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Yiannis Kourkoutas - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE Composition, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and
2016Co-Authors: Gregoria Mitropoulou, Eleni Fitsiou, Elisavet Stavropoulou, Eleni Papavassilopoulou, Manolis Vamvakias, Antigoni Oreopoulou, Yiannis KourkoutasAbstract:antiproliferative activity of Origanum dictamnus (Dittany) essential oi
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Composition, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiproliferative activity of Origanum dictamnus (Dittany) essential oil
Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease, 2015Co-Authors: Gregoria Mitropoulou, Eleni Fitsiou, Elisavet Stavropoulou, Eleni Papavassilopoulou, Manolis Vamvakias, Antigoni Oreopoulou, Aglaia Pappa, Yiannis KourkoutasAbstract:Background : Nowadays, there has been an increased interest in essential oils from various plant origins as potential antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiproliferative agents. This trend can be mainly attributed to the rising number and severity of food poisoning outbreaks worldwide along with the recent negative consumer perception against artificial food additives and the demand for novel functional foods with possible health benefits. Origanum dictamnus ( Dittany ) is an aromatic, tender perennial plant that only grows wild on the mountainsides and gorges of the island of Crete in Greece. Objective : The aim of the present study was to investigate the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiproliferative properties of O. dictamnus essential oil and its main components and assess its commercial potential in the food industry. Design : O. dictamnus essential oil was initially analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to determine semi-quantitative chemical composition of the essential oils. Subsequently, the antimicrobial properties were assayed and the minimum inhibitory and non-inhibitory concentration values were determined. The antioxidant activity and cytotoxic action against the hepatoma adenocarcinoma cell line HepG2 of the essential oil and its main components were further evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and by the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, respectively. Results : The main constituents of O. dictamnus essential oil identified by GC–MS analysis were carvacrol (52.2%), γ-terpinene (8.4%), p -cymene (6.1%), linalool (1.4%), and caryophyllene (1.3%). O. dictamnus essential oil and its main components were effective against Staphylococcus aureus , Staphylococcus epidermidis , Escherichia coli , Listeria monocytogenes , Salmonella Enteritidis, Salmonella typhimurium , Saccharomyces cerevisiae , and Aspergillus niger . In addition, the estimated IC 50 value for the DPPH radical scavenging activity for O. dictamnus essential oil was 0.045±0.0042% (v/v) and was mainly attributed to carvacrol. The EC 50 value for the essential oil in the 72h SRB assay in HepG2 cells was estimated to be 0.0069±0.00014% (v/v). Among the individual constituents tested, carvacrol was the most bioactive compound and accounted for the observed antiproliferative activity of the essential oil. Conclusions : The results revealed that O. dictamnus essential oil is a noteworthy growth inhibitor against the microbes studied. It also possesses significant antioxidant activity and demonstrated excellent cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells. Taken together, O. dictamnus essential oil may represent an effective and inexpensive source of potent natural antimicrobial agents with health-promoting properties, which may be incorporated in food systems. Keywords: O. dictamnus essential oil; antimicrobial; antioxidant; antiproliferative; GC–MS analysis (Published: 6 May 2015) Citation: Microbial Ecology in Health & Disease 2015, 26: 26543 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/mehd.v26.26543
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Composition, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiproliferative activity of Origanum dictamnus (Dittany) essential oil
