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Background: This experiment evaluated whether the combination of essential oils (thyme, rosemary, orange) with extracts of Cinnamomum and Quillaja saponaria (enriched with tocopherols) in steers' diet has positive effects on the health, digestibility, growth, oxidative stress, and fatty acid profile of meat. Methods: The experiment included 24 Holstein steers, divided into two groups, randomly divided (treated = phytogenic mixture (n = 12); control = monensin (n = 12)), undergoing a growth phase of 120 days and 90 days of finishing in individual pens, with a monthly collection of blood, rumen fluid, feces, and feed. Results: In the finishing phase (days 150 to 210), there was a tendency (p = 0.07) toward more significant average daily weight gain when cattle consumed a phytogenic mixture than monensin. The use of the phytogenic product showed greater feed efficiency in the period from 150 to 240 days (p < 0.05), with higher levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), without differences in the composition of these SCFAs between the control and treated groups, with a reduction in apparent digestibility in the treated group. In blood parameters, the treated group showed higher erythrocyte counts (p < 0.05) without changes in leukocytes, lymphocytes, granulocytes, monocytes, and platelets. The phytogenic treatment demonstrated higher total protein and globulin levels, with increased glucose levels on days 30 and 210 (p < 0.05). Ceruloplasmin and haptoglobin levels increased in the treated group without changes in ferritin, transferrin, C-reactive protein, IgA, and heavy-chain immunoglobulins (p < 0.05). A reduction in oxidative stress was observed using the phytogenic agent, with a marked decrease in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and carbonyl proteins, with a tendency to increase glutathione S-transferase (p < 0.05). In meat, the phytogenic reduced saturated fatty acids with increased polyunsaturated fatty acids and increased the omega 6/omega 3 ratio. Lower levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and ROS were detected in the meat combined with a higher concentration of total thiols in the treated group than in the control group. Conclusions: The use of the phytogenic in steers' diets has shown to be a viable candidate for replacing monensin, presenting equal or superior performance results with systemic modulating effects on oxidative stress, meat quality, and serum and biochemical parameters that contribute to more substantial health and efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the chemical composition and antibacterial activity of essential oils (EOs) extracted from local plant by steam distillation from the aerial parts (fresh – dried) of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), pistachio (Pistacia lentiscus L.) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.). Monoterpenes were identified by GC-MS as main compounds, namely 1,8-cineole (34.5–35 %), α-pinene (36.2–36.6 %) and thymol (42.2–42.1 %). Our results showed that EOs tested had antibacterial effects at different levels, with MICs ranging from 1.56 to 6.25 mg.mL−1. Fresh rosemary EO was synergistic against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27,853 when combined with dried rosemary EO and fresh pistachio EO, with MICs half those of oils alone (from 6.25 to 3.12 mg.mL−1). In addition, antagonistic, additive and indifferent effects were recorded at 1 %, 3 % and 93 %, respectively. Our findings provide new data on antimicrobial potential of local plants and possibilities of their use as food preservatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effects of thyme and rosemary dried herbs, as well as thyme and rosemary essential oils (1%, w/v), on the microbiological quality of vacuum-packed rainbow trout meat stored under refrigerated conditions (4 ± 1 °C) for 7 days. The microbiological quality of meat was monitored based on total viable counts, coliform bacteria, and lactic acid bacteria counts over a designated storage period (on the 0th, 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th day of storage). As expected, the highest total viable counts were observed on the 7th day of storage in the untreated aerobically packed control group reaching 5.723 ± 0.021 CFU.g-1. The tested treatments showed potential in reducing the growth of bacteria in rainbow trout meat samples. Across all bacterial groups under investigation, rosemary essential oil appears to have the most advantageous effect in inhibiting bacterial growth compared to other tested treatments. Cultivated isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and assigned to 33 species belonging to 14 families. The most prevalent family was Enterobacteriaceae (18.99%), and the most abundant species found in samples was Hafnia alvei (8.86%). Our findings suggest the potential of using thyme and rosemary in both essential oil and dried forms as natural preservatives to enhance the microbiological quality and longevity of refrigerated rainbow trout meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: Considering the weaker representation of white wine vinegar on the global market, its flavoring expands the range of products used in the culinary arts and gives additional value to the initial product. Rosemary, thyme, and elderflower contribute to the specific aromaticity of flavored white wine vinegar as well as its nutraceutical value. Due to the small amount of plant material needed for flavoring, the production of flavored vinegar could be economically viable. The food industry is developing intensively, and products that, with their characteristics, enrich the food taste and aroma are widely used in the culinary arts. White wine vinegar is often used as a food condiment and as dressing in salads. This research aims to explore the impact of the maceration of selected aromatic plants on the organoleptic properties, bioactive compounds, and sensory profile of white wine vinegar. The plants selected for white wine (cv 'Malvazija istarska') vinegar aromatization were rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) dried leaves and black elder (Sambucus nigra L. ssp. nigra) flowers (elderflowers). Vinegar flavored with rosemary had more pronounced pinewood and herbal aromas, while spicy aromas dominated the vinegar with thyme. The elderflower-flavored vinegar, on the other hand, was characterized by a floral and fruity aroma. Among the analyzed vinegars, white wine vinegar flavored with elderflower had the highest polyphenolic content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This experiment evaluated whether the combination of essential oils (thyme, rosemary, orange) with extracts of Cinnamomum and Quillaja saponaria (enriched with tocopherols) in steers’ diet has positive effects on the health, digestibility, growth, oxidative stress, and fatty acid profile of meat. Methods: The experiment included 24 Holstein steers, divided into two groups, randomly divided (treated = phytogenic mixture (n = 12); control = monensin (n = 12)), undergoing a growth phase of 120 days and 90 days of finishing in individual pens, with a monthly collection of blood, rumen fluid, feces, and feed. Results: In the finishing phase (days 150 to 210), there was a tendency (p = 0.07) toward more significant average daily weight gain when cattle consumed a phytogenic mixture than monensin. The use of the phytogenic product showed greater feed efficiency in the period from 150 to 240 days (p < 0.05), with higher levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), without differences in the composition of these SCFAs between the control and treated groups, with a reduction in apparent digestibility in the treated group. In blood parameters, the treated group showed higher erythrocyte counts (p < 0.05) without changes in leukocytes, lymphocytes, granulocytes, monocytes, and platelets. The phytogenic treatment demonstrated higher total protein and globulin levels, with increased glucose levels on days 30 and 210 (p < 0.05). Ceruloplasmin and haptoglobin levels increased in the treated group without changes in ferritin, transferrin, C-reactive protein, IgA, and heavy-chain immunoglobulins (p < 0.05). A reduction in oxidative stress was observed using the phytogenic agent, with a marked decrease in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and carbonyl proteins, with a tendency to increase glutathione S-transferase (p < 0.05). In meat, the phytogenic reduced saturated fatty acids with increased polyunsaturated fatty acids and increased the omega 6/omega 3 ratio. Lower levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and ROS were detected in the meat combined with a higher concentration of total thiols in the treated group than in the control group. Conclusions: The use of the phytogenic in steers’ diets has shown to be a viable candidate for replacing monensin, presenting equal or superior performance results with systemic modulating effects on oxidative stress, meat quality, and serum and biochemical parameters that contribute to more substantial health and efficiency.

