Search Results (290)

Metal contamination poses serious environmental and human health risks, which results in the need for low-cost remediation approaches. The utilization of agricultural byproducts for the removal of metal contaminants is considered cost-effective and environmentally sustainable. Garlic byproducts are rich in sulfur-containing compounds, and various functional groups contribute to metal binding. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of garlic stem and peel for the removal of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As) from aqueous solutions and for their immobilization in contaminated soils. Batch sorption experiments conducted at pH 7 for 24 h showed that garlic stem removed 71.5% of Cd and 70.8% of Pb, while garlic peel achieved 65.4% and 79.4% removal, respectively. The higher Pb removal by garlic peel might be attributed to its higher sulfur content. However, both byproducts were less effective in removing As(III) and showed negligible removal of As(V), as these species predominantly occur in neutral or negatively charged species at neutral pH, resulting in weak interactions with negatively charged surface functional groups. Soil incubation experiments were conducted using 1% and 5% amendments of garlic stem and peel in Pb- and As-contaminated soils. Extractable Pb concentrations significantly increased in soils treated with 1% garlic peel because of the formation of labile complexes of Pb with dissolved organic carbon. However, a column experiment to evaluate the impact on Pb mobility under saturated and unsaturated conditions showed that Pb concentration in soil pore water decreased with garlic stem. Pb concentration was lower under saturated conditions, possibly due to the precipitation of Pb as PbS. Although the short-term application of raw agricultural byproducts increased extractable metal concentrations, long-term incubation reduced Pb levels in pore water. These findings suggest that unmodified garlic stem is a promising, cost-effective amendment for Pb immobilization in soil. Nevertheless, caution is needed in its application to prevent unintended metal mobilization in soil. Full article

The purpose of this study was to identify the potential inhibitory effects of extracts of garlic, ginger, and onion on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, which had been previously isolated from milk of dairy cows with mastitis. Garlic, ginger, and onions were crudely pressed, and the extracts were filtered and tested for their ability to inhibit bacterial growth at a wide range of concentrations, from undiluted to 1:512 (2⁻⁹). Their inhibitory properties were compared to positive controls containing ampicillin and ceftiofur, and negative controls containing only the nutrient medium and bacteria. Each plate contained quality control organisms E. coli ATCC 25922 and S. aureus ATCC 25923. The colorimetric microdilution method with resazurin as an indicator of bacterial growth was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations. In addition, the minimum bactericidal concentrations of the extracts were assessed. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of garlic extracts were 1.56 µL/mL and 3.12 µL/mL for E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. The minimum bactericidal concentrations of garlic extract against E. coli and S. aureus were 12.5 and 25 µL/mL, respectively. For both ginger and onion, no inhibition was detected at the full concentration of the extracts, but garlic extract demonstrated in vitro inhibition against both E. coli and S. aureus. Future studies should evaluate the ability of garlic extracts to achieve an inhibitory concentration in milk and explore its potential activity in naturally infected mammary glands. Full article

Garlic, as an important economic crop, plays a crucial role in the global agricultural production system. Accurate identification of garlic cultivation areas is of great significance for agricultural resource allocation and industrial development. Traditional crop identification methods face challenges of insufficient accuracy and spatial fragmentation in complex agricultural landscapes, limiting their effectiveness in precision agriculture applications. This study, focusing on Kaifeng City, Henan Province, developed an integrated technical framework for garlic identification that combines deep learning edge detection, multi-source feature optimization, and spatial constraint optimization. First, edge detection training samples were constructed using high-resolution Jilin-1 satellite data, and the DexiNed deep learning network was employed to achieve precise extraction of agricultural field boundaries. Second, Sentinel-1 SAR backscatter features, Sentinel-2 multispectral bands, and vegetation indices were integrated to construct a multi-dimensional feature space containing 28 candidate variables, with optimal feature subsets selected through random forest importance analysis combined with recursive feature elimination techniques. Finally, field boundaries were introduced as spatial constraints to optimize pixel-level classification results through majority voting, generating field-scale crop identification products. The results demonstrate that feature optimization improved overall accuracy from 0.91 to 0.93 and the Kappa coefficient from 0.8654 to 0.8857 by selecting 13 optimal features from 28 candidates. The DexiNed network achieved an F1-score of 94.16% for field boundary extraction. Spatial optimization using field constraints effectively eliminated salt-and-pepper noise, with successful validation in Kaifeng’s garlic. Full article

