Myrtus Research Articles

Optimization of Extraction Conditions of Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity from Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) Fruit.

The extraction of polyphenols from myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) fruits using a conventional solid-liquid extraction was optimized using a single factor experiment approach. The influence of several parameters such as type of solvent (50% acetone, 50% methanol, 50% ethanol and water), solvent concentration (30-100%; v/v), solvent acidity (0-0,1 N), temperature (20-40°C) and time (30-360 min) on the yield extraction of total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total proanthocyanidin content (TPAC), and on the antioxidant activity : DPPH-radical scavenging activity (DPPH-RSA), ABTS-radical scavenging activity (ABTS-RSA) and ferric reducing power (FRP) was studied. The results showed that 50% acetone, 40°C and 180 min were the best conditions for extracting TPC (87 mg GAE/g DW), TFC (12 mg QE/g DW), and TPAC (76 mg CE/g DW). Myrtle berries extracted with these conditions also exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity: DPPH-RSA (7166 mg TE/g DW), ABTS-RSA (164 mg TE/g DW), and FRP (69 mg AAE/g DW). Pearson correlation coefficients showed a good positive correlations between TPC, TFC and TPAC and antioxidant activities (DPPH-RSA, ABTS-RSA and FRP), mainly under the effect of solvent type (0.93 < r < 0.99) and solvent concentration (0.91 < r < 0.99).

WITHDRAWN: Optimization of conventional extraction of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity from myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) fruit

This study aimed to extract phenolic compounds from myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) fruits. The extraction of polyphenols from myrtle berries using a conventional solid-liquid extraction was optimized using single factor experiments. The influence of several parameters such as the type of solvent (50% acetone, 50% methanol, 50% ethanol and water), solvent concentration (30-100%; v/v), solvent acidity (0-0.1N), temperature (20-40°C), and time (30-360min) on the yield extraction of total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total proanthocyanidin content (TPAC), and on the antioxidant activity including DPPH-radical scavenging activity (DPPH-RSA), ABTS-radical scavenging activity (ABTS-RSA) and ferric reducing power (FRP) were studied. The results showed that 50% acetone without acidification, 40°C and 180min are the best conditions for extracting TPC (87mg GAE/g DW), TFC (12mg QE/g DW), and TPAC (76mg CE/g DW). Myrtle berries extracted under these conditions also exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity: DPPH-RSA (7166mg TE/g DW), ABTS-RSA (164mg TE/g DW), and FRP (69mg AAE/g DW). Pearson correlation coefficients showed a good positive correlation between TPC, TFC and TPAC and antioxidant activities (DPPH-RSA, ABTS-RSA and FRP), mainly under the effect of solvent type (0.93 < r < 0.99) and solvent concentration (0.91 < r < 0.99). These results suggested that myrtle berries may serve as a good source of natural antioxidants with high antioxidant potential. Therefore, it could be useful in developing functional foods and nutraceuticals.

Co-fermentation and post-processing: development of a novel myrtle rice beverage, and analysis of its product characteristics

ABSTRACT To fully develop the medicinal and edible value of myrtle and improve the market visibility, myrtle berries and glutinous rice were used as raw materials and co-fermented using rice leaven. Uniform design method was used to determine the optimal fermentation conditions. The co-fermentation product was then underwent post-processing, including blending, grinding and homogenization, to produce a novel myrtle rice beverage, which was analyzed for product characteristics. Results showed that the optimal fermentation conditions were a myrtle berries of 24%, a rice leaven of 1%, a water addition amount of 100%, a fermentation temperature of 22°C, a fermentation time of 96 h. The co-fermented product was diluted 1:3 with water, ground, and homogenized with 0.1% agar and 0.2% xanthan gum to produce the final myrtle rice beverage. The beverage boasts a low sugar and alcohol content, along with a moderate level of acidity, making it a healthy beverage with antioxidant properties.

Supercritical CO2 Extraction of Fatty Acids, Phytosterols, and Volatiles from Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) Fruit.

Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) is a coastal Mediterranean aromatic medicinal plant rich in essential oil components, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. Studies highlight the potential health benefits of myrtle bioactive compounds with antioxidant and antiproliferative properties. Since limited research exists on myrtle fruit's lipid fraction, the aim of this study was to apply supercritical CO2 extraction to obtain bioactive compounds from myrtle berries focusing on the fatty acids, sterols, and essential oils. The optimization of the supercritical CO2 extraction of myrtle fruit using CO2 as solvent was carried out using the response surface methodology with Box-Behnken experimental design. The following conditions were tested: temperature (40, 50, and 60 °C), pressure (200, 300, and 400 bar), and flow rate (20, 30, and 40 g min-1) on the yield of lipid extract as well as on the yield of fatty acids, phytosterols, and volatiles present in the extract and constituting its bioactive potential. In the extracts examined, 36 fatty acids, 7 phytosterols, and 13 volatiles were identified. The average yield of the extract was 5.20%, the most abundant identified fatty acid was essential cis-linolenic acid (76.83%), almost 90% of the total phytosterols were β-sitosterol (12,465 mg kg-1), while myrtenyl acetate (4297 mg kg-1) was the most represented volatile compound. The optimal process conditions obtained allow the formulation of extracts with specific compositions.

Antifatigue Effects of the Aqueous Extracts of Myrtle Berries, Apple and Clove: An Animal Study.

Fatigue is one of the most prevalent symptoms, increasing worldwide with no specific medication for fatigue. Iranian traditional medicine (ITM), or Persian medicine, is a reliable source for discovering natural medicine for diseases and their symptoms. Myrtus communis L. (Myrtle), Malus domestica Borkh. (Apple), and Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L. M. Perry (Clove) have been utilized as brain and heart tonics in ITM. Based on ITM, cardiac tonics decrease fatigue by enhancing heart function and increasing blood flow to tissues. These plants, particularly myrtle berries, have been utilized as potent enlivening agents that reduce mental fatigue. This study aims to investigate the effects of aqueous extracts of these plants on weight-loaded forced swimming (WLFS) tests and three doses of aqueous myrtle extract in an animal model of chronic sleep deprivation-induced fatigue. Five groups of rats (n = 6) were evaluated: Sham, control, apple-treated, clove-treated, and myrtle-treated groups. After 28 days of treatment, the WLFS test was performed, and swimming time was recorded. Subsequently, central fatigue was induced in rats by chronic sleep deprivation for 21 days. Five groups of rats (n = 6) were evaluated: Sham, control (sleep-deprived, which received water), and three sleep-deprived + treatment groups, which received aqueous myrtle extract (350, 700, and 1000 mg/kg). An open field test on the 20th day and a WLFS test on the 21st day were performed. The myrtle berries significantly increased glucose, reduced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, and enhanced swimming time. Fatigue caused by chronic sleep deprivation increased malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and LDH while decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD), glucose, and swimming time. In all treatment groups, SOD levels and swimming time were increased, whereas MDA, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels were decreased significantly. Only the 1000 mg/kg dose significantly reduced LDH levels (P < 0.001). The treatment significantly improved the velocity and the total distance moved in the open-field test. According to the results, the myrtle berries reduced fatigue in two animal models, probably due to its phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and polysaccharides.

Myrtle Berries Seeds Prevent Dyslipidemia, Inflammation, and Excessive Cardiac Reactive Oxygen Species Production in Response to High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity.

Anthocyanins are the major polyphenols in myrtle berries seeds aqueous extract (MBSAE). This study investigates the protective potentials of MBSAE against obesity lipotoxicity and inflammation induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). It also describes the underlying mechanisms involved in its protective effects, with special attention to myocardial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Male Wistar rats were fed HFD for 6 weeks to induce obesity. MBSAE (100 mg/kg, b.w., p.o.) was orally administered to HFD-fed rats. Anti-obesity effects were triggered by the inhibitory action of the MBSAE against the weights of the body, its relative heart and the total abdominal fat. Treatment with MBSAE also restored the lipid profile to baseline compared with the HFD rats and lowered also the white blood cells count, including neutrophils, lymphocytes, and basophils number as well as cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin [IL]-6, and IL-1β) levels in the rats serum, thus improving the tissue inflammatory status associated with obesity. Exposure of rats to HFD during 6 weeks induces a myocardial oxidative stress as assessed by deleterious effects on lipoperoxidation state, antioxidant enzyme (SOD, CAT, and GPx) activities as well as sulfhydryl groups and GSH rates. Of importance, our study shows also that HFD provokes a heart ROS (H2O2, OH•, and O2•-) overload. Of interest, all these oxidative heart disturbances were clearly ended by MBSAE treatment. Therefore, consumption of MBSAE as a natural extract may be a potential therapeutic strategy to treat obesity-associated diseases.

