026558   MULAY R J (Commerce and Science Coll, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra) : Phytochemical profile and ethnomedicinal uses anatomy anti microbial activity of Calotropis gigantea (L.) R. Br. in air. Asian J Sci Technol 2018, 9(05), 8212-5.

Since ancient times, different extracts from traditional medicinal plants have been tested to identify the source of the therapeutic effects. Calotropis gigantia R, Br. (leaf) extract made in methanol, petroleum ether contains different secondary metabolites (phytochemicals) with biological activity that can be of therapeutic index. Preliminary phytochemical screening of plant parts of and Calotropis gigantia R. Br. It is interesting to note that the action of the extracts of Calotropis gigantia R. Br. is non-toxic. Phytochemical screening of the crude extracts revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, alkaloids, and other phytoconstituents which were reported during present investigation were cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, glycosides, steroids, terpens and tannins. The consequences of this work has clarified that many active bioconstituents of Calotropis gigantia R. Br. consist effective qualities in its tending action. Herbal medicines have been used from the earliest times to the present day.

2 illus, 2 tables, 12 ref

026556   VIJAYALAKSHMI D, RAVEENDRAN M (Crop Physiology Dep, Tamil Nadu Agricultural Univ, Coimbatore, Email: vijiphysiology@gmail.com) : Physiological analysis of C₃ rice [Oryza sativa (L.)] and C₄ millet [Setaria italica (L.)] to identify photosynthetically efficient plants. Indian J Plant Physiol 2018, 23(2), 193–200.

The study was undertaken with the aim of developing a reliable and rapid screening protocol to identify crop plants with higher photosynthetic efficiencies. The vascular architecture and physiological functions of the leaves of C₃ and C₄ photosynthetic genetic model systems were compared. Vein densities, leaf chlorophyll index, Chlorophyll a fluorescence and gas exchange parameters were correlated with photosynthetic efficiency to develop an efficient protocol. The photosynthetic rates of Setaria italica were almost double when compared with the C₃ plants. The higher photosynthetic efficiency of Setaria italica was supported by high photosynthetic rates coupled with moderate to high stomatal conductance and low transpiration rates. Setaria italica showed a significant increase in PSII efficiency as the growth progressed, while no significant changes in Fv/Fm values were observed in Oryza sativa genotypes. The distribution of SPAD index values among the rice genotypes during the entire growth period did not exceed 34.35. Setaria italica genotypes exhibited a denser arrangement of SLV’s, almost three times higher than Oryza sativa, with an interveinal distance of 0.317–0.329 mm. Denser networks of small longitudinal veins, higher SPAD indices and PSII efficiency were key traits to look for photosynthetic efficiency in crop plants.

5 illus, 2 tables, 26 ref

026555   THANIARASU R, KUMAR T S, RAO M V (Botany Dep, Bharathidasan Univ, Tamil Nadu- 620 024, Email: senthil2551964@yahoo.co.in) : Rapid in vitro propagation by liquid culture system and genetic homogeneity assessment of Plectranthus bourneae Gamble, an endemic plant species to South India. Indian J Plant Physiol 2018, 23(2), 376–84.

The present investigation describes the in vitro propagation of Plectranthus bourneae via liquid culture system from axillary bud and shoot tip explants. Multiple shoots were initiated from axillary bud and shoot tip explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations (0.1–2.0 mg/l) and combinations of cytokinins [BA (6-benzyladenine), KN (kinetin), and TDZ (thidizauron)] along with (0.5–2.0 mg/ l) auxins [NAA (a-naphthalene acetic acid), IAA (indole-3 acetic acid), IBA (indole-3-butyric acid)]. Maximum shoot multiplication (12.14) was achieved from axillary bud explant followed by shoot tip explant (8.85) at 0.5 mg/l TDZ with 1.0 mg/l NAA. A maximum of 9.71 roots/shoot was observed at 0.7 mg/l IBA. The rooted plantlets successfully hardened and transferred to greenhouse condition with 83 % survival. Inter-simple sequence repeat markers exhibited genetic fidelity with 100 % monomorphism in regenerants. The authenticated protocol supports rapid production of true-to-type plants by liquid culture in vitro and therefore could supply a valuable target material for genetic transformation study.

2 illus, 4 tables, 55 ref

026554   SINGH A L, NAKAR R N, CHAUDHARI V, CHAKRABORTY K, KALARIYA K A, GANGADHARA K, BISHI S K, PATEL C B, SINGH S (ICAR-Directorate of Groundnut Research, Junagadh- 362 001, Email: alsingh16@gmail.com) : Photosynthetic efficiency among Indian peanut cultivars and influence of seasonal variation and Zinc. Indian J Plant Physiol 2018, 23(2), 325–41.

Sixty high yielding Indian peanut cultivars were studied for net photosynthesis (P_N), transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (g_s), water use efficiency (WUE), radiation use efficiency (RUE), SPAD chlorophyll meter reading (SCMR) and chlorophyll fluorescence (F_v/F_m) at 70–75 days and pod and fodder yields at harvest in field during both the Kharif (Wet) and Rabi-summer (Dry) seasons to find out the efficient cultivars and seasons. The dry season crop showed higher values of these parameters except E and F_v/F_m than that of wet season crop and application of Zn increased all these but reduced g_s and SCMR. On an average, the peanut cultivars showed 29.9 and 19.4 µmol (CO₂) m² s ^–1 PN, 0.57 and 0.26 m s^-1 gs, 11.4 and 13.2 m mol m^-2 s ^-1 E, 2.67 and 1.49 WUE, 0.018 and 0.012 RUE, 38.2 and 36.3 SCMR and 0.843 and 0.850 F_v/F_m during dry and wet seasons, respectively. The foliar application of zinc as 0.2 % zinc-sulphate, during dry season, influenced all these parameters, with an average of 30.6 and 29.3 µmol (CO₂) m^-2 s ^-1 PN, 0.54 and 0.60 m s^-1 gs, 11.7 and 11.2 m mol m^-2 s ^-1 E, 2.69 and 2.65 WUE, 0.019 and 0.018 RUE, 37.8 and 38.7 SCMR and 0.844 and 0.842 F_v/F_m with and without Zn, respectively. The study identified several photosynthetically efficient cultivars. There were 18 cultivars with high PN and gs, 18 cultivars with high PN and E and 17 cultivars with high PN and pod yield. Based on the overall performance the peanut cultivars being recommended are Tirupati 3, TG 37A, CSMG 884, RS 1, S 230, LGN 2, TPG 41 and SG 99 for dry season and GG 20, Tirupati 4, M 197, ALR 2, JL 501 and RG 141 for wet season.

4 illus, 5 tables, 44 ref

026553   LAXMAN R H, HEMAMALINI P, BHATT R M, SADASHIVA A T (Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Div, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore - 560 089, Email: laxmaniihr@gmail.com) : Non-invasive quantification of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plant biomass through digital imaging using phenomics platform. Indian J Plant Physiol 2018, 23(2), 369–75.

Phenotyping approaches, using high throughput imaging techniques, are being adopted over the traditional methodologies which are manpower intensive, time consuming and low throughput. However, the effectiveness of high throughput plant phenotyping through imaging in plant phenomics facility essentially requires establishing relationship between plant areas quantified through imaging and the actual biomass. The present study was conducted with an aim to standardise the methodology for digital quantification of tomato biomass using plant phenomics facility. A strong linear relationship was observed between the actual tomato plant fresh mass, digital biomass and projected shoot area. The correlations between plant fresh mass, plant digital biomass and projected shoot area were highly significant at 30, 45 and 60 days after transplanting, but at 75 days no correlation was observed. Hence, the present study clearly demonstrated that the growth of tomato plants could be monitored through digital imaging using either projected shoot area or digital biomass till 60 days after transplanting across genotypes for high throughput phenotyping.

6 illus, 13 ref

026552   GOVINDARAJU M, GANESH KUMAR R S, SUGANTHI K, SUGANTHI P (Environmental Biotechnology Dep, Bharathidasan Univ, Tamil Nadu- 620 024, Email: mgrasu@gmail.com) : Functional analysis of rubisco protein in selected plants grown under air pollution stress environment. Indian J Plant Physiol 2018, 23(2), 201–8.

In the present study, the rubisco protein was evaluated as an effective air pollution stress indicator in plant species such as Mangifera indica L. and Azadirachta indica A. Juss. that grown near lignite based thermal power station, southern India. The plant species were used as biomarkers at three different field locations in downwind areas receiving significant level of air pollution. The results entail that respirable suspended particulate matter, suspended particulate matter, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide are the major air pollutants found in the study area. The expression pattern of rubisco protein in A. indica was significantly reduced at experimental site followed by confirmation with western blot analysis. This is a first kind of study to analyse the air pollution stress changes using rubisco enzyme in plants at natural environmental conditions. The results from this study would pave future perspectives to engineer rubisco for assimilating of carbon dioxide.

5 illus, 28 ref

026551   GAUTAM S, BHAGYAWANT S S, SRIVASTAVA N (Bioscience and Biotechnology Dep, Banasthali Univ, Rajasthan - 304 022, Email: nidhiscientist@gmail.com) : Antioxidant responses and isoenzyme activity of hydroponically grown safflower seedlings under copper stress. Indian J Plant Physiol 2018, 23(2), 342–51.

