Marjoram Research Articles

Correlation between chemical composition and antibacterial activity of some Lamiaceae species essential oils from Tunisia

BackgroundLamiaceae family is one of the most diverse and common plant families in terms of ethnomedicine due to their potential therapeutic effects. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between the chemical composition and the antibacterial effect of five essential oils from this family against five reference bacterial strains responsible of nosocomial diseases and foodborne illnesses.MethodsThe commercial essential oils of Tunisian Rosmarinus officinalis, Thymus capitatus, Origanum majorana and Salvia officinalis were analyzed by GC/FID and GC-MS. Essential oils were evaluated for their antibacterial activities by disc diffusion and microbroth dilution methods against five reference bacterial strains: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. The inhibition zone diameter values and the twenty major compounds of the selected essential oils were subjected to PCA and HCA analysis.ResultsAnalysis by GC/FID and GC/MS allowed the identification of ninety-one components representing 96.0 to 98.2% of the total oils. The different component contents varied according to the species. The main components were carvacrol, 1,8-cineole, α-thujone, α-terpineol and α-pinene. The PCA and the HCA of the selected essential oil components and the inhibition zone diameter (IZD) values identified four species groups and subgroups. Each essential oils group constituted a chemotype responsible for their bacterial inhibition ability. Thymus capitatus essential oil showed the strongest antibacterial activity with MBC ranging from 0.73 to 2.94 mg mL− 1.ConclusionRosmarinus officinalis, Thymus capitatus, Origanum majorana and Salvia officinalis essential oils have shown promising antibacterial activities against reference bacterial strains responsible for nosocomial diseases and foodborne illnesses.

Origanum majorana como agente ansiolítico em odontologia: uma revisão literária

O presente estudo teve por objetivo reunir os dados já adquiridos sobre o uso da Origanum majorana (manjerona), características botânicas, principais constituintes e estudos científicos acerca da espécie como agente fitoterápico na Odontologia, com enfoque no uso potencial como ansiolítico. Foi realizada uma revisão de literatura em um período que compreende os anos de 2009 a 2019 nas plataformas de pesquisa Google Acadêmico e Scielo (Scientific Eletronic Library Online). Os principais constituintes identificados no óleo essencial de O. majorana foram o terpinen-4-ol, γ-terpinene e α-terpinene. Outro composto importante desta espécie seria o cis-terpineol, o qual possuiria atividade anestésica e potencial de modular a capacidade do GABAA. Estudos realizados com óleos essenciais de O. majorana promoveram o relaxamento muscular no gastrópode Pomacea canaliculata em concentrações acima de 100μL L -1, bem como sedação na espécie de peixe Rhamdia quelen na concentração de 100 μL L -1, e anestesia nas concentrações de 200, 300, 400 e 500 μL L -1À manjerona atribui-se ainda efeitos antimicrobianos, antioxidantes, anestésicos, relaxantes e citotóxicos. Origanum majorana é uma espécie amplamente utilizada no tratamento de distúrbios do Sistema Nervoso Central, devido aos seus efeitos antiepiléticos e sedativos. Pesquisas desenvolvidas recentemente demonstraram que o efeito antimicrobiano também está presente, porém, são necessários mais estudos focados apenas em cepas microbianas isoladas. Embora seus resultados venham se mostrando eficazes é preciso enfatizar que produtos naturais também podem provocar efeitos adversos.

ارزیابی سمیّت و آنژیوژنز نانو ذرّه اکسید روی سنتزشده با عصاره آبی گیاه مرزنجوش (Origanum majorana)

ارزیابی سمیّت و آنژیوژنز نانو ذرّه اکسید روی سنتزشده با عصاره آبی گیاه مرزنجوش (Origanum majorana)

Chemical composition and antifeedant activity of some aromatic plants against pine weevil (Hylobius abietis)

