Investigation of the Adulteration of Essential Oils by GC-MS

Background: A lack of regulation about the chemical composition of essential oils and the growing popularity of these oils among consumers presents an urgent need for the accurate characterization of various oil types from a variety of manufacturers. The aim of this paper was to characterize the composition of essential oils bought from a popular retail location, with the goal of understanding the chemical composition and presence of adulterants with potential toxicity. Methods: Reported herein is an investigation into the components of a variety of essential oils using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The investigation initially focused on two popular oils, tea tree and lavender oil, and then moved to investigate four additional essential oils from the same brand (sandalwood, rose, eucalyptus, and lemongrass). Results: Results of this analysis indicated that all six store brand essential oils contained Carbitol (in concentrations from 23% to 35%), and four of the six oils had diethyl phthalate (in concentrations ranging from 0.33% to 16%). These toxicants are particularly concerning because they are known inhalation hazards, and the intended usage of these oils is for aromatherapy (i.e. inhalation). Conclusion: These results highlight a potentially significant and under-reported health concern from inhalation of toxic contaminants in the store brand oils, and showcase the need for more regulation and transparency about the composition of these commercial products.

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Evaluation of Fungistatic Activity of Eight Selected Essential Oils on Four Heterogeneous Fusarium Isolates Obtained from Cereal Grains in Southern Poland

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules25020292 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. 292 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Teresa Krzyśko-Łupicka ◽

Sławomir Sokół ◽

Anna Piekarska-Stachowiak

Keyword(s):

Chemical Composition ◽

Essential Oils ◽

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽

Ionization Time ◽

Tea Tree ◽

Fungistatic Activity ◽

Litsea Cubeba ◽

Synthetic Pesticide ◽

The Relationship

The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between the chemical composition of eight commercial essential oils (EsO) (garlic, grapefruit, lemon grass, tea tree, thyme, verbena, cajeput, and Litsea cubeba) and their fungistatic activity in relation to four species of Fusarium: F. avenaceum, F. culmorum, F. graminearum, and F. oxysporum. The species identification of Fusarium isolates was confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometer. The determination of qualitative and quantitative chemical composition of the EsO was carried out using the gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) method. The fungistatic activity of EsO was assessed by using the method of poisoned substrates. The data were compiled in the STATISTICA 13.0 program. The chemical composition of the tested oils varied; the dominant fraction, except for grapefruit and garlic oils, were monoterpenoids. The greatest similarity to the action of the synthetic pesticide Funaben T was found in four oils, i.e., thyme, lemongrass, verbena, and Litsea cubeba. The studies showed that F. oxysporum and F. avenaceum were characterized by a higher resistance to low oil concentrations, and F. culmorum and F. graminearum by sensitivity. The fungicidal activity of two EsO-dominant monoterpenoids-thymol and citral—has been confirmed.

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Aristolochia triangularis Cham. stems and leaves essential oils and their antimicrobial and antimycobacterial effects

The Natural Products Journal ◽

10.2174/2210315510666200103123933 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

Author(s):

Ionara I. Dalcol ◽

Alessandra O. Pereira ◽

Luisa H. Paz ◽

Gabriela Benetti ◽

Fallon S. Siqueira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chemical Composition ◽

