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Calamintha nepeta (Lamiaceae), widely distributed throughout the Mediterranean area, is a small and fragrant perennial herb traditionally used for both culinary and medicinal purposes. It serves as an antiseptic, spasmolytic, diuretic, and cough suppressant. The objective of this research is to characterise the chemical constituents of Calamintha nepeta essential oil (EO) through GC-MS analysis and evaluate its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties against nine multidrug resistant bacterial strains and one yeast. The study also conducted an in vitro anti-inflammatory 5- lipoxygenase inhibition test and determined its lethal dose 50 (LD50) as well as the effects against carrageenan-induced paw edema in vivo. Analysis revealed that the primary components of C. nepeta included oxygenated monoterpenes, notably pulegone (58.36%), isoborneol (10.40%), menthone (8.91%), and piperitenone (3.86%). Antimicrobial tests demonstrated significant inhibition zones ranging from 10.2 to 37.12 mm. Essential oil exhibited minimum inhibitory concentrations and bactericidal/fungicidal concentrations ranging from 0.937 to 3.75 µL/mL and 0.937 to 15 µL/mL, respectively. Furthermore, it showed potent antioxidant activity against DPPH and a high total reducing power. Acute oral toxicity tests in Wistar rats indicated an LD50 of 2500 mg/kg. C. nepeta EO also exhibited strong anti-inflammatory properties against carrageenaninduced paw edema, with an IC50 value of 17.23 ± 0.32 μg/mL compared to diclofinac. Interestingly, this research highlights the importance of the phytochemical and antimicrobial properties of the essential oil of the Calamintha nepeta and accentuats its importance in pharmacological applications for treating inflammatory conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants from the Ilex genus are known for properties such as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity, can act as antiobesity agents and thus can be helpful in medicine. Some holly species, such as Ilex paraguariensis (widely known in the form of popular beverage: yerba mate), have been investigated, while others have been partially researched or remain unknown. Therefore, we performed qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses and screened antimicrobial properties of lesser-studied species (I. aquifolium L., I. aquifolium ‘Argentea Marginata’ and I. × meserveae ‘Blue Angel’). I. paraguariensis was used as a standard species for comparison purposes. Investigations were performed on water extracts due to their expected activity and composition. Antimicrobial research included evaluating minimal inhibitory, bactericidal (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) and fungicidal concentration (Candida albicans, Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum, and Aspergillus niger) of extracts. The influence of the extracts on the production, eradication, and viability of bacterial biofilms was also analysed. It was established that Ilex paraguariensis possesses the richest profile of hydroxycinnamic acids derivatives in terms of component concentration and diversity. Ilex spp., especially I. × meserveae, contain a slightly higher amount of flavonoids and more different flavonoid derivatives than I. paraguariensis. However, the strongest antibacterial activity was shown by I. aquifolium L. and its cultivar ‘Argentea Marginata’ in terms of minimal inhibitory, bactericidal and fungicidal concentration, and biofilm assays. Extracts from both species significantly reduced the biofilm viability of S. aureus as well, which may be of use in the production of multicomponent lavaseptics, antiseptics, diuretics (supporting urinary tract infection therapy) and, due to their action on fungi, additives to growth media for specific fungi. The significant content of saponins enables Ilex extracts to be used as natural emulsifiers, for example, in cosmetics. Moreover, relatively high chlorogenic acid and rutin content may suggest use of Ilex spp. to treat obesity, digestive problems, in chemoprevention, and as preservatives in the food industry.

Plants of the genus Ilex are widespread throughout the world, with its best-known representative being Ilex paraguraiensis from South America. The European species Ilex aquifolium shows similarities in its terpenoid, sugar and phenolic acid profiles. Using aqueous extracts of Ilex aquifolium as a supplement in Wistar rats showed that, despite the lack of caffeine, it had strong hypocholesterolemic effects. In addition, a reduction in oxidative lipid degradation and a decrease in hepatic steatosis in histopathological studies were observed. The results of this study suggest that extracts from the European species Ilex aquifolium may have potential as an alternative treatment for hyperlipidemia.

