Formulation of quinoa oil-alginate loaded nanoemulsion and its anticancer efficacy as a therapy for chemically induced breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Quinoa seeds (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) have gained interest due to their naturally occurring phytochemicals and antioxidants. They possess potent anticancer properties against human colorectal cancer. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fatty acids in quinoa oil were studied using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Rats were used to test the acute oral toxicity of the nanoemulsion loaded with sodium alginate. The DPPH radical scavenging method was employed to assess the nanoemulsion's ability to scavenge free radicals. It was examined the in vivo anticancer potential of quinoa oil nanoemulsion on rats with breast cancer induced by 7, 12-dimethylbenz (a) anthracene (DMBA). DMBA-breast cancer models received daily quinoa oil nanoemulsions for 30 days. The anticancer effect of the nanoemulsion was assessed by measuring ROS, protein carbonyl, gene expression of anti-oncogenes, and histopathological analysis. Supplying quinoa oil nanoemulsion significantly reduced the increase in serum ROS and PC levels induced in breast cancer tissue. The expression levels of antioncogenes in breast cancer tissue were decreased by the quinoa oil nanoemulsion. Nanoemulsions also improved the cellular morphology of breast tumors. CONCLUSION: The study results indicate that quinoa oil nanoemulsion has anticancer activity against breast cancer, effectively modulating oxidative stress markers, anti-oncogene expressions, and tissue architecture. It can be inferred from the results that quinoa oil nanoemulsion is a chemoprotective medication that may hinder breast cancer progression in rats.

Effectiveness of different antioxidants in suppressing the evolution of thermally induced peroxidation products in hemp seed oil.

Several scientific studies have warned that the ingestion of dietary lipid oxidation products (LOPs) may initiate or exacerbate the development of several chronic non-communicable diseases in humans. Indeed, the constantly increasing consumption of culinary oils by larger global populations indicates the need for scientific techniques to suppress the evolution of LOPs in thermo-oxidised oils. This study employed a 600.13 MHz frequency NMR spectrometer in evaluating the effect of 10, 50, and 100 ppm concentrations of chemical compounds reported to have antioxidant properties in continuously-stirred and thermally stressed polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-rich hemp seed oil at a frying temperature of 180℃ for 180 min. Research data acquired showed that the antioxidants α- and γ-tocopherol, γ-oryzanol, ß-carotene, eugenol, resveratrol, ascorbyl palmitate, gentisic acid, and L-ascorbic acid all played a vital role in suppressing the evolution of secondary aldehydic lipid oxidation products in hemp seed oil. However, the most ineffective LOP-suppressing agent was L-lysine, an observation which may be accountable by its poor oil solubility. Nonetheless, trends deduced for compounds acting as antioxidants were mainly unique for each class of agent tested. Conversely, the antioxidant capacity of resveratrol was consistently higher, and this effect was found to be independent of its added amounts. This report provides a direct approach in developing scientific methods for the suppression of LOPs in thermo-oxidatively susceptible PUFA-rich cooking oils.

Extraction of geraniol from palmarosa oil using hydrotropic solvents / Extracción de geraniol del aceite de palmarosa utilizando solventes hidrotrópicos

The extraction of geraniol from palmarosa oil using hydrotropic solvents was investigated. Palmarosa oil possesses an appealing rose aroma and properties like anti - inflammatory, antifungal, and antioxidant due to the presence of geraniol. The extraction of geraniol from palmarosa oil by using distillation methods like steam dis tillation and fractional distillation was a laborious process. So hydrotropes were tried for extraction. The geraniol yield and purity depend on parameters like concentration of hydrotrope, solvent volume ratio, and time period. Using the Box Benkhem Desig n (BBD), the extraction process was optimized. One of the major advantages of using hydrotropic solvents is that they were classified as green solvents, and recovery of solvents is also possible. To reduce the extraction time probe sonication is carried ou t. Different hydrotropic solvents with probe sonication are done on palmarosa oil by altering various process parameters to study the separation, yield, and purity.

