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Since ancient times, essential oils or their volatiles have been used in food, health and aromatherapy. Essen-tial oils are complex mixtures constituted by dozens of compounds, which makes it difficult to attribute their biological properties to this or that compound or compound combinations. Moreover, the quantification of the volatiles is generally made through their relative percentage abundances. In the present study, the major volatiles isolated from Rosmarinus officinalis, Lavandula angustifolia, and Citrus aurantium essential oils extracted by simultaneous hydrodistillation-steam distillation were quantified through the external standard calibration method. Fifteen volatile mixtures were made using individual volatiles identified in the essential oils (EOs) to better find their role in the biological activities (antioxidant, anti-glucosidase, anti-inflammatory, anti-tyrosinase and anti-acetylcholinesterase activities). For almost mixtures assayed, the in vitro biological activities were generally poorer than those obtained for crude EOs, with the exception of the inhibitory effect on the a-glucosidase activity. In this case, 1,8-cineole and a-terpineol seem to have a positive role in inhibit-ing a-glucosidase activity, in contrast to camphor and borneol, which had the opposite action. Therefore there was a possible antagonist effect of both camphor and borneol in the volatile mixtures assayed on inhibiting the a-glucosidase activity. This approach also permitted us to conclude that there were several other factors not determined in the present work that were responsible for the activities found in the EOs,(c) 2023 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The study is aimed at enhancing the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of encapsulated Origanum compactum essential oil (OCEO). In this context, a Clevenger apparatus was operated in the hydrodistillation process for O. compactum extraction, and the aroma profile of essential oil was investigated using GC/MS and GC/FID. The encapsulation process was based on beta-cyclodextrin (βCD) and metal organic frameworks (K-βCD-MOFs), analyzed by several techniques. Furthermore, the response surface design allows for improved encapsulation efficiency by optimizing OCEO/K-βCD-MOFs ( w / w ) and water/ethanol ratios ( v / v ). The antioxidant activity of the essential oil, both before and after the encapsulation, was evaluated through 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl. As a result, the highest EE ( 35.34 ± 1.23 % ) was achieved in 1/12 and 4/5 for OCEO/K-βCD-MOFs and water/ethanol, respectively. The increase in thermal stability also occurred along with the encapsulation of O. compactum essential oil. Compared with the free form, the O. compactum essential oil encapsulated in K-βCD-MOFs gradually showed higher antioxidant activity.

A combined volatile oil (VO) was extracted from Rosmarinus officinalis, Lavandula angustifolia and Citrus aurantium by simultaneous hydro- and steam-distillation, and encapsulated in beta-cyclodextrin by co-precipitation. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize microencapsulation conditions. The variable recovered powder, VO retention degree, and inclusion efficiency were investigated based on two factors: solid-to-liquid and liquid-to-liquid (ethanol/water) ratios. The responses were influenced by the concentration of ethanol in the reaction mixture and the amount of VO used. VO release from the inclusion complexes was investigated in 10% ethanol and in 3% acetic acid. The obtained data were fitted to the first-order Korsmeyer-Peppas, Higuchi, and Peppas-Sahlin models. The Higuchi model gave the fittest approach for the VO release profile in both cases, showing that the release mechanism was controlled by Fickian diffusion. LA/P/0094/2020 info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Physalis alkekengi L. (Solanaceae) is encountered in different regions of Bulgaria as a wild growing or ornamental plant. The objective of this work was to characterize the phytochemical composition (macro and micro components) of the leaves and stems of two local phenotypes (PA-SB and PA-NB), with the view of revealing their use potential. The dry leaves contained (DW) protein (16.25 and 19.27%), cellulose (25.16 and 25.31%), and ash (18.28 and 16.16%) and the stems contained protein (6.83 and 7.35%), cellulose (39.34 and 38.25%), and ash (15.01 and 7.48%) for PA-SB and PA-NB, respectively. The dominant amino acids (by HPLC) in the leaves of both phenotypes were arginine (21.3-22.3 mg/g) and aspartic acid (8.8-18.4 mg/g), and those in the stems were proline and aspartic acid for PA-SB (8.8, 7.7 mg/g); isoleucine and tyrosine for PA-NB (12.8, 6.6 mg/g). Mineral elements, determined by AAS (K, Ca, Mg, Na, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cr), also varied between phenotypes and plant parts. The leaves alone were further processed by extraction with n-hexane, for the identification of leaf volatiles (by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry). The analysis identified 28 components (97.99%) in the leaf extract of PA-SB and 32 components (97.50%) in that of PA-NB. The volatile profile of PA-SB leaves was dominated by diterpenes (49.96%) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (35.61%), while that of PA-NB was dominated by oxygenated aliphatics (40.01%) and diterpenes (35.19%). To the best of our knowledge, the study provides the first data about the phytochemical composition of the leaves and stems of P. alkekengi from Bulgaria, in a direct comparison of phenotypes from two distinct wild populations, which could be of further scientific interest. AlMaarefa University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; [2021-29] The authors deeply acknowledge the Researchers Supporting Program (TUMA Project-2021-29), AlMaarefa University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for supporting steps of this work.

