Flavour and Fragrance Journal最新文献

Hydrogels based on natural polymers have been extensively investigated as carrier systems for antimicrobial actives, due to their biocompatibility and rheological properties for topical applications. In this context, the present study aimed to develop and evaluate hydrogels based on guar gum and xanthan gum, incorporating the essential oil of Cymbopogon flexuosus, for use in natural roll-on deodorants. The formulations were prepared using potassium alum as a mineral antimicrobial agent and the essential oil as a functional component, with bactericidal and aromatic properties. The rheological behaviour of the hydrogel bases and the final formulations was evaluated through flow curves, stress ramps and temperature-variation at constant shear-rate tests, with the results compared to those of a commercial roll-on deodorant. Microbiological assays were conducted using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and disk diffusion methods against Staphylococcus aureus (CMRP3251), Corynebacterium sp. (ATCC23769), Micrococcus luteus (ATCC4698) and Escherichia coli (ATCC25922). Both formulations exhibited pseudoplastic behaviour after the incorporation of the active ingredients and demonstrated effective antimicrobial activity. The xanthan gum-based hydrogels exhibited a yield stress of approximately 0.8 Pa and a viscosity exceeding 500 Pa·s at low shear rates, indicating greater retention capacity and stability at rest. In contrast, the guar gum-based systems did not show yield stress and exhibited lower initial viscosity. The results indicate that hydrogels containing xanthan gum perform improved for roll-on applications, offering better flow control, stability and potential for use in natural deodorant formulations.

Sensory properties of food mainly included aroma, appearance, taste and others, which cannot be perceived independently. In this work, we evaluated the effect of the interaction between menthol odour and visual colours including red, green and blue, on the emotion regulation using sensory evaluation and electroencephalography analysis. The results showed that menthol stimuli with a concentration of 0.1% exhibited the highest positive effect scores under green colour compared with other treatments. Meanwhile, the green colour with menthol stimuli could result in significantly higher α and θ wave power spectral densities in subjects compared with other groups. Correlation analysis results demonstrated a significant correlation between the power spectral density (PSD) of α and θ bands in the parieto-occipital region and feelings of tranquillity and overall comfort, implying the cross-modal interaction between menthol odour and green colours. This study provides preliminary neurophysiological evidence for cross-modal emotional regulation and suggests potential practical implications for packaging design and environmental optimization of menthol-containing products.

Potent cholinesterase inhibitors are needed for their key role in the management of neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer disease (AD). Oleanolic acid, a pentacyclic triterpene with known neuroprotective activity, was deeply studied as a dual inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) through combined in vitro enzyme kinetics, molecular docking and dynamics simulations. Oleanolic acid inhibited both enzymes through a non-competitive mode, with IC₅₀ of 18.54 ± 0.3 μM for AChE and 66.46 ± 0.4 μM for BChE, and an identical Kᵢ of 10 ± 0.1 μM. This AChE selectivity despite equal binding affinity forms an apparent paradox that was resolved by gorge architecture. MD simulations showed that oleanolic acid migrated away from its initial docked position in the narrow AChE gorge to peripheral/PAS-adjacent residues, consistent with the non-competitive kinetic profile and blind docking. In contrast, the wider BChE gorge stably accommodated the ligand through the trajectory, with targeted and blind docking converging on the same intra-gorge site. The greater AChE inhibitory potency is attributable to the disruption of substrate-guidance and gorge-breathing dynamics in the architecturally constrained AChE system. These findings establish oleanolic acid as a gorge-architecture-dependent allosteric modulator of both cholinesterase isoforms and support its potential as a scaffold for developing dual ChE inhibitors for AD.

The Fabaceae family is the second largest plant family and is distributed across a variety of ecosystems. This study explores the use of pulsed-discharge plasma as a seed pre-treatment for green gram (Vigna radiata) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), with a focus on their germination and antioxidant activity. Seeds were subjected to plasma for varying durations using a multiple pin reactor powered by high-voltage pulses (18 kV, 80 Hz). Optimal germination rates were observed at 4 min for green gram and 20 s for fenugreek. Morphological changes were analysed using SEM and FT-IR. Additionally, antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH assays, along with assessments of total phenolic content and total antioxidant capacity, alongside phytochemical screening and nutritional analyses.

Roman chamomile essential oil is valued in aromatherapy for its sedative and anti-inflammatory effects, yet systematic comparisons of extracts obtained by different methods are limited. To compare the volatile profiles of Roman chamomile obtained by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME), steam distillation (SD) and refined supercritical CO₂ extraction (SFE-CO₂), and to investigate the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of the refined SFE-CO₂ extract via network pharmacology. Volatile constituents were analysed by GC–MS. Multivariate statistics identified core differential compounds. Skin permeability was predicted using SwissADME. Network pharmacology was employed to explore anti-inflammatory mechanisms. A total of 122 compounds were identified. HS-SPME and SD extracts were dominated by esters and terpenes, whereas refined SFE-CO₂ extract was enriched in aldehydes, fatty acids, alkanes and a phthalide derivative. Twenty-one core differential compounds were identified; 15 enriched in SFE-CO₂ exhibited favourable predicted skin permeability. These 15 compounds targeted 15 skin inflammation-associated proteins, forming a network centred on adhesion molecules (ICAM1, VCAM1, selectins) and signalling mediators (STAT3, TLR2), with enrichment in leukocyte adhesion, AGE-RAGE and lipid metabolism pathways. SD-enriched compounds yielded only four skin-inflammation targets with minimal network connectivity. Extraction method dictates chemical composition and predicted therapeutic potential. Refined SFE-CO₂ extract possesses enhanced anti-inflammatory properties suitable for topical applications, providing a scientific basis for precision aromatherapy.

