Plant-based Essential Oils Research Articles

Active packaging film of poly(lactic acid) incorporated with plant-based essential oils of Trachyspermum ammi as an antimicrobial agent and vanilla as an aroma corrector for waffles

This study developed active packaging films of Polylactic acid incorporated with the plant-based essential oils of Trachyspermum ammi, T. ammi and Vanilla to package waffles, where the antimicrobial property was provided by T. ammi and its odor was masked by vanilla essential oil. Compared to conventional solvent-cast films of smaller sizes requiring a huge amount of solvents, bigger-size PLA-oil films with lower solvent demand were prepared by tape casting technique with 10, 30, and 50 wt% essential oil blends. Films were studied for their morphological, chemical, mechanical, barrier, and antimicrobial properties. The presence and time-bound release of volatile oils from the films was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy, with a continuous decrease of oils from the films till day 30. The plasticizing effect of oils in films was evidenced by decreased tensile strength and crystallinity. In contrast, an increase in elongation at break and water vapor permeability of oil films were also measured. Finally, when packed in PLA films containing 50 wt% blend of both oils, waffles shelf-life extended up to 30 days compared to 2 days for the neat PLA film, where Vanilla was found effective in masking the unpleasant odor of T.ammi as confirmed by sensory analysis.

Improvement effects of green tea and pumpkin oils on myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-induced Multiple sclerosis in rats

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) associated with significant progressive neurodegeneration. There is a lot of interest in the use of plant-based essential oils in traditional medicine to treat and prevent human illnesses, including MS. This research aimed to assess the neuroprotective effects of green tea oil (GTO) and pumpkin oil (PO) against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-induced MS in Wistar rats as well as investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms. The Wistar rats were divided into four groups: group 1, normal control; group 2, MOG-injected; and groups 3 and 4, MOG-injected groups treated with 5 ml/kg body weight each of GTO and PO, respectively. The chemical profiles of components within a GTO and PO were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Treatment with GTO and PO substantially improved the decreased dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine levels in the brain of the MOG-injected rats. It also suppressed the elevated epinephrine levels. The histological injuries in the brain cortical tissue of the MOG-injected group were notably improved after supplementing with GTO and PO. Furthermore, brain lipid peroxidation and serum INF-β concentration were significantly lower in the MOG-injected rats treated with GTO and PO. The brain GSH, SOD, GPx, as well as serum coenzyme Q10, and α-tocopherol levels were significantly enhanced by GTO and PO supplementaion. Additionally, GTO and PO administration into MOG-injected rats significantly upregulated Nrf2, Bcl-2, and PCNA while significantly downregulated TNF-α, NF-κB, iNOS, p53, and Bax expression levels. Taken together, these findings suggest that GTO and PO efficiently ameliorate MOG-induced MS via enhancing the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects.

A Review on Sustainable Alternatives of Post Harvest Treatments in Fruits

The fruit farming industry faces spoilage and disease after harvest, with Colletotrichum being the most common cause. Safer, more effective, biorational, and sustainable disease management are suggested. Plant-based essential oils (Eos) have synergistic antimicrobial, herbicide, insecticide, antioxidant, and fungicide properties that can fight agricultural fungi. Due to their negative effects on agroecosystems and public health, the OECD recommends a switch to sustainable food systems and synthetic fungicides. Essential oils are complex lipids from plants' secondary metabolism that are allelopathic, herbivorous, and phytopathogenic microorganism-protective. Their effects on bacteria and fungi include cell wall degradation, cytoplasmic and lipid membrane synthesis interference, lysis, cell death, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Essential oils were shown to treat postharvest diseases in apple cultivars and Penicillium spp., B. cinerea in strawberries and apples. Combining essential oils and non-toxic additives can control fruit postharvest fungal infections. Immersion, spraying, fumigation, and volatilization can be applied to fruit. Researchers suggest adding essential oils to edible or biodegradable films and coatings to extend fruit shelf life and reduce microorganism spoilage. Agriculture is promising with nanobiotechnologies that improve volatile compound stability, pesticide residual effects and Aedes aegypti adhesion and repellency. Further research is needed to determine nanomaterials' toxicity and environmental impact.

