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In this work, active and edible films for food packaging were obtained by intensive mixing and compression molding of the wheat gluten (WG) glycerol-plasticized paste. Thyme essential oil (TEO, 10 and 15 wt.%) was incorporated as the active component microencapsulated in β-cyclodextrins (β-CD) and included directly into the biopolymer matrix for comparison. It was found that films incorporating microencapsulated TEO are more soluble in water (total soluble matter (dry method) of about 33% and 36.6% vs. 22.4% and 18.6%, for films containing 10% and 15% TEO, respectively) but less rigid than those obtained with free oil (elastic tensile moduli of 6.9 and 3.1 vs. 9.9 and 6.8 MPa, for films containing 10% and 15% TEO, respectively), although the water vapor permeability of the former is lower (4.95 10−9 and 6.29 10−9vs. 8.85 10−9 and 11.13 10−9 g/Pa*s*m, for films containing 10% and 15% TEO, respectively). Active films containing both free and encapsulated TEO inhibited gram (+) as well as gram (−) bacteria and exhibited enlarged antioxidant properties, with the latter presenting slightly better performance. In addition, encapsulation slowed the release rate of TEO from the films, allowing the bioactive to remain active in the film for much longer. Therefore, the present work revealed that films prepared from TEO/β-CD microcapsules included in compression-molded wheat gluten matrices showed great potential to be used as an active food packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reproductive technology has a significant impact on the development of livestock production. The thyme oil, rich in phytoestrogen chemicals like apigenin, has been found to enhance reproductive performance by mimicking estrogen's action. This study aimed to investigate the effects of oral supplementation with thyme essential oil on the reproductive organ biometry, and reproductive performance in adult and prepubertal Barki ewes. Seventy ewes were treated with intravaginal sponges impregnated with 40 mg. medroxyprogesterone acetate for 14 days and simultaneously assigned randomly to two groups (20 adult and 15 prepubertal ewes per group), i.e., a control and a thyme oil treated (2.25 mg/kg body weight) group. The number of follicles, follicle diameter, corpora lutea diameter, and estrogen concentration were higher in the thyme oil-treated group than in the control group without comparing between adult ewes and prepubertal ewes. Additionally, the number and diameter of the large follicles were higher (P < 0.05) in the right-side ovary of adult ewes compared with that in prepubertal ewes at day 15. Moreover, thyme oil treatment resulted in higher conception (P < 0.01), lambing rates (P < 0.05), and fecundity (P < 0.01), with values 95.12, 136.73, and 130.25 compared with those in the control group, with values 63.51, 105.24, and 66.97, respectively, without comparing between adult ewes and prepubertal ewes. The adult ewes had a stronger estrus response and better fertility measurement values than prepubertal ewes. Additionally, the estrogen serum levels were positively correlated with the number (P < 0.05) and diameter (P < 0.01) of follicles, and the progesterone serum concentration was positively correlated with the corpora lutea diameter (P < 0.01), without treated group. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with thyme oil improved the follicular population and reproductive performance, which has a good effect on the adult and prepubertal ewes in the Barki ewes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we investigated the preservative effects of chitosan (CS) coatings, with and without thyme essential oil (TEO), combined with vacuum impregnation (VI) on maintaining the quality of snakehead fillets during chilled storage. The results showed that the VI treatment significantly inhibited drip loss, discoloration, microbial proliferation, and the accumulation of biogenic amines (BAs) in the sneakhead fillets. Compared to the control, the fillets treated with VI of 1% (w/w) CS and 1.5% (w/w) TEO (i.e., CSTEO) showed significant reductions in both psychrophiles and mesophiles, with a 2.66 log CFU/g decrease in total viable count (TVC) on day 3 and a 1.89 log CFU/g decline in TVC on day 9, respectively. In addition, the content of histamine and putrescine in the CSTEO groups was maintained at ∼1.14 and 3.23 mg/kg during the 12‐day chilled storage, respectively. A total of 100 chemical compounds were tentatively identified using untargeted metabolomics approaches. The multivariate analysis further revealed that the combination of VI and CSTEO maintained fish quality mainly through preventing lipid oxidation and protein degradation. Overall, the VI‐CSTEO treatment effectively maintained the fish quality during storage at 4°C, with minimum microbial proliferation and accumulation of BAs. Practical Application: The preservative effect of chitosan coatings containing thyme essential oil combined with vacuum impregnation on snakehead quality during the 12‐day chilled storage was verified, and the underlying mechanisms were deciphered through integrated metabolomics approaches. Our study could provide a promising strategy for the preservation of aquatic products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out to prepare thyme essential oil (TEO) and ginger essential oil (GEO)-incorporated edible starch coating on buffalo meat to extend its refrigerated shelf-life. Edible coatings incorporated with antimicrobials can act as an active packaging system for the preservation of meat using biopolymers and plant-based essential oils. Buffalo meat samples were coated by hydrothermally treated starch solution incorporated with thyme and ginger essential oil at five different proportions (total of 2.5% of starch solution). A total of five treatments (S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5) along with two controls (S6 and S7) were subjected to microbiological [total viable count (TVC), Staphylococcus aureus count, psychrotrophic bacteria count (PTC), and coliform count] and physico-chemical analyses such as thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) value, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN) content, extract release volume (ERV), metmyoglobin (Met-Mb), pH, weight loss, and water activity at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 days of storage. These metrics were compared between days and between treatments. Compared with the uncoated control (S7), S4 decreased TVC by 2.60 log, and S5 decreased PTC, Staphylococcus aureus, and coliform by 4.71 log, 1.18 log, and 3.01 log, respectively, in 12 days. S4 reduced TBARS and TVBN by 46.14% and 27.86%, respectively, while S5 increased the ERV by 40.94% in 12 days when compared to S7. Metmyoglobin content, pH, ERV, and TVBN were found to have a high correlation with TVC, while pH was found to have a high correlation with TVBN and ERV. It can be concluded that the increase in TEO concentrations on starch coating increases the ability of buffalo meat to resist microbiological as well as chemical spoilage.