Se investigó la extracción de geraniol del aceite de palmarosa utilizando solventes hidrotrópicos. El aceite de palmarosa posee un atractivo aroma a rosa y propiedades antiinflamatorias, antifúngicas y antioxidantes debido a la pr esencia de geraniol. La extracción de geraniol del aceite de palmarosa mediante métodos de destilación como la destilación por vapor y la destilación fraccionada ha sido un proceso laborioso. Por lo tanto, se probaron los hidrotropos para la extracción. El rendimiento y la pureza del geraniol dependen de parámetros como la concentración del hidrotropo, la relación de volumen del solvente y el período de tiempo. Se optimizó el proceso de extracción usando el diseño Box Benkhem (BBD). Una de las principales v entajas de usar solventes hidrotrópicos es que se clasifican como solventes verdes y también es posible recuperar los solventes. Para reducir el tiempo de extracción, se lleva a cabo una sonda de ultrasonido. Se realizan diferentes solventes hidrotropos co n sonda de ultrasonido en el aceite de palmarosa alterando varios parámetros del proceso para estudiar la separación, el rendimiento y la pureza.

The chemical profiles and cytotoxicity of gaharu bouya oil from Borneo's Gonystylus bancanus wood.

Gaharu bouya oil obtained from distillation of the woods from Gonystylus genus has attracted essential oil industry interest. However, the information about gaharu bouya essential oil profile is limited. The presence of Gonystylus species is also critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. Therefore, exploring the -omics profiles of Gonystylus bancanus, a native plant from Borneo Island, is important for Indonesia to conserve the population. This research investigated the metabolite profiling of G. bancanus oil, especially the volatile components of its essential oils. Distillations were performed in two technical ways: hydrodistillation on a laboratory scale and steam distillation on an industrial scale. According to LC-MS and GC-MS profiles, both essential oils displayed similar chemical compositions. This article also discusses the similarity of the chemical contents of gaharu bouya oil and agarwood oil from the gaharu superior type (Aquilaria) to support the value of the oil. This research also investigated the cytotoxicity of gaharu bouya oil against three cell lines: HeLa, MCF-7, and HT-29.

Microencapsulation of apricot kernel oil: Utilization of mushroom by-product as an emulsifier in oil-in-water emulsion.

The present study investigated mushroom by-products as a substitute for emulsifiers in the microencapsulation of apricot kernel oil. Mushroom by-product emulsions were more viscous and had higher centrifugal (85.88±1.19 %) and kinetic (90.52±0.98 %) stability than control emulsions (Tween 20 was used as emulsifier). Additionally, spray-drying mushroom by-product emulsions yielded a high product yield (62.56±1.11 %). Furthermore, the oxidative stability of powder products containing mushroom by-products was observed to be higher than that of the control samples. For an accelerated oxidation test, the samples were kept at various temperatures (20, 37, and 60 °C). TOTOX values were assessed as indicators of oxidation, with values exceeding 30 indicating oxidation of the samples. Of the samples stored at 60 °C, the non-microencapsulated apricot kernel oil oxidized by the fifth day (41.12±0.13 TOTOX value), whereas the powder samples containing the mushroom by-products remained unoxidized until the end of the tenth day (37.05±0.08 TOTOX value). This study revealed that mushroom by-products could be a viable alternative for synthetic emulsifiers in the microencapsulation of apricot kernel oil. It has been observed that using mushroom by-products instead of synthetic emulsifiers in oil microencapsulation can also delay oxidative degradation in microencapsulated powders.

Splenic Elemental Composition of Breast Cancer-Suffering Rats Supplemented with Pomegranate Seed Oil and Bitter Melon Extract.

