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BACKGROUND: Spearmint and peppermint teas are widely consumed around the world for their flavor and therapeutic properties. Dynamic headspace sampling (HS) coupled to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC–MS) with principal component analysis (PCA) of 'fingerprint' volatile profiles were used to investigate 27 spearmint and peppermint teas. Additionally, comparisons between mint teas were undertaken with an electronic nose (enose). RESULTS: Twenty compounds, all previously known in the literature, were identified using HS–GC–MS. PCA found distinct differences between the fingerprint volatile profiles of spearmint, peppermint and spearmint/peppermint combination teas. HS–GC–MS analysis performed with an achiral column allowed faster processing time and yielded tighter clustering of PCA tea groups than the analysis which used a chiral column. Two spearmint outliers were detected. One showed a high degree of variation in volatile composition and a second wholly overlapped with the peppermint PCA grouping. Enose analysis separated all treatments with no overlaps. CONCLUSION: Characterizing the volatile fingerprints of mint teas is critical to quality control for this valuable agricultural product. The results of this study show that fingerprint volatile profiles and enose analysis of mint teas are distinctive and could be used to rapidly identify unknown samples. With specific volatile profiles identified for each tea, samples could be tested in the laboratory, or potentially on a farm or along the supply chain, to confirm the provenance and authenticity of mint food or beverage commodities. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the dyestuff and antimicrobial properties were examined using extracts obtained from mint (Mentha spicata L.) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) plants. Cotton and woolen fabric samples were used in the dyeing process using pre-, meta-, post- mordant, and non-mordant dyeing methods. CuSO4, FeSO4, and AlK(SO4)2 mordants were used as stabilizers and color changers. The color analysis of the dyed textile samples was evaluated in terms of rubbing, washing, and light fastness values. The color codes were determined with the Pantone Color Guide, and the L*, a*, b*, C*, ho, and K/S values were detected with a color measurement spectrophotometer. The highest K/S value was measured as 23.050 for FeSO4 with meta-mordanting method for dyed wool yarn using thyme extract. The antimicrobial properties of the dyed fabrics were determined by the disk diffusion method. Among the mordants used, dyeing with CuSO4 showed better antimicrobial properties than other mordants. As the textile dyed products possess antimicrobial properties, we believe their use in health centers will make a positive contribution to hygiene. As a result, it was determined that extracts obtained from mint (Mentha spicata L.) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) plants were effective natural dye sources for textile products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, artificial neural network coupled with multi-objective genetic algorithm (ANN-NSGA-II) has been used to develop a model and optimize the conditions for the extracting of the Mentha longifolia (L.) L. plant. Input parameters were extraction temperature (40–70 °C), extraction time (4–10 h), and extract concentration (0.25–2 mg/mL) while total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) values of extracts were output parameters. The mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of selected ANN model was determined as 1.434% and 0.464% for TAS and TOS, respectively. The results showed that the optimum extraction conditions were as follows: extraction temperature of 54.260 °C, extraction time of 7.854 h, and extract concentration of 0.810 mg/mL. The biological activities and phenolic contents of the extract obtained under determined optimum extract conditions were determined. TAS and TOS values of extract were determined as 6.094 ± 0.033 mmol/L and 14.050 ± 0.063 µmol/L, respectively. Oxidative stress index (OSI) as 0.231 ± 0.002, total phenolic content (TPC) as 123.05 ± 1.70 mg/g and total flavonoid content (TFC) as 181.84 ± 1.97 mg/g. Anti- acetylcholinesterase value and anti-butyrylcholinesterase value of the extract was determined as 42.97 ± 0.87 and 60.52 ± 0.80 µg/mL, respectively. In addition, 11 phenolic compounds, namely acetohydroxamic acid, gallic acid, catechin hydrate, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, syringic acid, 2-hydoxycinamic acid, quercetin, luteolin and kaempferol, were determined. It was observed that the extract of M. longifolia produced under optimum conditions exhibited strong biological activities. These results indicate that ANN coupled NSGA-II was an effective method for the optimization extraction conditions of M. longifolia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foods rich in lipids, particularly meat and subcutaneous fat, are important macronutrient sources that can influence food quality and health. Lipids can unexpectedly oxidize due to several variables, including processing, storage conditions, and microbial deterioration. Antioxidants are one of the many methods employed to reduce lipid oxidation. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effect of nine aromatic plants (oregano (Origanum vulgare), thymus (Thymus vulgaris), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), coriander seed (Coriandrum sativum), fennel seed (Foeniculum vulgare), rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), basil (Ocimum basilicum), and mint (Mentha spicata)) on pork, beef, and sheep fats during a maturation and storage process lasting 210 days. The animals' fats lipolytic quality was monitored by analyzing the acidity index and degree, peroxidation and TBA index, and total fatty acid composition. The findings revealed that nutmeg, thymus, and rosemary protected against studied fats hydrolysis by showing minimum values of 27.7 mg, 32.5 mg, and 28.6 mg of KOH/g of fat, respectively. Despite hydrolysis, three plants, nutmeg, oregano, and coriander seed, had a substantial preventive effect against fat oxidation. Supplementation fats with these three aromatic plants had the lowest peroxidation and TBA indexes with values of 0.368 mg, 0.422 mg, and 0.806 mg of MDA/kg of fat, respectively. This was also represented in the percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Adding aromatic plants had a significant effect on animals' fat quality. They reduced fat hydrolysis, protected fat against oxidation, and improved fat's total fatty acid composition, nutritional and health quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meloidogyne incognita (root-knot nematode) is one of the most destructive pests of crops worldwide. Injudicious use of synthetic nematicides has led to environmental toxicity, development of resistance, and disruption of ecological balance, necessitating the need for safer and effective alternatives. Essential oil from Mentha spicata (Spearmint) has been reported to have nematicidal activity but the activity of its polar constituents is unexplored against the nematodes, infesting agricultural crops. Six compounds, stigmasterol (1), β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucoside (2), 3β,13β-dihydroxy-urs-11-en-28-oic acid (3), 5,6-dihydroxy-7,8,4′-trimethoxyflavone (4), 5,6,4′-trihydroxy-7,8,3′-trimethoxyflavone (5), and 5,6,4′-trihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyflavone (6), were isolated from methanolic extract of Mentha spicata (spearmint) and identified by NMR (1D & 2D) spectral analysis. Compound 3 was identified for the first time from genus Mentha. In vitro nematicidal activity of pure compounds (2 and 4–6) was carried out against Meloidogyne incognita, and results showed significant mortality (LC50 values ranging between 62.64 and 74.19 ppm after 96 h). Molecular docking study revealed the favourable binding of the test compounds with acetylcholinesterase enzyme, facilitated by H-bond, electrostatic interactions, and hydrophobic interactions. The binding energy of the tested compounds with the target protein was found highest in 5 (− 10.0 kcal/mol) and 6(− 9.9 kcal/mol) followed by 2 (− 9.2 kcal/mol) and 4 (− 8.9 kcal/mol). The minimum binding energy was recorded in carbofuran (−7.5 kcal/mol), a positive control, and was also corroborated with in vitro nematicidal activity. This study showed the potent nematicidal activity of compounds (2 and 4–6), which can be further used for the development of nematicides against M. incognita in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are recognized as a major public health concern worldwide. These disorders involve persistent digestive symptoms indicative of digestive tract dysfunction. Materials and Methods: A survey examining the utilisation of probiotics and medicinal plants as supplementary treatments was conducted on 160 patients with GI disorders at healthcare institutions in Saïda from March to April 2023 using questionnaires that had been previously adapted and tested for reliability with Cronbach's alpha test. Raw data collected through the questionnaires were transferred to a database and analysed using SPSS software. Results: Overall, 49.38% of participants possessed knowledge of or actively utilised probiotics; such awareness was strongly associated with the participants' educational attainment (p = 0.029). The noteworthy probiotic supplements were Biocharbon (36.09%), Lactocil (15.38%), Smebiocta (13.61%), Ultrabiotic Adult (12.43%), Effidigest (12.43%), and Ultralevure (7.69%). During crisis, individuals tended to consume natural goods rich in probiotics, including yoghurt (13.26%) and fermented milk (8.60%), as well as foods rich in prebiotic fibre, including vegetables (18.99%), fruits (13.26%), wheat (9.67%), bran (7.52%), rye (6.81%), and oat flakes (6.45%). Additionally, 77.56% of patients used medicinal plants during crises, with Mentha spicata (12.2%), Thymus vulgaris (11.3%), Pimpinella anisum (8.5%), Cuminum cyminum (8.0%), Punica granatum (7.8%), Trachyspermum ammi (7.5%), and Senna acutifolia (7.0%) being the more commonly favoured options in phytotherapy. The main focus of these herbs was to alleviate bloating (57%), constipation (30.12%), and diarrhoea (12.87%) (p < 0.001). The most frequently utilised plant parts were leaves (47.30%), seeds (25.21%), and bark (13.21%). Most patients (82.91%) favoured infusion as their preferred consumption method, and approximately 85.43% believed in phytotherapy's ability to extend symptomatic relief. Conclusion: The