Composition Of Oil Research Articles

The potency of Cupressus sempervirens and Eucalyptus globulus Essential Oils Against Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli and Mammaliicoccus sciuri from Diseased Animals in Tunisia.

This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial activity of essential oils from Cupressus sempervirens (CSEO) and Eucalyptus globulus (EGEO) against clinical isolates of colistin-resistant E. coli and methicillin-resistant M. sciuri recovered from diseased food-producing animals in Tunisia. The chemical compositions of both essential oils were analyzed using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Antibacterial activity was determined through disk diffusion and microdilution assays, while the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) was used to measure the synergistic effect of CSEO and colistin. The major constituents of CSEO were α-pinene (59.03%), δ-3 Carene (21.48%), D-limonene (5.62%) and α-thujene (3.08%), while EGEO contained eucalyptol (52.1%), α-pinene (26.51%), γ-terpinene (4.81%) and D-limonene (3.54%). The inhibition zone diameters (IZDs) against E. coli and M. sciuri ranged from 6 to 29mm for CSEO and 9.3 to 28.6mm for EGEO. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) showed a range of 4 to 512µg/mL for CSEO against M. sciuri and 2 to 426.66µg/mL for EGEO. For E. coli, MICs ranged from 170.66 to 512µg/mL for CSEO and 53.33 to 512µg/mL for EGEO. The checkerboard test demonstrated a synergistic effect between CSEO and colistin against two colistin-resistant E. coli isolates, with FICI 3- to 32-fold lower than the MICs of the individual compounds. This study highlights the potency of essential oils from CSEO and EGEO against antibiotic-resistant M. sciuri and E. coli strains from animals in Tunisia and provides evidence of the synergistic effect between CSEO and colistin against clinically relevant colistin-resistant E. coli isolates.

Enhanced Biodiesel Production with Eversa Transform 2.0 Lipase on Magnetic Nanoparticles.

This research investigated the usefulness of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4) as a support to immobilize the lipase Eversa Transform 2.0 (ET 2.0) to obtain an active and stable biocatalyst, easily recoverable from the reaction medium for applications in the production of biodiesel. Biodiesel was an alternative fuel composed mainly of fatty acid esters with strong transesterification and esterification capabilities. The study focused on the esterification of oleic acid with ethanol to synthesize ethyl oleate. Magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by coprecipitation, then activated with glutaraldehyde and functionalized with γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). The optimal conditions for immobilizing ET 2.0 were pH 10, 25 mM sodium carbonate buffer, an enzymatic load of 200 U/g, and 1 h of contact time, obtaining 78% yield and enzymatic activity of 205.9 U/g. Postimmobilization evaluation showed that the immobilized enzyme performed better than its free form. Kinetic studies were conducted under these optimized conditions (2-96 h at 150 rpm and 37 °C). The biocatalyst was tested for the synthesis of ethyl oleate using oleic acid as the substrate and ethanol, achieving a conversion of 88.1%. Subsequent recirculation tests maintained approximately 80% conversion until the fourth cycle, confirming the sustainability of ester production. Molecular docking studies revealed that the binding affinity for the enzyme-docked oil composition was estimated at -5.8 kcal/mol, suggesting that the combination of the substrate and lipase was stable and suitable for esterification.

Chemical Profiling of Essential Oils from Main Culinary Plants—Bay (Laurus nobilis L.) and Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) from Montenegro

