Abstract
Today, Ozone as a disinfectant method, without putting on the harmful effects on human and plant products, it is alternative common methods for disinfection of plant material. The research as a factorial experiment was conducted on the basis of randomized complete block design with three replications and the effects of Ozone gas on decreasing the microbial load of some important medicinal plants include: Peppermint (Mentha piperita), Summer savory (Satureja hortensis), Indian valerian(Valeriana wallichii), Meliss (Melissa officinalis) and Iranian thyme (Zataria multiflora) were investigated. Medicinal plants leaves were treated with Ozone gas concentration 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 ml/L at times of 10 and 30 then total count, coliform and mold and yeast of the samples were studied. The result showed that Ozone gas decreases microbial load of medicinal plants samples. But Ozone gas and Ozone gas in medicinal plants interaction effect had no effect on essential oil content. The lowest and the highest of microbial load were detected in samples treated with concentration of 0.9 ml/L of Ozone gas and control respectively. The highest and the lowest of microbial load were observed in Iranian thyme and Indian valerian respectively. Also result showed that Ozone gas treatment for 30 min had the greatest of effect in reducing the microbial load and 0.9 ml/L Ozone gas concentration had the lowest of microbial load. Results of this survey reflect that the use of Ozone as a method of disinfection for medicinal plants is a decontamination.
Highlights
Decontamination of microorganisms in herbal plant, usually performed with decontamination method includes decontamination with methyl bromide, ethylene oxide, heat treatment, irradiation with gamma rays or electron beam and Ozone (Leistritz, 1997).The use of ethylene oxide and methyl bromide due to the release of toxic compounds, persistent and destructive effects for the environment, has been limited
The aim of this study is the investigation of concentrations effect of 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 ppm of Ozone gas as an important decontamination method on the microbial load of medicinal plants such as summer savory, Iranian thyme, peppermint, meliss and Indian valerian
Other samples such as summer savory and Indian valerian were purchased from traditional shops, and they were transferred to the Plant Science Institute of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, and spices of medicinal plants were confirmed
Summary
Decontamination of microorganisms in herbal plant, usually performed with decontamination method includes decontamination with methyl bromide, ethylene oxide, heat treatment, irradiation with gamma rays or electron beam and Ozone (Leistritz, 1997). The use of ethylene oxide and methyl bromide due to the release of toxic compounds, persistent and destructive effects for the environment, has been limited. Heat treatment is cause of changing in the organoleptic properties and color of medicinal plants (Inan et al, 2007; Juri et al, 1986). Selecting a suitable method for disinfection medicinal plants is very important. The use of Ozone by the United States Department of Agriculture in 1997 for the recovery of water was approved for poultry industry. EPA (Environmental protection agency) researchers have confirmed that Ozone is safer than chlorine and other disinfectants (Kahfourshan et al, 2005)
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