Mastic gum is a resin obtained as exudate after incision of the tree Pistacia lentiscus L. var. chia (Anacardiaceae), native to Aegean and Mediterranean regions. The history of mastic gum goes back to ancient times and its use has largely been associated with the treatment of various gastrointestinal malfunctions. Due to its pleasant aromatic odor and distinct taste, mastic gum essential oil (MGEO) has been exploited as a flavouring agent in food and drink products as well as in cosmetics and perfumery. Cultivation of mastic trees not only promises a sustainable supply of gum but also helps to preserve the trees in nature. However, chemical analysis between wild and cultivated mastic gums has not been explored. Therefore, in this study, for the first time, we compared MGEOs harvested from wild and cultivated trees of P. lentiscus from two natural habitats, Cesme and Karaburun Peninsulas, and one cultivated source from Cesme Peninsula in Izmir, Turkey. Also, within the scope of the present work, MGEOs were evaluated for cytotoxicity against multiple cancer cells, antimicrobial activity against human and food-borne pathogens, and kairomone activity on Ceratitis capitata (Mediterranean fruit fly, medfly). Gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses revealed that MGEOs were mainly composed of monoterpenoids namely α-pinene, myrcene, and β-pinene. Chiral GC analyses showed that the concentration ratios between (-)/(+)-α-pinene and (-)-α-pinene/myrcene allowed for differentiation between wild and cultivated MGEO sources. Mastic gum EOs displayed selective cytotoxicity against human carcinoma cells, while oils showed relatively low or no inhibition against human and food-borne bacterial and fungal pathogens and relatively low attraction of male C. capitata. In conclusion, the enantiomeric distribution of (-)-α-pinene/myrcene may be useful in the quality assessment of wild and cultivated MGEOs and thus could provide a useful tool for determining authenticity of mastic gum oil from commercial mastic oils, food and pharmaceutical products containing mastic oils.

Chemical characterization and biological activity of the mastic gum essential oils of Pistacia lentiscus var. chia from Turkey

ACS Fall 2021

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