During the ovarian cycle in domestic dogs, females do not accept males during the first days of estrus but become attractive to males from the beginning of proestrus, with this attractiveness persisting until the end of the estrus phase. It is believed that increased estradiol is responsible for the female attractiveness to the males. In this paper we describe the case of strong, but atypical attractiveness of a castrated male to various, adult, intact males, influenced by the emitted semiochemical signals. Any significant changes in the level of hormones typically involved in the process connected with estrus and responsible for sexual arousal in the males were assessed. The case animal was a 4 year old castrated male Border Collie that was extremely attractive to various males, which presented high levels of sexual arousal, with intensive sniffing and licking of the preputial area, specific vocalization, increased salivation and, finally, mating attempts. Clinical examination of the castrated male revealed a lack of testes in the scrotum and abdominal cavity confirmed by USG. Laboratory tests indicated basal levels of estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone (15.23 pg/mL,

The management of insect pests and fungal diseases that cause damage to crops has become challenging due to the rise of pesticide and fungicide resistance. The recent developments in studies related to plant-derived essential oil products has led to the discovery of a range of phytochemicals with the potential to combat pesticide and fungicide resistance. This review paper summarizes and interprets the findings of experimental work based on plant-based essential oils in combination with existing pesticidal and fungicidal agents and novel bioactive natural and synthetic molecules against the insect pests and fungi responsible for the damage of crops. The insect mortality rate and fractional inhibitory concentration were used to evaluate the insecticidal and fungicidal activities of essential oil synergists against crop-associated pests. A number of studies have revealed that plant-derived essential oils are capable of enhancing the insect mortality rate and reducing the minimum inhibitory concentration of commercially available pesticides, fungicides and other bioactive molecules. Considering these facts, plant-derived essential oils represent a valuable and novel source of bioactive compounds with potent synergism to modulate crop-associated insect pests and phytopathogenic fungi.

The volatile compounds from insects (Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas morio larvae) roasted at 160, 180, or 200 °C and fed with potato starch or blue corn flour were isolated by solid-phase microextraction (SPME), and identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In the tested material, 48 volatile compounds were determined. Among them, eight are pyrazines, aroma compounds that are formed in food products during thermal processing due to the Maillard reaction. Eleven of the identified compounds influenced the roast, bread, fat, and burnt aromas that are characteristic for traditional baked dishes (meat, potatoes, bread). Most of them are carbonyl compounds and pyrazines. To confirm the contribution of the most important odorants identified, their odor potential activity values (OAVs) and %OAV were calculated. The highest value was noted for isobuthylpyrazine, responsible for roast aroma (%OAV > 90% for samples roasted at lower temperatures), and 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, responsible for burnt aroma (%OAV > 20% for samples roasted at the highest temperature). According to the study, the type of feed did not significantly affect the results of the sensory analysis of roasted insects. The decisive influence was the roasting temperature. The highest scores were achieved for Tenebrio molitor larvae heat-treated at 160 °C.

Nutraceuticals and functional foods are gaining more attention amongst consumers interested in nutritious food. The consumption of foodstuffs with a high content of phytochemicals has been proven to provide various health benefits. The application of biostimulants is a potential strategy to fortify cultivated plants with beneficial bioactive compounds. Nevertheless, it has not yet been established whether the proposed higher plants (St. John’s wort, giant goldenrod, common dandelion, red clover, nettle, and valerian) are appropriate for the production of potential bio-products enhancing the nutritional value of white cabbage. Therefore, this research examines the impact of botanical extracts on the growth and nutritional quality of cabbage grown under field conditions. Two extraction methods were used for the production of water-based bio-products, namely: ultrasound-assisted extraction and mechanical homogenisation. Bio-products were applied as foliar sprays to evaluate their impact on total yield, dry weight, photosynthetic pigments, polyphenols, antioxidant activity, vitamin C, nitrates, micro- and macroelements, volatile compounds, fatty acids, sterols, and sugars. Botanical extracts showed different effects on the examined parameters. The best results in terms of physiological and biochemical properties of cabbage were obtained for extracts from common dandelion, valerian, nettle, and giant goldenrod. When enriched with nutrients, vegetables can constitute a valuable component of functional food.

