Chemical Variability and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Rosmarinus officinalis L. Leaf Essential Oil from Algerian Sahara

The chemical composition of 71 oil samples from the leaves of Rosmarinus officinalis L., harvested in three provinces: Naâma (Western Algeria), Béchar and Adrar (Algerian Sahara), was investigated by GC-FID, GC/MS and 13CNMR. In total, 52 compounds were identified accounting for 88.8 % to 99.9 % of the total composition. The chemical composition of the oils was largely dominated by monoterpenes, with 1,8-cineole (9.7-70.2 %), camphor (0.3-31.0 %) being the major compounds followed by borneol (0.3-21.0 %), α-pinene (4.5-14.5 %), β-pinene (0.1-12.0 %), linalool (0.7-9.9 %) and verbenone (up to 11.1 %) which was present only in the samples harvested in Adrar. All compositions (71 samples) were submitted to statistical analysis. Combination of hierarchical clustering dendrogram and principal component analysis suggested the existence of three groups (one of these being subdivided into two sub-groups) which were distinguished on the basis of 1,8-cineole, camphor and verbenone contents. Four essential oil samples, containing 1,8-cineole and/or camphor as main components, exhibited anti-inflammatory activity against lipoxygenase, with IC50 values in the range 93 to 155 μg/mL.

13C NMR Dereplication Using MixONat Software: A Practical Guide to Decipher Natural Products Mixtures

The growing use of herbal medicines worldwide requires ensuring their quality, safety, and efficiency to consumers and patients. Quality controls of vegetal extracts are usually undertaken according to pharmacopeial monographs. Analyses may range from simple chemical experiments to more sophisticated but more accurate methods. Nowadays, metabolomic analyses allow a fast characterization of complex mixtures. In the field, besides mass spectrometry (MS), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) has gained importance in the direct identification of natural products in complex herbal extracts. For a decade, automated dereplication processes based on ¹³C-NMR have been emerging to efficiently identify known major compounds in mixtures. Though less sensitive than MS, ¹³C-NMR has the advantage of being appropriate to discriminate stereoisomers. Since NMR spectrometers nowadays provide useful datasets in a reasonable time frame, we have recently made available MixONat, a software that processes ¹³C as well as distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer (DEPT)-135 and -90 data, allowing carbon multiplicity (i.e., CH₃, CH₂, CH, and C) filtering as a critical step. MixONat requires experimental or predicted chemical shifts (δ _C) databases and displays interactive results that can be refined based on the user's phytochemical knowledge. The present article provides step-by-step instructions to use MixONat starting from database creation with freely available and/or marketed δ _C datasets. Then, for training purposes, the reader is led through a 30 - 60 min procedure consisting of the ¹³C-NMR based dereplication of a peppermint essential oil.

Essential Oil Composition From Cryptomeria japonica D.Don Grown in Azores: Biomass Valorization From Forest Management