Essential Oils ◽

Candida Glabrata ◽

Skin Diseases ◽

Enterobacter Aerogenes ◽

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽

Moderate Activity ◽

Circulatory System Diseases ◽

Germacrene D ◽

Stems And Leaves

Background: Aristolochia triangularis Cham., popularly known as the "cipó-mil-homens", "angelicó" and "ypê-mi", is applied for the treatment of wounds, skin diseases (6,7), digestive and circulatory system diseases as an antipyretic and for malaria fever. Objective: In this work we investigated the chemical composition, the antimicrobial and antimycobacterial activities of the essential oils (EOs) extracted from A. triangularis fresh stems and leaves collected in Southern Brazil. Methods: Fresh stems and fresh leaves of Aristolochia triangularis Cham. were separately subjected to hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus. The chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The oil samples were evaluated for their antimycobacterial, antibacterial and antifungal activities against twenty-four microorganisms. Results: Hydrodistillation of fresh stems and leaves of A. triangularis resulted in 0.16% (w/w) and 0.37% (w/w) respectively of light-yellow oils. Germacrene D is found in 13.2 - 13.5% in both EOs. The constituent most abundant in the stems EO (19.18%) was the oxygenated diterpene ent-Kaur-16-en-19-al (10), along with E-nerolidol (17.89%). The main constituents of the leaves EO were bicyclogermacrene (24.79%), β-elemene (11.30%), E-caryophyllene (10.40%) and germacrene A (9.42%), in addition to the previously mentioned germacrene D. The stems and leaves EOs showed capacity to inhibit the Gram-negative Enterobacter aerogenes and the stems EO capacity to inhibit Staphylococcus aureus, with MIC values of 31.2 µg/mL. S. aureus was moderately sensitive to leaves EO, while stems EO displayed moderate activity against Enterococcus faecalis and Salmonella typhimurium (MIC values of 62.5 µg/mL). Candida glabrata was highly susceptible to both EOs (MIC values < 3.9 µg/mL). The EOs showed moderate potential to inhibit the growth of Cryptococcus gatti and Cryptococcus neoformans (MICs of 62.5 μg/mL). Conclusion: The A. triangularis essential oils from stems and leaves displayed capacity to inhibit Enterobacter aerogenes (MIC values of 31.2 µg/mL) and high antifungal effect against Candida glabrata (MIC values of <3.9 µg/mL). Mycobacterium massiliense and M. abscessus were susceptible to the leaves EO, with MICs of 39.06 μg/mL. These results showed the A. triangularis essential oils potential as antifungal and antimycobacterial to be used in the development of new antibiotic.

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Trichomes Morphology and Essential Oils Characterization of Field-Growing and In Vitro Propagated Plants of Lavandula pedunculata

Microscopy and Microanalysis ◽

10.1017/s143192760808971x ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 14 (S3) ◽

pp. 148-149 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

M. Zuzarte ◽

A.M. Dinis ◽

C. Cavaleiro ◽

J. Canhoto ◽

L. Salgueiro

Keyword(s):

Chemical Composition ◽

Antifungal Activity ◽

Essential Oils ◽

Vegetative Propagation ◽

Leaf Trichomes ◽

Economic Exploitation ◽

Selection Of

The selection of native Lavandula species and their economic exploitation have increased in the last few years. Micropropagation techniques have been used as an alternative for vegetative propagation allowing the multiplication of selected genotypes and chemotypes. Our previous studies showed that the essential oils of Lavandula pedunculata have an important antifungal activity against dermatophyte strains. Therefore, a new line of investigation concerning the in vitro culture of this species is justified. In the present study we compare the morphology of the leaf trichomes and the chemical composition of their essential oils in both field-growing and in vitro propagated plants.

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Essential Oil Composition ofPinus peuceGriseb. Needles and Twigs from Two National Parks of Kosovo

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1155/2016/5393079 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Avni Hajdari ◽

Behxhet Mustafa ◽

Dashnor Nebija ◽

Hyrmete Selimi ◽

Zeqir Veselaj ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gas Chromatography ◽

Chemical Composition ◽

Essential Oil ◽

Essential Oils ◽

National Park ◽

Essential Oil Composition ◽

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽

Oil Composition ◽

Plant Materials ◽

Geographical Variations

The principal aim of this study was to analyze the chemical composition and qualitative and quantitative variability of essential oils obtained from seven naturally grown populations of thePinus peuceGrisebach, Pinaceae in Kosovo. Plant materials were collected from three populations in the Sharri National Park and from four other populations in the Bjeshkët e Nemuna National Park, in Kosovo. Essential oils were obtained by steam distillation and analyzed by GC-FID (Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection) and GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry). The results showed that the yield of essential oils (v/wdry weight) varied depending on the origin of population and the plant organs and ranged from 0.7 to 3.3%. In total, 51 compounds were identified. The main compounds wereα-pinene (needles: 21.6–34.9%; twigs: 11.0–24%),β-phellandrene (needles: 4.1–27.7; twigs: 29.0–49.8%), andβ-pinene (needles: 10.0–16.1; twigs: 6.9–20.7%). HCA (Hierarchical Cluster Analysis) and PCA (Principal Component Analyses) were used to assess geographical variations in essential oil composition. Statistical analysis showed that the analyzed populations are grouped in three main clusters which seem to reflect microclimatic conditions on the chemical composition of the essential oils.

