scholarly journals Defensive functions of volatile organic compounds and essential oils from northern white-cedar in China

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liping Bai ◽  
Wenjia Wang ◽  
Juan Hua ◽  
Zhifu Guo ◽  
Shihong Luo

Abstract Background Plants are known to emit diverse volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which may function as signaling substances in plant communication with other organisms. Thuja occidentalis, which is widely cultivated throughout China, releases aromatic VOCs into the air in winter and early spring. The relationship of this cultivated plant with its neighboring plants is necessary for the conservation of biodiversity. Results (−)-α-thujone (60.34 ± 5.58%) was found to be the major component in VOCs from the Shenyang population. The essential oils (EOs) from the Kunming and Shenyang populations included the major components (−)-α-thujone, fenchone, (+)-β-thujone, and (+)-hibaene, identified using GC-MS analyses. (−)-α-thujone and (+)-hibaene were purified and identified by NMR identification. EOs and (−)-α-thujone exhibited valuable phytotoxic activities against seed germination and seedling growth of the plants Taraxacum mongolicum and Arabidopsis thaliana. Moreover, the EOs displayed potent inhibitory activity against pathogenic fungi of maize, including Fusarium graminearum, Curvularia lunata, and Bipolaris maydis, as well as one human fungal pathogen, Candida albicans. Quantitative analyses revealed high concentrations of (−)-α-thujone in the leaves of T. occidentalis individuals from both the Shenyang and Kunming populations. However, (−)-α-thujone (0.18 ± 0.17 μg/g) was only detected in the rhizosphere soil to a distance of 0.5 m from the plant. Conclusions Taken together, our results suggest that the phytotoxic effects and antifungal activities of the EOs and (−)-α-thujone in T. occidentalis certainly increased the adaptability of this plant to the environment. Nevertheless, low concentrations of released (−)-α-thujone indicated that reasonable distance of T. occidentalis with other plant species will impair the effects of allelochemical of T. occidentalis.

Chemija ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asta Judžentienė

Juniper (Juniperus communis L.) is a common wild or cultivated plant, mainly distributed in the Northern hemisphere. The plant, being one of three natural conifers in the countries of the Baltic Sea region, grows separately or forms stands in Lithuania. It is an evergreen, long-lived shrub or a small tree. Juniper synthesizes various (quantitatively and qualitatively as well) volatile organic compounds depending on the plant origin, organ and developing stage. Essential oils are prepared from different parts of juniper. Juniper berries, the fruit of J. communis, perhaps the most valuable part of the plant, are rich in essential oils. Preparations of them are used traditionally in folk medicine and veterinary as antiseptic, diuretic, anti-helminthic, anti-fungicidal, anti-rheumatic, antibacterial, tonic and anti-inflammatory remedy. This paper reviews the published information concerning data on the chemical composition of essential oils obtained from various plant organs (sprouts, shouts, ripe and unripe berries, leaves, wood and bark) of junipers wild growing (or cultivated) in different localities in Lithuania. Alfa α-pinene is the most common constituent determined in Lithuanian juniper essential oils. This monoperpe hydrocarbon was evaluated as a predominant compound in most of investigated oils, obtained from juniper shoots, sprouts, needles and cones (both unripe and ripe ones).


Author(s):  
Beata Girek ◽  
Małgorzata Deska ◽  
Tomasz Girek

Currently, many herbal substances are used in everyday life products and in many industry such as food, cosmetics and others. Essential oils are mixtures of volatile organic compounds separated from plants or parts of them. They are characterized by an intense fragrance, but they have a diverse composition. Depending on the source, there are one or several dominant components. History acquisition of essential oils dates back to ancient times. Due to the unique fragrance qualities, the oils accompany humanity all the time. More perfect methods of analysis of the composition of essential oils used in cosmetics, food (spices) and aromatherapy, prompts us to consider the safety of their use. In addition to health-promoting substances, oils can also contain many organic compounds with an allergic or even toxic effect. Getting to know the essential oils composition and thorough acquaintance of consumers with possible risks of using essential oils is currently a priority for the producers of essential oils.


2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 1934578X1200700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Taga ◽  
Christopher Q. Lan ◽  
Illimar Altosaar

This paper highlights the role of plant volatile organic compounds, found in essential oils, for the treatment of bacteria related inflammation. This report is focused on tea tree oil, particularly its main compound terpinen-4-ol. Analysis of the published literature shows that many essential oils have significant antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects. Some of their major components, such as terpinen-4-ol, act by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokine expression while stimulating production of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Such observations may be exploited to encourage biotherapy against mastitis. The use of synthetic antibiotics is being increasingly discouraged because their presence in dairy milk may have potential downstream effects on population health and the agri-food chain. In the context of inflammation and related mammalian responses, understanding the interplay between volatile organic compounds, especially terpinen-4-ol, and cytokines during bacteria related inflammation should clarify their mode of action to control mastitis.


2013 ◽  
Vol 76 (11) ◽  
pp. 1879-1886 ◽  
Author(s):  
WAFA ROUISSI ◽  
LUISA UGOLINI ◽  
CAMILLA MARTINI ◽  
LUCA LAZZERI ◽  
MARTA MARI

The fungicidal effects of secondary metabolites produced by a strain of Penicillium expansum (R82) in culture filtrate and in a double petri dish assay were tested against one isolate each of Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum acutatum, and Monilinia laxa and six isolates of P. expansum, revealing inhibitory activity against every pathogen tested. The characterization of volatile organic compounds released by the R82 strain was performed by solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatographic techniques, and several compounds were detected, one of them identified as phenethyl alcohol (PEA). Synthetic PEA, tested in vitro on fungal pathogens, showed strong inhibition at a concentration of 1,230 μg/ml of airspace, and mycelium appeared more sensitive than conidia; nevertheless, at the concentration naturally emitted by the fungus (0.726 ± 0.16 μg/ml), commercial PEA did not show any antifungal activity. Therefore, a combined effect between different volatile organic compounds produced collectively by R82 can be hypothesized. This aspect suggests further investigation into the possibility of exploiting R82 as a nonchemical alternative in the control of some plant pathogenic fungi.


An air purification system based on the use of specialized catalytic filling, designed to reduce high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide and volatile organic compounds is represented. The system is a 20 or 40 foot heated sea container in which two catalytic charge units are located: one is a working and the other is a reserve. Each block contains one cleaning step with a specialized ferrous charge.


Author(s):  
S. A. Mikaeva ◽  
A. S. Mikaeva ◽  
L. A. Vasilyeva ◽  
O. E. Zheleznikova

The article describes the air pretreatment system designed to reduce high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide and volatile organic compounds through the use of specialized catalytic backfill. The system is a 20- or 40-foot insulated sea container in which two catalytic backfill units are located. One worker the other reserve. Each unit contains one cleaning step with a specialized ferruginous backfill. The installation does not have its own fan and is connected to the existing ventilation system be installed in front of the installation EVENTLET. The operation of the system is subject to all safety requirements for the operation of electrical equipment, which is powered by a voltage of 380 V and a frequency of 50/60 Hz. The technical characteristics and Assembly of the system are given.


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