Antioxidant properties of medicinal plants and their effect on microbial spoilage of semi-finished meat, poultry and fish

Plant extracts rich in polyphenols can be used in the food industry as natural preservatives, extending the shelf life of prepared and semi-finished foods without chemical preservatives. In this paper, we investigate the polyphenolic composition, antioxidant activity and antibacterial properties of herbal extracts as part of food systems. The research objects were knot grass (Polýgonum aviculáre), marjoram (Oríganum), bur beggar-ticks (Bídenstripartíta), thyme (Thymus), whortleberry leaves (Vaccínium ida vítis), calendula (Calendula), sage (Salvia), chamomile flowers (Matricāriachamomīlla), eucalyptus (Eucalýptus) and bearberry (Arctostáphylosúva-úrsi). We determined the total content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids; the antioxidant activity by DPPH and FRAP methods; variations in the bacterial сontamination of animal raw materials over total bacterial count (TBC), coliform bacteria, yeast/fungi, salmonella and staphylococcus. Extracts of sage (1138±57 mg GA/100 g and 537±25 mg C/100 g), eucalyptus (1073±49 mg GA/100 g and 412±20 mg C/100 g), chamomile flowers (1002±36 mg GA/100 g and 493±22 mg C/100 g) and marjoram (1015±42 mg GA/100 g and 458±21 mg C/100 g) contain the largest amount of biologically active substances (phenols and flavonoids, respectively). Sage, eucalyptus and chamomile extracts demonstrate the highest antioxidant activity among the studied samples. Most of the studied extracts exhibit little or no effect on the organoleptic properties of finished products. In addition, chamomile flower, sage and eucalyptus extracts suppress the growth of pathogenic microorganisms in foods under experimental conditions. The microflora growth is significantly reduced when treating animal raw materials with calendula flowers, marjoram and thyme extracts. Extracts of sage, chamomile flowers, calendula flowers, marjoram and thyme can be recommended as components of food raw materials.

An effective way to ease the condition of children with teething

У некоторых детей прорезывание временных зубов оказывает негативное влияние на общее состояние. Данный физиологический процесс нередко доставляет ребенку дискомфортные ощущения – боль, гиперемию слизистой оболочки, гиперсаливацию, жжение, зуд в полости рта, повышение общей температуры тела. Cимптомы прорезывания зубов можно облегчить в домашних условиях. Стоматологи рекомендуют использование специальных гелей и мазей, которые обладают не только обезболивающим действием, но и антисептическими свойствами. Целью данной работы было оценить эффективность применения геля на основе экстракта смолы босвеллии пильчатой, сока листа алоэ вера и экстракта цветов ромашки аптечной при прорезывании временных зубов у детей. В статье рассматривается вопрос применения геля при прорезывании временных зубов у детей. На кафедре стоматологии детского возраста и ортодонтии Института стоматологии им. Е. В. Боровского Первого МГМУ им. И. М. Сеченова под наблюдением находились 67 детей в возрасте от 5 месяцев до 3 лет (период прорезывания временных зубов). В качестве вспомогательного препарата, облегчающего болевой синдром при прорезывании зубов, назначали специальный гель. Основываясь на полученных результатах клинических изменений местных и общих симптомов, связанных с прорезыванием временных зубов у 67 детей, наблюдали уже на 3-й день применения геля значительное снижение симптоматики у 30-50%, на 5-й день – у 50-80%, на 7-й – у 90-100%. По данным анкетирования родителей, эффективность использованного геля составляет 91% опрошенных, у которых проводилось применение геля при прорезывании временных зубов, что соответствовало высокому уровню эффективности препарата. In a certain group of children, the eruption of deciduous teeth has a negative effect on the general condition. This physiological process often gives the child uncomfortable sensations ‒ pain, hyperemia of the mucous membrane, hypersalivation, burning, itching in the mouth, an increase in the general body temperature. The symptoms of teething can be relieved at home. Dentists recommend the use of special gels and ointments that have not only analgesic effect, but also antiseptic properties. The article discusses the use of gel based on an extract of Boswellia serrata resin, juice of aloe vera leaf and an extract of chamomile flowers in the eruption of temporary teeth in children. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of gel in the eruption of temporary teeth in children. At the Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics of the E. V. Borovsky Institute of Dentistry of the I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University 67 children aged from 5 months to 3 years (the period of eruption of temporary teeth) were under observation. Вased on the obtained results of clinical changes in local and general symptoms associated with teething of temporary teeth in 67 children, when using gel, a significant decrease in symptoms was observed already on the 3rd day of use in 30-50%, on the 5th day in 50-80%, on the 7th in 90-100%. According to the survey of parents, the effectiveness of gel is 91% of respondents who had the use of gel for teething of temporary teeth, which corresponded to a high level of effectiveness of the drug.