Safflower is an oilseed rabi crop. Continuous use of use of copper (Cu) containing fungicides and pesticides, due to high susceptibility of this crop of fungal attack has increased the accumulation of Cu in the soil. To investigate the effect of extra accumulated Cu on this particular crop, safflower seeds were germinated on different concentration of Cu (25, 50 and 100 µM) present in Hoagland’s solution (hydroponic) along with control (0.5 µM of Cu) and seedlings were harvested after 10 and 20 days of Cu treatment. The concentration of alpha-tocopherol was high in leaves as compared to roots in presence of Cu stress. The content of vitamin C was increased in both leaves and roots. In 10 and 20 day leaves, the CAT activity has been decreased in all the treatments. In 10 day roots, the CAT activity was increased but decreased abruptly in 20 day harvested roots. Isoenzymatic pattern of CAT showed three bands of CAT (CAT 1, CAT 2 and CAT 3) in control in 10 day leaves while CAT 1 was diminished in lane 2, 3 and 4. In 20 day leaves, we observed only one bands of CAT (CAT 2) in lane 1 (control) while CAT 1 was appeared at high concentration of Cu. We observed no more significant changes in the CAT isoforms in 10 and 20 day roots. The GPX activity was increased in both the day’s collected samples (leaves and roots). The analysis of GPX isoenzymes revealed no significant changes in isoenzymatic pattern but their band’s intensity was increased with an elevated metal treatment. In 20 day harvested leaves, we observed two bands of isoenzyme in lane 1 and four bands of GPX in lane 2, 3, 4 along with their increased intensities. In 10 day roots, we observed two band of GPX in all the treatment with elevated intensities as compared to control (lane 1). Similarly we observed two bands of GPX in all the treatments and control. But the intensity of bands was increased till lane 3 but in 20 day rootsat highest treatment (100 µM) the intensity of bands was decreased. The SOD activity was reduced in 10 and 20 day leaves. In 10 day roots, it was augmented but reduced at 100 µM as compared to control (100 %). In 20 day harvested roots, the activity was decreased by 1.30, 11.11 and 15.68 % with increased Cu concentration than control (100 %). Three isoenzymes of SOD were appeared in 10 day leaves with more or less same intensity. While in 20 day leaves explant has shown SOD 1, 2 and 3 activities. In 10 day treated roots SOD 1 with increasing intensity was appeared in lane 3 and 4 than control (lane 1) while SOD 2 was almost constantly present in all four lanes. Similarly in 20 day root ex-plant, SOD 1 has been observed with decreasing intensity in lane 2, 3 and 4 than control (lane 1). To cope up with the Cu stress, the antioxidant enzymes such as GPX and SOD were actively involved in safflower seedlings. 

15 illus, 53 ref

026550   DHILLON B S, SHARMA P K, DHINGRA M (Agronomy Dep, Punjab Agricultural Univ, Ludhiana, Email: bsdhillon@pau.edu) : Boron and TIBA induced physiological and anatomical changes in relation to dry matter partitioning in spring sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) under delayed sowing. Indian J Plant Physiol 2018, 23(2), 352–9.

Improper translocation of photoassimilates due to poor differentiation of vascular bundles is reported to result in poor seed set in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) especially under high temperature conditions. Furthermore, comprehensive studies for improving vascularisation in sunflower are lacking. Hence, investigations were conducted at the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India during spring 2014 and 2015 to evaluate the effect of boron and TIBA on pedicel anatomy and photosynthetic parameters in relation to dry matter accumulation by sunflower. The field experiment was laid-out in split-plot design keeping three sowing dates (January 20—D1, February 10—D2 and March 2—D3) in main plots and eight foliar applications (control, water spray, boron—110, 220, 440 ppm, TIBA—100, 200, 400 ppm) in sub plots with three replications. Delay in sowing caused reduction in photosynthetic parameters and pedicel vascularisation, ultimately resulting into lower biological and seed yield. Foliar spray of boron (220 and 440 ppm) and TIBA (100, 200, 400 ppm) increased the mean length of vascular bundles by 22.9 and 35.5 %, and mean width by 34.2 and 39.8 % coupled with significant improvement in photosynthetic parameters, and ultimately enhanced seed yield by 13–17 % over control. Furthermore, positive correlation of dry matter partitioning to seed with length (|r| = 0.89) as well as width (|r| = 0.93) of vascular bundles indicated the role of boron and TIBA in improving the seed yield via improvement of vascular differentiation. However, plant height and DM partitioning to stem showed highly significant negative correlation with DM partitioning in seed.

3 illus, 4 tables, 30 ref

025383   CHOUDHARY R, MALIK S K, CHAUDHURY R (National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi-110 012, Email: ravianu1110@gmail.com) : Development of an efficient cryoconservation protocol for Himalyan mulberry (Morus laevigata Wall. ex Brandis) using dormant axillary buds as explants. Indian J Exp Biol 2018, 56(5), 342-50.

The Himalayan mulberry, Morus laevigata Wall. ex Brandis, is a cold tolerant species found commonly in India from Himalayan foothill to Andaman islands, and it is known for its timber value, forage use, particularly as silkworm's feed. Preservation of germplasm, cryopreservation, particularly for long term storage, of such economically important plant species helps in breeding and development of new cultivars. In the present study, three cryotechniques viz., two-step freezing, encapsulation-dehydration and vitrification were attempted for cryopreservation of of M. laevigata using winter dormant buds as explants. A two-step freezing cryo procedure preceded by desiccation to 15-25 % moisture content was developed. Recovery conditions, including dark incubation and rehydration in sterile moist moss grass for different durations, after cryopreservation led to higher survival when compared to untreated controls. For encapsulation-dehydration, alginate beads containing descaled buds were dehydrated for 1-3 days in various sucrose concentrations (0.3, 0.5, 0.75 or 1.0 M). Bead desiccation was performed using laminar air flow for either 1-6 h. For vitrification, descaled buds were directly immersed for 20, 40, 60, 90 or 120 min in a vitrification solution (PVS₂). Following encapsulation-dehydration, treatment of alginate beads with 0.75 M sucrose was more effective in promoting regrowth of explants after immersion in liquid nitrogen than in the presence of 0.75 M sucrose for 48 h. Regrowth of explants was also observed following vitrification which reached 50 % with increasing duration of the PVS₂ treatment for 20-90 min. Overall, the highest frequency of explant regrowth was obtained when explants were subjected to encapsulation-dehydration. This is possibly the first attempt for cryopreservation of Himalayan mulberry adopting these three new cryotechniques.

6 illus, 2 tables, 30 ref

025381   KORA A J (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Hyderabad - 500 062, Email: koramaganti@gmail.com) : Growth and metabolic characteristics of hydrocarbon degrading bacteria isolated from an oil refinery soil. Indian J Geo-Mar Sci 2018, 47(5), 1029-35.

One bacterial isolate capable of growing better in minimal medium containing diesel, kerosene and petrol were designated as D3, K4 and P4, respectively. Their growth pattern, hydrocarbon biodegradation in the presence of different nutrient media, carbon, nitrogen sources; solvent tolerance and enzyme activity was studied. The nutrient rich LB medium supplemented with diesel, kerosene and petrol at 2 % supported more growth of the isolates than the controls. Isolates showed differential preference towards nitrogen sources and demonstrated enhanced degradation of the hydrocarbons due to supply of rate limiting concentrations of nitrogen. The catechol 1, 2- dioxygenase activity in all the isolates was more when compared to catechol 2, 3-dioxygenase. Based on the biochemical characterization, the K4 and P4 strains were identified as Pseudomonas sp and Bacillus sp., respectively. The strains exhibited maximum degradation of the applied hydrocarbons in the soil supplemented with nitrogen and potassium nutrients.

4 illus, 2 tables, 29 ref

025443   AHMED A B A, MAGESH J, IDRIS S N, MUBARAK E N, TAHA R M (Ton Duc Thang Univ, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Email: bakrudeen.ali.ahmed@tdt.edu.vn) : Chemical constituents and antimicrobial activity of essential oils from micropropagation and field-grown plants of Wedelia biflora [L.]. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(6), 1712-24.

An efficient regeneration protocol through axillary and inter nodal explants was developed from Wedelia biflora. Explants were placed on MS medium supplemented with different treatments of cytokinins, 6-benzyladenine (BA) and kinetin (KIN) for adventitious shoot production. The highest multiple shoots (95 %; 26.4 shoots/ explant) and elongation (2.75 cm shoot length), was obtained in 1.0 BA mg L^-1 in axillary node explants. The shoot was transferred to half-strength MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg L^-1 IBA showed the best root formation (85 %; 22.2 roots/shoot; 2.65 cm root length; propagate leaf d.w 1.42 g L^-1 and root d.w 1.10 g L^-1) and plantlets were successfully acclimatized in the green house. The compositions of essential oils were studied in in vitro and in vivo leaf explants and to determine their absolute and relative concentrations using GC-MS and GC-FID, respectively. In vitro and in vivo variations in composition among the essential oils were detected. Sesquiterpene and monoterpene are major components in the oil of in vitro and in vivo leaves of W. biflora. Essential oil quantification showed α-pinene (44.03 %); verbenone (15.37 %); δ-cadinene (5.48 %) of in vivo leaves; whereas α-pinene (5.02 %); verbenone (1.40 %) and δ-cadinene (3.13 %) of in vitro leave respectively. The in vitro and in vivo essential oils were analyzed by bacterial and fungal organism through disc diffusion and minimum inhibitor concentration (MIC) methods. The results were compared with reference drugs ciprofloxacin and nystatin respectively. In vitro developed plants exhibited higher sesquiterpene contents and antimicrobial activity than field grown plant.

3 illus, 4 tables, 24 ref

025442   KILIC O (Bingol Univ, Turkey, Email: omerkilic77@gmail.com) : Essential oil and fatty acid composition of leaves of some Lamiaceae taxa from Turkey. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(6), 1706-11.