Recently, the development of functional beverages has been enhanced to promote health and nutritional well-being. Thus, the fermentation of plant foods with lactic acid bacteria can enhance their antioxidant capacity and others like anti-inflammatory activity, which may depend on the variations in the total content and profile of (poly)phenols. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of fermentation with two strains of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum of several herbal infusions from thyme, rosemary, echinacea, and pomegranate peel on the (poly)phenolic composition and whether lacto-fermentation can contribute to enhance their in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on human colon myofibroblast CCD18-Co cells. HPLC-MS/MS analyses revealed that fermentation increased the content of the phenolics present in all herbal infusions. In vitro analyses indicated that pomegranate infusion showed higher antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, followed by thyme, echinacea, and rosemary, based on the total phenolic content. After fermentation, despite increasing the content of phenolics, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects via reduction pro-inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-8 and PGE2) were similar to those of their corresponding non-fermented infusions, with the exception of a greater reduction in lacto-fermented thyme. Overall, the findings suggest that the consumption of lacto-fermented herbal infusions could be beneficial in alleviating intestinal inflammatory disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we reviewed the literature as a systematic review to investigate the concentration of some metals (essential, none essential, and toxic metals) in herbal teas and their health risks. The search extended the literature from the database, including Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus, using the terms "herbal teas" combined with "heavy metals, essential metals, thyme, rosemary, chamomile, and tea" also with "iron, zinc, aluminum, chromium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, arsenic, cadmium, and lead" in titles and abstracts. The search was limited to articles published from 2012 to 2023 years. Initially, 212 articles were found; by detailed consideration, only 49 papers fit the inclusion criteria and were selected for further study. The mean of metal concentration, standard deviation, data distribution, and sample size were applied to generate data from the articles. The results indicated that all commonly consumed herbal teas included metals. None of them meet the requirements of the WHO requirements. However, more than 70% of their health risks are acceptable. The risks of arsenic and lead in tea and cadmium in black tea were considerably higher than in others. According to the review results, it is important to prevent heavy metal contamination of herbal teas by modifying cultivation patterns and also to prevent to consumption of low-quality herbal teas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The livestock industry demands alternative approaches to maintain animal health and productivity without using antimicrobials. Phytogenic feed additives, consisting of plant-derived compounds, offer promising benefits to grower-finisher pigs' gut microbiota and overall health. Aims. This study investigated the impact of essential oils and saponins as phytogenic feed additives on the gut microbiota and productivity of grower-finisher pigs. Methods. Four hundred male Large White × Landrace pigs were randomly allocated into control and treatment groups and provided with a basal diet. The treatment group supplemented commercial phytogenic feed additives. Performance data, general health, cumulative mortality, and bodyweight were monitored. Intestinal samples from different gut locations and rectal swab samples were collected for microbiota analysis. Key results. No significant difference in weight was observed between the two groups; however, the phytogenic feed additives notably affected gut microbiota. Greater microbial diversity and changes in genera abundance were evident. Campylobacter and Clostridium increased, while beneficial Lactobacillus increased, and Escherichia decreased. The supplemented group demonstratedmore consistent growth, with higher minimumweights. Conclusions. Phytogenic feed additives have a significant impact on the gut microbiota of grower-finisher pigs. A diversemicrobial community and specific changes in genera abundance were observed, indicating the potential role of these additives in modulating gut health. Implications. This study emphasises the potential advantages of using phytogenic feed additives to improve the health and productivity of livestock without the use of antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The food industry is developing intensively, and products that, with their characteristics, enrich the food taste and aroma are widely used in the culinary arts. White wine vinegar is often used as a food condiment and as dressing in salads. This research aims to explore the impact of the maceration of selected aromatic plants on the organoleptic properties, bioactive compounds, and sensory profile of white wine vinegar. The plants selected for white wine (cv ‘Malvazija istarska’) vinegar aromatization were rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) dried leaves and black elder (Sambucus nigra L. ssp. nigra) flowers (elderflowers). Vinegar flavored with rosemary had more pronounced pinewood and herbal aromas, while spicy aromas dominated the vinegar with thyme. The elderflower-flavored vinegar, on the other hand, was characterized by a floral and fruity aroma. Among the analyzed vinegars, white wine vinegar flavored with elderflower had the highest polyphenolic content.

