Microbiological stability and sensorial valorization of thyme and oregano essential oils alone or combined with ethanolic pomegranate extracts in wine marinated pork meat.

In the present study, wine-based marinades containing ethanolic extract from pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), alone or in combination with two Essential Oils (Thyme & Oregano), were used for pork fillets marination and their antimicrobial activity, as well as their sensorial impact were evaluated. Likewise, the marinades exhibited promising results concerning their recorded antimicrobial activity versus Enterobacteriaceae, Total Mesophilic Bacteria, Yeasts/molds, Staphylococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp. & Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB). The outcome demonstrated that pork fillets marinated with wine containing ethanolic extract of pomegranate and Oregano Essential Oil were more resistant to spoilage compared to all other samples; thus, their shelf-life was significantly extended (4 days in some cases). Triterpenes (maslinic, oleanolic and betulinic acid), monoterpenes (p-cymene, carvacrol, thymol, limonene), organic acids (citric & malic acid) and phenols, were the main constituents found in the plant extract, the wine and Essential Oils applied, as determined through LC-QTOF/MS and HPLC analysis. Additionally, the sensorial properties (color, tenderness, flavor and juiciness) of the marinated meat samples were not negatively influenced. Consequently, marinades of this type could be used as natural preservatives in meat products, with satisfying antimicrobial and organoleptic results.

The In Vitro Assessment of Antibacterial and Antioxidant Efficacy in Rosa damascena and Hypericum perforatum Extracts against Pathogenic Strains in the Interplay of Dental Caries, Oral Health, and Food Microbiota.

The rising demand for novel antibiotic agents prompts an investigation into natural resources, notably plant-derived compounds. In this study, various extracts (aqueous, ethanolic, aqueous-ethanolic, and enzymatic) of Rosa damascena and Hypericum perforatum were systematically evaluated against bacterial strains isolated from dental lesions (n = 6) and food sources (raw milk and broiler carcass, n = 2). Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC), antibiofilm activity, and time-kill kinetics were assessed across a range of extract concentrations, revealing a dose-responsive effect. Notably, some extracts exhibited superior antibacterial efficacy compared to standard clinical antibiotics, and the time-kill kinetics demonstrated a rapid elimination of bacterial loads within 24 h. The susceptibility pattern proved strain-specific, contingent upon the extract type, yet all tested pathogens exhibited sensitivity. The identified extracts, rich in phenolic and polyphenolic compounds, as well as other antioxidant properties, contributed to their remarkable antibiotic effects. This comprehensive investigation not only highlights the potential of Rosa damascena and Hypericum perforatum extracts as potent antibacterial agents against diverse bacterial strains including caries pathogens, but also underscores their rapid action and dose-dependent efficacy. The findings suggest a promising avenue for harnessing plant-derived compounds in the development of novel antimicrobial strategies against dental caries and other oral inflammations, bridging the gap between natural resources and antibiotic discovery.

Plant Extract and Essential Oil Application against Food-Borne Pathogens in Raw Pork Meat.

Herbal and plant extracts are being applied for a wide range of foods against different types of food-borne pathogens. In the present study, ethanolic and aqueous extracts (2% w/v) from cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) and pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) plants were applied alone or in combination with two essential oils (thyme and oregano in a concentration of 0.150 µg/g) in pork meatballs and their antimicrobial activity was estimated. The extracts exhibited promising results (aqueous and ethanolic extracts of pomegranate and cranberry in a food-compatible concentration of 2% w/v) were applied to raw pork meatball production and their antimicrobial activity was recorded versus Enterobacteriaceae, total mesophilic bacteria, yeasts/molds, Staphylococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp. and lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The outcome demonstrated that meatballs containing aqueous extracts of pomegranate were more resistant to spoilage compared to all the other samples since they were preserved for more days. The chemical profiles of plant extracts were determined through LC-QTOF/MS and the chemical composition of the essential oils applied was determined with the use of GC/MS in order to identify the substances involved in the observed antimicrobial activity. Phenolic acids (quinic acid, chlorogenic acid), monoterpenes (p-cymene, carvacrol, thymol, limonene), organic acids (citric acid) and phenols were the main constituents found in the plant extracts and essential oils applied. These extracts of plant origin could be used as natural preservatives in meat products, even in low concentrations.

