The in-vitro evaluation of antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic properties of Marrubium vulgare L. essential oil grown in Tunisia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In order to validate its antiseptic and anticancer properties with respect to traditional uses, we have screened for the first time the antimicrobial activity of aerial parts of <it>M. vulgare </it>L. essential oil against different pathogenic microorganisms and the cytotoxic activity against HeLa cell lines.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The agar disk diffusion method was used to study the antibacterial activity of <it>M. vulgare </it>essential oil against 12 bacterial and 4 fungi strains. The disc diameters of zone of inhibition (DD), the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and the concentration inhibiting 50% (IC₅₀) were investigated to characterize the antimicrobial activities of this essential oil. The <it>in vitro </it>cytotoxicity of <it>M. vulgare </it>essential oil was examined using a modified MTT assay; the viability and the IC₅₀were used to evaluate this test.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was investigated in order to evaluate its efficacy against the different tested microorganisms. The present results results showed a significant activity against microorganisms especially Gram (+) bacteria with inhibition zones and minimal inhibitory concentration values in the range of 6.6-25.2 mm and 1120-2600 μg/ml, respectively, whereas Gram (-) bacteria exhibited a higher resistance. As far as the antifungal activity, among four strains tested, <it>Botrytis cinerea </it>exhibited the strongest activity with inhibition zones of 12.6 mm. However, <it>Fusarium solani, Penicillium digitatum </it>and <it>Aspergillus niger </it>were less sensitive to <it>M. vulgare </it>essential oil. About the citotoxicity assay, this finding indicate the capability of this essential oil to inhibited the proliferation of HeLa cell lines under some conditions with IC₅₀value of 0.258 μg/ml.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This investigation showed that the <it>M. vulgare </it>essential oil has a potent antimicrobial activity against some Gram (+) pathogenic bacteria and <it>Botrytis cinerea </it>fungi. The present studies confirm the use of this essential oil as anticancer agent. Further research is required to evaluate the practical values of therapeutic applications.</p

Development and stability studies of sunscreen cream formulations containing three photo-protective filters

The present study aimed to formulate and subsequently evaluate sunscreen cream (W/O/W emulsion) containing three photo-protective filters: benzophenone-3, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and titanium dioxide at different percentages. Formulations were stored at 8, 25 and 40 °C for four weeks to investigate their stability. Color, centrifugation, liquefaction, phase separation, pH and Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of sunscreen cream formulations were determined. The microbiological stability of the creams was also evaluated and the organoleptic quality was carried out for 28 days. Interestingly, the combination of 7% Benzophenone-3, 7% Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and 6% Titanium dioxide preserved physicochemical properties of the product and was efficient against the development of different spoilage microorganisms as well as aerobic plate counts, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and yeast and mold counts. Furthermore, a good stability was observed for all formulations throughout the experimental period. The newly formulated sunscreen cream was proved to exhibit a number of promising properties and attributes that might open new opportunities for the development of more efficient, safe, and cost-effective skin-care, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical products

Fungal diversity in adult date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) revealed by culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches

International audienc

Analysis of the Cultivable Endophytic Bacterial Diversity in the Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) and Evaluation of Its Antagonistic Potential against Pathogenic Fusarium Species that Cause Date Palm Bayound DiseaseAnalysis of the Cultivable Endophytic

Abstract Biological control still remains an unexploited issue in southern countries such as Tunisia. Thus, the present study focused on the diversity of cultivable endophytic bacteria in the internal tissues (roots and leaves) of Tunisian date palm trees (Phoenix dactylifera L.). In order to assess their antagonistic potential towards date palm pathogens, particularly Fusarium. Indeed, the Genus Fusarium includes the causative agent of the Bayound disease, Fusarium oxysporum, a major treat for date production North Africa. Twenty two bacterial isolates presenting distinct colony morphology on TSA media were selected. The latter were characterized using Gram staining, biochemical tests, and molecular identification techniques based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Cultivable endophytic isolates were assigned into seven distinct groups. The species Arthrobacter agilis and Bacillus subtilis exhibited lasting antagonistic properties against a range of Fusarium species including the causing agent of the Bayoud disease, thus demonstrating their strong potential for future applications in the inoculation of date palm trees for biocontrol purposes. The isolates showed extracellular enzymatic activity including cellulase (76, 92%), protease (69, 23%) and amylase (38, 46%). This study thus demonstrates for the first time that the diversity of endophytic bacteria is abundant in date palm trees (Phoenix dactylifera L.) and could present varying biotechnological applications and particularly disease control

Analysis of the Cultivable Endophytic Bacterial Diversity in the Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) and Evaluation of Its Antagonistic Potential against Pathogenic Fusarium Species that Cause Date Palm Bayound Disease

International audienceBiological control still remains an unexploited issue in southern countries such as Tunisia. Thus, the present study focused on the diversity of cultivable endophytic bacteria in the internal tissues (roots and leaves) of Tunisian date palm trees (Phoenix dactylifera L.). In order to assess their antagonistic potential towards date palm pathogens, particularly Fusarium. Indeed, the Genus Fusarium includes the causative agent of the Bayound disease, Fusarium oxysporum, a major treat for date production North Africa. Twenty two bacterial isolates presenting distinct colony morphology on TSA media were selected. The latter were characterized using Gram staining, biochemical tests, and molecular identification techniques based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Cultivable endophytic isolates were assigned into seven distinct groups. The species Arthrobacter agilis and Bacillus subtilis exhibited lasting antagonistic properties against a range of Fusarium species including the causing agent of the Bayoud disease, thus demonstrating their strong potential for future applications in the inoculation of date palm trees for biocontrol purposes. The isolates showed extracellular enzymatic activity including cellulase (76, 92%), protease (69, 23%) and amylase (38, 46%). This study thus demonstrates for the first time that the diversity of endophytic bacteria is abundant in date palm trees (Phoenix dactylifera L.) and could present varying biotechnological applications and particularly disease control