Simple Summary: Pesticides have become essential to control agricultural pests such as weeds, insects, nematodes, bacteria, and fungi, which increases the risk of their transmission to animals through the feed produced from these crops. Among these pesticides, the most widely used is malathion (MOP). It exerts its toxicity through the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an important presynaptic enzyme that terminates nerve impulses by hydrolyzing neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This study highlights the biochemical and histological hazardous reactions of MOP and the detoxifying efficacy of thyme (TEO) and oregano (OEO) essential oils by measuring enzyme-specific activity for Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) in order to reduce environmental hazards. Such knowledge would be the key step toward developing potentially unique treatment options for natural antitoxins. This may allow the livestock sector to increase production and ensure animal welfare and product health and safety. The widespread use of malathion may offer several hazards to humans and animals; additionally, many medicinal plants provide what is known as a broad antitoxicity treatment. This study was carried out to investigate hazardous biochemical and histological reactions to MOP and evaluate the effectiveness of TEO and OEO essential oils in restoring normal physiological conditions after MOP exposure by measuring enzyme-specific activity for Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2). One hundred and twenty rats were divided into six groups of twenty animals each: (i) C − MOP served as the control group, (ii) C + MOP treated with 5 mg/kg/BW of Malathion-D10, (iii) TEO treated with 100 mg/kg/BW of oregano essential oil, (iv) TEO treated with 100 mg/kg/BW of thyme essential oil, (v) MOP + OEO treated with 5 mg/kg/BW of Malathion-D10 and 100 mg/kg/BW of oregano essential oil, and (vi) MOP + TEO treated with 5 mg/kg/BW of Malathion-D10 and 100 mg/kg/BW of thyme essential oil. The results indicated the protective effects of OEO and TEO against MOP-induced weight loss. Additionally, there was a significant improvement in ALT, AST, and ALK-Ph after being treated with OEO and TEO, either alone or after MOP exposure. Also, treatment with OEO and TEO ameliorated these oxidative stress parameters, indicating their antioxidative properties. A histopathological examination of liver tissues showed reduced hepatocellular damage and improved liver architecture in the OEO and TEO, both alone and in combination with MOP, and protective effects were more pronounced in the TEO-treated groups. However, the results indicated that TEO was more effective than OEO in increasing CYP1A2 expression and alleviating MOP-induced toxicity. Specifically, TEO showed higher protein expression and therapeutic action in reducing liver damage. In conclusion, these findings suggest that OEO and TEO may be potent therapeutic agents against MOP toxicity, offering protective effects by enhancing CYP1A2 activity and mitigating organ damage. Such knowledge would be an important step toward developing potentially unique treatment options for natural antitoxins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out to prepare thyme essential oil (TEO) and ginger essential oil (GEO)-incorporated edible starch coating on buffalo meat to extend its refrigerated shelf-life. Edible coatings incorporated with antimicrobials can act as an active packaging system for the preservation of meat using biopolymers and plant-based essential oils. Buffalo meat samples were coated by hydrothermally treated starch solution incorporated with thyme and ginger essential oil at five different proportions (total of 2.5% of starch solution). A total of five treatments (S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5) along with two controls (S6 and S7) were subjected to microbiological [total viable count (TVC), Staphylococcus aureus count, psychrotrophic bacteria count (PTC), and coliform count] and physico-chemical analyses such as thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) value, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN) content, extract release volume (ERV), metmyoglobin (Met-Mb), pH, weight loss, and water activity at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 days of storage. These metrics were compared between days and between treatments. Compared with the uncoated control (S7), S4 decreased TVC by 2.60 log, and S5 decreased PTC, Staphylococcus aureus, and coliform by 4.71 log, 1.18 log, and 3.01 log, respectively, in 12 days. S4 reduced TBARS and TVBN by 46.14% and 27.86%, respectively, while S5 increased the ERV by 40.94% in 12 days when compared to S7. Metmyoglobin content, pH, ERV, and TVBN were found to have a high correlation with TVC, while pH was found to have a high correlation with TVBN and ERV. It can be concluded that the increase in TEO concentrations on starch coating increases the ability of buffalo meat to resist microbiological as well as chemical spoilage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkiye Klinikleri Journal of Dental Sciences is the property of Turkiye Klinikleri and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

