Chicken meat hamburger preservation using antimicrobial packaging containing cinnamon extract

Introduction: Raw meat is recognized as one of the most vulnerable foodstuffs. The present study aimed to assess the preservation of raw chicken hamburger coated with the blends of chitosan (CH) and gelatin (GE), activated with 1% cinnamon extract (CE) and stored in refrigerated conditions for 10 days.Methods: The chicken hamburger samples (10 g) were aseptically cut and mixed in a stomacher with 90 milliliters of sterile buffered peptone water for two minutes. The proper dilution was inoculated onto microbiological plates, including Baird-Parker agar (Staphylococcus aureus), violet red bile glucose (VRBG) agar (total coliforms), and plate count agar (aerobic plate count (APC)). Peroxide value (PV) analysis was also performed based on standard method.Results: On sampling days zero, two, four, six, eight and ten, all the samples coated with edible films (especially those enriched with 1% CE) had excellent effectiveness against lipid oxidation compared to uncoated samples. After 10 days of storage, all the films could effectively decrease the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, total coliforms, and aerobic plate count (APC) in chicken hamburgers compared to controls (

Effects of Oregano Extract on the Inhibition of Selected Pathogens in Raw Beef Meat

Introduction: Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp. and Staphylococcus aureus have been found in raw meat and meat products. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of oregano extract(OE) at the concentrations of 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.5%against Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella typhimurium, and Staphylococcus aureus in raw beef meat during refrigerated storage (4±1ºC) for 10 days. Methods: In this study, 10 grams of raw beef meat were added to 90 milliliters of sterile buffered peptone water and homogenized in a stomacher for two minutes. Proper decimal dilutions were prepared in buffered peptone water for microbial enumeration. S. typhimurium was cultured on Salmonella Shigella agar and incubated at the temperature of 37ºC for 24 hours. In addition, L. monocytogenes was cultured on PALCAM listeria-selective agar and incubated at the temperature of 30ºC for 48 hours, and S. aureus was cultured on Baird-Parker agar and incubated at the temperature of 37ºC for 48 hours. Results: In all the experiments, no growth was observed in L. monocytogenes, S. typhimurium, and S. aureus in the non-inoculated control samples. Antimicrobial effects were more significant at the higher concentrations of OE (

Examining of Nutritional and Remedial Properties of Olive in Quran, Hadiths, Traditional and Modern Medicine

