Phytochemistry (extraction, identification and measurement of active components)
Leili Safaii; Ebrahim Sharifi Ashoorabadi; Davood Amin Azarm
Abstract
Background and objectives: Ziziphora is a medicinal genus belonging to the Lamiaceae family. This genus comprises 18 species worldwide, of which three annual species, including Z. capitata, Z. persica, and Z. tenuior, along with one perennial species (Z. clinopodioides), grow in Iran. Except for Z. persica, ...
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Background and objectives: Ziziphora is a medicinal genus belonging to the Lamiaceae family. This genus comprises 18 species worldwide, of which three annual species, including Z. capitata, Z. persica, and Z. tenuior, along with one perennial species (Z. clinopodioides), grow in Iran. Except for Z. persica, the remaining species are distributed across the habitats of Isfahan province. The aerial parts of these plants emit a fragrant aroma during flowering, and today their bioactive compounds are widely used in pharmaceutical formulations to treat cough, heartache, intestinal inflammation, uterine infections, menstrual pain, nausea, and various cardiovascular disorders. Ziziphora essential oil contains valuable constituents, including pulegone and 1,8-cineole, with their proportions differing among species. The objective of this research was to evaluate the quantitative yield and essential oil composition of species within this genus in Isfahan province, and to assess their feasibility for introduction into the country’s agricultural production system.Methodology: This study was conducted at the Fozveh Research Station of Isfahan between 2019 and 2020. The species examined included Z. clinopodioides, Z. tenuior, and Z. capitata. Seeds of the annual species were cultivated in February of both 2019 and 2020. The perennial species was sown in February 2019 inside a greenhouse using seedling trays filled with peat moss, and the resulting seedlings were transplanted to the field in April. Plants were established using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Quantitative traits such as plant height and leaf biomass were measured at the flowering stage (defined as more than 70% flowering). Plants within one square meter of each plot were harvested to determine dry biomass, while the remaining plants were retained to measure thousand-seed weight and seed yield. Essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus. Essential oil composition was quantified by gas chromatography (GC), and qualitative identification of compounds was performed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).Results: The three Ziziphora species exhibited significant differences in plant height, dry aerial biomass, dry-to-fresh weight ratio of aerial parts, seed weight per plant, thousand-seed weight, leaf and seed yield, and essential oil percentage and yield. The highest plant height (38 cm), leaf yield (3800 kg/ha), and seed yield (95 kg/ha) were recorded in Z. clinopodioides during the second year. Essential oil content among the species ranged from 0.5% to 1.53%, with the highest percentage and yield, 1.53% and 57 kg/ha, respectively, observed in Z. clinopodioides in the second year. Essential oil profiling demonstrated interspecific and interannual differences in both the type and number of identified compounds. Z. clinopodioides presented 17 and 20 compounds in the first and second year, constituting 74.7% and 91.9% of the total essential oil. The 1,8-cineole, reaching 44.5% and 31.6%, was the dominant compound in the first and second years. Camphene (3.4%), sabinene (4.8%), α-terpinene (3.1%), and linalool (3.2%) were also key constituents. In Z. tenuior, 14 and 10 compounds were identified in the first and second years, accounting for 85.6% and 97.5% of the essential oil. The primary compound in both years was pulegone, measured at 64.3% in the first year and 89.5% in the second year. p-Mentha-3-en-8-ol and 1,8-cineole, at 7.6% and 4.9% were the most abundant constituents after pulegone, respectively, in the first year. In Z. capitata, 9 and 7 compounds were detected across the two years, representing 99.4% and 90.5% of the total essential oil. The major constituents in the first year were piperitone (25.3%), thymol (26.3%), and carvacrol (30.1%); however, in the second year, piperitone dominated at 42.2%.Conclusion: Considering that Ziziphora currently lacks a defined position in the national agricultural system and given the superior quantitative and qualitative performance of Z. clinopodioides compared with the other species, as well as its considerable essential oil yield and valuable chemical constituents, it can be proposed as a promising new candidate for large-scale cultivation and integration into the country’s agricultural production framework.
