Preparation, characterization and application of poly(lactic acid)/corn starch/eucalyptus leaf essential oil microencapsulated active bilayer degradable film.

This study aimed to develop a composite bilayer film based on corn starch (CS)/polylactic acid (PLA). The film had a hydrophobic outer layer and an absorbent inner layer. A natural bioactive substance was incorporated into the inner layer, namely, eucalyptus essential oil microcapsules (EOM). This allowed most of the bioactive substance to be released inside the storage environment. The effects of different amounts of EOM on the physical, mechanical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of the films were investigated. Based on the results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the addition of 10-15 mL/100 mL of EOM could be uniformly distributed in the film. The addition of less than 15 mL/100 mL of EOM to the film improved its tensile strength, barrier properties, and elongation at break. The addition of too much EOM led to cracks in the film. The addition of EOM also greatly improved the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the bilayer film. The best performance was obtained when the added amount was 15 mL/100 mL. Films with the best overall properties were used for preserving Agaricus bisporus. In preservation experiments, this film inhibited the respiration rate of A. bisporus, slowed down the consumption of organic matter, and maintained its moisture content. Compared with other cling films, the shelf life of A. bisporus was greatly extended.

Short-term changes related to autotetraploidy in essential oil composition of Eucalyptus benthamii Maiden & Cambage and its applications in different bioassays.

Some forest trees have been polyploidized to improve their traits and to supply new germplasms for breeding programs. As trees have a long juvenile stage, the early characterization of the chromosome set doubling effects is crucial for previous selection. Thus, we aimed to characterize the chemical variability of essential oils from diploid and autotetraploid germplasms (autotetraploid A and B) of Eucalyptus benthamii, as well as to evaluate their larvicidal and allelopathic effects. Autotetraploid A showed a higher essential oil yield than diploid and autotetraploid B, which did not differ quantitatively. Aromadendrene, viridiflorol and α-pinene were the major compounds in the diploid essential oil. In contrast, compounds were present in autotetraploids, such as 1,8-cineole, limonene, α-terpineol, and α-terpinyl-acetate. Essential oils from the diploid at 50-200 ppm were twice as larvicidal than those from autotetraploids against Aedes aegypti larvae. Considering the phytotoxicity bioassays using Lactuca sativa, essential oils from both ploidy levels affected root growth. Moreover, the essential oils inhibited shoot growth at all concentrations tested (187.5; 375; 750; 1500; and 3000 ppm). Autotetraploid A and B had the same effect on shoot growth as glyphosate. The essential oils had no cytogenotoxic effect on root meristematic cells of L. sativa, whereas phytotoxic potential was identified mainly in shoot growth. This work demonstrated a dramatic change in secondary metabolism (terpene composition) related to an increase in the ploidy level in Eucalyptus germplasms. In addition, we report the novelty of the chemical composition of essential oils among germplasms and their potential use as larvicidal and post-emergence weed control agents.

Buffalo Yogurt Fortified with Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and Myrrh (Commiphora Myrrha) Essential Oils: New Insights into the Functional Properties and Extended Shelf Life.

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and Myrrh (Commiphora Myrrha) essential oils (EOs) stand out for their benefits in terms of health and functionality. Buffalo set yogurt enriched with different concentrations of EOs (0.3, 0.6, and 0.9%) were investigated. The effects of addition on sensory, syneresis, antibacterial activity, and bioactive properties (total phenol content and antioxidant activity) of yogurt were studied. The most acceptable organoleptic properties of treated yogurt were those samples treated with Eucalyptus oil. The levels of syneresis were decreased by increasing the concentration of EOs. Moreover, the antioxidant activity, antibacterial activity, and total phenolic content were enhanced by increasing the concentration of EOs. Yogurt with 0.9% Eucalyptus oil showed the highest antioxidant activity and total phenolic content. The same concentration of Eucalyptus oil showed the highest antibacterial activity against S. typhimurium (the inhibition zone was 20.63 mm) then E. coli (the inhibition zone was 19.43 mm). On the other hand, the highest antibacterial effect against L. monocytogene was for Myrrh oil-enriched yogurt by 0.9% and the inhibition zone was 19.21 mm. The obtained results showed that Eucalyptus and Myrrh oils can be applied to yogurt to improve its beneficial properties in terms of physical characteristics and for human health due to their antioxidant activity and phenolic materials.

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Phytotoxic Potential of Eucalyptus grandis × E. urophylla Leaves Essential Oils.