AbstractThe pine weevil Hylobius abietis is an important pest causing severe damage to conifer seedlings in reforestation areas in Europe and Asia. Plants that have no evolutionary history with the pine weevil are of special interest in the search for compounds with a strong antifeedant activity. Thus, the essential oils of nine aromatic plants, viz Amomum subulatum, Cinnamomum tamala, Curcuma longa, Laurus nobilis, Ocimum basilicum, Origanum majorana, Origanum vulgare, Syzygium aromaticum and Trachyspermum ammi were extracted by hydrodistillation. The essential oil constituents were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and antifeedant properties towards the pine weevil were assessed using choice feeding bioassay. The essential oils of C. longa, O. majorana, S. aromaticum and T. ammi showed an excellent antifeedant activity towards the pine weevil for 24 hr, whereas the essential oil of other plants showed the activity for 6 hr. There was a positive correlation between the amount of benzenoid compounds and the antifeedant activity of the essential oils. This study suggests that pine weevil non‐host plant compounds have potential to be used for the protection of seedlings against pine weevil feeding. However, further study will be needed to explore the antifeedant activity of individual components and oils in the laboratory as well as in the field.

Physiological and phenotypic characters of sweet marjoram in response to pre-harvest application of hydrogen peroxide or chitosan nanoparticles

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and Chitosan nanoparticles (CH NPs) represent a promising tool for improving the productivity and quality of marjoram herbs [Majorana hortensis, Moench.]. In this paper, we investigated the response of sweet marjoram to the foliar application of CH NPs and H2O2 during two successive seasons 2017 and 2018. Three concentrations of CH NPs, being “0.0325, 0.065 and 0.13 mM” and of H2O2 at 2.5, 5 and 10 mM as well as control were applied. Vegetative growth characters, total microbial load, essential oil (%) and its components were recorded. Whereas, fresh herbs of each treatment packaged and stored at 0 ± 5 °C and 90–95 % Relative Humidity (RH) for 21 days where the quality parameters were determined at weekly intervals of 7, 14 and 21 days. In 1st season, plants treated with H2O2 at 10 mM showed a pronounced increase in plant height, number of branches, fresh weight and oil % by 35 cm, 13 branches, 306.44 g/plant and 0.49 % respectively, compared to control of being 26.67 cm, 6.33 branches, 122.03 g/plant and 0.41 %, respectively. Additionally, the packed treated fresh herbs with 10 mM H2O2 presented the lowest value of weight loss (%), minimum decreased in total chlorophyll content and essential oil%, moreover, a significant minimum of both O2 % decreasing with CO2% increasing as compared to other treatments. Furthermore, the 2nd season had the same trend. This means, the pre-harvest H2O2 (10 mM) application have good potential strategy to improve the marjoram productivity with extend its shelf life period.

Anti-oxidant, antibacterial, anti-biofilm, and anti-quorum sensing activities of four essential oils against multidrug-resistant bacterial clinical isolates

Purpose of the studyOutbreaks of multidrug-resistant bacteria are increasingly reported at the clinical setting. The antimicrobial, anti-biofilm, anti-quorum sensing, and anti-oxidant activities of four essential oils extracted from Cinnamomum verum, Origanum majorana, Thymus vulgaris, and Eugenia caryophyllata against Gram-positive and Gram-negative multidrug-resistant bacteria were evaluated in vitro. Materials and methodsThis study was conducted on 105 multidrug resistant clinical strains. Inhibition diameter zone, minimum inhibitory concentration, and minimum bactericide concentration of the oils were determined using agar disc diffusion method and microdilution. The ability of the 4 essential oils to inhibit the production of bacterial biofilms was tested on polystyrene plates, as well as their inhibitory effect on the production of violacein by Chromobacterium violaceum CV026. The anti-oxidant activity was evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging method. ResultsEssential oils of Cinnamomum verum, Thymus vulgaris and Eugenia caryophyllata showed an important antibacterial activity. The inhibition diameter zone was higher than 20 mm for 90.24 %, 85.71 % and 60.95 % of strains respectively.These essential oils have a remarkable anti-biofilm and anti-quorum sensing activities against almost all the species studied. Clove extract revealed the highest anti-oxidant activity (Pourcentage of inhibtion of DPPH = 90.3 %). ConclusionThese results supported the use of the 4 essential oils as alternative or complementary agents to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria, and to prevent biofilm formation and quorum sensing signaling. They might be used as a safe anti-oxidants instead of harmful artificial ones.

