Antibacterial Effect of Mentha spicata Essential Oil on Listeria monocytogenes in Traditional Lighvan Cheese
AbstractListeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that is widespread in the environment. There are several reports on the isolation of L. monocytogenes from many types of cheeses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial effect of Mentha spicata essential oil on L. monocytogenes in traditional Lighvan cheese. L. monocytogenes was added to the raw ewe's milk and M. spicata essential oil was subsequently mixed with the milk at concentrations of 0, 2 and 2.5%. After producing the cheese, sampling performed until 60 days. Results of this study showed that M. spicata essential oil at all concentrat...
Source: Journal of Food Safety - October 16, 2013 Category: Food Science Authors: Mir‐Hassan Moosavy, Saber Esmaeili, Ehsan Mostafavi Tags: Original Article Source Type: research
2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl as a screening tool for recombinant monoterpene biosynthesis
Conclusions:
The DPPH assay is useful for detecting biosynthesis of limonene. Although the assay cannot be used quantitatively, it proved successful in ranking limonene production conditions qualitatively and thus is suitable as a first-tier screen. The DPPH assay will likely be applicable in detecting biosynthesis of several other monoterpenes and for screening libraries of monoterpene-producing strains. (Source: Microbial Cell Factories)
Source: Microbial Cell Factories - August 23, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: James BehrendorffClaudia VickersPanagiotis ChrysanthopoulosLars Nielsen Source Type: research
Evaluation of toxic metal (Hg, Cd, Pb), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs), and pesticide (DDTs) levels in aromatic herbs collected in selected areas of Southern Italy.
This study provides, for the first time, data regarding levels of toxic metals (Hg, Cd, and Pb) and organochlorine compounds (PCBs and DDTs) in various aromatic herbs as rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), sage (Salvia officinalis), laurel (Laurus nobilis), oregano (Origanum vulgare), and spearmint (Mentha viridis) collected in some towns of the Southern Italy with different anthropogenic and population pressure. Metal and organochlorine compound concentrations were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer and gas-chromatography mass spectrometer (GC/MS), respectively. Pb emerged as the most abundant element, fo...
Source: Environmental Science and Pollution Research International - July 9, 2013 Category: Environmental Health Authors: Storelli MM Tags: Environ Sci Pollut Res Int Source Type: research
Adverse effects of herbal medicines: an overview of systematic reviews.
Abstract
This overview of systematic reviews (SRs) aims to evaluate critically the evidence regarding the adverse effects of herbal medicines (HMs). Five electronic databases were searched to identify all relevant SRs, with 50 SRs of 50 different HMs meeting our inclusion criteria. Most had only minor weaknesses in methods. Serious adverse effects were noted only for four HMs: Herbae pulvis standardisatus, Larrea tridentate, Piper methysticum and Cassia senna. The most severe adverse effects were liver or kidney damage, colon perforation, carcinoma, coma and death. Moderately severe adverse effects were no...
Source: Clinical Medicine - February 1, 2013 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Posadzki P, Watson LK, Ernst E Tags: Clin Med Source Type: research