The aim of the research was to determine the yield, chemical composition and free radical-scavenging activity of the essential oils (EOs) in the leaves and fruit of wild-grown bay (Laurus nobilis L.) and rosemary(Rosmarinus officinalis L.)from the Montenegro coast. The bay essential oil (BEO) yield was 0.88% in fruit and 2.65% in the leaves. The rosemary essential oil (REO) yield was 1.30%. BEOs obtained from the leaves and fruit display different compositions. Fifty components were identified in leaf BEO, with 1,8-cineole (39.4%), linalool (13.9%), α-terpinyl acetate (11.2%), sabinene (6.7%) and methyl eugenol (5.7%) being the most abundant ones. Fifty-five components were isolated from fruit BEO, with 1,8-cineole (34.2%), α-pinene (6.6%), sabinene (6.1%) and β-bisabolene (5.8%) being the main components. Twenty-seven components were identified in leaf REO, with the main components being camphor (31.9%), borneol (12.2%), 1,8-cineole (11.3%) and myrcene (10.7%). The BEOs isolated from leaves (EC50 value of 1.43 mg/mL) and fruit (EC50 value of 3.74 mg/mL) showed stronger antioxidant activity than REO (EC50 value of 5.00 mg/mL) during an incubation time of 20 min. The results obtained for the bay and rosemary EOs from Montenegro highlight their potential not only for culinary purposes but also as a source of antioxidants and for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Effect of inappropriate solid waste on microplastic contamination in Balasore district and its aquatic environment

BackgroundMicroplastic infection is now one of the world’s key environmental concerns. The most significant causes of microplastic contamination in aquatic ecosystems are coastal villages, coastal landfill sites, shipping activities and coastal dumping areas. Microplastic ingestion has been described in an inclusive assortment of aquatic ecosystems from different trophic levels. This paper provides scientific evidence of microplastic contamination in solid waste from various coastal sites in the Balasore district.ResultsThe coastal village environment is composite sand soils and comprises numerous contaminants that have substantial effects on the detection of characterization results. Significant differences in the results of ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy determine many pollutants that are possibly affected by different aspects, including sampling and instrumental settings. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) has been applied for the first time to the detection of microplastic content in solid wastes. In comparison with other techniques like Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, it allows the detection of smaller microparticles. Microplastics in the solid wastes occur at variable size from nm to µm and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy with Fourier transform infrared techniques are suitable for screening. In addition, gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) is becoming a valuable component of analytical platforms for monitoring plastic content. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging also detects different shapes of microplastics in solid wastes.ConclusionsOur study offers fresh perspectives on critical environmental areas for further research as well as how rural populations worldwide should be involved in the future studies on plastic pollution. The presence of microplastics in solid waste has led to increased scrutiny and calls for regulation. Governments and organizations are exploring policies to reduce plastic waste and mitigate its impacts on the environment and human health.

Soybean Oil and Protein: Biosynthesis, Regulation and Strategies for Genetic Improvement.

Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) is one of the world's most important sources of oil and vegetable protein. Much of the energy required for germination and early growth of soybean seeds is stored in fatty acids, mainly as triacylglycerols (TAGs), and the main seed storage proteins are β-conglycinin (7S) and glycinin (11S). Recent research advances have deepened our understanding of the biosynthetic pathways and transcriptional regulatory networks that control fatty acid and protein synthesis in organelles such as the plastid, ribosome and endoplasmic reticulum. Here, we review the composition and biosynthetic pathways of soybean oils and proteins, summarizing the key enzymes and transcription factors that have recently been shown to regulate oil and protein synthesis/metabolism. We then discuss the newest genomic strategies for manipulating these genes to increase the food value of soybeans, highlighting important priorities for future research and genetic improvement of this staple crop.

Development of biopolymer composites using lignin: A sustainable technology for fostering a green transition in the construction sector

Developing sustainable construction materials is important to help reduce the anthropogenic impacts of the construction industry. Currently, the production of concrete accounts for 8 % of global carbon emissions. Therefore, alternatives to concrete must be developed, to reduce its use in the future. New construction materials will help to facilitate a green transition as envisioned in global climate initiatives. Materials such as lignin are ideal, as they can be implemented with little additional cost to manufacture construction materials. We introduce a novel material, lignin-based biopolymer-bound soil composite (BSC), which is similar to other BSCs using other types of biopolymers. In addition, a design methodology is presented, which allows the manufacture of lignin-based BSCs with tailored characteristics. Two kinds of lignin — hydrolysis lignin and alkali lignin — were investigated, with five mix designs developed for each type of lignin. The lignin-based BSCs were found to have compressive strength ranging from 1.6 - 8.1 MPa, which allows them to be implemented in non-structural construction applications. Ultimate compressive strength, density, and other parameters were measured, leading to the development of design relationships for lignin-based BSC. The design relationships presented in this study will help introduce lignin-based BSC as a sustainable form of construction.

