Chemical composition of essential oils of three Mentha species and their antifungal activity against selected phytopathogenic and post-harvest fungi

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in All Life (Online) on 05 Jan 2022, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/26895293.2021.2022007[EN] The postharvest life of most fruit, vegetables and cereals is limited by fungal proliferation. The chemical composition of Mentha piperita, M. spicata and M. suaveolens essential oils (EO), and the antifungal activity against four pathogenic and post-harvest fungi isolated from food, were herein investigated to evaluate their potential as natural food preservatives. The EO were obtained by hydrodistillation of aerial parts leaves, stems and inflorescences (except for peppermint oil, which was purchased in a specialized store) and submitted to GC-MS and GC-FID analysis. Regarding the EO composition, carvone (41.1%) and limonene (14.1%) were the major compounds in M. spicata, menthol (47.0%) and menthone (23.1%), as well as other menthol derivatives (neomenthol -3.6%- and menthofurane -3.7%-) in M. piperita, and piperitone oxide (40.2%) and piperitenone oxide (31.4%) in M. suaveolens. Botryotinia fuckeliana was the most sensitive fungus. The three studied EO inhibited growth by 92¿100%. The highest dose of M. suaveolens EO, 400 ¿g/mL, produced 100% MGI in all the studied fungi, except Fusarium oxysporum with 94.21%. The M. suaveolens EO can be considered to develop a low-risk enviro-friendly botanical biofungicide.The authors also thank the Spanish Type Culture Collection (CECT) for providing the molecular strain identification equipment. This study has been financed by MINECO, Ministerio de Economía y competitividad `Materiales biodegradables multicapa de alta barrera para el envasado activo de alimentos¿ (AGL2016-76699-R).Santamarina Siurana, MP.; Llorens Molina, JA.; Sempere Ferre, F.; Santamarina Siurana, MC.; Rosello Caselles, J.; Giménez Santamarina, S. (2022). Chemical composition of essential oils of three Mentha species and their antifungal activity against selected phytopathogenic and post-harvest fungi. All Life (Online). 15(1):64-73. https://doi.org/10.1080/26895293.2021.2022007647315

Commercial Laurus nobilis L. and Syzygium aromaticum L. Men. & Perry essential oils against post-harvest phytopathogenic fungi on rice

[EN] Rice is exposed in the field and in stored conditions to a great variety of fungi that can cause a lot of diseases with potential risk to consumers. In the present study, the chemical composition of commercial Laurus nobilis L. and Syzygium aromaticum L. Merr. & Perry essential oils and antifungal activity against five pathogenic fungi isolated from Mediterranean rice grains has been investigated. Thirty-seven compounds accounting for more than 99.5% of the total essential oil were identified by GC and GC/MS. 1,8-Cineole (51.95%), alpha-terpinyl acetate (12.93%) and the monoterpene hydrocarbon sabinene (9.56%) were the main compounds in bay leaf essential oil, while the phenylpropanoid eugenol (88.58%), and the sesquiterpene hydrocarbons beta-caryophyllene (8.13%) and alpha-humulene (2.35%) were found in clove essential oil. Clove essential oils at 300 mu g/mL showed more antifungal effect than bay leaf essential oil against all tested strains. S. aromaticum essential oil showed the best antifungal activity towards Fusarium graminearum and similar antifungal activity compared to pure eugenol against all tested phytopathogenic fungi. In inoculated rice grain, clove essential oil significantly reduced the fungal infection in food so S. aromaticum essential oil could be a good alternative as preservative in stored rice grain. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.This study has been financed by the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad; Subdireccion General de Proyectos de Investigacion; Convocatoria de Ayudas a Proyectos de I+D+i; Research Challenges; Programme-oriented Societal Challenges 2014-2017, reference number AGL2013-42989-R-AR.Santamarina Siurana, MP.; Rosello Caselles, J.; Gimenez, S.; Blazquez Ferrer, MA. (2016). Commercial Laurus nobilis L. and Syzygium aromaticum L. Men. & Perry essential oils against post-harvest phytopathogenic fungi on rice. LWT - Food Science and Technology. 65:325-332. doi:10.1016/j.lwt.2015.08.040S3253326