Carvacrol is a major component of many essential oils of the genus Thymus, Satureja, and Origanum, determining their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and other properties. The aim of the present study was to investigate some physicochemical and biological properties of pure carvacrol. The surface tension and density were measured at six different temperatures (30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80°C). The surface tension values were between 53.11 and 60.38 mN/m, while density varied from 0.978 to 0.99 kg/m3. The antibacterial activity against seven pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic bacteria was investigated. The diameter of the inhibition zones was determined in the range of 3.9–4.9 mm. The antioxidant activity was determined by the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (1687.0 µmol TE/mL) method.

Morus nigra, black mulberry, is the most attractive among mulberry species. The study aimed to determine human health-promoting content and antifungal activity in fruits of seven black mulberry genotypes grown in the Tortum district of Turkey. The genotypes exhibited significant differences in most of the human health-promoting content. Among individual sugars and organic acids, glucose (6.98–8.03 g/100 g fresh weight base) and malic acid (6.33–10.45 g/100 g fresh weight base) were predominant. The ascorbic acid content of genotypes was found between 18.13 and 26.77 mg/100 g fresh weight base, indicating that black mulberry fruits had moderate ascorbic acid content. Total phenolic content, total antioxidant capacity, and total anthocyanin contents in fruit extracts of seven black mulberry genotypes were also investigated. The results showed that the levels of the aforementioned parameters changed depending on genotypes. The total phenolic and total anthocyanin contents were in the range of 1,656–2,348 μg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g and 623–804 μg C3GE (cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalent)/g, respectively. The genotypes had antioxidant capacity between 17.41 and 3.86 μg/mL and between 10.08 and 14.11 μmol TE/g measured by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, respectively. Some of the genotypes (TOR-1 and TOR-2) had high antifungal activity particularly against C. albicans. It was determined that the people living in the region traditionally use mulberries as blood enhancer, immune system booster, and mouth lesion treatments to protect themselves against different types of cancers and against inflammation. The present results confirm that attractive fruits of black mulberry are a rich natural source of phenolic antioxidants and can contribute to the dietary intake of antioxidants, depending on genotypes.

L'huile essentielle des feuilles de Tetraclinis articulata Vahl Masters et ses fractions obtenues par fractionnement de type flash sont analysées par GC et GC/MS. L'huile essentielle totale des feuilles est constituée de l'acétate de bornyle (30,6 %), le camphre (18,6 %), l'α-pinène (16,8 %), le limonène (5,7 %) et le bornéol (4,7 %) comme composés majoritaires. Le fractionnement de l'huile a donné une fraction hydrocarbonée (FH) et trois fractions oxygénées FO1, FO2 et FO3. La fraction FH est constituée d'hydrocarbures monoterpéniques principalement l'α-pinène (28,2 %) et le limonène (12,6 %), la fraction FO1 regroupe principalement l'acétate de bornyle (47,2 %) et le camphre (26,5 %), alors que les fractions FO2 et FO3 concentrent particulièrement le bornéol (37,5 et 32,2 %) et le camphre (20,8 et 15,3 %) de manière respective. L'activité antimicrobienne testée avec l'huile des feuilles et ses fractions montre que l'huile brute et ses fractions oxygénées FO2 et FO3, constituées essentiellement du bornéol et du camphre, sont les plus actives. La fraction FO2 en particulier serait donc recommandée pour optimiser l'activité antimicrobienne de l'huile essentielle de Tetraclinis articulata.