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has become one of the most prevalent liver diseases, affecting up to 40% of adults and strongly associated with obesity and metabolic dysfunction. Despite the lack of approved pharmacological treatments, dietary interventions with plant-based foods, including the Mediterranean diet (MED), rich in numerous bioactive compounds may offer benefits for metabolic health and hepatic function. However, the role of individual plant foods in MASLD management remains unclear. Objectives: This review investigates the effects of specific plant-based foods, consumed as part of the MED and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASHs) diet, on metabolic outcomes, including hepatic function, in MASLD patients alone or in combination with comorbidities such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: A systematic search was registered and conducted across nine databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) carried out in adults with MASLD and published between January 2020 and May 2025, following PRISMA guidelines. Results: Plant-based interventions including oranges, whole-grain products (WGPs), high-fiber buns (HFBs), beetroot juice (BJ), garlic, ginger, flaxseed, spirulina, rapeseed oil, sour tea, and green coffee extract (GCE) demonstrated mixed effects on metabolic and hepatic outcomes. GCE, flaxseed, and rapeseed oil improved anthropometric measures, while sour tea and ginger supported blood pressure control. WGPs, GCE, flaxseed, rapeseed oil, spirulina, ginger, and garlic were beneficial for glycemic regulation, whereas WGPs, HFBs, BJ, golden flaxseed, rapeseed oil, and garlic improved lipid profiles. Liver enzymes improved following consumption of WGPs, BJ, sour tea, flaxseed oil, and garlic, and hepatic steatosis was reduced after intake of oranges, WGPs, HFBs, BJ, flaxseed powder, rapeseed oil, and garlic powder. Conversely, a solely fruit-rich diet (FRD) had negative effects across all outcomes. Conclusions: Plant-based foods improved metabolic outcomes, with WGPs, HFBs, beetroot, oranges, sour tea, flaxseed oil, and garlic providing specific benefits for liver health. Further research is needed to validate these effects and ensure their safety in MASLD management. Full article

Background: Intravascular catheters (ICs) are critical medical devices but require frequent replacement due to the risk of bacterial colonization, which can lead to bloodstream infections. This process causes patient discomfort and incurs significant health and economic costs. Aim: To evaluate the inhibitory activity of natural extracts as potential IC coatings to prevent colonization by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Methods: Thirty-six clinical MRSA isolates, obtained from ICs using the Maki technique, were tested. Three natural extracts were evaluated: garlic extract enriched in thiosulfinates (allicin: 7 mg/g), grape extract enriched in proanthocyanidins (92% proanthocyanidins), and propolis extract. Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) served as the bactericidal control. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using the broth microdilution technique with optical density measurements and resazurin-based viability confirmation. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was assessed from viable cells in wells exceeding the MIC. Results: All tested extracts exhibited bacteriostatic activity against MRSA isolates. The grape extract demonstrated the lowest MIC₉₀ (3.125 mg/mL), followed by propolis extract (MIC₉₀ = 12.5 mg/mL) and garlic extract (MIC₉₀ = 50 mg/mL). Only the propolis extract showed bactericidal activity (MBC = 25 mg/mL). While CHG outperformed the natural extracts, their activity against MRSA suggests potential clinical utility. Conclusion: The natural extracts studied display promising bacteriostatic activity against MRSA isolates from ICs, with propolis extract additionally showing bactericidal effects. Although less potent than CHG, these extracts offer a potential alternative for combating multidrug-resistant pathogens in clinical settings, warranting further investigation for use as IC coatings. Full article