Therapeutic properties of Ilex species are widely used in natural medicine. Ilex × meserveae may become a potential substitute for Ilex paraguariensis (Yerba Mate). As a part of the preliminary safety verification of this European Ilex hybrid vs. Yerba Mate, an eight-week study concerning the impact of regular administration of leaves of both species on kidneys was conducted. The standard water infusion and three dominant fractions of Ilex × meserveae leaves’ constituents (polyphenols, saponins and less polar terpenoids) were separately tried on 96 male Wistar rats divided into 8-member groups. Animals were divided into two basic nutritional groups: the first one was rats fed standard feed and the second on was rats fed with high-cholesterol diet (20 g of cholesterol per kg of standard feed). Postmortem morphometric evaluation of stained kidney samples concerned the filtration barrier elements, which are crucial in proper diuresis. The results showed that saponins present in the hydroalcoholic dry extract (administered in a dose of 10 mg/kg of body weight/day) as well as in water infusions (1:20) from Ilex × meserveae and Ilex paraguariensis do not demonstrate nephrotoxicity but conversely, have a protective role on kidney status in animals fed with a normal diet and in a high-cholesterol diet.

Rare carnivorous plants representing the genus Sarracenia are perceived as very interesting to scientists involved in various fields of botany, ethnobotany, entomology, phytochemistry and others. Such high interest is caused mainly by the unique capacity of Sarracenia spp. to attract insects. Therefore, an attempt to develop a protocol for micropropagation of the Sarracenia alata (Alph.Wood) Alph.Wood, commonly named yellow trumpets, and to identify the specific chemical composition of volatile compounds of this plant in vitro and ex vivo was undertaken. Thus, the chemical volatile compounds excreted by the studied plant to attract insects were recognized with the application of the headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with the GC-MS technique. As the major volatile compounds (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol (16.48% ± 0.31), (E)-3-hexen-1-ol acetate (19.99% ± 0.01) and β-caryophyllene (11.30% ± 0.27) were identified. Further, both the chemical assumed to be responsible for attracting insects, i.e., pyridine (3.10% ± 0.07), and whole plants were used in in vivo bioassays with two insect species, namely Drosophila hydei and Acyrthosiphon pisum. The obtained results bring a new perspective on the possibilities of cultivating rare carnivorous plants in vitro since they are regarded as a valuable source of bioactive volatile compounds, as including ones with repellent or attractant activity.

Biofilms are surface-attached, structured microbial communities displaying higher tolerance to antimicrobial agents in comparison to planktonic cells. An estimated 80% of all infections are thought to be biofilm-related. The drying pipeline of new antibiotics efficient against biofilm-forming pathogens urges the search for alternative routes of treatment. Essential Oils (EOs), extracted from medicinally important plants, are a reservoir of bioactive compounds that may serve as a foothold in investigating novel antibiofilm compounds. The aim of this study was to compare antimicrobial activity of liquid and volatile fractions of tested EOs against biofilm-forming pathogens using different techniques. In this research, we tested five EOs, extracted from Syzygium aromaticum L., Boswelia serrata Roxb., Juniperus virginiana L., Pelargonium graveolens L. and Melaleuca alternifolia Cheel., against planktonic and biofilm forms of five selected reference strains, namely Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. To obtain cohesive results, we applied four various methodological approaches: to assess the activity of the liquid fraction of EOs, disc diffusion and the microdilution method were applied; to test EOs’ volatile fraction, the AntiBioVol assay and modified Antibiofilm Dressing Activity Measurement (A.D.A.M.) were used. The molecular composition and dynamics of antimicrobial substances released from specific EOs was measured using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The antimicrobial potency of EO’s volatile fraction against biofilm formed by tested strains differed from that of the liquid fraction and was related to the molecular weight of volatile compounds. The liquid fraction of CW-EO and volatile fraction of F-EO acted in the strongest manner against biofilm of C. albicans. The addition of 0.5% Tween 20 to liquid phase, enhanced activity of G-EO against E. coli and K. pneumoniae biofilm. EO activity depended on the microbial species it was applied against and the chosen assessment methodology. While all tested EOs have shown a certain level of antimicrobial and antibiofilm effect, our results indicate that the choice of EO to be applied against a specific biofilm-forming pathogen requires careful consideration with regard to the above-listed aspects. Nevertheless, the results presented in this research contribute to the growing body of evidence indicating the beneficial effects of EOs, which may be applied to fight biofilm-forming pathogens.

