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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]

In this study, the odour values of rosemary, mint, black cumin, lavender, and thyme oils were determined by an electronic nose working with an Arduino microprocessor. The components of the plants were compared with the sensor data, and the most sensitive sensors were determined by sorting according to the highest components. The study data indicated that the MQ3 sensor exhibited the highest sensitivity for thyme, black cumin, and lavender oils, which contain 63% carvacrol, 38% thymoquinone, and 36% linalool, respectively. Also, MQ7 was the most sensitive sensor for menthone (68%) in mint oil and eucalyptol (45%) in rosemary oil. In addition, a low-cost and non-contact device that works with an infrared sensor has been developed to detect the identity of the oil added into the vial. The study data showed that low-cost Arduino-based IR and odour sensors can determine the identity and component percentage of oils. The fact that the developed device can detect with 100 percent accuracy even in case of peppermint and rosemary oils, which are very similar in appearance, shows that the study data will be an inspiration for contactless determination of oil quality and type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a biodegradable polymer resembling paper after being dried. It finds a growing number of applications in many branches of industry and in medicine. In the present study, BC was produced after Gluconacetobacter hansenii ATCC 23769 strain culture and used as a matrix for plant extracts (tulsi, brahmi, lemon, blackberry, nettle root, and nettle leave) and essential oils (cinnamon, sage, clove, mint, thyme, lemongrass, rosemary, lemon, anise, tea tree, lime, grapefruit, and tangerine), and the antimicrobial properties of these biomaterials was determined. The growth-inhibiting effects of plant extracts and essential oils combined with BC were analyzed against five Cronobacter species isolated from food matrix and two reference strains from the ATCC (513229 and 29544). Additional analyses were conducted for BC water activity and for its capability to absorb biologically active plant compounds. The cellulose matrix with a 50% extract from brahmi was found to effectively inhibit the growth of the selected Cronobacter strains. The other plant water extracts did not show any antimicrobial activity against the tested strains. It was demonstrated that BC soaked with thyme essential oil was characterized with the strongest antimicrobial activity in comparison to the other tested EOs. These study results indicate the feasibility of deploying BC impregnated with natural plant components as an active and environmentally-friendly packaging material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although synthetic preservatives and antioxidants may have high antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, they are usually associated with adverse effects on human health. Currently, there is a growing interest in natural antimicrobial and antioxidant agents. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of two medicinal plant extracts and one active compound. Olive leaf extracts (0.2, 0.3, and 0.4% w/v), oleuropein (0.2, 0.4, and 0.6% w/v), thyme oil (0.1%), and oleuropein in combination with thyme oil (0.4% w/v and 0.1% v/v) were used against three bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus) and two fungal strains (Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger). Results: The use of oleuropein resulted in complete antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. In this context, a reduction of 7 logs was achieved during the storage period (4 weeks). Oleuropein showed no fungal activity at low concentrations (0.2%), but Aspergillus niger was reduced by 2.35 logs at higher concentrations (0.6% w/v). Similar antibacterial and antifungal properties were observed for the olive leaf extracts. Oleuropein at a concentration of 0.4 w/v and a mixture of oleuropein and thyme at concentrations of 0.4 and 0.1 (v/v) showed strong antimicrobial activity against the studied microorganisms. Conclusion: Olive leaf extract, thyme oil, and oleuropein have strong antibacterial and weak antifungal properties. There was a good synergistic effect between oleuropein and thymol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the Escherichia coli turned into serious pathogens or developed antibiotic resistance, mainly due to their ability to show different phenotypic traits. In order to overcome the resistance to these antibiotics, the use of essential oils (EOs) is of great significance against highly pathogenic microorganisms. This study has been made to compare the in vitro antibacterial activity and further validated the same through the molecular docking study of 13 antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, ampicillin, cefotaxime, rifampicin, kanamycin, vancomycin, streptomycin, penicillin, nalidixic acid, trimethoprim, and polymyxin, and 10 EOs such as garlic, tulsi, neem, clove, thyme, peppermint, coriander, tea, lavender, and eucalyptus against the target protein (DNA gyrase) of E. coli MTCC443. E. coli Microbial Type Culture Collection 443 was found to be highly sensitive to ciprofloxacin (zone of inhibition [ZOI], 2.5 cm ±0.1) and chloramphenicol (ZOI, 1.8 cm ±0.1), whereas garlic oil (ZOI, 5.5 cm ±0.1) and coriander oil (ZOI, 4.4 cm ±0.1) were found comparatively most effective. Further, the in silico investigation observed the same; ciprofloxacin (binding affinity: −7.2 kcal/mol) and chloramphenicol (binding affinity: −6.6 kcal/mol). Penicillin (binding affinity: −4.2 kcal/mol) and polymyxin (binding affinity: −0.3 kcal/mol) were found to be least effective against the tested microbe, whereas vancomycin (binding affinity: +0.8 kcal/mol) had no effect on it. Garlic (binding affinity: −7.8 kcal/mol), coriander (binding affinity: −6.8 kcal/mol), peppermint (binding affinity: −6.2 kcal/mol), and neem (binding affinity: −6.2 kcal/mol) oil exhibited the potent antibacterial activity against E. coli MTCC443, whereas thyme (binding affinity: −6.1 kcal/mol), tea tree (binding affinity: −4.9 kcal/mol), and tulsi (binding affinity: −3.8 kcal/mol) oil were observed moderately effective. Eucalyptus (binding affinity: −2.9 kcal/mol) and lavender (binding affinity: −2.8 kcal/mol) oil were found to be the least effective among all the oils tested. The pharmacokinetics and networking were performed to the pharmacology of the potential compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a widely used, highly effective chemotherapeutic agent. However, its therapeutic efficacy is often limited by associated adverse effects, with hepatotoxicity being frequently reported with 5-FU therapy. Thymol is a monoterpene found in thyme (Thymus vulgaris L., Lamiaceae) and is known for its antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anticancer activities. This study aimed to explore the hepatoprotective activity of thymol against 5-FU-induced liver injury. Methods: Rats received two intraperitoneal doses of 5-FU (150 mg/kg) either alone or in combination with thymol at doses of 60 mg/kg or 120 mg/kg. Liver enzymes, oxidative stress, and apoptotic markers, in addition to histopathological changes, were assessed. Results: 5-FU induced marked liver injuries as evidenced by elevated liver enzymes and histopathological changes, in addition to abnormalities of oxidative and apoptotic markers. The administration of thymol ameliorated the 5-FU-induced oxidative damage through increasing hepatic antioxidants and lowering lipid peroxidation. Apoptotic response markers such as Bax, Bcl-2, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and PARP were also improved. Furthermore, Western blotting analysis showed that thymol modulated the 5-FU-induced changes in the expression of Akt/GSK-3β and p44/42 MAPK (ERK1/2) signaling pathways. Conclusions: Our research is the first to shed light on thymol's potential protective effect against 5-FU- induced hepatotoxicity by inhibiting oxidative and apoptotic pathways and modulating the Akt/ GSK-3β as well as p44/42 MAPK (ERK1/2) signaling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Untargeted analysis of gas chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) data is a key and time-consuming challenge for identifying metabolite markers in food authentication applications. Few studies have been performed to evaluate the capability of untargeted data processing tools for feature extraction, metabolite annotation, and marker selection from untargeted GC-HRMS data since most of them are focused on liquid chromatography (LC) analysis. In this framework, this study provides a comprehensive evaluation of data analysis tools for GC-Orbitrap-HRMS plant metabolomics data, including the open-source MS-DIAL software and commercial Compound Discoverer™ software (designed for Orbitrap data processing), applied for the geographical discrimination and search for thyme markers (Spanish vs. Polish differentiation) as the case study. Both approaches showed that the feature detection process is highly affected by unknown metabolites (Levels 4–5 of identification confidence), background signals, and duplicate features that must be carefully assessed before further multivariate data analysis for reliable putative identification of markers. As a result, Compound Discoverer™ and MS-DIAL putatively annotated 52 and 115 compounds at Level 2, respectively. Further multivariate data analysis allowed the identification of differential compounds, showing that the putative identification of markers, especially in challenging untargeted analysis, heavily depends on the data processing parameters, including available databases used during compound annotation. Overall, this method comparison pointed out both approaches as good