Andean Plants Essential Oils: A Scented Alternative to Synthetic Insecticides for the Control of Blowflies

Blowflies are vectors of microorganisms and human pathogens, and their maggots cause myiasis in vertebrates and infest and spoil meat and fish products. Essential oils (EOs) from spices were proven to be a safer and more sustainable alternative to synthetic insecticides for the control of blowflies and are suitable for protecting food from such pests. However, some EOs are not acceptable for environmental or topical applications due to their strong, unpleasant odour. In this study, we measured the acute toxicity and the repellence of two EOs extracted from the Andean plants Aloysia citrodora Palau and Bursera graveolens (Kunth) Triana and Planch., both known for their pleasant odour, against the blue blowfly Calliphora vomitoria (L.) (Diptera: Calliphoridae). We also compared their bioactivity with that of the Allium sativum L. EO, which is very effective but bad-smelling. The A. citrodora EO was mainly rich in oxygenated monoterpenes, the most abundant of which were geranial (26.8%) and neral (21.0%). The B. graveolens EO was chiefly composed of monoterpene hydrocarbons, mostly represented by limonene (46.2%). According to the sensory description, the best odour profile was associated with the A. citrodora EO, while the olfactory expression of the EO from B. graveolens was negatively affected by a strong odour of “mouldy lemon”. The behavioural test showed that the A. citrodora EO was more repellent than that of A. sativum and, on the contrary, that the B. graveolens EO was attractive. The toxicity tests showed that the EOs of both Andean plants have a clear toxic effect on the C. vomitoria eggs and adults. In terms of ovicidal activity, there were no significant differences among the effects of the three tested EOs. On the adult flies, the toxicity of the two EOs of the Andean plants was much lower than that of A. sativum (LC50 fumigation = 1.86 μL EO L−1 air; LC50 ingestion = 8.10 μL EO mL−1 gel) both by fumigation (LC50 = 23.66 and 25.30 μL EO L−1 air for A. citrodora and B. graveolens, respectively) and ingestion (LC50 = 36.65 and 44.97 μL EO mL−1 gel for A. citrodora and B. graveolens, respectively), while, by contact, the A. citrodora EO (LD50 = 0.27 μL EO insect−1) was more toxic than the A. sativum EO (LD50 = 0.46 μL EO insect−1).

The influence of savory on colour, odour and taste of frankfurters

The aim of this paper was to assess the influence of savory on colour, odour and taste of vacuum-packed frankfurters during 28 days of storage. Powdered, dried savory (0.1%, 0.3% and 0.5%) was added to frankfurters, while control frankfurters were produced without herbs or spices. Assessment of colour, odour and taste acceptability of the frankfurters was performed by a panel of five assessors using a quantitative descriptive test, and the results of the ranking test were analysed statistically. When used at the levels of 0.1% and 0.3% in the sausages, savory did not have a negative influence on frankfurter colour, while quantities of 0.5% adversely affected frankfurter colour. Savory in the smaller amounts of 0.1% and 0.3% stimulated development of a pleasant odour and taste in the frankfurters, while 0.5% savory had an undesirable effect on these sensory attributes.

Study on Estimation and Seasonal Variation of Essential Oil in Tea Tree by Hydro Distillation Method

Background: Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil is an essential oil that is steam distilled from the leaves of the tea tree, native to Australia. The oil has fresh and pleasant odour and some medicinal properties of odour eliminating as well as antibacterial and antiseptic action. Tea tree oil has found increasing use in certain consumer products including cosmetics. Tea tree oil components will vary depending on the growing environment including air and sunlight conditions. Methods: The present study on estimation and seasonal variation on essential oils from different plant parts of tea tree was carried by hydro distillation method.Result: The study reveals that, the needle leaves and flowers have the higher oil content of 2.30% and 2.25% respectively. The effect of months on different plant parts showed that the oil recovery from needle leaves and flowers were higher during the month of July and August.

