The Effect of Aqueous Extract of Saffron (Crocus sativus L. Stigma ) on the Behavior of Salmonella Typhimurium in A Food Model during Storage at Different Temperatures

Background: Given the concerns about the use of chemical preservatives in food, the consumers and producers have been interested in natural alternatives, such as plant essential oils and extracts. Since there are limited studies about the effect of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) on the behavior of foodborne pathogens in food models, this study aimed to determine the inhibitory effect of aqueous extract of saffron stigma on the growth behavior of Salmonella Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) in commercial barley soup (as a food model) during storage at different temperatures. Method s : The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the extract were determined against S. Typhimurium using broth microdilution method. The growth of S . Typhimurium was investigated in the presence of this extract in commercial barley soup during 12 days of storage at 10, 20, and 30 °C. Results: The MIC and MBC values for saffron extract against S . Typhimurium were 100 and >200 mg/m l , respectively. Also, the saffron extract at a concentration of 200 mg/ml and temperature of 10 °C had the highest inhibitory effect on the growth of bacteria in commercial barley soup during storage. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the antimicrobial effect of this extract increased in a dose -dependent manner against this bacterium. Therefore, the use of proper concentrations of this extract together with appropriate storage temperature can have an appropriate inhibitory effect on the growth of this bacterium, improving food safety shelf life

Evaluation of Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Antifungal Properties of Satureja hortensis Essential Oil

Background: Satureja is a genus belonging to the aromatic plants of Lamiaceae family. The genus Satureja L. (Lamiaceae) comprises more than 30 species of aromatic herbs and shrubs, widely distributed over the Mediterranean region. The genus is represented by 14 species in Iran of which, eight are endemic. Many species of the genus Satureja are reported to have aromatic and medicinal properties. The leaves, flowers, and stems of this plant are used as herbal tea and in treatment of various ailments in traditional medicine. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of essential oil (EO) of Satureja hortensis (Lamiaceae) that grows in Sabalan Mountain (Ardebil province, Iran). Materials and Methods: This EO was tested in vitro against two bacterial species by disk and agar well diffusion methods and against four bacterial species and three Candida strains by broth microdilution method. Total phenol, flavonoid, and free radical scavenging activity of EO were evaluated. Results: Total phenolic content was determined by using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent (32.65 mg/g), which was presented as gallic acid equivalent in 1 g of sample. IC50 of EO and ascorbic acid in DPPH method were respectively 277.9 and 19.34 μg. Minimum inhibitory concentration of the EO of S. hortensis against Salmonella typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus cereus was respectively 2.5%, 2.5%, 5%, and 2.5%. The inhibition zone of EO in disk and agar well diffusion method showed that inhibitory zone on B. cereus was higher than that on S. typhimurium in both methods and B. cereus was more sensitive to EO. MIC to minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) ratio of S. hortensis EO against Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida krusei in broth microdilution method were respectively 0.048%:0.048%, 0.024%:0.024%, and 0.012%:0.012%. Conclusions: The data of the study clearly indicated that the EO of S. hortensis has a strong antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activity. Keywords:Essential Oils; Antioxidants; Traditional Medicin

Lead and Cadmium Contamination in Raw Milk and Some of the Dairy Products of Hamadan Province in 2013-2014

Background & Objectives: Since milk and its products constitute an important part of human diet in many parts of the world; effective procedures should be applied to improve quality and quantity of milk production, quality of its composition and milk hygiene and to minimize milk pollutants. This study aimed to determine concentration of lead and cadmium in milk and some dairy products of Hamadan markets and compare with international standard levels. Methods: In the present cross-sectional study, 190 samples of raw cow milk, raw sheep milk, raw goat milk, yogurt and white cheese (made from cow milk) produced in dairy product manufacturing centers of Hamadan province were collected during 2013-2014. Lead and cadmium residues in the samples were examined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results: In the present study, lead levels were not higher than the licensed level and in all samples cadmium were within standard ranges. Among dairy products, the highest and lowest average concentration of lead were found in white cheese (0.325 ppm) and yogurt (0.136 ppm); respectively. In raw milk samples the highest average concentrations of lead and cadmium were found in goat raw milk with 0.223 ppm and 0.006 ppm; respectively. Conclusion: Comparing lead and cadmium concentrations in the samples with Codex (2000) standard revealed that average lead and cadmium levels are lower than the permissible levels. The average lead in any of the samples was not higher than the allowable concentration and cadmium amount was within the permissible range for all the samples

Comparative evaluation of ZMYND-8 and RAR beta 2 genes promoters' methylation changes in tumor and tumor margin tissues of patients with lung cancer

Background Lung cancer remains one of the most lethal carcinomas worldwide because of its late diagnosis. One of the DNA modifications is methylation, one of the primary alterations of tumor development, consisting of fascinating indicators for cancer diagnosis. This study investigated ZMYND-8 and RAR beta 2 gene methylation in NSCLC as a new epigenetic tool.Methods First, to find out the potential diagnostic capability of ZMYND-8 and RAR beta 2 genes methylation, we entirely surfed DNA methylation microarrays from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data of NSCLC samples. Additionally, we took advantage of using q-MSP in several pieces comprising NSCLC tumors and neighboring normal tissues; ZMYND-8 and RAR beta 2 genes methylation grades were acquired.Results Our finding displayed significant hypomethylation of ZMYND-8 and hypermethylation of RAR beta 2 in NSCLC samples compared to neighboring standard specimens, which significantly correlated with the clinical stage of malignancy. In addition, the incredible precision of ZMYND-8 and RAR beta 2 methylations as reliable cancer diagnosis indicators in NSCLC was confirmed, drawing the ROC curve analysis with an AUC value of 0.751 and 0.8676, respectively, for ZMYND-8 and RAR beta 2. Additional studies of other dominant cancer entities in TCGA displayed that RAR beta 2's higher methylation degree and ZMYND-8 lower methylation degree are prevalent changes in tumor evolution which could be possibly considered as a potential diagnostic biomarkers for lung cancer.Conclusion Based on this study, ZMYND-8 and RAR beta 2 methylation are reliable biomarkers for lung cancer.This study was supported by a grant from the research deputy of the Department of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Center, University Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.research deputy of the Department of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Center, University Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Ira