The essential oil composition of the aerial parts of Pancratium maritimum L., a fragrant plant, growing in Djerba Island (South of Tunisia) in two development stages is discussed in this research, with a focus on its allelopathic properties and α-amylase inhibition. In fact, phytochemicals in Pancratium maritimum essential oils during vegetative and flowering seasons were identified by gas chromatography-FID and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. An in vitro spectrophotometric assay based on a colorimetric method was used to test the α-amylase inhibitory effect. Eventually, allelopathic effects against radish and lettuce seeds germination as well as roots and stems elongation were assessed by an in vitro test, and an in silico study via molecular docking was performed to identify a possible mechanism of action that correlated with the α-amylase inhibitory and allelopathic effects. Results showed a significant difference between the two tested essential oils: phenylpropanoids (9.9%), alcohols (39.7%), and hydrogenated monoterpenes (5.49%) were abundant during flowering season; however, diterpene alcohols (20.76%) and hydrocarbons (14.68%) were among the predominant phytochemicals found in the vegetative stage. α-Amylase Inhibition assay demonstrated that the inhibitory effect reached 86.2% at 2.5 mg/mL and 90.14% at 5 mg/mL. Allelopathic activity of Pancratium maritimum essential oil displayed high germination inhibition (70.85% for lettuce seeds) and it significantly inhibits the elongation of radish stems and lettuce roots by 93.63% and 90.7%, respectively, at a concentration of 4 mg/mL. In addition, primary oil components showed substantial inhibitory effect against human pancreatic α-amylase and 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvated oxygenase (HPPD), according to molecular docking study. These results highlight P. maritimum essential oil's potential as a hypoglycemic and allelopathic agent that affects radish and lettuce development and seed germination.

In this study, we systematically elucidated the sleep-promoting mechanisms of Cyperus rotundus essential oil (CRO) utilising a comprehensive multidimensional approach encompassing network pharmacology, animal models, and human electroencephalography (EEG). Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) identified key volatile constituents, notably cyperene and thujopsene. Subsequent network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses revealed 76 intersecting targets between CRO and insomnia, pinpointing ESR1, GSK3B, and MMP9 as core therapeutic proteins mediating the sedative effects. These computational predictions were robustly validated in vivo using a *p*-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA)-induced insomnia mouse model. Behavioural assessments demonstrated that CRO inhalation significantly reduced sleep latency, prolonged sleep duration, and ameliorated anxiety-like behaviours. Mechanistically, CRO successfully reversed central hyper-arousal by suppressing hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity, restoring neurotransmitter homeostasis (upregulating GABA and 5-HT, downregulating GLU and DA), mitigating oxidative stress, and attenuating neuroinflammation. Furthermore, histological and immunohistochemical evaluations confirmed that CRO protected hippocampal neuronal architecture and significantly upregulated 5-HT1A and GABAA receptor expression, thereby validating the predicted receptor signalling pathways. Translating these findings to human subjects, EEG spectral and topographic analyses demonstrated that CRO olfactory stimulation effectively enhanced low-frequency delta and theta wave energies, successfully inducing a profound state of cortical relaxation. Collectively, these multidimensional in vivo and clinical findings strongly corroborate the in silico predictions, highlighting CRO as a highly promising, multi-target natural therapeutic agent for the management of insomnia.

Jingmai Mountain, the world's only tea-related World Heritage Site, produces Pu'er tea with distinctive aromas. This study integrates aroma identification, sensory evaluation, and molecular docking to multidimensionally analyse the aroma of Jingmai Pu'er tea. Firstly, 51 aroma compounds were identified from three types of Jingmai Pu'er teas using GC–MS and GC-IMS. Then, 18 key aroma compounds were confirmed based on odour activity values (OAV). Through recombination and omission tests, 9 aromas were found to be essential for Jingmai ancient arbor Pu'er tea—including linalool, β-ionone, and methyl salicylate. Subsequently, these 18 key aroma compounds were docked with 74 high-confidence human olfactory receptors (ORs), and a binding energy matrix was constructed based on the docking results. Based on this matrix analysis, it was found that certain olfactory receptors exhibited stronger predicted affinity for the aromas of Jingmai Pu'er tea, such as OR1A1, OR2AG1, OR10AG1. Overall, this work systematically analysed the aroma characteristics of Jingmai Pu'er tea and explored the potential association between the key aroma compounds of JM-PANT and human olfactory receptors.