Search Results (211)

The purpose of this study was to identify the potential inhibitory effects of extracts of garlic, ginger, and onion on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, which had been previously isolated from milk of dairy cows with mastitis. Garlic, ginger, and onions were crudely pressed, and the extracts were filtered and tested for their ability to inhibit bacterial growth at a wide range of concentrations, from undiluted to 1:512 (2⁻⁹). Their inhibitory properties were compared to positive controls containing ampicillin and ceftiofur, and negative controls containing only the nutrient medium and bacteria. Each plate contained quality control organisms E. coli ATCC 25922 and S. aureus ATCC 25923. The colorimetric microdilution method with resazurin as an indicator of bacterial growth was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations. In addition, the minimum bactericidal concentrations of the extracts were assessed. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of garlic extracts were 1.56 µL/mL and 3.12 µL/mL for E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. The minimum bactericidal concentrations of garlic extract against E. coli and S. aureus were 12.5 and 25 µL/mL, respectively. For both ginger and onion, no inhibition was detected at the full concentration of the extracts, but garlic extract demonstrated in vitro inhibition against both E. coli and S. aureus. Future studies should evaluate the ability of garlic extracts to achieve an inhibitory concentration in milk and explore its potential activity in naturally infected mammary glands. Full article

This present study aimed to investigate the recovery of polyphenols from red onion peel (OPP) and pomace of Merlot (MWP) and Syrah (SWP) grape varieties, using a common biphasic solvent (70/30 ethanol/water) and a new biphasic and eco-friendly solvent that has been developed in our laboratory (ethanol of grape origin). Moreover, overnight and ultrasonic-assisted extractions were carried out to investigate whether the extraction method could affect the obtained results. Results showed that 70% ethanol achieved a significantly (p < 0.05) higher yield in total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), while the extracts with ethanol of grape origin exhibited considerably higher antioxidant activity as evidenced by the DPPH and complementary by FRAP assays. The overnight and ultrasonic-assisted extraction played a significant (p < 0.05) role in achieving better extraction of bioactive components such as phenolic compounds. Color parameters were also determined, showing that the presence of yellow, blue and red color tones depend on the extraction method and solvent, due to the different compositional characteristics of pigments, mainly anthocyanins. In addition, physicochemical parameters such as pH and total soluble solids (TSSs) of the extracts were also measured. Finally, the composition of ethanol of grape origin was characterized by means of Ultraviolet–Visible (UV-Vis) and Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, which confirmed the presence of ethanol and acetic acid. This study brings new results regarding the prospect of using new solvents for the recovery of bioactive compounds from agricultural by-products, and the development direction of scientific research or industrial production, based on ultrasonic-assisted and overnight extraction methods. Full article

With rising living standards, consumer demand for fresher food continues to increase. Consequently, the development of multifunctional packaging materials that enable real-time freshness monitoring, delay spoilage, and ensure environmental sustainability has become a central research focus. The present study developed an antibacterial and pH-responsive smart packaging film, formulated from a κ-carrageenan/gelatin (CG) matrix. This film incorporated anthocyanins extracted from red onion skin (ROSA) and citronella essential oil encapsulated in β-cyclodextrin (OBDs) as functional additives, herein referred to as the CGR/OBDs composite film. The composite films exhibited strong pH sensitivity, ammonia responsiveness, color stability, effective barrier properties, and notable antioxidant activity (96.4% ABTS and 79.3% DPPH radical scavenging rates). The sustained release of citronella essential oil over approximately 40 h conferred excellent antibacterial performance, with inhibition rates of 94.8% against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and 91.6% against Escherichia coli (E. coli). Application in shrimp preservation further demonstrated an extended shelf life and real-time freshness monitoring through distinct colorimetric shifts. The findings highlight the potential of CGR/OBDs films as visual indicators for food freshness in intelligent packaging, offering a promising strategy to enhance food safety and reduce waste. Full article