Efficacy of foliar application of Chlorella vulgaris extract on chemical composition and biological activities of the essential oil of spearmint (Mentha spicata L.)

The microalgal have an essential role in agriculture, where they are used as biofertilizers. This study aimed to determine the effect of C. vulgaris extract on the chemical composition and biological activities of the Essential Oil (EO) of Mentha spicata. The extract of C. vulgaris was prepared and applied at three different concentrations (50, 75, and 100 %). The EOs of M. spicata were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The DPPH radical scavenging capability and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) techniques were used to assess the antioxidant activity of EOs. The antimicrobial activity of EO was evaluated using the microdilution method against Staphylococcus aureus. The results of GC-MS analysis of EOs identified 46 components, with Carvone (77.5–65.4 %), Limonene (10.31–6.9 %), β-elemene (1.56–0.98 %), and Caryophyllene (10.92–4.77 %) being the predominant constituents. From the highest concentration ranged from 100 % C. vulgaris extract to control respectively, yield and EO content ranged from 171.24 to 131.74 g/m2 and 0.34 to 0.18 %, respectively; Antioxidant activity by DPPH and FRAP methods varied from 1.56 to 4.45 mg/mL, and 405.63 to 68.68 μMFe2+/g, respectively; the Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) ranged from 2.4 to 9.6 mg/mL in various treatments. The results indicated that the C. vulgaris extract significantly increased the yield, EO%, Carvone, Limonene, and antioxidant and antibacterial activities compared to the control. The extract of C. vulgaris showed promise as a biofertilizer to enhance the yield, chemical composition, and biological activities of M. spicata.

ЕКОЛОГО-ЦЕНОТИЧНИЙ АНАЛІЗ УГРУПОВАНЬ З УЧАСТЮ HYDROCOTYLE VULGARIS L. В УКРАЇНІ

An ecological and cenotic analysis of Hydrocotyle vulgaris, a rare sub-Atlantic species, which is in Ukraine on the eastern border of distribution and is listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine, was carried out. The article presents data on the distribution of the species in Ukraine, obtained on the basis of personal data, literary materials and the database of the National Biodiversity Information Network (UkrBin). Six new localities of the species are presented. It was discovered that H. vulgaris occurs on the territory of four regions. It is most widespread on the territory of the Volyn and Lviv region. The locality in the Ternopil region should be considered as lost. For the first time, the locality on the territory of the Rivne Nature Reserve, which is currently the easternmost in Ukraine, is given. The phytocenotic peculiarities of the species on the territory of Ukraine and neighboring countries has been established. Types of vegetation with presence of the species were defined. According to the analysis of literary sources, the species is widespread on peat bogs, marshy meadows, in the zone of periodic flooding along the banks of mesotrophic reservoirs, on alder bogs with peaty, moderately acidic, silty sands. In general, the species was noted as part of 6 classes and 9 alliances, presented by woody, shrubby and herbaceous vegetation. Based on personal data, it was found that H. vulgaris occurs in communities of three classes, four alliances and four associations on the territory of Ukraine. The ecological and coenotic study of H. vulgaris made it possible to establish the peculiarities of the ecology of this species. It was established that the leading edaphic factors affecting the distribution of the species are humidity and soil composition. It is limited to nutrient-poor non-saline slightly acidic soils, mainly peaty or sandy. H. vulgaris belongs to the species that are affected by the changing water regime and is limited to places where temporary flooding is observed. It prefers habitats with reduced interspecific competition. Taking into account this feature, it is proposed to introduce regular mowing as a factor that prevents civilization of the territory and stimulates the vegetative renewal of the populations of the species. In tree and shrub communities, it is proposed to carry out selective felling. In order to preserve the populations of the species, it is also necessary to maintain the bare, well-moistened areas. In nearby agricultural lands it is necessary to avoid fertilizers.