Cryptomeria japonica biomass was obtained monthly from forest lumbering operations at São Miguel, Terceira and Pico (Azores), between May 2018 and June 2020. C japonica stands with different ages (2 to ±50 years), grown in different soil types (lithosol and andosol) and at different altitudes (200 to >800 m) were used. The chemical composition of 118 C japonica essential oil (EO) samples, plus 1 sample from an EO solid deposit, were analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Chemical composition cluster analysis showed 2 clusters, cluster I and II, with no chemical correlation. Cluster I grouped all 117 EO samples that resulted from extraction of branches and foliage with, or without, strobili, from strobili, and from the solid deposit sample. Cluster II grouped the 2 samples of EO isolated from wood, with a markedly different composition. Cluster I showed 5 subclusters (Ia-Ie). The degree of chemical correlation between the samples in these subclusters varied between moderate (subclusters Id and Ie), high (subclusters Ib and Ic), and very high (subcluster Ia). Of the 119 samples, 94 (79% of the total) were included in subcluster Ia, with 66 samples from São Miguel, 2 from Terceira, and 26 from Pico, showing a yield range from 0.1% to 0.4% (v/w). All these samples, with a high chemical correlation, were obtained by steam distillation from branches and foliage with, or without, female or male strobili, or both. This subcluster did not show any grouping pattern regarding the collection month, the altitude (200 to >800 m), the soil type (lithosol, andosol, or its subtypes), or the wood age (±30 to ±50 years). Subcluster Ia was characterized by the dominance of α-pinene (13%-43%), sabinene (5%-25%), phyllocladene (2%-22%), limonene (2%-16%), kaurene (traces-13%), elemol (1%-11%), and terpinen-4-ol (1%-7%). The determination of the concentration limits of the EOs representative components confirmed the homogeneity of C japonica EO, obtained from plant material collected in the 3 Azores islands, despite the variability in the range of some diterpenes that deserves further study. This study allowed for the determination of the concentration limits of the EOs representative components, with the purpose of adding value to C japonica EO, obtained from forest lumbering.

Chemical Variability of Moroccan Myrtle Oil

Thirty-three oil samples isolated from aerial parts of Myrtus communis L. harvested in seven localities, from Northern to Central Morocco, have been analyzed by combination of chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. The 33 compositions have been subjected to statistical analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA). Two groups have been differentiated on the basis of their myrtenyl acetate and α-pinene contents and each one was sub-divided in two sub-groups according to the contents of 1,8-cineole and linalool. The compositions of our 33 myrtle oil samples may be named as follow by their main components: sub-group IA (13/33): α-pinene/1,8-cineole/linalool; sub-group IB (6/33): 1,8-cineole/α-pinene; sub-group IIA (10/33): 1,8-cineole/myrtenyl acetate; sub-group IIB (4/33): myrtenyl acetate.

Chemical composition of root and stem bark essential oils from Ivorian Isolona dewevrei: structural elucidation of a new natural germacrone

The root and stem bark essential oils from Isolona dewevrei (Annonaceae), growing wild in Côte d'Ivoire, were investigated for the first time, using a combination of chromatographic [CC, GC(RI)] and spectroscopic [MS, ¹³C-NMR] techniques. A new natural germacrone was isolated by repetitive column chromatography carried out on a stem bark oil sample. Its structure was elucidated as germacra-1(10),4(15),5-trien-8-one by 1 D, 2 D-NMR and QTOF-MS. Ninety-six components accounting for 95.5 ± 0.8% and 95.8 ± 1.0%, respectively, for the root and stem bark essential oil samples were identified. The major compounds of root oil were cyperene (19.7 ± 1.6%) and camphene (10.1 ± 2.1%), followed by 5-isopentenylindole (6.4 ± 2.4%), β-elemene (3.9 ± 0.3%), (Z)-α-bisabolene (3.2 ± 1.2%) and γ-gurjunene (3.2 ± 0.3%). The stem bark oil was also dominated by cyperene (29.2 ± 4.1%), followed by β-elemene (6.2 ± 1.1%), (Z)-α-bisabolene (3.8 ± 1.0%), (E)-β-caryophyllene (3.3 ± 0.7%) and α-copaene (2.8 ± 1.1%).

New Natural Oxygenated Sesquiterpenes and Chemical Composition of Leaf Essential Oil from Ivoirian Isolona dewevrei (De Wild. & T. Durand) Engl. & Diels