Eucalyptus grandis × E. urophylla was a unique hybridization in China. However, the chemical and pharmacological properties were rarely reported. Therefore, in this work, we used a steam distillation method to obtain essential oils from leaves of E. grandis × E. urophylla, and further evaluated the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and phytotoxic potential of the essential oil. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was applied to investigate the chemical composition of E. grandis × E. urophylla essential oil (EEO) and the results showed that the main components of EEO were monoterpenes followed by sesquiterpenes. Among them, α-pinene accounted about 17.02%. EEO could also well scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2, 2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) free radicals showing a good free radical clearance ability. In addition, EEO efficiently inhibited the growth of six kinds of bacteria as well as seven kinds of plant pathogens, especially Salmonella typhimurium and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Moreover, the seedling germination of Raphanus sativus, Lactuca sativa, Lolium perenne, and Bidens pilosa was significantly suppressed by EEO, thus, indicating essential oils from eucalyptus possessed an excellent phytotoxic activity. This study may give a better understanding on EEO and provide a pharmacological activities analysis contributing to the further research of EEO as a functional drug in agronomic and cosmetic industries.

Control of Rhipicephalus annulatus resistant to deltamethrin by spraying infested cattle with synergistic eucalyptus essential oil-thymol-deltamethrin combination.

The current study investigated the synergistic effect of combinations containing deltamethrin (D), Eucalyptus essential oil (E), and the thyme essential oil component thymol (T), against a field population of Rhipicephalus annulatus in Egypt that was characterized to be resistant to D. Solutions of T, E, or TE at concentrations of 1.25-5% were combined with 5% deltamethrin at different dilutions (0.25-2 mL/L). Results of the adult immersion test used to estimate the in vitro acaricidal activity of these combinations at 5% yielded LC50 values for D, E-D, T-D, and TE-D of 3.87 mL/L, 3.89 mL/L, 0.14 mL/L, and 0.05 mL/L, respectively. Biochemical analyses using whole-body homogenate of ticks from the in vitro tests revealed that the lowest acetylcholinesterase and glutathione peroxidase activity, and the maximum lipid peroxidation were recorded in ticks treated with 5% TE-D. Glutathione content significantly decreased (p ≤ 0.05) in all treated ticks. Three groups, each containing five cross breed cattle naturally infested with R. annulatus from the same area where resistance to D was detected, were sprayed twice at two-week intervals using 1 mL/L of 5% solutions of D, T-D, or TE-D. Overall efficacy of the D, T-D, and TE-D sprays by day 30 post-treatment was 21.6, 88.3, and 95 %, respectively. Ticks collected from infested cattle three days after treatment with the D spray deposited egg masses that were able to hatch, deposited small masses of eggs unable to hatch when exposed to the T-D spray, and laid few eggs that didn't hatch when sprayed with the TE-D combination. Values for liver and kidney function parameters were comparable in cattle before and after treatment with the combination sprays tested. The TE-D spray overcame the insensitivity to D of this R. annulatus population in Egypt, which also highlighted the significant synergistic effect of thymol on the acaricidal activity of deltamethrin observed in vitro. Acaricidal activity of the TE-D combination apparently has deleterious effects on multiple tick systems involving inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, increased lipid peroxidation, and oxidative stress. These findings document that combinations of natural and synthetic products can be part of integrated management solutions to the problem with widespread resistance to pyrethroids like deltamethrin in populations of cattle ticks, including R. annulatus, around the world.

In situ microemulsion-gel obtained from bioadhesive hydroxypropyl methylcellulose films for transdermal administration of zidovudine.

This study aims to develop in situ microemulsion-gel (ME-Gel) obtained from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) films for transdermal administration of Zidovudine (AZT). Firstly, HPMC films containing propylene glycol (PG) and eucalyptus oil (EO) were obtained and characterized. Later, a pseudo-ternary phase diagram composed of water, EO, tween 80 and PG was obtained and one microemulsion (ME) with a similar proportion of the film components was obtained. ME was transformed in ME-Gel by the incorporation of HPMC. Finally, HPMC films were hydrated with Tween 80 solution to yield in situ ME-Gel and its effect on AZT skin permeation was compared with HPMC film hydrated with water (F5hyd). The results showed that the ME and ME-Gel presented a droplet size of 16.79 and 122.13 µm, respectively, polydispersity index (PDI) < 0.39 and pH between 5.10 and 5.40. The incorporation of HPMC resulted in viscosity about 2 times higher than the use of ME. The presence of AZT did not alter the formulation properties. The in situ ME-Gel promoted a two-fold increase in the permeated amount of AZT compared to F5hyd. The results suggest that it was possible to obtain an ME-Gel in situ from HPMC films and that its effect on transdermal permeation of AZT was significant.

