Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Nigella sativa crude and essential oil

Nigella sativa L. (black cumin) is well known for its benefits in the field of traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to determine the chemical composition and investigate the antimicrobial activity of cold pressed oil (CO) and essential oil (EO) of Nigella sativa L. on food-borne pathogenic and spoilage bacteria. The microdilution method was used to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Nigella sativa crude oil (CO) and essential oil (EO) against 4 Gram-positive (Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes) and 3 Gram-negative (Salmonella Hartford, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli) foodborne pathogenic and spoilage bacteria occurring in food products. Total fatty acid composition of CO was analysed by GLC, while the EO was analysed by GC-MS to detect its active compounds. The results showed that the major fatty acid of CO was palmitic acid (C16:0), as saturated fatty acid, however, linoleic acid (C18:2) was the main unsaturated fatty acid. The major compounds of the EO were p-cymene and thymoquinone. The inhibition on all tested bacteria of EO was 10 times higher than of CO, and the lowest concentration value was observed in case of Bacillus subtilis (0.003%). Hence, results reinforce the ambition to apply Nigella sativa oils in food as natural preservative

Variability of phenolic compounds of four aromatic Lamiaceae species in consequence of different water supply

The reactions of lemon balm, marjoram, peppermint, thyme were investigated and compared in a pot experiment, adjusting 70% and 40% of soil water capacity (SWC). Biomass, total phenolic content (TPC), rosmarinic acid content (RA) and antioxidant capacity (FRAP, DPPH) of both the shoots and roots were measured. As an universal phenomenon the water stress (40% SWC) decreased the total biomass production of all species drastically. The highest increase was observed in the shoot mass of peppermint and lemon balm (decreased from 52.6 g·plant–1 to 11.3 g·plant–1 and from 236.8 g·plant–1 to 58 g·plant–1, respectively). The reaction of marjoram was much more moderate. The accumulation level of TPC was accelerated in the aboveground parts of the studied species, universally. The reactions in the roots were less characteristic. The largest increase of TPC was measured in the shoots of lemon balm (from 359.015 mg GAE· g–1 d.w. up to 412.44 GAE·g–1 d.w.). The reaction of marjoram was the less characteristic in this respect, as well. The parallel changes of biomass and TPC level might allow the total phenolic content to function as an adequate marker in predicting the lack of appropriate water supply. RA content showed species characteristics. Thyme, marjoram and peppermint reacted by a significant elevation (by 23–127%) of the RA content to the lack of water. The highest proportions were accumulated in shoots of the stressed thyme plants (3.45% d.w.)

In situ morphological variability of wild marjoram (Origanum vulgare L.) populations in Hungary

Wild Origanum vulgare populations in Hungary have been analysed. In 2010 the morphological variability of 11 populations in five shires was investigated, the features of habitats were also described. The difference in elevation between the lowest and highest locality is 630 m. Nine plant associations, four soil types, variable pH between 4.81–7.96 and humus content from 0.54% to 6.97% were determined. Among the examined individual plants the maximum length of stem was 107 cm, the highest number of branches was 14 pairs, furthermore procumbent and mellow stems were also found. The defined colours of inflorescences are dyes of pink or purple. Despite to these we found individuals in one population with white flowers, green bracts and calyces

Subclinical thyroid dysfunction and the risk of heart failure in older persons at high cardiovascular risk

<p>Context: Subclinical thyroid dysfunction is common in older people. However, its clinical importance is uncertain.</p> <p>Objective: Our objective was to determine the extent to which subclinical hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism influence the risk of heart failure and cardiovascular diseases in older people.</p> <p>Setting and Design: The Prospective Study of Pravastatin in the Elderly at Risk (PROSPER) is an prospective cohort study.</p> <p>Patients: Patients included men and women aged 70–82 yr (n = 5316) with known cardiovascular risk factors or previous cardiovascular disease.</p> <p>Main Outcome Measures: Incidence rate of heart failure hospitalization, atrial fibrillation, and cardiovascular events and mortality according to baseline thyroid status were evaluated. Euthyroid participants (TSH =0.45–4.5 mIU/liter) were compared with those with subclinical hyperthyroidism (TSH <0.45 mIU/liter) and those with subclinical hypothyroidism (TSH <4.5 mIU/liter, both with normal free T4).</p> <p>Results: Subclinical hyperthyroidism was present in 71 participants and subclinical hypothyroidism in 199 participants. Over 3.2 yr follow-up, the rate of heart failure was higher for subclinical hyperthyroidism compared with euthyroidism [age- and sex-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 2.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.37–6.24, P = 0.005; multivariate-adjusted HR = 3.27, 95% CI = 1.52–7.02, P = 0.002). Subclinical hypothyroidism (only at threshold >10 mIU/liter) was associated with heart failure (age- and sex-adjusted HR = 3.01, 95% CI = 1.12–8.11, P = 0.029; multivariate HR = 2.28, 95% CI = 0.84–6.23). There were no strong evidence of an association between subclinical thyroid dysfunction and cardiovascular events or mortality, except in those with TSH below 0.1 or over 10 mIU/liter and not taking pravastatin.</p> <p>Conclusion: Older people at high cardiovascular risk with low or very high TSH along with normal free T4 appear at increased risk of incident heart failure.</p&gt