Physical and chemical properties of soils from different geological formations affecting Tuber melanosporum plantations: a case study in Acqualagna area (central Italy)

Soil properties play a pivotal role in the fructification of the Périgord black truffle (Tuber melanosporum Vittad.). However, the precise manner in which soil composition influences truffle production remains unclear. This study considered three plantation sites located in Acqualagna (central Italy), an important area for the cultivation of black truffles. The sites differed in terms of productivity and geological terrains. Site 1, which produced 4 kg yr−1, was on Schlier sediments (marls and clayey marls; Miocene age), site 2, which yielded 12 kg yr−1, was on alluvial deposits (heterogeneous, mainly sandy gravels and gravels; Holocene age), and site 3 produced 40 kg yr−1 was on Scaglia variegata (alternating marly limestones, calcareous marls, and marls; Eocene age). A total of 62 soil samples were collected and analyzed for their physical, chemical, organic, and mineralogical composition. Among the samples a control area without the presence of truffle was included. The soils composition differed for the content in phyllosilicates and calcite which ranged from 124 to 398 g kg−1 and 98 to 450 g kg−1, respectively. Principal component analysis extracted three factors, accounting for 82% of the total variance. Factor 1 (46.2% of the variance) was strongly and positively correlated with sheet silicates, smectite, clay and negatively with skeleton (fraction > 2 mm). The soils from Scaglia variegata and Schlier clustered around the active carbonate content which was 266 g kg−1 in Scaglia and 250 g kg−1 in Schlier. These soils clustered also for the clay fraction (389 g kg−1 and 428 g kg−1, respectively) as well as for the smectite (268 g kg−1 and 307 g kg−1, respectively). In spite, the soils from alluvial deposits clustered per skeleton (638 g kg−1). In terms of soil productivity, it can be posited that the contribution of the skeleton was always dominant. The carbonate contents allow for the differentiation between intermediate soils (alluvial deposits) and low-productivity soils (Schlier). Additionally, the clay component was found to be high in both low (428 g kg−1) and high productivity soils (389 g kg−1). Conversely, it was low in medium productivity soils (125 g kg−1). The automatic linear modelling (ALM) indicated that among all of the variables considered in this study, six of them were included in the equation and explained 94.3% of the variation in soil classified as suitable for black truffle production. In particular, calcite was identified as the most important predictor variable, followed by available P and K. Regarding the influence of functional groups of humic substances, amide I (1641 cm−1) exerted a positive effect while lignin residues (1510 cm−1) had a negative one. The findings of this study may assist in the selection of optimal soils for black truffle cultivation.

Chemical Changes in the Composition of Oil Well Cement with Core/Shell Nanoparticle Addition under CO2 Geological Storage Conditions

Chemical Changes in the Composition of Oil Well Cement with Core/Shell Nanoparticle Addition under CO₂ Geological Storage Conditions

Sprayable Biodegradable Polyester-Urethane-Urea Mulching Treatment Increases Abundance of Soil Microbes

The paper investigates for the first time the impact of a novel sprayable, biodegradable polyester-urethane-urea (PEUU) mulch on the microbial community composition of an agricultural soil. In this study changes to the composition of the soil microbial community and in soil enzyme activity involved in nutrient cycling were monitored on tomato plants grown under controlled greenhouse conditions. Particular attention was given to impacts on the relative changes in abundance of soil microbes. The PEUU mulch reduced the abundance of a small number of soil microbe taxa, but also provided an environment in which some taxa, which were comparatively rare in initial and unmulched soils, thrived. Importantly, the relative abundances of Azospirillum, Noviherbaspirillum, Exophiala, Phoma, Chaetomium and Clonostachys species all increased in soils treated with PEUU mulch. Principal coordinates analysis revealed the microbial community composition on PEUU films alone and in PEUU treated soil were most similar, while the PEUU films’ microbial community differed the most from the initial soil’s microbial community. These results indicate that from an agricultural productivity and an environmental safety standpoint the use of PEUU mulch may be preferable to PE and could provide additional plant growth benefits by increasing the abundance of soil microbes.