Are plant extracts safe for honey bees (Apis mellifera)?

This work attempted to determine the effects of the aqueous extracts of Echinodorus grandiflorus, Origanum majorana, Punica granatum and Matricaria chamomilla on Africanized Apis mellifera workers, as well as their effects on the digestive tracts of these insects and chromatographic analysis of its compounds. For this, the methods of direct spraying, contaminating diets and treatment of contact surfaces (soybean leaves) were used. Five treatments were established: sterilized distilled water (control), aqueous extract of “leather hat” (E. grandiflorus), marjoram (O. majorana), pomegranate (P. granatum) and chamomile (M. chamomilla) at concentrations of 5%. Each treatment consisted of five replicates with 20 bees per replicate; each bee was an experimental unit. The workers of A. mellifera submitted to the treatments were conditioned in gearbox boxes, and these were kept in a climatic chamber (27 ± 2 °C, 60 ± 10% U.R.). The mortality of the workers was evaluated at different hours. The workers killed by the ingestion of contaminated paste were separated for midgut histological analysis. Plant extracts were submitted to chromatography. It was verified that all vegetal extracts reduced the survival of the workers of A. mellifera in all the bioassays. Plant extracts O. majorana and P. granatum caused morphometric changes, reducing the length of A. mellifera mesenteric cells. The extract of O. majorana showed a negative effect on A. mellifera; it reduced the survival of the workers in all the bioassays in which it was evaluated. It also caused morphometric alterations in the cells of the midgut.

Origanum majorana Essential Oil Triggers p38 MAPK-Mediated Protective Autophagy, Apoptosis, and Caspase-Dependent Cleavage of P70S6K in Colorectal Cancer Cells.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer in terms of incidence and mortality worldwide. Here we have investigated the anti-colon cancer potential of Origanum majorana essential oil (OMEO) and its underlying mechanisms of action. We showed that OMEO significantly inhibited the cellular viability and colony growth of human HT-29 colorectal cancer cells. OMEO induced protective autophagy, associated with downregulation of the mTOR/p70S6K pathway, and activated caspase-8 and caspase-9-dependent apoptosis. Blockade of autophagy with 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and chloroquine (CQ), two autophagy inhibitors, potentiated the OMEO-induced apoptotic cell death. Inversely, inhibition of apoptosis with the pan-caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD-FMK, significantly reduced cell death, suggesting that apoptosis represents the main mechanism of OMEO-induced cell death. Mechanistically, we found that OMEO induces protective autophagy and apoptotic cells death via the activation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. Pharmacological inhibition of p38 MAPK by the p38 inhibitors SB 202190 and SB 203580 not only significantly decreased apoptotic cell death, but also reduced the autophagy level in OMEO treated HT-29 cells. Strikingly, we found that OMEO also induces p38 MAPK-mediated caspase-dependent cleavage of p70S6K, a protein reported to be overexpressed in colon cancer and associated with drug resistance. Our findings suggest that OMEO inhibits colon cancer through p38 MAPK-mediated protective autophagy and apoptosis associated with caspase-dependent cleavage of p70S6K. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report on the implications of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway in targeting p70S6K to caspase cleavage.

Gene expression, DNA and kidney damage induced by pirimiphos-methyl in male mice: Chemical composition and ameliorative role of Origanum majorana leaves extract

