Date-Palm Compost as Soilless Substrate Improves Plant Growth, Photosynthesis, Yield and Phytochemical Quality of Greenhouse Melon (<i>Cucumis melo</i> L.)

The selection of adequate substrate for soilless culture is based on technical and economic considerations. Therefore, the search for alternatives by the valorization of natural by-products is gaining importance. The main objective of this study was to compare the effects of local farm resources, date-palm waste, as culture substrate, to coconut fiber (CF) (commonly used in soilless culture) on melon (Cucumis melo L.) plant growth, water relations, photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence as well as phytochemical analysis under hydroponics culture system. Two growing substrates were tested: the compost of date palm waste added to animal manure (7:3 w w−1) (DPAM) and the date palm trunk compost (DPT). Coconut fiber and soil were used as positive and negative controls, respectively, in randomized blocks. Results showed that the vegetative growth was improved under DPT and CF substrates while CF substrate enhanced fruit yield and phytochemical properties: Total soluble solids TSS (% Brix), total dissolved solutes (TDS); Titratable acidity (as citric acid); Sugar content and juice pH of melon fruit. Date-palm waste-based substrates enhanced the vegetative growth and the fruit yield of melon as compared to soil-based culture. It seems that date palm waste-based substrates, especially trunk compost, could be promising and cheaper alternatives compared to coconut fiber substrates commonly used in Tunisia in soilless cultures

Effect of Gamma Irradiation on Pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus in Packaged Ready-to-Eat Salads Treated with Biological Extracts

Providing pathogen-free ready-to-eat (RTE) salads is critical for all consumers, especially individuals with weakened immunity. In this study, the efficacy of γ-irradiation on Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in freshly packaged salads (4.24 log CFU/g) treated with essential oil (EO) and myrtle juice during 10 days of storage and their impact on organoleptic properties were investigated. EO was extracted by hydrodistillation and the chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography with Flame Ionization Detector (GC/FID) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Myrtle juice was prepared from fresh fruits. The cytotoxic effects of Thymus capitatus (T. capitatus) EO against a normal human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) were assessed. GC/FID and GC–MS analysis of the thyme EO revealed the presence of 13 compounds, including carvacrol (79.55%) and p-cymene (7.93%) as major components. The EO was found to be noncytotoxic, with concentrations lower than 0.16 µL/mL. A reduction of more than 3 log CFU/g and a total inactivation of S. aureus were achieved with the combination of gamma irradiation at 0.5 kGy with myrtle juice at 6 µL/mL and EO at 0.08 µL/mL, respectively. The treatment of fresh RTE salads with thyme and myrtle juice was evaluated as acceptable by the sensory panel. The combined effect showed a synergistic potential on the inactivation of S. aureus