The present study examined the effect of ultrasonic pretreatment at three time the levels of 10, 20 and 30 min on some thermodynamic (effective moisture diffusivity coefficient(Deff), drying time, specific energy consumption (SEC), energy efficiency, drying efficiency, and thermal efficiency) and physical (color and shrinkage) properties of kiwifruit under hybrid hot air-infrared(HAI) dryer at different temperatures (50, 60 and 70 °C) and different thicknesses (4, 6 and 8 mm). A total of 11 mathematical models were applied to represent the moisture ratio (MR) during the drying of kiwifruit. The fitting of MR mathematical models to experimental data demonstrated that the logistic model can satisfactorily describe the MR curve of dried kiwifruit with a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.9997, root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.0177 and chi-square (χ2) of 0.0007. The observed Deff of dried samples ranged from 3.09 × 10−10 to 2.26 × 10−9 m2/s. The lowest SEC, color changes and shrinkage were obtained as 36.57 kWh/kg, 13.29 and 25.25%, respectively. The highest drying efficiency, energy efficiency, and thermal efficiency were determined as 11.09%, 7.69% and 10.58%, respectively. The results revealed that increasing the temperature and ultrasonic pretreatment time and decreasing the sample thickness led to a significant increase (p < 0.05) in drying efficiency, thermal efficiency, and energy efficiency, while drying time, SEC and shrinkage significantly decreased (p < 0.05).

Coriandrum sativum L. is a medicinal and aromatic plant spread around the world, with beneficial properties that are well recognized. Both coriander seeds and leaves are used for pharmaceutical and flavoring purposes. Even though coriander seeds tend to be more popular, the leaves are receiving a consistently growing interest, especially because of popularization of Mexican, Northern African, and Indian cuisines. This increased attention brings about the necessity for providing the product with guaranteed quality, which will retain its valuable characteristics, even after post-harvest treatment. For this reason, it is highly necessary to determine reliable protocols for cilantro preservation, which usually include drying procedures; in order to identify the optimal drying treatments, a spectrum of drying techniques—convective, vacuum-microwave, and a combination of convective and vacuum-microwave—were evaluated. Cilantro-based dried products were examined from the perspectives of volatile organic constituent composition and sensory quality. After headspace solid-phase microextraction-GC/MS analysis and sensory tests, the results demonstrate that convective drying at 70 °C for 120 min followed by vacuum-microwave drying at 360 W and convective drying at 70 °C were the optimal drying methods for preserving cilantro aroma quality, while convective drying at 70 °C for 120 min followed by convective finishing drying at 50 °C decreased cilantro aroma quality.