Gray mold and brown rot, caused respectively by Botrytis cinerea and Monilinia spp., are fungal diseases responsible for significant losses during the storage of fruit and vegetables. Nowadays, the control of postharvest diseases is shifting towards more sustainable strategies, including the use of plant secondary metabolites. In this study, the antifungal activity of Origanum vulgare, Thymus vulgaris, Thymus serpyllum, Melaleuca alternifolia, Lavandula officinalis, Lavandula hybrida, Citrus bergamia, Rosmarinus officinalis, Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oils (EOs) in vapor phase was tested in vitro against B. cinerea, Monilinia fructicola, Monilinia fructigena, and Monilinia laxa. For the experiments, a protocol using a volatile organic compounds (VOC) chamber was designed. Results indicate a dose-dependent inhibitory activity of all the tested EOs, with O. vulgare, T. vulgaris, and T. serpyllum being the most active ones, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 22.73, 45.45, and 22.73 µl/L, respectively, against B. cinerea and a range between 5.64 and 22.73 µl/L against the three Monilinia spp. Overall, B. cinerea presented lower sensitivity to vaporphase EOs than any of the Monilinia strains, except for the C. zeylanicum EO, which consistently showed higher inhibition against B. cinerea. Among the three Monilinia spp., M. fructicola was the least sensitive, while M. fructigena was the most sensitive. The use of VOC chambers proved to be a reliable protocol for the assessment of antimicrobial activities of EOs. These results suggest that the VOC emitted by the tested EOs are effective towards important decay-causing fungi, and that they could be used for the control of gray mold and brown rot in in vivo trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One major problem with the overuse of antibiotics is that the microorganisms acquire resistance; thus the dose must be increased unsustainably. To overcome this problem, researchers from around the world are actively investigating new types of antimicrobials. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) have been proven to exhibit strong antimicrobial effects; moreover, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) considers ZnO as GRAS (generally recognized as safe). Many essential oils have antimicrobial activity and their components do not generate resistance over time. One of the drawbacks is the high volatility of some components, which diminishes the antimicrobial action as they are eliminated. The combination of ZnO NPs and essential oils can synergistically produce a stronger antimicrobial effect, and some of the volatile compounds can be retained on the nanoparticles' surface, ensuring a better-lasting antimicrobial effect. The samples were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), and thermal analysis (TG-DSC) coupled with analysis of evolved gases using FTIR. The ZnO NPs, with a size of ~35 nm, exhibited a loading between 1.44% and 15.62%—the lower values were specific for limonene-containing oils (e.g., orange, grapefruit, bergamot, or limette), while high values were obtained from cinnamon, minzol, thyme, citronella, and lavender oils—highlighting differences among non-polar terpenes and alcohol or aldehyde derivatives. The antibacterial assay indicated the existence of a synergic action among components and a high dependency on the percentage of loaded oil. Loaded nanoparticles offer immense potential for the development of materials with specific applications, such as wound dressings or food packaging. These nanoparticles can be utilized in scenarios where burst delivery is desired or when prolonged antibacterial activity is sought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Herbs or plants are used for a variety of purposes, including nutrition, medicinal and in the beverage industry, beverages, coloring, food preservatives, insect repellants and cosmetics.

Humanity has an ancient history of consuming medicinal plants for prophylaxis. Within hours, and even months, embryonic cells undergo several processes to form an organism. This study aimed to prove the positive or negative effects of using rosemary and thyme extract on the thymus gland and level of IL-10, IgM, and IgG in serum of chick embryos. The immunological effect was measured by histological and immunological studies. A total of 160 fertilized eggs were randomly distributed into 8 groups; on the 0 and 8th day of incubation, all treated groups received a dose of 0.1 mL/egg. On the 14th and 20th days of incubation, the embryos were sacrificed and the samples were collected (serum and thymus gland). The data were analyzed using ANOVA. Simple damage in thymic tissue with a low cell density in the embryos was treated with high concentrations of rosemary and thyme extracts, as well as in the mixed group. A significant decrease in IgM levels in the group treated by a high concentration of thyme. A decrease in IgG levels was found in the group treated with a high concentration of rosemary and in the mixed group, while the group treated with a high concentration of thyme and the mixed group showed decreases on the 14th day. A significant decrease in IL-10 levels was found on the 14th day, followed by an increase on the 20th day. Despite the benefits of rosemary and thyme, inflammation signs appeared on embryos treated with these herbs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased antibiotic resistance presents a health problem worldwide. The World Health Organization published a list of pathogens considered a priority for designing new treatments. Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) is a top-priority microorganism, highlighting the strains that produce carbapenemases. Developing new efficient therapies or complementing existing treatments is a priority, and essential oils (EOs) provide an alternative. EOs could act as antibiotic adjuvants and enhance antibiotic activity. Employing standard methodologies, the antibacterial activity of the EOs and their synergic effect with antibiotics were detected. A string test was used to identify the impact of the EOs over the hypermucoviscosity phenotype presented by Kp strains, and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry analysis identified EOs and the composition of EOs. The potential of EOs for designing synergistic therapies with antibiotics to combat the infection of KPC diseases was demonstrated. In addition, the alteration of the hypermucoviscosity phenotype was shown as the principal mechanism of a synergic action between EOs and antibiotics. The differential composition of the EOs lets us identify some molecules that will be analyzed. Synergic activity of EOs and antibiotics can provide a solid platform for combating multiresistant pathogens that represent a severe health sector problem, such as Kp infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the development of functional beverages has been enhanced to promote health and nutritional well-being. Thus, the fermentation of plant foods with lactic acid bacteria can enhance their antioxidant capacity and others like anti-inflammatory activity, which may depend on the variations in the total content and profile of (poly)phenols. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of fermentation with two strains of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum of several herbal infusions from thyme, rosemary, echinacea, and pomegranate peel on the (poly)phenolic composition and whether lacto-fermentation can contribute to enhance their in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on human colon myofibroblast CCD18-Co cells. HPLC-MS/MS analyses revealed that fermentation increased the content of the phenolics present in all herbal infusions. In vitro analyses indicated that pomegranate infusion showed higher antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, followed by thyme, echinacea, and rosemary, based on the total phenolic content. After fermentation, despite increasing the content of phenolics, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects via reduction pro-inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-8 and PGE2) were similar to those of their corresponding non-fermented infusions, with the exception of a greater reduction in lacto-fermented thyme. Overall, the findings suggest that the consumption of lacto-fermented herbal infusions could be beneficial in alleviating intestinal inflammatory disorders.