Enrichment of Eucalyptus oil nanoemulsion by micellar nanotechnology: transdermal analgesic activity using hot plate test in rats' assay.

Eucalyptus globulus is an aromatic medicinal plant which known for its 1,8-cineole main pharmacological constituent exhibits as natural analgesic agent. Eucalyptus globulus-loaded micellar nanoparticle was developed via spontaneous emulsification technique and further evaluation for its analgesic efficacy study, in vivo analgesic activity assay in rats. The nanoemulsion system containing Eucalyptus-micelles was optimized at different surfactant types (Tween 40, 60 and 80) and concentrations (3.0, 6.0, 9.0, 12.0, 15.0, and 18.0 wt. %). These formulations were characterized by thermodynamically stability, viscosity, micelles particle size, pH, and morphology structure. The spontaneous emulsification technique offered a greener micelles formation in nanoemulsion system by slowly titrated of organic phase, containing Eucalyptus globulus (active compound), grape seed oil (carrier oil) and hydrophilic surfactant into aqueous phase, and continuously stirred for 30 min to form a homogeneity solution. The characterizations evaluation revealed an optimized formulation with Tween 40 surfactant type at 9.0 wt. % of surfactant concentration promoted the most thermodynamic stability, smaller micelles particle size (d = 17.13 ± 0.035 nm) formed with spherical shape morphological structure, and suitable in viscosity (≈2.3 cP) and pH value (6.57) for transdermal purpose. The in vivo analgesic activity assay of optimized emulsion showed that the transdermal administration of micellar nanoparticle of Eucalyptus globulus on fore and hind limb of rats, possessed the central and peripheral analgesic effects by prolonged the rats pain responses towards the heat stimulus after being put on top of hot plate (55 °C), with longest time responses, 40.75 s at 60 min after treatment administration. Thus, this study demonstrated that micellar nanoparticle of Eucalyptus globulus formed in nanoemulsion system could be promising as an efficient transdermal nanocarrier for the analgesic therapy alternative.

In vitro evaluation of the protoscolicidal effect of Eucalyptus globulus essential oil on protoscolices of hydatid cyst compared with hypertonic saline, povidone iodine and silver nitrate.

OBJECTIVE: There are various protoscolicidal agents for inactivation of protoscoleces of hydatid cysts before and during surgical operation. The present study was aimed to evaluate the protoscolicidal effect of two concentrations of Eucalyptus globulus on protoscoleces of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato under in vitro condition and to compare its efficacy with hypertonic saline, povidone iodine and silver nitrate. METHODS: Live protoscoleces obtained from the liver of naturally infected sheep were exposed to 0.5% and 1% of Eucalyptus globulus essential oil, 5% hypertonic saline, 10% povidone iodine and 0.5% silver nitrate for 1 and 3minutes. Phosphate buffered saline was used as a negative control. One percent eosin staining method was used to test the viability of protoscoleces in different groups. RESULTS: While the mean percentage of dead protoscoleces was 6.08% in the control group, the scolicidal power of 5% hypertonic saline was only 6.54% and 6.60% after 1 and 3min respectively. 0.5% E. globulus EO demonstrated 97.38% and 100% scolicidal activity after 1 and 3min respectively. The mean protoscolicidal power of 1% E. globulus EO, 10% povidone iodine and 0.5% silver nitrate was 100% after one minute. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this study, E. globulus EO demonstrated high scolicidal power in a short period of time. Hence, this herbal product could be considered as a potent natural scolicidal agent that could be used before and during surgery of hydatid disease.

Crystal structure of plant vacuolar iron transporter VIT1.

The iron ion is an essential cofactor in several vital enzymatic reactions, such as DNA replication, oxygen transport, and respiratory and photosynthetic electron transfer chains, but its excess accumulation induces oxidative stress in cells. Vacuolar iron transporter 1 (VIT1) is important for iron homeostasis in plants, by transporting cytoplasmic ferrous ions into vacuoles. Modification of the VIT1 gene leads to increased iron content in crops, which could be used for the treatment of human iron deficiency diseases. Furthermore, a VIT1 from the malaria-causing parasite Plasmodium is considered as a potential drug target for malaria. Here we report the crystal structure of VIT1 from rose gum Eucalyptus grandis, which probably functions as a H+-dependent antiporter for Fe2+ and other transition metal ions. VIT1 adopts a novel protein fold forming a dimer of five membrane-spanning domains, with an ion-translocating pathway constituted by the conserved methionine and carboxylate residues at the dimer interface. The second transmembrane helix protrudes from the lipid membrane by about 40 Å and connects to a three-helical bundle, triangular cytoplasmic domain, which binds to the substrate metal ions and stabilizes their soluble form, thus playing an essential role in their transport. These mechanistic insights will provide useful information for the further design of genetically modified crops and the development of anti-malaria drugs.

