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Objectives/methodology: The present study focuses on the evaluation of antioxidant potential (AP), total phenolic (TP) and total flavonoid (TF), antimicrobial activity (AA), antidiabetic capacity (AC), heavy metals contents (HMC) and sensory evaluation of commercial ketchup samples. Results: The AP, TP and TF were found to be in the range of 35.51 to 77.92%, 2.66 to 14.98 mg GAE/100 g and 1.69 to 4.23 mg QE/g, respectively. The results of AA showed that commercial ketchup (CK) samples showed inhibition of microbial growth ranged from 18.96 to 30.67 mm against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and 19.00 to 31.14 mm against Escherichia coli (E. coli). The AC (involving alpha-amylase assay) was determined and represented as IC50 value of 23.12 to 62.76 µg/mL. According to the sensory evolution, all the samples were acceptable for use with overall acceptability <50. Conclusions: The current study concluded that ketchup exhibited good antioxidant, antimicrobial and antidiabetic potential, however, the level of heavy metals in tested ketchup were required to be controlled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucose detection is critical in clinical health and the food industry, particularly in the diagnosis of blood sugar levels. Carbon‐based fiber materials have recently featured prominently as non‐enzymatic electrochemical glucose detectors. Herein, cobalt‐based ferrite (CoFe2O4) in the form of nanoparticles has been successfully fabricated over the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) fiber via a simple hydrothermal process. Fabricated microelectrode (CoFe2O4@CNTs) was investigated as an electrocatalyst toward the non‐enzymatic electrochemical glucose sensors. The structure and morphology of the modified fiber were studied by scanning electron microscopy including energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. The electrochemical capability of the microelectrode was analyzed by using different electrochemical techniques including cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The proposed sensors exhibited a superb sensitivity of 0.21 µAcm−2 mM−1, a good linear range from 1 to 9 mM, and a lower detection limit of 1.7 mM. Further investigation via EIS indicated the low charge transfer resistance as compared to the bare CNTs‐based fiber. Outcomes revealed that the material can potentially prove promising for the disposable microelectrode toward electrochemical glucose sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the aim to establish clean and sustainable sludge treatment, green conditioning using natural flocculants has recently gained a growing interest. In this study, a variety of plant materials, namely Moringa (Moringa oleifera) seeds, Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds, Potato (Solanum tuberosum) peels, Aloe (Aloe vera) leaves, Cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) cladodes, and Phragmites (Phragmites australis) stems, were evaluated for their potential bioflocculant activity in conditioning sewage sludge. They were thoroughly characterized to determine their active flocculating compounds. Sludge dewaterability was evaluated by assessing various sludge parameters, including specific resistance to filtration (SRF), dryness of filtration cake (DC), and total suspended solid removal (TSS) from sludge filtrate. The collected results from various physicochemical characterizations of plant materials suggest that the main flocculating agents are carbohydrates in Cactus and Fenugreek and proteins in Moringa, Potato, and Phragmites. Additionally, all tested plant-based flocculants demonstrated effective dewatering performance. Interestingly, compared to the chemical flocculant polyaluminum chloride, Moringa and Cactus showed superior conditioning effects, yielding the lowest SRF values and the highest DC. As a result, the use of these natural flocculants improved sewage sludge filterability, leading to a significant removal of total suspended solids from the filtrate. The conditioning properties of Moringa and Cactus can be attributed to their high protein and sugar content, which facilitates the effective separation of bound water from solids through charge neutralization and bridging mechanisms. Thus, green conditioning using plant-based flocculants, particularly Moringa and Cactus materials, presents a promising and eco-friendly approach to enhance sewage sludge dewatering for safer disposal and valorization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pelargonium plants are very popular and well-known for their essential oils (EOs), which are used for medicinal purposes and in food. This study focused on the EO of Pelargonium odoratissimum. First, its composition and antioxidant and antimicrobial activity were evaluated, and finally, its efficacy as a natural preservative in ground beef was tested. The main EO constituents were citronellol (40.0%), nerol (15.3%), and citronellyl formate (12.6%). The antibacterial activity of POEO showed that Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 was the most susceptible strain compared to the other eight strains tested. The antioxidant activity, as measured by the DPPH assay, showed a dose-dependent effect with an IC50 comparable to the standard used, gallic acid. Aerobic plate count, psychotropic bacteria, and Enterobacteriaceae, including Salmonella, were reduced by the addition of Pelargonium odoratissimum essential oils. The oxidative stability was significantly improved compared to the untreated sample. Additionally, the results for metmyoglobin demonstrated a notable preservative effect on sensory properties, including appearance, odor, color, and overall acceptability. The ability to discriminate between all samples and correlate protein and lipid oxidation processes, microbiological characteristics, and sensory measurements was made possible by principal component analysis and heat maps. This research shows the potential benefits of using POEO in the preservation of ground beef by effectively extending shelf life and improving product safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foodborne infections caused by microbes are a serious health risk. Regarding this, customer preferences for "ready-to-eat" or minimally processed (MP) deer meat are one of the main risk factors. Given the health dangers associated with food, essential oil (EO) is a practical substitute used to decrease pathogenic germs and extend the shelf-life of MP meals. Nonetheless, further data regarding EO use in MP meals are required. In order to evaluate new, safer alternatives to chemicals for disease control and food preservation, this research was carried out in the following areas to assess the antibacterial and antibiofilm characteristics of Thymus serpyllum (TSEO) essential oil, which is extracted from dried flowering stalks. Furthermore, this study applied an essential oil of wild thyme and inoculated the sous vide deer meat with Pseudomonas aeruginosa for seven days at 4 °C in an effort to prolong its shelf-life. Against P. aeruginosa, the essential oil exhibited potent antibacterial action. The findings of the minimal biofilm inhibition concentration (MBIC) crystal violet test demonstrated the substantial antibiofilm activity of the TSEO. The TSEO modified the protein profiles of bacteria on glass and plastic surfaces, according to data from MALDI-TOF MS analysis. Moreover, it was discovered that P. aeruginosa was positively affected by the antibacterial properties of TSEO. The anti-Pseudomonas activity of the TSEO was marginally higher in vacuum-packed sous vide red deer meat samples than in control samples. The most frequently isolated species from sous vide deer meat, if we do not consider the applied bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, were P. fragi, P. lundensis, and P. taetrolens. These results highlight the antibacterial and antibiofilm qualities of TSEO, demonstrating its potential for food preservation and extending the shelf-life of deer meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Essential oils (EOs) from various medicinal and aromatic plants are known for their diverse biological activities, including their antimicrobial effects. Citrus aurantium EO is traditionally used for therapeutic benefits due to its high content of bioactive compounds. Therefore, this study focuses on its potential use as a food preservative by investigating the combined antibacterial properties of EOs from leaves (EO1), flowers (EO2), and small branches (EO3) of Citrus aurantium against six bacterial strains by the agar disk diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) methods. The chemical compositions of the EOs were analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and revealed the presence of numerous compounds responsible for their antimicrobial properties. The MIC values for the EOs were 3.12 mg/mL, 4.23 mg/mL, and 1.89 mg/mL, for EO1, EO2 and EO3, respectively, while the MBC values were 12.5 mg/mL, 6.25 mg/mL, and 6.25 mg/mL, respectively. A simplex centroid design was created to analyse the effect of the individual and combined EOs against E. coli. The combined EOs showed enhanced antibacterial activity