Individual and combined effects of α-Pinene and a native diatomaceous earth product on control of stored product beetle pests

The development of alternatives to chemical insecticides has been an attractive topic in stored product pest management due to the limited number of options. This study examined the individual and combined activities of two promising eco-friendly alternatives, the diatomaceous earth product Detech® and the plant-based essential oil α-pinene, against Sitophilus granarius (L.), S. zeamais Motschulsky, 1855 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Tribolium confusum Jaquelin Du Val, 1868 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius, 1792) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) under laboratory conditions. Individual and combined insecticidal effects of Detech® and α-pinene were evaluated by their direct application to wheat or maize. Complete mortality against S. granarius, R. dominica, and T. confusum occurred at 2 days with 10 and 15 ppm of α-pinene, while 15 ppm of α-pinene produced 100% mortality after 3 days of exposure for S. zeamais. The highest mortality with Detech® was 38.6% at 21 days using 500 ppm for S. zeamais, while it was 51.7 % against S. granarius, and 72.7 % against R. dominica. Detech® did not show any significant activity against T. confusum at any application level. Combined applications of Detech®+α-pinene demonstrated the highest mortality on R. dominica (40.4% mortality), S. zeamais (27.9%), and S. granarius (18.5%), while no significant effect was found on T. confusum (1.1%). Overall, α-pinene was more effective than Detech® against all four tested beetles species. Combined applications led to reduced mortality.

Antimicrobial activity of essential oils of Curcuma longa and Syzygium aromaticum against multiple drug-resistant pathogenic bacteria.

The present study was conducted to investigate the antimicrobial potential of essential oils of Curcuma longa and Syzygium aromaticum against multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria. Four identified bacterial isolates including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter baumannii were selected and their antibiotic sensitivity was checked by disc diffusion assay. C. longa and S. aromaticum were subjected to steam distillation to obtain their essential oils. The crude essential oils were fractioned by employing column chromatography. Crude essential oils and their fractions were evaluated for their antibacterial activity by agar well diffusion assay and minimum inhibitory concentrations were calculated. All the selected bacterial isolates showed resistance to three or more than three antibiotic groups and were declared as multidrugresistant (MDRs). Crude essential oils of C. longa and S. aromaticum exhibited antimicrobial activity against all selected isolates but S. aromaticum activity was better than the C. longa with a maximum 19.3±1.50 mm zone of inhibition against A. baumannii at 1.04 µL/mL MIC. GC/MS analysis revealed the abundance of components including eugenol, eugenyl acetate, b- caryophyllene, and a- Humulene in both crude oil and fractions of S. aromaticum. While the main components of C. longa essential oil were Ar-tumerone, a-tumerone, b- Tumerone, I-Phellandrene, a-zingibirene, b- sesquiphellandrene, and p- Cymene. This study highlights that plant-based essential oils could be a promising alternative to antibiotics for which pathogens have developed resistance. C. longa and S. aromaticum carry compounds that have antimicrobial potential against multiple drug-resistant bacteria including MRSA. E. coli, K. pneumoniae and A. baumannii.

Effect of Citrus aurantium juice as a disinfecting agent on quality and bacterial communities of striped catfish steaks stored at -20 °C.

Sodium hypochlorite is generally used as a disinfectant in washing of freshwater fishes where the safety aspect of health is of concern. Although plant-based essential oils and synthetic chemical agents have been applied, they might contain toxic substances, are expensive and can cause undesirable quality. This research aims to fill the knowledge gap necessary to validate Citrus aurantium juice as a disinfecting agent for preserving striped catfish steaks at -20 °C for 28 days. Fifty (50) ppm sodium hypochlorite was used as a commercial disinfectant (control). The results showed that a negative color characteristic (higher a* and increased b*) was found in the control but not in striped catfish steaks immersed in C. aurantium juice (TM) on days 14 and 28. No significant differences were found in the peroxide value among the treatments on days 14 and 28 (P > 0.05). A lower accumulation of trichloroacetic acid soluble peptides was detected in TM but not in control, while total volatile basic nitrogen of all treatments was up to standard of fish quality during storage. Contrastingly, the total viable count of both treatments increased to >7.0 log CFU/g on day 28 which did not meet the edible limit of standard for freshwater fishes. The spoilage microbial community was observed on days 0 and 28 of storage which showed a decrease in relative abundance of Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Brochothrix, Lactococcus, Carnobacterium, Psychrobacter, and Vagococcus as found in TM on day 28, when compared to the control. Thus, these results implied that C. aurantium juice could replace sodium hypochlorite as an alternative disinfecting agent to control the microbiological spoilage and physico-chemical quality of striped catfish steaks.

