Condiment Plants Research Articles

Phytochemical-mediated regulation of aflatoxigenic fungi contamination in a shifting climate and environment.

Mycotoxin contamination poses a significant problem in developing countries, particularly in northern Pakistan's fluctuating climate. This study aimed to assess aflatoxin contamination in medicinal and condiment plants in Upper Dir (dry-temperate) and Upper Swat (moist-temperate) districts. Plant samples were collected and screened for mycotoxins (Aflatoxin-B1 and Aflatoxin-B-2). Results showed high levels of AFB-1 (11,505.42 ± 188.82) as compared to AFB-2 (846 ± 241.56). The maximum contamination of AFB-1 in Coriandrum sativum (1154.5 ± 13.43ng to 3328 ± 9.9ng) followed by F. vulgare (883 ± 9.89ng to 2483 ± 8.4ng), T. ammi (815 ± 11.31ng to 2316 ± 7.1ng), and C. longa (935.5 ± 2.12ng to 2009 ± 4.2ng) while the minimum was reported in C. cyminum (671 ± 9.91ng to 1995 ± 5.7ng). Antifungal tests indicated potential resistance in certain plant species (C. cyminum) while A. flavus as the most toxins contributing species due to high resistance below 80% (54.2 ± 0.55 to 79.5 ± 2.02). HPLC analysis revealed hydroxyl benzoic acid (5136 amu) as the dominant average phytochemical followed by phloroglucinol (4144.31 amu) with individual contribution of 8542.08 amu and 12,181.5 amu from C. cyaminum. The comparison of average phytochemicals revealed the maximum concentration in C. cyminum (2885.95) followed by C. longa (1892.73). The findings revealed a statistically significant and robust negative correlation (y = - 2.7239 × + 5141.9; r = - 0.8136; p < 0.05) between average mycotoxins and phytochemical concentrations. Temperature positively correlated with aflatoxin levels (p < 0.01), while humidity had a weaker correlation. Elevation showed a negative correlation (p < 0.05), while geographical factors (latitude and longitude) had mixed correlations (p < 0.05). Specific regions exhibited increasing aflatoxin trends due to climatic and geographic factors.

Flow cytometry: Unravelling the real antimicrobial and antibiofilm efficacy of natural bioactive compounds

Flow cytometry (FCM) provides unique information on bacterial viability and physiology, allowing a real-time early warning antimicrobial and antibiofilm monitoring system for preventing the spread risk of foodborne disease. The present work used a combined culture-based and FCM approach to assess the in vitro efficacy of essential oils (EOs) from condiment plants commonly used in Mediterranean Europe (i.e., thyme EO, oregano EO, basil EO, and lemon EO) against planktonic and sessile cells of food-pathogenic Listeria monocytogenes 56 LY, and contaminant and alterative species Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Pseudomonas fluorescens ATCC 13525. Evaluation of the bacterial response to the increasing concentrations of natural compounds posed FCM as a crucial technique for the quantification of the live/dead, and viable but non-culturable (VBNC) cells when antimicrobial agents exert no real bactericidal action. Furthermore, the FCM results displayed higher numbers of viable bacteria expressed as Active Fluorescent Units (AFUs) with a greater level of repeatability compared with outcomes of the plate-count method. Overall, accurate counting of viable microbial cells is a critically important parameter in food microbiology, and flow cytometry provides an innovative approach with high-throughput potential for applications in the food industry as “flow microbiology”.

The complete plastome of Glandora prostrata subsp. lusitanica (Samp.) D.C.Thomas (Boraginaceae), the first chloroplast genome belonging to the Glandora genus

Glandora prostrata (Loisel.) D.C.Thomas (Thomas et al., 2008), besides being a common plant of western and south-western Europe and north-western Africa, is a species with a wealth of reported uses in traditional and folk medicine. The chloroplast genome of Glandora prostrata subsp. lusitanica (Samp.) D.C.Thomas (Thomas et al., 2008) isolate BPTPS049 described in this study is the first publicly available complete plastome belonging to the Glandora genus. The chloroplast genome (GenBank accession number: ON641304) is 150,041 bp in length with 37.5% GC content, displaying a quadripartite structure that contains a pair of inverted repeat regions (25,833 bp each), separated by a large (81,222 bp) and small (17,153 bp) single-copy regions. It has 131 annotated genes including 86 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis performed confirms that G. prostrata subsp. lusitanica is placed under the Boraginaceae family, which belongs to the Boraginales order. This study will contribute to conservation, phylogenetic, and evolutionary studies that comprise this traditional species relevant to the landscape of aromatic, medicinal, and condiment plants from Portugal.