Assessment of Antimicrobial Activity of Pomegranate, Cranberry, and Black Chokeberry Extracts against Foodborne Pathogens.

Herbal and plant extracts are being applied to a wide range of foods against different types of foodborne pathogens. In the present study, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of different concentrations (5% v/v, 10% v/v, and 20% v/v) from cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), and pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) plants were applied in five concentrations (62.5 to 1000 mg/mL) against foodborne strains of Staphylococcus aureus,Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus pyogenes. The results revealed that a low concentration of solvents (5% v/v) did not exhibit decreased antimicrobial activity in comparison with higher solvent concentrations (10% and 20% v/v). Additionally, both aqueous and ethanolic extracts were highly effective against pathogens even in their low concentrations (62.5 mg/mL and 125 mg/mL). Likewise, the extracts exhibited promising results (aqueous extracts of pomegranate, cranberry, and black chokeberry in a food-compatible concentration of 2% w/v) were applied to raw pork meatball production, and their antimicrobial activity was recorded versus Enterobacteriaceae, total mesophilic bacteria (TMB), lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Staphylococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp., and yeasts/molds. The outcome demonstrated that meatballs that contained aqueous extracts of pomegranate were more resistant to spoilage compared to all of the other samples, as it was preserved for more days. Likewise, these extracts of a plant origin could be used as natural preservatives in meat products, even in their low concentrations.

Antimicrobial activity of essential oils of cultivated oregano (Origanum vulgare), sage (Salvia officinalis), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) against clinical isolates of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

BACKGROUND: Oregano (Origanum vulgare), sage (Salvia officinalis), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) are aromatic plants with ornamental, culinary, and phytotherapeutic use all over the world. In Europe, they are traditionally used in the southern countries, particularly in the Mediterranean region. The antimicrobial activities of the essential oils (EOs) derived from those plants have captured the attention of scientists as they could be used as alternatives to the increasing resistance of traditional antibiotics against pathogen infections. Therefore, significant interest in the cultivation of various aromatic and medicinal plants is recorded during the last years. However, to gain a proper and marketable chemotype various factors during the cultivation should be considered as the geographical morphology, climatic, and farming conditions. In this frame, we have studied the antimicrobial efficiency of the EOs from oregano, sage, and thyme cultivated under different conditions in a region of NE Greece in comparison to the data available in literature. METHODS: Plants were purchased from a certified supplier, planted, and cultivated in an experimental field under different conditions and harvested after 9 months. EOs were extracted by using a Clevenger apparatus and tested for their antibacterial properties (Minimum inhibitory concentration - MIC) against clinical isolates of multidrug resistant Escherichia coli (n=27), Klebsiella oxytoca (n=7), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=16) strains by using the broth microdilution assay. RESULTS: Our results showed that the most sensitive organism was K. oxytoca with a mean value of MIC of 0.9 µg/mL for oregano EOs and 8.1 µg/mL for thyme. The second most sensitive strain was K. pneumoniae with mean MIC values of 9.5 µg/mL for thyme and 73.5 µg/mL for oregano EOs. E. coli strains were among the most resistant to EOs antimicrobial action as the observed MICs were 24.8-28.6 µg/mL for thyme and above 125 µg/mL for thyme and sage. Most efficient were the EOs from thyme followed by those of oregano. CONCLUSIONS: With MIC values above 150 µg/mL, sage EOs did not show any antibacterial efficiency against the majority of the strains. However, no significant differences were observed concerning the antimicrobial action of all EOs originating from irrigated versus non-irrigated cultivated aromatic plants.