This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition of the leaf essential oil from Ivoirian Isolona dewevrei. A combination of chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques (GC(RI), GC-MS and 13C-NMR) was used to analyze two oil samples (S1 and S2). Detailed analysis by repetitive column chromatography (CC) of essential oil sample S2 was performed, leading to the isolation of four compounds. Their structures were elucidated by QTOF-MS, 1D and 2D-NMR as (10βH)-1β,8β-oxido-cadin-4-ene (38), 4-methylene-(7αH)-germacra-1(10),5-dien-8β-ol (cis-germacrene D-8-ol) (52), 4-methylene-(7αH)-germacra-1(10),5-dien-8α-ol (trans-germacrene D-8-ol) (53) and cadina-1(10),4-dien-8β-ol (56). Compounds 38, 52 and 53 are new, whereas NMR data of 56 are reported for the first time. Lastly, 57 constituents accounting for 95.5% (S1) and 97.1% (S2) of the whole compositions were identified. Samples S1 and S2 were dominated by germacrene D (23.6 and 20.5%, respectively), followed by germacrene D-8-one (8.9 and 8.7%), (10βH)-1β,8β-oxido-cadin-4-ene (7.3 and 8.7), 4-methylene-(7αH)-germacra-1(10),5-dien-8β-ol (7.8 and 7.4%) and cadina-1(10),4-dien-8β-ol (7.6 and 7.2%). Leaves from I. dewevrei produced sesquiterpene-rich essential oil with an original chemical composition, involving various compounds reported for the first time among the main components. Integrated analysis by GC(RI), GC-MS and 13C-NMR appeared fruitful for the knowledge of such a complex essential oil.

Composition and Intraspecific Chemical Variability of Leaf Essential Oil of Laggera pterodonta from Côte d'Ivoire

The chemical composition of 44 leaf oil samples of Laggera pterodonta (DC.) Sch.Bip. ex Oliv. (Asteraceae) from Côte d'Ivoire was investigated, using combination of chromatographic (GC-FID) and spectroscopic (GC/MS, ¹³ C-NMR) techniques. Two oil samples chosen according to their chromatographic profiles were submitted to column chromatography and all fractions of CC were analyzed by GC-FID, GC/MS and ¹³ C-NMR. In total, 83 components accounting for 96.5 to 99.4 % of the whole chemical composition were identified. Significant variations were observed within terpene classes: monoterpene hydrocarbons (0.4-22.7 %), oxygenated monoterpenes (32.9-54.9 %), sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (18.6-38.3 %) and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (3.5-38.4 %). Thus, the 44 compositions were subjected to hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA). Two groups were differentiated according to their composition. All the samples contained 2,5-dimethoxy-p-cymene, α-humulene and (E)-β-caryophyllene among the main components. Other components were present at appreciable contents and allowed differentiation of two groups: sabinene and germacrene D for Group I; 10-epi-γ-eudesmol and eudesm-7(11)-en-4α-ol for Group II. All the samples collected in Eastern Côte d'Ivoire constituted Group I, while samples collected in the Central area of the country constituted Group II.

Essential oil of the malagasy grass Elionurus tristis Hack. contains several undescribed sesquiterpenoids

Essential oils (EOs) obtained from aerial parts and roots of Elionurus tristis were investigated by GC, GC-MS, pc-GC and NMR. Both aerial parts and roots EOs contained common molecules such as α-pinene, camphene, trans-α-bergamotene and calarene. Moreover, we identified several unusual sesquiterpenes and four undescribed compounds, 7-epi-khusian-2-ol, 4,8-di-epi-acorone, 2-epi-ziza-5-en-2-ol and antsorenone. The last one exhibits an undescribed natural sesquiterpene skeleton. All undescribed compounds were isolated and fully characterized by MS, 1D and 2D-NMR. Furthermore, the formation pathway of the Antsorane skeleton is discussed.