Allium cepa: A Treasure of Bioactive Phytochemicals with Prospective Health Benefits.

As Allium cepa is one of the most important condiment plants grown and consumed all over the world, various therapeutic and pharmacological effects of A. cepa were reviewed. Onion (Allium cepa) is a high dietary fiber-rich perennial herb that is placed under the family Amaryllidaceae. It contains high concentration of folic acid, vitamin B6, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus as well as vitamins and minerals. It is widely used as an antimicrobial agent, but it showed anticancer, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antiplatelet, antihypertensive, and antidepressant effects and neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antiparasitic effects and so on. It is said to have beneficial effects on the digestive, circulatory, and respiratory systems, as well as on the immune system. This review article was devoted to discussing many health benefits and traditional uses of onions in pharmacological perspectives, as well as the safety/toxicological profile. If more detailed research on this perennial herb is conducted, it will open the door to an infinite number of possibilities.

Spice and Condiment Plants for the Traditional Beverages and, Food Stuff Preparation and Utilization, Southern Ethiopia

Spice and Condiment Plants for the Traditional Beverages and, Food Stuff Preparation and Utilization, Southern Ethiopia

Assessment of Antidepressant-like, Anxiolytic Effects and Impact on Memory of Pimpinella anisum L. Total Extract on Swiss Albino Mice.

Mental disorders are psychological symptoms that impact multiple areas of an individual’s life. Depression and anxiety are chronic illnesses described as the most prevalent stress-related mood disorders that cause injury and early death. In Morocco, Anise “Pimpinella anisum L.” is one of the most traditionally used condiment plants, which has long been used to cure various illnesses and in phytotherapy. The present study was designed to investigate the antidepressant, anxiolytic, and memory impact of the total extract of Pimpinella anisum (PATE) at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, using the Forced Swimming Test (FST), Tail Suspension Test (TST), Open Field Test (OFT), and Light–Dark Box Test (LDBT) as an experimental paradigm of anxiety and depression, and Novel Object Recognition Test (NORT) and the Morris Water Maze Test (MWMT) as memory tests on Swiss albino mice. The tests were carried out on the 1st, 7th, 14th, and the 21st days of the study, and the extract groups were compared with normal controls and positive controls (receiving bromazepam and paroxetine at the doses of 1 mg/kg and 11.5 mg/kg for anxiety and depression, respectively). The daily oral gavage of the mice by the PATE induced a significant anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effect by shortening immobility time and decreasing downtime in the different tests. PATE at both doses was shown to have no impact on memory following the NORT and MWM tests. Different compounds, such as gallic acid, catechin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, oleuropein, p-coumaric acid, trans-4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid, myricetin, and quercetin, were identified during the phytochemical analysis carried out using HPLC analysis. This research supports and promotes the extract’s traditional use, suggesting its use as a phytomedicine against depression and anxiety, and calls for further research to clarify its mode of action.

Pharmacological Properties of Allium cepa, Preclinical and Clinical Evidences; A Review.

Onion or Allium cepa (A. cepa) is one of the most important condiment plants grown and consumed all over the world. This plant has various therapeutic effects attributed to its constituents, such as quercetin, thiosulphinates and phenolic acids. In the present article, various pharmacological and therapeutic effects of A. cepa were reviewed. Different online databases using keywords such as onion, A. cepa, therapeutic effects, and pharmacological effects until the end of December 2019 were searched for this purpose. Onion has been suggested to be effective in treating a broad range of disorders, including asthma, inflammatory disorders, dysentery, wounds, scars, keloids and pain. In addition, different studies have demonstrated that onion possesses numerous pharmacological properties, including anti-cancer, anti-diabetic and anti-platelet properties as well as the effect on bone, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, nervous, respiratory, and urogenital systems effects such as anti-osteoporosis, anti-hypertensive, antispasmodic, anti-diarrheal, neuro-protective, anti-asthmatic and diuretic effects. The present review provides detailed the various pharmacological properties of onion and its constituents and possible underlying mechanisms. The results of multiple studies suggested the therapeutic effect of onion on a wide range of disorders.