Agriculture and horticulture
leili safaei; Fatemeh Sefidkon; saeed- davazdahemami-; Davood Aminazarm
Abstract
Background and objectives: Satureja khuzistanica Jamzad is a medicinal plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family and is one of Iran’s exclusive species. Due to its high essential oil content and significant amounts of carvacrol, it is particularly important in the cosmetic, health, and pharmaceutical ...
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Background and objectives: Satureja khuzistanica Jamzad is a medicinal plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family and is one of Iran’s exclusive species. Due to its high essential oil content and significant amounts of carvacrol, it is particularly important in the cosmetic, health, and pharmaceutical industries. This study aimed to evaluate the plant’s adaptation to the climatic conditions of Isfahan province and enhance its quantitative and qualitative performance by identifying the most suitable fertilization method.Methodology: This project was conducted at Fozveh Station of the Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center of Isfahan from 2017 to 2020 under irrigation conditions, using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with eight fertilizer treatments. The treatments included different levels of chemical fertilizers (N50P25K25), organic fertilizers (30 and 60 tons/ha of cow manure, and 5 tons/ha of vermicompost), and combinations of chemical and organic fertilizers (N50P25K25 + 30 tons/ha cow manure, N50P25K25 + 60 tons/ha cow manure, and N50P25K25 + 5 tons/ha vermicompost). These treatments were compared with a control group, and the experiment was replicated three times. Seeds and seedlings were sourced from the Isfahan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center and the Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands. Cultivation was performed indirectly through seedlings, which were first grown in greenhouse conditions using cultivation trays. In April 2017, after favorable weather conditions were established, the seedlings were transplanted to the field. Drip irrigation was applied immediately after transplanting, with watering scheduled twice a week in the early growth stages and once a week after plant establishment. The aerial parts of the plants were harvested at 50% flowering, cut 5 cm above the soil surface, and dried in the shade. Essential oil extraction was performed annually using water distillation (Clevenger apparatus). The essential oil percentage was measured, its composition was analyzed using gas chromatography (GC), and qualitative assessment was conducted through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).Results: According to the results, the maximum essential oil percentage and oil yield in S. khuzistanica were 3.7% (in the third year) and 132.6 kg/ha (in the second year), respectively. Across the experimental years, the highest oil yield was obtained in the combined treatment of 50 kg/ha nitrogen, 25 kg/ha phosphorus, and 25 kg/ha potassium, plus 5 tons/ha vermicompost, in the third year. Throughout the study, 14 compounds were identified in S. khuzistanica essential oil, with carvacrol being the predominant component. The concentration of carvacrol ranged from 86.4% to 95.3%.Conclusion: According to the results, the qualitative yield of essential oil in S. khuzistanica was less affected by soil fertility treatments, while the quantitative yield showed a significant increase, which indirectly enhanced the qualitative yield. Ultimately, the study concluded that the intermediate fertilization method was the most effective treatment for improving quantitative yield and promoting sustainable agriculture. The high carvacrol content in this species adds to its economic value. Given its diverse biological properties, including antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities, S. khuzistanica is recommended for applications where this valuable compound is required.
L. Safaei; H. Zeinali; D. Afiuni
Abstract
In order to study the effect of irrigation water salinity on the quantity and quality of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) oil, and seed production, a field experiment was conducted in a split-plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications. The experimental treatments included ...
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In order to study the effect of irrigation water salinity on the quantity and quality of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) oil, and seed production, a field experiment was conducted in a split-plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications. The experimental treatments included fennel genotype at four levels (German P11-820065, European 11486, and two indigenous genotypes including Lorestan and Hamedan) and water salinity at three levels (2 (control), 5, and 8 dS/m). The results showed that the effect of salinity was significant on all traits except α-pinene, myrcene, and essential oil percentage. Genotypes showed no significant difference in anethole, α-phellandrene, γ-terpinene, percentage, and essential oil yield. The interaction of salinity× genotype had a significant effect on all traits. Genotype P11-820065 had the highest essential oil percentage (3.90%) and yield (91.41 kg ha-1), and seed dry yield (2359.7 kg ha-1) between genotypes at control salinity level. With increasing salinity level, the seed and essential oil yield in non-indigenous genotypes decreased by a slope more than that of indigenous genotypes. Moreover, the content of anethole as the most important essential oil component of fennel increased to 5 dS/m salinity and then decreased. Based on the results of this study, under irrigation water salinity conditions, indigenous genotypes had higher economic efficiency due to their higher resistance to salinity stress. Water salinity affected only the content of essential oil components, but had no effect on its composition.
