the geographical areas and soil composition. A comparison with the essential oil composition from S. rosmarinus collected in all the other islands of Tuscan Archipelago (Italy) was also reported, together with a Multivariate Statistical Analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The volatiloma of four Helichrysum species (H. anomalum, H reflexum, H. retortum and H. rugulosum) was analysed here for the first time by GC-MS for a chemotaxonomic contribution to this genus. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (SHs) prevailed in the aroma profile (VOCs) of H. reflexum, H. rugulosum and H. anomalum (74.7%, 93.6% and 41.6%, respectively), even though the main compounds were different (β-caryophyllene, α-humulene and α-copaene, respectively). The VOCs of H. retortum showed a high percentage of aliphatic hydrocarbons (NTs, 77.7%) mainly represented by octyl ether. The essential oil composition of each of H. rugulosum and H. retortum followed the same trend as VOCs related to the main class (SHs and NTs, respectively). In H. reflexum EO, the SHs were replaced by oxygenated sesquiterpenes (OS, 49.0%) with caryophyllene oxide as the main compound, while in H. anomalum the SHs were swapped in NTs (37.3%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essential oils (EOs) obtained from leaves belonging to three species of Juniperus (section Juniperus) collected in different localities of Italy (six samples of J oxycedrus, one sample of J deltoides and three samples of J macrocarpa), as well as three samples of commercial EOs extracted from Juniperus communis berries, were analysed for their volatile constituents by GC‐MS. The antimicrobial activity of these EOs was tested against both Gram‐negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enterica Tiphymurium) and Gram‐positive bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes) ATCC strains. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined. The volatile leaf and berry oils were dominated by monoterpene hydrocarbons (from 39.7% of J oxycedrus to 79.0% J macrocarpa) characterized by high amounts of α‐pinene (an average of 41.3%, 43.0% and 27.6% in J macrocarpa, J oxycedrus and J communis, respectively). On the contrary, limonene was the most abundant compound (20.0%) in J deltoids. The Gram‐positive bacteria evidenced a sensitivity versus EOs extracted from J oxycedrus and J communis, while a moderate susceptibility was showed against J macrocarpa EO J deltoides EO showed the lowest activity between the tested EOs against all the tested strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thymus vulgaris L. is one of the most commonly used medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), owing to a range of therapeutic properties of its essential oil. Plant growth, biomass yield, essential oil content and composition are influenced by chemotype, environmental conditions, cultivation techniques and vegetative development. Since in MAPs cultivation special attention is paid on high quality of raw material, the adoption of sustainable agriculture methods is of pivotal importance. Therefore, we evaluated the agronomic and qualitative performances of two Thymus vulgaris L. chemotypes, organically cultivated under the Mediterranean climate of hilly lands of central Italy for three consecutive years (2017–2019). Along the trial, total above-ground dry biomass significantly increased from the 1st to 3rd year after planting and large variations in the main biological, biometric and productive traits were observed between the two chemotypes. The 'thymol' chemotype EO obviously showed thymol as the major constituent (51.26–49.87%) followed by γ-terpinene and p-cymene. The 'linalool' chemotype EO showed high percentages of oxygenated monoterpenes (about 90%) with linalool (75%), linalyl acetate (8.15%) and b-caryophyllene (3.2%) as main constituents. This study highlighted that T. vulgaris can be successfully organically grown in the hilly lands of Tuscany, with interesting biomass and essential oil yields, even though the plants were in the initial years of crop establishment (start in 2017). The introduction of this species into organic cultivation systems could contribute to obtain high-quality raw material, as well as to enhance crop rotation diversification, which is of pivotal importance in the management of organic farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aerial parts of Genista pichisermolliana Valsecchi (Fabaceae), an endemic plant of Sardinia, were extracted in Soxhlet apparatus and purified by several chromatographic methods. The new compound alpinumisoflavone 4′-O-glucopyranoside (6) was isolated together with nineteen flavonoids, p-coumaric methylester and d-pinitol, while no alkaloids were detected. All the chemical structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. Since flavonoids represent the main constituents of this plant, the total flavonoid content was determined according to the Italian Pharmacopoeia IX Ed. method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Myrtle-leaved orange, or chinotto, is a Chinese lesser-known citrus, nowadays cultivated in all the Mediterranean area of Italy. Its fruits are traditionally used in the confectionary and beverage industries: the former mainly uses the unripe fruits, while the juice of the ripe ones is the core ingredient of the well-known Italian soft drink "Chinotto". In the present work, the compositions of several accessions of chinotto fruit peel essential oils (EOs) have been analysed by GC-MS: in particular, i) fresh specimens from Savona (Liguria, Italy) at different ripening stages, as well as a dried ripe one; ii) two accessions from Pisa (Tuscany, Italy), of which one native and one transplanted from Savona. A comparison of the analysed samples with literature reported EO compositions has been performed by means of multivariate statistical analysis. The aim was to assess the influence of both the ripening stage and the geographical area of collection on the EO, assessing which factor influenced it the most. The ripening stage influence on the EO composition was found to be less significant compared to the geographical area of growth of the specimens. The statistical analyses, indeed, evidenced a proximity in the compositions obtained from the different ripening stages, whereas greater differences were evidenced for samples at the same ripening phase, but coming from different regions. Image 1 • The influence of provenience and ripening on Chinotto EO composition was evaluated. • The results were compared to published studies to broaden the sampling population. • Analytical methods and chemometrics were coupled to evidence existing patterns. • The most influencing parameter was the geographical area of origin of the specimen. • The ripening stage was less impacting on the EO compositions from the same area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work the composition of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) and the essential oil (EO) of Helichrysum araxinum Takht. ex Kirp. aerial parts, together with the antimicrobial activity, were investigated. The results showed the prevalence of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons in both spontaneous emissions as well as in the EO. The main compounds of BVOCs were γ-curcumene (10.7%), γ-muurolene (9.2%), and β-selinene (8.5%). This latter constituent also showed a similar amount in the EO and represented the most abundant compounds together with α-selinene (8.0%). It is Interesting to note the same percentage of monoterpene hydrocarbons (MHs) in both the aroma profile and the EO (18.0%) with the same most abundant compounds: β-pinene (6.3% in BVOCs vs. 5.1% in EO, respectively) and limonene (4.5% in VOCs vs. 4.9% in EO, respectively). With regard to the antimycotic activity, the EO showed to be inactive against the tested strains, while a moderate antibacterial activity was shown against Staphylococcus isolates.

