abdollah ghasemi pirbalouti

The conventional methods for the essential oil extraction (hydro-distillation and steam distillation) have some disadvantages. Losses of some volatile constitute, low extraction efficiency, degradation of unsaturated or ester compounds through thermal or hydrolytic effects and toxic solvent residue in the extract may be encountered using these extraction methods. The development of new extraction techniques for the food and herbal drugs industries has received a lot of attention lately due to the environmental restrictions and the need for minimizing the energy costs. In order to reduce the extraction time, and the operation costs and possibly improve the oil yield and the quality of the essential oil, new approaches such as microwave-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, and ultrasound-assisted extraction have also been sought. Results of our study indicated that the changes in yield of the volatile oil during extraction depended on extraction method and temperature, type constituent and the biological characteristics of the plants. Extraction methods had significant effects on aroma quality of the dried samples in Iranian herbs. In conclusion, extraction of the essential oil from some Iranian medicinal and aromatic plants with microwave-assisted steam hydro-diffusion was better in terms of extraction time, phenolic and aroma fractions, and product quality.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of nosocomial and community acquired infections. Nanoparticles are considered as proper tools to overcome the therapeutic problem of anti- microbial-resistant infections because of the drug concentration increment at the desired location and protection from enzy- matic degradation. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of zingerone and niosome containing zingerone against pre-formed biofilm of MRSA isolates.

62 MRSA isolates cultured from patients with diabetic ulcers were investigated. Niosomes were synthesized and characterized by X- ray diffraction, zeta potential and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The size of niosomal particles measured by SEM and zetasizer.

The surface charge of prepared niosomes was about -37 mV. The effect of the zingerone and noisome containing zingerone was evaluated against biofilms of MRSA isolates. Also, the antibiofilm activity of prepared niosomes on gene expression of MRSA biofilms was evaluated using Real Time PCR. Our results demonstrated that the niosome containing zingerone had a diameter of 196.1 nm and a -37.3-mV zeta potential. Zingerone removed one and three-day old biofilms of MRSA at the concentration of 1000 μg/ml, while the zingerone-laoded niosomes removed 1, 3- and 5-days old biofilms at the concentration of 250 μg/ml, 250 μg/ml, and 500 μg/ml.

The results indicated that niosome containing zingerone eliminated MRSA and its biofilms faster compared with free zingerone and it suggested that zingerone-encapsulated niosomes could be considered as a promising treatment against MRSA and its biofilms.

Identifying different habitats and evaluating the effect of environmental factors on the performance of active ingredients in medicinal plants is a basic help to maintain the genetic diversity of these plants. This research was done in three habitats in Isfahan province during 2017–2020. The aerial parts of Tanacetum lingulatum Boiss. Bornm were harvested at the full flowering stage and transferred to the laboratory of the Research Institute of Forest and Rangelands. Total phenol and flavonoid contents were measured by the Follin-Ciocalteu reagent and the aluminum chloride colorimetric method, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated by measuring the reduction of radical capacity with the help of DPPH. The essential oil from T. lingulatum plants was extracted by water distillation using Clevinger and analyzed by GC/MS. According to the results, the amounts of total phenol and flavonoids, the antioxidant activity and the essential oil content were only affected by population treatment. The maximum content of total flavonoids (0.289 mg QE/g dry weight), the antioxidant activity (53.67%), and the essential oil content (0.15% v/w) were related to the Kooh Sefid habitat. Compared to the other two habitats, the Kooh Sefid region has the lowest altitude above sea level, the lowest average annual temperature and soil acidity, and the highest soil organic carbon and annual rainfall. The highest amount of total phenol was obtained from the Lashtar habitat (0.051 mg GAE/g dry weight). The most important compounds identified in the essential oils were cis-sabienene hydrate (12–24%), camphene (3–15%), n-decanal (11–24%), dihydro-linalool (1–9%), cis-β-terpineol (7-9 %), nerol oxide (1–16%), and cis-pinocarveol (8–20%). Variation observed in the examined traits in different habitats can be caused by differences in ecological characteristics. Finally, the Kooh Sefid population can be one of the target habitats for preserving the genetic diversity of the T. lingulatum medicinal plant due to having more essential oil and antioxidant activity.