L. Safaei; E. Sharifi Ashoorabadi; D. Afiuni; S. Davazdah Emami; A.A. Shoaii
Abstract
In order to study the effects of different methods of soil fertilization on thyme (Thymus daenensis Celak), a research was carried out during 2007- 2010 in Research Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Esfahan. The experiment was laid out as a split plot in a randomized complete block design ...
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In order to study the effects of different methods of soil fertilization on thyme (Thymus daenensis Celak), a research was carried out during 2007- 2010 in Research Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Esfahan. The experiment was laid out as a split plot in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments were four fertilizing systems including NPK in three levels of N=100, P=50 and k=50, N=150, P=100 and k=100, N=200, P=150 and k=150 in conventional cropping systems, four levels of manure fertilizer (5, 15, 25 and 35 ton/ha) in organic method, and combination of chemical and manure fertilizers in four levels (N=80, P=64 and k=64 Kg/ha with 5 ton/ha manure fertilizer, N=60, P=48 and k=48 Kg/ha with 15 ton/ha manure fertilizer, N=40, P=32 and k=32 Kg/ha with 25 ton/ha manure fertilizer, N=20, P=16 and k=16 Kg/ha with 35 ton/ha manure fertilizer in intermediate nutrition management and control. Based on the results, shoot dry yield and oil yield in intermediate nutrition treatment were higher as compared to other treatments.Also the highest shoot dry yield and oil yield was obtained from the first harvesting stage. The first harvesting stage of intermediate nutrition treatment (combination of 35 ton/ha manure and NPK= 40- 32- 32 Kg/ha) in the second year, had the highest amount of shoot dry yield and oil yield (2597.78 and 81.63 kg/ha, respectively). Therefore, in comparison with control, shoot dry yield and oil yield increased by 112.73% and 163.32%, respectively. A positive and significant correlation was observed between shoot dry yield and oil yield, essential oil percentage and dry weight to wet weight ratio. Consequently, the combination of NPK and manure fertilizers could be recommended as a suitable nutrition source for plant as well as the improvement of soil structure.
H. Zeinali; A. Moslehi Yazddeli; L. Safaei; Z. Jaberalansar; A. Akhondi; Z. Skanderi
Abstract
This research was aimed to investigate the effects of different amounts of NPK fertilizers on quantitative and qualitative traits of Matricaria chamomilla L. The experiment was conducted during 2007-2008 in Barij Essence Company of Kashan in a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design ...
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This research was aimed to investigate the effects of different amounts of NPK fertilizers on quantitative and qualitative traits of Matricaria chamomilla L. The experiment was conducted during 2007-2008 in Barij Essence Company of Kashan in a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications.Treatments consisted of three levels of N (0, 50, 100 kgha-1), P2O5 (0, 25, 50 kgha-1) and K2O (0, 25, 50 kgha-1). Plant height, number of flower per plant, number of lateral branches, dry and fresh weight per plant, flower yield/m2, flower diameter, essential oil percentage, and chamazulene were measured. N levels showed significant differences for the number of flower per plant, fresh weight per plant, number of lateral branches, flower yield/m2 and dry and fresh weight of flower (p < 0.05). Analysis of data showed significant differences for fresh weight per plant under different levels of P2O5 (p < 0.05). K levels showed no significant differences for all traits. Interaction of N and P2O5 levels revealed significant differences for fresh and dry weight per plant and flower yield/m2 (p < 0.01). Interaction of N and K2o5 was significant for flower diameter (p < 0.05). Analysis of mean comparison for flower yield per m2 showed that the highest flower yield was obtained at 50 kg/ha N and 25 kg/ha P2O5, and the lowest flower yield was obtained at 100 kg/ha N and 50 kg/ha P2O5. NPK fertilizers did not affect chamazulene and essential oil. In conclusion, Matricaria chamomilla L. requires few nutrient elements.