Essential oil can be extracted from various plants. In this present study, the essential oil and leaf fatty acid compositions of some plants taxa: Saturej amacrantha C.A.Mey., Nepeta transcaucasica Grossh., Nepeta betonicifolia C.A.Mey., Scutellaria orientalis L. subsp. orientalis and Salvia euphratica Montbret & Aucher ex Benth. var. lejocalycina were analyzed by GC-MS. Carvacrol (20.2 %) and thymol (11.3 %) were detected as the main compounds of S. macrantha; caryophyllene oxide (18.5 %), camphor (14.9 %) and βpinene (14.7 %) were detected as the major constituents of S. euphratica; nepetalactone (18.5 %) and 1,8- cineole (14.4 %) were detected as the main compounds of N. transcaucasica; 1,8-cineole (13.7 %) and nepetalactone (12.2 %) were found to be the main compounds of N. betonicifolia; β-caryophyllene (14.3 %) and 1,8-cineole (10.3 %) were found to be the main compounds of S. orientalis subsp. orientalis. The fatty acid composition of the studied samples were found to be palmitic (21.76-60.00 %), steraic (17.21-38.53 %) and linoleic acid (5.66-27.35 %).

2 tables, 16 ref

025441   DEMIRPOLAT A, DOGAN G, BAGCI E (Animal and Vegetable Production Dep, Bingöl Univ, Bingöl, Turkey, Email: azizetas3@hotmail.com) : Chemical composition of essential oils of four Scandix species from different parts: A chemotaxonomic approach. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(6), 1660-8.

The chemical composition of the essential oils of dried aerial parts of four Scandix species; Scandix aucheri Boiss., Scandix pecten-veneris L. (aerial parts and fruit), Scandix macrorhyncha C.A. Mey. and Scandix balansae Reuter ex Boiss. was analyzed by using GC and GC-MS. The essential oil yield of S. aucheri showed 37 components , which comprised of 98 % of the total essential oil and identified 16 constituents in fruit and 18 constituents in aerial part of S. pecten veneris. 10 compounds were identified which comprised 89.6 % of the total essential oil from S. macrorhyncha, and 33 constituents were identified in S. balansae and comprised 83.5 % in total essential oil. The main compounds were determined as germacrene D (22.3 %), spathulenol (11.5 %), in S. aucheri; n-hexadecanoic acids (Palmitic) (28.2 %), spathulenol (19.6 %) in (aerial parts)- n-hexadecanoic acids (27.7 %), octadecanoic acids (6.7 %) in fruit from S. pecten veneris; n-hexadecanoic acids (31.5 %), 1-heptadecanol (25.2 %), in S. macrorhyncha, 9,12-octadecanoic acids (Linoleic) (26.6 %), 9- octadecanoic acids (oleic) (15.3 %), n-hexadecanoic acids (10.7 %) in S. balansae. Fatty acid, sesquiterpene and saturated hydrocarbons were determined as significant compounds for the characterization of Scandix species essential oil. The results were discussed in view of natural products and chemotaxonomy.

1 illus, 1 table, 28 ref

025440   WU Y, JIANG X, ZHANG L, ZHOU Y (Sichuan Agricultural Univ, Ya’an-625 014, P.R. China, Email: zhang8434@sina.com) : Ultrasonic-assisted extraction, comparative chemical composition and biological activities of essential oils of fresh and dry above ground parts of Artemisia annua L.. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(6), 1624-35.

The extraction of essential oil from Artemisia annua L. by ultrasonic-assisted steam distillation extraction (UASDE) was evaluated using the response surface methodology. The optimized conditions were steam distillation extraction time of 3.5 h, ultrasonic time of 0.5 h, and ratio of solid-liquid ratio of 1:10 (g/mL). Ultimately, we obtained an actual extraction rate of 0.71 % by UASD, which is higher than that by steam distillation (0.64 %). This method could be used to explore the optimum conditions of essential oil extraction and increase the extraction rate. The compounds of fresh A. annua essential oil (FE) and dry A. annua essential oil (DE) were identified by GC-MS. Results showed that the extraction ratio of FE and DE were 0.77 % and 0.73 %, respectively, and 25 compounds were identified. The relative content of each component varied, and different compounds were found in these two essential oils. Thujone was found only in DE at 0.8 %, and 0.3 % of isoeugenol was found only in FE. In-vitro antibacterial tests showed that the essential oils had different inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhimurium. Three antibacterial activity of DE was more effective than that of FE at low essential oil concentrations. The antioxidant activity of the FE and DE was evaluated using the DPPH, reducing power, and hydroxyl radical scavenging tests. Results demonstrated that DE had a higher antioxidant activity than FE.

1 illus, 5 tables, 43 ref

025439   LAL M, DUTTA S, MUNDA S, PANDEY S K (CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat - 785 006, Email: drmohanlal80@gmail.com) : Identification and registration of a high essential oil yielding variety (Jor lab l-14) of lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus l.) through mutation breeding technique. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(6), 1604-11.

A new high essential oil yielding variety of lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus L.) was developed through mutation breeding technique and registered at ICAR, New Delhi. This genotype was identified through repeated selection in gamma treated mutation populations. After initial screening from M4 mutation populations, higher essential oil genotype was identified and planted along with two check varieties in four different locations for two years in NE India and found to be stable for all the related parameters of yield. Average essential oil was recorded as 1.35 % and herbage yield was 29.57 tonnes/ha/year which were significantly higher than the check varieties and total citral content was found as 79.5 % which was followed by other minor compounds viz., linalool, iso-eugenol, limonene, α-pinene, geraniol, camphene, nerol, α-terpineol, tricyclene, α-elemol, geranyl acetate, eugenol acetate, citronellal, bicyclosesquiphellandrene, trans-β-ocimene, trans-β-caryophyllene, humulene epoxide ll, caryophyllene oxide and α-phellandrene. This newly developed novel variety was registered at ICAR, New Delhi vide registration no. INGR-18040 and named as ‘Jor Lab L-14’. This variety propagates vegetatively by means of slips and is stable for commercial cultivation.

5 tables, 22 ref

025438   KHALID K A, EL-GOHARY A E, AHMED A M A (Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Dep, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt, Email: ahmed490@gmail.com) : Effect of the interaction between salicylic acid and geographical locations on grapefruit essential oil. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(6), 1594-603.

Essential oil of grapefruit used in various food and drug industries. Previous investigators indicted that salicylic acid and different locations had a significant role in essential oil production. Essential oil production is one way to utilize the reclaimed areas in Egypt. In this study, the effects of salicylic acid on grapefruit essential oil were evaluated in reclaimed and old areas of Egypt. Grapefruit trees were exposed to salicylic acid foliar spray at 0, 20 and 40 mg L^-1 in Nubaria (reclaimed area) and Giza (old area). Data were statistically analyzed using 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA-2). The highest amounts of essential oil extracted from young shoots or peels (0.3 % and 1.3 %) were recorded at 20 mg L^-1 salicylic acid in Nubaria and Giza respectively. According to GC/MS analysis, sabinene (39.3 - 43.5 %), limonene (15.9 - 20.0 %) and terpinen4-ol (17.1 - 19.8 %) were detected as the major constituents of young shoot oil in both locations while limonene (73.1 - 78.9 %), β-myrcene (3.5 - 4.3 %) and octanal (2.9 - 5.3 %) were the major compounds in peel oil. The highest values of main components for young shoots (sabinene, 43.5 %; limonene; 20.0 %; terpinen-4-ol, 19.8 %) and peel oils (limonene, 78.9 %; octanal, 5.3 %) were recorded at 40 mg L^-1 salicylic acid in the location of Nubaria except the component of β-myrcene (4.3 %) that recorded the highest value with Giza location x 40 mg L^-1 salicylic acid. Salicylic acid x various locations produced highly significant changes (P < 0.001) in OM and SH and moderate significant (P < 0.01) in MH and insignificant in OS of essential oil extracted from young shoots. Regarding to the variations in the chemical classes of peel oil, it was found that the changes in MH, OM and SH were insignificant for the interactions between salicylic acid and both locations but the changes in OS were significant (P < 0.05). The highest amounts of chemical classes of young shoots oil such as MH (71.9 %) OM (27.1 %) and SH (3.9 %) were obtained from Nubaria location with salicylic acid at 40, 20 and 0.0 mg L1 respectively. The treatment of 20 mg L^-1 (salicylic acid) x Nubaria location resulted in the greatest value of OS (0.7 %) of peel oil.

3 tables, 43 ref

025437   HUNG N D, HUONG L T, DAI D N, HOI T M, OGUNWANDE I A (Vinh Univ, Vietnam, Email: lehuong223@gmail.com) : Chemical composition of essential oils of Alpinia strobiliformis T. L. Wu & S. J. Chen and Alpinia blepharocalyx K. Schum. from Vietnam. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(6), 1585-93.

The aim of this research was to determine for the first the chemical constituents of essential oils derived from the leaves, pseudostems and rhizomes of Alpinia strobiliformis T. L. Wu & S. J. Chen and Alpinia blepharocalyx K. Schum (syn. Alpinia roxburghii Sweet) grown in Vietnam. The oils obtained by hydrodistillation and investigated through gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The principal compounds in the leaves, pseudostems and rhizomes of A. strobiliformis were 1,8- cineole (25.5 %, 14.1 % and 16.5 %), β-pinene (10.7 %, 15.0 % and 12.5 %) and γ-terpinene (12.5 %, 11.0 % and 13.6 %). Fenchyl acetate (10.1 %) occurred in higher quantity in the rhizome. However, β-pinene (12.0 %, 10.4 % and 9.5 %), τ-muurolol (4.0 %, 9.5 % and 11.2 %) and α-cadinol (3.0 %, 9.5 % and 11.2 %) were the compounds common to the oils from the leaves, pseudostems and rhizomes of A. blepharocalyx. A large amount of (E,E)-α-farnesene (28.6 %) was found in the pseudostems, while δ-cadinene was found in the leaf (21.4 %) and rhizome (28.4 %) but absent in the pseudostems.

