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Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024(Plantaginaceae) is an herbaceous plant known as "pataqueira" that grows wild in seasonally wet areas of the Amazon region. It is used for aromatic baths and...
(Plantaginaceae) is an herbaceous plant known as "pataqueira" that grows wild in seasonally wet areas of the Amazon region. It is used for aromatic baths and anti-protozoan remedies by the Brazilian Amazon native people. The main volatile compounds identified in the essential oil of "Pataqueira" were the phenolic monoterpenes thymol and thymol methyl ether and their precursors, the monoterpene hydrocarbons α-phellandrene and -cymene. A hydrotalcite synthesized from blast-furnace slag exhibited a 3:2 (Mg/Al) molar ratio, and this layered double hydroxide (LDH) was evaluated as a catalyst in converting the main monoterpenes of the "Pataqueira" oil. This action significantly increased the thymol content, from 41% to 95%, associated with the percentual reduction in other main components, such as thymol methyl ether, α-phellandrene, and -cymene. The LDH reaction showed a strong tendency towards producing hydroxylated derivatives, and its behavior was similar to the hypothetical plant biosynthetic pathway, which leads to the production of the monoterpenes of "Pataqueira" oil. Thymol and its derivatives are potent antiseptics applied in pharmaceutical and hygienic products as antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties, among others. The present work reports a natural source with a high thymol content in aromatic plants from the Amazon, with evident economic value.
PubMed: 38732413
DOI: 10.3390/plants13091199 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024infections are prevalent in healthcare and community environments. Methicillin-resistant is catalogued as a superbug of high priority among the pathogens. This...
infections are prevalent in healthcare and community environments. Methicillin-resistant is catalogued as a superbug of high priority among the pathogens. This Gram-positive coccus can form biofilms and produce toxins, leading to persistent infection and antibiotic resistance. Limited effective antibiotics have encouraged the development of innovative strategies, with a particular emphasis on resistance mechanisms and/or virulence factors. Medicinal aromatic plants have emerged as promising alternative sources. This study investigated the antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and antihemolysis properties of three different chemotypes of essential oil (EO) against susceptible and drug-resistant strains. The chemical composition of the EO was analyzed using GC-MS, revealing high monoterpene concentrations, with carvacrol and thymol as the major components in two of the chemotypes. The third chemotype consisted mainly of the sesquiterpene β-caryophyllene. The MIC values for the two monoterpene chemotypes ranged from 62.5 to 500 µg/mL for all strains, whereas the sesquiterpene chemotype showed activity against seven strains at concentrations of 125-500 µg/mL, which is the first report of its anti- activity. The phenolic chemotypes inhibited biofilm formation in seven strains, whereas the sesquiterpene chemotype only inhibited biofilm formation in four strains. In addition, phenolic chemotypes displayed antihemolysis activity, with IC values ranging from 58.9 ± 3.8 to 128.3 ± 9.2 µg/mL. Our study highlights the importance of EO from the Yucatan Peninsula, which has the potential for the development of anti- agents.
PubMed: 38732387
DOI: 10.3390/plants13091172 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses an emanating threat to humanity's future. The effectiveness of commonly used antibiotics against microbial infections is declining...
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses an emanating threat to humanity's future. The effectiveness of commonly used antibiotics against microbial infections is declining at an alarming rate. As a result, morbidity and mortality rates are soaring, particularly among immunocompromised populations. Exploring alternative solutions, such as medicinal plants and iodine, shows promise in combating resistant pathogens. Such antimicrobials could effectively inhibit microbial proliferation through synergistic combinations. In our study, we prepared a formulation consisting of Miller (AV), Thymol, iodine (I), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Various analytical methods including SEM/EDS, UV-vis, Raman, FTIR, and XRD were carried out to verify the purity, composition, and morphology of AV-PVP-Thymol-I. We evaluated the inhibitory effects of this formulation against 10 selected reference strains using impregnated sterile discs, surgical sutures, gauze bandages, surgical face masks, and KN95 masks. The antimicrobial properties of AV-PVP-Thymol-I were assessed through disc diffusion methods against 10 reference strains in comparison with two common antibiotics. The 25-month-old formulation exhibited slightly lower inhibitory zones, indicating changes in the sustained-iodine-release reservoir. Our findings confirm AV-PVP-Thymol-I as a potent antifungal and antibacterial agent against the reference strains, demonstrating particularly strong inhibitory action on surgical sutures, cotton bandages, and face masks. These results enable the potential use of the formulation AV-PVP-Thymol-I as a promising antimicrobial agent against wound infections and as a spray-on contact-killing agent.