Precision Agriculture: UAV-Based Soil Mapping and Remote Sensing Applications

Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) equipped with remote sensing cameras that measure the electromagnetic spectrum of light reflected back from the ground below, this technology does soil mapping and field analysis. The way that different elements reflect different light wavelengths can be used to identify them. Reams of data on those wavelengths are gathered by multispectral image sensors, which power sophisticated AI software that can identify even the smallest variations in the elemental composition of soil. There are numerous positives to soil mapping, including helping farmers choose the best crops, applying the right fertilizers, and scheduling irrigation. Soil mapping also makes it easier to create plans for soil conservation and restoration that work. UAVs facilitate rapid deployment, enabling data collection near end-users, while delivering a more comprehensive and precise dataset compared to traditional camera-based methods. This study will provide effective technical support and decision-making assistance for future agricultural land planning.

Relationship between soil fertility and pasture composition on milk quality in Simmental-Fleckvieh production systems in the Peruvian Amazon

ABSTRACT This study aims to identify the relationship between soil fertility and pasture composition on milk quality in ten Simmental-Fleckvieh cattle production systems across four provinces in the Peruvian Amazon: Chachapoyas (system I), Bongara (system II), Rodriguez de Mendoza (system III), and Utcubamba (system IV). While no significant differences were noted in pasture composition, milk, and soil parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, phosphorus, and potassium among systems, significant statistical differences were observed in soil carbon, organic matter, and nitrogen content (p < 0.05), with System IV exhibiting the highest values. Strong correlations were found between pasture dry matter and both milk fat (r = 0.62) and milk crude protein (r = 0.61). Moderate correlations between pasture dry matter and milk total solids (r = 0.52), milk lactose and soil phosphorus (r = -0.44), milk crude protein and soil potassium (r = 0.40), electric conductivity and pasture dry matter (r = 0.44), soil potassium and pasture crude ash (r = 0.49), and soil carbon and pasture crude fat (r = 0.40). These findings underscore the combined impact of pasture and soil composition on milk nutritional quality, emphasizing the need for optimized soil and pasture management to enhance productivity in these systems.

Exploring the Vegetation Characteristics of Karst Landscapes: A Study of Community Forest in Tubokarto Village, Wonogiri, Indonesia

Karst landscapes are characterized by unique relief and drainage patterns, which influence the types of vegetation that can inhabit these environments. Vegetation in karst ecosystems plays a crucial role in groundwater filtration. Plant species diversity within these communities contributes to structural variations across different habitats. This study evaluates the potential of vegetation in community forests in Tubokarto Village, Wonogiri Regency, by analyzing species composition and vegetation. Using a purposive sampling method, we selected areas with polyculture planting patterns and agroforestry, applying a sampling intensity of 2.2% with 20 × 100 m strip plots. The results showed that the species composition at the location consisted of 18 species in 7 families. The stand density for trees is 221 ind ha–1, poles 436 ind ha–1, saplings 1,144 ind ha–1, and seedlings 2,650 ind ha–1. Tectona grandis emerged as the dominant species, with the highest Importance Value Index (IVI) values: 142.79 at the tree level, 212.48 for poles, 197.84 for saplings, and 122.29 for seedlings. Species diversity indices were 1.53 for trees, 0.97 for poles, 1.36 for saplings, and 1.21 for seedlings. The species richness index showed values of 2.79 for trees, 1.49 for poles, 1.21 for saplings, and 1.80 for seedlings, while the species evenness index ranged from 0.43 to 0.76. The vegetation structure of Tubokarto Village spans strata B and C, with tree diameter class distribution resembling that of natural forests. Environmental factors, including climate and soil composition, are likely influencing species growth patterns.

Planting Enhances Soil Resistance to Microplastics: Evidence from Carbon Emissions and Dissolved Organic Matter Stability.