The mechanism of renal toxicity after exposure to pesticides is not completed known until now. Some scientists suggested that the accumulation of pesticide residues in kidney tissue is one theory for explaining how pesticides alter kidney function and cause cell injury. This study is, therefore, the first one to explain the mechanism of pirimiphos-methyl (PM) induce kidney dysfunction and damage in mice. The ameliorative effect of Origanum majorana leaves extract against renal dysfunction and damage. The effect of pirimiphos-methyl (PM) on gene expression, DNA damage, oxidant/antioxidant status and renal toxicity of male mice were studied. Chemical fingerprint by HPLC and GC/MS of O. majorana leave extract and their ameliorative role was investigated. Mice received PM orally at dose 12.0 mg/kg b. wt. (1/10 LD50) for four weeks with or without plant extracts at dose 150 and 300 mg/kg. b. wt. Phenolic and flavonoid compounds e.g., gallic acid, protocatechuic and cateachin while beta-terpineol (25.71%), gamma-terpineol (15.03%), (-)-spathulenol (10.79%), terpinen-4-ol (10.59%), terpineol (10.08%) and trans-caryophyllene by GC-MS analysis. Pirimiphos methyl increased molecule-1 gene (KIM-1) relative expression and increased percentage of the cell with DNA damage in kidney tissue of mice. It changed antioxidant biomarkers such as glutathione-s-transferees (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the kidney. They enhanced the concentration of uric acid and creatinine in serum and caused histopathological alterations in the kidney tissue. Co-administration of plant extract restored serum kidney function and oxidative stress biomarkers within the normal range especially at a high dose of plant extracts. It can be concluded that the mechanism of renal damage induced by PM could be due to the effect on molecule-1 gene (KIM-1) expression and damage DNA in the renal cells. The mechanism of change in kidney function and injure could be due to the imbalance between oxidant/antioxidant status because of producing reactive oxygen species. Administration of O. majorana extract ameliorates KIM-1 gene expiration, reduced DNA damage, and improved kidney function and protect renal cells via their scavenger ability to free radicals. These findings indicated that leave extract of O. majorana could be used as a tea to protect agricultural workers and pesticide sprayers against oxidative damage and kidney injury induced by pesticides. Key words: Gene expression, DNA, Comet assay, pirimiphos-methyl, oxidative stress, HPLC, GC-MS, Origanum majorana, kidney, mice.

Effect of Marjoram Supplementation on Growth Performance and Some Immunological Indices in Broilers

This study aimed to explore the effects of Marjoram (Origanum majorana L.), on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and immunity in broilers. A sixty of one-day-old Cobb broiler chicks were randomly divided into 2 groups; Chicks of group 1 were fed on basal diet considered as a control group, chicks of group 2 were fed on an experimental ration containing 2% marjoram. The results showed that the Marjoram significantly increase (P<0.05) some growth factors as bodyweight after 3rd, 4th and 5th weeks, weight gain at 3th and 5th weeks, also significantly improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) at 3rd, 5th weeks in comparison with the control group. Also, Marjoram supplementation at the level of 2% caused a significant elevation (P˂0.05) in gamma globulin, thus marjoram could be considered as an immunity enhancer for broilers. In conclusion, the present study proved that supplementation of the ration with Marjoram could improve growth performance and immunological state in broilers.

Anti-Hypolipidemic and Anti-Oxidative Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Origanum majorana on the Hepatosteatosis Induced with High-Fat Diet in Rats.

IntroductionThe aim of the current study is to evaluate the antihyperlipidemic and anti-oxidative effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of marjoram (HAEM) in rats fed with a high-fat diet (HFD).MethodsIn the experimental study, the rats were randomly divided into four groups of five rats in each and fed with high-fat diet for 12 weeks as follows: One group (normal diet group) was fed with a standard diet, one group was fed with HFD, and two groups were fed with HFD and orally fed with 150 and 450 mg/kg/day HAEM. The serum samples and liver tissues were used for measuring the biochemical and oxidative parameters and histopathological studies. HFD induced hepatosteatosis in rats as evidenced by the altered liver enzymes activity, serum lipid profile and oxidative status.ResultsSerum lipid profile (triglyceride, cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein) in rats fed with HFD + HAEM (150 and 450 mg/kg/day) was significantly decreased. Furthermore, the evaluation of oxidative stress showed a reduction of the malondialdehyde (MDA) level and an increase in ferric-reducing anti-oxidant power. Meanwhile, liver enzyme activities declined in response to HAEM.ConclusionUsing the HAEM could be a future therapeutic agent in treating hepatosteatosis and reducing oxidative damages of HFD in the liver.

