Highly volatile constituents of Vetiveria zizanioides roots grown under different cultivation conditions

Enhanced Excito-Repellency of Binary Mixtures of Plant-Based Mosquito Repellents Against Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae), a Night Biting Mosquito Species

Efficacies of essential oils (EOs) of Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash. (Poales: Poaceae) (VZ EO), Cananga odorata (Lam) Hook. F. & Thomson (Magnoliales: Annonaceae) (CO EO), and crude extract (CE) of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.F.) Wall ex. Nees (Lamiales: Acanthaceae) (AP CE), against laboratory (lab) and field strains of Culex quinquefasciatus Say were investigated. Irritant and repellent activities of individual and binary mixtures of plant extracts were compared with N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) using an excito-repellency system. The irritant activity (direct tarsal contact), the mean percent escape response of VZ EO (91.67%, 83.33%), and CO EO (80%, 88.33%) were not significantly different compared with DEET (88.33%, 95%) against lab and field strains, respectively. Similarly, irritant responses in combinations (1:1 and 1:2, v:v) of either VZ EO or CO EO with AP CE were not significantly different from DEET against both strains (P > 0.001). The repellent activity (no tarsal contact), the mean percent escape response of VZ EO (68.33%), CO EO (61.67%), and VZ EO+AP CE (1:1, v:v) (81.67%) against lab strain and CO EO (85%) against field strain were not significantly different from that of DEET (P > 0.001). Interestingly, the greatest contact irritancy of VZ EO+AP CE (1:1, v:v) (96.67%) (P = 0.0026) and a stronger repellency response of CO EO (85%) (P = 0.0055) produced significantly different patterns of escape response compared with DEET against both lab and field strains, respectively. The EOs of VZ EO and CO EO or their mixture with AP CE showed potential as plant-based active ingredients for mosquito repellents. In addition, the major chemical constituents of VZ EO were β-vetivone (6.4%), khusimol (2.96%), and α-vetivone (2.94%) by gas chromatograpy-mass spectrometry.

Evaluation of Vetiver Volatile Compound Production under Aeroponic-Grown Conditions for the Perfume Industry

Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty) is a major tropical perfume crop. Access to its essential oil (EO)-filled roots is nevertheless cumbersome and land-damaging. This study, therefore, evaluated the potential of vetiver cultivation under soilless high-pressure aeroponics (HPA) for volatile organic compound (VOC) production. The VOC accumulation in the roots was investigated by transmission electron microscopy, and the composition of these VOCs was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) after sampling by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME). The HPA-grown plants were compared to plants that had been grown in potting soil and under axenic conditions. The HPA-grown plants were stunted, demonstrating less root biomass than the plants that had been grown in potting soil. The roots were slender, thinner, more tapered, and lacked the typical vetiver fragrance. HPA cultivation massively impaired the accumulation of the less-volatile hydrocarbon and oxygenated sesquiterpenes that normally form most of the VOCs. The axenic, tissue-cultured plants followed a similar and more exacerbated trend. Ultrastructural analyses revealed that the HPA conditions altered root ontogeny, whereby the roots contained fewer EO-accumulating cells and hosted fewer and more immature intracellular EO droplets. These preliminary results allowed to conclude that HPA-cultivated vetiver suffers from altered development and root ontology disorders that prevent EO accumulation.

Chrysopogon zizanioides-a review on its pharmacognosy, chemical composition and pharmacological activities

Vetiver is a traditional plant with versatile applications in medicine, aroma, commerce, environmental-protection, and agriculture. This review was designed to compile all the latest information on phytochemistry, pharmacology, and traditional uses of C. zizanioides. All the information related to this plant was gathered from several authentic sites, using keywords like Chrysopogon zizanioides, Vetiveria zizanioides, Khus, and Khas-Khas. The included resources were journaled articles, book chapters, books, Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeias, and Ayurvedic Formulary of India, from science direct, PubMed, research gate etc. All the necessary, relevant, authentic, and updated information were tried to inculcate in the manuscript. The literature was collected via online sites like Pub med, Scopus, and Science direct as well. During compilation, it observed that many traditional utilities of vetiver got their authentication when tested using different disease-based pharmacological models taking various extracts of roots, leaves, and root oil as test samples. However, systematic studies for isolation of active constituents and establishing their mechanism of action are still required to be validated. On the other hand, the development of novel and robust techniques needed for oil extraction can further enhance the exploration of biological utilities faster. Moreover, the cultivators and harvesters must address carefully to prevent the linked drawback of soil erosion.

Back to the Roots-An Overview of the Chemical Composition and Bioactivity of Selected Root-Essential Oils

Since ancient times, plant roots have been widely used in traditional medicine for treating various ailments and diseases due to their beneficial effects. A large number of studies have demonstrated that-besides their aromatic properties-their biological activity can often be attributed to volatile constituents. This review provides a comprehensive overview of investigations into the chemical composition of essential oils and volatile components obtained from selected aromatic roots, including Angelica archangelica, Armoracia rusticana, Carlina sp., Chrysopogon zizanioides, Coleus forskohlii, Inula helenium, Sassafras albidum, Saussurea costus, and Valeriana officinalis. Additionally, their most important associated biological impacts are reported, such as anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, pesticidal, and other miscellaneous properties. Various literature and electronic databases-including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Springer, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Wiley-were screened and data was obtained accordingly. The results indicate the promising properties of root-essential oils and their potential as a source for natural biologically active products for flavor, pharmaceutical, agricultural, and fragrance industries. However, more research is required to further establish the mechanism of action mediating these bioactivities as well as essential oil standardization because the chemical composition often strongly varies depending on external factors.