A complete assessment on the impact of in-cylinder and external blending of eucalyptus oil on engine's behavior of a biofuel-based dual fuel engine.

This work aims at combusting a high viscous high cetane biofuel completely and efficiently under dual combustion mode using another low viscous low cetane biofuel. Maduca longifolia oil (MO) was selected as the base fuel. Combustion was achieved by using EFI (electronic fuel injection) and carburetion of eucalyptus oil at the intake manifold. Eucalyptus oil was also blended externally with MO at different mass ratios and tested. A comparison of engine results was made at 100% and 40% loads (power outputs) for all the attempts. Test results indicated significant improvement in BTE (brake thermal efficiency) with all modes with moderate energy shares of eucalyptus oil. The BTE increased from 25.2% with neat MO operation to a maximum of 29%, 32.3%, and 33.4% respectively with eucalyptus oil addition, carburetion, and EFI modes whereas it was observed as 30.8% with ND (neat diesel). Smoke was reduced with eucalyptus oil addition, carburetion, and EFI at the maximum efficiency points at 100% load. Peak pressure and energy-release rate indicated as superior to neat MO at all modes mainly at 100% load. Thirty percent, 40.2%, and 30.4% respectively with eucalyptus oil addition, carburetion, and EFI were recommended to be the optimal mass shares for 100% load. EFI of eucalyptus oil could be preferred for the highest BTE, lowest smoke, and NO emissions and maximum replacement of MO for the optimal operation of the engine among the methods tested.

Low Dose of Nanocapsules Containing Eucalyptus Oil Has Beneficial Repellent Effect Against Horn Fly (Diptera: Muscidae).

For the first time, the repellent and insecticidal effects of eucalypt essential oil (Eucalyptus globulus) in its free form and associated with different nanostructures (nanoemulsion and nanocapsules) were investigated against Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae) and Haemotobia irritans (Diptera: Muscidae) flies. Specimens of M. domestica were collected, separated into groups (n = 10), treated with aspersion of essential oil of eucalypt in its free (1, 5, and 10%) and nanostructured (nanoemulsion or nanoencapsulated at 1, 3, and 5%, respectively) forms. The determination of the insecticidal effect was performed by counting the number of dead flies at intervals of 30, 60, 120, 360 and 750 min after oil aspersion. E. globulus essential oil showed insecticidal effect against M. domestica at concentrations of 1 and 5%. Eucalypt essential oil (10%) caused 100% mortality of M. domestica after 750 min of the treatment. Nanocapsules (3 and 5%) showed efficacy by reducing the number of flies. On the other hand, nanoemulsion did not show insecticidal effect. The repellent action of E. globulus concentrations of 5% was tested against H. irritans on naturally infested cows. The repellent action against H. irritans was verified soon after pulverization. After 24 h, a significant reduction on horn flies' population (83.33 and 66.66%) was observed using free and nanoencapsulated forms tested, respectively. E. globulus essential oil demonstrated insecticidal and repellent effects against M. domestica and H. irritans flies.

Adsorption of terpenic compounds onto organo-palygorskite.

Essential oils from aromatic plants are currently mentioned as suitable tools for excellent protection of stored grains from insect pest attacks. The present work aimed to study the processes of the synthesis insecticidal formulation with clay. The active terpenic compounds of essential oil of Eucalyptus globulus (Eg) were fixed in the palygorskite by adsorption process. Two sample types of palygorskites were used: raw and organo-palygorskite. The palygorskite clays were characterized by different physicochemical techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyses, thermogravimetric analysis (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results reveal that the raw clay has a fibrous structure with impurities essential calcite. These structures and physicochemical properties of raw palygorskite and organo-palygorskite give it the potential of material adsorbent. Results show that the adsorption capacity strongly depends on affinity between terpenic compounds and organic cations rather than on interlayer distance of organo-palygorskite. The highest adsorption capacity of terpenic compounds is acquired with palygorskite interlaced by didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDDMA). These results validated the potential utility of the Paly-DDDMA as adsorbent fibrous clay for the retention of terpenic compounds in application of environmental preservation.