Improving the microbial quality and sensory properties of pasteurized sweet cream butter during refrigerated storage using chia seed ethanolic extract

Butter is a perishable food, and its microbial deterioration occurs in refrigeration conditions, leading to a reduction in shelf life and a loss of sensory properties. This study aimed to investigate the effect of chia seed extract (CSE) on the microbial and sensory properties of pasteurized sweet cream butter at 2°C. Ethanolic extract of chia seeds was prepared and added to the butter samples in concentrations of 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.25%, and 0.5% (v/w), and its effects on microbiological and sensory quality were evaluated at 15-day intervals during 60-day refrigerated storage. The results indicated that the addition of 0.25% and 0.5% CSE to butter treatments decreased total viable counts by 0.25-0.6 log CFU/g, total psychrotrophic counts by 1-1.5 log CFU/g, and coliform counts by 3-4 log CFU/g compared to the control sample on days 45 and 60 of storage. Moreover, concentrations of 0.1%-0.5% CSE reduced mold and yeast counts by 1.5-2.6 log CFU/g on days 30-60 of storage compared to the control sample. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were not detected in any samples during storage. CSE had a significant effect on the sensory properties (except for aroma) of the butter samples during the 60-day storage. The best color, flavor, and overall acceptance scores were assigned to the treatments containing 0.1%-0.5% CSE compared to the control sample. It could be concluded that adding 0.1% and 0.25% CSE to refrigerated and pasteurized butter can retard microbial spoilage and improve its sensory properties at the same time.

Phytobioactive compounds as therapeutic agents for human diseases: A review

Phytobioactive compounds are plant secondary metabolites and bioactive compounds abundantly present in medicinal plants and have remarkable therapeutic potential. Oxidative stress and antibiotic resistance are major causes of present-day ailments such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disorders, cancer, and inflammation. The data for this review were collected from Google Scholar, PubMed, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), and Science Direct by using keywords: "Medicinal plants, Phytobioactive compounds, Polyphenols, Alkaloids, Carotenoids etc." Several studies have reported the pharmacological and therapeutic potential of the phytobioactives. Polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenes, and polysaccharides isolated from medicinal plants showed remarkable antioxidant, anticancer, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, and antidiabetic activities. This literature review was planned to provide comprehensive insight into the biopharmacological and therapeutic potential of phytobioactive compounds. The techniques used for the extraction and isolation of phytobioactive compounds, and bioassays required for their biological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities, have been discussed. Characterization techniques for the structural elucidation of phytobioactive compounds such as HPLC, TLC, FTIR, GC-MS/MS, and NMR have also been discussed. This review concludes that phytobioactive compounds may be used as potential alternative to synthetic compounds as therapeutic agents for the treatment of various diseases.

Antibacterial Activity of Nanoparticles of Garlic (Allium sativum) Extract against Different Bacteria Such as Streptococcus mutans and Poryphormonas gingivalis

To combat the threat of antimicrobial resistance, it is important to discover innovative and effective alternative antibacterial agents. Garlic has been recommended as a medicinal plant with antibacterial qualities. Hence, we conducted this study to evaluate the antibacterial activity of ultrasonicated garlic extract against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus sub. aureus, Streptococcus mutans, and Poryphyromonas gingivalis. Aqueous ultrasonicated garlic extract was tested against these strains, and their antibacterial activity quantified using both agar disk diffusion and agar well diffusion methods; the plate count technique was used to estimate the total viable count. Moreover, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and microplate spectrophotometry were used to characterize garlic nanoparticles. The results confirmed that all tested bacteria were sensitive to both sonicated and non-sonicated garlic extracts. Streptococcus mutans was the most susceptible bacteria; on the other hand, Escherichia coli was the most resistant bacteria. Furthermore, characterization of the prepared garlic nanoparticles, showed the presence of organosulfur and phenolic compounds, carboxyl groups, and protein particles. Based on the obtained results, ultrasonicated garlic extract is a potent antibacterial agent. It can come in handy while developing novel antibiotics against bacteria that have developed resistance.

Recent advances in research on Allium plants: functional ingredients, physiological activities, and applications in agricultural and food sciences

Fruits and vegetables (FVs) have long been a major source of nutrients and dietary phytochemicals with outstanding physiological properties that are essential for protecting humans from chronic diseases. Moreover, the growing demand of consumers for nutritious and healthy foods is greatly promoting the increased intake of FVs. Allium (Alliaceae) is a perennial bulb plant genus of the Liliaceae family. They are customarily utilized as vegetable, medicinal, and ornamental plants and have an important role in agriculture, aquaculture, and the pharmaceutical industry. Allium plants produce abundant secondary metabolites, such as organosulfur compounds, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, alkaloids, and polysaccharides. Accordingly, Allium plants possess a variety of nutritional, biological, and health-promoting properties, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumor, immunoregulatory, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory effects. This review aims to highlight the advances in the research on the bioactive components, physiological activities and clinical trials, toxicological assessment for safety, and applications of different Allium plants. It also aims to cover the direction of future research on the Allium genus. This review is expected to provide theoretical reference for the comprehensive development and utilization of Allium plants in the fields of functional foods, medicine, and cosmetics.

Biofilm Inhibition and Antibacterial Potential of Different Varieties of Garlic (Allium sativum) Against Sinusitis Isolates

Sinusitis or rhinosinusitis is inflammation of the paranasal sinuses which can be due to autoimmune, allergy, and infection problems. Current study was aimed to evaluate the antibiofilm and antibacterial potential of different varieties of A sativum. Four different varieties (China white, China pink, Desi white, and Desi pink) were used and extracted with methanol and water. Results of antioxidant analysis of A sativum extracts showed that all varieties of garlic have considerable quantity of flavonoids with significant DPPH inhibition and reductive potential. Antibacterial activity of A sativum extracts was tested against different Gram negative and Gram-positive sinusitis isolates. All the sinusitis isolates were susceptible to both methanolic and aqueous extracts of different varieties of A sativum with least MIC values. Antibiofilm potential of extracts against sinusitis isolates was evaluated through crystal violet assay, and all extracts of A sativum were significantly effective against destruction of microbial biofilm. In summary, A sativum extracts possess effective antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against sinusitis isolates and can be utilized for prevention of drug resistance against sinusitis infections and further evaluation is necessary.

