Search Results (97)

Although herbs can contain several secondary metabolites potentially harmful to insects, dried herbs, like all stored foods, can be damaged by various insect pests. These pests have the potential to diminish both the quantity and the quality of food, and the consequences of infestation often only become noticeable once the pest has already become established. This study investigates the ability of two Lepidoptera pests, one polyphagous, Plodia interpunctella, and one selective, Idaea inquinata, to complete the postembryonic development on eleven dried herbs commonly used in cooking: dill (Anethum graveolens L.), basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium (L.) Hoffm.), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.), chives (Allium schoenoprasum L.), oregano (Origanum vulgare L.), parsley (Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss), sage (Salvia officinalis L.), savory (Satureja hortensis L.), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.). The results show that tarragon, sage, savory, oregano and thyme did not allow growth of either species, suggesting the presence of chemical compounds that limit larval growth or survival. In addition, the time required for both species to complete development was longer than that obtained on a standard diet, suggesting that the nutritional requirements and water content of the herbs are not as optimal as those of the standard diet. To conclude, I. inquinata could develop on basil, chervil, chives, coriander, dill, and parsley, while P. interpunctella could develop only on chervil, chives, coriander, and dill. Full article

Thymus, Satureja, and Monarda are three plant genera, belonging to the Lamiaceae family, that are particularly valued for their essential oils (EOs) abundant in phenolic terpenoids. In this study, a botanical characterization of the following eight Eastern European cultivars (some of them newly bred) grown in Ukraine is distinguished: Thymus vulgaris (‘Yalos’, ‘101’), Thymus richardii (‘Fantasia’), Satureja montana (‘Krymsky smaragd’, ‘Lunata’, ‘4-18’), Monarda fistulosa (‘Premiera’), and Monarda × hybrida hort., which is a Monarda didyma × Monarda fistulosa hybrid (‘Tonya’). The EO of those cultivars was obtained and characterized in detail using GC-MS and GC-FID. Additionally, some biological activities of these oils were tested. Antimicrobial activity was verified against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans using disk diffusion and microdilution methods. Furthermore, some preliminary tests were performed on the motility of bull sperm using the CASA system. All the Thymus cultivars were very rich in thymol (57.99–67.62%), and all the S. montana cultivars were very abundant in carvacrol (62.22–75.53%). M. fistulosa cv. ‘Premiera’ contained mainly thymol (49.87%), and M. × hybrida cv. ‘Tonya’ contained both thymol (46.70%) and carvacrol (10.37%). All the tested EOs, as well as thymol and carvacrol, exhibited strong antibacterial and antifungal action with minimal inhibitory concentrations ranging from <0.25–0.5 mg/mL for Satureja, through <0.25–0.5 mg/mL for Monarda, to 0.5–4 mg/mL for Thymus. The EOs, at a concentration of 0.4 µL/mL, exhibited cytotoxicity towards bull spermatozoa when compared to the control sample. Full article

Background/Objectives: Burn wound infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus remain a major clinical challenge, leading to delayed healing and high mortality. Natural compounds derived from the Lamiaceae family possess antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that may modulate wound recovery. This study aimed to evaluate the dual modulatory effects of Satureja montana and Origanum vulgare hydrolate-loaded hydrogels on modulation of infection and skin recovery in an experimental rabbit model of S. aureus-infected burns. Methods: Full-thickness (grade IIIa) thermal burns were induced in 25 male New Zealand White rabbits, followed by inoculation with S. aureus (10⁸–10⁹ CFU/mL). Animals were divided into five groups: sham control, burn-infection control, standard-of-care intervention, Satureja montana hydrolate intervention, and Origanum vulgare hydrolate intervention. Treatments were applied twice daily for 14 days. Bacterial load (CFU/g), biochemical markers, histological parameters, and multiplex immunohistochemical indices (Ki-67, CD68, CD163) were analyzed. Results: Both hydrolate-based formulations exhibited pronounced antibacterial effects, significantly reducing S. aureus counts by day 14 compared to untreated burns (p < 0.001). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed enhanced cell proliferation and a rapid shift from pro-inflammatory M1 (CD68+) to reparative M2 (CD163+) macrophages, indicating effective immune resolution. The hydrolate-loaded hydrogels effectively combined antimicrobial activity with tissue-regenerative and immunomodulatory effects. The S. montana formulation demonstrated superior performance, representing a promising adjunctive therapy for infected burn wounds. Conclusions: This study represents the first comparative in vivo evaluation of S. montana and O. vulgare hydrolate-loaded hydrogels in a complex S. aureus-infected burn model. Full article

Summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family and widely used as a culinary spice. The present research aimed to investigate the physicochemical characteristics, phenolic profile, antioxidant potential, and antimicrobial activity of ten summer savory samples (dried leaves and flowers) grown in different regions of Bulgaria. The physicochemical analyses of the dried plant material demonstrated that the ash content varied from 19.51 to 26.92%, proteins from 16.25 to 22.78%, and carbohydrates from 5.37 to 10.01%. The values of the total phenolic content (TPC) ranged from 1.10 to 4.83 mg GAE/g dw (aqueous savory extracts—ASE) and from 3.98 to 9.54 mg GAE/g dw (methanolic savory extracts—MSE). The values of the total flavonoid content (TFC) were from 0.08 to 0.29 mg QE/g dw (ASE) and from 0.73 to 1.23 mg QE/g dw (MSE). The investigated samples exhibited significant antioxidant activity, with values determined by the DPPH method varying between 35.01 and 59.93 mM TE/g dw (ASE) and between 51.75 and 91.85 mM TE/g dw (MSE). The values by the FRAP method ranged from 74.49 to 134.85 µmol Fe²⁺/g dw (ASE) and from 108.20 to 215.48 µmol Fe²⁺/g dw (MSE). The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed that rosmarinic acid was predominant in all tested samples (3.54–5.90 mg/g dw), whereas ferulic, caffeic and p-coumaric acids were detected in trace amounts. The HPLC analysis of organic acids revealed that ascorbic acid was present in higher concentration in all samples (0.35–0.98 mg/g dw) compared to malic acid, which was found in trace amounts. The antimicrobial activity test demonstrated that methanolic savory extracts showed moderate to high inhibitory activity against most of the microorganisms used (most pronounced against Staphylococcus aureus 6538P, with diameters of the inhibition zones from 20 to 30 mm), while aqueous savory extracts exhibited antifungal rather than antibacterial activity. Based on the results obtained, we can conclude that savory is a plant with potential for use in the pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors, in addition to its culinary applications. Full article

Certain essential oils (EOs) from aromatic plants have shown potent antifungal effects. In this work, an in vitro study was conducted to examine the antifungal effect of EOs obtained from Greek flora aromatic plants that belong to the Lamiaceae family on two phytopathogenic fungi. Specifically, Satureja horvatii ssp. macrophylla, Coridothymus capitatus, and Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum were tested against Alternaria sp., which causes tomato black spot, and Fusarium sp., which causes potato tuber dry rot during storage. The antifungal activity of the EOs was assessed using fumigant assays, and their chemical composition was analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). After 8 days of incubation at 26 ± 1 °C, the EOs of O. vulgare ssp. hirtum and C. capitatus completely inhibited mycelial growth at 2 µL plate⁻¹ in the case of Fusarium sp. and at 3 µL plate⁻¹ in the case of Alternaria sp. S. horvatii ssp. macrophylla completely inhibited the mycelial growth of Fusarium sp. at 3 µL plate⁻¹ and that of Alternaria sp. at 4 µL plate⁻¹. All the essential oils used in the experiments were rich in carvacrol (41.4–70.0%), while thymol levels ranged from 0% to 18.9%. This fumigant effect could be further evaluated for the fruits’ postharvest protection from phytopathogenic fungi during storage. Full article

