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Abstract Essential oils (EO) are known for their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and can be used as an alternative to reduce the reliance on antimicrobials in dairy cattle. While many studies have explored the beneficial properties of EO in vitro, their effects on milk quality and milk microbiota, when applied directly to the udder skin, remain relatively unknown. This study aimed to investigate the impact of Thymus capitatus essential oil (TCEO), known for its high antibacterial and antioxidant properties, on milk microbiota using 16S rRNA sequencing, the lipidomic profile via liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry, udder skin microbiota, and inflammatory biomarkers of dairy cows at the end of lactation. Sixteen-quarters of 12 Holstein cows were selected, and TCEO was topically applied to the udder skin twice a day for 7 days. Milk was collected aseptically on days 0, 7, 21, and 28 before morning farm milking. The results showed no significant changes in microbiota composition after the EO treatment in alpha and beta diversity or taxonomical composition at the phylum and genus levels. TCEO induced limited changes in the milk lipidome, primarily affecting diacylglycerols at T21. The treatment did not affect inflammatory biomarkers, milk sensory properties, or quality. Our study is the first to demonstrate that a local application of 10% TCEO on cow’s quarters does not significantly alter milk quality or microbiota composition in milk and skin. More studies should be conducted to ensure the safe use of TCEO in dairy cows and explore its potential benefits on antibiotic-resistant bacteria as an alternative or support for antibiotic therapy.

ABSTRACT: Previous research demonstrated the growth-promoting benefits of an essential oil and oligosaccharide blend (Stay Strong, Ralco, Inc.; EO) or an encapsulated sodium butyrate (C4; Ultramix GF, Adisseo, Inc.) fed to neonatal calves. The possibility exists that these technologies may be additive based on their individual mechanisms of action. The study objective was to evaluate EO and C4 alone or in combination when fed to Holstein heifers raised on a commercial Chinese dairy operation. Sixty-four heifers were blocked by calving day and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments (n = 16/treatment) using a randomized complete block design. Treatments were: (1) Control: CON; milk fed 3×/d; (2) EO added to the milk at the rate of 1.50 g/d per head; (3) C4 added to the milk at 1.70 g/d per head; and (4) E4: EO and C4 added to the milk at the rates of 1.50 and 1.70 g/d per head, respectively. Heifers were fed acidified waste milk using an increasing- and decreasing-phase feeding program with weaning on d 56 for a 70-d experiment. Heifer birth weight was a significant covariate with heifers fed EO, C4, and E4, demonstrating greater BW (42.4, 47.0, 46.6, and 48.0 kg for CON, EO, C4, and E4, respectively) gains and ADG (605.0,672.5, 665.7, and 686.7 g/d, respectively) compared with heifers fed CON. Calf starter intake (0.558, 0.584, 0.692, and 0.624 kg/d, respectively) was greater for heifers fed C4 compared with heifers fed CON, with heifers fed EO and E4 being intermediate and similar. Feed conversions (0.439, 0.480, 0.444, and 0.477 kg/kg, respectively) were greater for calves fed EO and E4 compared with calves fed CON. Total days of fecal score = 0 was greater for heifers fed EO and lowest for heifers fed E4, with heifers fed CON and C4 being intermediate. Gains in body length and hip width were greater for heifers fed EO compared with heifers fed CON, C4, and E4. Total-tract apparent fiber (NDF and ADF) digestibility was greater in heifers fed EO and C4, intermediate for heifers fed E4, and lowest for heifers fed CON. Heifers fed EO demonstrated lower fecal Salmonella counts compared with heifers fed CON, C4, and E4. Heifers fed EO and C4 demonstrated greater blood serum total volatile fatty acid concentrations (9.75, 12.91, 11.22, 10.89 µM, respectively, for CON, EO, C4, and E4) compared with heifers fed CON, with heifers fed E4 being intermediate and similar. Heifers fed EO, C4, and E4 demonstrated greater growth performance, but the combination of EO and C4 did not further improve growth performance.

Developing natural herbicides offers a potential solution to mitigate the drawbacks associated with synthetic pesticides used in an excessive quantity to safeguard agricultural crops. In this study, essential oils extracted via hydrodistillation from Pinus ponderosa needles were investigated for their chemical composition and phytotoxic activity. Gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection (GC/MS) identified twenty-three constituents, constituting 93.87% of the total oil. The predominant components were oxygenated monoterpenes (64.66%), with α-pinene (37.78%), β-pinene (24.32%), and sesquiterpenes hydrocarbons, particularly germacrene-D (7.26%). The phytotoxic effects of P. ponderosa essential oil were tested on Phalaris canariensis L., Trifolium campestre Schreb., and Sinapis arvensis L. The essential oil exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on seed germination and seedling growth in a dose-dependent manner. A low concentration of essential oil reduced the germination and seedling growth of all tested weeds. Additionally, the essential oil treatment impacted malondialdehyde content and electrolyte leakage in the seedlings. These preliminary findings suggest that essential oils from forest trees, particularly Pinus ponderosa, could serve as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical herbicides. This approach may contribute to addressing the challenges associated with synthetic pesticides while promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

Abstract Background The rising costs of synthetic fertilizers highlight the need for eco-friendly alternatives to enhance essential oil production in aromatic plants. This study evaluated the effects of red algae seaweed extract [Solieria chordalis (C. Agardh) J. Agardh] on holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum L.) in the Western Himalayas, by using five concentrations (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 mL/L) and two application methods (drenching and foliar spray) in a factorial randomized block design analysing data at 5% significance level. Seaweed extract significantly improved growth and yield, with the highest essential oil content and biomass. By examining various concentrations and application techniques, the study seeks to determine the best practices for maximizing essential oil production. Results Application of S. chordalis at 7.5 mL/L, increased essential oil content by 71.4% and biomass by 63.4% compared to the control. The foliar application also resulted in 50% higher essential oil content than drenching. Application of S. chordalis at 7.5 mL/L significantly enhanced essential oil components like eugenol, methyl eugenol, and methyl cinnamate by 61.5%, 17.6% and, 48.4%, respectively, compared to control. Based on the results of the present study, the foliar application of 7.5 mL/L seaweed extract is recommended for optimizing holy basil growth, biomass yield, essential oil content and composition. Conclusions Based on the results of the present study, the foliar application of 7.5 mL/L seaweed extract is recommended for optimizing holy basil growth, biomass yield, essential oil content and composition. This study encourages the utilization of bio-stimulants, enhancing sustainability, and resilience in agriculture.

Abstract Natural extracts as biostimulants have the potential to enhance the productivity and growth of many medicinal and aromatic plants. This study aimed to enhance the growth, and essential oil (EO) content, as well as composition of Lavandula latifolia Medik. by using Malva parviflora L. extract (ME) as a biostimulant in combination with humic acid (HA) in a field experiment in two successive seasons of 2022 and 2023. The phenolic, flavonoid and water-soluble vitamins of the ME were analyzed using an HPLC. The protein amino acids of the ME were identified by an amino acid analyzer. The prepared concentrations of HA (0, 1, 2, and 4 g/L) were applied to the soil. While, they for ME (0, 2, 4, and 6 g/L) were added as a foliar spray. The EO compositions collected from the leaves of the treated L. latifolia plants were subjected to the hydro-distillation method and analyzed using GC-MS. The most prevalent vitamins found in ME were vitamin B12, vitamin C, and folic acid. Besides, several phenolic compounds were found in ME, such as catechol, cinnamic acid and syringic acid, while flavonoid chemicals, such as luteolin and quercetin. Also, alanine, ammonia, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, and tyrosine were the ME’s most prominent nitrogenous and amino acid components. The most effective treatments of HA and ME on the plant height, the number of branches/plant, and plant fresh weight were 4 + 6 g/L and 4 + 2 g/L for leaf area and chlorophyll content, it was 4 + 4 g/L; and for EO percentage were 4 + 0 g/L, 2 + 0 g/L, and 4 + 4 g/L, compared to the control treatment for each characteristic. The main EO compounds eucalyptol, camphor, α-pinene, β-pinene, Δ-elemene, germacrene D-4-ol, isoborneol, β-caryophyllene oxide, and tau.-cadinol identified in the leaves were found in the range of 28.74–46.19%, 15.34–30.49%, 3.39–7.16%, 0–5.08%, 0–5.18%, 0–3.20%, 0–3.31% and 0–3.40%, respectively. It can be concluded that a combination treatment of HA and ME as natural biostimulant compounds at 4 + 4 g/L could be recommended for good plant growth, and EO quantity of L. latifolia plants.

