Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum L.): phytochemical profile, antioxidative, cholinesterase inhibitory and vasodilatory activity

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Food Science and Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Sea fennel, a rediscovered star of the coastal cuisine, has been investigated for its phytochemical profile and biological potential. Sea fennel flowers, stems and leaves were analyzed for essential oils (EOs) isolated by hydrodistillation, as well as non-volatiles obtained by ethanolic extraction. Limonene were found to be a dominant compound in EOs and ethanolic extracts; ranging from 57.5–74.2 % and 0.7–8.1 mg/g dry plant material, respectively. In addition total phenolic content was determined for ethanolic extracts. All samples and their main phytochemicals were tested for various methods. EO and extract obtained from flowers were tested for vasodilatory activity on rat aortic rings. Antioxidant activity of EOs was extremely low in comparison to extracts, on the contrary to cholinesterase inhibition where EOs showed better activity than extracts. Flower extract and chlorogenic acid showed stronger vasodilators in comparison to EO and limonene. The obtained results point out the potential impact of the dominant compounds from EO and extract on the biological properties of the sea fennel.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Atia A, Barhoumi Z, Mokded R, Abdelly C, Smaoui A (2011) Enviromental eco-physiology and economical potential of the halophtye Crithmum maritimum L. (Apiaceae). J Med Plants Res 5:3564–3571

    Google Scholar 

  • Benzie IF, Strain JJ (1996) The ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) as measurement of “antioxidant power”: the FRAP assay. Anal Biochem 239:70–76. doi:10.1006/abio.1996.0292

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Frankie W (1982) Vitamin C in sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum), an edible wild plant. Econ Bot 36:163–165. doi:10.1007/BF02858711

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Generalić Mekinić I, Burčul F, Blažević I, Skroza D, Kerum D, Katalinić V (2013) Antioxidative/acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of some Asteraceae plants. Nat Prod Commun 8:471–474

    Google Scholar 

  • Generalić Mekinić I, Skroza D, Ljubenkov I, Šimat V, Smole Možina S, Katalinić V (2014) In vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Lamiaceae phenolic extracts: a correlation study. Food Technol Biotechnol 52:119–127

    Google Scholar 

  • Guil-Guerrero JL, Rodriguez-Garcia I (1999) Lipid classes, fatty acids and carotenes of the leaves of six edible wild plants. Eur Food Res Technol 209:313–316. doi:10.1007/s002170050501

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Houta O, Akrout A, Neffati M, Amri H (2011) Phenolic contents, antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials of Crithmum maritimum cultivated in Tunisia Arid zones. J Biol Act Prod Nat 1:138–143

    Google Scholar 

  • Jallali I, Zaouali Y, Missaoui I, Smeoui A, Abdelly C, Ksouri R (2014) Variability of antioxidant and antibacterial effects of essential oils and acetonic extracts of two edible halophytes: Crithmum maritimum L. and Inula crithmoïdes L. Food Chem 145:1031–1038. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.09.034

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Katalinić V, Smole Možina S, Generalić I, Skroza D, Ljubenkov I, Klančnik A (2013) Phenolic profile, antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial activity of crude leaf extracts of six Vitis vinifera L. varieties. Int J Food Prop 16:45–60. doi:10.1080/10942912.2010.526274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kulišić-Bilušić T, Blažević I, Dejanović B, Miloš M, Pifat G (2010) Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of essential oils from caper (Capparis spinosa) and sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum) by different methods. J Food Biochem 34:286–302. doi:10.1111/j.1745-4514.2009.00330.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Magalhães PJ, Lahlou S, Jucá DM, Coelho-de-Souza LN, da Frota PT, da Costa AM, Leal-Cardoso JH (2008) Vasorelaxation induced by the essential oil of Croton nepetaefolius and its constituents in rat aorta are partially mediated by the endothelium. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 22:169–177. doi:10.1111/j.1472-8206.2008.00571.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maia-Joca RP, Joca HC, Ribeiro FJ, do Nascimento RV, Silva-Alves KS, Cruz JS, Coelho-de-Souza AN, Leal-Cardoso JH (2014) Investigation of terpinen-4-ol effects on vascular smooth muscle relaxation. Life Sci 115:52–58. doi:10.1016/j.lfs.2014.08.022