Lactose and sodium caseinate were used as wall materials in microencapsulation of fish oil by spray drying. Thyme, rosemary, and laurel extracts were utilized to enhance oxidative stability. Efficiency of antioxidant capacity of plant extracts was compared with BHT. Fish oil encapsulates with rosemary extract exhibited better protection against lipid oxidation (0.36 mmol MDA/kg) than the control group (2.92 mmol MDA/kg) at +4 °C. Hue angle properties of encapsulated fish oil with the laurel extract showed the highest change. The lowest peroxide value (PV) was detected in the 1500 ppm rosemary group (5.13 mEq O2/kg oil) and 250 ppm BHT group (5.90 mEq O2/kg oil) after the spray drying. Also, these groups had the lowest TBARs values during the storage. It was observed that the pAV of CG2 (BHT Control), RE1 (1000 ppm rosemary extract), RE2 (1500 ppm rosemary extract), and LE2 (1500 ppm laurel extract) groups remained below six during 8 months of storage. Volatile components of encapsulated fish oil were the highest in control, thyme and laurel extracts compared to the microcapsules with rosemary extracts in terms of total aldehyde generation. Sensory analysis showed that fresh fish odor was better preserved with rosemary extract compared to other plant extracts. It was concluded that microencapsulation of fish oil with sodium caseinate and lactose as wall material and rosemary and laurel extracts as antioxidants enhanced the oxidative stability of the microcapsules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed at determining the effects of dietary supplementation with thyme essential oil (TEO) and rosemary essential oil (REO) on blood parameters, the anti-oxidant metabolism in the liver, breast and drumstick muscle tissues, the morphology of the small intestine, and the myofibril structure of the superficial pectoral and biceps femoris muscles. For this purpose, 400 three-day-old male Ross 308 chicks were used. Five groups, each comprising 80 broilers, were established. The control group was fed on a basal diet alone and groups thyme-1, thyme-2, rosemary-1 and rosemary-2 received basal diets supplemented with 0.15 g kg-1 of TEO, 0.30 g kg-1 of TEO, 0.10 g kg-1 of REO and 0.20 g kg-1 of REO, respectively. The serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels were decreased significantly in group thyme-1. Dietary TEO and REO significantly increased glutathione levels in all tissues. Drumstick catalase activity was significantly increased in groups thyme-1, thyme-2 and rosemary-2. Superoxide dismutase activity was significantly increased in the breast muscle of all groups that received dietary TEO and REO. Histomorphometrical analyses demonstrated that dietary supplementation with TEO and REO increased both crypt depth and villus height in the small intestine. In result, the tested doses of dietary TEO and REO were ascertained to improve the intestinal morphology and to increase the anti-oxidant metabolism mainly in the breast muscle, the drumstick muscle and liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant essential oils (PEOs) are being studied as a potential alternative to synthetic pesticides in agriculture. PEOs have the potential to control pests both directly, by being toxic or repellent to pests, and indirectly, by activating plant's defense mechanisms. In this study, the effectiveness of five PEOs (Achillea millefolium, Allium sativum, Rosmarinus officinallis, Tagetes minuta, and Thymus zygis) on controlling Tuta absoluta and their impact on the predator Nesidiocoris tenuis was examined. The study revelead that PEOs from A. millefolium and A. sativum-sprayed plants significantly reduced the number of T. absoluta-infested leaflets and did not affect the establishment and reproduction of N. tenuis. Additionally, the spraying of A. millefolium and A. sativum increased the expression of defense genes in the plants, triggering the release of herbivory-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs), such as C6 green leaf volatiles, monoterpenes, and aldehydes, which can be messengers in tritrophic interactions. The results suggest that PEOs from A. millefolium and A. sativum can provide a dual benefit for controlling arthropod pests, as they can directly exhibit toxicity against these pests while also activating plant defense mechanisms. Overall, this study provides new insights into using PEOs as a sustainable solution for controlling pests and diseases in agriculture, by reducing synthetic pesticides and promoting the use of natural predators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbs have been used for centuries in order to enrich food as preservatives, flavorings, and medicinal agents. The aim of this work was to study the effect of the addition of selected herbal extracts (dried leaves of Thymus vulgaris L., Origanum vulgare L., Satureja hortensis L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., and Ocimum basilicum L.) on selected parameters of fermented flavored cream (counts of starter culture bacteria and pH value) and the resulting flavored butter (water content, water distribution, butter plasma pH, butter fat acidity, and oxidative stability), preceded by a study of the activity of the herbal extracts against starter lactic acid bacteria determined using the well diffusion method. The extracts did not inhibit the starter lactic acid bacteria at a fixed level. The presence of the herbal extracts contributed to a shorter fermentation course and influenced the counts of starter culture bacteria during fermentation and refrigerated storage (at 5 °C) for 21 days. The extract additives did not affect the water content or the degree of its dispersion, the butter plasma pH, or the butter fat acidity. The positive effect of the rosemary and thyme extract addition was only noted when analyzing the oxidative stability of the milk fat of the butter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 500, 14-d old male Ross 308 broilers were allocated into five treatments (4 replicates each) including: a negative (NC) and positive control diet (PC) which supplemented without and with 7% poultry by-product meal (PBPM), respectively and three levels of additive supplementation of thyme and rosemary powders in the basal diets: 0.750% rosemary powder (PCR); 0.375% thyme powder + 0.375% rosemary powder (PCRT), and 0.750% thyme powder (PCT) rosemary powder. The PCRT diet improved (p