Microplastics (MPs) have become a global hotspot due to their widespread distribution in recent years. MPs frequently interact with dissolved organic matter (DOM) and microbes, thereby influencing the carbon fate of soils. However, the role of plant presence in regulating MPs-mediated changes in the DOM and microbial structure remains unclear. Here, we compared the mechanisms of soil response to 3 common nonbiodegradable MPs in the absence or presence of radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. radculus Pers) plants. Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) analysis revealed that MPs reduced the chemodiversity and biodiversity of dissolved organic matter (DOM). MPs enhanced the degradation of lignin-like compounds and reduced the DOM stability. Comparative analysis showed that MPs caused less disturbance to the microbial composition and metabolism in planted soil than in unplanted soil. In unplanted soil, MPs stimulated fermentation while upregulating photoautotrophic activity in planted soil, thereby enhancing system stability. The rhizosphere effect mitigated MPs-induced CO2 emissions. Overall, our study highlights the crucial role of rhizosphere effects in maintaining ecosystem stability under soil microbe-DOM-pollutant interactions, which provides a theoretical basis for predicting the resistance, resilience, and transitions of the ecosystem upon exposure to the anthropogenic carbon source.

Phytochemical variability in essential oils of Juniperus communis var. saxatilis populations grow wild in western Himalaya, India

Needle and berry samples of Juniperus communis L. var. saxatilis Pall. were sampled separately during post rainy season to comparatively investigate the essential oil (EO) yield and phytochemical variability in eight populations grow wild in western Himalaya, India. The EOs obtained from air-dried needle and berry samples separately by hydrodistillation method using Clevenger type apparatus varied in yield with geographic origin of populations, ranged between 2.5-3.4% and 1.8-2.8% (v/w, dried weight basis), respectively. GC-MS analysis of EO profiles resulted in identification of a total ninety-four phytochemicals, representing over 95% of total oil content. Both, needle as well as berry EO samples were dominated by monoterpene hydrocarbons α-pinene (18.52-30.65% and 14.31-27.37%), D-limonene (17.01-28.96% and 15.80-29.70%), β-myrcene (3.74-5.59% and 4.12-14.23%), followed by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons β-elemene (0.86-4.13% and 0.77-3.65%) and germacrene D (0.27-2.57% and 0.20-6.15%), respectively. The oxygenated sesquiterpenes α-cadinol (0.34-5.90% and to 5.63%) and α-bisabolol (to 3.39 and 0.95-6.71%) constituted the third most abundant group of terpenes while oxidized monoterpenes with α-terpineol (0.73-2.17% and 0.10-3.51%) and α-terpinyl acetate (2.10-4.76% and 0.05-3.54%) were the least dominant group. The principal component and hierarchical cluster analysis indicated that selective local environmental forces driving the microhabitat conditions appeared to be linked to high variability in essential oil composition of different common Juniper populations instead of their geographical proximity. The present study revealed that common Juniper essential oils from western Himalaya, India fulfil minimum requirements of European Pharmacopoeia and warrants its further exploitation as a natural resource of commercial significance for dietary and therapeutic applications.

Evaluation of Antiproliferative Potentials Associated with the Volatile Compounds of Lantana camara Flowers: Selective In Vitro Activity.

Probing the chemical profiles and biological activities of medicinal plants is important for the discovery of new potent therapeutic products. Our study deciphers the chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) obtained from three different flowers of Lantana camara and evaluates their antioxidant and anticancer activities. This work represents the first study of EOs obtained from this plant and is based particularly on the difference in flower color. In addition, no other reports dealing specifically with the antitumor effects of such flower-derived EOs have been described in the literature. The collected flowers, white, pink, and orange, were extracted by hydrodistillation to yield EO1, EO2, and EO3 respectively. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy was primarily employed to identify the existing volatile compounds in the samples. Their antioxidant activities were screened through both DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging assays and FRAP (ferric-reducing antioxidant power) assays. The antiproliferative effects were evaluated on two distinct breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, and compared to a normal human breast cell line, MCF-10A, using an MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium) assay. All EOs showed notable antioxidant potential attributed to the active phytochemical compounds, with results being supported by a positive correlation between such activity and the total phenolic and flavonoid content. The most eminent, EO1, revealed a selective dose-dependent antiproliferative effect in both breast cancer cell lines, thus reflecting its potent role as an anticancer agent. We suggest that this highly selective activity is associated with the presence of bicyclogermacrene and epi-bicyclosesquiphellandrene in its chemical composition.