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maleš Ž, Žuntar I, Nigović B, Plazibat M, Bilušić Vundač V (2003) Quantitative analysis of the polyphenols of the aerial parts of rock samphire—Crithmum maritimum L. Acta Pharm 53:139–144

    Google Scholar 

  • Maulidiani Abas F, Khatib A, Shaari K, Lajis NH (2014) Chemical characterization and antioxidant activity of three medicinal Apiaceae species. Ind Crops Prod 55:238–247. doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2014.02.013

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Meot-Duros L, Magné C (2009) Antioxidant activity and phenol content of Crithmum maritimum L. leaves. Plant Physiol Biochem 47:37–41. doi:10.1016/j.plaphy.2008.09.006

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miller JA, Lang JE, Ley M, Nagle R, Hsu CH, Thompson PA, Cordova C, Waer A, Chow HH (2013) Human breast tissue disposition and bioactivity of limonene in women with early stage breast cancer. Cancer Prev Res 6:577–584. doi:10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-12-0452

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mubarak A, Bondonno CP, Liu AH, Considine MJ, Rich L, Mas E, Croft KD, Hodgson JM (2012) Acute effects of chlorogenic acid on nitric oxide status, endothelial function, and blood pressure in healthy volunteers: a randomized trial. J Agric Food Chem 60:9130–9136. doi:10.1021/jf303440j

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mudnić I, Modun D, Rastija V, Vuković J, Brizić I, Katalinić V, Kozina B, Medić-Šarić M, Boban M (2010) Antioxidative and vasodilatory effects of phenolic acids in wine. Food Chem 119:1205–1210. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2009.08.038

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mukherjee PK, Kumar V, Mal M, Houghton PJ (2007) Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors from plants. Phytomedicine 14:289–300. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2007.02.002

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Musić I, Modun D, Katalinić V, Salamunić I, Kozina B, Boban M (2005) Effects of four weeks moderate drinking of red wine and ethanol on the rat isolated heart and aortic rings reactivity during ischemia and hypoxia. Period Biol 107:165–173

    Google Scholar 

  • Özcan M, Akgül A, Başcr KHC, Özck T, Tabanca N (2001) Essential oil composition of sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum) form Turkey. Nahrung/Food 45:353–356. doi:10.1002/1521-3803(20011001)45:5<353::AID-FOOD353>3.0.CO;2-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pandey MM, Vijayakumar M, Rastogi S, Rawat AKS (2012) Phenolic content and antioxidant properties of selected Indian spies of Apiaceae. J Herbs Spices Med Plants 18:246–256. doi:10.1080/10496475.2012.680548

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pateira L, Nogueira T, Antunes A, Venâncio F, Tavares R, Capelo J (1999) Two chemotypes of Crithmum maritimum L. from Portugal. Flavour Fragr J 14:333–343. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1099-1026(199909/10)14:5<333::AID-FFJ839>3.0.CO;2-V

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peixoto-Neves D, Silva-Alves KS, Gomes MD, Lima FC, Lahlou S, Magalhães PJ, Ceccatto VM, Coelho-de-Souza AN, Leal-Cardoso JH (2010) Vasorelaxant effects of the monoterpenic phenol isomers, carvacrol and thymol, on rat isolated aorta. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 24:341–350. doi:10.1111/j.1472-8206.2009.00768.x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pereira SL, Marques AM, Sudo RT, Kaplan MA, Zapata-Sudo G (2013) Vasodilator activity of the essential oil from aerial parts of Pectis brevipedunculata and its main constituent citral in rat aorta. Molecules 18:3072–3085. doi:10.3390/molecules18033072