Every year, significant amounts of agro-industrial residues are generated. These residues contain several antioxidant compounds that can be extracted and applied to cosmetic products. In this study, phenolic-rich extracts from different agro-industrial residues (chestnut shell—CS, grape seed—GS, kiwi peel—KP, onion peel—OP, and pomegranate peel—PP) were obtained and their antioxidant potential and biocompatibility towards human fibroblasts (HFF-1) were evaluated. The total phenolic content ranged from 37.6 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g for KP to 343.9 mg_GAE/g for CS. Moreover, CS, GS, OP, and PP extracts exhibited strong antioxidant properties, while KP showed more moderate potential. Biocompatibility tests demonstrated that CS and GS extracts were non-cytotoxic at concentrations below 500 mg/L, while OP and PP were safe up to 1000 mg/L. KP extracts were biocompatible up to 10,000 mg/L. This work demonstrated the bioactive potential of various agro-industrial residues for application in the cosmetic industry, given their antioxidant capacity. Additionally, it was the first to establish safe application limits for Soxhlet-extracted compounds, ensuring their safety to consumers. This research emphasises the importance of evaluating the biocompatibility of each extract before its incorporation into cosmetics, as their composition is highly variable. Full article

Human noroviruses (HuNov) are the major cause of foodborne illness globally. Several HuNoV outbreaks have been linked to contaminated ready-to-eat seaweed products. Standard protocols such as the ISO 15216 show limited efficiency in extracting foodborne viruses from seaweed products. Therefore, we evaluated the efficiency of an extraction protocol based on porcine gastric mucin conjugated magnetic beads (PGM-MBs) to recover HuNoVs from Wakame seaweed salad. Compared to other HuNoV extraction methods, the PGM-MB method was more efficient. We then aimed to further improve this protocol by modifying several factors such as the buffers, pH, bead concentration, centrifugation and incubation time. The optimized PGM-MB method yielded 19 ± 3% and 17 ± 4% recovery, for HuNoV GI and GII, respectively. The limit of detection (LOD₉₅) for Wakame seaweed salad was 131 and 56 genomic equivalents per 25 g for HuNoV GI and GII. Although some variability in recovery efficiency was observed between the PGM sources, the optimized PGM-MB protocol effectively extracts HuNoVs from Wakame seaweed salads of various brands and other commodities such as dates, green onions, and salted seaweed. These results support the implementation of the optimized PGM-MB method as a viable alternative for HuNoV surveillance in complex food matrices. Full article

Basic substances of plant or animal origin are permitted for use in the protection of organic crops. Experiments were performed under laboratory, greenhouse, and field conditions using emulsified sunflower oil solution at 10%, water onion extract (Allium cepa L.) at 25%, chitosan at 2%, two commercial strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (US 05 and Coobra), and a low dose of copper (2 kg/ha) to inhibit the growth of Phytophthora infestans, to contribute to the extension of the vegetation period, and to maintain the photosynthetic capacity responsible for the quantity of yield. Potato varieties with different levels of resistance to the pathogen were planted, and preventive treatments were performed. In the greenhouse experiment, inoculation of potato plants with the pathogen was carried out. The aim of the study was to develop strategies for the combined or alternating use of basic substances and copper in order to delay the appearance of potato late blight symptoms and keep them below the level of economic damage. The main factor determining the effectiveness of the tested strategies was the yield. Protective treatments contributed to an increase in yield compared with untreated plants. Strategies combining copper with sunflower oil, onion extract, or chitosan reduced late blight symptoms; however, the final effect on plant health and yields depended on the susceptibility of the variety to the pathogen. Strategies based solely on basic substances were effective in protecting potato varieties that were less susceptible to P. infestans (e.g., Red Sonya, Lilly, Tajfun). For more-susceptible varieties (e.g., Vineta, Satina, Lord) copper pesticide must be included in the treatment strategy; however, copper can be applied either as the first four foliar sprays followed by two treatments with basic substances or, alternately, with them. Full article

