Encapsulation of sesamol and retinol using alginate and chitosan-coated W/O/W multiple emulsions containing Tween 80 and Span 80.

The conditions of production of multiple W/O/W nanoemulsions containing sesamol and retinol were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). Span 80 (5, 10, and 15 % w/v), Tween 80 (1, 5.5, and 10 % w/v), and water in oil ratio (W/O) (20, 30, and 40 %) were considered as independent variables while encapsulation efficiency (EE%) and particle size were taken as dependent variables. Alginate (Alg) and chitosan (CS) were also applied to form a deposit layer. An optimum sample with an EE of 92.93 % and particle size of 381.94 nm was produced when Tween 80, Span 80, and W/O were 6.24 %, 10.84 %, and 37.70 %, respectively. Based on the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), detection of hydrophobic band (2899 cm-1) approved the physical entrapment of biomolecules. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) indicated an endothermic peak at 236.48 °C associated with the ionic interactions of Alg-CS. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) indicated Alg-CS complex deposit layer formed by electrostatic attraction surrounding the W/O/W multiple layers. The in vitro release of sesamol and retinol was 39 % of sesamol and 22 % of retinol in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and 56 % and 22 % in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF), respectively.

A smart meat packaging to show ciprofloxacin residues based on immunochromatography.

The aim of this study was to design a novel smart packaging based on immunochromatography to show ciprofloxacin residues in beef meat. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and precision of this smart packaging were 97%, 100%, 100%, and 97%, respectively. The minimum diagnostic concentration and the minimum diagnostic time were 25 µg/kg and 1 min, respectively. Also, intra- and inter-assays showed all assays were all identical. This means that the smart packaging was a stable and reproducible tool for ciprofloxacin analysis. It is recommended that this type of smart packaging be designed, analyzed, and used to show the residues of common antibiotics in the livestock industry. It is hoped that by obtaining the necessary permits and relevant approvals, this type of packaging can be used for the export and import of various types of meat.

The effect of Quinoa flour and enzymes on the quality of gluten-free bread.

Gluten-free products usually are produced by refined flours such as rice and corn flour, which the bran is separated during processing. These flours are not nutritionally as rich as gluten containing products. Moreover, gluten-free bread has several technical problems such as unfavorable texture, low volume, quick staling, and weaker color and taste compared with the wheat flour products. In this research, gluten-free bread with various substitution of quinoa (0%, 15%, and 25%) was produced and the effects of lipase and protease enzymes on the quality of bread were investigated. The gluten-free bread properties like physicochemical properties, rheological properties, and bread microstructure were evaluated. Moreover, the sensorial properties were assessed. The results have demonstrated that gluten-free bread with quinoa flour has favorable properties. Also, lipase and protease enzymes could improve the quality of the bread containing quinoa. Protease and lipase enzymes increased the bread volume, specifically in sample containing 15% quinoa substitution. Moreover, the staling was delayed in sample 25% quinoa substitution. The bread was accepted by consumers, and the highest score belonged to 25% substitution of quinoa flour.

Biosynthesis and Antibacterial Activity of ZnO Nanoparticles by Artemisia aucheri Extract.