One of the methods to increase the secondary metabolites production in plants is to use elicitors and chitosan is a biotic elicitor obtained from the deacetylation of chitin in the outer shell of crustaceans such as shrimp. Shrimp shell is part of shrimp solid waste discarded in large amount every year. This research was carried out to investigate the effect of foliar application of chitosan elicitor (0.25 and 0.5 g/l) and shrimp shell powder (2.5 and 5 g/L) on medicinal plant Hyssopus officinalis in potted form at the Experimental Farm of Islamic Azad University, Shahre-kord Branch during spring to fall in 2017. The essential oils were obtained from aerial part of hyssop by Clevenger device. The essential oils were analyzed by GC-FID and GC/MS. Totally, 33 compounds و representing more than 89-95% of the oil composition, were identified. The predominant components of the essential oil in all treatments were cis-pinocamphon (43.19-55.09%) and beta-pinene (8.31-15.04%). Foliar application of chitosan, shrimp shell, and shrimp shell × chitosan increased the percentage of essential oil and cis-pinocamphon, but only the effect of chitosan 0.5 was statistically significant. Chitosan treatments decreased plant height, shoot fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll of hyssop but shrimp shell and chitosan × shrimp shell solutions increased them, although no one was significant. According to the results of this study, it seems that in addition to chitosan, shrimp shell with higher concentrations can be used to increase effective substances of the medicinal plant Hyssopus officinalis.

In the drought conditions of the last few decades, the use of novel scientific methods to increase the growth and production of effective substances of the medicinal and aromatic plants has been essential. This study was done to investigate the effect of foliar application of salicylic acid and proline on the growth traits and essential oil content of Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss. (Lamiaceae family) under water deficit conditions at the Research Farm of the Research Center of Agricultural and Natural Resources of Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari Province, Iran during the two crop years of 2017-2019. The experiment was performed as a factorial in a CRBD with three replications. Experimental factors included irrigation treatment at two levels of normal irrigation (non-stress, irrigation after draining 30% of F.C.) and deficit irrigation regime (irrigation after draining 50% of F.C.), and three levels of foliar application (control, salicylic acid 1 mM, and proline 1 mM). The essential oil from the aerial parts of the herb at early flowering stage was extracted by water distillation. According to the results, the highest content of chlorophyll a, b, and total (0.96, 0.45, and 1.39 mg/g, respectively) were observed in water deficit irrigation treatment. Also, application of water deficit stress increased the proline content by 70% compared to the control while it did not show a significant effect on the morphological traits of plant height, stem diameter, and plant dry weight. Salicylic acid as a defense factor reduced the negative effects of deficit irrigation conditions on the essential oil, proline, and chlorophylls a, b, and total contents. The highest and lowest contents of essential oils were obtained in foliar-application of proline (1.12 mL/100 g dry matter) and control (0.84 mL/100 g dry matter), respectively. In conclusion, the foliar-spraying of salicylic acid in conditions of deficit irrigation is recommended to reduce the negative effects of stress and increase the content of D. kotschyi essential oil.