L’introduction du carthame dans la région de Goulmima (Sud-Est marocain), et son exploitation en tant que plante oléagineuse à fort rendement lipidique et riche en acides gras polyinsaturés, est récente et à une échelle très réduite. Cette étude a pour but de contribuer à la valorisation de l’huile de cette plante par la détermination de son potentiel de rendement, de sa composition en acides gras et de ses caractéristiques physicochimiques. Le rendement en grains est de 2 360 kg/ha, et la teneur en huile obtenue par pressage à froid, exprimée en pourcentage de matière sèche, est de 30,7 %. L’analyse des acides gras montre que l’acide linoléique est l’acide principal, avec un taux de 78,30 %. Les teneurs en acide palmitique, acide stéarique et en acide oléique sont respectivement de 6,76, 4,67 et 9,95 %. Les autres acides gras sont à l’état de traces. L’évaluation des paramètres physicochimiques a révélé une valeur de densité relative de 0,924 ; un degré d’acidité de 0,65 % en acide oléique, un indice de peroxyde de l’ordre de 10,25 meq d’O2/kg d’huile et des indices d’extinction spécifique de l’ordre de 2,34 et 0,63 aux longueurs d’onde de 232 et 270 nm respectivement. L’huile de carthame présente donc des propriétés biochimiques et physicochimiques qui en font une huile d’avenir.

Chemical fungicides are often harmful to people and the environment because of their toxicity. The wood protection industry places a high priority on replacing them with natural products. Therefore, this investigation focused on developing a formulation of a binary combination of Salvia rosmarinus Spenn and Cedrus atlantica Manetti obtained by Simultaneous hydrodistillation to protect the wood from decay using a mixture design methodology. The chemical composition of EOs was identified by Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and their anti-wood-decay fungal activity was assessed using the macrodilution method against four fungi responsible for wood decay: Coniophora puteana, Coriolus versicolor, Gloeophyllum trabeum, and Poria placenta. The results of GC/MS identified myrtenal as a new component appearing in all binary combinations. The optimum anti-wood-decay fungal activity was observed in a combination of 60% S. rosmarinus and 40% C. atlantica essential oils, providing an effective concentration for 50 percent of maximal effect (EC50) value of 9.91 ± 1.91 and 9.28 ± 1.55 µg/mL for C. puteana and C. versicolor, respectively. The highest anti-wood-decay fungal activity for G. trabeum and P. placenta was found in the combination of 55% of S. rosmarinus and 45% of C. atlantica essential oils, with an EC50 value of 11.48 ± 3.73 and 22.619 ± 3.79 µg/mL, respectively. Combined simultaneous hydrodistillation improved the antifungal effect of these essential oils. These results could be used to improve antifungal activity and protect wood against wood-decay fungi.

Currently, pests control using chemical acaricides constitutes worries for ecologists and health care people as these chemical products create damage to the ecosystem as well as the development of spider mites resistance. Such concerns request deep and rapid feedback by looking for new alternative and eco-friendly methods. In recent years, a new field is evolving in the use of essential oils in pest management practices. Essential oils have been considered as potential pest management agents, because they demonstrate to have a broad range of bioactivity, possess contact, and fumigant toxicity. In addition, the major advantages of many plant-based acaricides lie in their low toxicity to agroecosystems. Botanical acaricides composed of essential oils may prove to be a good choice for the more persistent synthetic acaricides. In this study, the acaricidal effect of four plant-derived essential oils against adults of the two important crop pests

