1,721,096 research outputs found
Vegetable extracts as natural sources of dyes
No full textAmong cosmetic and food additives, dyes are receiving, in the past two decades, the largest number of adverse criticism. As a matter of fact, more than a real technological tool (as for example antimicrobics and emulsifiers) they simply represent an answer of industry to market needs. The choice of natural colorants instead of synthetic ones is certainly due to healthy concerns, though real safety and healthiness of natural substances is not scientifically stated yet. Toxicological investigations about food colours, for example, are already performed all over the world, and every year they result in revisions, and often reductions, of their authorised maximum content. This kind of impulses, together with the modification of the requests from consumers, has caused a general lowering of industrial interest toward synthetic dyes. Therefore, the finding out and exploitation of naturally occurring dyes find strong motivations, that range from the field of food additivation to many other sectors, from cosmetics to clothes. The interest in all plants able to give pigments to be used by industry, is therefore increasing. Some of these plants are already known (Isatis, Rubia, Safflower), and before the worldwide spreading of synthetic dyes they were largely used with this purpose; the literature about this subject, however, also quotes many other species as potentially interesting, both coming from spontaneous Mediterranean flora and native of other areas. This work summarizes uses and prospects of several herbaceous species that could be useful natural dyes resources, which are already used by industry or that could be used in future
Plant structure as a determinant of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) seed and straw yield
No full textCoriander (Coriandrum sativum L., Apiaceae) is a Mediterranean aromatic plant that is mainly cultivated for its fruits. Understanding the association between various vegetative and reproductive structures as they pertain to yield can help addressing efforts for achieving the highest productivity levels, by improving both cropping techniques and breeding. Multiple Regression (MR) analysis is a suitable tool to understand this association; notwithstanding, due to the plant's inherent “weedy” growth, the interpretation of MR results in coriander is often difficult. Therefore, in our analysis we also calculated additional indicators of variable contribution to the model and to one another. We analyzed data (n = 193) obtained from field experiments on coriander carried out in Sicily from 1999 to 2007. Nine plant variables were submitted to different MR approaches, including Path Analysis (PA), Commonality Analysis (CA) and Dominance Analysis (DA). All MR analyses attributed to the number of umbels per plant the highest importance in assessing both seed and straw yield. Additionally, the mass of one umbel proved to be a strong determinant of fruit yield per plant, whereas the umbel diameter was relevant for the assessment of plant straw production. This information will be useful for addressing coriander cropping technique and breeding
Antioxidant compounds in some herbaceous aromatic plants
No full textFats and oils, contained in many foods and cosmetics, may easily deteriorate due to oxidative processes, causing both the development of off-flavours and the formation of free radicals, that may lead to various undesired chemical reactions. In order to prevent this process, some special synthetic substances, such as BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) and BHA (butylated hydroxyanesole), sodium nitrate and nitrite, sulphites, are added to the products to be preserved, and often to their packaging materials. Lately, synthetic antioxidants have provided a point for criticism, in relation to the possible effects of their use on public health. Therefore, and in the widespread belief that natural products are anyway healthier and safer than synthetic ones, the importance of finding out vegetable compounds able to take effectively the role of conventional antioxidants, and their investigation and economical verification, is greatly increasing. Many medicinal and aromatic plants, especially those belonging to the Labiatae family, are already well known for their preservative properties, both in food and in cosmetic preparations. In many cases, they are species widely spread in spontaneous Mediterranean flora, and their exploitation is one of the few economical possibilities for some marginal lands. This work reviews the major botanical, agronomic and chemical aspects of some aromatic plants, considered to exert antioxidant activities
Cultivation trials of some aromatic and medicinal plants in a semi-arid mediterranean environment
No full textAromatic and medicinal plants are widespread throughout the Mediterranean region, being dominant elements of the natural flora. Since the ancient time they have been utilised by local inhabitants for production of domestic preparations, beverages, confectionery and foods. Nowadays, their cultivation is increasing continuously due to the high demand for raw materials, especially products made with the help of "biological" techniques. In this work the results of cultivation trials performed in Sparacia (Cammarata - AG - Sicily) are summarised. In the experiments some aromatic and medicinal plants of major interest were tested under the representative semi-arid Mediterranean conditions in 1998, 1999 and 2000. Clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare L.), dill (Anethum graveolens L.), marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) and milk thistle (Silybum marianum Gaertn.) were grown in experimental plots in order to evaluate their suitability to the field conditions. Based on the results the majority of the crops, grown in the trials grew well under semi-arid Mediterranean conditions and gave a satisfactory yield. The cultivation of these species provides an alternative for the farmers to increase their income, even in the areas unsuitable for conventional crops
Optimizing Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.) Cultivation: Effects of Different Manures on Plant Growth and Essential Oil Yield
Full text linkUsing animal manure in organic systems can improve the quality of agricultural products, especially medicinal plants. In this study, the impact of different types and levels of animal manures on hyssop plant biomass and essential oil yield and profile was assessed. Three supply levels (Low, Medium, and High) were tested for poultry (Np), sheep (Ns), and cattle (Nc) manures. Through GC-MS and GC-FID analysis, 24 chemical constituents were identified in the hyssop essential oil, accounting for 93.7–97.8% of the total composition. The Medium-Nc and High-Np treatments had essential oil content ranging from 0.98% to 1.45%, significantly different from the control treatment at 1.17%. Essential oil yield in Low-Np, Medium-Np, and High-Np was 47.5, 53.8, and 49.2 kg ha−1, respectively, showing increases of 42.5%, 61.6%, and 47.7% compared to the control. Medium-Nc and High-Nc treatments had the most potent antioxidant properties compared to the control. Different amounts of poultry, sheep, and cattle manures led to distinct differences in essential oil compounds, categorizing the manure treatments into three groups. Medium-Np had 44% more air-dried biomass than the control, while no significant difference was found in air-dried herbal product levels among sheep and cattle manures. Taken together, farmers focusing on biomass and essential oil should opt for Medium poultry manure. The pharmaceutical industry should explore other fertilizer options based on secondary metabolite needs