In this study, ISSR marker was employed to measure the genetic diversity within and among 29 accessions of Ziziphora specie from different regions of Iran including Z. tenuior, Z. persica and Z. capitata from 19, 5 and 5 geographical region, respectively. A total of 154 bands were amplified, and 86.67%, 81.13% and 84% were polymorphic in Z. tenuior, Z. persica and Z. capitata, correspondingly. Average number of amplified bands for each primer in 29 accessions was 10.26, while average number of amplified bands for each primer in Z. tenuior, Z. persica and Z.capitata was 3.8, 7.6 and 6.8, respectively. The most Polymorphic information content among tenuior, persica and capitata species belonged to UBC-805 (0.46), UBC-811 (0.35) and UBC-824 (0.37) primers respectively. The results of cluster analysis indicated that the ISSR marker could easily separate the tenuior species from the other two species, persica and capitata, although it was unable to separate the latter two species. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that there is a significant differences within the samples. Indeed, 38% of the observed genetic diversity is related to genetic diversity between populations and 62% is related to genetic diversity within populations. The results of principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) demonstrated that the first two vectors explained an 80.3% of the total variance, which shows the high correlation of the selected primers. Therefore, with a smaller number of primers and, as a result, the cost, it is possible to separate the tenuior species from the other two species. Considering that the primers UBC-805, UBC-811 and UBC-812 in the tenuior species contained the most polymorphic information and marker index and also showed 100% polymorphism, they can be used as efficient primers to investigate genetic diversity in this species. Overall, high genetic diversity in the Ziziphora sp. plants were identified in this study, which can be useful in the management and maintenance of the germplasm of this plant.

In this experiment the effect of the foliar applications of proline, yeast extract, and urea on thegrowth, yield, and quality characteristics of active substance of hyssop was investigated. This study was done in a split plot experimentalin randomized complete block design with three replications at the experimental field of Shahrekord University in 2017. The main plot was sole cropping of fenugreek, sole cropping of hyssop, and three intercropping ratios i.e. %50 fenugreek + %50 hyssop, %25 fenugreek + %75 hyssop, and %75fenugreek + %25 hyssop. The sub-plot was four levels foliar sprayings i.e. non-spraying or control and foliar sprayings of proline, yeast, and urea.The results showed that the intercropping and foliar sprayings of proline, yeast, and urea were significantly affected on some characteristics of hyssop such as plant height, number of lateral branches and the contents of chlorophyll a and b. The amount of land equivalent ratio (LER) in the intercropping was more than hyssop monoculture. In addition, LER under the foliar spraying of proline, yeast, and ureawas higher in comparison with non-foliar application.The pattern planting and foliar sprayings of proline, yeast, and urea had significant impacts on the proline content in the hyssop plants. Also, effect of monoculture of hyssop on essential oil content and yield of hyssop wassignificant; however, the foliar application of proline, yeast, and ureahad not influences on two these characteristics. In conclusion, the intercropping hyssop with legume (fenugreek) and the foliar sprayingsof proline, yeast, and urea can improve somegrowth parameters and active substance or the quantity and quality essential oilof hyssop.

Drought stress is a major environmental concern worldwide that limits crop growth on a large scale, and the use of biofertilizers and amino acid spraying is important to overcome this issue to improve crop production. For this purpose, a two-year study was conducted on Salvia officinalis L. in the form of split-split plots in a randomized complete block design with four replications in a farm located in Kangavar city of Kermanshah province.   The treatments of this experiment were Irrigation at two levels [50 and 100% of field capacity (F.C.)] which was placed in the main plots. The sub-factor included biofertilizer with three levels (control, mycorrhiza and cow manure) in the subplots and the sub-factor included foliar application of L-phenylalanine at four levels [no foliar application (negative control), solution spraying with distilled water (positive control), spraying with concentrations of 25% and 50% L-phenylalanine]. The highest amount and yield of essential oil were related to the interaction effects of irrigation treatments of 100% field capacity + cattle manure + 50% of L-phenylalanine with amounts of 3.5% and 24.41 kg/ha, respectively. In addition, the interaction effects of irrigation treatments were 100% field capacity + mycorrhiza + 50% L-phenylalanine with values 3.6% and 23.65 kg/ha, respectively.

