Hemijski sastav i biološka aktivnost esencijalnih ulja i hidrolata hmelja ; Chemical composition and biological activity of essential oils and hydrolates of hops

U drevnim kulturama su se ženske cvasti (šišarice) hmelja koristile u očuvanju pića sa niskim sadržajem alkohola kojima su davale specifičnu aromu. Danas se koriste u pivarstvu, kozmetičkoj, farmaceutskoj i prehrambenoj industriji. Prema naučnim podacima, hmelj ima sedativno dejstvo a poseduje i značajan antiinflamatorni i antidijabetički potencijal. Glavni biološki aktivni sastojci koji utiču na ove aktivnosti su eterična ulja, gorke materije (alfa i beta-kiseline), fitoestrogeni i flavonoidi (flavonol glikozidi, kondenzovani tanini i prenilflavonoidi). Eterično ulje hmelja je zlatnožuto, sveže i pomalo oštre biljne arome. Komercijalna proizvodnja eteričnih ulja se obavlja destilacijom biljne mase vodom ili vodenom parom. S obzirom na to da je u oba procesa rastvarač voda, ove tehnike ekstrakcije se klasifikuju kao zelena tehnologija. Nakon ekstrakcije eteričnih ulja iz biljnog materijala kao sporedni proizvod se dobijaju čvrsti ostaci (iscrpljeni biljni materijal) i hidrolat. ; In ancient cultures, the female flowers (cones) of hops were used to preserve drinks with a low alcohol content to which they gave a specific aroma. Today, they are used in the brewing, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industry. According to scientific data, hops have a sedative effect, and have a significant anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic potential. The main biologically active ingredients that influence these activities are essential oils, bitter substances (alpha and beta-acids), phytoestrogens and flavonoids (flavonol glycosides, condensed tannins and prenylflavonoids). The essential oil of hops is golden yellow, with a fresh and slightly sharp herbal aroma. The commercial production of essential oils is carried out by distilling the plant mass with water or steam. Since water is the solvent in both processes, these extraction techniques are classified as green technology. After the extraction of essential oils from plant material, hydrolate and solid residues (exhausted plant material) and are obtained as by-products.