understanding of probiotics is still in its infancy, whereas phytotherapy is more widely accepted by patients. Nonetheless, patients are open to the exploration of natural alternatives to conventional medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volatiles produced by the leaves of medicinal plants are increasingly used as a new plant disease management strategy due to their induction of diverse antimicrobial activities, it is highly essential for the development of a new phyto-fumigant product to sustain crop production. The present study attempted to find the active role of Mentha spicata-associated volatile formulation in the suppression of the growth of Pythium aphanidematum under pot culture and field conditions. Damping off disease-causing P. aphanidermatum is a devastating disease that infects the tomato crop from seed sprouting to the seedling stage. To mitigate the damping off incidence, the nature of volatile molecules produced by M. spicata was completely suppressed during di-trophic interaction with P. aphanidermatum. Molecular docking of volatile compound reported carvone as a ligand recorded with the highest binding energy of − 8.5 kcal/mol against the target protein structure of P. aphanidermatum. Application of M. spicata immobilized vermiculite ball in tomato revealed that pathogenesis-related protein (SlPR1) (2.69 folds) and jasmonic acid signaling (SlLOX) (2.65 folds) genes were highly expressed after 48 HPT on tri-trophic interaction of pathogen inoculated tomato plants while the gene SlWRKY and SlTLP exhibited a lower level of gene expression. A significant reduction in the severity of damping off incidence was observed due to the exposure of volatiles of M. spicata in the tomato plant's raised beds with relatively abundant control of P. aphanidematum. This is the first study that attempted to develop the volatile-based formulation and its role in antifungal activities during di-trophic interaction with P. aphanidematum in tomato crops. The present study concludes that the volatiles produced from M. spicata leaves immobilized vermiculite ball could be explored for the management of soil-borne pathogens infecting vegetable crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study evaluated the larvicidal and reproductive effects of essential oils from Ocimum basilicum, Perilla frutescens, and Mentha spicata on engorged female Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks. Adult immersion and larval packet assays were used to evaluate their larvicidal efficacy and impact on tick reproductive abilities. For tick larvae, Perilla frutescens essential oil had the highest 50% lethal dose of 1.89 mg/mL, followed by Ocimum basilicum at 1.58 mg/mL, and Mentha spicata at 1.07 mg/mL. Regarding adult ticks, although Mentha spicata essential oil had the lowest reduced oviposition value, it showed the highest product efficacy. Overall, all tested essential oils effectively killed tick larvae and influenced the reproductive capacity of engorged female ticks, with Mentha spicata essential oil being the most potent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the impact of organic and chemical fertilizers on the total production and morphophysiological characteristics of Mentha spicata L., a medicinal plant, during two growing seasons in 2021. The study was conducted in a randomized complete block design at Zanjan University's research farm, employing treatments of vermicompost (at rates of 5, 10, and 15 tons per hectare), urea (at rates of 50, 100, and 150 kilograms per hectare), and a control treatment. Significant differences were observed in all measured indices between the fertilizer treatments and harvest times. Particularly, the application of vermicompost at a concentration of 10 tons per hectare significantly enhanced fresh and dry weights, stem height and diameter, number of branches, percentage and yield of essential oils, chlorophyll a, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, total phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity compared to other treatments. The urea treatment also significantly increased chlorophyll b, leaf width, and length compared to other treatments. Enzyme measurements conducted during one season revealed the highest levels of the APX enzyme in the vermicompost treatment (15 tons per hectare), the CAT enzyme in the vermicompost treatments (10 and 15 tons per hectare), and the SOD enzyme in the vermicompost treatment (10 tons per hectare) during the second harvest. Conversely, the control treatment exhibited the lowest levels across all measured traits. Overall, the results highlight the beneficial effects of using organic and environmentally friendly fertilizers in improving essential oils content, physiological traits, and the overall yield of M. spicata L., suggesting their potential for enhancing sustainable agriculture practices and medicinal plant productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and human‐induced pollution threaten freshwater systems. In the present study, it was aimed to evaluate the macrophytes‐stressor relations and ecological quality status based on the Macrophyte Biological Index for Rivers (Indice Biologique Macrophytique en Rivière [IBMR]) index of 25 streams sampled in the spring (rainy) and autumn (dry) seasons of 2021 in Kahramanmaraş province. A total of 53 macrophyte taxa were identified, and Lycopus europaeus, Mentha longifolia, Mentha aquatica, Juncus sp., Cladophora glomerata and Carex sp. were common taxa. Canonical correspondence analysis results indicated significant effects of total phosphorus, nitrite, dissolvent oxygen, electrical conductivity, bromate and boron on the distribution of macrophytes among streams, which was supported by results of the weighted average regression analysis. The IBMR indicated that the ecological quality status varied from bad to good in the studied streams. Deterioration in the water quality of a few ecosystems in the dry season compared to the rainy season was elucidated by the IBMR, which also distinguished the ecological conditions of streams. Results highlight that macrophyte species are one of the most important bioindicators to evaluate the ecological status of streams in Kahramanmaraş province due to their sensitivity to changes in environmental conditions. All suggest that IBMR can be used to evaluate the ecological health of streams in the Mediterranean region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, the high efficacy of Mentha spicata L. extract, commonly known as spearmint, as a corrosion inhibitor with an efficacy rate of 86.98% is highlighted. Analytical techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to obtain a detailed morphological view, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to identify the functional groups of flavonoids, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Tafel plots for a corrosion assessment, were employed. This study pioneers a greener alternative to traditional corrosion inhibition methods. The distinctive aspect of this research is the innovative spray coating application method used to deliver the spearmint extract onto structural steel. This method involves the strategic use of an airbrush for spray coating, ensuring the uniform and efficient deposition of the organic inhibitor, thus forming a protective barrier against corrosion. This spray coating technique is emerging as an innovative approach for the industrial application of natural corrosion inhibitors, demonstrating significant advances in the corrosion resistance of coated steel. The results not only corroborate the efficacy of natural inhibitors, but also highlight the critical role that sophisticated application techniques play in improving their industrial viability. This methodological innovation presents a pathway to sustainable practices in corrosion management, prioritizing environmental protection and ecological footprint reduction in the quest for corrosion mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three choline chloride (ChCl)-based deep eutectic solvents (DESs) as a new type of green solvents were used for the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of bioactive compounds from Mentha spicata L. DES containing ChCl and malonic acid (MalA) was selected as the most promising, providing a more effective extraction of antioxidants from spearmint. Response surface methodology (RSM) and a Box-Behnken design (BBD) with three variables, ChCl:MalA molar ratio, water content (WC) in DES, and extraction time (t), were implemented for optimizing the extraction conditions. The optimal conditions were calculated to maximize the antioxidant capacity (AC) determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) assays, total phenolic acids (TPAc), total flavonoid aglycones (TFAgly), and total flavonoid glycosides (TFGly). The phenolic profiles in the obtained extracts were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), revealing that rosmarinic acid, ellagic acid, rutin, kaempferol, and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside were predominant in the DES extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, hyperspectral technology was used to solve the problem of identifying the geographical origin of spearmint. First, 375 spearmint leaf samples from 5 geographical origins were selected for hyperspectral data collection, and the hyperspectral data were preprocessed by multiplicative scatter correction (MSC) and analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA); the principal component variables were used to construct Wilks Λ statistics, which were then ranked in an increasing order. Then, the weight coefficient curves of the principal components corresponding to the first three smallest Wilks Λ values were drawn at each wavelength; a total of 37 feature wavelengths were obtained, namely the peak and valley wavelengths in the coefficient curves. Next, Fisher discriminant analysis (FDA) was used to construct the input variables for a model for graphical origin identification of spearmint. At last, a support vector machine (SVM) model and a back propagation neural network (BPNN) model for identifying the geographical origin of spearmint were constructed. The results indicated that the SVM model outperformed the BPNN model, with discrimination accuracy of 99.67% and 98.67% in the training and test sets, respectively. Therefore, the SVM model, constructed using PCA combined with Wilks Λ statistics, can effectively identify the geographical origin of spearmint. In this model, the extracted feature wavelengths are not affected by the number of physicochemical indexes, making the model robustness.

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

Abstract Different species of aphids, responsible for severe yield losses of cereal crops including wheat, (Triticum aestivum L.) are managed by insecticides, which are harmful to organisms and the environment under field conditions. Therefore, an environment friendly aphidicidal product of plant origin is required. Mentha spicata oil was found to be rich in carvone (81.88%), but the use of its oil and carvone in crop protection is lacking due to their volatility, poor solubility, and stability. A nanoformulaton not only solves these problems but also improve the efficacy and dose of the bioactive compounds. Thus, nano-emulsions of the oil and carvone prepared were characterized, and evaluated against Rhopalosiphum maidis (corn aphid) and Sitobion avenae (wheat aphid) The average droplet size of nano-emulsions of the oil and carvone was found to be 22.1 and 41.21 nm. Nano-emulsion of carvone exhibited higher aphid mortality (LC50 = 0.87–1.94 mg/mL) at 24 h and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity (IC50 = 0.07–3.83 mg/mL) compared to the nano-emulsion of the oil (LC50 = 2.87–2.81 mg/mL; IC50 = 1.66–5.34 mg/mL). The repellence index (RI) in nano-emulsion of essential oil was found to be higher (84.73 and 81.72%) at the highest concentration (0.05 µL/cm2) than that of carvone (77.59 and 80.98%) for R. maidis and S. avenae. Further, in silico studies also revealed the favourable binding energy (− 6.6 to − 8.5 kcal/mol) of the main compounds in the oil with acetylcholinesterase, facilitated by hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding. This study suggests that the nano-emulsions of the essential oil and carvone can be explored under field conditions to establish efficacy for their utilization as aphidicidal and repellent products against aphids. In the present study, aphidicial and repellent activities of its essential oil and carvone were reported for the first time against R.maidis and S.avenae.

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Mentha longifolia (L.) L., also known as wild mint, is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. This study aimed to investigate the effects of essential oil of M. longifolia (MLEO) on oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in the liver and kidneys in the context of drug-induced liver injury caused by the anti-TB drugs rifampicin, isoniazid, and pyrazinamide (INH-RIF-PZA). The chemical composition of MLEO was characterized using GC/MS analysis, which revealed the presence of pulegone, trans-p-menthan-3-one, piperitenone, and β-caryophyllene as its major volatile constituents. An INH/RIF/PZA mixture was administered to Wistar rats for 30 days, and silymarin was administered as a standard drug. MLEO was administered p.o. at doses of 50 mg and 100 mg/kg b.w. Both doses of the MLEO therapy effectively regulated all biochemical indicators of hepatic impairment and reduced the damage caused by the INH/RIF/PZA mixture. It may be deduced that MLEO has the ability to protect organs against INH/RIF/PZA-induced damage and could potentially be a valuable natural remedy for treating anti-TB-induced liver and kidney injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peppermint varieties are representative regarding therapeutical properties. The aim of this paper was to study the in vitro germination and micropropagation potential of two mint cultivars, namely Mentha piperita and M. longifolia. In vitro germination of Mentha longifolia seeds has been stimulated with gibberellic acid. Using an experimental system with two stages of three months, we obtained 50 microshoots per culture from every variety. Two variants of the basal Murashige - Skoog medium supplemented with benzyl adenine (BAP), 1 - naphthylacetic acid and yeast extract have been optimal for in vitro microshoot multiplication of the both cultivars. The proportions of the growth factors differed, i.e. 5:1:100 mg/L for Mentha piperita and 3:0.5:100 mg/L for M. longifolia. The capacity of both mint cultivars to maintain their viability for a long period between transfer on a fresh culture medium was evident. We developed an in vitro conservation strategy and obtained an increased number of regenerants that can ensure a considerable amount of biomass to cover the required vegetal material useful in cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractIn this study, we investigated the influence of temperature and air velocity on the drying behavior of Mentha spicata L. leaves using a forced convection dryer. This drying method was chosen for its cost-effectiveness and its ability to facilitate fast and efficient drying while preserving the quality of aromatic herbs. Our aim was to identify the most suitable mathematical model for accurately representing the drying process. We analyzed experimental data on moisture content obtained during thin-layer drying of Mentha spicata L. using various established empirical models from existing literature. Thirteen empirical models were applied to fit the drying curves obtained. Statistical analysis, employing key parameters such as the coefficient of determination (R2), reduced chi-square (χ2), and root mean square error (RMSE), indicated that the Midilli and Kucuk model provided the most accurate fit for the observed drying curves. This was evidenced by the highest R2 values (0.9994, 1.0000), lowest χ2 values (6.07 × 10−6, 6.28 × 10−5), and lowest RMSE values (2.17 × 10−3, 6.86 × 10−3). We observed an increasing trend in moisture diffusivity with temperature variations between 32 °C and 60 °C, while maintaining a constant airflow velocity of 1.2 m/s. Additionally, an increase in mean air velocity from 0.7 to 1.7 m/s correlated with higher moisture diffusivity. The effectiveness of the Arrhenius equation in representing the temperature dependence of diffusivity was confirmed, with an activation energy of 72 kJ/mol, consistent with previous literature findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different species of aphids, responsible for severe yield losses of cereal crops including wheat, (Triticum aestivum L.) are managed by insecticides, which are harmful to organisms and the environment under field conditions. Therefore, an environment friendly aphidicidal product of plant origin is required. Mentha spicata oil was found to be rich in carvone (81.88%), but the use of its oil and carvone in crop protection is lacking due to their volatility, poor solubility, and stability. A nanoformulaton not only solves these problems but also improve the efficacy and dose of the bioactive compounds. Thus, nano-emulsions of the oil and carvone prepared were characterized, and evaluated against Rhopalosiphum maidis (corn aphid) and Sitobion avenae (wheat aphid) The average droplet size of nano-emulsions of the oil and carvone was found to be 22.1 and 41.21 nm. Nano-emulsion of carvone exhibited higher aphid mortality (LC50 = 0.87–1.94 mg/mL) at 24 h and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity (IC50 = 0.07–3.83 mg/mL) compared to the nano-emulsion of the oil (LC50 = 2.87–2.81 mg/mL; IC50 = 1.66–5.34 mg/mL). The repellence index (RI) in nano-emulsion of essential oil was found to be higher (84.73 and 81.72%) at the highest concentration (0.05 µL/cm2) than that of carvone (77.59 and 80.98%) for R. maidis and S. avenae. Further, in silico studies also revealed the favourable binding energy (− 6.6 to − 8.5 kcal/mol) of the main compounds in the oil with acetylcholinesterase, facilitated by hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding. This study suggests that the nano-emulsions of the essential oil and carvone can be explored under field conditions to establish efficacy for their utilization as aphidicidal and repellent products against aphids. In the present study, aphidicial and repellent activities of its essential oil and carvone were reported for the first time against R.maidis and S.avenae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinity represents a considerable environmental risk, exerting deleterious effects on horticultural crops. Nanotechnology has recently emerged as a promising avenue for enhancing plant tolerance to abiotic stress. Among nanoparticles, cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) have been demonstrated to mitigate certain stress effects, including salinity. In the present study, the impact of CeO2 NPs (0, 25, and 100 mg L−1) on various morphological traits, photosynthetic pigments, biochemical parameters, and the essential oil profile of spearmint plants under moderate (50 mM NaCl) and severe (100 mM NaCl) salinity stress conditions was examined. As expected, salinity reduced morphological parameters, including plant height, number of leaves, fresh and dry weight of leaves and shoots, as well as photosynthetic pigments, in comparison to control. Conversely, it led to an increase in the content of proline, total phenols, malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and antioxidant enzyme activities. In terms of CeO2 NP applications, they improved the salinity tolerance of spearmint plants by increasing chlorophyll and carotenoid content, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities, and lowering MDA and H2O2 levels. However, CeO2 NPs at 100 mg L−1 had adverse effects on certain physiological parameters, highlighting the need for careful consideration of the applied concentration of CeO2 NPs. Considering the response of essential oil compounds, combination of salinity stress and CeO2 treatments led to an increase in the concentrations of L-menthone, pulegone, and 1,8-cineole, which are the predominant compounds in spearmint essential oil. In summary, foliar application of CeO2 NPs strengthened the resilience of spearmint plants against salinity stress, offering new insights into the potential use of CeO2 NP treatments to enhance crop stress tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal infections caused by dermatophytes such as Microsporum and Trichophyton pose significant public health challenges due to their prevalence and resistance to conventional treatments. This study