سابقه و هدف: زیتون با نام علمی اولئا یوروپائه­آ، از تیره‌ی اولئاسه­آ، یکی از میوه‌هایی است که در نواحی مدیترانه، آسیای مرکزی و در بخش‌هایی از آفریقا کشت می‌شود و میزان تولید سالیانه‌ی آن در جهان بیش از 4/17 میلیون تن است. با گسترش و پیشرفت علم در حوزه‌های مختلف، روزبه‌روز فواید و خواص طبی و تغذیه‌یی جدیدی از زیتون آشکار می‌شود. با پژوهش در قرآن، روایات و احادیث پیامبر (ص) و امامان معصوم (ع) درمی‌یابیم که به بسیاری از خواص این میوه که علوم جدید آنها را اثبات کرده، قبلاً اشاره‌ شده است. به‌طورکلی زیتون در درمان زخم معده و دیگر بیماری‌های دستگاه گوارش، فشارخون، آسم، بیماری‌های قلبی، دیابت، شکستگی و پوکی استخوان و بیماری‌های پوستی مؤثر است و سبب تحریک ترشح ادرار، جلوگیری از ریزش مو و کاهش التهاب و تب می‌شود. روش کار: در تحقیق حاضر، خواص طبی زیتون از منظر قرآن کریم، احادیث و منابع طب سنتی و نیز پژوهش‌های علمی انجام‌شده طی سال‌های 2000 تا 2016، بررسی و مطالعه شده است. در این پژوهش همه‌ی موارد اخلاقی رعایت شده است. علاوه‌براین، نویسندگان مقاله هیچ‌گونه تضاد منافعی گزارش نکرده‌اند. یافته‌ها: طب نوين باوجود پیشرفت‌های بسیار، در سال‌های اخیر به یافته‌هایی رسيده كه قرن‌ها قبل در كتب قدما و حكماي طب سنّتي ايران و اسلام به‌سادگی و با جزئیات بیان‌شده‌است. نتایج پژوهش اخیر نیز نشان می‌دهد که زیتون در پیشگیری از بیماری­های قلبی، آلزایمر، سرطان‌های روده‌ی بزرگ، پوست، پروستات، سینه، رحم و تخمدان؛ دیابت، بیماری‌های التهابی و خودایمن مانند روماتیسم، پوکی استخوان و بیماری‌های عصبی مانند نشانگان داون مؤثر؛ و همچنین دارای اثرهای ضدالتهابی، ضدمیکروبی و آنتی‌اکسیدانی است. نتیجه‌گیری: یافته‌های اين پژوهش می‌تواند گامي مؤثر در جهت تأیید جنبه‌های علمي قرآن و احادیث پیامبر (ص) و ائمه (ع)، به‌ویژه در مورد میوه‌هایی نظیر زیتون، محسوب شود. Background and Objective: Olive (Olea europaea), a species in the family of Oleaceae, is one of the fruits that grows in the Mediterranean region, central Asia and some parts of Africa. Annual production of this fruit is about 17.4 million tons in the world. With scientific development in various fields in recent years, new medical and nutritional properties of olive have been discovered. It was found that many of demonstrated properties of this fruit in modern science have already been pointed out in the Quran, narrations and hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad (S) and Imams (AS). Olive generally is effective in the treatment of stomach ulcers and other gastrointestinal diseases, hypertension, asthma, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, bone fractures and osteoporosis, cutaneous diseases, stimulation of urination, prevention of hair loss and reduction of inflammation and fever. Method: In this study, medical properties of olive were investigated in the Quran, hadiths, traditional medicine as well as recent scientific researches (2000 - 2016). All ethical issues were observed. Moreover, the authors did not report conflict of interest. Results: Along with the recommendations of the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad (s), Imams and traditional medicine about the consumption of olive, findings of recent studies also indicate that this fruit is effective in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, cancers of colon, skin, prostate, breast, uterine and ovarian, diabetes, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and neurodegenerative diseases such as Down syndrome. Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties also reported for olive. Conclusion: The findings of this research can be an effective step confirming the scientific aspects of the Quran and narratives of the Prophet Muhammad (S) and Imams (AS), especially in the case of fruits like olive

Ammonia-Nitrogen Recovery from Synthetic Solution using Agricultural Waste Fibers

In this study, modification of Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) fibers as a means to recover ammonianitrogen from a synthetic solution was investigated. Methods: The EFB fiber was modified using sodium hydroxide.Adsorption-desorption studies of ammonia nitrogen into the modified EFB fiber were investigated Findings: Theincrease in adsorption capacity was found to be proportional with the increase of pH up to 7, temperature and ammoniaconcentration. The maximum adsorption capacity is 0.53-10.89 mg/g. The attachment of ammonia nitrogen involves ionexchange-chemisorption. The maximum desorption capacity of 0.0999 mg/g. Applications: This study can be used as abaseline for designing a low cost adsorbent system for ammonia nitrogen recovery drainage and industrial wastewater aswell as EFBs-palm oil mill effluent composting

Fate of Listeria monocytogenes during Ripening of Iranian Traditional Koozeh Cheese Made from Raw Ewe\'s Milk

Background: One of the most well-known Iranian traditional cheeses is Koozeh. The aim of present work was to evaluate the survival of L. monocytogenes during ripening of Iranian traditional Koozeh cheese made from raw ewe's milk. Methods: A 2-factor experimental design was applied to study the effect of ripening conditions, including different temperatures (4, 9, and 14 &deg;C) and different concentrations of NaCl (0, 8, 12, and 15%) on the survival of L. monocytogenes in the Koozeh cheese. Microbial analysis was carried out over a period of 150 days with sampling in every 10 days. SPSS software (v. 16.0) was used for statistical analysis. Results: Three NaCl concentrations (8, 12, and 15%) significantly affect the inactivation L. monocytogenes (p<0.05). After inoculation, L. monocytogenes populations were reduced most rapidly during the first ten days of storage (~0.5-1.5 log Colony Forming Unit/g) at three mentioned temperatures; after that, the bacteria were continually decreased, being below the detection limit (1 log CFU/g) at the end of ripening. Numbers of L. monocytogenes were reduced more effectively at 14 &deg;C storage temperature than 9 and 4 &deg;C (p<0.05). Conclusion: L. monocytogenes was declined drastically during ripening days and eliminated at the end of ripening of Koozeh cheese. L. monocytogenes counts were decreased during ripening of Koozeh cheese under adverse conditions such as high salt concentrations and high temperatures. However, since Iranian Koozeh cheese is made from raw and unpasteurized milk, there are still some concerns about health risk of L. monocytogenes in this product. Also, the effects of temperature and salting parameters on the sensorial properties of Koozeh cheese should be investigated in future. DOI: 10.29252/jfqhc.5.3.10

