Winter savory: Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction and mathematical modeling of extraction process

Innovative Strategy for Aroma Stabilization Using Green Solvents: Supercritical CO2 Extracts of Satureja montana Dispersed in Deep Eutectic Solvents

The aim of this work was to establish the potential of natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) for the stabilization of aroma volatile organic compounds from a natural source. Satureja montana was used as a source of volatile components, as it is rich in terpenes of great commercial and biological importance, such as carvacrol, thymol, and thymoquinone, among others. Supercritical CO₂ was used to extract the lipophilic fraction of S. montana, which was further directly dispersed in NADES. The stabilizing capacity of seven different NADES based on betaine and glycerol was analyzed. The stability of the components in NADES was monitored by analyzing the headspace profile during 6 months of storage at room temperature. The changes in the headspace profile over time were analyzed by using different statistical and chemometric tools and the Wilcoxon matched pair test. It was determined that alterations over time occurred such as degradation and oxidation, and they were the most prominent in the control. In addition, the indicator of decreased stability of the control was the formation of the new compounds that could compromise the quality of the product. In the stabilized NADES samples, the changes were significantly less prominent, indicating that the NADES had a stabilizing effect on the volatile compounds. According to Wilcoxon matched pair test, the most efficient stability was achieved by using betaine/ethylene glycol, glycerol/glucose, and betaine/sorbitol/water. Therefore, by applying two green solvents, a sustainable approach for obtaining pure and high-quality S. montana extracts with extended stability at room temperature was established.

Carvacrol Arrests the Proliferation of Hypopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells by Suppressing Ornithine Decarboxylase and Hyaluronidase Activities

Carvacrol, a monoterpene known for its pharmacological activities, is present in the essential oil of Origanum majorana, Origanum vulgare, Thymus vulgaris, and Lippia graveolens. It is used in food as a flavoring and preservative agent in cosmetics and medicines because of its useful bioactivities in clinical practice. However, carvacrol was not much explored for its anticancer potential. Targeting enzymes involved in carcinogenesis, such as ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), lipoxygenase-5 (LOX-5), and hyaluronidase (HYAL) by monoterpenes are amongst the efficient approaches for cancer prevention and treatment. In this study, the efficacy of carvacrol was investigated against deregulated cancer biomarkers/targets in organ-specific human cancer cell lines (FaDu, K562, and A549) utilizing in vitro, in silico, and in vivo approaches. The efficacy of carvacrol was evaluated on human cancer cell lines using neutral red uptake (NRU), sulpho rhodamine B (SRB), and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. The mechanistic study was carried out in cell-based test systems. Further, the potency of carvacrol was confirmed by the quantitative real-time PCR analysis and molecular docking studies. The in vivo anti-tumor potential of carvacrol was performed on mice S-180 model, and the toxicity examination was accomplished through in silico approach. Carvacrol significantly impeded the growth of FaDu, K562, and A549 cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 9.61 ± 0.05 to 81.32 ± 11.83 μM. Further, the efficacy of carvacrol was explored against different cancer targets in FaDu, K562, and A549 cell lines. Carvacrol inhibits the ODC, COX-2, LOX-5, and HYAL activities in FaDu cell line and ODC, COX-2, and HYAL activities in K562 cell line. The results were validated by expression analysis revealing the downregulation of the targeted gene with a significant change in the transcript level of ODC and HYAL in FaDu cell line with a fold change of 1.56 and 1.61, respectively. A non-significant effect of carvacrol was observed on the downstream signaling pathway of PI3K and HIF-1α/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in FaDu cells. The cell cycle, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) experiments demonstrate that carvacrol induces apoptosis of FaDu cells. Further, the potency of carvacrol was also evaluated in vivo on mice S-180 tumor model, wherein it inhibits tumor growth (72%) at 75 mg/kg body weight (bw). ADMET studies predicted carvacrol as a safe molecule. Overall, carvacrol delayed the growth of FaDu, K562, and A549 cell lines by targeting enzymes involved in the carcinogenesis process. The existence of one hydroxyl group at the para position of carvacrol could be responsible for the anti-proliferative activity. Thus, carvacrol could be used as a pharmacophore to develop a safe and effective multi-targeted anti-cancer medicament.

Xylochemicals and where to find them

This article surveys a range of important platform and high value chemicals that may be considered primary and secondary 'xylochemicals'. A summary of identified xylochemical substances and their natural sources is provided in tabular form. In detail, this review is meant to provide useful assistance for the consideration of potential synthetic strategies using xylochemicals, new methodologies and the development of potentially sustainable, xylochemistry-based processes. It should support the transition from petroleum-based approaches and help to move towards more sustainability within the synthetic community. This feasible paradigm shift is demonstrated with the total synthesis of natural products and active pharmaceutical ingredients as well as the preparation of organic molecules suitable for potential industrial applications.

