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

Influence of Zeolite on fatty acid composition and egg quality in Tunisian Laying Hens

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The health benefits of omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are generally recognized. Unfortunately, in most Mediterranean countries, the recommended daily intake of these compounds is rarely met. Therefore, enrichment of commonly occurring foods can boost intake of these fatty acids. In this regard, eggs are an interesting target, as they form an integral part of the diet.</p> <p>Result</p> <p>Zeolite (Clinoptilolites) was added to Laying Hens feed at concentrations 1% or 2% and was evaluated for its effects on performance of the production and on egg quality. The Laying Hens were given access to 110 g of feed mixtures daily that was either a basal diet or a ‘zeolite diet’ (the basal diet supplemented with clinoptilolite at a level of 1% or 2%). It was found that zeolite treatment had a positive and significatif (p < 0.05) effect on some parameters that were measured like egg height and eggshell strength. While dietary zeolite supplementation tended to/or has no significant effects on total egg, eggshell, yolk and albumen weights. It was found also that zeolite mainly increases level of polyunsaturated fatty acids in egg.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study showed the significance of using zeolite, as a feed additive for Laying Hens, as part of a comprehensive program to control egg quality and to increase level of polyunsaturated fatty acids on egg.</p

Solvent extraction effects on phytochemical constituents profiles, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and functional group analysis of Ecballium elaterium seeds and peels fruits

Abstract Ecballium elaterium is a perennial herb with multiple medicinal properties. It was widely used in folk medicine as cathartic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents. The present study was devoted to investigate the effect of diethyl ether, acetone, and methanol solvent on the extraction, phytochemicals profiles, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Ecballium elaterium seeds and peels fruits. The total phenolic, flavonoid, flavonol, condensed tannins and carotenoids contents were estimated. Maximum phenolic (107 ± 4 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid (18 ± 0 mg QE/g) contents were also found in the methanol peels fruits extract. Results showed that methanol peels fruits extract have the highest antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 1.2 ± 0.1 and 1 ± 0 mg/mL for DPPH and ABTS, respectively, and EC50 value of 1040 ± 5 mg/mL for reducing power assays. Acetone and diethyl ether peels fruits extracts showed the best antibacterial agents especially against Micrococcus luteus, however no antifungal activity was observed. Spectral data of FT-IR analysis of Ecballium elaterium seeds and peels fruits extracts revealed the presence of functional groups such as ─OH, C─H, C─O and C=O. Due to their high antioxidant and antibacterial activities, E. elaterium seeds and peels fruits extracts have promising potential as future natural antioxidant and antibacterial agents in food industry

Proximate analysis, mineral composition, phytochemical contents, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and GC-MS investigation of various solvent extracts of cactus cladode

Abstract Cladodes Powder Extracts (CPE) are known for their medicinal properties such as being an auxiliary treatment for obesity and gastrointestinal or cardiovascular disorders as well as lowering cholesterol levels. The presented results proved that CPE was found to be a rich source of carbohydrate, ash, moisture and minerals namely Magnesium, Calcium and Zinc which highlighted its good nutritional value. Moreover, the solvent extracts displayed appreciable level of polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins contents compounds which may explain their higher and varied antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The time-kill assay revealed that the bactericidal concentration required for cladode to kill M. luteus should be less than 3.12 mg/mL (2MIC). Interestingly, GC-MS analyses of ethyl acetate CPE demonstrate the presence of six compounds. The overall data emphasize the nutritional potential of CP as a promising natural preservative and a substitute to the synthetic counterparts and therefore to be consumed in a healthy diet

Nutritional, phytochemical and antioxidant evaluation and FT-IR analysis of freeze dried extracts of Ecballium elaterium fruit juice from three localities

Abstract This study was designed to investigate chemical composition, the total phenolic content, flavonoid content, antioxidant activity and to analyze through FT-IR spectroscopy method the freeze-dried extract of Ecballium elaterium fruit from three different localities. The highest level of phenolic and flavonoid contents was recorded for the fruit juice from the Cap-Bon region, with 106.4 ± 0.4 mg GAE/g and 6.5 ± 0.2 mg QE/g, respectively. Antioxidant activity varied in dose-dependent manner with IC50 values for DPPH scavenging of the freeze-dried fruit juice extracts from Cap-Bon, Kef and Sidi Bouzid were 38.6 ± 0.2, 50.1 ± 0.7, and 50.7 ± 0.2 µg/mL, respectively. The results from the FRAP test showed that the freeze-dried extracts of Cap-Bon exhibited potent activity, followed by those from Kef and Sidi Bouzid. Similar trend were revealed for ABTS&#8226;+ test, with the fruit juice extract from Cap-Bon (IC50 = 0.6 ± 0.0 mg/mL). Furthermore, a good positive correlation was observed between the total phenols and three assays, especially DPPH. The freeze-dried extracts of fruit juice from Cap-Bon showed strong ability to act as antioxidants and can be considered as promising natural source of bioactive compounds. FT-IR analysis of each freeze-dried extract confirmed its richness on polyphenols and biological active functional groups

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

International audienc

Investigation of phytochemical contents, in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial behavior and in vivo anti-inflammatory potential of Ecballium elaterium methanol fruits extract

Abstract Ecballium elaterium species are mostly used as therapeutic agents and food ingredient. The current work was designed to investigate phytochemical contents, antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties of methanol fruits extract of Ecballium elaterium. Good antioxidant activity was observed with IC50 values of 156 ± 4 and 377 ± 6 μg/mL for DPPH and ABTS, respectively, and EC50 of 126 ± 4 µg/mL for FRAP assays, which is related with their richness in total phenolic, flavonoid and condensed tannins contents. The results of antibacterial activity showed the effectiveness of methanol extract against Bacillus cereus with value of inhibition zone diameter of 15 ± 0 mm and a MIC and MBC values of 6 ± 0 and 12 ± 0 mg/mL, respectively. The in vivo anti-inflammatory effects have been also studied by carrageenan induced rat paw edema assay and the results revealed that a dose of 75 mg/kg induced a significant inhibition of 66.4% at 2 h. FT-IR spectral data justified the presence of biological functional groups such as ─OH, C─H, C─O, C─C and C=O. These results highlighted the potential using of Ecballium elaterium fruits extract as natural antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents for food applications and for the pharmaceutical industry

Phytochemicals, antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials and LC-MS analysis of hydroalcoholic extracts of leaves and flowers of Erodium glaucophyllum collected from Tunisian Sahara

<div><p>Abstract Erodium glaucophyllum collected from Tunisian Sahara was never presented in the relevant literature yet. In this study, the phytochemical profiles, chemical compositions, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, and Kill-time assay of the hydroalcoholic extract of flowers and leaves were investigated. The highest content in phenols, flavonoids and tannins was shown in flowers extract (350 ± 5 mg GAE/g, 34 ± 1 mg QE/g and 221.8 ± 0.0 mg β-carotene E/g, respectively). The carotenoids amount in leaves was about 6-fold higher than it’s in flowers. Conducted LC/MS analysis revealed the presence of 17 compounds in flowers and leaves extract with the main were quinic acid and naringin followed by rutin, hyperoside, gallic acid and Apegenin-7-o-glucoside. Flowers and leaves extracts showed a powerful antimicrobial effect against all strains and the most observed effect was shown with Gram negative bacteria. Time kill kinetics endorses the effectiveness of both extracts to possess bactericidal effect at a concentration less than 2 MIC. Results of both organs open a new promising way for the development of antioxidant and antimicrobial agents for food preservatives against food deterioration.</p></div