Extraction Fuel During Hydro-distillation Modifies Eucalyptus Essential Oil Yield, Phytochemical Quality, and Capital Cost

Introduction: Plant-based essential oils are usually extracted using the hydro-distillation process. During this process type of fuel is a major factor that regulates yield, aromatic quality, and capital cost. AIM: This study aimed to examine the distillation of eucalyptus essential oil using Fire word (FW), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), and Electric Filament (EF) derived energy as fuels. Eucalyptus fresh leaves were used to extract the essential oil. Method: Several parameters were examined, including the yield of oil, total phenolic content and total antioxidant activity, and total capital cost of each procedure. The results revealed that EF-based hydro-distillation reduced the cost of essential oil production many times compared to FW and LPGbased fuels. Result: Using EF, essential oil quality also increased considerably in terms of total phenolic content (1.49 mg GAE/ml) and total antioxidant activity (4.2 mg AE/ml). GC-FID analysis discovered the occurrence of 1,8 cineole as a major component in eucalyptus essential oil. Conclusion: To conclude, EF-based fuel offers significant advantages over traditionally used fuels to hydro-distill eucalyptus essential oil in cosmetic and pharma-based industries.

Bioactivity of Citral and Its Nanoparticle in Attenuating Pathogenicity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Controlling Drosophila melanogaster

Plant-based essential oils are hydrophobic, volatile concentrate extracted from aromatic plants. They are the upcoming alternative and appealing source of antimicrobial compounds, citral (major constituent of lemongrass oil) being one of them, whose antiquorum sensing, in vivo delivery, and insecticidal potential need further exploration. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most prevalent, clinically lethal pathogens, which is resistible toward various treatments because of the inherent resistance acquired by the organism to many classes of drugs (multidrug resistant (MDR)). Moreover, fruit flies have been considered as the vectors of potentially lethal and opportunistic pathogens, including multiantibiotic-resistant microbes. As a result, controlling both the pathogen and its host vector are of utmost importance. The present study focused on the efficacy of essential oil of citral (EOC) and its nanoencapsulated form on quorum sensing inhibition (QSI) of P. aeruginosa PAO1 and its insecticidal activity against Drosophila melanogaster. Chitosan-based citral nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized using hydrodynamic size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Citral nanoparticles at sub-minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) exhibited QSI potential by attenuating biofilm formation (p-value < 0.05), while insecticidal activity of citral tested against D. melanogaster demonstrated toxicity of the EOC at a concentration of 3%–5%. Hence, the results elucidated the prospects of citral nanoparticles in the delivery of citral, which can be applied as a strategy to specifically target clinically lethal pathogens, major insect pests, and associated microbes.

Candida albicans Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)-Dependent Lethality and ROS-Independent Hyphal and Biofilm Inhibition by Eugenol and Citral.

Candida albicans is part of the normal human flora but is most frequently isolated as the causative opportunistic pathogen of candidiasis. Plant-based essential oils and their components have been extensively studied as antimicrobials, but their antimicrobial impacts are poorly understood. Phenylpropenoids and monoterpenes, for example, eugenol from clove and citral from lemon grass, are potent antifungals against a wide range of pathogens. We report the cellular response of C. albicans to eugenol and citral, alone and combined, using biochemical and microscopic assays. The MICs of eugenol and citral were 1,000 and 256 μg/mL, respectively, with the two exhibiting additive effects based on a fractional inhibitory concentration index of 0.83 ± 0.14. High concentrations of eugenol caused membrane damage, oxidative stress, vacuole segregation, microtubule dysfunction and cell cycle arrest at the G1/S phase, and while citral had similar impacts, they were reactive oxygen species (ROS) independent. At sublethal concentrations (1/2 to 1/4 MIC), both oils disrupted microtubules and hyphal and biofilm formation in an ROS-independent manner. While both compounds disrupt the cell membrane, eugenol had a greater impact on membrane dysfunction. This study shows that eugenol and citral can induce vacuole and microtubule dysfunction, along with the inhibition of hyphal and biofilm formation. IMPORTANCE Candida albicans is a normal resident on and in the human body that can cause relatively benign infections. However, when our immune system is severely compromised (e.g., cancer chemotherapy patients) or underdeveloped (e.g., newborns), this fungus can become a deadly pathogen, infecting the bloodstream and organs. Since there are only a few effective antifungal agents that can be used to combat fungal infections, these fungi have been exposed to them over and over again, allowing the fungi to develop resistance. Instead of developing antifungal agents that kill the fungi, some of which have undesirable side effects on the human host, researchers have proposed to target the fungal traits that make the fungus more virulent. Here, we show how two components of plant-based essential oils, eugenol and citral, are effective inhibitors of C. albicans virulence traits.