compared to the individual oils, suggesting a synergistic effect (e.g., trial 9 with an MIC of 0.21 mg/mL), allowing the use of lower EO concentrations and reducing potential negative effects on food flavour and aroma. Additionally, the practical application of investigated EOs (at concentrations twice the MIC) was investigated in raw chicken meat stored at 4 °C for 21 days. The EOs, individually and in combination, effectively extended the shelf life of the meat by inhibiting bacterial growth (total bacterial count of less than 1 × 104 CFU/g in the treated samples compared to 7 × 107 CFU/g in the control on day 21 of storage). The study underlines the potential of C. aurantium EOs as natural preservatives that represent a sustainable and effective alternative to synthetic chemicals in food preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utmost aim of this study is the determination of the optimum ratio and the amount of almond gum (AL), sodium alginate (SA), and sodium caseinate (SC) in the formulation of tyrosol-nanoparticles. Indeed, the increase in the ratio of AL enhanced the encapsulation efficiency and significantly reduced the mean particle diameter (dp) of tyrosol-nanoparticles. Moreover, increasing the ratio of SC at an amount of 2.0% improved the polydispersity index of tyrosol nanodispersions. Besides, the high proportions of AL at the amount of 2.0% and SC at the amount of 1.0% enhanced the antioxidant activities of tyrosol nanoparticles. Hence, the statistical results showed that the mixture of 51.20% AL and 48.80% SC at the amount of 2.0% was proven to be the optimum condition which was confirmed in practice. Under these conditions, the experimental values of encapsulation efficiency, mean dp, polydispersity index, and antioxidant activity (IC50) were: 98.10%, 91.57 nm, 0.18, and 87.90 µM, respectively. Their molecular interaction was also confirmed by FTIR and thermal analysis which proved the encapsulation of tyrosol in an amorphous form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food is generally prepared and vacuum-sealed in a water bath, then heated to a precise temperature and circulated in a sous vide machine. Due to its affordability and ease of use, this cooking method is becoming increasingly popular in homes and food service businesses. However, suggestions from manufacturers and chefs for long-term, low-temperature sous vide cooking raise questions about food safety in the media. In this study, heat treatment with different times and wild thyme essential oil (EO) in sous vide-processed rabbit longissimus dorsi muscle were found to inactivate Salmonella enterica. The rabbit meat samples were vacuum-packed in control groups, in the second group the rabbit meat samples were injected with S. enterica, and in the third group were meat samples infected with S. enterica with Thymus serpylum EO additive. The vacuum-packed samples were cooked sous vide for the prescribed time at 55, 60, and 65 °C. At 5, 15, 30, and 60 min, the quantities of S. enterica, total bacterial counts, and coliform bacteria were measured in groups of sous vide rabbit meat. Microbiological analyses of rabbit meat samples on days 1 and 7 were evaluated. In this study, total viable counts, coliforms bacteria, and number of Salmonella spp. were identified. After incubation, isolates from different groups of microorganisms were identified by the mass spectrometry technique. For each day measured, the test group exposed to a temperature of 55 °C for 5 min had a greater number of total microbiota. The most isolated microorganisms by MALDI-TOF MS Biotyper from the control and treated groups were Lactococcus garvieae and in the treated groups also S. enterica. Based on our analysis of sous vide rabbit meat samples, we discovered that adding 1% of thyme essential oil to the mixture reduced the amount of Salmonella cells and increased the overall and coliform bacterial counts. The microbiological quality of sous vide rabbit meat that was kept for seven days was positively impacted by the addition of thyme essential oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a green method was employed for dyeing silk and cotton fabrics using extracts from Beta vulgaris peels as a colorant, pomegranate rind as a bio-mordant, and microwave-assisted extraction as a green extraction technique. The dyeing process was optimized employing response surface methodology and characterization of the dyed fabric was conducted using FTIR, SEM, color strength, and fastness properties. The optimized conditions for dyeing were a solvent-to-extract ratio of 10 ml/g, temperature 70°C, and pH 6. The values of K/S calculated under optimal conditions were 2.565 for cotton fabric and 3.928 for silk fabric, with good fastness properties ranging from 4-5. Better fastness properties were obtained at low pH and a high solvent-to-solid ratio. FTIR confirmed the different functional groups including prominent peaks appearing at 1600–1700, 1546, and 1200–1300 cm−1 for Amide-I, amide-II, and amide-III functional groups in silk and 3271–3332 cm−1 (OH stretching), 2851–2915 cm−1 (C–H stretching) for cotton fabric. SEM analysis showed the characteristics of the fabric surface before and after the adsorption of the dye components. The current study revealed selected bio-waste as a new and cheaper source of coloring material. Natural dye obtained from different waste materials can be exploited as a dyeing tool for different fabrics on an industrial scale, providing a viable green alternative to hazardous synthetic colorants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

α‐Pinene, α‐terpineol, and 1,8‐cineole are compounds naturally present in essential oils, although their amounts vary from oil to oil. Although several studies have reported their antibacterial and antioxidant effects, there are few reports on the synergistic or antagonistic effects of their combinations. The objective of this study was to investigate the combined antibacterial effect of these three compounds. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the prediction of their optimal combination using the mixture design approach. The experimental antibacterial activity of the α‐pinene, α‐terpineol, and 1,8‐cineole mixtures depended on the proportion of each compound in the mixture and the target strain, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging from 0.31 to 1.85 mg/mL. Using the increased simplex‐centroid mixture design, the mixture containing 0.33% of each molecule proved to be the most effective against Bacillus cereus and had the lowest MIC values. In addition, α‐pinene, α‐terpineol, and 1,8‐cineole showed significant antioxidant activity against 2,2‐picryl‐1‐hydrazyl radical (DPPH), with IC50 values of 24.53 ± 0.05, 65.63 ± 0.71, and 63.58 ± 0.01 μg/mL, respectively. Statistical planning and the development of utility profiles of the substance mixtures can predict the optimal composition that will exhibit the highest antibacterial activity against B. cereus as well as antioxidant properties. Furthermore, the synergistic effect of the mixtures can contribute significantly to their successful use as natural preservatives in various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research was to assess the effectiveness of three specific dried herbs (rosemary, thyme, and oregano) in combating microbial spoilage in sheep lump cheese. This was achieved by comparing them with a control group and cheeses treated with corresponding 1% essential oils (Rosmarinus officinalis, Origanum vulgare, Thymus vulgaris). All cheese samples were vacuum-sealed and stored at 4 °C for 15 days. Analysis of total viable counts of viable bacteria (TVC), coliform bacteria (CB), lactic acid bacteria (LAB), and microscopic filamentous fungi (MFF) was conducted on days 0, 5, 10, and 15. The results revealed that, at the end of the storage period, dried oregano-treated samples exhibited the lowest TVC count (5.80 log CFU/g), while dried rosemary-treated samples showed the lowest CB count (3.27 log CFU/g). Moreover, the lowest MFF count (2.40 log CFU/g) was observed in oregano essential oil-treated samples. Additionally, dried oregano-treated samples displayed the highest LAB count (4.49 log CFU/g) at the experiment's conclusion. Furthermore, microorganism identification from sheep cheese was performed using MALDI-TOF MS Biotyper technology, revealing that the most frequently isolated bacteria were Citrobacter braakii and Hafnia alvei (Enterobacteriaceae family), along with Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (Lactobacillaceae family). In summary, all the natural substances examined exhibited inhibitory effects against the studied microorganisms, with oregano essential oil and dried oregano demonstrating the strongest inhibitory effects. This supports their potential use as cost-effective natural preservatives to extend the shelf life of sheep lump cheese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, Salvia officinalis L. and Salvia sclarea essential oils (EOs) were investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to describe their chemical composition. The obtained results show, for both EOs, a profile rich in terpene metabolites, with monoterpenes predominating sesquiterpenes but with significant