Study on chemical components of the essential oil from Zanthoxylum armatum DC and its antioxidant activity

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the composition, antioxidant properties, and stability of the essential oil extracts from Zanthoxylum armatum DC.MethodsEssential oil was extracted using supercritical CO2 extraction (SFE-CO2) and steam distillation (HD). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed to analyze the chemical composition of the oils. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging assays. Additionally, the effects of pH, temperature, preservatives, and sweeteners on the antioxidant activity of the essential oil were assessed.ResultsGC-MS analysis revealed that alcohols and olefins were the primary components of the essential oils. Both extraction methods yielded oils with strong antioxidant properties. The half-maximal inhibition concentration (IC50) for ABTS radicals was 0.248 mg/mL for SFE-CO2 and 0.580 mg/mL for HD, while for DPPH radicals, the IC50 values were 4.620 mg/mL and 8.920 mg/mL. Variations in pH values, temperature, preservatives and sweeteners influenced the antioxidant activity of the oils.ConclusionThe chemical composition of essential oils differs based on the extraction method, but both demonstrate strong antioxidant activity and stability under certain conditions. These findings suggest that Z. armatum essential oils could serve as a promising natural source of antioxidants.