To investigate the chemical composition of Pelargonium roseum essential oil (EO) and its antifungal activities against Botrytis cinerea of cherry tomato as a potential alternative to synthetic chemical fungicides for postharvest preservation of fruits and vegetables. In this study, the EO of P. roseum was extracted by water vapor distillation, and the chemical components were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The inhibitory effects of different concentrations of the EO and its compounds on the growth of mycelium and the germination of spores were determined by the poison food technique and dual culture method, respectively. Results showed that the extraction rate of P. roseum EO was 0.43%, and 19 compounds were identified in the EO. The major constituent was citronellol (52.16%) followed by nerol (21.93%), citronellyl formate (9.87%), and isomenthol (5.18%). And the EO and its compounds had a significant inhibitory effect (P

Abstract Thyme and oregano essential oils (EOs) and their components have numerous applications in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries owing to their antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and immunological properties. We attempted to create new chemotypes through the hybridization of thyme and oregano for functional EO research and product development. Here, we used interspecific hybridization to create new thyme and oregano germplasms with new EO chemotypes. The antioxidant activities of these new chemotype EOs were verified by DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP analyses. We determined that there are five types of thyme hybrid EOs: geraniol-type, carvacrol-type, thymol-type, parent polymerization-type, and α-terpineol/α-terpinyl acetate-type. Moreover, there are five types of oregano hybrid EOs: carvacrol-type, thymol-type, sabinene hydrate-type, parent polymerization-type, and carvacrol/sabinene hydrate-type. The geraniol, thymol, and carvacrol contents ranged from 30.45%, 1.21% and 0.00%, respectively, in the parents to 81.66%, 52.65%, and 46.16%, respectively, in the thyme hybrids. The carvacrol and thymol contents ranged from 2.33% to 24.18%, respectively, in the parents to 94.16% and 76.77%, respectively, in the oregano hybrids, indicating obvious heterosis. We further used three antioxidant assays, DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP, to analyse the antioxidant activity of thyme and oregano hybrid EO samples. The antioxidant capacities of carvacrol- and thymol-type EOs were significantly superior to those of other chemotypes. Our data suggest that carvacrol- and thymol-type EOs with greater antioxidant potential can be applied in many industries. In addition, the function of high geraniol-type thyme EO should be further researched. The results will also be very useful for the selection of new varieties, functional research on carvacrol-, thymol-, and geraniol-type essential oils, and product development of feed additives, cosmetics, etc.

A deodorant manages an unpleasant body odor through both reducing and suppressing antibacterial activity and it is formulated generally using antibacterial agents and fragrances. Nowadays, quaternary ammonium compounds like triclosan, aluminum salts, and odor eliminators are used as antibacterial agents and fragrance in deodorant products. A nature-based deodorant potentially replace the synthetic deodorant with less irritating effect. Pomelo (Citrus maxima) is one of the Indonesian plants which has some bioactive compounds, including limonene. Essential oil of Pomelo peel (EOPP) exhibits an antibacterial activity as well as fragrance. The aim of this research is to observe the irritation effect of EOPP deodorant on rabbit skin. The irritation assay of herbal deodorant of EOPP with various concentrations (F1: 1.25%; F2: 2.5% and F3: 5%) was carried out based on protocol for dermal acute irritation test on rabbit skin. All the formulations performed the same grades (negligible criteria) with the irritation index of F1, F2 and F3: 0; 0.037 and 0.148, respectively. The herbal deodorants with various concentrations of EOPP did not show an irritating effect on rabbit skin.

The studied introduction population of the alien North American species Amorpha fruticosa L. was formed in the Main Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow) 80 years ago from seeds of different geographical origin. Currently, this population consists of individuals of the second and third generations, which arose as a result of the spontaneous pollination of parental plants. It is the northernmost site of A. fruticosa growth in the secondary distribution range; in southern regions, it usually behaves like an aggressive invasive species and invades natural plant communities. A. fruticosa is known to contain a number of bioactive compounds with valuable pharmacological properties, and the aim of this study was to evaluate the biochemical composition of leaves and fruits at the northern limit of the species’ growth, since stress conditions promote active accumulation of secondary metabolites. The data on the composition of secondary metabolites, on the mineral composition, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids in the leaves and fruits of A. fruticosa, and on the amount and composition of essential oil in the extract from fruits are presented. High levels of adonitol, which is used as a sweetener in products for diabetic patients, have been reported in the fruits of A. fruticosa. α-Copaene, α-pinene, δ-cadinene, α-muurolene, and β- and α-caryophyllene predominate in the essential oil of the fruit, providing its antimicrobial activity. The phytochemical analysis of A. fruticosa from the secondary distribution range confirms the potential of this species as a valuable resource for the pharmacopoeia industry.

IntroductionWeeds are the main factor limiting cumin production. Hand weeding is used as the most important and common method of weed management in cumin fields, which, in addition to spending a lot of time, takes a large part of the production cost. Cumin is weak in competition with weeds because it has a low and weak initial growth and establishment speed, and its biomass and height of its aerial organs are low, in addition, its root expansion is not very notable. The amount of weed damage in cumin cultivation is reported from 40 to 90 percentage depends on the type of weed species and density, the length of the competition period, cultivation conditions, control time and management of nutrients and in different conditions. Trifluralin (Treflan) is used by some farmers at planting time of cumin as a foliar spray in the soil or with irrigation water. Interviews conducted with farmers confirm that the use of this herbicide at the time of planting cumin affects the seeds of the plant to some extent and reduces the germination percentage of this plant, although some farmers also believe that there is no side effect in this case. Another challenge to successful cumin production, particularly in rainy years, is plant diseases. Wilt, leaf burn, and surface powdery mildew, caused by *Fusarium oxysporum*, *Alternaria burnsii*, and *Erysiphe polygoni*, respectively, are among the most significant diseases affecting cumin worldwide. Therefore, this study was carried out with the following objectives:1) Investigating the effect of trifluralin herbicide abuse at different intervals until planting, on the percentage of cumin seedling emergence.2) The effect of using trifluralin herbicide at different intervals until planting, on the population and growth of weeds.3) The effect of irrigation method on cumin yield4) Investigating the effect of irrigation method on the percentage and yield of cumin essential oil5) The effect of irrigation method on the contamination of cumin plants with Fusarium fungus6) Studying the water use efficiency in different irrigation and weed management methodsMaterials and MethodsTherefore, in order to evaluate the effect of the weed management method and the type of irrigation on the control of weeds, an experiment was conducted as split-plot based on a randomized complete block design with 3 replications in the research farm of the Agricultural Faculty of Bardsir, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman in 2022-2023. The experimental treatments include the type of irrigation in two levels (flooded and sprinkler) and weed management in seven levels (hand weeding, time of planting the cumin seeds after 3, 7, 14 and 21 days trifluralin herbicide application and no weed control). Results and DiscussionThe type of irrigation showed a significant effect on weeds density and dry weight, the percentage of plant wilt, the number of umbrellas per plant, biological yield, seed yield, essential oil percentage, essential oil yield and water use efficiency at the level of 1% and the harvest index at the level of 5%. The method of weed management showed a significant effect on the density and dry weight of weeds, the number of emerged plants, plant height, the number of umbrellas per plant, biological yield, seed yield, essential oil yield and water use efficiency at the level of 1% and harvest index at the level 5%. The interaction effect of irrigation and weed management methods showed a significant effect on the density and dry weight of weeds, the of essential oil percentage and yield at the level of 1%, and the biological yield and yield of seeds at the level of 5%. The results of this experiment showed that sprinkler irrigation had better conditions in terms of weed and disease control as well as seed and essential oil yields compared to flood irrigation. Among the herbicide treatments, the application of trifluralin 3 days before planting had better weed control results. By increasing the distance of cumin planting from the time of herbicide application, despite the increase in weed dry weight and density, cumin seed yield improved. In both irrigation methods, treatments of hand weeding and cumin planting after 21 days of herbicide application had the highest yield of seed and essential oil.ConclusionIn general, cumin planting 21 days after trifluralin application and using sprinkler irrigation were able to reduce the weed density and biomass to an acceptable level and on the other hand, they produced a good seed and essential oil yield which is recommended.

Abstract This research aims at the valorization of fennel by-products from the Campania region (Southern Italy). A phytochemical characterization of the hydroalcoholic extracts (HEs) and of the essential oils (EOs) from edible and non-edible parts (waste) of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. was carried out using HRESIMS and GC-MS. The analysis led to the identification in the extracts of flavonoids, phenolic acid derivatives, amino acids and fatty acids and essential amino acids and the presence of trans-anethole and limonene as main components of the EOs. Their antioxidant activity was investigated by DPPH e ABTS assays, showing moderate antioxidant activity for the HEs and no activity for the EOs. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by disk diffusion method against some common bacterial food contaminants: Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella sp., Shigella sp., Staphylococcus aureus. The EOs resulted active on almost all bacterial strains while HEs were found inactive. This study demonstrated that the waste obtained from fennel harvesting should t be considered as a valuable and reusable product.