The possibility of modifying the surface chemistry of materials and synthetizing inorganic particles in natural aqueous extracts of plants (avoiding calcination), opens the doors to undoubtedly interesting scenarios for innovative functionalization strategies that are increasingly eco-sustainable and rich in interesting chemical–physical and biochemical properties. Among the aerial plants, Satureja montana exhibits interesting antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities due to the rich volatile and non-volatile compounds (characterized by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry), contained in the aqueous extracts. For the first time, the latter was applied for the green synthesis of TiO₂ and CaCO₃ particles, characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman, infrared spectroscopies, and scanning electron microscopy, coupled with microanalysis. Screening through antimicrobial assays under indoor passive sedimentation conditions showed opposite trends for two kinds of particles. TiO₂ anatase spherical particles (400 < φ < 600 nm) increase microbial growth, proportionally to increasing particle concentration. Instead, S. montana-functionalized CaCO₃ prismatic microparticles (1 µm × 1 µm × 1 µm) exhibit strong and dose-dependent antimicrobial activities, achieving near-complete inhibition at 50 mg/mL. Full article

The cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.), stands out as one of the most destructive field-to-storage pests of leguminous crops. This study investigates the potential of essential oils derived from two Satureja species, Satureja hortensis L. and Satureja khuzistanica Jamzad, for managing C. maculatus. Bioassay results revealed that both S. hortensis (72 h LC₅₀ = 0.20 µL/g) and S. khuzistanica (72 h LC₅₀ = 0.19 µL/g) essential oils exhibited significant toxicity against C. maculatus adults. The essential oils extended development time, reduced adult longevity, and decreased fecundity of the pest. Key population parameters, including intrinsic growth rate (r) and net reproductive rate (R₀), were significantly lowered, particularly by S. hortensis essential oil. Age-specific survival (l_x) and fecundity (m_x) rates were also declined in treated groups, with delayed reproductive peaks compared to controls. Chemical analyses of S. hortensis and S. khuzistanica essential oils indicated that carvacrol (30.9% and 62.9%, respectively), γ-terpinene (25.5% and 4.3%), p-cymene (9.7% and 7.9%), and thymol (3.7% and 9.3%) were the major components. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was carried out to compare and contrast the compositions with previous works. The results demonstrated that S. hortensis and S. khuzistanica essential oils, given their lethal and sublethal effects against C. maculatus, can be introduced as natural alternatives to hazardous chemical insecticides, highlighting the need for further research in this field. Full article

(1) Background: Essential oils (EOs) have emerged as promising antibacterial agents due to their broad-spectrum activity and low risk of resistance development. Therefore, this review aimed to assess the effectiveness of EOs against Gram-positive ESKAPE pathogens, and to evaluate their safety and toxicity in mammalian cells. (2) Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. (3) Results: Heracleum pyrenaicum exhibited the most potent effect, with a MIC of 0.02–0.04 µg/mL and a selectivity index ranging from 251.3 to 2006.5, indicating high selective toxicity toward bacterial cells over mammalian cells. In contrast, certain species such as Cannabis sp. and Citrus sp. had selectivity indices of <1, indicating toxicity to mammalian cells. Ocimum basilicum showed good efficacy against methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), with a selectivity index of 23.4–34.9, while Satureja nabateorum demonstrated potent activity against E. faecium, with a selectivity index of 65.6–87.2. (4) Conclusions: EOs from Heracleum, Eucalyptus, Cinnamomum, Mentha, Thymus, and Syzygium aromaticum had good efficacy and high safety margins and show a potential for development for treating Gram-positive ESKAPE pathogen infections. However, EOs with a narrow safety margin (selectivity index < 10) raise concerns and warrant further in vivo and clinical trials to better understand their therapeutic windows and potential adverse effects. Full article

