Diversity, Utility, Analytical Methods and Use Implications of Aroma-active Compounds from Select Angiosperm Familie.
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Date
2014-09
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Abstract
Introduction: An “aroma-active compound” (AAC) has a “flavor”- ie: a “distinct taste and
odor”. An example is menthol. All aromatic plants (APs), including some medicinal plants,
such as Mentha×piperita (Family Lamiaceae), produce a group of fat-soluble secondary
metabolites called “essential oils” (EOs) for various ecophysiological reasons. An EO has a “flavor” because it contains one or more AACs. A typical EO is a complex mixture of
several AACs, with wide ranging, dose-dependent pharmacological/ toxic effects. Owing
to their complexity and variability, many EOs need to be standardized to ISO’s criteria.
Professional use of EOs/ AAPs in food and drugs is controlled by good manufacturing
practice (GMP).
Aim: Given the immense diversities in sources, chemical structures, and bioactivities of
EOs/ AACs, which are greatly patronized in foods and drugs, this review focused on their:
i) sources in plants, beneficial attributes and liabilities; and ii) chemistry and analytical
methods, in order to gain a better insight into their regulation in foods and drugs.
Methodology: Using the 2009 Angiosperm Phylogenic Grouping (APG) of plants as a
guide, pertinent literature was perused to ascertain: i) the taxa of APs; ii) their EOs/ AAPs;
and iii) the methods for analyzing EOs/ AACs in raw materials (RMs) and finished
products (FPs).
Results: The literature revealed scores of AACs with varying health implications. But their
levels in samples are usually unknown, or extremely hard to ascertain, owing to costs and
complexities of the methods used.
Conclusions: Given the wide ranging effects of EOs/ AAPs vis-à-vis the dearth of data
on their levels in samples, it is recommended that their regulation in FPs should focus on:
i) controlling the wholesomeness of RMs; and ii) on enforcing strict GMP in using such
RMs. Meanwhile relevant agencies should sponsor research into more cost-effective
methods.
Description
Keywords
Aroma-active compound (AAC), drug, essential oil (EO), flavor, food, good manufacturing practice (GMP), international organization for standardization, (ISO) analytical method, regulation
Citation
Ameh Sunday J, Ibekwe Nneka N, Ambi Aminu A, Abdulkareem Taoheed, Toge Barnabas K, Ebeshi Benjamin U, Garba John Alfa Magaji. Diversity, Utility, Analytical Methods and Use Implications of Aroma-active Compounds from Select Angiosperm Familie. European Journal of Medicinal Plants. 2014 Sept; 4(9): 1046-1086.