Taylor & Francis Group, 2015Co-Authors: Gregoria Mitropoulou, Eleni Fitsiou, Elisavet Stavropoulou, Eleni Papavassilopoulou, Manolis Vamvakias, Antigoni Oreopoulou, Aglaia Pappa, Yiannis KourkoutasAbstract:Background: Nowadays, there has been an increased interest in essential oils from various plant origins as potential antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiproliferative agents. This trend can be mainly attributed to the rising number and severity of food poisoning outbreaks worldwide along with the recent negative consumer perception against artificial food additives and the demand for novel functional foods with possible health benefits. Origanum dictamnus (Dittany) is an aromatic, tender perennial plant that only grows wild on the mountainsides and gorges of the island of Crete in Greece. Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiproliferative properties of O. dictamnus essential oil and its main components and assess its commercial potential in the food industry. Design: O. dictamnus essential oil was initially analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to determine semi-quantitative chemical composition of the essential oils. Subsequently, the antimicrobial properties were assayed and the minimum inhibitory and non-inhibitory concentration values were determined. The antioxidant activity and cytotoxic action against the hepatoma adenocarcinoma cell line HepG2 of the essential oil and its main components were further evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and by the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, respectively. Results: The main constituents of O. dictamnus essential oil identified by GC–MS analysis were carvacrol (52.2%), γ-terpinene (8.4%), p-cymene (6.1%), linalool (1.4%), and caryophyllene (1.3%). O. dictamnus essential oil and its main components were effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Enteritidis, Salmonella typhimurium, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Aspergillus niger. In addition, the estimated IC50 value for the DPPH radical scavenging activity for O. dictamnus essential oil was 0.045±0.0042% (v/v) and was mainly attributed to carvacrol. The EC50 value for the essential oil in the 72h SRB assay in HepG2 cells was estimated to be 0.0069±0.00014% (v/v). Among the individual constituents tested, carvacrol was the most bioactive compound and accounted for the observed antiproliferative activity of the essential oil. Conclusions: The results revealed that O. dictamnus essential oil is a noteworthy growth inhibitor against the microbes studied. It also possesses significant antioxidant activity and demonstrated excellent cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells. Taken together, O. dictamnus essential oil may represent an effective and inexpensive source of potent natural antimicrobial agents with health-promoting properties, which may be incorporated in food systems
Galloni M. - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Pollen load analysis reveals feeding preference of bee pollinators of Dictamnus albus
2014Co-Authors: Fisogni A., Corvucci F., Grillenzoni F., Monterastelli E., Bogo G., Bortolotti L., Quaranta M., Galloni M.Abstract:Dictamnus albus L., commonly known as Dittany, is a long-lived perennial herb belonging to the family Rutaceae; its flowers produce abundant pollen and nectar and are visited by several pollinating insects. Observations on insect behaviour while foraging on D. albus flowers showed that medium to large bees have the highest percentage of contacts with receptive stigmas, i.e. they show the highest probability of acting as valuable pollinators. However, this can be proved through the analysis of the pollen present on their body. We separately collected the pollen sparse on insect body (head, thorax and abdomen) and the pollen actively collected in specialized structures (corbiculae, scopae), in order to assess the fidelity of each visitor taxon, determined as the mean percentage of specific (D. albus) pollen. In addition, we performed a more precise analysis of the pollen load of the main pollinators of D. albus: Habropoda tarsata, Bombus spp. and Megachilidae spp.. For these insect taxa we identified pollen grains at the genus or family level, to infer the levels of competition or synergy among co-flowering species, and to obtain additional information on insect feeding habits. Most visitors showed a high fidelity to D. albus in the study area, meaning that it is a good resource of rewards, and the potentially best pollinators of Dittany tend to prefer its flowers compared to co-flowering species, indicating a low competition during full blooming. From the insect perspective, different plants may be source of different rewards at a same time. For example, Dittany is mainly visited for nectar by most pollinators but other flowering species are visited for pollen or nectar as well. This study allows us to explore the interactions among species in a complex ecological context and to develop specific conservation actions at both the plant and insect levels
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Temporal variation and efficiency of the pollinator community of the rare Dictamnus albus
