title: Chemical composition and antioxidant properties of γ-irradiated Iranian Zataria multiflora extracts.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Irradiation is the process of exposing food such as herbal plant to ionizing radiation to destroy microorganisms. Zataria multiflora Boiss (Lamiaceae), known as Avishan-e-Shirazi in Persian, is a thyme-like plant that grows naturally in central and southern parts of Iran and is used in traditional folk medicine.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study, the effects of γ-radiation on chemical composition and antioxidant properties of Z. multiflora were investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  The plants were first irradiated with Co60 source (0, 10, and 25 kGy) and then subjected to Clevenger extraction to obtain essential oils. The composition of the oil was analyzed by a gas chromatography and compared with samples pretreated under different conditions. In parallel, the hydroalcoholic extract was prepared and used for measuring flavonoid content. Thereafter, the free-radical scavenging and antioxidant properties of essential oils and hydroalcoholic extract were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Despite the minor change in the individual oil constituents, the total percentage of the main components remained unaffected before and after irradiation (~95%). In addition, the total flavonoid content of hydroalcoholic extract was also unchanged due to irradiation (~32 mg QE/g extract). The high radical scavenging activity of the oil (~67%) and hydroalcoholic extract (~71%), in addition, the antioxidant properties of the oil (~91%) and hydroalcoholic extract (~95%), were unaffected after irradiation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings may suggest the sustainability of Z. multiflora extract properties pretreated with γ-radiation. With a view to its antioxidant applications, resistance of Z. multiflora and its properties against radiation effects are promising findings.
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Science Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, Tehran, Iran. ffatemi@aeoi.org.ir
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fatemi
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Asri
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rasooli
authors.forename: Sh D
authors.initials: ShD
authors.lastname: Alipoor
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shaterloo
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000528:radiation effects; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000528:radiation effects; D005720:Gamma Rays; D007492:Iran; D019686:Lamiaceae / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000528:radiation effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010936:Plant Extracts