• Rotating Magnetic Field (RMF) can be used in aromatherapy. • RMF at low frequency enhanced antimicrobial efficiency of plant essential oils. • Response surface methodology (RSM) is appropriate tool for optimizing the process. Essential oils (EOs) extracted from Thymus vulgaris L. (TEO) and Rosmarinus officinalis L. (REO) have aroused interest in their application to food preservation or in alternative medicine or aroma-therapy. In this study, the chemical compositions of essential oils were determined and analyzed. The purpose of the investigation was to investigate in detail the activity of essential oils extracted from herbs (thyme and rosemary) and exposed to rotating magnetic filed (RMF) against the model Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli The bacterial removal has been optimized by a surface response methodology (RSM). It was shown that TEO in a concentration of 10 µL/50 mL of water resulted in a total bacterial number reduction after 40 min under the RMF. Rosemary's antibacterial effect was much weaker. Thus, we summarized that the rotating magnetic fields at a frequency of 27 Hz can increase the antimicrobial efficiency but the effect depends on the type of essential oil. High-rate bacteria removal was obtain for thyme oil in concentration of 30 µL of thyme oil to 50 mL of bacterial suspension, exposed to RMF at a frequency of 27 Hz for 40–60 min. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the studywas to compare the (JVerall total phenolic compounds eontent and antioxidant propcrtics of spiccs (orcgano, H1ymc and roscmary) from ccological and convenlional cullivalion. The antioxidant activity of the obtained s pice extracts was estimated with the use of radical tests (DPPH and ABTS), binding and rcduction of mclal ions, accclcralcd Raneimal t es l and bascd on the spectropbatometrie method. The obtained results indicate that spice extracts from ecological eullivation are charactcrizcd by a highcr, ovcrall total pllcnolic compound eontent comparcd to spice extracts growrr in a conventional system. Ecological spice extracts showed better antioxidant properties than conventional spices in most tests. The results of the statistical analysis show a positive correlation between the to tal eontent of polyphenols and the antiradical activity of the extracts. The negative eorrelation was found behveen the eontent of polyphenols and the Rancimat test and Lhc chclaling aclivily. Il sccms lhal lhc usagc of organie spiec cxlracls in food produclion could be eonsiciered as natura! antioxidants, reducing fat oxidation processes to a greater extent than with convcnlional eullivalions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of thyme, rosemary, and dill as a natural antioxidant alternative to nitrite on some quality characteristics of Turkish type dry-fermented sausage (Sucuk) were investigated. Samples were prepared with the addition of powder forms of these herbs and ripened for 15 days. According to the results, the addition of herbs did not result in a significant difference in pH, water activity (aw), ash and dry matter values, and lightness (L*) of the products. The significant decrease in instrumental a* values with the addition of herbs and the decrease in color scores in the sensory analysis were similar, and all groups containing natural antioxidants (herbs) scored higher in odor evaluation than the control group. Considering TBARS values, significantly higher results were observed in all herb added groups during the ripening period. However, the addition of herbs caused a decrease in the hardness, adhesiveness, and cohesiveness values of Sucuks compared to the nitrite added groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of adding 0.05% natural herb extracts obtained from rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), thyme (Thymbra spicata), and basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) on mackerel balls during 10 months of frozen storage (-18oC) were investigated concerning sensory (raw and cooked), biochemical (PV-peroxide value, FFA-free fatty acids, TVB-N -total volatile basic nitrogen, TBA- thiobarbituric acid and pH) and microbiological analyses (TVC- total viable count). The results indicated that the total phenolic compounds of plant extracts were determined as 38.13 mg GAE/g, 81.85 mg GAE/g, and 21.08 mg GAE/g for thyme, rosemary, and basil, respectively. The shelf life of raw fish balls was found as eight months for the control and basil groups and ten months for rosemary and thyme groups. 0.05% basil extract gave the fishball an intense taste and odor and a bitter taste. TVB-N, TBA, FFA, PV, and pH values remained lower than the acceptability limits during the storage period in all groups. The plant extracts, especially rosemary and thyme, were effective for inhibiting bacterial growth and the values of biochemical parameters. Therefore, it was concluded that natural extracts could be added to fish products as an antioxidant to prolong the shelf life of fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Millions of people around the world suffer from osteoporosis. We need highly effective, safe, and affordable therapeutic agents to help them. Medicinal plants offer a great potential for solving this problem, because they contain many bioactive substances in high concentrations. Of particular value are essential-oil-bearing plants, such as rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.). In this research, these two plants were analyzed to identify their effects on the state and formation of the bone tissue in rats. With this aim, we extracted volatile compounds and studied their essential oils using the method of gas chromatography. The results obtained demonstrate that thyme and rosemary monoterpenes effectively inhibit bone resorption. The addition of thyme and rosemary to the diet of rats significantly increased the calcium concentration in their blood plasma and the bone mineral density as compared to the group of rats that were fed a calcium-deficient diet. Notably, thyme bioactive substances have a stronger effect on the bone tissue than rosemary.

Honey is a natural food with pharmacological properties. The present study was focused on the use of essential oils in the supplementary feeding of bee families for three weeks (spring). The purpose was to monitor the effect of essential oils (basil, thyme, juniper, cloves, mint, cinnamon, oregano, rosemary) on the chemical components of the resulting honey. The honey sampling period was carried out before the administration of essential oils in the supplementary feed of the bee families, after the administration of essential oils in the bee feed, respectively, after the first harvest (rapeseed). The honey samples were subjected to chemical analysis to determine humidity, impurities, ash, pH, acidity, total phenolic content (TPC) and flavonoid content (FC), reducing sugar content and antioxidant activity. In addition, the antimicrobial activity against nine strains was tested. We found out that all the essential oils used had a positive effect on the chemical composition of honey, especially the essential oil of oregano, mint, thyme, cinnamon. Experimental variants in which juniper and clove essential oil were introduced reduced the acidity of honey by 28.12% and 35.48%, respectively. Ash content varies between 0.23% and 0.46%, impurities content between 4.11% and 9.11%, while the values for pH were between 3.42 and 4.03. As for the TPC, they have increased considerably in all experimental variants to which essential oil has been added, compared to the batch fed only with sugar syrup, the highest value being recorded for the sample treated with cinnamon after the third harvest (163.94 mg/100 g). The FC values vary between 8.41–44.36 mg/100 g, depending of the treatment applied and the period of harvesting. Regarding the antimicrobial activity, the results highlighted that the essential oils present in the diet of bees produced honey with antimicrobial effect increased after two weeks after administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation was applied to study the influence of cinnamon (C), rosemary (R) and thyme (T) essential oils (EOs) on the viability of Listeria monocytogenes, in which, a total of 225 cheese samples (Tallaga, Bramily and Ras cheese, 75 each) were collected f rom different dairy markets and shops in Assiut city, Egypt for the isolation of L. monocytogenes. The isolates were identified and examined for 16S rRNA as positive for L. monocytogenes. The obtained results showed that Listeria spp. could be detected in 66.2% of the examined samples, while L. monocytogenes was in 17.6%. After that, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the prepared cinnamon EO (CEO), rosemary EO (REO) and thyme EO (TEO) was detected against the isolated L. monocytogenes. Samples of Tallaga cheese were manufactured using MIC of the 3 prepared EOs separately, and the influence of EOs was done by agar well diffusion method and showed the MIC as 1.56% for CEO, 3.125% f or REO and TEO. In conclusion, the CEO was the most effective against L. monocytogenes after Tallaga cheese manufacture although the unpleasant sensory quality of the manufactured cheese with the 3 oils, in which, the count of L. monocytogenes was 6.3 log10 at 0 h and then was 2.7 log10 after 1st week. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant essential oils (PEOs) are being studied as a potential alternative to synthetic pesticides in agriculture. PEOs have the potential to control pests both directly, by being toxic or repellent to pests, and indirectly, by activating plant’s defense mechanisms. In this study, the effectiveness of five PEOs (Achillea millefolium, Allium sativum, Rosmarinus officinallis, Tagetes minuta, and Thymus zygis) on controlling Tuta absoluta and their impact on the predator Nesidiocoris tenuis was examined. The study revelead that PEOs from A. millefolium and A. sativum-sprayed plants significantly reduced the number of T. absoluta-infested leaflets and did not affect the establishment and reproduction of N. tenuis. Additionally, the spraying of A. millefolium and A. sativum increased the expression of defense genes in the plants, triggering the release of herbivory-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs), such as C6 green leaf volatiles, monoterpenes, and aldehydes, which can be messengers in tritrophic interactions. The results suggest that PEOs from A. millefolium and A. sativum can provide a dual benefit for controlling arthropod pests, as they can directly exhibit toxicity against these pests while also activating plant defense mechanisms. Overall, this study provides new insights into using PEOs as a sustainable solution for controlling pests and diseases in agriculture, by reducing synthetic pesticides and promoting the use of natural predators.