The profile and knowledge of pesticides of growers from Abaetetuba (PA)

Inadequate application of phytosanitary products in agricultural production can be the result of a number of factors, from the low level of education of the applicators to the lack of training regarding the correct application of chemical pesticides. Thus, this work explored the reality of a group olericulture producers in Colônia Nova, community of Abaetetuba (PA). The methodology organized the data based on responses to a questionnaire, with structured and closed questions answered by rural owners in order to help trace the profile of pesticide applicators at that location. Among the results obtained, there was a low level of education among producers and the production of crops of condiment and leafy plants, led by scallions, cabbage, lettuce and chicory. Among the categories of pesticides used by farmers, insecticides were the most used, followed by fungicides and herbicides. No interviewed owner participated in any training for specific work with pesticides and they were also unaware of any institution that could carry out this type of training. An on-site assessment revealed that, in relation to the use of PPE, with the exception of gloves and waterproof boots, the other items were just ordinary, everyday clothes, inappropriate for this activity. Therefore, this research demonstrated the difficulty faced by the farmers of Colônia Nova, mainly due to the low level of education that prevented them from knowing the safety and legal aspects regarding the use of agricultural pesticides, the triple washing and the correct destination of empty pesticide packaging.

Ethnobotanical investigation of spice and condiment plants used by the Taming tribe in Aceh, Indonesia

Abstract. Navia ZI, Audira D, Afifah N, Turnip K, Nuarini, Suwardi AB. 2020. Ethnobotanical investigation of spice and condiment plants used by the Taming tribe in Aceh, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 4467-4473. Communities are inseparable from plants in meeting their daily food needs, especially plants as supplementary food. The aim of this study was to investigate of ethnobotany and economic value of spice and condiment plants used by Tamiang tribe in Aceh, Indonesia. A field survey was conducted in three sub-districts, namely Rantau, Seruwai, and Bendahara, Aceh Tamiang District involved 150 respondents (50 individuals from each sub-district) were randomly selected. A total of 31 spices and condiments plants consisting of 26 genera and 18 families was recorded in the study area. Fruits (36%) are the most commonly used parts of plants for spices and condiments, followed by leaves (16%), seeds (13%), rhizome and flower (10% respectively), bulb (6%), and stem and bark (3% respectively). These species were used for preserving traditional cuisines such as bubur pedas, ikan cang rebong, and anyang. Capsicum annuum L has high economic value. The Tamiang tribe has always preserved traditional knowledge of the use of various spices and condiment plants for traditional cuisine.

Review on Ethno-botany, Virucidal Activity, Phytochemistry and Toxicology of Solanum genus: Potential Bio-resources for the Therapeutic Management of Covid-19

Background and Aim: Condiment plants are not only a source of food, flavors or food additives but also antivirals. The aim of the present work consisted in compiling ethno-botanical, phytochemical, toxicological and biological activities literature data reported on some species of the Solanum genus, precisely their antiviral potential.&#x0D; Methodology: The literature review was based mainly on the usual databases such as PubMed, PubMed Central, Science Direct, SCIELO, DOAJ, Science alert and Google scholar.&#x0D; Results: The ethnobotanical studies show that Solanum species are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of several ailments, particularly those affecting the respiratory system. With regard to studies on their bioactivity, the literature indicates that the Solanum genus is full of species used in food and/or traditional medicine, in most cases presenting several biological properties such as antiviral potential. Among the viruses sensitive to extracts from Solanum species, are: Herpes virus type 1 or 2, viral hepatitis virus and HIV. Some phytochemical studies identified several compounds responsible for the antiviral activity, but polyphenolic compounds precisely glycoalkaloids have been shown to interact with SARS-CoV-2 protease such as quercetin, kaempferol and apigenin in some Solanum species (S. melongena, S. nigrum and S. torvum). Furthermore, the immunostimulant, haematopoietic or antioxidant potentials of some species of Solanum genus would be an asset for the management of Covid-19. There is little or no information in the literature on the toxicity of Solanum species used as food or drugs in traditional medicine.&#x0D; Conclusion: The antiviral activity of Solanum species is linked to the presence of polyphenolic compounds. It is advisable to consume these Solanum species which are less toxic during this pandemic as they are considered to be nutraceuticals. Molecular docking study of the interaction of these compounds with SARS-CoV-2 protease is in progress.