The chemical composition of origanum compactum essential oil (OCEO) was performed by gas-chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The essential oil was predominated by thymol (28.36%), carvacrol (25.44%), γ-terpinene (18.39%) and p-Cymene (11.21%). The corrosion-resistance ability of mild steel in hydrochloric acid solution using OCEO was tested by means of mass loss measurements, electrochemical and Monte Carlo simulations (MCS). The experimental results indicated that OCEO acted as an efficient inhibitor against the mild steel corrosion in 1 M HCl, and its inhibition efficiency increased with increasing concentration of the essential oil to attain 90% at 1 g.L−1. The adsorption of this essential oil on a mild steel surface follows Temkin’s adsorption isotherm and involved a physisorption mode. While, polarization studies showed that origanum compactum essential oil behaves as a mixed type inhibitor. Furthermore, MCS were carried out to assert the experimental results by exploring the configurational adsorption behavior of OCEO on the metal surface.

The activity of Tetranychus urticae Koch, 1836, and its predators (Euseius stipulatus Athias-Henriot, 1960, Typhlodromus sp., and Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, 1957) on two citrus varieties (Nules (Mandarin) and Valencia late (Orange)) was studied in citrus orchards in Machraa Belksiri at the Gharb region of Morocco in the years 2020–2021. In this trial, during the first year of monitoring, we detected that on the Valencia late variety (Citrus sinensis), the occupancy of leaves by T. urticae was important, with 3200 mobile forms (50%). The predator Typhlodromus sp. presented 1385 (22%), followed by E. stipilatus with 1186 mobile forms (18%), while P. persimilis presented the lowest number with 621 forms (10%). Conversely, on the Nules variety (Citrus Clementina), we found (52%) 2475 forms for the pest T. urticae. E. stipulatis was the most abandoning predator, with 1344 (28%), followed by Typhlodromus sp., with 944 (22%); however, the predator P. persimilis was absent. From our results, it can be concluded that synergistic control by these predators can reduce the rate of T. urticae and constitutes a sustainable alternative method in the absence of chemical control. Regarding the effect of the variety of the different mites studied, the varieties Nules and Valencia late showed no impact on the rates of E. 1tipulates and T. urticae, with relatively similar averages, while on the predator Typhlodromus sp. and P. persimilis, the varietal impact was important.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anti-obesity activity of Cannabis sativa seed Flour (CSSF) on obese mice. Methods: The experiment process was carried out in 8 weeks. In this time, three groups of animals were adopted: High caloric diet control group (HCD), group treated with 100 mg/kg of CSSF, group treated with 200 mg/kg of CSSF, and normal diet control group (ND). Then, the histopathological and biochemical parameters analysis has been realized at the end of the experiment. Results: As a result, body weight gain, epididymal, and perirenal adipose tissue decreased in the CSSF (Cannabis sativa seed Flour) group in both doses (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) compared to the HCD. CSSF lowered serum glucose level elevated by HCD. For lipid profiles, total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides (TG) significantly decreased in the CSSF group. The histopathological results of this study showed a regenerative effect of CSSF on the kidney and liver tissues. Conclusion: It is concluded from the present study that CSSF can be used as a natural anti-obesity agent.

The objective of this study was to determine the chemical families and the total phenolic content in a hydro-ethanolic extract of Lavandula stoechas, as well as to evaluate the antibacterial effect of the different phenolic fractions of this plant against pathogenic bacterial strains isolated from a hospital in the city of Fez, Morocco. The hydro-ethanolic extract was obtained and phytochemical screening of the different chemical families of the plant was conducted using colorimetric methods. The quantification of the total concentration of polyphenols in the L. stoechas extract was conducted according to the Folin–Ciocalteu method. The antimicrobial effects of the hydro-ethanolic, flavonoid and tannin extracts against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria isolated from a hospital in Fez were determined using the disc diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined for all pathogenic and reference strains. The total phenolic content of L. stoechas was 130.15 ± 3.72 mg gallic acid equivalent/g plant extract. The total phenolic content of L. stoechas was 130.15 ± 3.72 mg gallic acid equivalent/g plant extract. The flavonoid extract had the highest effect against bacteria, with MIC and MBC values varying from 10 to 40 mg/ml and 20–80 mg/ml, respectively. The results also revealed that the hydro-ethanolic extract showed a MIC value of 80 mg/ml against all bacteria except Acinetobacter baumanii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC27853). The results obtained in our study showed an important antibacterial effect of flavonoid extracts from L. stoechas compared to other extracts. These results can aid in the discovery of new antimicrobial molecules of natural origin. Further research on phenolic compounds in L. stoechas is required.

