Characterization of Kumquat (Fortunella margarita) peel essential oil and hydrosol fraction and, their potential as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic agents.

Title : Characterization of Kumquat (Fortunella margarita) peel essential oil and hydrosol fraction and, their potential as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic agents.

Abstract:

Nowadays, there is an increasing concern in plant extracts as potential antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic agents. In the research project (BIOFOOD) supported by the GRST (*), biologically active extracts derived by indigenous Greek edible and medicinal plants were characterized and used for the production of novel functional foods. Kumquat (Fortunella margarita) was one of the studied species that is actually cultivated in Greece (Corfu Island), with high economic significance. Peel essential oil and hydrosol fraction were characterized with GC/MS and LC/MS. Essential oil consists of a variety of components with the most prominent being limonene, myrcene and δ germacrene. No phenolic acids were detected in the hydrosol fraction. Antimicrobial activity and anti-cancer potential was further studied for both fractions. Essential oil in vivo effect in embryonic development in zebrafish was also determined. The main research objective was the development of novel functional foods incorporating Kumquat fractions and the validation of their health promoting effects.

(*) Research project co-financed by the European Union (European Regional Development Fund–ERDF) and Greek national funds through the Operational Program “National Action “COOPERATION 2011 – Partnerships of Production and Research Institutions in Focused Research and Technology Sectors” (Project Nr. 11SYN_2_566).

Biography:

Haido Bardouki received her PHD (2003) from the Department of Chemistry, University of Crete (Greece) where she had earlier received her Chemistry Degree (1997) and a Master of Science (2000). Thesis and master subjects focused on analytical and environmental chemistry that gave her the opportunity to participate in research projects taking place in Kuujjuarapik, (2001, Hudson Bay, Canada) and Kerguelen Islands complex, (2002, Indian Ocean). Since 2003 she works in VIORYL S.A. (Greece), a chemical company focusing on Fragrances, Flavors, Plant Protection and Biological Insect Control, in the Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, R&D Department. She is responsible for the implementation of various GRST supported research programs. She is specialized in the analysis of fine chemicals, essential oils, flavors and high added value compounds using GC-MS and LC-MS.