Current consumer trends for meat production with reduced antibiotic use constitute huge challenges in animal farming. Using indigenous raw materials such as aromatic or medicinal plants or their extracts could positively affect or retain animals’ health. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of medicinal plant extracts and essential oils on pig performance parameters, health indices and meat quality. A phytobiotic mixture (PM) consisting of oregano (Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum) essential oil, rock samphire (Crithmum maritimum L.) essential oil, garlic flour (Allium sativum L.) and false flax flour (Camelina sativa L. Crantz) was used in pig diets, containing in the experimental trials two different proportions of the oregano essential oil (200 mL/t of feed vs. 400 mL/t of feed). Three groups of weaned pigs were fed either the control diet (CONT) or one of the enriched diets (PM-A or PM-B, 2 g/kg). After a 43-day feeding period, at 77 days of age, blood was taken from the jugular vein for biochemical and hematological tests, and eight pigs were humanely slaughtered. A microbiological analysis of intestinal digesta from the ileum and caecum was conducted. Additionally, meat tissue cuts (biceps femoris, external abdominal and triceps brachii) were collected for a chemical analysis, fatty acid lipid profile and oxidative stability testing. The statistical analysis revealed no differences (p > 0.05) in the body weights and growth rates among the groups. An increase (p < 0.05) in total aerobic bacteria was detected in the ileum of group PM-A, while Escherichia coli (E. coli) counts were reduced (p < 0.05) in group PM-B. In the caecum, reductions in Enterobacteriaceae and Lactobacillaceae counts were observed in groups PM-A and PM-B. Concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) as an indicator of lipid peroxidation were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in triceps brachii and biceps femoris for both groups PM-A and PM-B (day 0). A reduction (p < 0.05) in MDA was noticed in triceps brachii and external abdominal meat samples (day 7) for groups PM-A and PM-B. In addition, the fatty acid profile of the meat lipids (ΣPUFA, h/H and PUFA/SFA ratios) was positively modified (p < 0.05) in the ham and belly cuts. The addition of the PM significantly (p < 0.05) affected the redness of the ham and shoulder meat (a* value increased), the yellowness of only the ham (b* value decreased) and the lightness of both belly (L* value increased) and ham samples (L* value decreased). The meat proximate analysis, as well as hematological and biochemical parameters, did not identify any differences (p > 0.05) between the groups. In conclusion, the two investigated mixtures could be used in weaned pigs’ diets, with positive results in intestinal microbial modulation, oxidative stability, fatty acid profile and color characteristics of the pork meat produced. Full article

One of the major social issues worldwide is tobacco dependency and cigarette smoking (CS) abuse. Given the significant impact of cigarette smoking on human health and diseases, extensive tobacco use and cigarette smoking abuse are certainly a form of drug addiction and should be considered a serious threat to human health. Notably, healthcare spending attributable to cigarette smoking is very high. In this regard, a significant number of biomolecules of natural origin have been described as capable of mitigating the adverse effects of cigarette smoking. In this review, (a) we discuss the impact that the habit of smoking tobacco has on human health and (b) we describe products of natural origin capable of mitigating the effects of cigarette smoke. The conclusion of this review article is that the available information strongly indicates a possible use of the anti-inflammatory aged garlic extract (AGE) and its bioactive components for mitigating the detrimental effects of cigarette smoke on human tissues. The key reasons for proposing this application are that AGE and its key components S-allyl-cysteine and S1-propenyl-cysteine are potent anti-inflammatory agents, bind to Toll-like Receptor-4, inhibit Nuclear Factor-κB, inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory genes, revert apoptosis induced by cigarette smoke in several cellular model systems and are strong inhibitors of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) formation. Full article

This review explores the therapeutic potential of Allium cepa (onion) and Allium sativum (garlic), focusing specifically on their antidiabetic, cardioprotective, and antibacterial effects. These widely used medicinal plants are rich in bioactive compounds that contribute to their broad spectrum of pharmacological activities. Based on over two decades of scientific literature, this review synthesizes findings from more than 20 years of research to highlight the efficacy of these plant extracts. Rising chronic disease rates and antimicrobial resistance have renewed interest in plant-derived therapies; in the UAE context, Allium cepa and Allium sativum are promising candidates for integrative, sustainable interventions. This review further elucidates the mechanisms through which those bioactive constituents exert therapeutic effects, current extraction strategies, and challenges in enhancing formulations for functional health applications. Additionally, it addresses their role in sustainable healthcare practices due to their renewable nature and minimal environmental impact compared to synthetic pharmaceuticals. Full article