Exopolysaccharides, compounds derived from the metabolites of probiotic bacteria, play an important role in regulating the immune system. Considering the role of culture medium in the production efficiency of exopolysaccharides, the aim of this investigation was to optimize the culture medium for the production of exopolysaccharides by Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lactobacillus acidophilus. In addition, the effect of dextrose and sucrose on the production of exopolysaccharide was investigated using paper disks impregnated with probiotic culture medium. Then, the production efficiency and inhibitory power of exopolysaccharide free radicals were investigated in the culture medium after whey alone and with yeast extract and peptone. Sucrose as a carbon source of optimal culture medium for the production of exopolysaccharide is more suitable than dextrose. In addition, the production efficiency and inhibition of free radicals by exopolysaccharides of native probiotic strains in all culture media was significantly higher than commercial strains, which could be due to different enzyme mechanisms. In the cell wall of L. fermentum and L. plantarum is involved in the breakdown of sugars, which plays an important role in the formation of the final structure of the exopolysaccharide. Therefore, it is suggested that for L plantarum and L fermentum, YS culture medium with high production efficiency should be used and there is no significant difference for ATCC bacteria. For medicinal use, we recommend YD culture medium for NIMBB003 bacteria, SS culture medium for NIMBB014 bacteria, and SD culture medium for ATCC bacteria, which has better antioxidant properties and efficiency.

In order to improve the quantity and quality of medicinal plants, the use of natural substances such as amino acids have increased in recent years, which provide little information on their individual effects, as well as interaction with other fertilizer sources.

To investigate effect of different fertilizers and the foliar application of L-phenylalanine on nutritional elements of hyssop [Hyssopus officinalis L. subsp. angustifolius (Bieb.)], an experiment was done in a randomized complete block design with three replications during two consecutive years of 2016 and 2017 in a field experiment at the experimental field, Shahrekord. The investigated factors were fertilizer treatments including chemical fertilizer (NPK), organic fertilizers (animal and vermicompost) and a bio-fertilizer, mycorrhizal fungus (including Glomus genus) in the main plots and L-phenylalanine (at three levels: 0, 500, and 1000 mg/L) in sub plots.

Results indicated that the application of different fertilizers along L-phenylalanine at two studied concentrations (500 and 1000 mg/L) led to significant increase in the concentration of most nutrient elements including nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and micro elemts [Iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn) and copper (Cu)] in the leaf were compared to the control. Among them, the application of fungal and vermicompost fertilizers, L-phenylalanine × fungal fertilization, and phenylalanine × vermicompost had highest effects on the increase of these traits. In conclusion, the results indicated that the application of organic fertilizers along with L-phenylalanine spraying at 1000 mg/L level has a beneficial role in the improvement of nutritional elements and dry matter yield of H. officinalis L. subsp. angustifolius (Bieb.).

The field experiment was carried out as spilt plot experiment with four replications based on a randomized complete block design at the University of Shahrekord's research farm in 2017-2018 to investigate the competitive indices and yield of two medicinal plant species, namely hyssop and fenugreek. The main plot has two soil moisture levels, with irrigation after drainage at 25 and 50% of field capacity. The sub-plot had five levels of planting pattern, including 100% hyssop, 100% fenugreek, hyssop 50%: fenugreek 50%, hyssop 75%: fenugreek 25%, and hyssop 25%: fenugreek 75% based on replacement series. The results showed that under drought stress, the land equivalent ratio (LER) of hyssop intercropped with fenugreek was higher than mono-cropping, with a significant difference (p£0.01). In this study, intercropping hyssop (50%) with fenugreek (50%) under mild stress increased the LER by 25.6% when compared to mono-cropping. When compared to mono-cropping, the average total relative density (K) increased in all intercropping ratios, and the total actual yield loss (ALYt) was positive in all intercropping ratios, indicating the usefulness of intercropping the two plants. Overall, the highest value of the system productivity index (SPI) was obtained in the intercropping hyssop (75%) with fenugreek (25%). Finally, intercropping hyssop with fenugreek can increase the productivity of a hyssop cultivation system.