The aim of this study was to investigate how dietary modifications with pomegranate seed oil (PSO) and bitter melon aqueous extract (BME) affect mineral content in the spleen of rats both under normal physiological conditions and with coexisting mammary tumorigenesis. The diet of Sprague-Dawley female rats was supplemented either with PSO or with BME, or with a combination for 21 weeks. A chemical carcinogen (7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene) was applied intragastrically to induce mammary tumors. In the spleen of rats, the selected elements were determined with a quadrupole mass spectrometer with inductively coupled plasma ionization (ICP-MS). ANOVA was used to evaluate differences in elemental composition among experimental groups. Multivariate statistical methods were used to discover whether some subtle dependencies exist between experimental factors and thus influence the element content. Experimental factors affected the splenic levels of macroelements, except for potassium. Both diet modification and the cancerogenic process resulted in significant changes in the content of Fe, Se, Co, Cr, Ni, Al, Sr, Pb, Cd, B, and Tl in rat spleen. Chemometric analysis revealed the greatest impact of the ongoing carcinogenic process on the mineral composition of the spleen. The obtained results may contribute to a better understanding of peripheral immune organ functioning, especially during the neoplastic process, and thus may help develop anticancer prevention and treatment strategies.

A Comparison between Bulgarian Tanacetum parthenium Essential Oil from Two Different Locations.

Tanacetum parthenium L. (Asteraceae) is a perennial herbaceous plant with a long-standing historical use in traditional medicine. Recently Tanacetum parthenium L. essential oil has been associated with a promising potential for future applications in the pharmaceutical industry, in the cosmetics industry, and in agriculture. Investigations on the essential oil (EO) have indicated antimicrobial, antioxidant, and repellent activity. The present study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition of Bulgarian T. parthenium essential oil from two different regions, to compare the results to those reported previously in the literature, and to point out some of its future applications. The essential oils of the air-dried flowering aerial parts were obtained by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus. The chemical composition was evaluated using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). It was established that the oxygenated monoterpenes were the predominant terpene class, followed by the monoterpene hydrocarbons. Significant qualitative and quantitative differences between both samples were revealed. Camphor (50.90%), camphene (16.12%), and bornyl acetate (6.05%) were the major constituents in the feverfew EO from the western Rhodope Mountains, while in the EO from the central Balkan mountains camphor (45.54%), trans-chrysanthenyl acetate (13.87%), and camphene (13.03%) were the most abundant components.

Green Synthesis of Blumea balsamifera Oil Nanoemulsions Stabilized by Natural Emulsifiers and Its Effect on Wound Healing.

In this study, we developed a green and multifunctional bioactive nanoemulsion (BBG-NEs) of Blumea balsamifera oil using Bletilla striata polysaccharide (BSP) and glycyrrhizic acid (GA) as natural emulsifiers. The process parameters were optimized using particle size, PDI, and zeta potential as evaluation parameters. The physicochemical properties, stability, transdermal properties, and bioactivities of the BBG-NEs under optimal operating conditions were investigated. Finally, network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to elucidate the potential molecular mechanism underlying its wound-healing properties. After parameter optimization, BBG-NEs exhibited excellent stability and demonstrated favorable in vitro transdermal properties. Furthermore, it displayed enhanced antioxidant and wound-healing effects. SD rats wound-healing experiments demonstrated improved scab formation and accelerated healing in the BBG-NE treatment relative to BBO and emulsifier groups. Pharmacological network analyses showed that AKT1, CXCL8, and EGFR may be key targets of BBG-NEs in wound repair. The results of a scratch assay and Western blotting assay also demonstrated that BBG-NEs could effectively promote cell migration and inhibit inflammatory responses. These results indicate the potential of the developed BBG-NEs for antioxidant and skin wound applications, expanding the utility of natural emulsifiers. Meanwhile, this study provided a preliminary explanation of the potential mechanism of BBG-NEs to promote wound healing through network pharmacology and molecular docking, which provided a basis for the mechanistic study of green multifunctional nanoemulsions.