The Effect of Walking Exercise and Consumption of Steeping Chamomile Flowers (Matricaria recutita) on Depression in the Elderly in Langsa City

BACKGROUND: The population of the elderly is increasing rapidly in almost every part of the world. A common problem faced by the elderly is prolonged depression. One of the practical and economic efforts to reduce depression is by walking and consuming chamomile flowers. AIM: The aim of this study is to analyzing the effect of walking exercise and consumption of chamomile (Matricaria recutita) flower infusion on depression in the elderly in Langsa City. METHODS: We used a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group design. This research was conducted from September to December 2020 in Karang Anyar Village, Langsa City. The population in this study were all elderly who met the inclusion criteria. The sample was selected as many as 24 elderly. The sample size of the study was calculated using the formula for the sample size for experimental research from Federer, namely (t–1) (r–1) ≥15). Data collection techniques in this study were interviews and observations using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) questionnaire instrument, which was carried out twice, namely at the time before treatment and after treatment in four groups, namely, the control group, the walking exercise group, the chamomile flower consumption group and the combination group of walking and exercise. Consume chamomile flowers. Data analysis used paired t-test and one-way analysis of variance test to see the effect of the intervention on depression. RESULTS: This study’s results indicate that walking can significantly reduce the GDS depression score with a p-value of 0.025. This study indicates that consumption of chamomile Flower can significantly reduce the GDS score of the elderly with a p-value of 0.037. This study showed that the combination of walking and consumption of chamomile tea was able to significantly reduce the GDS depression score with a p-value of 0.017. When viewed from the p-value, this treatment group showed the most significant reduction in the GDS depression score than the other two treatment groups, namely walking and consumption of chamomile tea. In the walking exercise group, the chamomile flowers were the consumption treatment group combined treatment group walking and chamomile tea consumption. All three treatments had the same ability to reduce the GDS score, as evidenced by a p-value of 0.808 (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Walking exercise and consumption of chamomile tea can significantly reduce the GDS score of the elderly in Langsa City.

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES, ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION AND MICROBIOLOGICAL PURITY OF OIL EXTRACT OF CHAMOMILE FLOWERS IN BITTER ALMOND OIL

The aim of the study was to obtain an oil extract with the participation of chamomile officinalis (Matrigaria Recutito) grown in the Tashkent region using bitter almond oil (Amygdalus communis L.). Its chromatographic and elemental analyzes have been carried out, its microbiological purity and physicochemical constants have been determined. For extraction, we used bitter almond oil obtained by cold pressing. Extraction of chamomile flowers in bitter almond oil was carried out by maceration in the ratio of raw material: solvent (1:10). Analysis of fatty acids in the fatty extract was carried out chromatographically. The fatty extract was found to contain 74.87% oleic acid, 16.97% linolenic acid and 7.62% of the total saturated acids. The elemental composition of the extract was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and found to contain 20 different elements. The physicochemical properties and microbiological purity of the obtained oil extract were studied

Correction to: A randomized, open-label, multicentre, comparative study of therapeutic efficacy, preventive potential and tolerability of BNO 1030 extract, containing Althea root, Chamomile flowers, horsetail herb, walnut leaves, yarrow herb, oak bark, dandelion herb in the treatment of acute non-bacterial tonsillitis in children aged 6 to 18 years

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Evaluation of harvesting time and standardization of distillation duration for higher essential oil content and quality in German chamomile (Chamomilla recutita L.)