1 table, 37 ref

025436   MOHAMMEDI H, IDJERI-MECHERARA S, MENACEUR F, AZINE K, HASSANI A (Chemistry Dep, Houari Boumediene Univ of Sciences and Technology, Algiers, Algeria, Email: idjerifaizasamira@gmail.com) : Chemical compositions of extracted volatile oils of Ammodaucus leucotrichus L. fruit from different geographical regions of Algeria with evaluation of its toxicity, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(6), 1568-84.

The essential oils (EOs) of Ammodaucus leucotrichus fruits collected from four regions in Algerian Sahara were investigated for their chemical components, oil yield diversity and antibacterial property. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory activity and the acute toxicity of these oils are herein reported for the first time. The hydrodistillated oils yielded (2.82-3.87 %) (w/w). GC and GC-MS analyses allowed us to identify twenty components representing (95.6-99.4 %). The main components were perillaldehyde (63.6-87.7 %), limonene (7.3-19.4 %) and α-pinene (1.2-7.9 %). The determination of the acute toxicity effect in mice showed the slight toxic nature of the EOs (LD₅₀: 520-570 mg/kg). The oils exhibited significant anti-inflammatory effect; the inhibitions at a dose of 100 mg/kg were (18.7-24.5 %). Based on the determination of inhibition diameters, a high antibacterial activity against yeasts and gram-positive bacteria strains and a moderate activity against gram-negative bacteria strains were observed. These results indicated that A. leucotrichus EOs have promising anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and might be used as natural drug against inflammatory diseases or as bioactive pharmaceutical molecules.

5 illus, 6 tables, 46 ref

025435   EL-DIN M I G, YOUSSEF F S, ASHOUR M L, ELDAHSHAN O A, SINGAB A N B (Pharmacognosy Dep, Ain-Shams Univ, Egypt, Email: oeldahshan@pharma.asu.edu.eg) : Comparative analysis of volatile constituents of Pachira aquatica Aubl. and Pachira glabra Pasq., their anti-mycobacterial and anti-Helicobacter pylori activities and their metabolic discrimination using chemometrics. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(6), 1550-67.

The leaves and stems of the two Pachira species cultivated in Egypt, namely Pachira aquatica, and Pachira glabra were qualitatively and quantitatively examined for their volatile constituents employing GC/FID and GC/MS. Sixty compounds have been identified from P. aquatica leaves and stem representing 87.26 and 90.14 %, respectively of their total oil content. However, fifty seven compounds were determined from P. glabra leaves and stems representing 89.67 and 94.69 %, respectively. Trans- phytol represented the major component of P. glabra leaf oil with a content of 28.72 % of the oil, however β-cadinene (15.46 %), was the predominating compound in P. glabra stem oil. Palmitic acid methyl ester (21.08 %) and 9,12-octadecadienoic acid ethyl ester (26.20 %) were the prevailing constituents in Pachira aquatica leaves and stems oil, respectively. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principle component analysis (PCA) as unsupervised chemometric technique were successfully employed to differentiate the two morphologically close related species based upon their GC chromatograms. Only P. aquatica leaf oil showed effectiveness against both Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Helicobacter pylori infection showing MIC values of 50 and 20 μg/mL against them, respectively emphasizing its potent inhibitory activity against both hazardous infections. Thus, volatile constituents from the P. aquatica leaves offer a natural, cheap and relatively safe candidate for pharmaceutical industries to combat these life-threatening bacterial infections.

5 illus, 4 tables, 42 ref

025434   FENG J, DU Z, ZHANG L, LUO W, ZHENG Y, CHEN D, PAN W, YANG Z, LIN L, XI L (Dermatology Dep, Sun Yat-Sen Univ, China, Email: xiliyan@mail.sysu.edu.cn) : Chemical composition and skin protective effects of essential oil obtained from ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe). J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(6), 1542-9.

This study aimed to determine the chemical composition and skin protective effects of essential oil from ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), a traditional Chinese medicine, spice, and food. Essential oil was extracted from ginger by hydrodistillation. Forty-three compounds were identified in ginger essential oil (GEO) by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. GEO comprised α-zingiberene (26.00 %), β-sesquiphyllandrene (8.10 %), α-curcumene (7.99 %), α-bergamotene (7.99 %), β-bisabolene (7.47 %), and ar-turmerone (3.86 %). Skin damage induced by eight-week Ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation, including erythema, wrinkles, and skin inflammation in nude mice. GEO treatment at three different concentrations ameliorated UVB-induced skin inflammation and inhibited interleukin-1β and tumour necrosis factor-α expression in skin tissues. Therefore, GEO adequately protected the skin from UVB irradiation and photoaging.

3 illus, 1 table, 29 ref

025433   WANG Y H, YU X Y (Henan Univ of Technology, China, Email: wyhhngydx2014@163.com) : Biological activities and chemical compositions of volatile oil and essential oil from the leaves of Blumea balsamifera. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(6), 1511-31.

A modified hydrodistillation was designed to isolate essential oil (EO) from the leaves of Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC. cultivated in Luodian County, China. Meanwhile, hydrodistillation-solvent extraction (HDSE) and simultaneous distillation and extraction (SDE) were used to collect volatile oils of Luodian B. balsamifera. Chemical compositions, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of volatile oil and EO of Luodian B. balsamifera were investigated. GC-MS and GC-FID analysis showed that caryophyllene, xanthoxylin, γ-eudesmol, α-cubenene were the main compounds of EO. In the tests of antioxidant and antimicrobial capabilities, the antioxidant activity of EO was better than the other two volatile oils, and EO had high antioxidant activity in DPPH free radical scavenging test (IC₅₀: 28.22 g/L), β-carotene bleaching inhibition test (IC₅₀: 3.27 g/L), and thiobarbituric acid reactive species assay. EO exhibited favourable antifungal activity (MIC: 62.5–250 μg/mL), and showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC: 2000 μg/ mL). Essential oil of B. balsamifera leaves has potential as antiseptic and antioxidant.

2 illus, 6 tables, 48 ref

025432   SAMANI B H, BEHRUZIAN A, BEHRUZIAN M, ROSTAMI S, WIBOWO J P, MOBINI G, LORIGOONI Z (Shahrekord Univ of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran, Email: zahralorigooini@gmail.com) : The effect of combined AC electric field-ultrasound on pasteurization and chemical compositions of rose aromatic water. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(6), 1493-510.

Essential oil and aromatic water of rose are used in food industry, preparing syrups, giving fragrance to sweets, and widely used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics in the preparation of a number of medications and ointments. Thermal pasteurization methods cause undesirable changes in taste, smell, medicinal properties and nutritional quality with a reduction in the amount of aromatic water chemical compounds. The objective of the present research was accomplished the pasteurization method with high-intensity Alternative Current electric field and ultrasound waves without heat treatment on rose aromatic water. In this study was examined the effects of power of ultrasound waves (200, 150, 100 W), time of sonication (5, 4, 3 minutes), electric field intensity (5, 7.5 and 10 kV), and time of applying the electric field (5, 20 and 35 seconds) on reduction of E. coli content, energy consumption and chemical compounds of treated rose water. The results showed that the time of applying electric field is more effective in reducing the microbial load compared to electric field intensity, but the effect of electric field intensity on the Energy Per Cycle is more than that of time of applying the electric field. Phenethyl alcohol as the main compounds of rose hydrosol had an acceptable decrease in the combined method as compared with raw rose hydrosol. Furthermore, the proposed method caused to minimal changes in the chemical compositions of the rose water as compared to the conventional heating methods.

7 illus, 5 tables, 31 ref

025431   BEGUM T, PANDEY S K, BORAH A, PAW M, LAL M (CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat - 785 006, Email: drmohanlal80@gmail.com) : Essential oil composition of different accessions of ginger collected from Northeast region of India. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(6), 1475-86.

Zingiber officinale Roscoe, which belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, is a herbaceous perennial plant. The plant has been used since ancient time traditionally as a spice and as a natural remedy for cough, cold and asthma etc. The various chemical constituents of ginger are responsible for the multiple medicinal properties. Although northeast India is a biodiversity hotspot but so far only morphological data and oil yield has been studied. Very less work has been done on the chemical composition of ginger essential oil from the northeast region of India. In this study sixty germplasm were planted in randomized block design at the experimental farm CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat, Assam (India) during the year 2017-18. After harvesting, essential oil was isolated from the rhizome of each line and replications and average values were taken for measurement of the essential oil yield. Essential oil was analyzed through GC and GC/MS. The study revealed that the major constituent of ginger essential oil was geraniol followed by z-citral, eucalyptol, camphene and other minor constituents were α-pinene, β-myrcene, linalool, e-citral, neryl acetate, α-zingiberene, curcumene, β-sesquiphellandrene, α-amorphene, farnesene, elemol and β-bisbolene. Based on the activities of its chemical constituents, ginger essential oil can be used in various novel medicinal and phytopharmaceutical application.

3 tables, 36 ref

025430   AFAGH H V, SAADATMAND S, RIAHI H, KHAVARI-NEJAD R A (Biology Dep, Islamic Azad Univ, Iran, Email: sadatmandsara@gmail.com) : Effects of leached spent mushroom compost (LSMC) on the yield, essential oil composition and antioxidant compounds of German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.). J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(6), 1436-49.