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Renna M, Gonnella M (2012) The use of the sea fennel as a new spice-colorant in culinary preparations. Int J Gastron Food Sci 1:111–115. doi:10.1016/j.ijgfs.2013.06.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruberto G, Tiziana Baratta M, Deans SG, Damien Dorman HJ (2000) Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Foeniculum vulgare and Crithmum maritimum essential oil. Planta Med 66:687–693. doi:10.1055/s-2000-9773

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saqib M, Iqbal S, Mahmood A, Akram R (2016) Theoretical investigation for exploring the antioxidant potential of chlorogenic acid: a density functional theory study. Int J Food Prop 19:745–751. doi:10.1080/10942912.2015.1042588

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sato Y, Itagaki S, Kurokawa T, Ogura J, Kobayashi M, Hirano T, Sugawara M, Iseki K (2011) In vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties of chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid. Int J Pharm 403:136–1388. doi:10.1016/j.ijpharm.2010.09.035

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Senatore F, Napolitano F, Özcan M (2000) Composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oil from Crithmum maritimum L. (Apiaceae) growing wild in Turkey. Flavour Fragr J 15:186–189. doi:10.1002/1099-1026(200005/06)15:3<186::AID-FFJ889>3.0.CO;2-I

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Singh B, Beg S, Lohan S, Kapil R (2013) Crossing blood-brain barriers using drug delivery: a successful venture using lipidic nanostructured systems. Pharm Rev 21:41–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Siracusa L, Kulisic-Bilusic T, Politeo O, Krause I, Dejanovic B, Ruberto G (2011) Phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of aqueous infusions from Capparis spinosa L. and Crithmum maritimum L. before and after submission to a two-step in vitro digestion model. J Agric Food Chem 59:12453–12459. doi:10.1021/jf203096q

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Taguchi K, Hida M, Matsumoto T, Ikeuchi-Takahashi Y, Onishi H, Kobayashi T (2014) Effect of short-term polyphenol treatment on endothelial dysfunction and thromboxane A2 levels in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Biol Pharm Bull 37:1056–1061. doi:10.1248/bpb.b14-00157

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Upadhyay R, Mohan Rao L (2013) An outlook on chlorogenic acids-occurrence, chemistry, technology, and biological activities. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 53:968–984. doi:10.1080/10408398.2011.576319

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wallerath T, Li H, Godtel-Ambrust U, Schwarz PM, Forstermann U (2005) A blend of polyphenolic compounds explains the stimulatory effect of red wine on human endothelial NO synthase. Nitric Oxide 12:97–104. doi:10.1016/j.niox.2004.12.004

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wszelaki N, Kuciun A, Kiss AK (2010) Screening of traditional European herbal medicines for acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. Acta Pharm 60:119–128. doi:10.2478/v10007-010-0006-y

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work has been fully supported by Croatian Science Foundation under the projects IP-2014-09-6897 and IP-2013-11-8652.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Food Technology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry and Technology, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 35, 21000, Split, Croatia

    Ivana Generalić Mekinić, Mia Grga, Danijela Skroza & Višnja Katalinić

  2. Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Technology, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 35, 21000, Split, Croatia

    Ivica Blažević

  3. Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Split, Šoltanska 2, 21000, Split, Croatia

    Ivana Mudnić, Iva Jerčić & Mladen Boban

  4. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Technology, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 35, 21000, Split, Croatia

    Franko Burčul & Mladen Miloš

  5. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 33, 21000, Split, Croatia

    Ivica Ljubenkov

Authors
  1. Ivana Generalić Mekinić
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ivica Blažević
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ivana Mudnić
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Franko Burčul
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Mia Grga
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Danijela Skroza
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Iva Jerčić
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Ivica Ljubenkov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Mladen Boban
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Mladen Miloš
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Višnja Katalinić
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ivana Generalić Mekinić.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Generalić Mekinić, I., Blažević, I., Mudnić, I. et al. Sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum L.): phytochemical profile, antioxidative, cholinesterase inhibitory and vasodilatory activity. J Food Sci Technol 53, 3104–3112 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-016-2283-z

Download citation

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-016-2283-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation