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Food commodities are often contaminated by microbial pathogens in transit or during storage. Hence, mitigation of these pathogens is necessary to ensure the safety of food commodities. Globally, researchers used botanicals as natural additives to preserve food commodities from bio-deterioration, and advances were made to meet users' acceptance in this domain, as synthetic preservatives are associated with harmful effects to both consumers and environments. Over the last century, the genus Curcuma has been used in traditional medicine, and its crude and nanoencapsulated essential oils (EOs) and curcuminoids were used to combat harmful pathogens that deteriorate stored foods. Today, more research is needed for solving the problem of pathogen resistance in food commodities and to meet consumer demands. Therefore, Curcuma-based botanicals may provide a source of natural preservatives for food commodities that satisfy the needs both of the food industry and the consumers. Hence, this article discusses the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of EOs and curcuminoids derived from the genus Curcuma. Further, the action modes of Curcuma-based botanicals are explained, and the latest advances in nanoencapsulation of these compounds in food systems are discussed alongside knowledge gaps and safety assessment where the focus of future research should be placed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) is a high valued beverage worldwide since ancient times; more than three billion cups of tea are consumed each day. Leaf extracts of the plant are used for food preservation, cosmetics, and medicinal purposes. Nevertheless, tea contaminated with mycotoxins poses a serious health threat to humans. Mycotoxin production by tea fungi is induced by a variety of factors, including poor processing methods and environmental factors such as high temperature and humidity. This review summarizes the studies published to date on mycotoxin prevalence, toxicity, the effects of climate change on mycotoxin production, and the methods used to detect and decontaminate tea mycotoxins. While many investigations in this domain have been carried out on the prevalence of aflatoxins and ochratoxins in black, green, pu-erh, and herbal teas, much less information is available on zearalenone, fumonisins, and Alternaria toxins. Mycotoxins in teas were detected using several methods; the most commonly used being the High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection, followed by HPLC with tandem mass spectrometry, gas chromatography and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Further, mycotoxins decontamination methods for teas included physical, chemical, and biological methods, with physical methods being most prevalent. Finally, research gaps and future directions have also been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthracnose, caused by hemibiotrophic Colletotrichum spp., is a destructive disease of legumes and many other crops worldwide. Colletotrichum spp. constitute one of the top 10 phytopathogenic fungi, infecting ∼3,000 plant species, attacking food and forage legume crops at all growth stages; including seed, seedlings, young, and mature plants; with consequent significant yield reductions. Presently, cultural practices and substantial use of synthetic fungicides are the most prevalent approaches for anthracnose management. In addition, there has been a strong focus toward developing advanced breeding lines and cultivars with improved anthracnose resistance. This has involved traditional breeding resulting in a wide range of anthracnose resistance resources being identified, particularly using advanced techniques within the common bean, soybean, lentil, mungbean, blackgram, and lupins. For instance, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for resistance have been identified, enabling marker-assisted resistance breeding. More recently, molecular approaches; including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics; have been utilized to understand the pathogenesis and defense mechanisms involved in the Colletotrichum-legume interaction. Genetic manipulation through omics offers scope to better protect legumes from anthracnose by improving the efficiency of breeding programs. This review focuses on key pathogens (viz., C. truncatum, C. lentis, C. lupini, and C. lindemuthianum) causing anthracnose in legumes, their biology, and epidemiology, the disease management levers embracing progress with host resistance, genetic and breeding approaches, and highlights critical knowledge gaps in conventional and molecular breeding programs. We conclude that the ongoing progress toward developing breeding lines/cultivars/donors with improved resistance in legume plant responses against anthracnose using omics approaches offers novel insights into legume-anthracnose pathogen interactions and ensures more sustainable and effective disease management strategies for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmacological potential of serially extracted Solanum xanthocarpum fruit (SXF) extracts in terms of antioxidant, anticancer, and antibacterial activities was evaluated. Chemical characterization of the potent extract was done by HPLC, LC-MS-MS, and GC-MS techniques. In vitro antioxidant models, viz. hydroxyl radical scavenging, metal ion chelation, total antioxidant capacity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power, were used to assess the antioxidant potential