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide, with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) as a major risk factor. Beyond medications, dietary interventions and functional foods offer significant cholesterol-lowering potential. This article provides a comprehensive review of functional foods and nutraceutical ingredients that help to reduce cholesterol levels and introduces the novel Cholesterol-Lowering Capacity Index (CLCI), designed to quantify and communicate the efficacy of such foods. In doing so, it summarizes key functional components, including plant sterols/stanols, viscous fibers, soy protein, red yeast rice, berberine, polyphenols (e.g., bergamot extract, garlic), and others, highlighting their mechanisms of action and the typical LDL-C reductions observed in clinical studies. Strategies for the design of next-generation cholesterol-lowering foods are discussed, such as combining multiple bioactives for synergistic effects, personalized nutrition approaches, and novel food processing techniques to enhance bioavailability. Building on these strategies, the CLCI is then proposed as a practical scoring system, analogous to the glycemic index for blood sugar, that integrates the evidence-based potency of ingredients, effective dosing, and synergistic interactions into a single metric. A methodology for the calculation of the CLCI is presented, alongside potential applications in food labeling, clinical guidance, and dietary planning. Full article

Acalitus simplex is an eriophyoid mite pest of the ornamental plant Ruellia simplex. Acalitus simplex compromises the esthetics of R. simplex by inducing erinea formation. Management practices for A. simplex are currently lacking. This study assessed the potential of commercial biorational (citric acid, potassium salt of fatty acids, garlic, thyme, and mineral oil) and conventional (abamectin, fenpyroximate, bifenthrin, spiromesifen) pesticides under laboratory conditions, using two types of spray applications: (A) curative, after erinea formation, and (B) prophylactic, before erinea formation. In the curative application, abamectin, garlic oil, and mineral oil were most effective; in the prophylactic application, abamectin and mineral oil showed the highest efficacies. Abamectin and mineral oil were further tested under greenhouse conditions. Both treatments effectively controlled A. simplex by preventing erinea formation over a four-week post-application period, regardless of the application type. At the end of the experiment, mites were extracted from R. simplex plants. In the curative application, significantly fewer mites were extracted from abamectin and mineral oil treatments than in the control. In the prophylactic application, mites were absent in abamectin and mineral oil treatments but present in the control. Abamectin and mineral oil can be used to manage A. simplex in landscapes. Full article

Black Chiloe’s giant garlic is a functional food produced by a mild Maillard reaction that contains relevant bioactive molecules like organosulfur compounds (OSCs) and (poly)phenols (PPs). Compared with raw garlic, black garlic has a higher content of PPs and S-allyl cysteine (SAC), a key OSC due to its bioactivities. The objective of the present work was to optimize by chemometric tools a green microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) of SAC and PPs present in black Chiloe’s giant garlic to detect and identify novel bioactive molecules with antioxidant and/or inhibitory activities over cyclooxygenase, α-glucosidase, and acetylcholinesterase enzymes. The MAE factors were optimized using a central composite design, establishing optimal PP and SAC yields at 67 °C, 0% ethanol, 12 min and 30 °C, 40% ethanol, 3 min, respectively. PP and SAC values were 9.19 ± 0.18 mg GAE/g DW and 2.55 ± 0.10 mg SAC/g DW. Applying effect-directed analysis using high-performance thin layer chromatography-bioassay and mass spectrometry, the bioactive molecules present in the MAE extract with antioxidant and inhibitory activities over cyclooxygenase, α-glucosidase, and acetylcholinesterase enzymes were identified as N-fructosyl-glutamyl-S-(1-propenyl)cysteine, N-fructosyl-glutamylphenylalanine, and Harmane. Full article

Background/Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the most prevalent malignant neoplasms globally. Chemotherapeutic treatment strategies have demonstrated minimal improvement over the past decade. Combination therapies, including those with nutraceuticals, are currently being investigated as promising alternatives to enhance therapeutic efficacy. The organosulfur garlic extract diallyl disulfide (DADS) has demonstrated anti-tumoral activity in several types of cancer. This study aimed to investigate the effects of DADS and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), both individually and in combination, on the human CRC cell lines Caco-2 and HT-29. Methods: Caco-2, HT-29, and non-tumoral human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were exposed to DADS (25–600 µM) and 5-FU (5–100 µM), either individually or in simultaneous combination (DADS 100 µM + 5-FU 100 µM), for 24 h. Cytotoxicity was evaluated in all three cell lines. In addition, the effects of these treatments on oxidative stress, cell migration, genotoxicity, cell death, global DNA methylation, and gene–nutraceutical interactions were assessed in both tumor cell lines. Results: DADS demonstrated cytotoxic effects at high concentrations in Caco-2, HT-29, and HUVECs and induced DNA damage in both colorectal cancer cell lines. The combination of DADS and 5-FU significantly promoted apoptotic cell death, increased genotoxicity, elevated global DNA methylation, and inhibited cell migration, with these effects being particularly pronounced in HT-29 cells. Conclusions: We provide evidence that DADS combined with 5-FU is potentially useful in the therapy of CRC. However the combination of nutraceuticals and chemotherapy must consider the distinct molecular and phenotypic characteristics of each tumor cell line. Full article