A Phase II trial of the combination of vinorelbine and capecitabine as second-line treatment in metastatic breast cancer previously treated with taxanes and/or anthracyclines.

PURPOSE: Survival time for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) can be substantially improved by combination chemotherapy in the adjuvant setting. Capecitabine and vinorelbine have shown considerable efficacy and favourable toxicity as single agents. The aim of this study is to evaluate the response to the combination of capecitabine and vinorelbine as second-line treatment in patients previously treated with taxanes and/or anthracyclines. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with MBC, who received a combination of vinorelbine and capecitabine were included in the study. RESULTS: Overall response rate was 53.9% and disease progression rate was 28.2% for patients who received six cycles of therapy, rates significantly higher than the three-cycle group. The treatment was generally well tolerated and toxicity was mild. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of capecitabine and vinorelbine as salvage therapy in anthracycline- and/or taxane-pre-treated patients with MBC seems to be effective and safe, even more so as the number of treatment cycles increases.

A quantitative approach to the effectiveness of ozone against microbiota organisms colonizing toothbrushes.

OBJECTIVES: Toothbrushes are rapidly contaminated with different microorganisms, which colonize the oral cavity and interdental spaces. This can represent a possible cause of infection or reinfection. In this study, the ozone experimental effect upon toothbrushes microflora was estimated microbiologically before and after saturation with ozone gas. METHODS: Fifty used toothbrushes coming from children and adults were entered our study. Microorganisms were enumerated and identified. Bristles from each brush were soaked in ozone saturated PBS solution for 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 min and the total microbial population was reassessed. RESULTS: Counts of microorganisms isolated per brush varied between 10(2) and 10(7) CFU. Candida albicans was present in used toothbrushes. No obligate anaerobes were isolated. Members of Streptococcaceae family were regularly found (65.2%) belonging to the following species: Streptococcus pyogenes, S. mutans, S. mitis, S. oralis, S. sobrinus, S. viridans, S. salivarius, S. sanguis, Aerococcus viridans. A. viridans and S. mutans were more frequently isolated on children toothbrushes while Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis were found on adults brushes. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas sp. and Enterococcus sp., were also recovered. We found that the ozone treatment decreased gradually the microbial load. However, a bacterial re-growth was effective following short ozonation period. Decontamination was complete after an extended exposure to ozone for 30 min. CONCLUSIONS: Ozone application was found to remove the toothbrushes bristles microbiota following conventional brushing. Maximum decontamination efficacy of ozone treatment was observed after 30 min while exposure for short time periods seems to be inefficient which probably reflect the low dose of ozone used in this study.

Toxic and essential trace elements in human milk from Greek lactating women: association with dietary habits and other factors.

The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of some essential and toxic metals in the colostrum and transitory human milk in conjunction with various factors that may influence their concentrations i.e. diet, supplementation, place of residence, smoking, as well as socioeconomic and somatometric characteristics. Zinc, iron, copper, manganese, cadmium and lead were measured by AAS in 180 colostrum samples from healthy lactating women collected on third day postpartum. A second milk sample was collected in 95 (53%) subjects 14 days later. Dietary habits were assessed by a 7-day food frequency questionnaire and various characteristics and socio-economic factors were also recorded. The mean (+/-standard deviation) values of colostrum samples were: Zn 4905 +/- 1725 microg l(-1), Fe 544 +/- 348 microg l(-1), Mn 4.79 +/- 3.23 microg l(-1), Cu 381 +/- 132 microg l(-1), Cd 0.190 +/- 0.150 microg l(-1), Pb 0.48 +/- 0.60 microg l(-1). All metals with the exception of copper were found in lower concentrations in transitory samples. Cadmium and lead weekly intakes were found to be below the Maximum Tolerable Weekly Intakes as they have been established for infants by WHO or NRC. Our results revealed: higher Pb concentration in the samples from urban areas; effect of smoking on Cu level; dietary habits seem to play a role in metal levels in human milk as the logistic regression models revealed.