options for untargeted analysis of GC-Orbitrap-HRMS data, and it is presented as a useful guide for users to implement these data processing approaches in food authenticity applications depending on their availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and preservative efficacy of Thymus broussonetii Boiss. essential oil (EO) in a topically applied formulation using a challenge test. Methods: The essential oil was extracted from the aerial part of T. broussonetii using hydrodistillation, and the obtained EO was further analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The antioxidant effect of the EO was evaluated using three methods: the inhibition of free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), βcarotene-linoleic acid, and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods. The antimicrobial activity and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of this EO were assayed by the disk-diffusion method and the broth microdilution method, respectively. The preservative efficacy of T. broussonetii EO was assayed at 1% and 2% (v/w) in a topical cream formulation using a challenge test against standard-specific microorganisms recommended by the European Pharmacopoeia. Furthermore, the identified phytochemical compounds were docked for their effect on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase, human casein kinase 1 alpha 1 (CSNK1A1), glycogen synthase kinase 3, Staphylococcus aureus nucleoside diphosphate kinase, Escherichia coli beta-ketoacyl-[acyl-carrier protein] synthase, Pseudomonas aeruginosa LasR ligand-binding domain, and sterol 14-alpha demethylase (CYP51) from Candida albicans. The ADME/toxicity was predicted by analyzing the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion parameters. Results and discussion: chemical composition of the EO revealed the presence of thymol (63.09%), p-cymene (11%), and γ-terpinene (8.99%) as the major components. The antioxidant assays revealed that the essential oil exhibited strong antioxidant activity, as indicated by the minimum inhibitory concentration IC50 (IC50 = 210 ± 0.3 μg/mL for the DPPH assay, IC50 = 145 ± 0.1 μg/mL for the β-carotene assay, and IC50 = 84 ± 0.21 μg/mL for the FRAP assay) when compared to quercetin and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as controls. The investigated essential oil exhibited important antimicrobial activity against all the tested microorganisms, and the MICs of the EO against bacteria and fungi were 0.02%-1%. Moreover, the EO of T. broussonetii evaluated at 2% (v/w) in a cream formulation succeeded in satisfying the A criteria for preservation efficacy against S. aureus, E. coli, and Aspergillus brasiliensis but exhibited less efficacy against P. aeruginosa (1.78 log reduction in the number of CFU/g after 7 days of evaluation) and C. albicans (1.09 log reduction in the number of CFU/g after 14 days of evaluation) when compared to the synthetic preservative phenoxyethanol 1% (v/w). In silico results showed that the antimicrobial activity of T. broussonetii EO is mostly attributed to thymol, terpinen-4-ol, and aromadendrene, while the antioxidant activity is attributed to thymol. These results indicate that the EO of T. broussonetii possesses important antimicrobial and antioxidant properties and can, therefore, be used as a natural preservative ingredient in the cosmetic industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, Lacticaseibacillus casei and Lactobacillus acidophilus probiotic bacteria were encapsulated using oleaster flour, which is rich in phenolic compounds and has prebiotic properties as potential. The optimum conditions required for the encapsulation of L. casei and L. acidophilus bacteria with maximum efficiency using oleaster flour were determined by central composite design–response surface methodology. As a result of the optimization process, the encapsulation efficiency for L. casei and L. acidophilus capsules was 93.66 ± 2.58% and 74.97 ± 1.34%, respectively. The capsule sizes of L. casei and L. acidophilus encapsulated with oleaster flour were determined by scanning electron microscopy to be 104.8 ± 26.3 and 95.7 ± 12.1 μm, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses showed that there was no change in the structure of the encapsulation material, oleaster flour, after encapsulation. Also, the storage stability of free and encapsulated bacteria was investigated, and it was found that the viability losses of encapsulated probiotic bacteria were less than those of free probiotic bacteria. Finally, the effect of encapsulation on bacterial viability during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion was investigated, which is the main purpose of the study. While free probiotic bacteria cannot reach the intestinal environment alive after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion due to pH and enzyme effects, encapsulated L. casei and L. acidophilus bacteria largely preserved their viability, and their postdigestion viability was 39.59 ± 1.50% and 36.28 ± 0.01%, respectively. The results showed successful encapsulation of L. casei and L. acidophilus probiotic bacteria with oleaster flour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Microbial growth during plant tissue culture is a common problem that causes significant losses in the plant micro-propagation system. Most of these endophytic microbes have the ability to propagate through horizontal and vertical transmission. On the one hand, these microbes provide a rich source of several beneficial metabolites. Results: The present study reports on the isolation of fungal species from different in vitro medicinal plants (i.e., Breynia disticha major, Breynia disticha, Duranta plumieri, Thymus vulgaris, Salvia officinalis, Rosmarinus officinalis, and Ocimum basilicum l) cultures. These species were tested for their indole acetic acid (IAA) production capability. The most effective species for IAA production was that isolated from Thymus vulgaris plant (11.16 µg/mL) followed by that isolated from sweet basil plant (8.78 µg/mL). On screening for maximum IAA productivity, medium, "MOS + tryptophan" was chosen that gave 18.02 μg/mL. The macroscopic, microscopic examination and the 18S rRNA sequence analysis indicated that the isolate that given code T4 was identified as Neopestalotiopsis aotearoa (T4). The production of IAA by N. aotearoa was statistically modeled using the Box-Behnken design and optimized for maximum level, reaching 63.13 µg/mL. Also, IAA extract was administered to sweet basil seeds in vitro to determine its effect on plant growth traits. All concentrations of IAA extract boosted germination parameters as compared to controls, and 100 ppm of IAA extract exhibited a significant growth promotion effect for all seed germination measurements. Conclusions: The IAA produced from N. aotearoa (T4) demonstrated an essential role in the enhancement of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) growth, suggesting that it can be employed to promote the plant development while lowering the deleterious effect of using synthetic compounds in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Varroosis is a disease that can be observed in all life stages of honey bees and causes serious clinical findings in infested hives. This study aimed to investigate and compare the efficiency of thyme oil, Cinnamomum verum, Melaleuca viridiflora, Syzygium aromaticum essential oils, and amitraz against Varroosis in the field. After the essential oils were dissolved in glycerin, they were impregnated on strips and applied by placing them between frames. Amitraz was applied by fumigation. Positive and phoretic Varroa negative control groups were also included. Treatments were applied once a week for four weeks during the autumn season. The rates of acaricide efficacy and weekly mite count per bottom frame were determined for each of the treatments. According to the results, the highest effectiveness against Varroosis was detected in the amitraz treatment group at 81.3%. The C. verum treatment group had the highest efficacy of all the essential oil treatment groups at 73.5%. The efficacies in thyme oil, M. viridiflora, and S. aromaticum essential oils treatment groups were 71.9%, 71.3%, and 67.4%, respectively. According to the findings of the study, natural extracts can be used instead of chemical drugs in the fight against Varroosis. No toxicity or unnatural death was observed in honey bees throughout the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a fiber substance produced by microbial fermentation. It is widely used in the food preservation industry because of its extremely pure texture, high crystallinity and high biocompatibility. In the present study, bacterial cellulose/thyme essential oil (BC/TEO‐E) with antibacterial and fresh‐keeping functions was prepared by ultrasonic treatment of modified bacterial cellulose for encapsulation of thyme essential oil, which effectively inhibited the spoilage of chilled chicken. RESULTS: The purified BC, produced by Acetobacter xylinum ATCC 53524, was ultrasonically treated wih different times (0, 30, 60 and 90 min). Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and zeta potential were used to characterize the structure of BC after ultrasound, showing that BC, treated for 30 min, had the optimal fiber structure, crystallinity (85.8%), thermal stability (347.77 °C) and solution stability (−26.63 ± 1.96 mV). BC/TEO‐E was prepared by a homogenizer for the preservation of chilled chicken. Optical microscopy indicated that the BC/TEO‐E prepared by 0.5% BC had optimal dispersion and stability, and even no delamination was observed in the emulsion. Compared with other groups (control, 0.5% BC and Tween‐E), the total number of colonies and coliforms in chilled chicken treated with 0.5% BC/TEO‐E was the lowest during the whole storage period (12 days), indicating that it can effectively inhibit bacterial growth. In addition, total volatile base nitrogen (TVB‐N), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, pH and drip loss results showed that 0.5% BC/TEO‐E could effectively inhibit the spoilage of chilled chicken compared to the other treatment groups. CONCLUSION: All of the results acquired in the present study indicate that BC/TEO‐E has a potential application in chilled chicken preservation. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to basil's short shelf life and the insufficient research on utilizing plant extracts and ɛ-polylysine as a natural preservative for vegetables, this research was to investigate different concentrations of plant extracts of Thymus vulgaris, Zataria multiflora, Salvia verticillata, and ε-Polylysine on increasing the shelf life of basil during cold storage at a temperature of 8°C over 12 days. All the treatments had less weight loss compared to the control group at the end of the storage period. ε-Polylysine (3 ml/L) and T. vulgaris (2 g/L) treatments effectively reduced spoilage symptoms by decreasing the activity of degrading enzymes like cellulase and polyphenol oxidase. Additionally, these treatments increased the activity of enzymes such as catalase, which inhibits the production of reactive oxygen species. By preserving phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, ascorbic acid, and reducing microbial load, the ε-Polylysine (3 ml/L) and T. vulgaris (2 g/L) treatments extended the shelf life and quality of basil. The results indicate that using ε-Polylysine (3 ml/L) and T. vulgaris (2 g/L) treatments effectively preserved the sensory attributes of basil, including freshness, appearance, overall acceptability, and odor, throughout storage. Furthermore, these treatments reduced spoilage, extended shelf life, and improved the nutritional value of basil during storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the use of natural preservatives in food products has gained significant attention due to their potential health benefits and effectiveness. A standardized microbiological analysis was conducted on Slovak farm-produced lump goat cheese samples to determine the antibacterial activity of dry herbs and essential oils added to vacuum-packed goat cheese. We employed five dried herbs and five essential oils derived from the same plants. The microbiological quality of 145 fresh and vacuum-packed goat cheese samples was assessed. The number of coliform bacteria, total viable count, lactic acid bacteria, and microscopic filamentous fungi were examined in raw cheese samples stored for 12 days at 4 °C. All cheese samples were vacuum-packed (control samples were packed without vacuum). This study evaluated the potential benefits of using essential oils and dried herbs from thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.), black pepper (Piper nigrum L.), clove (Eugenia caryophyllus Thunb.), mint (Mentha × piperita L.), and basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) as preservatives. The essential oils were obtained from Hanus Ltd., Nitra, Slovakia, and were applied at a concentration of 2%. The dried herbs were obtained from Popradský čaj (Poprad, Slovakia) and Mäspoma Ltd. (Zvolen, Slovakia). The results showed that all microorganism groups were significantly reduced in cheese samples following the application of essential oils throughout the entire storage period. During the preservation of cheese samples in polyethylene bags used for vacuum packing food, Lactococcus garvieae, L. lactis, Enterobacter cloacae, and Serratia liquefaciens were the most frequently isolated microbiota. Essential oils and dried herbs demonstrated antimicrobial potential during the storage of vacuum-packed goat cheese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The effect of sodium alginate- crystalline nanocellulose based pickering emulsion containing different concentrations of thyme and clove essential oils on post-harvest storage life and quality of guava fruits under ambient condition was assessed. The guavas were coated by dipping in respective emulsions and evaluated at 3 days interval upto 12 days ambient storage period. The emulsion and films were evaluated for physical and chemical properties, whereas coated and uncoated guavas were evaluated for the physiological properties. The average droplet diameters of nanoemulsions were in the range of 342.4–476.8 nm, increasing with concentration of essential oil in the formulation, whereas the emulsions remained stable without phase separation till 28 days. Higher antioxidant and antifungal activity was observed in coating emulsions of clove essential oil as compared to thyme essential oil. Highest retention of ascorbic acid and firmness of 86.2% and 44% was obtained in formulations TC0.05 as compared to 68.4% and 23% in uncoated fruits during the 12 days storage period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of thyme, ginger, and their nano-particles, as alternatives to antibiotic growth promotors (AGP), on productive performance, carcass traits, meat quality and gut health of broiler chickens. A total of 270 one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly distributed into 6 groups, each consisting of 3 replicates (n = 15 chicks/replicate). The birds in group 1 were fed the control diet which contained neither antibiotic growth promotors nor phytogenic feed additives (PFA). Birds in group 2 were fed diets containing 0.05% of AGP (Bacitracin methylene disalicylate). Chicks in group 3 and 4 were fed diets supplemented with 1.0% of thyme and ginger, respectively, whereas birds in group 5 and 6 were offered diets including 0.10% of nano-thyme and nano-ginger, respectively. The experiment lasted for 35 days. It was found that thyme and ginger with their nano-products, like the antibiotic, improved the body weight, weight gain and feed conversion rate of birds. The effect of ginger and nano-ginger on body weight and weight gain was greater than other treatments. During the overall feeding period, the feed cost of production was the highest in antibiotic group, but was the lowest in ginger and nano-ginger treatments. There was no effect of dietary treatments on carcass yield or organs weight except bursa of Fabricius and abdominal fat. Thyme, ginger and their nano-composites increased the weight of bursa and reduced the abdominal fat amount. The phytogenic additives and their nano-particles improved the colour, water holding capacity, and flavor of meat. Moreover, these additives reduced the total intestinal bacterial count as well as the total aerobic mesophilic count of meat. The effect of PFA and their nano-particles on the bacterial count was similar to that of antibiotic. In conclusion, thyme and ginger with their nano- particles can be considered as promising agents in feeding of broilers to improve the growth performance, gut health and meat quality. Moreover, these additives can be used as alternatives to AGP to overcome its health hazards and the high cost. The nanotechnology of herbal plants enables them to be added in smaller amounts in poultry diets with producing the same effect of raw ingredients, and this could be due to the higher bioavailability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The innate immunity acts during the early phases of infection and its failure in response to a multilayer network of co-infections is cause of immune system dysregulation. Epidemiological SARS-CoV-2 infections data, show that Influenza Virus (FLU-A-B-C) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are co-habiting those respiratory traits. These viruses, especially in children (mostly affected by 'multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children' [MIS-C] and the winter pandemic FLU), in the aged population, and in 'fragile' patients are causing alteration in immune response. Then, bacterial and fungal pathogens are also co-habiting the upper respiratory traits (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans), thus contributing to morbidity in those COVID-19 affected patients. Methods: Liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry using the quadrupole orbital ion trap analyser (i.e., UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS) was adopted to measure the polyphenols content of a new nutraceutical formula (Solution-3). Viral infections with SARS-CoV-2 (EG.5), FLU-A and RSV-A viruses (as performed in BLS3 authorised laboratory) and real time RT-PCR (qPCR) assay were used to test the antiviral action of the nutraceutical formula. Dilution susceptibility tests have been used to estimate the minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentration (MIC and MBC, respectively) of Solution-3 on a variety of microorganisms belonging to Gram positive/ negative bacteria and fungi. Transcriptomic data analyses and functional genomics (i.e., RNAseq and data mining), coupled to qPCR and ELISA assays have been used to investigate the mechanisms of action of the nutraceutical formula on those processes involved in innate immune response. Results: Here, we have tested the combination of natural products containing higher amounts of polyphenols (i.e., propolis, Verbascum thapsus L., and Thymus vulgaris L.), together with the inorganic long chain polyphosphates 'polyPs' with antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal behaviours, against SARS-CoV-2, FLU-A, RSV-A, Gram positive/ negative bacteria and fungi (i.e., Candida albicans). These components synergistically exert an immunomodulatory action by enhancing those processes involved in innate immune response (e.g., cytokines: IFNγ, TNFα, IL-10, IL-6/12; chemokines: CXCL1; antimicrobial peptides: HBD-2, LL-37; complement system: C3). Conclusion: The prophylactic antimicrobial success of this nutraceutical formula against SARS-CoV-2, FLU-A and RSV-A viruses, together with the common bacteria and fungi co-infections as present in human oral cavity, is expected to be valuable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: The cross-disciplinary investigation conducted here utilized natural green products (essential oils and plant extracts) as effective eco-friendly antifungal agents for the preservation of archaeological wooden artifacts. The biodeterioration of wooden cultural heritage is a severe problem worldwide and fungi are the main deteriorating agents. The identification of effective natural products, safer for humans and the environment, is a current challenge. Ten deteriorated archaeological objects (a wooden statue of a seated man, an anthropoid wooden coffin with a cartonnage mummy of Nespathettawi, and a wooden box of Padimen's son), stored at the Egyptian museum in Cairo, were considered here. The wood species of the three most deteriorated objects were previously identified as Acacia nilotica, Ficus sycomorus, and Tamarix gennessarensis. Twenty-six fungal species were isolated and identified from the wooden objects and the four most frequent species belonged to the genus Aspergillus. Fourteen fungal species among those isolated showed the greatest biodeterioration activity on the experimental wood blocks of the archaeological objects. The antifungal activities of several eco-friendly plant essential oils (from cinnamon, eucalyptus, frankincense, geranium, lavender, lemongrass, menthe, rosemary, tea tree, and thyme) and plant extracts (from basil, eucalyptus, henna, melia, and teak) were tested against the fungal species with the greatest biodeterioration activity. The essential oils (Eos) were more effective than the plant extracts. Thyme EO, followed by geranium and cinnamon ones, was the most active (minimum inhibitory concentrations: 0.25–1 µL/mL). These EO; also showed inhibitory effects on the enzymatic activities (cellulase, amylase, and protease) of the four most dominant fungal species. Thymol and p-cymene were the two main components of thyme oil, while geraniol and beta-citronellol were those of geranium oil; eugenol and caryophyllene were those of the cinnamon EO. Thyme oil applied to the most deteriorated experimental aged A. nilotica wooden cubes inoculated with the four highly frequent fungal species was effective in wood preservation. Moreover, no significant interference was observed in the wood before and after thyme treatment. Thyme oil seems to be a promising eco-friendly antifungal agent for the preservation of archaeological wooden artefacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of thyme and/or garlic oil administration on growth performance, immunity, antioxidant, biochemical parameters, and net farm income of Damascus goats. Forty weaned Damascus goats were allocated into four groups. The first group was the control without oral administration, while the 2nd (Th), 3rd (Gr), and 4th (ThGr) groups were orally administrated by (2 ml/goat/day) of thyme oil, garlic oil and their mixture (1:1), respectively during the whole experiment period. The final body weight of goats orally administered oil mixture was the heaviest group, it was 10, 4.5 and 3.5% than the control, Th. and Gr. groups, respectively with better feed conversion ratio and high net farm income. Goats of ThGr. group revealed the best immunity, antioxidant and general health condition than the control group with 50% reduction of MDA. Liver (AST, 33% and ALT, 38%) and kidney (creatinine, 88%) functions improved by oils mixtures orally administration compared with the control group. LDL, triglyceride and cholesterol were reduced by 47, 33 and 21% compared with the control group, respectively. Thus, mixture oil administration (thyme and garlic at the ratio of 1:1, 2 ml/goat/day) improved growth (10%), antioxidant status (MDA 50%), liver (AST, 33% and ALT, 38%), kidney function (creatinine, 88%), the FCR (17.4%) and net farm income (21%), of Damascus goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Inactivity can reduce the serum level of some markers such as nesfatin-1 and irisin, which have positive effects on reducing inflammation and insulin resistance. Thyme is a plant whose extract has various properties, including anti- inflammatory effects. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) along with thyme supplementation on the serum levels of irisin and nesfatin-1 in sedentary young girls Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 48 young girls were randomly divided into four groups of HIIT, thyme, HIIT+thyme, and control group. Thyme supplement was taken in the form of 20 mg soft capsules, half an hour before each meal. Serum levels of nesfatin-1 and irisin were analyzed using specific ELISA kits. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and paired t statistical tests with a significance level of 0.05. Results: The serum level of irisin before the test (p=0.685) and after the test (p=0.556) was not significantly different among the studied groups. The post-test values of nesfatin-1 were significantly different among the groups (p<0.001). Intra-group evaluation showed that the changes of nesfatin-1 in the control and thyme groups were not significant (p>0.05). However, a significant increase in nesfatin-1 was observed in HIIT (p<0.001) and HIIT + thyme groups (p=0.001) after the interventions. Conclusion: The increase of nesfatin-1 was one of the favorable effects of HIIT exercises with or without thyme consumption. Irisin levels were not affected by exercise or thyme supplementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to optimize the formulation of chitosan -caffeic acid nanogel containing Shirazi thyme (Zataria multiflora) essential oil (ZEO) and nisin. The independent variables (the concentration of chitosan nanogel, Shirazi -thyme, and nisin) were optimized based on the highest zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency, besides the lowest particle size and IC50(DPPH) values. The results of The Box -Behnken experimental design and Stepwise -response surface model showed the optimal nanogel formulation was as follows: chitosan concentration= 0.4 g; ZEO= 157.1 ppm and nisin= 10.1 ppm. The particle size, zeta -potential, antioxidant activity, and encapsulation efficiency of the optimal chitosan -ZEO - nisin nanogel were 411.39±18.11 nm, 32.90±1.10 mV, 0.79±0.06 mg.mL - 1, 71.06 - 82.69% respectively. Moreover, the addition of optimized nanogel to the Iranian white cheese formulation showed that the treated cheese samples with ZEO and nisin (free or encapsulated in chitosan nanogel) improved the microbial quality of chess. The antimicrobial activity of the ZEO and nisin encapsulated in chitosan - caffeic acid nanogel was higher than a free form of ZEO -nisin. The Coliforms population of cheeses treated with sodium nitrate and chitosan nanogel containing ZEO -nisin was acceptable during 60 days of storage. During the storage period, the most changes in the color and texture (hardness) of the cheese samples were related to the control sample, and the least change was obtained for samples treated with sodium -nitrate and chitosan nanogel (P < 0.05). Also, the sensory quality of the sample containing ZEO and nisin was acceptable for the sensory evaluator. The sample containing chitosan nanogel received an acceptable sensory score (>3) during 60 days of storage. In general, the potential of the nanogel in increasing the shelf-life of Iranian white cheese was comparable with sodium nitrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In this study, the changes in oil content, bioactive components, radical scavenging activity, phenolic profiles, fatty acid components and sensory characteristics of 'Ayvalık' olive fruits fermented in brine thyme, sage and rosemary hydrosols were investigated. Total carotenoid and total phenolic results of olives were recorded between 0.02 (thyme hydrosol) and 0.24 μg g−1 (control (only brine 10%)) to 213.92 (rosemary hydrosol) and 432.54 mg GAE per 100 g (fresh 'Ayvalık' olive), respectively. Total flavonoids of olive fruits fermented in different hydrosols were reported between 755.87 mg per 100 g (rosemary hydrosol) and 1404.76 mg per 100 g (fresh 'Ayvalık' olive). Radical scavenging capacity of fermented 'Ayvalık' olive fruits was reported between 10.20 (control) and 10.55 mmol kg−1 (rosemary hydrosol). Verbascoside results of fresh and fermented 'Ayvalık' olive fruits in brine and hydrosols were identified between 107.00 mg per 100 g (sage hydrosol) and 167.20 mg per 100 g (fresh 'Ayvalık' olive). Oleic and linoleic acid values of olive oils changed to be between 67.07% (rosemary hydrosol) and 68.71% (control) to 10.89% (control) and 11.86% (rosemary hydrosol), respectively. Overall, 'Ayvalık' olive fruit fermented in brine was most appreciated by the panellists, followed in descending order by olives fermented in thyme, sage, and rosemary hydrosols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioaerosols and pathogens in indoor workplaces and residential environments are the primary culprits of several infections. Techniques for sanitizing air and surfaces typically involve the use of UV rays or chemical sanitizers, which may release chemical residues harmful to human health. Essential oils, natural substances derived from plants, which exhibit broad antimicrobial properties, could be a viable alternative for air and surface sanitation. The objective of this study has been to investigate the efficacy of thyme essential oil (TEO) in environmental sanitation processes. In Vitro assays through agar well diffusion, disk volatilization and tube dilution methods revealed significant antimicrobial activity of TEO 100% against foodborne and environmental isolates, with both bacteriostatic/fungistatic and bactericidal/fungicidal effects. Therefore, aqueous solutions of TEO 2.5% and 5% were formulated for air sanitation through nebulization and surface disinfection via direct contact. Bioaerosol samples and surface swabs were analyzed before and after sanitation, demonstrating the efficacy of aqueous solutions of TEO in reducing mesophilic and psychrophilic bacteria and environmental fungi levels in both air and on surfaces. The obtained results prove the antimicrobial potential of aqueous solutions of TEO in improving indoor air quality and surface cleanliness, suggesting thyme essential oil as an effective and safe natural sanitizer with minimal environmental impact compared to dangerous chemical disinfectants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to enhanced functionality of beer with natural materials such as selected herbs from Lamiaceae family (salvia, oregano, wild thyme, lemon balm) and consequently to determine the impact of the addition of herbs on the technological parameters and sensory profile of beer. For purposes of this study a top-fermented beer was produced and herbs: salvia (Salvia officinalis L), oregano (Origanum vulgare L.), wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) were used for beer fortification. The basic qualitative parameters of beer as real extract, alcohol content, pH, colour, total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity were determined. Results showed that in the analysed samples, the values of the actual extract ranged from 3.64 wt.