BACKGROUND: Green approach to nanoparticles, including metal oxides Because of an inevitable disadvantage of physical or chemical synthesis routes is attractive nowadays. ZnO nanoparticles play a key role in the medicals and drugs area. OBJECTIVES: In this study, biosynthesis of ZnO nanoparticles with new approach to enhanced the Antimicrobial properties against gram-negative and gram-positive was performed by use of a new type of plant extract, Artemisia aucheri, in an environmentally friendly, cost-effective, simple procedure way. MATERIALS AND METHODS: By adding Zn(NO3)2 to A. aucheri methanol extract followed by stirring The resulted solution and final heat treatment in 200 °C the ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized. Disc diffusion method was applied to evaluation the Antimicrobial properties of the extract and nanoparticles towards resistance into Escherichia coli (gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (gram-positive). RESULTS: X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) result showed all of the peaks proportion to ZnO and no other peaks were detected, also demonstrated nanostructure nature with crystallite size about 9 nm. In the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), there is a band in the 550 cm-1 which is corresponded to ZnO. Also 76 nm average particle size obtained by DLS experiments. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis showed strong peaks for Zn and O, support supposition of ZnO nanoparticles. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images indicated spherical rounded particles with the size of average 30 nm. Antibacterial tests showed effective diameter about 11 and 10 mm for plant extract and also 7 and 5 mm for ZnO nanoparticles against E. coli (gram-negative) and S. aureus (gram-positive) in agar disc diffusion method, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Biosynthesized ZnO nanoparticles could be a good candidate for antibacterial activity, both against E. coli (gram-negative) and S. aureus (gram-positive) especially for versus E. coli.

Phytochemical composition, and cytotoxic, antioxidant, and antibacterial activity of the essential oil and methanol extract of Semenovia suffruticosa.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, our aim was to extract, and identify and quantify the chemical composition of essential oils of Semenovia suffruticosa grown in Kerman, Iran. Moreover, cytotoxic, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil and methanol extract of aerial parts of S. suffruticosa were reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: GC and GC/MS analysis were used for identifying and quantifying the essential oil components. Antioxidant and antibacterial activity were tested by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and agar disc diffusion methods, respectively and MTT assay was used to determine the anti-proliferative potential of the oil against breast (MCF-7), colon (HT-29), neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y), embryonal carcinoma (NCCIT) cancer cell relative to human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) as a normal cell. Apoptosis induction was monitored by flow cytometry using PE annexin V apoptosis detection kit and cell cycle arrest was by with propidium iodide. RESULTS: Z-ß-ocimene (25.1%), linalool (17.8%) and ß-bisabolol (13.3%) were recognized as major components of the essential oil. Our study demonstrated apoptosis-inducing potential of essential oil on normal and cancer cells. However, methanol extract exerted cytotoxicity against a number of cancer cells and arrested cancer cells in G2/M phase; nevertheless, it did not exert strong cytotoxicity against normal cells. Furthermore, DPPH and disc diffusion results showed that while essential oil has considerable antiradical activity, methanol extract did not exert promising antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. CONCLUSION: Methanol extract of S. suffruticosa shows tumor-cell-specific cytotoxic properties and the essential oil demonstrated a strong antioxidant activity.

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants of hezar mountain allocated in South East of iran.

This manuscript is the result of ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology survey on the Hezar Mountain in SE of Iran. Traditional botanical medicine is the primary mode of healthcare for most of the population of this region. The plants were collected in and around Hezar mountain from 2008-2010. The authors have conducted an interview of total 75 informants; The traditional uses of 92 species belonging to 35 vascular plant families and 78 genera have been recorded. The largest number of medicinal species came from Lamiaceae (15.2%). The most common preparations were decoction and infusion. These species are utilized to treat several ailments which the most common of them are digestive disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, (25.4%), renal and genital disorders (13%), respiratory tract system disorders (11.8%), and heart-blood circulatory system disorders (10.2%) respectively.

Micromorphology of glandular hairs, biological activity and composition of the essential oil of Tanacetum fisherae (Asteraceae-Anthemideae) from Iran.

The essential oil was obtained from the aerial flowering parts of Tanacetum fisherae, a new record from Iran, by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Eleven components representing 99.9% of the total oil were identified. 1,8-Cineole (79.9%) was characterized as the principal compound. The essential oil and its main component were tested against nine microbial strains. The result of the bioassays revealed that the oil possess potent antimicrobial property. This may be associated due to the presence of 1,8-cineole in the oil which tested individually and its high activity was observed. Micromorphological studies of hairs by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) exhibited the presence of abundant sessile capitate glandular and medifixed T-shaped eglandular trichomes on the leaves, flowers and achene, giving useful diagnostic characters for identification of this medicinal plant.