Leached spent mushroom compost (LSMC) in rates of 20, 40 and 60 % was used as a partial substrate for medicinal plant German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.). A mixture of sandy loam soil and LSMC was conducted for a pot culture experiment in a green house, in a completely randomized design with six replicates for each treatment. At the end of the flowering, number, fresh and dry weight of flowers was measured. Essential oil of chamomile was isolated by Clevenger’s hydro-distillation apparatus and the components of the essential oil were identified by using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS). Moreover, enzymes and antioxidant compounds as well as photosynthetic pigments were estimated by using spectrophotometer. Analysis of variance showed that using LSMC as an organic fertilizer, significantly increased flower yield. The results also displayed, the effect of 40 % LSMC on total chlorophyll content was significant. At the highest rate of LSMC, essential oil, antioxidant compounds (polyphenols and flavonoids) and antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) increased significantly compared to control. The results of GC and GC-MS analysis presented that the oil of German chamomile flowers in LSMC treatments had 15 - 16 components and accounted for 88.27- 96.84 % of total essential oil. Totally, it can be concluded that application of LSMC as an organic fertilizer leads to improve yield, essential oil and antioxidant traits in German chamomile. Accordingly, we can consider LSMC could be a suitable substitute for chemical fertilizers as environmentally friendly material in growing medicinal plants.

2 illus, 4 tables, 57 ref.

025429   ZHU Y, FU J, LIU B, TANG J, ZHAO J (Xinjiang Univ, Urumqi- 830046, China, Email: fjh.518@163.com) : Rapid differentiation of three lavender varieties grown in China by static headspace coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(6), 1423-35.

This study aimed to develop a rapid and accurate analytical method for discriminating three lavender varieties (French blue, H-701, and C-197(2)) that could not be easily distinguished by volatile compounds. A total of 22 lavender samples from three varieties were analyzed by static headspace (HS) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The experimental parameters including equilibrium time, equilibrium temperature and water addition were investigated. The optimal analytical conditions for 0.5 g of sample were as follows: an equilibrium time of 20 min, an equilibrium temperature of 90 °C and a water volume of 2 mL. Using the proposed method, a total of 26 compounds in the lavender were identified. The results were further processed with a discriminative study by cluster analysis (CA) and principal component analysis (PCA) to detect clustering formation and to establish the relationships between varieties and their volatile components. These varieties were clearly differentiated according to the results of CA and PCA. These results suggested that static HS-GC-MS coupled with CA and PCA is a feasible and rapid technique to differentiate lavender varieties with similar morphological characteristics.

7 illus, 1 table, 29 ref.

025428   MOKHTARZADEH S, DEMIRCI B, KHAWAR K M, KIRIMER N (Field Crops Dep, Bingol Univ, Turkey, Email: smokhtarzadeh@bingol.edu.tr) : Determination of volatile components in Thymus vulgaris L. under in vitro conditions. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(1), 277-81.

Thymus vulgaris (thyme), a species of aromatic and medicinal plant of Lamiaceae family, is a bushy, woody evergreen subshrub with small, highly aromatic, grey-green leaves and clusters of purple or pink flowers that bloom in early summer. It is native to southern Europe from the western Mediterranean to southern Italy and Turkey. There are 38 species in Turkey, 53 % of which are endemic. Thyme essential oils are distilled from flowers and leaves that are widely used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and food industries. Despite the advantages and potential applications, however, there are few reports detailing in vitro propagation of T. vulgaris. The main goal in this study was to determine volatile components of in vitro micropropagated thyme by microdistillation method. GC/MS and GC/FID analysis showed that thymol, γ-terpinene, p-cymene, thymol acetate, β-caryophyllene, carvacrol methyl ether, and linalool were the main volatile components of thyme.

1 table, 23 ref.

025427   HOWYZEH M S, NOORI S A S, VAHID SHARIATI J, NIAZIAN M (Agronomy and Plant Breeding Sciences Dep, Tehran Univ, Iran, Email: noori@ut.ac.ir) : Essential oil chemotype of Iranian Ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi L.). J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(1), 273-6.

The essential oil chemotype of an Iranian ecotype of ajowan was identified using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Fifteen chemical compounds of essential oils were identified using GC-MS analysis. Thymol, ρ-cymene and γ-terpinen were identified as major components in essential oil of investigated ecotype with 54.32, 21.74, and 19.38 percentages, respectively. Only 0.42 % of the decomposed essential oil was related to carvacrol. Based on the results of the present study, thymol was the predominant composition in the essential oil of investigated ecotype of ajowan and these results can help to purposeful use of this ecotype in pharmaceutical industry, traditional medicine, and other industries.

1 illus, 1 table, 15 ref.

025426   NAGY M M, AL-MAHDY D A, AZIZ O M A E, KANDIL A M, TANTAWY M A, ALFY T S M E (Pharmacognosy Dep, Cairo Univ, Egypt, Email: dalia.almahdy@pharma.cu.edu.eg) : Chemical composition and antiviral activity of essential oils from Citrus reshni hort. ex Tanaka (Cleopatra mandarin) cultivated in Egypt. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(1), 264-72.

The chemical composition of essential oils extracted by hydro-distillation of leaves, unripe and ripe fruit peels of Citrus reshni hort. ex Tanaka was studied using GC-MS analysis. The antiviral activity against avian influenza A (H5N1) was tested using Plaque reduction assay. Limonene was the major component in fruit peel oils whereas sabinene followed by linalool were the major components of the leaf oil. Percentage of limonene in fruit peel oil increased by ripening which influenced the biological activity of the oil. The peel oils (unripe and ripe) showed moderate inhibition of (H5N1) virus at concentration (2.5 μl/ml) where the ripe peel oil showed a higher selectivity index (8.716), on the other hand the leaf oil showed weak inhibition of (H5N1) virus and displayed high cytotoxicity which suggests other medicinal uses. The antiviral activity could be attributed to a synergistic effect between limonene; major component in peel oil, and other minor components. This study was the first to investigate the antiviral activity of C. reshni essential oils, as well as, the changes in composition of C. reshni peel oil during ripening and its effect on biological activity.

1 illus, 2 tables, 43 ref.

025425   LILIA C, ABDELKARDER A, KARIMA A K A, TAREK B (Biotechnology Dep, Blida Univ, Algeria, Email: chekoual.lilia@gmail.com) : The effect of ultrasound pre-treatment on the yield, chemical composition and antioxidant activity of essential oil from wild Lavandula stoechas L.. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(1), 253-63.

In this present work, the aim is to evaluate the effect of different times of ultrasound pretreatment prior to hydrodistillation (US-HD) on the yield, chemical composition and antioxidant activity of essential oils of two wild Lavandula stoechas L. from the North of Algeria. The results indicate that ultrasound treatment engenders a rapid release of essential oils (1.59 %) recovery after only 10 min of sample of Adekar treated by ultrasound and followed by 90 min of hydrodistillation (HD) versus 180 min of hydrodistillation of untreated sample (1.17 %). However, the yields of Keddara sample treated by 45 min versus untreated samples were 0.87 % versus 0.62 %. 94.30 % and 88.26 % of total compounds were identified using chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS) in samples of Adekar and Keddara treated by ultrasound versus untreated samples (92.64 % and 88.75 % respectively). A difference in chemical composition between the essential oils of the two harvesting sites and between the extracts obtained by HD and by US-HD was found. The percentage of the most of the major compounds (fenchone, camphor, 1,8-cineole, bornyl-acetate, myrtenyl-acetate and viridiflorol) and other compounds identified is higher in treated L. stoechas L. than untreated L. stoechas L. The study of antioxidant power was carried out by 2, 2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. The results showed that antioxidant power of treated samples is superior to antioxidant power of untreated samples. Antioxidant activity of both samples (treated and untreated) is less effective compared with antioxidant activity of ascorbic acid.

3 illus, 2 tables, 30 ref.

025424   SALEHI A, ROSTAMPOUR P, GHOLAMHOSEINI M (Agronomy and Plant Breeding Dep, Yasouj Univ, Yasouj, Iran, Email: aminsalehi@yu.ac.ir) : Comparative study of essential oil content and constituents, extracted from aerial parts of Iranian wild Achillea. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(1), 246-52.

The present study investigated the chemical composition of the essential oil of wild Achillea (A. wilhelmsii) populations collected from different parts of Iran including Fars (Nourabad Mamasani), Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad (Kakan, Sisakht, Margoon and Gachsaran) and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province (ShahreKord). For this purpose, aerial parts were collected from target areas in July 2015 and chemical composition of the isolated essential oils was examined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results indicated that there was a significant difference between the populations in terms of essential oil content and composition. The highest and lowest essential oil yields were related to Nourabad Mamasani (0.45 %) and Sisakht (0.14) populations, respectively. In total, 38 compounds were detected of which 29, 23, 22, 22, 22 and 30 different compounds were recognized in Nourabad Mamasani, Kakan, Sisakht, Margoon, Gachsaran and Shahre-Kord populations, respectively. Camphor was found to be the most dominant compound in Nourabad Mamasani, Sisakht, Margoon and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari populations. However, the compound was not detected in Kakan and Gachsaran populations. These results suggest that chemical composition of essential oils of Iranian Achillea populations were highly variable, which may be due to the differences in their genetic background, chemical polymorphic structure and environmental conditions.

2 tables, 17 ref.

025423   SAADATJOO B, SAEIDI K, MOHAMMADKHANI A, SHIRMARDI H A (Horticulture Dep, Shahrekord Univ, Iran, Email: saeidi@agr.sku.ac.ir) : Assessment of variation in essential oil content and composition within and among Salvia sp. from southwest Iran. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(1), 237-45.

