Rosemary leaves

Dynamic extractions of the organic flavonr and fragrance componnds from dried lavender flowers and rosemary leaves nsing SCCO2 were carried ont. The data from the lavender and rosemary extractions were fitted to a model to prodnce the characteristic extraction cnrve. Using data obtained from rosemary extractions, an extrapolation method derived from the model was used with data from shorter extractions to show that the model provided qnantitative analytical information (Walker et al., 1994). 

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis, Labiatae) is native to southern Europe. Rosemary acts as a mild analgesic and antimicrobial agent in traditional herbal use [95]. The relative amount of carnosol (Di25) in dried rosemary leaves is 3.8-4.6%. Among the antioxidant compounds in rosemary leaves, 90% of the antioxidant activity can be attributed to Di25 and carnosic acid (ll,12-dihydroxy-8,ll,13-abietatrien-20-oic acid)... 

In the case of Rosemary leaves, the values of De required varied more widely with temperature and pressure (values range from about 2.3xl013 mV1 at 50°C and 100 bar, 7xl013 mV1 at 40°C and 100 bar to 3xl012 mV1 at 40°C and 250 bar).We believe that the physically unreasonable rise in De with pressure at 40°C may be due to incomplete miscibility of some of the extracted components with supercritical C02 at 100 bar with consequent break down in model I for this herb at this pressure. However when De was fitted at each pressure and temperature considered a good representation of the data was obtained. 

Zhu, B.T., Loder, D.R, Cai, M.X., Ho, C.-T., Huang, M.-T. and Conney, A.H. 1998. Dietary administration of an extract from rosemary leaves enhances the liver microsomal metabolism of endogenous estrogens and decreases their uterotropic action in CD-I mice. Carcinogenesis. 19 1821-1827. 

Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Rosemary) Leaves SD 2.0 1,8-cineole, geranyl acetate 33,34... 

Method 2 Place dried or fresh Rosemary leaves and flowers—crushed—into Olive or any other flower oil. Place in warm spot and allow to ferment for 3 days. Seal container and place in sun for 6 weeks. Strain solid matter out and seal oil in dark coloured bottle. 

Several methods can be found in the literature to extract antioxidants from aromatic plants among them, SFE and SWE use environmentally friendly solvents (19-24). Only two works have been published dealing with the extraction of antioxidant compounds from plants 24, 25). In our research group we studied the extraction of antioxidants from rosemary leaves using SWE (24) SWE is based on the extraction with hot water under a pressure sufficient to maintain water in the liquid state. In our previous work (24), the possibility of tuning the selectivity for antioxidant extraction by changing water temperature from 100 to 200°C was demonstrated. 

Moreover, different methods have been used to characterize the isolated fractions obtained under SWE conditions of rosemary leaves such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (24) and capillary electrophoresis... 

In conclusion, in this work we demonstrate the excellent capabilities of using ASE to extract compounds with antioxidant activity from natural sources as rosemary leaves and the microalga Spirulina platemis. ASE shows several advantages compared with traditional extraction processes such as 1) it is faster (IS min vs 2-24h in traditional extraction procedures) 2) it has less solvent volume consumption (13 ml vs 30>S00 mL/lOg) 3) it is more efficient (less dependant on matrix) and 4) it is automatic and allows sequential extraction of samples. The use of in-vitro assays and CE coupled to both, DAD and ESI-MS allows obtaining information about the biological and chemical properties of the ASE extracts. 

Similar effects have been reported by Pare and Belanger [5] and by Chen and Spiro [65, 66] after microwave extraction of rosemary leaves in hexane. When the glands were subjected to more severe thermal stresses and localized high pressures, as in microwave heating, pressure build-up within the glands could have exceeded their capacity for expansion and caused their rupture more rapidly than in conventional extraction. 

Several phenolic diterpenoids with antioxidant activities were isolated from rosemary leaves. These include camosol, camosic acid, rosmanol, isorosmanol, and epirosmanol. Camosol showed potent antioxidative activity as revealed by scavenging a,a-diphenyl-(3-picrylhydrazyl free radicals and protection of oxidative DNA damage. In chronic inflammation, cytokines induce the production of nitric oxide, which is converted to DNA-damaging and carcinogenic peroxynitrite. Peroxynitrite is a cytotoxicant with... 

Chen, S.S. and Spiro, M. 1995. Kineties of microwave extraction of rosemary leaves in hexane, ethanol and a hexane and ethanol mixture. Flavour Fragrance J, 10, 101-112. 

As a generalisation CO2 extracts, like those obtained with organic solvents, contain the naturally occurring antioxidants present in some plant materials and are thus protected against oxidation. (Examples of these are the carnoic acid and camosol present in rosemary leaves.)... 

Rosemary leaves are used in European phytomedicine for dyspeptic complaints and as supportive therapy for rheumatic diseases externally for circulatory problems in baths, the herb is used as an external stimulant for increased blood supply to the skin. ... 

Regulatory Status. GRAS ( 182.10 and 182.20). Rosemary leaves are the subject of a positive German therapeutic monograph allowed internally for dyspeptic complaints externally for supportive therapy for rheumatic diseases and circulatory problems. ... 

Rosemary leaves (Rosmarinus officinalis) contain a concentration of essential oil between 1.0-2.5%. This composition may vary noticeably depending on the chemotype... 

---