Drying can prolong the shelf life of a product by reducing microbial activities while facilitating its transportation and storage by decreasing the product weight and volume. The quality factors of the drying process are among the important issues in the drying of food and agricultural products. In this study, the effects of several independent variables such as the temperature of the drying air (50, 60, and 70 °C) and the thickness of the samples (2, 4, and 6 mm) were studied on the response variables including the quality indices (color difference and shrinkage) and drying factors (drying time, effective moisture diffusivity coefficient, specific energy consumption (SEC), energy efficiency and dryer efficiency) of the turnip slices dried by a hybrid convective-infrared (HCIR) dryer. Before drying, the samples were treated by three pretreatments: microwave (360 W for 2.5 min), ultrasonic (at 30 °C for 10 min) and blanching (at 90 °C for 2 min). The statistical analyses of the data and optimization of the drying process were achieved by the response surface method (RSM) and the response variables were predicted by the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) model. The results indicated that an increase in the dryer temperature and a decline in the thickness of the sample can enhance the evaporation rate of the samples which will decrease the drying time (40–20 min), SEC (from 168.98 to 21.57 MJ/kg), color difference (from 50.59 to 15.38) and shrinkage (from 67.84% to 24.28%) while increasing the effective moisture diffusivity coefficient (from 1.007 × 10−9 to 8.11 × 10−9 m2/s), energy efficiency (from 0.89% to 15.23%) and dryer efficiency (from 2.11% to 21.2%). Compared to ultrasonic and blanching, microwave pretreatment increased the energy and drying efficiency; while the variations in the color and shrinkage were the lowest in the ultrasonic pretreatment. The optimal condition involved the temperature of 70 °C and sample thickness of 2 mm with the desirability above 0.89. The ANFIS model also managed to predict the response variables with R2 > 0.96.

This study aimed to assess the mechanisms of semiochemical signal detection in dogs. In the first experiment, five males were exposed to volatile semiochemicals emitted by a live female in estrus and the female’s urine sample collected during estrus. The odor of canine food and clean air were used as controls. In the second experiment, 25 males could directly sniff and lick the urine samples from females in estrus, from females in anestrus, from males and from humans, placed in a lineup. Sniffing, licking and salivation, as well as keeping dogs at different distances from the source of odor, were recorded in both experiments. Experiment 1 showed that food odor was sniffed by males longer than estrous urine. Volatile semiochemicals from females in estrus evoked interest in males but without visual cues did not cause overt symptoms of sexual arousal. In Experiment 2, the estrous urine evoked interest in males and provoked significantly longer sniffing. Licking accompanied by salivation was observed in all instances only during direct contact with estrous urine. The results suggest a complex character of detection of female reproductive status, in which both volatile and nonvolatile compounds emitted by females and present in female urine are involved.

The use of higher plants for the production of plant growth biostimulants is receiving increased attention among scientists, farmers, investors, consumers and regulators. The aim of the present study was to examine the possibility of converting plants commonly occurring in Europe (St. John’s wort, giant goldenrod, common dandelion, red clover, nettle, valerian) into valuable and easy to use bio-products. The biostimulating activity of botanical extracts and their effect on the chemical composition of celeriac were identified. Plant-based extracts, obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction and mechanical homogenisation, were tested in field trials. It was found that the obtained formulations increased the total yield of leaves rosettes and roots, the dry weight of leaves rosettes and roots, the content of chlorophyll a + b and carotenoids, the greenness index of leaves, the content of vitamin C in leaves and roots. They mostly decreased the content of polyphenols and antioxidant activities in leaves but increased them in roots and conversely affected the nitrates content. Extracts showed a varied impact on the content of micro and macroelements, as well as the composition of volatile compounds and fatty acids in the celeriac biomass. Due to the modulatory properties of the tested products, they may be used successfully in sustainable horticulture.

Aroma plays important part in cider acceptability to the consumer. In this study, techniques such as headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME), which has been coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, have been used to assess what changes in the volatilome occur during fermentation of three apple cultivars (Cortland, Gala, Idared) with and without addition of pear (Konferencja) juice addition. Analysis of volatiles has shown that temperature of fermentation, apple variety and pear juice addition have significant influences on the volatile compositions of the acquired ciders. Ciders prepared in laboratory conditions fermented at 15 °C were characterized by a greater share of esters, such as ethyl hexanoate, ethyl decanoate and ethyl dodecanoate, in volatile profile (66.24–79.58%) than ciders fermented at 20 °C (58.81–77.22%). Ciders fermented at a higher temperature were characterized by a greater share of alcohols, such as phenylethyl alcohol and hexan-1-ol (18.34–36.7%) than ciders fermented at a lower temperature (16.07–25.35%). In the ciders prepared from pear (20% w/w) and apple (80% w/w) juice, the presence of esters, such as ethyl (2E, 4Z)-deca-2,4-dienoate, characterized by a pear aroma, could be noted.