Abstract The manipulation of cultivation conditions in addition to environmental changes is a key factor affecting the growth, secondary metabolites production, and the biological activity of the plant. Our study aims to evaluate the impact of foliar spray of ethephon, water stress, organic and inorganic fertilizers on the cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities of the fruit oil of Foeniculum vulgare, Miller, var. dulce and its vegetative growth and oil composition. Four different soil treatments were implemented. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry GC/MS was applied to identify the volatile compounds. Evaluation of both the cytotoxic and the antimicrobial activities of the fruit oil were assessed using the viability assay and the well diffusion method respectively. Variations in the vegetative growth factors and the essential oil (EO) composition were recorded. About a 94.7% increase in the total oil yield was detected in condition 3 compared to control. The oil sample obtained under condition 1 showed the strongest antimicrobial activity against most tested strains and a significant cytotoxic effect against prostate carcinoma (PC-3) cells. Facing the global problem of water deficit, our success in producing a good quality fennel crop and its EO content upon application of drought stress and will be very beneficial at both the economic and the pharmaceutical levels.

Synthetic fungicides that combat plant pathogenic fungi can enhance crop yields, ensuring stable crop production and market quality. However, the increase in the use of fungicides may cause to development of fungicide-resistant pathogen strains and the accumulation of fungicide residues in the food chain above safe limits. This situation underscores the need for improved fungal disease management through alternatives to synthetic fungicides. These alternatives include plant-derived compounds such as essential oils and extracts. Essential oils are known to be potent antifungal compounds against both human and plant pathogens. Aspergillus niger is a toxin-producing fungal disease agent that causes Aspergillus crown rot in peanuts. In this study, the antifungal activities of nine different essential oils from Foeniculum vulgare, Lippia citriodora, Origanum majorana, Origanum minutiflorum, Origanum onites, Origanum syriacum, Origanum vulgare, Salvia aramiensis and Thymus syriacus plants were evaluated against A. niger under in vitro conditions by using disc diffusion test. Among the nine essential oils tested, the highest antifungal activities were displayed by O. vulgare essential oil (with an inhibition zone diameter of 49.33 mm) which was followed by T. syriacus, O. onites, O. syriacum and O. minutiflorum essential oils (48.67, 47.00, 46.33 and 43.33 mm, respectively). The essential oils of F. vulgare, L. citriodora, and O. majorana showed relatively lower antifungal effects. The essential oil of S. aramiensis did not show antifungal effect against pathogen. The results indicated that plant essential oils could be valuable in promoting research aimed at developing new antifungal agent(s) for fungal disease management. However, further studies are needed to optimize the in vivo application conditions of essential oils against A. niger.

This study was carried out to determine the in-vitro antifungal activities of essential oils obtained from thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), Turkish pickling herb (Echinophora tenuifolia subsp. sibthorpiana), clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.), cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus Labill), dill (Anethum graveolens L.), juniper (Juniperus communis L.), and ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) against Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium solani infections. Essential oils were added to autoclaved potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium at 0, 500, 1000 and 2000 ppm doses. Mycelium disks of both fungi with a diameter of 5 mm were transferred to the center of petri dishes and incubated at 24±2 °C for 7 days. The biocontrol efficiencies of the essential oils were calculated by measuring the mycelial development diameters. Essential oil applications showed significant antifungal activity against R. solani pathogen and cinnamon, thyme and clove essential oils at 1000 ppm, and dill essential oil at 2000 ppm doses completely inhibited mycelial development. The biocontrol efficiencies of juniper (2.4-12.6%), eucalyptus (2.8-26.6%) and ginger (18.2-37.3%) essential oils against R. solani were found to be low. While clove and thyme essential oils completely inhibited F. solani mycelial development at 2000 ppm dose, the biocontrol efficiencies of ginger (1.6-3.7%), eucalyptus (1.2-7.4%) and dill (2.9-9.8%) essential oils were low. It was concluded that especially clove, thyme, cinnamon and Turkish pickling herb essential oils showed high in-vitro antifungal activity against both phytopathogens and may have the potential to be used as an alternative to synthetic fungicide active substances.

In this study, effects of sage (Salvia officinalis L.), oregano (Origanum onites L.), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), dill (Anethum graveolens L.), cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce L.) and Turkish pickling herb (Echinophora tenuifolia L. subsp. sibthorpiana (Guss.)) essential oils applied to plant leaves at different doses on potato growth, tuber yield and quality were investigated. Essential oils were applied to the upper parts of the plant by spraying at doses of 300, 600, 900 and 1200 ppm three times at 15-day intervals, starting 15 days after the completion of emergence. The number of tubers and tuber yield per plant, marketable and total tuber yield, chlorophyll content, starch content, reducing and total sugar content parameters were examined. The effects of essential oil applications on tuber yield and quality were found to be statistically significant, and this effect varied according to application doses. Compared to the control, essential oil applications increased the marketable tuber yield by approximately 38% (300 ppm rosemary essential oil) and the total tuber yield by up to 28% (600 ppm rosemary essential oil). However, rosemary and oregano oils caused phytotoxicity and reduced tuber yield when applied in high doses. Except for sage and oregano, other essential oils positively affected chlorophyll synthesis. Essential oil applications reduced the accumulation of reducing sugar, which negatively affects tuber quality, and the lowest reducing sugar contents were detected in tubers to which fennel and oregano essential oils were applied. In the study, it was understood that tuber yield in potatoes could be increased significantly with the applications of 300 and 600 ppm rosemary essential oil and 300 ppm cumin essential oil.

Physicochemical profile, phytochemical constituents, bioactivity, and thermal stability of the hydro-distilled essential oil (EO) for T.schimperi and T.serrulatus were investigated. EO yield for T.schimperi and T.serrulatus was 2.05± 0.09% and 1.2 ± 0.3% (w/w) respectively. The chemical profiles of the EO were analyzed using GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass spectrometry).Twenty one (99.99 %) and Twenty (98.59%) EO components were identified from T. schimperi and T.serrulatus, respectively. The two stage mass losses, the first one (38%) was from 37°C to 164°C and (55%) from 46°C to 178°C for T.schimperi and T.serrulatus EO respectively and the second one was (11%) from 164°C to 220°C for T.schimperi and (8%) from 178°C to 223°C for T.Schimperi and T.serrulatus EO respectively were observed for TGA analysis.The essential oils in this study showed a strong antioxidant effect for different tests. IC50 value of 0.17 μg/mL on DPPH assay for both species; 73 ± 0.50 and 64 ± 3.4% inhibition for ABTS assay 4.6 ± 0.42 and 8.04 ± 0.9 mM Fe+2/mL percent in FRAP assay for T.schimperi and T.serrulatus respectively. Antimicrobial activities for both species EOs were investigated on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, and Streptococcus epidermidis. MIC values for E.coli and S.typhi were 0.5 and 1 μL/mL for T.schimperi, 2 and 4 μL/mL of T.serrulatus EO, for S.aureus and Streptococcus epidermidis were 0.2 and 4 μL/mL for T.schimperi, 2 and 0.5 μL/mL for T.serrulatus EO’s. MBC values for both E.coli and S.typhi were 2 μL/mL for T.schimperi and 4 μL/mL for T.serrulatus EO, While for S.aureus and Streptococcus epidermidis were 1 and 4 μl/ml for T.schimperi, 2 and 8 μL/mL for T.serrulatus EO.

The Algerian endemic plant Ammoides atlantica (Coss. et Durieu) H. Wolff was studied for the chemical profiling and biological activities of its essential oil (EO) and ethanolic extract (EE). The chemical analysis by GC/MS and HPLC/DAD/UV revealed, respectively, the major compounds thymol (39.46%), γ-terpinene (31.74%), and p-cymene (19.01%) in the EO, and apigenin (33.58%), luteolin 7-O-glucoside (20.09%), and luteolin (14.39%) in the EE. The EO exhibited strong antioxidant activity, with a significant ABTS•+ scavenging capacity (IC50 = 2.79 µg/mL) compared to EE, Trolox, and BHT. The EE showed comparable effects to BHT in DPPH scavenging and reducing power tests. Moreover, the EO demonstrated noteworthy antibacterial activity against S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa, with inhibition zone diameters ranging from 32.1 to 70 mm and MICs below 0.3 to 5 mg/mL. Furthermore, the EE exhibited strong anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting hemolysis of red blood cells >70% at a concentration of 20 µg/mL.

