The anti-campylobacter activity of eugenol and its potential for poultry meat safety: A review

Evaluation of the effect of active essential oil components added to pickled-based marinade on beef stored under vacuum packaging: Insight into physicochemical and microbiological quality

This research aimed to evaluate the effects of the addition of active essential oil components (linalool and/or eugenol) to a pickle-based marinade on controlling spoilage and extending the shelf life of fresh beef stored under vacuum packaging at 4 °C. Linalool and eugenol were used either separately at a concentration of 0.2 % (w/w) or together (1:1 ratio) to preserve marinated beef under vacuum packaging for 15 days. Samples were assessed for pH, color, texture, oxidative degradation, and microbiological parameters. All marinades exhibited significantly lower TBARS values than the control sample. The addition of linalool or eugenol to the marinate showed a significant antibacterial effect on total aerobic mesophilic bacteria (TAMB), lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Pseudomonas spp., and total coliform, and the reductions in microbial counts are as follows: TAMB: 1.563 log CFU/g and 1.46 log CFU/g; Pseudomonas spp.: 1.303 log CFU/g and 1.08 log CFU/g; LAB: 0.323 log CFU/g and 0.357 log CFU/g. Marinated beef with linalool and/or eugenol was found to be effective against the growth of yeast and mold. The use of eugenol presented the most effective inhibition activity against yeast and mold by reducing the number of yeast and molds to an uncountable level on the 12th and 15th days of storage. Physicochemical analysis also showed that the addition of active essential oils to marinade did not cause any undesirable effects on the color and texture properties of beef samples. Therefore, the findings revealed that eugenol and linalool could be suitable alternatives for beef marination.

Salting-out effect-mediated size-control of protein nanoparticles towards controllable microstructures for sustained release of eugenol

Size and monodispersity of solid particles are essential to their structuring behaviors at biphasic interfaces. However, delicate control over biomolecular nanoparticle sizes is challenging. In this study, we prepared monodisperse rice protein (RP) nanoparticles by neutralizing RP solutions (pH 12.0) using combined treatments of cationic exchange resins (CERs) and HCl. CERs absorbed Na+ by releasing H+ without producing salt during neutralization. By compromising the usages of CERs and HCl when preparing RPs, the generation of NaCl can be delicately tailored, leading to controllable nanoparticle sizes from 20 nm to 30 nm. By mixing these nanoparticles with eugenol in an aqueous solution, the nanoparticles accommodated eugenol in their cores due to inward diffusion. Furthermore, such eugenol-contained nanoparticles with different sizes demonstrated tunable releases of eugenol due to size-dependent capillary forces, which can be harnessed for suppression of microbial growth on fruit with prolonged effective eugenol concentration.

Clove Essential Oil: Chemical Profile, Biological Activities, Encapsulation Strategies, and Food Applications

Plants have proven to be important sources for discovering new compounds that are useful in the treatment of various diseases due to their phytoconstituents. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.), an aromatic plant widely cultivated around the world, has been traditionally used for food preservation and medicinal purposes. In particular, clove essential oil (CEO) has attracted attention for containing various bioactive compounds, such as phenolics (eugenol and eugenol acetate), terpenes (β-caryophyllene and α-humulene), and hydrocarbons. These constituents have found applications in cosmetics, food, and medicine industries due to their bioactivity. Pharmacologically, CEO has been tested against a variety of parasites and pathogenic microorganisms, demonstrating antibacterial and antifungal properties. Additionally, many studies have also demonstrated the analgesic, antioxidant, anticancer, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory effects of this essential oil. However, CEO could degrade for different reasons, impacting its quality and bioactivity. To address this challenge, encapsulation is viewed as a promising strategy that could prolong the shelf life of CEO, improving its physicochemical stability and application in various areas. This review examines the phytochemical composition and biological activities of CEO and its constituents, as well as extraction methods to obtain it. Moreover, encapsulation strategies for CEO and numerous applications in different food fields are also highlighted.

Moringa oleifera leaf improves meat quality by modulating intestinal microbes in white feather broilers

Moringa oleifera addition to animal diets can improve the growth performance, intestinal health, and immunity of animals, without adverse effects. We investigated the effects of Moringa oleifera on the growth performance, meat quality, and intestinal health of broilers. Moringa oleifera and fermented Moringa oleifera could improve the flesh color and breast muscle tenderness of broilers (p < 0.05). The contents of essential amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, ΣMUFA, P/S and n-3 ratio in breast muscle of broilers were dose-increased, and the effect of fermented Moringa oleifera was better. Moringa oleifera and fermented Moringa oleifera regulated chicken flavor metabolism by increasing the relative abundance and Short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) contents of Bacteroides, Spirillum, and lactic acid bacteria. Overall, supplementation with 1 % fermented Moringa oleifera can significantly increase essential amino acid and unsaturated fatty acid contents in broilers and participate in the synthesis and transformation of amino acids and fatty acids regulated by beneficial bacteria.