Intermittent drying of clove basil leaves: Process optimization and essential oil yield

ABSTRACT This study investigated the effect of a drying method with intermittent ratios on the effective drying time, specific energy consumption and essential oil yield of clove basil (Ocimum gratissimum L.) leaves. The drying tests were conducted at the Postharvest Laboratory of Medicinal, Aromatic and Condiment Plants, from the Departamento de Engenharia Agrícola of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil (20° 46’ 13.5” S; 42° 52’ 23.3” W, and altitude of 645 m) in October and November 2017. The experiment was conducted by using a 3 × 4 factorial scheme including three drying temperatures at 50, 60 and 70 °C, with four drying processes: continuous drying and the following three intermittent drying/tempering ratios in minutes: 10/20, 15/15 and 20/10. The design was completely randomized and with three repetitions. The application of the 10/20 intermittent ratio reduced the effective drying time and the specific energy consumption. Regarding the essential oil yield, the use of the intermittence presented different results for each temperature of drying; the highest yields were observed with continuous drying at 50 °C and drying with the 20/10 intermittent ratio at 60 °C. The results indicate that intermittent drying at 50 °C is not recommended to preserve essential oil yields.

Antioxidant activity of essential oils from condiment plants and their effect on lactic cultures and pathogenic bacteria

ABSTRACT: Studies about preservative and antioxidant activity of essential oils have been encouraged in recent years, given their importance to food industry. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the antioxidant properties and antimicrobial activity of essential oils deriving from Syzygium aromaticum, Cymbopogon citratus and Lippia alba against lactic and pathogenic bacteria responsible for food-borne diseases. Essential oil antibacterial activity was assessed through disc diffusion and macrodilution tests conducted in a mixed lactic culture of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus (YF-L903) and of Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), Salmonella enterica (ATCC 6017) strains. Based on the chromatographic analysis results, the essential oils shown to be composed of eugenol (79.41%) which was the prevalent compound in S. aromaticum, geranial (31.89%), neral (24.52%) and β-myrcene (25.37%) in C. citratus, as well as of geranial (33.80%) and neral (25.63%) in L. alba. The observed antibacterial activity confirmed the dose-dependent effect of these three oils on all the assessed bacteria; there was halo inhibition at concentration 20μL mL-1. The essential oil of S. aromaticum presented better antioxidant activity, with IC50 equal to 5.76μg mL-1 and antioxidant activity index of 6.94, and it was considered strong (AAI&gt;2.0) in comparison to the other evaluated oils. This essential oil also presented excellent antioxidant activity at concentrations lower than the one required to inhibit lactic cultures. Based in this outcome, the essential oil from S. aromaticum can be used as preservative agent in processed food whose formulation presents lactic cultures.

Essential oils as antibacterial agents against food-borne pathogens: Are they really as useful as they are claimed to be?

Most studies evaluating the use of essential oils (EO) as antibacterial agents focus mainly on minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) rather than minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC). In this work, we compared MICs and MBCs of EO from condiment plants commonly used in Mediterranean Europe, namely Origanum vulgare, Salvia lavandulaefolia, Salvia officinalis, Salvia sclarea and Rosmarinus officinalis, aiming to evaluate their application as disinfecting agents in minimally processed produce. Outbreaks-related pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Yarrowia lipolytica were used. Results showed that all EO were able to reduce bacterial growth in all bacterial strains tested, particularly O. vulgare. However, fewer EO exhibited bactericidal activities, and were only effective against one or two bacterial strains, hence eliminating the possibility to use them as broad range disinfectants. Furthermore, the necessary concentrations were too high for food application. Hence, our work suggests the need to evaluate MBC rather than MIC and questions EO usefulness in controlling undesired microorganisms. Overall, and despite the large volume of data published on EO, results obtained were not very encouraging for a realistic application on produce and question the viability of EOs as disinfecting agents in food.