Essential oil yield and composition in aromatic crops might be affected by genetic, agronomical and environmental factors but till date there is no clear information about the harvesting time and distillation for higher essential oil content without affecting quality. The current study was carried out to evaluate harvesting of chamomile flowers without herb and with herb part at three different times (6 A.M., 12 P.M. and 6 P.M.) and four distillation treatments (3 h, 4 h, 5 h & 6 h) for dried chamomile flowers. Results indicated that essential oil content was more in chamomile flowers without herb (0.15-0.18%) as compared to flowers with herb (0.06-0.09%). Essential oil content in chamomile flowers without herb was found statistically at par at harvest time of 12 P.M. (0.18%) and 6 P.M. (0.18%) and significantly higher than harvesting time of 6 A.M. (0.15%). Essential oil of chamomile flowers without herb contained maximum α-bisabolol oxide-B, (Z)-spiroether, and chamazulene at 12 P.M. and 6 P.M. while, α-bisabolone oxide-A and α-bisabolol oxide-A were maximum at 6 A.M. and (E)-β-farnesene was more at 12 P.M. Similarly, in distillation experiment, higher oil content was observed in chamomile dried flowers which were hydro-distilled for 6 h (1.20%) compared to other hydro-distillation durations. Marker compounds i.e. α-bisabolol oxide-A, α-bisabolone oxide-A, α-bisabolol oxide-B, (E)-β-farnesene and chamazulene were more at 5 h and 6 h distillation duration while (Z)-spiroether was more at 3 h distillation duration. The present study showed that in order to obtain higher essential oil, flowers without herb harvested at 12 P.M or 6 P.M. should be subjected to 5-6 h hydro-distillation.

Chamomile essential oil quality after postharvest separation treatments

Ecological conditions of the growing areas, growing practices as well as harvest and postharvest processing influence the yield and quality of chamomile. The aim of this research was to determine the influence of chamomile separation methods, as postharvest treatments, on the essential oil quality and content, with a view to improve current primary processing of this valuable medicinal plant. In order to explain the structure of laboratory data that would give deeper assessment of similarities among various samples of chamomile essential oil, PCA was employed. Tested results showed that separation of chamomile plant material, as postharvest and pre-drying treatment, had significant influence on the number of identified compounds in the chamomile essential oil. The highest content of individual essential oil compounds had chamomile flowers with short stems, especially a-bisabolol, chamazulene, Z-spiroether and E-b-famesene. In the essential oil obtained from chamomile flowers with long stems, content of a-bisabolol and chamazulene were significantly lower, while E-b-famesene and Z-spiroether contents were significantly higher. Furthermore, in the essential oil obtained from chamomile plant material without separation, the lowest content of abisabolol and Z-spiroether, and the highest content of E-b-farnesene were recorded. The correlation analysis was performed to investigate the likeness in the amounts of the active compounds of essential oil from differently processed chamomile samples. All these results indicate the importance of precise and controlled postharvest treatments, since it clearly affects the essential oil quality and content in the primary processing of this valuable medicinal plant.

Response of chamomile Matricaria recutita to low and moderate soil cadmium pollution

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of soil cadmium (Cd) pollution to the growth and quality of medicinal herbs plant chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) and their extracts. The plants were grown in soils contaminated with Cd (3, 6, 12 mgCd/kg) for four weeks. The morphological, physiological, biochemical parameters and the content of Cd in chamomile tissues and infusions were determined. The results of this study showed that soil contamination with Cd had no adverse effect to the aboveground biomass of chamomile, but slightly reduced root biomass. Cd treatment significantly reduced the number of flowers and their dry weight. Cd soil pollution had no significant adverse effect on the content of photosynthetic pigments, though induced lipid peroxidation and an increase in MDA content was recorded. Cadmium concentrations in the plant tissues and extracts increased along with Cd concentration in the soil. It was found that Cd concentrations in chamomile flowers and infusions were above the maximum allowable Cd levels in medicinal plants and drinking water. This study demonstrated that the use of chamomile products may pose a risk to human health even if chamomiles are growing at environmentally relevant Cd soil concentration.