Study of antimicrobial activity and mechanism of vapor-phase cinnamaldehyde for killing Escherichia coli based on fumigation method.

The vapor-phase antibacterial activity of essential oils makes them suitable for applications in air disinfection and other fields. At present, vapor-phase antibacterial activity of plant-based essential oils has rarely been reported. Herein, we report a new approach to investigate the antimicrobial activity and mechanism of vapor-phase cinnamaldehyde using Escherichia coli (E. coli) and three other pathogenic bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus) as model bacteria. Plate fumigation and agar block transfer techniques were used to determine the antimicrobial activities of vapor-phase cinnamaldehyde fumigation on the four types of bacteria, and the mechanism of action was determined by electrical conductivity (EC), OD260nm measurement, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and fluorescence spectroscopy. Cinnamaldehyde had good vapor-phase antibacterial activity against the four types of bacteria. The TEM, EC, and OD260nm measurements showed that after fumigation with cinnamaldehyde, the ultrastructures of the cells were damaged, and plasmolysis, cell collapse, and leakage of intracellular substances were observed. The FTIR and fluorescence spectroscopy analyses showed that the secondary and tertiary structures of bacterial membrane proteins were altered. These findings indicate that the cell membrane is an important target for plant-based essential oils to exert their vapor-phase antimicrobial effects. The results showed that plant-based essential oils can be developed as volatile broad-spectrum disinfection products and vapor-phase antiseptics.

Cinnamon Leaf and Clove Essential Oils Are Potent Inhibitors of Candida albicans Virulence Traits.

Plant-based essential oils are promising anti-virulence agents against the multidrug-resistant opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (cinnamon) leaf and Eugenia caryophyllus (clove) flower bud essential oils revealed eugenol (73 and 75%, respectively) as their major component, with β-caryophyllene, eugenyl acetate, and α-humulene as common minor components. Cinnamon leaf and clove essential oils had minimum inhibitory concentrations of 600 and 500 µg/mL, respectively against the C. albicans RSY150 reference strain and 1000 and 750 µg/mL, respectively for the clinical reference strain ATCC 10231. The combined oils are additive (FICI = 0.72 ± 0.16) and synergistic (0.5 ± 0.0) against RSY150 and the clinical reference strain, respectively. Mycelial growth was inhibited by sublethal concentrations of either essential oil, which abolished colony growth. At half of the lowest combined lethal concentration for the two oils, the yeast-to-hyphal transition and mycelial growth was potently inhibited. Mutant strains als1Δ/Δ, als3Δ/Δ, hwp1Δ/HWP1+, and efg1Δ/Δ were sensitive to either or both oils, especially efg1Δ/Δ. In conclusion, oils of cinnamon leaf and clove and their combination significantly impact C. albicans virulence by inhibiting hyphal and mycelial growth.

Antibacterial Activity of Plant-based Essential Oils against Uropathogenic Bacteria: A Systematic Review

Antibacterial Activity of Plant-based Essential Oils against Uropathogenic Bacteria: A Systematic Review

Sensory Evaluation Assessment of Almond Milk, Oat Milk, Soy Milk (Nondairy Products) and Kefir, Yogurt, Cow Milk (Dairy Products) Containing Radish Oil: A Preliminary Study

Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) has long been recognized as a source of nutrients and phytochemicals. It is well known that the antioxidant properties of radish contributed to its popularity in pharmaceuticals. For this reason, the radish extract aided in the recovery and prevention from diseases. Hence, in this study, the sensory evaluation assessment was conducted following addition of radish oil to almond milk, oat milk, and soy milk (nondairy products) and Kefir, yogurt, and cow milk (dairy products) at different concentrations (containing 0.5% increments from 0% up to 2%). According to the results obtained in this study, all samples containing 0.5% radish oil scored higher on the sensory evaluation scale than the control. It is also very valuable as it is the first study to investigate sensory evaluation assessment by incorporating radish oil into almond milk, oat milk, and soy milk (nondairy products) and kefir, yogurt, and cow milk (dairy products). Furthermore, the results of this study can be used as a foundation for developing future products using radish oil. Additional research on addition of plant-based essential oil to various foods should be conducted.