% to 4.02 wt.%. Alcohol content ranged from 3.99 vol.% to 4.46 vol.%. Total polyphenol content was significantly increased by the herbs addition to beer. The content of phenolic substances increased the most in beer with oregano 801.63 mg GAE.g-1. Moreover, the antioxidant activity in beer samples enriched with herbs was significantly increased; it ranged from 50.30 mg TEAC.g-1 (control beer) to 78.17 mg TEAC.g-1 (beer with oregano). Values of antioxidant activity were positively correlated with the content of total polyphenols. Sensory evaluation of beer was conducted using a nine-level hedonic scale. Sensory analyses revealed that the most intense, pleasurable herbal aroma and taste was evaluated in beer with salvia. From the overall impression point of view beer enriched with wild thyme manifested the best performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The impact of livestock on climate change has prompted animal nutrition researchers to reassess ruminant feeding strategies that minimize negative repercussions on the ecosystem. Essential oils (EOs), derived from natural plant extracts, have emerged as promising substances capable of inhibiting rumen methanogenesis. This study elucidated the effects of oregano and white thyme EOs on in vivo rumen methane emissions and rumen parameters in Nellore beef cattle. In contrast to results obtained through in vitro methods, our in vivo results indicated that oregano and white thyme EOs included in the diet at 3 mL/kg dry matter were not effective in reducing rumen methane emissions. Essential oils (EOs), as rumen additives, decreased CH4 emissions in in vitro trials but results from in vivo studies are still limited. We investigated the effects of Origanum vulgare (OEO) and Thymus vulgaris (TEO) EOs on in vivo methane emissions from Nellore beef cattle. Six adult rumen-cannulated Nellore cattle were used in a double 3 × 3 Latin square design. Treatments consisted of three diets containing either 3 mL OEO per kg of concentrate, 3 mL TEO/kg of concentrate, or no EO addition. The experimental period consisted of three 21 d feeding periods and methane production was measured using the sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) technique from Day 16 to Day 21 of each feeding period. Intake, total apparent digestibility (dry matter as well as neutral and acid detergent fiber), and rumen parameters (pH, ammoniacal nitrogen concentration, and short-chain fatty acids) were also evaluated. The EOs did not decrease CH4 emissions and had no effect on rumen parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Iridoids are non‐canonical monoterpenoids produced by both insects and plants. An example is the cat‐attracting and insect‐repelling volatile iridoid nepetalactone, produced by Nepeta sp. (catmint) and aphids. Recently, both nepetalactone biosynthetic pathways were elucidated, showing a remarkable convergent evolution. The iridoid, dolichodial, produced by Teucrium marum (cat thyme) and multiple insect species, has highly similar properties to nepetalactone but its biosynthetic origin remains unknown. We set out to determine the genomic, enzymatic, and evolutionary basis of iridoid biosynthesis in T. marum. First, we generated a de novo chromosome‐scale genome assembly for T. marum using Oxford Nanopore Technologies long reads and proximity‐by‐ligation Hi‐C reads. The 610.3 Mb assembly spans 15 pseudomolecules with a 32.9 Mb N50 scaffold size. This enabled identification of iridoid biosynthetic genes, whose roles were verified via activity assays. Phylogenomic analysis revealed that the evolutionary history of T. marum iridoid synthase, the iridoid scaffold‐forming enzyme, is not orthologous to typical iridoid synthases but is derived from its conserved paralog. We discovered an enzymatic route from nepetalactol to diverse iridoids through the coupled activity of an iridoid oxidase cytochrome P450 and acetyltransferases, via an inferred acylated intermediate. This work provides a genomic resource for specialized metabolite research in mints and demonstration of the role of acetylation in T. marum iridoid diversity. This work will enable future biocatalytic or biosynthetic production of potent insect repellents, as well as comparative studies into iridoid biosynthesis in insects. Significance Statement: Cat thyme (Teucrium marum) produces the iridoid dolichodial which can repel certain insects and attract cats; the compound is also produced by some insect species. We generated a de novo chromosome‐scale genome assembly for T. marum, investigated the genetic and enzymatic basis of iridoid biosynthesis, and demonstrated the role of acetylation in generating iridoid diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study aims to co‐encapsulate Shirazi thyme (Zataria multiflora) essential oil (ZEO) and nisin into chitosan nanogel as an antimicrobial and antioxidant agent to enhance the shelf‐life of cheese. Chitosan‐caffeic acid (CS‐CA) nanogel was produced to co‐encapsulate Zataria multiflora essential oil and nisin. This nanogel was characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic analysis, X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. The effect of free (TFZN) and encapsulated ZEO‐nisin in chitosan nanogel (TCZN) on the chemical and microbiological properties of Iranian white cheese was assessed. The particle size, polydispersity index value (PDI), zeta potential, antioxidant activity, and encapsulation efficiency of the optimal chitosan‐ZEO‐nisin nanogel were 421.6 nm, 0.343, 34.0 mV, 71.06%–82.69%, and 41.3 ± 0.5%, 0.79 ± 0.06 mg/mL. respectively. FTIR and XRD approved ZEO and nisin entrapment within chitosan nanogel. The chitosan nanogel showed a highly porous surface with an irregular shape. The bioactive compounds of ZEO and nisin decreased the pH changes in cheese. On the 60th day of storage, the acidity of treated samples was significantly lower than that of control. Although the lowest anisidine index value was observed in samples treated with sodium nitrate (NaNO3) (TS), there was no significant difference between this sample and TCZN. The lowest microbial population was observed in TCZN and TS. After 60 days of ripening, Coliforms were not detected in the culture medium of TCZN and TS. The results can contribute to the development of a natural preservative with the potential for application in the dairy industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the production and characterization of composite films were performed using gelatin extracted after pretreatment by steam explosion at temperatures of 120 ºC (GEL120) and 130 ºC (GEL130) for 10 min, with and without the addition of Thyme Essential Oil at 0.78% (v/v), employing the casting method. The film-forming solutions were also applied as coatings for refrigerated chicken fillets, and a shelf-life analysis was conducted over 15 days. For comparison, commercial gelatin was used at all stages of production, characterization, and application. In in vitro tests, thyme essential oil exhibited antimicrobial potential against five foodborne pathogens. Due to their distinct physicochemical characteristics, the GEL130 films demonstrated higher tensile strength (7.23 MPa) and lower solubility (76.45%) compared to GEL120. The impact of thyme essential oil addition on the film properties varied depending on the type of gelatin used. The coated chicken fillets showed lower weight loss and pH; however, no significant reduction was observed for Enterobacteriaceae and aerobic mesophilic bacteria compared to the uncoated samples under refrigeration. These findings were promising for understanding the effect of incorporating thyme essential oil into films from gelatins with different characteristics. Additionally, further research is needed to enhance the application of coatings in food matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Consumers are more interested in replacing commonly used chemical preservatives with natural substances. The effect of 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg of thyme and lemongrass essential oils (THY and LMG, respectively) per 100 g of wheat flour was studied from the viewpoints of dough rheology, dough leavening progress, and the results of laboratory baking trial. Changes in dough viscoelastic properties were evaluated by the Mixolab rheometer and the company software. The higher the thyme oil portion, the higher the dough structure destruction by kneading and heat input in torque point C2, and consecutively shorter stability of dough consistency (up to one-half of the values recorded for the control); reversely, the LMG did not affect both features verifiably. In the 90 min leavening test, a dough weight loss was decelerated by both essential oils similarly. During the baking test, the average volume of wheat small breads as control was evaluated on level 167 mL (bread yield 451 mL/100 g flour). Independently of the dose of the THY or LMG, small bread volumes oscillated between 148–168 and 135–161 mL (average bread yields 442 and 443 mL/100 g flour, respectively). The shelf life of the products with a higher portion of essential oil was extended by up to 7 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the ongoing impact of Long COVID on individuals, emphasizing its diverse symptoms and significant socioeconomic repercussions. It discusses the persistence of symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and respiratory issues, affecting millions of Americans, particularly middle-aged individuals.

