Composition of the Leaf Essential Oil of Phoebe formosana from Taiwan and its in vitro Cytotoxic, Antibacterial, and Antifungal Activities.

The essential oil from the leaves of Phoebe formosana from Taiwan was isolated using hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus, and characterized by GC-FID and GC-MS. Seventy-one compounds were identified, representing 100% of the oil. The main components identified were a-humulene (16.8%), τ-cadinol (8.9%), α-pinene (8.4%), α-cadinol (8.1%), ß-caryophyllene (8.0%), ß-phellandrene (6.0%), and ß-eudesmol (5.8%). The oil exhibited cytotoxic activity against human lung, liver and oral cancer cells. The active compounds were ß-caryophyllene, α-humulene, τ-cadinol, ß-eudesmol, and α-cadinol. The antibacterial activity of the oil was tested by the disc diffusion and micro-broth dilution methods against eight bacterial species. The oil exhibited moderate growth suppression against Gram-positive bacteria with inhibition zones of 28 to 36 mm, and MIC values of 250 to 375 µg/mL. The active antibacterial compounds were determined to be τ-cadinol, ß-eudesmol, and α-cadinol. The leaf oil displayed excellent antifungal activity with the active compounds determined as α-cadinol, ß-eudesmol, τ-cadinol, α-humulene, and ß-caryophyllene.

Essential Oil Compositions and Antimicrobial Activities of Various Parts of Litsea cubeba from Taiwan.

The essential oils of leaves, fruits, flowers, stems and twigs of Litsea cubeba were extracted by hydrodistillation. A total of 53, 50, 76, 94 and 90 compounds were identified from the leaf, fruit, flower, stem and twig oils, respectively, and their yields were 13.9 ± 0.09, 4.0 ± 0.03, 10.4 ± 0.05, 0.09 ± 0.01 and 0.4 ± 0.02 mL/100 g of the oven-dried (o.d.) materials, respectively. The main component in the leaf, flower and twig oils was 1,8-cineole, whereas in the fruit oil it was citral, and in the stem oil limonene, citronellal, and citronellol. When tested for their antibacterial activities using the paper disc diffusion method, oils from all parts showed excellent activities, particularly the fruit oil. When the oils were infused onto filter paper and tested for their antimicrobial paper capability according to the JIS L 1902 method, the fruit oil exhibited excellent antimicrobial activities. Citral was deemed the main cause of the antimicrobial activity. With the multiplicity of contagious diseases and their prevalence in hospitals, these essential oils present a potentially good choice as antibacterial agents. We think that the essential oils of this species are capable of multipurpose applications.

Composition, in vitro Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Leaf Essential Oil of Machilus konishii from Taiwan.

The chemical composition and in vitro anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the leaf essential oil of Machils konishii has been investigated. The essential oil was isolated using hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus, and characterized by GC-FID and GC-MS. Sixty-six compounds were identified, representing 100% of the oil. The main components identified were a-pinene (33.9%), α-pinene (13.9%), and thymol (12.0%); The leaf oil was able to reduce nitric oxide production by lipopolysaccharide-activated murine macrophages RAW 264.7 without reducing the cell viability. In addition, the leaf oil showed strong antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The major ingredient of the oil that was responsible for the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities was thymol.

Composition, in vitro Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Essential Oils from Leaf and Twig Parts of Cupressus cashmeriana.

The chemical composition and in vitro anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oils isolated from the leaf and twig of Cupressus cashmeriana have been investigated. The essential oils were isolated using hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus, and characterized by GC-FID and GC-MS, respectively. The leaf oil mainly consisted of alpha-pinene (21.8%), epizonarene (8.0%), sabinene (7.9%), limonene (7.6%), gamma-terpinene (7.0%), and allo-aromadendrene (7.0%); the twig oil was mostly carvacrol methyl ether (35.4%), manool (16.1%), carvacrol (14.2%), and (2Z,6E)-farnesol (6.9%). Twig oil, but not leaf oil, was able to reduce nitric oxide production by lipopolysaccharide-activated murine macrophages RAW 264.7 without reducing the cell viability. In addition, twig oil showed better antioxidant and antimicrobial activities than leaf oil. The major ingredient of the twig oil that was responsible for the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities was carvacrol.

Composition, in vitro Cytotoxic, and Antimicrobial Activities of the Flower Essential Oil of Diospyros discolor from Taiwan.