Composition and Chemical Variability of Myrtus communis Leaf Oil From Northwestern Algeria

Myrtus communis L. is a shrub growing wild in most countries all around the Mediterranean Sea and myrtle leaf oil is useful in the perfumery and pharmaceutical industries. Nowadays, “chemotyped” essential oils are more and more appreciated. Myrtle oil from eastern and central-north Algeria belong to the “α-pinene-cineole” chemotype. In contrast, Moroccan myrtle oil displayed appreciable content of myrtenyl acetate. Therefore, it appeared crucial to investigate the composition of myrtle leaf oil from northwestern Algeria in order to ensure the homogeneity of the composition of Algerian myrtle leaf oil. The chemical composition of 42 oil samples of M. communis isolated from leaves collected in five locations from Tlemcen Province was investigated by gas chromatography (GC) in combination with retention indices, GC-mass spectroscopy, and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Yields ranged between 0.13% and 1.04% (w/w). The chemical composition of the oils was largely dominated by monoterpene hydrocarbons, with α-pinene (24.3-59.0%) and 1,8-cineole (13.2-49.5%) being the major compounds followed by limonene (3.2-19.8%). The 42 compositions were submitted to statistical analyses. The combination of hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis allowed the distinction of two groups, the second group being subdivided into two subgroups. Groups and subgroups were differentiated with respect to their contents of α-pinene and 1,8-cineole and, to a lesser extent, of limonene. This study ensures that Algerian myrtle leaf oil belongs to the “α-pinene-cineole” chemotype which displays various biological activities. The observed homogeneity could be a positive point to join the international market of essential oils.

Chemical Composition of Needle, Cone, and Branch Oils From Vietnamese Pinus cernua

Conifers are well represented in Vietnam where a new pine species has been recently discovered in Son La province: Pinus cernua, synonym P. armandii ssp. xuannhaensis. The compositions of needle, cone, and branch oils have been investigated by gas chromatography (retention index), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance. Myrcene (47.0%) was the main component of needle oil, followed by β-pinene (28.4%) and α-pinene (12.5%). Branch oil also contained myrcene (32.8%), α-pinene (17.9%), β-pinene (9.8%), and a high content of limonene (20.0%). Finally, cone oil displayed α-pinene (44.1%) beside myrcene (11.5%), β-pinene (8.1%), and limonene (5.8%).

Composition and Chemical Variability of Needle and Berry Oils from Corsican Juniperus communis var. communis

Juniperus communis L. var. communis is widespread in European countries. In Corsica a very small population grows wild in the North-Eastern side of the island. The chemical compositions of nine needle oil samples and three berry oil samples from Corsican J. communis L. var. communis have been investigated by GC(RI), GC-MS and 13C NMR. The composition of needle oils was dominated by monoterpene hydrocarbons, α-pinene (2/9 oil samples, 70.4 and 67.1%) or sabinene (7/9 oil samples, 24.4–45.3%). Berry oils displayed α-pinene/myrcene (43.0/24.1%) or α-pinene/sabinene/limonene/terpinen-4-ol (19.9/17.3/14.0/13.8%) as main components. A third oil sample contained mainly α-pinene (22.0%) accompanied by 21 sesquiterpenes (42.0% in total). It is noticeable that various needle and berry oil compositions have been observed within a really small population of J. communis L. var. communis.

Composition and Chemical Variability of Root Bark oil from Ivoirian Cleistopholis patens

The chemical composition of root bark oil of Cleistopholis patens (Benth.) Engl. & Diels from Côte d'Ivoire was determined by GC (in combination with retention indices), GC-MS and 13C NMR. The contents of the major compounds varied drastically from sample to sample: patchoulenone (0–70.5%), β-pinene (0–51.9%), bornyl acetate (0.5–31.2%), α-pinene (0.2–25.7%), juvenile hormone III (0.3–22.2%) and β-elemol (0–18.8%). Three chemical compositions may be differentiated, dominated by i) patchoulenone, ii) β-pinene and α-pinene, iii) juvenile hormone III, accompanied by bornyl acetate or β-elemol. 13C NMR data of patchoulenol (3-patchoulen-5- exo-ol) are reported.

Composition and Chemical Variability of Essential Oils Isolated from Aerial Parts of Cassytha filiformis from Côte d'Ivoire

The essential oils isolated from aerial parts of Cassytha filiformis L. harvested in five locations of Côte d'Ivoire were analyzed by GC(RI), GC-MS and 13C-NMR. The oils were dominated by sesquiterpene derivatives and the content of the main components varied substantially from sample to sample: (E)-β-caryophyllene (1.5-34.9%), bicyclogermacrene (1.0-25.8%), α-humulene (0.5-22.0%), spathulenol (1.0-18.5%) and germacrene D (6.6-16.6%). Two compositions could be distinguished: (i) bicyclogermacrene, germacrene D, spathulenol (2/5 samples) and (ii), (E)-β-caryophyllene, α-humulene (3/5 samples).

Discrimination and Characterization of Two Mediterranean Species from the Laurencia Complex (Rhodomelacea) Using an NMR-Based Metabolomic Approach

Generic and specific determination among the Laurencia complex is a challenging task. DNA barcoding combined with phenotypic investigations are mandatory for species differentiation. In this study, two morphologically different members of the Laurencia complex were investigated using untargeted ¹ H-NMR-based metabolomics. Twenty-one population samples were collected in order to evaluate both temporal and geographical homogeneity. Data obtained from ¹ H-NMR analysis followed by statistical analysis allowed a clear separation of all the samples into two groups. DNA mitochondrial tests confirmed this pattern and identified the two species as Laurenciella sp. and Laurencia obtusa. In addition, metabolites responsible of this discrimination were investigated directly in crude extracts by ¹³ C-NMR using an in-house computer-assisted method. The combination of both untargeted (¹ H) and targeted (¹³ C) NMR-based metabolomic approaches proves to be a powerful and complementary approach to discriminate species from the Laurencia complex.

Integrated Analysis by GC(RI), GC-MS and 13C NMR of Fortunella Japonica Leaf Volatiles Obtained by Hydrodistillation, Microwave- assisted Hydrodistillation and Hydrolate Extraction

The chemical composition of the essential oil (EO), microwave extract (ME) and hydrolate extract (HE) from the same batch of leaves of Fortunella japonica, was investigated by combination of chromatographic (GC, CC) and spectroscopic techniques (GC-MS, 13C NMR). F. japonica essential oil and extracts are complex mixtures of 28–60 compounds being mainly oxygenated sesquiterpenes. The EO composition was dominated by germacrene D (14.9%), β-elemol (9.1%), cis-guai-6-en-10p-ol (6.3%), β-eudesmol (5.5%), and δ-elemene (5.2%). Limonene was the unique monoterpene identified at appreciable amount (7.1%). The extract obtained by microwave assisted hydrodistillation contained as main components: β-elemol (12.4%), germacrene D (9.9%), cis-guai-6-en-10β-ol (9.0%), β-eudesmol (8.2%), germacra-1(10),5-dien-4α-ol (7.1%) and α-eudesmol (6.4%). Finally, the highest content of oxygenated sesquiterpenes (near 92%) was found in the hydrolate extract displaying cryptomeridiol (23.3%, but totally absent in the EO and ME), β-eudesmol (20.6%) and α-eudesmol (10.7%). Combined analysis by chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques appeared useful for identification of various sesquiterpenols bearing a tertiary alcohol function.

Integrated Analysis of the Bark Oil from Cinnamosma madagascariensis by GC(RI), GC-MS and NMR. 13C NMR data of Cyclocopacamphene and Cyclosativene

The composition of leaf and bark oils of Cinnamosma madagascariensis has been investigated by a combination of GC (RI), GC-MS and 13C NMR. The leaf oil contained mainly monoterpenes: myrcene (17.9%), limonene (17.8%), β-phellandrene (15.3%) and linalool (12.2%). The bark oil, investigated for the first time, contained β-pinene (49.9%) and α-pinene (19.5%) as major components. Special attention was paid to the identification of cyclocopacamphene, an epimer of cyclosativene. 13C NMR data of both compounds have been provided.

