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Strawberries represent a valuable source of bioactive compounds including vitamin C, E, beta-carotene, and phenolic compounds, but they are fruits with an extremely short postharvest life. Therefore, the current study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of an active coating consisting in antifungal microparticles obtained by spray drying of peony extracts (Paeonia rockii (PPR)) dispersed in chitosan (Ch) and subsequent addition to polysaccharide gels to slow the fungal attack of small highly perishable fruits, such as strawberries. The results of the antimicrobial assays indicate that the peony extracts in chitosan are able to counteract effectively the growth of different fungal isolates from deteriorated strawberries. In conclusion, through the treatment with this antifungal coating, it is possible to prolong the shelf life of delicate fruits, such as strawberries, to about 16 days, slowing down the weight loss, affecting the safeguard of important vitamins and antioxidant capacity during storage, without causing any significant alteration of the nutritional and sensorial properties of the product.

Aim. To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of hydroalcoholic extracts of pomegranate (Punica granatumL.) peel and juice, against the microorganisms considered the main etiologic agents of dental caries.Methods. The values of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined againstStreptococcus mutansClarke ATCC® 25175™ strain andRothia dentocariosaclinical isolate.Results. Peel extracts inhibit effectively the growth and survival ofS. mutansATCC 25175 strain andR. dentocariosaclinical isolate with MIC and MBC values of 10 μg/μl and 15 μg/μl, respectively. Furthermore, the pomegranate juice extract showed high inhibitory activity againstS. mutansATCC 25175 strain with a MIC value of 25 μg/μl and a MBC value of 40 μg/μl, whereas, againstR. dentocariosa, it has displayed a moderate inhibitory activity, with MIC and MBC values of 20 μg/μl and 140 μg/μl, respectively.Conclusions.In vitromicrobiological tests demonstrate that the hydroalcoholic extracts of pomegranate juice and peel are able to contrast the main cariogenic bacteria involved in tooth decay. Although being preliminary data, our results suggest that pomegranate polyphenolic compounds could represent a good adjuvant for the prevention and treatment of dental caries.

Chewing gums may be particularly effective means for delivering and maintaining bioactive molecules, included in the gum formulation, able to have an anti-cariogenic effect. The purposes of this study were: to develop novel chewing gums containing quercetin (Qt); to evaluate their release using in vivo trial; finally, to test their in vivo antibacterial effect against oral Streptococcus mutans strains. A preliminary study was performed to produce new gums, enriched with the polyphenol quercetin. Then, a first in vivo experimental study was assessed to test the percentages of Qt released in the saliva of young volunteers. Moreover, a second clinical trial was performed to analyze the antibacterial capability of these enriched chewing gums against S. mutans strains after 14 days of daily consumption. The release analysis showed that a more effective release of Qt occurs in the first minutes of chewing, and it does not change saliva pH values. Moreover, Qt included in gums demonstrates an effective antibacterial activity, showing a reduction of the concentration of S. mutans strains in saliva samples, especially after 7 days. Qt included in experimental chewing gums could be efficiently released into the oral cavity and could promote an effective anti-caries concentration in volunteer’s saliva, without changing salivary pH values.

Background: The analysis of mineral elements composition was determined in three wild edible herbs (Cichorium intybus L., Sonchus asper L. and Borago officinalis) collected in seven different sampling sites which were characterized by different pollution grade. The detection of mineral elements (Ca, K, Mg and Na), micronutrients (Cu, Fe, Li, Mn and Zn) and heavy metals (As, Cd, Hg, Ni and Pb) was performed. Results: The results obtained show that in most cases a direct relationship appeared between the amount of elements and the sampling sites. The highest concentrations of heavy metals were found in samples grown in polluted soils. These evaluations showed that contaminants in plants may reflect the environmental state in which they develop. Conclusion: The examined species are a good source of mineral elements and micronutrients, making them particularly adapt to integrate a well-balanced diet. The accumulation of heavy metals showed that contaminants in plants may reflect the environmental state in which they develop. Results showed high concentrations of heavy metals in samples taken in locations characterized by high human activity and in some samples from the local market, of which no one knows the collection area.