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a typical climacteric fruit with a brief shelf life due to the rapid degradation of quality during post-ripening, necessitating appropriate postharvest management to address this challenge. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of thyme oil nanoemulsion (TO-NE) coating and utilize its benefits for preserving papaya. This study also investigated the physiological properties and quality changes of papaya storage at 20 ℃ and, in parallel, examined the effects of TO-NE coating to mitigate microbial infection of papaya during storage. The postharvest papaya was soaked in different concentrations (0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 mg/g) of TO-NE for coating. At the same time, the decay loss rate and effective shelf life were also evaluated. This study revealed that polygalacturonase (PG) and pectinesterase (PME) activities were inhibited during the storage of papaya treated with 0.25 mg/g TO-NE coated compared to the control group. This resulted in the preservation of the firmness of papaya fruits, in addition to a higher ascorbic acid content, delayed total soluble solids (TSS) accumulation, and total chlorophyll content (TCC) degradation, with a lagging color change for two days. The respiration rate and ethylene production were suppressed, while the 0.25 mg/g TO-NE coated group at day 14 (ethylene peak) were 63.2 mg CO2 kg−1 h−1 and 7.3 µL kg−1 h−1, lower than control. The 0.25 mg/g TO-NE coating treatment significantly reduced the decay rate for 10 days of storage, preserving their appearance and facilitating ripening. This is a viable option for extending Tainung No.2 papaya shelf life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, researchers are looking for ways to replace synthetic pesticides with substances of natural origin. Essential oils are produced by plants, among other things, to protect against pathogens, which is why there is interest in their use as fungicides. This experiment assessed the composition of essential oils from a commercial source, their impact on the development of mycelium of pathogens of the Fusarium genus, and the possibility of using them as a pre-sowing treatment. Grains of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) were inoculated with a suspension of mycelium and spores of fungi of the Fusarium genus and then soaked in solutions containing oils of sage (Salvia officinalis L.), cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.), cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.). The obtained results indicate that thyme essential oil had the strongest effect on limiting the development of Fusarium pathogens and seedling infection, but at the same time it had an adverse effect on the level of germination and seedling development of the tested plants. The remaining essential oils influenced the mentioned parameters to varying degrees. Selected essential oils can be an alternative to synthetic fungicides, but they must be selected appropriately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honey is well known for its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, which significantly contribute to its high demand among consumers. While there is plenty of information available about the antioxidant potential of honey, there is still a lack of research specifically focused on monofloral honeys, as most studies have been based on market samples. To address this issue, in the present study we analyzed the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of nine monofloral honey types produced in Greece: fir, chestnut, citrus, erica, cotton, Jerusalem thorn, pine, oak and thyme, in comparison with manuka honey. The samples were collected from beekeepers applying the appropriate beekeeping practices. In total, ninety-six representative monofloral honey samples meeting the microscopic, physicochemical, and sensory characteristics were analyzed. Oak honey stood out as the darkest type (L* = 33.67) with the highest total phenolic content (203.75 mg GAE/100 g) and antioxidant activity (106.2 mg AAE/100 g). Chestnut honey closely followed, having also the highest electrical conductivity (1.679 mS/cm). Although manuka honey had a high total phenolic content, its total antioxidant activity was found to be medium-low compared to fir, pine, and erica honeys. Citrus honey, being the lightest in color (L* = 37.2), exhibited the lowest total antioxidant activity (6.36 mg AAE/100 g). Statistical analysis revealed significant positive correlation between total antioxidant activity and electrical conductivity (ra-e = 0.587, pa-e = 0.000), and negative correlation between total antioxidant activity and L* parameter (ra-L = −0.424, pa-L = 0.000). Similar correlations were also observed regarding total phenolic content (rp-e = 0.457, pp-e = 0.000, rp-L = −0.455, pp-L = 0.000). In conclusion, oak and chestnut honeys seem to have a high antioxidant potential, that should be further explored, to highlight their value and help promote them worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Lone Star tick, Amblyomma americanum is important to human health because of a variety of pathogenic organisms transmitted to humans during feeding events, which underscores the need to identify novel approaches to prevent tick bites. Thus, the goal of this study was to test natural and synthetic molecules for repellent activity against ticks in spatial, contact and human fingertip bioassays. Methods: The efficacy of essential oils and naturally derived compounds as repellents to Am. americanum nymphs was compared in three different bioassays: contact, spatial and fingertip repellent bioassays. Results: Concentration response curves after contact exposure to 1R-trans-chrysanthemic acid (TCA) indicated a 5.6 μg/cm2 concentration required to repel 50% of ticks (RC50), which was five- and sevenfold more active than DEET and nootkatone, respectively. For contact repellency, the rank order of repellency at 50 μg/cm2 for natural oils was clove > geranium > oregano > cedarwood > thyme > amyris > patchouli > citronella > juniper berry > peppermint > cassia. For spatial bioassays, TCA was approximately twofold more active than DEET and nootkatone at 50 μg/cm2 but was not significantly different at 10 μg/cm2. In spatial assays, thyme and cassia were the most active compounds tested with 100% and 80% ticks repelled within 15 min of exposure respectively and was approximately twofold more effective than DEET at the same concentration. To translate these non-host assays to efficacy when used on the human host, we quantified repellency using a finger-climbing assay. TCA, nootkatone and DEET were equally effective in the fingertip assay, and patchouli oil was the only natural oil that significantly repelled ticks. Conclusions: The differences in repellent potency based on the assay type suggests that the ability to discover active tick repellents suitable for development may be more complicated than with other arthropod species; furthermore, the field delivery mechanism must be considered early in development to ensure translation to field efficacy. TCA, which is naturally derived, is a promising candidate for a tick repellent that has comparable repellency to commercialized tick repellents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nectarines can be affected by many diseases, resulting in significant production losses. Natural products, such as essential oils (EOs), are promising alternatives to pesticides to control storage rots. This work aimed to test the efficacy of biofumigation with EOs in the control of nectarine postharvest diseases while also evaluating the effect on the quality parameters (firmness, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity) and on the fruit fungal microbiome. Basil, fennel, lemon, oregano, and thyme EOs were first tested in vitro at 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0% concentrations to evaluate their inhibition activity against Monilinia fructicola. Subsequently, an in vivo screening trial was performed by treating nectarines inoculated with M. fructicola, with the five EOs at 2.0% concentration by biofumigation, performed using slow-release diffusers placed inside the storage cabinets. Fennel, lemon, and basil EOs were the most effective after storage and were selected to be tested in efficacy trials using naturally infected nectarines. After 28 days of storage, all treatments showed a significant rot reduction compared to the untreated control. Additionally, no evident phytotoxic effects were observed on the treated fruits. EO vapors did not affect the overall quality of the fruits but showed a positive effect in reducing firmness loss. Metabarcoding analysis showed a significant impact of tissue, treatment, and sampling time on the fruit microbiome composition. Treatments were able to reduce the abundance of Monilinia