Ethnobotanical studies of spice and condiment plants used by some communitiesof Assam

Objective:The aims of the present study were to document spice and condiment plants, to identify the most culturally important spice and condiment plants and to evaluate market potential of some spices and condiments used by some ethnic communities of Assam.Methods: The ethnobotanical study was conducted for four ethnic communities namely Ahom, Deori, Mishing, Sonowal-kachari fromLakhimpur and Dhemaji districts of Assam. The information was collected from 120 informants from each community through semi-structured questionnaire.Results:A total of 51 species belonging to 42 genera and 26 families used as spices and condiments by the ethnic communities of Assam were documented in the present study. Maximum number of spices and condiments were used by Ahom and had maximum similarity with Mishing, Sonowal-kachari and Deori. Maximum number of the spice and condiment plants belonged to families Amaryllidaceae and Zingiberaceae.Majority of the plants used by ethnic communities were under cultivation. Among all communities, herbs were used as spices and condiments. However, trees, shrubs and climberswere also used as spices and condiments. The study also revealed that fresh leafy herbaceous species were mostly used as spices and condiments by the communities of Assam. Flavouring was the most preferred category. The cultural important index of Allium cepawas highest among all selected communities of Assam.Piper nigrumshowed the highest market potential.Conclusion: The present study revealed that spice and condiment plants were culturally more important in each ethnic community.

Scientific data on selenium status in Turkey

This review provides a summary of the available scientific data on selenium status in Turkey. The first reports regarding selenium status in Turkey appeared in the 1990s. Since then, much attention has been paid to selenium content in soil, cereal crops and a variety of other foodstuffs including corn, garlic, mushrooms, fresh and canned fish, meat and meat products, milk and dairy products, spice and condiment plants and honey. Previous reports by Foster and Summer (1997), Aras et al. (2001) and H?ncal (2007) reported daily selenium intake in Turkey to be 30 μg/day, 20-53 μg/day and 30-40 μg/day, respectively. However, these reports are based on limited local data and cannot be generalized for the entire country. As a result, there is still a need for further research in all seven regions and 81 provinces of the country to measure selenium content of soil, food, water and animal feed in order to determine the average daily selenium intake of animals and humans in Turkey.

CHAMOMILE ESSENTIAL OILS EXTRACTED FROM FLOWER HEADS AND RECOVERED WATER DURING DRYING PROCESS

ABSTRACT Yield and chemical composition of chamomile (Chamomilla recutita[L.] Rauschert) essential oils were periodically monitored during a drying process at 80C. Simultaneous to the drying, the substances dragged by the water column were recovered by condensation. Hydrodistillation and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses were conducted, and data were analyzed using polynomial regressions (P < 0.01). The evaluation of chamomile drying process in a fixed layer showed that the reduction of water content was progressive in a whole drying process, while the essential oil reduction was more pointed in the beginning. The identified essential oil components were alpha-pinene, artemisia ketone, 3-carene, azulene, caryophylene, caryophylene oxide, alpha-farnesene, gamma-muurolene, bisabolol oxide B, alpha-bisabolol, bisabolene, chamazulene and bisabolol oxide. It was possible to recover the part of volatilized substances (6.6%) under the drying temperature of 80C. Recovered aromatic water was composed of artemisia ketona, bisabolol oxide B, alpha-bisabolol, bisabolene oxide, bisabolol oxide-A, whereas only a reduction in chamazulene concentration was significant. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The study of chamomile drying process contributes to the comprehension of some physical, chemical and biological phenomena, and establishes some relationships involving them, enhancing the interest of science about medicinal, aromatic and condiment plants. The processes of exhaustion and water vapor condensation occurring simultaneously to drying enable to obtain the condensate of potentially therapeutic properties, as a commercially rentable option for producers. However, the necessity of an adjustment in the recuperation of the condensate is imposed, considering that only 6.6% was recovered. We believe that a greater efficiency of this process could be reached by adjustments of exhauster system dimensioning, condensation and cooling. Furthermore, the shortening of condensation period coupled with an increased temperature of drying could be tested in order to reduce the losses of therapeutic volatiles.

Outdoor Soilless Culture of Vegetables: Status and Prospects

ABSTRACT The paper reviews some ecological aspects and use of outdoor soilless culture for vegetable production in various countries. A soilless technique based on Plant Plane Hydroponic (PPH) is recommended. Presented results of experiments show that yield and quality of vegetable and condiment plants (tomato, cucumber, squash, crisp and butterhead lettuce, endive, leaf parsley, dill and sweet basil) grown in PPH are superior to those grown in conventional soil culture.