Evaluation of the hypoglycemic and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil of Myrtus nivellei from Tamanrasset (southern Algeria)

The Myrtus nivellei Batt. &amp; Trab. is a shrub native to the Mediterranean and endemic to the central Sahara in the Hoggar massif of southern Algeria, whose leaves are used by the Tuareg, in infusion mixed with tea, against diarrhea, fever, diabetes and for its anti-infective properties. The hypoglycemic activity of the essential oil extracted from the leaves by hydrodistillation. has been demonstrated, with a significant decrease (P&lt;0.001) in blood sugar levels and blood triglyceride levels in diabetic rats after the 2nd hour and up to the 3rd hour of administration (14% and 22%). This drop in blood sugar was not observed in healthy rats treated with the essential oil. The essential oil did not improve the weight of the rats, nor their cholesterolemia. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil has been studied for six microorganisms. Bacillus subtilis and Candida albicans are the most sensitive, they were inhibited from 2.5/1000 v/v. This oil is also active on Staphylococcus aureus at a concentration of 5/1000 v/v. This activity was weak against Escherichia coli and absent against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and no activity was detected against Enterococcus faecium. It would be interesting to combine these evaluations with chromatographic and spectral studies to determine the compounds responsible for these activities.

Physicochemical, chromatographic and spectral analyzes of essential oils of Hoggar Myrtle of Tamanrasset in southern Algeria

The Myrtus nivellei Batt. and Trab. is an endemic shrub of the central Sahara, known for its respiratory anti-infective and hypoglycemic properties. This work consists of a physicochemical, chromatographic and spectral analysis of essential oils extracted from leaves harvested in the region of Tamanrasset in southern Algeria. The extractive yield is 1.6 ± 0.05 (ml/100g of dry plant), the refractive index is 1.4700 ± 0.0005 and the relative density is 0.9052 (g/ml). GC-MS made it possible to inventory thirty-six (36) compounds: 78.55% of monoterpenes, essentially oxygenated, including 1,8-Cineole which represents the majority compound at 33.95%; which could partly explain the anti-infectious properties of Hoggar Myrtle essential oil.

Role of Aromatic Herbs and Spices in Salty Perception of Patients with Hyposmia

Herbs and spices represent a possibility for the improvement of anosmia and ageusia. In this work we evaluated the role of Mediterranean aromatic herbs and spices in the salty taste perception of patients with hyposmia compared to healthy controls. To this goal, the salty taste perception in response to pure salt and different types of commercial flavored sea salt was assessed in patients with hyposmia, with or without a post-acute coronavirus syndrome, and healthy controls. Myrtle berries and leaves, a mixture of Mediterranean herbs and plants such as helichrysum, rosemary, liquorice, fennel seeds and myrtle leaves, oranges and saffron were used as salt flavoring ingredients. Differences in gustatory perception between 57 patients with hyposmia and 91 controls were evaluated considering the rate of the gustatory dimensions of pleasantness, intensity, and familiarity, using a 7-point hedonic Likert-type scale. At a dose of 0.04 g/mL, saline solutions of flavored salts, with an average 15% less NaCl, were perceived by patients with hyposmia as equally intense but less familiar than pure salt solution, with similar scores in the pleasantness dimension. Our study highlighted the central role of Mediterranean aromatic plants in the enhancement of salty perception in patients with hyposmia.