• RSM was used for inactivation efficiency against two fungal species of tomatoes. • EO, UV and their combination were used and compared for tomatoes conservation. • The combined EO and UVC showed the best antifungal activity than other treatments. • Photosensitization of tomatoes preserved their quality attributes during 7 days. This study aims to investigate the antifungal activities of thyme essential oils mediated photosensitization for extending the shelf life and preserving the quality of fresh tomatoes. Contrary to Alternaria alternata and Botrytis cinerea , photosynthetization was proven to display the best antifungal activity, with a survival percentage of about 12 and 17% respectively. However, UV-C showed the least effectiveness, with survival rates of 33 and 32%, respectively, after 20 min of irradiation time. In addition, a central composite design (CCD) was employed, incorporating five levels and two independent variables: irradiation time and TEO concentration. This design aimed to assess the survival percentage of two fungal species, Alternaria. Alternata and Botrytis Cinerea. The obtained results indicated that the irradiation time significantly influenced the survival percentage of both tested fungal species. Interestingly, fresh tomato fruits were stored at 22 °°C with a relative humidity of 65 ± 5 % for 7 days and subsequently divided into four lots: control tomatoes, tomatoes treated only with UV-C irradiation at 10 min, tomatoes treated only with TEO at 55 µg/mL and photosynthesized tomatoes treated with both TEO and UV-C irradiations. The changes in the chemical properties of tomato, including pH, titratableacidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), texture and color, were analyzed, along with sensory evaluations. Chemical quality indicators like total soluble solids were significantly affected by storage time. Notably, in tomatoes treated with photosensitization, the TSS was lower (5 ± 0.05) compared to control tomatoes (5.6 ± 0.01) stored at 22 °C. Besides, the test of TEO based- photosensitization on tomatoes artificially inoculated with B. cinerea and A. alternata showed statistically significant delay in lesion diameter (1.5 cm ± 0.115) compared to the untreated group (3.5 cm ±0.15) at (p < 0.05). Subsequently, the combination of UV and TEO exhibited antifungal efficacy in tomato fruits, suggesting their potential as natural preservatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polysaccharide-based packaging and its ever-increasing applications in response to the need for sustainable and safe packaging have prompted researchers to investigate the development of antimicrobial biopolymer-based packaging for shelf-life enhancement of food samples. A film made by blending chitosan and pectin had goodmechanical properties, that is, a tensile strength of 7.43 MPa and an elongation at break of 23.033%. To produce active packaging, thyme essential oil (TEO) was added to the blend at concentrations of 10%, 15%, and 20%. The developed film was characterized for its techno-functional and antimicrobial properties. Further the developed films were employed in an active food packaging system for milk cake. Films with added TEO showed significant enhancements in elongation at break (28.22%) and water vapor barrier properties (30.08 g/h.m²). Additionally, the microstructure of the film was also improved, as demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated the interaction of blended matrix (chitosan and pectin) and TEO as observed from the formation of hydrogen bonds with the addition of TEO owing to the OH functional groups. The use of TEO in pectin and chitosan-based film and its application for milk cake packaging showed delayed microbiological contamination and hardness of milk cake samples. The shelf life of milk cake packaged in pectin and chitosan blend film with 20% TEO was enhanced by > 10 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a fiber substance produced by microbial fermentation. It is widely used in the food preservation industry because of its extremely pure texture, high crystallinity and high biocompatibility. In the present study, bacterial cellulose/thyme essential oil (BC/TEO‐E) with antibacterial and fresh‐keeping functions was prepared by ultrasonic treatment of modified bacterial cellulose for encapsulation of thyme essential oil, which effectively inhibited the spoilage of chilled chicken. RESULTS: The purified BC, produced by Acetobacter xylinum ATCC 53524, was ultrasonically treated wih different times (0, 30, 60 and 90 min). Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and zeta potential were used to characterize the structure of BC after ultrasound, showing that BC, treated for 30 min, had the optimal fiber structure, crystallinity (85.8%), thermal stability (347.77 °C) and solution stability (−26.63 ± 1.96 mV). BC/TEO‐E was prepared by a homogenizer for the preservation of chilled chicken. Optical microscopy indicated that the BC/TEO‐E prepared by 0.5% BC had optimal dispersion and stability, and even no delamination was observed in the emulsion. Compared with other groups (control, 0.5% BC and Tween‐E), the total number of colonies and coliforms in chilled chicken treated with 0.5% BC/TEO‐E was the lowest during the whole storage period (12 days), indicating that it can effectively inhibit bacterial growth. In addition, total volatile base nitrogen (TVB‐N), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, pH and drip loss results showed that 0.5% BC/TEO‐E could effectively inhibit the spoilage of chilled chicken compared to the other treatment groups. CONCLUSION: All of the results acquired in the present study indicate that BC/TEO‐E has a potential application in chilled chicken preservation. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioaerosols and pathogens in indoor workplaces and residential environments are the primary culprits of several infections. Techniques for sanitizing air and surfaces typically involve the use of UV rays or chemical sanitizers, which may release chemical residues harmful to human health. Essential oils, natural substances derived from plants, which exhibit broad antimicrobial properties, could be a viable alternative for air and surface sanitation. The objective of this study has been to investigate the efficacy of thyme essential oil (TEO) in environmental sanitation processes. In Vitro assays through agar well diffusion, disk volatilization and tube dilution methods revealed significant antimicrobial activity of TEO 100% against foodborne and environmental isolates, with both bacteriostatic/fungistatic and bactericidal/fungicidal effects. Therefore, aqueous solutions of TEO 2.5% and 5% were formulated for air sanitation through nebulization and surface disinfection via direct contact. Bioaerosol samples and surface swabs were analyzed before and after sanitation, demonstrating the efficacy of aqueous solutions of TEO in reducing mesophilic and psychrophilic bacteria and environmental fungi levels in both air and on surfaces. The obtained results prove the antimicrobial potential of aqueous solutions of TEO in improving indoor air quality and surface cleanliness, suggesting thyme essential oil as an effective and safe natural sanitizer with minimal environmental impact compared to dangerous chemical disinfectants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumers are more interested in replacing commonly used chemical preservatives with natural substances. The effect of 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg of thyme and lemongrass essential oils (THY and LMG, respectively) per 100 g of wheat flour was studied from the viewpoints of dough rheology, dough leavening progress, and the results of laboratory baking trial. Changes in dough viscoelastic properties were evaluated by the Mixolab rheometer and the company software. The higher the thyme oil portion, the higher the dough structure destruction by kneading and heat input in torque point C2, and consecutively shorter stability of dough consistency (up to one-half of the values recorded for the control); reversely, the LMG did not affect both features verifiably. In the 90 min leavening test, a dough weight loss was decelerated by both essential oils similarly. During the baking test, the average volume of wheat small breads as control was evaluated on level 167 mL (bread yield 451 mL/100 g flour). Independently of the dose of the THY or LMG, small bread volumes oscillated between 148–168 and 135–161 mL (average bread yields 442 and 443 mL/100 g flour, respectively). The shelf life of the products with a higher portion of essential oil was extended by up to 7 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the production and characterization of composite films were performed using gelatin extracted after pretreatment by steam explosion at temperatures of 120 ºC (GEL120) and 130 ºC (GEL130) for 10 min, with and without the addition of Thyme Essential Oil at 0.78% (v/v), employing the casting method. The film-forming solutions were also applied as coatings for refrigerated chicken fillets, and a shelf-life analysis was conducted over 15 days. For comparison, commercial gelatin was used at all stages of production, characterization, and application. In in vitro tests, thyme essential oil exhibited antimicrobial potential against five foodborne pathogens. Due to their distinct physicochemical characteristics, the GEL130 films demonstrated higher tensile strength (7.23 MPa) and lower solubility (76.45%) compared to GEL120. The impact of thyme essential oil addition on the film properties varied depending on the type of gelatin used. The coated chicken fillets showed lower weight loss and pH; however, no significant reduction was observed for Enterobacteriaceae and aerobic mesophilic bacteria compared to the uncoated samples under refrigeration. These findings were promising for understanding the effect of incorporating thyme essential oil into films from gelatins with different characteristics. Additionally, further research is needed to enhance the application of coatings in food matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polysaccharide-based packaging and its ever-increasing applications in response to the need for sustainable and safe packaging have prompted researchers to investigate the development of antimicrobial biopolymer-based packaging for shelf-life enhancement of food samples. A film made by blending chitosan and pectin had good mechanical properties, that is, a tensile strength of 7.43 MPa and an elongation at break of 23.033%. To produce active packaging, thyme essential oil (TEO) was added to the blend at concentrations of 10%, 15%, and 20%. The developed film was characterized for its techno-functional and antimicrobial properties. Further the developed films were employed in an active food packaging system for milk cake. Films with added TEO showed significant enhancements in elongation at break (28.22%) and water vapor barrier properties (30.08 g/h.m2). Additionally, the microstructure of the film was also improved, as demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated the interaction of blended matrix (chitosan and pectin) and TEO as observed from the formation of hydrogen bonds with the addition of TEO owing to the OH functional groups. The use of TEO in pectin and chitosan-based film and its application for milk cake packaging showed delayed microbiological contamination and hardness of milk cake samples. The shelf life of milk cake packaged in pectin and chitosan blend film with 20% TEO was enhanced by > 10 days.