Evaluating the Antifungal Potential of Botanical Compounds to Control Botryotinia fuckeliana and Rhizoctonia solani

The European Union is promoting regulatory changes to ban fungicides because of the impact their use has on the ecosystem and the adverse effects they can pose for humans. An ecofriendly alternative to these chemicals to fight against fungal species with low toxicity is essential oils and their compounds extracted from aromatic plants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antifungal capacity of the botanical compounds eugenol, carvacrol, thymol, and cinnamaldehyde, and the synergy or antagonism of their mixtures, against Botryotinia fuckeliana and Rhizoctonia solani. Different bioassays were performed at doses of 300, 200, 150, and 100 µg/mL using pure commercial compounds and their combination in potato dextrose agar culture medium. Growth rate and the mycelium growth inhibition parameters were calculated. Phenolic compounds and their combination inhibited the development of species at the different concentrations, with fungicidal or fungistatic activity shown under almost all the tested conditions. When comparing the growth rates of the species in the control plates and treatments, the statistical analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences. The mixture of compounds improved fungicidal activity against the studied species and at a lower concentration of monoterpenes.

Plant Extracts Obtained with Green Solvents as Natural Antioxidants in Fresh Meat Products

Plants are rich in bioactive compounds (BACs), mainly polyphenols, which are valuable choices to replace synthetic antioxidants in meat products. These natural antioxidants from plants, in the form of extracts and essential oils (EOs), have been obtained from different sources such as fruits (dragon fruit, guarana, pomegranate), vegetables, (cabbage, onion), herbs, and spices (epazote, ginger, rosemary, sage, thyme, turmeric, winter savory) by several extraction processes. However, in the context of current directives there is a notable incentive for “green” solvents to replace organic ones and conventional techniques, in order to avoid harm to the environment, operator, and consumer health. In addition, the recycling of co-products from the processing of these plant materials allow us to obtain valuable BACs from under-exploited materials, contributing to the revalorization of these wastes. The resulting extracts allow us to maintain the quality of meat products, exhibiting similar or better antioxidant properties compared to those shown by synthetic ones. Their incorporation in fresh meat products would maintain the oxidative stability, stabilizing colour parameters, decreasing the formation of metmyoglobin, lipid, and protein oxidation and the generation of lipid-derived volatile compounds, without affecting sensory attributes. In addition, these novel ingredients contribute to improve both technological and functional characteristics, thus diversifying the offer of so-called “wellness foods”. In this review, the application of plant extracts as natural antioxidants in several fresh meat products is presented, showing their efficacy as scavenging radicals and imparting additional health benefits.

Evaluation of Anticancer Activity of Satureja montana Supercritical and Spray-Dried Extracts on Ehrlich's Ascites Carcinoma Bearing Mice

Satureja montana herbal species belongs to aromatic medicinal plants with a significant place in traditional medicine. However, products produced with conventional procedures do not meet the requirements of the modern market which include environmentally-safe processes that provide quality, safe, and standardized products. In this study, the antiproliferative activity of S. montana extracts obtained by supercritical carbon dioxide and solid-liquid extraction followed by spray drying was investigated using the in vivo model of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) in mice. The impact of two concentrations of extracts on the growth of tumor and the redox status of malignant cells was monitored. It was determined that the extracts induced oxidative stress in the malignant cells which was confirmed by the changes in activity of biochemical indicators of oxidative stress. The posttreatment was not an efficient approach, while the extracts applied as pretreatment and treatment resulted in an increase in the xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity, a decrease in catalase (CAT) activity, and an increase in the intensity of lipid peroxidation (LPx). Furthermore, a decrease in the values of reduced glutathione (GSH) and an increase in glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) in EAC cells were recorded.

A Glimpse into the Extraction Methods of Active Compounds from Plants

Naturally active compounds are usually contained inside plants and materials thereof. Thus, the extraction of the active compounds from plants needs appropriate extraction methods. The commonly employed extraction methods are mostly based on solid-liquid extraction. Frequently used conventional extraction methods such as maceration, heat-assisted extraction, Soxhlet extraction, and hydrodistillation are often criticized for large solvent consumption and long extraction times. Therefore, many advanced extraction methods incorporating various technologies such as ultrasound, microwaves, high pressure, high voltage, enzyme hydrolysis, innovative solvent systems, adsorption, and mechanical forces have been studied. These advanced extraction methods are often better than conventional methods in terms of higher yields, higher selectivity, lower solvent consumption, shorter processing time, better energy efficiency, and potential to avoid organic solvents. They are usually designed to be greener, more sustainable, and environment friendly. In this review, we have critically described recently developed extraction methods pertaining to obtaining active compounds from plants and materials thereof. Main factors that affect the extraction performances are tuned, and extraction methods are chosen in line with the properties of targeted active compounds or the objectives of extraction. The review also highlights the advancements in extraction procedures by using combinations of extraction methods to obtain high overall yields or high purity extracts.

