THE ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF LIQUIDAMBAR ORIENTALIS MILL. AGAINST FOOD PATHOGENS AND ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY OF LEAF EXTRACTS

Background: Medicinal plants are an important source of substances which are claimed to induce antimicrobial, antimutagenic and antioxidant effects. Many plants have been used due to their antimicrobial treatments. Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of L. orientalis have not been reported to the present day. The aim of this work was to investigate of the antimicrobial and antioxidant potentials of different extracts from L. orientalis. Materials and Methods: The extracts were screened for antimicrobial activity against different food pathogens. These bacteria include 4 Gram positive and 3 Gram negative bacteria and one fungi. The leaf extracts of plant were tested by disc diffusion assay. The MIC was evaluated on plant extracts as antimicrobial activity. In addition to, the plant extracts were tested against the stable DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate) free-radical. Results: The acetone, ethanol and methanol extracts of L. orientalis showed maximum inhibition zone of 12 mm against Yersinia enterocolitica, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. In addition to, the methanol extract displayed a strong antioxidant activity (trolox equivalent = 2.23 mM). Conclusion: L. orientalis extracts have antimicrobial, and antioxidant potential. Our results support the use of this plant in traditional medicine and suggest that some of the plant extracts possess compounds with good antibacterial properties that can be used as antibacterial agents in the search for new drugs

An overview of the coastal zone plant diversity and management strategies in the mediterranean region of Turkey

International Conference on Biosaline Agriculture and Salinity Tolerance in Plants -- JAN, 2005 -- Mugla Univ, Mugla, TURKEYWOS: 000239060000010Turkish Natl Res Council, UNESCO-Doha, Toros Gubre-Mugl

Variation of quality characteristics in Greek and Turkish carob pods during fruit development

2nd International Geography Symposium-Mediterranean Environment -- JUN 02-05, 2010 -- Antalya, TURKEYWOS: 000299536700095The carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is widely cultivated in Mediterranean countries including Greece and Turkey. Carob pod is the fruit of carob tree. The present study reports the changes of chemical characteristics of two types (fleshy and wild) Greek and one type (fleshy) of Turkish carob pods during one period harvesting. The content of protein, total polyphenols, fatty acids and sugars, which are substances of vital importance for the evaluation of their food and medicine quality were determined at three growth stages. Sucrose, glucose and fructose were the major sugars identified and quantified in the fruit. In the first growth stage the predominant fatty acid in Turkish carobs was oleic followed by linoleic, palmitic and linolenic fatty acids while in Greek carobs the major acid was linoleic (n-6). During maturation an increase in oleic acid and a sharply decrease in linoleic and linolenic (n-3) fatty acids were noticed in both Greek and Turkish samples. Turkish carobs appeared higher level of total sugars, fructose and sucrose content than the Greek ones in the first growth stage. A higher ratio of total unsaturated / saturated fatty acids was found in Greek than in Turkish mature fleshy carob pods. Our results could aid in the assessment of adequate compositional information for further studies. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of The 2nd International Geography Symposium-Mediterranean Environmen