qualitative and quantitative differences. The main compound found in the Salvia officinalis EO (SOEO) was camphor (19.0%), while in Salvia sclarea EO (SCEO), it was linalyl acetate (59.3%). Subsequently, the in vitro antimicrobial activity of the EOs against eight pathogenic strains was evaluated. The disc diffusion method showed a significant lysis zone against Gram-positive bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranged from 3.7 mg/mL to 11.2 mg/mL, indicating that each EO has specific antimicrobial activity. Both EOs also showed significant antiradical activity against DPPH radicals and total antioxidant activity. In addition, the preservative effect of SOEO (9.2%) and SCEO (9.2%), alone or in combination, was tested in ground beef, and the inhibitory effect against Listeria monocytogenes inoculated into the raw ground beef during cold storage was evaluated. Although the effect of each individual EO improved the biochemical, microbiological, and sensory parameters of the samples, their combination was more effective and showed complete inhibition of L. monocytogenes after 7 days of storage at 4 °C. The results show that both EOs could be used as safe and natural preservatives in various food and/or pharmaceutical products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due its high water content, sewage sludge dewatering is not just a simple operation; rather, it is a challenging process and a costly management task. Its final handling is usually preceded by several dewatering steps, and among them is the conditioning process known as the flocculation stage, which is carried out using synthetic chemical reagents. Despite the abilities of these additives to reduce sludge volume and extract its bound waters, they are suspected to cause serious environmental and health threats. Their substitution by natural and efficient additives originating from plant extracts could thus be a safe and an eco-friendly alternative, overcoming ecosystem damages. It is within this context that the present review paper critically investigates the efficacy and feasibility of plant-based flocculants, aiming to enhance sludge dewatering and dispense with environmental burdens. To do so, the types of the conventional chemical flocculants, their drawbacks, and their impacts on the ecosystem and human health were addressed. In parallel, the potential dewatering efficiency of plant extracts toward sludge treatment was compiled, and their mechanistic dewatering paths performances were thoroughly discussed. The challenges associated with dewatered sludge and its potential exploitation were also highlighted to motivate scientific communities to further explore green resources for sludge processing. It is suggested that green resources such as Moringa, Cactus, Aloe, and Okra could be used as green flocculants instead of chemical ones, which would provide a promising and eco-sustainable approach to sludge dewatering and might represent a path towards an environmentally friendly and clean technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dewatering process reduces the water quantity in sludge, allowing the decrease in its volume, which facilitates its storage, transport, stabilization, and improves the post-treatment efficiency. Chemical polymers including aluminum sulphate and polyaluminum chloride were applied as flocculants in the conditioning process in order to prepare sludge for dewatering. However, these synthetic polymers may cause risks for human health, and should be substituted with ecofriendly and safe materials. These materials include plant-based flocculants, animal-based flocculants, and microbial-based flocculants. Sludge dewaterability was evaluated by considering many parameters, such as moisture content (MC), dry solids (DS), specific resistance to filtration (SRF), capillary suction time (CST), and sludge volume index (SVI). The use of microorganisms for sludge dewatering is an available option, since many strains (R. erythropolis, A. ferrooxidans, P. mirabilis, T. flavus, etc.) demonstrated their ability to produce polymers useful for dewatering sludge from various origins (chemically treated primary sludge, activated sludge, anaerobically digested sludge, etc.). For plant-based flocculants, only okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), cactus (Opuntia ficus Indica), moringa (M. oleifera), and aloe (A. vera) plants are examined for sludge dewatering. Compared to synthetic polymers, plant-based flocculants showed a viable alternative to chemicals and a step forward in green sludge treatment technology. Among the animal-based flocculants, chitosan and aminated chitosan were able to reduce the SRF (SRF reduction rate > 80%) of the anaerobically digested sludge. A new strategy using methylated hemoglobin also showed a significant enhancement in cake solid content of sludge (47%) and a decrease in sludge bound water content of 17.30%. Generally, extensive investigations are needed to explore and optimize all the related parameters (operating conditions, preparation procedure, production cost, etc.) and to choose the appropriate materials for large-scale application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meat and meat products are susceptible to various types of natural processes such as oxidative degradation due to their high content of protein and essential amino acids. However, finding solutions to maintain the nutritional and sensory quality of meat and meat products is unavoidable. Hence, there is a pressing need to investigate alternatives to synthetic preservatives, focusing on active biomolecules of natural provenance. Polysaccharides are natural polymers of various sources that exhibit antibacterial and antioxidant properties via a variety of mechanisms, owing to their diversity and structural variation. For this reason, these biomolecules are widely studied in order to improve texture, inhibit the growth of pathogens, and improve the oxidative stability and sensory characteristics of meat products. However, the literature has not addressed their biological activity in meat and meat products. This review summarizes the various sources of polysaccharides, their antioxidant and antibacterial activities (mainly against pathogenic food strains), and their use as natural preservatives to replace synthetic additives in meat and meat products. Special attention is given to the use of polysaccharides to improve the nutritional value of meat, resulting in more nutrient-rich meat products with higher polysaccharide content and less salt, nitrites/nitrates, and cholesterol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this work was to investigate the impact of the flavoring of some aromatic plants/spices, including rosemary (R), lemon (L) and orange (O) at the concentration of 5% and 35% (w/w) added by 2 methods (conventional maceration and direct flavoring), on quality attributes, chemical changes and oxidative stability of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). Six flavored oils were obtained (EVOO + O, O + O, EVOO + R, O + R, EVOO + L and O + L). The physicochemical parameters (water content, refractive index, acidity and peroxide value, extinction coefficient, fatty acids, volatile aroma profiles, Rancimat test, phenols and pigments composition) of the flavored oils were investigated. Based on the results obtained, it was observed that flavoring with a conventional process provided increased oxidative stability to the flavored oils, especially with rosemary (19.38 ± 0.26 h), compared to that of unflavored oil. The volatile profiles of the different flavored oils revealed the presence of 34 compounds with the dominance of Limonene. The fatty acid composition showed an abundance of mono-unsaturated fatty acids followed by poly-unsaturated ones. Moreover, a high antioxidant activity, a significant peripheral analgesic effect (77.7% of writhing inhibition) and an interesting gastroprotective action (96.59% of ulcer inhibition) have been observed for the rosemary-flavored oil. Indeed, the flavored olive oils of this study could be used as new functional foods, leading to new customers and further markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circulating fatty acids (FA) have an endogenous or exogenous origin and are metabolized under the effect of many enzymes. They play crucial roles in many mechanisms: cell signaling, modulation of gene expression, etc., which leads to the hypothesis that their perturbation could be the cause of disease development. FA in erythrocytes and plasma rather than dietary FA could be used as a biomarker for many diseases. Cardiovascular disease was associated with elevated trans FA and decreased DHA and EPA. Increased arachidonic acid and decreased Docosahexaenoic Acids (DHA) were associated with Alzheimer's disease. Low Arachidonic acid and DHA are associated with neonatal morbidities and mortality. Decreased saturated fatty acids (SFA), increased monounsaturated FA (MUFA) and polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) (C18:2 n-6 and C20:3 n-6) are associated with cancer. Additionally, genetic polymorphisms in genes coding for enzymes implicated in FA metabolism are associated with disease development. FA desaturase (FADS1 and FADS2) polymorphisms