S. Abbaszadeh; T. Radjabian; M. Taghizadeh
Abstract
Phytosterol, a general term applied to a large number of plant-derived sterols, is found exclusively in all organs of higher plants and are often enriched in oilseeds. Phytosterols have wide bioactivity in humans, in particular as an efficacious cholesterol-lowering agent and consequently may have a ...
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Phytosterol, a general term applied to a large number of plant-derived sterols, is found exclusively in all organs of higher plants and are often enriched in oilseeds. Phytosterols have wide bioactivity in humans, in particular as an efficacious cholesterol-lowering agent and consequently may have a preventive role against cardiovascular disease and also a variety of cancers. Phytosterols occur in high concentrations in vegetable oils such as the Echium (Boraginaceae family). In Iran, four species of Echium have been identified so far. In respect of unique roles of phytosterols in human health, the aim of the present study was determination and quantification of sterols in seeds of two Iranian Echium. Seeds were collected from six populations of two Iranian Echium species (E. italicum and E. amoenum) from their natural habitats. After extraction with appropriate solvents, the existence of sterols in seeds was characterized by TLC and then their contents were measured using GC and spectrophotometeric methods. Total phytosterol contents were determined using the standard curve equation obtained from the changes in the absorption of solutions at a wavelength of 640 nm. Results from GC analyses showed that total phytosterol contents based on total seed dry weight were also significant, as the highest amount (399/4 mg/100g D.W) was detected in seeds of E. italicum (Alamute Qazvin population) and the lowest (112 mg/100g D.W) was measured in seeds of E. amoenum species (Hezarjarib population). Also, campesterol (20-50% of total phytosterol) and β-sitosterol (more than 50% of total phytosterol) were the main constituents of the phytosterols in all seeds. Accordingly, seeds of E.amoenum (Behshahr population) with 141 mg/100g β-sitosterol and seeds of E. italicum (Alamute Qazvin population) with 212 and 141/4 mg/100g campesterol and β-sitostanol were respectively identified as the richest samples.
I. Rasooli; L. Gachkar; D. Yadegarinia; M.B. Rezaei; M. Taghizadeh; M.H. Fakoor; A.M. Allameh
Abstract
Lipid peroxidation is the most important deteriorative effect of free radicals that leads to destruction of cell membrane. The routine use of antioxidants is becoming more limited due to their instability and their probable carcinogenic effects. The use of natural additives and antioxidants in treatment ...
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Lipid peroxidation is the most important deteriorative effect of free radicals that leads to destruction of cell membrane. The routine use of antioxidants is becoming more limited due to their instability and their probable carcinogenic effects. The use of natural additives and antioxidants in treatment of microbial and non microbial diseases is gaining momentum among people. In the present work, we extract and identify the chemical compounds of the essential oils of Mentha spicata L. and Chenopodium ambrosioides.L. Antioxidative property, free radical scavenging capacity and antimicrobial characteristics of oils were then studied. The microorganisms employed in this study were: E.coli, S.aureus, S.enteritidis, L. monocytogenes. The plants were hydrodistilled and the essential oils were extracted. The chemical constituents of the oils thus obtained were identified by GC/MS. Employing disc diffusion and tube dilution methods antimicrobial effects of the oils on were studied. Zones of microbial growth inhibition and Minimum Inhibitory and Bactericidal concentrations (MIC & MBC) of the microorganisms exposed to various dilutions of the oils were determined. Kinetics of microbial death were determined. Antioxidant properties of the oils were tested and their relation to antimicrobial properties of the oils were studied. Chemical analysis lead to identification of 14 and 13 compounds in the essential oils of Mentha spicata and Chenopodium ambrosioides, respectively. The sensitivity of bacteria to the oils were the order of L. monocytogenes> E. coli> S. aureus> S. enteritidis. The antibacterial properties of the essential oils from Mentha spicata leaves were higher than the oils from C. ambrosioides leaves. The D values for E. coli, S. aureus, S. enteritidis and L. monocytogenes exposed to the MBC levels of the essential oils were: Mentha spicata (6.42, 10, 6.42, 6.42) and Chenopodium ambrosioides (2.85, 4.28, 5, 4.28) minutes respectively. The zones of microbial growth inhibitions were not correlated to microbicidal kinetics of the oils. The oils had antioxidant properties equivalent to or higher than synthetic BHA antioxidant. The correlation between antioxidative properties and antimicrobial activities of the oils were studied.