Copyright of Food Research & Development is the property of Food Research & Development Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Polylactide (PLA)‐based biodegradable three‐layer packaging film was fabricated using PLA, PLA/cinnamon oil (CEO), and PLA/graphene nanoplatelets (GNP). The central layer allows control over the release of antimicrobes, and the outer layer adds mechanical strength to the films. A comparison has been made on barrier, thermal, rheological, microstructural, and microbiological properties between single‐layer and multilayer films (MLF). The water vapor and oxygen barrier properties of MLF showed little reduction compared with those of neat PLA. The tensile stress of the neat PLA increased significantly from 23.31 to 35.91 MPa for the MLF. Thermal analysis data showed improvements in the thermal stability of the MLF film, with onset and peak temperatures of 331.5 and 357.1°C, respectively. The dispersion of GNP in the PLA matrix and in MLF was assessed by XRD analysis and rheological measurement. The AFM roughness parameters Sa and Sq of those films varied widely, with the highest (13.9 and 20.9 μm) and the lowest (0.08 and 0.11 μm) magnitudes recorded for PLA/GNP and PLA/CEO films, respectively. Antibacterial assays of the film confirmed a strong bactericidal effect against Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimurium, maintaining this activity for 21 days. Highlights: Polylactide/cinnamon oil/ graphene nanoplatelet multilayer films were coextruded.X‐ray diffraction and rheology confirm the dispersion of graphene into PLA.Tensile stress and thermal stability improved in the multilayer films.AFM roughness parameters varied significantly between single‐ and multilayer films.Antibacterial assays confirmed the strong bactericidal effect of films against pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of nanostructured edible films is an emerging technology for fruit and vegetables postharvest preservation. These films act as a barrier between the fruit surface and the surrounding environment delaying product ripening; therefore, their characterization is of special interest. In this study, three different nanostructured films based on chitosan nanoparticles, thyme essential oil or propolis-loaded chitosan nanoparticles were prepared. The films were characterized based on their morphology by scanning electron microscopy, crystalline structure by X-ray diffraction, optical properties by ellipsometry, and thermal properties (diffusivity, effusivity, and conductivity) using the photoacoustic technique. Also, wettability, water activity and permeability (water vapor diffusion coefficient) were measured. Aggregates were observed for the propolis-loaded chitosan nanoparticles film by scanning electron microscopy. All three films were semi-crystalline with similar roughness (94.2–95.6%), and thermal parameters values were diffusivity between 1.7 and 2.3 × 10–6 m2/s, effusivity between 82.57 and 86.01 Ws1/2/m2K, and conductivity between 0.11 and 0.12 Wm−1 K−1. The chitosan nanoparticles film was the most hydrophobic (37.55°) with the lowest permeability (0.77 × 10–8 cm2 s−1). Bioactive-chitosan nanostructured edible films are a good alternative as food packaging due to their physicochemical, optical and thermal properties for application as a protective barrier for horticultural products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yersiniosis, one of the leading foodborne infections in the European Union, is caused by Yersinia enterocolitica. In this study, the antibacterial and antibiofilm effects of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Nees), clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.), oregano (Origanum vulgare L.), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), and winter savory (Satureja montana L.) essential oils were investigated against Y. enterocolitica strains belonging to the bioserotype 4/O:3. Cinnamon essential oil showed the highest antibacterial activity, with an MIC value 0.09 µL/mL, followed by oregano and thyme essential oils, with MIC values from 0.09 to 0.18 µL/mL, and from 0.18 to 0.23 µL/mL, respectively. Thyme essential oil at 0.23 µL/g (MIC) and at 0.46 µL/g (2MIC) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the number of Y. enterocolitica by 0.38 log CFU/g and 0.64 log CFU/g, respectively, in minced pork meat during storage at 4 °C for 4 days. The Y. enterocolitica strains formed biofilms at 15 °C and 37 °C in tryptic soy broth and Luria–Bertani broth, while no biofilms were obtained at 5 °C, and in meat broth nutrient media. Applying the minimum bactericidal concentrations of cinnamon, clove, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and winter savory essential oils on preformed biofilms led to significant reductions being observed in the range from 45.34% to 78.89%. A scanning electron microscopy assay showed the devastating impact of oregano and thyme essential oils on the morphology of Y. enterocolitica bacterial cells. In conclusion, the results of this study show that essential oils possess high anti-Yersinia and antibiofilm effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bee products and natural oils are appreciated due to their beneficial effects on health, which are strongly related to several pharmacological and biological activities. The present study aimed to assess the bioactive potential of two bee products with the addition of natural oils, the first product consisting of honeydew honey, soft propolis extract and Thymus sp. (thyme) essential oil, whereas the second product comprises honeydew honey and Hippophae rhamnoides L. (sea buckthorn) oil. In order to reach the proposed goal, the following analyses were carried out: determination of the physico-chemical parameters of the honeydew honey sample, used as a common basis for the two products; compositional analysis of sea buckthorn oil (total carotenoids, fatty acids, tocopherols, sterols) and thyme essential oil (organic compounds); evaluation of the total polyphenols and flavones/flavonols content; evaluation of the antioxidant capacity (DPPH and FRAP methods). The results highlighted the superior quality and compliance with the legal framework of the honeydew honey sample and natural oils. Moreover, the two investigated products exhibited a rich content of bioactive compounds as well as good antioxidant activity.

This investigation was conducted to evaluate the activity of some essential oils emulsions and a biocide (Bio-Cure F) for controlling Fusarium wilt disease of marjoram (Majorana hortensis) caused by Fusarium oxysporum. The fungal filtrate of F. oxysporum isolated from the infected marjoram plants significantly decreased the marjoram seed germination and caused wilting of its seedlings. The essential oil emulsions of thyme; basil, and marjoram, inhibited the in vitro fungal growth of F. oxysporum, and significantly suppressed its sporulation and spore germination. However, thyme oil was the most effective one, which completely inhibited the fungal growth at a concentration of 2000 µg/ ml, and completely prevented its sporulation and spore germination. The tested essential oils were analysed for their bioactive components using Gas Chromatography (GC), which were recorded as follows: linalool and eugenol were detected in basil; terpinen-4-ol, β-phyllandrene, and sabinene in marjoram oil, and thymol, 1.8-cineole, ρ-cymene, and α-terpinene in thyme oil. In the greenhouse experiments, Actamyl 70 % wp (wettable powder) and Bio Cure F were the most effective treatments, which significantly decreased the disease incidence and increased the plant growth parameters, compared with the untreated control. On the other hand, all treatments increased the peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase antioxidant enzyme activities, compared with the control; however, Actamyl 70 % (wp) and Bio Cure F had the superiority; recording 1.27 and 1.23 (units/ ml enzyme) for peroxidase, and 0.57 and 0.51 (units/ ml enzyme) for polyphenol oxidase, respectively. The results of the present study indicated the strong antifungal potential of the thyme essential oil. Meanwhile, Bio-Cur F biocide can be effectively used as a potent biofungicide to controlling the marjoram wilt incited by F. oxysporum.

Abstract In this study, thyme essential oil was added to poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) films in a variety of compositions (0, 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, and 20% w/w), and the effect of the essential oil on the PBAT's characteristics was evaluated. The films were produced using the casting technique. Thyme essential oil (EO) was evaluated by mid-infrared, gas chromatography-mass spectrometer, and antimicrobial activity. The films were evaluated by mid-infrared, mechanical, and thermal tests. The results demonstrated that EO has a higher concentration of o-cymene and antimicrobial activity against the bacteria Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The films were analyzed for their mechanical and thermal properties according to the compositions tested. The films have shown promise for use as active packaging.

Abstract Introduction: Free radicals generated by ionizing radiations, as a powerful cytotoxic agent, can damage DNA and proteins. Thymus vulgaris L (thyme) plant is a rich source of antioxidant phenolic compounds, which makes it a preferable candidate for medical applications. Given this, we set out the present study to investigate the effectiveness of thyme essential oil on human blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as a radioprotector agent against ionizing radiations. Materials and Methods: We extracted the thyme essential oil by the conventional Clevenger extraction method. Heparinized peripheral blood samples were also collected from five male volunteers, aged 22-25, without a history of smoking and irradiation. PBMCs were isolated and the maximum nontoxic concentrations (85µg/ml (of thyme essential oil were determined based on the result of the MTT method. In the next step, the PBMCs were cultured in the presence of thyme essential oil before and after X-irradiation with doses of 0.25 and 2.00 Gy. Results: The most radioprotective effect was observed in the dose of 2.00 Gy for thyme-treated cells 24 hours before the irradiation (p-value≤0.001) by a survival enhancement factor of 1.67, compared to the control group. Conclusion: Our results showed that thyme essential oil can be used as an effective radioprotector agent for PBMCs against ionizing radiations. The most radioprotective effect was observed in the presence of thyme essential oil during irradiation.