Optimization of Citrus limon peel extraction, determination of main chemical components and effectiveness in repellency against Aedes mosquito dengue fever vector

Currently, scientific publications are focusing on the pharmacological actions of Citrus limon's extract and essential oil. Its essential oil is rich in bioactive monoterpenoids, such as D-limonene, β-pinene, γ-terpinene. Citrus limon essential oils have been recognized as the potential source of natural insecticides because of their selectivity, ability to be biologically degraded into non-toxic compounds, low impacts on biodiversity and the environment. Many previous studies have reported anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, hepato-regenerative, and cardio-protective activities of Citrus limon essential oil. In this study, we collected the discarded Citrus limon peel source in Gia Lai province to utilize as a material to build an optimized extraction process with the following criteria: extraction solvent, solvent/sample ratio, extraction temperature, and extraction time. The results showed a stable extraction process with a maximum extraction efficiency of 4.02%, at 40°C, for 3 hours, with two extraction times using 95% ethanol for solvent. Using GC/MS method, the determined limonene content accounted for 12.2% of the extract. The Citrus limon peel extract exhibited potency against Aedes aegypti (arbovirus vector) at a concentration of 0.01 mL, with protection time of 70 minutes and biting percentage of 0.9%, compared to negative control with statistically significant (P < 0.05). The above results correspond with the most recent publications about the effects of mosquito repellence of certain plant-based essential oils. This study has proven that Citrus limon peel in this locality signifies a promising candidature for future studies regarding its main active compound, limonene, in the control of dengue-transmitting vectors. Therefore, Citrus limon peel extract brings hope to develop new mosquito repellency products in the future.

Ultrasound-assisted nanoemulsion of Trachyspermum ammi essential oil and its constituent thymol on toxicity and biochemical aspect of Aedes aegypti.

Aedes aegypti is the main vector of yellow fever, chikungunya, Zika, and dengue worldwide and is managed by using chemical insecticides. Though effective, their indiscriminate use brings in associated problems on safety to non-target and the environment. This supports the use of plant-based essential oil (EO) formulations as they are safe to use with limited effect on non-target organisms. Quick volatility and degradation of EO are a hurdle in its use; the present study attempts to develop nanoemulsions (NE) of Trachyspermum ammi EO and its constituent thymol using Tween 80 as surfactant by ultrasonication method. The NE of EO had droplet size ranging from 65 ± 0.7 to 83 ± 0.09nm and a poly dispersity index (PDI) value of 0.18 ± 0.003 to 0.20 ± 0.07 from 1 to 60days of storage. The NE of thymol showed a droplet size ranging from 167 ± 1 to 230 ± 1nm and PDI value of 0.30 ± 0.03 to 0.40 ± 0.008 from 1 to 60days of storage. The droplet shape of both NEs appeared spherical under a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The larvicidal effect of NEs of EO and thymol was better than BEs (Bulk emulsion) of EO and thymol against Ae. aegypti. Among the NEs, thymol (LC50 34.89ppm) had better larvicidal action than EO (LC50 46.73ppm). Exposure to NEs of EO and thymol causes the shrinkage of the larval cuticle and inhibited the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in Ae. aegypti. Our findings show the enhanced effect of NEs over BEs which facilitate its use as an alternative control measure for Ae. aegypti.

Formulation of a stable biocosmetic nanoemulsion using a Bacillus lipopeptide as the green-emulsifier for skin-care applications

The current work aims to formulate a stable cosmetic nanoemulsion using nature-derived ingredients such as surfactin (a lipopeptide-type biosurfactant produced by Bacillus sp) as an emulsifier, plant-based essential oil as a bioactive ingredient, and coconut oil as the base oil using high-energy ultrasonication method. To accomplish a stable nanoemulsion formulation, experiments with varying combinations of surfactin concentration, essential oil concentration, ultrasonication time, and amplitude were performed. Statistical analysis of samples, based on the responses such as visual observation, droplet size, and polydispersity index, facilitated proper segregation of best-performing samples from those of poorly performing. Nanoemulsions formulated using optimal conditions of oil-to-surfactant ratio (O/S) of 7.4:1 (%w/w), ultrasonication amplitude of 40%, and ultrasonication time of 4.5 min showed greater stability with average droplets size of 170 ± 12 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.17 ± 0.01 and zeta potential of −56 ± 0.5 mV. The nanoemulsion remained completely stable with no sign of phase separation during the test period of 200 days. Further, the performance of samples toward different stability tests such as heat treatment, centrifugation test, NaCl treatment was satisfactory. In addition, nanoemulsion exhibited significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activity toward Staphylococcus aureus. Thus, the current study demonstrates the imminent potential of surfactin as a bio-emulsifier in skin-care cosmetics.

