Rosemary Essential Oils as a Promising Source of Bioactive Compounds: Chemical Composition, Thermal Properties, Biological Activity, and Gastronomical Perspectives

Abstract

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is a plant worldwide cultivated mainly for essential oils, extracts, and as a spice. Up-to-date results showed diversity in composition of the essential oils, which may influence their quality, biological activity, and thermal properties. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the chemical composition, antimicrobial activity, and thermal properties of the rosemary essential oils originating from Serbia and Russia. Additionally, oils were added to the sunflower oils in order to investigate possible antioxidant activity during the frying. Investigation of the chemical profile marked α-pinene, eucalyptol, and camphor as the most abundant compounds in both oils. However, overall composition influenced in such manner that Russian oil showed significantly higher antimicrobial activity, while Serbian oil proved to be better antioxidant agent in case of frying of sunflower oil. This would significantly influence possible application of the oils, which could be used as an antioxidant agent for extension of the food shelf life, or antimicrobial agent for protection against different microbial strains.

The effect of various extraction techniques on the quality of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) essential oil, expressed by chemical composition, thermal properties and biological activity

“…Chemical profile of EO samples was done by using Thermo Fisher Focus GC coupled with Polaris Q mass spectrometer according to the previously reported ( Šojić et al, 2019 ) and fully described method ( Micić et al, 2021 ). Dissolved samples were injected into the GC through TriPlus autosampler (2 µL) into the TR WAX-MS column (30 m × 0.25 mm, 0.25 µm).…”

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activity of Dracocephalum moldavica L. Essential Oil and Hydrolate

“…Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of the DMEO and DMH was completed by the disk-diffusion method. As Micić et al [ 76 ] reported in detail, the nutrient medium (Müller–Hinton agar or Sobouraud maltose agar) was inoculated with microbial suspensions (approx. 6 log CFU/mL) and the samples (15 μL) were applied onto three sterile cellulose discs.…”

Variability in Biological Activities of Satureja montana Subsp. montana and Subsp. variegata Based on Different Extraction Methods

“…As a preliminary step in a screening of the antimicrobial potential of different S. montana extracts, the disc-diffusion method was chosen and completely performed as described by Micić et al [ 73 ]. The most important parts of the described method imply the usage of the freshly prepared suspensions of overnight cultures for the inoculation of adequate nutrient medium in a Petri dish and the application of the tested extracts (15 μL) onto three sterile discs for each microorganism previously applied on the medium.…”

“…The minimal inhibitory concentration was determined for the microorganisms that were sensitive to the initial concentration of the extract. Different decreasing concentrations of the extract were tested (100–0.78%) using the microdilution method, which was previously described by Micić et al [ 73 ]. The MIC value was determined using Equation (1), involving a number of microorganisms in the positive control for microbial growth ( N c ) and treated sample ( N t ).…”