The possibility of coriander seed disinfection with the essential oil of peppermint

Seed health testing aims to ensure a healthy crop and to prevent the spread of plant diseases. The need to study and apply both essential oils and plant extracts against seed diseases is growing and becoming more important. Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) is an annual herbaceous, aromatic, spicy and medicinal plant from the Apiaceae family, known for its seeds with a characteristic and pleasant odour. In human medicine, coriander is a part of various medicines for the treatment of digestive organs. Phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria are the most common and significant causes of coriander seed disease. The aim of this study was to assess coriander seed health and investigate the possibility of seed disinfection using peppermint (Mentha x piperita) essential oil. The health of the seeds was examined by the filter paper laboratory standard method. Different concentrations (1, 2, 5 and 10%) of peppermint essential oil were used for seed disinfection. The composition of the essential oil was determined by gas chromatographic analysis. The results of seed health analysis showed the presence of a fungus after seven days of incubation in a humid chamber at room temperature. The fungus was identified as Alternaria sp. (sect. Alternaria) based on the symptoms and macroscopic and microscopic features of the fungus (on seed and potato dextrose agar). Immersion treatment of infected seed in peppermint essential oil reduced the presence of Alternaria sp. on coriander seeds. The highest disease inhibition, 69,33%, namely 58,93% without the influence of the emulsifier, was shown by oil solution of 5%. Stagnation in inhibition was observed with a further increase in oil concentration. The results of this study show the possibility of disinfecting coriander seeds with peppermint essential oil to reduce infection with Alternaria sp.

Comparative evaluation of induction with propofol vs induction with sevoflurane for insertion of laryngeal mask airway in children

Background: There is increasing use of laryngeal mask airway in children because of ease of insertion and minimal disturbances in cardio respiratory system and lesser risk of airway injury during perioperative period as compared to endotracheal tube. It is also simple, well-tolerated, safe, reusable, cost effective method of airway management in paediatric patients. Intravenous propofol (1%) is a preferred induction agent for LMA insertion till date, while sevoflurane, a halogenated volatile inhalational, non-irritating anaesthetist agent with pleasant odour is also suitable for inhalational induction of children. This study was carried out to study and compare clinical efficacy of propofol and sevoflurane for laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion in children undergoing short surgical procedures.Methods: In this study, total 100 children of ASA grade I/II of either sex with age group 3-8 years, weighing between 10-20 kg were enrolled. They were induced with either sevoflurane (group S) or intravenous propofol (group P) 3 mg/kg. Then appropriate size LMA was inserted. Various parameters like jaw relaxation and ease of insertion attempts required hemodynamic changes were noted and compared in two groups.Results: In group P, 94% patients and groups S, 90% patients had full jaw relaxation. The LMA insertion was easy in 98% patients in groups P and 94% patients in groups S. In 98% patients of groups P and 96% patients in groups S, LMA was inserted successfully in first attempt. The mean time required for LMA insertion was 19.16±5.29 seconds in groups P and 20.8±6.39 seconds in groups S. Both the groups were comparable with respect to haemodynamic changes observed which were transient and clinically not significant though statically significant.Conclusions: Both the groups showed comparable and satisfactory LMA insertion conditions, hence both can be routinely used for induction of anaesthesia in children.

ANALYSIS OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OF AGARWOOD OIL FROM DIFFERENT SPECIES BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY MASS SPECTROMETRY (GCMS)