The most widely consumed soft cheese in Egypt, particularly in the rural, is karish cheese. When cheese is produced, handled, distributed, or stored in unsanitary conditions, it could become contaminated by many types of microorganisms. The spoilage of cheese and/or foodborne diseases are caused by contamination with various microorganisms. A total of 120 Karish cheese samples were collected from El Sharkia City supermarket, Egypt. The microbiological tests performed were: aerobic plate count (APC), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (Staph. aureus) counts. The recorded results showed that the mean of APC, E. coli and Staph. aureus counts were 6.9, 3.45 and 4.3 log10 cfu/g, respectively. Researchers have investigated edible packaging materials for essential oils encapsulated in biopolymers to offer an effective and secure method of food preservation. In this study, to increase the shelf-life of Karish cheese, chitosan-based emulsions consisting of liposomes infused with thyme essential oil (TEO) were explored. Antimicrobial activities were assessed via Staph. aureus and E. coli counts over 4 weeks. High counts of Staph. aureus and E. coli recorded by the fourth week, for all cheese samples either coated or not coated with chitosan solutions. However, samples coated with TEO 1% and liposomal chitosan emulsions encapsulated TEO 0.5 and 1% v/v decreased in microbial counts up to 4 weeks, while samples coated with liposomal chitosan emulsions encapsulated TEO 2% occurred complete absence of Staph. aureus and E. coli at the end of the fourth week of storage. According to the findings, TEO 1% and liposomal chitosan emulsion encapsulated TEO 2% v/v may be promising natural solutions, with a satisfactory appearance to extend the shelf life, in addition to preserving the flavour of Karish cheese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biocompatible drug-delivery systems for soft tissue applications are of high interest for the medical and pharmaceutical fields. The subject of this research is the development of hydrogels loaded with bioactive compounds (inulin, thyme essential oil, hydro-glycero-alcoholic extract of Vitis vinifera, Opuntia ficus-indica powder, lactic acid, citric acid) in order to support the vaginal microbiota homeostasis. The nanofibrillar phyto-hydrogel systems developed using the biocompatible polymers chitosan (CS), never-dried bacterial nanocellulose (NDBNC), and Poloxamer 407 (PX) incorporated the water-soluble bioactive components in the NDBNC hydrophilic fraction and the hydrophobic components in the hydrophobic core of the PX fraction. Two NDBNC-PX hydrogels and one NDBNC-PX-CS hydrogel were structurally and physical-chemically characterized using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and rheology. The hydrogels were also evaluated in terms of thermo-responsive properties, mucoadhesion, biocompatibility, and prebiotic and antimicrobial effects. The mucin binding efficiency of hydrogel base systems was determined by the periodic acid/Schiff base (PAS) assay. Biocompatibility of hydrogel systems was determined by the MTT test using mouse fibroblasts. The prebiotic activity was determined using the probiotic strains Limosilactobacillus reuteri and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum. Antimicrobial activity was also assessed using relevant microbial strains, respectively, E. coli and C. albicans. TEM evidenced PX micelles of around 20 nm on NDBNC nanofibrils. The FTIR and XRD analyses revealed that the binary hydrogels are dominated by PX signals, and that the ternary hydrogel is dominated by CS, with additional particular fingerprints for the biocompounds and the hydrogel interaction with mucin. Rheology evidenced the gel transition temperatures of 18–22 °C for the binary hydrogels with thixotropic behavior and, respectively, no gel transition, with rheopectic behavior for the ternary hydrogel. The adhesion energies of the binary and ternary hydrogels were evaluated to be around 1.2 J/m2 and 9.1 J/m2, respectively. The hydrogels exhibited a high degree of biocompatibility, with the potential to support cell proliferation and also to promote the growth of lactobacilli. The hydrogel systems also presented significant antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Essential oil-based pesticides, which contain antimicrobial and antioxidant molecules, have potential for use in sustainable agriculture. However, these compounds have limitations such as volatility, poor water solubility, and phytotoxicity. Nanoencapsulation, through processes like micro- and nanoemulsions, can enhance the stability and bioactivity of essential oils. In this study, thyme essential oil from supercritical carbon dioxide extraction was selected as a sustainable antimicrobial tool and nanoencapsulated in an oil-in-water emulsion system. The investigated protocol provided high-speed homogenisation in the presence of cellulose nanocrystals as stabilisers and calcium chloride as an ionic crosslinking agent. Thyme essential oil was characterised via GC-MS and UV-vis analysis, indicating rich content in phenols. The cellulose nanocrystal/essential oil ratio and calcium chloride concentration were varied to tune the nanoemulsions' physical–chemical stability, which was investigated via UV-vis, direct observation, dynamic light scattering, and Turbiscan analysis. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the nanosized droplet formation. The nanoemulsion resulting from the addition of crosslinked nanocrystals was very stable over time at room temperature. It was evaluated for the first time on Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi, the causal agent of olive knot disease. In vitro tests showed a synergistic effect of the formulation components, and in vivo tests on olive seedlings demonstrated reduced bacterial colonies without any phytotoxic effect. These findings suggest that crosslinked cellulose nanocrystal emulsions can enhance the stability and bioactivity of thyme essential oil, providing a new tool for crop protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of biodeterioration is an important issue to allow the best conservation and prevent the decay of cultural heritage and artworks. In Naples (Italy), a particular museum (Museodivino) preserves the miniature artworks representing Dante's Divine Comedy and Nativity scenes, executed with organic-based materials in walnut and clay shells. Since they showed putative signs of biodeterioration, the first aim of this study was to verify the presence of microbial colonization. A culture-dependent approach and molecular biology allowed us to isolate and identify the sole fungal strain Aspergillus NCCD (Nativity and Dante's Divine Comedy) belonging to the A. sydowii sub-clade. Based on this result, a sustainable and eco-friendly approach was applied to find a method to preserve the miniature artwork by contrasting the growth of the strain NCCD. Several essential oils used as a natural biocide were tested against Aspergillus strain NCCD belonging to the A. sydowii subclade to determine their potential antimicrobial activity. Results revealed that basil, cloves, fennel, and thyme essential oils exerted antifungal activity, although their effect depended also on the concentration used. Moreover, anoxic treatment and the control of the relative humidity were used in the presence of thyme, in vitro, and in vivo assays to define the impact on fungal growth. No fungal development was detected in vivo in the shells treated with thyme essential oil at high relative humidity after 60 days of incubation at 28 °C. These results highlighted that although relative humidity was the major factor affecting the development of the strain Aspergillus NDDC, the application of thyme in an anaerobic environment is essential in contrasting the fungal growth. Identifying the biodeterioration agent allowed us to plan an eco-friendly, non-destructive approach to be successfully used to guarantee the conditions suitable for conserving miniature artwork. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Chamomile (Matricaria chamomile L.) is one of the very important medicinal plants worldwide, particularly in Egypt. The downy mildew disease is considered one of the most important diseases of chamomile. Peronospora farinose was identified as the causal pathogen of downy mildew of infected chamomile plants, collected from Fayoum Governorate, Egypt, during 2022. Results Efficiency of some fungicidal alternatives for management of downy mildew disease on chamomile leaves was evaluated in vitro studies using detached leaves technique. Each of the biocide, Bio-Cure F and Thyme oil emulsion treatments, before and after the fungal inoculation, respectively, was the best effective treatments, which reduced disease incidence to the lowest percentages. However, the treatment of Bio-Cure F before the fungal inoculation had the superiority for reducing disease severity to the lowest percentage, followed by Thyme oil emulsion, after the fungal inoculation. On the other hand, under greenhouse conditions, the best treatment reduced disease incidence and disease severity to the lowest percentages was Thyme oil emulsion, followed by Bio-Cure F, after and before the fungal inoculation, respectively. Total sugars content was obviously lower in treated chamomile plants before and after the fungal inoculation than in untreated controls. On the contrary, free phenols were obviously higher in treated chamomile plants before and after the fungal inoculation than in untreated controls. Conclusion The present study indicated the possibility of using Bio-Cure F (biocide) and Thyme essential oil emulsion as spraying treatment against P. farinosa on chamomile plants.