Effect of the choice of different row arrangements on the bio-agronomical behaviour of Origanum heracleoticum
No full textOriganum heracleoticum L. (oregano) is one of the most important aromatic crops growing spontaneously in the Mediterranean area. Besides being used since ancient times in many traditional recipes, oregano becomes increasingly appreciated even today. One of the reasons is the essential oil, containing a lot of principles possessing antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Based on the demand a well established cultivation may economically supply the drug. This work summarises the results of a cultivation trial performed in Sparacia in a typical semi-arid Mediterranean environment. The maximum dry yields were obtained in the twin-row arrangement (1 m between and 0.5 m inside) in the second and third years of cultivation. Spacing effected the number of branches, age of the plants influenced almost all of the production characteristics. We found a significant interaction between the examined factors in case of the shoot mass, stem mass and number of flowers
Cultivation trials of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) in a semi-arid mediterranean environment
No full textCoriander (Coriandrum sativum L. - family Apiaceae) fruits, commonly called "seeds," are used all over the world for flavouring many foods items. Unfortunately, most information about cropping techniques of coriander come from markedly different environments from the Mediterranean ones; it is worth, therefore, examining some of the most important aspects of this topic. In order to evaluate the possibility to grow coriander under semi-arid Mediterranean environments a field trial was performed in 1998/99 and 1999/2000. In both years, the experimental field was located in Sparacia (Cammarata- AG -Sicily). Coriander was sown, in rows 50 cm apart on December 4th, 1998 and December 7th, 1999. The harvest of seeds was performed in both years from the 10th to 20th of June, after reaching a thermic sum of 1586 and 1714 GDD (Growth Degree Days) respectively. Despite the very low rainfall (229 and 261 mm from sowing time to harvest in both years) the fruit yields were rather satisfactory, reaching 581.3 and 970.6 kg ha-1 (dry mass). In the case of the volatile oils the most important compounds detected in the fruits were linalool (24.8 to 31.7 %), α-pinene (27.5 to 26.1 %) and γ-terpinene (21.9 to 23.0 %)
Cultivating for the industry: Cropping experiences with hypericum perforatum l. in a mediterranean environment
Full text linkHypericum perforatum is an intensively studied medicinal plant, and much experimental activity has been addressed to evaluate its bio-agronomical and phytochemical features as far. In most cases, plant material used for experimental purposes is obtained from wild populations or, alternatively, from individuals grown in vases and/or pots. When Hypericum is addressed to industrial purposes, the most convenient option for achieving satisfactory amounts of plant biomass is field cultivation. Pot cultivation and open field condition, however, are likely to induce different responses on plant’s metabolism, and the obtained yield and composition are not necessarily the same. To compare these management techniques, a 4-year cultivation trial (2013–2016) was performed, using three Hypericum biotypes obtained from different areas in Italy: PFR-TN, from Trento province, Trentino; PFR-SI, from Siena, Tuscany; PFR-AG, from Agrigento province, Sicily. Both managements gave scarce biomass and flower yields at the first year, whereas higher yields were measured at the second year (in open field), and at the third year (in pots). Plant ageing induced significant differences in phytochemical composition, and the total amount of phenolic substances was much higher in 2015 than in 2014. A different performance of genotypes was observed; the local genotype was generally more suitable for field cultivation, whereas the two non-native biotypes performed better in pots. Phytochemical profile of in-pots plants was not always reflecting the actual situation of open field. Consequently, when cultivation is intended for industrial purposes, accurate quality checks of the harvested material are advised
Bringing spontaneous plants to cultivation: issues and constraints for medicinal and aromatic plants
No full textIn many places on Earth, MAPs have been representing for centuries the basic sources for food and medicines for local populations. In their traditional utilization form, they were collected from the wild, a sustainable practice only until it is not too massive. Many studies demonstrate that when the needs from market and industry overpass a definite threshold, only specialized cultivation can guarantee high-quality and abundant quantities of plant biomass to address to industrial purposes. However, large sections of public and buyers are deeply convinced that herbal products keep their maximum activity level only when collected from the wild, as the wild product holds a “naturality” feature that is often not perceived when the same product is obtained by cultivation. As a matter of fact, there is no actual reason to believe that a cultivated plant could gain a lower quantity or quality of active principles with respect to wild plants. Examples from Hypericum perforatum and H. perfoliatum, as well as Thymus spinulosus and T. longicaulis, confirm that in these species no significant decrease occurs in the most representative phytochemicals detected, after the shifting from wild to cultivated. It is true, instead, that a finely tuned cropping technique can in some case enhance the level of some metabolites of interest. However, many issues arise in this transition, mostly due to several morphological and biological features of MAPs that can represent significant constraints to an efficient large- and medium-scale cultivation, such as (i) the shattering of fruits/seeds, (ii) the simultaneous presence of reproductive parts at different development stages, and (iii) a non-optimal reaction to the major agronomic inputs (i.e. irrigation or fertilization) that often induces an unwelcome production of plant biomass rather than seeds (as often recorded in many Apiaceae, e.g., coriander or fennel)
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