Potential therapeutic effect of Chrysopogon zizanioides (Vetiver) as an anti-inflammatory agent

Vetiver has a broad history of traditional medicinal uses, but only a handful of research article has reported its utility in treating diseases. But unfortunately, no work has been reported on the anti-inflammatory activity of its plant extract and inflammatory-linked diseases. Hence, the present review focuses on investigating the several presumptions which can be put forward to explain its anti-inflammatory property. Thus, for ensuring the same, all the databases like science direct, PubMed, book chapters, and other authenticated papers were thoroughly studied to present a connection between inflammation and the plant potential. After gaining enough knowledge on pathogenesis of inflammation, it has been observed that the release of mediators from the arachidonic acid metabolism pathway and generation of oxidative and nitrogen species are presented as the main reason for the occurrence of inflammation condition. The stimulation of antioxidant enzyme system network by the plant extract reduces the level of oxidative stress, creating a balance between oxidant and antioxidant system. Moreover, its antimicrobial activity will prevent the biological source of stimulation towards injury and the CNS depressant effect will subside the pain of inflammation. Amalgamating all the factors together, the plant can be utilized as anti-inflammatory can be and also can be proved as a beneficial perspective in the treatment of inflammation-linked disorders.

Bioguided identification of antimicrobial compounds from Chrysopogon zizaniodes (L.) Roberty root essential oil

Aim: To determine the group of compounds from Chrysopogon zizaniodes root essential oil that have antimicrobial activity. Materials & methods: Thin-layer chromatography coupled to direct bioautography was used to determinate the fraction(s) having antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VREF). Through GC-MS identification, the fractions with the greatest similarity to the active thin-layer chromatography fraction were used to determinate the MIC. Results: The subfraction 8 from column chromatography was responsible for the best MIC for MRSA (62.5 μg/ml) and VREF (125 μg/ml). Five compounds possibly responsible for antimicrobial activity were preliminary identified. Conclusion: We suggest that Cedr-8-en-13-ol, could be the more relevant compound involved in the antimicrobial activity in this study.

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activities of Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash Essential Oil Extracted by Carbon Dioxide Expanded Ethanol

In the present study, the composition of essential oil isolated from the roots of Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash, harvested in China, was studied, along with the bioactivities. A green novel method using an eco-friendly solvent, CO₂-pressurized ethanol, or carbon dioxide expanded ethanol (CXE) was employed to isolate the essential oil from the root of Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash with the purpose of replacing the traditional method and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). After investigating the major operating factors of CXE, the optimal conditions were obtained as follows: 8.4 MPa, 50 °C, 5 mL/min ethanol, and 0.22 mole fraction of CO₂, presenting an extraction oil that ranged from 5.12% to 7.42%, higher than that of hydrodistillation (HD) or indirect vapor distillation (IVD). The Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis showed that three major components, including valerenol (18.48%), valerenal (10.21%), and β-Cadinene (6.23%), are found in CXE oil, while a total of 23 components were identified, 48 components less than using conventional hydrodistillation. Furthermore, the antimicrobial activities of root oils were evaluated by the microdilution method, which showed that CXE oil exhibited an ability against Gram-positive bacteria, especially Staphylococcus aureus, approximately equivalent to traditional samples. Additionally, the DPPH free radical scavenging assay demonstrated that the antioxidant abilities of root oils were sorted in the descending order: IVD > HD > CXE > SFE. In conclusion, after a comprehensive comparison with the conventional methods, the CXE-related technique might be a promising green manufacturing pattern for the production of quality vetiver oil, due to the modification of ethanol by the variable addition of non-polar compressible CO₂, ultimately resulting in a prominent dissolving capability for the extraction of vetiver solutes.

Economic incentive for applying vetiver grass to remediate lead, copper and zinc contaminated soils

The application of vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizaniodes) for phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated soils can be promoted by economic return through essential oil production. Four levels of lead (0, 500, 2000, and 8000 mg kg(-1) dry soil), copper (0, 100, 400, and 1600 mg kg(-1) dry soil) and zinc (0, 400, 1600, and 6400 mg kg(-1) dry soil) were used to study their effects on vetiver growth, essential oil composition and yield. This study also investigated the effect of nitrogen concentrations on vetiver oil yield. Vetiver accumulated high concentrations of Pb, Cu and Zn in roots (3246, 754 and 2666 mg kg(-1), respectively) and small amounts of contaminants in shoots (327, 55, and 642 mg kg(-1), respectively). Oil content and yield were not affected at low and moderate concentrations of Cu and Zn. Only the application of Pb had a significant detrimental effect on oil composition. Extraction of vetiver essential oils by hydrodistillation produced heavy metal free products. High level of nitrogen reduced oil yields. Results show that phytoremediation of Cu and Zn contaminated soils by vetiver can generate revenue from the commercialization of oil extracts.