Nutritional composition, antioxidant activity and characterization of bioactive compounds from Thymus serpyllum L.: An underexploited wild aromatic plant

Shahar, Bano; Indira, Aribam; Santosh, Oinam; Dolma, Norbu; Chongtham, Nirmala

doi:10.1016/j.meafoo.2023.100092

Cited by 12 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…Similar physicochemical characteristics of thyme (Thymus vulgaris Linne) were reported by Balladin and Headley [46], who stated that the moisture content of thyme dried at different temperature modes varied between 10% and 12.5%, while the ash content ranged between 1.5% and 2.26%-values lower than our results. In contrast to our data, Shahar et al [47] determined higher protein (21.39%) and carbohydrate (11.85%) amounts but lower ash content (2.73%) and vitamin C concentration (43.8 mg/100 g dw) in thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) from the Kargil Ladakh district, India. According to Li et al [48], the physicochemical characteristics of hawthorn fruit are usually influenced by the species and collection location (origin).…”

Section: Physicochemical Characteristicscontrasting

confidence: 99%

Physicochemical, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Properties of Three Medicinal Plants from the Western Part of the Rhodope Mountains, Bulgaria

Parzhanova,

Yanakieva,

Vasileva

et al. 2023

Life

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The present study examined the physicochemical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of three medicinal plants: thyme (Thymus callieri Borbás ex Velen), cotton thistle (Onopordum acanthium L.), and hawthorn fruit (Crataegus monogyna Jacq.) from the Western Rhodope Mountains, Bulgaria. The first stage determined the physicochemical characteristics (moisture, ash, carbohydrates, proteins, and vitamin C) of the three herbs. The second stage investigated four types of extracts (aqueous, oil, methanolic, and ethanolic) of each herb and evaluated their total phenolic content, the presence of phenolic compounds (flavonoids and phenolic acids), their antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial properties. Thyme was characterised by the highest ash, protein, and vitamin C content (6.62%, 11.30%, and 571 mg/100 g, respectively). Hawthorn fruit showed the highest moisture and carbohydrate content (8.50% and 4.20%, respectively). The 70% ethanolic extracts of the three herbs exhibited the highest levels of phenolic compounds and, consequently, pronounced antioxidant activity, compared to the other three types of extracts. The aqueous, oil, methanolic, and ethanolic thyme extracts demonstrated the highest total phenolic content—TPC (27.20 mg GAE/g, 8.20 mg GAE/g, 31.70 mg GAE/g, and 310.00 mg GAE/g, respectively), compared to the extracts of the other two plants. These results were consistent with the highest antioxidant activity of the thyme extracts determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay, and the hydroxyl radical averting capacity (HORAC) assay (except for the oil extract examined using the DPPH method). The results from the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that the flavonoid quercetin-3-ß-glucoside had the highest concentration in thyme (374.5 mg/100 g), while myricetin dominated in the cotton thistle (152.3 mg/100 g). The phenolic acid content analysis showed prevalence of rosmaric acid in the thyme (995 mg/100 g), whereas chlorogenic acid was detected in the highest concentration in the cotton thistle and hawthorn fruit (324 mg/100 g and 27.7 mg/100 g, respectively). The aqueous, methanolic, and ethanolic extracts showed moderate to high antibacterial potential but limited antifungal activity. None of the oil extracts inhibited the test microorganisms used in the study.

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Section: Physicochemical Characteristicscontrasting

confidence: 99%

Physicochemical, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Properties of Three Medicinal Plants from the Western Part of the Rhodope Mountains, Bulgaria

Parzhanova,

Yanakieva,

Vasileva

et al. 2023

Life

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“…The nutritional composition of T. serpyllum herba varies between literature sources and studies, probably due to different varieties, genetic, environmental, ecology and harvest conditions of the plant, as well as the analytical methodology ( 69 ) reported that T. serpyllum herba from India on dry weight bases contains protein (21.4 g/100 g), fat (5.5 g/100 g), carbohydrates (11.9 g/100 g), starch (6.5 g/100 g) and amino acids (2 g/100 g). The dietary fiber composition of wild thyme herba includes neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (15.1/100 g), acid detergent fiber (ADF) (10.6 g/100 g), lignin (3.6 g/100 g), hemicellulose (4.2 g/100 g) and cellulose (7.1 g/100 g).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ash content was found to be (2.7 g/100 g) and comprised of the following macro, micro minerals and non-metal elements quantified by e. g., X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis of the plant powder and other methods, like AAS, AES ( Table 2 ). Some studies indicate that T. serpyllum can accumulate trace elements and heavy metals, like lead (Pb), if the soil is contaminated ( 69–72 ) ( Table 2 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… Mineral and elemental composition in references: *Shahar et al ( 69 ) mg/100 g, **Abu-Darwish ( 70 ) ppm, ***Figas et al ( 71 ), ****Vasil'eva et al ( 72 ) mg/kg; Elements: K-potassium, Ca-calcium, Mg-magnesium, P-phosphorus, S-sulphur, Al-aluminium, Na-sodium, Cl-chlorine, Si-silicon, Fe-iron, Zn-zinc, Mn-manganese, Cu-copper, Ni-nickel, Co-cobalt, Cr-chromium, Pb-lead, Ba-barium, Sr-strontium. …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.): a review of the current evidence of nutritional and preventive health benefits*

Jalil,

Pischel,

Feistel

et al. 2024

Front. Nutr.