Herbs have been used for centuries in order to enrich food as preservatives, flavorings, and medicinal agents. The aim of this work was to study the effect of the addition of selected herbal extracts (dried leaves of Thymus vulgaris L., Origanum vulgare L., Satureja hortensis L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., and Ocimum basilicum L.) on selected parameters of fermented flavored cream (counts of starter culture bacteria and pH value) and the resulting flavored butter (water content, water distribution, butter plasma pH, butter fat acidity, and oxidative stability), preceded by a study of the activity of the herbal extracts against starter lactic acid bacteria determined using the well diffusion method. The extracts did not inhibit the starter lactic acid bacteria at a fixed level. The presence of the herbal extracts contributed to a shorter fermentation course and influenced the counts of starter culture bacteria during fermentation and refrigerated storage (at 5 °C) for 21 days. The extract additives did not affect the water content or the degree of its dispersion, the butter plasma pH, or the butter fat acidity. The positive effect of the rosemary and thyme extract addition was only noted when analyzing the oxidative stability of the milk fat of the butter.

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

The objective of this study was to evaluate silicon (Si) foliar spray and substrate drench effects on plant growth and morphology for container-grown edible crops during greenhouse production, as well as resistance to plant wilting during post-production. In the first greenhouse experiment, basil received Si foliar sprays at 0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg·L–1 Si. In the second greenhouse experiment, Si was applied as either a foliar spray (500 mg·L–1 Si) or substrate drench (100 mg·L–1 Si) with six edible crop species. Supplemental Si increased shoot Si levels but had minimal effects on plant growth and morphology, except for parsley, which resulted in distorted growth and phytotoxicity. In the first experiment, 200 and 400 mg·L–1 Si foliar sprays increased plant resistance to wilt by 2.2 and 2.5 d, respectively; however, this was not observed in the second experiment. All species accumulated Si with the control (no Si) treatments, indicating trace amounts of Si were taken up from the substrate, fertilizer, spray surfactant, and irrigation water. Only cucumber was classified as a Si “accumulator” with a high capacity for Si uptake. Results emphasize the need to conduct preliminary trials with supplemental Si to avoid issues of phytotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of stocking density and dietary aflatoxin B1 along with rosemary and thyme powders on digestive enzymes activity was evaluated in rainbow trout. A total number of 600 fish with an average weight of 90±3 were randomly allotted among six experimental groups consisting of two stocking densities (15 and 45 kg.m-3), aflatoxin contaminations (0 and 50 ppb) along with the inclusion of g 4% rosemary and thyme powder. Each treatment was replicated thrice and the experiment lasted for 45 days. Stocking at high density and receiving aflatoxin B1 contaminated diet resulted in higher digestive enzymes activity including amylase, lipase and alkaline protease in comparison with group stocked at lower density and fed aflatoxin free diet (p0.05). Further future research is required to precisely elucidate the underlying mechanisms and importance of such culminated digestive enzymes activity due to stocking density and dietary aflatoxin contamination on the fish digestive physiology.

Meat and meat products are very important for growth and development of human and health maintenance, which is why meat and meat product safety is a major concern in recent society. The meat industry is one of the most important in the world, and whether due to customer demand or other factors, it continues to grow or because of the fierce competition in the industry, new product development is ongoing. Meat and meat products, on the other hand, are suitable for the growth of many organisms because they are high in moisture, rich in nitrogenous substances (amino acids, peptides, and proteins), and well-supplied with minerals and other growth factors. Over the years, the use of herbs, spices and essential oils in foodstuffs has been documented. In addition to masking undesirable properties, particularly meat products, herbs and spices were used to aromatize beverages and food in the food sector. It was therefore found that herbs and spices could also preserve food as well as masking organoleptic characteristics. Plant products have therefore now been used and investigated in food mainly because of its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties for the substitution of synthetic preservatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the demand for natural antioxidants has been increased mainly because of the adverse effects of synthetic antioxidants, which have been confirmed for their toxicological and carcinogenic effects. Thus, most of the recent investigations have been directed towards the identification of natural antioxidants from various plant sources, which will offer increased consumer acceptability, decreased potential health risks, and can often achieve the same degree of oxidation prevention as Synthetic antioxidants. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct an investigate on the biochemical composition of some meat products in Egyptian markets. Besides, study the effect of adding Rosemary and Thyme at concentration of 100ppm on chemical composition of different meat products in the Egyptian markets. The obtained results revealed that the overall mean value of protein were not significantly improved with adding Thyme and Rosemary in all examined meat products. for fat content were significantly improved in ready to eat sausage with adding both plant extract, in minced meat also were significantly improved with adding Thyme only, while were not significantly improved in other meat products. the overall mean value of moisture were significantly improved with adding Thyme and Rosemary in all examined meat products. Ash content were significantly improved in minced meat and fresh sausage with adding thyme only, while in other examined meat products were not significantly improved. the overall mean value of fiber were significantly improved with adding Thyme and Rosemary in luncheon, burger and ready to eat sausage, while were not significantly improved in kofta, fresh sausage and minced meat. Carbohydrate content were significantly improved with adding Thyme and Rosemary in fresh sausage, in kofta were significantly improved with adding Thyme only, while were not significantly improved in other meat products. Finally, net energy content were significantly improved with adding Thyme and Rosemary in all examined meat products. These findings show that this plant extract effectively improve some parameters of the chemical composition of these meat products and did not affect others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of stocking density and dietary aflatoxin B1 along with including rosemary and thyme powders on digestive enzymes activity of rainbow trout was evaluated. 600 fish with an average weight of 90±3 were randomly allotted into six experimental groups consisted of (1) stocking at 15 kg.m-3- feeding diet devoid of aflatoxin, (2) stocking at 45 kg.m-3-feeding diet devoid of aflatoxin, (3) stocking at 15 kg.m-3-feeding diet containing 50 ppb aflatoxin, (4) stocking at 45 kg.m-3-feeding diet containing 50 ppb aflatoxin, (5) stocking at 15 kg.m-3-feeding diet containing 4% rosemary and thyme powder and 50 ppb aflatoxin and (6) stocking at 45 kg.m-3-feeding diet containing 4% rosemary and thyme powder and 50 ppb aflatoxin. Activity of alkaline protease, lipase and amylase was only affected by fish stocking density to the extent that those fish were reared in higher density showed increased digestive enzymes activity (p

