Evaluation of the antibacterial, modulatory and anti-adherent properties of oregano (Origanum vulgare) essential oil against food pathogenic bacteria

There are over 250 types of foodborne diseases, the majority of which are infections caused by bacteria. Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus are considered contaminants of meat products. The use of natural products as antimicrobials to combat these diseases can be an effective and economical approach. This study proposes to assess the antibacterial, modulatory, and anti-adherent activity of the essential oil of Origanum vulgare against strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus isolated from meat products. The assay was conducted in duplicate. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined using the broth microdilution technique. MIC represents the lowest concentration of the product capable of inhibiting the growth of the bacterial strain, whereas MBC represents the lowest concentration capable of inhibiting total growth. The study of association of the product with antimicrobials was undertaken by disk diffusion using ampicillin, gentamicin, ceftazidime, and ciprofloxacin, resulting in synergistic, antagonistic, or indifferent effects. Anti-adherent activity was determined in the presence of sucrose, as the lowest concentration of the agent in contact with sucrose that prevented adherence to the glass tube. Oregano oil exhibited strong inhibitory and bactericidal activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus, with MIC values ranging from 32 to 512 μg mL-1 and MBC values ranging from 128 to 512 μg mL-1. Origanum vulgare oil showed varied interactions when associated with antimicrobials, with modulations for synergism (37.5%), indifference (50%), and antagonism (12.5%). Regarding anti-adherent activity, the test product effectively inhibited the adherence of P. aeruginosa bacterial strains in the presence of sucrose (1:8) but had no effect against K. pneumoniae or S. saprophyticus. Therefore, oregano oil proves to be an antibacterial and modulating agent against different bacteria isolated from meat products. Additionally, it displays anti-adherent properties against P. aeruginosa, making it a natural product that could serve as an interesting alternative in efforts to combat foodborne diseases

Evaluation of the antibacterial effect of (R)-(+)-Limonene against Enterococcus faecalis and Enterobacter cloacae strains isolated from food

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential antibacterial and anti-adherent activities of the monoterpene (R)-(+)-limonene, as well as its synergistic potential with synthetic antimicrobials against strains of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterobacter cloacae. The antibacterial properties of (R)-(+)-limonene were assessed using the broth microdilution technique to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Additionally, the infusion disc method was employed to explore the association of the compound with antimicrobials, and the test tube method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration of adherence (MICA). It was observed that the MIC for (R)-(+)-limonene was 1000 μg mL-1 for five of the six E. faecalis strains tested, while for E. cloacae, the MIC exceeded 1000 μg mL-1 for all strains tested. Identical values were recorded for the MBC in E. faecalis. In terms of its combination with synthetic antimicrobials, (R)-(+)-limonene demonstrated a synergistic effect with gentamicin and ciprofloxacin for most strains. Regarding the MICA, both (R)-(+)-limonene and 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate failed to inhibit biofilm formation at the tested concentrations. Given the need for new therapeutic alternatives for treating bacterial infections, this study revealed that the tested monoterpene exhibited moderate bactericidal effects against E. faecalis strains and no antibacterial effect against E. cloacae strains. However, when combined with various classes of antimicrobials, (R)-(+)-limonene showed synergistic effects with gentamicin and ciprofloxacin for most strains. This suggests that (R)-(+)-limonene holds promise for enhancing the treatment of bacterial infections and could support conventional therapies. Nonetheless, further in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies are necessary to confirm and elucidate its efficacy and mechanisms.

Impactos do Mini-Cex no ensino-aprendizagem da saúde: uma revisão integrativa

O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar um levantamento de dados disponível em meio eletrônico para fundamentar uma revisão integrativa que responda quais os impactos educacionais da utilização do Mini Exercício de Avaliação Clínica (Mini-CEX) na formação dos profissionais de saúde. A pesquisa dos artigos primários foi realizada em três bases de dados: Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), MEDLINE/PubMed (via National Library of Medicine) e ScienceDirect (Elsevier). Os termos combinados nas bases de dados foram: ("Mini CEX” OR “Mini Clinical Evaluation Exercise”) AND (IMPACT OR effect) AND (LEARNING OR TEACHING OR evaluation). A partir da metodologia proposta, foi possível identificar 342 artigos: ERIC (82), PubMed (84) e ScienceDirect (176). Entretanto, somente sete desses artigos atenderam aos critérios de inclusão e exclusão, sendo eles objeto de estudo e discussão desta revisão.. Os estudos abordaram aspectos que sugerem que o  o Mini-CEX tem potencial para ser um instrumento avaliativo viável para ser implementado nos cursos de saúde, pois apresentaram impacto positivo na aprendizagem de alunos da área da enfermagem, odontologia e medicina