Abstract The objective of this study was to examine the response of geranium plants to different irrigation levels (100%, 80%, and 60% based on ETo) and Kaolin application rates (0, 100, 200 and 300 ppm) during 2022 and 2023 seasons, at Aly Mobarak Experimental Farm, Horticulture Research Station, located at El-Bustan site, El-Behiera Governorate, Egypt, by using a two-way factorial analysis experimental design. The results revealed that water deficit significantly reduced most studied traits. Irrigation level at 60% based on ETo exhibited poorest performance on growth parameters and decreased fresh yield and essential oil yield by 27.77% 10.73%, respectively as compared with full irrigated plants. However, foliar application of kaolin at 200 and 300 ppm led to increasing biomass accumulation by 28.51, 26.16%, and essential oil yield by 79.51, 89.95%, respectively, as compared with untreated plants grown under the same level of water deficit (60% based on ETo). GC–MS analysis of essential oil showed that water deficit and kaolin application increased geraniol/citronellol ratio and consequently improved oil quality. Results highlight the positive influence of water deficit and kaolin rates on the development and performance of anatomical parameters. Enzymes assay in leaves revealed in an increase superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities, and decreased in catalase (CAT) activity under water deficit. As for WUE at 60%, followed by 80% based on ETo recorded excellent response for geranium plants which led to more water saving. So, it could be concluded that foliar application of kaolin at 200 and 300 ppm obtained the optimal characteristics of geranium plants under experimental conditions. In particular, essential oil yield and productivity.

Abstract The fresh and dried rhizomes of Hedychium spicatum are used to treat various ailments. The present work aimed to determine the influence of drying conditions (shade; HSSH, sun; HSS, oven; HSSV30 HSSV50, blower; HSB) on the essential oil profile and antioxidant potential of H. spicatum rhizomes. The oil was extracted by hydrodistillation method. The GC-FID and GC-MS were used to identify compounds, while the antioxidant potential was measured by DPPH radical scavenging, metal ion chelating and H2O2 scavenging methods. To investigate the inhibitory potential, molecular docking simulations were conducted on major compounds targeting NADPH oxidase. Drying significantly enhanced the oil yield of H. spicatum. The dominant compounds identified across all the samples were 1,8-cineole (14.62–53.87%), α-cadinol (10.62–25.06%), elemol (6.56–20.03%), germacrene-4-ol (3.73–11.27%), and α-muurolol (3.32–7.74%). The content of 1,8-cineole increased significantly while the percentage of elemol, germacrene-4-ol, α-muurolol, and α-cadinol decreased significantly in the dried rhizome samples. Among all the drying conditions, HSOV30 exhibited the highest oil yield, antioxidant potential and highest content of 1,8-cineole and elemol (marker components). Docking studies indicated that α-muurolol and α-cadinol exhibited favorable binding affinities and significant hydrophobic interactions with the enzyme’s active site, suggesting their efficacy. Therefore, the selection of the appropriate drying condition to obtain essential oils is important not only in terms of higher yield but also, most importantly, in terms of the percentage of compounds that can bring the essential oils to their sustainable use. It is the first report on the effect of drying on H. spicatum rhizomes.

Lemon contains essential oil compounds found in the peel, namely the flavedo. This section can produce essential oils by various methods, including the distillation method. Differences in distillation methods can affect the quality of essential oils. In the essential oil production process, paying attention to the distillation method and the samples of raw materials used is necessary. This study compares the process of extracting lemon peel oil using hydrodistillation and hydro-steam distillation methods.This research has enormous benefits for obtaining the best essential oils using a method that has stable quality and at a not too high cost. The process conditions are carried out by applying the influence factors of temperature, distillation time, and the ratio of raw materials to yield and aroma characteristics. The heating temperature is 100 oC, the distillation time is 4 hours, the raw material ratio is 1:5, as well as the pretreatment process of raw materials. The resulting steam is condensed, and the distillate, a mixture of oil and water, is separated using a separatory funnel. The oil is purified with anhydrous sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) to separate the oil from the remaining water. The best results were obtained from the research results in the hydrodistillation method with a heating temperature of 100 oC, a distillation time of 4 hours, and a raw material size of 1 cm with a % yield of 0.99%. As well as, the aroma produced is not too strong to get a value of 1 for the hydrodistillation method, and the aroma characteristics are quite strong with a scale of 3 produced by the hydro-steam distillation method. As well as the % yield value generated is 0.495%.

Abstract Background Melaleuca species (family Myrtaceae) are characterized by their wide-ranging applications as antimicrobials and in skin-related conditions. Herein, we estimated the volatile profile and biological significance of M. rugulosa (Link) leaves for the first time supported by a dereplication protocol. Materials and methods Volatile components were extracted using hydrodistillation (HD), supercritical fluid (SF), and headspace (HS) techniques and identified using GC/MS. The variations among the three extracts were assessed using principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). The extracted volatiles were tested for radical scavenging activity, anti-aging, and anti-hyperpigmentation potential. Finally, disc diffusion and broth microdilution assays were implemented to explore the antibacterial capacity against Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Results The yield of the SF technique (0.8%) was three times higher than HD. GC/MS analysis revealed that the oxygenated compounds are the most proponents in the three extracts being 95.93% (HD), 80.94% (HS), and 48.4% (SF). Moreover, eucalyptol (1,8-cineol) represents the major component in the HD-EO (89.60%) and HS (73.13%) volatiles, while dl-α-tocopherol (16.27%) and α-terpineol (11.89%) represent the highest percentage in SF extract. Regarding the bioactivity profile, the HD-EO and SF-extract showed antioxidant potential in terms of oxygen radical absorbance capacity, and β- carotene assays, while exerting weak activity towards DPPH. In addition, they displayed potent anti-elastase and moderate anti-collagenase activities. The HD-EO exhibited potent anti-tyrosinase activity, while the SF extract showed a moderate level compared to tested controls. OPLS-DA and dereplication studies predicted that the selective antibacterial activity of HD-EO to S. aureus was related to eucalyptol, while SF extract to C. perfringens was related to α-tocopherol. Conclusions M. rugulosa leaves are considered a vital source of bioactive volatile components that are promoted for controlling skin aging and infection. However, further safety and clinical studies are recommended.

Abstract Background Essential oils of Cymbopogon citratus and Hyptis suaveolens are known for their insecticidal properties, but remain ineffective against mosquitoes resistant to synthetic insecticides. In order to improve insecticidal properties of these plants, this study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and insecticidal activity against Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes of essential oil obtained by co-distillation of dry leaves of C. citratus and H. suaveolens. Methods Essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation from dry leaves of C. citratus and H. suaveolens, separately, then from the mixture of the dry leaves of the two plants in mass ratio 50/50. Each pure essential oil and the mixture obtained either by co-distillation or by combining pure essential oils in volume ratio 50/50 were then analysed by GC/MS. All essential oils and Deltamethrin 0.05% (positive control) were tested on two species of mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles gambiae according to the World Health Organization standard methods. Results Essential oil obtained by co-distillation mainly contained piperitone (40.80%), 1,8-cineole (24.64%), p-menth-4(8)-ene (13.20%), limonene (6.09%) and α-pinene (4.73%). However, the mixture of pure essential oils of these two plants mostly contained geranial (20.74%), neral (16.42%), 1,8-cineole (19.79%), sabinene (6.03%) and β-pinene (3.87%). The essential oil of C. citratus mainly contained geranial (41.49%), neral (32.83%), β-myrcene (13.66%) and geraniol (3.49%) while the major constituents of essential oil of H. suaveolens were 1,8-cineole (39.58%), sabinene (12.06%), β-pinene (7.73%), α-terpinolene (6.72%) and (E)-caryophyllene (7.49%). At the dose of 1%, all essential oils, except that of H. suaveolens, induced about 100% of mortality on the sensitive species of An. gambiae. However, on the resistant species at the same dose, the essential oil obtained by co-distillation induced the highest mortality (53.44%). The essential oils of C. citratus, H. suaveolens and the mixture of the two pure essential oils caused respectively 2.47, 15.28 and 18.33% of mortality. The synthetic insecticide caused 100 and 14.84% of mortality respectively on the sensitive and resistant species of An. gambiae. Conclusion Essential oil obtained by co-distillation showed good insecticidal efficacy against a resistant species of An. gambiae and might constitute a new solution to fight against mosquitoes resistant to synthetic insecticides.