Effects of eugenol on the structure and gelling properties of myofibrillar proteins under hydroxyl radical-induced oxidative stress

The effects of eugenol (EG; 0, 5, 20, and 50 mg/g protein) on the structure and gel properties of pork myofibrillar protein (MPs) under a hydroxyl radical-generating system were explored in this study. The results revealed that the addition of a high concentration of EG (50 mg/g protein) markedly reduced the carbonyl content and enhanced the fluorescence intensity, surface hydrophobicity, and protected the secondary structure of MPs, compared to oxidized MPs. In addition, the high concentration group noticeably increased the storage modulus (G'), gel strength, and water-holding capacity (WHC), and significantly hindered the oxidation-induced transformation of immobilized water of the MPs gel to free water and basically favored the formation of a finer and more homogeneous three-dimensional network structure, This work verified that the adding of EG could effectively improve the gel quality of oxidized MPs and more successfully delay oxidation-induced damage to muscle protein structure.

Current State of Milk, Dairy Products, Meat and Meat Products, Eggs, Fish and Fishery Products Authentication and Chemometrics

Food fraud is a matter of major concern as many foods and beverages do not follow their labelling. Because of economic interests, as well as consumers' health protection, the related topics, food adulteration, counterfeiting, substitution and inaccurate labelling, have become top issues and priorities in food safety and quality. In addition, globalized and complex food supply chains have increased rapidly and contribute to a growing problem affecting local, regional and global food systems. Animal origin food products such as milk, dairy products, meat and meat products, eggs and fish and fishery products are included in the most commonly adulterated food items. In order to prevent unfair competition and protect the rights of consumers, it is vital to detect any kind of adulteration to them. Geographical origin, production methods and farming systems, species identification, processing treatments and the detection of adulterants are among the important authenticity problems for these foods. The existence of accurate and automated analytical techniques in combination with available chemometric tools provides reliable information about adulteration and fraud. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to present the advances made through recent studies in terms of the analytical techniques and chemometric approaches that have been developed to address the authenticity issues in animal origin food products.

Effects of organic zinc on production performance, meat quality, apparent nutrient digestibility and gut microbiota of broilers fed low-protein diets

The high cost of feed and nitrogen pollution caused by high-protein diets have become major challenges restricting sustainable development in China's animal husbandry sector. Properly reducing protein levels and improving protein utilization in feed are effective approaches to solving this problem. To determine the optimal dose of methionine hydroxyl analogue chelated zinc (MHA-Zn) in broiler diets with a 1.5% reduction in crude protein (CP), a total of 216 1-day-old broilers were randomly assigned into 4 groups (each group consisted of 3 replications with 18 broilers per replicate), and growth and development indexes were assessed after 42 days. The broilers in control group were fed a basic diet, whereas those in the three test groups were fed diets with a 1.5% reduction in CP. The results showed no significant difference in the edible parts of broilers between low-protein (LP) diet group (90 mg/kg MHA-Zn) and normal diet group (p > 0.05), and adding 90 mg/kg MHA-Zn to LP diet significantly improved ileum morphology and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrient (p < 0.01; p < 0.05). A 16S rRNA sequencing analysis indicated that supplementing the LP diet with 90 mg/kg MHA-Zn was adequate for production performance of broilers and promoted beneficial bacteria in the cecum (Lactobacillus, Butyricoccus, Oscillospira, etc.) (p < 0.01). In summary, adding an optimal dose of organic zinc (90 mg/kg MHA-Zn) in low protein diets led to enhanced production performance of broilers and optimized cecum microbiota. Additionally, the reduction of crude protein consumption in broiler production proved to be a cost-effective measure, while also mitigated nitrogen pollutant emissions in the environment.

Dietary Supplementation with Eugenol Nanoemulsion Alleviates the Negative Effects of Experimental Coccidiosis on Broiler Chicken's Health and Growth Performance