Liposomal Formulations to Improve Antioxidant Power of Myrtle Berry Extract for Potential Skin Application

Many substances in plant extracts are known for their biological activities. These substances act in different ways, exerting overall protective effects against many diseases, especially skin disorders. However, plant extracts’ health benefits are often limited by low bioavailability. To overcome these limitations, drug delivery systems can be employed. In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant power of an ethanolic extract from Myrtus communis L. (myrtle) berries through colorimetric tests (DPPH and FRAP). The antioxidant activity was also verified by using fibroblast cell culture through cellular Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels measurements. Moreover, the myrtle extract was formulated in phospholipid vesicles to improve its bioavailability and applicability. Myrtle liposomes were characterized by size, surface charge, storage stability, and entrapment efficiency; visualized by using cryo-TEM images; and assayed for cytocompatibility and anti-ROS activity. Our results suggest that myrtle liposomes were cytocompatible and improved the extract’s antioxidant power in fibroblasts, suggesting a potential skin application for these formulations and confirming that nanotechnologies could be a valid tool to enhance plant extracts’ potentialities.

Purification and characterization of polyphenol oxidase from myrtle berries (Myrtus communis L.)

Purification and characterization of polyphenol oxidase from myrtle berries (Myrtus communis L.)

Ethanol Extract of Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) Berries as a Remedy for Streptozotocin-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rats.

Streptozotocin (STZ) is an antitumor antibiotic indicating in the treatment of metastatic islet cell carcinoma of the pancreas. It is also used as a tool to create experimental diabetes models. The STZ exposure at a high dose causes severe damage to cells of humans and other mammals. The goal of the present study was to assess the protective effects of the ethanol extract of the Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) berries, which is a well-known medicinal plant due to its rich phenolic content and beneficial effects on health, against STZ-induced oxidative stress in the diabetic rats.Diabetes was induced by STZ (40mg/kg, i.p.) in the rats. After diabetes induction, a significant increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), malondialdehyde (MDA), and blood glucose levels as well asa significant decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and glutathione (GSH) levels was observed. The rats were treated to three different ethanol extracts of Myrtle berries (0.25, 0.5, and 1g/kg) by oral gavage for 14days. At the end of the experiment, ALT, AST, MDA, and blood glucose levels of the rats significantly decreased while significant increases in GSH levels and SOD activities were observed.We believe that our findings may contribute to the development of new drugs in the treatment of many global disorders due to the antioxidant activity of the ethanol extract of Myrtus communis L. berries.

Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of a novel enol ether nor-sesquiterpene isolated from Myrtus nivellei Batt. & Trab.

Myrtus nivellei is a plant traditionally used to treat diseases including infection of microbial origin. Several M. nivellei Batt. & Trab. extracts (dichloromethane, methanol and ethanol/water) were screened for their activity against 36 microorganisms, including strains resistant to antibiotics. These extracts inhibited on average 15 bacteria strains with minimum inhibition concentrations (MICs) ranging from 0.07 to 1.20 mg/mL. Bioassay guided fractionation was carried out with bioautography on TLC plates using four pathogenic bacteria strains, and following chromatographies (CPC and HPLC) led to the isolation of two novel enol ether nor-cadinane sesquiterpenes from the dichloromethane extract. The major compound (1) showed a strong antibacterial activity. Minimal inhibition concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were determined against four bacteria: Acinetobacter baumanii, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and Staphylococcus lugdunensis. The best activity was observed against Acinetobacter baumanii with a MIC value of 9.7 μg/mL. This novel compound was also very active against a Staphylococcus aureus strain resistant to amoxicillin (MIC 19.5 μg/mL). In addition, compound 1 showed a very high antioxidant activity with both DPPH and metal chelate methods.

Quantification of Total Phenols, Tannins, Anthocyanins Content in Myrtus communis L. and Antioxidant Activity Evaluation in Function of Plant Development Stages and Altitude of Origin Site

Most of the biological properties of myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) are linked to the antioxidant activity of the phenolic compounds present in the extracts. In this study, the content of total phenols, tannins, and anthocyanins of acidified ethanol extracts of berries and leaves of five myrtle cultivars was quantified during the whole fruit development. In some development stages, the antioxidant activity (AA) of both tissues was evaluated with FRAP, ABTS, DPPH, β-carotene assays, and spectroscopic method (EPR). The trend of AA in leaf and berry extracts was different among genotypes and evaluation assays. In general, leaves showed with DPPH assay, the highest AA during autumn season, while with FRAP and β-carotene was higher at 120 DAF (days after flowering) corresponding to summer season. In berries, the AA with DPPH, ABTS, and EPR assays was the highest for all cultivars at 150 DAF and 210 DAF, while with β-carotene assay was higher in the first development stage. Both in leaf and berry, the total phenols and tannins contents influence the AA depending on the assay used, while the berries anthocyanins seem to play a minor role. The altitude of the site of origin differently affected the AA of myrtle leaf and berry. The study showed the potentiality to use the studied myrtle genotypes for further evaluation on biological applications of antioxidant activity.