Thanks to their promising properties, essential oils (EOs) have strong potential to remedy several problems such as microorganisms acquired resistance to antimicrobial agents and chemical antioxidants toxicity. Firstly, this work was conducted to determine chemical composition, antioxydant activity, then antibacterial, antifungal, antimycobacterial properties of Rosmarinus officinalis EO. Secondly, EOs combined antimicrobial effect with carvacrol was assessed. Chemical EO analysis was performed using Gas chromatography/mass spectrometer. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl test was used to evaluate in vitro antioxidant rosemary oil effect. The antimicrobial activity against seven bacteria, two fungi, and two mycobacterial strains was screened using the broth microdilution method. Thereafter, the checkerboard essay was used to evaluate the antibacterial effect of this EO and Carvacrol. Chemical EO analysis revealed 1,8-cineole (33.88%), camphor (14.66%), and α-pinene (12.76%) as main constituents. The obtained IC50 value (2.77 mg/mL) showed rosemary EO's radical scavenging power. Moreover, all tested microorganisms showed an important sensitivity to this EO (MIC values: 0.007%-1% (v/v)). Furthermore, results highlighted synergistic and partial synergistic interaction for tested products. The studied EO has both antimicrobial and antioxidant potentials. Combined application showed a remarkable synergistic antibacterial potentiation that can be used as an alternative in pharmaceutical and food processing sectors.

In North Africa, Tetranychus urticae Koch, 1836 represents one of the most destructive generalists among mite herbivores. Unfortunately, it is a source of important annual casualties in crop production. It is a phytophagous mite that can feed on hundreds of host plants and produces significant damage. The control of T. urticae in North Africa has been principally based on acaricide sprays. However, new alternative methods have shown effective results, such as artificial ultraviolet-B, natural enemies, and the introduction of new genetic methods. This review aims to present a synthesis of information surrounding control methods of T. urticae in North Africa. We highlight the principal findings of previous studies. Then, we discuss current control methods and propose new innovative research and sustainable approaches to controlling this pest. The control method can potentially extrapolate in North African regions due to its positive ecological results. Further, studies proved the use of natural enemies, myco-metabolites, bacteria metabolites, and the introduction of a genetic method in an integrated long-term sustainable program that can successfully defeat the populations of T. urticae. We also discuss high-priority research guidelines to investigate new sustainable management strategies. Setting up an integrated long-term ecological monitoring program in different Northwest African countries and incorporating new technologies into monitoring programs is an urgent need to fight this devastating pest.

The main compounds or the chemical composition in general is influenced by different factors such as the harvest period, the origin of the plant and the climatic conditions. The composition of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils during 9 harvest periods (January 2018 to April 2019) was determined by and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The main constituents were 1,8-Cineole (33.33-52.59%), Camphor (7.07-20.09%), α-pinene (11.93-16.22%). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) revealed two main groups namely First group “winter season” which contains a high amount of Camphor, Second group “summer season” which has a significant amount of 1,8-Cineole and an intermediate group “ which shares the same characterize of the two groups. In conclusion, these results allow us to understand the variation of major compounds according to the seasons for the exploitation of these compounds in different fields.