are associated with Alzheimer's disease, Acute Coronary Syndrome, Autism spectrum disorder and obesity. Polymorphisms in FA elongase (ELOVL2) are associated with Alzheimer's disease, Autism spectrum disorder and obesity. FA-binding protein polymorphism is associated with dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, hypertension, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, peripheral atherosclerosis combined with type 2 diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome. Acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase polymorphisms are associated with diabetes, obesity and diabetic nephropathy. FA profile and genetic variants of proteins implicated in FA metabolism could be considered as disease biomarkers and may help with the prevention and management of diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, Lobularia maritima (Lm) flavonoid extract (LmFV) was characterized by HPLC analyses and five compounds were detected. Further, to describe the chemical content of the matrix, GC-MS analyses after silylation were performed; the obtained results showed the presence of a large number of components belonging to several chemical classes, mostly sugar alcohols, sugars, fatty acids, and terpenes. Firstly, the antibacterial activities of this fraction and linalool (Lin) were evaluated against eight foodborne pathogenic strains with MIC values between 2.3 and 5.8 mg/mL and 0.23 and 0.7 mg/mL, respectively. Then, the antioxidant activity of both was evaluated by the DPPH antiradical test and the phosphomolybdenum test. Furthermore, the biopreservative effect of LmFV alone and in combination with Lin on minced beef stored at 4 °C for 14 days was evaluated using microbiological and physiochemical tests. LmFV at 4.6% alone significantly reduced microbial spoilage in ground meat (p < 0.05). The combination of LmFV (4.6%) and Lin (0.46%) was more effective than LmFV alone in inhibiting bacterial contamination, reducing TBARS values and the risk of bacterial contamination, and reducing the accumulation of Met myoglobin (MetMb). This combination, therefore, extends the shelf life of the product by about 10 days. Based on these microbiological results and physicochemical parameters, it can be stated that the addition of Lin potentiates the flavonoid fraction of L. maritima more strongly against the deterioration of meat quality by significantly improving its biopreservative effect as a natural conservative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study explored the hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory effects of Linalool (Lin) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced toxicity in mice. Four study groups (n = 8 each) were used: (1) a negative control group and (2) a toxicity control group (single dose of CCl4 administered on day 14 as 1 mL/kg of CCL4 in 1% olive oil). Intraperitoneally (i.p.)), and two experimental groups where mice were treated with either (3) Lin (25 mg/kg b.w., orally, daily for 15 days) or (4) pretreated with Lin (25 mg/kg b.w., orally, daily for 14 days) and intoxicated with CCl4 (1 mL/kg of CCL4 in 1% olive oil. i.p.) on day 14. The levels of the anti‐inflammatory cytokine interleukin 10 (IL‐10), the proinflammatory cytokines TNF‐α, IL‐6, and TGF‐1β, and the histopathology of the liver were assessed. According to our findings, IL‐10 concentrations were significantly increased in Lin‐treated groups, while other cytokine levels were marked by a considerable decrease in the toxicity model group (CCl4‐treated group). Histopathological examinations of liver tissues showed that the Lin‐treated groups had an almost normal structure. The current findings showed that Lin could inhibit CCl4‐induced liver injury in mice, which warrants further investigation of Lin as a potential protective and therapeutic agent against hepatotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Escherichia coli (E. coli) is one of the main etiological agents responsible for bovine mastitis (BM), neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD), and avian colibacillosis (AC). This study aimed to assess resistance and virulence genes content, biofilm-forming ability, phylogenetic groups, and genetic relatedness in E. coli isolates recovered from clinical cases of BM, NCD, and AC. Materials/Methods: A total of 120 samples including samples of milk (n = 70) and feces (n = 50) from cows with BM and calves with NCD, respectively, were collected from different farms in Northern Tunisia. Bacterial isolation and identification were performed. Then, E. coli isolates were examined by disk diffusion and broth microdilution method for their antimicrobial susceptibility and biofilm-forming ability. PCR was used to detect antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), virulence genes (VGs), phylogenetic groups, and Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR (ERIC-PCR) for their clonal relationship. Results: Among the 120 samples, 67 E. coli isolates (25 from BM, 22 from AC, and 20 from NCD) were collected. Overall, 83.6% of isolates were multidrug resistant. Thirty-six (53.73%) isolates were phenotypically colistin-resistant (CREC), 28.3% (19/67) were ESBL producers (ESBL-EC), and forty-nine (73.1%) formed biofilm. The blaTEM gene was found in 73.7% (14/19) of isolates from the three diseases, whilst the blaCTXM-g-1 gene was detected in 47.3% (9/19) of isolates, all from AC. The most common VG was the fimA gene (26/36, 72.2%), followed by aer (12/36, 33.3%), cnf1 (6/36, 16.6%), papC (4/36, 11.1%), and stx1 and stx2 genes (2/36; 5.5% for each). Phylogenetic analysis showed that isolates belonged to three groups: A (20/36; 55.5%), B2 (7/36; 19.4%), and D (6/36; 16.6%). Molecular typing by ERIC-PCR showed high genetic diversity of CREC and ESBL E. coli isolates from the three animal diseases and gave evidence of their clonal dissemination within farms in Tunisia. Conclusion: The present study sheds new light on the biofilm-forming ability and clonality within CREC and ESBL-EC isolated from three different animal diseases in Tunisian farm animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus fruits occupy an important position in the context of the fruit trade, considering that both fresh fruits and processed products are produced on a large scale. Citrus fruits are recognized as an essential component of the human diet, thanks to their high content of beneficial nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, terpenes, flavonoids, coumarins and dietary fibers. Among these, a wide range of positive biological activities are attributed to terpenes and flavonoids derivatives. In this review, a list of bibliographic reports (from 2015 onwards) on the phytochemical composition, beneficial effects and potential applications of citrus fruits and their by-products is systematically summarized. In detail, information regarding the nutraceutical and medicinal value closely linked to the presence of numerous bioactive metabolites and their growing use in the food industry and food packaging, also considering any technological strategies such as encapsulation to guarantee their stability over time, were evaluated. In addition, since citrus fruit, as well as its by-products, are interesting alternatives for the reformulation of natural cosmetic products, the sector of the cosmetic industry is also explored. More in-depth knowledge of the latest information in this field will contribute to future conscious use of citrus fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold stress is a key environmental factor affecting plant growth and development, crop productivity, and geographic distribution. Thioredoxins (Trxs) are small proteins that are ubiquitously expressed in all organisms and implicated in several cellular processes, including redox reactions. However, their role in the regulation of cold stress in the halophyte plant Lobularia maritima remains unknown. We recently showed that overexpression of LmTrxh2, which is the gene that encodes the h-type Trx protein previously isolated from L. maritima, led to an enhanced tolerance to salt and osmotic stress in transgenic tobacco. This study functionally characterized the LmTrxh2 gene via its overexpression in tobacco and explored its cold tolerance mechanisms. Results of the RT-qPCR and western blot analyses indicated differential temporal and spatial regulation of LmTrxh2 in L. maritima under cold stress at 4 °C. LmTrxh2 overexpression enhanced the cold tolerance of transgenic tobacco, as evidenced by increased germination rate, fresh weight and catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities; reduced malondialdehyde levels, membrane leakage, superoxide anion (O2−), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels; and higher retention of chlorophyll than in non-transgenic plants (NT). Furthermore, the transcript levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related genes (NtSOD and NtCAT1), stress-responsive late embryogenis abundant protein 5 (NtLEA5), early response to dehydration 10C (NtERD10C), DRE-binding proteins 1A (NtDREB1A), and cold-responsive (COR) genes (NtCOR15A, NtCOR47, and NtKIN1) were upregulated in transgenic lines compared with those in NT plants under cold