Phytocosmetic Emulsion Containing Extract of Morus nigra L. (Moraceae): Development, Stability Study, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities

Recent development in the preservation effect of lactic acid bacteria and essential oils on chicken and seafood products

Chicken and seafood are highly perishable owing to the higher moisture and unsaturated fatty acids content which make them more prone to oxidation and microbial growth. In order to preserve the nutritional quality and extend the shelf-life of such products, consumers now prefer chemical-free alternatives, such as lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and essential oils (EOs), which exert a bio-preservative effect as antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds. This review will provide in-depth information about the properties and main mechanisms of oxidation and microbial spoilage in chicken and seafood. Furthermore, the basic chemistry and mode of action of LAB and EOs will be discussed to shed light on their successful application in chicken and seafood products. Metabolites of LAB and EOs, either alone or in combination, inhibit or retard lipid oxidation and microbial growth by virtue of their principal constituents and bioactive compounds including phenolic compounds and organic acids (lactic acid, propionic acid, and acetic acid) and others. Therefore, the application of LAB and EOs is widely recognized to extend the shelf-life of chicken and seafood products naturally without altering their functional and physicochemical properties. However, the incorporation of any of these agents requires the optimization steps necessary to avoid undesirable sensory changes. In addition, toxicity risks associated with EOs also demand the regularization of an optimum dose for their inclusion in the products.

Phytochemical Screening, and In Vitro Evaluation of the Antioxidant and Dermocosmetic Activities of Four Moroccan Plants: Halimium antiatlanticum, Adenocarpus artemisiifolius, Pistacia lentiscus and Leonotis nepetifolia

In this study, four Moroccan plants, Halimium antiatlanticum, Adenocarpus artemisiifolius, Pistacia lentiscus and Leonotis nepetifolia, were evaluated for their phytoconstituents and biological activities. Methanolic extracts of these plants were obtained by Soxhlet apparatus, phytochemical screening was performed, and the total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined. Then, the antioxidant and dermocosmetic activities of the methanolic extracts were evaluated. The obtained results revealed that the leaves and/or aerial parts contained tannins, polyphenols, flavonoids, coumarins, carotenoids, terpenoids and saponins. The higher total phenolic content values were recorded on Pistacia lentiscus and Halimium antiatlanticum with 396.64 ± 30.79 and 304.96 ± 55.61 mgGAE/gDW, respectively. The antioxidant activity was measured by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays, and showed that Pistacia lentiscus and Halimium antiatlanticum were the most active extracts, with, respectively, IC50 values of 3.705 ± 0.445 and 5.037 ± 0.122 µg/mL for DPPH. The same results were observed for the FRAP and ABTS assays. Those extracts also showed a strong collagenase inhibitory activity at 200 µg/mL, with 78.51 ± 2.27% for Pistacia lentiscus and 73.10 ± 8.52% for Halimium antiatlanticum. Adenocarpus artemisiifolius showed the highest elastase inhibition rate, with 76.30 ± 5.29%. This study disclosed the dermocosmetic potential of Halimium antiatlanticum and Adenocarpus artemisiifolius, two Moroccan endemic plants that can be traditionally used by local populations or exploited by the cosmetic industry.