Effect of zinc oxide-eugenol endodontic paste on planktonic aggregates and biofilm of Enterococcus faecalis - An atomic force microscopy evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: This work aimed to evaluate the in vitro effect of zinc oxide-eugenol paste (ZOE) on planktonic aggregates (EfPA) and biofilm (EfBio) of Enterococcus faecalis, focusing on their morphological aspects observed and analyzed using atomic force microscopy (AFM). DESIGN: The eugenol and paste were characterized by Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), respectively. The effect of ZOE on EfPA and EfBio was evaluated by a direct-contact test through colony counting and crystal violet staining protocol. AFM images of untreated and treated EfPA and EfBio growth on bovine dentin were obtained to analyze the morphological damage caused by the treatments. RESULTS: The characterization showed high purity in the eugenol composition and chemical interaction between the components of the paste. A bactericidal effect on aggregates was observed after 6 h of exposure, and on biofilm after 24 h of treatment (p < 0.001). A disruptive effect on the biofilm was also evident. AFM images revealed the formation of EfPA, with a notable presence of an exopolysaccharide matrix. After 6 h of ZOE treatment, there was a significant increase in the size and surface roughness profile of treated cells (p < 0.05). Loss of typical cell morphology was observed after 24 h. The effect on the biofilm showed a tendency towards a less condensed biofilm pattern in the treated group, with no differences in surface roughness. CONCLUSION: ZOE presents bactericidal action on EfPA and EfBio, promoting significant morphological changes after treatment, especially in the aggregates.

Edible coatings in post-harvest papaya: impact on physical-chemical and sensory characteristics.

The aim of the present study was to characterize the physical-chemical and sensory attributes of two papaya varieties (Aliança and Golden THB) (Carica papaya L.) coated with different solutions of manioc starch and clove essential oil (Syzygium aromaticum L. Merr. et Perry). Four different treatments were studied in papaya fruits at ripening stage 1: T0 (control); T1 (fruits coated with a solution of manioc starch); T2 (fruits coated with clove essential oil at 0.175 mL L-1); T3 (solution of manioc starch with clove essential oil-0.175 mL L-1). The physical-chemical and sensory analyses were conducted in the fruits at ripening stage 5. The edible coatings did not influence the physical-chemical characteristics of the two varieties. Those fruits coated with manioc starch reported a good sensory acceptance not differing statistically from the control fruits in the majority of the attributes studied. By evaluating the purchase intention regarding the variety Aliança, all the treatments reported good levels of acceptance, with higher scores in the option "would certainly buy". After the sensory evaluation, treatment T3 reported a purchase intention of 80%. It was concluded that the edible coatings did not influence the physical-chemical characteristics of the fruits, however, they influenced the sensory acceptance of the tasters. For the variety Aliança, the application of treatment T3 is recommended, while for Golden THB, treatments T1 and T2 are recommended due to their similarity to the control.

Quantification through TLC-densitometric analysis, repellency and anticholinesterase activity of the homemade extract of Indian cloves.

The rise of the mosquitoes-transmitted diseases, like dengue, zika and chikungunya in Brazil in the last years has increased concerns on protection against mosquitoes bites. However, the prohibitive prices of the commercially available repellents for the majority of the Brazilian population has provoked a search for cheaper solutions, like the use of the homemade ethanolic extract of Indian clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) as repellent, which has been reported as quite efficient by the local press. In order to verify this, we performed here the quantification of the main components of this extract through high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC)-densitometry and evaluated its efficiency as a repellent and its acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition capacity. Our results have proved HPTLC-densitometry as an efficient and appropriate method for this quantification and confirmed the repellency activity, as well as its capacity of AChE inhibition.

Potencial antimicrobiano dos óleos essenciais de cravo da índia e alfavacão em carne moída de ovinos contaminados experimentalmente com S.aureus

Avaliou-se o potencial antimicrobiano dos óleos essências de alfavacão (Ocimum gratissimum L.) e de cravo da índia (Syzygium aromaticum L.) em carne de ovinos moída contaminadas experimentalmente S. aureus ATCC 25923  em dosagem de 104 105 UFC/g. O óleo de cravo da índia  utilizado na concentração de na concentração de 400 ul/g , no tempo de exposição de 60 minutos apresentou maior efeito inibitório em relação aos demais para ambos os tratamentos (p0,001), sugerindo que o aumento do tempo de exposição potencializou  o efeito antimicrobiano. O Cravo da índia apresentou maior efeito na redução  das contagens médias de micro-organismos.

Potencial antimicrobiano dos óleos essenciais de cravo da índia e alfavacão em carne moída de ovinos contaminados experimentalmente com S.aureus.

Avaliou-se o potencial antimicrobiano dos óleos essências de alfavacão (Ocimum gratissimum L.) e de cravo da índia (Syzygium aromaticum L.) em carne de ovinos moída contaminadas experimentalmente S. aureus ATCC 25923  em dosagem de 104 105 UFC/g. O óleo de cravo da índia  utilizado na concentração de na concentração de 400 ul/g , no tempo de exposição de 60 minutos apresentou maior efeito inibitório em relação aos demais para ambos os tratamentos (p0,001), sugerindo que o aumento do tempo de exposição potencializou  o efeito antimicrobiano. O Cravo da índia apresentou maior efeito na redução  das contagens médias de micro-organismos.