stress, indicating that LmTrxh2 conferred cold stress tolerance by enhancing the ROS scavenging ability of plants, thus enabling them to maintain membrane integrity. These results suggest that LmTrxh2 promotes cold tolerance in tobacco and provide new insight into the improvement of cold-stress resistance to cold stress in non-halophyte plants and crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detection and quantification of Indole -3 Acetic Acid (IAA) produced by Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) rely on a standard well-documented assay, which remains time-consuming, laborious, and costly. These drawbacks led to sway interest to economic and reliable assays. The aim of this work is to validate and standardize a fast, reliable, and cost-effective microassay to quantify IAA produced by bacteria with an easy microplate method. In order to validate the accuracy of the IAA microplate assay, bacterial samples from different genera were assayed using two methods: the conventional IAA estimation assay and the IAA micro- assay. The microassay shows a prominent reduction in used bacterial supernatant volume as well as Salkowski reagent volume of about 92.5%. It is considerably cheaper than the conventional one of around 56%. The newly performed microplate assay is 23 times faster. The result of IAA quantitative analysis for 13 bacterial strains showed that Bacillus muralis and Bacillus toyonensis produced the highest IAA concentration (23.64±0.003μg/ml and 23.35±0.006μg/ml, respectively). The obtained data from both methods were highly correlated with an R-value of 0.979. The microassay offers the ability to read the optical density of all samples simultaneously since used volumes of bacterial supernatants and Salkowski reagent were minimized to place the mixture in 96-well microplates, which reduces greatly required labor. Furthermore, the application of the IAA micro-plate assay reduces drastically the reagent waste and toxicity hazard of Salkowski reagent in the environment, thus, we can classify it as eco-friendly respecting the Green Chemistry concept according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The IAA microassay is a, reliable, rapid and cost-effective and eco-friendly method to screen plant growth promoting potential of more than 23 bacterial strains by microplate. It could be an alternative for the conventional IAA assay as a routine research tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a new heteropolysaccharide extracted from Lobularia maritima (L.) Desv. (LmPS), a halophyte harvested in Tunisia, was evaluated as an antioxidant and antibacterial additive in the bio-preservation of raw minced meat. For antibacterial testing, Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus ATCC and Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19,117 and Gram-negative bacteria such as Salmonella enterica ATCC 43,972 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25,922 were used. The results indicate that this polymer had a significant antibacterial activity against foodborne pathogens. Additionally, the effects of LmPS at 0.15, 0.3 and 0.6% on refrigerated raw ground beef were investigated from a microbiological, chemical, and sensory perspective. Microbiological analysis of the meat showed that treatment with LmPS significantly (p < 0.05) improved its shelf life, while the biochemical analysis evidenced a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in lipid oxidation. LmPS at 0.6% significantly reduced by 61% and 48% metmyoglobin accumulation at the end of the storage period when compared to BHT and control samples, respectively. The chemometric approach highlighted the relationships among the different meat quality parameters. LmPS can be introduced in the food industry as a powerful natural additive and could be an alternative to synthetic antioxidant compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halophytes are plant species widely distributed in saline habitats, such as beaches, postindustrial wastelands, irrigated lands, salt flats, and others. Excessive salt level, known to limit plant growth, is not harmful to halophytes, which have developed a variety of defense mechanisms allowing them to colonize harsh environments. Plants under stress are known to respond with several morpho-anatomical adaptations, but also to enhance the production of secondary metabolites to better cope with difficult conditions. Owing to these adaptations, halophytes are an interesting group of undemanding plants with a high potential for application in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Therefore, this review aims to present the characteristics of halophytes, describe changes in their gene expression, and discuss their synthesized metabolites of pharmacognostic and pharmacological significance. Lobularia maritima is characterized as a widely spread halophyte that has been shown to exhibit various pharmacological properties in vitro and in vivo. It is concluded that halophytes may become important sources of natural products for the treatment of various ailments and for supplementing the human diet with necessary non-nutrients and minerals. However, extensive studies are needed to deepen the knowledge of their biological potential in vivo, so that they can be introduced to the pharmaceutical and food industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, pomegranate peel extract was used to dye cotton fabrics. Generally, natural dyes have low affinity for cellulosic fibers and therefore need treatment for attachment. Air atmospheric plasma was applied to lower the concentrations of mordants needed and enhance dyeability. The outcomes showed that the residual concentrations of metallic ions decreased when applying the plasma treatment. ATR-FTIR and SEM analysis were performed to evaluate the effect of plasma modification on the surface chemistry and topography of the cellulosic fibers. The traces of metals released from finished fabric were quantified using ICP OES spectrometry. Color fastnesses (wash, rubbing and light) were evaluated to assess the mordanting step effect and the durability of the color. All tested fastnesses were good to very good. The concentrations of metal ions in finished fabrics were 32.4 for Fe, 0.28 for Al, 0.29 for Cr and 1.21 for Cu. Plasma treatment can be considered an efficient strategy to reduce the concentration of toxic metallic mordants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leukemic cells proliferate faster than non-transformed counterparts. This requires them to change their metabolism to adapt to their high growth. This change can stress cells and facilitate recognition by immune cells such as cytotoxic lymphocytes, which express the activating receptor Natural Killer G2-D (NKG2D). The tumor suppressor gene p53 regulates cell metabolism, but its role in the expression of metabolism-induced ligands, and subsequent recognition by cytotoxic lymphocytes, is unknown. We show here that dichloroacetate (DCA), which induces oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in tumor cells, induces the expression of such ligands, e.g. MICA/B, ULBP1 and ICAM-I, by a wtp53-dependent mechanism. Mutant or null p53 have the opposite effect. Conversely, DCA sensitizes only wtp53-expressing cells to cytotoxic lymphocytes, i.e. cytotoxic T lymphocytes and NK cells. In xenograft in vivo models, DCA slows down the growth of tumors with low proliferation. Treatment with DCA, monoclonal antibodies and NK cells also decreased tumors with high proliferation. Treatment of patients with DCA, or a biosimilar drug, could be a clinical option to increase the effectiveness of CAR T cell or allogeneic NK cell therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was directed towards the investigation of the chemical composition and antimicrobial properties of the essential oil of Tunisian halophyte Lobularia maritime (LmEO). The antibacterial effects against major food-borne pathogenic and food spoilage bacteria were tested using the well diffusion method, followed by the determination of the minimum inhibitory (MIC) and bactericidal (MBC) concentrations. The essential oil has shown strong antimicrobial activity against eight pathogenic strains, which was attributed mostly to predominant constituents of the essential oil: benzyl alcohol, linalool, terpien-4-ol and globulol, as well as to synergistic effects of its major and minor constituents. Considering strong antimicrobial effects of the tested essential oil, it was further tested as a natural alternative to food preservatives, using minced beef meat as a model system. Minced beef meat was spiked with 0.019, 0.038, and 0.076% of the essential oil and stored during 14 days at 4 °C, monitoring its microbiological, physicochemical, and sensory properties. Chemical analyses revealed that meat treated with 0.076% of LmEO at underwent a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in primary and secondary lipid oxidation and reduced metmyoglobin accumulation compared with control samples. Furthermore, microflora proliferation in the meat model system spiked with 0.076% of LmEO was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in comparison to control. In addition, two multivariate exploratory techniques, namely principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical analysis (HCA), were applied to the obtained data sets to describe the relationship between the main characteristics of the meat samples with and without essential oil addition. The chemometric approach highlighted the relationships between meat quality parameters. Overall, results indicated that the essential oil of Lobularia maritima deserves to be considered as a natural preservative in the meat industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder in which the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body cannot effectively use it. The prevalence of diabetes is increasing steadily, making it a global public health problem. Several serious complications are associated with this disease. There are a number of different classes of antidiabetic medications. Interestingly, traditional medicine can also be used for the development of novel classes of hypoglycemic therapeutics. This article summarizes an update of the potential of various important medicinal plants used in the development of nutraceuticals for the management of diabetes mellitus, and a proposal of their biological mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Consumers are increasingly turning to healthier and less environmentally harmful diet alternatives. Game is an ideal food from this point of view because it represents meat with a high protein content, low fat content, a favourable composition of fatty acids and minerals. Various types of packaging are often used to extend the shelf life of meats. Packaging can be combined with natural antimicrobials, such as various plant extracts and essential oils, for better effectiveness. Little is known about the microbial quality and preservation of deer meat. In the present study, deer meat was treated with essential oil from Litsea cubeba 0.5 and 1.0% concentration in rapeseed oil combined with aerobic and vacuum packaging. The meat was evaluated for microbiological quality (counts and microbiota identification) for 20 days under refrigerated storage. Our result show that Litsea cubeba essential oil is an effective natural agent against deer meat spoilage bacteria. The present study aimed to evaluate deer meat microbiological quality when treated with essential oil (EO) from Litsea cubeba (dissolved in rapeseed oil at concentrations 0.5 and 1%), in combination with vacuum packaging during 20 days of storage of meat at 4 °C. Total viable counts (TVC), coliforms bacteria (CB), lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and Pseudomonas spp. were analysed at day 0, 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20. MALDI-TOF MS Biotyper technology was applied to identify microorganisms isolated from meat. The highest number of TVC at the end of the experiment was 5.50 log CFU/g in the aerobically packaged control group and the lowest number of TVC was 5.17 log CFU/g in the samples treated with 1.0% Litsea cubeba EO. CB were not detected in the samples treated with 1.0% Litsea cubeba EO during the entire storage period. Bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas were detected only in the aerobically and vacuum packaged control group. The highest number of LAB was 2.06 log CFU/g in the aerobic control group, and the lowest number of LAB was 2.01 log CFU/g in the samples treated with 1.0% Litsea cubeba EO on day 20. The most frequently isolated bacteria from deer meat were Pseudomonas ludensis, Pseudomonas corrugata, Pseudomonas fragi, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Sphingomonas leidyi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to investigate the extraction and the characterization of a novel heteropolysaccharide from Tunisian halophyte Lobularia maritima (LmPS). We were also interested in its antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced liver injury in rats. LmPS physicochemical properties were evaluated by thin‐layer chromatography (TLC), high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and UV absorption. According to TLC and HPLC results, LmPS was a heteropolysaccharide composed of glucose, galactose, and xylose. Its molecular weight was 130.62 kDa. This heteropolysaccharide was characterized by a significant antioxidant potential and was efficient against oxidative stress and CCL4‐induced hepatotoxicity in rat Wistar models (n = 8) treated with a single dose of LmPS 250 mg/kg of body weight. This was evidenced by a significant increase in serum marker enzymes specially aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The cytokines released after stimulation of rats with LmPS showed high anti‐inflammatory profiles with an increased rate of interleukine‐10 (IL‐10) with 0.03 pg/mL compared to animals treated only with CCl4. On the contrary, we noticed a decrease of the other cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α: TNF‐α, interleukine‐6: IL‐6, transforming growth factor beta 1: TGF‐β1) with average concentration values of <0.2, 0.1, and 0.04 pg/mL, respectively. Besides, histopathological examinations revealed that CCl4 causes acute liver damage, characterized by extensive hepatocellular necrosis, vacuolization, and inflammatory cell infiltration, as well as DNA fragmentation. LmPS administration at a dose of 250 mg/kg resulted in a significant hepatoprotection, evidenced by a reduction of CCl4‐induced oxidative damage for all tested markers. These findings eagerly confirmed that LmPS was effective in the protection against CCl4‐induced hepatotoxicity and genotoxicity. It, therefore, suggested a potential therapeutic use of this polysaccharide as an alternative medicine for patients with acute liver diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Thiamine (TA), also known as vitamin B1, is an essential amino acid derived from food sources for normal body function. TA is thought to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects in addition to its nutritional benefits. The degree to which a number of microorganisms implicated in food rotting are sensitive to increasing concentrations of thiamine (TA), was examined. TA at increasing concentration was incubated with minced beef and then physicochemical and microbiological assessments were conducted. LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells were used to test TA's anti-inflammatory capabilities. Western blot analysis revealed the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Finally, the ability of TA to act as a natural preservative was evaluated. This study assessed the anti-inflammatory effect of thiamine (TA) in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and also assessed the preservative properties of TA in minced beef. TA demonstrated a concentration-dependent antimicrobial effect on microbial contaminants. Inhibition zones and MIC from the effect of TA on the tested bacterial strains were respectively within the ranges 15–20 mm and 62.5–700 µg/mL. TA significantly (p < 0.05) decreased all the pro-inflammatory factors [(nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)] monitored relative to LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. TA inhibited the expression of both iNOS and COX-2. In minced beef flesh, the growth of Listeria monocytogenes was inhibited by TA. TA improved physicochemical and microbiological parameters of stored minced beef meat compared to control. Principal component analyses and heat maps elucidate the quality of the tested meats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, β‐carotene has gained tremendous importance as a bioactive molecule due to the growing awareness of the harmful effects of synthetic products. β‐carotene is a high‐value natural pigment that has the highest demand in the global carotenoid market owing to its proven antioxidant properties relevant for several diseases. To date, Dunaliella salina is the most important producer of natural β‐carotene and is the subject of important industrial efforts. However, the extraction of β‐carotene remains challenging since all the proposed techniques present a risk of product contamination or loss of quality due to solvent residuals and low yields. The purpose of this study was to set up a green, ecological, and innovative process of extraction of the two major β‐carotene isomers from the halophilic microalgae Dunaliella salina. Based on molecular modeling, docking, and drug design, we conceived and synthesized two chimeric peptides (PP2, PP3) targeting specifically the two major isomers: all‐trans or 9‐cis β‐carotene. The experimental protocol used in this study demonstrated the ability and the efficacy of those two peptides to cross the cell membrane and bind with high affinity to β‐carotene isomers and exclude them toward the extracellular medium while preserving the integrity of living cells. Interestingly, the tested peptides (PP2, PP3) exhibit significant β‐carotene extraction yields 58% and 34%, respectively, from the total of the β‐carotene in microalgae cells. In addition to its simplicity, this process is fast, independent of the source of the β‐carotene, and selective. These results would allow us to set up a green, ecological, and very profitable process of extraction from microalgae containing high amounts of β‐carotene. Our innovative