In this study, 18 specimens of the genus Salvia representing 4 species, Salvia multicaulis Vahl, Salvia reuteriana Boiss., Salvia virgata Jacq. and Salvia syriaca L., were collected from their natural habitats throughout southwest Iran. The essential oil (EO) content of each specimen was extracted using a Clevenger-type apparatus, and then was characterized by gas chromatography and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry methods. The EO content ranged from 0.03 to 0.5 % (w/w) and 38 components were detected in the samples. The main components were found to be caryophyllene oxide (52.4 %), (E)-caryophyllene (37.7 %), germacrene-B (35.5 %), germacrene-D (23.8 %), α-pinene (17.2 %), bicyclogermacrene (15 %), spathulenol (15 %) and linalool acetate (14.4 %). The relative composition of compounds was used to carry out a chemotaxonomic study on the species using hierarchical cluster analysis. The specimens fell into four chemotype groups based on the seven major constituents. Results showed a significant variation in content and composition of EO both within and among Salvia species. The differences of the EO content and composition of Salvia species could be used to differentiate among the species.

1 illus, 3 tables, 31 ref.

025422   SHAHHOSEINI R, SAEIDI K, BABAAHMADI H, EBADI M T (Ferdowsi Univ of Mashhad, Iran, Email: Reza.Shahhoseini@gmail.com) : Effect of fertilizers and superabsorbent hydrogel on the yield, essential oil content and composition of Lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora Kunth.) cultivated in Iran. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(1), 230-6.

Various fertilizer regimes influence the content and composition of secondary metabolites. Superabsorbent hydrogels are crosslinked hydrophilic polymers that increase soil capacity to hold water, nutrients and improve the plant’s growth and yield. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the growth parameters and essential oil (EO) content, yield and composition of lemon verbena under sole and combined application of conventional chemical fertilizers, bio-fertilizer and superabsorbent polymer. The Gas chromatography (GC) and Gas chromatography with mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) results demonstrated that oxygenated monoterpenes as the dominant class; also geranial and neral as major constituents of lemon verbena EO. Using superabsorbent hydrogel induced the highest content of geranial and neral. According to the results, although sole application of treatments was useful, their combined use was more effective to increase dry mass and oil yield of lemon verbena. Hence, the combination of chemical fertilizers plus biofertilizer and superabsorbent hydrogel can be suggested as an integrated nutrient management with the aim of optimizing the production of biomass and EO.

3 tables, 33 ref.

025421   NICKAVAR B, JABBAREH F (Pharmacognosy Dep, Shahid Beheshti Univ of Medical Sciences, Iran, Email: bnickavar@yahoo.com) : Analysis of the essential oil from Mentha pulegium and identification of its antioxidant constituents. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(1), 223-9.

In this study, the hydrodistilled essential oil from aerial parts of Mentha pulegium L. was investigated for the antioxidant activity and identification of active constituents. The chemical composition of the oil was analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. The antioxidant activity of the oil was evaluated by the DPPH assay. The most active constituents of the essential oil were detected by the DPPH-bioautography method and identified by GC analysis. 18 constituents were identified in the oil of M. pulegium and pulegone (48.7 %) and menthone (26.8 %) were found to be the main constituents. The DPPH assay showed an IC₅₀ value of 1.61 (1.41 - 1.84) mg/mL. The DPPH-bioautography guided fractionation of the essential oil followed by GC analysis of the most active fraction was resulted in the identification of menthone and pulegone as the main active constituents.

3 illus, 2 tables, 31 ref.

025420   ULUKANLI Z, CENET M, INCE H, YILMAZTEKIN M (Biology Dep, Osmaniye Korkut Ata Univ, Turkey, Email: zeynepulukanli@osmaniye.edu.tr) : Antimicrobial and herbicidal activities of the essential oil from the Mediterranean Thymus eigii. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(1), 214-22.

Essential oil (EO) of Thymus eigii (Lamiaceae) was hydrodistillated and characterized using with GC/MS. Forty-three constituents were determined accounting 100 % of the EO. The predominant constituents were thymol (24.77 %), carvacrol (14.00 %), p-cymene (10.91 %), γ-terpinene (6.53 %) and borneol (6.48 %). EO showed different levels of antimicrobial activities on test microorganisms. C. albicans, C. parapsilosis and S. aureus ATCC 29213 had the MIC/MFC/MBC values with 0.07/0.18 mg/ml, 0.18/0.36 mg/ml and 0.36/1.22 mg/ml respectively. EO of T. eigii exhibited pronounced herbicidal activities by inhibiting the germination and the growth of the seedlings of all plant species.

1 illus, 3 tables, 35 ref.

025419   MALEKZADEH M, ANGOURANI H R, YAZDINEZHAD A, HASSAN M, ABIODUN F, HAZRATI S (Szeged Univ, Zanjan, Iran, Email: m.medicinal@gmail.com) : Evaluation of volatile oil in indigenous populations of Ferula gummosa Boiss. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(1), 206-13.

Essential oil components and yield of Ferula gummosa Boiss, in different bioclimates of Iran, has been investigated. The highest essential oil versus galbanum dry weight was recorded in the samples from Ebrahim Abad (16.9 %) and the lowest amount (11 %) was measured from Angouran. Monoterpenes Hydrocabons (α-pinene (17-56.55 %), β-pinene (10.44-37.04 %), δ 3-carene (9.16-10.75 %) and Limonene (0-13.23 %) were the predominant oils components of F. gummosa. The high variability in the oil content and composition in different populations showed a remarkable difference in monoterpenes content variation from 79.47 to 86.48 %. The highest concentration of α-pinene (56.55 %) was in the Galbanum sampled from Angouran (AG) followed by β-pinene having the highest concentration (37.04 %) from the roots samples. There was a considerable chemo-variation in the oils, the study is useful base for breeding programs of medicinal plants in order to obtain a proper line with advantageous compound as natural source for pharmaceutical and agricultural industries.

3 tables, 20 ref.

025418   QIAN H, ZHANG W, HE Y, LI G, SHEN T (Lanzhou Jiaotong Univ, China, Email: s_tong28@163.com) : Chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of essential oil from Leontopodium longifoliumium Ling. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(1), 175-80.

The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained by hydro-distillation method from the aerial parts of Leontopodium longifolium Ling was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS). Totally, forty-three compounds constituting 96.90 % of the oil were detected. The predominant constituents in the oil were α-bisabolol (28.37 %) and α-bisabolol oxide B (10.66 %). The essential oil showed relatively low antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 8.907 mg/ml) in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, and showed weak antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with inhibition diameters from 11 mm to 13 mm in antimicrobial tests using disc agar diffusion method.

3 tables, 14 ref.

025417   ALSOHAILI S (Biological Sciences Dep, Al al-bayt Univ, Jordan, Email: alsohaili@aabu.edu.jo) : Seasonal variation in the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oil extracted from Achillea fragrantissima grown in Northern - Eastern Jordanian Desert. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(1), 139-45.

This study aimed to investigate the seasonal variation in the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Achillea fragrantissima essential oil (EO). EO was collected at 10 days intervals, from May to July 2014, for a total of seven harvests. The EO was extracted from aerial parts by hydro-distillation for 3 hours. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by well diffusion method against three bacterial species (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis and two fungal species (Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger). The chemical composition of EO was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The activity of the essential oils against the tested bacteria and fungi varied depending on harvesting time of A. fragrantissima. In general, the highest activity of A. fragrantissima essential oils was against Gram-positive bacteria at T6 (the end of June). The chemical constituents of EO showed quantitative and qualitative variation of several specific chemical compounds, the ratio of identified compounds range between 92.29 and 95.88 %, the major fluctuations in the composition of EO also revealed the presence of transsabinyl acetate (0.75-10.20 %), α-terpineol (3.53-9.39 %), trans-Menth-2-en-1-ol (6.5-13.34 %), and β-thujone (11.34-22.11). In this study, the antimicrobial activity and the chemical composition of the EO extracted from A. fragrantissima were affected significantly by the time of collection. T6 period would be the best time to harvest A. fragrantissima plants to obtain EO with the highest antimicrobial activity. The chemical difference noted among seasons may explain the different in antimicrobial activity.

2 illus, 1 table, 25 ref

025416   LAL M, PANDEY S K, DUTTA S, MUNDA S, BARUAH J, PAW M (CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat- 785 006, Email: mohan@neist.res.in) : Identification of high herbage and oil yielding variety (Jor lab p-1) of Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth through mutation breeding. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(1), 131-8.

Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth, also known as patchouli is an aromatic herb mainly used for high quality perfumery, aromatherapy and fragrances. The study was conducted to identify high yielding mutant genotype of patchouli through gamma radiation. In this experiment 14 different doses of gamma radiation were given to rooted slips of patchouli variety Johor. All 482 M₂ progenies were produced and their morphological, qualitative and quantitative oil data were recorded. Advanced progenies were developed and finally selected a single plant from each M₄ progenies on the basis of high essential oil and high herbage yield. These 14 lines were planted in RCBD design along with the check variety with three replications. Significant differences were observed in most of the agronomic characters and oil quality parameters among all mutant progenies. Among all the mutant lines, line no. 9 was found to be superior with plant height, herbage yield per plant, essential oil percent and monopodia length in comparison with the check variety. The multi-location trials revealed that the average fresh herbage yield (960 g/plant), oil content (3.10 %), and patchouli alcohol content (37.94 %) were also found to be significantly higher when compared to the check variety.

4 tables, 35 ref

025415   SALEHI A, GHOLAMHOSEINI M, ATAEI R, SEFIKON F, GHALAVAND A (Agronomy and Plant Breeding Dep, Yasouj Univ, Iran, Email: aminsalehi@yu.ac.ir) : Effects of zeolite, bio- and organic fertilizers application on German chamomile yield and essential oil composition. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(1), 116-30.