Abstract Background Essential oils are becoming increasingly popular in medicinal applications because of their antimicrobial effect. Thymus vulgaris L. (Lamiaceae) is a well-known and widely cultivated medicinal plant, which is used as a remedy for cold, cough and gastrointestinal symptoms. Essential oil content of thyme is responsible for its antimicrobial activity, however, it has been reported that the chemical composition of essential oils influences its biological activity. In order to explore flowering phenophases influence on the chemical composition of thyme essential oil and its antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity, plant materials were collected at the beginning of flowering, in full bloom and at the end of flowering periods in 2019. Methods Essential oils from fresh and dried plant materials were distilled and analyzed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID). The antibacterial activity was performed by broth microdilution and thin layer chromatography-direct bioautography (TLC-DB) assays and the anti-biofilm effect by crystal violet assay, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy was applied to illustrate the cellular changes of bacterial cells after essential oil treatment. Results Thymol (52.33–62.46%) was the main component in the thyme essential oils. Thyme oil distilled from fresh plant material and collected at the beginning of flowering period exerted the highest antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity against Haemophilus influenzae, H. parainfluenzae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Conclusion The different flowering periods of Thymus vulgaris influence the antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity of its essential oils, therefore, the collection time has to be taken into consideration and not only the full bloom, but the beginning of flowering period may provide biological active thyme essential oil.

In order to investigate the migration mechanism of thyme essential oil components thymol, linalool and caryophyllene from chitosan films, the physical, antimicrobial, migration characteristics and chemical structure of chitosan composite films were evaluated. The results showed that thyme essential oil, thymol and caryophyllene improved the water resistance ability of chitosan film, among which the water vapor permeability of caryophyllene decreased by 15.04% compared with the control. Moreover, thymol and caryophyllene also decreased the swelling degree (decreased by 24.31% and 11.64%) and elongation at break (decreased by 13.46% and 27.88%) of composite films. However, the antibacterial properties of chitosan films were significantly (P

Consumers are more interested in replacing commonly used chemical preservatives with natural substances. The effect of 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg of thyme and lemongrass essential oils (THY and LMG, respectively) per 100 g of wheat flour was studied from the viewpoints of dough rheology, dough leavening progress, and the results of laboratory baking trial. Changes in dough viscoelastic properties were evaluated by the Mixolab rheometer and the company software. The higher the thyme oil portion, the higher the dough structure destruction by kneading and heat input in torque point C2, and consecutively shorter stability of dough consistency (up to one-half of the values recorded for the control); reversely, the LMG did not affect both features verifiably. In the 90 min leavening test, a dough weight loss was decelerated by both essential oils similarly. During the baking test, the average volume of wheat small breads as control was evaluated on level 167 mL (bread yield 451 mL/100 g flour). Independently of the dose of the THY or LMG, small bread volumes oscillated between 148–168 and 135–161 mL (average bread yields 442 and 443 mL/100 g flour, respectively). The shelf life of the products with a higher portion of essential oil was extended by up to 7 days.

Thyme essential oil (TEO) is a natural food antimicrobial agent derived of spice, but suffers from volatility and poor water solubility, which problem can be effectively solved by the encapsulation of liposomes. On this basis, a safe and common natural antibacterial protein, LYZ was used to modify the TEO liposomes (TEO-lips) for gaining better properties. 2.5 mg/mL TEO and 0.05 % LYZ/S100 mass ratio were the best formula for the preparation of LYZ-TEO-lips. After LYZ modification, the particle size and PDI increased, and the zeta potential decreased slightly. The modification of LYZ not only improves the thermal stability of TEO-Lips, weakens the influence of acid and salt ions on liposomes, but also improves the antibacterial properties of TEO-Lips. In brief, LYZ has the potential to improve the overall properties of liposomes and can provide a reference for the development of antimicrobial liposomes.

Background: Combination antifungal therapy has become a prominent approach in medical practice as it takes advantage of synergistic interactions by interfering with multiple targets of the pathogen, broadening the spectrum of activity, reducing the development of resistance, and improving treatment outcomes. Therefore, combining conventional antifungal drugs with natural products can increase antifungal activity, reduce side effects, and optimize therapeutic effects. Purpose: The present study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of thyme essential oil (ThyEO) in combination with amphotericin B, caspofungin, fluconazole, itraconazole, and posaconazole (PSZ), as well as its inhibitory effect on Candida albicans virulence factors. Materials and Methods: The microbroth dilution assay was employed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC). Interactions were assessed using the microdilution checkerboard assay. Ergosterol and methylene blue assays were used to detect effects on fungal membrane, while the sorbitol assay was used to detect effects on fungal cell wall. Inhibition of yeast virulence factors (adherence to epithelial cells, germ tube and pseudomycelium formation, secretion of hydrolytic enzymes, and biofilm formation) was assessed with previously reported methods. Results: Almost all combinations showed additivism against C. albicans, except ThyEO/PSZ (31.25/0.0039 µg/ml), which showed partial synergism. Furthermore, all mixtures were fungicidal against C. albicans strains. ThyEO/PSZ, its components alone, and thymol were shown to disrupt the fungal cytoplasmic membrane, increasing its permeability. ThyEO/PSZ, at sub-inhibitory concentrations, significantly decreased the ability of C. albicans to adhere to buccal epithelial cells. ThyEO/PSZ, ThyEO, and PSZ were able to reduce the pseudomycelium production of C. albicans while thymol completely inhibited its formation. ThyEO/PSZ, each combination component on its own, and thymol inhibited biofilm formation and preformed biofilm of C. albicans. Notably, ThyEO/PSZ showed synergistic and fungicidal activity against a resistant strain of C. albicans, reducing the PSZ dose by 4-fold. Conclusion: These findings make ThyEO and ThyEO/PSZ mixture valuable candidates for the development of alternative antifungals with a lower incidence of adverse effects.