Therapeutic effects of Pumpkin in Islamic Texts, Islamic Iranian Traditional Medicine and Modern Medicine

زمینه و هدف: کدو با نام علمی Cucurbita pepo L. متعلق به خانواده کدو (Cucurbitaceae) بوده که در نواحی مختلف دنیا کشت داده می‌شود و بیشترین تولید آن توسط کشورهای چین، هند، اوکراین، مصر و ایالات‌متحده آمریکا صورت می‌گیرد. این گیاه یکی از خوراکی‌هایی است که در قرآن از آن یاد شده و در طب سنتی و رایج نیز از آن برای درمان بیماری‌های مختلف استفاده می‌شود. این مطالعه با هدف بررسی جایگاه کدو در قرآن، احادیث نقل‌شده از پیامبر و امامان و طب سنتی ایرانی و نیز خواص تغذیه‌ای و درمانی آن بر طبق آخرین تحقیقات علمی انجام گرفت. مواد و روش‌ها: در این مطالعه مروری قرآن مجید و تفاسیر آن، احادیث و روایات اسلامی، کتب طب سنتی و گیاهان دارویی مورد بررسی قرار گرفتند. همچنین از پایگاه‌های Science Direct، PubMed، SID، Google Scholar وISC استفاده گردید. جستجو در این پایگاه‌ها با استفاده از واژگان کلیدی کدو، قرآن، حدیث، طب، بیماری، Cucurbita Pepo، Cucurbitaceae، Pumpkin، Medicinal، Holy Quran و مابین سال‌های 2000 تا 2017 صورت گرفت. یافته‌ها: نتایج این مطالعه نشان داد که علاوه بر این‌که در قرآن و احادیث و روایت به استفاده از کدو توصیه شده است، در طب سنتی ایرانی از آن برای دفع کرم‌ها، درمان یرقان، زخم‌ها، سوختگی‌ها، تب، دل‌پیچه، مالیخولیا، هذیان‌گویی، اسهال شدید، رفع بی‌خوابی، سردرد و انسداد مجاری ادراری استفاده می‌شود. از دیدگاه طب رایج، کدو دارای خواص ضد باکتریایی، ضد ویروسی، ضد کرم، آنتی‌اکسیدانی، ضد التهابی بوده و باعث شادابی، نشاط، افزایش بهره هوشی، کاهش افسردگی، تقویت سیستم ایمنی و پیشگیری از بیماری‌های قلبی عروقی، کبد چرب، دیابت و سرطان می‌گردد. نتیجه‌گیری: یافته‌های پژوهش حاضر نشان می‌دهد که توصیه‌های موجود در آیات قرآنی، احادیث پیامبر و امامان و طب سنتی ایران در مورد مصرف گیاهانی نظیر کدو نه‌تنها از روی آگاهی بوده، بلکه بر پایه اصول و منطق علمی بیان شده‌اند که این توصیه‌ها در جهت بهبود سلامتی و افزایش طول عمر انسان می‌باشند و بایستی دقت و تعمق بیشتری را در این منابع به ‌خصوص در مورد دستورات تغذیه‌ای آن‌ها داشت.Background and Aim:&nbsp;Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) belonging to Cucurbitaceae family, is widely cultivated around the world and it is mostly produced in China, India, Ukraine, Egypt and United States of America. It is one of the plants mentioned in the Holy Quran. It has also been used for the treatment of various diseases in traditional and modern medicine. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the nutritional and therapeutic properties of this plant in the holy Quran, narrations and hadiths of the prophet Muhammad and Imams, traditional medicine as well as modern medicine according to latest scientific research studies. Materials and Methods:&nbsp;For this review study, the Holy Quran and its interpretations, Islamic Hadiths and narrations, relevant references about traditional Iranian medicine and medicinal plants were studied. Also, ScienceDirect, PubMed, SID, Google Scholar and ISI databases (2000 to 2016) were used with keywords such as Quran, Hadith, medicine, disease, Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbitaceae, pumpkin and medicinal. Findings:&nbsp;In the addition to the recommendation of Quran and hadiths about consumption of Pumpkin, in traditional Iranian medicine, it was used for the removal of helminthes, treatment of jaundice, wounds, burns, fever, abdominal cramps, melancholia, delirium, severe diarrhea, insomnia, headache and urinary tract obstruction. In modern medicine, pumpkin has antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant; anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory properties and it can modulate immune system. It is also used for freshness, vitality, increase of intelligence, reduction of depression and prevention of cardiovascular diseases, fatty liver, diabetes and cancer. Conclusion:&nbsp;The findings of this study indicate that the recommendations contained in the Quran verses, Hadiths of Prophet and Imams and traditional Iranian medicine about the consumption of plants like pumpkin are not only conscious but also based on scientific principles and logic. These recommendations are intended to improve the health and longevity of human. So, more attention should be paid to these resources, especially regarding their nutritional instructions. &nbsp; Please cite this article as:&nbsp;Moosavy MH, Shavisi N, Khatibi SA. Therapeutic effects of Pumpkin in Islamic Texts, Islamic Iranian Traditional Medicine and Modern Medicine.&nbsp;Med Hist J&nbsp;2018; 9(33): 77-92

