2016, Pages 849–856
Chapter 97 – Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.) Oils
- Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Institute of Chemistry, Vilnius, Lithuania
- Available online 29 October 2015
Abstract
Wormwood plays a significant role in medicine and food industry. Artemisia absinthium
extracts and essential oils were assessed for various biological
activities and pharmaceutical applications. Principal compositional
variability of the oils of different geographical origins was presented.
The oils exhibit antifeedant and toxic effects on many pests and
potential antifungal and antimicrobial activity on wide spectrum on the
growth of many agricultural and food-borne pathogens. Furthermore,
wormwood oils are very effective against many parasites and worms, which
cause serious ailments and diseases in domestic animals. Also,
antioxidant and radical scavenging activities of A. absinthium
oils are discussed. Wormwood is used as a culinary herb due to it
specific odor and bitter taste, preservative, and digestive properties.
Oils of the plant are applied for flavoring many alcoholic beverages,
different liqueurs, aperitifs, wines, and vermouths. Furthermore,
wormwood is a principal component in the manufacture of bitter spirit,
absinthe.
Keywords
- Absinthe;
- Allelopathic;
- Antifungal;
- Antimicrobial;
- Antioxidant;
- Artemisia absinthium L. (wormwood);
- Essential oils;
- Pesticidal;
- Toxic
Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