Antimicrobial, antioxidant activity and phytochemical prospection of Eugenia involucrata DC. leaf extracts

The species Eugenia involucrata DC. is a plant native to Brazil and is traditionally used for intestinal problems, however, little research has documented about its biological potential and phytochemical profile. Thus, the objective of this study was to carry out preliminary phytochemical prospecting, antimicrobial and antioxidant potential of E. involucrata extracts. Using the E. involucrata leaves, aqueous and organic extracts were obtained using the following solvents (ethanol, methanol, hexane, acetone, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate). The phytochemical prospecting detected the presence of saponins, steroids, flavonoids and tannins in the extracts. Ethanolic and methanolic extracts presented antimicrobial activity for most of the bacterial strains tested, as well as for yeast Candida albicans, with concentrations between 3.12 and 50 mg/mL. The ethanolic and metanolic extract presented high free radical sequestration potential (>90%). The methanol extract showed an IC50 value statistically equal to that found for the commercial antioxidant BHT (p <0.05). The crude extracts obtained with ethanol and methanol were the most promising. These results suggest that methanolic, ethanolic and aqueous extracts are a promising source of natural bioactive.

Preparation and characterization of novel bionanocomposites based on garlic extract for preserving fresh Nile tilapia fish fillets

In this paper we describe the preparation of a new bionanocomposite based on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), Arabic gum (AG) and gelatin (GL), incorporating garlic extract (GE) and TiO₂ nanoparticles (TiO₂-NPs). The prepared bionanocomposites were evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDX), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and were evaluated for their antimicrobial effect. The permeability and thermal and mechanical properties of the films were assessed. The water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), oxygen transmission rate (OTR), and mechanical, thermal and antimicrobial properties of the prepared bionanocomposite films were enhanced by the addition of GE and TiO₂-NPs. The effects of GE and TiO₂-NPs in combination incorporated into a CMC/AG/GL blend as an edible coating on the quality of fresh Nile tilapia fish fillets during refrigerated storage were evaluated. The microbiological status and weight loss of fresh Nile tilapia fish fillets were periodically tested for 21 days during storage at 4 °C. The results indicated that GE combined with TiO₂-NPs has a synergistic influence on the enhancement of the preservation properties of CMC/AG/GL/GE–TiO₂ bionanocomposites for refrigerated tilapia fish fillets, which could control microbial growth, and decrease weight loss during the storage of tilapia fish fillets.

In current work a new bionanocomposite based on carboxymethyl cellulose, Arabic gum and gelatin, incorporating garlic extract and TiO₂ nanoparticles as an edible coating for preserving the fresh Nile tilapia fish fillets during cold storage.

Control of Panama disease of banana by intercropping with Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum Rottler): cultivar differences

Panama disease (Fusarium wilt disease) caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 4 (FOC) severely threatens banana (Musa spp.) production worldwide. Intercropping of banana with Allium plants has shown a potential to reduce Panama disease. In this study, six cultivars of Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum Rottler) were selected to compare their differences in antifungal activity and active compounds. Three cultivars Duokang Fujiu 11, Fujiuhuang 2, and Duokang Sijiqing with higher levels of antifungal compounds were further used for intercropping with banana in the pots and field to compare their effects on growth and disease incidence of banana.The six cultivars showed significant differences in antifungal activity against FOC mycelia growth in both leaf volatiles and aqueous leachates. The aqueous leachates displayed stronger antifungal activity than the volatiles. FJH cultivar showed the best inhibitory effect among all six cultivars. Contents of three main antifungal compounds dipropyl trisulfide (DPT), dimethyl trisulfide (DMT), and 2-methyl-2-pentenal (MP) in volatiles and aqueous leachates varied considerably among cultivars. Pot and field experiments showed that intercropping with three selected Chinese chive cultivars significantly improved banana vegetative growth, increased photosynthetic characteristics and yield but decreased disease incidence of Panama disease.Our results indicate that intercropping with Chinese chive shows potential to reduce banana Panama disease and selection of appropriate cultivars is vital for effective disease control.

Natural Phenolic Compounds for the Control of Oxidation, Bacterial Spoilage, and Foodborne Pathogens in Meat

Alternative technologies for long-term preservation, quality assurance, and safety of meat are continuously pursued by the food industry to satisfy the demands of modern consumers for nutritious and healthy meat-based products. Naturally occurring phenolic compounds are considered promising substances by the meat industry for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, while consumers seem to embrace them for their claimed health benefits. Despite the numerous in vitro and in situ studies demonstrating their beneficial effects against meat oxidation, spoilage, and foodborne pathogens, wide application and commercialization has not been yet achieved. Major obstacles are still the scarcity of legislative framework, the large variety of meat-based products and targeted pathogens, the limited number of case-specific application protocols and the questionable universal efficiency of the applied ones. The objectives of the present review are i) to summarize the current knowledge about the applications of naturally occurring phenols in meat and meat-based products, emphasizing the mechanisms, determinants, and spectrum of their antioxidant and antimicrobial activity; ii) to present state-of-the-art technologies utilized for the application of phenolic compounds in meat systems; and iii) to discuss relevant regulation, limitations, perspectives, and future challenges for their mass industrial use.