This review explores the therapeutic potential of Allium cepa (onion) and Allium sativum (garlic), focusing specifically on their antidiabetic, cardioprotective, and antibacterial effects. These widely used medicinal plants are rich in bioactive compounds that contribute to their broad spectrum of pharmacological activities. Based on over two decades of scientific literature, this review synthesizes findings from more than 20 years of research to highlight the efficacy of these plant extracts. Rising chronic disease rates and antimicrobial resistance have renewed interest in plant-derived therapies; in the UAE context, Allium cepa and Allium sativum are promising candidates for integrative, sustainable interventions. This review further elucidates the mechanisms through which those bioactive constituents exert therapeutic effects, current extraction strategies, and challenges in enhancing formulations for functional health applications. Additionally, it addresses their role in sustainable healthcare practices due to their renewable nature and minimal environmental impact compared to synthetic pharmaceuticals. Full article

The development of non-toxic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for medical and other diverse applications is steadily increasing. However, this study specifically aims to determine the cytotoxic effects of AgNPs synthesized via a green chemistry approach using aqueous-ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of Artemisia terrae-albae. The photophysical, morphological, and size distribution characteristics of the synthesized AgNPs are analyzed using UV-Vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A modified Allium cepa assay is employed to evaluate biological responses, including root growth, root number, and mitotic index. In this assay, the cell cycles of onion bulbs are synchronized and pre-incubated at 4 °C for 72 h prior to treatment. This study reveals that the AgNPs synthesized from the ethanol extract exhibit notable stability and higher cytotoxicity activity, with a root length of 0.6 ± 0.13 cm, root number of 16 ± 6.88, and mitotic index of 25.0 ± 2.6. These values are significantly more cytogenotoxic than those observed for the ethyl-acetate-derived nanoparticles, which show a root length of 0.8 ± 0.17 cm, root number of 18 ± 6.27, and mitotic index of 36 ± 3.6. These findings highlight the potential of green-synthesized AgNPs as effective cytotoxic agents, especially those obtained from ethanol extract, possibly due to a greater influence of the quantity of diverse phenolic compounds present in the complex mixtures than in the ethyl acetate extract, which otherwise enhanced their morphology, shape, and size. These, overall, contributed to the biological activity. Full article

In establishing the safety or tolerability profile of bioactive plant extracts, it is important to perform toxicity studies using appropriate, accessible, and sustainable methods. The Allium cepa model is well known and frequently used for accurate environmental risk assessments, as well as for evaluating the toxic potential of the bioactive compounds of plant extracts. The present review focuses on this in vivo cytogenetic model, highlighting its widespread utilization and advantages as a first assessment in monitoring the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of herbal extracts, avoiding the use of animals for testing. This plant-based assay allows for the detection of the possible cytotoxic and genotoxic effects induced on onion meristematic cells. The outcomes of the Allium cepa assay are comparable to other tests on various organisms, making it a reliable screening test due to its simplicity in terms of implementation, as well as its high sensitivity and reproducibility. Full article

Spice by-products, often discarded as waste, represent an untapped resource for sustainable packaging solutions due to their unique, multifunctional, and bioactive profiles. Unlike typical plant residues, these materials retain diverse phytochemicals—including phenolics, polysaccharides, and other compounds, such as essential oils and vitamins—that exhibit controlled release antimicrobial and antioxidant effects with environmental responsiveness to pH, humidity, and temperature changes. Their distinctive advantage is in preserving volatile bioactives, demonstrating enzyme-inhibiting properties, and maintaining thermal stability during processing. This review encompasses a comprehensive characterization of phytochemicals, an assessment of the re-utilization pathway from waste to active materials, and an investigation of processing methods for transforming by-products into films, coatings, and nanoemulsions through green extraction and packaging film development technologies. It also involves the evaluation of their mechanical strength, barrier performance, controlled release mechanism behavior, and effectiveness of food preservation. Key findings demonstrate that ginger and onion residues significantly enhance antioxidant and antimicrobial properties due to high phenolic acid and sulfur-containing compound concentrations, while cinnamon and garlic waste effectively improve mechanical strength and barrier attributes owing to their dense fiber matrix and bioactive aldehyde content. However, re-using these residues faces challenges, including the long-term storage stability of certain bioactive compounds, mechanical durability during scale-up, natural variability that affects standardization, and cost competitiveness with conventional packaging. Innovative solutions, including encapsulation, nano-reinforcement strategies, intelligent polymeric systems, and agro-biorefinery approaches, show promise for overcoming these barriers. By utilizing these spice by-products, the packaging industry can advance toward a circular bio-economy, depending less on traditional plastics and promoting environmental sustainability in light of growing global population and urbanization trends. Full article