Pour réaliser l’étude phytochimique et évaluer les activités antibactériennes des huiles essentielles (HE) de Pelargonium graveolens et de Myrtus communis, nous avons opté pour l’utilisation respective de l’analyse par chromatographie en phase gazeuse (CPG) couplée à la spectrométrie de masse et de la technique de microdilution en milieu liquide. L’analyse par CPG couplée à la spectrométrie de masse a permis d’identifier 61 composés représentant 99,96 % de l’HE de Pelargonium graveolens dominée par le citronellol (26,98 %) et le géraniol (14,12 %) ainsi que 18 composés, avec un taux de reconnaissance de 99,96 % de l’HE de Myrtus communis, caractérisée par la dominance du bornéol (27,15 %) et du 1,8-cinéole (21,33 %). L’activité antibactérienne montre une importante efficacité vis-à-vis des souches testées. Staphylococcus epidermis a montré sa haute sensibilité vis-à-vis des deux huiles étudiées, avec des valeurs de concentration minimale inhibitrice de 0,031 et 0,25 % respectivement pour Pelargonium graveolens et Myrtus communis. Quant à Salmonella enterica et Acinetobacer baumannii, elles ont montré une sensibilité légèrement faible par rapport à celle de Staphylococcus epidermis. L’étude de l’effet antibactérien combiné des deux HE a généré quatre combinaisons et deux types d’interactions. Les mélanges ont montré une interaction synergique partielle et synergique, mais aucune interaction antagoniste n’a été trouvée entre les deux HE contre la bactérie cible.

In order to valorize Moroccan aromatic and medicinal plants, this study focused on both the chemical characterization and the study of the antifungal activity of Pelargonium graveolens essential oi...

The purpose of this study was to determine the chemical composition and to evaluate the antioxidant and antibacterial effects of the Moroccan Artemisia herba-alba Asso essential oil against foodborne pathogens. The essential oil of Artemisia herba-alba was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy. The antibacterial activity was assessed against three bacterial strains isolated from foodstuff and three bacterial strains referenced by the ATCC (American Type Culture Collection) using the disk diffusion assay and the macrodilution method. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl) method. The fourteen compounds of the Artemisia herba-alba essential oil were identified; the main components were identified as β-thujone, chrysanthenone, α-terpineol, α-thujone, α-pinene, and bornyl acetate. The results of the antibacterial activity obtained showed a sensitivity of the different strains to Artemisia herba-alba essential oil with an inhibition diameter of 8.50 to 17.00 mm. Concerning the MICs (minimum inhibitory concentrations), the essential oil exhibited much higher antibacterial activity with MIC values of 2.5 μl/ml against Bacillus subtilis ATCC and Lactobacillus sp. The essential oil was found to be active by inhibiting free radicals with an IC50 (concentration of an inhibitor where the response is reduced by half) value of 2.9 μg/ml. These results indicate the possible use of the essential oil on food systems as an effective inhibitor of foodborne pathogens, as a natural antioxidant, and for potential pharmaceutical applications. However, further research is needed in order to determine the toxicity, antibacterial, and antioxidant effects in edible products.

Secondary plant metabolites, in particular phenolic compounds, are characterized by great diversity in the plant kingdom and are widely used in the medical and industrial fields. The extraction of these compounds represents a critical step, and the differences in extraction conditions strongly affect the yields and the total concentrations of polyphenols in the extracts. In this way, the objective of the present study was to optimize the extraction parameters of the polyphenols from Lavandula stoechas using the extraction technique assisted by ultrasound. Yield and the total concentration of polyphenols have been optimized, taking into account three variables, the extraction time (min), the ethanol concentration (%), and the solvent/extract ratio (ml/g). The optimum extraction yield (31.88%) was obtained by ensuring the following parameters: an ethanol concentration of 40%, a liquid/solid ratio of 30 ml/g, and a time processing of 32.62 min. The maximum concentration of total polyphenols (190.14 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g) was obtained after 21.5 min of extraction, with a liquid/solid ratio of 30 ml/g and a concentration of ethanol at 40%. In order to obtain the maximum yield (24.9%) and the total concentration of polyphenols (190.14 mg GAE/g) simultaneously, the following parameters must be adjusted: an extraction time of 21.5 min, a liquid/solid ratio of 30 ml/g, and a concentration of ethanol at 40%. The experimental values of the yield and the total concentration of the polyphenols were in good agreement with the predicted values, which suggests that the ultrasonic extraction model adopted in this study is validated.