2014Co-Authors: Fisogni A., Bogo G., Bortolotti L., Quaranta M., Rossi M., Galloni M.Abstract:The abundance and composition of pollinator communities may vary in space and time due to several natural factors, with consequences on the efficiency of pollination and on plant fitness; on the other hand, flowering phenology and abundance may act on the preferences and behaviour of an insect community. We present the results of a 4-year study performed in a natural population of Dictamnus albus within the LIFE+ Project “Plant-Pollinator Integrated CONservation approach: a demonstrative proposal” (LIFE09/NAT/IT000212, http://www.pp-icon.eu). We observed insect behaviour during flower visits, recording the collected rewards, the contacts with receptive stigmas, the movements along the raceme and among plants, and also noting flower abundance and phenological stage. The pollinating ability of each visitor taxon was estimated as an index of pollination performance based on the frequency of visits, fidelity to the Dittany (i.e., the percentage of Dictamnus pollen on the total pollen load) and pollination efficiency (i.e., the percentage of contacts with receptive stigmas). Our results indicate a slight variation in the composition of visitor guilds among years, and a considerable ecological specialization of the plant-pollinator system: within the spectrum of visitors, only medium-big sized bees (Habropoda tarsata, Xylocopa spp., Bombus spp.) play a significant role as D. albus pollinators. Megachilids (Megachile, Osmia) show an intermediate efficiency, partly due to their smaller body size; however their high frequency of visit contributes to their role as pollinators. On the contrary, small halictid bees only act as pollen or nectar thieves. These results were helpful for the implementation of concrete conservation measures addressed to pollinator safeguard and habitat restoration, such as the setting of specific nesting sites for solitary bees or bumblebee colonies, as well as the selection of nectariferous flowering species for habitat management. Fruit and seed set of control and pollenaugmented flowers highlighted a variation in pollen/pollinator limitation among years, which may be due to Allee effect (i.e., quantitative limitation) or to high inbreeding between close relatives (i.e., qualitative limitation)
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Integrated conservation of a rare threatened plant and the community of its natural pollinators: the Life+ PP-ICON project (LIFE09/NAT/IT000212)
(sine nomine), 2012Co-Authors: Fisogni A., Bogo G., Bortolotti L., Quaranta M., Rossi M., Mossetti U., Porrini C., Guerra M., Galloni M.Abstract:About 90% of angiosperms profit from animal pollination for reproduction. The mutualistic pollination interactions are beneficial to plants and animals but also benefit humanity, through crop productivity and ecosystem health. Pollination systems are under increasing threat from anthropogenic sources, including habitat fragmentation, changes in land use, modern agricultural practices, use of pesticides and herbicides. Rare plants are commonly more sensitive to habitat loss and fragmentation and often occur in small populations, which may decrease the attractiveness to pollinators and reduce pollinator service. The PP-ICON project (Plant Pollinator Integrated CONservation approach: a demonstrative proposal, http://www.pp-icon.eu) focuses on the conservation of a locally rare plant (Dictamnus albus L.) and the community of its natural pollinators. At present, European wild populations of Dittany are declining because of scarcity of pollination service; in addition, suitable habitats (woodland fringes and clearings) are becoming rare due to land-use changes resulting from the abandonment of traditional agro-silvo-pastoral activities. Wild pollinators are facing a widespread decline, mainly due to climatic changes, soil use changes, habitat fragmentation and pollution, which cause a scarcity of floral resources and nesting sites. The main objectives of this 4-year project are to ensure the persistence of an isolated population of D. albus, located in a protected area (Parco Regionale dei Gessi Bolognesi e Calanchi dell'Abbadessa) included in the Natura2000 network (SIC-SPA IT4050001), and to restore the community of its natural pollinators. These integrated techniques could be applied for the conservation of other plant species and respective pollinators. Actions focus on habitat management, pollinators safeguard, stakeholders awareness and dissemination. Habitat has been managed in order to establish the best environmental condition for the persistence of the target population. At the same time effective pollinators of Dittany have been identified, in order to artificially rear and introduce them in the area, and suitable nesting sites have been provided. The maintenance of introduced pollinators will be assured by the growing of autochthonous nectariferous plant species, which are planted in the area. The fitness of the plant and the pollinating fauna are monitored every year, in order to assess the success of conservation actions, and check for the need of