Effect of High Hydrostatic Pressure Extraction on Biological Activities and Phenolics Composition of Winter Savory Leaf Extracts

Satureja montana L. has several biological properties related to its diverse composition of secondary metabolites. Nevertheless, it has been mainly studied for its essential oil, with only a few studies on the profile and bioactivities of the bioactive compounds from its leaf extracts being reported. This work aimed to study the antioxidant activity (by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay), antimicrobial minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC) determination, antibiofilm (by colorimetry), impact upon DNA (anti- and pro-oxidant assay), and cytotoxicity (by cell metabolism viability assays) of S. montana extracts obtained by high-pressure-assisted extraction (HPE). The extract obtained at 348 MPa, 35% (v/v) ethanol presented the highest concentration of individual phenolic compounds, and a minimum bactericidal concentration of 20 mg/mL against Listeria monocytogenes. HPE extracts showed antioxidant activity not only in ORAC but they were also able to prevent/attenuate peroxide-induced damage upon DNA. Moreover, on its own, HPE extract induced less oxidative damage than the control extract. Concerning the cytotoxicity, HPE extracts (at 0.5 and 1.0 mg/mL) were not harmful to HT29 cell lines, while control extracts (obtained at atmospheric pressure) at higher concentrations (>1.0 mg/mL) slightly reduced the metabolism of the cells. Finally, all extracts showed inhibition of the viability of 3 cancerous cell lines (>2.0 mg/mL for Caco-2, HeLa, and TR146) to below 15%.

Application of Deep Eutectic Solvents for the Extraction of Rutin and Rosmarinic Acid from Satureja montana L. and Evaluation of the Extracts Antiradical Activity

Satureja montana L. was used in the current research as the plant exhibits numerous health-promoting benefits due to its specific chemical composition. The extraction method based on deep eutectic solvents (DESs) was used for the extraction of rutin and rosmarinic acid from this plant. Five different choline chloride-based DESs with different volumes of water (10%, 30%, and 50% (v/v)) were used for the extraction at different temperatures (30, 50, and 70 °C) to investigate the influence on rosmarinic acid and rutin content obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD) in the obtained extracts. A principal component analysis was employed to explore and visualize the influence of applied parameters on the efficiency of the extraction procedure of rutin and rosmarinic acid. Among the tested DESs, choline chloride:lactic acid (mole ratio 1:2) and choline chloride:levulinic acid (mole ratio 1:2) were the most suitable for the extraction of rutin, while for rosmarinic acid choline chloride:urea (mole ratio 1:2) was the most effective solvent. The extract showing the best antiradical activity was obtained with choline chloride:urea (mole ratio 1:1) at 30 °C and 50% H₂O (v/v).

Extraction of Galphimines from Galphimia glauca with Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

The anti-depressive and anxiolytic effect of galphimine B (isolated from Galphimia glauca) has been demonstrated by researchers. Therefore, it is necessary to explore extraction techniques that produce materials with adequate quality for pharmaceutical applications. In this work, supercritical extractions of galphimines from Galphimia glauca were performed in the presence of carbon dioxide. Pressure, temperature, particle diameter, and flow rate effects were examined to explore the conditions with the highest yield and the concentration profile of galphimines in the studied interval. The identification of the nor-seco triterpenoids and galphimine B and E was carried out by HPLC analyses. The mathematical modeling of the extraction curves was attained by the approaches proposed by Sovová and Papamichail et al. According to results, the highest yield 2.22% was obtained at 323.15 K, 326 μm, 3 L/min, and 33.75 MPa. Meanwhile, the content of galphimine B in the extract was, on average, 19.5 mg·g⁻¹.

Antimicrobial Activity of Six Essential Oils Against a Group of Human Pathogens: A Comparative Study

Essential oils are concentrated natural extracts derived from plants, which were proved to be good sources of bioactive compounds with antioxidative and antimicrobial properties. This study followed the effect of some commonly used essential oils in micellar and aqueous extract on some of the most common pathogenic bacteria. Frankincense, myrtle, thyme, lemon, oregano and lavender essential oils were tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Both micellar and aqueous extracts were used for determination of their minimal inhibitory (MIC) and bactericidal concentrations (MBC). The most active oils were oregano, thyme, lemon and lavender, while the least active were frankincense and myrtle. Oregano oil presented up to 64 times lower MICs/MBCs than ethylic alcohol, if considered as standard, on all bacteria. Most susceptible bacteria were the Gram-positive cocci, including methicillin resistant S. aureus, while the most resistant was P. aeruginosa. With some exceptions, the best activity was achieved by micelles suspension of essential oils, with MICs and MBCs ranging from 0.1% to > 50% v/v. Only oregano and lavender aqueous extracts presented bactericidal activity and only on K. pneumoniae (MIC = 6.3%). Thyme, lemon and oregano oils present significantly lower overall average MICs for their micellar form than for their aqueous extracts. The present results may suggest some formulas of colloid or micelle suspensions of whole essential oils such as oregano, thyme or lemon oil, that may help in antimicrobial fight. Aqueous extracts of oregano or thyme oil with good antibacterial activity could also be used in selected cases.