Topics: Thymol; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Iodine; Anti-Infective Agents; Aloe; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Humans; Drug Compounding
PubMed: 38732168
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094949 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2024The research investigates the influence of different lighting conditions and soil treatments, in particular the application of food polymers separately and in...
The research investigates the influence of different lighting conditions and soil treatments, in particular the application of food polymers separately and in combination with spores of consortium, on the growth and development of herbs- and . The metabolic analysis focuses on detecting changes in the levels of biologically active compounds such as chlorophyll a and b, anthocyanins, carotenoids, phenolic compounds (including flavonoids), terpenoids, and volatile organic compounds with potential health-promoting properties. By investigating these factors, the study aims to provide insights into how environmental conditions affect the growth and chemical composition of selected plants and to shed light on potential strategies for optimising the cultivation of these herbs for the improved quality and production of bioactive compounds. Under the influence of additional lighting, the growth of and seedlings was greatly accelerated, resulting in an increase in shoot biomass and length, and in the case of , an increase in carotenoid and anthocyanin contents. Regarding secondary metabolites, the most pronounced changes were observed in total antioxidant capacity and flavonoid content, which increased significantly under the influence of additional lighting. The simultaneous or separate application of and food polymers resulted in an increase in flavonoid content in the leaves of both species. The increase in terpenoid content under supplemental light appears to be related to the presence of spores as well as food polymers added to the soil. However, the nature of these changes depends on the thyme species. Volatile compounds were analysed using an electronic nose (E-nose). Eight volatile compounds (VOCs) were tentatively identified in the vapours of and : α-pinene, myrcene, α-terpinene, γ-terpinene; 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol), thymol, carvacrol, and eugenol. Tendencies to increase the percentage of thymol and γ-terpinene under supplemental lighting were observed. The results also demonstrate a positive effect of food polymers and, to a lesser extent, fungi on the synthesis of VOCs with health-promoting properties. The effect of and food polymers on individual VOCs was positive in some cases for thymol and γ-terpinene.
Topics: Thymus Plant; Trichoderma; Light; Carotenoids; Volatile Organic Compounds; Chlorophyll; Terpenes; Flavonoids; Antioxidants; Anthocyanins; Chlorophyll A; Plant Leaves
PubMed: 38732065
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094846 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2024spp. are normal intestinal tract microflorae found in poultry. However, the last decades have shown that several species, e.g., , have become emerging pathogens in...
spp. are normal intestinal tract microflorae found in poultry. However, the last decades have shown that several species, e.g., , have become emerging pathogens in broilers and may cause numerous losses in flocks. In this study, two combinations (H1 and H2) of menthol, 1,8-cineol, linalool, methyl salicylate, γ-terpinene, p-cymene, -anethole, terpinen-4-ol and thymol were used in an in vitro model, analyzing its effectiveness against the strains , , , and isolated from broiler chickens from industrial farms. To identify the isolated strains classical microbiological methods and VITEK 2 GP cards were used. Moreover for a PCR test was used.. Antibiotic sensitivity (MIC) tests were performed for all the strains. For the composition H1, the effective dilution for and strains was 1:512, and for , and , 1:1024. The second mixture (H2) showed very similar results with an effectiveness at 1:512 for and and 1:1024 for , and . The presented results suggest that the proposed composition is effective against selected strains of in an in vitro model, and its effect is comparable to classical antibiotics used to treat this pathogen in poultry. This may suggest that this product may also be effective in vivo and provide effective support in the management of enterococcosis in broiler chickens.