In this study, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L., TEO), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L., REO) and clove essential oils (Syzygium aromaticum L., CEO) and their mixtures (TEO/REO, TEO/CEO, REO/CEO and TEO/REO/CEO) at 1/1 ratio have been evaluated. The agar well diffusion method has been used for screening the antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. For the antioxidant capacity of essential oils and their mixtures, FRAP and DPPH scavenging activity methods have been applied. All of the essential oils and their mixtures have shown an antimicrobial activity against the test microorganisms and an increased antioxidant capacity. TEO has displayed the highest inhibition zones against B. subtilis, E. coli O157:H7, L. monocytogenes and S. aureus. In general, the mixing of TEO with other essential oils has caused a decrease of its antimicrobial activity when compared with TEO alone. The lowest antimicrobial activity has been observed from REO alone and mixing REO with TEO and/or CEO has led to an increase of the antimicrobial activity of REO. The FRAP value of essential oils and their mixtures have ranged from 254.83 to 721.16 mM Fe (II)/mL, while the DPPH scavenging activity values have ranged from 0.155 to 4.121 μL oil. All the essential oils and their mixtures have displayed an antioxidant capacity, however the highest antioxidant capacity have been determined by using CEO in both methods, followed by TEO, and REO has showed the lowest antioxidant capacity. These results support the utilization of essential oils extracted from thyme, rosemary and clove and their mixtures at 1/1 ratio as a natural antimicrobial and antioxidant agent in the food industry.

Different concentration of dietary rosemary and thyme were added individually and together incorporated with minced meatunder different chilled periods storage at 4°C. Results indicated that (T10) containing 0.2% rosemary and 0. 4% thyme supplementation showed significant reduction (P<0.05) by adding these levels of herbs compared with control sample during storage 0, 7, 10 days were 3.42, 2.23 and 2.10 cfu/g respectively to reduce total count bacteria. T9 and T10 had the lowest microbial count and showed the best effects against coliform account bacteria during storage (0, 7, 10) days were 0.70, 1.80, 0.54 cuf/g and 0.42, 0.21, 0.20, respectively. T10 relieved the lowest psychrophilic bacteria were 1.22, 1.81, 1.20 cfu/g during cold storage 0.7.10 days, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of dechlorophyllization (n‐hexane: water partitioning, activated charcoal bleaching, and ChloroFiltr® decolorization) on major polyphenols of two herbal by‐products (rosemary and thyme) was assessed. The aim was to produce decolorized extracts for food preservation and improve the quantification of their main phenolics. Activated charcoal bleaching and ChloroFiltr® decolorization effectively removed the chlorophyll a and b, whereas traces were detected after n‐hexane: water partitioning. Dechlorophyllized thyme extracts prepared using activated charcoal and ChloroFiltr® had the lowest relative antioxidant capacity index (RACI) values based on 2,2‐azino‐bis‐3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) antioxidant assays. Conversely, rosemary extracts had positive RACI values following treatment with activated charcoal, whereas n‐hexane led to a significant antioxidant loss. Chromatography‐mass spectrometry analyses indicated that phenolic diterpenes (carnosol and carnosic acid), as well as rosmarinic acid were in general not significantly decreased (p ˃.05) after activated charcoal treatment, while n‐hexane maintained the flavonoids and phenolic acids with nonsignificant losses. Practical applications: Commercial exploitation of polyphenol‐rich plant based extracts as natural antioxidant agents is impeded by their high chlorophyll content, which when incorporated in food products can result in products that do not meet the consumer expectations for appearance. This study has shown that the activated charcoal bleaching has potentials to remove chlorophyll and retain antioxidant polyphenols in particular diterpenes in fresh herb by‐products. Moreover, the commonly used n‐hexane was less effective in removing chlorophyll but retained the major flavonoids and phenolic acids. Thus, the choice of chlorophyll removal methods depend on retaining the class of antioxidant polyphenols abundant in the plant matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT In this study, the effects of the supplementation of natural and synthetic antioxidant additives in layer diets on egg weight loss, yolk lipid peroxidation (TBARS values) and fatty acid composition of eggs stored at different temperatures and duration were evaluated. In total, 112 48- weeks-old Bovans White layers were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments with four replicates of seven birds each. The treatments consisted of a control diet, containing no additives, and diets with the inclusion of 200 mg synthetic vitamin E/kg, 1000 mg thyme extract/kg and 1000 mg rosemary extract/kg. Dietary treatments did not influence (p>0.05) relative weight loss of eggs stored for 14, 28, and 56 days, except for those from rosemary-fed hens stored at room temperature on d 42, which were significantly lighter than the eggs from vitamin E- and thyme-fed hens (p0.05) of dietary treatment on yolk TBARS values were detected in refrigerated eggs. The inclusion of the synthetic and both natural antioxidants in layer diets significantly reduced stearic acid (C18: 0) level in the egg yolk. In addition, only natural antioxidants significantly increased yolk levels of palmitoleic acid (C16: 1) and vaccenic acid (C18: 1n7). The results of the present study showed that adequate storage temperature was more effective in improving egg shelf life than feeding layers synthetic or natural antioxidant additives. However, the positive effects of the evaluated natural antioxidants on yolk fatty acid composition suggest their supplementation to layer diets may provide health benefits to the consumer.