Chitosan is a chitin-derived glosamine polysaccharide used as a bioelicitor to improve the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. To investigate the effect of chitosan elicitor on the quantity and quality of essential oil of Hyssopus officinalis L. subsp. angustifolius Bieb. under different irrigation regimes, a factorial experiment was conducted in the Research Center for Medicinal Plants, I.A.U., Shahrekord in the crop year 2017-2018 in a RCBD with four replications. Experimental factors included different concentrations of chitosan at three levels of 0, 0.25 and 0.50 g/L and irrigation regimes including 4, 6, and 10-day intervals. The essential oil of the flowering branches of the plant was extracted by hydro-distillation using Clevinger apparatus and phytochemically analyzed by GC/MS. The main compounds of the hyssop essential oil were trans-pinocampone, cis-pinocampone, β-pinene, myrtenol, α-thujene, α-pinene, sabinene, delta-3-carcene and camphor. The results showed that the effect of different concentrations of chitosan and irrigation regimes on the yield of essential oil was significant (P <0.01). Different concentrations of chitosan had a significant effect (P <0.01) on the amount of some compounds essential such as trans-pinocampone, cis-pinocampone and myrtenol. In addition, different irrigation regimes had a significant effect on the amount of some compounds such as trans-pinocampone and cis-pinocampone (P <0.01) and sabinene, α-pinene and β-pinene (P <0.05). The results indicated that the maximum essential oil yield and pinocampone, as the most important consituent of hyssop  is obtained from chitosan  at 0.5 g/L and irrigation once every 10 days. It seems that chitosan foliar application and increasing the intervals of irrigation period can be effective in increasing the yield and quantitative and qualitative properties of hyssop essential oil.

The most important safety and quality concern of pistachio export is its contamination with aflatoxin and oxidation and hydrolysis of fats. Therfore, this study is aimed at investigating the effects of red pepper, black pepper, and bell pepper extracts on the amount of aflatoxin production and oxidation process in pistachio and its sensory properties. For this purpose, the antifungal activity of pepper extracts was first evaluated, and then, after coating pistachio samples with each type of pepper extracts by 0.1, 0.5, and 1 % (v/w) including nine treatments and one control, Aspergillus flavus was inoculated to pistachio samples. Then, aflatoxin amount, peroxide value, and sensory properties were measured and evaluated during the days of first, 30th and 60th of storage. The results showed the highest radial growth of fungal mycelium in control and the lowest radial growth of colonies was observed in red pepper extract at concentration of 105 µL/L, which had a significant difference with other concentration of this extract and with similar concentrations of black and bell pepper extracts (P<0.05). The lowest amount of aflatoxin was obtianed from treatments containing 1% of red pepper and black pepper extracts and highest in the control sample. Also, the results indicated that with increasing the extracts concentration, the peroxide value and sensory desirability decreased significantly. Treatment containing 0.5% of red pepper extract had the highest sensory desirability, and the extracts of 0.5% bell pepper and 0.5% black pepper were afterwards. The studied pepper extracts had a significant effect on reducing the amount of aflatoxin and improving the sensory properties of pistachio compared to the control during storage, and in general, pistachio sample coated with 0.5% red pepper extract is introduced as the best treatment.

Iranian sweet basil (Ocimum ciliatum L.) and great sweet basil (O. basilicum L.) belonging to the family Lamiaceae are the most important aromatic, culinary and medicinal herbs, which widely cultivated in many countries. The areal parts especially, stem and leaves of sweet basil before flowering are widely used to enhance the flavor of foods such as salads, pasta, tomato products, vegetables, pizza, meat, soups, marine foods, confectioneries and other products.

Experimental:

 Phytochemical response of two basil species to different fertilizers including C (control), CM (cow manure 20 ton ha−1), CM + CF (cow manure 20 ton ha−1 + chemical fertilizers N.P.K), CM + CF (cow manure 10 ton ha−1+ chemical fertilizers N.P.K), CF (chemical fertilizers, N.P.K), and VC (vermicompost) was evaluated in a factorial experimental based RCBD at the field, Southwestern Iran. The hydro-distillated essential oils were analyzed using GC-FID and GC/MS.