Antifungal and functional properties of starch-gellan films containing thyme (Thymus zygis) essential oil

[EN] Films based on starch-gellan blends at 9:1 and 8:2 ratios containing emulsified or lecithin encapsulated thyme (Thymus zygis) essential oil (EO) (0.25 or 0.5 g/g polymer), were obtained by casting method and characterized as to their structural, functional (mechanical, barrier and optical) and in vitro antifungal properties against Alternaria alternata (AA) and Botryotinia fuckeliana (BF). The EO retention during the film formation was also quantified. Lecithin encapsulation of the EO allowed for greater oil retention (45-55%), which enhanced the antifungal activity of the films, which were more effective against BF than AA. All films exhibited high oxygen barrier capacity, while lecithin improved the films water barrier properties and gloss, conferring them with a slightly brownish color. Lecithin also reduced the film stiffness and resistance to break and extensibility. Of the studied formulations, 8:2 S:G films with lecithin-encapsulated EO were very effective at controlling fungal growth, while exhibiting adequate functional properties as packaging/coating materials.The authors acknowledge the financial support for this study from the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (MINECO) of Spain, through the project AGL2016-76699-R. Mayra Sapper thanks the Conselleria de Educacion, Investigacion, Cultura y Deporte de la Comunitat Valenciana for the Santiago Grisolia grant GRISOLIA/2015/001.Sapper, MI.; Wilcaso, P.; Santamarina Siurana, MP.; Rosello Caselles, J.; Chiralt, A. (2018). Antifungal and functional properties of starch-gellan films containing thyme (Thymus zygis) essential oil. Food Control. 92:505-515. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2018.05.004S5055159

Antecedentes y acciones emprendidas en la universitat politècnica de valència en materia de igualdad

Se concreta la visión de la UPV como institución dinámica, capaz de hacer frente de manera ágil y activa a las demandas sociales, contribuyendo al crecimiento y al progreso a la vez que participa como motor y garante de los cambios de una sociedad en constante proceso de evolución asegurando el enriquecimiento de la misma.Santamarina Siurana, MP.; Cerdá Hernández, MR.; Quilis Nadal, MA.; Muñoz Gonzalo, AM. (2011). Antecedentes y acciones emprendidas en la universitat politècnica de valència en materia de igualdad. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/1842

Antifungal starch-based edible films containing Aloe vera

[EN] Aloe vera gel, analysed as to its antifungal properties against six fungi causing plant diseases, was found to be most effective against Fusarium oxysporum. It was included in different ratios in starch based films plastiziced with glycerol to obtain antifungal films. These were characterized as to their physical (barrier and optical) and structural properties. Films containing the highest ratio of Aloe vera solids (1:1, with respect to starch) and different glycerol mass ratios with respect to starch (0.15 and 0.25) were analysed as to the water sorption and water plasticization effects, in order to discover the water sensitivity of the films in different RH ambients. Films with 0.15 g glycerol/g starch were more homogenous, with a lower degree of starch crystallization, reduced water vapour permeability and higher gloss and transparency. These films with the highest Aloe vera ratio were effective at controlling fungal decay and weight loss in cherry tomatoes. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.The authors acknowledge the financial support from the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad throughout the project AGL2013-42989-R and AGL2016-76699-R. Rodrigo Ortega-Toro thanks Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia from Colombia for their support through project PIE-01 2016. Authors also thank the Electron Microscopy Service of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia for their technical assistance.Ortega-Toro, R.; Collazo-Bigliardi, S.; Rosello Caselles, J.; Santamarina Siurana, MP.; Chiralt, A. (2017). Antifungal starch-based edible films containing Aloe vera. Food Hydrocolloids. 72:1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2017.05.023S1107