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Thymus serpyllum L. (Lamiaceae), known in English as ‘wild thyme’, is primarily found in the Palearctic realm (Eurasia, North Africa) and has been utilized traditionally for culinary, nutritional, medicinal, and aromatic purposes. The essential oil extracted from wild thyme is particularly noteworthy, being used extensively in the food industry as a flavoring agent and preservative. The plant’s aerial parts are commonly employed as an element of the diet (e.g., tea)/for culinary uses and in local/traditional medicine (primarily for managing respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions), similar to the use of common thyme. There is practically no information available on the species’ nutritional benefits. Pharmacological studies, including in vitro and in vivo research, alongside a limited number of clinical trials, have investigated extracts of Thymus serpyllum, although these extracts are often phytochemically poorly characterized in different experimental protocols and models. These studies have demonstrated a range of therapeutic effects, such as antimicrobial (notably the essential oil) and anti-inflammatory, as well as its preventative health benefits and nutritional value of wild thyme. Preclinical studies have corroborated the plant’s anti-inflammatory potential, particularly in conditions like inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and irritable bowel syndromes (IBS). Additionally, evidence of hepatoprotective activities and benefits in managing metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular health issues, such as lipid metabolism regulation, cholesterol reduction, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and immunomodulatory effects, have been observed predominantly in rodent models. Phytochemical analysis of wild thyme reveals an essential oil fraction below 1%, along with non-volatile compounds predominantly comprising phenolic acids (such as rosmarinic, salvianolic, and caffeic acids) and flavonoids (mainly glucosides of luteolin, apigenin, and their derivatives). These components are believed to contribute significantly to the plant’s medicinal, nutritional, and preventive health properties. Despite promising findings, there is a need for more rigorously designed controlled clinical trials using phytochemically characterized wild thyme. The plant has an excellent safety and tolerability record. This review at the interface of nutritional/preventive health properties and as pharmacological activities highlights the current role of wild thyme in nutrition and general healthcare as well as its future potential, and also points to important gaps in the literature.

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“…Although wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) is a species with numerous advantages, it has not been widely used and has not received much attention in scientific research. Wild thyme is a rich source of proteins, vitamins (A, C, E), minerals (K, Ca, Mg, Si, and Fe), and thymol [13,14]. Studies on Wistar rats have demonstrated the potent antioxidant and antihypertensive properties of T. serpyllum, which was rich in polyphenolic compounds with the dominant rosmarinic and caffeic acids [15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Light Conditions, Trichoderma Fungi and Food Polymers on Growth and Profile of Biologically Active Compounds in Thymus vulgaris and Thymus serpyllum

Kulbat-Warycha,

Nawrocka,

Kozłowska

et al. 2024

IJMS

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The research investigates the influence of different lighting conditions and soil treatments, in particular the application of food polymers separately and in combination with spores of Trichoderma consortium, on the growth and development of herbs—Thymus vulgaris and Thymus serpyllum. The metabolic analysis focuses on detecting changes in the levels of biologically active compounds such as chlorophyll a and b, anthocyanins, carotenoids, phenolic compounds (including flavonoids), terpenoids, and volatile organic compounds with potential health-promoting properties. By investigating these factors, the study aims to provide insights into how environmental conditions affect the growth and chemical composition of selected plants and to shed light on potential strategies for optimising the cultivation of these herbs for the improved quality and production of bioactive compounds. Under the influence of additional lighting, the growth of T. vulgaris and T. serpyllum seedlings was greatly accelerated, resulting in an increase in shoot biomass and length, and in the case of T. vulgaris, an increase in carotenoid and anthocyanin contents. Regarding secondary metabolites, the most pronounced changes were observed in total antioxidant capacity and flavonoid content, which increased significantly under the influence of additional lighting. The simultaneous or separate application of Trichoderma and food polymers resulted in an increase in flavonoid content in the leaves of both Thymus species. The increase in terpenoid content under supplemental light appears to be related to the presence of Trichoderma spores as well as food polymers added to the soil. However, the nature of these changes depends on the thyme species. Volatile compounds were analysed using an electronic nose (E-nose). Eight volatile compounds (VOCs) were tentatively identified in the vapours of T. vulgaris and T. serpyllum: α-pinene, myrcene, α-terpinene, γ-terpinene; 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol), thymol, carvacrol, and eugenol. Tendencies to increase the percentage of thymol and γ-terpinene under supplemental lighting were observed. The results also demonstrate a positive effect of food polymers and, to a lesser extent, Trichoderma fungi on the synthesis of VOCs with health-promoting properties. The effect of Trichoderma and food polymers on individual VOCs was positive in some cases for thymol and γ-terpinene.

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Nutritional composition, antioxidant activity and characterization of bioactive compounds from Thymus serpyllum L.: An underexploited wild aromatic plant

Cited by 12 publications

References 65 publications

Physicochemical, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Properties of Three Medicinal Plants from the Western Part of the Rhodope Mountains, Bulgaria

Physicochemical, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Properties of Three Medicinal Plants from the Western Part of the Rhodope Mountains, Bulgaria

Wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.): a review of the current evidence of nutritional and preventive health benefits*

Effect of Light Conditions, Trichoderma Fungi and Food Polymers on Growth and Profile of Biologically Active Compounds in Thymus vulgaris and Thymus serpyllum

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