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 β-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.

The chemical composition of the essential oils and aromatic waters isolated from six Italian Anthemis maritima populations was determined by GC-FID and GC/MS analyses. In total, 122 and 100 chemical compounds were identified in the essential oils and the aromatic waters, respectively. The main compound classes represented in the oils were monoterpene hydrocarbons, oxygenated monoterpenes, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, oxygenated sesquiterpenes, and terpene esters. Multivariate chemometric techniques such as cluster analysis (CA) and principal coordinate analysis (PCO) were used to classify the samples according to the geographical origin. Statistical analysis allowed the attribution of the analyzed populations to different chemotype groups., (Copyright © 2013 Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta AG, Zürich.)

Aromatic plant species present in the natural Park of Tuscany Archipelago are used as flavoring agents and spices, as dietary supplements and in cosmetics and aromatherapy. The plants are usually collected from wild stands, inducing a depletion of the natural habitat. Therefore, micropropagation of these aromatic plants can play a role in the protection of the natural ecosystem, can guarantee a massive sustainable production and can provide standardized plant materials for diverse economical purposes. The aim of this study is to compare the volatile organic compounds produced by the wild plants with those from in vitro plantlets using headspace solid phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME) followed by capillary gas-chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Typical plants of this natural area selected for this work were Calamintha nepeta L., Crithmum maritimum L., Lavandula angustifolia L., Myrtus communis L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Salvia officinalis L. and Satureja hortensis L. Different explants were used: microcuttings with vegetative apical parts, axillary buds and internodes. Sterilization percentage, multiplication rate and shoot length, as well as root formation were measured. The volatile aromatic profiles produced from in vitro plantlets were compared with those of the wild plants, in particular for C. maritimum, R. officinalis, S. officinalis and S. hortensis. This study indicated that the micropropagation technique can represent a valid alternative to produce massive and sterile plant material characterised by the same aromatic flavour as in the wild grown plants.