The aim of this study was to investigate the encapsulation process of R. officinalis (rosemary) essential oil (REO) in beta cyclodextrin (beta-CD), by co-precipitation, using response surface methodology (RSM), specifically the face-centered central composite design (FCCCD). Solid-to-solid (beta-CD/REO) and liquid-to-liquid (ethanol/water) ratios were selected as independent variables and their influence on the dependent variables was assessed. The recovered powder was characterized by different techniques, such as scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-Ray Diffractometry (XRD). Moreover, the release of REO from the beta-CD complexes was investigated at different temperatures and pH values. The responses were affected by the concentration of ethanol in the reaction mixture and the amount of REO used. The optimal responses set by the RSM model (p-value < 0.05) were obtained for the optimal parameters ranging from 1.25:1 to 1.7:1 and 16.25:83.75 to 17.5:82.5 for ethanol/water and beta-CD/REO ratios, respectively. The size of the inclusion complexes from the experimental condition 1:1 ethanol/water and 10:90 beta-CD/REO ratios was the highest, with a value of 2.735 +/- 0.192 mu m. Furthermore, the FTIR spectra of inclusion complexes revealed a band downshift relative to the spectrum of beta-CD, attributable to hydrogen bonding between REO components and beta-CD, as well as a new band at 1,747 cm(-1), revealing the presence of oil components, while the XRD patterns of beta-CD recorded before and after the inclusion process indicate a change from a cage-type packing to a channel-type packing of cyclodextrin, which, in turn, indicates a successful inclusion process. Practical applications The encapsulation of EOs into cyclodextrins can enhance their biological properties, which include antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant activities. Nevertheless, a careful evaluation of the encapsulation conditions should be carried out in order to ensure the highest encapsulation yield without quality loss. In this way, pH and temperature, among other conditions, must be considered for evaluation since food or other matrices may present diverse pH values and be subjected to different temperatures. The present work may contribute to the use of rosemary EOs, with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, in food and cosmetic industries, avoiding the sometimes-unpleasant flavor and aroma characteristics. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The Culex pipiens mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) is highly suspected to be the vector responsible for the spread of several parasitic and viral diseases. The use of synthetic insecticides is generally the preferred method of controlling these mosquitoes’ proliferation. However, it has led to resistance problems in target mosquitoes and environmental damage. Hence, diverse plant extracts could be considered as an alternative and potential source as mosquito control agents. In this study, essential oils of Lavandula angustifolia subsp. angustifolia and Lavandula dentata spp. dentata that are growing in Morocco were examined for their insecticidal effects on Culex pipiens larvae. The bioassay was performed according to a methodology inspired by the standard protocol of the World Health Organization. The mortality rate was determined after 24 hours of exposure, and probit regression analysis was used to calculate LC50 and LC90. The chemical analysis revealed that the principal compounds of L. angustifolia subsp. essential oils include linalool, linalyl acetate, geraniol, lavandulyl acetate, camphor, β-caryophyllene, terpinen-4-ol, β-myrcene, and 1,8-cineole, while the essential oil of L. dentata spp. was mainly composed of 1,8-cineole, camphor, α-pinene, trans-pinocarveol, linalool, and borneol. These volatile compounds have shown a toxic effect against Culex pipiens larvae, with lethal concentrations LC50 and LC90 being, respectively, 140 µg/ml and 450 µg/ml, for the L. angustifolia subsp. essential oil. Meanwhile, they were estimated at 2670 µg/ml and 7400 µg/ml, respectively, for the L. dentata spp. essential oil. These results suggest using essential oils of two species of Lavandula to control the Culex pipiens mosquito. It could be useful for the study of new natural larvicidal compounds.