of extract. Cytotoxicity of the SXF extracts was tested against prostate, ovary, and breast cancer cell lines (DU-145, IGR-OV-1, and MCF-7) using sulforhodamine (SRB) assay. The antibacterial potential was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Escherichia coli bacteria. Results indicated potential pharmacological activities and the presence of pharmacologically active phytoconstituents in the SKF extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study evaluates the pathogenic efficacy of an entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae s.l. (=M. anisopliae) against the red spider mite, Oligonychus coffeae damaging tea plants. Laboratory studies revealed that M. anisopliae s.l. was pathogenic on O. coffeae and exhibited 78% mortality. Evaluation of formulated 5% aqueous suspension (AS) of M. anisopliae (1000 ml containing 2 × 107 conidia/ml in 400 L of water/ha) against O. coffeae through micro-plot study revealed a maximum of 68.2% reduction in mite's population in sprayed plots, as compared to Fenpyroximate (5% EC), where a 67.5% reduction in mite's population was recorded. Furthermore, large-scale field trials with aqueous suspension of entomopathogen revealed that 1000 and 1200 ml doses of M. anisopliae s.l. 5%AS each in 400 L of water/ha significantly reduced O. coffeae's population in the tea gardens of Dooars and Darjeeling regions, India. Metarhizium anisopliae s.l. was more effective than standard acaricides and was non-pathogenic to the beneficial insects present in the tea gardens. Metarhizium anisopliae s.l. 5%AS had no phytotoxic effect on the tea leaves, with acceptable organoleptic attributes. Thus, M. anisopliae s.l. isolate can be commercialized as an alternative natural acaricide to reduce the load of synthetic acaricides in the tea crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The red spider mite, Oligonychus coffeae Nietner (Acari: Tetranychidae), is a prevalent mite pest damages tea crops. The present study evaluated the efficacy of L. alba essential oil against O. coffeae. GC and GC-MS analysis of L. alba essential oil revealed geraniol (52.19%) and neral (34.13%) as major compounds. The L. alba essential oil applied at 1500 ppm exhibited 100% mortality of treated mites 48 h after exposure through fumigant toxicity method, while 99% ovicidal activity of essential oil was achieved at 1000 ppm. Similarly, in fumigant bioassay LC50 value against O. coffeae was 87.75 ppm for geraniol and 103.49 ppm for neral at 72 h after exposure. The findings suggest that L. alba essential oil and its major constituents geraniol and neral could be used as eco-friendly acaricide, and can be incorporated as one of the components in IPM after multi-location field trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature on efficacy of plant essential oils and their constituents for the management of Tribolium spp. (T. castaneum and T. confusum), instigating infestation of a variety of stored grains and their products is reviewed here. Both species caused significant losses in the diverse food grains and their products through infestation. Essential oils of higher plants showed potential activity in the management of these infestation driven losses. Researchers have found that essential oils and their chemical constituents have significant toxicity against both the species of Tribolium via different modes of action like repellent, insecticidal, ovicidal, larvicidal, pupicidal, ovipositional and feeding deterrent actions. Concerning repellency and in vivo bioassays, few studies have been done with the essential oils against T. confusum, thus, more investigations are required to find the repellent agents against this insect. There are some essential oil-based botanical insecticides which have been proved effective for the protection of food grains from both beetles during storage. These botanical insecticides also exhibited behaviour altering properties against both beetles, thus, reducing the problem of pest resistance which is a problem with conventional insecticides. Therefore, essential oils-based botanical insecticides may be preferred option than conventional insecticides for protecting stored grains and their products against Tribolium infestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ThreeTrichoderma harzianumisolates viz., Th-Sks, Th-Ke and Th-Ar collected from respective states of India viz., Rajasthan, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh were evaluated for the management of six fungal diseases namely damping off,Fusariumwilt,Rhizoctoniawilt, early leaf spot, late blight andSeptorialeaf spot in tomato. Duringin vitroanalysis,T. harzianumisolates inhibited the pathogens’ growth. Isolate Th-Sks was the most virulent antagonist against all the test pathogens and exhibited maximum of 79.47% growth inhibition ofPhytophthora infestans. Isolate Th-Sks proved most effective at suppression efficacy in the range of 95–100% and 91–100% against all diseases under glasshouse and in the field conditions, respectively. Tomato seeds treatment with isolate Th-Sks also promoted plant height (78.23 cm) and fruits yield (290 g/plant) during field trial and data were found to be not-significantly different from other isolates. Thus, it is concluded that isolate Th-Sks can be utilised as a biocontrol agent for management of fungal diseases in tomato. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Table grapes are subjected to mycobial decay during post-harvest handling worldwide. During transit and storage of fruit high sugar content of grapes is an ideal substrate for the development of pathogenic microorganisms, establishing processes of rot with consequent loss of products ranging from a minimum of 30–40% in countries with advance technologies, to over 50% in developing countries. Rotting caused by fungi such asAspergillus,Botrytis,Cladosporium,Fusarium,Penicillium,MucorandRhizopusspecies is the main factor reducing the post-harvest quality of table grapes. Studies related to the management of post-harvest decay of table grapes and prevention of quality losses have been carried out by using several methods such as physical, chemical, biological and botanical. This review gives a detailed idea about all these methods which have been described in numerous research papers recently and in the past and to identify research avenues that can facilitate the implementation of these technologies as preservative of table grapes. Such knowledge could contribute to design of new and more effective technologies for the management of post-harvest decay of table grapes because alternative and integrative strategies like use of biological antagonists, natural compounds and controlled atmosphere storages are the need of the day. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Three essential oils extracted from three samples ofArtemisia vulgarisL. (AV1, AV2, AV3) collected from three places of Garhwal region of Uttarakhand Himalaya (India) were evaluated for their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. All the essential oil samples showed substantial antioxidant activity at 60 μL, chiefly essential oil sample AV2 showed highest activity (79.03 and 73.50 %) during both β-carotene bleaching and DPPH bioassays, respectively. The oil sample AV2 also exhibited highest antimicrobial potential against all the bacterial and fungal species with range of 19.50-23.23 mm zone of inhibition against tested 5 bacterial strains and with 72.40-82.50 % range of percent mycelial inhibition against 5 tested fungal species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artemisia nilagirica Linn. (Asteraceae), commonly known as dauna, is a wild plant occurring in Himalayan and Sub-Himalayan regions of India. Decoctions of different parts of the plant have been used extensively in various disease ailments. In present study, GC and GC-MS analysis of essential oil isolated from leaves of Artemisia nilagirica is investigated. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the oil was evaluated through DPPH scavenging activity and β-carotene bleaching test. Chemically characterized A.nilagirica oil showed presence of 29 major and minor compounds representing around 95.3% of the oil. Compounds such as bicylco [2.2.1] heptanes 2-one, 1, 7,7-trimethyl, (1S)-CAS (-) alcanfo (22.8%), trans-caryophyllene (16.7%), sabinene (14.3%) and a-thujone (14.6%) were turned out as major component showed higher percent composition. The oil significantly inhibited the formation of radical cations, with IC50 value of 15.729 µL and prevented the bleaching of β-carotene, with IC50 value of 13.539 µL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Essential oils isolated from 35 aromatic plants of Gorakhpur Division, India, were screened at 0.36 μl ml-1 against four dominant fungi Aspergillus flavus Link, A. niger van Tieghem, A. ochraceus Wilhelm and A. terreus Thom found on stored pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan Linn.) seeds. Chenopodium ambrosioides Linn. and Citrus aurantium Linn. oils exhibited strong antimycotic activity (100% mycelial inhibition). The minimum inhibitory concentration of C. ambrosioides oil was less (0.07 μl ml-1) than that of C. aurantium oil, against all the test fungi. Both the oils were fungicidal at higher doses (1.71-2.78 μl ml-1). C. ambrosioides oil exhibited broad fungitoxic spectrum against 16 other storage fungi of pigeon pea seeds. The oil remained effective with increased inoculum load, and physical factors had no adverse effect on its toxicity. C. ambrosioides oil proved superior to aluminium phosphide and ethylene dibromide, synthetic fumigants, at 0.29 μl ml-1 and significantly protected 1 kg of pigeon pea seeds from microbial attack for up to 6 months. Chenopodium oil can be recommended as an effective substitute of synthetic fumigants for storage of pigeon pea seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirty essential oils from higher plants of Gorakhpur Division (India) were evaluated at 0.36 μl/ml against two pulse beetles,Callosobruchus chinensisL. andC. maculatusF., causing infestation of pigeon pea seeds during storage.Clausena pentaphyllaoil was more effective and exhibited absolute repellency against both the insects followed byOcimum canum,Salvia plebeiaandZingiber zerumbetoils. Among these four oils,C. pentaphyllaoil was most toxic and showed 100% mortality of both the insects at 10-μl dosage and 24-h exposure (LD50 = 2.7 μl forC. chinensis& 2.4 μl forC. maculatus). Physical factors, viz. temperature, storage and autoclaving, did not cause any adverse effect on the toxicity ofClausenaoil. Duringin vivoinvestigation, the oil protected 1 kg of pigeon pea seeds completely without reducing weight loss and seed damage up to 6 months when stored in gunny bags and glass containers. The oil was standardised by determining its various physicochemical properties. Thus,C. pentaphyllaoil can be judiciously exploited as herbal insecticide against pulse beetles of pigeon pea seeds during storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]