Green Preparation and Antibacterial Activity Evaluation of AgNPs-Blumea balsamifera Oil Nanoemulsion.

Bacterial infection is a thorny problem, and it is of great significance to developing green and efficient biological antibacterial agents that can replace antibiotics. This study aimed to rapidly prepare a new type of green antibacterial nanoemulsion containing silver nanoparticles in one step by using Blumea balsamifera oil (BBO) as an oil phase and tea saponin (TS) as a natural emulsifier and reducing agent. The optimum preparation conditions of the AgNPs@BBO-TS NE were determined, as well as its physicochemical properties and antibacterial activity in vitro being investigated. The results showed that the average particle size of the AgNPs@BBO-TS NE was 249.47 ± 6.23 nm, the PDI was 0.239 ± 0.003, and the zeta potential was -35.82 ± 4.26 mV. The produced AgNPs@BBO-TS NE showed good stability after centrifugation and 30-day storage. Moreover, the AgNPs@BBO-TS NE had an excellent antimicrobial effect on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These results demonstrated that the AgNPs@BBO-TS NE produced in this study can be used as an efficient and green antibacterial agent in the biomedical field.

Alginate Films Enriched in Raspberry and/or Black Currant Seed Oils as Active Food Packaging.

Alginate films plasticized with glycerol and enriched in raspberry and/or black currant seed oils were prepared via casting solution techniques. The intention was to create active films for food packaging where antioxidants in a film would deactivate oxidants in a packed product or its surroundings, improving conditions inside packaging and extending the shelf life of such a product. The prepared materials were characterized by physicochemical, spectroscopic, mechanical, water vapor transmission (WVTR), and antioxidant activity analysis. Infrared spectra of the alginate films with oils were similar to those without the additive; the band with a maximum at about 1740 cm-1 stood out. The prepared materials with oils were thicker, contained less water, were more yellow, and were less permeable to water vapor. Moreover, the presence of the oil in the films resulted in a slightly lower Young's modulus and lower stress at break values but higher strain at break. The antioxidant capacity of raspberry seed oil itself was about five times higher than that of black currant seed oil, and a similar trend was noticed for films modified with these oils. The results indicated that both oils could be used as active substances with antioxidant properties in food packaging.

Shoots and Turions of Aquatic Plants as a Source of Fatty Acids.

BACKGROUND: Fatty acids are essential for human health. Currently, there is a search for alternative sources of fatty acids that could supplement such sources as staple crops or fishes. Turions of aquatic plants accumulate a variety of substances such as starch, free sugars, amino acids, reserve proteins and lipids. Our aim is to see if turions can be a valuable source of fatty acids. METHODS: Overwintering shoots and turions of aquatic carnivorous plants were collected. The plant material was extracted with hexane. The oils were analyzed using a gas chromatograph with mass spectrometer. RESULTS: The dominant compound in all samples was linolenic acid. The oil content was different in turions and shoots. The oil content of the shoots was higher than that of the turions, but the proportion of fatty acids in the oils from the shoots was low in contrast to the oils from the turions. The turions of Utricularia species were shown to be composed of about 50% fatty acids. CONCLUSIONS: The turions of Utricularia species can be used to obtain oil with unsaturated fatty acids. In addition, the high fatty acid content of turions may explain their ability to survive at low temperatures.

Fabrication of Human Milk Fat Substitute: Based on the Similarity Evaluation Model and Computer Software.