Enhancing Cytotoxicity of Tamoxifen Using Geranium Oil.

Aromatherapy and plant-based essential oils are widely used as complementary and alternative therapies for various symptoms, including anxiety, mild mood disorders, and cancer-related pain. In a previous study, we developed an in vitro assay using immortalized hypothalamic neuronal cells (GT1-7 cells). In this study, we used this assay to investigate the effects of Geranium oil on the cytotoxicity of the oestrogen receptor (ER) antagonist: tamoxifen (TMX). The results showed that Geranium oil augmented TMX-induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner without directly reducing the viability of GT1-7 cells. Cotreatment with Geranium oil and ER agonist β-estradiol (E2) attenuated the inhibition of GT1-7 cell growth. Moreover, Geranium oil and geraniol, a major constituent of Geranium oil, showed weak agonist activity on ERα and ERβ with geraniol augmenting TMX-induced cell death similar to that observed in Geranium oil. Both compounds impair E2 activity. These data indicate that geraniol is an essential constituent of Geranium oil.

Anti-virulence activity of plant-based antifungals through microtubule inhibition

Candida are ubiquitous yeasts and members of the natural human microflora, microorganisms that commonly live in or on our bodies and most commonly in the GI tract, the mouth, and vagina. Candida spp. are rapidly gaining resistance to a limited number of commonly used antifungal agents, making the treatment of fungal infections often ineffective. Inhibiting fungal growth and virulence factors is an excellent strategy to reduce resistance, for which plant-based essential oils and their active components are excellent candidates.

Throat Spray With Blended Essential Oils Promotes Healthy Lung Function Among Women: A Randomized, Double Blinded, Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial.

IntroductionThere are numerous internal and external environmental threats to lung health. Compromised respiratory health can affect a person's quality of life. This clinical trial evaluated the effects of Teramune Bronchus on lung health among healthy adult women.MethodsThe participants were women, aged 18 - 60 years old (n = 35). They sprayed either the proprietary essential oil based blended product (Teramune Bronchus) or a placebo into their throats 4-6 times per day during waking hours for 3 days. There was a baseline survey before using the spray and then follow-up data were collected at the end of day 3. The three primary outcomes for this study include a total bronchial symptom score, the chest domain in the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Scale (WURSS), and subjective bronchial wellbeing.ResultsOn day 3, the bronchial health of the participants who received the throat spray had significantly larger change scores when compared those with the placebo spray. All chest-related symptoms were resolved fully by the end of the trial for the participants who used Teramune. Participants using the intervention were almost twice as likely to say they felt better and believed the product helped them achieve lung health.ConclusionThis study provides evidence that the use of Teramune Bronchus supports respiratory health. Teramune Bronchus boosts respiratory health among healthy women through the use of plant-based essential oils.

Solid- and vapour-phase antifungal activities of six essential oils and their applications in postharvest fungal control of peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch)

Plant-based essential oils (EOs) possess versatile antimicrobial effects, and these render EOs a potent, sustainable antimicrobial candidate for postharvest loss control. In this study, generally recognized as safe EOs of lavender, rosewood, dill weed and fennel were investigated with the benchmark thyme red EO, for their antifungal activity against six peach spoilage fungi. We further determined their chemical compositions, as well as monitored the effect of the EOs in the physical parameters of peaches during the storage period. Most EOs exhibited antifungal activity in the solid phase against the peach spoilage fungi, while some EOs failed to do so in the vapour phase. Rosewood (RO), thyme red (TR) and fennel (FO) EOs could inhibit mycelia growth and spore germination in a dose-dependent manner. GC-MS analysis indicated that the dominant compounds for TR, RO and FO were thymol (53.03%), linalool (77.09%) and trans-anethole (82.35%), respectively. The storage tests indicated that the peach treated with RO in the vapour phase exhibited a reduced decay and maintained weight loss and total soluble solids at the room and refrigerator temperatures. Moreover, the Mucor nidicola-infected peaches treated with RO exhibited significantly smaller lesion diameters and lower disease incidence relative to that by the control peaches.