Profiling of essential oil chemical composition of some Lamiaceae species extracted using conventional and microwave‐assisted hydrodistillation extraction methods via chemometrics tools

AbstractThis study investigated the potential use of microwave energy as an effective technique for the extraction of essential oil (EO) from some plant species belonging to Lamiaceae family growing in Egypt, involving Origanum majorana L., Mentha pipereta L., Mentha longifolia L., Origanum syriacum L., Lavandula angustifolia L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., and Thymus vulgaris L., in comparison with conventional extraction using hydrodistillation (HD) approach, in terms of extraction time, oil yields, and chemical composition. The results showed that the use of microwave in a relevant technique, namely microwave‐assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD) required an extraction of 60 minutes, while HD required 180 minutes. In general, EO yield being extracted by MAHD was higher than those extracted by HD. Gas chromatography in combination with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis indicated noticeable quantitative changes in EOs composition extracted by MAHD and HD extraction methods. Except for O majorana L., GC/MS analysis of extracted oils using MAHD showed higher amounts of oxygenated constituents compared to HD extraction. The results of this study introduced MAHD as rapid, economical and environmental friendly extraction method. A comparative analysis was stated here between the EOs of all plant species under study on chemometric tools such as principal components analysis (PCA) and agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC). In general, the PCA results showed that there is significant variation between species in the quality and quantity of EO composition. However, no significant difference is observed based on the extraction method used (HD and MAHD).

PLANTS IN FAMILY LAMIACEAE USED MEDICINALLY IN THE HOMOEOPATHIC SYSTEM FOUND IN THE NILGIRIS DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU, INDIA

Objective: The objective of the present study was to survey and document homeopathic medicinal plants in Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu, India.
 Methods: To collect homeopathic plants of Lamiaceae in the Nilgiris District, we undertook various field trips during the year 2018–2019. The plants collected were pressed, poisoned, mounted, and stitched on herbarium sheets and deposited at the Centre of Medicinal Plants Research in Homoeopathy herbarium (Acronym SMPRGH).
 Results: The present study deals with both wild and cultivated species of 15 genera belonging to 24 species of Lamiaceae family members reported in the Nilgiris District. Reported homeopathy plants such as Aloysia citriodora Palau, Lavandula officinalis Chaix., Leonurus cardiaca L., Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link., Mentha piperita L., Mentha spicata L., Melissa officinalis L., Mesosphaerum suaveolens (L.) Kuntze, Ocimum americanum L., Ocimum basilicum L., Ocimum gratissimum L., Ocimum tenuiflorum L., Origanum majorana L., Origanum vulgare L., Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton, Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng, Plectranthus barbatus Andrews, Plectranthus fruticosus L’Her., Prunella vulgaris L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Salvia officinalis L., Salvia verbenaca L., Thymus vulgaris L., and Thymus serpyllum L., the present article gives the scientific name, synonym, homeopathic drug name, original author citation, English name, phenology, short description, and part of plant used for preparing homoeopathic medicine, whether indigenous or exotic and uses are given.
 Conclusion: Reported 24 homoeopathic medicinal plants are used in homoeopathic medicinal system to treat various diseases, and also present study reveals the importance of conservation and sustainable utilization.

Effect of the Altitude Geographic and Species Type on the Volatile Compounds of the Genus Origanum from Southern Perú

Genus Origanum is an aromatic plant used in folk medicine and as a culinary herb, whose composition of volatile compounds is influenced by the type of species and geographical locations. This research evaluates the effect of altitude on the composition of volatile compounds and the contents of carvacrol and thymol of Origanum x majoricum Cambess and Origanum majorana L. fifty samples of both species were recollected from different altitudes (2500 - 3500 MASL) of the Southern Peru and analyzed by solid-phase microextraction integrated to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The principal component analysis was used to differentiate the plants rich in thymol and carvacrol. Peruvian oregano presented 30 different volatile compounds between some monoterpenes (>30%) and some sesquiterpenes (>5%). The thymol and carvacrol contents of O. majorana and O. majoricum varied between 0.38 and 16.47% and 0.44 and 11.16%, respectively. Interestingly an inverse correlation of the concentration of thymol and carvacrol with their precursors (p-cymene and ɣ-terpinene) was also observed. Altitudes between 3000 and 3200 MASL favors the high proportions of volatile compounds. The data obtained contribute to planning programs for the selection of species and agricultural conditions that allow obtaining a better quality of oregano essential oil.

