Optimization of essential oil combinations for enhanced antibacterial properties using mixture design methodology.

This study investigated the synergistic antibacterial potential of combining essential oils (EOs) from origanum, rosemary, and pepper using mixture design methodology. The EOs were extracted and analyzed by GC/MS, and their major compounds were identified as carvacrol, 1,8-cineole, and β-caryophyllene, respectively. A simplex-centroid mixture design was employed to optimize the EO combinations for enhanced antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria.

Optimizing the encapsulation of the refined extract of squash peels for functional food applications: A sustainable approach to reduce food waste.

Encapsulation of the refined extract from squash fruit peels was evaluated for the design of functional foods with beneficial effects on human health. The percentage of maltodextrin and gum Arabic in the wall material as well as the concentration of the refined extract were the independent variables for the Box Behnken design, and their impact on response variables (total phenolic compound [TPC] content, DPPH activity, the size of particles, and polydispersity index [Pdi]) was evaluated. The obtained emulsions were compared based on their TPC content, as well as their antioxidant activities.

Optimization of phenolic compound extraction from Tunisian squash by-products: A sustainable approach for antioxidant and antibacterial applications.

The valorization of agricultural by-products is a key strategy for environmental sustainability. This study focuses on optimizing the extraction of phenolic compounds from by-products (peels, fibrous strands, and seeds) of two Tunisian squash landraces (e.g.

Seed Priming and Biopriming in Two Squash Landraces ( Duchesne) from Tunisia: A Sustainable Strategy to Promote Germination and Alleviate Salt Stress.

In recent years, seed priming has gained interest, with researchers aiming to enhance seed germination and early growth, especially under abiotic stress conditions. In this study, seeds from two squash landraces ( Duchesne; i.e.

Phytochemical investigation, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities of Tunisian medicinal .

The current study aimed to evaluate Tunisian Tamarix africana Poir biological activities. In this study, novel biological activities of the shoot extracts related to their phenolics investigated. Secondary metabolite contents, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities of four extracts (hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and water) were investigated.

Effects of drought stress induced by D-Mannitol on the germination and early seedling growth traits, physiological parameters and phytochemicals content of Tunisian squash (Duch.) landraces.

Introduction: Drought stress is one of the most devastating environmental stressors, especially in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Considering the major constraints that drought stress poses to crop production and the consequent yield losses in food crops, breeding for climate-resilient crops is an efficient means to mitigate stress conditions.

Materials And Methods: This study aimed at evaluating the response of four squash ( Duchesne) landraces to drought stress at germination and at plant stage.

Anti-inflammatory activity of essential oils from Tunisian aromatic and medicinal plants and their major constituents in THP-1 macrophages.

In this study, the capacity of eight essential oils (EOs), sage (Salvia officinalis), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), black cumin (Nigella sativa), prickly juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus), geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), oregano (Origanum vulgare) and wormwood (Artemisia herba-alba), on the inhibition of NF-κB activation was screened at concentrations up to 0.25 µL/mL using THP-1 human macrophages bearing a NF-κB reporter. This screening selected coriander, geranium, and wormwood EOs as the most active, which later evidenced the ability to decrease over 50 % IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and COX-2 mRNA expression in LPS-stimulated THP-1 macrophages.

Effects of Thymbra capitata essential oil on in vitro fermentation end-products and ruminal bacterial communities.

An in vitro trial was carried out to investigate the effects of natural Thymbra capitata essential oil (NEO) and its main compounds [including carvacrol, p-cymene, γ-terpinene given alone or in a synthetic combination (SEO)] on ruminal fermentation and the bacterial community using batch cultures inoculated with ruminal digesta and incubating two different basal diets [high-forage (F) and high-concentrate (C) diet]. After 24 h of incubation, primary fermentation end-products [gas, methane, volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and ammonia] and rumen microbial diversity were determined. NEO reduced the total VFA concentration (P < 0.

Nano-Emulsification of Cinnamon and Curcuma Essential Oils for the Quality Improvement of Minced Meat Beef.

This work aims to evaluate cinnamon and curcuma essential oils as natural preservatives in minced beef meat. Essential oil chemical compositions and antibacterial activities were studied, and their encapsulation was optimized into nano-emulsions based on droplet size and distribution assessments. Selected formulas were further explored for their physical stabilities and antibacterial activities.

Essential Oil Stabilisation by Response Surface Methodology (RSM): Nanoemulsion Formulation, Physicochemical, Microbiological, and Sensory Investigations.

This manuscript aimed to optimise the encapsulation of essential oil into nanoemulsion. Response Surface Methodology results were best fitted into polynomial models with regression coefficient values of more than 0.95.

The Effects of Salt Stress on Germination, Seedling Growth and Biochemical Responses of Tunisian Squash ( Duchesne) Germplasm.

Salt stress is considered as one of the most common abiotic stresses reducing the productivity and fruit quality of crop plants. The present study was carried out to assess the salt tolerance among 15 local squash ( Duchesne) landraces. Different salt (NaCl) concentrations of 0, 100, 200 and 300 mM were selected in order to evaluate the response of the study germplasm to salt stress based on 12 agronomic parameters and 3 biochemical traits, proline, malondialdehyde (MDA) and chlorophylls.