Results indicated that interaction effects of fertilizers and basil species had significant influences on some main components such as methyl chavicol (estragole), neral, and geranial. The maximum percentage of methyl chavicol was achieved from the applied CM in green basil. The highest value for essential oil yield was observed from the applied CM + CF.

Recommended applications/industries: 

The application of organic fertilizer can be a promising strategy in achieving sustainable production of medicinal and aromatic plants such as Iranian basil.

Melissa officinalis (lemon balm), belongs to the family Lamiaceae is a known herb that has long been used in traditional medicine to treat many disorders and give fragrance to different food and beverage products. In this study, the effects of the foliar spray of L-phenylalanine on essential oil content and chemical composition of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), at field condition in Horeh, Saman city of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, southwestern Iran, were investigated.

This study was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications. Experimental treatments were including three levels of the foliar application of L-phenylalanine including 1000, 2000 and 4000 mg/L. Distilled water was used as a control.

The essential oil contents of the treatments ranged between 0.11 to 0.19% (v/w). Statistical analysis indicated that there were significant differences among treatments for essential oil contents of M. officinalis. Neral, Z-Citral, E-Citral, Geranial, Citronellal and β-Caryophyllene were the six major compounds of M. officinalis essential oil. The results indicated that the foliar application of L-phenylalanine have significant impacts on main constitutes of the essential oil and generally the application of L-phenylalanine spraying have beneficial and effective role in improving the essential oil content and some of chemical composition of lemon balm.

The plant biostimulants as environmentally friendly products can be effective for increasing the quantity and quality of lemon balm essential oil. Application of L-phenylalanine can be a promising strategy in achieving organic production of medicinal plants such as lemon balm.

Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) is cultivated worldwide especially in Mediterranean regions in which the leaves of this herb are widely used in pharmaceutical and food industries. Brassinolides and paclobutrazol are naturally occurring substances which modulate plant growth and development events and have been known to improve the crops tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The effects of spraying of 24-epibrassinolide (BRs: 0.0, 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5 µM) and paclobutrazol (PBZ: 17, 25, and 34 µM), different moisture conditions (I: normal irrigation or non-stress, reduced irrigation or non-stress, reduced irrigation or slight drought, and deficit irrigation or mild drought stress), and interaction effects of BRs × I and PBZ × I on the morphological and biochemical parameters of the S. officinalis leaves were investigated. Reduction in level irrigation led to decrease plant height, the numbers of branches, fresh herbal and dry weight, fresh roots and dry weight while it improved content of anthocyanin and chlorophyll. The spraying of BRs enhanced plant height, the numbers of branches, anthocyanin and chlorophyll with 3 µmolar concentration proving the best. The most values of fresh root and dry weight was associated with combination of the highest irrigation (I3) and applying 17µM PBZ. Highest value of chlorophyll a and total reached in I3×P3. Maximum content of anthocyanin and chlorophyll b were observed in BRs2×I3 and BRs2×P2 respectively. Finally, we can be concluded that the foliar spraying of BRs and PBZ improve most of the features of sage under deficit irrigation.

In order to evaluate the effect of foliar application iron and zinc fertilizers in two forms of sulphate and nano particles on the essential oil content and composition of peppermint under salinity stress, an pot experiment as factorial based on completely randomized design with three replications was conducted. Treatments of the experiment were salinity stress in four levels (0, 40, 80, and 120 mM NaCl) and fertilizer spraying in five levels (control, 1500 mg/L of iron sulphate, 300 mg/L of nano iron, 1500 mg/L of zinc sulphate, and 300 mg/L of nano zinc). Plant samples were harvested at flowering stage and dried under shadow conditions. Application of zinc and iron fertilizers, especially as nano form, improved the biomass of the plant, and the best biomass of peppermint was observed in the treatment of iron nano-fertilizers application. The results showed that nano iron treatment under salinity conditions of 40 and 80 mM NaCl causes 13.96 and 25.13% increase in oil content compared to control plants. The highest amount of menthol (42.22%) was related to the 80 mM salinity and spraying of nano iron. The lowest amount of menthol (31.57%) was observed in the 120 mM salt stress and application of nano iron. According to results of this research, the salinity stress of 40 and 80 mM could have a positive effect on the menthol amount of peppermint oil. Generally, nano iron causes the improvement in the content and main compositions of essential oil and the biomass of peppermint under salinity stress.