Bomba rice conservation with a natural biofilm

[EN] The chemical composition of commercial Syzygium aromaticum, Cinnamomum verum, and Laurus nobilis essential oils as well as their antifungal activity against four pathogenic fungi isolated from Mediterranean rice grains has been investigated. Eighty nine compounds accounting for between 98.5 and 99.4% of the total essential oil were identified. The phenylpropanoids eugenol (89.37 ± 0.29%) and eugenol (56.34 ± 0.41%), followed by eugenol acetate (19.48 ± 0.13%) were, respectively, the main compounds in clove and cinnamon essential oils, whereas large amounts of the oxygenated monoterpenes 1,8-cineole (58.07 ± 0.83%) and ¿-terpinyl acetate (13.05 ± 0.44%) were found in bay leaf essential oil. Clove and cinnamon oils showed the best antifungal activity results against all tested fungi. Against Alternaria alternata, clove essential oil displayed the best antifungal effect, whereas against Curvularia hawaiiensis, cinnamon essential oil was more active. Both essential oils showed a similar antifungal effect towards Fusarium proliferatum and Fusarium oxysporum. In vitro studies in inoculated rice grains showed that clove and cinnamon totally inhibited pathogenic fungal development after 30 days of incubation. In vivo studies showed that eugenol used with a polysaccharide such as agar¿agar formed a fine coat which wraps the inoculated rice grains, creating a natural biofilm and reducing the development of all pathogenic fungi (80¿95%) for 30 days.This study has been financed by the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad; Subdireccion General de Proyectos de Investigacion; Convocatoria de Ayudas a Proyectos de I+D+i; Research Challenges and Program-Oriented Societal Challenges 2014-2017, reference number AGL2013-42989-R-AR. The authors also thank the Central Service for Experimental Research of the University of Valencia (SCSIE) for providing the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry equipment and the Coleccion Espanola de Cultivos Tipo (CECT) for providing equipment for molecular identification of strains.Rosello Caselles, J.; Giménez, S.; Ibañez, M.; Blazquez, M.; Santamarina Siurana, MP. (2018). Bomba rice conservation with a natural biofilm. ACS Omega. 3(3):2518-2526. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.7b01804S251825263

Rice straw ash: A potential pozzolanic supplementary material for cementing systems

[EN] Biomass waste from rice straw has many management problems, including field firing causing severe air pollution and natural organic decomposition resulting in methane emission. The conversion of this waste to ashes may offer the possibility of reusing them in cementing systems. For the first time ashes from different parts of the rice plant (Oryza sativa) were characterised from the chemical composition point of view: rice leaf ash (RLA), rice leaf sheath ash (RlsA) and rice stem ash (RsA). Microscopic studies on ashes revealed heterogeneity in the distribution of chemical elements in the remaining cellular structure (spodograms). The highest concentration of SiO2 was found in dumbbell-shaped phytoliths (%SiO2 > 78%). In the global chemical composition of ashes, SiO2 was also the main oxide present. According to Vassilev¿s classification of chemical composition, RLA belongs to the K-MA zone (medium acid), RlsA to the K-zone (low acid) and RsA to the S-zone (high acid). Calcination temperatures ¿550 ¿C completely removed organic matter from the straw and ashes underwent significant sinterisation by calcining at 650 ¿C due to the presence of potassium chloride. Here, ashes from global straw (rice straw ash, RSA) are characterised (via X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetry) and tested from a reactivity point of view (reaction towards calcium hydroxide) in order to assess the possibility for its reuse in cementing systems. Results from pastes made by mixing RSA and calcium hydroxide showed that the pozzolanic reactivity of the ashes is important (hydrated lime fixation of 82% for 7 days and 87% for 28 days in RSA:hydrated lime paste) and cementing C S H gel is formed after 7 and 28 days at room temperature. Compressive strength development of Portland cement mortars with 10% and 25% replacements by RSA yielded 107% and 98% of the strength of control mortar after 28 days of curing. Frattini test confirmed the pozzolanicity of the RSA blended cements. These reactivity results are very promising in terms of the potential reuse of ashes in cementing systems.The authors acknowledge the financial support of the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad MINECO, Spain, and FEDER funding [Project: B1A2015-70107-R] The authors thank the Electron Microscopy Service of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (Spain).Rosello Caselles, J.; Soriano Martínez, L.; Santamarina Siurana, MP.; Akasaki, JL.; Monzó Balbuena, JM.; Paya Bernabeu, JJ. (2017). Rice straw ash: A potential pozzolanic supplementary material for cementing systems. Industrial Crops and Products. 103:39-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2017.03.030S395010

Fusarium sudanense, endophytic fungus causing typical symptoms of seedling blight and seed rot on wheat