L. Safaei; E Sharifi Ashoorabadi; H. Zeinali; D. Afiuni; M. Mirza
Abstract
In order to study the effects of harvesting stages on essential oil yield and composition of Thymus caramanicus Jalas, an experiment was conducted during 2007-2009 in Fozveh Research Station of Isfahan. collected seeds from natural habitat were cultivated in pots and then seedlings were transplanted ...
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In order to study the effects of harvesting stages on essential oil yield and composition of Thymus caramanicus Jalas, an experiment was conducted during 2007-2009 in Fozveh Research Station of Isfahan. collected seeds from natural habitat were cultivated in pots and then seedlings were transplanted at the main field in a randomized complete blocks design with 3 replications. Aerial parts of the species were harvested at 4 stages including: beginning of flowering, fifty percent flowering, full flowering and fruit set during two years. The plant materials were dried and their essential oils were obtained by water distillation. Capillary GC and GC/MS analysis were used to determine the volatile profile of essential oil samples. Results showed that harvesting stages had significant effects on thymol and carvacrol content and essential oil percentage. The highest amount of essential oil and thymol percentage were obtained at full flowering stage of the first year (1.56% and 3.59 kg/ha, respectively) and the maximum carvacrol percentage was obtained at fruit set stage of the first year (25.45 kg/ha). Six components consisted the highest amount of essential oil, among them carvacrol was dominant at all 4 harvesting stages. The highest amount of carvacrol was obtained at the beginning of flowering stage (88.45%) in the second year. Thymol was the second dominant component with a maximum percentage of 11.77%, obtained at full flowering stage. The highest content of ρ- cymene, 1,8-cineole and γ-terpinene were obtained at fruit set stage (2.35, 1.21 and 2.15%, respectively) and the highest content of borneol was recorded at full flowering stage (7.52%). Also, a positive correlation was observed between essential oil percentage and amounts of thymol and carvacrol. In conclusion, the best time for harvesting of T. caramanicus to achieve the maximum carvacrol percentage was fruit set stage, while full flowering stage was identified as the best time to achieve the maximum essential oil and thymol percentage.
Sh. Kaveh; H. Zeinali; L. Safaei; H. Madah Arefi; S. Aflakian
Abstract
Thyme is an important medicinal plant of Iran that in order to have thymol and carvacrol using as antimicrobial, antibacterial and antiflatulence agent. In this study 22 genotypes of Thymus kotschyanus Boiss. & Hohen. and Thymus vulgaris L. collected from different regions of Iran and cultivated ...
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Thyme is an important medicinal plant of Iran that in order to have thymol and carvacrol using as antimicrobial, antibacterial and antiflatulence agent. In this study 22 genotypes of Thymus kotschyanus Boiss. & Hohen. and Thymus vulgaris L. collected from different regions of Iran and cultivated as a randomized complete block design with 3 replications in fozveh station of Agricultural and Natural Resource Research Center of Isfahan. Length of flower and buds, spike weight, stem height, leave surface, leave length and width, maximum and minimum cover length, number of flower in spike, spike length, the beginning, 50% and 100% flowering stage, aerial dry and wet yield and essential oil percentage. Thymol and carvacrole percentages were measured with GC and GC/MS. The results showed a genetically variation for all traits in thyme genotypes. The highest production was in Thymus vulgaris with 2200 kg/ha. Thymus kotschyanus from western Azarbayejan had the highest production (1640 kg/ha) among the same population. Essential oil percentage in Thymus kotschyanus was from 0.42 to 2.17% and in Thymus vulgaris from 0.42 to 1.75%. Also Thymol percentage was from 4.63 to 74.52%, and carvacrol from 3 to 78.24% in Thymus kotschyanus and in Thymus vulgaris thymol was from 32.53% to 32.53% and carvacrol from 5.74 to 53.16%. Genotypes were classified into 4 groups. The first group had the highest vegetative period. The second had the maximum amount of Length of buds, spike weight and leave width. Number of spike, thymol percentage and leave width were relatively high in the third group. The forth group had the highest thymol percentage, aerial dry and wet yield and essential oil percentage. Based on the results there was suitable genetically potential for all thyme traits that can use in improvement programs.