spp., but basil EO favored a significant increase in Penicillium spp. Moreover, the abundance of other fungal genera was found to be modified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. conglutinans (FOC) causes yellow wilt, a serious cabbage disease. This fungal species is composed of many strains within two pathotypes. In this study, the inhibitory effect of essential oils of six aromatic and medicinal plants (oregano, thyme, clove, cinnamon, lemongrass, litsea) at multiple concentrations on eight FOC isolates of different origins was investigated. Our results showed that oregano essential oil had the greatest inhibitory effect. The tested essential oils could be divided into three clusters according to the similar content of their main components (oregano and thyme, clove and cinnamon, lemongrass, and litsea), which correlated to some extent with their inhibitory effects on FOC. The tested isolates also differed in their response to the studied essential oils. The differences within FOC races were more important than between races, and the sensitivity of isolates against essential oils seemed to be more related to the geographical origin of the isolates, rather than to their race affiliation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since prostate cancer (PCa) relies on limited therapies, more effective alternatives are required. Essential oils (EOs) and their bioactive compounds are natural products that have many properties including anticancer activity. This review covers studies published between 2000 and 2023 and discusses the anti-prostate cancer mechanisms of the EOs from several plant species and their main bioactive compounds. It also provides a critical perspective regarding the challenges to be overcome until they reach the market. EOs from chamomile, cinnamon, Citrus species, turmeric, Cymbopogon species, ginger, lavender, Mentha species, rosemary, Salvia species, thyme and other species have been tested in different PCa cell lines and have shown excellent results, including the inhibition of cell growth and migration, the induction of apoptosis, modulation in the expression of apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes and the suppression of angiogenesis. The most challenging aspects of EOs, which limit their clinical uses, are their highly lipophilic nature, physicochemical instability, photosensitivity, high volatility and composition variability. The processing of EO-based products in the pharmaceutical field may be an interesting alternative to circumvent EOs' limitations, resulting in several benefits in their further clinical use. Identifying their bioactive compounds, therapeutic effects and chemical structures could open new perspectives for innovative developments in the field. Moreover, this could be helpful in obtaining versatile chemical synthesis routes and/or biotechnological drug production strategies, providing an accurate, safe and sustainable source of these bioactive compounds, while looking at their use as gold-standard therapy in the close future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Salmonella spp. of both human and animal origin have a high resistance percentage to tetracyclines. Essential oils, including cinnamon, clove, oregano, and red thyme, have demonstrated bactericidal activity against this bacterium. However, in many cases, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) exceeds the cytotoxicity limits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effectiveness of combining oxytetracycline with essential oils against multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica strains. The results indicated a positive interaction (synergy and additivity) between oxytetracycline and the four oils that were tested. This led to a reduction in the MIC of both the oils and the antibiotic. The reduction was between 2 and 4 times the initial value for the oils and between 2 and 1024 times for the antibiotic. The best results were achieved with the combination of oxytetracycline and cinnamon, which decreased the effective concentration of this antibiotic to below the sensitivity threshold. Although differences in response were observed depending on the bacterial strain, there was no antagonistic effect in any case. The study suggests that combining oxytetracycline with cinnamon oil may be an effective alternative for controlling tetracycline-resistant strains of Salmonella, although further studies would be advisable. Tetracyclines have a high resistance percentage in Salmonella spp. of both human and animal origin. Essential oils, such as cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), clove (Eugenia caryophyllata), oregano (Origanum vulgare), and red thyme (Thymus zygis), have shown bactericidal activity against this bacterium. However, in many cases, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) exceeds the cytotoxicity limits. The objective of this study was to assess the in vitro efficacy of combining oxytetracycline with essential these oils against field multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella enterica strains. The MIC of each product was determined using the broth microdilution method. The interaction was evaluated using the checkerboard method, by means of the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICindex) determination. The results showed a positive interaction (synergy and additivity) between oxytetracycline and the four oils tested, resulting in a reduction in both products' MICs by 2 to 4 times their initial value, in the case of oils, and by 2 to 1024 times in the case of the antibiotic. The combination of oxytetracycline and cinnamon achieved the best results (FICindex 0.5), with a decrease in the antibiotic effective concentration to below the sensitivity threshold (MIC of the combined oxytetracycline 0.5 µg/mL). There was no antagonistic effect in any case, although differences in response were observed depending on the bacterial strain. The results of this study suggest that combining oxytetracycline with cinnamon oil could be an effective alternative for controlling tetracycline-resistant strains of Salmonella. However, its individual use should be further evaluated through in vitro susceptibility tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bell pepper presents rapid weight loss and is highly susceptible to gray mold caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea. The most employed method to control this disease is the application of synthetic fungicides such as thiabendazole (TBZ); however, its continued use causes resistance in fungi as well as environmental problems. For these reasons, natural alternatives arise as a more striking option. Currently, bell pepper fruits are coated with carnauba wax (CW) to prevent weight loss and improve appearance. Moreover, CW can be used as a carrier to incorporate essential oils, and previous studies have shown that thyme essential oil (TEO) is highly effective against B. cinerea. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of CW combined with TEO on the development of gray mold and maintenance of microestructural and postharvest quality in bell pepper stored at 13°C. The minimal inhibitory concentration of TEO was 0.5%. TEO and TBZ provoked the leakage of intracellular components. TEO and CW + TEO treatments were equally effective to inhibit the development of gray mold. On the quality parameters, firmness and weight loss were ameliorated with CW and CW + TEO treatments; whereas lightness increased in these treatments. The structural analysis showed that CW + TEO treatment maintained the cell structure reducing the apparition of deformities. The results suggest that CW + TEO treatment could be used as a natural and effective antifungal retarding the appearance of gray mold and maintaining the postharvest quality of bell pepper. Practical Application: CW and TEO are classified as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This combination can be employed on the bell pepper packaging system to extend shelf life and oppose gray mold developments. Bell pepper fruits are normally coated with lipid‐base coatings such as CW before commercialization; therefore, TEO addition would represent a small investment without any changes on the packaging system infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to differentiate Mediterranean honey samples with regards to their botanical and geographical origin, using UV-vis spectroscopy, combined with multivariate statistical analysis and chemometrics. A total of 151 commercial honey samples were collected from different countries (Greece, Malta, Spain, Tunisia, and Turkey), which were characterized as thyme, pine, or polyfloral. Discrimination of geographical and botanical origin was achieved successfully with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) together with Random Forest (RF), Partial Least Squares – Discriminant Analysis (PLS – DA), and Data Driven – Soft Independent Modelling of Class Analogies (DD-SIMCA) using the spectral range of 220–550 nm. DD-SIMCA achieved very high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity on the discrimination of both the geographical and botanical origin of honey samples. The results support the good predictive capability of UV-vis spectroscopy combined with chemometrics for the determination of honey origin. This methodology could be utilized for the rapid and non-destructive assessment of Mediterranean honey origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Despite the significant improvements in the diagnosis and therapeutic strategies for gastric cancer, this malignancy still remains one of the most prevalent worldwide, with a significant mortality rate. Recently, the number of studies concerning herbal medicine and its use in various cancers has increased significantly. For example, there has been research focusing on its