[EN] An endophytic fungus isolated from healthy wheat seeds cultivar Klein Yarará in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, was initially identified as belonging to the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex based on morphological and cultural characteristics. The fungus role in pathogenicity was investigated by artificial inoculation of wheat seeds. Symptoms evaluated 7 and 14¿days after inoculation showed that the fungus was pathogenic on seed and seedlings causing symptoms as seed decay, seedling blight and seed rot. The fungus was re-isolated to fulfill Koch¿s Postulates and was identified as F. sudanense (strain LBEA 3100), a new species recorded in Argentina. The fungal identity was corroborated using molecular techniques by sequencing the ITS region, D1/D2 domains of the LSU gene and TEF-1 alpha region and by comparison with international databases. Ecophysiological studies of F. sudanense (LBEA 3100) performed at different water activities and temperatures showed faster growth rate at the highest water activity and 25¿°C. This is the first report of F. sudanense, isolated from healthy wheat seeds, causing typical symptoms of seedling blight and seed rot on wheat.This work was supported by Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina (grant number 11A 296) and by Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina (grant number (PIP) 819/14).Larran, S.; Santamarina Siurana, MP.; Rosello Caselles, J.; Simón, MR.; Perelló, A. (2020). Fusarium sudanebse, endophytic fungus causing typical symptoms of seedling blinht and seed rot on wheat. Journal of King Saud University - Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksus.2018.07.005

Antifungal films based on starch-gelatin blend, containing essential oils

[EN] The antimicrobial activity of essential oils (EO) is very well-known and it has been reported that incorporating them into edible films based on biopolymers extends the food's shelf-life. In this study, cinnamon, clove and oregano EO, at 25% with respect to the polymer, were incorporated into glycerol plasticized starch-gelatin blend films (ratio 1:1) in order to elucidate their effect on the physical (barrier, mechanical and optical), structural and antifungal properties of the films. Whereas EOs exhibited no significant effect on tensile behavior in the case of casting films conditioned at 53% relative humidity and 25 degrees C, the EO compounds did significantly reduce the water vapor and oxygen permeability of the films. Likewise, the EOs increased the films' transparency but reduced their gloss. Despite the fact that about 60% of the incorporated EOs were lost during the film drying step, they exhibited antifungal activity against the two tested fungal species, Colletotrichum gloesporoides (CG) and Fusarium oxysporum (FOG), as revealed by the in vitro agar diffusion method. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.The authors acknowledge the financial support provided by the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad-Spanish Government (AGL2013-42989-R).Acosta-Davila, SC.; Chiralt, A.; Santamarina Siurana, MP.; Rosello Caselles, J.; González Martínez, MC.; Cháfer Nácher, MT. (2016). Antifungal films based on starch-gelatin blend, containing essential oils. Food Hydrocolloids. 61:233-240. doi:10.1016/j.foodhyd.2016.05.008S2332406

An approach to a new supplementary cementing material: Arundo donax straw ash material

[EN] Arundo donax is a plant native to Asia and is considered an invader species in the Mediterranean region and many tropical zones in the world. These invader plants can be collected to produce a biomass, which can be converted to ash by combustion. The scope of the study is to assess the use of these ashes (Arundo donax straw ash [ADSA]) as supplementary cementing material due to their relatively high silica content. Electron microscopy studies on dried and calcined samples of different plant parts (cane, sheath leaf and leaf) were carried out. Some different cellular structures were identified in the spodogram (remaining skeleton after calcination). Major silica content was found in leaves and sheath leaves. The main element in all the ashes studied, together with oxygen, was potassium (22 to 46% depending on the part of the plant). Chloride content was also high (5¿13%), which limits their use to non-steel reinforced concrete. The pozzolanic reactivity of ADSA was assessed in pastes by thermogravimetric analysis and in mortars with ordinary Portland cement based on compressive strength development. Excellent results were found in terms of reactivity.Paya Bernabeu, JJ.; Rosello Caselles, J.; Monzó Balbuena, JM.; Escalera, A.; Santamarina Siurana, MP.; Borrachero Rosado, MV.; Soriano Martinez, L. (2018). An approach to a new supplementary cementing material: Arundo donax straw ash material. Sustainability. 10(11):1-16. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10114273S116101