This study investigated the chemical composition, in vitro cytotoxic, and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil isolated from the flower of Diospyros discolor from Taiwan. The essential oil was isolated using hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus, and characterized by GC-FID and GC-MS. Twenty-eight compounds were identified, representing 100% of the oil. The main components identified were (2Z,6E)-farnesol (35.0%), α-cadinol (10.9%), (E)-nerolidol (6.9%), α-humulene (6.0%), τ-cadinol (5.6%), ß-caryophyllene (5.3%), and τ-muurolol (5.3%). The oil exhibited cytotoxic activity against human colon, liver, and lung cancer cells. The active compounds were ß-caryophyllene, α-humulene, τ-cadinol, τ-muurolol, α-cadinol, and (2Z,6E)-farnesol. The antimicrobial activity of the oil was tested by the disc diffusion and micro-broth dilution methods against ten microbial species. The oil exhibited moderate to strong growth suppression against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Candida albicans, with inhibition zones of 40 to 52 mm and MIC values of 31.25-62.5 µg/mL, respectively. For the antimicrobial activities of the oil, the active compounds were determined to be α-cadinol, τ-cadinol, τ-muurolol and (2Z,6E)-farnesol.

Chemical composition and anti-mildew activities of essential oils from different parts of Michelia compressa var.formosana.

In this study, anti-mildew activities of the essential oils of the leaves, wood, twigs, flowers, and their constituents from Michelia comnpressa var. formosana were evaluated in vitro against 7 mildew fungi. The main compounds responsible for the anti-mildew activities were isolated and identified. The essential oils from the fresh leaves, wood, twigs, and flowers of M. compressa var. formosana were isolated using hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus, and characterized by GC-FID and GC-MS. The essential oil yield from the flowers was the highest, and the oils obtained from the 4 parts of the tree were composed mainly of sesquiterpenoids. The leaf oil consisted primarily of α-cadinol (18.9%) and germacrene D (18.5%); the twig oil's main constituent was α-cadinol (19.1%); the wood oil's major components were α-cadinol (25.7%) and ß-eudesmol (20.2%); and the flower oil contained α-cadinol (11.4%). Comparing the anti-mildew activities of the oils suggested that wood oil was the most effective. Further fractionation of the wood oil produced α-cadinol, ß-eudesmol, τ-cadinol, and elemol. The 4 compounds exhibit very strong anti-mildew activities, and these in descending order are α-cadinol, elemol, ß-eudesmol, and τ-cadinol. For the anti-mildew activities of the wood oil, the active source compounds were determined to be α-cadinol, elemol, ß-eudesmol, and τ-cadinol.

Composition, in vitro Cytotoxicity, and Anti-mildew Activities of the Leaf Essential Oil of Machilus thunbergii from Taiwan.

This study investigated the chemical composition, in-vitro cytotoxicity, and anti-mildew fungal activities of the essential oil isolated from the leaf of Machilus thunbergii from Taiwan. The essential oil was isolated using hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus, and characterized by GC-FID and GC-MS. Eighty-three compounds were identified, representing 99.8% of the oil. The main components identified were n-decanal (26.6%), ß-caryophyllene (15.8%), α-humulene (10.8%), and ß-eudesmol (10.5%). The oil exhibited cytotoxic activity against human oral, liver, lung, colon, melanoma, and leukemic cancer cells. The active source compounds were ß-caryophyllene, a-humulene, and ß-eudesmol. The anti-mildew activity of the leaf oil was also evaluated. Results showed that the leaf oil had excellent anti-mildew activity. For the anti-mildew activity of the leaf oil, the active source compound was determined to be ß-eudesmol.

The composition, anti-mildew and anti-wood-decay fungal activities of the leaf and fruit oils of Juniperus formosana from Taiwan.

In this study, anti-mildew and anti-wood-decay fungal activities of the leaf and fruits essential oil and its constituents from Juniperus formosana were evaluated in vitro against seven mildew fungi and four wood decay fungi, respectively. The main compounds responsible for the anti-mildew and anti-wood-decay fungal activities were also identified. The essential oil from the fresh leaves and fruits of J. formosana were isolated using hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus, and characterized by GC-FID and GC-MS, respectively. The leaf oil mainly consisted of alpha-pinene (41.0%), limonene (11.5%), alpha-cadinol (11.0%), elemol (6.3%), and beta-myrcene (5.8%); the fruit oil was mostly alpha-pinene (40.9%), beta-myrcene (32.4%), alpha-thujene (5.9%) and limonene (5.9%). Comparing the anti-mildew and anti-wood-decay fungal activities of the oils suggested that the leaf oil was the most effective. For the anti-mildew and anti-wood-decay fungal activities of the leaf oil, the active source compounds were determined to be alpha-cadinol and elemol.

Composition and in vitro anticancer activities of the leaf essential oil of Neolitsea variabillima from Taiwan.

This study investigated the chemical composition and in vitro anticancer activities of the essential oil isolated from the leaf of Neolitsea variabillima. The essential oil was isolated using hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus, and characterized by GC-FID and GC-MS. Sixty-seven compounds were identified, representing 100% of the oil. The main components identified were trans-beta-ocimene (13.4%), alpha-cadinol (10.5%), terpinen-4-ol (9.3%), tau-cadinol (9.2%), beta-caryophyllene (8.8%), and sabinene (6.7%). The anticancer activities of oil were evaluated. The results showed that the oil exhibited cytotoxic activity against human oral, liver, lung, colon, melanoma, and leukemic cancer cells. The presence of beta-caryophyllene, tau-cadinol, and alpha-cadinol significantly contributed to the anticancer activities of N. variabillima leaf oil.

Composition, in-vitro anticancer, and antimicrobial activities of the leaf essential oil of Machilus mushaensis from Taiwan.

This study investigated the chemical composition, in-vitro anticancer, and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil isolated from the leaf of Machilus mushaensis from Taiwan. The essential oil was isolated using hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus, and characterized by GC-FID and GC-MS. Forty compounds were identified, representing 100% of the oil. The main components identified were n-decanal (61.0%), and alpha-cadinol (20.8%). The oil exhibited cytotoxic activity against human oral, liver, lung, colon, melanoma, and leukemic cancer cells. The antimicrobial activity of the oil was tested by the disc diffusion and micro-broth dilution methods against ten microbial species. The oil exhibited moderate growth suppression against Gram-positive bacteria and yeast with inhibition zones of 25-29 mm to MIC values of 375-500 microg/mL, respectively. alpha-Cadinol was found to show promising anticancer and antimicrobial activities.

Composition and in-vitro cytotoxic activities of the leaf essential oil of Beilschmiedia erythrophloia from Taiwan.

This study investigated the chemical composition and in-vitro cytotoxic activities of the essential oil isolated from the leaf of Beilschmiedia erythrophloia. The essential oil was isolated using hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus, and characterized by GC-FID and GC-MS. Fifty-five compounds were identified, representing 100% of the oil. The main components identified were beta-caryophyllene (22.6%), alpha-humulene (21.9%), terpinen-4-ol (5.3%), cis-beta-ocimene (5.1%), sabinene (5.0%) and limonene (4.5%). The anticancer activities of oil were evaluated. The results showed that the oil exhibited cytotoxic activity against human oral, liver, lung, colon, melanoma, and leukemic cancer cells.

Composition, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities in vitro of the heartwood essential oil of Cunninghamia lanceolata var. konishii from Taiwan.

This study investigated the chemical composition, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities in vitro of the essential oil isolated from the heartwood of Cunninghamia lanceolata var. konishii from Taiwan. The essential oil was isolated using hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus, and characterized by GC-FID and GC-MS. Thirty-seven compounds were identified, representing 100% of the oil. The main components identified were cedrol (58.3%), alpha-cedrene (11.8%), alpha-terpineol (4.2%) and beta-cedrene (3.5%). The oil exhibited cytotoxic activity against human lung, liver and oral cancer cells. The active source compound was cedrol. The antimicrobial activity of the oil was tested by the disc diffusion and micro-broth dilution methods against ten microbial species. The oil exhibited strong growth suppression against Gram-positive bacteria and yeast with inhibition zones of 42-50 mm to MIC values of 31.25-62.5 microg/mL, respectively. For the antimicrobial activities of the oil, the active compound was determined to be cedrol.

Biochemical characterization of a novel laccase from the basidiomycete fungus Cerrena sp. WR1.

This study reports a new white-rot fungus Cerrena sp. WR1, identified based on an 18S rDNA sequence, which can secrete extracellular forms of laccase with a maximal activity reaching 202 000 U l⁻¹ in a 5-l fermenter. A laccase protein, designated Lcc3, was purified and shown to be N-linked glycosylated by PNGase F and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analyses. The respective full-length cDNA gene (lcc3) of the Lcc3 protein was obtained using polymerase chain reaction-based methods. Kinetic studies showed that the K(m) and k(cat) of the native Lcc3 were 3.27 µM and 934.6 s⁻¹ for 2,2'-Azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), 849.1 µM and 147.9 s⁻¹ for guaiacol, 392.7 µM and 109.2 s⁻¹ for 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, and 881 µM and 115.5 s⁻¹ for catechol, respectively. The T(m) of Lcc3 was determined at 73.9°C and it showed a long t(½) (120 min) at 50°C. The laccase was highly ethanol resistant, with 80% of its original activity was detected when incubated in 25% ethanol for 14 days. Furthermore, crude enzyme broth or Lcc3 could degrade lignin in kraft paper (26.5%), and showed high decoloration efficiency (90%) on synthetic dye Remazol Brilliant Blue R. Together, these data demonstrate that Cerrena sp. WR1 Lcc3 possesses novel biochemical and kinetic properties that may aid its application in industry.

Composition and antipathogenic activities of the twig essential oil of Chamaecyparis formosensis from Taiwan.

In this study, antipathogenic activities of the twig essential oil and its constituents from Chamaecyparis formosensis Matsum were evaluated in vitro against six plant pathogenic fungi. The essential oil from the fresh twigs was isolated using hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus, and characterized by GC-FID and GC-MS. Twenty-five compounds were identified, representing 98.9% of the oil. The main components were beta-eudesmol (25.1%), tau-muurolol (21.6%), elemol (15.0%), totarol (14.9%), and alpha-cadinol (12.4%). The twig oil (500 mcirog/mL) showed growth inhibitory activity against the phytopathogenic fungi, Fusarium oxysporum, Pestalotiopsis funereal, and Ganoderma austral, with antifungal indices of 92.7%, 71.1%, and 87.7%, respectively. In addition, the oil suppressed totally the growth of Rhizoctonia solani, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, and Fusarium solani. In order to ascertain the source compounds of these antipathogenic activities, the main components were individually evaluated. Tau-Muurolol and alpha-cadinol exhibited excellent activity against F. oxysporum, R. solani, C. gloeosporioides, and F. solani, with IC50 < 50 microg/mL. These compounds also efficiently inhibited the mycelial growths of P. funereal and G. austral. Thus, alpha-cadinol and tau-muurolol could be considered as potential natural fungicides for controlling fungal pathogens and worth.

Composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-wood-decay fungal activities of the twig essential oil of Taiwania cryptomerioides from Taiwan.

This study investigated the chemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-wood-decay fungal activities of the essential oil isolated from the twigs of Taiwania cryptomerioides from Taiwan. The essential oil was isolated using hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus, and characterized by GC-FID and GC-MS. A total of 35 compounds were identified, representing 100% of the oil. The main components identified were alpha-cadinol (45.9%), ferruginol (18.9%) and beta-eudesmol (10.8%). The antioxidant activity of the oil was tested by the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging capability test. The results showed an IC50 of 90.8 +/- 0.2 microg/mL. The active source compound was ferruginol. The antimicrobial activity of the oil was tested by the disc diffusion and micro-broth dilution methods against ten microbial species. The oil exhibited strong growth suppression against Gram-positive bacteria and yeast with inhibition zones of 45-52 mm and MIC values of 31.25-62.5 microg/mL, respectively. The anti-wood-decay fungal activity of the oil was also evaluated. The oil demonstrated excellent activity against four wood-decay-fungal species. For the antimicrobial and anti-wood-decay fungal activities of the oil, the active source compounds were determined to be alpha-cadinol, beta-eudesmol and ferruginol.

Biological degradation of anthroquinone and azo dyes by a novel laccase from Lentinus sp.

This study identifies a new fungal strain, Lentinus sp., that can produce extracellular forms of laccases with an activity of approximately 58 300 U/L. A purified laccase (designated lcc3) was identified by LC-ESI MS/MS as an N-linkage glycosylated protein. The isolated lcc3 cDNA is composed of 1563 bp encoding for a polypeptide of 521 amino acid residues with 4 putative Cu binding regions. Kinetic analyses revealed that the specific activity, k(cat), K(m), and k(cat)/K(m) of lcc3 at pH 2.5 and 70 °C with 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) used as a substrate was 2047 U mg(-1), 2017 s(-1), 8.4 µM, and 240 s(-1) µM(-1), respectively. Lcc3 is stable at pH 6.0-10.0 and has a midpoint temperature (T(m)) of 77.1 °C. We observed 97% decolorization efficiency on Acid Blue 80, 88% on RBBR, and 61% on Acid Red 37 by lcc3. Structural modeling analysis showed that five, four, and three hydrogen bonds can be formed between Acid Blue 80 and Arg(178), Arg(182), or Asn(358); between RBBR and His(132), Ser(134), or Asp(482); and between Acid Red 37 and Arg(178), respectively. Notably, Lentinus lcc3 efficiently reversed the toxicity of anthraquinone and azo dyes on rice seed germination and decolorized industrial textile effluent, suggesting the enzyme may be valuable for bioremediation.