Abstract Aromatherapy using essential oils (EOs) is well known for its beneficial effects on mental health and neuroprotection. However, the significant molecular mechanisms have not yet been identified. Recent studies have identified a decrease in glucose uptake as a common feature across various neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and excessive autophagy. This suggests that glucose may serve not only as an energy source but also as a therapeutic target for NDDs. Using SH-SY5Y neuroblast-like cells and the glucose uptake inhibitor BAY-876, we demonstrated that glucose depletion promoted autophagy. To discover the potential therapeutics that modulate glucose metabolism, we obtained EO from Pinus koraiensis Siebold & Zucc. (PKSZ) using steam distillation. PKSZ-EO upregulated mRNA expression of SLC2A2, SLC2A3, and SLC2A4, leading to increased glucose uptake in SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, PKSZ-EO protected SH-SY5Y cells from BAY-876-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, cytostasis, autophagy, and inflammation. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, we confirmed the high levels of α-pinene, an inducer of GLUT4 expression, in PKSZ-EO. These results suggest that PKSZ-EO exerts a protective effect against glucose depletion stress, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent for NDDs.

Background: Croton grewioides Baill., a species native to the Caatinga, popularly known as canela de cunhã, is used in traditional medicine to treat gastrointestinal diseases such as diarrhea, gastritis and stomach ulcers. The combination of essential oils with antibiotics reveals several beneficial effects associated with the increased efficacy of these drugs against pathogenic agents. Through this perspective, this study aimed to identify the chemical composition of the essential oil of C. grewioides (OECG) and evaluate its antibacterial and antibiotic-modifying activities against standard and multiresistant bacteria. Methods: To analyze the compounds present in the oil, the techniques of gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC/FID) were used. In the bacteriological tests, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was obtained by the broth microdilution technique. The modulating effect of the essential oil was determined by calculating the subinhibitory concentration, followed by a serial microdilution of the antibiotics. The MIC reduction factor (CRF) was calculated, and its data were expressed as a percentage. Results: The analysis of the chemical composition identified the presence of the major compound estragole with a relative abundance of 50.34%. The MIC values obtained demonstrated efficacy in K. pneumoniae isolated from urine with MIC values of 512 µg/mL. OECG potentiated the effects of all antibiotics tested on the strains S. aureus ATCC 29213, K. pneumoniae Carbapnemase, E. coli ATCC 25922 and S. aureus ATCC 29213 with their CRF of 97.65%, 99.80%, 99.85% and 99.88%, respectively. Conclusions: Thus, the essential oil of C. grewioides presents synergistic effects when combined with the antibiotics tested, in addition to acting in the fight against bacterial resistance to antibiotics.

Rhizome of Curcuma aeruginosa is a traditional herb utilized in many nations. The compound content in C. aeruginosa rhizomes can vary depending on their geographical origin. This study aims to determine the chemical fingerprints for quality control and identify the active ingredients in C. aeruginosa essential oil (CAEO) based on multiple geographic origins. Chemical fingerprints of CAEO from five different geographic origins have been determined using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Principal component analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis were utilized to examine the chemical data of CAEO utilizing pattern recognition techniques. A total of 52 fluctuating compounds were identified in gas chromatography-mass spectra instrumentation, and the highest essential oil result was the 1,8-cineole compound content. According to the results from the FTIR analysis, CAEO samples were successfully grouped based on their geographical origins. The experimental results showed that the wave numbers 1489.0715, 1475.3892, 1520.7538, and 1653.0743 per cm were used as markers to identify compounds in the CAEO based on the differences in the place of growth and quality control. This study showed that chemometric methods combined with FTIR-based fingerprinting could offer a dependable platform for verifying quality control and authentication.

Davana (Artemisia pallens Wall. ex DC) is a well-known and precious essential oil-bearing plant under the family Compositae (Asteraceae). It is an erectly grown herbaceous plant exclusively cultivated as a short-term crop in south India during winter. It is distributed in the northern hemisphere in subtropical Africa, South Africa, West America, and South America; however, it is indigenous to southern India. The yearly productivity of davana oil typically falls between 8 to 10 tones. Davana oil is mainly used to flavor pastries, cakes, tobacco, and some beverages. It consists of diverse phyto-molecules and is an important and unique commodity in the fragrance, flavor, and liquor industries. It has excellent biological potential and contains volatile and nonvolatile constituents such as terpenoids, flavonoids, and alkaloids, which have high pharmacological values. Several investigations have focused on validating the importance of chemical constituents and the biological efficacy of essential oils and various extracts in multiple industries. The review focuses on the complete agronomic practices, botany, breeding, biotechnology, and chemistry of davana essential oil (DEO), viz, volatile and nonvolatile constituents, phytomedicinal and pharmacological properties, which may help researchers achieve their future goals for approaching its industrial or commercial viability as a natural product ingredient.

Volatile components in red orange essential oil extracted by two cold pressing processes (cup pressing and lime method) were analyzed by gas chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-Q/TOF). A total of 93 components were identified, 89 and 84 compounds were identified for the two types of red orange essential oils, respectively. Among the 93 components, there were 29 terpenes, 20 alcohols, 20 aldehydes, 5 esters, 2 ketones, 12 hydrocarbons, and 5 other compounds. There were 80 compounds shared by the two essential oils. The total volatile component content of red orange essential oil by cup pressing method was significantly higher than that by lime method. The highest content of these compounds was terpenes which total content was over 80%. In addition, the compounds with higher content were D-limonene, γ-terpinene, β-myrcene, linalool and α-pinene. According to principal component analysis (PCA), there was a significant difference in the volatile components of the two types of red orange essential oils. The relative odor activity value (ROAV) method indicated that linalool was the most important aroma component of the two red orange essential oils. And the citrus aroma properties of red orange essential oil extracted by cup pressing method was significantly stronger than that extracted by lime method. Linalool, thymol, β-myrcene, D-limonene, citronellal, and γ-terpinene were confirmed to the key aroma components of the red orange essential oils.

Abstract Limited solubility is the main cause of the low local availability of anti-candidiasis drug, miconazole nitrate (MN). The study’s objective was to develop and characterize microemulsion (ME) based temperature-triggered in situ gel of MN for intravaginal administration to enhance local availability and antifungal activity. The solubility of MN was initially studied in different oils, surfactants, and co-surfactants. Then, pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were constructed to select the best ratio of various components. The ME formulations were characterized by thermodynamic study, droplet size, polydispersity index (PDI), viscosity, and in-vitro antifungal mean inhibition zone (MIZ). Selected MEs were incorporated into different in situ gel bases using a combination of two thermosensitive polymers (poloxamer (PLX) 407 and 188), with 0.6% of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC K4M) and gellan gum (GG) as mucoadhesive polymer. ME-based gels (MG) were investigated for gelation temperature, gelation time, viscosity, spreadability, mucoadhesive strength, in vitro release profile, and MIZ test. Furthermore, the optimum MG was assessed for in vivo animal irritation test and FESEM investigation. Tea tree oil, lavender oil, tween 80, and propylene glycol (PG) were chosen for ME preparation for the optimal formulation; formulation ME7 and ME10 were chosen. After incorporation of the selected formulation into a mixture of P407 and P188 (18:2% w/w) with 0.6% mucoadhesive polymer, the resultant MG formulation (MG1) revealed optimum gelation temperature (33 ± 0.01℃) and appropriate viscosity with enhanced sustained release (98%) and retention through sheep vaginal mucosa, MG1 exhibited a better MIZ compared to the 2% MN gel formulation and the marketed MN product, and no rabbit vagina irritation. In conclusion, the miconazole nitrate-loaded MG-based formula sustained the duration of action and better antifungal activity than the marketed miconazole nitrate formulation.

