Chapters authored
Roles of Methylation and Sequestration in the Mechanisms of DNA Replication in some Members of the Enterobacteriaceae Family
Part of the book: The Mechanisms of DNA Replication
Teucrium ramosissimum Derived-Natural Products and Its Potent Effect in Alleviating the Pathological Kidney Damage in LPS-Induced Mice
Teucrium esssential oil mediates an extensive spectrum of biological effects, including renal diseases. The aim of this research was to explore the ethnobotanical feature, biochemical composition and antiinflammatory potential of T. ramosissimum alone or prior the use of LPS-induced kidney damage. The essential oils were subjected to Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) apparatus to detect biomolecules in T. ramosissimum. In vivo renal dysfunction induced by LPS was investigated using mouse model. Our data showed that oral treatment of animals with LPS highly increased level of serum biomarkers and induces renal dysfuntion, whereas, pre-treatment with T. ramosissimum mediated markedly histopatological changes of kidney architecture and ameliorates renal function. Dense cover of secretory structures in teucrium leaves may protect this specie. Overall, this study showed phytocompounds richness and interesting biological activities of Tunisian Teucrium ramosissimum. Essential oil of this specie T. ramossimum given prior to LPS exposure protected mice from renal inflammation.
Part of the book: Essential Oils
Application of Essential Oils on Active Packaging Systems
Millions tons of food waste are annually generated, causing serious environmental problems. Indeed, the degradation of food quality occurs naturally due to its vulnerability to biochemical reactions such as protein degradation, lipid oxidation, and microbiogical attacks. This huge waste mass can be minimized throughout the food supply chain by many methods including increasing the shelf life of products. Therefore, active food packaging, which not only contains and protects food but also interacts with packaged products, is used. Nevertheless, the migration process, which is defined by the transfer of chemical compounds from the food packaging to the food, may cause changes in the food product quality and safety. Active packaging can contain several additives, allowing them to have antibacterial, antioxidant activities, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and ethylene scavengers, carbon dioxide emitters, odor emitters and absorbers, relative humidity regulators antibacterial antioxidants. Essential oils (EOs) are popular for their natural antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that are increasing consumer demand due to the perception of their ‘safer’ natural origin. The purpose of this chapter is to study the incorporation of EOs in the active packaging formulation.
Part of the book: Essential Oils