Optimization of spray drying condition and wall material composition for myrtle extract powder using response surface methodology

This study was aimed to optimize spray drying conditions (inlet air temperature: 120–180 °C) and wall material composition (maltodextrin (MD), gum Arabic (AG)) to obtain the powder of myrtle berry (Myrtus communis L.) extract having higher biological activities. Response surface methodology was used where maximum drying yield and minimum loss of total phenolics were dependent variables. Two optimum conditions were obtained: (1) a composition of 5.75 g maltodextrin/100 mL extract and 9.25 g gum Arabic/100 mL extract as wall materials at 180 °C inlet air temperature; (2) a composition of 3.75 g maltodextrin/100 mL extract and 11.25 g gum Arabic/100 mL extract as wall materials at 120 °C inlet air temperature. The second one was preferred due to lower phenolic losses. Optimum drying conditions provided the highest powder yield (39.89%) and least phenolic loss (16.95%). The bulk and tapped densities of the obtained powders were determined as 375.6 ± 9.7 and 609.6 ± 22.5 kg/m3, respectively. Total phenolics content and antioxidant activity of the obtained powder were found as 0.78 ± 0.01 g gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g dry basic (db) and 1.69 ± 0.07 g trolox equivalent antioxidant activity (TEAC)/100g db, respectively. Particle size distribution was found between 0.69 and 16.175 µm. Epicatechin-3-0-gallate (EGC) and myricetin were main phenolics while D-limonene and α-pinene were main volatile components in the crude extract as well as in final powder product.

Essential oil and ethanolic extract composition from Myrtus nivellei Batt. &amp; Trab. and their biological evaluations

This study aims to evaluate the chemical composition and biological effects of an endemic Algerian species Myrtus nivellei belonging to the Myrtaceae family. The aerial parts of the plant were submitted to hydrodistillation and analysed with gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS). This oil was yielded 0,75% (w/w). The GC-MS revealed that 1,8 cineole is the most abundant component (53,44%) while other compounds were present in high contents: 2,2,6,7-tetramethyl-10-oxatricyclo [4.3.0.1(1,7)]- decan-5-one (11,73%), trans ocimene (7,54%), linalyl propirionate (6,81%) and lavandulyl acetate (5,24%). In addition ethanolic extract of studied plant was prepared. Total phenol, tannin, flavonoid, and condensed tannin?s contents were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu, aluminum chloride and vanillin colorimetric methods, respectively. Three tests were used for the investigation of antioxidant activity of both extract and oil. Strong antioxidant activity was shown mainly by crude extract. Antibacterial screening was evaluated against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Ethanolic extract and oil were active especially against Staphylococcus aureus.

Agroindustrial by-products from tomato, grape and myrtle given at low dosage to lactating dairy ewes: effects on rumen parameters and microbiota

The inclusion of by-products in composite pellet feeds could be a strategy to recycle nutritional components and a commercial opportunity for feeds industries. Aim of this study was to evaluate if the use of small amount of dried by-products containing polyphenols could alter rumen fermentation parameters and microbiota in dairy ewes. Thirty-six ewes (9 animals per group) were fed control diet (CON), and diets supplemented with 100 g/d per animal of tomato pomace (TP), 100 g/d per animal of grape marc (GM), and 75 g/d per animal of exhausted myrtle berries (EMB). Treatment showed significant effects only on pH, whereas sampling time affected almost all rumen fermentation parameters. No differences in the proportion of any phylum were detected in GM group compared to CON group. TP, compared to CON, evidenced higher abundance of Proteobacteria phylum (counts of 4.86; log fold chain of 5.61) which was dominated by Acetobacteraceae family with Acetobacter genus. The supplementation of EMB resulted in higher abundance of Succinivibrionaceae and lower abundance of Veillonellaceae family. Furthermore, in EMB group the Paraprevotellaceae and Prevotellaceae families dominated the phylum of Bacteroidetes. This phylum was significantly different between EMB and CON diet (counts of 57.06; log fold change of 1.10). The estimated production of methane and rumen fermentation parameters were not affected by the diets. The supplementation in small doses of GM, TP and EMB in the diets of sheep did not evidence a clear variation in rumen fermentation parameters nor changes in the general structure of rumen microbiota. HIGHLIGHTS The agroindustrial by-products did not affect the rumen biochemical parameters. The structure of bacteria community was influenced by EMB diet. GM and TP diets did not increase rumen ammonia.