Characterization, isotherm and kinetic studies for ammonium ion adsorption by light expanded clay aggregate (LECA)

The possibility of ammonium ion removal from aqueous solution using light expanded clay aggregate (LECA) was investigated in this work. FESEM and XRF analyses are used to determine the sorbent characterization. The influences of some effective parameters on ammonium ion adsorption process such as initial pH (3–9), initial ammonium ion concentration (10–100 mg/L), temperature (15–45 °C), and the contact time (0–180 min) were studied. Also, the equilibrium behavior of LECA in ammonium ion removal was investigated in the temperature range of 15–45 °C. The results showed that the equilibrium data were fitted well with two Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models in all the studied temperature range. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity estimated by Langmuir isotherm was obtained from 0.229 to 0.254 (mg/g). The required contact time to achieve the equilibrium condition was 150 min. Also, the regression coefficients of the kinetic models and more conformity of the experimental adsorption capacity (qexp) to the calculated adsorption capacity (qcal) were confirmed that the experimental data follow the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The controlling rate of NH4+ adsorption process by the Webber–Morris model was proved both by film diffusion and intra-particle diffusion models

Bacterial Contamination of Iranian Paper Currency

Background: Transmission of human pathogens can be occurred via inert objects. Paper currency is a further common contact surface whereby pathogens can be transferred within a population although the significance remains unknown. Hence, the aim of the present study was to investigate microbial populations associated with Iranian paper currency.Methods: This study was carried out by getting 108 samples of the Iranian currency notes (1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000 and 50000 RIALS) from food-related shops that included food service outlets, greengrocery, supermarket, bakery, confectionary and poultry meat retail outlets. All currency notes were examined for total bacterial count and identification of pathogenic bacteria.Results: The average total bacterial count that was recovered from currency notes was found to be 3.27±0.31 colony forming unites. 2000R had the highest total bacterial count, followed by 5000R, 10000R and the lowest in 50000R. In this study, the isolated bacteria recovered were Bacillus cereus (8.33%), E. coli (48.14%), Staphylococcus aureus (28.7%), Salmonella (0.92%), Listeria monocytogenes (0.92%), Yersinia entrocolitica (6.48%). It was revealed that all the pathogens screened for where encountered on currency notes were recovered from one sample. There were no significant (P>0.05) correlations between the carriage of pathogens/fecal indicator bacteria and currency note condition.Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that Iranian currency notes represent a significant vehicle for human pathogens