Burn injuries are among the most difficult skin lesions to manage, as they trigger intense inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, which often impair angiogenesis, delay epithelialization, and increase the risk of chronic non-healing wounds. Hydrolates of Satureja montana L. and Origanum vulgare L., rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, offer a promising natural alternative for wound management. This study investigated their effects on local redox and inflammatory status in full-thickness burn wounds. Male rabbits (n = 5 per group) received full-thickness burns and were assigned to control, untreated, conventional treatment (Levomekol liniment, boric acid, and Betadine-soaked gauze dressings), Satureja montana L. hydrolate, and Origanum vulgare L. hydrolate groups. Skin samples were collected on days 3, 7, and 14. ELISA was used to quantify redox (MDA, SOD, GSH) and inflammation (TNF-α, IL-1, IL-10) markers. Histochemical (H and E, Masson’s trichrome) and immunohistochemical (CD-45) analyses, plus the Greenhalgh score, were used to assess wound healing. Burn injuries significantly altered the redox status in all treated and untreated groups. The hydrolates reduced MDA and restored SOD/GSH levels, with Satureja montana L. showing the most pronounced effects. Satureja montana L. hydrolate modulated pro- and counter-inflammatory cytokines (decreasing IL-1/TNF-α, upregulating IL-10). An assessment of local cellular immunity showed the most prominent decrease in CD45+ cell counts in groups treated with Satureja montana L. and Origanum vulgare L. hydrolates. This study provides promising evidence that Satureja montana L. and Origanum vulgare L. hydrolates offer promise as topical therapies for burn wounds by modulating ROS production and local inflammatory status and by improving wound healing, with Satureja montana L. hydrolate exhibiting the most pronounced therapeutic effect. Full article

Listeria monocytogenes presents a considerable threat in cooked chicken products, especially those that are ready-to-eat, like deli meats. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of oregano essential oil (Satureja hortensis: SHEO) against L. monocytogenes contamination of ready-to-eat cooked chicken meat during storage. The chemical content of SHEO was identified using GC-MS, with its antimicrobial properties confirmed through Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion tests. GC analyses of the SHEO used in the study showed that it contained 14.69% carvacrol and 10.61% thymol. L. monocytogenes strain NCTC 5348 was inoculated into chicken meat through a dipping technique at concentration levels of 2 × 10⁷ CFU/mL before and after application of SHEO solution (2 μL/mL). Inoculated and SHEO-treated meat samples were stored −20 °C, +4 °C, and +10 °C under both traditional and vacuum packaging conditions for 28 days. Results indicated that SHEO significantly suppressed the growth of L. monocytogenes (approximately 1 log CFU/g), especially during the first 5–7 days at +4 °C in both packaging types. Vacuum packaging prolonged the antimicrobial effect of SHEO compared to conventional packaging at +4 °C and +10 °C, approximately 1.1–1.3 log CFU/g for 14 days. The antimicrobial activity of SHEO was limited to a range of approximately 0.1–0.5 log CFU/g at −20 °C compared to the control. These results suggest that combining essential oils with modern packaging methods can provide an effective approach to controlling cold-tolerant pathogens such as L. monocytogenes, thereby improving the shelf life and safety of ready-to-eat meat products. Full article

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a major global health threat, particularly from pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, known for forming biofilms and producing virulence factors that cause persistent infections. Essential oils (EOs) offer promising alternatives to conventional antimicrobial therapy due to their antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties. This study aimed to investigate the modulatory effects of a thymol-rich EO from Satureja montana L. on planktonic growth, biofilm formation, swarming motility, proteolytic activity and pyocyanin production of P. aeruginosa PAO1. Methods: The essential oil, isolated by hydrodistillation from S. montana aerial parts, was analysed by GC-MS. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the EO and thymol was determined using the broth microdilution method. Sub-MICs were tested for planktonic growth and biofilm formation. Virulence was assessed by testing swarming motility, proteolytic activity and pyocyanin production. Results: The EO was characterised by a very high content of monoterpenes, with thymol dominating (56.47%). MIC for both EO and thymol was 4 mg/mL. They showed a biphasic effect: higher concentrations significantly inhibited planktonic growth (36–58% reduction; p < 0.05), while lower concentrations promoted it (10–17% increase; p < 0.05). Biofilm biomass varied, but the biofilm index indicated promotion at higher concentrations (0.125–0.5 mg/mL; p < 0.05). Both inhibited swarming at 0.5 mg/mL (thymol was more effective). Thymol decreased proteolytic activity, while EO increased pyocyanin production. Conclusions: S. montana essential oil and thymol show concentration-dependent modulation of P. aeruginosa growth, biofilms and virulence, suggesting their potential as anti-virulence agents, although the biphasic responses require careful dosing. Full article