The present study investigated the protective efficacy of dietary supplementation with clove essential oil (CEO), its main constituent eugenol (EUG), and their nanoformulated emulsions (Nano-CEO and Nano-EUG) against experimental coccidiosis in broiler chickens. To this aim, various parameters (oocyst number per gram of excreta (OPG), daily weight gain (DWG), daily feed intake (DFI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), serum concentrations of total proteins (TP), albumin (ALB), globulins (GLB), triglycerides (TG), cholesterol (CHO) and glucose (GLU), serum activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione s-transferase (GST), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] were compared among groups receiving CEO supplemented feed (CEO), Nano-CEO supplemented feed (Nano-CEO), EUG supplemented feed (EUG), Nano-EUG supplemented feed (Nano-EUG), diclazuril supplemented feed (standard treatment, ST), or basal diet [diseased control (d-CON) and healthy control (h-CON)), from days 1-42. Chickens of all groups, except h-CON, were challenged with mixed Eimeria spp. at 14 days of age. Coccidiosis development in d-CON was associated with impaired productivity (lower DWG and higher DFI and FCR relative to h-CON; p < 0.05) and altered serum biochemistry (decreased TP, ALB, and GLB concentrations and SOD, GST, and GPx activities relative to h-CON; p < 0.05). ST effectively controlled coccidiosis infection by significantly decreasing OPG values compared with d-CON (p < 0.05) and maintaining zootechnical and serum biochemical parameters at levels close to (DWG, FCR; p < 0.05) or not different from (DFI, TP, ALB, GLB, SOD, GST, and GPx) those of h-CON. Among the phytogenic supplemented (PS) groups, all showed decreased OPG values compared with d-CON (p < 0.05), with the lowest value being measured in Nano-EUG. All PS groups showed better values of DFI and FCR than d-CON (p < 0.05), but only in Nano-EUG were these parameters, along with DWG, not different from those of ST. Furthermore, Nano-EUG was the only PS group having all serum biochemical values not different (or even slightly improved) relative to ST and h-CON. In conclusion, the tested PS diets, especially Nano-EUG, can limit the deleterious effects of coccidiosis in broiler chickens, due to anticoccidial activity and possibly their reported antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, thereby representing a potential green alternative to synthetic anticoccidials.

Fatal gastritis and enterocolitis due to concurrent Helicobacter pylori and Campylobacter jejuni infection in a captive cheetah (Acinonyxjubatus)

A 3.5-year-old female cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) died after a 10-day history of anorexia, regurgitation and diarrhoea despite symptomatic therapy. At gross post-mortem examination, the stomach was blood-filled with mucosal thickening and multifocal ulcerations. The intestinal mucosa was thickened and reddened, and the intestinal lumen was filled with dark red to black pasty content. Gastric histological lesions were compatible with gastritis due to Helicobacter infection, which was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. Histology of the intestines revealed a severe necrotizing neutrophilic enterocolitis with abundant intralesional curved to spiral bacteria, corresponding to Campylobacter jejuni, which were subsequently isolated from both small and large intestinal contents. No other intestinal pathogens were detected despite thorough investigations. These findings suggest that C. jejuni may have played an aetiological role in the enterocolitis. Such an association has not been previously reported in non-domestic felids.

Antibacterial Activity of Syzygium aromaticum (Clove) Bud Oil and Its Interaction with Imipenem in Controlling Wound Infections in Rats Caused by Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the leading causes of infection worldwide. Clove oil's ability to inhibit the growth of MRSA was studied through in vitro and in vivo studies. The phytochemical components of clove oil were determined through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The antibacterial effects of clove oil and its interaction with imipenem were determined by studying MIC, MBC, and FIC indices in vitro. The in vivo wound-healing effect of the clove oil and infection control were determined using excision wound model rats. The GC-MS analysis of clove oil revealed the presence of 16 volatile compounds. Clove oil showed a good antibacterial effect in vitro but no interaction was observed with imipenem. Clove bud oil alone or in combination with imipenem healed wounds faster and reduced the microbial load in wounds. The findings of this study confirmed the antibacterial activity of clove oil in vitro and in vivo and demonstrated its interaction with imipenem.

Physiological responses and variation in secondary metabolite content among Thai holy basil cultivars (Ocimum tenuiflorum L.) grown under controlled environmental conditions in a plant factory

Holy basil (Ocimum Tenuiflorum L.) is a widely used herb containing several bioactive compounds of interest for the food and pharmaceutical industries. Plant factories using artificial lighting (PFAL) is a modern agricultural system that offers opportunity to improve crop production and stabilizes productivity in many herbal plants. However, little is known about the variation among holy basil varieties that can be cultivated and provide reasonable biomass and bioactive compounds in PFAL. We therefore evaluated 10 Thai accessions and two commercial cultivars in a PFAL (with hydroponic cultivation) to categorize cultivar characteristics by investigating physiological responses and secondary metabolite variation at plant flowering stage. Among Thai varieties, net photosynthetic rate (Pn) was significantly highest in varieties OC059 and OC081. The greatest growth and biomass measures were observed in OC064. Antioxidant capacity also varied, with the greatest accumulation of total phenolic compounds (TPC), flavonoids, and antioxidant activity by DPPH assay in OC064, and highest terpenoid content in OC194. The accumulation of major compounds confirmed by showing the highest levels of eugenol in OC057, OC063, OC194, and OC195 and methyl eugenol in OC072 and OC081. The highest α-humulene content was found in OC059. PCA based on physiological responses and secondary metabolites indicate that OC064 was clearly distinguished from other cultivars/accessions. These findings demonstrate variation across holy basil accessions for physiologic responses, antioxidant capacity, and secondary compounds in PFAL. These insights lead to identification of suitable varieties which is the most important step of developing an efficient method for producing high quality raw materials of Thai holy basil for supplying the foods and pharmaceutical industries.