This study aimed to assess the stability of thyme essential oil microcapsules (TEOMs) and their impacts on the antioxidant properties and quality of lamb patties. The results demonstrated that gum Arabic effectively enhanced the stability of phenols within the thyme essential oil (TEO), with an optimal core/wall ratio of 1:8. Substituting TEO with TEOMs in lamb patties led to reductions in the thiobarbituric acid content, carbonyl content, sulfhydryl loss, and protein cross-linking. Additionally, the TEOMs positively influenced the mutton patties' color, texture, microbiological stability, and sensory attributes. These findings substantiate the idea that TEOMs exhibit significant potential as a natural preservative to enhance the quality of mutton patties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study aimed to investigate the efficacy of dietary thyme essential oil (TEO), Nigella sativa essential oil (NSEO), thyme essential oil nano-emulsion (TEO-NE), and Nigella sativa essential oil nano-emulsion (NSEO-NE) in reducing total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), improving immune response, mitigating stress, and acting as anti-inflammatory agents as well as preventing streptococcosis infection in Oreochromis niloticus (O. niloticus). Fish (N = 330, 14 ± 2 g) were divided into 10 groups of 11 fish each, with three replicates in each group. The negative and positive controls were fed a control diet, while the third group was given 1% TEO. Moreover, the fourth group of fish was given 2% TEO. The fifth and sixth groups were fed 1% TEO-NE and 2% TEO-NE, respectively. The seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth groups were fed 1% NSEO, 2% NSEO, 1% NSEO-NE, and 2% NSEO-NE, respectively. After dietary intake of TEO, NSEO, and their nano-emulsions for 28 days, the mean values of TAN levels in the water of fish aquaria had a significant reduction in the group fed 2% TEO-NE compared to the control group. On the contrary, NSEO-NE at the same concentration had no significant effect on TAN levels. The levels of lysozyme, complement 5, and IgM increased in all feeding groups compared to the control group. Concerning cortisol level as a stress indicator, it was decreased in all feeding groups compared to the control. Also, the current experiment overall showed a significant decrease in the expression level of pro-inflammatory tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) gene in the gills of fish groups fed TEO, TEO-NE, NS, and NS-NE relative to the β-actin gene. Oppositely, there was an increase in the expression level of the anti-inflammatory transforming growth factor (TGF-β). In the current study, TEO-NE and NSEO-NE showed a better effect on preventing streptococcosis in O. niloticus with no mortality than 1% TEO and NSEO, respectively. Furthermore, there was a 12.5% mortality rate and an 84.99 RPS in the group fed 1% TEO and injected with Streptococcus inae. On the other hand, the groups fed 1 and 2% NSEO showed 37.5 and 25% mortality rate, respectively and 54.99 and 69.99 RPS. In conclusion, the nano-emulsion either TEO or NSEO had the superior effect. For bulk status, the TEO had superior effect than NSEO. The study needs more investigations for ammonia, either on the mode of action or over a longer period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green bell pepper is of special importance for Mexico as it is the world's second leading producer of this crop; thus, fruit preservation using natural products is of particular interest. In this work, three nanocoatings were prepared using the nanoprecipitation method, one based on chitosan nanoparticles (CSNP), another on thyme essential oil encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles (CSTEO-NP), and the third on aqueous extract of propolis encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles (CSEP-NP). The nanoparticles were characterized and the effect of the coatings on postharvest quality, nutritional value and antimicrobial activity was assessed. CSNP size in solution was lower than 10 nm as observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with a bimodal distribution for CSNP and CSTEO-NP and unimodal for CSEP-NP with some agglomerates as measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS). With respect to the postharvest quality of green bell pepper, weight loss and color change increased over storage time as well as ascorbic acid; firmness and carotenoids content decreased. The highest disease incidence of Alternaria alternata was in bell peppers coated with CSEP-NP (34%). Under cold conditions on day 12, the lowest value of colony-forming units (CFUs) for bacteria was 25 CFU in bell peppers coated with CSNP, and for fungi and yeast, with the coating based on CSTEO-NP (38 CFU). Chitosan-based nanocoatings added with bioactive agents could represent a good alternative for green bell pepper preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dermatological diseases are the most widespread in the whole world. According to WHO, 20–30% of the world's population suffers from fungal skin diseases and 25–35% from pustular diseases. Pustular diseases (pyoderma) are the result of pathogenic staphylococci and streptococci, and fungal diseases (dermatomycoses) are caused by various types of fungi. Today, these diseases are treated with various types of drugs, but the active ingredient in almost all of them is synthetic compounds (antibiotics, sulfonamides, imidazole derivatives, etc.). Medicines of natural origin are scarce. In order to increase the number of phytoremedies for external use (ointments), which have medicinal plant active components, a study was conducted using standardized essential oil of common thyme. The aim of the work was to study the effect of excipients on the ointment base by the method of mathematical planning of the experiment for the development of the optimal composition of the dermatological ointment with the essential oil of common thyme. Excipiennts for ointment bases of hydrophobic and emulsion composition were used to develop the optimal composition of the ointment. The concentration of thyme essential oil was 5% in all samples. The degree of thymol release in an in vitro study using the equilibrium dialysis method was chosen as the criterion for choosing the optimal composition. Excipiennts allowed in pharmacy, with known characteristics, safety profile, and application experience were used as auxiliary substances. Using Duncan's multiple criterion, a number of advantages were created: а7 > а8 > а9 > а10 > а6 >а2 > а5 > а3 > а1 > а4. On the basis of the conducted studies, the optimal composition of the ointment was chosen for the treatment of lesions of the scalp and hair. The studied organoleptic and technological properties and quality indicators (homogeneity, colloidal stability, thermal stability, microbiological purity) of ointment with thyme essential oil during long-term storage at a temperature of +2–+8 °C established the stability of the developed composition of the ointment during two years of observation. The creation of a new local remedy for the treatment of lesions of the scalp and its hair part will allow to expand the arsenal of safe and effective remedies.

Gastrointestinal tract infection with serotypes of Salmonella is common worldwide, and its treatment with antibiotics leads to problems such as drug resistance and drug side effects. With the spread of antibiotic resistance, the desire to use medicinal plants to control microorganisms has increased. The use of medicinal plants can be a solution to this problem. This experimental study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial activity of Thyme essential oil compared to two antibiotics, doxycycline, and oxytetracycline, in an animal model. So, 36 pieces of 14-day-old broilers of the Ross breed were used in 6 groups of 6. The broilers were infected with Salmonella Typhimurium (ATCC14028). After extracting the essential oil from thyme and analyzing by GCMS, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of its growth and antibiotic was determined by broth microdilution method, and finally, the broilers were treated by gavage for seven days, twice every day with a time interval of 12 hours. To check the effectiveness of antibiotics and essential oils, broiler feces were cultured daily, and the number of salmonella colonies grown was counted. The findings were analyzed with SPSS 26 software and a two-way analysis of variance. The GC-MS analysis of T. vulgaris essential oil showed the presence of 12 chemical compounds among which thymol, m-Thymol, p-cymene, and carvacrol were major. The results showed that there is a significant difference between the groups in terms of reducing the number of bacteria, but there is no significant difference between the times. Both thyme essential oil and doxycycline and oxytetracycline antibiotics reduced the colonization and finally stopped the excretion of Salmonella Typhimurium in the feces of broiler chickens.