approach is highly promising for the extraction of Dunaliella salina biomass on an industrial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lobularia maritima (Alyssum maritimum, Brassicaceae), commonly known as sweet alyssum, is an annual ornamental halophyte widely spread along the Tunisian seashore. Lobularia maritima leaf ethanol extract was tested in an experimental model of hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). L. maritima extract was found to possess in vitro antioxidant activity by scavenging the DPPH radical (IC50= 45 μg/mL), reducing/chelating iron ions and inhibiting liver lipid peroxidation induced by FeSO4. The levels of total phenolics and flavonoids were 175 ± 2.66 mg GAE/g, and 35 ± 2.88 mg QE/g respectively. Moreover, HPLC analysis revealed six compounds, namely gallic, salicylic, ellagic and ferulic acids as well as catechin and quercetin. A mice model of acute liver injury was successfully established after a single intraperitoneal injection of CCl4, as evidenced by histological analysis, Masson trichrome and Sirius red staining. Compared with the CCl4 intoxicated group, the L. maritima treatment resulted to reduce the liver serum marker enzymes, lipid peroxidation and increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes with further amelioration in the oxidative stress. The present findings discover the therapeutic potentials of L. maritima empowered with promising natural leads for the treatment of oxidative stress associated health disorders by attenuating free radicals, inhibiting lipid peroxidation, and upregulating the tissue-specific antioxidant enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study established physicochemical and sensory characteristics of virgin olive oils (VOOs) and linked them to consumers' liking using external preference mapping. We used five Tunisian and two foreign VOO varieties produced by two processing systems: discontinuous (sp) and continuous three‐phase decanter (3p). The samples were analyzed and evaluated by a panel of 274 consumers. The external preference mapping revealed five VOO clusters with a consumer preference scores rating from 40% to 65%. Consumers highly appreciated the foreign Coratina cultivar's olive oil; the main drivers being richness in polyphenols (markers of bitterness and pungency), mainly the oleuropein aglycone, and volatile compounds (markers of green fruity, green leaves, green apple, cut grassy almond, and bitterness), particularly the trans‐2‐hexenol. The Tunisian Chemlali (3p) oil was second highly preferred (scoring 55%). The positive drivers for olive oil preference (a profile of almond fruity green and low bitterness and pungency) are the richness in hexanal compounds. Arbequina (sp and 3p) and Chemlali (sp) were the least appreciated due to the fact that Arbequina VOO is not in the tradition of Tunisian consumers, whereas Chemchali VOO is a minor variety representing only 2% of olive oil production in Tunisia and consumed mostly in blends. The differentiation between the two processing systems depends on the variety of cultivar; consumers are able to identify the two processing system in the case of Chetoui, Leguim, and Chemchali. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leukemic cells proliferate faster than non-transformed counterparts. This requires them to change their metabolism to adapt to their high growth. This change can stress cells and facilitate recognition by immune cells such as cytotoxic lymphocytes, which express the activating receptor Natural Killer G2-D (NKG2D). The tumor suppressor gene p53 regulates cell metabolism, but its role in the expression of metabolism-induced ligands, and subsequent recognition by cytotoxic lymphocytes, is unknown. We show here that dichloroacetate (DCA), which induces oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in tumor cells, induces the expression of such ligands, e.g. MICA/B, ULBP1 and ICAM-I, by a wtp53-dependent mechanism. Mutant or null p53 have the opposite effect. Conversely, DCA sensitizes only wtp53-expressing cells to cytotoxic lymphocytes, i.e. cytotoxic T lymphocytes and NK cells. In xenograft in vivo models, DCA slows down the growth of tumors with low proliferation. Treatment with DCA, monoclonal antibodies and NK cells also decreased tumors with high proliferation. Treatment of patients with DCA, or a biosimilar drug, could be a clinical option to increase the effectiveness of CAR T cell or allogeneic NK cell therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was conducted to evaluate consumer preferences of seven extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) from foreign and Tunisian cultivars. Two studies were carried out. The first is a comparative physicochemical characterization of the VOOs tasted by the consumers. The second is a consumer survey where each consumer tasted each VOO six times. Using simple linear regressions, we have performed a new method that gives a pairwise comparison between the oils. It revealed that Coratina and Chetoui cultivars were the most preferred revealing by the high concentration of polyphenols with 468 and 525 ppm, respectively, and Arbequina was the less preferred with 182 ppm. We have then performed a principal component analysis on the data composed by the physicochemical parameters that highly discriminate between cultivars. The latter showed important differences between the most and the less preferred oils and that oxidative stability, palmitic, palmitoleic, oleic, and linoleic fatty acids, triacylglycerol, β-carotene, and polyphenols seem to be the principal-choice drivers for consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) to produce ammonia (NH3) is one of the key mechanisms for the growth and development of plants. Ammonia spectrophotometric quantification assay using Nessler's reagent remains laborious and seems to be not suitable for large-scale PGP screening assay. Here, we performed a new accurate, easy, and cost-effective micro-plate protocol for large-scale ammonia quantification in bacterial supernatants as an alternative to the spectrophotometric method. In order to validate the accuracy of our innovative microplate assay, 9 bacterial strains were explored for their ability to produce ammonia using both the conventionally described assay and the newly performed micro-plate one. The ammonia 96-well microplate assay was successfully performed by scaling down the spectrophotometric methods to reduce the volume of bacterial supernatant as well as Nessler's reagent. The reduction was estimated to 90%of the total used volume in comparison to the conventional test. The micro-test is 10-fold cheaper and 26 times faster than the conventional method. All bacterial isolates were positive for ammonia production. Bacillus inaquorsum and Bacillus mojavensis produced the highest ammonia concentration of about 371 and 370μM respectively. Furthermore, the application of the ammonia micro-plate assay reduces drastically the reagent waste and toxicity hazard of K2HgI4 (Nessler's reagent) in the environment, thus, we can classify it as eco-friendly respecting the Green Chemistry concept according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The statistical data obtained from both assays are significantly correlated (r = 0.985, R squared = 0.9329, and p < 0.001) proving the accuracy of the micro-plate assay. The proposed NH3 micro-assay is a reliable, rapid, eco-friendly, and cost-effective method to screen plant growth-promoting potential of more than 25 bacterial strains in one micro-plate. It could be an alternative for the conventional NH3 assay as a routine research tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lobularia maritima, commonly known as sweet alyssum, is an annual ornamental halophyte widely spread along the Tunisian seashore. However, little is known about the phytochemical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of Lobularia maritima. The present study aimed to investigate the potential biological properties of different parts (flowers, leaves, roots, and stems) of Tunisian L. maritima using diverse extraction methods. Extracts were then studied for their antioxidant properties, and the highest antioxidant activity was presented in the roots' fractions. Added to this, flower, leaf, and root fractions showed interesting antimicrobial and antifungal activities against different Gram+ and Gram− bacteria and against Aspergillus ochraceus. Finally, the most active fractions (presenting the highest biological activities) were analyzed using silica gel purification and mass spectrometry coupled to gas chromatography (GC-MS) analysis, and different compounds were identified such as camphor, amide of oleic acids, tributyl acetylcitrate, betulinaldehyde, menthol, 1′-(butyn-3-one-1-yl)-, (1S, 2S, 5R), benzyl benzoate, 7-acetyl-6-ethyl-1,1,4,4-tetramethyltetralin, 2,4-heptadienal, (E,E), and nootkaton-11,12-epoxide. This work represents the first in-depth investigation of the content of bioactive compounds from Lobularia maritima. This species could potentially be a promising source of useful compounds for therapeutic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, the chemical composition and biological properties of Tunisian Myrtus communis (McEO) flowers were investigated. The antibacterial effect of McEO toward some bacteria was assessed, alone and in combination with nisin. The major components of McEO were α‐pinene, 1,8‐cineol, limonene, and linalool. McEO exhibited cytotoxicity toward HepG2 and MCF‐7 cell lines. The microbiological data showed that Gram‐positive bacteria were more susceptible to McEO. McEO had a bactericidal effect against L. monocytogenes. McEO is able to prevent lipid oxidation, microbial development at noncytotoxic concentrations, when used alone or in combination with nisin. It can improve sensory attributes within acceptable limits and improve the conservation of shelf life of minced beef meat during the 4°C storage period. The most potent preservative effect was obtained with the mixture: 0.8% McEO with 500 IU/g of nisin. This combination may be a good alternative for the development of natural preservatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was carried for the coproduction of two industrial enzymes: α-amylase and protease via SSF by Rhizopus oryzae on humidified bread waste. Fermentation time, inoculum size, initial moisture content, salt solutions, and the thickness of the substrate were investigated one by one. Fungus culture was carried out in sterile aluminum trays, and pH was adjusted to 5.5. The main results showed that the highest levels of enzyme production were obtained at 120 h, 65% relative humidity, height media of 1 cm, 105 spore/g, and M-9 solution (g/L): NaH2PO4, 12.8; KH2PO4, 3; NaCl, 0.5; NH4Cl, 1; MgSO4 7H2O, 0.5; CaCl2 2H2O, 0.01. α-Amylase (100 U/g) and protease (2400 U/g) produced by SSF from Rhizopus oryzae (CH4) on BW as substrate are of great interest in industries and could be valorized as enhancers of the bread making process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present work was the development of a new biological method for the treatment of textile industry effluents, which is cheaper, more profitable, and eco-friendly. This method is essentially based on the synthesis of dye-fixing peptides. The use of peptides synthesized via a solid-phase synthesis to fix a reference textile dye like "Cibacron blue" (CB) and the performance analysis of binding assays were the main objectives of this study. For this reason, two peptides P1 (NH2-C-G-G-W-R-S-Q-N-Q-G-NH2) and P2 (NH2-C-G-G-R-R-Y-Q-P-D-S-NH2) binding with the CB dye were synthesized by the solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) technique. The obtained results showed significant fixation yields of CB-peptides of 91.5% and 45.9%, respectively, and consequently, their interesting potential as a tool for a new biochemical method in the pollution prevention of textile wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed (1) to investigate the chemical composition as well as the anti‐inflammatory properties and in vitro antioxidant activity of Citrus aurantium peel essential oil (pEOCa) and (2) to evaluate its potential effect in vivo. The main results showed that the major components of pEOCa are Limonene and Linalool. Additionally, DPPH scavenging ability and β‐carotene bleaching inhibition tests confirmed the antioxidant capacity of pEOCa. Our oil reduced the production of NO by LPS‐stimulated RAW264,7 macrophages in a concentration‐dependent. This inhibition occurred at a transcriptional level. pEOCa in CCl4 treated rats alleviated hepatotoxicity as monitored by the improvement of hepatic oxidative stress biomarkers levels plasma biochemical parameters, and DNA molecule aspect. Furthermore, the mRNA gene expression of Cu‐Zn SOD, CAT, and GPx increased under CCl4+ pEOCa exposure to reach the same value to the control. Similarly, antioxidant activities of these three enzymes changed in accordance with the mRNA levels. These results were confirmed by the histological results. It seems obvious that the treatment with pEOCa prevented liver damage induced by CCl4, thus preventing the harmful effects of free radicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates the different approaches of biodiesel production by exploiting low cost feedstocks such as organic wastes of frying oils (WFO) and wastes of beef fats (WBF). The aim was to compare not only two different sources of waste raw materials but also different approaches of biodiesel production. Biodiesel which refers to fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) was produced by both chemical and enzymatic transesterification. The characterization of the biodiesel produced by both approaches was performed according to the European standard EN 14214. The results showed that the biological method gave a richer FAME biodiesel through the catalysis of whole-cell lipase. However, for the chemical method, better biodiesel physicochemical properties were observed for the two raw materials. Therefore, it would be interesting to compromise by optimizing the biological biodiesel production approach in order to obtain a better quality in coherence with EN 14214 requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the chemical composition and allelopathic potential of volatile oil from Artemisia campestris originating from Tunisia against four species: Daucus carota, Cicer arietinum, Phaseolus vulgaris and Triticum sativum. The essential oil was extracted using the hydrodistillation method and its composition was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Furthermore, the essential oil was tested for its inhibitory effect on seed germination of the four precited species. According to the main results, Artemisia campestris essential oil was rich in monoterpenoids and a total of 27 components were identified, accounting for 95.5% of the whole oil. Furthermore, β-pinene (35.0%) and 1, 8-cineole (14.4%) were the two major constituents. The volatile oil was evaluated for its allelopathic potential against the four fore-mentioned species. We noted a significant reduction in germination for all the tested species at 1000 ppm and 2000 ppm concentrations. However, an increase was noticed at the lowest concentration (100 ppm). Moreover, there was a delay in germination for D. carota seeds and this delay was proportional to the essential oil concentration. It is worthy to notice that Artemisia campestris essential oil exhibited allelopathic properties against the tested species and particularly against D. carota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper, the essential oil and the volatiles emitted in vivo by leaves of A. herba alba, which grows wild in center of Tunisia, were analyzed by GC-MS and SPME, respectively. The essential oil was characterized by the predominance of oxygenated monoterpenes (93.3%) with α-thujone as the major compound (45.5%) followed by β-thujone (11.4%), trans-sabinyl acetate (10.1%) and 1,8-cineole (7.4%). The SPME analyses showed that oxygenated monoterpenes were the most representative compounds (64.9%). The major ones were α-thujone (37.9%), germacreneD(16.5%), 1,8-cineole (8.4%) followed by β-thujone (7.8%). Moreover, different activities (antioxidant, antibacterial, allelopathic and insecticidal) of the leaf essential oil were investigated. The antioxidant activity was ascertained by evaluating its inhibitory effect against DPPH and ABTS. The results showed that the essential oil had a strong activity and it was more effective against the DPPH radical (IC50 =6μg/mL) than the ABTS radical (IC50 =40μg/mL). In antibacterial screening, it inhibited the growth of all bacteria tested except Salmonella anatum and Salmonella salamae which were resistant to this oil type. Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio cholera were found to be extremely sensitive with the lowest MIC value (0.007 mg/mL). In addition, allelopathic activity was evaluated against Lactuca sativa and Raphanus sativus. Data showed that, with essential oil, seed germination was completely inhibited for both of them, suggesting a potent allelopathic potential for the evaluated oil. Insecticidal activity was investigated against Culex pipiens larvae and a weak activity (LC50 241.1 ppm) for this A. herba alba essential oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Albizia julibrissinseed oil was extracted by the continuous method of soxhlet. We were interested to some physicochemical parameters of the oil. The main results showed that the saponification number was of 190; the iodine value was of 111 whereas the acid value was equal to 2.54. Concerning oil composition, the main fatty acids (FA) were linoleic (57.7 %), palmitic (12.5 %) and oleic ones (9.8 %). The major triacylglycerols (TAGs) were represented by ECN 42 accounting for 56.2 % of TAGs. Concerning ECN 44, it was represented by OLL. Furthermore, PLL accounted for 39 %. It is worth mentioning thatA. julibrissinoil was rich in β-carotene and that it was characterized by a low quantity of chlorophylls according to its UV spectrum in the region 400-800 nm. Concerning the UV spectra in the region 200-400nm, our profile revealed an important absorbency in the domain UV-C and low absorbencies in the domains UV-B and UV-A. These findings showed thatA. julibrissinseed oil could be valorised in many sectors such as cosmetic, pharmaceutical and agro industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]