The objective of this study was to evaluate silicon (Si) foliar spray and substrate drench effects on plant growth and morphology for container-grown edible crops during greenhouse production, as well as resistance to plant wilting during post-production. In the first greenhouse experiment, basil received Si foliar sprays at 0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg∙L–1 Si. In the second greenhouse experiment, Si was applied as either a foliar spray (500 mg∙L–1 Si) or substrate drench (100 mg∙L–1 Si) with six edible crop species. Supplemental Si increased shoot Si levels but had minimal effects on plant growth and morphology, except for parsley, which resulted in distorted growth and phytotoxicity. In the first experiment, 200 and 400 mg∙L–1 Si foliar sprays increased plant resistance to wilt by 2.2 and 2.5 d, respectively; however, this was not observed in the second experiment. All species accumulated Si with the control (no Si) treatments, indicating trace amounts of Si were taken up from the substrate, fertilizer, spray surfactant, and irrigation water. Only cucumber was classified as a Si “accumulator” with a high capacity for Si uptake. Results emphasize the need to conduct preliminary trials with supplemental Si to avoid issues of phytotoxicity.

The effect of essential oils from some medicinal plants on seed germination was studied with the aim of assessing their potential use as bioherbicides. The experiment was conducted as factorial based on completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Seeds of 3 summer crops including lettuce (Lactuca sativa), pepper (Piper longum) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) were exposed to essential oils of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and anise (Pimpinella anisum) at 3 different concentrations (25 and 50% diluted and undiluted). Treated seeds were grown in a growth chamber at 25°C for 5 days. The number of germinated seeds in each Petri dish was daily counted. After five days seed germination percentage (Ge) was calculated. Biplot analysis was performed using genotype plus genotype environment interaction (GGE) method. Results showed that the allelopathic effect on Ge was varied among studied plants, which was mainly due to i) differences in the composition of the studied essential oils and ii) different allelopathic effects of the studied essential oils on Ge. Accordingly, compared to the individual use, combining several essential oils would have a greater inhibitory effect on Ge of weeds.

Food packaging faces the negative impact of synthetic materials on the environment, and edible coatings offer one alternative from filmogenic suspensions (FS). In this work, an active edible FS based on chitosan (C) and quinoa protein (QP) cross-linked with transglutaminase was produced. Thyme (T) and rosemary (R) essential oils (EOs) were incorporated as antimicrobial agents. Particle size, Z potential, and rheological parameters were evaluated. The antimicrobial activity against Micrococcus luteus (NCIB 8166) and Salmonella sp. (Lignieres 1900) was monitored using atomic force microscopy and image analysis. Results indicate that EOs incorporation into C:QP suspensions did not affect the Z potential, ranging from −46.69 ± 3.19 mV to −46.21 ± 3.83 mV. However, the polydispersity index increased from 0.51 ± 0.07 to 0.80 ± 0.04 in suspensions with EO. The minimum inhibitory concentration of active suspensions against Salmonella sp. was 0.5% (v/v) for thyme and 1% (v/v) for rosemary. Entropy and fractal dimension of the images were used to confirm the antimicrobial effect of EOs, which modified the surface roughness.

Estrogen deficiency and insufficient calcium in diet in postmenopause create serious problems with resultant osteoporosis and fractures. In the present study, forty adult albino rats weighting 200–220 g were used and divided into five groups. Group 1, control group included non-ovariectomized untreated rats. Group 2, ovariectomized)OVX) rats. Group 3, OVX rats daily received CaCO3 (27 mg/kg b.w.). Group 4, OVX rats daily received a mixture of herbs (sage, rosemary and thyme) (30 g/kg b.w.). Group 5, OVX rats daily received both herb mixture and CaCO3. The results showed significant decrease in serum calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphorus (P), total proteins (TP), calcitonin, bone mass density (BMD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) in OVX rats compared to the control group. While a significant increase in serum parathyroid hormone (PTH), osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) were recorded. Also the recorded data showed increases in femur, tibia and vertebral lipid peroxidation (MAD) content and the activities of acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase in the ovariectomized rats. On the other hand, when OVX rats were fed on sage, rosemary and thyme supplemented diets or CaCO3 in a single or in combination, the data recorded a significant improvement in all the above mentioned parameters. Finally, the results of this study indicated that the combination of common herbs (sage, rosemary and thyme) with calcium carbonate, was more effective in reduction and prevention of osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats. So, it can be concluded that consumption of mixed herbs supplemented diets might be considered as a functional food for retarding risks of osteoporosis associated with estrogen deficiency in OVX states.

Cookies are a group of convenient food products that are popular among consumers. They may contain high amounts of fats, which can be prone to oxidation. To retard the oxidative deterioration, synthetic and natural antioxidants may be added. Herb and spice extracts can be sources of natural biologically active substances with antioxidant activity. In this work, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to monitor the lipid oxidation in cookies with rosemary and thyme extracts subjected to the storage in elevated temperature. It was shown that thyme extract can be used as a natural antioxidant source for the preparation of bakery products, while the rosemary extract should be used with care in fat-rich products exposed to high temperatures.

The present study was preformed to evaluate the effect of dip treatments by thyme (Thymus vulgaris) extract (0.5%) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) extract (1.5%) on the quality and shelf life of Nile tilapia (Orechromis niloticus) fillets during refrigerated storage at 2 ± 1 °C. The control (untreated) and treated groups were examined periodically at day zero and every 3 days (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, ....) during refrigeration until apparent decomposition of each group, with sensory, physicochemical and microbiological methods. The obtained results showed that thyme extract has strong antimicrobial and antioxidant activity and can maintain the quality parameters and extend the shelf life of refrigerated Nile tilapia fillets for 9 days longer than control one, while rosemary extract had efficient antioxidant activity with weak antimicrobial action.

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