Jashir (Prangos spp.) is forage, medicinal and indigenous herb from some parts of Iran that is used in traditional medicine in the treatment of many diseases. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of altitude on morphological traits and essential oil compounds of Prangos ferulacea (L.) Lindl. at the flowering stage in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, Iran. For this purpose, 10 plants were selected from each of three altitudes (2000-1600, 2400-2000 and 2800-2400 m above sea level). Measurements were made for 30 morphological traits and essential oil content and compositions of the plants in each altitude. Result of one-way ANOVA showed a significant difference among altitudes classes (p < /em><0.01) for most of traits. The results showed that with increasing altitude, the number of branches, the number of leaves per plant and the number of primary leaflets decreased and the number of umbrellas per plant, leaf length, internode length, fresh and dry weight of plant increased. Significant correlations were observed between some important morphological traits such as (leaf number and umbrellas number, leaf length, internode length, fresh and dry weights) with the essential oil content. Path coefficients analysis of morphological traits showed that altitude had the greatest effect on the canopy diameter (P = 0.733) and leaf width (P= 0.857). In total, 22 compounds of essential oil were identified in three different altitude classes. The major compounds were Δ-3-carene, α-pinene, (Z)-β-ocimene, myrcene, β-phellandrene, and α-terpinolene. Altitude had a negative effect on the essential oil yield. Overall, the results of this study showed that the many of the studied traits in P. ferulacea were strongly affected by altitude and there were significant differences among the three altitude classes. Finally, the observed diversity can be related to the role of altitude and the genetic structure of the populations, which can also be considered as a kind of adaptation and physiological response of Jashir to environmental conditions.

In edible oil refining, the bleaching treatment is a essential step. The adsorbents used for bleaching can remove pigments and other impurities, such as soap, trace metals, phospholipids, and oxidation products. The removal of these impurities improves the sensory quality and the oxidative stability of the deodorized oil.Considering the importance of bleaching in edible oil purification, in this research sunflower oil was selected and the effect of bleaching on chemical properties in order to optimization the process was investigated. For this matter, the effect of time (15, 25, 35, 45, and 55 min), temperature (80, 90, 100, 110, and 120˚C), and concentration of bleaching clay (0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1, and 1.2%) using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) in 5 levels by CCD method have been studied with the aim of reduction in bleaching clay consumption. Chemical tests were carotenoid, sterol, tocopherol, heavy metals. Results indicated that the best situation in corn oil was time 39.18min, temperature 103.85˚C, and concentration of bleaching clay 94% that meet 57% of our desirable demands. Practical results showed no significant difference between software suggestions and practical data.

Drought is one of the most significant abiotic stress that affect plant growth, development and biochemical processes, such as the production of secondary metabolites and aromatic compounds. Hyssopus officinalis is one of the most important medicinal herbs which in addition to having medicinal properties, is also used as a flavoring and condiment in the food industry. This study was carried out in order to investigate the effects of water deficit stress on the quantity and quality of chemical compounds of Hyssop essential oil in pots at the field of Islamic Azad University of Shahrekord in 2017. Irrigation levels included normal, mild drought (60% F.C) and severe drought stress (30% F.C). The experiments were carried as factorial based on a completely randomized design with three replications. The essential oils obtained from aerial part of hyssop by hydro-distillation and analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Totally, 33 compounds identified representing more than 89-95% of the oil composition. The predominant components of hyssop oil were cis-pinocamphone (37.93 – 45.65%) and β-pinene (11.88 – 17.33%). In general, the results of this study showed that mild and severe drought stress did not have a significant effect on the percentage of hyssop essential oil, but on the percentage of its components was effective. The percentage of chemical constituents of essential oil increased at both levels of drought stress and it was higher in mild stress. It seems that with mild drought stress, both the effective materials of hyssop can be improved and the water can be saved.