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Comparison of the Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Thymus serpyllum Essential Oils

Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca ◽

10.15835/nbha4329899 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 43 (2) ◽

pp. 432-438 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Aneta WESOŁOWSKA ◽

Monika GRZESZCZUK ◽

Dorota JADCZAK ◽

Paweł NAWROTEK ◽

Magdalena STRUK

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Activity ◽

Chemical Composition ◽

Essential Oil ◽

Essential Oils ◽

Micrococcus Luteus ◽

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽

E Coli ◽

Thymus Serpyllum ◽

Main Components ◽

Total Oil

The chemical composition of the essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts of Thymus serpyllum and Thymus serpyllum‘Aureus’ has been investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Forty-seven compounds (99.67% of the total oil) wereidentified in the essential oil of T. serpyllum. The main components found in the oil were carvacrol (37.49%), -terpinene (10.79%), -caryophyllene (6.51%), p-cymene (6.06%), (E)--ocimene (4.63%) and -bisabolene (4.51%). Similarly, carvacrol (44.93%), -terpinene(10.08%), p-cymene (7.39%) and -caryophyllene (6.77%) dominated in the oil of T. serpyllum ‘Aureus’. A total of forty three compounds wereidentified in this oil, representing 99.49% of the total oil content. On the basis of the obtained data it was proved that the content of 1-octen-3-ol,eucalyptol, (Z)--ocimene, (E)--ocimene, -terpinene, carvacrol methyl ether, germacrene D and -bisabolene was significantly higher for T.serpyllum while T. serpyllum ‘Aureus’ was characterized by a significantly higher content of 3-octanone, 3-octanol, p-cymene, borneol andcarvacrol. The isolated essential oils were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against nine reference strains (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcusaureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus agalactiae, Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus cereus, Micrococcus luteus, Proteus vulgaris and Candidaalbicans) by the microdilution technique. Based on this test, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of essential oil were calculated. Thevolatile oil obtained from T. serpyllum showed the highest antimicrobial activity relative to the strain of E. coli (MIC=0.025 μL/mL) and to theyeast C. albicans (MIC=0.05 μL/mL). Similarly, a significant antimicrobial activity exhibited T. serpyllum ‘Aureus’ essential oil, although the MICvalues obtained in that case for E. coli and C. albicans strains were twice as high and were respectively 0.05 μL/mL and 0.1 μL/mL.

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Effect of the Chemical Composition of Free-Terpene Hydrocarbons Essential Oils on Antifungal Activity

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules24193532 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (19) ◽

pp. 3532

Author(s):

Ben Salha ◽

Herrera Díaz ◽

Lengliz ◽

Abderrabba ◽

Labidi

Keyword(s):

Chemical Composition ◽

Antifungal Activity ◽

Essential Oil ◽

Essential Oils ◽

Pharmaceutical Products ◽

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽

Reduced Pressure ◽

Oxygenated Compounds ◽

Food Spoilage Fungi

In this study, Carum carvi L. essential oil (CEO) and Origanum majorana L. essential oil (MEO) was steam-distillated under reduced pressure. We henceforth obtained three fractions for each essential oil: CF1, CF2, CF3, MF1, MF2, and MF3. Then, these fractions were characterized using the gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. The results indicated that some fractions were rich in oxygenated compounds (i.e., CF2, CF3, MF2, and MF3) with concentrations ranging from 79.21% to 98.56%. Therefore, the influence of the chemical composition of the essential oils on their antifungal activity was studied. For this purpose, three food spoilage fungi were isolated, identified, and inoculated in vitro, in order to measure the antifungal activity of CEO, MEO, and their fractions. The results showed that stronger fungi growth inhibitions (FGI) (above 95%) were found in fractions with higher percentages of oxygenated compounds, especially with (−)-carvone and terpin-4-ol as the major components. Firstly, this work reveals that the free-terpenes hydrocarbons fractions obtained from MEO present higher antifungal activity than the raw essential oil against two families of fungi. Then, it suggests that the isolation of (−)-carvone (97.15 ± 5.97%) from CEO via vacuum distillation can be employed successfully to improve antifungal activity by killing fungi (FGI = 100%). This study highlights that separation under reduced pressure is a simple green method to obtain fractions or to isolate compounds with higher biological activity useful for pharmaceutical products or natural additives in formulations.