We aimed to obtain the optimal formula for human milk fat substitute (HMFS) through a combination of software and an evaluation model and further verify its practicability through an animal experiment. The results showed that a total of 33 fatty acid (FA) and 63 triglyceride (TAG) molecular species were detected in vegetable oils. Palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, 18:1/16:0/18:1, 18:2/16:0/18:2, 18:1/18:1/18:1 and 18:1/18:2/18:1, were the main molecular species among the FAs and TAGs in the vegetable oils. Based on the HMFS evaluation model, the optimal mixed vegetable oil formula was blended with 21.3% palm oil, 2.8% linseed oil, 2.6% soybean oil, 29.9% rapeseed oil and 43.4% maize oil, with the highest score of 83.146. Moreover, there was no difference in the weight, blood routine indices or calcium and magnesium concentrations in the feces of the mice between the homemade mixed vegetable oil (HMVO) group and the commercial mixed vegetable oil (CMVO) group, while nervonic acid (C24:1) and octanoic acid (C8:0) were absorbed easily in the HMVO group. Therefore, these results demonstrate that the mixing of the different vegetable oils was feasible via a combination of computer software and an evaluation model and provided a new way to produce HMFS.

Characterization and pharmacokinetics of cinnamon and star anise compound essential oil pellets prepared via centrifugal granulation technology.

Cinnamon and star anise essential oils are extracted from natural plants and provide a theoretical basis for the development and clinical application of compound essential oil pellets. However, cinnamon oil and star anise oil have the characteristics of a pungent taste, extreme volatility, poor palatability, and unstable physical and chemical properties, which limit their clinical use in veterinary medicine. In this study, the inhibitory effects of cinnamon oil and star anise oil on Escherichia coli and Salmonella were measured. Compound essential oil pellets were successfully prepared by centrifugal granulation technology. Subsequently, the in vitro dissolution of the pellets and their pharmacokinetics in pigs were investigated. The results showd that, cinnamon and star anise oils showed synergistic or additive inhibitiory effects on Escherichia coli and Salmonella. The oil pellets had enteric characteristics in vitro and high dissolution in vitro. The pharmacokinetic results showed that the pharmacokinetic parameters Cmax and AUC were directly correlated with the dosage and showed linear pharmacokinetic characteristics, which provided a theoretical basis for the development and clinical application of compound essential oil pellets.

Microemulsions based on Acer truncatum seed oil and its fatty acids: fabrication, rheological property, and stability.

AIMS: To construct the microemulsion delivery system (ME) loading ATSO and NA and study their physicochemical characteristics to enhance their stability and water solubility. METHODS: By plotting ternary phase diagrams, the composition and proportions of the MEs were determined. The physicochemical characteristics and stability of MEs were evaluated by mean diameter, polydispersity index (PDI), pH, electrical conductivity, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), rheological behaviour measurement, and phase inversion temperature (PIT). RESULTS: The MEs was composed with EL-40 as a surfactant and specifically with the addition of ethanol as a cosurfactant in NA-loaded ME. The mean diameters of ATSO-loaded ME and NA-loaded ME were 39.65 ± 0.24 nm and 32.90 ± 2.65 nm, and PDI were 0.49 ± 0.01 and 0.28 ± 0.14, respectively. The TEM confirmed the spherical and smooth morphology of MEs. The rheological results indicated that MEs are dilatant fluids with the advantages of low viscosity, high fluidity, and tolerance to temperature fluctuations. The mean diameter and PDI of MEs showed no significant change after storage at 25 °C for 28 days and centrifugation. CONCLUSION: The prepared microemulsions could expand the application prospects of ATSO and NA products in cosmetics, medicine, foods and other fields.

Impact of extraction method on the lipids of Himalayan marmot oil with ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry analysis.

RATIONALE: Himalayan marmot oil (SPO) has been used for pharmaceutical purposes for centuries, but its composition is still unclear. The bioactivity of SPO highly depends on the techniques used for its processing. This study focused on the comprehensive lipidomics of SPO, especially on the ones derived from dry rendering, wet rendering, cold pressing, and ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction. METHODS: We performed lipid profiling of SPO acquired by different extraction methods using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry, and 17 classes of lipids (2 BMPs, 12 LysoPCs, 9 LysoPEs, 41 PCs, 24 PEs, 23 Plasmenyl-PCs, 10 Plasmenyl-PEs, 10 MGs, 63 DGs, 187 TGs, 2 MGDGs, 3 Cer[NDS]s, 22 Cer[NS]s, 2 GlcCer[NS]s, 14 SMs, 14 CEs, and 6 AcylCarnitines) were characterized. RESULTS: Fifty-five lipids were differentially altered (VIP > 1.5, p < 0.05) between the extraction techniques, which can be used as potential biomarkers to differentiate SPO extracted by various methods. Additionally, the contents of oleic acid and arachidic acid were abundant in all samples that may suggest their medicinal values and are conducive to in-depth research. CONCLUSIONS: These findings reveal the alterations of lipid profile and free fatty acid composition in SPO obtained with different extraction methods, providing a theoretical foundation for investigating its important components as functional factors in medicines and cosmetics.