Topics: Animals; Chickens; Enterococcus; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Poultry Diseases; Probiotics; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections
PubMed: 38732016
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094797 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Solvents prepared from natural terpenes (menthol and thymol), as H-bond acceptors, and a series of organic acids (chain lengths of 8, 10, and 14 C atoms), as H-bond...
Solvents prepared from natural terpenes (menthol and thymol), as H-bond acceptors, and a series of organic acids (chain lengths of 8, 10, and 14 C atoms), as H-bond donors, were characterized and tested as reaction media for liquid-liquid extraction purposes. Due to their high hydrophobicity, they seem to be promising alternatives to conventional (nonpolar and toxic) solvents, since they possess relatively less toxic, less volatile, and consequently, more environmentally friendly characteristics. Assuming that the equilibrium is established between solvent and analyte during a ligandless procedure, it can be concluded that those nonpolar solvents can efficiently extract nonpolar analytes from the aqueous environment. Previous investigations showed a wide range of applications, including their use as solvents in extractions of metal cations, small molecules, and bioactive compounds for food and pharmaceutical applications. In this work, hydrophobic solvents based on natural terpenes, which showed chemical stability and desirable physicochemical and thermal properties, were chosen as potential reaction media in the liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) procedure for Pb(II) removal from aqueous solutions. Low viscosities and high hydrophobicities of prepared solvents were confirmed as desirable properties for their application. Extraction parameters were optimized, and chosen solvents were applied. The results showed satisfactory extraction efficiencies in simple and fast procedures, followed by low solvent consumption. The best results (98%) were obtained by the thymol-based solvent, thymol-decanoic acid (Thy-DecA) 1:1, followed by L-menthol-based solvents: menthol-octanoic acid (Men-OctA) 1:1 with 97% and menthol-decanoic acid (Men-DecA) 1:1 with 94.3% efficiency.
PubMed: 38731611
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29092122 -
Food Science & Nutrition May 2024This study investigated the possibility of using active coatings based on Zedo gum containing essential oils of Boiss (ZE) and tarragon (TE) to increase the shelf life...
Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of tarragon and Boiss essential oils and their applications as active agents to improve the shelf life of freshly cut potato strips.
This study investigated the possibility of using active coatings based on Zedo gum containing essential oils of Boiss (ZE) and tarragon (TE) to increase the shelf life and maintain the quality of freshly cut potato strips. The chemical compositions of ZE and TE were initially identified, and their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were investigated. ZE consisted mainly of carvacrol (26.26%), p-cymene (21.50%), thymol (18.05%), and linalool (11.31%), and those of TE comprised p-allylanisole (81.92%), β-Ocimene E (8.06%), and β-Ocimene Z (5.35%). Afterwards, a Zedo gum active coating (1% v/w) containing 1% (v/v) essential oil was prepared, and the produced coating solutions were used to soak the potato strips for 5 min. The coated potatoes were kept fresh in a refrigerator for 9 days, and their quality characteristics were examined every 3 days. The results show that the weight loss, browning index, total microbial count, and mold and yeast counts in the strips increased during 9 days of cold storage, and hardness decreased ( < .05). However, the coatings of strips, especially those containing essential oils, reduced the intensity of changes in moisture, color, and hardness, increased microbial stability, and maintained the sensory acceptance of strips compared with the uncoated sample (control). Finally, this study demonstrated that the quality and shelf life of fresh potato strips can be improved by using active coatings based on Zedo gum containing ZE and TE (especially ZE).
PubMed: 38726437
DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.3995 -
Heliyon May 2024This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of thymol and carvacrol in inhibiting and serovar Typhimurium inoculated on a fresh green salad through the vapor...
This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of thymol and carvacrol in inhibiting and serovar Typhimurium inoculated on a fresh green salad through the vapor phase. A film-forming solution was prepared by dissolving starch, sorbitol, and variying concentrations of carvacrol, thymol, and a mixture of both. The film-forming solution containing the respective antimicrobial agent was then added lid, which was sealed rigidly and hermetically to achieve different concentrations (105 mg/L of air of carvacrol, 105 mg/L of air of thymol, and a mixture of 52 mg/L of air of carvacrol and 52 mg/L of air of thymol). Each active package contained fresh green salad inoculated with or serovar Typhimurium. The active packages were then sealed and refrigerated at a temperature of 6 °C for 48 h. Growth/inhibition curves were modelled using the Weibull equation, and consumer acceptance was evaluated. Carvacrol can reduce up to 0.5 log-cycles, while thymol can reach almost 1 log cycle. Blending the components with half the concentration has a synergistic effect, inhibiting up to 2.5 log cycles. Consumer ratings revealed no significant differences between the packages. However, the average score was 5.4 on a 9-point hedonic scale, evaluators' comments did not indicate dislike or a strong taste characteristic of thymol and carvacrol.
PubMed: 38694112
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29638 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024Carboxylic acids can be isolated from fermentation broths using reactive liquid-liquid extraction, offering an alternative to the environmentally harmful...
Carboxylic acids can be isolated from fermentation broths using reactive liquid-liquid extraction, offering an alternative to the environmentally harmful state-of-the-art process of precipitating calcium lactate. To enhance the sustainability of liquid-liquid extraction processes, greener solvents, such as natural deep eutectic solvents, are investigated. However, fermentation broths often exhibit pH values unsuitable for carboxylic acid extraction, which can be adjusted using mineral acids, though mineral acids may be co-extracted. In this study, we systematically examine the co-extraction of hydrochloric, nitric, sulfuric, and phosphoric acid during extraction and back-extraction of lactic acid. The solvent phase consisted of tri--octylamine, trioctylphosphine oxide, or tributyl phosphate diluted in a thymol-menthol deep eutectic solvent. The back-extraction was conducted using a diluent swing with -cymene as the antisolvent and water as the receiving phase. Tri--octylamine showed the highest efficiency for lactic acid (up to 29.8%) but also the highest co-extraction of mineral acids (up to 50.9%). In contrast, trioctylphosphine oxide exhibited a lower but more selective lactic acid extraction (5.94%) with low mineral acids co-extraction (0.135%). Overall, the highest co-extraction was observed for phosphoric acid and the lowest for nitric acid. In conclusion, the selected solvent phase composition and mineral acid influence the co-extraction and, thus, final product purity. The successful application of the natural deep eutectic solvent as the modifier enhances the sustainability of liquid-liquid extraction processes.
PubMed: 38675542
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29081722 -
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024In the last decade, a considerable number of studies have broadened our knowledge of the nociceptive mechanisms of pain, a global health problem in both humans and...
In the last decade, a considerable number of studies have broadened our knowledge of the nociceptive mechanisms of pain, a global health problem in both humans and animals. The use of herbal compounds such as eugenol, menthol, thymol, and carvacrol as analgesic agents has accompanied the growing interest in this area, offering a possible solution for this complex problem. Here, we aimed to explore how these natural substances-at three different concentrations (2, 5 and 10 mg/L)-affect the pain responses in zebrafish () larvae exposed to 0.05% acetic acid (AA) for 1 min. By analysing the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), 5'-ectonucleotidase and NTPDases, as well as aversion and exploratory behaviours, it was observed that that although all substances were effective in counteracting the pain stimulus, the concentration range within which they do so might be very limited. Eugenol, despite its acknowledged properties in fish anaesthesia, failed to alleviate the pain stimulus at low concentrations. Contrastingly, menthol exhibited the most promising results at the lowest concentrations tested. Overall, it is concluded that menthol might be a good analgesic for this species, qualifying it as a substance of interest for prospective studies.
PubMed: 38675417
DOI: 10.3390/ph17040457