A field experiment was conducted at the Wondo Genet Agricultural Research Center, located in southern Ethiopia at latitude of 8°25'59", longitude 39°01'44", and an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level. The objective was to evaluate the impact of varying levels of soil moisture depletion on the yield, yield components, and water use efficiency of spearmint (Mentha spicata L.). The experiment consisted of five soil moisture depletion levels (60%, 80%, 100%, 120%, and 140% FAO ASDL) and was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. The results indicated that different soil moisture depletion levels significantly (p

Abstract Background The utilization of nutrition management, has recently been developed as a means of improving the growth and production of phytochemical compounds in herbs. The present study aimed to improve the growth, physiological, and phytochemical characteristics of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) using different NH4 + (ammonium) to NO3̄ (nitrate) ratios (0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25 and 100:0) under floating culture system (FCS). Results The treatment containing 0:100 - NH4 +:NO3̄ ratio showed the most remarkable values for the growth and morpho-physiological characteristics of M. officinalis. The results demonstrated that maximum biomass (105.57 g) earned by using the ratio of 0:100 and minimum at 75:25 ratio of NH4 +: NO3̄. The plants treated with high nitrate ratio (0:100 - NH4 +:NO3̄) showed the greatest concentration of total phenolics (60.40 mg GAE/g DW), chlorophyll a (31.32 mg/100 g DW), flavonoids (12.97 mg QUE/g DW), and carotenoids (83.06 mg/100 g DW). Using the 75:25 - NH4 +:NO3̄ ratio caused the highest dry matter (DM), N and K macronutrients in the leaves. The highest antioxidant activity by both DPPH (37.39 µg AAE/mL) and FRAP (69.55 mM Fe++/g DW) methods was obtained in 75:25 - NH4 +:NO3̄ treatment. The p-coumaric acid as a main abundant phenolic composition, was detected by HPLC analysis as the highest content in samples grown under 0:100 - NH4 +:NO3̄ treatment. Also, the major compounds in M. officinalis essential oil were identified as geranial, neral, geranyl acetate and geraniol by GC analysis. With increasing NO3̄ application, geraniol and geranyl acetate contents were decreased. Conclusions The findings of present study suggest that the management of NH4+ to NO3̄ ratios in nutrient solutions could contribute to improving growth, physiological and phytochemical properties of M. officinalis. The plants treated with high nitrate ratio (especially 0:100 - NH4 +:NO3̄) showed the greatest effects on improving the growth and production of morpho-physiological and phytochemical compounds. By comprehensively understanding the intricate dynamics among nitrogen sources, plants, and their surroundings, researchers and practitioners can devise inventive approaches to optimize nitrogen management practices and foster sustainable agricultural frameworks.

Abstract Background The use of lanthanum (La) as a rare element has increased in agriculture. Summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) is an herbaceous and medicinal plant that has received attention recently. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of foliar application of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and La at different growth stages, including vegetative, reproductive, and vegetative to harvest on morphological and physiological traits of S. hortensis under hydroponic and soil conditions in the greenhouse. The study was arranged in a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Results Results of hydroponic condition showed that foliar application of Cu, Zn, and Mn were the most effective treatments to improve the measured morphological and physiological traits. Moreover, La was not more appropriate in increasing the quantitative and qualitative characteristics. Also, results showed that in soil cultivation, foliar application of micronutrient elements increased the ratio of leaf-to-stems, antioxidant compounds, and the percentage of essential oils, while the application of Mn, Cu, Zn, and La did not have positive effects on the increase in vegetative characteristics in all three stages of foliar application compared with the control treatment. Conclusions Cu, Zn, and Mn in appropriate concentrations can increase growth and physiological characteristics of summer savory in hydroponic systems.

This study aims to investigate the composition of the leaf essential oil and the total phenolic and flavonoid contents as well as the antioxidant activity of the n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol extracts of Vaccinium myrtillus leaves collected from two different locations (Muğla and Mersin, Turkey). In addition, the antifungal activity against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (SS), Fusarium oxysporum f sp. melonis (FOM), Fusarium oxysporum f sp. cucumerinum (FOC), and Rhizoctonia solani (RS) and the bioherbicidal activity against Taraxacum officinale and Rumex crispus were evaluated for the first time. The methanolic extract inhibited mycelium growth of SS, FOM, FOC, and RS in a dose-dependent manner. No significant difference was observed in antifungal activity between the two different collection sites. In the bioherbicidal activity tests, the methanol extract of the fruits completely suppressed the root-shoot development of Taraxacum officinale, while also significantly inhibiting the root-shoot development during the seed germination of Rumex crispus compared to the control group at 3 mg/mL concentration for both locations. Based on the results of the GC/MS analysis, the major constituents identified in the leaf essential oils collected from the Muğla and Mersin locations were α-pinene (29.16%/15.75%), eucalyptol (22.19%/26.46%), linalool (12.66%/25.27%), and linalyl acetate (7.43%/2.71%). The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the plant extracts for the Muğla and Mersin samples were determined as (42.80‒157.58 GAE/g extracts), (29.38‒151.44 GAE/g extracts) and (10.52‒37.88 QE/g extracts), (14.81‒44.18 QE/g extracts) respectively. In addition, the plant exhibited significant antioxidant activity. These findings indicate quantitative differences in the chemical composition of the essential oils between the two geographical locations. These findings are significant as they provide insights for the development of new natural antifungal agents with potential applications in agriculture.

Abstract Coccidiosis poses a significant threat to the poultry industry, with synthetic antibiotics and disinfectants being the primary tools for control. This study investigated the potential of Piper betle L essential oil (PBEO) as a natural alternative against Eimeria tenella, one of the most pathogenic Eimeria species affecting poultry. Our findings revealed that PBEO exhibits significant anticoccidial effects through two primary mechanisms: (i) oocysticidal activity by disintegrating oocyst walls and (ii) inhibition of the sporulation process. PBEO demonstrated oocysticidal activities ranging from 8.67 to 95.33% across concentrations from 0.04 to 40%. Notably, at 72 h post-incubation, a 0.04% PBEO concentration significantly reduced the number of sporulated oocysts (P ≤ 0.05) to 71.67%, showing effects comparable to those of formalin. PBEO reduced 50% of oocyst sporulation (IC50) in the concentration of 1.31% at 72 h. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified the primary constituents of PBEO, including eugenol, beta-caryophyllene, and other key compounds, collectively constituting 96% of the oil. This research underscores the potential of PBEO as a natural anticoccidial agent and lays the groundwork for further studies aimed at identifying, isolating, and developing active compounds that may specifically target the sporogony process in coccidian parasites.

Abstract Treatment of bacterial infections with antibiotic resistance is complicated. For this reason, new therapeutic methods are needed to control bacterial infections. Therefore, it is necessary to discover new antibiotics from medicinal plants that can destroy drug-resistant bacteria. Essential oils (EO) of some medicinal plants have antimicrobial effects and can be used as antimicrobial agents in the treatment of infections and food industries. The aim of this study was to determine the EO composition and antimicrobial effects of EO and polyphenols profile of Salvia Sahendica roots for the first time. Chemical compounds and antibacterial activity of EOs against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus as gram-positive and Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as gram- negative bacteria were evaluated using microtiter broth dilution method. Studied organs of S. sahendica showed significant diversity in terms of type and percentage of essential oil and polyphenol compounds. Overall, 44, 46, 42, and 45 compounds were identified in the essential oil of leaves, flowers, stems, and roots of this plant, which constituted 99.6, 99.3, 98.2, and 99.4% of total oil composition, respectively. The current study collectively demonstrated inhibitory effects ranged from strong (S. aureus) to low inhibition (P. aeruginosa). According to the HPLC result, the amounts of coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid, and gallic acid compounds in the root are higher than in other plant parts, which indicate that the root can be a suitable source for the production of these valuable polyphenol compounds. Due to the results, it is possible to hope for the application of EO from S. sahendica as natural antibacterial in the pharmaceutical and food industries.

Abstract Background Skin commensal bacteria (Staphylococcus epidermidis) can help defend against skin infections, and they are increasingly being recognized for their role in benefiting skin health. This study aims to demonstrate the activities that Myristica fragrans Houtt. seed extracts, crude extract (CE) and essential oil (EO), have in terms of promoting the growth of the skin commensal bacterium S. epidermidis and providing metabolites under culture conditions to disrupt the biofilm formation of the common pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. Methods The culture supernatant obtained from a co-culture of S. epidermidis with M. fragrans Houtt. seed extracts in either CE or EO forms were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), in silico investigations, and applied to assess the survival and biofilm formation of S. aureus. Results The combination of commensal bacteria with M. fragrans Houtt. seed extract either CE or EO produced metabolic compounds such as short-chain fatty acids and antimicrobial peptides, contributing to the antimicrobial activity. This antimicrobial activity was related to downregulating key genes involved in bacterial adherence and biofilm development in S. aureus, including cna, agr, and fnbA. Conclusion These findings suggest that using the culture supernatant of the commensal bacteria in combination with CE or EO may provide a potential approach to combat biofilm formation and control the bacterial proliferation of S. aureus. This may be a putative non-invasive therapeutic strategy for maintaining a healthy skin microbiota and preventing skin infections.