Ultrasonic-Assisted Preparation of Biodiesel Products from Vegetable Oils.

Utilizing vegetable oil as a sustainable feedstock, this study presents an innovative approach to ultrasonic-assisted transesterification for biodiesel synthesis. This alkaline-catalyzed procedure harnesses ultrasound as a potent energy input, facilitating the rapid conversion of extra virgin olive oil into biodiesel. In this demonstration, the reaction is run in an ultrasonic bath under ambient conditions for 15 min, requiring a 1:6 molar ratio of extra virgin olive oil to methanol and a minimum amount of KOH as the catalyst. The physiochemical properties of biodiesel are also reported. Emphasizing the remarkable advantages of ultrasonic-assisted transesterification, this method demonstrates notable reductions in reaction and separation times, achieving near-perfect purity (~100%), high yields, and negligible waste generation. Importantly, these benefits are achieved within a framework that prioritizes safety and environmental sustainability. These compelling findings underscore the effectiveness of this approach in converting vegetable oil into biodiesel, positioning it as a viable option for both research and practical applications.

Impact of Various Essential Oils on the Development of Pathogens of the Fusarium Genus and on Health and Germination Parameters of Winter Wheat and Maize.

Currently, researchers are looking for ways to replace synthetic pesticides with substances of natural origin. Essential oils are produced by plants, among other things, to protect against pathogens, which is why there is interest in their use as fungicides. This experiment assessed the composition of essential oils from a commercial source, their impact on the development of mycelium of pathogens of the Fusarium genus, and the possibility of using them as a pre-sowing treatment. Grains of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) were inoculated with a suspension of mycelium and spores of fungi of the Fusarium genus and then soaked in solutions containing oils of sage (Salvia officinalis L.), cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.), cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.). The obtained results indicate that thyme essential oil had the strongest effect on limiting the development of Fusarium pathogens and seedling infection, but at the same time it had an adverse effect on the level of germination and seedling development of the tested plants. The remaining essential oils influenced the mentioned parameters to varying degrees. Selected essential oils can be an alternative to synthetic fungicides, but they must be selected appropriately.

Inhibitory effects of chlorophyll pigments on the bioaccessibility of ß-carotene: Influence of chlorophyll structure and oil matrix.

Chlorophylls and ß-carotene are fat-soluble phytochemicals in daily diets, while their bioaccessibility interaction remains unknown. Eight dietary chlorophylls and their derivatives (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, pheophytin a, pheophytin b, chlorophyllide a, chlorophyllide b, pheophorbide a, pheophorbide b) were combined with ß-carotene in six different oil matrices (corn oil, coconut oil, medium-chain triglycerides, peanut oil, olive oil and fish oil) and were subjected to in vitro digestion. Generally, chlorophylls significantly decreased ß-carotene bioaccessibility by competitive incorporation into micelles. Dephytylated chlorophylls had a greater inhibitory effect on the micellarization and bioaccessibility of ß-carotene compared to phytylated chlorophylls. In their co-digestion system, olive oil group exhibited the smallest particle size and biggest zeta potential in both digesta and micelles. For chlorophylls, the phytol group and their levels are key factors, which was also buttressed by the mice model where additional supplementation of pheophorbide a significantly hindered the accumulation of ß-carotene and retinoids compounds.