Polyphenols Content and Antimicrobial, Antioxidant and Hemolytic Activities of Essential Oils from Four Selected Medicinal Plants Growing in Algeria

The Saharan and steppe spontaneous plants are very characteristic because of their particular adaptation to the desert and extreme environment. Some species have pharmacological properties that give them a medicinal interest. The aim of the present work was to determine the polyphenol contents of essential oils obtained from four endemic plants growing in Algeria (Pituranthos scoparius, Myrtus nivellei, Rosmarinus officinalis and Mentha piperita), and study its biological activity, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, and hemolytic. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the microdilution method against twelve strains. The antioxidant activity was carried out by two methods (DPPH radical scavenging and reducing power). However, the hemolytic effect has been evaluated against the red blood cells. P. scoparius and M. piperita showed yields of essential oils higher than 1%. All the strains showed sensitivity against the essential oils tested with the exception of the C. albicans treated by R. officinalis essential oils. The most sensitive strain was C. albicans treated by P. scoparius essential oils by MIC of 0.0781 mg/mL, it was the same plant that shows the highest polyphenol content (14.78 ± 0.72 g GAE/g DS). The antioxidant activity by the DPPH method was greater for all essential oils tested by IC50 ranging from 0.69 ± 0.07 (R. officinalis) to 30.67 ± 2.12 mg/mL (M. nivellei). The R. officinalis essential oils reported more antioxidant power than the positive control (ascorbic acid). In reducing iron, it was the R. officinalis essential oils which were found to be the most active with an EC50 concentration of 9.67 ± 1.36 mg/mL. After 120 min incubation, minimal haemolysis (10%) was obtained with essential oils of R. officinalis at a concentration of 0.39 mg/mL. We conclude that P. scoparius essential oils showed the high content of polyphenols and R. officinalis essential oils reported more antioxidant power than the positive control (ascorbic acid).

Alginate bionanocomposite films containing sepiolite modified with polyphenols from myrtle berries extract

Alginate nanocomposite films incorporating sepiolite (Sep) modified with myrtle berries extract (MBE) rich in polyphenols were prepared by solution casting method. The effects of different extract concentrations on the film properties were determined by measuring physicochemical, mechanical and antioxidant properties of the films. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra indicated that strong interactions between the polyphenols present in the MBE and sepiolite were involved in the films. The results suggested that incorporation of Sep-MBE hybrids into the films improved elongation at break, tensile strength, water vapor and UV barrier properties compared to the control film. The antioxidant activity of the films was significantly improved and raised with increasing content of MBE. The release kinetics results of MBE polyphenols from the active films into alcoholic food simulant indicated that the addition of Sep-MBE hybrids to alginate film is able to slow the release of MBE polyphenols. This study revealed the benefits of incorporation of Sep-MBE hybrids into the alginate films and their potential application as active packaging films or coating material.

Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) berries, seeds, leaves, and essential oils: New undiscovered sources of natural compounds with promising health benefits

AbstractMyrtle (Myrtus communis L.) is a typical plant of the coasts of Mediterranean area, which grows spontaneously as a shrub or a small tree. Myrtle berries, leaves, seeds, and essential oils are natural sources of several nutrients and bioactive compounds with marked health effects. In the ancient medicine, it has been indeed used for treating several common diseases, including gastrointestinal, urinary, and skin disorders, whereas currently it is widely employed in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. This review aims to describe the nutritional and the phytochemical compositions of different parts of myrtle plant, as well as their antioxidant activities. In addition, several in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo studies are also presented to give a general overview of the potential effects of myrtle on human health. Finally, a critical analysis of the limitations related to the current research on myrtle is given.