Ruta graveolens L. has been described as possessing antifungal and nematicidal activity. Among the bioactive compounds present in this plant, alkaloids and furanocoumarins have attracted considerable attention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro biological activity of extracts from rue enriched in bioactive compounds against Fusarium oxysporum, F. circinatum, and Meloidogyne incognita, and to correlate the chemical profile of the extracts with their biological activities. Six extracts with contrasting chemical profiles, obtained by pressurized liquid extraction and supercritical fluid extraction using green solvents, were selected for biological evaluation. The highest F. oxysporum growth inhibition was achieved with the extracts enriched in fatty acids and furanocoumarins at concentrations of 4, 8, and 16 mg/mL, while for F. circinatum, the highest growth inhibition was obtained using the extract enriched in terpenes at 16 mg/mL; moreover, the six extracts evaluated caused mortality in M. incognita. Therefore, enriched extracts of R. graveolens might be considered as an alternative for pathogen control on economically important crops such as potatoes, tomatoes, and onions, among others. Correlations between biological activities and chemical compositions suggest the importance of fatty acids against F. oxysporum, fatty acids and terpenes against F. circinatum, and alkaloids, coumarins, and furanocoumarins for M. incognita. Full article

In this study, we evaluated the effect of onion peel extract (OPE), which is rich in phenolics and flavonoids, on the performance of high-gluten wheat flour and bread quality to meet consumer demand for functional bakery products. The addition levels of OPE were set at 0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75% and 1% (w/w), respectively, to analyze their effects on water/oil absorption capacity, falling number, and rheological properties (farinographic properties, tensile properties, dynamic rheological properties and gelatinization characteristics) of dough, as well as bread quality (antioxidant activity, texture, microstructure, specific volume and sensory evaluation). When the OPE addition level was 0.25% and 0.5%, the dough’s oil absorption capacity, farinographic properties, tensile properties, dynamic rheological properties, and gelatinization characteristics were all improved. Correspondingly, a more compact and ordered microstructure was observed in the dough. It was found that total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant capacity of bread significantly increased with the increase in the OPE addition level (p < 0.05). The texture analysis of the bread showed that the addition of OPE reduces the hardness and chewiness of bread, indicating that the texture of bread was easily accepted by consumers. In the sensory evaluation, when the addition level of OPE was 0.5%, the color and flavor of bread were improved, and the overall acceptability was relatively high. In conclusion, OPE has improved the texture characteristics and nutritional value of bread. It is recommended that the addition level of OPE in high-gluten wheat flour dough and bread be below 0.5%. Full article