Chemical Composition and In Vitro Evaluation of Antimicrobial, Antioxidant and Antigerminative Properties of the Seed Oil from the Tunisian Endemic Ferula tunetana Pomel ex Batt

Essential oil of the seeds from the endemic Tunisian plant Ferula tunetana Pomel ex Batt. was analyzed for its chemical composition and screened for its antimicrobial, antioxidant and antigerminative properties. The chemical composition of the isolated oil is reported for the first time. According to the GC/FID, GC/MS and ¹³ C-NMR analysis results; 18 compounds were identified accounting for 84.6% of the total oil. The chemical composition of this essential oil was characterized by the presence of a high proportion of monoterpene hydrocarbons (77.3%) followed by oxygenated sesquiterpenes (4.1%) and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (3.2%). α-Pinene (39.8%), β-pinene (11.5%) and (Z)-β-ocimene (7.5%) were the predominant compounds. Moreover, the isolated oil was tested for its antimicrobial activity using the disc-diffusion and the microdilution assays against six Gram-positive and five Gram-negative bacteria as well as towards two Candida species. The isolated oil was tested also for its antioxidant activity against DPPH, ABTS, O2∙ and hydrogen peroxide (H₂ O₂ ), and for its antigerminative potential. It was found that it exhibited interesting antimicrobial activity against Salmonella typhimurium LT2 DT104 (inhibition zone (IZ) 16.2 ± 1.0 mm) and Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579 (IZ 15.8 ± 1.0 mm). However, it exerted a moderate antioxidant activity against H₂ O₂ (IC₅₀ 78.2 ± 2.98 μg/ml) and towards O2∙ (IC₅₀ 89.2 ± 3.82 μg/ml). The antigerminative effect of this oil was also evaluated in this work. Results showed a toxic effect.

Composition and Chemical Variability of Ivoirian Polyalthia oliveri Leaf Oil

The chemical composition of 45 essential oil samples isolated from the leaves of Polyalthia oliveri harvested in three Ivoirian forests was investigated by GC-FID (retention indices measured on two columns of different polarities), and by (13) C-NMR, following a method developed in our laboratory. In total, 41 components were identified. The content of the main components varied drastically from sample to sample: (E)-β-caryophyllene (1.2 - 50.8%), α-humulene (0.6 - 47.7%), isoguaiene (0 - 27.9%), alloaromadendrene (0 - 24.7%), germacrene B (0 - 18.3%), δ-cadinene (0.4 - 19.3%), and β-selinene (0.2 - 18.5%). The analysis of six oil samples selected in function of their chromatographic profiles is reported in detail. The 45 oil compositions were submitted to hierarchical cluster and principal components analysis, which allowed the distinction of three groups within the oil samples. The compositions of the oils from group I (15 samples) and II (12 samples) were dominated by (E)-β-caryophyllene and α-humulene, respectively. Oil samples of group III (18 samples) needed to be partitioned into four subgroups III.1-III.4 whose compositions were dominated by alloaromadenrene, isoguaiene, germacrene B, and δ-cadinene, respectively.

