Study on the Composition and Physiological Activity of the Essential Oils and Extracts of Cinnamomum camphora Fruit

Comparative Chemical Composition and Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) Inhibitory Potential of Cinnamomum camphora and Cinnamomum tamala

Cinnamomum species have applications in the pharmaceutical and fragrance industry for wide biological and pharmaceutical activities. The present study investigates the chemical composition of the essential oils extracted from two species of Cinnamomum namely C. tamala and C. camphora. Chemical analysis showed E-cinnamyl acetate (56.14 %), E-cinnamaldehyde (20.15 %), and linalool (11.77 %) contributed as the major compounds of the 95.22 % of C. tamala leaves essential oil found rich in phenylpropanoids (76.96 %). C. camphora essential oil accounting for 93.57 % of the total oil composition was rich in 1,8-cineole (55.84 %), sabinene (14.37 %), and α-terpineol (10.49 %) making the oil abundant in oxygenated monoterpenes (70.63 %). Furthermore, the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity for both the essential oils was carried out using Ellman's colorimetric method. The acetylcholinesterase inhibitory potential at highest studied concentration of 1 mg/mL was observed to be 46.12±1.52 % for C. tamala and 53.61±2.66 % for C. camphora compared to the standard drug physostigmine (97.53±0.63 %) at 100 ng/ml. These multiple natural aromatic and fragrant characteristics with distinct chemical compositions offered by Cinnamon species provide varied benefits in the development of formulations that could be advantageous for the flavor and fragrance industry.

Comparison of Three Different Extraction Methods on Osmanthus Volatile Oil: Aroma and Biological Activity

The osmanthus volatile oil was welcomed by consumers even if the high price since the unique and pleasant odor. Meanwhile, the low yield of osmanthus volatile oil restricts industrial production. In this work, an osmanthus volatile oil was obtained by means of a novel ultrasonic-assisted flash extraction method and was compared with the oil from hydrodistillation and supercritical fluid extraction on yield, aroma, and biological activities. The volatile oil obtained from the ultrasonic-assisted flash extraction was obtained with the petroleum ether and got a high yield at 3.51 % within a 40-min process, an increase of nearly 81 % from the single solvent extraction. This oil also showed a high aroma intensity and aroma compound concentration. Meanwhile, the oil also has the highest antioxidant ability but lower antibacterial activity against oil from hydrodistillation. It was considered that this work was helpful for the optimization of the extraction method of osmanthus volatile oil.

Chemical profiling and identification of anti-osteoporosis chemical-markers of Cinnamomum cassia (L.) presl extracts using GC-MS and spectrum-activity analyses

Cinnamomum cassia (L.) Presl (cinnamon), an important folk medicine is widely used to prevent osteoporosis for long time in China. Our study aimed to investigate the anti-osteoporosis activity and mechanisms of cinnamon extracts obtained by supercritical CO₂ extraction (SFE) and identify activity associated chemical components by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The cinnamon SFE exhibited superior anti-osteoporosis efficacy in an ovariectomised mice model to common alcohol extracts. It could induce calcified nodules and ALP activity, upregulate the mRNA expression of ALP, BMP-2, and RUNX2 in MC3T3-E1 cells. The major chemical classes of cinnamon extracts were alcohol esters (28.2%), and terpenes (16.1%). The spectrum-activity analysis indicated that the potential chemical-markers of extracts could be (E)-Cinnamaldehyde, γ-Sitosterol, and (Z, Z)-9,12-Octadecadienoic acid, which could induce the proliferation and ALP activity in MC3T3-E1 cells. Our study revealed the promising applications of the cinnamon SFE in prevention of osteoporosis, and identified its anti-osteoporosis associated compounds.

Preparation and Application of In-Situ Loaded Silver Nanoparticles Antibacterial Fresh-Keeping Composite Paper

The freshness and safety of fruits and vegetables affect our daily life. Paper products are often used in the packaging and transportation of fruits and vegetables, and these can provide other functions besides packaging after certain modifications and additions. In this study, the AgNPs/1-MCP antibacterial fresh-keeping composite paper was prepared by in-situ loaded silver nanoparticles and spraying 1-MCP solution. Moreover, the prepared paper was used to preserve sweet cherries. It was found that the prepared AgNPs/1-MCP antibacterial fresh-keeping composite paper could effectively inhibit E. coli and S. aureus. When the addition of 1-MCP in the paper was 0.05 g, the fresh-keeping effect on cherries was the best. Under this optimal condition, the weight loss ratio of the cherries was reduced by 1.93%, the firmness was increased by 27.7%, and the soluble solid content was increased by 25%. The preservation time was extended from 4 days to 12 days, three times that of the untreated ones. The prepared fresh-keeping material is environmentally friendly, non-toxic and harmless, simple to prepare and convenient to use, and is expected to become one of the important fresh-keeping methods for fruits.