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Characterization and biological activity of essential oils from fruits of Zanthoxylum xanthoxyloides Lam. and Z. leprieurii Guill. & Perr., two culinary plants from Cameroon
Author(s) -
Fogang Hervet P.D.,
Tapondjou Léon A.,
Womeni Hilaire M.,
Quassinti Luana,
Bramucci Massimo,
Vitali Luca A.,
Petrelli Dezemona,
Lupidi Giulio,
Maggi Filippo,
Papa Fabrizio,
Vittori Sauro,
Barboni Luciano
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
flavour and fragrance journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.393
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1099-1026
pISSN - 0882-5734
DOI - 10.1002/ffj.3083
Subject(s) - chemistry , geraniol , citronellol , limonene , dpph , citronellal , myrcene , rutaceae , food science , geranyl acetate , abts , chromatography , traditional medicine , essential oil , organic chemistry , botany , antioxidant , medicine , biology
ABSTRACT Essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of dried fruits of Zanthoxylum xanthoxyloides and Z. leprieurii (Rutaceae), were analysed by gas chromagraphy–flame ionization detection and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. In the former, the major volatiles resulted citronellol (29.9%) and geraniol (11.5%), followed by citronellyl acetate (5.5%), limonene (5.5%) and citronellal (4.6%), while in the latter the major compounds were ( E )‐ β ‐ocimene (29.4%), myrcene (28.6%), limonene (13.6%) and α ‐pinene (8.1%), respectively. The chemical composition supports the traditional use of these plants as spices in local food. The oils were also tested for antiproliferative, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities by MTT assay, agar disc diffusion method, and DPPH, ABTS and β ‐carotene–linoleic acid assay, respectively. The noteworthy cytotoxic effects of Z. xanthoxyloides are probably related to the presence of geraniol and citronellol, which exhibited strong antiproliferative activity against all the tested human tumor cell lines, and support the local traditional use of this plant for the treatment of various cancers. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.