Renoprotective Effects of Origanum majorana Methanolic L and Carvacrol on Ischemia/Reperfusion‐Induced Kidney Injury in Male Rats

Background. The most important cause of acute renal failure in normal kidneys is ischemia‐reperfusion (I/R) injury. The aim of the current study was to investigate the protective effects of Origanum majorana (OM) methanolic extract, carvacrol, and vitamin E on I/R‐induced kidney injury in male rats. Material and Method. Thirty Wistar male rats were randomly allocated into 5 groups; sham, I/R, I/R + OM (300 mg/kg), I/R + carvacrol (75 mg/kg), and I/R + vitamin E (100 mg/kg). Renal function markers, oxidant‐antioxidant parameters, and histopathological examination were evaluated. Results. It was exhibited that the urea, creatinine, protein carbonyl, glomerular filtration rate, total thiol, ferric reducing antioxidant power, and histopathological changes markedly reversed in the treatment groups with OM or carvacrol in comparison to the I/R merely group. Conclusion. We conclude that OM extract or its ingredient, carvacrol, exerts renoprotective impacts in I/R‐induced kidney injury possibly by scavenging free radicals and increasing antioxidant power.

In Vitro Assessment of Antioxidant Activity, Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Contents of Sweet Marjoram (Origanum majorana L.) Extract

In Vitro Assessment of Antioxidant Activity, Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Contents of Sweet Marjoram (Origanum majorana L.) Extract

Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Essential Oil of Origanum Majorana Lon a Few Bacteria and Fungi

The objective of this study is to assess the fungal and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil (ET) of marjoram (Origanum majorana L.). This strategy can contribute to the sustainable development of our country. Preliminary tests performed on the essential oil of Origanum majorana showed that this oil has antibacterial activity vis-à-vis the bacterial strains (Enterococcus feacalis, Enterobacter cloaceai, Proteus microsilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and antifungic (Fusarium sporotrichioide and Fusarium graminearum). The culture medium used was nutrient broth Muller Hinton. The interaction between the bacteria and the essential oil is expressed by a zone of inhibition with diameters of MIC indirectly expression of. And we used the PDA medium to determine the fungal activity. The extraction of the aromatic fraction (essentially oil hydrolat) of the fresh aerian part of the Origanum majorana was performed by hydrodistillation. The average essential oil yield is 0.99%. The antimicrobial and fungal study of the essential oil and hydrosol showed a high inhibitory effect on the growth of pathogens.

TOXICOLOGICAL IMPACT OF VOLATILE OILS EXTRACTED FROM FOUR PLANTS AND THEIR JOINT ACTION WITH PHOSPHINE ON THE BROAD BEAN BEETLE BRUCHIDIUS INCARNATUS (BOH.)

This study was carried out to determine the toxicity of four volatile oils of Wild mint (Mentha longifolia L.), Marjoram (Origanum majorana L.), Lemon peel (Citrus aurantiifolia Christm.), Orange peel (Citrus sinensis L.) and phospheine, against the adult of the Broad Bean Beetle Bruchidius incarnatus (Boh) (coleopteran: Bruchidae). The phosphine and marjoram oil were the most effective against B. incarnatus adults, 24h post treatment. Their LC50's were 0.0884 and 40.266 mg/l, resspectivley. In addition, the binary mixtures of wild mint with Marjoram volatile oils at all ratios 1:1, 1:2 and 2:1 exhibit potentiation effect. On the other hand, the binary mixtures of Lemon with Orange or Marjoram, showed antagonistic effect. The mixture of Wild mint with Lemon showed potentiation effect at the ratio of 2:1 and the same effect was recorded at the ratio of 1:1 in the mixture of Wild mint with Orange. The mixture of Wild mint with Lemon and Wiled mint /Orange showed antagonistic effect at the ratios of 1:1 and 1:2, respectively. But the mixture of Wild mint with Orange gave an additive effect at the ratio of 2:1, against adult of B. incarnatus, 24h post treatment. Concerning the binary mixtures of phosphine and the four volatile oils gave potentiation effect.

