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Copyright of Kuwait Journal of Science is the property of Kuwait University, Academic Publication Council and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study examines the static and time-varying cointegration between Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Turkey (MINT), and developed stock markets in USA and Japan by applying conventional cointegration methodology and rolling multivariate trace statistics over the period of 10 years. Overall, the findings of bivariate cointegration test suggested that MINT stock markets do not have significant long running relationship with Japan stock market. Hence, the scope of diversification exists accordingly. However, rolling trace statistics revealed the time-varying nature of integration between the markets considered in the study. The varying degree of cointegration is more likely to be caused by major economic, financial, and political events. Hence, the presence of equilibrium relationship among the markets in the sub-periods may limit the potential portfolio diversification benefits. Thus, lack of consistency in the findings of the static and dynamic cointegration analysis highlights the limitation of the static assessment. On the short-term linkage, the examination of dynamic conditional correlation (DCC) for each MINT-developed market pair suggested that Indonesia exhibits least correlation with USA and Japan and hence, offering highest portfolio avenues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bronze coins, starting to be used in the Eastern Zhou period (770 − 221 BC) in China, were produced in ceramic piece molds, a predominant technique for bronze casting in the Chinese Bronze Age. This study examined coin-casting molds unearthed at the Ju Mint and the Linzi Mint in the Qi state, dating to the Eastern Zhou period, to investigate the specialization of early Chinese coin production. The material characteristics, repair and reuse were examined using analytical techniques including SEM-EDS, DIL, FTIR, p-XRF, XRD and specific gravity balance. A simulation experiment was conducted to rebuild the mold production process. The dimensions of both the molds and their cavities were measured. The results showed that the material characteristics of these coin-casting molds significantly differ from those of other types of bronze-casting molds. The coin-casting mold was most likely modified from the conventional bronze-casting molds to increase their lifespan in coin-casting. Moreover, the high degree of uniformity in the material characteristics, the dimensions of molds as well as the cavities, on one hand, indicates a standardization of coin production under unified government control; on the other hand, the differences in minor and trace elements between the coin-casting molds from the two mints suggest that the molds may have been produced independently at each mint using local materials. This paper offers a novel perspective in understanding China’s early monetary system and technical history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effects of different light qualities on the growth, photosynthesis, transcriptome, and metabolome of mint, three treatments were designed: (1) 7R3B (70% red light and 30% blue light, CK); (2) 7R3B+ far-red light (FR); (3) 7R3B+ ultraviolet light A (UVA). The results showed that supplemental FR significantly promoted the growth and photosynthesis of mint, as evidenced by the increase in plant height, plant width, biomass, effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (Fv'/Fm'), maximal quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm), and performance index (PI). UVA and CK exhibited minimal differences. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis indicated that a total of 788 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 2291 differential accumulated metabolites (DAMs) were identified under FR treatment, mainly related to plant hormone signal transduction, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and flavonoid biosynthesis. FR also promoted the accumulation of phenylalanine, sinapyl alcohol, methylchavicol, and anethole in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway, and increased the levels of luteolin and leucocyanidin in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway, which may perhaps be applied in practical production to promote the natural antibacterial and antioxidant properties of mint. An appropriate increase in FR radiation might alter transcript reprogramming and redirect metabolic flux in mint, subsequently regulating its growth and secondary metabolism. Our study uncovered the regulation of FR and UVA treatments on mint in terms of growth, physiology, transcriptome, and metabolome, providing reference for the cultivation of mint and other horticultural plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was designed to develop functional cucumber and pomegranate based ready-to-serve (RTS) drink as thirst quencher. To boost antioxidant activity and to add natural preservation to the drink, microwave-assisted extracts of herbs and spices; mint, lemongrass, ginger, cinnamon were incorporated either individually or collective, at an equivalent dose of 2% for comparison. In this regard, ginger extract incorporated drink maintained its storage quality owing to highest free radical scavenging potential (49 to 67%) in relevance to highest polyphenol and flavonoid contents (1203 ± 64 mg GAE/L and 178 ± 8 mg TE/L, respectively). Whereas, ascorbic acid was maximally recorded in lemongrass-based drink 22 ± 1 mg/100 mL. During 30 days storage under refrigeration, significant decrease was recorded in pH of the RTS drink along with considerable increase in acidity and browning index however, total soluble solids demonstrated non-significant pattern. Sedimentation showed an inclining trend (p˂.05) with progression in storage but comparatively less sedimentation was attributed to lemongrass incorporated drink followed by cinnamon containing drink. Turbidity also indicated significant changes but showed inverse pattern with respect to sedimentation. Additionally, ginger-based drink expressed considerably low total plate count as 2.3 ±.1 log CFU/mL with nil yeast and mold growth by all the extracts throughout storage. Further, ginger portrayed highest rate for odor, taste and consistency though, mixed herbs and spices based drink attained the best color score. Conclusively, ginger-based drink portrayed maximum antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common sage (Salvia officinalis L.), the type species of the genus Salvia, is a historically acknowledged medicinal and aromatic plant that is utilized in several different industries for manufacturing diverse end products, including food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, personal hygiene products and insect repellants. The medical uses of sage essential oil terpenoids have made these secondary metabolites a focus of medical/pharmaceutical chemistry research. In the present work, the common sage genome was resequenced and assembled, and the protein-encoding gene content was annotated. The terpenoid biosynthesis gene repertoire, which includes 75 terpene synthase and 67 terpenoid backbone biosynthesis pathway genes, was predicted and located on assembly scaffolds, revealing tandem duplication blocks on the chromosomes. Variant analysis identified 188 variable single-nucleotide loci in the coding sequences of sage terpenoid biosynthesis genes. A total of 24,570 single-nucleotide polymorphisms were identified in the common sage total exome, representing a database of potential variable loci for targeted genotyping research. Given that terpene synthase activity is highly prone to modulation by point mutations and that the genotype plays an important role in the complex traits of terpenoid composition, single-nucleotide polymorphisms located in coding sequences constitute candidate functional markers that can be associated with terpenoid compositional traits in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: This NMR-based analytical method for pulegone detection could help food safety laboratories rapidly screen mint-flavored products and essential oils for compliance with regulatory limits. The approach is particularly valuable for quality control in the food and flavoring industry, where fast and reliable pulegone quantification is essential to ensure consumer safety, especially given pulegone's classification as a possible human carcinogen. Pulegone is a monoterpene ketone found in a variety of mint species. It has been classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). In previous studies, pulegone in food was analyzed exclusively via GC-MS, while 1H NMR methods were limited to essential oils. The aim of this study was to develop an NMR method for the detection and quantification of pulegone in essential oils and foods. A mixture of methanol-d4/chloroform-d1 in a 1:1 ratio (v/v) was identified as the most effective solvent for separating pulegone signals. The essential oils were subjected to analysis at this solvent-mixture ratio. The extraction of pulegone was required for food analysis, and the steam distillation method proved to be more effective than the ultrasonic-assisted extraction method. The highest pulegone concentrations were identified in pennyroyal oil and muña oil, whereas lower levels were observed in other matrices, including corn mint oil and select food items. A toxicological assessment showed that the amount consumed did not exert any adverse effects on human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mint (Mentha L.), basil, (Ocimum basilicum) and Melissa (Melissa officinalis L.) are herbaceous plants from the Lamiaceae family. They have a wide range of health benefits and flavour properties which are highly valued around the world. Alternative methods of growing plants to minimise greenhouse gas emissions during autumn and winter are being sought in the face of increasing climate change. One way to achieve this is to switch from HPS to LED lighting. LED lighting has a longer lifespan and higher efficiency while using less energy and better matching the colour of the light to the needs of the herbs. This study tested the hypothesis that the type of illumination (solar, HPS, and LED) significantly impacts the antioxidant and nutritional qualities of herbs. The results indicated that LED lighting enhanced biochemical properties, supporting its adoption for sustainable plant cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Zeitschrift für Soziologie is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Mentha spp. are commonly used for the production of tea and for the extraction of essential oils (EOs). The key factor of mint quality is the content and composition of the EO. Health-promoting compounds such as menthol are desirable, whereas the presence of potentially health-damaging compounds such as menthofuran should be avoided. This study examines the effect of shading on the EO content and composition of three Mentha genotypes (Mentha × piperita 'Multimentha', Mentha × piperita 'Fränkische Blaue' and Mentha rotundifolia 'Apfelminze'). The Mentha genotypes were cultivated in field trials for two years (2022–2023). Each genotype was shaded with a shading net (50% photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) reduction), and a control without shading was prepared. EO content was determined by steam distillation and EO composition was characterized by GC-MS analysis. Furthermore, biomass, vegetation indices (VIs) and the electron transport rate (ETR) were analyzed. While shading led to higher plant heights, higher EO content and a slightly reduced amount of undesired EO compounds, the unshaded control yielded a higher biomass accumulation. Significant genotypic differences were determined. In conclusion, the benefits of shading depend on the intended use and genotype selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The drying of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) is one of the main preservation methods for these products that can prolong their shelf life, if performed properly. The current study aimed to examine the effects of different drying conditions (sun, shade, and oven drying at 42 °C) on the quality characteristics of Thymus capitatus, Mentha piperita, and Sideritis cypria; their essential oil (EO) yield; and their biological properties (antioxidant and antibacterial activities). According to the results of the current study, oven drying resulted in faster moisture loss for all investigated species and slightly darker products. For T. capitatus, sun drying resulted in higher EO carvacrol content, whereas EOs obtained from shade and oven drying (at 42 °C) presented high total phenolic content and great antimicrobial activity. For M. piperita, shade drying resulted in a higher EO yield and higher iso-menthone content, whilst the EO obtained from oven-dried mint plants presented great antibacterial activity against the investigated foodborne pathogens. S. cypria plants dried in an air-ventilated oven produced an EO rich in β-caryophyllene and α-pinene, which also presented great antioxidant and antibacterial activity. The findings of the current study indicate that traditional drying methods, such as sun and shade, can result in good-quality dried MAPs that can yield EOs with significant biological activities, along with minimum energy consumption and lower carbon dioxide production (lower environmental carbon footprint), as opposed to oven drying. However, the drying-process duration could be a limitation at the industrial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, kombucha is produced by the fermentation of black or green tea infusions with the use of SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeasts). However, SCOBY exhibits the ability to ferment other substrates as well, which can be used to create novel products with new sensory and health-promoting properties. This paper investigates the antioxidant activity, chemical composition, and sensory properties of mint, nettle, and blackcurrant leaf-based kombucha analogs. It has been demonstrated that the fermentation process with SCOBY significantly influenced (p ≤ 0.05) sugar, organic acids, and mineral contents, with the increase in iron, magnesium, and calcium amounts in all tested herbal kombucha. The study shows that the type of herb infusion has a significant influence on the parameters associated with antioxidant potential. The fermentation with SCOBY resulted in an increase in antioxidant activity as measured by the superoxide anion radical (O2•−) inhibition of all three tested herbal infusions, with the greatest changes observed in nettle kombucha. Herbal kombucha was characterized by significantly increased total phenolic content as determined by Folin's reagent and a changed phenolic compound profile by LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry) in comparison to nonfermented infusions. Very high sensory scores were achieved for fermented mint and blackcurrant-based kombucha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The present study compares the performance of two quick lexical tests, the Multilingual Naming Test (MINT) and the Lexical Test for Advanced Learners of English (LexTALE), to evaluate their suitability to serve as proxies for English proficiency in second language learners. Specifically, it investigates how well these tests' results align with those of the Quick Placement Test (QPT), an objective placement test employed in previous validations of the LexTALE. Considering recent findings by Puig-Mayenco et al. (2023) suggesting the LexTALE is apt for measuring advanced proficiencies but is less reliable with lower ones, our study aims to test the performance of both the LexTALE and MINT across different proficiencies. Two hundred nineteen Chinese learners of English, spanning both higher and lower proficiency levels, participated in the study. The results showed that the relationship between the MINT and QPT was similar to that between the LexTALE and QPT. However, the MINT demonstrated better performance than the LexTALE in assessing lower proficiency levels. These results underscore the MINT's potential to serve as a quick and valid proxy for proficiency across all levels, particularly in research contexts where the use of longer and more comprehensive assessment tools is not possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mint is one of the most valuable herbs, and has multiple benefits and uses. The effect of cultivation methods on the biometric parameters of mint plants was determined by comparing a hydroponic system involving moveable flood tables with plastic covers and a raised-bed growing system in an open field. The morphometric parameters of mint plants may vary depending on species and cultivation method. An interaction between both factors was observed for plant height, leaf length, leaf width, and the number of leaves. Spearmint and apple mint grown under field conditions were characterized by higher average values of plant height and width and a higher number of branches than hydroponically grown plants. In the hydroponic system, the number of branched stems decreased by up to 80% with increased plant height. Leaf width was correlated with the total number of leaves. An increase in the number of leaves per plant induced a decrease in leaf width (up to 61%). Field-grown mint is usually characterized by higher marketable and total yields than hydroponically grown mint. However, the marketable yield of apple mint was approximately 50% higher in the hydroponic system than in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the impact of democracy and corruption on the economic growth of Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Turkey over the 1975–2022 period. Utilizing the Fractional Frequency Flexible Fourier Panel Cointegration and Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares coefficient estimator, two models are employed to test hypotheses regarding economic growth. The findings reveal that democracy plays an upgrading role in the economic growth of all MINT countries, while the effect of corruption varies. In Indonesia and Mexico, corruption has a positive impact on growth, reflecting the effect of democracy, whereas Nigeria and Turkey experience a negative impact. The democracy model supports the compatibility hypothesis for all countries, asserting a positive link between democracy and economic growth. However, the corruption model yields divergent results, with Nigeria and Turkey aligning with the “grease in the wheels” hypothesis, implying that corruption can facilitate economic growth by bypassing bureaucratic obstacles, while Indonesia and Mexico support the "sand in the wheels" hypothesis, indicating that corruption hinders economic growth. This highlights the need for governments to strengthen institutions through transparency, accountability, and credibility via robust oversight and governance mechanisms. Therefore, democratic advancement, streamlined bureaucracy, and anti-corruption policies are imperative for sustainable economic growth and welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In agriculture, water and fertilizer are two limiting elements of plant growth. Indeed, the lack or the excess of one of them disturbs the yields in terms of quality and quantity. Optimal irrigation/fertilization and precisely dosed nutrient supply allow fast-growing plants to reach their full potential, offering much larger and better quality yields. To monitor agricultural crop characteristics, Hyperspectral remote sensing provides an opportunity for an efficient nondestructive method. In this paper, we present a method for smart management of water irrigation and fertilizer using remote sensing. For this purpose, a protocol has been developed to detect the effects of nitrogen nutriments and water supply on potted mint by using UV-PIR field spectroscopy. Results suggest hyperspectral remote sensing has great promise to perfect smart agriculture. In fact, with this method, the effect of nutriments and water supply have been clearly detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation aimed to identify the most favorable cultivar based on plant metabolites for potential targeted cultivation in the pharmaceutical industry. The analysis revealed the presence of 19 individual phenolics and 80 individual volatiles across the cultivars, a breadth of data not previously explored to such an extent. Flavones emerged as the predominant phenolic group in all mint-scented cultivars, except for peppermint, where hydroxycinnamic acids dominated. Peppermint exhibited high concentrations of phenolic acids, particularly caffeic acid derivatives and rosmarinic acid, which are known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Luteolin-rich concentrations were found in several mint varieties, known for their antioxidative, antitumor, and cardio-protective properties. Swiss mint and spearmint stood out with elevated levels of flavanones, particularly eriocitrin, akin to citrus fruits. Monoterpene volatiles, including menthol, camphor, limonene, and carvone, were identified across all cultivars, with Swiss mint and spearmint exhibiting the highest amounts. The study underscores the potential for targeted cultivation to enhance volatile yields and reduce agricultural land use. Notably, chocolate mint demonstrated promise for volatile content, while apple mint excelled in phenolics, suggesting their potential for broader agricultural, pharmaceutical, and food industry production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iran has different environmental conditions due to specific geographical. Therefore, exploring essential oil and flavonoids components among different medicinal may be caused discoveries about valuable components. The present study aimed to study flavonoids profile and essential oils composition of four Lamiaceae species i.e. Stachys lavandulifolia Vahl, Teucrium polium L., Thymus daenensis Čelak., and Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam. from Oshtorankoh located on Zagros Mountains, Iran. The plants were collected during 2014-2015 and were identified using available references. A chemical study using two-dimensional paper chromatography (2-DPC) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) showed that the four studied species contained flavone C and C-/O glucosides and flavonoid sulfates. The result of the present study revealed that T. polium had high levels of many flavonoids such as apigenin, genistein, isorhamnetin, kaempferol, quercetin, rutin, andvitexin compared to the other studied plants. According to the results of GC/MS analysis, S. lavandulifolia was rich in α-pinene (21.16%) and 1,8-cineol (16.95%), T. polium in α-pinene (12.21%) and sabinene (9.55%), T. daenensis in γ-Terpinene (36.98%) and p-Cymene (26.87%), and Z.clinopodioides in piperitone (16.84%) and 1,8-cineol (16.11%) components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SARS-CoV-2 infects the oral mucosa and is shed in salivary fluids. Traditionally, tea has been used by various cultures to treat respiratory ailments. The objective of this study was to identify commercially available teas that can rapidly inactivate infectious SARS-CoV-2 in saliva. Initially, tea (n = 24) was prepared as 40 mg/mL infusions and incubated with SARS-CoV-2 resuspended in water, for 5 min at 37 °C. Then, five teas that showed >3 log reduction in virus infectivity were further investigated at 40 and 10 mg/mL infusions for 60 and 10 s contact time with SARS-CoV-2 resuspended in saliva. Tea polyphenols were measured using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay. SARS-CoV-2 infectivity was quantified on Vero-E6 cell line using TCID50 assay. At 10 mg/mL infusion, black tea showed the highest reduction (3 log, i.e., 99.9%) of infectious SARS-CoV-2 within 10 s. Green, mint medley, eucalyptus-mint, and raspberry zinger teas showed similar inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 (1.5–2 log, i.e., 96–99% reduction). At 40 mg/mL infusions, all five teas showed >3 log reduction in virus infectivity within 10 s. Tea polyphenol but not pH was significantly correlated to virus reduction. Time-of-addition assay revealed that the five teas displayed preventive effects (0.5–1 log, i.e., 68–90% reduction) against SARS-CoV-2 infection of Vero-E6 cells as well as during post-virus infection (1.2–1.9 log, i.e., 94–98%). However, the highest inhibitory effect was observed when the teas were added at the time of virus infection (2–3 log, i.e., 99–99.9%). Our results provide insights into a rapid at-home intervention (tea drinking or gargling) to reduce infectious SARS-CoV-2 load in the oral cavity which might also mitigate infection of the oral mucosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Natura & Scientia is the property of Semih Kale and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objectives: Mint oil is used in various commercial applications world-wide. Mint oil is typically harvested from commercial clones of peppermint or spearmints. Spearmints are the product of a cross between two diploid species: Mentha longifolia (horse mint) and Mentha suaveolens (apple mint). Peppermints are the product of an additional hybridization step between spearmint and an octoploid Mentha aquatica (water mint). Here, we present a chromosome-scale assembly of the genome of a clone of M. suaveolens. Together with the previously assembled genome of M. longifolia, these assemblies are instrumental in addressing questions regarding the origins of spearmint and peppermint oil and the genomic composition of commercial spearmints, and to start elaborating strategies for mint cultivar improvement. Data description: A Falcon assembly of the genome of M. suaveolens was generated from 103X coverage of PacBio long reads. Additional scaffolding was conducted by Dovetail Genomics, using a Chicago library, and a HiC library. The resulting assembly had an N50 of 44.7 Mb, and 98.45% of the 536 Mb of the assembly were contained within 12 large superscaffolds. Finally, a genetic map was applied to correct persistent misjoins. Illumina RNA-Seq libraries from a variety of tissues were used to annotate the genome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infections with phytoplasma present one of the most significant biotic stresses influencing plant health, growth, and production. The phytoplasma 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani' infects a variety of plant species. This pathogen impacts the physiological and morphological characteristics of plants causing stunting, yellowing, leaf curling, and other symptoms that can lead to significant economic losses. The aim of this study was to determine biochemical changes in peony (Paeonia tenuifolia L.), mint (Mentha × piperita L.), and dill (Anethum graveolens L.) induced by 'Ca. Phytoplasma solani' in Serbia as well as to predict the impact of the biotic stress using artificial neural network (ANN) modeling. The phylogenetic position of the Serbian 'Ca. Phytoplasma solani' strains originated from the tested hosts using 16S rRNA (peony and carrot strains) and plsC (mint and dill strains) sequences indicated by their genetic homogeneity despite the host of origin. Biochemical parameters significantly differed in asymptomatic and symptomatic plants, except for total anthocyanidins contents in dill and the capacity of peony and mint extracts to neutralize superoxide anions and hydroxyl radicals, respectively. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed a correlation between different chemical parameters and revealed a clear separation among the samples. Based on the ANN performance, the optimal number of hidden neurons for the calculation of TS, RG, PAL, LP, NBT, •OH, TP, TT, Tflav, Tpro, Tant, DPPH, and Car was nine (using MLP 8-9-13), as it produced high r2 values (1.000 during the training period) and low SOS values. Developing an effective early warning system for the detection of plant diseases in different plant species is critical for improving crop yield and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present experiment was conducted at Poultry Experimental Station, Department of Poultry Husbandry, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam. Three hundred (300) day old Hubbard broilers were equally distributed in 4 groups each having 75 chicks and 3 replicates with15 chicks each. Group A kept as control group - basal diet; Group B fed on basal diet + Mint leaves (1% of total feed composition by weight); Group C fed on basal diet + enzyme (recommended concentration 1.01 gm/kg of feed); Group D fed on basal diet + mint leaves + enzyme (combination of 1% mint leaves and 1.01 gm/kg of the enzyme). The trial was ended up to 42 days. The growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler were determined. Results showed that fed intake was non-significant (P>0.05) between the A, B and C groups, while significant (P<0.05) among group D and A, B, C groups. Slightly higher feed intake (3785.0g/b) was noted in D group followed by C group (3771.0g/b), B group (3765.0g/b) and A group (3723.7g/b), respectively. Significantly (P<0.05) maximum live body weight (2306.7g/b) was noted in D group followed by C group (2217.7g/b), B group (2198.7g/b) and A group (2092.3g/b), respectively. Significantly (P<0.05) carcass weight was noted high in D group (1606.7g/b) followed by C group (1517.7g/b), B group (1498.7g/b) and A group (1492.3g/b), respectively. Significantly (P<0.05) dressing was noted high in A group (71.32%) followed by D group (69.65%), C group (68.43%) and B group (68.16%), respectively. Better FCR (1.64) was noted in D group followed by C group (1.70), B group (1.71) and A group (1.77), respectively. FCR was non-significant (P>0.05) between the A, B and C groups, while significant (P<0.05) among group D and A, B, C groups. Maximum Water Holding Capacity (56.71%) was noted in D group followed by C group (51.74%), B group (47.13%) and A group (41.64%), respectively. Maximum cooking loss (20.32%) was noted in A group followed by B group (17.99%), C group (17.63%) and D group (17.60%), respectively. Maximum drip loss (23.62%) was noted in A group followed by B group (19.55%), C group (19.40%) and D group (18.63%), respectively. Maximum fat content (4.36%) was noted in D group followed by C group (3.72%), B group (3.32%) and A group (2.19%), respectively. Maximum glycogen content (1.32%) was noted in D group followed by C group (1.05%), B group (0.88%) and A group (0.45%), respectively. In conclusion, the supplementation of mint leaves and enzymes (Group D) significantly improved various performance parameters and carcass characteristics of broilers, including feed intake, live body weight, carcass weight, FCR, WHC, and reduced cooking and drip losses. The combination of mint leaves and enzymes in the diet of broilers proves to be beneficial for enhancing overall growth performance and meat quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Menoufia Journal of Agricultural Economic & Social Science is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Herein AgNPs has been prepared by a phytomediated green synthetic method by using extract of Mentha asiatica (mint) leaves. Mint possesses medicinal and therapeutic effects. The UV–vis spectrum of the AgNPs exhibited a broad absorption peak around 400–500 nm with λmax at 450 nm. The particles size of 29 ± 2 nm was measured by SEM. They possessed crystalline nature as confirmed through XRD. The functional groups of the capping and functionalizing proteins were analyzed through FTIR that revealed broad peaks of amine groups around 3300 cm−1 and sharp peaks at 1700 cm−1corresponding to carbonyl groups. Silver is the major constituent in the sample that is confirmed through its corresponding intense peak in the EDX spectrum. AgNPs showed significant antioxidant potential (EC50 29.3 µM), cytotoxicity against brine shrimps (IC50 43.9 µM) and antiproliferative behavior against MCF7 cancer cell lines (IC50 of 11.8 µM) as compared to plant extract (EC50 35.9 µM, IC50 for brine shrimps 54 µM, and IC50 for MCF7 cell line 20 µM). This is the first report presenting the antioxidant and cytotoxic potential of AgNPs of M. asiatica leaf extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Proceedings in Archeology & History of Ancient & Medieval Black Sea Region is the property of Cimmeria Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of the Faculty of Agriculture / Ziraat Fakültesi Dergisi is the property of Journal of the Faculty of Agriculture / Ziraat Fakültesi Dergisi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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Copyright of Journal of Emerging Economies & Policy is the property of JOEEP: Journal of Emerging Economies & Policy and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Cactus (prickly pear) is a nutrient-rich fruit with numerous medicinal and health benefits, including essential minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and anti-diabetic and anti-cancer properties, while mint enhances flavor and boosts health benefits. Tisanes, popular for their antioxidant properties due to phenols, are gaining popularity in the herbal tea market. In this study, cactus fruits were dried in a hot air dryer, with the drying temperature optimized at 50°C to achieve minimum drying time, maximum betalain content, and maximum antioxidant activity. Mint leaves were dried using shade drying at 30±2°C until a moisture content of 7% was achieved. Various cactus-mint ratios were tested to formulate the cactus fruit-based tisane, with the optimal ratio determined by overall acceptability, antioxidant activity, and color a* value. The tisane infusion was prepared by steeping a tea bag containing 2 grams of dried material in 100 mL of hot water (95±2°C) for 2 minutes. Statistical analysis revealed that the best cactus fruit-mint ratio for the tisane was 85:15. The infusion contained 10.92 mg/100g of total betalain content, 0.89 mg/100g of vitamin C, and 12.19 mM/100g of total antioxidant activity. Microbial analysis showed that the total plate count was within acceptable limits, and yeast and mold counts were zero. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Florida Entomologist (De Gruyter) is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of GENDER: Zeitschrift für Geschlecht, Kultur und Gesellschaft is the property of Verlag Barbara Budrich GmbH and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Contact allergy to the mint‐tasting flavour carvone has been observed in patients with oral lichenoid lesions (OLL). Mint‐flavoured products such as toothpaste frequently contain carvone. Snuff is a smokeless tobacco product that is chewed or placed in the mouth rather than smoked. In Sweden, the use of snuff and its flavoured versions is extremely common. Objectives: To investigate whether the consumption of mint‐flavoured snuff is associated with contact allergy to carvone and subsequently plays a role in the aetiology of OLL. Methods: Regarding the two patients, patch testing with snuff pouches was performed. High‐performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis were used for identification of carvone in different snuff samples. Results: Two patients with OLL were contacted allergic to carvone when patch tested. Both were using mint‐flavoured snuffs several hours a day for many years. One patient was contacted allergic to the snuff pouch tested as is. Carvone was detected in the snuff samples of both patients. Conclusions: The patients were recommended to avoid the use of mint‐flavoured snuffs, toothpaste and foodstuffs. At follow‐up 3 months later, the patients had a dramatic clinical improvement of the OLL and oral symptoms. Exposure to mint‐flavoured snuffs can be overlooked as a possible aggravating/provoking factor in OLL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptosporidiosis is a serious intestinal disease affecting mal-nourished children and immunocompromised individuals with severe fatal diarrhea. Our present work was done to evaluate the possible curative effects of different essential oils (Mint, Thyme, Chamomile and Basil) on Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) in vivo compared with nitazoxanide (NTZ). Seventy immunosuppressed white Albino male mice were allocated in 7 groups as follows: group I infected and not treated (Positive control), group II (GII) treated with NTZ, group III (GIII) treated with Mint essential oil, group IV (GIV) treated with Thyme essential oil, group V (GV) treated with Chamomile essential oil, group VI (GVI) treated with Basil essential oil and group VII (GVII) naïve not infected mice (Negative control). Evaluation was done using parasitological, histopatholgical, serological as well as biochemical methods. All study groups revealed significant reduction (P value < 0.01) in the mean number of C. parvum oocysts in stool. Results of GII were the best with 87.7% reduction in the oocysts count followed by GIII (77.9%), GIV (74.7%), GVI (68.2%) and lastly GV (67.2%). Improvement of the histopathological damage in the small intestine was shown in treated groups. All treated mice showed significant upregulation in the interferon gamma (IFN-γ) levels, significant reduction in the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels (P value < 0.0001). It is concluded that Mint, Thyme, Chamomile and Basil oils showed promising anti-cryptosporidial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finance has been one of the most valuable source of life for many decades. This article compares monetary units of account between countries at different times. Moreover, the article examines the emergence and role of coins in commodity-money relations. The question of the possibility of using barter relations is also demonstrated in the following article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the capacity of peppermint essential oil to improve the physical performance of runners in running protocol until exhaustion. Methods: In a clinical, randomized, double-blind, cross-over and controlled study, fourteen male recreational runners (37.1 ± 2.0 years; 24 ± 1.1 kg/m2; 53.1 ± 1.7 mL kg min) performed two runs to exhaustion at 70% of VO2max, after intake of 500 mL of water added with 0.05 mL of peppermint essential oil (PEO) or placebo (PLA), plus 400 mL of the drink during the initial part of the exercise. Records were made of body temperature (BT), thermal sensation (TS), thermal comfort (TC), subjective perception of effort (SPE), sweat rate (SR), and urine volume and density. Results: Time to exhaustion was 109.9 ± 6.9 min in PEO and 98.5 ± 6.2 min in PLA (p = 0.009; effect size: 0.826). No significant changes were observed in the values of BT, TS, TC, SPE, SR, lost body mass, and urine volume and density (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Peppermint essential oil added to water before and during a race significantly increases the time to exhaustion of recreational runners but without altering BT, TS, TC, or hydration status, so the mechanisms involved were not clarified in this study. Brazilian registry of clinical trials (ReBEC): RBR-75zt25z. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Menthol is effective at stimulating thermosensitive neurons that evoke pleasant cooling sensations. Internal application of menthol can be ergogenic for athletes, and hence, addition of menthol to sports nutrition products may be beneficial for athletes. The aim of this study was to develop a menthol energy gel for consumption during exercise and to determine acceptability and preferences for gels with different menthol concentrations. With a randomized, crossover, and double-blind placebo-controlled design, 40 endurance athletes (20 females) ingested an energy gel with a menthol additive at a high (0.5%; HIGH) or low concentration (0.1%; LOW), or a mint-flavored placebo (CON), on separate occasions during outdoor endurance training sessions. The athletes rated the gels for cooling sensation, mint flavor intensity, sweetness, and overall experience and provided feedback. Results are reported as median (interquartile range). Both menthol gels successfully delivered a cooling sensation, with a significantly greater response for HIGH (5.0 [4.0–5.0]) compared with LOW (3.5 [3.0–4.0]; p =.022) and CON (1.0 [1.0–2.0]; p <.0005), and LOW compared with CON (p <.0005). Ratings of mint flavor intensity followed the same trend as cooling sensation, while ratings of overall experience were significantly worse for HIGH (2.0 [1.0–3.0]) compared with LOW (4.0 [2.0–4.0]; p =.001) and CON (4.0 [3.0–4.0]; p <.0005). An energy gel with the addition of menthol at 0.1–0.5% provides a cooling sensation for athletes with a dose–response when ingested during exercise. The 0.1% concentration is recommended to maximize the overall experience of the gel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Stratum Plus Journal is the property of P.P. Stratum plus and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The principles of the electronic tongue sensor include potentiometry using a type of electrode with a liquid junction design. Mint leaves are widely used in the industrial sector in food, beverage, and medicinal products. In the industrial sector there are obstacles in the quality control process when analyzing the content in beverage products, in which the tools are unable to accurately classify the ingredients in the product. The content of a mixture of mint and tea was tested using seven working electrodes coated with different lipid membranes and classified using principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The electronic tongue was tested on a solution representing the five basic tastes. The accuracy of the readings of each sensor was obtained using a support vector regression (SVR) linear model with the mean absolute error (MAE) equal to 0.43 and a correlation coefficient ( R 2 ) of 0.93. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to test the efficacy of a mint‐flavored mouthwash when it is used at bedtime for subsequent sleep in a field study setting, using a wristwatch‐type heart rate (HR) monitoring devise. Using a within‐subject experimental design, twenty healthy adults used three types of mouthwash having a different intensity of mint sensation (or water as a control) per one experiment night just before going to bed at their home environment, in a counterbalanced order. As for results, irrespective of the intensity of mint‐flavored mouthwashes, the subjective score for "fatigue" and "refreshing" before sleep was decreased and increased, respectively. In addition, although a significant inhibition of HR decline in the sleep initiation period (0–30 min after bedtime) was observed with the use of mint‐flavored mouthwashes compared with the control, the trend reversed subsequently as HR trended lower than for the control during 2–6 h after the bedtime. These findings suggest that the using mint‐flavored mouthwashes at bedtime induces a positive mood before sleep and may improve physiological sleep. Moreover, this study illustrated the possible application and significant advantage of the use of wristwatch‐type HR monitoring devise in a context of field study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Beiträge zur Lehrerinnen - und Lehrerbildung is the property of Schweizerische Gesellschaft fur Lehrerinnen- und Lehrerbildung (SGL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The incorporation of fermented camel milk with natural additives possesses numerous benefits for the treatment of various pathological and metabolic conditions. The present study investigated the impact of fortification of fermented camel milk with sage or mint leaves powder (1 and 1.5%, respectively) on glucose and insulin levels, lipid profile, and liver and kidney functions in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The gross chemical composition of sage and peppermint leaves powder was studied. The chemical composition of sage and mint extracts was performed using liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS) of sage and mint extracts. Furthermore, a total of forty-two adult normal male albino rats were included in this study, whereas one group was kept as the healthy control group (n = 6 rats) and diabetes was induced in the remaining animals (n = 36 rats) using alloxan injection (150 mg/kg of body weight). Among diabetic rats groups, a control group (n = 6 rats) was kept as the diabetic control group whereas the other 5 groups (6 rats per group) of diabetic rats were fed fermented camel milk (FCM) or fermented camel milk fortified with 1 and 1.5% of sage or mint leaves powder. Interestingly, the oral administration of fermented camel milk fortified with sage or mint leaves powder, at both concentrations, caused a significant decrease in blood glucose level and lipid profile, and an increase in insulin level compared to the diabetic control and FCM groups. Among others, the best results were observed in the group of animals that received fermented camel milk fortified with 1.5% sage powder. In addition, the results revealed that the fermented camel milk fortified with sage or mint leaves powder improved the liver and kidney functions of diabetic rats. Our study concluded that the use of sage and mint leaves powder (at a ratio of 1.5%) with fermented camel milk produces functional food products with anti-diabetic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

l-menthol (menthol) is an organic compound derived from peppermint which imparts a refreshing mint flavor and aroma to oral hygiene products, chewing gum, and topical analgesics. Menthol has been identified as a non-thermal sensory cooling strategy for athletes when ingested or mouth-rinsed during exercise in hot environments. Therefore, sports nutrition products delivering a controlled concentration of menthol could be beneficial for athletes exercising in the heat. We sought to test the performance and perceptual outcomes of a novel menthol energy gel during treadmill running in the heat (33 °C, 49% RH). Fourteen trained runners (mean ± SD; age: 31 ± 6 years, VO2max: 56.5 ± 10.1 mL·kg−1·min−1, BMI: 23.2 ± 2.4 kg/m2; six female) participated in a randomized, crossover, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. A menthol-enhanced energy gel (0.5% concentration; MEN) or flavor-matched placebo (PLA) was ingested 5 min before and again at 20 and 40 min of a 40 min treadmill exercise preload at 60% VO2max, followed by a 20 min self-paced time trial. The total distance, vertical distance, perceptual measures (thermal comfort, thermal sensation, rating of perceived exertion, and affect), and cognitive performance via computerized neurocognitive assessment were measured. No difference between 20 min self-paced time trial total distance (MEN: 4.22 ± 0.54 km, PLA: 4.22 ± 0.55 km, p = 0.867), vertical distance (MEN: 49.2 ± 24.6 m, PLA: 44.4 ± 11.4 m, p = 0.516), or any perceptual measures was observed (all p > 0.05). Cognitive performance was not different between the trials (all p > 0.05). These results suggest that a menthol energy gel is not superior to a non-menthol gel in terms of performance or perception during treadmill running in the heat. More research is needed to confirm whether these findings translate to ecologically valid settings, including outdoor exercise in ambient heat and during competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study investigates the effect of nanoformulations of clove and mint extract on functional yoghurt's microbiological, phenolic, and sensory properties. Clove and mint extract nanoformulations have particle sizes of 5.97±0.48 nm and 196.1±11.14 nm, respectively. Clove extract nanoformulations (CENFs) showed the highest relative antioxidant activity, ferric-reducing antioxidant power, total phenolic, and total flavonoid components as compared to mint extract nanoformulations (MENFs). The yoghurt sample with 0.025% clove extract nanoformulations had the highest GAE content of 114.18 µg/mg, while the sample with 0.0125% mint extract nanoformulations had the highest content of 94.62 µg/mg after 15 days in a refrigerator. Microbial analysis showed significant effects on lactic acid bacteria, yeast, and mould counts in yoghurt prepared with clove extract nanoformulations (CENFs) and mint extract nanoformulations (MENFs) and storage periods at refrigeration temperatures degree up to 15 days. Total bacterial counts in yoghurt did not differ significantly from the control sample. The coliform group not detected in any samples during the storage period. The sensory evaluation showed significant effects on the appearance and flavor of yoghurt with different concentrations of clove extract nanoformulations (CENFs) (0.0125, 0.025, and 0.05%) compared to the control sample. However, body and texture evaluations showed no significant difference. Significant differences were observed between yoghurt prepared with mint extract nanoformulations (MENFs) and the control sample in appearance, body, texture, and flavor. The sensory score was significantly reduced with the addition, and with increasing MENF concentration, a lower sensory score was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Artvin Coruh University International Journal of Social Sciences (ACUSBD) is the property of Artvin Coruh University International Journal of Social Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Mint an aromatic plant is rich in essential oil and widely used for its condiment in foods. It has medicinal potential in traditional medicine. Fungi infection and its management can be challenging due to the adverse effect of presently available drugs. This paper discusses the potential of mint as an antifungal agent. A literature search using PubMed and the keywords that relates to "Mentha" "mint" "antifungal activity", among others was carried out and data obtained was analyzed using a bibliometric tool. Relevant articles included in our studies were restricted to mint family, fungi of clinical importance, assessment and extraction methods, among others. Here, analysis shows Candida albicans is the must studied appearing in 39 studies, followed by Candida glabrata (12 times). Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus appeared in 9 and 8 studies, respectively. Mentha piperita was the most abundant mint species used in 28 studies tested against Candida albicans. Other mint, Mentha longifolia, Mentha spicata, and Mentha pulegium, among other were identified. Antifungal susceptibility measurement with the highest zone of inhibition was 90 mm from M. piperita exerted on C. albicans growth. Also, zone of inhibition measured at 10 mm was exerted by M. pulegium, Lavandula stoechas. ssp. stoechas, Nepeta cataria oil extract against Candida spp., and Aspergillus spp. at MIC values of 0.25mg/ml and 125µg/ml. The MIC value of 0.001 to 0.06 mg/ml M. piperita inhibit growth of Candida species. With respect to percentile inhibition Mentha piperita and Origanum vulgare demonstrated anti-fungal activity at 70 to 100% on various fungi species, suggesting these mint species to be an effective source of fungicidal agents. Mentha piperita and other mint species extracts show a wide range of inhibitory activities against fungi growth, the various identified extracts and their antimicrobial activity were compared for different solvents, and are then so discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Archaeological Studies / Mutaliat-i Bastanshinasi is the property of University of Tehran and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Brined cheese is a dairy product appreciated by consumers, available in a wide variety on the market. Mint, recognized for its therapeutic and culinary properties, is added in finely chopped form to the brined cheese. This study aimed to qualitatively assess both plain brined cheese and brined cheese with added mint, without the use of probiotics and starter cultures, prepared according to a traditional recipe. The results indicate that the classic buffalo brined cheese was most organoleptically appreciated. However, the sample with added mint is valued for its color, freshness, and aroma. Physicochemical analysis shows a higher moisture content in the mint sample due to the contribution of the plant. Microbiological analysis indicates that with the addition of mint and salt, the total number of germs decreases. Brined cheese made from buffalo milk with added mint could be an alternative appreciated by consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]