eventual redirections. After one year of implementation, preliminary project results show a positive output of the intervention on the wood, with an increase of flowering in the newly created clearings. Despite being visited by many insect species, belonging to different orders, data indicate that only medium-large bee species (Habropoda tarsata, Xylocopa violacea, Bombus spp., Eucera spp.) effectively pollinate the flowers of D. albus. By contrast, small halictid bees frequently visit the flowers without touching the stigmatic surface, behaving as nectar or pollen thieves. Based on these results, conservation actions have been redirected. Small nesting holes have been excluded in the artificial nests placed in the area, and species visited exclusively by large bees (e.g. Lathyrus latifolius) have been added to the list of nectariferous plants with scalar flowering period to be planted in the area: collected seeds will be germinated in the Botanic Garden for following plantatio
Gregoria Mitropoulou - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE Composition, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and
2016Co-Authors: Gregoria Mitropoulou, Eleni Fitsiou, Elisavet Stavropoulou, Eleni Papavassilopoulou, Manolis Vamvakias, Antigoni Oreopoulou, Yiannis KourkoutasAbstract:antiproliferative activity of Origanum dictamnus (Dittany) essential oi
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Composition, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiproliferative activity of Origanum dictamnus (Dittany) essential oil
Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease, 2015Co-Authors: Gregoria Mitropoulou, Eleni Fitsiou, Elisavet Stavropoulou, Eleni Papavassilopoulou, Manolis Vamvakias, Antigoni Oreopoulou, Aglaia Pappa, Yiannis KourkoutasAbstract:Background : Nowadays, there has been an increased interest in essential oils from various plant origins as potential antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiproliferative agents. This trend can be mainly attributed to the rising number and severity of food poisoning outbreaks worldwide along with the recent negative consumer perception against artificial food additives and the demand for novel functional foods with possible health benefits. Origanum dictamnus ( Dittany ) is an aromatic, tender perennial plant that only grows wild on the mountainsides and gorges of the island of Crete in Greece. Objective : The aim of the present study was to investigate the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiproliferative properties of O. dictamnus essential oil and its main components and assess its commercial potential in the food industry. Design : O. dictamnus essential oil was initially analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to determine semi-quantitative chemical composition of the essential oils. Subsequently, the antimicrobial properties were assayed and the minimum inhibitory and non-inhibitory concentration values were determined. The antioxidant activity and cytotoxic action against the hepatoma adenocarcinoma cell line HepG2 of the essential oil and its main components were further evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and by the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, respectively. Results : The main constituents of O. dictamnus essential oil identified by GC–MS analysis were carvacrol (52.2%), γ-terpinene (8.4%), p -cymene (6.1%), linalool (1.4%), and caryophyllene (1.3%). O. dictamnus essential oil and its main components were effective against Staphylococcus aureus , Staphylococcus epidermidis , Escherichia coli , Listeria monocytogenes , Salmonella Enteritidis, Salmonella typhimurium , Saccharomyces cerevisiae , and Aspergillus niger . In addition, the estimated IC 50 value for the DPPH radical scavenging activity for O. dictamnus essential oil was 0.045±0.0042% (v/v) and was mainly attributed to carvacrol. The EC 50 value for the essential oil in the 72h SRB assay in HepG2 cells was estimated to be 0.0069±0.00014% (v/v). Among the individual constituents tested, carvacrol was the most bioactive compound and accounted for the observed antiproliferative activity of the essential oil. Conclusions : The results revealed that O. dictamnus essential oil is a noteworthy growth inhibitor against the microbes studied. It also possesses significant antioxidant activity and demonstrated excellent cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells. Taken together, O. dictamnus essential oil may represent an effective and inexpensive source of potent natural antimicrobial agents with health-promoting properties, which may be incorporated in food systems. Keywords: O. dictamnus essential oil; antimicrobial; antioxidant; antiproliferative; GC–MS analysis (Published: 6 May 2015) Citation: Microbial Ecology in Health & Disease 2015, 26: 26543 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/mehd.v26.26543