The current study was carried out to investigate the influence of zeolite, vermicompost and PGPRs on German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) flower yield, essential oil contents and components in a semi-arid region of Iran, during 2013 and 2014 growing seasons. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete-block design arranged in factorial scheme with three replicates. The first factor consisted of three vermicompost rates 0, 5, and 10 t ha^–1, the second factor included two amounts of natural zeolite 0 and 9 t ha^–1 and the third factor consisted of two levels of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) treatments, non-inoculated and inoculated seed. In addition, in each block, one plot was considered as the mineral fertilizer (as control treatment). The results indicated that application of organic fertilizers caused the highest flower yield in both years (464 and 521 kg ha^-1 in 2013 and 2014, respectively). The result of GC and GC-MS analysis showed that the oil of German chamomile flowers which harvested in the chemical and organic fertilizer treatments had 14 and 16 components, accounting for 88.74 and 97.30 % of total essential oil in these treatments, respectively. The major constituents of essential oil in the chemical fertilizer treatments were α-bisabolol oxide A (34.5 %), α-bisabolol (30.2 %), chamazulen (6.27 %), E-β-farnesene (5.10 %) and α-bisabolol oxide B (4.50 %), while in the organic fertilizer treatments were α-bisabolol oxide A (44.1 %), α-bisabolol (30.7 %), chamazulen (6.41 %), α-bisabolol oxide B (5.25 %) and β-Bisabolene (3.64 %). From this work, it can be concluded that the application of vermicompost, zeolite and PGPRs could be critical in the cultivation of German chamomile in arid and semiarid conditions, where soil fertility is one of the most important factors limiting plant growth, yield and quality.

6 illus, 6 tables, 40 ref

025414   GHAHARI S, ALINEZHAD H, NEMATZADEH G A, TAJBAKHSH M, BAHARFAR R (Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Univ, Iran, Email: gh.nematzadeh@gmail.com) : Phytochemical, antioxidant and biological activities of the essential oil of Astragalus alopecurus Pall. fruits from Northern Iran. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(1), 103-15.

This research investigates the chemical componds of Astragalus alopecurus Pall. fruits essential oil, and evaluates the antimicrobial effects of fruits on different plant pathogens. The essential oil of Astragalus alopecurus Pall. fruits was analyzed by GC/MS. Antimicrobial effect was examined on 14 microorganisms, containing eight bacteria and six fungi, utilizing disk diffusion and MIC methods. Astragalus alopecurus Pall. fruits were also exposed to screening for feasible antioxidant activity with utilizing 2,2-diphenyl1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test and guaiacol peroxidas, superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes. Forty four compositions were recognized representing 94.13 % of the total oil; with α-pinene (18.41 %), humulene epoxide II (12.84 %) and α-humulene (11.81 %) being the major ingredients. The essential oil indicated considerable activity on Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 50 μg/mL) and Pyricularia oryzae (MIC = 12.5 μg/mL). Moreover, the analysis of free radical scavenging activities of the Astragalus alopecurus Pall. fruits indicated antiradical activity of 146.59 μg/mL in DPPH, 3.853 mmol activity/mg protein in guaiacol peroxidase, 1.655 U/mg protein in superoxide dismutase and 28.644 μmole activity/mg protein in catalase. In addition, the phytochemical analysis demonstrated medium to well amounts of phenolic (53.61 mg/g), flavonoid (115.64 mg/g) and alkaloid (0.11 mg/ g) compositions in Astragalus alopecurus Pall. fruits. Gained results propose that this plant can applay as a potential source of biocide for inexpensive and environmentally friendly disease control methodes.

1 illus, 4 tables, 42 ref

025413   SHARMA S, KUMAR R (CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur- 176 061, Email: rakeshkumar@ihbt.res.in) : Influence of harvesting stage and distillation time of Damask rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) flowers on essential oil content and composition in the Western Himalayas. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(1), 92- 102.

Experiments were conducted to study the influence of harvesting stage and distillation time of damask rose. In the first experiment, damask rose flowers were harvested in six different stages beginning from stage 1 (HS1) where sepals were intact with dark immature petals to stage 6 (HS6) when flower opened previous day. Results revealed that stage HS4 (petal whorl opened) remained at par with HS3 (petal whorl loosened) and HS5 (fully opened flower). Furthermore, the essential oil produced in the HS4 stage recorded higher cis-rose oxide, citronellol+nerol, geraniol and lower nonadecane content than other stages. In second experiment of flower distillation time, damask rose flowers were distilled for 3 h, 4 h, 5 h, 6 h and 7 h and replicated three times. The essential oil content (0.067 %) and the concentration of citronellol+nerol (31.69 ± 1.00 %) and geraniol (19.39 ± 1.81 %) reached a maximum by extending distillation time up to 5 h. Linalool, phenyl ethyl alcohol, citronellol+nerol and trans-geraniol concentration increased up to 5 h of distillation and decreased thereafter. This study demonstrated that distillation time can significantly modify the essential oil yield and composition of damask rose. Moreover, distillation time could be used to obtain rose oil with targeted chemical profiles.

2 illus, 2 tables, 33 ref

025412   STAVER M M, GOBIN I, RATKAJ I, PETROVIC M, VULINOVIC A, DINARIMA-SABIC M, BROZNIC D (Chemistry and Biochemistry Dep, Rijeka Univ, Croatia, Email: dalibor.broznic@medri.uniri.hr) : In vitro antiproliferative and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from the flowers and leaves of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don growing in central Dalmatia (Croatia). J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(1), 77- 91.

In the present paper, chemical composition, in vitro antimicrobial and antiproliferative activity of the essential oil from the flowers and leaves of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don (Central Dalmatia, Croatia) as a potential replacement for standard antibiotics and chemotherapeutic agents was analyzed. Essential oil was isolated by steam distillation and analyzed by GC/MS. Antimicrobial activity was carried out by agarwell diffusion and microdilution assays with Gram (+), Gram (-) bacteria and one yeast. Antiproliferative effect, apoptosis induction and cell death on cancer cell lines: HeLa, MCF-7, SW620, CFPAC-1 and MIA PaCa-2 were analyzed by cell viability and Annexin-V assay as well as by flow cytometric analysis. In essential oil, α-pinene, γ-curcumene and neryl acetate was found as major compounds. The antimicrobial assays, showed that essential oil had weak to moderate antimicrobial potential with S. aureus and S. epidermidis as the most sensitive bacterial strains. Essential oil treatment possessed moderate antiproliferative impact on MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines, while analyzing cell cycle treatment had no significant effect on tested cells except on MIA PaCa-2 with the highest cells increase in sub G1 phase cell cycle. However, treatment caused significantly induction of apoptosis in MCF-7 and HeLa cells, but not in MIA PaCa-2 cells. In this cell line, multiple cell death mechanism existed with involving apoptosis, senescence or necrosis. Results of the study provide a promising basis for the evaluation of the potential use of essential oil from H. italicum (Roth) G. Don as a source of alternative nature antibiotics or anticancer agents for the prevention or treatment of different diseases.

1 illus, 4 tables, 43 ref

025411   HANIF M U, HUSSAIN A I, CHATHA S A A, KAMAL G M, AHMAD T (Applied Chemistry Dep, Government Coll Univ Faisalabad, Pakistan, Email: gmkamal@gcuf.edu.pk) : Variation in composition and bioactivities of essential oil from leaves of two different cultivars of Psidium guajava L. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(1), 65- 76.

Essential oils (EOs) were extracted from the leaves of two Psidium guajava (P. guajava) cultivars (white and pink fruit forms) from the local fields of Faisalabad, Punjab Pakistan. Essential oils were analyzed by GC/MS and the antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-haem biocrystallisation activities were assessed. GC/MS profiles revealed 40 and 57 compounds with total percentage composition 92.55 % and 86.89 % in P. guajava white and pink cultivars, respectively. The major compounds (>5 %) found in EO of P. guajava white were caryophyllene (9.08 %), dihydrocarveol acetate (7.04 %), nerolidol (6.69 %) and caryophyllene oxide (6.18 %) whereas α-phellandrene (11.66 %), eucalyptol (10.01 %), α-terpineol (7.78 %) and spathulenol (5.71 %) in P. guajava pink. Essential oils showed moderate antioxidant potential. The P. guajava pink cultivar had comparatively high antioxidant potential than P. guajava white while both had comparable antimicrobial potential. Essential oils from both of the cultivars of P. guajava exhibited poor anti-haem biocrystallization activity. Results revealed that the EO of P. guajava pink cultivar has high phenolic content as compared to P. guajava white and thus the greater antioxidant potential. Whereas the antimicrobial potential of both was almost equal. The results also revealed that both EOs have poor antimalarial activity in comparison of standard drug. Both qualitative and quantitative variations were observed in chemical composition of both EOs.

2 illus, 4 tables, 41 ref

025410   KIRILLOV V, STIKHAREVA T, SERAFIMOVICH M, KABANOVA S, CHEBOTKO N, MUKANOV B (Breeding Dep, Kazakh Research Institute of Forestry and Agroforestry, Kazakhstan, Email: vitaliy.kirillov.82@mail.ru) : The essential oil composition of Leonurus glaucescens Bunge growing wild in northern Kazakhstan and the chemical relationship of its essential oil with other Leonurus species. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(1), 52 - 64.

