[Assessment of mercury contamination in the marketed shrimp in Tehran: a health consideration]

Mercury contamination of aquatic ecosystem, due to its bioaccumulation, persistence, high risk and poisoning has become a concern in recent years. Consumption of shrimp as a rich source of protein, peptides, amino acid and minerals [Cu, Mg, Zn, I] is growing up. The purpose of the present study is to determine the mercury content of shrimp in Tehran market and compare this with international limits. For this purpose, 19 samples were collected randomly from different retail markets in different parts of Tehran and their mercury content was measured by Mercury Analyzer DMA-80 with standard method ASTM D6722. The results were compared using one-way analysis of variance [ANOVA]. It was found that, the mean level of mercury in muscles of all examined samples was 76.44 +/- 8.59 ppb, that is in agreement with the existing data and lower than the WHO and FAO guideline [500 ppb]. Shrimp consumption considering its mercury content is permitted in Tehran and has no serious risk to human health

Effect of ethanolic extract of mespilus germanica on cutaneous leishmaniasis in BALB/c Mice

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease caused by flagellated protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania, which affects both humans and other mammals. Most of the available drugs against the disease are toxic and some are parasite resistance to them. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of Mespilus germanica extract on cutaneous leishmaniasis [CL] in BALB/c Mice. Ethanolic extract of Mespilus germanica with 40, 60 and 80% concentrations were prepared. Then, the BALB/c mice were inoculated subcutaneously by 0.1 ml liquid phase culture containing promastigotes of Leishmania major. Ethanolic extract of the leaves of Mespilus germanica in different concentrations, were used topically on CL lesions. The mean diameter of the lesions were decreased, and also the number of parasites in the lesions had declined with complete healing by ending the period time of treatment in 4 mice [26.7%], [p<0.05] and in 9 animals [82%], [p<0.05] respectively, by using the 40% concentration of the extract. Also in a concentration of 60%, mean ulcer diameter decreased, with complete healing in 3 mice [20%], [p<0.001]. In this concentration, the mean number of parasites in lesions had declined [66.4%], with total elimination in 8 animals [p<0.001]. We showed that the extract of Mespilus germanica has the highest effectiveness in concentration of 40%, causing greater reductions in both ulcer diameter and the number of parasites in the lesions compared with other prepared concentrations. Therefore, we suggest the use of 40% extract for the treatment of human cases

[Comparative study on anti-Helicobacter pylori effects of licorice roots collected from different regions of Iran]

Helicobacter pylori infection is common in gastrointestinal tract and lead to gastritis, peptic ulcer and finally stomach cancer. Many synthetic drugs are used to eradicate the bacteria but there are some problems in treatment due to drug resistance and frequent relapses of infection. Herbal drugs are very important in the case. Glycyrrhiza glabra is used for treatment of H. pylori infection. This plant grows in different regions of Iran, therefore, investigation of anti H. pylori effects of the plant collected from different growing area is important. The aim of this study is determination of MIC of licorice roots collected from different regions of Iran against H. pylori in order to introduce the best growing area of the plant. Roots of the plant were collected from Kerman, Kermanshah, Sirjan, Sarhadd [Fars province], Istahban [Fars province], Ghasredasht [Fars province], Najaf Abad [Isfahan province], Ganjnameh [Hamedan province], Ekbatan [Hamedan province], Mahabad, Khorram Abad and Ardabil and extracted by using ethanol 80%. MIC of each extract was determined against three clinical isolated strains of H. pylori which obtained during endoscopy procedure. The results showed that susceptibilities of three clinical isolated bacteria to the licorice extracts are different. Among the studied extracts, licorice roots collected from Ardabil showed the lowest MIC [at least: 125 ppm] and all strains were almost resistant to the extract from Mahabad. It is concluded that drug resistance is observed in herbals just like synthetic drugs. Moreover, in order to achieve best therapeutic results, before using an herbal preparation for treatment a disorder, growing area of a medicinal herb should be considered

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Oliveria decumbens volatile oil from west of Iran

Oliveria decumbens Vent. is an endemic plant of Flora Iranica that grows in high temperature areas of south and west of Iran. It is used for indigestion, diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever in traditional medicine. In this investigation, chemical composition and antimicrobial effects of Oliveria decumbens has been studied. The essential oil of aerial parts of Oliveria decumbens was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-MS. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was also investigated against three Gram positive bacteria, two Gram negative bacteria and two fungi using disc diffusion method. 10 components were identified in the essential oil of Oliveria decumbens. The main components were gamma-terpinene, myristicin, thymol, p-cymene and carvacrol. The essential oil showed high antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, Escherichia coli, Aspergilus niger and Candida albicans but low antibacterial effect against Pseudomonas aeroginosa. High amount of thymol, carvacrol and p-cymene in Oliveria decumbens essential oil may be a reason of antimicrobial effects of the plant and the plant essential oil can be considered as a natural source of preservatives in food and cosmetic industries

Effect of basil [Ocimuin Basilicum L.] essential oil on gray mold control and postharvest quality of strawberry [cv. Selva]

Essential oils are complex volatile compounds produced in different plant parts, which are known to have various functions in plants. The objective of the present study is investigation of the effect of Basil [L. Ocimum basilicum L.] essential oil on gray mold control and postharvest quality of strawberry. This experiment was carried out In vitro and In vivo conditions. In In vitro condition Basil essential oil was used at 250, 500, 750 and 1000 microL.L[-1] concentrations with "Paper Disk Method" and "Solution Method". In second stage Basil essential oil applied at 60, 250, 500 and 1000 microL.L[-1] concentrations with "Paper Disk Method" on strawberry fruits. Results of In vitro experiment showed that Basil essential oil at all applied concentrations inhibited Botrytis cinerea growth completely. The results of In vivo experiment showed that basil essential oil at applied concentrations inhibited B. cinerea growth on strawberry fruits completely in comparison to controls. Also basil essential oil at 60 and 250 microL.L[-1] concentrations showed positive effects on some fruit quality characteristics e.g. color, titrable acidity, total soluble solid, Vitamin C and firmness. Therefore treated fruits with basil essential oil at low concentration had higher TA, TSS, Vitamin C, firmness and color values compared to control fruits whilst high concentrations of basil essential oil [500 and 1000 microL.L[-1]] induced burning sepal and led to toxic signs on fruit surface. All applied concentrations of basil essential oil affected fruit flavor especially 1000microL.L[-1] reduced fruit firmness and Vitamin C content It can be concluded that basil essential oil due to higher antifungal properties, acts as an alternative to artificial fungicides in controlling of fungal diseases but more research is needed to identify the proper formulation

Evaluation of aflatoxin contamination in Maize from Mazandaran province in Iran

In Iran, maize is cultivated in wide areas including northern provinces. It is one of the most important crops for poultry and livestock feeding, which is susceptible to aflatoxins [AFs] contamination. So, pre-harvest maize samples from Mazandaran province, north of Iran were analyzed for AFs contamination. Thirty-five pre-harvest maize samples were analyzed using immunoaffinity column and reversed-phase liquid chromatography with post-column derivatization. Data revealed that incidence of AFB1, AFB2 and total aflatoxins [AFT] in maize samples were 66%, 54% and 63% with mean of 9.5 +/- 16.3, 1.7 +/- 2.6 and 10.4 +/- 18.4 ng/g, respectively. The mean level of AFB1 in samples was higher than the Iranian maximum tolerated level [MTL]. But, AFT mean level [10.4 ng/g] was lower than the Iranian and US [20 ng/g] MTLs