[Development and evaluation of antioxidant chitosan film incorporated with grape seed extract]

The application of antioxidant films is a promising strategy for controlling chemical spoilage of food. Antioxidant chitosan films incorporated with grape seed extract [GSE] were developed with the objectives of investigation of their characteristics. Chitosan film was developed by casting method and the effect of different concentrations of GSE [0, 0.5, 1 and 2%] on mechanical, color [accordance with hunter system [L* [luminosity], alpha* [redness], and b* [yellowness]], antioxidant characteristics, total phenol [TP], and swelling index [%SI] of films were evaluated. Generally, the tensile strength of GSE formulated films was influenced by the concentrations of GSE. The 2% GSE/ chitosan films revealed tensile strength similar to unsupplemented film. Concerning color of chitosan film, results indicated that by incorporating GSE, significant changes on L*, alpha*, b* values were appeared [p 0.05]. The antioxidant activity of GSE formulated films was considerable due to the high source of phenolics. This activity was affected by GSE concentrations, which were significant for film containing 0.5% [37.85%] 1% [39.16%] and 2% [41.57%] GSE in comparison with control [12.34%] [p 0.05]. The results also revealed that by increasing the amount of GSE, the TP and%SI were significantly increased. The results indicated that all characteristics of films were influenced by the extent of GSE. Improvement in antioxidant and total phenol of GSE assimilated films is appreciated. Such films are suitable for handle in preserving food

Novel in vitro efficiency of chitosan biomolecule against trichomonas gallinae

Development of new natural agents for parasitic diseases treatment has unexpectedly increased to overcome effectively against emergence and re-emergence of parasitic diseases, the appearance of drug resistant organisms and toxic side effects of current agents. The aim of the study was to evaluate antiprotozoal activities of chitosan biomolecule on trophozoites of Trichomonas gallinae. The antitrichomonal activity of various low molecular weight chitosan concentrations including 125, 250, 500 and 1250 micro g ml[-1] against T. gallinae trophozoites cultured in trypticaseyeast extract-maltose medium supplemented with heat-inactivated cold horse serum was evaluated in vitro. Samples containing medium without chitosan were also assayed as controls. The mortality rates at 0, 3 and 6 h post treatment with all concentrations were significantly different from control group [P<0.05]. Treated trophozoites showed more susceptibility to the highest concentration reaching mortality rate of 100% at 3h post inoculation. However, at this time, results for 125, 250 and 500 micro g ml[-1] were 93%, 95% and 96.7%, respectively. The results demonstrate that the application of chitosan biomolecule is a promising option for treatment of trichomoniasis in pigeons

[Antioxidant, color and antibacterial properties of edible chitosan film incorporated with Zataria multiflora boiss essential oil against Listeria monocytogenes]

The film containing antimicrobial agents are a type of active packaging which is mainly designed to control microbial and chemical spoilage of food. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial, antioxidant and color properties of chitosan film incorporated with essential oil of Zataria multiflora Boiss [ZEO]. In this experimental study which was conducted at Urmia University of Medical Sciences between 2009-2010, the chemical composition of ZEO was analyzed using GC-MS. Chitosan films containing 0, 0.5, 1 and 2% ZEO, were obtained by casting method and subsequently, total phenol [TP], antioxidant, color [accordance with hunter system [L*[luminosity], * [redness, and b* [yelloweness]] and antimicrobial characteristics of films on Listeria monocytogenes were studied. The collected data was analyzed by the SPSS software. The order of TP for all films in the experiment was 2% ZEO>1% ZEO%0.5% ZEO> unsupplemented chitosan film, respectively. It was also conducted that the antioxidant activity of chitosan films was increased by adding various concentrations of ZEO. These increases were significant for film containing 1% [33.98%] and 2% [37.77%] ZEO [p<0.05]. Regarding the color luminosity [L*] of the chitosan film, results indicated no significant changes by incorporating ZEO, whereas the incorporation of ZEO into films had a significant effect on film yellowness, evidenced by lower b* values. Finally, it was shown that the presence of ZEO in chitosan films significantly modified the anti-listerial activity of chitosan, [p<0.05]. The results indicated that an active film from chitosan could be achieved by incorporating ZEO. Addition of ZEO improves functional and antibacterial characteristics of chitosan film

[Effects of Zataria multiflora boiss. essential oil and nisin, alone and in combination against listeria monocytogen in BHI broth]