The composition of the essential oil from Leonurus glaucescens growing wild in Northern Kazakhstan was analyzed by the method of GC-MS. The main natural constituents of L. glaucescens essential oil were germacrene D (15.8-27.5 %), α-pinene (6.0-13.0 %), (E)-β-caryophyllene (4.7-9.3 %), α-humulene (3.7-8.8 %), cis-β-ocimene (2.3-6.5 %), depending on the places of growth. Hierarchical cluster analysis, based on the composition of 10 different essentials oils from Leonurus species, showed that composition of L. glaucescens, growing in Northern Kazakhstan, is similar to L. cardiaca, growing in Lithuania. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons- (E)-β-caryophyllene, germacrene D and á-humulene are the predominant components of the essential oils of the genus Leonurus.

3 illus, 2 tables, 50 ref

025409   AGARWAL D, SAXENA S N, SHARMA L K, LAL G (ICAR-National Research Centre on Seed Spices, Ajmer, Email: shail.nrcss@gmail.com) : Prevalence of essential and fatty oil constituents in fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) genotypes grown in semi arid regions of India. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(1), 40 - 51.

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) is an annual herbaceous plant widely cultivated throughout the temperate and tropical regions of the world. Seeds of fennel are used as flavouring agents in food products and an ingredient of cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. A study was conducted with five fennel varieties originated from different part of India and were evaluated for seed essential and total oil content and its composition, total phenolic, flavonoid and antioxidant properties of crude seed extract. The essential oil yield varied from 1.51 to 2.02 %. Twenty one constituents belonging to terpenic hydrocarbons (7.646-12.966 %), ether (9.05-88.73 %), alcohols (0.0-0.062 %), aldehydes (0.0-0.094 %), carboxylic acid (3.225-6.328 %) and diverse functional group (0.102-0.723 %) were detected in essential oil. Among ethers, 4-allylanisole, anethol and estragol were the major compounds. Variation was observed for total phenolic and flavonoid content. Distilled water and hexane were found suitable solvent for maximum extraction. Distilled water extract showed a good combination of phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant activity (71.12 %). Seventeen fatty acids were found in fennel seed oil including petroselinic acid (62.08 %-66.71 %), 10-Nonadecanone (4.70-22.80 %) and linoleic acid (1.32-7.59 %). Oleic acid, stearic acid, eicosanoic acid, lenolenic acid and intermediate compounds cyclotetracosan, cyclohexadecan, 10-Nonadecanol were detected in one or other genotypes.

4 tables, 52 ref

025408   HENDAWY S F, GENDUY A G E, OMER E A, PISTELLI L, PISTELLI L (Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research Dep, National Research Center, Egypt, Email: aggundy_5@yahoo.com) : Growth, yield and chemical composition of essential oil of Mentha piperita var. multimentha grown under different agro-ecological locations in Egypt. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(1), 23 - 39.

This investigation was carried out during two successive seasons to evaluate the growth productivity and oil quality of Mentha piperita var. multimentha grown in four different locations in Egypt (ElSharkia, El-Fayoum, Ismailia and North Sinai). The obtained results refer to presence of high significant differences between locations under study and a positive correlation could be observed between the yield of Mentha plants and temperate climate conditions. The samples from El-Fayoum location showed the highest record for all growth parameters than other locations. On the other hand, there is a great variability in the yield of essential oils where the EO ranged from 0.285 to 1.240 % according to the agro-ecological region of cultivation. The chemical composition of EOs obtained from different locations are characterized by high menthone/menthol contents and high antioxidant activity especially in the plants grown in El-Fayoum and Ismailia which could be attributed to their high amount of phenolic compounds and flavonoids comparing to other locations. The amount of oxygenated compounds in the EOs is high in the warmer locations (El-Fayoum 89.62 %), while the amount of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons was found to be high in El-Sharkia locations (6.68 %).Cultivation of Mentha piperita var. multimentha in different Egyptian locations characterized by different geographical and weather conditions, affected the quantities of the major components in a statistically significant way.

2 illus, 6 tables, 64 ref

025407   ACIMOVE M, STANKOVIC J, CVETKOVIC M, KIPROVSKI B, TODOSIJEVIC M (Institute of Field and Vegetable crops, Serbia, Email: acimovicbabicmilica@gmail.com) : Essential oil quality of tetraploid chamomile cultivars grown in Serbia. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(1), 15 - 22.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L. syn. Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert) is a herb widely used in the form of dried flower heads (Matricariae flos) infusion tea and steam-distilled essential oil (Matricariae aetheroleum). The subject of this study is to determine the chemical composition of essential oil obtained from dry chamomile flowers of three tetraploid cultivars (‘Zloty Lan’, ‘Manzana’ and ‘Lutea’) grown in North Banat region, Serbia. Essential oil has been obtained by hydrodistillation process on Clevenger apparatus. Qualitative and quantitative composition of the oil was determined by GC-MS and GC-FID analysis. From 48 compounds detected in total, the most abundant class was sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. In ‘Zloty Lan’ and ‘Lutea’ the major compound was trans-β-farnesene while in ‘Manzana’ it was α-bisabolol.

3 illus, 1 table, 23 ref

025406   ABDEL-HAMEED E-S S, SALMAN M S, FADL M A, ELKHATEEB A, HASSAN M M (Chemistry Dep, Taif Univ, Saudi Arabia, Email: shzssayed@yahoo.com) : Chemical composition and biological activity of Mentha longifolia L. essential oil growing in Taif, KSA extracted by hydrodistillation, solvent free microwave and microwave hydrodistillation. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 2018, 21(1), 1 - 14.

Essential oils of aromatic plants as an important phytochemical class have been recognized for many years as a great source of pharmaceutical agents and food additives. There are many factors influencing the chemical composition of the essential oils including extraction techniques. In this project, the effect of extraction methods (hydrodistillation, microwave assisted hydrodistillation and solvent free microwave extraction) of Mentha longifolia L. growing in Taif, KSA on the yield and chemical composition of their essential oils were investigated. In addition, anticancer and antimicrobial activities of essential oils obtained were determined. The results showed no great difference between the oil yield obtained by the three different methods, but the methods used microwave were rapid, saving time and energy than the hydrodistillation method. The qualitative chemical compositions of the three oils for each species were similar with little quantitative differences of some compounds between the three methods. The oils consist mainly from monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes in which pulegone was the main component. All essential oils showed high antibacterial activity and moderate in vitro anticancer activity. In conclusion, this considered the first study represented the effect of microwave extraction in the chemical composition of M. longifolia essential oil growing in Taif, KSA. The authors recommended the usage of the microwave method in the extraction of mint essential oil because it is energy and time saving, in addition to environmentally friendly.

1 illus, 6 tables, 59 ref

025405   SOUALEM S, KOUADRIA R, LABDELLI A, ADDA A (Ibn Khaldoun Univ, Algeria, Email: samirasoualem2006@yahoo.fr) : Effect of GA3, ABA and Kinetin on the response of the halophyte Atriplex halimus to salinity during germination. Plant Arch 2018, 18(1), 609-15.

Atriplex halimus is a xerohalophytic perennial shrub native to the Mediterranean and has potential for use in ecological restoration programmes. In this study we investigate in order (i) the effects of increasing concentrations of NaCl (100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 mM) on germination of Atriplex halimus, (ii) the impact of phytohormones on the biochemical traits of germination, under 300 mM of NaCl. The increase in salinity resulted in the decrease of germination, water uptake and osmotic potential especially at high concentration. Germination in the ABA-treated group, was markedly decreased either in presence or absence of NaCl. However, both GA3 and kinetin were very effective in alleviating salt adverse effects. This was reflected in the increased content of soluble sugars, whereas ABA-treated seeds showed a contradictory effect under salinity. Consequently, a remarkable decrease in alpha amylase activity was observed under ABA and NaCl treatments, while no substantial changes were recorded after addition of kinetin in the absence of NaCl. Furthermore, in stressed seeds this activity was strongly reversed with GA3, Results suggest that these hormones appear regulate the germination under salinity, by aleviating the toxic effect of NaCl and contrubute to osmotic adjustment in this specie.

1 illus, 3 tables, 37 ref

025404   DHIRHI N, MEHTA N, SAXENA R R, SHRIVASTAV R (Plant Breeding Dep, Indira Gnadhi Krishi Vishwa vidyalaya, Raipur- 492 012, Email: namrata123igkv@gmail.com) : Phenotyping of F₂ segregating population for powdery mildew tolerance in linseed (Linum usitatisimum L.). Plant Arch 2018, 18(1), 590-4.

The biological experimental materials comprised of five powdery mildew resistant genotypes RLC-92, Sagar Local, Sabour Yellow, Sakoor and Neela were crossed as per Line × Tester design with four powdery mildew susceptible T-397, Chambal, Neelam and Shekhar genotypes, which was taken from AICRP on Linseed, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, I.G.K.V., Raipur (C.G.), India; during Rabi 2014-15 and 2015-16. In India and Chhattisgarh, it has been observed that major limiting factors for higher production is powdery mildew. Particularly in Chhattisgarh, the yield losses due to powdery mildew may be more than 60 % when the disease is severe. Powdery mildew is the major cause in the linseed production during utera cultivation, It lows yield about 40 %. The assessment of the disease per plant was obtained by observing the intensity of lesions present on the leaves. Keeping in this view, disease screening studies were made to understand the development of powdery mildew diseases. So, we need a high yielding linseed variety for late sown conditions with resistance to powdery mildew. With this objective, field screening of parents and twenty crosses for resistance to powdery mildew was initiated. Powdery mildew score ranged from 0 (free) to 5 (highly susceptible), 2 genotypes found highly resistant, 3 genotypes showed resistant, 3 genotypes comes under moderately resistant, 3 genotypes shows moderately susceptible, 5 genotypes showed susceptible and 13 genotypes shows highly susceptible. Highly resistant genotype could be utilized as donar parent for powdery mildew resistance breeding programme.

5 tables, 15 ref