investigates the antifungal efficacy of secondary metabolites extracted from Ocimum sanctum (Holy Basil) and Mentha spicata (Spearmint) against these dermatophytes. The extracts were obtained using methanolic and aqueous solvents and screened for their phytochemical constituents, revealing the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds, which are known for their antimicrobial properties. The antifungal activity was evaluated through agar well diffusion and broth microdilution methods to determine the zone of inhibition and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), respectively. Results showed that the methanolic extracts of Ocimum sanctum exhibited a larger zone of inhibition (22.4 ± 1.3 mm for Microsporum and 20.7 ± 1.5 mm for Trichophyton) compared to the aqueous extracts. Similarly, Mentha spicata methanolic extracts showed significant antifungal activity with inhibition zones of 19.8 ± 1.2 mm for Microsporum and 18.5 ± 1.4 mm for Trichophyton. The MIC values for methanolic extracts ranged between 62.5–125 µg/mL, indicating strong antifungal potential. These findings highlight the potential of Ocimum sanctum and Mentha spicata as natural antifungal agents. Further research is recommended to isolate specific active compounds and assess their mechanisms of action. This study underscores the relevance of plant-based secondary metabolites in the development of alternative antifungal therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) represent major obstacle to modern sheep farming, where the exclusive use of commercial anthelmintics is no longer a sustainable option due to the development of resistance in nematodes and the problem of drug residues in animal products and the environment. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro phytotherapeutic properties of seven essential oils (EOs) against GINs in sheep. Their chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The anthelmintic potential was evaluated using the egg hatch test performed at eight concentrations for each oil (50, 12.5, 3.125, 0.781, 0.195, 0.049, 0.025 and 0.0125 mg/mL). Additionally, a coproculture examination was performed to identify the GIN genera present in the tested fecal samples. The tested EOs showed a dose-dependent (R2 close to 1) ovicidal activity with basil - Ocimum basilicum L. (23.3-93.3%, IC50=0.08 mg/mL), spearmint - Mentha spicata L. (13.0-92.7%, IC50=0.07 mg/mL) and hyssop - Hyssopus officinalis L. (42.7-91.3%, IC50=0.19 mg/mL) being the most effective. The high activity of these oils could be attributed to the high content of the monoterpene alcohol linalool (O. basilicum) and the terpenoid ketones carvone (M. spicata) and pinocamphone (H. officinalis). Four genera of sheep GINs were identified on coproculture examination, i.e. Haemonchus 43%, Trichostrongylus 35%, Teladorsagia 17% and Chabertia 5%. The obtained results suggest that EOs of basil, spearmint and hyssop could represent a valuable alternative in the control of GINs in sheep, which could help to reduce the use of chemical drugs. Future field trials should be performed to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Traditional knowledge of medicinal plants is crucial for preserving biological variety and cultural practices. The ethnomedical knowledge of a society is influenced by various variables, including religious traditions. Among these religious customs is fasting during Ramadan. In Saudi Arabia, there is a lack of published data regarding the traditional customs and ethnomedicinal plants used during the holy month of Ramadan in Makkah. Here and for the first time, ethnomedicinal plants and their traditional practices for therapies during holy month of Ramadan in Makkah, Saudi Arabia are explored. Objective: The current research aims to explore and document data regarding traditional medical knowledge regarding the usage of therapeutic plants during the fasting month of Ramadan in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: An ethnobotanical survey was carried out in March and April of 2024, during the holy month of Ramadan. To record traditional knowledge, individual free-listing and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 75 local people, ages ranging between 20 and 75 years old. Data collected were entered as ‘use reports’ in Excel. The information from the database was summarized using descriptive statistics. Results: During the first and current Ramadan ethnobotanical survey in Makkah, 41 species of medicinal plants belonging to 23 families were identified. The most commonly used plant family in phyto-folk medicine in Ramadan was Apiaceae. The most popular species consumed during holy month of Ramadan were (Mentha spicata L. and Pimpinella anisum L.). New citation of medicinal plants is represented by Corchorus olitorius L. Leaves (39%) and (22%) seeds represent the main plant parts valorized. Conclusion: In Saudi Arabia, the month of Ramadan is distinguished by a wealth of medicinal plants legacy and concordant knowledge among informants, which is mostly derived from traditional intangible cultural heritage and popular practices. Thus, to preserve the ethnobotanical intangible heritage of Saudi Arabia, documentation efforts are urgent to avoid the extinction of this ethnobotanical heritage. Future research on potential synergies between the medical properties of medicinal plants and the health advantages of fasting is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic resistance is a significant global health problem primarily caused by the inappropriate use of antibiotics. Therefore, the inadequacy of antibiotics in treating infections has led to exploring effective alternative treatment options, such as natural sources like essential oils. Mentha longifolia subsp. typhoides (Lamiaceae) is an economically important medicinal and aromatic plant used in traditional medicine as a spice and herbal tea. This study aimed to characterize the essential oil composition of this species (MLT-EO) and its biological activities. The chemical composition of the MLT-EO was analyzed using gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Piperitenone (25.7%), carvone (22.7%), piperitone (22.8%), pulegone (6.8%), and isomenthone (6.6%) were characterized as the main components. The MLT-EO exhibits antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria. The MLT-EO exhibited the best MIC value against the test fungi, with <0.625 mg/mL values against Candida parapsilosis strains. The percentage of biofilm inhibition value of the MLT-EO (10 mg/mL) was 59.53%, and the percentage of violacein inhibition values calculated for sub-MICs concentrations of the MLT-EO (1 mg/mL and 0.5 mg/mL) were 63.68% and 38.08%, respectively. The results show that the high level of piperitenone, carvone, and piperitone detected in the MLT-EO may be responsible for these effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to rapidly and accurately identify the origin of spearmint. A feature wavelength extraction was proposed to combine the sequential fusion of Kernel Principal Component Analysis (KPCA) with Kernel Locality Preserving Projections (KLPP) and Wilks' Λ statistics. Effective discrimination was realized among the five origins of spearmint. Firstly, the three-dimensional fluorescence data was collected from the 300 spearmint samples in five locations. The interferences of Rayleigh and Raman scattering were removed from the original spectra by triangular interpolation. Savitzky-Golay (SG) was used to smooth and then eliminate the noise. Secondly, the preprocessed three-dimensional fluorescence spectrum matrix was merged into the data matrix, according to the emission wavelength. KPCA, KPCA + KLPP, KPCA + Wilks Λ statistics, and KPCA + KLPP + Wilks Λ statistics were used to extract the feature wavelengths of the three-dimensional fluorescence spectrum matrix after preprocessing. Among them, KPCA and KPCA + Wilks Λ statistics were used to extract 40 wavelengths of feature emission and eight wavelengths of feature excitation, respectively. KPCA+KLPP and KPCA + KLPP + Wilks Λ statistics were to extract 50 wavelengths of feature emission and 10 wavelengths of feature excitation, respectively. Thirdly, the spectral values of feature emission wavelength were converted into row vectors, according to the wavelength order of feature excitation. Four 300-row spectral matrices of feature wavelength were then obtained from the 300 samples. Furthermore, Fisher discriminant analysis (FDA) was applied to the spectral matrix of feature wavelengths for data separable fusion for the separable fisher discriminant (FD) variables. The first four FD variables were selected with a cumulative discriminant ability of 99% as the input vectors of the discriminant model for the spearmint origins. Finally, the support vector machine (SVM) was used to analyze the four FD variables. The FDA + SVM identification model showed that there was a four-feature wavelength extraction. The correct rates for the training set were 92.00%, 97.78%, 95.11%, and 100%, respectively, and the correct rates for the test set were 92.00%, 96.00%, 94.67%, and 100%, respectively. The results show that both KLPP and Wilks Λ statistics improved the performance of KPCA. The sequential fusion significantly improved the overall feature extraction, in order to better remove the redundant information of spectral data for the high correct of identification. Therefore, the sequential fusion of KPCA + KLPP + Wilks Λ statistics + FDA + SVM can be expected to effectively identify the origin of spearmint. The extraction of feature wavelength with sequential fusion of KPCA + KLPP + Wilks Λ statistics can effectively reduce the redundancy of three-dimensional fluorescence spectral data for the informative features of the original fluorescence data. Better identification was achieved in the five kinds of spearmint origins. In addition, these research findings can lay a foundation for the subsequent quantitative analysis of the important components in spearmint by three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal 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.)