Assays of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of complex materials bring no information on the composition of antioxidants present in a sample. As the thermodynamic condition for a redox reaction is that redox potential of the oxidant must be higher than that of a reductant (antioxidants), it seemed to be of interest whether it is possible to estimate the content of antioxidants of various ranges of redox potentials using a set of assays employing oxidants/indicators of different values of redox potentials. Antioxidant activities of nine antioxidants and TAC of an aqueous garlic extract were estimated using nine assays of E_o′ of oxidants/indicators ranging from 0.11 to 1.15 V. The antioxidant activities were expressed in mol Trolox equivalents/mol compound. The thermodynamic conditions made some antioxidants unreactive with indicators of sufficiently low E_o′, but otherwise, no dependence between the antioxidant activities and redox potentials of oxidants/indicators and reactivities of antioxidants was observed. TAC of the garlic extract did not show any regular dependence on the redox potential of the oxidant/indicator, being the highest in the test of 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) radical (ABTS^•) decolorization. These results indicate that kinetic factors play a primary role in determining the antioxidant activities of antioxidants and TAC in various assays. Full article

Spice by-products, often discarded as waste, represent an untapped resource for sustainable packaging solutions due to their unique, multifunctional, and bioactive profiles. Unlike typical plant residues, these materials retain diverse phytochemicals—including phenolics, polysaccharides, and other compounds, such as essential oils and vitamins—that exhibit controlled release antimicrobial and antioxidant effects with environmental responsiveness to pH, humidity, and temperature changes. Their distinctive advantage is in preserving volatile bioactives, demonstrating enzyme-inhibiting properties, and maintaining thermal stability during processing. This review encompasses a comprehensive characterization of phytochemicals, an assessment of the re-utilization pathway from waste to active materials, and an investigation of processing methods for transforming by-products into films, coatings, and nanoemulsions through green extraction and packaging film development technologies. It also involves the evaluation of their mechanical strength, barrier performance, controlled release mechanism behavior, and effectiveness of food preservation. Key findings demonstrate that ginger and onion residues significantly enhance antioxidant and antimicrobial properties due to high phenolic acid and sulfur-containing compound concentrations, while cinnamon and garlic waste effectively improve mechanical strength and barrier attributes owing to their dense fiber matrix and bioactive aldehyde content. However, re-using these residues faces challenges, including the long-term storage stability of certain bioactive compounds, mechanical durability during scale-up, natural variability that affects standardization, and cost competitiveness with conventional packaging. Innovative solutions, including encapsulation, nano-reinforcement strategies, intelligent polymeric systems, and agro-biorefinery approaches, show promise for overcoming these barriers. By utilizing these spice by-products, the packaging industry can advance toward a circular bio-economy, depending less on traditional plastics and promoting environmental sustainability in light of growing global population and urbanization trends. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that poses a significant gastroenterological challenge. Methods: This study investigates the protective effects of garlic peel extract (GPE) in a rat model of acetic acid (AA)-induced colitis. Rats received oral GPE (100 mg/kg) for 14 days prior to AA administration, and this continued for 14 days post-induction. Results: GC-MS analysis of GPE identified several key phytochemicals, primarily methyl esters of fatty acids (62.47%), fatty acids (10.36%), fatty acid derivatives (6.75%), and vitamins (4.86%) as the major constituents. Other notable compounds included steroids, natural alcohols, organosulfur compounds, fatty aldehydes, carotenoids, sugars, and glucosinolates. GPE treatment significantly improved body weight and colon length. Biochemical analysis showed that GPE downregulated the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, IL-17, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), compared to the colitis (AA) group. Additionally, GPE reduced the oxidative stress (OS) biomarkers, including myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as caspase-3, a marker for apoptosis. Furthermore, GPE treatment resulted in enhanced activities of the enzymatic antioxidants catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), along with increased levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. These findings were supported by histological evidence. Conclusions: Collectively, GPE holds promise as a therapeutic strategy for UC, owing to its natural bioactive compounds and their potential synergistic anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects. Full article