Effect of fertilization and irrigation with magnetic water on the productivity of marjoram plant

This research was conducted at the National Research Center greenhouse ring two consecutive seasons of 2013/2014 and 2014/2015, in order to study the effect of irrigation water types (tap water, magnetized water) and levels of ammonium sulfate (0, 7, and 14 g / pot) and their interaction, on the vegetative growth and oil production of marjoram (Majorana hortensis L.) plant. The results showed that marjoram plants responded significantly to the different types of irrigation, as well as nitrogen fertilization and their interaction. Irrigation by magnetized water showed that a significant increase in vegetative growth; i.e. plant height, number of branches, fresh and dry weights of herb, stem, leaves and roots per plant and root length. Using nitrogen fertilizer rates gave significant increases in vegetative growth parameters, where the best treatment one was 14 g/pot. As for the interaction between types of irrigation water and nitrogen fertilizer rates, data showed that plants irrigated with magnetized water with addition of ammonium sulfate at a rate of 14 g/pot recorded the highest values ​​of the attributes of vegetative growth, production of oil, major compounds of oil and chemical components of marjoram plant. Magnetic water treatment with the addition of 14 g / pot ammonium sulfate recorded 43.38% of the terpineol-4-ol (the main compound of the oil), while irrigation with tap water recorded 26.41%. Also this treatment increased some compounds of marjoram oil percent; such as α-myrcene, α-terpinene, α-phellandrene, C-terpinene, α –terpinolene, L-linalool, α-terpineol and linalyl acetate with mean values of 1.08, 5.91, 1.13, 12.45, 2.40, 3.48, 3.53 and 6.35 compared to tap water treatment, which gave 0.89, 4.31, 1.08, 8.81, 1.91, 2.64, 2.97 and 5.66 for these components; respectively. The obtained results also indicated the possibility of obtaining the highest values ​​of chemical constituents such as total carbohydrates, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium percentages when plants were irrigated with magnetized water with the addition of ammonium sulfate at a rate of 14 g / plant under the conditions of the experiment.

Development of poly herbal mosquito repellent

In order to obtain safe and effective herbal mosquito repellent formulations by combining selected plant materials, the present study was conducted to establish the mosquito repellent efficacy of some selected plant materials. Essential oils of Origanum majorana (Marua/Marwa), Tanacetum cinerarifolium (Pyrethrum), Juniperus communis (Aiteal), Scented geranium (Pelargonium), Thuja occidentalis L. (Arbor Vitae, White Cedor/Yellow Cedor), Tecoma stans (L.) Juss. Ex Kunth (Piliya/ Pila Kaner/ Yellow Bells, Artenmisia arborescent (Worm Wood/Mugworts, and Calamintha acinos (Thyme Basil) were Purchased from a reliable source. Essential oil containing ethanol solutions was prepared by 10 percent (V/V percent) of each essential oil plant and testing of mosquito repellent behavior was performed using arm-in-cage process. Volunteer's forearm, rubbed with 1ml of the test solution, was exposed to the cage where 25 blood-seeking mosquitoes were put and the amount of mosquitoes aligning or biting the arm in each minute was registered for five minutes each. Three replicates were performed for each essential oil that contained ethanol solutions. A 16 percent (V/V percent) mosquito repellent formulation after analyzing the mosquito repellent activity of individual essential oils. Outdoor and indoor field trials were performed around 5p.m. And 10:00p.m. After two days the mosquito repellent formulation is applied to the volunteer legs. This formulation demonstrated 100 percent repellence of mosquitoes in outdoor and indoor field studies that were performed for 5 hours each day for two days. The gel showed 97 percent mosquito repellence in outdoor and indoor field trials that were conducted for two days for six hours each day.