Chemical Variability of Ivoirian Xylopia rubescens Leaf Oil

Forty-two essential oil samples were isolated from leaves of Xylopia rubescens harvested in three forests of Southern Ivory Coast. All the samples have been submitted to GC-FID and the retention indices (RIs) of individual components have been measured on two capillary columns of different polarity. In addition, 20 oil samples, selected on the basis of their chromatographic profile, were also analyzed by ¹³ C-NMR and 24 components (78.0 - 92.4% of the whole compositions) have been identified. The content of the main components varied drastically from sample to sample: furanoguaia-1,4-diene (5.7 - 54.1%), furanoguaia-1,3-diene (1.1 - 10.5%), (8Z,11Z,14Z)-heptadeca-8,11,14-trien-2-one (4.3 - 16.0%), and (E)-β-caryophyllene (1.7 - 17.3%). Hierarchical cluster and principal components analysis of the 42 oil compositions allowed the distinction of two well-differentiated groups of unequal importance within the oil samples. Oil samples of the main group (Group II) contained mainly furanoguaia-1,4-diene (mean [M] = 43.1%; standard deviation [SD] = 3.2%) while furanoguaia-1,3-diene (M = 8.4%; SD = 0.9%) and (8Z,11Z,14Z)-heptadeca-8,11,14-trien-2-one (M = 7.1%; SD = 1.5%) were present at appreciable contents. The composition of Group I was dominated by furanoguaia-1,4-diene (M = 17.0%; SD = 8.5%), (8Z,11Z,14Z)-heptadeca-8,11,14-trien-2-one (M = 10.2%; SD = 2.4%) and (E)-β-caryophyllene (M = 9.5%; SD = 5.3%).

Composition and Chemical Variability of Cleistopholis patens Trunk Bark Oil from Côte d'Ivoire

The chemical composition of trunk bark oil from Cleistopholis patens (Benth.) Engl. & Diels, growing wild in Côte d'Ivoire, has been investigated by GC (FID) in combination with retention indices, GC/MS and ¹³ C-NMR. Moreover, one oil sample has been subjected to CC and all the fractions analyzed by GC (RI) and ¹³ C-NMR. In total, 61 components have been identified, including various sesquiterpene esters scarcely found in essential oils. ¹³ C-NMR was particularly efficient for the identification of a component not eluted on GC and for the quantification of heat-sensitive compounds. Then, 36 oil samples, isolated from trunk bark harvested in six Ivoirian forests have been analyzed. The content of the main components varied drastically from sample to sample: (E)-β-caryophyllene (0.4 - 69.1%), β-pinene (0 - 57%), α-phellandrene (0 - 33.2%), α-pinene (0.1 - 30.6%), β-elemol (0.1 - 29.9%), germacrene D (0 - 25.4%), juvenile hormone III (0 - 22.9%), germacrene B (0 - 20.6%) and sabinene (tr-20.3%). Statistical analysis, hierarchical clustering and principal components analysis, carried out on the 36 compositions evidenced a fair chemical variability of the stem bark oil of this species. Indeed, three clusters have been distinguished: the composition of group I (ten samples) was dominated by β-pinene and α-pinene, group II (nine samples) was represented by α-phellandrene and p-cymene and group III (16 samples) by β-elemol. A sample displayed an atypical composition dominated by (E)-β-caryophyllene.

Composition and Chemical Variability of the Cone Oil from Algerian Tetraclinis articulata

Very little is known about the yield and chemical composition of the essential oil isolated from cones of Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Masters (Cupressaceae). In continuation of our on-going work devoted to the valorisation of medicinal and aromatic plants from Tlemcen Province (North-Western Algeria), cones have been harvested in eight locations (coastal township and highlands) and 40 oil samples have been isolated by hydrodistillation. Six oil samples were analyzed by a combination of chromatographic [GC(Retention indices)] and spectroscopic techniques (GC-MS, 13C NMR). Then, the remaining 34 oil samples were analyzed by [GC(RI)] and 13C NMR and the 40 compositions were submitted to statistical analysis. Essential oil yields varied substantially from sample to sample (0.17 to 1.13%, w/w). The cone oils consisted mainly of monoterpenes, with α-pinene (47.1-73.6%) and limonene (6.5-21.9%) being the main components. (E)-β-Caryophyllene and germacrene D were the major sesquiterpenes. Diterpenes, ( Z) and ( E)-biformene were identified for the first time in T. articulata essential oil. PCA analysis of the data allowed the distinction of two groups, the second group being sub-divided into two sub-groups. Groups and sub-groups were differentiated with respect to their contents of α-pinene and limonene and, to a lesser extent, of sesquiterpenes.