Formulation, physicochemical characterization, and anti- E. coli activity of food-grade nanoemulsions incorporating clove, cinnamon, and lavender essential oils.

This research studies the application of a specific nanoemulsion as anti-Escherichia coli agent. The specific mixture was generated by a simplex-centroid design. Physicochemical parameters such as droplet average diameter, pH, viscosity, density, turbidity, whitening index, refractive index, stability (thermal, physical, and osmotic stability), and antibacterial activity kinetic, have been assessed.

[Evaluation of different procedures for the extraction of phenolic compounds from a medicinal plant: Verbena officinalis].

Since ancient times, plants have been the main source of bioactive molecules, such as phenolic compounds, capable of remedying various diseases. However, polyphenols' content and efficiency vary greatly as a function of several intrinsic and extrinsic factors. To optimize the procedure for the extraction of active molecules from the medicinal plant Verbena officinalis, effects of the plant origin, selected solvent, and extraction method were assessed.

Essential oils: A promising eco-friendly food preservative.

Essential oils (EOs) are natural, volatile and aromatic liquids extracted from special plants. EOs are complex mixture of secondary metabolites (terpenes, phenolic compounds, alcohol). EOs possess a wide range of biological activities including antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory ones.

Plant Growth Modulates Metabolites and Biological Activities in (Forssk.) Webb.

This work focuses on the variability of (Forssk.) Webb bioactive compounds as a function of the plant cycle. The main results showed that it exhibited the highest percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids, along with superior levels of vitamin C and total phenolic compounds (66.

essential oil ameliorates pasteurization efficiency.

This work aims to characterize essential oil and to investigate its preservative effects on raw milk quality alone or combined to pasteurization heat treatment. To study its preservative effect, 1 mg l of essential oil, characterized by GC-MS, was added to pasteurized or raw milk. The evaluation of milk quality was made by consulting samples total acidities, peroxide values and their total microbial counts, as compared to control milks.

Potassium deficiency alters growth, photosynthetic performance, secondary metabolites content, and related antioxidant capacity in Sulla carnosa grown under moderate salinity.

Salinity and K deficiency are two environmental constraints that generally occur simultaneously under field conditions, resulting in severe limitation of plant growth and productivity. The present study aimed at investigating the effects of salinity, either separately applied or in combination with K deficiency, on growth, photosynthetic performance, secondary metabolites content, and related antioxidant capacity in Sulla carnosa. Seedlings were grown hydroponically under sufficient (6000 μM) or low (60 μM) K supply with 100 mM NaCl (C + S and D + S treatments, respectively).

Quality preservation of deliberately contaminated milk using thyme free and nanoemulsified essential oils.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of either a solution of Thymus capitatus essential oil or its nanoemulsion on the quality of milk contaminated by bacteria. After 24h of S. aureus inoculation, bacterial growth reached 202×10(3)CFU/ml in the presence of the essential oil while it was limited to 132×10(3)CFU/ml when treated with nanoemulsion.

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of the medicinal halophyte Reaumuria vermiculata.

Reaumuria vermiculata is a xero-halophytic specie widely distributed in the south of Tunisia. In the current study, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of Reaumuria vermiculata shoot extracts as well as its phenolic compounds were investigated in different solvent extracts (hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and water). Results showed a strong antioxidant activity, using the ORAC method and a cell based-assay, in methanol extract as well as an important phenolic composition (117.

Evaluation of antioxidant activities of the edible and medicinal Acacia albida organs related to phenolic compounds.

This study compared phenolic contents and antioxidant activity in different organs of Acacia albida (leaves and bark) and focuses on identification of phenolic compounds of leaves by HPLC-DAD. The analysed organs exhibited differences in total polyphenol contents (100 and 59.5 mg GAE g(-1) DW).

Isolation of powerful antioxidants from the medicinal halophyte Limoniastrum guyonianum.

The antioxidant capacities of the crude extract, aqueous and ethyl acetate partitions of Limoniastrum guyonianum Boiss. (Zita) were investigated in this study. The ethyl acetate phase exhibited a significant antioxidant activity as judged by total antioxidant activity, DPPH test and reducing power.

OPTIMIZATION OF SALT CONCENTRATIONS FOR A HIGHER CAROTENOID PRODUCTION IN DUNALIELLA SALINA (CHLOROPHYCEAE)(1).

Dunaliella salina (Dunal) Teodor, when treated over 25 d with a wide range of NaCl salinities (0.6-4.5 M), showed its maximal growth potentialities at 1.

Municipal solid waste compost application improves productivity, polyphenol content, and antioxidant capacity of Mesembryanthemum edule.

Organic wastes were successfully used as soil amendment to improve agrosystems productivity. Yet, the effectiveness of this practice to enhance plant antioxidant capacities has received little attention. Here, we assess the effect of municipal solid waste (MSW) compost (at 40 t ha(-1)) on growth, polyphenol contents and antioxidant activities of Mesembryanthemum edule.

Interspecific variability of antioxidant activities and phenolic composition in Mesembryanthemum genus.

In the present study, shoot extracts from edible halophytic Mesembryanthemum species were evaluated for their effects against O(2)(-), DPPH, and ABTS radicals. The reducing power, chelating ability, inhibition of lipid peroxidation and of beta-carotene bleaching were also evaluated. Moreover, the total phenolic, flavonoid, and condensed tannin contents were determined.