Stability, chromatic characteristics and chemical changes of sacha inchi (Plukenetia huayllabambana) oil enriched with aguaje oil (Mauritia flexuosa L.f.) rich in carotenoids.

Sacha inchi (Plukenetia huayllabambana) oil is a food matrix that contains more than 80 % of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic and α-linolenic acids. The objective of this study was to develop blends of sacha inchi oil (P. huayllabambana) enriched with aguaje oil (Mauritia flexuosa L.f.) and evaluate the induction period, total carotenoid content, nutritional quality indices and oxidative stability from the fatty acid composition. The analytical tests were conducted for oil blends that had the following proportions: sacha inchi oil enriched with aguaje oil at 5, 10 and 20 %. The results prove that the enrichment of sacha inchi oil with aguaje oil (SIO-PH-AO) leads to an improvement in oxidative stability and nutritional and physical properties. For example, the oxidative stability index (OSI) varied from 0.87 to 2.53 h. The content of total carotenoids produces an increase from 0.35 to 99.90 mg/kg, while total polyphenols from 47.45 to 126.90 mg GAE/g, and chroma from 39.91 to 69.02 units. Regarding the fatty acid profile, the oxidizability value improves with the addition of aguaje oil. Reduces levels of PUFA, PUFA/SFA, and hypo-and hypercholesterolemic ratio (h/H). Additionally, an increase in SFA and MUFA levels, while the ω6/ω3 ratio remained constant. Finally, it can be noted that the enrichment of sacha inchi oil with aguaje oil (rich in carotenoids) provides better stability and can be used for commercial applications as a mechanism to establish new vegetable oils with better properties.

Phytochemical profile and antifungal activity of essential oils obtained from different Mentha longifolia L. accessions growing wild in Iran and Iraq.

BACKGROUND: Mentha longifolia L. is a perennial plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family that has a wide distribution in the world. M. longifolia has many applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries due to its terpenoid and phenolic compounds. The phytochemical profile and biological activity of plants are affected by their genetics and habitat conditions. In the present study, the content, constituents and antifungal activity of the essential oil extracted from 20 accessions of M. longifolia collected from different regions of Iran and Iraq countries were evaluated. RESULTS: The essential oil content of the accessions varied between 1.54 ± 0.09% (in the Divandarreh accession) to 5.49 ± 0.12% (in the Khabat accession). Twenty-seven compounds were identified in the essential oils of the studied accessions, which accounted for 85.5-99.61% of the essential oil. The type and amount of dominant compounds in the essential oil were different depending on the accession. Cluster analysis of accessions based on essential oil compounds grouped them into three clusters. The first cluster included Baziyan, Boukan, Sarouchavah, Taghtagh, Darbandikhan, Isiveh and Harir. The second cluster included Khabat, Kounamasi, Soni and Mahabad, and other accessions were included in the third cluster. Significant correlations were observed between the essential oil content and components with the climatic and soil conditions of the habitats. The M. longifolia essential oil indicated antifungal activity against Fusarium solani in both methods used. In all studied accessions, the fumigation method compared to the contact method was more able to control mycelia growth. In both methods, the inhibition percentage of essential oil on mycelia growth increased with an increase in essential oil concentration. Significant correlations were found between the essential oil components and the inhibition percentage of mycelium growth. CONCLUSION: The studied M. longifolia accessions showed significant differences in terms of the essential oil content and components. Differences in phytochemical profile of accessions can be due to their genetic or habitat conditions. The distance of the accessions in the cluster was not in accordance with their geographical distance, which indicates the more important role of genetic factors compared to habitat conditions in separating accessions. The antifungal activity of essential oils was strongly influenced by the essential oil quality and concentration, as well as the application method. Determining and introducing the elite accession in this study can be different depending on the breeder's aims, such as essential oil content, desired chemical composition, or antifungal activity.