Composition and antimicrobial activities of the leaf essential oil of Machilus zuihoensis from Taiwan

This study investigated the chemical composition, and antimicrobial and anti-wood-decay fungal activities of the essential oil isolated from the leaf of endemic Machilus zuihoensis Hayata, Lauraceae, of Taiwan. The essential oil from the fresh leaves of M. zuihoensis was isolated using hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus, and characterized by GC-FID and GC-MS. A total of 104 compounds were identified, representing 100% of the oil. The main components identified were n-dodecanal (23.8%) and (E)-nerolidol (10.5%). The antimicrobial activity of the oil was tested by the disc diffusion method and micro-broth dilution method against ten microbial species (Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Aspergillus niger, and Candida albicans), respectively. The oil exhibited strong growth suppression against Gram-positive bacteria and yeast with inhibition zones of 35~43 mm to MIC values of 125 µg mL-1, respectively. The anti-wood-decay fungal activity of the oil was also evaluated. Results showed that the oil demonstrated excellent activity against four wood-decay-fungi species (Trametes versicolor, Phaneochaete chrysosporium, Phaeolus schweintizii, and Lenzites sulphureu). For the antimicrobial and anti-wooddecay fungal activities of the oil, the active source compounds were determined to be τ-cadinol, β-eudesmol, and n-dodecanal.

Composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the leaf essential oil of Machilus japonica from Taiwan.

The chemical composition, and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil isolated from the leaf of Machilus japonica from Taiwan have been investigated. The essential oil from the fresh leaves was isolated using hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus, and characterized by GC-FID and GC-MS. A total of 97 compounds were identified, representing 100% of the oil. The main components identified were alpha-phellandrene (14.5%), alpha-pinene (12.8%), thymol (12.6%), beta-pinene (8.3%), alpha-terpineol (6.5%) and carvacrol (6.0%). The antioxidant activity of the oil was tested by the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging capability test. The results showed that the IC50 was 51.8 microg/mL. The antimicrobial activity of the oil was tested by the disc diffusion and micro-broth dilution methods against ten microbial species. The oil exhibited strong growth suppression against Gram-positive bacteria and yeast, with inhibition zones of 48-54 mm and MIC values of 16.12-32.25 microg/mL, respectively. For the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the oil, the active source compounds were determined to be thymol and carvacrol.

Composition and antifungal activities of the leaf essential oil of Neolitsea parvigemma from Taiwan.

The hydrodistillated leaf essential oil of Neolitsea parvigemma was analyzed to determine its composition and yield. Sixty-two compounds were identified, the main components being beta-caryophyllene (14.2%), beta-eudesmol (12.9%), alpha-cadinol (10.2%) and tau-cadinol (8.8%). Oxygenated sesquiterpenes (48.9%) and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (48.8%) were the predominant groups of compounds. The antifungal indexes of the leaf oil against the 7 fungi, Aspergillus clavatus, A. niger, Chaetomium globosum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Myrothecium verrucaria, Penicillium citrinum and Trichoderma viride, were 100.0, 72.3, 100.0, 100.0, 100.0, 75.8 and 88.6% at a 1 mg/mL concentration, respectively. The oil also exhibited anti-wood-decay-fungi activity against Trametes versicolor, Phaneochaete chrysosporium, Phaeolus schweintizii, and Lenzites sulphureu with MIC values of 50, 50, 25 and 25 microg/mL, respectively. For the antifungal and anti-wood-decay fungal activities of the oil, the active source compounds were determined to be alpha-cadinol, beta-eudesmol and tau-cadinol.

Composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of leaf and twig essential oils of Litsea akoensis from Taiwan.

This study analyzed the hydrodistilled essential oils in the leaves and twigs of Litsea akoensis to determine composition and yield. Seventy-one and 40 compounds were identified in the leaf and twig oils, respectively. The main components of leaf oil were limonene (18.5%), thymol (10.1%), p-cymene (9.6%), beta-caryophyllene (8.9%), and carvacrol (8.2%). The main components of twig oil were beta-phellandrene (43.7%) and trans-beta-ocimene (10.4%). The results demonstrated that leaf oil had excellent antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, superior to those of twig oil.