L. Safaei; D. Afiuni; H. Zeinali
Abstract
To study correlations between essential oil and essential oil components and determining the role of these traits in variation among 12 genotypes of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), an experiment was conducted in a randomized complete blocks design with 3 replications at Fozveh Research Station of ...
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To study correlations between essential oil and essential oil components and determining the role of these traits in variation among 12 genotypes of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), an experiment was conducted in a randomized complete blocks design with 3 replications at Fozveh Research Station of Esfahan. The studied traits included seed yield, essential oil percentage, oil yield and oil components. Results of analysis of variance showed significant differences among the genotypes for all traits. Correlation coefficients showed that essential oil yield had a positive significant correlation with essential oil percentage, seed yield, and the percentage of α-pinene, camphene, myrcene, phlandrene, fenchone and camphor. In principal component analysis, the first four components could justify 90% of the total variation. Seed yield, essential oil percentage and yield, and the percentage of α-pinene, camphene, myrcene, phlandrene, fenchone, g-terpinene, E-anetole and camphor had a major role in explaining the first component. In the second component, sabinene, Beta pinene and p-cymene were more important whereas limonene and 1,8-cineole in the third component and methyl cavichol and cis-anethol in the forth component had more importance. Based on the cluster analysis, genotypes of fennel were classified into 4 groups which had noticeable differences, especially for seed yield, essential oil percentage, essential oil yield, and the percentage of α-pinene, fenchone and E-anetole. Consequently, crossing between superior genotypes of different clusters and testing their progeny through breeding and selection programs may result in production of cultivars with desirable essential oil quality.
L. Safaei; E. Sharifi ashoorabadi; H. Zeinali; M. Mirza
Abstract
In order to study the effect of different harvesting stages on aerial yield, essential oil percentage and essential oil components in Thymus daenensis Celak., an experiment was conducted in Esfahan as a randomized complete blocks design with 3 replications during 2007- 2009 and the best harvest time ...
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In order to study the effect of different harvesting stages on aerial yield, essential oil percentage and essential oil components in Thymus daenensis Celak., an experiment was conducted in Esfahan as a randomized complete blocks design with 3 replications during 2007- 2009 and the best harvest time for maximum aerial yield, essential oil yield and amount of thymol were investigated. Aerial parts of the plants were harvested at four stages including: beginning of flowering, 50% flowering, full flowering and fruit set and were dried in the shade. The results showed that different harvesting stages had significant effects on all evaluated traits. According to the results of mean comparisons, the highest aerial dry weight and essential oil yield occurred at full flowering stage and the highest essential oil percentage was recorded at 50% flowering. Interaction effect of year and different harvesting stages showed that the highest aerial dry weight and essential oil yield (3083 and 68.61 kg/ha respectively) were recorded at full flowering stage in the second year. In both years, the highest amount of essential oil percentage was observed at 50% flowering and the year had no significant effect on this trait. The essential oil was mainly consisted of six components, among them thymol was dominant at four harvesting stages. The highest amount of thymol was obtained from beginning of flowering stage (85.9%) which had significant difference compared to other stages. The second dominant component was carvacrol at fruit set which showed significant difference compared to other stages. The maximum amount of P-cymene, 1,8-cineole and δ-terpinene were recorded at 50% flowering stage (3.4, 1.4 and 1.8% respectively). Borneole was also dominant (2.53%) at fruit set. In conclusion, full flowering stage was identified as the best time for harvesting of T. daenensis to achieve the maximum aerial yield, essential oil and thymol yield.