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Composition, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiproliferative activity of Origanum dictamnus (Dittany) essential oil
Taylor & Francis Group, 2015Co-Authors: Gregoria Mitropoulou, Eleni Fitsiou, Elisavet Stavropoulou, Eleni Papavassilopoulou, Manolis Vamvakias, Antigoni Oreopoulou, Aglaia Pappa, Yiannis KourkoutasAbstract:Background: Nowadays, there has been an increased interest in essential oils from various plant origins as potential antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiproliferative agents. This trend can be mainly attributed to the rising number and severity of food poisoning outbreaks worldwide along with the recent negative consumer perception against artificial food additives and the demand for novel functional foods with possible health benefits. Origanum dictamnus (Dittany) is an aromatic, tender perennial plant that only grows wild on the mountainsides and gorges of the island of Crete in Greece. Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiproliferative properties of O. dictamnus essential oil and its main components and assess its commercial potential in the food industry. Design: O. dictamnus essential oil was initially analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to determine semi-quantitative chemical composition of the essential oils. Subsequently, the antimicrobial properties were assayed and the minimum inhibitory and non-inhibitory concentration values were determined. The antioxidant activity and cytotoxic action against the hepatoma adenocarcinoma cell line HepG2 of the essential oil and its main components were further evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and by the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, respectively. Results: The main constituents of O. dictamnus essential oil identified by GC–MS analysis were carvacrol (52.2%), γ-terpinene (8.4%), p-cymene (6.1%), linalool (1.4%), and caryophyllene (1.3%). O. dictamnus essential oil and its main components were effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Enteritidis, Salmonella typhimurium, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Aspergillus niger. In addition, the estimated IC50 value for the DPPH radical scavenging activity for O. dictamnus essential oil was 0.045±0.0042% (v/v) and was mainly attributed to carvacrol. The EC50 value for the essential oil in the 72h SRB assay in HepG2 cells was estimated to be 0.0069±0.00014% (v/v). Among the individual constituents tested, carvacrol was the most bioactive compound and accounted for the observed antiproliferative activity of the essential oil. Conclusions: The results revealed that O. dictamnus essential oil is a noteworthy growth inhibitor against the microbes studied. It also possesses significant antioxidant activity and demonstrated excellent cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells. Taken together, O. dictamnus essential oil may represent an effective and inexpensive source of potent natural antimicrobial agents with health-promoting properties, which may be incorporated in food systems
Leif H Skibsted - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Acrylamide in bread. Effect of prooxidants and antioxidants
European Food Research and Technology, 2008Co-Authors: Rikke Vingborg Hedegaard, Henrik Frandsen, Jonas Thygesen, Kit Granby, Leif H SkibstedAbstract:Addition of 1% aqueous rosemary extract with approximately 40 mg of gallic acid equivalents or comparable addition of rosemary oil or of dried rosemary leaves to wheat dough reduced the content of acrylamide in wheat buns by 62, 67 and 57%, respectively, compared to wheat buns without rosemary. Increasing the addition of aqueous rosemary extract to 10% did not decrease the acrylamide content further compared to the addition of a 1% extract. The spice Dittany showed less effect in wheat buns compared to rosemary and even increased acrylamide formation slightly. The effect of antioxidants on acrylamide formation was confirmed by addition of 1.0 mM (but not 0.1 mM) of the green tea flavonoids epicatechin or epigallocatechin gallate to an aqueous food model. Free radicals were detected by ESR using the spin trap α-(4-Pyridyl 1-oxide)-N- tert -butylnitrone (POBN) in an aqueous model system of 0.060 M glucose and 0.060 M asparagine heated under conditions generating acrylamide, further confirming the impact of free radical intermediates in formation of acrylamide. A modest effect of the peroxides in oxidized oil on acrylamide elimination was observed pointing towards an oxidative induced polymerization of acrylamide. The impact of oxidative processes on acrylamide elimination should not be neglected, since oxidized vegetable oil seems to promote degradation of acrylamide.
