Botanical and Genetic Identification Followed by Investigation of Chemical Composition and Biological Activities on the Scabiosa atropurpurea L. Stem from Tunisian Flora

Scarce information about the phenolic composition of Scabiosa atropurpurea L. is available, and no carotenoid compounds have been reported thus far. In this study the phenolic and carotenoid composition of this plant was both investigated and associated bioactivities were evaluated. Aiming to obtain extracts and volatile fractions of known medicinal plants to valorize them in the pharmaceutical or food industries, two techniques of extraction and five solvents were used to determine the biologically active compounds. Gas chromatography coupled to flame ionization and mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography coupled to photodiode array and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry highlighted the presence of 15 volatiles, 19 phenolic, and 24 natural pigments in Scabiosa atropurpurea L. stem samples; among them, the most abundant were 1,8-cineole, chlorogenic acid, cynaroside, and lutein. Bioactivity was assessed by a set of in vitro tests checking for antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and allelopathic (against Brassica oleracea L. and Lens culinaris Medik) effects. Scabiosa atropurpurea L. stem extracts presented a considerable antioxidant, antibacterial, and allelopathic potential, with less antifungal effectiveness. These results indicate that the volatile fractions and extracts from S. atropurpurea L. stem could be considered as a good source of bioactive agents, with possible applications in food-related, agriculture, and pharmaceutical fields. Genetic investigations showed 97% of similarity with Scabiosa tschiliensis, also called Japanese Scabiosa

Animal influence on water, sanitation and hygiene measures for zoonosis control at the household level: A systematic literature review

Neglected zoonotic diseases (NZDs) have a significant impact on the livelihoods of the world’s poorest populations, which often lack access to basic services. Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programmes are included among the key strategies for achieving the World Health Organization’s 2020 Roadmap for Implementation for control of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). There exists a lack of knowledge regarding the effect of animals on the effectiveness of WASH measures. This review looked to identify how animal presence in the household influences the effectiveness of water, hygiene and sanitation measures for zoonotic disease control in low and middle income countries; to identify gaps of knowledge regarding this topic based on the amount and type of studies looking at this particular interaction

Composition, Insecticidal and Antifungal Activities of Tunisian Daucus setifolius Essential Oil

Purpose: The present study aims to investigate for the first time, the chemical composition and biological profile of the essential oil extracted from Daucus setifolius harvested in northwest of Tunisia. Method: The content of the essential oil obtained after hydrodistillation of the aerial parts, was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The anti-insect potency of D. setifolius essential oil was assessed against the most important and destructive insect pests of stored cereals in Tunisia namely Tribolium confusum and Sitophilus zeamais. Moreover, the oil was screened, using microdilution method, for its antifungal properties against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata yeasts and Trichophyton rubrum and Microsporum canis dermatophytes. Results: The chromatographic analysis proved its richness in monoterpene hydrocarbons (46.4%). Thus, sabinene (33.1%) was identified as the predominant compound, followed by β-selinene (14.4%) and terpinen-4-ol (8.6%). Indeed, the repellency assay indicated that the volatile oil exhibited a higher repellency towards both adult species (> 70%) after 120 min of exposure. The results showed that dermatophyte strains are more sensitive to D. setifolius essential oil compared to Candida spp. Conclusion: The essential oil of D. setifolius aerial parts has potential for development of plant-derived insecticidal compounds and repellents for stored grains insects. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Seasonal Variation in the Chemical Profile, Antifungal and Insecticidal Activities of Essential Oils from Daucus reboudii

Purpose: This study investigates for the first time the influence of seasonal variation on the chemical composition, antifungal and insecticidal potentials of essential oils extracted from Daucus reboudii growing in Tunisia. Methods: Essential oils were extracted in summer (vegetative stage) and autumn (flowering-fruiting stage) by hydrodistillation, the corresponding volatiles were identified by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The anti-insect potency of the essential oils from D. reboudii collected seasonally was evaluated towards two stored product insects, Tribolium confusum and Sitophilus zeamais. The antifungal effects of these oils were screened against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata yeasts and Trichophyton rubrum and Microsporum canis dermatophytes, fungi with medical interest. Results: The essential oil highest yield was recorded from the sample collected in October. The phytochemical profiling of D. reboudii volatile oils indicated that monoterpene hydrocarbons (52.2–61.4)% represent the major class of the identified compounds, with -pinene (36.6–40.6)% as the major secondary metabolite through both seasons. Taking into consideration the second most represented class of compounds, a predominance of sesquiterpenes hydrocarbons (25.3%) was observed in summer, versus a predominance of phenyl derivatives (21.1%) in the flowering-fruiting stage. The essential oils showed promising effect in protecting stored grains from T. confusum attacks. The essential oils from D. reboudii showed interesting antifungal potential towards T. rubrum and M. canis. C. Conclusion: These results may be gainful in choosing the optimal harvest time for the production of D. reboudii active agents, with high value in crops preservation and medication. Graphic Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Study on the synthesis, physicochemical, electrochemical properties, molecular structure and antifungal activities of the 4-pyrrolidinopyridine Mg(II) meso-tetratolylporphyrin complex

International audienceA novel magnesium(II) metalloporphyrin namely the bis(4-pyrrolidinopyridine)[meso-tetra(p-tolyl)porphyrinato)]magnesium(II) dichloromethane desolate complex with the formula [Mg(TTP)(4-pypo)2]·CH2Cl2 (I) has been synthetized and fully characterized by UV–Vis, fluorescence, IR, 1H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The X-ray molecular structure shows that I presents two molecules (1 and 2) [Mg1(TTP)(4-pypo)2] and [Mg2(TTP)(4-pypo)2] in the asymmetric unit while the Hirshfeld surface analysis on this hexacoordinated Mg(II) porphyrin species indicates that the crystal lattice is mainly sustained by C__H…C, C__H…Cg (Cg is the centroid of a phenyl ring) and C__H…Cl intermolecular interactions. The cyclic voltammetry data of I is also reported. The bioactivity of the H2TTP, the [Mg(TTP)] starting material and [Mg(TTP)(4-pypo)2]·CH2Cl2 (I) was evaluated in vitro, by examining their inhibitory effect against three strains of Candida viz. C. albicans, C. glabrata and C. tropicalis with MIC values in the range 2.5 to 10 µg.mL−1. The screening of the susceptibility of M. canis and T. rubrum clinical strains on the three porphyrinic derivatives is also reported