Integrated Analysis of the Wood Oil from Xanthocyparis vietnamensis Farjon & Hiep. by Chromatographic and Spectroscopic Techniques

In order to get better knowledge about the volatiles produced by Xanthocyparis vietnamensis, a species recently discovered in Vietnam, its wood oil has been analyzed by a combination of chromatographic (GC, CC) and spectroscopic (GC-MS, (13)C-NMR) techniques. Forty components that accounted for 87.9% of the oil composition have been identified. The composition is dominated by nootkatene (20.7%), 11,12,13-tri-nor-eremophil-1(10)-en-7-one (17.2%), γ-eudesmol (5.1%), nootkatone (4.7%), valencene (3.5%) and 13-nor-eremophil-1(10)-en-11-one (2.6%). The structure of two new compounds-10-epi-nor-γ-eudesmen-11-one and 12-hydroxy-isodihydroagarofuran-has been elucidated, while 11,12,13-tri-nor-eremophil-1(10)-en-7-ol is reported as a natural product for the first time. The composition of X. vietnamensis wood oil varied drastically from those of leaf oils, dominated by hedycaryol (34.4%), phyllocladene (37.8%) or by pimara-6(14)-15-diene (19.4%).

Chemical Composition of the Fruit Oils of Five Fortunella Species Grown in the Same Pedoclimatic Conditions in Corsica (France)

Fruit oil from five species of kumquat ( Fortunella japonica, F. margarita, F. crassifolia, F. obovata, and F. hindsii) grown in the same pedoclimatic conditions have been analyzed by a combination of chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. The compositions of the five fruit oils were strongly dominated by limonene (84.2–96.3%). Other components present with appreciable contents were myrcene (1.3–12.9%) and germacrene D (0.3–2.4%).

Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of the Essential Oil from Aerial Parts of Algerian Pulicaria Mauritanica

One oil sample isolated from aerial parts of Pulicaria mauritanica Coss. from Western Algeria has been analyzed by GC(RI), GC-MS and 13C NMR. In total, 21 components, accounting for 97.0% of the oil, were identified. Then, 36 oil samples coming from plants harvested at two flowering periods in three locations were analyzed by GC(RI) and 13C NMR. Although all the oil samples exhibited similar composition, dominated by carvotanacetone (89.2–96.1%), the yield of essential oil varied drastically from sample to sample (0.35–1.44%), depending on the location of harvest. The essential oil displayed moderate antimicrobial effect against bacteria, yeast and filamentous fungi (MIC = 2–4 μL/mL).

Chemical Variability of the Essential Oil Isolated from Aerial Parts of Tetraclinis Articulata from North-Western Algeria

The objective was to investigate the yield and chemical composition of 50 essential oil samples isolated from leaves and flowers of Tetraclinis articulata harvested in eight locations (coastal township and highlands) of Tlemcen Province (North-Western Algeria). Essential oil yields varied drastically from sample to sample (0.03 to 0.86%, w/w). No direct correlation was observed between the yield and the altitude of the harvest areas. The oils consisted mainly of monoterpenes: α-pinene (9.2–56.5%), bornyl acetate (1.2–45.1%), camphor (0.5–40.3%), borneol (0.2–12.9%), limonene (3.6–12.5%), and myrcene (1.6–9.7%). Sesquiterpenes were represented by germacrene D (up to 14.2%) and (E)-β-caryophyllene (up to 13.3%). PCA analysis of the data allowed the distinction of two groups within the samples. The composition of group I (9 samples) was dominated by camphor, (Mean = 30.9%) followed by α-pinene (M = 19.1%) and bornyl acetate (M = 11.4%). Group II was divided into two sub-groups. Samples of sub-group IIA (8 samples) contained mainly α-pinene (M = 45.4%). Samples of the largest group IIB (33 samples) were characterized by similar contents of α-pinene (M = 28.2%) and bornyl acetate (M = 24.5%) and the occurrence of camphor to a lesser extent (M = 10.0%).