Abstract Pistacia lentiscus L. is an aromatic plant containing a significant percentage of essential oil (EO) used in fragrance, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and the food industry. The purpose of this work is focused on the optimization of Pistacia lentiscus L. oleo gum resin EO yield extracted by superheated steam extraction (SHSE) by response surface methodology, including extraction parameters of particle size (0. 5 − 1 mm), temperature (140–180 °C) and time (90–150 min). The optimum conditions for Pistacia lentiscus L. EO extracted by SHSE were found to be (particle size: 0.75 mm, time: 120 min and temperature: 160 ℃) which produced the highest EO yield of 5.7%. A regression model was developed, demonstrating a robust quadratic correlation with an R2 value of 0.9991, making it suitable for predictions. Furthermore, the yield of Pistacia lentiscus L. EO extracted by SHSE was compared with the conventional steam and hydro distillation techniques. The study revealed that SHSE yielded higher quantities of EO than other extraction methods. GC-MS analyzed the chemical composition of Pistacia lentiscus L. EO. The predominant compound of Pistacia lentiscus L. EO was determined to be α-pinene, while the other identified compounds include trans-verbenol, verbenol, cis-verbenone, camphene, β-myrcene, d-limonene, cymene, α-myrtenol, α-campholenal, α-copaene, and α-thujene, whose content differed according to different extraction techniques. Overall, superheated steam extraction is an efficient technique for extracting Pistacia lentiscus L. essential oil that enhances EO yield, requiring less time for extraction.

The objective of this study is to determine the larvicidal activity of essential oils (EOs) extracted from three plants of the genus Artemisia against the mosquito Culex pipiens (C. pipiens) using in vitro and in silico studies. A total number of 20 third- and fourth-instar larvae were exposed to various concentrations of the three plants. The LC50 and LC90 values of the tested Artemisia EOs were determined using Probit analysis. In addition, the sensitivity of C. pipiens to these EOs was determined and compared against a standard insecticide, temephos, under laboratory conditions. Furthermore, in silico assessments were carried out on the major constituents to help understand and explain the acquired in vivo results. Gas chromatography analysis identified the major compounds as d-limonene and β-pinene for Artemisia flahaultii, camphor and borneol for Artemisia. aragonensis, and artemisia ketone and caryophyllene for Artemisia annua. A. flahaultii oil showed the highest efficacy against C. pipiens larvae, followed by A. annua oil with average larvicidal activity. In contrast, A. aragonensis EO, composed of a high percentage of monoterpenes, was the least active. Docking simulation indicated that several studied ligands had promising binding scores within the receptor’s binding site compared to the reference insecticide temephos. The obtained results allow us to conclude that A. flahaultii, a species endemic to Morocco, is an excellent means of controlling C. pipiens.

Citrus essential oils (EOs) are used industrially in a wide range of products such as food and beverages, cosmetics and medicines. They are also used to combat some of the most important plant and food diseases. Citrus EOs are mostly found in fruit peels, which makes their extraction economically viable as fruit peels are wasted in the production of fruit juices. The aim of this study was to evaluate EO from Citrus nobilis, which was extracted by cold pressing of unripe pericarp, in terms of their ability to suppress the most prevalent plant diseases. The disc diffusion method was used to determine the antibacterial activity against plant diseases under in vitro conditions. It was found that the lowest concentration of EO had the best antibacterial effect against Bacillus subtilis in the vapor phase on the carrot model. The results of our experiments showed that C. nobilis EO had moderate antimicrobial activity.

Objective: The main purpose of this study was to determine the chemical compositions and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil from the aerial parts of the recently discovered endemic species Seseli salsugineum (S. salsugineum) A. Duran and Lyskov for the first time. Methods: Essential oil from the aerial parts of S. salsugineum was isolated by using a Clevenger-type apparatus and the oil was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), simultaneously. Furthermore, antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was tested against Gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC B888), Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Bacillus cereus NRRL B-3711), and three fungal strains: Candida albicans ATCC 24433, Candida parapsilosis ATCC 22019 and Candida krusei ATCC 6258by broth microdilution method. Chloramphenicol and amphotericin B were used as positive controls. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined. Results: Dried aerial parts of S. salsugineum yielded 0.28% (v/w) essential oil. GC and GC-MS analyses resulted in the characterization of sabinene (35.5%), kessane (10.5%), α-pinene (6.4%), terpinen-4-ol (5.0%) as main constituents. The essential oil was found to be effective against all tested strains (320-1280 µg/mL). Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first report on the chemistry and biological activity of S. salsugineum essential oil.

Abstract Background Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn. is a small, sacred ornamental tree used in prayer. It is renowned throughout India for its aromatic white blossoms. The entire plant was widely used for several health applications particularly root and bark were used to treat fever and cough, respectively. Also, the leaf was used for managing fever and diabetes, and its cholagogue, diaphoretic, and anthelmintic properties. Main text The current review aimed to comprehensively analyze the botanical characteristics, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of N. arbor-tristis essential oil (NAEO) and extracts. Additionally, it wants to emphasize the latest advancements in phytochemistry and pharmacology related to this aromatic plant. Depending on the variety, origin, and plant parts used, the NAEO yield ranged from 0.002 to 0.10% on a dry basis. The NAEO has been investigated in only a few research studies and resulted, in the predominant levels of phytol and methyl palmitate chemical compounds. Furthermore, the NAEO was found to have significant volatile chemical constituents, including geranylgeraniol, phytoene, nonadecane, linalool, and various other miscellaneous chemical components. The plant extracts and NAEO have numerous biological properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, larvicidal, and other miscellaneous activities. Conclusion This paper analyzes and summarizes the diverse research potential associated with N. arbor-tristis. The results of the present study suggested that most of the biological and pharmacological investigations were carried out without including dosage, positive controls, and negative controls. Furthermore, several pharmacological investigations were exclusively carried out using cell lines and animal models. Hence, the following research endeavors aimed at assessing the medicinal properties of NAEO and extracts in human subjects would broaden the scope of its utilization. Graphical abstract

Abstract Mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue, and Zika, pose major public health challenges globally, affecting millions of people. The growing resistance of mosquito populations to synthetic insecticides underscores the critical need for effective and environmentally friendly larvicides. Although chemical pesticides can initially be effective, they often lead to negative environmental consequences and health hazards for non-target species, including humans. This study aimed to evaluate the larvicidal effects of Trachyspermum ammi essential oil and Delphinium speciosum extract on the larvae of three major mosquito species: Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi, and Culex quinquefasciatus. Mosquito larvae of Ae. aegypti, An. stephensi, and Cx. quinquefasciatus were reared under controlled laboratory conditions. The larvicidal activity of T. ammi essential oil and D. speciosum extract was evaluated through standard bioassays, using various concentrations of essential oils (10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 ppm) and extracts (160, 320, 640, 1280, and 2560 ppm) to determine the lethal concentration (LC50) values after 24 h of exposure. Fresh plant materials were collected, with the essential oil extracted via hydro-distillation, and the extract prepared using methanol solvent extraction. The chemical composition of T. ammi essential oil was examined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Additionally, the preliminary analysis of the chemical compounds in D. speciosum extract was carried out using thin layer chromatography (TLC) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) techniques. The results indicated that the essential oil of T. ammi exhibited more effective larvicidal activity compared to the D. speciosum extract. Specifically, the essential oil demonstrated LC50 values of 18 ppm for Cx. quinquefasciatus and 19 ppm for Ae. aegypti. In contrast, the D. speciosum extract showed the strongest larvicidal effect against An. stephensi, with an LC50 of 517 ppm. Concentrations of 40 ppm of the essential oil and 1280 ppm of the extract resulted in 100% mortality across all three species. Both the essential oil of T. ammi and the D. speciosum extract exhibited concentration-dependent larvicidal activity, and these results were statistically significant (p

Abstract This study investigated the impact of two extraction methods, traditional hydrodistillation (TDH) and microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MAH), on the essential oil yield and chemical profile of Lavandula angustifolia L., as well as the bioactive potential of the resulting wastewater. Essential oil composition was analyzed via GC–MS, revealing similar qualitative and quantitative profiles for both methods, with α-terpinolene and (–)borneol as major constituents. Wastewater analysis via LC–MS/MS and spectrophotometric assays demonstrated the presence of significant total phenolic content (3.29–1.78 mg GAE/g) and 32 individual phenolics (463.1 µg/kg for TDH; 479.33 µg/kg for MAH). These findings suggest that both essential oil and wastewater obtained by either method possess considerable bioactive potential, with the MAH method potentially offering advantages over TDH for essential oil extraction. Further exploration of wastewater applications in various industrial sectors is warranted.

Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus) produces essential oil and has the potential to be developed as a botanical insecticide. However, in its development, botanical insecticides encountered several obstacles. Utilizing nanotechnology in nanoemulsion preparations is one method to overcome these challenges. This research aimed to determine the contents of the citronella oil nanoemulsion (CiONano) and citronella oil non-nano emulsion (CiONonNano) formulations and evaluate the toxicity, repellency, and prevention of oviposition against female adults of Callosobruchus maculatus. This was the first work to evaluate the nanoemulsion of citronella oil prepared from spontaneous emulsification against C. maculatus. Chemical content testing used the GCMS method. A toxicity test using the contact method (LC50), used a probit program, while testing for repellency and oviposition deterrence was carried out using the no-choice method. The highest chemical component of CiONonNano and CiONano was citronella (37.56 and 38.97%, respectively), followed by citronellol (17.71 and 18.99%, consecutively) and geraniol (14.78 and 15.38%, respectively). In general, the CiONano formulation showed higher repellency and toxicity than CiONonNano. The LC50 values of CiONano were 10.03%. These values were 4.49 times lower than the LC50 of CiONonNano. However, the results of the oviposition inhibition test showed different results, the CiONonNano formulation had a higher oviposition inhibition capacity for adult female C. maculatus than CiONano. As a result, it is necessary to optimize the CiONano formulation to obtain consistent results in controlling C. maculatus.

Objective: The aim of this double-blind in vivo study was to compare the extent of corrosion on the surface of nickel-titanium (NiTi) wires in various mouthwashes. Methods: A total of 80 patients who received orthodontic treatment with as-received 0.016x0.022 inch NiTi wires were included in the study, and they were split into 4 groups. The first group used 0.05% of (225ppm Fˉ) sodium fluoride (NaF) (Colgate Plax®) containing mouthwash, 21.6% alcohol (Listerine Cool Mint®) containing mouthwash, and 0.2% clorhexidine (CHX) (Klorhex®) containing mouthwash and the control group used drinking water with melt menthol as mouthwash. After 30 days of using mouthwash, the surfaces of NiTi wires were examined with atomic force microscopy (AFM), and surface roughness values were calculated. Results: Mouthwashes containing fluoride, essential oils, and CHX created higher surface roughness on NiTi wires than the control group. The floride-containing mouthwash group showed less corrosion than the CHX group, whereas there was no difference between the essential oil group. AFM images show supportive data with the results of the clinical study. The results were assessed using a 95% confidence interval and a significance level p

Abstract The aim of this work is to develop and evaluate self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) containing simvastatin to increase its oral bioavailability. Formulation EO 5 (Ethyl oleate 9.3% w/w: Tween 80 49.4% w/w: Propylene glycol 39.3% w/w) and Formulation CL 14 (Clove oil 54.3% w/w: Tween 80 34.4% w/w: Transcutol-P 9.3% w/w) were thoroughly studied. They showed emulsification time less than 1 min, droplet size in the nanometric range, and almost a complete drug release after 2 h. The in-vitro dissolution profile of both formulations was found to be significant in comparison to the pure drug in pH 1.2 and 7.4 buffers (P

Abstract Mentha arvensis is an herbaceous plant commonly known as peppermint or Japanese mint. This study investigated the toxic potential and repellent efficacy of M. arvensis essential oil (MaEO) at varying concentrations (15.625–250 mg/mL) in Nauphoeta cinerea, along with its impact on biochemical parameters in N. cinerea. The potential of the major compounds as a new analgesic target was investigated using molecular docking. The essential oil was analyzed by gas Chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and the toxic potential, repellent property, and changes in lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels were evaluated as markers of oxidative stress. GC–MS results revealed that the main components were oxygenated monoterpenes such as menthol (71.31%), mentone (13.34%) and isomentone (5.35%). MaEO significantly reduced lipid peroxidation (LPO), the levels of non-protein thiols and iron(II) at the concentration of 125 mg/mL in N. cinerea. Furthermore, the major components, l-(−)-Menthol and menthone demonstrated high gastrointestinal absorption and high affinity with the target protein, suggesting possible links that contribute to the analgesic effect of MaEO.

Intestine derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is closely related to systemic inflammation and disorders, yet little is known about its roles in the weanling stress of piglets and its potential as a nutritional intervention target. This study aimed to investigate the potential of essential oils (EO) and organic acids (OA) in mitigating weaning stress in piglets by modulating the circulation of intestine derived LPS. Seventy-two weaned piglets at 21 d old with body weight of 8.12 ± 0.168 kg were randomly divided into a control group (CON) and an experimental group, each consisting of six pens with six piglets per pen, and were fed either a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with 3 kg/t OA + 500 g/t EO (EO + OA). On the 14th day of the feeding trial, 12 weaned piglets were randomly selected from the CON group, and 6 piglets were selected from the experimental group. Based on diet composition and stress treatment, these 18 piglets were divided into the following three groups: 1) CON group. Piglets were fed a basal diet and received an intraperitoneal injection of saline as a control. 2) LPS group. Piglets were fed a basal diet and received an intraperitoneal injection of LPS (100 μg/kg body weight) to induce stress. 3) EO + OA + LPS group. Piglets were fed a basal diet supplemented with EO and OA and received an intraperitoneal injection of LPS (100 μg/kg body weight) to induce stress. The results showed that EO + OA significantly ameliorated the oxidative imbalance and inflammation disorder induced by LPS in piglets' serum and intestine by inhibiting the activation of the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Furthermore, compared to the LPS group, supplementation with EO + OA restored LPS-induced reductions in Bcl-2 protein expression in the piglets' intestines (P

The Orobanche genus (broomrapes) is well-known as an herbaceous parasitic plant with a long history in traditional Asian medicine and folklore foods. The volatile components of two Orobanche species, O. laxissima and O. ramosa (branched broomrape), from two different areas, East Azerbaijan and Fars provinces, were analyzed in this study using hydrodistillation extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Essential oils from O. laxissima and O. ramosa aerial parts consisted of fourteen and eight compounds, respectively, which represented 97.15% and 99.8% of total oil compositions. O. laxissima essential oil contains carvacrol (53.35%), thymol (9.65%), and trans-caryophyllene (5.17%), while, as a substantial difference, O. ramosa essential oil mostly contains carvacrol (81.53%), α-terpinolene (4.57%), and trans-caryophyllene (3.6%). As a significant difference, O. laxissima essential oil includes a significant content of aliphatic hydrocarbons, including tricosane (5.46%), tetracosane (5.62%), and docosane (1.13%), whereas O. ramosa essential oil excludes these components. The monoterpene, and sesquiterpene profiles of both plants were similar, especially for α-terpinolene, spathulenol, and hotrienol. Although these essential oils contained similar phytochemical profiles, the differences may serve as marker references for future research on Orobanche species.

The primary purposes of this work were to study the influence of the distillation temperature on the yield of the turpentine essential oil hydrodistilled from the Pinus roxburghii oleoresin and to obtain products with powerful bioactivities by short path molecular distillation of the oil. Our findings showed that the hydrodistillation temperature affected the yield as well as the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the essential oil: the highest yield (20.27 %) and bioactivities were obtained for the oil distilled at 180 °C. The oil was subsequently separated by short path molecular distillation into fractions and sub-fractions whose antioxidant activity was determined by the DPPH scavenging assay, the inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation test, the FRAP assay, and the H2O2 scavenging assays. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of the fractions and sub-fractions against the bacteria Pasteurella multocida, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus subtilis, and the fungal strains Fusarium solani, Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus niger, was measured by the agar well diffusion method, the microdilution broth assay and the resazurin microtiter plate test. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activities varied between fractions and subfractions; however, their overall potency makes the P. roxburghii oleoresin a potential source of valuable natural antimicrobial products employable against various foodborne microbes and molds, as well as a source of preservative agents against food oxidation. Longifolene, 3-carene, α-pinene and β-pinene were identified by GC-MS analysis as the main constituents of the P. roxburghii turpentine essential oil and the most active fractions and sub-fractions. These terpenes were likely responsible for the bioactivity of the volatile mixtures.

Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by elevated blood glucose due to impaired insulin secretion/sensitivity. While conventional antihyperglycemic medications like biguanides, sulfonylureas, and other agents are commonly used, their long-term use can have side effects, prompting research into natural alternatives. This study bioprospects the antidiabetic potential of metabolites in Agathosma betulina (Buchu) essential oil through computational analysis of their ability to inhibit protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), a therapeutic diabetes target. Molecular dynamic simulation, supported by DFT analysis, revealed that compounds linalylanthranilate (−20.18 kcal/mol) and γ-diosphenol (−16.49 kcal/mol) found in the oil exhibited stronger PTP1B inhibition than ursolic acid (−15.98 kcal/mol). The compounds showed favorable drug-like properties complying with Lipinski's rules. This study provides the first evidence that these Buchu oil compounds could potentially serve as PTP1B inhibitors to enhance insulin receptor sensitivity, showing promise for T2DM treatment. Further validation through safety and clinical studies is recommended.