Search

Wood tar essential oils have garnered attention for their potential therapeutic benefits and industrial applications. However, despite their historical significance, comprehensive analyses comparing artisanal and laboratory-produced variants are notably absent in current literature. Therefore, this research aims to bridge this gap by conducting chemical analysis to identify key constituents in artisanal and laboratory-produced essential oils of wood tar, as well as their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. The DPPH and FRAP assays were employed to assess antioxidant activity to determine EC50 values. The results of the study revealed the following major phytoconstituents in the tar: β-himachalene (30.24%; 22.78%), α-himachalene (16.06%;14.23%), and γ-Gurjunene (9.69%;7.88%). Similarly, for AJTEO and LJTEO, the major constituents observed were α-Cedrene (32.85%; 27.89%), Terpinen-4-ol (7.06%;10.13%), and β-Cedrene (3.51%; 4.85%). In the antimicrobial assessment, laboratory wood tar EO shows stronger inhibition against tested organisms than artisanal wood tar EO. Juniper tar EO was more effective than cedar tar EO. LCTEO displayed potent antioxidant activity, with an EC50 value of 16.09 µg/mL, followed by ACTEO at 17.659 µg/mL. AJTEO and LJTEO exhibited robust antioxidant effects with EC50 values <1.25 µg/mL. In the FRAP assay, LCTEO demonstrated potent antioxidant activity with a value of 395.66 ± 0.02 µg/mL, while ACTEO showed an EC50 of 532.71±0.053 µg/mL. AJTEO displayed an EC50 value of 293.3±0.012 µg/mL, and LJTEO exhibited an EC50 of 238.12±0.014 µg/mL. This research compares artisanal and laboratoryproduced wood tar essential oils and their potential for application in pharmacy and cosmetic industries as antimicrobial and antioxidant agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Morocco, the endemic Artemisia herba-alba is well known by its traditional uses and health benefits. The search for natural, safe, and effective antibacterial and antifungal agents from plants is in high demand due to microbial and fungal resistance to conventional synthetic antibiotics and antifungal drugs. In this study, the A. herba-alba was collected from the region of Fez-Boulemane during the periods of March, June, and September. Essential oils (EOs) were extracted from the aerial part of the plant by the hydrodistillation method. The chemical constituents were determined using GC-MS as analytical tools. The antimicrobial activities of different oils were tested using the macrodilution method. The results showed the difference in the yields between the three EOs (0.49, 1.74, 1.30% (mL/100 g)), respectively, as well as in their corresponding chemical compositions. The main constituents revealed by GC-MS are higher contents of oxygenated monoterpenes (84.7, 84.4, 81%), such as cis chrysanthenyl acetate (30, 26.7, 27.6%), β-thujone (23.2, 12.9, 15.4%), camphor (9.76, 14.3, 15.8%), chrysanthenone (2.4, 1, 14%), 1,8-cineole (1.5, 11.7, 11.8%), trans β-dihydroterpineol (7.8, 7.2, 6.9%), α-thujone (4.8, 3, 5.4%), and sesquiterpenic davanone (3.9, 1.5, 1.4%), respectively. The three EOs biological activities' results showed significant antimicrobial effects against four bacteria tested (E. coli, B. subtilis, S. aureus, M. luteus), with the MIC values ranging from 0.1 to 0.03% (v/v), as well as interesting antifungal effects on both wood rot fungi against four fungi examined (G. trabeum, P. placenta, C. puteana, C. versicolor) and molds against three microorganisms tested (A. niger, P. digitatum, P. expansum), with MIC values ranging from 0.2 to 0.03% (v/v) and 0.4 to 0.03% (v/v), respectively. The June and September EO samples showed more potent activities than those collected during March. Our research findings showed quantitative variability in both EO contents and chemical compositions, which could be due to the phenological stages, climatic conditions of growth, and harvesting periods. The potent results of the antimicrobial/antifungal activities were provided by the EOs of June and September and might be correlated to the contribution and synergism effect of all oxygenated monoterpenes. These results support the possible application of A. herba-alba EOs as natural and safe antibacterial agents, and an effective alternative to synthetic drugs, enabling the prevention and treatment of certain pathogenic infections in food and health, and the preservation of wood alteration against fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Societe et Environnement is the property of Les Presses Agronomiques de Gembloux and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)