Evaluating the Antifungal Potential of Botanical Compounds to Control Botryotinia fuckeliana and Rhizoctonia solani.

The European Union is promoting regulatory changes to ban fungicides because of the impact their use has on the ecosystem and the adverse effects they can pose for humans. An ecofriendly alternative to these chemicals to fight against fungal species with low toxicity is essential oils and their compounds extracted from aromatic plants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antifungal capacity of the botanical compounds eugenol, carvacrol, thymol, and cinnamaldehyde, and the synergy or antagonism of their mixtures, against Botryotinia fuckeliana and Rhizoctonia solani. Different bioassays were performed at doses of 300, 200, 150, and 100 µg/mL using pure commercial compounds and their combination in potato dextrose agar culture medium. Growth rate and the mycelium growth inhibition parameters were calculated. Phenolic compounds and their combination inhibited the development of species at the different concentrations, with fungicidal or fungistatic activity shown under almost all the tested conditions. When comparing the growth rates of the species in the control plates and treatments, the statistical analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences. The mixture of compounds improved fungicidal activity against the studied species and at a lower concentration of monoterpenes.

Cherry tomato and persimmon kaki conservation with a natural and biodegradable film.

The chemical composition of Essential Oils Satureja montana and Mentha longifolia was determined, and their activity against important phytopathogenic and post-harvest fungi was studied, to evaluate their potential as natural food preservatives. The major compounds were carvacrol (24.0%), γ-terpinene (15.9%) and p-cymene (14.2%) in S. montana, and piperitenone oxide (52.7%) and piperitone oxide (23.5%) in M. longifolia. EOs were tested in vitro on Alternaria alternata, Botryotinia fuckeliana, Curvularia hawaiiensis, Fusarium equiseti, F. oxysporum lycopersici, Rhizoctonia solani and Verticillium dahliae. S. montana demonstrated excellent results. At 300 µg mL-1 the growth of all fungi was inhibited with 100% mycelial growth inhibition (MGI), except for B. fuckeliana (92%). M. longifolia was less effective, and its best result was against Verticillium dahliae (100% MGI) at 400 and 300 µg mL-1. S. montana EO was selected for in vivo antifungal tests in Cherry tomatoes and kaki "Persimmon" against A. alternata. The S. montana EO biofilm reduced post-harvest fungi development. In tomato, it inhibited up to 90% after 20 days. Necrosis did not occur for 2 months in the persimmon fruits. S. montana EO is an effective non-toxic preservative that can be considered to develop a botanical and enviro-friendly low-risk biofungicide.

[Incisional hernia in colorectal cancer surgery. Associated risk factors]. / Hernia incisional en cirugía de cáncer colorrectal. Factores de riesgo relacionados.

BACKGROUND: Incisional hernia is one of the most common complications in abdominal surgery. The aim of this retrospective study was to examine the true incidence of incisional hernia and its risk factors in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Two hundred ninety-five patients who underwent colorectal cancer surgery between 1993 and 2003 were included. The mean follow-up was 37.5 +/- 22 months. RESULTS: Forty-three patients developed incisional hernia, representing 14.5% of the total. The cumulative percentage of patients developing incisional hernia was 7% at 6 months, 16% at 1 year, 21% at 2 years and 33% at 5 and 10 years. The only significant independent risk factors were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (2-year cumulative incidence of incisional hernia of 53%, p = 0.04) and abdominal wound infection (2-year cumulative incidence of incisional hernia of 28%; p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: COPD and abdominal wound infection predispose to incisional hernia in colorectal surgery. Abdominal wound infection is the only factor over which the surgeon can act preventively by using antibiotic prophylaxis and an aseptic technique.