applications alone or in combination with other therapeutic strategies, such as chemotherapy. Therefore, because of the continuous research on newer spices, we aimed to summarize the current knowledge regarding the application of herbal medicine in gastric cancer patients, taking into account their potential as a part of potential cancer therapy. Besides providing a summary of the potential alternative therapeutic approaches for gastric cancer, the findings of this paper might provide insight into further research directions. Gastric cancer (GC) ranks third in terms of cancer-related deaths and is the fifth most commonly diagnosed type of cancer. Its risk factors include Helicobacter pylori infection, Epstein–Barr virus infection, the consumption of broiled and charbroiled animal meats, salt-preserved and smoke-enhanced foods, alcohol drinking, tobacco smoking, exposure to ionizing radiation, and positive family history. The limited effectiveness of conventional therapies and the widespread risk factors of GC encourage the search for new methods of treatment and prevention. In the quest for cheap and commonly available medications, numerous studies focus on herbal medicine, traditional brews, and spices. In this review, we outline the potential use of spices, including turmeric, ginger, garlic, black cumin, chili pepper, saffron, black pepper, rosemary, galangal, coriander, wasabi, cinnamon, oregano, cardamom, fenugreek, caraway, clove, dill, thyme, Piper sarmentosum, basil, as well as the compounds they contain, in the prevention and treatment of GC. We present the potential molecular mechanisms responsible for the effectivity of a given seasoning substance and their impact on GC cells. We discuss their potential effects on proliferation, apoptosis, and migration. For most of the spices discussed, we also outline the unavailability and side effects of their use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study evaluates the feasibility of hydroponic cultivation of three Thymus species native to Bulgaria: T. longedentatus, T. pannonicus and T. zygioides. The use of a Flood & Drain hydroponic system has produced a significant increase in the growth and development rates of the target species, with T. pannonicus reaching the flowering stage in just three weeks. The metabolic profiles of hydroponically grown plants correspond to those of the parent plants from the matching natural populations. In short, hydroponic cultivation of the studied Thyme species could be a viable alternative to conventional agricultural practices, accelerating plant growth and preserving their medicinal and aromatic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, three plant essential oils extracted from thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), orange (Citrus sinensis L.) and laurel (Laurus nobilis L.), whose major components were carvacrol (93.95%), limonene (96.87%) and 1,8-cineole (57.49%), respectively, according to our GS/MS analysis results, were evaluated singly and in binary (1:1) and tertiary (1:1:1) combinations for their fumigant and contact toxicities against adult Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae), a pest on a wide range of commercially important crops grown both indoor and outdoor, under laboratory conditions. Results showed that all essential oils tested, both alone and in all binary and tertiary combinations, exhibited concentration-depended fumigant and contact toxicities. In fumigant toxicity tests, mortality rates of adult A. gossypii increased with increasing concentration from 2 to 10 µL/L and increasing exposure time from 8 to 48 h. In general, binary and tertiary combinations of the oils were more toxic than either oil alone. For instance, at the highest concentration (10 µL/L air) and exposure time (48 h) used in fumigant tests, all possible binary and tertiary combinations of three essential oils tested caused mortalities ranging from 92.4 to 100%, whereas single treatments of these oils yielded mortalities changing between 72.7 and 97.3%. The highest synergistic action was seen in their tertiary combination (thyme + orange + laurel) by a LC90 value of 5.5 µL/L air after an 8-h-fumigation. In contact toxicity tests, mortality of the aphid species generally increased with increasing concentrations of the oils. For instance, thyme, orange and laurel oils did not produce more than 36% mortality after 24 h of exposure at two lower concentrations (0.5% and 1%), they achieved 98.7, 100 and 97.8% mortalities at the highest concentration (5%), respectively. Although mortalities by the oils alone and their binary and tertiary mixtures at the highest concentration (5%) did not differ significantly from each other, the highest synergistic action was seen in their tertiary combination (thyme + orange + laurel) by 7400 ppm after an exposure period of 24 h. Neither the essential oils alone nor their binary and tertiary combinations had any phytotoxic effect on potted tomato, eggplant, pepper and bean plants at the highest concentration and longest exposure period. Overall results suggest that tested essential oils, especially their binary and combinations each other may be promising candidates for the control of A. gossypii. However, further tests under field conditions are recommended to validate the laboratory results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ensuring the longevity of wooden constructions depends heavily on the preservation process. However, several traditional preservation methods involving fossil-based compounds have become outdated because they pose a significant risk to the environment and to human health. Therefore, the use of bio-based and bioactive solutions, such as essential oils, has emerged as a more sustainable alternative in protecting wood from biotic attacks. The entrapment of essential oils in polymeric carrier matrices provides protection against oxidation and subsequent degradation or rapid evaporation, which implies the loss of their biocidal effect. In this work, lignin as well as PLGA nanoparticles containing the essential oils from two different thyme species (Thymus capitatus and T. vulgaris) were applied on beech wood samples using spray coating. The prepared coatings were investigated using FTIR imaging, SEM, as well as LSM analysis. Release experiments were conducted to investigate the release behavior of the essential oils from their respective lignin and PLGA carrier materials. The study found that lignin nanoparticles were more effective at trapping and retaining essential oils than PLGA nanoparticles, despite having larger average particle diameters and a more uneven particle size distribution. An analysis of the lignin coatings showed that they formed a uniform layer that covered most of the surface pores. PLGA nanoparticles formed a film-like layer on the cell walls, and after leaching, larger areas of native wood were evident on the wood samples treated with PLGA NPs compared to the ones coated with lignin NPs. The loading capacity and efficiency varied with the type of essential oil, while the release behaviors were similar between the two essential oil types applied in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to analyse the potential of Lamiaceae essential oils, extracts, and hydrolats against bacterial biofilms. Bacterial cells Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus were exposed to Thymus vulgaris L. (thyme), Salvia officinalis L. (sage), Mentha × piperita L. (mint) essential oils, extracts, and hydrolats. The result of the minimal inhibitory concentration assessment shows the highest antibacterial potential for essential oils, followed by extracts and hydrolats respectively. The anti-biofouling capacity revealed that thyme essential oil has the highest potential for biofilm prevention for all tested bacteria, reducing up to 91% of biofilm, followed by mint (88%) and sage (87%) essential oil. While the thyme extract (84%), sage extract (83%) and hydrolat (77%) we less effective. The chemical composition of thyme essential oil showed a high percentage of monoterpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated monoterpenes, among which p-cymene and thymol were the most predominant. The bacterial cell membrane integrity assessment shows a significant increase in dead cells by increasing the concentration of thyme essential oil. The findings of our research indicate that the choice of herbal preparation significantly affects the active components, thereby influencing both antibacterial and anti-biofouling capabilities. Lamiaceae essential oils show great potential for biofilm management and represent a good candidate for antibacterial application in pharmacy, medicine, and industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xanthomonas species, including active axonopodis pv. malvacearum (X.a.m.), Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. Taum (X.a.p.), and Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria (X. c. v.), are used to make various products and fractions of seven medicinal plants, including Aristolochi thyme and Aristolochia methanol extracts shown substantial antibacterial activity against all harmful microorganisms when tested on seven different plants. The solvent extracts' antibacterial qualities are more prominent when compared to the entire plant's aqueous extract, suggesting that the antibacterial activity's active components are more soluble in organic solvents. Further testing of the methanolic extract of thyme and aristolochia is shown by comparing the inhibitory activity of the extracts with bacteriomycin 2000 and streptomycin. According to a phytochemical investigation of the plant's leaves, phenolic chemicals are what give the plant its antibacterial qualities. According to the findings, thyme and aristolochia are plants that can manage Xanthomonas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]