Wild Chamomile [Cladanthus mixtus (L.) Chevall.] Collected from Central-Northern Morocco: Phytochemical Profiling, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activities

We investigated phytochemicals and biological activities in Cladanthus mixtus essential oil (CMEO) and various extracts. To this end, flowers CMEO microwave-extracted was subjected to chemical analysis using GC-MS. Antimicrobial activities of CMEO and various extracts obtained by maceration and Soxhlet were tested against four microbial strains using agar well diffusion assay and microtitration method. Antioxidant activities were determined, for extracts, using DPPH. CMEO chemical composition revealed 44 compounds. Santolina alcohol (40.7), germacrene D (8.9), and α-pinene (5.7%) were the main constituents. The best records of yield, total phenolics, and flavonoids were obtained with Soxhlet and methanol for extracts. Important antimicrobial activities were recorded in CMEO and extracts. For CMEO, MICs ranged from 10.17 (Bacillus subtilis ATCC 3366) to 13.83 μg/mL (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922). Among extracts, Met-OH was the most efficient with MICs ranged from 11.17 (Candida albicans ATCC 10231) to 15.83 μg/mL (E. coli). Met-OH extract presented the highest antiradical activity (IC50 = 55.50 µg/mL), while the n-hexane displayed the lowest one (IC50= 259 µg/mL). Based on these outcomes, CMEO and various extracts from Cladanthus mixtus flowers could be suggested for their use as potential natural preservatives to enhance foods shelf-life, herbal formulations, and also as antiseptics and disinfectants.

Effect of Wild Chamomile Extracts on the Complex of Economic Benefits of Rabbit Meat

Introduction. Nutrition has a great effect on the quality of life and longevity. Modern food industry pays much attention to the issue of obtaining high-quality and safe livestock products grown without feed antibiotics. The research objective was to study the effect of chamomile extract on a complex of economically useful traits of young rabbits and the qualitative characteristics of meat, as well as to determine the optimal dosage of chamomile extract. Study objects and methods. The experimental research was carried out on the animal farm of the Kuzbass State Agricultural Academy in 2018. Five experimental groups and one control group of young Californian rabbits were formed according to the principle of analogue pairs. Each group included 10 rabbits. From 70-day age, the animals of the experimental group I were supplemented with a phytobiotic feed additive based on wild chamomile extract at a dose of 0.5 g per rabbit per day. In experimental group II, each rabbit received 1 g per day; in experimental group III, it was 1.5 g per rabbit per day; in experimental group IV – 2.0 g per rabbit per day; in experimental group V – 2.5 g per head per day. The experiment lasted 30 days. Results and discussion. The best result was achieved in experimental group II. In the experimental groups, the rabbits demonstrated an increase in hemoglobin. The use of phytobiotic feed additives in the diet did not cause any pathological changes in internal organs. The average live weight at the end of the experiment, compared with the control group, was higher: experimental group I – by 0.82%, experimental group II – by 6.96%, experimental group III – by 5.01%, experimental group IV – by 3.73%, experimental group V – by 2.80% (P ˃ 0.01). An analysis of the chemical composition of rabbit meat after the experiment showed that the water content in the rabbit meat ranged from 76 to 77%, which suggests high water-holding properties. The high dietary qualities of the rabbit meat depended on the content of protein (20–22 wt%) and the low fat content (5–7%). These data make it possible to promote rabbit meat for dietary products. Conclusion. According to the slaughter indicators and the phytobiotic feed additives parameters of meat, the optimal dose of phytobiotic feed additives is 1 g per head per day.

Zastosowanie miodu i roślin leczniczych w chorobach ośrodkowego układu nerwowego

Literature data indicate that honey is characterized by a multidirectional positive influence on the central nervous system. It exerts a sedative effect and makes it easier to fall asleep. Administration of honey brings beneficial effects in the treatment of neuroses, especially neurasthenic neurosis. It contributes to the renewal of the mental strength of the body, and also has a beneficial effect on the weakened nervous system, especially in states of overworking, exhaustion, apathy, dementia and hysteria. Honey proves an adaptogenic activity, namely it increases physical fitness, acts positively on the nervous system; improves mental acuity, mental consociating, ease of learning and memorization, and also are confirmed immunostimulating effects. It is also characterized by beneficial effects in systemic neuroses on sexual background. Honey aided by sedative and adaptogenic herbs has proved to be very useful for treating many diseases of the central nervous system, including in epilepsy and children night urination. The discussion includes activity of some plant materials with a specific therapeutic effect in diseases of the central nervous system, such as: radix of Valerian, herb of Motherwort, Hop cones, herb of St. John’s Wort, inflorescence of Wild Chamomile and the radix of Roseroot.

Duration of Soil Activity of Foramsulfuron Plus Thiencarbazone-methyl Applied to Weed Species Typical of Sugar Beet Cultivation

The duration of the soil activity of an acetolactate synthase-(ALS) inhibiting herbicide which is currently under approval for sugar beet cultivation was determined in a field trial series in Germany in 2013 and 2014. The herbicide containing foramsulfuron (FSN; 50 g L−1) and thiencarbazone-methyl (TCM; 30 g L−1) was applied in different dosages (25+15, 37.5+22.5 and 50+30 g FSN+TCM ha−1) to the bare soil. Five weed species (rapeseed, common lambsquarters, wild chamomile, blackgrass, barnyardgrass) were sown at 5, 10, 15 and 20d after application. The duration of the soil activity was assessed by determining percent weed control in the treated plots. The longest duration was observed after applying 50+30 g FSN+TCM ha−1, but the influence of environment was much stronger than the dosage effect. The mean duration of soil activity was 10 to 15 d in 2013 and longer than 20 d in 2014. Differences among weed species in their response to the herbicide treatments were small.