The aim of this paper is to review and systematize the current state of knowledge on glycol metabolism in cattle. Glycerol, derived from biodiesel production, must be purified in order to be a useful product for feeding livestock. The use of glycerol in the feeding of ruminants can be justified for several reasons: (i) it is a source of energy in the ration, (ii) it is a glucogenic precursor, and (iii) it may have an effect on milk composition. The high energy value of glycerol provides the opportunity to use this raw material as a partial grain substitute in cattle feed rations. Dietary supplementation of glycerol is associated with increased propionate, butyrate, valerate, and isovalerate concentrations in the rumen. Glycerol can be used at up to 10%–15% of the dietary dry matter (DM) and is well-established as a treatment for ketosis in cows. Glycerol increases plasma glucose and may reduce non-esterified fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate levels. The use of glycerol does not have a clear effect on DM intake, milk yield, or milk composition. However, some authors have reported an increase in milk yield after glycerol supplementation associated with decreased milk fat concentration. It is also possible that the concentration in the milk of odd-chain fatty acids and cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid may increase after glycerol application.

Flowers of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) are widely used in cosmetics, food, and in the pharmaceutical industry. The drying process plays a key role in retention of aroma and also in the quality of products. Seven variants of hemp flower drying, including convection drying (CD), vacuum–microwave drying (VMD), and combined drying consisting of convective pre-drying followed by vacuum–microwave finishing drying (CPD-VMFD) were checked in this study. For each process, we applied the two-term model. Dried material was submitted to color and chromatographical assessments. Analyses of obtained essential oil showed the presence of 93 volatile compounds, predominantly β-myrcene, limonene, and β-(E)-caryophyllene, as well as α-humulene. Application of 240 W during VMD and 50 °C during CD gave the highest retention of aroma compounds, amounting to 85 and 76%, respectively, but with huge color changes. Additionally, sensory analysis proved that drying with a microwave power of 240 W provides a product most similar to fresh material.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) pretreatments on selected physical properties (shrinkage, rehydration, color, texture) and drying kinetics and to model the drying kinetics of hot air dried mushrooms using several mathematical models, such as the Henderson–Pabis, logarithmic, two-term, Verma, Wang and Singh, Midilli, and modified Henderson–Pabis models. Results showed that the use of UV-B pretreatment before mushroom drying reduced shrinkage, color changes, firmness, and drying time and increased rehydration and the effective moisture diffusion coefficient. The amount of activation energy increased from 16.55 ± 1.3 kJ/mol (control sample) to 18.27 ± 2.2 kJ/mol (UV-B treated samples for 30 min), 19.72 ± 1.4 kJ/mol (UV-B treated samples for 60 min), and 21.9 ± 1.9 kJ/mol (UV-B treated samples for 90 min). However, increasing the drying temperature increased the shrinkage and firmness of samples. The modified Henderson–Pabis model with the highest correlation coefficient (R2) and lowest root mean square error (RMSE) and chi-square (χ2) showed the best fit for every drying curve, proving to be an excellent tool for the prediction of drying time.

This study was performed to determine the possibility of using mango fruit (Mangifera indica) in brewing technology. The aim of using the SPME-HS-GC-MS technique was to assess what changes occurred in the volatile composition of mango beers brewed in this study. Mango fruit was added to the beer in five different forms to ascertain what kind of preparation should be used to improve beer aroma. Analysis of the volatile components in mango beer showed that beer without mango addition was characterized by the lowest content of volatile compounds (1787.84 µg/100 mL). The addition of mango fruit increased the concentration of compounds, such as α-pinene, β-myrcene, terpinolene, α-terpineol, cis-β-ocimene, caryophyllene, and humulene, in beer. Beer prepared with mango pulp addition was characterized by the highest concentration of volatile components from mango beers (2112.15 µg/100 mL). Furthermore, beers with mango addition were characterized by a higher polyphenol content (up to 44% higher than control beer) and antioxidant activity than control beer and were evaluated by a trained panel as having a better taste and aroma than beer without fruit addition.