Overuse of chemical fertilizers can threaten the agro-ecological balance, including an excessive accumulation of certain elements, such as nitrogen and phosphorus. On the other hand, organic fertilizers and biofertilizers, which are eco-friendly and cost-effective, increase biological nitrogen fixation and enhance the availability of nutrients to plants. The aim of this research was to study the possibility of using a full (22.50 t/ha) and 50% (11.25 t/ha) treatment of sheep manure with azotobacter (100 mL/20 L) instead of inorganic fertilizers for increasing savory (Satureja hortensis L.) growth production and yield value as well as improving chemical and biological properties. The results showed that the treatment with 50% sheep manure recorded the highest total dry herb (3.18 t/ha) yield. The inorganic fertilizer resulted in the highest essential oil content (1.43% v/w) and γ-terpinene (10.38% v/v), cymol (5.90% v/v), and α-bisabolene (5.28% v/v) values. The maximum carvacrol value (42.54% v/v) was recorded in the savory herb after applying no fertilization to the plants, while the highest concentration of thymol (16.09% v/v) was obtained by applying the full sheep manure treatment. The full sheep manure + azotobacter treatment had the highest mean α-terpinene value (7.22% v/v), and the 50% sheep manure + azotobacter treatment had the highest mean α-phellandrene value (6.44% v/v). The highest DPPH activity (60.86%) and FRAP value (69.64 mg TE/g DW) were observed with the azotobacter + full sheep manure treatment, while the highest total phenolic content (96.87 mg GAE/g DW) and total flavonoid content (45.97 mg QE/g DW) in the savory herb were obtained from the combination treatment of 50% sheep manure doses + azotobacter. Principal coordinate analysis (PCA) revealed distinct clustering of treatments, with PC1 and PC2 explaining >60% of the variance, highlighting the dominant role of sheep manure doses in morphological/yield properties. Heatmap analysis grouped the treatments (right) and examined properties (bottom) as two main groups. The full sheep manure + biofertilizer and inorganic fertilizer treatments were found in the first group, depending on the treatments. Moreover, the heatmap analysis revealed that the full and 50% sheep manure (SM) treatments played critical roles in separating the examined properties, and the DPPH and carvacrol properties were grouped together compared to other properties. Thus, the results suggest that treatment with azotobacter could be employed in combination with appropriate rates of sheep manure to obtain the maximum benefits regarding herb yield, biological activity, and essential oil components. Full article

This study investigated the potential of high-voltage electrical discharge (HVED), as a green, non-thermal extraction technology, for recovering polyphenols from winter savory (Satureja montana L.). Key process parameters, including frequency (40, 70, 100 Hz) and extraction time (1, 5, 15, 30, 45 min), were optimized, using water as a solvent and maintaining a constant solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:100 g/mL. The extracts were characterized for total polyphenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP), while individual phenolics were quantified via HPLC-DAD. Multivariate chemometric analyses, including Pearson correlation, heatmap clustering, and principal component analysis (PCA), were employed to reveal relationships between extraction conditions, polyphenolic profiles, and antioxidant activities. The results showed strong correlations between TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activity, with compounds such as quercetin-3-D-galactoside, procyanidin A2, and rutin identified as key contributors. Among the tested conditions, extraction at 70 Hz for 45 min provided the highest polyphenol yield and bioactivity. The application of HVED demonstrated its potential as an efficient and environmentally friendly technique for obtaining phenolic-rich extracts. In addition, the use of chemometric tools provided useful insights for optimizing extraction conditions and understanding the contributions of specific compounds to bioactivity. These results support future applications in clean-label product development and contribute to broader efforts in sustainable ingredient production for the food, cosmetic, and nutraceutical sectors. Full article