Bioactive phytochemicals, such as polyphenols, play vital roles in human health, but conventional extraction methods rely on hazardous solvents. This study establishes natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) as versatile and environmentally friendly alternatives for recovering a variety of bioactive compounds from plant materials. Five choline chloride-based NADESs were evaluated for their effectiveness in extracting betalains (from beetroot), carotenoids (from carrot and sweet potato), anthocyanins (from chokeberry pomace and red onion), and polyphenols (from Lonicera japonica flowers, hop cones, rowan berries, and spent coffee grounds). Notably, NADES2 outperformed water in betalain recovery (179.86 mg of betanin/100 g of beetroot), while NADES4 (choline chloride-urea, 1:2 molar ratio) matched the polyphenol extraction efficiency of ethanol. Using L. japonica flowers as a model for optimization, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) identified the solvent ratio and temperature as critical extraction parameters, using high ratios (12:1–15:1 v/w) and moderate heat (55–75 °C) to maximize recovery. NADES4 emerged as a high-performing solvent, achieving a total phenolic content (TPC) of 75.94 mg chlorogenic acid/g and antioxidant activity of 451.00 µmol Trolox/g under the following conditions: 60% aqueous dilution, 15:1 solvent ratio, and 80 °C, 30 min. These findings highlight NADESs as a green, tunable solvent system for phytochemical extraction across plant species, offering enhanced efficiency, reduced environmental impact, and alignment with sustainable practices. Full article

Polyphenol-rich extracts derived from agricultural by-products exhibit promising antiviral properties. This study evaluated the antiviral potential of extracts from red onion peels, vineyard prunings, olive prunings and chicory leaves against human coronavirus HuCoV-229E. Subcritical water extraction and resin adsorption techniques were applied to produce the extracts. The extracts were further characterised for their bioactive content, and three out of four extracts showed a high polyphenol content (>200 mg/g). The antiviral activity was assessed through viral infectivity and replication inhibition assays in human MRC-5 host cells. The results indicate that chicory leaf and red onion peel extracts demonstrated significant antiviral effects, with effective concentrations (EC₅₀) of 61.43 µg/mL and 10.1 µg/mL, respectively. Olive pruning extract exhibited moderate activity, while vineyard pruning extract showed limited efficacy. These findings suggest that polyphenol-rich agricultural by-products could serve as sustainable sources for antiviral agents, warranting further investigation into their mechanisms of action and potential applications against other coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Full article

Biostimulants play an active role in sustainable crop production. While biostimulants are thought to have long-term effects on plant growth, little research has been conducted to confirm this hypothesis. In this study, we investigated the long-term residual effects of biostimulants applied exclusively during the onion seedling stage on subsequent plant growth. Three onion cultivars (‘Carta Blanca’, ‘Don Victoro’, and ‘Sofire’) were evaluated with the application of nine microbial biostimulants (LALRISE Mycorrhizae, LALRISE Bacillus velezensis, Mighty Mycorrhizae, MycoApply, Spectrum, Spectrum DS, Spectrum Myco, Tribus Original, and Tribus Continuum), one seaweed extract (Kelpak), and two fertilizer types (conventional and organic fertilizer). Plant morphology and biomass were investigated during the early bulb stage of onion growth. Parameters such as plant height, neck diameter, bulb diameter, and the fresh and dry weights of the shoot, bulb, and root were measured. The results indicated significant cultivar-specific effects of microbial biostimulant and fertilizer type, as well as their interactions, on onion early bulb growth. While seaweed extract exhibited minimal residual impact, specific microbial biostimulants, such as Mighty Mycorrhizae and MycoApply, significantly enhanced bulb growth in the red onion ‘Sofire’. Tribus Continuum was found to increase bulb growth of the yellow onion ‘Don Victoro’. Positive effects of microbial biostimulants on onion growth were also observed with LALRISE Bacillus velezensis, Spectrum Myco, Spectrum, and LALRISE Mycorrizae. Furthermore, microbial biostimulants demonstrated more significant positive effects on onion growth when applied in conjunction with organic fertilizer. In conclusion, microbial biostimulants exhibited long-term positive effects on onion plant growth even when applied solely during the seedling stage prior to transplanting. However, these effects were significantly influenced by onion cultivar and fertilizer type, with the greatest benefits observed when combined with organic fertilizer. We recommend MycoApply and Mighty Mycorrhizae for growers seeking to enhance onion productivity, particularly in organic cultivation, as the two products enhanced bulb and leaf growth in ‘Sofire’ and ‘Don Victoro’. Full article