Soil organic matter of Cambisols in Vitosha mountain, Bulgaria

A complex of soil carbon properties was studied and a research was made about the content of soil organic matter and organic C. The surface A and Bw horizon of Cambisols were studied in order understand relations of soil organic content and composition. Sample soil profiles in the middle part of Vitosha Nature Park were taken under different type of trees. Higher amount of total carbon and free low-molecular humic acids were determined in the surface and in the cambic horizons. The amount of soil organic carbon is high – from 2.08 % to 5.44 % in the surface horizon. The fulvic-humic type of soil organic matter predominates in studied soil horizons. Similar to this most of the soil samples have ration C/N &gt; 15 which is Mull humus. This type is commonly associated with temperate forest ecosystems, where deciduous trees shed their leaves annually, and contributing organic matter to the soil.

An investigation on the effect of soil erosion on the properties of soil adjacent to a road right of way (ROW)

ABSTRACT Recently, soil erosion has been a significant and common issue along road right of way (ROW). This study was designed to identify the effect of soil erosion on the physical and chemical properties of soil across a ROW. Land use land cover (LULC) map, soil map, and field observation were adopted to ensure proper sampling. Moisture content, grain size analysis, soil texture, consistency test, organic content and matter, pH, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) were conducted on 10 representative soil samples collected from 14 km ROW. The laboratory results from moisture content, pH, and CEC revealed samples taken from the erosion fields (20.79% to 26.41%), (8.48 to 8.66), and (18.02 to 24.03) appeared to be higher than those taken from non-eroded fields (16.79% to 18.51%), (8.18 to 8.3), and (14.5 to 16.15), respectively. The organic content of the soil in the non-eroded areas was higher than that in the eroded areas. This variation in soil properties is primarily attributed to differences in LULC and soil composition. With regard to consistency properties, the soil was marked as highly erodible. Treatment of drainage structures, demarcating ROW, ROW stabilization, and awareness creation were proposed as feasible remedial measures. Finally, the soil along Sawla to Bulki ROW was identified as erodible soil as per experimental results and analysis.

Exploring the Antibacterial Properties and Chemical Profiles of Essential Oils from Syzygium aromaticum and Nigella sativa Against MDR Bacteria

For centuries, plants have been studied for their healing properties. Recently, the rise of antibiotic resistance in bacteria has prompted scientists to explore herbal remedies. Syzygium aromaticum, from the Myrtaceae family, has been utilized as a histological clearing agent. In contrast, Nigella sativa (black cumin), a member of the Ranunculaceae family, has long been utilized in traditional medicine dating back to ancient times. The current study investigates the chemical composition and antibacterial activity of essential oils from Syzygium aromaticum (clove) and Nigella sativa (black cumin) against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Using the agar well diffusion method, Syzygium aromaticum exhibited significant antibacterial activity, particularly against Salmonella typhi (30.66 mm inhibition zone), while Nigella sativa was effective only against Staphylococcus aureus (19 mm). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values for Syzygium aromaticum ranged from 3.53 to 7.06 mg/mL, indicating stronger antibacterial properties than Nigella sativa (MIC: 12.7 mg/mL, MBC: 22.5 mg/mL). GC-MS analysis revealed that Syzygium aromaticum contained bioactive compounds like Diglycolic acid (76.59%) and Eugenol (2.06%), while Nigella sativa was dominated by Heptasiloxane (80.83%) and Thymoquinone (2.66%). These findings suggest that Syzygium aromaticum essential oil could serve as a potent natural antimicrobial agent against MDR pathogens.