Satureja montana L. (winter savory, family Lamiaceae) is an aromatic herb that is widespread throughout the Mediterranean region. In a prior study, the optimization of the green hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD)-glycerol-assisted extraction procedure of S. montana was performed. As a result, four extracts abundant in total phenols (OPT-TP), total phenolic acids including rosmarinic acid (OPT-TPA-RA), total flavonoids (OPT-TF), and luteolin derivatives (OPT-LG) showing anti-elastase and anti-hyaluronidase properties, were prepared. Subsequently, we further explored the phytochemical, dermatological, and cosmeceutical potentials of these extracts, evaluating their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tyrosinase, and anti-ultraviolet (UV) absorption activities. Furthermore, the biocompatibility of the extracts and their wound-healing properties were assessed using HaCaT cells. The results indicate that the extracts exhibited excellent antioxidant and cosmeceutical activities, which surpassed the activities of the employed standards in several assays (DPPH antiradical activity, β-carotene-linoleic acid, anti-lipoxygenase, anti-heat-induced ovalbumin coagulation, and UV absorbance assays). Furthermore, the extracts preserved more than 80% of the HaCaT cell viability at concentrations up to 62.5 µL extract/mL and also enhanced wound healing in the in vitro scratch wound-healing model. For example, the application of OPT-TP and OPT-TF led to 48.6% ± 3.3% and 48.6% ± 5.4% wound closure, respectively, after 48 h, compared to 34.8% ± 2.3% in the control group. The extracts exhibited excellent bioactivities, making them promising candidates for the development of cosmeceutical products, while their high biocompatibility indicates that they are suitable for direct application in cosmetics without prior solvent removal. Full article

To contribute to the search for effective substances in pest control, this study describes the fumigant and contact toxicity against Tribolium castaneum and Sitophilus zeamais of four essential oils (EOs) and some of their major chemical constituents. The EOs from Tagetes zypaquirensis, Anethum graveolens, Satureja viminea and Minthostachys mollis were obtained by steam distillation and chemically characterized using GC–MS. In the development of research, some monoterpenoids were isolated from the EOs, others were purchased commercially, and some were synthesized from the most active monoterpenoids present in EOs. The main components in the EOs were dill ether (28.56%), α-phellandrene (25.78%) and carvone (23.67%) for A. graveolens, piperitone oxide (30.40%) and pulegone (25.91%) in M. mollis, pulegone (37.40%) and p-menth-3-en-8-ol (11.83%) for S. viminea, and dihydrotagetone (32.13%), myrcene epoxide (19.64%) and β-myrcene (5.30%) for T. zypaquirensis. The results highlight the fumigant action (LC₅₀) and contact toxicity (LD₅₀) of EO from M. mollis against T. castaneum (LC₅₀ of 4.8 µL/L air and LD₅₀ of 6.5 µg/insect) and S. zeamais (LC₅₀ of 7.0 µL/L air and LD₅₀ of 5.81 µg/insect). Among the chemical constituents evaluated, R-carvone 2, piperitone oxide 5 and R-pulegone 6 stand out for their insecticidal potential against S. zeamais (LC₅₀ between 3.0 and 42.4 µL/L, while LD₅₀ between 14.9 and 24.6 µg/insect) and T. castaneum (LC₅₀ between 2.2 and 4.8 µL/L, while LD₅₀ between 4.8 and 13.1 µg/insect). Preliminary structure–activity analysis suggests that the presence of the carbonyl group with conjugated double bonds in cyclic monoterpenes is important for the insecticidal potential exhibited. Full article