In addition to its uses in pharmaceuticals, perfumes, and cosmetics, rosemary's multiple biological activities may be applied to preserve foodstuffs and reduce the risks of foodborne diseases (1). The black Aspergilli group, in particular Aspergillus carbonarius (Bain.) Thom, is a common Mediterranean contaminant, especially of fruit. This fungus, besides being a contaminant, can also produce ochratoxin A (OTA), a highly toxic fungal secondary metabolite (2). Therefore, fungal growth control is very important for the safeguarding of both plant production and human health. We tested the effect of rosemary essential oil (e.o.) on the inhibition of A. carbonarius growth in a conducive liquid medium. Rosemary cuttings from a rosemary natural population in Alghero (NW Sardinia) were transplanted in an experimental field in Castelsardo-Lu Bagnu (NW Sardinia) in May 2017. Morpho-phenological data were collect on plants and the e.o. was extracted by steam distillation and used for a biological activity assay against A. carbonarius. The e.o. chemical profile was also determined by GC-MS. Variability of both morphological traits and of phenology were observed within the rosemary population, and two plant types were identified, one of which produced a higher number of flowers and had a longer flowering season. The main components of e.o. were ?-pinene, eucalyptol and camphene for one type and ?-pinene, caryophyllene and camphene for the other. The rosemary e.o. significantly inhibited growth of A.carbonarius. This result should encourage verification of this oil's other biological activities, such as its effect on OTA biosynthesis by the same fungus. This study was developed in collaboration with the Temporary Reception Center for migrants and asylum seekers (CAS) of Baja Sunajola run by the Social Cooperative La Luna in Lu Bagnu-Castelsardo, in the frame of a training project about medicinal and aromatic plants cultivation for essential oil production. Acknowledgment: the support of "Fondazione con il Sud" to Artemisia Project is gratefully acknowledged.
Cropping a natural population of Rosmarinus officinalis L. from N.W. Sardinia. Morpho-phenologic variability and biological activity of essential oil
Serralutzu Francesca;Ricelli Alessandra;Re Giovanni Antonio;Dore Antonio;Bullitta Simonetta
2019
Abstract
In addition to its uses in pharmaceuticals, perfumes, and cosmetics, rosemary's multiple biological activities may be applied to preserve foodstuffs and reduce the risks of foodborne diseases (1). The black Aspergilli group, in particular Aspergillus carbonarius (Bain.) Thom, is a common Mediterranean contaminant, especially of fruit. This fungus, besides being a contaminant, can also produce ochratoxin A (OTA), a highly toxic fungal secondary metabolite (2). Therefore, fungal growth control is very important for the safeguarding of both plant production and human health. We tested the effect of rosemary essential oil (e.o.) on the inhibition of A. carbonarius growth in a conducive liquid medium. Rosemary cuttings from a rosemary natural population in Alghero (NW Sardinia) were transplanted in an experimental field in Castelsardo-Lu Bagnu (NW Sardinia) in May 2017. Morpho-phenological data were collect on plants and the e.o. was extracted by steam distillation and used for a biological activity assay against A. carbonarius. The e.o. chemical profile was also determined by GC-MS. Variability of both morphological traits and of phenology were observed within the rosemary population, and two plant types were identified, one of which produced a higher number of flowers and had a longer flowering season. The main components of e.o. were ?-pinene, eucalyptol and camphene for one type and ?-pinene, caryophyllene and camphene for the other. The rosemary e.o. significantly inhibited growth of A.carbonarius. This result should encourage verification of this oil's other biological activities, such as its effect on OTA biosynthesis by the same fungus. This study was developed in collaboration with the Temporary Reception Center for migrants and asylum seekers (CAS) of Baja Sunajola run by the Social Cooperative La Luna in Lu Bagnu-Castelsardo, in the frame of a training project about medicinal and aromatic plants cultivation for essential oil production. Acknowledgment: the support of "Fondazione con il Sud" to Artemisia Project is gratefully acknowledged.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
