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The aim of this study was to evaluate the composition of essential oils from Thymus daenensis Čelak. and Echinophora cinerea (Boiss.) Hedge & Lamond and predict oil oxidation using Neuro-Fuzzy modeling. In the hydrodistillation (HD) method, the starting time and total time for essential oil accumulation were 24 and 235 minutes, respectively. In the microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MACE) method, these times were 8 and 58 minutes, respectively. The results indicated that the extraction yields of T. daenensis and E. cinerea using the HD and MACE methods were 2.26%, 2.34%, 1.18%, and 1.37%, respectively. For E. cinerea, the results were as follows. T. daenensis at a dosage of 500 mg/kg and E. cinerea at a dosage of 1000 mg/kg exhibited the most effective antioxidant activity. GC-Mass analysis results showed that thymol (39.8%) and p-cymene (19.2%) are the major compounds of T. daenensis, while α-phellandrene (16.6%), α-pinene (16.5%), p-cymene (15.8%), and thymol (13.3%) are the major compounds of E. cinerea's essential oil. Prediction of antioxidant activity for T. daenensis and E. cinerea involved using a feedforward backpropagation network with a topology of 2-4-3 and 2-3-3 as the optimized models, respectively. Neuro-fuzzy modeling was a suitable approach for assessing soybean oil's oxidation rate and evaluating essential oils' antioxidant properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nutrient value of range species is very important to determine the grazing capacity of range ecosystems. In this research, the nutrient value of Zygophyllum eurypterum, Salsola orientalis, and Sanguisorba minor during different growing periods in the winter rangelands of Gachsaran County was considered. For this purpose, sampling was done randomly and with 4 repetitions from the species in different periods of growth. To determine the quality, crude protein percentage (CP), acid detergent insoluble fiber (ADF), dry matter digestibility (DMD) and metabolizable energy (ME) were evaluated. The results showed that the quality indices in the studied species have significant differences (p<0.05). The highest values of crude protein percentage, dry matter digestibility percentage and metabolic energy (MJ/kg) are 16.91, 60.88 and 8.35, respectively, was observed in S. minor and the lowest values of the indices 7.39, 49.05 and 6.33, respectively, were detected in S. orientalis. Also, the highest amount of ADF was obtained in S. orientalis (45.66%) and the lowest in S. minor (36.16%). The nutrient value of the plants in different growth periods has significant differences (p<0.05). In the growth period, the highest percentage of crude protein (20.87) belongs to the Z. eurypterum, the highest percentage of digestibility (65.92) and the amount of metabolic energy (9.2 Mj/kg) was belonged to the S. minor and the lowest percentage of crude protein (8.65), dry matter digestibility percentage (57.34), and metabolic energy (7.74 Mj/kg) was belonged to the S. orientalis. The highest (36.25%) and the lowest percentage of ADF (31.50%) at this stage belong to S. orientalis and S. minor. In the flowering period, the highest amount of crude protein percentage (17.50), dry matter digestibility percentage (62.50) and metabolic energy (8.62) belong to the S. minor. The highest (46.75%) and the lowest percentage of ADF (34.50%) in this stage (flowering) belongs to S. orientalis and S. minor. In the seeding periods, the highest percentage of crude protein (13.50), the percentage of digestibility of dry material (54.23) and the amount of metabolic energy (7.21 Mj/kg) was belonged to the S. minor. In the final stage of growth (seeding), the highest percentage (54%) and the lowest percentage of ADF (42.50%) are S. orientalis and S. minor. In general and according to the level of nutritional value of the investigated plants, in biological projects with an emphasis on forage supply, in the order of priority, S. minor, Z. eurypterum and S. orientalis are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: The use of medicinal plants has grown greatly in developed countries, so that most of the world's population uses medicinal plants for primary health care. With the increasing demand of global markets, more attention is needed in the field of identifying and preserving medicinal plants. Not having enough knowledge about the sustainable exploitation of medicinal plants has put many of them at risk of extinction. Ferula assa-foetida is one of the endemic and medicinal species of Iran's rangeland, and the oleo-gum resin produced by it is one of the country's export products. According to the increase in the price of F. assa-foetida in recent years, unfortunately, the improper harvesting and oleo-resin of F. assa-foetida resin in terms of suitable age for exploitation have diminished. The number of annual harvests, as well as the method of exploitation, has reduced the density of F. assa-foetida plants in pastures, and the generation of this useful plant is at risk of extinction. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to determine the best methods of exploitation for F. assa-foetida in order to continue its growth in natural areas. Methodology: This research was carried out in Tangsarakh rangeland, Boyer-Ahmad County. After the detection of the region, areas were selected for the research, which were similar to each other in terms of slope percentage, vegetation, and soil appearance, and had a sufficient number of F. assa-foetida plants at different ages. The effect of cutting age factors (three treatments: 5-6 years old, 7-8 years old, and 9-10 years old), cutting method (three treatments: one-sided, two-sided, and traditional cutting methods), and cutting number (three treatments: cutting 10, 15, and 20 times) was checked with 10 repetitions on survival percentage. Also, at the end of the vegetative period in the second year, the morphological characteristics of F. assa-foetida were measured. Analysis of plant survival in different harvesting methods was done using the logistic regression method with SPSS software version 21. Results: The results of logistic regression analysis showed that all treatments had a significant effect on the survival of the plant (p = 0.05). With increasing age of the plant, the survival rate decreases. At the ages of 5-6 years, 7-8 years, and 9-10 years, respectively, 51, 50, and 34 plant bases were regrown, and 39, 40, and 56 plant bases were lost. In one-sided and two-sided cutting methods, 71 and 64 plant bases re-grew, respectively, and in the traditional cutting method, no plant base re-grew. The results of the survival of F. assa-foetida in different numbers of cuts showed that in the treatments of 10, 15, and 20 times of cutting, 51, 44, and 40 plant bases were regrown and 39, 46, and 50 plant bases were lost. The mean leaf length was 39.88 cm, the mean leaf width was 12.77 cm, the mean leaf height was 36.88 cm, the mean number of leaves was 7.27, and the root diameter was 9.18 cm. Conclusion: Considering that F. assa-foetida is an important endemic plant with high economic value, the livelihood of a large number of users depends on the product of this plant. Therefore, it is suggested to use the results of this research in the study area and other areas with similar ecological conditions to manage F. assa-foetida habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Asafoetida (Ferula assa foetida L.) is a crucial pharmaceutical-industrial species native to Iranian rangelands and is harvested by local communities. The resulting slurry is a significant export in the medicinal plants sector. However, the quality of the product declines as local beneficiaries collect slurries from different age bases, mix them, and supply them to the market. This study aims to investigate the antimicrobial properties, total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) of asafoetida slurry obtained from different harvest methods to optimize product quality. Methodology: A factorial completely randomized design was employed in the rangeland of Tangsorkh, Boyerahmad County. Asafoetida slurry was harvested from three age groups (5-6 years old, 7-8 years old, and 9-10 years old) in June, July, August, and September. Essential oil extraction, TPC, and TFC measurements were conducted, and the antimicrobial effects (MIC and MBC) were tested against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus parasiticus. Results: The results showed that the TPC and TFC of asafetida slurry essential oil obtained from different ages and harvest times did not significantly differ. In terms of age, the highest (92 mg GA/g) and lowest (74 mg GA/g) TPC values belonged to the groups of 1 and 3, respectively. Similarly, the highest (37 mg quercetin/g) and lowest (20 mg quercetin/g) TFC values were respectively associated with the groups of 1 and 3. In terms of the harvest time, the highest TPC (93 mg GA/g) was found in the essential oil obtained in June, while the lowest TPC (56 mg GA/g) was related to the essential oil extracted in September. Similarly, the highest (37 mg quercetin/g) and lowest (19.3 mg quercetin/g) TFC values were respectively associated with the essential oils obtained from the products harvested in June and September. The results also demonstrated that the MICs of the essential oil were equal to 1250, 312.5, 625, and 625 ppm for E. coli, S. aureus, A. flavus, and A. parasiticus, respectively. Furthermore, the MBCs of the essential oil were respectively equal to 2500, 650, 1250, and 1250 for the four microorganisms. Conclusion: The study highlights the influence of plant age and harvest time on the nutraceutical composition of asafoetida slurry. Younger plants harvested earlier exhibited higher TPC and TFC, accompanied by more pronounced antimicrobial effects. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing harvest methods to enhance the quality of asafoetida slurry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferula assa-foetida gum oleoresin (FAGO) is traditionally used for treatment of different ailments. The subject of this article was to evaluate the chemical composition and antibacterial effects of the different types of bitter FAGO essential oils in the natural habitat of Southwest Iran. α-pinene (38.2%), and (Z)-propenyl sec-butyl disulfide (12.4%) were the main components of F. assa-foetida tear type essential oil, with high antibacterial, anti-biofilm and cytotoxic activities, followed by paste and mass types, respectively. α-pinene (27.8%), and (Z)-propenyl-sec-butyl disulfide (24.2%) were identified as main components of paste type. α-pinene (33.4%), β-pinene (16.3%), and (Z)-propenyl sec-butyl disulfide (16.1%) were the main components of asafoetida mass type gum oleoresin essential oil. FAGO essential oil specially tear one could serve as suitable candidate for further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allium jesdianum is an important and endangered medicinal plant that main habitats are located in the Zagros Mountains of Iran. In this study, onion of three ecotypes including Kakareza, Zalaghi and Meleh, which are grown in different geographical and climate conditions in Lorestan province, were collected. The collected onions were cultivated in a randomized complete block design with four replications. In the spring of the next year, plants are grown on the field and natural habitats were sampled to determine the physical and chemical properties of soil, soil samples were taken from 0-30 cm depth in each of the habitats and the farm, with three replications. The characteristics included quantitative and qualitative of essential oils, antioxidant activity total protein, vitamin C, nonstructural sugars, and nutritional elements (nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, copper and zinc) of the shoots. The results showed that Dimethyl Trisulfide, Dipropyl trisulfide, Di-2-propenyl tetrasulfide, Hexadecanoic acid, and Pentacosane are the major components of the Allium jesdianum essential oil. The percentage of essential oil components was a significant difference (p<0.01) between wild and cultivated ecotypes. The maximum yield of essential oil (0.22%) was observed in wild plants from Mela habitat, and the minimume yield of essential oil (12.2%) was recorded in wild plants from Zalaghi habitat. Although the essential oil yield was significantly different between wild ecotypes, but there are no significant differences between these ecotypes at the farm. The highest amount of phosphorus (4.5 mg/g DW), zinc (2.3 µg/g DW), manganese (2.46 µg/g DW), non-structural sugars (45.66 mg/g DW), and total protein (8.83 mg/g DW) was observed in the cultivated ecotype of Meleh. Kakareza ecotype in habitat had the highest amount of vitamin C (80.66 mg/100 g FW) and antioxidant activity (IC50=42 µg/mL). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aim: In the present research, we investigated phytochemical characteristics of two important species of Verbascum genus. Enormous reconnaissance and field surveys were conducted to identify the most important natural habitats of Verbascum species in Kohgiluyeh va Buyerahmad province, southern Iran. Experimental: The aerial parts of Verbascum songaricum and V. cheirantifolium were collected at flowering stage in July 2011. The extraction was conducted by digestion method, and then to analysis and identify extracts used by GC-MS. Totally, the number of 60 and 52 compositions from different V. songaricum and V. cheirantifolium extracts identified, respectively. In order to compare different compositions present in parts between both species, first compositions were classified into six functional groups (alcohol, amin, ester, hydrocarbon, ketone, and acid), then these groups were analyzed. Results & Discussion: Results indicated that there were significant differences among various parts of flowers, leaves, and stems in both species in terms of alcohol, amin, ester, hydrocarbon, and ketone. Given that enhancement of medicinal qualitative and quantitative yields not only depends on ecological conditions, but also varies in respect to various extractions methods, etc. In addition, this is associated o plant genetically architecture. Results obtained from V. songaricum and V. cheirantifolium showed that although both species grow close together. Recommended applications/industries: The leaves of species of Verbascum have the higher chemical variation than other plant organs such as flower and stem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]