title: Supercritical CO2 extract of Cinnamomum zeylanicum: chemical characterization and antityrosinase activity.
abstract: The volatile oil of the bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum was extracted by means of supercritical CO2 fluid extraction in different conditions of pressure and temperature. Its chemical composition was characterized by GC-MS analysis. Nineteen compounds, which in the supercritical extract represented >95% of the oil, were identified. (E)-Cinnamaldehyde (77.1%), (E)-beta-caryophyllene (6.0%), alpha-terpineol (4.4%), and eugenol (3.0%) were found to be the major constituents. The SFE oil of cinnamon was screened for its biological activity about the formation of melanin in vitro. The extract showed antityrosinase activity and was able to reduce the formation of insoluble flakes of melanin from tyrosine. The oil also delayed the browning effect in apple homogenate. (E)-Cinnamaldehyde and eugenol were found to be mainly responsible of this inhibition effect.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scenze Chimiche, Università di Cagliari Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, Italy.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Marongiu
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piras
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Porcedda
authors.forename: Enrica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tuveri
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sanjust
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meli
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sollai
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zucca
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rescigno
mesh_terms: D025924:Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid / Q000379:methods*; D002935:Cinnamomum zeylanicum / Q000737:chemistry*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism*; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D011312:Pressure; D013696:Temperature; D014835:Volatilization
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase