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• RSM was used for inactivation efficiency against two fungal species of tomatoes. • EO, UV and their combination were used and compared for tomatoes conservation. • The combined EO and UVC showed the best antifungal activity than other treatments. • Photosensitization of tomatoes preserved their quality attributes during 7 days. This study aims to investigate the antifungal activities of thyme essential oils mediated photosensitization for extending the shelf life and preserving the quality of fresh tomatoes. Contrary to Alternaria alternata and Botrytis cinerea , photosynthetization was proven to display the best antifungal activity, with a survival percentage of about 12 and 17% respectively. However, UV-C showed the least effectiveness, with survival rates of 33 and 32%, respectively, after 20 min of irradiation time. In addition, a central composite design (CCD) was employed, incorporating five levels and two independent variables: irradiation time and TEO concentration. This design aimed to assess the survival percentage of two fungal species, Alternaria. Alternata and Botrytis Cinerea. The obtained results indicated that the irradiation time significantly influenced the survival percentage of both tested fungal species. Interestingly, fresh tomato fruits were stored at 22 °°C with a relative humidity of 65 ± 5 % for 7 days and subsequently divided into four lots: control tomatoes, tomatoes treated only with UV-C irradiation at 10 min, tomatoes treated only with TEO at 55 µg/mL and photosynthesized tomatoes treated with both TEO and UV-C irradiations. The changes in the chemical properties of tomato, including pH, titratableacidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), texture and color, were analyzed, along with sensory evaluations. Chemical quality indicators like total soluble solids were significantly affected by storage time. Notably, in tomatoes treated with photosensitization, the TSS was lower (5 ± 0.05) compared to control tomatoes (5.6 ± 0.01) stored at 22 °C. Besides, the test of TEO based- photosensitization on tomatoes artificially inoculated with B. cinerea and A. alternata showed statistically significant delay in lesion diameter (1.5 cm ± 0.115) compared to the untreated group (3.5 cm ±0.15) at (p < 0.05). Subsequently, the combination of UV and TEO exhibited antifungal efficacy in tomato fruits, suggesting their potential as natural preservatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent years witnessed an increasing consumer interest for the consumption of fruits preserved with non-chemical, eco and health-friendly approaches. This led to continuous work on deriving plant based natural treatments such as essential oils (EOs) for managing postharvest fruit loss. However, selection of EO which bear preservation potential along with the quality retention (sensory and shelf-life attributes) is now a prime concern for the postharvest researchers. Present study uncovers the preservation ability of EOs such as thyme oil (0.1 % v/v), clove oil (0.06 % v/v), neem oil (2 % v/v) and citronella oil (0.01 % v/v) on keeping quality, fruit decay and shelf life of mangoes cv. 'Amrapali'. The fruit were subjected to EOs coating dip treatment for 3 min, followed by storage at ambient condition. Observations on postharvest attributes (physical, physiological, biochemicals, decay and sensory) were recorded at 3 days interval up to storage period completion (12th day). The results showed that all EOs positively influenced the studied preservation characteristics. Interestingly, thyme oil (0.1 %) application exhibited the excellent level of overall fruit quality and preservation potential. This treatment exhibited highest overall fruit quality (7.71) and sensory score (6.47) while controlling the 'quality deterioration attributes' such as physiological loss (6.91 %), fruit respiration-ethylene activity and fruit softening enzymes activities to the least level. Moreover 3 days extension of storage period along with >90% decay control was achieved over control fruit. It was concluded that thyme oil (0.1 %) exhibited the best preservation potential on keeping mangoes fresh. The outcome of this study bears practical utility for fruit preservation industry, organic farming, and fruit traders. [Display omitted] • Among the attempted EOs, thyme oil (0.1 %) application exhibited excellent fruit quality and preservation potential on mango fruit. • Thyme oil application for keeping mangoes fresh in terms of both preservation potential and fruit quality were un-envisaged till now. • The plant EOs are of GRAS nature, health-eco, consumer friendly and cost-effective promising technique. • This is first report on the quadrupole effect of EOs and recommends thyme postharvest application for PHM of mango fruit. • The results of present study bear practical utility for fresh fruit industry and researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dental composites lack inherent antimicrobial activity, leading to secondary caries and restoration failure. This study developed a novel thyme oil/TiO 2 nanoparticle filler to impart sustainable antibacterial functions to dental resins. TiO 2 nanoparticles were synthesized via a sol-gel method and characterized as 20–30 nm crystalline anatase particles. Functionalization with thyme oil was confirmed by FTIR, with 5.8% thyme oil content measured by TGA. Resin disks containing 0.5–2 wt% thyme-TiO 2 exhibited significant inhibition zones against S. mutans , L. acidophilus and C. albicans (8–12 mm) compared to thyme oil-free controls (0 mm) (p < 0.05). Thyme-TiO 2 at 1–2 wt% showed sustained release of thyme oil over 15 days with bacterial viability reduction of 68–99% compared to unmodified resin (p < 0.05). Resin-dentin microtensile bond strengths were 45–50 MPa for 0.5–2 wt% thyme-TiO 2 and not significantly different from control (p > 0.05). Likewise, flexural strength, elastic modulus and surface microhardness values were unchanged with thyme-TiO 2 incorporation ≤ 2 wt% (p > 0.05). DPSC viability was > 90% for all resins, indicating good cytocompatibility. Overall, the thyme-TiO 2 nanocomposite successfully endowed the dental resin with potent, long-lasting antibacterial effects without compromising key mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Investigation of natural biostimulants for regenerating strawberry plantlets. • Thyme essential oil promotes successful micropropagation of strawberry plantlets. • Thyme essential oil treatment exhibits distinct effects compared to microalgae treatment. • Microalgae treatment resulted in moderate callus formation. To improve the micropropagation protocol and the regeneration rate of the strawberry (Fragria × ananassa Dutch) Camarosa variety, the use of natural biostimulants was investigated since the application of synthetic chemicals in agriculture to ensure optimal growth is not always satisfactory. Indeed, strawberry in vitro rooting depends on the use of plant growth regulators, which may cause the development of aberrant and undesirable physiological and epigenetic disorders. For this purpose, the effects of thyme essential oil (TEO) and a mix of microalgae consortia (MA) were studied. These treatments were tested at two different concentrations during the in vitro rooting phase using nodal segments of the plant inoculated on MS medium. In vitro, root development exhibited a significant difference between treated and control plants. Later, the impact of both treatments on the growth of ex-vitro strawberry seedlings was studied during the acclimatization phase; hence, physiological, and biochemical analysis confirmed these findings. In fact, a positive effect of both treatments on the shoot and root parts of plants was observed. This was proven through an increase, compared to the control, in the root system by 74%, the number of leaves by 21,1%, and the shoot by 24,3% resulting in an acceleration of the initiation of rhizogenesis. On another hand, the physiological analysis revealed an improvement in the chlorophyll content in the treated leaves. Furthermore, with both treatments applied, there was a progressive and significant increase (p <0,05) in the activity of some enzymes such as peroxidase and in the phenol as well as hydrogen peroxide contents in the leaves revealing an induction of the antioxidant activity in the plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An optimized formulation of rosemary-sage-thyme nanoemulsion was developed. • Antioxidant and antibacterial effects of the nanoemulsion mixtures were evaluated. • The antioxidant effect of the optimized formulation of nanoemulsions was enhanced. • The optimized mixture was more effective against bacteria than simple nanoemulsions. This study aimed to select an optimal combination of Rosmarinus officinalis, Salvia officinalis , and Thymus satureioides nanoemulsions to overcome the resistance of some pathogenic bacterial strains and inhibit oxidative stress. For this purpose, the chemical composition of essential oils (EO) obtained from these herbs was determined using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsions were prepared and characterized. The antioxidant activity of the nanoemulsions and their combinations was evaluated, while the antibacterial activity was determined against two Gram-negative and two Gram-positive bacteria. The optimal mixture of nanoemulsions was determined using Design Expert software. GC/MS analysis revealed that R. officinalis EO was dominated by 1,8-cineole (39.48%). Endo-borneol (20.73%) and thymol (15.16%) were found as the main compounds of T. satureioides EO, while S. officinalis EO was mainly dominated by caryophyllene (30.49%). The prepared nanoemulsions' mean droplet sizes oscillated between 30.99 and 321.30 nm, whereas PdI was found to be 0.549 for R. officinalis , 0.809 for S. officinalis , and 0.209 for T. satureioides. For antioxidant activity, the combination composed of 34.11% rosemary nanoemulsion, 24.11% sage nanoemulsion, and 41.77% thyme nanoemulsion revealed the highest capacity. Regarding antibacterial activity, the optimal mixture consisting of 41.90% R. officinalis nanoemulsion, 17.30% S. officinalis nanoemulsion, and 40.90% T. satureioides nanoemulsion showed the strongest antibacterial effect against E. coli, S. aureus , and E. faecalis , while the optimal effect against P. aeruginosa was predicted using a combination containing 43% sage nanoemulsion and 57% thyme nanoemulsion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to synthesize an iron (II) oxide-zinc oxide (Fe 2 O 3 /ZnO) nanocomposite using eco-friendly methods and to evaluate its performance as a catalyst against textile dyes and hydrogen generation. To these means, Fe 2 O 3 /ZnO was synthesized from the Thymus vulgaris plant by biogenic methods. The resulting nanocomposite was characterized by Fourier Transmission Infrared Spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), UV–vis spectrometry, and X-Ray diffraction patterns (XRD). According to the obtained TEM characterization results, it was observed that the nanocomposite had an average size of 3.78 nm. According to the XRD results, the nanocomposite's average crystal size was 3.884 nm. In addition, the hydrogen release was investigated by NaBH 4 hydrolysis. The turnover frequency, activation energy (Ea), entropy (ΔS) , and enthalpy (ΔH) values obtained from hydrogen production studies are 1942.23 h−1 and 15.68 kJ/mol, −127.29 J/mol K, and 13.14 kJ/mol, respectively. In the reusability tests, it was observed that the nanocomposite was 78% effective. The photocatalytic studies using solar energy revealed that the nanocomposite was 79% effective for methylene blue (MB) dye removal. This work demonstrated the potential of transition metals for energy production. It showed that the developed nanocomposite could be a viable solution and, with further development, can be an efficient catalyst for alternative energy production (energy generation) and textile industry wastewater treatment. [Display omitted] • Fe 2 O 3 /ZnO nanocomposite materials were synthesized with the help of biogenic methods. • Hydrogen production was carried out by Fe 2 O 3 /ZnO nanocomposites as catalysts on NaBH 4. • Hydrogen production was provided at the different concentrations of catalysts, substrates, and temperatures. • TOF, Ea, ΔS, and ΔH values are 1942.23 h−1 and 15.68 kJ/mol, −127.29 J/mol K, and 13.14 kJ/mol, respectively. • The catalyst efficiency obtained by using MB under solar energy is 79%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capsicum annuum L. production is impeded by various biotic factors, including fungal diseases caused by Colletotrichum capsici , Pythium aphanidermatum , and Fusarium oxysporum. Various plant extracts and essential oils are increasingly used to control different plant diseases. In this study, licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) cold water extract (LAE) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) essential oil (TO) were found to be highly effective against the C. annuum pathogens. LAE at 200 mg ml−1 demonstrated the maximum antifungal activity of 89.9% against P. aphanidermatum , whereas TO at 0.25 mg ml−1 showed 100% inhibition of C. capsici. However, when used in combination, much lower doses of these plant protectants (100 mg ml−1 LAE and 0.125 mg ml−1 TO) exhibited a synergistic effect in controlling the fungal pathogens. Metabolite profiling using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high resolution-liquid chromatography-mass spectrophotometry analysis showed the presence of several bioactive compounds. Enhanced cellular components leakage revealed damage to the fungal cell wall and membrane due to and LAE treatment, which can be attributed to the TO lipophilicity and triterpenoid saponins of LAE. TO and LAE treatments also caused a reduction in ergosterol biosynthesis might be due to the presence of thymol and sterol components in the botanicals. Although the aqueous extracts have a low preparation cost, their uses are limited by modest shelf life and lacklustre antifungal effect. We have shown that these limitations can be bypassed by combining oil (TO) with the aqueous extract (LAE). This study further opens the avenues for utilizing these botanicals against other fungal phytopathogens. • TO and LAE showed remarkable inhibitory activity against the chilli phytopathogens. • TO and LAE were observed to be damaging fungal cell wall and membrane. • No phytotoxicity was observed against the chilli by TO and LAE. • Combining TO with LAE resulted in synergistic antifungal effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato grey mould has been a great concern during tomato production. The in vitro antifungal activity of vapours emitted from four plant essential oils (EOs) (cinnamon oil, fennel oil, origanum oil, and thyme oil) were evaluated during in vitro conidial germination and mycelial growth of Botrytis cinerea, the causal agent of grey mould. Cinnamon oil vapour was the most effective in suppressing conidial germination, whereas the four EOs showed similar activities regarding inhibiting mycelial growth in dose-dependent manners. The in planta protection effect of the four EO vapours was also investigated by measuring necrotic lesions on tomato leaves inoculated by B. cinerea. Grey mould lesions on the inoculated leaves were reduced by the vapours from cinnamon oil, origanum oil and thyme oil at different levels, but fennel oil did not limit the spread of the necrotic lesions. Decreases in cuticle defect, lipid peroxidation, and hydrogen peroxide production in the B. cinerea -inoculated leaves were correlated with reduced lesions by the cinnamon oil vapours. The reduced lesions by the cinnamon oil vapour were well matched with arrested fungal proliferation on the inoculated leaves. The cinnamon oil vapour regulated tomato defence-related gene expression in the leaves with or without fungal inoculation. These results suggest that the plant essential oil vapours, notably cinnamon oil vapour, can provide eco-friendly alternatives to manage grey mould during tomato production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical endometritis causes serious economic losses in dairy farms, mainly due to its negative health impact on fertility and milk production, as well as the additional costs of medicines used to treat the affected animals. The therapy for uterine diseases is principally performed with antibiotic treatment; however, its indiscriminate use in dairy herds can favor the increase in the resistance of pathogenic bacteria, leading to treatment failures. In this regard, the use of unconventional treatment may be a good option to reduce the use of antimicrobials in milk production. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of cinnamon, oregano, and thyme essential oils, and their combinations, against bovine uterine pathogens. The antibacterial activities of these essential oils were evaluated by the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC), and Fractional Inhibitory Concentration (FIC) indices against Escherichia coli and Trueperella pyogenes , which were isolated from dairy cows with clinical endometritis. Among the essential oils evaluated, the lowest MIC and MBC values observed were obtained with cinnamon essential oil alone. The association among essential oils showed different kinds of interactions, and in some situations, antagonism was observed. This study demonstrated a promising antimicrobial activity of cinnamon's essential oil, indicating that it has excellent potential to be explored as a possible alternative in the treatment of clinical endometritis in dairy cows. • The combination of the essential oils (EO) did not show significant synergistic effect against tested pathogens. • Cinnamon EO (CEO) proved to have good potential for the in vitro control of pathogens that are frequently isolated from cows with endometritis. • CEO showed the lowest inhibitory concentrations against Trueperella pyogenes , and Escherichia coli isolated from cows with endometritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anionic cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were used to stabilize emulsions that combined water-soluble (and oil-soluble), strongly antioxidant extracts with a water-immiscible, notably antimicrobial essential oil. Specifically, the radical scavenging activity was primarily provided by aqueous extracts from olive fruit (Olea europaea L.), while the antimicrobial effects owed eminently to thyme oil (Thymus vulgaris L.). The resulting emulsions were highly viscous at low shear rate (4.4 Pa·s) and displayed yield stress. The addition of edible salts decreased the yield stress, the apparent viscosity and the droplet size, to the detriment of stability at ionic strengths above 50 mM. Once characterized, the antioxidant and antimicrobial emulsions were applied on packaging-grade paper. Coated paper sheets inhibited the growth of Listeria monocytogenes , a common foodborne pathogen, and acted as antioxidant emitters. In this sense, the release to food simulants A (ethanol 10 vol%), B (acetic acid 3 wt%), and C (ethanol 20 vol%) was assessed. A 24-hour exposure of 0.01 m2 of coated paper to 0.1 L of these hydrophilic simulants achieved inhibition levels of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) in the 15–29 % range. All considered, the bioactive properties of thyme essential oil towards lipophilic food products can be complemented with the antioxidant activity of aqueous olive extracts towards hydrophilic systems, resulting in a versatile combination for active food packaging. • Nanocellulose-stabilized emulsions included thyme oil (lipophilic) and olive extract (water-soluble). • Thyme oil inhibited the growth of diverse foodborne pathogens and showed fair antioxidant activity. • Olive extract possessed stronger antioxidant properties and certain activity against L. monocytogenes. • Salt addition decreased yield stress, viscosity, and droplet size, to the detriment of stability. • Paper coated with these emulsions emitted antioxidant compounds to different food simulants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugarcane-based fermentation is an essential process for different sectors of economic importance, such as the food industry with fermented and distilled beverages. However, this process can suffer from high contamination by wild yeasts and bacteria, especially lactic acid bacteria (LAB). This makes it necessary to use decontamination strategies and search for new methods that have a low environmental impact and contribute to the production of organic products. Among the options, oregano and thyme essential oils stand out for their antibacterial compounds. The aim of this study was to use oregano and thyme essential oils as natural antimicrobials in the alcoholic fermentation of sugar cane juice. Initially, the minimum inhibitory concentration of the essential oils in the fermentation was assessed through turbidity in the sensitivity test, which allowed us to determine which concentrations of essential oils would inhibit the contaminants, 3 morphologically selected LAB strains, as well as assessing the viability of CA-11. For LAB, 3 concentrations of each essential oil were tested, ranging from 0.1 to 0.4 μl/mL, while for CA-11 it was 0.06, to 0.1 μl/mL. The results indicated a maximum total value of essential oils per ml of 0.06 μl. Based on this result, a 24-1 fractional factorial was established, with 8 conditions +3 central points, with 4 variables, oregano essential oil (0, 0.03 and 0.06 μl/ml), thyme (0, 0.03 and 0.06 μl/ml), initial soluble solids (14, 16 and 18°Brix) and initial yeast concentration (2.5, 3 and 3.5 g/l), with the temperature set at 32 °C for a period of 12 h. The results showed that the center point condition with 0.03 μl/ml of oregano EO, 0.03 μl/ml of thyme controlled the proliferation of contaminating bacteria compared to the control condition. In the experimental validation, the treatment with essential oils had a lower final population of LAB (5.95 log) than the final population of the control treatment (6.53 log), and it was also observed that the treatment with EOs had an alcohol production around 3 % higher than the treatment without antimicrobials. The experimental validation phase confirmed the synergistic action of oregano and thyme essential oils in controlling the proliferation of contaminating bacteria. In conclusion, it was possible to determine the synergistic antimicrobial action of essential oils against LAB during alcoholic fermentation based on organic sugar cane. • The use of oregano and thyme EOs are an antimicrobial alternative for fermentations. • The essential oils showed antibacterial action against lactic acid bacteria during the fermentation of sugar cane juice. • Treatments with essential oils during fermentation had a higher alcohol content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, convenience-driven consumers have increasingly embraced prepared aquatic foods, facilitating a significant shift within the food industry. However, this change has presented a challenge for maintaining the quality of aquatic products in prepared food items since aquatic products are highly susceptible to microbial contamination during processing or storage. Herein, smart oleogels-in-water high internal phase emulsions (GHIPEs) stabilized solely by soybean lipophilic protein (LP) were prepared via oil phase gelation induced by glycerol monolaurate (GML). The purpose of this system is to act as an effective carrier and facilitate the precise release of thyme essential oils to extend the shelf life of food products. The gelation of the oil phase has significantly enhanced the stability of GHIPEs when compared to traditional HIPEs. When the GML reached 2%, the GHIPEs retained up to 87.18% ± 4.23 of thyme essential oil after 14 d. Moreover, the highest antioxidant potential of GHIPEs (with 2% GML) was confirmed through DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging assays. Furthermore, the GHIPEs can release thyme essential oil in response to microbial growth, demonstrating their "smart sensing and targeted release" ability. Ultimately, the application of the GHIPEs in the preservation of Cololabis saira significantly reduced the total colony count, pH, TVB-N, and TBARS values (P < 0.05). Consequently, a ready-to-eat Cololabis saira product with an extended shelf life of 7 d at 4 °C was successfully realized, indicating the effectiveness of GHIPEs in preserving seafood freshness. These findings offer novel approaches to maintaining the freshness of prepared aquatic foods. [Display omitted] • LP stabilized oleogel-in-water high internal phase emulsions (GHIPEs) were prepared. • GML enhances GHIPE stability by gelling the oil phase and creating an interfacial film. • The essential oil retention rate is highest in the GHIPE that contains 2% GML. • GHIPEs smartly release thyme oil, hindering E. coli and S. aureus growth. • GHIPEs were successfully used to prepare ready-to-eat Cololabis saira. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Irradiation under O 2 -free atmosphere totally inactivated the natural contamination. • Irradiation under MAP increased essential oil yield and DPPH scavenging activity. • Irradiation resulted in increased antimicrobial activity of thyme. • Irradiation under MAP can enhance the quality of thyme and black pepper. Thyme and black pepper are among the common herbs and spices irradiated commercially for decontamination. Irradiation performed in the air atmosphere has adverse effects on some quality aspects, and this can be minimized if the treatment is delivered under an O 2 -free atmosphere. The effects of packaging under a modified atmosphere (100% N 2 , MAP) or air (AP) prior to gamma-irradiation (at 0, 6 or 14 kGy) on total phenolic content (TPC), 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity, β-carotene bleaching test-based antioxidant activity (BCLA-AA), antimicrobial activity, microbial load, color, and sensory properties of thyme and black pepper were investigated during 6-month storage. Irradiation under the MAP increased essential oil yield and DPPH scavenging activity of the samples at the beginning of the storage. Moreover, the TPC of black pepper and antimicrobial activity of thyme were increased by 14 kGy irradiation in both packages at the beginning of the storage period. Total bacterial and yeast-mold counts were reduced to below 1 log cfu/g after 14 kGy irradiation from an initial contamination level of 7.7 log and 5.2 log, respectively. Reductions in the essential oil yield, DPPH scavenging activity, and antimicrobial activity of thyme during 6-month storage were noted. The BCLA-AA of thyme was increased during the storage period, whereas that of black pepper in AP was decreased. Overall, gamma-irradiation can be applied under modified atmosphere packaging (100% N 2) to maintain or improve some of the functional properties of thyme and black pepper without compromising sensory and microbial quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thymbra capitata is a medicinal and aromatic plant of the Lamiaceae family. Essential oils, organic extracts, and vegetable oils from this species showed a diversity of health-promoting phytochemicals. The objective of the present review is to highlight the findings related to Thymbra capitata , including medicinal uses, bioactive compounds, biological activities, food preservation (animal feed supplement, agriculture, and medicinal application), and encapsulation for possible incorporation into industrial applications. Thymbra capitata essential oil is characterized by the presence of numerous volatile compounds, particularly carvacrol and thymol as major chemotypes. Essential oils, organic extracts, vegetable oils, and hydrolats exhibited different biological properties, including antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and other effects. These biological properties were mainly correlated with the chemical compounds present in tested products. Furthermore, some industrial applications of Thymbra capitata essential oils and extracts have been explored. Indeed, this species was used for food preservation (such as fruit juices, fruits and vegetables, milk, vegetable oils, meat, and fish food), feed supplements for animals, agriculture, medicinal application, and other applications. Moreover, industrial applications have been proven for encapsulated and incorporated Thymbra capitata essential oils. • Medicinal use and bioactive compounds of Thymbra capitata were highlighted. • Biological activities of Thymbra capitata were highlighted and discussed. • Industrial applications of Thymbra capitata essential oil and extracts have been explored. • Encapsulations of Thymbra capitata essential oils and possible industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Rosemary essential oil improves in vitro culture establishment of Aloe vera. • Rosemary essential oil inhibits enzymatic browning. • Rosemary essential oil decreases the infection rate. • Explant survival rate reaches 100% after four weeks of culture with rosemary essential oil. Aloe vera L. is used largely in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and agro-food industries. The in vitro technique was proposed as an alternative method for large-scale propagation and/or conservation breeding programmes in response to the increasing demand for Aloe vera. Unfortunately, a major problem in the application of plant tissue culture is the browning of cultured tissues and microbial contamination. This work investigates for the first time the efficacy of using Essential Oils (EOs) to control enzymatic browning and contamination of cultures from Aloe vera. Murashige and Skoog (MS) (1962) medium supplemented with 1 mg/L β-indole butyric acid (IBA) was used as a basic medium for A. vera for in vitro culture. The effect of the addition of charcoal (at 0.5 g/L), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) essential oils (at concentrations of 0.1 and 0.2%) to the basic medium was assessed. While thyme Essential Oil (EO) inhibited explant growth, rosemary EO induced the highest explant survival percentage, the lowest browning diffusion and contamination percentage. Moreover, a second experiment was conducted to determine the optimal rosemary EO concentration (0.025, 0.05, 0.075, and 0.1%). Explant survival percentage was 100% after four weeks of culture with rosemary EO concentrations of 0.05, 0.075, and 0.1% with no signs of browning. The lowest infection percentage (10%) was observed for media containing 0.075 and 0.1% of rosemary EO. The highest average number of leaves per explant was 3.71 with 0.1% rosemary EO and the greatest leaf length was 3.18 cm with 0.05%. The analytical techniques used to detect rosemary EO compounds were GC-FID (gas chromatography - flame ionization detection) and GC–MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry). The main constituents found were 1,8-cineole (53.92%), α-pinene (15.86%), β-pinene (10.79%), and camphor (7.99%). Additionally, the antioxidant activity of the rosemary EO was determined by the DPPH (Free radical-scavenging activity) (24.66 µg mL−1) and FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power) (35.16 mmol Fe2+ L −1) tests. The chemical composition together with the antioxidant effect and the most widely recognized anti-infectious properties of the used rosemary EO could explain its role in the inhibition of both enzymatic browning and microbial growth in culture media. These results could be a scope for further screening of EOs to be used for the improvement of in vitro culture of A. vera and other industrial crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Starch modified with octenyl succinic anhydride is efficient for encapsulating essential oils • The thermal stability of essential oils was increased by microencapsulation in modified starch • Microcapsules with clove or white thyme essential oils reduce the proliferation of Penicillium digitatum. The objective of this study was to develop microcapsules based on starch modified by octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) containing clove essential oil (CEO) and white thyme essential oil (WTEO) in different concentrations. Two key components can be highlighted: (1) starch, a polysaccharide from natural and renewable sources, and (2) essential oils, due to their bioactive potential. The microcapsules were produced by electrospraying and evaluated for morphology, particle size distribution, loading capacity, thermal properties, functional groups, and antifungal activity against Penicillium digitatum , evaluated by microatmosphere and agar diffusion. The microcapsules presented a spherical and uniform shape. The loading capacity of the microcapsules ranged from 69 to 83%, with the capsule with 4% CEO presenting the highest loading potential. The analysis of functional groups suggested a molecular interaction between the EOs and the wall material. Thermogravimetric properties demonstrated that starch-OSA was able to protect the volatile compounds of EOs and delay their thermal degradation, suggesting that starch-OSA was efficient as a wall material to encapsulate EOs. The starch-OSA microcapsules added with 4% CEO and 4% WTEO stood out for presenting the most extensive halos of inhibition of P. digitatum mycelial growth. The results demonstrate the potential application of microcapsules with both EOs as an antifungal agent against the fungus P. digitatum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study involved preparing and applying edible nano-emulsion coatings containing hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), beeswax (BW), and essential oils (thyme, cinnamon, clove, and peppermint) onto sweet cherries. The application was conducted at 4 °C, and the coated cherries were stored for 36 days. This research examines synthesized nano-emulsions physicochemical properties and antibacterial and antifungal activities (C 1 , C 2 , and C 3). Additionally, it evaluates the quality parameters of control and coated sweet cherry samples. The features of the three edible coatings were assessed, and the findings from the zeta sizer, zeta potential, FTIR, and SEM analyses were deemed satisfactory. It was observed that the application of nano-emulsion coating C 1 yielded positive results in maintaining quality attributes such as total suspended solids (TSS), total solids (TS), color, weight loss, respiration rate, firmness, total phenolic contents, and sensory evaluations. Nano-emulsion coating C 1 demonstrated efficacy as an antibacterial and antifungal agent against foodborne pathogens E. coli and A. niger , respectively. The current research results are promising and applicable in food industries. The implications suggest that composite nano-emulsion, specifically nano-emulsion edible coatings, can be extensively and effectively used to preserve the quality and shelf life of fruits and vegetables. Furthermore, the environmental waste from conventional food packaging will be minimized using edible packaging applications. • Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose nanoemulsion was prepared to assess the shelf-life properties of coated sweet cherries. • The prepared nanoemulsion coating has shown physicochemical, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. • The prepared C1 coating was found effective against E. coli and A. niger microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to develop, optimize, and evaluate a new antifungal nanoemulsion system based on the crude reuterin-synergistic essential oils (EOs) hybrid to overcome the EOs application limits. At first, the antifungal effects of the Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus reuteri cell-free extracts (CFE) were tested against the Botrytis cinerea , Penicillium expansum , and Alternaria alternata as indicator fungus using broth microdilution method. The L. reuteri CFE with the MIC of 125 μL/mL for B. cinerea and 250 μL/mL for P. expansum and A. alternata showed more inhibitory effects than L. plantarum. Next, reuterin as a significant antibacterial compound in the L. reuteri CFE was induced in glycerol-containing culture media. To reach a nanoemulsion with maximum antifungal activity and stability, the reuterin concentration, Tween 80 %, and ultrasound time were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) with a volumetric constant ratio of 5 % v /v oil phase including triple synergistic EOs (thyme, cinnamon, and rosemary) at MIC concentrations. Based on the Box-Behnken Design, the maximum antifungal effect was observed in the treatment with 40 mM reuterin, 1 % Tween 80, and 3 min of ultrasound. The growth inhibitory diameter zones of B. cinerea , P. expansum , and A. alternata were estimated 6.15, 4.25, and 4.35 cm in optimum nanoemulsion, respectively. Also, the minimum average particle size diameter (16.3 nm) was observed in nanoemulsion with reuterin 40 mM, Tween 80 5 %, and 3 min of ultrasound treatment. Zeta potential was relatively high within −30 mV range in all designed nanoemulsions which indicates the nanoemulsion's stability. Also, the prepared nanoemulsions, despite initial particle size showed good stability in a 90-d storage period at 25 °C. In vivo assay, showed a significant improvement in the protection of apple fruit treated with reuterin-EOs nanoemulsions against fungal spoilage compared to free reuterin nanoemulsion. Treatment of apples with nanoemulsion containing 40 mM reuterin showed a maximum inhibitory effect on B. cinerea (5.1 mm lesion diameter compared to 29.2 mm for control fruit) within 7 d at 25 °C. In summary, the present study demonstrated that reuterin-synergistic EOs hybrid with boosted antifungal activities can be considered as a biopreservative for food applications. • Antifungal effect of L. routeri and L. plantarium cell free extracts was tested. • Reuterin-synergistic Essential oils nanoemulsion was successfully developed. • The nanoemulsion antifungal activity & stability were optimized using RSM approach. • Reuterin-EOs nanoemulsion boosted antifungal activities in vitro as well as in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionotropic gelation is a low-cost, easy and green microencapsulation technique. However, the encapsulation of highly soluble compounds is challenging because of the wide loss of material into the external water phase by passive diffusion and the consequent low encapsulation efficiency. In this work an important increase of encapsulation efficiency for Thymus vulgaris L. aqueous extract in alginate-based microparticles has been obtained. A formulation with the proper thyme extract/alginate ratio (30:70) was used as reference and then optimized by adding different co-carrier excipients. Microparticles obtained by dropping a solution containing thyme extract and alginate into a chitosan/calcium-chloride/acid acetic solution lead to a high encapsulation efficiency (70.43 ± 5.28 %). After drying, microparticles had a particle size of 1096 ± 72 μm, 20.087 ± 1.487 % of extract content, 6.2 % of residual water, and showed a complete release of thyme extract within one hour. Combining alginate and chitosan as polymeric co-carrier was a valuable option for efficiently encapsulating an aqueous extract by ionotropic gelation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Origanum vulgare and Thymus vulgaris show significant adulticidal activity. • Important repellent activity of Thymus vulgaris essential oil. • Morphological differences highlighted in the larvae treated with the essential oils. • Essential oil of two spices can be used to control A. aegypti larvae and mosquitoes. The high incidence of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika indicates the importance of controlling the vector of these arboviruses in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. However, vector control is hindered by pesticide resistance and the limited success of biocontrol programs against Aedes mosquitoes. Despite these difficulties, the study of common plant species, including those with commercial value, can offer effective and ecological tools in the fight against mosquitoes. In the present study, the essential oils obtained from the aerial parts of Origanum vulgare L. and Thymus vulgaris L. were analyzed by GC–MS and evaluated for their larvicidal, adulticidal and repellent activities against Aedes aegypti L. The main constituents of the O. vulgare essential oil were terpinen-4-ol (17.4%), carvacrol (16.0%) and thymol (10.4%), and the main constituents of the T. vulgaris essential oil were thymol (40.0%), p -cymene (19.3%) and γ-terpinene (17.3%). Both essential oils were toxic to Ae. aegypti larvae with LC 50 values of 37.5 μg/mL for O. vulgare and 38.9 μg/mL for T. vulgaris. For adult mosquitoes, the LC 50 values were 14.3 and 11.7 μg/mL, respectively. The essential oils of O. vulgare and T. vulgaris showed a significant repellency effect, with values ranging from 8.9% to 37.8% and 4.4% to 68.9%, respectively. In addition, morphological differences between larvae treated with the EOs and the control group were evidenced by optical microscopy. Thus, the results suggest that the essential oils of O. vulgare and T. vulgaris have potential use as an ecofriendly source to develop new insecticides for the control of Ae. aegypti. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to develop potato starch nanocomposite films containing mesoporous nano-silica (SBA-15, SBA-16 and MCM-41) incorporated with Thyme essential oil (TEO). TEO-SBA-15/potato starch films, TEO-SBA-16/potato starch films and TEO-MCM-41/potato starch films were prepared based on potato starch. The physical and mechanical properties of the nanocomposite films were also investigated. The results showed that the addition of mesoporous nano-silica incorporated with TEO improved the properties of potato starch nanocomposite films. Especially, the addition of TEO-MCM-41 markedly enhanced the tensile strength (4.33 MPa), and reduced the water vapor permeability (1.80 g·m−1·h−1·KPa−1) and moisture absorption (37.67%) of potato starch nanocomposite films. The results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that TEO-MCM-41 hardly agglomerated in the potato starch nanocomposite films. Additionally, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed that strong hydrogen bonds were formed between TEO-MCM-41 and potato starch. The release kinetics of TEO proved that incorporating TEO into the pores of mesoporous nano-silica could delay its release rate, and the Peleg model (t/(M t − M 0) = K 1 + K 2 t) was suitable for describing the release behavior. The findings of this study suggested that TEO-MCM-41/potato starch films had a good application prospect in the field of slow-releasing and antimicrobial packaging materials. • TEO was successfully loaded into mesoporous nano-silica. • TEO-MCM-41 better improved tensile strength of potato starch films. • TEO, mesoporous nano-silica and potato starch in films had a good compatibility. • The Peleg model well described the sustained release behavior of the TEO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Humidity-responsive nanofiber film for Thyme control release. • Innovative gas generation in nanofibers for sensitive thyme control release. • The nanofiber film displays remarkable attributes for fruit preservation. • Gas-enhanced release offers new insights for nanofiber-based controlled release designs. The preservation of fruits using slow-release packaging for Thyme essential oil (THY) encounters a significant challenge associated with premature release. Therefore, the development of a controlled release system for essential oils is essential to enhance preservation and reduce wastage. This study introduces a novel humidity-responsive nanofiber film enhanced by gas generation for controlled THY release. This film can generate CO2 gas within its nanofibers in high humidity environments, facilitating the release of loaded THY. The film exhibits excellent humidity-responsive release properties and possesses notable antimicrobial and antifungal characteristics. It effectively extends the shelf life of strawberries, inhibits microbial growth, reduces weight loss, and mitigates hardness reduction. The humidity-responsive nanofiber film effectively addresses the issue of premature THY release, presenting significant potential for fruit preservation applications. Furthermore, this gas-enhanced release approach enhances the sensitivity of stimulus-responsive release, providing novel insights into the design of nanofiber-based controlled release systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essential oils of Thymus vulgaris (TVEO) and Thymus serpyllum (TSEO) show different biological activities. The aim of the study was to evaluate the biological activities of TVEO and TSEO from Montenegro. The main components of TVEO were p -cymene (29.52%), thymol (22.8%) and linalool (4.73%) while the main components of TSEO were p -cymene (19.04%), geraniol (11,09%), linalool (9.16%), geranyl acetate (6.49%) and borneol (5.24%). Antioxidant activity determined via DPPH for TVEO was 4.49 and FRAP 1130.27, while for TSEO it was estimated that DPPH was 4.88 μL/mL and FRAP was 701.25 μmol FRAP/L. Both essential oils were active against all tested bacteria, with the highest level of sensitivity of E. coli with MIC of 1.5625 μL/mL. Essential oils showed strong cytotoxic effects on human cancer cell lines, with IC50 values ranging from 0.20 to 0.24 μL/mL for TVEO and from 0.32 to 0.49 μL/mL for TSEO. TVEO caused apoptosis in cervical adenocarcinoma HeLa cells through activation of caspase-3 and caspase-8, while TSEO caused apoptosis through caspase-3. EOs decreased levels of oxidative stress in normal MRC-5 cells. HeLa cells treated with TVEO had reduced MMP2 expression levels, while cells treated with TSEO had lowered MMP2 and MMP9 levels. The treatment of HeLa cells with TVEO increased the levels of miR-16 and miR-34a, indicating potential tumor-suppressive properties. Our findings suggest that Thymus essential oils may be considered as good candidates for further investigation as cancer-chemopreventive and cancer-therapeutic agents. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed to assess the synergistic antibacterial effects of thyme and oregano essential oils in various ratios (thyme:oregano; 10:0, 8:2, 6:4, 4:6, 2:8, 10:0). We hypothesized that the synergistic combination of thyme and oregano essential oils can be effectively incorporated into sericin/pectin film to enhance its functional properties. Among the combinations tested, the mixture of thyme/oregano essential oil (TOE) at an 8:2 ratio exhibited the most potent synergistic activity against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus , with fractional inhibitory concentration index (FIC index) of 0.9. In this combination, thymol constituting 51.83 % of TOE (8:2), was the predominant component. TOE at an 8:2 ratio was selected to incorporate into sericin/pectin film. Different concentrations of TOE (0.8 %, 1.2 % and 1.6 %) were applied to evaluate their impact on film properties compared to a film without essential oil (control). It was found that increasing TOE concentration (control; 0 %) to 1.6 % reduced film moisture content (from 21.53 % to 16.91 %), decreased yellowness (from 18.24 to 15.92), diminished gloss (from 63.79 to 11.18), lowered swelling index (from 1.24 to 0.98), and reduced tensile strength (from 9.70 to 4.14 MPa). However, the addition of TOE showed higher film total phenolic content (8.59–31.53 mg gallic acid/g dry sample) and increased antioxidant activity (0.99–3.68 μmol Trolox /g dry sample). Moreover, the film with 1.2 % and 1.6 % of thyme/oregano essential oil exhibited inhibitory effects against all tested bacteria. Therefore, the thyme/oregano essential oil combination can provide the desirable physicochemical properties of the sericin/pectin film, as well as its antibacterial and antioxidant activities, making it a promising alternative for food packaging material applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study involves a comparison between two application methods: traditional vacuum packaging and a film coating using thyme essential oil (TEO). The objective is to evaluate how effective these techniques are in preserving the quality and longevity of date fruit for storage periods of up to six months. The results highlighted that the selection of the preservation technique significantly affected various aspects. Thyme-coated dates (CD) exhibited notably higher moisture retention (35.1%), especially when stored in cold conditions. Additionally, CD showed reduced browning rates, attributed to its ascorbic acid content (0.112 and 0.094) in both cold and room temperature storage after six months. Furthermore, CD generally maintained lower sugar levels compared to the highest value, and after four months of storage, it displayed significantly higher flavonoid levels (119,313 μg/mL). In terms of microbial growth, CD experienced significantly greater bacterial growth during cold storage (9.34 log10 CFU/g after four months), but lower growth when stored at room temperature (8.66 log10 CFU/g after four months). Interestingly, CD initially demonstrated the least fungal growth at both cold and room temperatures, while vacuum packaging (VP) showed the lowest growth after six months. This research suggests that thyme coating presents itself as a promising and environmentally friendly solution for extending the shelf life and preserving the quality of date fruit. However, it's essential to carefully consider the choice of storage conditions and duration. These findings hold significance for producers, consumers, and the entire supply chain within the date industry. • Polyphenols and antioxidant activity showed complex responses to time, technique, and T°. • Factorial ANOVA models help to understand fruit postharvest evolution. • Thyme essential oil and ascorbic acid film can reduce fungal growth. • Coated dates' browning index decreases during storage. • Vacuum packaging had the highest antioxidant activity after six months of storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edible coatings have potential to decrease the postharvest losses of several horticultural commodities however; there is no systematic investigation focusing on fresh herbaceous aromatic plants such as basil. Herein, the effects of chitosan (CS), chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) and thyme volatile oil (TVO) loaded CSNPs (TVO-CSNPs) as edible coatings on preserving the quality of sweet basil leaves were investigated. All CS coatings considerably extended the shelf life and decreased the weight loss of basil leaves relative to the control. Using TVO-CSNPs showed 2.4-fold higher shelf life than the control. The loss in photosynthetic pigments and volatile oil content were significantly retarded by CS applications more so with TVO-CSNPs treatment. Contrary, treated leaves produced lower malondialdehyde (MDA) and H 2 O 2 and therefore retained the membrane functions compared to the control. All CS applications particularly with TVO-CSNPs considerably motivated the activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes and reduced the polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and lipoxyganase (LOX) activities relative to uncoated leaves. Overall, using TVO-CSNPs as an edible coating has a great potential in shelf life extension of basil leaves with satisfactory exterior and interior quality. Thus, it can be a promising approach to preserve the quality of fresh cut aromatic herbs. • TVO-CSNPs edible coating extended the shelf life of basil leaves. • Photosynthetic pigments were maintained during shelf life in treated leaves. • All CS coatings decreased lipid peroxidation and preserve the cell membrane. • TVO-CSNPs can be a novel coating to keep the quality of fresh cut aromatic herbs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenolic compounds and essential oils with high content of phenolic compounds have been reported to exert antimicrobial activities in vitro. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dairy cow diet supplementation with thyme oil and its main component thymol on intake and total-tract apparent digestibility of nutrients, rumen fermentation characteristics, ruminal protozoa, nitrogen excretion, and milk production. For this aim, we used 8 multiparous, ruminally cannulated Holstein cows in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design (28 d periods), balanced for residual effects. Cows were fed 1 of the 4 following experimental treatments: total mixed ration (TMR) with no additive (control); TMR + monensin [24 mg/kg of dry matter (DM)]; TMR + thyme oil (50 mg/kg of DM); and TMR + thymol (50 mg/kg of DM). Compared with the control diet, feeding thyme oil or thymol had no effect on DM intake, nutrient total-tract apparent digestibility, total N excretion, ruminal pH, ammonia concentration, total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration, or acetate:propionate ratio. Ruminal protozoa density was not modified by thyme oil, but decreased with thymol supplementation. Supplementation with thyme oil or thymol did not affect milk production, milk composition, or efficiency of milk production. Neither thyme oil nor thymol affected efficiency of dietary N use for milk N secretion (N intake/milk N). Supplementation with monensin tended to decrease DM intake (–1.2 kg/d) and milk fat yield. Total-tract apparent digestibility of nutrients did not differ between cows fed monensin and cows fed the control diet. Total VFA concentration was not changed by monensin supplementation compared with control, but adding monensin shifted the VFA profile toward more propionate and less acetate, resulting in a decrease of acetate:propionate ratio. Protozoa density and ammonia concentration were lower in the ruminal content of cows fed monensin compared with that of cows fed the control diet. Total N excretion was not affected by monensin supplementation. Likewise, efficiency of use of dietary N for milk N secretion was unchanged in cows fed monensin. The results of this study contrasted with the claimed in vitro antimicrobial activity of thyme oil and thymol: we observed no positive effects on rumen metabolism (i.e., N and VFA) or milk performance in dairy cows. Under the conditions of this study, including thyme oil or thymol at 50 mg/kg of DM had no benefits for rumen fermentation, nutrient utilization and milk performance in dairy cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purposes of this study were to develop stable thyme essential oil chitosan nanoemulsions (TEO-CSs) and thymol chitosan nanoemulsions (T-CSs), and to evaluate their characterization and antibacterial properties. The effects of the TEO-CSs and T-CSs on preservation of refrigerated pork at 4 °C were also assessed. The results indicated that the mean particle size values of the TEO-CSs and T-CSs were 139.47 and 123.30 nm, and the encapsulation efficiencies were 80.99% and 70.72%. The absolute zeta potential values of the TEO-CSs and T-CSs were 30.87 and 32.42 mV respectively, indicating that the stable TEO-CSs and T-CSs were fabricated. The information on FTIR, XRD and TGA inferred that chitosan was physically mixed with thymol and TEO without chemical reaction, and the antibacterial properties of thymol and TEO still remained. Furthermore, the antibacterial assays verified that the TEO-CSs and T-CSs strongly inhibited Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) planktonic bacteria and biofilms. Fresh pork treated with the TEO-CSs and T-CSs had significantly improved color parameters (a⁎, b⁎, L⁎ and ΔE values) during storage at 4 °C. The TEO-CSs and T-CSs effectively extended the shelf life of refrigerated pork to more than 6 days by measuring the pH values and total viable count (TVC) of bacteria. Our results highlighted that the TEO-CSs and T-CSs, as natural novel antibacterial packaging materials, had outstanding antibacterial activities and effectively preserved food. • TEO-CS and T-CS nanoemulsions were fabricated and evaluated. • Chitosan interacted with TEO and thymol via hydrogen bond respectively. • A series of properties of TEO-CS and T-CS nanoemulsions were enhanced. • TEO-CS and T-CS nanoemulsions significantly extended the shelf life of fresh pork. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inhibitory and bactericidal activities of thyme oil against the foodborne multiple antibiotics-resistant Enterococcus faecalis biofilm were evaluated in this study. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed that more than 70% of the composition of thyme oil is thymol. Crystal violet staining assay showed that 128 and 256 mg/mL thyme oil significantly inhibited the biofilm formation of E. faecalis. The cell adherence of E. faecalis, as shown by its swimming and swarming motilities, was reduced by thyme oil. The exopolysaccharide (EPS) quantification assay showed that thyme oil inhibited the EPS synthesis in E. faecalis biofilms. The 3D-view observations through confocal laser scanning and scanning electron microscopy suggested that cell adherence and biofilm thickness were decreased in thyme oil-treated biofilms. Quantitative real-time analyses showed that the transcription of ebp and epa gene clusters, which were related to cell mobility and EPS production, was inhibited by thyme oil. Thus, thyme oil effectively inhibited the biofilm formation of E. faecalis by affecting cell adherence and EPS synthesis. Furthermore, 2,048 and 4,096 mg/mL thyme oil can effectively inactivate E. faecalis population in the mature E. faecalis biofilms by 5.75 and 7.20 log CFU/mL, respectively, after 30 min of treatment. Thus, thyme oil at different concentrations can be used as an effective antibiofilm or germicidal agent to control E. faecalis biofilms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal and aromatic plants are garnering an increasing interest in industry, academia and health sciences. In passing from plant production to the bioactive product used by Human, many research studies are involved. The current research aimed to determine the chemical composition and to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of the essential oil extracted from the black psyllium (Plantago afra L.). The aerial parts essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation was analyzed using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and flame ionization detection (GC-FID), whereas the microdilution technique was developed to evaluate its antimicrobial efficacy. The main identified constituents were thymol (14.3%), 3-[4-(t-Butyl) phenyl] furan-2,5‑dione (12.7%), palmitic acid (8.9%) and eudesmane (4.7%). The antimicrobial activities were assessed against five standard bacterial strains: Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739), Salmone lla enterica (CIP 8039), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 9027), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633) along with the yeast Candida albicans (ATCC 30031). The results demonstrated that the effective Plantago afra essential oil could be potentially utilised in controlling some phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the presence of antibiotics (ANB) residues was evaluated in poultry meat purchased from German and Lithuanian markets. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of 13 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains, 2 essential oils (EO) (Thymus vulgaris and Origanum vulgare L.), and their compositions were tested for the purpose of inhibiting antibiotic-resistant Salmonella spp. ANB residues were found in 3 out of the 20 analyzed poultry meat samples: sample no. 8 contained enrofloxacin (0.46 μg/kg), sample no. 14 contained both enrofloxacin and doxycycline (0.05 and 16.8 μg/kg, respectively), and sample no. 18 contained enrofloxacin (2.06 μg/kg). The maximum residue limits (MRLs) for the sum of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin and for doxycycline in the poultry muscle are 100 μg/kg. Finally, none of the tested poultry meat samples exceeded the suggested MRLs; however, the issue of ANB residues still requires monitoring of the poultry industry in Germany, Poland, and Lithuania, despite the currently established low ANB concentrations. These findings can be explained by the increased use of alternatives to ANB in the poultry industry. Our results showed that an effective alternative to ANB, which can help to reduce the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant salmonella, is a composition containing 1.0% of thyme EO and the following LAB strains: Lactobacillus plantrum LUHS122, Enteroccocus pseudoavium LUHS242, Lactobacillus casei LUHS210, Lactobacillus paracasei LUHS244, Lactobacillus plantarum LUHS135, Lactobacillus coryniformins LUHS71, and Lactobacillus uvarum LUHS245, which can be recommended for poultry industry as components of feed or for the treatment of surfaces, to control the contamination with Salmonella strains. However, it should be mentioned that most of the tested LAB strains were inhibited by thyme EO at the concentrations of 0.5 and 1.0%, except for LUHS122, LUHS210, and LUHS245. Finally, it can be noted that the agents responsible for the inhibitory effect on Salmonella are not the viable LAB strains but rather their metabolites, and further studies are needed to identify which metabolites are the most important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to utilize self-assembly properties of sodium caseinate to prepare nanoemulsions after neutralization of alkaline mixtures with 2% w/v caseinate and up to 3% v/v thyme oil. The encapsulation efficiency was >90% at a surfactant-to-oil ratio of up to 1:1.25. The nanoemulsions had structures smaller than 75 nm according to atomic force microscopy and stable hydrodynamic diameters of ~90–200 nm during 20-day storage at room temperature. When tested against Escherichia coli O157:H7 ATCC 43895 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 in tryptic soy broth and milk, the encapsulated thyme oil was more active than free thyme oil. Additionally, S. aureus was more resistant than E. coli O157:H7, requiring 11.7 and 5 g/L of encapsulated thyme oil, respectively, to completely deactivate bacteria in milk in 4 h. The findings suggest that thyme oil nanoemulsions can be potentially used as natural preservatives to improve food safety. • Nanoemulsions were formed after neutralizing alkaline sodium caseinate-thyme oil. • The encapsulation efficiency was >90% at a surfactant-to-oil ratio of up to 1:1.25. • All nanoemulsions had stable hydrodynamic diameters of ~90–200 nm during storage. • Nanoemulsion improved the activity of thyme oil against E. coli O157:H7 and S. aureus. • The activity was lower in milk than in tryptic soy broth, especially against S. aureus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organo-hydrogels are widely used in various fields, due to functional organic ingredients immobilized by the gel network or stored and protected by the gels. Herein, cellulose acetoacetate (CAA) served as reactive natural polymer emulsifier to stabilize thyme oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions. Hydroxypropyl chitosan (HPCS) was added to the continuous phase in emulsions to achieve the organo-hydrogel via the enamine bonds under mild conditions. The thyme@CAA emulsion with different loadings of the inner phase (up to 50%) displayed uniform droplets distribution (3–5 μm) and favorable stability. The organo-hydrogel was systematically analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, optical microscope, rheology analyses. The emulsion droplets evenly dispersed in the three-dimensional network. The modulus of organo-hydrogels depended on the viscosity of precursor emulsions and the crosslinking density. The resulting organo-hydrogel displayed favorable antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus. CAA, as the reactive emulsifier and crosslinking agent, was a promising alternative candidate to fabricate a series of organo-hydrogel. • CAA served as reactive polymer emulsifier to prepare thyme oil-in-water emulsions. • Antimicrobial organo-hydrogel was prepared by mixing thyme@CAA emulsion and HPCS. • CAA was a promising alternative candidate to prepare a series of organo-hydrogel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thymus algeriensis (T. algeriensis) is traditionally used in Tunisia to treat many human diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether terpenes extracted from the aerial parts of T. algeriensis are potent cardioprotective agents for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced cardiotoxicity in rats.Method: Thirty (30) rats were divided into six groups as per the experimental design: control (n = 6); 0.1 mmol/L H2O2 (LD H2O2) (n = 6); 1 mmol/L H2O2 (HD H2O2) (n = 6); oily fraction of T. algeriensis (OFTS) (180 mg/kg b.wt) (n = 6); OFTS + 0.1 mmol/L H2O2 (n = 6); and OFTS + 1 mmol/L H2O2 (n = 6).Results: The H2O2 demonstrated concentration-dependent cardiotoxic effects in vitro. While, exposure of rats to OFTS significantly depleted H2O2-induced protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation, it raised antioxidant defence enzymes, and protected against H2O2-induced histopathological alterations. The antioxidant potential of the thyme essence was assessed by both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants.Conclusion: In conclusion, OFTS may be a potential compound for the therapy of oxidative stress-induced heart disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Botanicals, rich in bioactive components, have great promise as plant protectants. The current study aims at developing oil-in-water nanoemulsions using thyme oil (TO) alone and in combination with licorice aqueous extract (LAE) and comparing their efficacies against Colletotrichum capsici , the causal agent of anthracnose disease in Capsicum annuum L. The optimized nanoemulsions developed with TO alone (TFO4) and with LAE (TFO4-10LAE) with droplet size (Z-average diameter) of 24.33 ± 0.86 nm and 217.0 ± 5.9 nm, respectively, exhibited promising results pertaining to their stability and shelf life. As evidenced by their two-year shelf life testing, the nanoemulsions were observed to be stable. The TFO4-10LAE, having the bioactive molecules of LAE and TO intact (GC-MS and FT-IR analyses) and inhibiting the production of ergosterol, displayed synergistic and better antifungal activity (Minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC 2.5 mg ml-1) than TFO4 containing only TO (MIC 4 mg ml-1). During in-planta assay, TFO4-10LAE applied as a seed-foliar application at MIC significantly reduced the disease severity index (DSI) to 20.37 % over control (62.96 %), along with the improved activity of induced resistance enzymes and plant growth parameters. The life cycle assessment showed that the production of TFO4-10LAE nanoemulsion has a lesser negative impact on the environment than that of chemical pesticides. This work will pave the path for future research and development of pesticide alternatives that are safer, sustainable, and more effective than synthetic ones for crops of industrial importance. [Display omitted] • Nanoemulsion formulations were developed using low-energy emulsification method. • Synergism between TO and LAE remained intact in the formulation. • TFO4-10LAE possesses higher antifungal efficacy than TFO4. • Disease reduction due to nanoemulsions was at par with the chemical pesticides. • LCA confirmed the environmental sustainability of TFO4-10LAE production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ivy and thyme aqueous extracts and potassium sorbate were determined by HPLC-DAD. • Accuracy and precision were evaluated vs target measurement uncertainty. • The DAD peak suppression was utilized for determination of potassium sorbate. • Self-Validated Ensemble Modelling was used for assessment of procedure robustness. • Comparative greenness and whiteness evaluation showed procedure supremacy. A stability-indicating fit-for-purpose method has been developed for co-determination of hederacoside C (HC), thymol (TL), and potassium sorbate (PS) combined in a syrup dosage form. Carvacrol (CL) was separated from thyme extract (THY) with demonstrated identity at high confidence. This method was based on a reversed-phase (RP) high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) separation of the cited analytes. The HPLC separation was performed on a RP Zorbax Eclipse XDB-C18 analytical column [250 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm (80 Å)] and SecurityGuard C18 guard column (4 × 3 mm, 5 µm) with gradient elution system of HPLC far UV grade acetonitrile and 20 mM aqueous potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer adjusted to pH 2.1 as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 2.5 mL min−1 and column oven was set at 50 °C. Quantitation was achieved with the photodiode array detection (DAD) with interferent peak suppression. Target Measurement Uncertainty (TMU) was determined by misclassification rates approach employing 100,000 Monte Carlo simulations (MCS). The bias and imprecision standard deviation were combined as a total analytical error (TAE) and compared via an enhanced approach linked to product specifications, process variation, and shelf-life variability for proving a fit-for-purpose analytical procedure. The robustness of the method was checked using supersaturated design constructed from Plackett-Burman design (PB-SSD) which was statistically analysed via the very recent approach of autovalidation using self-validated ensemble modelling (SVEM). The calibration graphs for each analyte were rectilinear in the range of 42.12–560.00, 3.37–47.15 and 0.51–7.07 µg mL−1 for PS, HC, and TL, respectively. The proposed HPLC-DAD method was successfully applied for the determination of the investigated analytes in a syrup formula. Moreover, the whiteness and greenness of the procedure were assessed via the most recently cited approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial biofilms pose a significant challenge in various industries, including healthcare and food production, as they can lead to persistent infections, antibiotic resistance, and contamination. Targeted antimicrobial therapies hold great potential for mitigating the detrimental effects of biofilms. New amphiphilic chitosans (ACSs) were prepared and used in combination with thyme extract (TE) as synergistic reducing and stabilizing agents in the preparation of biofunctionalized nanosilver (amphiphilic chitosans-TE-nanosilver, ACSs-TE-Ag) for antibacterial and anti-biofilm applications. ACSs-TE-Ag nanocomposites can synergistically inhibt bacterial proliferation and biofilm formation. ACS 2 -TE-Ag was the most effective antibacterial agent against E. coli and S. aureus , with MIC values of 0.63 and 1.14 μg/mL, respectively. SEM analysis of the treated bacterial cells showed that ACSs-TE-Ag's greater activity is due to their capacity to rupture the bacterial cell membrane, causing intracellular content leaking and cell death. ACSs-TE-Ag can prevent biofilms by inhibiting bacterial cells from adhering to coated surfaces and killing cells in submerged cultures or biofilms. The ACSs-TE-Ag nanocomposites exhibit strong bactericidal impacts, disrupt biofilm formation, inhibits bacterial adhesion, and effectively kill bacterial cells within the biofilm matrix. Furthermore, its biocompatibility and low cytotoxicity make it a potential candidate for various biomedical applications. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep-fat fried foods are a popular choice in the United States, known for their delicious taste and affordability. However, they often absorb excessive amounts of oil during frying, leading to accelerated lipid oxidation and reduced shelf life. This study introduced an innovative approach by developing edible coatings from oleogels (OGC) loaded with thyme essential oil (TEO) at varying concentrations (0 %, 0.5 %, 1 %, and 2 % v/v). Uncoated samples were also included as controls to assess the effect of the coating on chicken nuggets. The aim was to explore their effectiveness in enhancing the physicochemical properties and sensory attributes of deep-fat fried chicken nuggets. Results indicated that the incorporation of TEO effectively reduced coating pickup in coated samples. Furthermore, these oleogel-based coatings significantly minimized moisture loss and fat uptake in chicken nuggets, improving both lightness (L*) and a* values without significant changes in pH values or textural parameters. Most notably, increasing TEO concentration led to a remarkable two-fold reduction in peroxide values compared to the control. Importantly, sensory analysis revealed that the addition of TEO to the coating does not compromise the overall sensory quality of the fried products. This study suggests promising future applications of OGC and TEO blends in mitigating quality degradation in deep-fat fried foods. These findings hold great potential for the food industry, offering a pathway to healthier, longer-lasting fried products with enhanced sensory appeal. [Display omitted] • An oleogel-based coating (OGC) was developed with thyme essential oil (TEO). • The OGC/TEO coating restricted moisture loss and fat uptake with increased TEO concentration. • Increasing TEO concentration inhibited lipid oxidation. • OGC/TEO offered a novel formulation for improving the quality of fried chicken nuggets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The economic sustainability of guayule (Parthenium argentatum A. Gray) cultivation will largely depend on its profitability, which drives strategies for the integral utilization of its biomass. Because guayule resin has been proposed as a broad-spectrum biopesticide, the aim of the present study was to test and compare its bioactivity against the agricultural pest Labidostomis lusitanica (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Germar, with essential oils (EOs) from thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), savory (Satureja montana L.), and oregano (Origanum vulgare L.). Repellency, oviposition and feeding inhibition activity were measured using free choice assays under controlled conditions, and minimal inhibitory concentrations of guayule resin fractions and isolated compounds were determined. Finally, guayule resin was tested under simulated field conditions. Results showed that the solvent used to dissolve and apply the resin had a great impact on its performance. Guayule crude resin was more active than tested EOs, particularly as an antifeedant. However, its activity did not seem to be concentration dependent, and was effective within a narrow range. In contrast to low molecular-weight rubber (LMWR), which acted as attractant, the refined resin was repellent. Nevertheless, the two different enriched resin fractions, with sesquiterpene bioactive compounds acted as attractants and feeding stimulants, as well as the isolated compounds. In the semi-field trial, crude guayule resin again showed repellency and feeding deterrence, with no mortality, overall suggesting that while guayule resin is active against L. lusitanica , the compounds responsible for this activity are likely not the sesquiterpenes. • Guayule resin does not cause mortality on Labidostomis lusitanica. • Guayule resin shows antifeedant activity against Labidostomis lusitanica. • The activity is due to the synergistic effect between compounds. • The solvent used to dissolve the resin has a great impact on its bioactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ladakh, "the land of high-rising passes," is a cold arid desert located in the India's northernmost part of the Trans-Himalayan region. Traditional knowledge of medicinal plants in this fragile ecosystem is an important part of the primary healthcare system, particularly in remote areas where modern medical facilities are not fully operational. There is a need to update the traditional information on medicinal plants from time to time to understand any addition of plants or uses to assist in developing new drugs through pharmacological and phytochemical studies. The study was conducted to document the traditional knowledge and current therapeutic practices of the indigenous communities of Ladakh. Besides, the study strives to evaluate previous studies from Ladakh to identify plants that have not been previously reported for medicinal use. Ethnomedicinal information was collected from 350 local informants through open and semi-structured questionnaires and field surveys in 35 villages of 8 regions of Ladakh. The primary data were analyzed for use reports (UR) and the informant consensus factor (ICF). The reported diseases were classified according to the International Classification of Primary Care-2 (ICPC-2). New reported medicinal plants and unreported medicinal uses in this study were identified and compared to 36 prior studies conducted in Ladakh. In the study, 176 medicinal plants belonging to 45 families and 131 genera were reported to treat 116 diseases of 16 (ICPC-2) groups with a total of 4841 use reports. Based on the highest use reports (UR), the most utilized species were Thymus linearis Benth. (134), followed by Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. (127) The highest informant consensus factor (ICF) was reported for Pregnancy, Childbearing, and Family Planning (ICF = 1) followed by respiratory (ICF = 0.91), and digestive (ICF = 0.90) disorders. Based on the comparative literature review, a total of 518 plant species (502 previously reported plus 16 newly cited) are being used in the Ladakh region. A total of 133 use reports for 16 newly cited plants using 30 diseases were recorded. The highest degree of overlapping of medicinal plants and uses for medicines was recorded in regions with comparable ethnicity, and shorter geographical distances. Based on the IUCN Red List, recorded medicinal plants include 7 critically endangered, 9 endangered, and 13 vulnerable species. Ladakh's indigenous populations use a diverse range of medicinal plants to treat a variety of illnesses. The introduction of species and medicinal uses not previously cited in the primary health care system demonstrates that shared knowledge of traditional medicine among Ladakhi is still rich. The medicinal value of preferred medicinal plants has already been validated, but some medicinal plants lack scientific validation. We recommend further scientific studies on Aconitum violaceum Jacquem. ex Stapf , Anaphalis nepalensis var. monocephala (DC.) Hand.-Mazz. , Allardia nivea Hook. f. & Thomson ex C.B. Clarke , Atriplex hortensis L. , Eriophyton tibeticum (Vatke) Ryding, Iris lactea Pall. and Rheum webbianum Royle. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) plant contains volatile oils, flavonoids and monoterpenoids, which are reputed to possess medicinal properties. The present study examined the effects of supplementary thyme intake on immunity responses, antioxidant indices, rumen enzymes concentrations and rumen bacteria composition in sheep. Six rumen-fistulated, 12-month-old Hu rams (63.1 ± 8.54 kg) were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design in which three levels of air-dried thyme were offered: 0 g/d (CON), 16 g/d (T 16) and 80 g/d (T 80). The serum concentrations of albumin (p = 0.06), total proteins (p = 0.06) and β-hydroxybutyric acid (p = 0.07) tended to increase linearly with an increase in thyme intake. Concentration of serum non-esterified fatty acids increased (p = 0.03) and changed quadratically (p = 0.02) with an increase in thyme intake. Serum antioxidant indices were not affected by thyme intake. The concentration of rumen lipase increased linearly (p < 0.01) with an increase in thyme intake, and was greater in the T 80 than the CON rams. Thyme intake increased (p < 0.05) the abundance of the rumen probiotics f__Lactobacillaceae, g__ Lactobacillus and o__Lactobacillales, and the abundance of g__ UCG - 002 and g__ Eubacterium _ saphenum _group. It was concluded that thyme can: 1) promote protein synthesis and utilization; 2) enhance immunity responses; 3) mediate energy metabolism; and 4) increase the abundance of rumen probiotics in sheep. In the current study, the best response was observed at an intake of 80 g of air-dried thyme/d. • Thyme intake increased the abundances of rumen probiotics in Hu rams. • Thyme promoted protein synthesis and utilization, and enhanced immunity responses. • Rumen concentration of lipase increased linearly with an increase in thyme intake. • Serum concentrations of albumin and proteins increased linearly with thyme intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to its beneficial effects on numerous acute and chronic health problems, kombucha drink (this term was used in the introduction to explain why kombucha was used as a starter culture) is characterized by the presence of a large number of acetic and lactic acid bacteria, which makes it a suitable alternative to starter culture in the production of fresh cheese. The valorization of the herbal dust, produced during the processing of tea, allows for obtaining various types of extracts rich in numerous bioactive compounds with significant antioxidant activity, why is the fortification of fresh cheese with wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) highly desirable. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of wild thyme in the form of ground, supercritical fluid extract, and dry extract on the physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, and sensory characteristics of functional fresh cheese after production and after ten days of storage. The greatest changes in physicochemical properties are associated with the increase in ash content and titratable acidity, but also with the decrease in pH of all samples during storage. The total phenols content increased in all samples during storage, especially in the one fortified with dry extract of wild thyme (from 1.86 ± 0.01 to 2.14 ± 0.01 mg GAE/g). The sample with wild thyme ground exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, especially ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), which increased from 13.8 ± 0.00 to 15.10 ± 0.00 μM Fe2+/g after ten days. After ten days, the sensory characteristics remained as high as at the time of evaluation after preparation, which clarifies that the addition of wild thyme had a very good effect on consumer acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Thymus is well identified as medicinal and aromatic plants because of their pharmacological and biological features. • Extensive evidences reveal the promising effects of Thymus essential oils. • The performance of Iranian Thyme oils was introduced as good potential of antibacterial and antifungal activities. • High efficacy and safety make them interesting alternative to synthetic drugs. Thymus , which includes around 215 species, is an important genus of the Lamiaceae family due to its production of secondary compounds. It comprises several species which are native to the Mediterranean region and can serve as valuable medicinal plants, because of their biological and pharmacological properties. In fact, the local populations often use it for different medicinal purposes, as expectorant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cardiac, antirheumatic, and diuretic. Many natural compounds extracted from Thymus display biological activities, with relevance to essential oils (EOs) which have arouse much interest. Thymus -derived EOs and their components have numerous applications as natural agents in food preservation, while also displaying antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. They are very interesting worldwide as potential sources of novel antimicrobial compounds to serve as alternatives to treat infectious diseases. However, there is not yet a thorough review of this genus from Iran. The present review was, therefore, conducted to discuss EO components, its biological activity, and to refer the molecular studies performed until present. This review is mainly meant to provide relevant information on the phytochemical features of Iranian Thymus species, with emphasis on EO, providing guidance for the selection of accessions or species with the best chemical profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work is to obtain a stable and natural antimicrobial delivery system. Thus, the effect of the addition of a natural polysaccharide such as welan gum on the linear viscoelastic properties, flow behaviour, droplet size distribution and physical stability of thyme oil/W emulsions formulated with a wheat-derived surfactant was studied. All emulsions obtained show submicron diameters regardless of the concentration of welan. Emulsion without gum shows Newtonian behaviour under steady shear. Meanwhile, emulsions containing welan gum show a weak gel-like behaviour with higher G′ and G″ values on increasing the content of gum in the emulsion. Their flow curves illustrate a shear thinning behaviour with much greater viscosity than that exhibited by emulsions without gum. This behaviour fits well to the Cross model. The main destabilization process of thyme oil/W emulsion without gum is creaming versus flocculation and coalescence in emulsions containing welan. Rheology, diffraction laser and multiple light scattering techniques have proved that welan gum is an important rheological modifier for thyme oil/W ecological emulsions, it being possible to control the rheological properties of these emulsions by adjusting the concentration of gum. However, welan gum does not improve the physical stability of these emulsions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Application of natural preservatives, such as essential oils, has attracted increasing attentions. Shirazi thyme essence with different phenolic compounds has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. While it is sensitive to light, oxygen, humidity and high temperature. In this study, nanofibers were prepared by gelatin/chitosan in ratios of 1:6,1:8 and 1:10 and thyme concentrations of 20 and 40% using nozzle-less electrospinning. Solution properties (i.e. viscosity and electrical conductivity) were measured. Results showed that encapsulation efficiency values were higher than 92% and loading capacity enhanced with increasing essence concentration. Diameter and morphology of fibers were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The nanofibers fabricated by gelatin/chitosan ratio of 1:6 containing 40% essences were the best samples with diameters in the range of 97-343 nm. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) indicated that not any chemical interaction was occurred between ingredients during electrospinning and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) data demonstrated that thermal stability of the essential oil enhanced by encapsulation. Antioxidant activity and antimicrobial property of pure and encapsulated essential oils against Clostridium perfringens were examined and approved the efficiency of encapsulation for protection of antioxidant activity. The nanofibers containing thyme essential oil were then used for reducing nitrite in sausages and their microbial properties, moisture content, pH, color and sensory features were evaluated. The results indicated that the encapsulated thyme essence had bactericidal effect against C. perfringens, did not have significant adverse impact on color and sensory properties of sausages in comparison to sample containing 120 ppm nitrite. The data showed that nanofiber containing thyme essential oil could be a suitable nitrite substitute for meat products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Nanoencapsulation is an innovative strategy that has possibility applications in many fields. • Colletotrichum species is one of the most important plant disease genera worldwide. • Nano-encapsulation of thyme and dill essential oils can improve the antifungal activity against Colletotrichum nymphaeae. • Nano-encapsulation could be developed into an efficient delivery system for copper based fungicides for plant protection. Abstract Nanotechnology is a quickly growing field and have been actually used in a varied assortment of marketable products worldwide. Nanoencapsulation demonstrations the advantage of more efficient and targeted use of pesticides in an environmentally friendly way. Research and development in post-harvest nanotechnology can help to preserve food freshness and quality and prevent diseases in a relatively safer way. In this regard, essential oils (EOs) represent promising agents for reducing food decay and development of pathogen microorganisms. The overall aim of the present study was to encapsulate Iranian thyme (Thymus daenensis L) and dill (Anethum graveolens L.) EOs in copper nanoparticles (NPs) and to evaluate their antifungal activity against the phytopathogen Colletotrichum nymphaeae. Encapsulation of thyme and dill EOs with copper NPs resulted effective in reducing the mycelium growth even by 90% after 9 days treatment. Furthermore a strong inhibitory effect on conidia germination of C. nymphaeae was observed. SEM observations indicated that C. nymphaeae treated with EOs, copper NPs and encapsulated EOs, showed deformation in mycelial growth and hyphae twisting. In summary, these results showed that nano-encapsulation of EOs with NPs, using safe materials, increased the perspective of their effectiveness as new plant disease management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A simple, rapid and non-expensive method is proposed to determine phenolic monoterpenes such as thymol and carvacrol in essential oils of thyme and oregano. The linear sweep voltammetry based on glassy carbon electrodes was the electrochemical technique used. Thymol and carvacrol have one main oxidation peak in non-aqueous media centered at about 1.3 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The electron transfer process is mainly diffusion controlled. The calibration plots generated using the commercial standards of thymol and carvacrol were used to estimate the total content in real samples. The calibration plots were linear in the concentration range from 8.5 × 10−5 to 1.3 × 10−3 mol L−1 and 7.9 × 10−5 to 1.2 × 10−3 mol L−1 for thymol and carvacrol, respectively. Results obtained with the electrochemical method are in good agreement with those of the official method (gas chromatography). In addition, the analytical procedure does not require previous preparation of the sample or modification of the electrode surface. The electrochemical technique used is very simple to apply. Under these conditions, the methodology proposed is a good, simple and fast option to perform a quality control of essential oils. Graphical abstract fx1 Highlights • A novel electroanalytical method was developed to determine phenolic monoterpenes. • The electrochemical techniques used were linear sweep and cyclic voltammetries. • Total content of thymol and carvacrol were determined in essential oil samples. • A simple and rapid method to determine thymol and carvacrol is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Antimicrobial activity of essential oils (EOs) was studied by gaseous contact. • Mexican oregano, thyme, and mustard EOs were studied against a panel of bacterial and fungal species. • Cytotoxicity and the immune response of tested EOs were also evaluated. • Studied microorganisms exhibited different sensitivity to tested EOs which displayed significant antimicrobial effects. • Results suggest that tested EOs can be utilized as an alternative to antimicrobial agents. Abstract The antimicrobial efficacy of essential oils (EOs) when applied in gaseous phase depends on the volatility of their compounds and their corresponding antimicrobial activities. The antimicrobial activity of EOs from Mexican oregano (Lippia berlandieri), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), or mustard (Brassica nigra) against a panel of bacterial and fungal species was studied by gaseous contact. Chemical composition of EOs was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for each EO was determined by the inverted-dish technique. Results showed that the tested EOs displayed significant (p < 0.05) antimicrobial effects with MICs in the range of 0.012–1.0 μg/mL of air. Identified compounds in the oils suggest that allyl isothiocyanate (in mustard EO); p -cymene, linalool, and thymol (in thyme EO); and p -cymene and carvacrol (in oregano EO) were the active compounds with antimicrobial activities. Evaluated microorganisms exhibited different sensitivity to tested EOs in gaseous phase, but bacterial strains are the most resistant to thyme and oregano EOs. The cytotoxicity and the immune response of the EOs were also evaluated using a human model of macrophages. Results of this study suggest that these EOs can be used as an alternative to antimicrobial agents in processed or packaged food because of the high volatility of their compounds with strong inhibitory effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]