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Antimicrobial Activity and Chemical Composition of the Essential Oils of Portuguese Foeniculum vulgare Fruits

Natural Product Communications ◽

10.1177/1934578x1501000437 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 1934578X1501000 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ana S. Mota ◽

M. Rosário Martins ◽

Sílvia Arantes ◽

Violeta R. Lopes ◽

Eliseu Bettencourt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gas Chromatography ◽

Antimicrobial Activity ◽

Chemical Composition ◽

Essential Oils ◽

Salmonella Enteritidis ◽

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽

Dilution Method ◽

Foeniculum Vulgare ◽

Serovar Typhimurium ◽

Food Spoilage Fungi

The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation from fruits of six fennel accessions collected from wild populations occurring in the centre and south of Portugal. Composition of essential oils was established by Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The obtained yields of the essential oils were found to vary greatly in the range of 1.1 to 2.9% (v/w) and the chemical composition varied with the region of collection. A total of 16 compounds were identified. The main compounds were fenchone (16.9 – 34.7%), estragole (2.5 – 66.0%) and trans-anethole (7.9 – 77.7%). The percentages of these three main compounds were used to determine the relationship between the different oil samples and to group them into four different chemotypes: anethole/fenchone; anethole; estragole and anethole/estragole. Antifungal activity of essential oils was evaluated against six food spoilage fungi: Aspergillus niger, A. japonicus, A. oryzae, Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizophus oryzae and R. stolonifer. Antibacterial activity was assessed against three Gram-positive strains: Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228 and S. aureus ATCC 28213; and against six Gram-negative strains: Escherichia coli ATCC 25922; Morganella morganii LFG 08; Proteus mirabilis LFG 04; Salmonella enteritidis LFG 05; S. entiritidis serovar typhimurium LFG 06 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 by the disc diffusion agar method; the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using the broth macro-dilution method. The MIC values varied from 62.5 ( E. coli ATCC 25922) to 2000 μg/mL ( P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853).

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Effects of Gender and Geographical Origin on the Chemical Composition and Antiradical Activity of Baccharis myriocephala and Baccharis trimera

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods9101433 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 1433

Author(s):

Suzana Struiving ◽

Ana Carolina Mendes Hacke ◽

Edésio Luiz Simionatto ◽

Dilamara Riva Scharf ◽

Cláudia Vargas Klimaczewski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chemical Composition ◽

Ethyl Acetate ◽

Essential Oils ◽

Antiradical Activity ◽

Principal Component ◽

Hierarchical Cluster ◽

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽

Array Detector ◽

Chemical Compositions ◽

Baccharis Trimera

This study aimed to characterize and compare essential oils and ethyl acetate fractions obtained in basic and acidic conditions from both male and female Baccharis species (Baccharis myriocephala and Baccharis trimera) from two different Brazilian regions. Samples were characterized according to their chemical compositions and antiradical activity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays. Principal component analysis (PCA) provided a clear separation regarding the chemical composition of essential oils from the samples obtained from different regions by using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry with flame-ionization detection (GC-MS-FID). PCA also revealed that gender and region of plant collections did not influence the chemical composition and antiradical activity of ethyl acetate fractions, which was corroborated with hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) data. High performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD) identified significant quantities of flavonoids and phenolic acids in the fractions obtained in basic and acidic fractions, respectively. The obtained results clearly demonstrated that the geographical region of plant collection influenced the chemical composition of essential oils from the studied Baccharis species. Moreover, the obtained fractions were constituted by several antiradical compounds, which reinforced the usage of these species in folk medicine.

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Chemical composition and biological activities of leaf and fruit essential oils from Eucalyptus camaldulensis

Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C ◽

10.1515/znc-2016-0033 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 72 (11-12) ◽

pp. 483-489 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Gulden Dogan ◽

Nazan Kara ◽

Eyup Bagci ◽

Seher Gur

Keyword(s):

Gas Chromatography ◽

Chemical Composition ◽

Essential Oils ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Eucalyptus Camaldulensis ◽

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Leaf Oil ◽

Fruit Oil ◽

Antibacterial And Antifungal

AbstractThe chemical composition of the essential oils from the leaves and fruit ofEucalyptus camaldulensisgrown in Mersin, Turkey was analyzed using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques. The biological activities (antibacterial and antifungal) were examined using the agar well diffusion method. The main leaf oil constituents werep-cymene (42.1%), eucalyptol (1,8-cineole) (14.1%), α-pinene (12.7%) and α-terpinol (10.7%). The main constituents of the fruit oil were eucalyptol (1,8-cineole) (34.5%),p-cymene (30.0%), α-terpinol (15.1%) and α-pinene (9.0%). Our results showed that both types of oils are rich in terms of monoterpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated monoterpenes. The leaf and fruit essential oils ofE. camaldulensissignificantly inhibited the growth of Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureusandBacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coliandStreptococcussp.) bacteria (p<0.05). The oils also showed fungicidal activity againstCandida tropicalisandC. globrata. Leaf essential oils showed more activity than fruit essential oils, probably due to the higher p-cymene concentration in leaves.

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