Essential oils herbs investigation

The antioxidant activity of rosemary and sage (leaves and extracts) were most effectively investigated [96,97], Traditional extracts of spices and herbs are obtained by steam distillation (essential oil) or by extracting the botanical with solvents such as alcohol, hexane, or acetone, and removing the solvents by evaporation. The SFE process for production of the inherent natural antioxidants is now the most gentle and effective method [70],... 

Ishikawa et al. (2003) could obtain 33 compounds, including two new monoterpenoids, four new monoterpenoid glycosides, two new monoterpenoid glucoside sulphates and two new aromatic compound glycosides, from the water-soluble portion of the methanol extract of coriander fruit. Their structures were clarified by spectral investigation. The major constituents of coriander essential oils (dried fruits, herb prior to flowering and flowering herb) are listed below. 

There have been a number of reports on the essential oil composition of the above mentioned cilantro mimics however, there is limited information on the characteristic aroma-active components of the fresh herbs. The following investigation was undertaken to identify and compare the characteristic aroma components of fresh leaves of C sativum, E. foetidum, and P. odoratum. The essential oils from seeds of these plants differ significantly from that obtained from the green, leafy (herb) parts of the plant (the essential oil of the seeds of C sativum is contains mostly linalool) and will not be addressed in this investigation. 

To investigate the potential of the SEME technique, comparisons have been made with hydrodistillation for extraction of essential oil from spices - ajowan Carum ajowan Apiaceae), cumin (Cuminum cyminum Umbdliferae), star anise Illicium anisatum Illiciaceae) - and from fresh aromatic herbs - basil ( Ocimum basilicum Labiaceae), crispate mint [Mentha crispa Labiaceae), thyme (Thymus vulgaris Labia-ceae) [59, 60]. The yields of essential oil and their chemical composition for the two extraction methods are reported in Table 22.4. 

The picture is somewhat similar for peppermint. According to investigations of Murray et al. (1988), components of the essential oil distilled from the stolons are highly comparable with the shoot oil. Major compounds of the stolon oil were menthofuran (46.1%), menthyl acetate (24.5%), and menthol (11.4%), which re ect only quantitative differences compared to the oil distilled from the herb or the leaves. These data refer to a relatively uniform biosynthetic process of these terpenoids in the whole shoot system developing underground or overground. 

Investigation of the Essential Oils of Herbs and Spices—A Mini-Research Project... 

It is reasonable to suppose that small amounts of terpenes are absorbed and metabolized continuously in the body, since many of them are components of essential oils and of various herbs and plants used for medicinal or culinary purposes. These products no doubt contribute to a slight extent to the normal output of glucuronic acid, although no report was found in the literature that terpene derivatives or their glucuronosides are found in the normal urine. Those members of the group that are commonly used in pharmaceutical preparations have received considerable investigation and an increase in the urinary output of glucuronic acid has been found to occur almost invariably when these compounds are administered to experimental animals. 

---