In food industry, quality assurance and prolongation of shelf-life is achieved through control of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms in foods. Regards to much proved adverse effects of synthetic food additives and general concern on the subject, the replacement of these additives with natural based ones such as plant essential oils and natural antibiotics has been raised and researches first at in virto models and then in food systems is necessary. The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial activity, minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] and minimum bactericidal concentration [MBC] of Zataria multiflora Boiss. Essential oil and nisin alone and in combination against Listeria monocytogen in brain heart infusion [BHI] broth. The specifications of combination of essential oil and nisin were determined. In this study 600 micro g/ml of Z. multiflora essential oil and 2.5 micro g/ml nisin in pH value of 5 at 15 [degree sign] C were used. In this study Zataria multiflora essential oil had antimicrobial effects agains Listeria monocytogen [MBC: 19, MIC: 9.5 micro g/ml]. Combination of nisin and the essential oil had also antimicrobial effects against Listeria monocytogen [MIC: 1.2, MBC:2.4 micro g/ml]. Zataria multiflora essential oil and nisin were effective against Listeria monocytogen alone. This effect was obviously increased in combination with each other and the results were noticeable

[Chemical composition and antibacterial effects of rosmarinus officinalis L essential oil with lysozyme on listeria monocytogenes]

Rosmarinus officinalis L. as a member of the Lamiaceae family and lysozyme as a natural antibacterial agent is important in food microbiology, because of its characteristics. The aim of the present study was to determine the chemical composition and anti-listerial activity of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil [REO] alone and in combination with lysozyme for enhancement of anti-listerial activity of both substances. Rosmarinus officinalis L. was purchased from a local grocery store at Shahrekord and was identified by the Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR. The air-dried aerial parts were subjected to hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus to obtain essential oil and yielded oil was analyzed by GC/MS. Antibacterial activity [on basis of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration [MIC] of REO was studied separately and in combination with unheated lysozyme [L] and heat-treated lysozyme [HTL] on Listeria monocytogenes at different pH [5, 6 and 7] by a micro-broth dilution assay. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software. In the current study, 98.05% of constituents of the essential oil were identified. The major components were alpha-pinene [14.06%], 1, 8-cineole [13.62%], verbenone [11.2%], camphor [10.51%], borneol [7.3%], 3-octanone [7.02%], camphene [5.46%] and linalool [5.07%]. The inhibitory action of REO was stronger at lower pH especially 5 [MIC=225 micro g/mL]. Inhibition by L at pH 5 was 640 micro g/mL but no inhibition was seen at pH 7. HTL resulted in more effective inhibition than L, especially at pH 5 and heat-treatment 80°C [MIC: 160 micro g/mL]. Combination of L + REO and particularly HTL + REO was led to enhancement of bacterial inhibition. It was concluded that REQ by the identified chemical composition was effective alone or in combination with L or HTL on Listeria monocytogenes as a food-borne pathogen

In vitro assessment of antimicrobial efficacy of aqueous extract of garlic against wound-infecting microorganisms

Garlic [Allium sativum Linn.] has been used as a spice in many ancient cultures from olden times. Today, biochemical investigations have shown different components responsible to nutritional and therapeutic properties of garlic, in particular antimicrobial effect of it. Aim of this study is in vitro assessment of potential of inhibitory function of aqueous extract of garlic on pathogenic microorganism isolated from wounds and clinical injuries. The garlic bulbs were used in this investigation, produced in east of Gilan. Aqueous extract of garlic was prepared on Shukla and Taneja method[19]. The extract was used in five dilutions [10%, 20%, 40%, 60% and neat]. Also microorganisms were used in this examination were divided in two categories: Control and clinical isolated microorganisms. The agar disk diffusion test was used as microbiological examination. According to results of this investigation, minimum inhibition concentration was approximate 60% and also the most sensitive organism to aqueous extract of garlic was Streptococcus pyogenes and the least sensitive organism to this extract was Pseudomonas aeruginosa [p<0.05]. With attention to our finding and other related reports in this field, it could be concluded aqueous extract of garlic has considerable antimicrobial effect on current clinical wound pathogen microorganism. Therefore, before application of this extract as antimicrobial agent, it must be evaluated in vivo and clinically

Mesenteric lymph nodes infection with linguatula serrata nymphs in cattle

871 mesenteric lymph nodes taken from 110 native cattle from Urmia slaughter-house with different ages were examined for Linguatula serrata infection. The lymph nodes were studied based on their colour and consistency. 44% of the cattle were found positive for L. serrata infection. The number of parasites isolated from each infected lymph node varied from 1 to 69 with a mean of 5.48. There were no significant differences in the number of parasites in different age groups. The study underlined the need for a more thorough investigation of mesenteric lymph nodes inspection in the cattle of this region