Effects of nano-ferric oxide on quality, quantity and antioxidant properties of essential oil components in Carum copticum (L.) Link

Abstract

The effect of exogenous application of nano-ferric oxide (50 and 100 mg/l) in early flowering stage on components of essential oils (EOs) of Carum copticum (L.) Link was evaluated. EO extracted by hydrodistillation from Iranian C. copticum was characterized by means of GC/MS. The nano-ferric oxide application increased limonene, γ- terpinene, cis-limonene oxide, thymol, carvacrol and decreased α-thujene, α-pinene, β-pinene and p-cymene concentration. The EO was also subjected to evaluation for antioxidant properties. Thymol, γ-terpinene and carvacrol possessed the highest antioxidant properties among the major components. C. copticum EO exhibited a higher activity in each antioxidant system with a special attention to β-carotene bleaching test and reducing power. The TLC-bioautography screening and fractionation resulted in the separation of the main antioxidant compounds which were identified as thymol, γ-terpinene and carvacrol.