Crithmum maritimum

The methyl ether of thymol is found in the oil of Crithmum maritimum. It is a liquid of the constitution—... 

Samphire oil is distilled from Crithmum maritimum, L., a plant growing in France, Italy and Sardinia. 

The EO of Crithmum maritimum (=Cachrys maritima, Apiaceae, rock samphire) comprises limonene and y-terpinene with an amount of 22.3% and 22.9%, respectively, as the major components. Two different test methods (TBA assay and a micellar model system where the antioxidative activity in different stages of the oxidative process of the lipid matrix was monitored) were used. Both assays explain the very high activity of this EO. In the TBA assay BHT and a-tocopherol were used as positive standards and the oil showed a better capacity than those substances. Comparable results were obtained by the micellar method system where the EO acts as a protector of the oxidation of linoleic acid and inhibits the formation of conjugated dienes (Ruberto et al., 2000). The modification of LDL by an oxidative process for instance can lead to atherosclerosis. Natural antioxidants such as P-carotene, ascorbic acid, a-tocopherol, EOs, and so on are able to protect LDL against this oxidative modification. y-Terpinene proved itself to be the strongest inhibitor of all used authentic compounds for the formation of TBARS in the Cu -induced lipid oxidation system (Grassmann et al, 2003). So, the addition of y-terpinene to food can possibly stop the oxidative modification of LDL and reduce the atherosclerosis risk. 

Ruberto, G., N.M.T. Baratta, S.G. Deans, and H.J.D. Dorman, 2000. Antioxidant and antimicrobial Foe icMZ m vulgare and Crithmum maritimum essential oils. Planta Med., 66 687-693. 

Crithmum maritimum L. Samphire, marine fennel L V 1, 2 Cunsolo etal. 1993... 

Naturally occurring, e.g. in oil of Crithmum maritimum and Orthodon hadai. Citrus spp., Pulicaria dysenterica. Arnica montana. Gives red or orange products with Ti, W (in cone. H2SO4). Oil with ethereal odour. BP745 211-212°, Bp,5 94-96°. 

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