Drying is one of the most common and effective techniques for preserving the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of medicinal plants in the post-harvest phase. Therefore, in this research, the effect of the new refractance window (RW) technology on the kinetics, thermodynamics, greenhouse gasses, color indices, bioactive properties, and percentage of mint leaf essential oil was investigated in five different water temperatures in the form of a completely randomized design. This process was modeled by the methods of mathematical models and artificial neural networks (ANNs) with inputs (drying time and water temperature) and an output (moisture ratio). The results showed that with the increase in temperature, the rate of moisture removal from the samples increased and as a result, the drying time, specific energy consumption, CO2, NOx, enthalpy, and entropy decreased significantly (p < 0.05). In addition, the drying water temperature had a significant effect on the rehydration ratio, color indices, bioactive properties, and essential oil percentage of the samples (p < 0.05). The highest value of rehydration ratio was obtained at 80 °C. By increasing temperature, the main color indices such as b*, a*, L*, and Chroma decreased significantly compared to the control (p < 0.05). However, with the increase in temperature, the overall color changes (ΔE) and L* first had a decreasing trend and then an increasing trend, and this trend was the opposite for the rest of the indicators. The application of drying water temperature from 50 to 70 °C increased antioxidant, phenol content, and flavonoid content, and higher drying temperatures led to a significant decrease in these parameters (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the efficiency of the essential oil of the samples was in the range of 0.82 to 2.01%, and the highest value was obtained at the water temperature of 80 °C. Based on the analysis performed on the modeled data, a perceptron artificial neural network with 2-15-14-1 structure with explanation coefficient (0.9999) and mean square error (8.77 × 10−7) performs better than the mathematical methods for predicting the moisture ratio of mint leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An early instar larva of Spodoptera ornithogalli (Guenée) was collected from spearmint, Mentha spicata (Lamiales: Lamiaceae), and reared to adult in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. A female S. ornithogalli was collected from the same locality and laid eggs. Her offspring were reared successfully on this host. This is the first record of S. ornithogalli using Lamiaceae as a hostplant outside of the laboratory, so the agricultural and regulatory implications of this record are examined. Identification of the immature stages of S. ornithogalli is difficult with the existing literature. We illustrate key larval, pupal, and adult characters of the original specimen found on M. spicata and discuss morphological characters to distinguish S. ornithogalli from related species throughout its range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study evaluated modified solvent evaporation-assisted methanolic Mentha extracts for their antifungal efficacy against Phytophthora infestans. Mentha extracts showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher total tannin content (2193.5 ± 7.5 mg) in the root extract of Mentha citrate , followed by total flavonoid content (1777± 8 mg) in the leaf extract of Mentha piperta and total phenolic content (1710±4 mg) in the leaf extract of Mentha piperta. A significant amount of variability was found for bioactive compounds in Mentha varieties by using qualitative descriptors. Statistically, Mentha extracts and artificial antioxidants showed a significant (p < 0.05) difference in terms of percentage inhibition during DPPH, nitric acid scavenging, reducing power, phosphomolybdenum, chelating power, and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays, from which it was observed that the leaves, stem, and root of wild Mentha showed better antioxidant values. During the antifungal assay, the leaf extract of wild Mentha showed a significantly (p < 0.05) higher inhibition percentage, i.e., 33.2%, followed by the leaf extract of Mentha piperita , i.e., 31.9%. In contrast, the minimum percentage was found in Mentha arvensis (Kosi). Mentha varieties and ascorbic acid are also effective against P. infestans. The HPLC chromatogram of wild Mentha revealed a significantly (p < 0.05) higher eriocitrin level in the leaves, i.e., 7.92 mg, as compared to the stem i.e., 7.63 mg. This study identified Mentha as an alternative treatment against P. infestans as compared to traditional chemical pesticides and also reduced the impact of chemical pesticides on the environment. [Display omitted] • Eight Mentha varieties, i.e., Mentha arvensis (Unti), Mentha arvensis (Kranti), Mentha arvensis (Kosi), Mentha citrata (Kiran), Mentha piperita (Kukurel), Mentha spicata (Supriya), Mentha spicata L. Var. Viridis (MSS-5), and Wild Mentha were subjected to in vitro antifungal activity against P. infestans. • Phytochemical tests were performed for qualitative and quantitative analysis. • The inhibitory of 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide scavenging, reducing power, phosphomolybdenum assay, chelating power and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays were investigated, indicating antioxidant properties. • The extracts showed good antifungal activity against P. infestans, while leaf extract of wild Mentha gave the maximum inhibition percentage, i.e., 33.2 %. • High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed the presence of eriocitrin in the leaves and stem of wild Mentha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Avian Diseases is the property of American Association of Avian Pathologists, Inc. 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.)