 Salinity is one of the most important ecological stresses which reduces productivity. Humic acid as an organic acid and ascorbate as a strong antioxidant can be effective in improving plant yield under salinity stress.In this study, to investigate the effect of ascorbic acid and humic acid on the amount and chemical constituents of essential oil (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) under salinity stress, a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted at research greenhouse of faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. Treatments included salinity at four levels (0, 50, 100 and 150 mM), humic acid and ascorbic acid at three levels (0, 100 and 200 mg / l).The aerial parts of plant in blooming were collected and were extracted by steam distillation method using Clevenger apparatus and its components were separated and identified by gas chromatography and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The essential oil content decreased with increasing salinity stress and application of salt stress moderators (ascorbic acid and humic acid) improved this trait. So that at 150 mM salinityit reached to the lowest level (0.2%) and application of 200 mg / l humic acid increased 51.61% of essential oil compared to control. Most of the essential oil constituents in control treatment (no use of moderators and no salinity conditions) were geranial (36.65%), neral (31.94%), geraniol (15.56%), geranyl acetate (0.66), Trans- 4,2- heptadienal (1/25%), linalool (1.09%), pulegone (0.95%) and verbenol (0.4%) which included 99.5% of the essential oil components respectively by 36.65, 31.94, 15.56, 11.66, 1.25, 1.09, 0.95 and 0.4 percent. In different levels of salinity stress with 100 mg/l of humic acid treatment and application of salt stress moderators (100 and 200 mg/l ascorbic acid and 200 mg/l of humic acid) a large number of combinations was observed compared to control treatment. These includedalpha-pinene, beta-pinene, camphene, camphor, alpha-thujone, nerol and thymol.

Common sage (Salvia officinalis) is one of the most important medicinal and aromatic plants and possesses anticancer, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. One of the essential oil components of the sage plant is monoterpene, 1,8-cineole, that is responsible for some of these effects. The effect of foliar application of chitosan (control, 0.0, 0.25 and 0.50 g/L) under different levels of water deficit (FC = 60, 75 and 100%) were investigated on the expression level of cineole synthase gene in the roots and accumulation of 1,8-cineole content in the leaves of the sage plants. The experiment was conducted as factorial based on completely randomized design with three replications. The level of gene expression was determined by real time PCR in plant roots and the 1,8-cineole content was identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in leaves. Results indicated that the expression of studied gene and 1,8-cineole content were strongly up-regulated with water deficit. Furthermore, foliar application of chitosan (specially in 0.5 g/L) effectively up-regulated the cineole synthase gene expression in roots and 1,8-cineole content in the shoots. Overall, water deficit stress was more effective than chitosan in the up regulation of cineole synthase gene and 1,8-cineole synthase content. The maximum level of cineole synthase gene expression and 1,8-cineole content were observed in mild drought stress and 0.5 g/L chitosan condition. Slight water deficit stress had no effect on gene expression but the final product was increased in shoots. For the first time, our results indicated that water deficit stress and chitosan could increase cineole synthase gene expression in the roots of common sage. Therefore, chitosan along with water deficit probably increase 1,8-cineole content in shoots, in part, through increasing the expression level of 1,8-cineole synthase gene in roots.

Pistacia khinjuk is one of the pistachio species and native medicinal plant of Iran. This plant has shown many pharmacological activities and has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. The present experimental study was designed to evaluate the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of khinjuk on the hematological parameters of rats. Eighteen male Wistar rats were divided into 3 six-member groups. Groups 1 to 3 were treated with 200 mg/kg bw of the extract, 400 mg/kg bw of the extract and distilled water (control group) for 30 days, respectively. Blood samples were then taken from the heart of the rats and hematological parameters were measured. To assess the significance of the difference in mean blood parameters between different groups, T test was performed at a significant level of P