Dietary manipulations play an important role in improving the rabbit behaviour and performance and mitigating the negative effects of heat stress (HS) in rabbits. Thus, this study was designed to determine the modulatory role of thyme essential oil (TEO) in improving the blood metabolites, antioxidant status, immunological response, ovarian activity, reproductive traits and fecundity of rabbit does kept under high environmental stress. A total of 100 nulliparous does were used and randomly assigned into five treatments of 20 does each. The basal diet fed to the experimental groups contained TEO at levels of 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg diet for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th groups, respectively. The period of TEO treatment was one month during an experimental period of three months during the summer season. Results showed that TEO at a level of 100 mg/kg diet decreased (p ≤ .001) MDA, while increased (≤.001) total proteins (TPs), albumin (AL), globulin (GL), blood haemoglobin, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), haematocrit (Ht) and glutathione (GSH). Conversely, the TEO treatment did not affect GSH peroxidase and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Immunological variables (IgG and IgM), milk production, ovulation rate (OR) and normal embryos percentage were significantly improved by 100 mg TEO/kg diet supplementation. The reproductive variable of stressed rabbit does fed TEO were significantly higher than those in the control diet. Collectively, dietary TEO supplementation can alleviate the negative influences of heat stressed-female rabbits, via enhancing the antioxidant capacity and immunological parameters.Highlights Dietary manipulations play an important role in improving the rabbit behaviour and performance. Addition of TEO to rabbit diets improved rabbit performance and health as well as reduced the negative effects of heat stress (HS). Immunological indices and milk production, ovulation rates (ORs) and normal embryos were significantly improved by TEO. Thyme essential oil (TEO) decreased MDA and increased protein and its fraction, blood haemoglobin and total antioxidant capacity (TAC).

Thyme essential oil (TEO) is a prominent essential oil reported to have diverse properties and biological activities including anti-inflammatory. This research aims to encapsulate TEO in prepared microsponges for the purpose of controlled drug delivery and reduce the frequency of drug administration by enhancing its bioavailability. For the preparation of TEO loaded microsponges, the quasi-emulsion diffusion technique was used by employing dichloromethane as solvent, polyvinyl alcohol as a stabilizer and ethyl cellulose as polymer. The formulation variables such as altering the concentration of PVA and EC were used for optimization and characterized by FTIR, SEM and evaluated for particle size, in vitro drug release and entrapment efficiency and further subjected for in vitro anti-inflammatory activity. results showed that all the dispersions were in the micro-size range with good entrapment efficiency and release profile. The percent inhibition of protein denaturation by TEO loaded microsponges was found within the significant range at various concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronological aging is commonly accompanied by chronic low-grade inflammation (or "inflammaging"), a contributor to the development of age-related chronic diseases. Aging increases oxidative stress that accelerates telomere shortening, leading to cell senescence and the generation of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) that exacerbates inflammation. Dietary antioxidants may help protect telomeres and attenuate inflammation. Thyme essential oil (TEO), reported for its potency against neuroinflammation, was fed to chronologically aged C57BL/6J mice for 24 weeks. The TEO diet showed notable impacts on the hippocampus, indicated by lower expression of the aging-related gene p16INK4A (p = 0.0783) and significantly lower expression of cyclin D kinase Cdk4 and Cdk6 (p < 0.05) compared to the age-matched control mice. The TEO group also showed significantly lower gene expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine Il6 (p < 0.05) in the hippocampus and lower Il1b expression in the liver and cerebellum (p < 0.05). In vitro experiments conducted on NIH-3T3 cells expressing SASP revealed the dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity of TEO. Remarkably, TEO diet-fed mice showed higher survival rates and significantly longer blood telomere lengths than the control mice. Monoterpene antioxidants in TEO, particularly thymol and p-cymene, may primarily contribute to the anti-inflammatory and telomere-protecting activities of TEO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Essential oils are becoming increasingly popular in medicinal applications because of their antimicrobial effect. Thymus vulgaris L. (Lamiaceae) is a well-known and widely cultivated medicinal plant, which is used as a remedy for cold, cough and gastrointestinal symptoms. Essential oil content of thyme is responsible for its antimicrobial activity, however, it has been reported that the chemical composition of essential oils influences its biological activity. In order to explore flowering phenophases influence on the chemical composition of thyme essential oil and its antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity, plant materials were collected at the beginning of flowering, in full bloom and at the end of flowering periods in 2019. Methods: Essential oils from fresh and dried plant materials were distilled and analyzed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID). The antibacterial activity was performed by broth microdilution and thin layer chromatography-direct bioautography (TLC-DB) assays and the anti-biofilm effect by crystal violet assay, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy was applied to illustrate the cellular changes of bacterial cells after essential oil treatment. Results: Thymol (52.33–62.46%) was the main component in the thyme essential oils. Thyme oil distilled from fresh plant material and collected at the beginning of flowering period exerted the highest antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity against Haemophilus influenzae, H. parainfluenzae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Conclusion: The different flowering periods of Thymus vulgaris influence the antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity of its essential oils, therefore, the collection time has to be taken into consideration and not only the full bloom, but the beginning of flowering period may provide biological active thyme essential oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the tendency to use biodegradable packaging films and increase their antimicrobial ability in recent years, this study aims to investigate different concentrations of thyme essential oil to improve edible film with physicochemical, mechanical, antioxidant and Antimicrobial was done. The effect of different concentrations of thyme essential oil for the production of edible films on the physicochemical, mechanical, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties was investigated with a completely randomized design in three replications and Duncan's multi -range test using Minitab18 software at a probability level of 0.05 were investigated. The highest tensile strength and elongation at break point was 2.5% in the treatment. In the treatment of films, the lowest solubility was observed at a concentration of 3.75% and permeability at a concentration of 2.5% of essential oil. In all treatments, the turbidity was significant, and in the concentration of 3.75% essential oil, the turbidity was the highest, and in the same concentration, the highest thickness was 0.13 mm, which was not significant in all treatments (p<0.05). p). In all edible film treatments, the antioxidant property using DPPH radicals was significant (p<0.05). The results of evaluating the antimicrobial activity of the film use of diffusion disks method showed that the largest diameter of the inhibition halo in the concentration of 3.75% was related to Staphylococcus aureus with an average halo diameter of 15.33 mm. Average halo diameter was reported for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, 8.6 mm and 9.52 mm, respectively. The general results showed that the addition of thyme essential oil at a concentration of 2.5% produced films that, in addition to inhibiting the growth and proliferation of bacteria, have sufficient strength and are also capable of being used in perishable food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The composition of 18 essential oils was determined using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and their antilisterial activity was evaluated by the disk diffusion method, followed by the determination of the minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal concentrations. The most active essential oils were oregano, thyme, cinnamon, winter savory, and clove, with MIC values ranging from 0.09 to 1.78 µL/mL. We investigated the biofilm-forming potential of Listeria monocytogenes on polystyrene at 5 °C, 15 °C, and 37 °C in three different media. The formation of biofilm was found to be dependent on the temperature and the availability of nutrients. After treatment with selected essential oils, the reduction in biofilm biomass was in the range of 32.61% and 78.62%. Micromorphological changes in the L. monocytogenes treated by oregano and thyme essential oils were observed in the form of impaired cell integrity and cell lyses by using scanning electron microscope. Oregano and thyme essential oils (MIC and 2MIC) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the population of L. monocytogenes in minced pork meat during storage at 4 °C. In conclusion, the obtained results indicated the good activity of some selected essential oils on L. monocytogenes, with bacteriostatic, bactericidal, and antibiofilm effects at very low concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]