Purpose: Agricultural losses caused by pests have a profound impact on African and Asian countries. In this context, the whitefly Bemisia tabaci is an important global pest and attacks many vegetables. However, conventional pesticides cause unwanted effects on the environment and consumers, in addition to the development of resistance. Therefore, sustainable resources have been used and researched, including those of natural origin. Research Method: The objective of this review was to compile and discuss studies of essential oils found in Asian and African countries with action against B. tabaci. For this, scientific studies on active essential oils were searched in databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. Findings: The work explored essential oils from 48 different species belonging to 19 families. Notably, the families Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Lauraceae, Myrtaceae, and Poaceae presented the highest number of studies. Among the evaluated oils, Allium sativum oil demonstrated potent fumigant insecticidal action. Similarly, essential oils from Cinnamomum camphora, Thymbra spicata, Rosmarinus officinalis, and Laurus nobilis exhibited high activity against pests. Promising essential oils with high potency against pests also include Mentha pulegium, Mentha viridis, and Syzygium aromaticum. Research Limitations: Despite the diversity of active essential oils against B. tabaci, further studies on the development and stability of formulations must be carried out. Originality/value: This review highlighted the abundance of active essential oils in Africa and Asia as natural resources for sustainable pest management in the B. tabaci control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer worldwide, and the incidence rate has increased enormously over the last three decades. Rab proteins are members of the Rab GTPase superfamily. The aberrant function of these proteins leads to the development of tumors. Mentha longifolia var. asiatica and Zygophyllum arabicum have been known for their therapeutic potential for ages. The present study aimed to synthesize ZnO nanoparticles encapsulated with the extracts of M. longifolia var. asiatica and Z. arabicum and evaluating their therapeutic potential against breast cancer, targeting the Rab22A gene and its protein. UV-Vis spectrophotometer showed characteristic absorbance peaks at 295 nm and 345 nm for Z. arabicum and M. longifolia var. asiatica ZnONPs, respectively. The FTIR bands of Z. arabicum nanoparticles suggested the presence of aldehydes, alcohols, and polyols whereas bands of M. longifolia var. asiatica ZnONPs suggested the presence of carboxyl groups, hydroxyl groups, alkynes, and amines. SEM revealed the size of Z. arabicum ZnO NPs to be 25 ± 4 nm with a spherical shape as compared to nanoparticles of M. longifolia var. asiatica having a size of 35 ± 6 nm with a hexagonal shape. EDX determined the elemental composition of both particles. The cytotoxicity of both plant extracts and respective NPs was determined against the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line, which was found to be significant with an IC50 value of 51.68 μM for Z. arabicum and 88.02 μM for M. longifolia var. asiatica ZnO compared to plant extracts (64.01 μM and 107.9 μM for Z. arabicum and M. longifolia var. asiatica). The gene expression and protein levels of Rab22A were decreased in nanoparticle-treated cells as compared to the control group. The apoptotic role of synthesized nanoparticles against the MCF-7 cell line was also determined by the expression of apoptotic pathway genes and proteins (bax, caspase 3, caspase 8 and caspase 9). All samples showed significant apoptotic activity by activating intrinsic and extrinsic pathway genes. The activity of Z. arabicum was more eminent as compared to M. longifolia var. asiatica which was evident by the greater expression of studied genes and proteins as determined by Real-time qPCR and ELISA. This is the first-ever report describing the comparative analysis of the efficacy of Z. arabicum and M. longifolia var. asiatica ZnONPs against breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perillic acid has been studied as an anticancer and antimicrobial drug. Production of perillic acid has attracted considerable attention. Meanwhile, Candida tropicalis is an unconventional diploid yeast, most significantly characterized by its ability to metabolize alkanes or fatty acids for growth and proliferation. Therefore, perillic acid's precursor (L-limonene) in C. tropicalis was firstly synthesized by expressing a Mentha spicata L-limonene synthase gene, LS_Ms in this work. Expression of a gene which encoded for a truncated version of tLS_Ms increased the production of L-limonene with a 2.78-fold increase in the titer over C. tropicalis GJR-LS-01. Compartmentalized expression of the gene tLS_Ms inhibited the production of L-limonene in C. tropicalis compared to cytoplasmic expression. Cytoplasmic overexpression of seven precursor synthesis genes significantly enhanced the production of L-limonene in C. tropicalis compared to their compartmentalized expression (mitochondria or peroxisomes), which increased by 31.7-fold in C. tropicalis GJR-tLS-01. The L-limonene titer in C. tropicalis GJR-EW-tLS-04 overexpressing the mutant gene ERG20WW in the cytoplasm was significantly increased, 11.33-fold higher than the control. The titer of L-limonene for 60 g/L glucose was increased by 1.40-fold compared to the control. Finally, a Salvia miltiorrhiza cytochrome P450 enzyme gene CYP7176 and an Arabidopsis thaliana NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase gene CPR were heterologously expressed in C. tropicalis GJR-EW-tLS-04C for the synthesis of perillic acid, which reached a titer of 106.69 mg/L in a 5-L fermenter. This is the first report of de novo synthesis of perillic acid in engineered microorganisms. The results also showed that other chemicals may be efficiently produced in C. tropicalis. Key points: • Key genes cytoplasmic expression was conducive to L-limonene production in C. tropicalis. • Perillic acid was first synthesized de novo in engineered microorganisms. • The titer of perillic acid reached 106.69 mg/L in a 5-L fermenter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mentha longifolia (Lamiaceae) is regarded as highly valuable aromatic medicinal species with wide range of pharmaceutical application. In the present work, leaf essential oil of M. longifolia was applied for the assessment of in vitro pharmacological potentials and compositional analysis. A sum of 15 compounds were detected by GC-FID and GC-MS analysis of M. longifolia essential oil with total area of 99.98% where major compounds were carvone (59.56%), D-limonene (20.81%), eucalyptol (10.08%). The anti-oxidant potency of M. longifolia was estimated using two methods viz., ABTS (2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay where M. longifolia essential oil showed moderate anti-oxidant potency. M. longifolia essential oil revealed high anti-inflammatory and tyrosinase inhibitory activity with an IC50 value 3.68 μL/mL and 1.22 μL/mL respectively compared to standard sodium diclofenac (5.33 μL/mL) and kojic acid (2.28 μL/mL). The acetylcholinesterase (AchE) inhibitory and genotoxic assay was performed, where M. longifolia essential oil revealed strong anti-acetylcholinesterase and anti-genotoxic activity. Anti-microbial potential of M. longifolia essential oil was also where strong anti-bacterial activity was shown against Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus. For anti-fungal activity, M. longifolia essential oil showed no zone of inhibition against any used strains except Aspergillus flavus. From the present research it was established that M. longifolia essential oil possesses pharmaceutical potential with strong AchE inhibitory, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-tyrosinase, anti-genotoxic and anti-oxidant activity which can be used for plant-based drug development in future endeavor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Today, medicinal plants and their derivatives are considered to reduce the prevalence of antibiotic resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Mentha longifolia essential oil on oqxA efflux pump gene expression and biofilm formation in ciprofloxacin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 clinical strains of K. pneumoniae resistant to ciprofloxacin were studied. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of M. longifolia essential oil and its synergistic effect with ciprofloxacin were determined using the microbroth dilution method and the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) method. Minimum biofilm inhibition concentration (MBIC) of M. longifolia essential oil was detected. The effect of essential oils on the expression level of the oqxA gene was detected by Real-time PCR. Results: M. longifolia essential oil showed inhibitory activity against ciprofloxacin-resistant strains of K. pneumoniae. When M. longifolia essential oil was combined with ciprofloxacin, the MIC was reduced 2-4 times. In 28% of the strains, M. longifolia with ciprofloxacin showed a synergistic effect. M. longifolia essential oil reduces the strength of biofilm formation and alters the biofilm phenotype. A significant decrease in oqxA gene expression was observed in all isolates after treatment with M. longifolia essential oil. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it was observed that supplementing M. longifolia essential oil can help reduce ciprofloxacin resistance and inhibit biofilm formation in fluoroquinolone-resistant K. pneumoniae strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oral microbiome is a diverse and complex ecosystem essential for maintaining oral and systemic health. Our study is the first to define the oral microbial community in Egyptian young adults and investigate the effects of natural antimicrobials on the oral microbiome. SuperMint (SM) is a proprietary blend of peppermint, Japanese mint, bergamot mint, and spearmint essential oils encapsulated in a tiny soft beadlet. This work aimed to evaluate the effects of SM beadlets on the oral microbiome. This study recruited twenty healthy participants. A baseline investigation of the oral microbiome of the selected participants was performed by collecting saliva and swab samples before treatment. Treatment included chewing four SM beadlets twice a day for 7 days, and then, post-administration saliva and swab samples were collected at the end of treatment. The oral microbiome samples were analyzed by the high-throughput amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA gene fragments, and the community composition was determined. The results showed that the abundance of some microbial genera and families decreased after using SM, including Prevotella, Streptococcus, Neisseria, and Haemophilus. However, some genera showed inconsistent patterns. We also found that the subject's gender and SM usage were significantly associated with diverse microbial composition. The results suggest that SM treatment decreased the abundance of several bacteria associated with halitosis and periodontal diseases, such as Actinomyces and Streptococcus. Furthermore, Corynebacterium species increased and Streptococcus decreased after SM usage. More research is needed to fully understand the antimicrobial effects of mint oils and their potential applications in maintaining good oral health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indoor farming technologies, such as aquaponics and hydroponics, are crucial for advancing sustainable agriculture, especially in urban areas with limited land for conventional agriculture. As studies comparing these two systems are limited, this study explored the cultivation of five leafy vegetables--white leaf beets (Beta vulgaris var. cicla), hooker chives (Allium hookeri), basil (Ocimum basilicum), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), and spearmint (Mentha spicata)--in an indoor greenhouse facility using two different food production platforms: an aquaponic system (AS) with catfish (Silurus asotus) and a conventional hydroponic system (HS). The results showed that the plant growth in AS outperformed that in HS, while the general growth patterns in AS were significantly affected by the different light sources. In addition, the leaf yield of the herbal plants (basil and lemon balm) in AS was 60%-70% more than that in HS. The leaf growth of hooker chives in AS also showed significant improvement (200%) compared with that in HS. It appears that the nutrient sources provided by fish were remarkable, as the average concentration of NO3-N (64 mg/L) was easily achieved in AS. The proposed AS, therefore, would be a promising alternative to the production and supply of supplement organic food, ultimately contributing to promoting sustainable agriculture in a changing climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbes maneuver strategies to become incessant and biofilms perfectly play a role in scaling up virulence to cause long-lasting infections. The present study was designed to assess the use of an eco-friendly formulation of functionalized silver nanoparticles generated from Mentha longifolia leaf extract (MℓE) for the treatment of biofilm-producing microbes. Nanoparticles synthesized using MℓE as a reducing agent were optimized at different strengths of AgNO3 (1 mM, 2 mM, 3 mM, and 4 mM). Synthesis of M. longifolia silver nanoparticles (MℓAgNPs) was observed spectrophotometrically (450 nm) showing that MℓAgNPs (4 mM) had the highest absorbance. Various techniques e.g., Fourier transforms Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential (ZP), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to characterize MℓAgNPs. In the present study, the Kirby—Bauer method revealed 4mM was the most detrimental conc. of MℓAgNPs with MIC and MBC values of 0.62 μg/mL and 1.25 μg/mL, 0.03 μg/mL and 0.078 μg/mL, and 0.07 μg/mL and 0.15 μg/mL against previously isolated and identified clinical strains of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. Moreover, the MℓAgNP antibiofilm activity was examined via tissue culture plate (TCP) assay that revealed biofilm inhibition of up to 87.09%, 85.6%, 83.11%, and 75.09% against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumonia, and S. aureus, respectively. Herbal synthesized silver nanoparticles (MℓAgNPs) tend to have excellent antibacterial and antibiofilm properties and are promising for other biomedical applications involving the extrication of irksome biofilms. For our best knowledge, it is the first study on the use of the green-synthesized silver nanoparticle MℓAgNP as an antibiofilm agent, suggesting that this material has antibiotic, therapeutic, and industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extraction is the first and most important step in obtaining the effective ingredients of medicinal plants. Mentha longifolia (L.) L. is of considerable economic importance as a natural raw material for the food and pharmaceutical industries. Since the effect of different extraction methods (traditional and modern methods) on the quantity, quality and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of this plant has not been done simultaneously; the present study was designed for the first time with the aim of identifying the best extraction method in terms of these features. For this purpose, extracting the essential oil of M. longifolia with the methods of hydrodistillation with Clevenger device (HDC), steam distillation with Kaiser device (SDK), simultaneous distillation with a solvent (SDE), hydrodistillation with microwave device (HDM), pretreatment of ultrasonic waves and Clevenger (U+HDC) and supercritical fluid (SF) were performed. Chemical compounds were identified by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Antimicrobial activity of essential oils against various clinical microbial strains was evaluated by agar diffusion method and determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration (MIC and MBC). The results showed that the highest and lowest yields of M. longifolia leaf essential oil belonged to HDC (1.6083%) and HDM (0.3416%). The highest number of compounds belonged to SDK essential oil and was equal to 72 compounds (with a relative percentage of 87.13%) and the lowest number of compounds was related to the SF essential oil sample (7 compounds with a relative percentage of 100%). Piperitenone (25.2–41.38%), piperitenone oxide (22.02–0%), pulegone (10.81–0%) and 1,8-cineole (5–35.0%) are the dominant and main components of M. longifolia essential oil were subjected to different extraction methods. Antimicrobial activity results showed that the lowest MIC value belonged to essential oils extracted by HDM, SDK, SDE and U+HDC methods with a value of 1000 μg/mL was observed against Gram-negative bacteria Shigella dysenteriae, which was 5 times weaker than rifampin and 7 times weaker than gentamicin. Therefore, it can be concluded that in terms of efficiency of the HDC method, in terms of the percentage of compounds of the HDM method, and in terms of microbial activity, the SDK, HDM and U+HDC methods performed better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acne vulgaris is one of the most common dermatological disorders. Berberis integerrima Bunge belongs to the Berberidaceae family. Several studies on different Berberis species in addition to B. integerrima have shown antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti‐inflammatory effects. Spearmint essential oil also has antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti‐inflammatory activities. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the topical combination of B. integerrima root extract and spearmint essential oil in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Methods: Patients with mild to moderate facial acne who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to either drug (B. integerrima extract/spearmint essential oil topical solution) or control (clindamycin 1% topical solution) groups. Each group applied the solution twice a day for 4 weeks. Before and at the end of the intervention, the number of lesions and mGAGS (Modified Global Acne Grading Scale) score were recorded. Results: Thirty patients in each group of drug and control completed the study. Topical B.integerrima root extract/spearmint essential oil significantly reduced the number of lesions (27.33 ± 26.17 vs. 21.58 ± 21.10; p < 0.001) and mGAGS (18.76 ± 8.61 vs. 13.87 ± 8.14; p < 0.001) at the end of the intervention. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the number of lesions (p = 0.906) and mGAGS (p = 0.882). Conclusions: B. integerrima root extract combined with spearmint essential oil has significant anti‐acne effects, comparable to topical antibiotic clindamycin. It could be considered as a potential treatment for acne vulgaris. However, more studies with larger sample sizes and longer durations are required to confirm this effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Essential oils (EOs) extracted from aromatic and medicinal plants have the potential to inhibit the growth of various pathogens and, thus, be useful in the control of dangerous diseases. The application of environmentally friendly approaches to protect agricultural and forestry ecosystems from invasive and hazardous species has become more significant in last decades. Therefore, the identification and characterization of essential oils with a strong inhibitory activity against aggressive and widespread pathogens are of key importance in plant protection research. The main purpose of our study is to evaluate the impact of essential oils originating from different genotypes of bee balm, mint, and marigold on Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium solani, and Phytophthora pseudocryptogea. Twelve essential oils, including five EOs originating from Monarda fistulosa, one oil each from Monarda russeliana, Mentha longifolia, Mentha piperita, Tagetes patula, and Tagetes erecta, and two EOs from Tagetes tenuifolia were derived by steam or water distillation. The chemical composition of the tested EOs was determined by GS-MS analyses and their corresponding chemotypes were identified. The most effective against all three pathogens were determined to be the EOs originating from M. fistulosa and M. russeliana. B. cinerea, and P. pseudocryptogea were also significantly affected by the M. piperita essential oil. The most efficient EOs involved in this investigation and their potential to control plant pathogens are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agricultural soils that are contaminated with heavy metals poses significant environmental challenges, impacting plant productivity and the safety of plant-based food and feed products. Cadmium (Cd) that is considered one of heavy metals enters the ecosystem by two sources natural and anthropogenic. Rising Cd level in edible plants has impact on human health. The primary objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of different levels of cadmium contamination in soil on the growth and chemical composition of two different mint cultivars, namely peppermint and curly mint as well as accumulation of Cd in mint leaves. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) using three replications. Uniform rhizomes in weight were planted with a size of 17 cm in pots. After the rhizomes had developed to produce leaves, the plants were irrigated with different concentrations of cadmium in distilled water as solution (0, 15, 30, and 45 mg/kg), for control only distilled water was used. The results indicated that peppermint plants performed better than curly mint plants in terms of various vegetative and chemical parameters. On the other hand, the increased concentrations of cadmium from Zero to 45 mg/kg resulted in significant decrease in most morphological and chemical characters in both mint cultivars. The affected parameters were plant height decreased to (29.05 cm), fresh and dry vegetative weight (29.52-11.83 g), leaf area (190.1 cm²), number of leaves (31.17 leaf plant-1), total chlorophyll content (14.01 mg g-1 F.W), and carbohydrate content in the leaves (7.41 %) compared to the control. Nevertheless, it has been noticed that the percentage of volatile oil and the amount of volatile oil per plant increased when the soil was treated with 15 mg/kg of cadmium in both cultivars (1.537%) for peppermint and (1.340%) for curly mint. Additionally, the accumulation of cadmium in the leaves also increased to (0.165 mg/kg) after the soil was treated by 30mg/kg of cadmium comparing to the control. This means that when the mint plants obtained from areas contaminated with Cd have high concentration of Cd in there structure and have impact on health when they have been eaten. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In plants, secondary metabolites change in response to environmental conditions. These changes co-regulate resilience to stressful environmental conditions, plant growth and development, and interactions between plants and the wider ecosystem, while also affecting soil carbon storage and atmospheric and climatic conditions. The objective of this study was to determine the association between UV exposure and the contents of key metabolites, including amino acids, phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, carotenoids, tocopherols, and phytosterols. Mentha spicata plantlets were grown in tissue culture boxes for 30 days and then exposed to a low dose of broadband UV-B (291–315 nm; 2.8 kJm−2 biologically effective UV) enriched light for eight days. Metabolite contents were quantified either immediately after the final UV exposure, or after seven days of recovery under photosynthetically active radiation. It was found that UV promoted the production of flavonoids (1.8-fold) ahead of phenolic acids (unchanged). Furthermore, the majority of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, constituents of valuable mint essential oil, were significantly increased through UV treatment (up to 90-fold for α-linalool). In contrast, the contents of carotenoids and tocopherols did not increase following UV exposure. A comparison between plants sampled immediately after UV exposure and after seven days of recovery showed that there was an overall increase in the content of carotenoids, mono- and sesquiterpenes, phenolics, and amino acids following recovery, while the contents of sterols and tocopherols decreased. These UV-induced changes in metabolite profile may have important consequences for agriculture, ecology, and even the global climate, and they also provide an exciting opportunity to enhance crop value, facilitating the development of improved products with higher levels of essential oils and added benefits of enhanced flavour, colour, and bioactive content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficacy of essential oils (EOs) extracted from Mentha spicata, Mentha puleguim, Ocimum basilicum, and Ruta graveolens was examined against Oligonychus afrasiaticus in a controlled laboratory conditions. The EOs were tested to assess fumigant toxicity, contact impact, and repellency. The essential oil of R. graveolens was characterized by the high concentration of 2-nonanone (11.9%), 2-undecanone (16.22%) and 1-nonene (19.4%). The composition of O. basilicum EO was characterized by linalool (29.23%), whereas 1,8-cineole (14.60%) was the major constituent in M. puleguim EO. The principal component of M. spicata was carvone (50.6%). The laboratory bioassay results demonstrated that the essential oils derived from M. pulegium, O. basilicum and M. spicata caused a mortality rate of 50% among females when administered at a concentration of 1 µL/L. With this concentration, R. graveolens EO caused significantly higher acaricidal effects (98%) with LC50 = 0.11 µL/L air. All oils showed a significant level of pest-repellent activity, with their repellency effects reaching 95% after 1 h of exposure against female adults of O. afrasiaticus at doses of 0.318 and 1.9 µL/cm². The R. graveolens EO exhibited higher toxicity through residual contact compared to other oils, with LC50 values of 0.18 µL/L air. Toxicity of the highly effective R. graveolens plant can occur via residual contact, repulsive and fumigant action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates using magnesium foliar spray to enhance mint plants' growth and physiological performance under cadmium toxicity. It examines the effects of foliar application of magnesium oxide (40 mg L−1), in both nano and bulk forms, on mint plants exposed to cadmium stress (60 mg kg−1 soil). Cadmium stress reduced root growth and activity, plant biomass (32%), leaf hydration (19%), chlorophyll levels (27%), magnesium content (51%), and essential oil yield (35%), while increasing oxidative and osmotic stress in leaf tissues. Foliar application of magnesium increased root growth (32%), plant biomass, essential oil production (17%), leaf area (24%), chlorophyll content (10%), soluble sugar synthesis (33%), and antioxidant enzyme activity, and reduced lipid peroxidation and osmotic stress. Although the nano form of magnesium enhanced magnesium absorption, its impact on growth and physiological performance was not significantly different from the bulk form. Therefore, foliar application of both forms improves plants' ability to withstand cadmium toxicity. However, the study is limited by its focus on a single plant species and specific environmental conditions, which may affect the generalizability of the results. The long-term sustainability of such treatments could provide a more comprehensive understanding of magnesium's role in mitigating heavy metal stress in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document provides a list of references to scientific articles on various topics related to iron oxide nanoparticles, the management of plant diseases caused by Phytophthora infestans, the phylogeny of Mentha spicata, and the use of plant extracts in nanoparticle synthesis. The articles cover subjects such as biotechnology, cancer diagnosis and treatment, antimicrobial activity, and environmental applications. It is worth noting that one of the references has been retracted. [Extracted from the article]

Background: The recommendation for Chlorhexidine (CHX) as a traditional oral care solution is decreasing, and herbal oral care products are being considered as a potential alternative. This network meta-analysis aims to determine if herbal oral care products for oral care in mechanically ventilated patients are superior to CHX and provide direction for future research by comparing the effectiveness of herbal oral care products currently available. Materials and methods: We searched for English-language published and grey literature sources of randomized clinical trials involving herbal oral care solutions in intensive care unit (ICU) oral care (until September 2023). The primary outcome was the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP); the secondary outcome was the oral microbiota quantity. Data were pooled by pairwise meta-analysis and Bayesian network meta-analysis. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and the certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE framework. Results: Our network meta-analysis included 29 studies, and the results showed that Chinese herb (OR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.2–0.75) and Miswak (OR: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.07–0.91) were more effective in reducing VAP incidence than CHX. In terms of reducing bacterial counts, Chinese herb (OR: 0.3, 95% CI: 0.19–0.48) was superior to CHX, and all herbal oral care products, including Persica® (alcoholic extract of S. persica, Achillea millefolium, and Mentha spicata), Matrica® (Chamomile extract), and Listerine® (main components include Menthol, Thymol, and Eucalyptol), were better than saline in all aspects but without significant differences. Conclusion: Based on our network meta-analysis, we have observed that Chinese herbal medicine and Miswak are superior to CHX in reducing the incidence of VAP. However, the safety and feasibility of traditional Chinese herbal medicine require further high-quality research for validation. Simultaneously, Matrica® demonstrates a significant reduction in microbial counts but does not exhibit a significant advantage in lowering the incidence of VAP. This observation aligns with the results of clinical double-blind trials. Therefore, we identify Miswak and Matrica® as promising herbal oral care products with the potential to replace CHX. It is essential to emphasize that our study provides guidance for future research rather than conclusive determinations. Registration: PROSPERO no. CRD42023398022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]