Investigation of essential oil analysis and antioxidant properties of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Before and after seed cryopreservation.

The term "cryopreservation" refers to the storage of cells, organs, and tissues in liquid nitrogen ( 196 ° C). At this temperature, the physical and biochemical reactions of cells are virtually stopped; in these particular circumstances, the time of protection is unlimited. Storage of seeds is arguably the most efficient method for the ex situ preservation of plant genetic resources. Low storage costs and regeneration of whole plants from genetically diverse material, offer distinct advantages for the storage for conservation of seeds compared with other types of plant tissues.

In order to preserve seeds of Foeniculum vulgare(Apiaceae) medicinal plant, in cryopreservation condition, we used Desiccation pre-treatment for seeds. After a week seeds of treatment were extracted from the liquid Nitrogen and were melted in Ben Murray with 42°C. Then treatment and control seeds were transferred to a germinator in 24°C and 16/8H optical period.The seeds were distillated by Clevenger apparatus and the essential oils obtained were analyzed by GC/MS. The antioxidant activity determined by DPPH method.

The percent of viability of the control seeds (83%) was observed in comparison to the treated (53%). The major component of essential oil was anethole (80.04%) comparing the control (78.6%). No adverse effects were observed on the antioxidant properties and their essential oils.