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Antioxidant effect of Dittany (Origanum dictamnus) in pre-cooked chicken meat balls during chill-storage in comparison to rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
European Food Research and Technology, 2004Co-Authors: Aline M. C. Racanicci, Bente Danielsen, José Fernando M. Menten, Marisa A. B. Regitano-d’arce, Leif H SkibstedAbstract:Dittany ( Origanus dictamnus L.) has been compared with rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis L.) as an antioxidant in pre-cooked meat balls made from chicken breast and added 0.50% salt during chill storage for up to ten days packed in atmospheric air. For an addition of 0.10% of dried leaves, Dittany yielded protection of the product against oxidation a little less efficiently but comparable to dried rosemary added at the same concentration. For addition of 0.050%, Dittany was less efficient than rosemary, while Dittany at this concentration protected vitamin E against degradation in the product during storage even better than rosemary.
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Dittany (Origanum dictamnus) as a source of water-extractable antioxidants
Food Chemistry, 1999Co-Authors: Jens K.s. Møller, Helle Lindberg Madsen, Tuula Aaltonen, Leif H SkibstedAbstract:Extracts of Dittany (Origanum dictamnus L.) made with solvents of varying polarity were evaluated (i) by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometry using the spin trapping technique for their efficiencies as scavengers of free radicals, and (ii) by measurement of oxygen depletion in a methyl linoleate emulsion for their efficiencies as chain-breaking antioxidants. Aqueous extracts of Dittany most efficiently scavenged hydroxyl radicals as generated by the Fenton reaction and this extract also most efficiently reduced oxygen consumption when initiated by metmyoglobin. Ethanol and acetone extracts of Dittany showed less activity in both assays with methanol extract being intermediate. The high efficiencies found in the aqueous (and methanol) extracts of Dittany were closely related to a high content of phenolic compounds in these extracts, while the amounts of phenolics in the ethanol and acetone extract were lower. In aqueous extracts, the antioxidative activity was confirmed in a turkey thigh meat homogenate, where development of thiobarbituric reactive substances was increasingly inhibited by increasing additions from 0.0018 mg Dittany/g meat to efficient inhibition for 0.011 mg Dittany/g meat and higher additions. Dittany should be further explored as a source of water-extractable antioxidants.
Antigoni Oreopoulou - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE Composition, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and
2016Co-Authors: Gregoria Mitropoulou, Eleni Fitsiou, Elisavet Stavropoulou, Eleni Papavassilopoulou, Manolis Vamvakias, Antigoni Oreopoulou, Yiannis KourkoutasAbstract:antiproliferative activity of Origanum dictamnus (Dittany) essential oi
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Composition, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiproliferative activity of Origanum dictamnus (Dittany) essential oil
Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease, 2015Co-Authors: Gregoria Mitropoulou, Eleni Fitsiou, Elisavet Stavropoulou, Eleni Papavassilopoulou, Manolis Vamvakias, Antigoni Oreopoulou, Aglaia Pappa, Yiannis KourkoutasAbstract:Background : Nowadays, there has been an increased interest in essential oils from various plant origins as potential antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiproliferative agents. This trend can be mainly attributed to the rising number and severity of food poisoning outbreaks worldwide along with the recent negative consumer perception against artificial food additives and the demand for novel functional foods with possible health benefits. Origanum dictamnus ( Dittany ) is an aromatic, tender perennial plant that only grows wild on the mountainsides and gorges of the island of Crete in Greece. Objective : The aim of the present study was to investigate the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiproliferative properties of O. dictamnus essential oil and its main components and assess its commercial potential in the food industry. Design : O. dictamnus essential oil was initially analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to determine semi-quantitative chemical composition of the essential oils. Subsequently, the antimicrobial properties were assayed and the minimum inhibitory and non-inhibitory concentration values were determined. The antioxidant activity and cytotoxic action against the hepatoma adenocarcinoma cell line HepG2 of the essential oil and its main components were further evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and by