ABSTRACT: Agarwood oil is a highly prized type of oil due to its unique aroma. The oil is extracted from the fragrant resin found in the agarwood tree (trunk). The unique aroma and quality of agarwood resin and oil are contributed by the presence of certain chemical compounds. In this work, analysis and comparison of the chemical compounds of agarwood oil from A. malaccensis, A. sub-integra and a mixture of both were conducted. The essential oils were diluted in hexane (5%) prior to gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) analysis performed using Agilent GCMS 7890A coupled with MSD quadrupole detector 5975 C. Separation of analytes by gas chromatography was carried out using a Hewlett Packard HP-5MS silica capillary column (30 m X 0.25 mm X 0.25 mm). A total of 107 compounds were identified from the three samples of agarwood oils. Fifty-five (55) components were identified in A. malaccensis sample which contributes to the largest portion of the total compounds. About 20% of the compounds identified were aromatic and sesquiterpenes which have been revealed to be the main active compounds of agarwood oils which also give the aroma and pleasant odour of agarwood. Different compositions or profile of chemical components were found in agarwood oils from the two different species. Two compounds were commonly identified in all three samples namely 3-phenyl-2-butanone and alpha-cubebene. Further studies are needed to refine the results which later can be used to assist detection and authentication of agarwood as well as its scientific-based grading. ABSTRAK: Minyak gaharu merupakan sejenis minyak beraroma unik yang mendapat permintaan tinggi dan mahal. Minyak ini diekstrak daripada resin beraroma yang terbentuk di dalam batang pokok gaharu. Keunikan aroma dan kualiti resin dan minyak gaharu ini bergantung kepada kehadiran bahan kimia tertentu. Penyelidikan ini menjurus kepada analisis dan perbandingan bahan-bahan kimia yang terdapat dalam minyak gaharu daripada spesis A. malaccensis, A. sub-integra dan campuran kedua-duanya. Minyak gaharu dilarutkan di dalam 5% heksana sebelum dianalisis menggunakan kromatografi gas Agilent GCMS 7890A berserta spektormetri jisim (MSD quadrupole detector 5975 C). Kolum kapilari silika Hewlet Packard HP-5MS (30 m X 0.25 mm X 0.25 mm) digunakan untuk pemisahan bahan-bahan kimia tersebut. Sejumlah 107 kompaun dikenalpasti dalam ketiga-tiga sampel minyak gaharu tersebut dengan 55 kompaun didapati di dalam sample A. malaccensis. Ini merupakan bahagian terbesar daripada keseluruhan kompaun. Sebanyak 20 % daripada keseluruhan kompaun yang dikenalpasti adalah daripada kumpulan seskuiterpena dan bersifat aromatik, juga merupakan kumpulan yang bertanggungjawab memberi aroma yang unik kepada minyak gaharu. Setiap spesis didapati mempunyai komposisi atau profil bahan kimia yang tersendiri. Dua kompaun iaitu 3-phenyl-2-butanone dan alpha-cubebene ditemui dalam ketiga-tiga sample yang dianalisis. Kajian lanjut adalah perlu untuk memurnikan dapatan hasil penyelidikan yang berpotensi bagi membantu pengenalpastian gaharu berserta pembangunan penggredan gaharu yang lebih saintifik.

Heinz body anaemia in two dogs after Catalan spring onion (“calcot”) ingestion: a case report

Catalan spring onions, or “calcots”, are a very popular kind of vegetables obtained by special agronomic practices that avoid photosynthesis and subsequent metabolism by the <i>Allium cepa</i> plants. They have been considered for more than a century harmless for pets, as pleasant odour and sweet taste differ so largely from any other onion that can be ingested by children and adults in huge quantities, up to ~3% body weight, without problems being observed. However, the organosulphur chemicals responsible for oxidative damage to canine red blood cells found in this plant species seem to remain present, as two dogs were confirmed to be poisoned after eating left-over “calcots”. Both patients presented haemolytic anaemia with Heinz body formation, and eccentrocytosis. Veterinarians and owners should be aware of the dangers associated with this particular onion variety and type, as it is highly palatable to pets and no effective treatment is currently available.

Theatre Fever: The Olympic Festival of the Arts, Los Angeles 1984

The sun was beginning to set in a muted pastel wash over Hollywood. In a nervous daze, I approached the ‘theatre’, Studio 9, a converted sound-stage which had never before been used as a space for live theatre. I had prepared assiduously for the performance by re-reading the play, Shakespeare's Richard II, the night before, and practicing French conjugations on the long drive through heavy traffic to Hollywood. The idea of listening to Shakespeare in French for four hours threatened to be incredibly taxing. My first sensations on entering Studio 9 were tactile. A spongy beige carpet was beneath my feet, providing an unfamiliar but distinctly pleasant odour. This carpet extended throughout the theatre space – underneath the bleachers where the audience sat, continuing to the raised stage and the ramps thrusting to the walls right and left. Black bands ran vertically from the back wall of the studio across the immense carpet up to the top of the bleachers.