the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, respectively. Results : The main constituents of O. dictamnus essential oil identified by GC–MS analysis were carvacrol (52.2%), γ-terpinene (8.4%), p -cymene (6.1%), linalool (1.4%), and caryophyllene (1.3%). O. dictamnus essential oil and its main components were effective against Staphylococcus aureus , Staphylococcus epidermidis , Escherichia coli , Listeria monocytogenes , Salmonella Enteritidis, Salmonella typhimurium , Saccharomyces cerevisiae , and Aspergillus niger . In addition, the estimated IC 50 value for the DPPH radical scavenging activity for O. dictamnus essential oil was 0.045±0.0042% (v/v) and was mainly attributed to carvacrol. The EC 50 value for the essential oil in the 72h SRB assay in HepG2 cells was estimated to be 0.0069±0.00014% (v/v). Among the individual constituents tested, carvacrol was the most bioactive compound and accounted for the observed antiproliferative activity of the essential oil. Conclusions : The results revealed that O. dictamnus essential oil is a noteworthy growth inhibitor against the microbes studied. It also possesses significant antioxidant activity and demonstrated excellent cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells. Taken together, O. dictamnus essential oil may represent an effective and inexpensive source of potent natural antimicrobial agents with health-promoting properties, which may be incorporated in food systems. Keywords: O. dictamnus essential oil; antimicrobial; antioxidant; antiproliferative; GC–MS analysis (Published: 6 May 2015) Citation: Microbial Ecology in Health & Disease 2015, 26: 26543 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/mehd.v26.26543
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Composition, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiproliferative activity of Origanum dictamnus (Dittany) essential oil
Taylor & Francis Group, 2015Co-Authors: Gregoria Mitropoulou, Eleni Fitsiou, Elisavet Stavropoulou, Eleni Papavassilopoulou, Manolis Vamvakias, Antigoni Oreopoulou, Aglaia Pappa, Yiannis KourkoutasAbstract:Background: Nowadays, there has been an increased interest in essential oils from various plant origins as potential antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiproliferative agents. This trend can be mainly attributed to the rising number and severity of food poisoning outbreaks worldwide along with the recent negative consumer perception against artificial food additives and the demand for novel functional foods with possible health benefits. Origanum dictamnus (Dittany) is an aromatic, tender perennial plant that only grows wild on the mountainsides and gorges of the island of Crete in Greece. Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiproliferative properties of O. dictamnus essential oil and its main components and assess its commercial potential in the food industry. Design: O. dictamnus essential oil was initially analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to determine semi-quantitative chemical composition of the essential oils. Subsequently, the antimicrobial properties were assayed and the minimum inhibitory and non-inhibitory concentration values were determined. The antioxidant activity and cytotoxic action against the hepatoma adenocarcinoma cell line HepG2 of the essential oil and its main components were further evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and by the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, respectively. Results: The main constituents of O. dictamnus essential oil identified by GC–MS analysis were carvacrol (52.2%), γ-terpinene (8.4%), p-cymene (6.1%), linalool (1.4%), and caryophyllene (1.3%). O. dictamnus essential oil and its main components were effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Enteritidis, Salmonella typhimurium, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Aspergillus niger. In addition, the estimated IC50 value for the DPPH radical scavenging activity for O. dictamnus essential oil was 0.045±0.0042% (v/v) and was mainly attributed to carvacrol. The EC50 value for the essential oil in the 72h SRB assay in HepG2 cells was estimated to be 0.0069±0.00014% (v/v). Among the individual constituents tested, carvacrol was the most bioactive compound and accounted for the observed antiproliferative activity of the essential oil. Conclusions: The results revealed that O. dictamnus essential oil is a noteworthy growth inhibitor against the microbes studied. It also possesses significant antioxidant activity and demonstrated excellent cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells. Taken together, O. dictamnus essential oil may represent an effective and inexpensive source of potent natural antimicrobial agents with health-promoting properties, which may be incorporated in food systems