Effects of Onion (Allium cepa L.) and Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Essential Oils on the Aspergillus versicolor Growth and Sterigmatocystin Production

Abstract: In the present study the effects of individual and combined essential oils (EOs) extracted from onion (Allium
cepa L.) bulb and garlic (Allium sativum L.) clove on the growth of Aspergillus versicolor and sterigmatocystin (STC) production were investigated. The EOs obtained by hydrodistillation were analyzed by GC/MS. Twenty one compounds were identified in onion EO. The major components were: dimethyl‐trisulfide (16.64%), methyl‐propyl‐trisulfide (14.21%), dietil‐1,2,4‐tritiolan (3R,5S‐, 3S,5S‐ and 3R,5R‐ isomers) (13.71%), methyl‐(1‐propenyl)‐disulfide (13.14%), and methyl‐(1‐propenyl)‐trisulfide (13.02%). The major components of garlic EO were diallyl‐trisulfide (33.55%), and diallyl‐disulfide (28.05%). The mycelial growth and the STC production were recorded after 7, 14, and 21 d of the A. versicolor growth in Yeast extract sucrose (YES) broth containing different EOs concentrations. Compared to the garlic EO, the onion EO showed a stronger inhibitory effect on the A. versicolor mycelial growth and STC production. After a 21‐d incubation of fungi 0.05 and 0.11 μg/mL of onion EO and 0.11 μg/mL of garlic EO completely inhibited the A. versicolor mycelial growth and mycotoxins biosynthesis. The combination of EOs of onion (75%) and garlic (25%) had a synergistic effect on growth inhibition of A. versicolor and STC production. Practical Application: A substitution of synthetic preservatives with natural antimicrobial compounds in food safety to control fungal contamination and mycotoxin production.     

Development of drug adsorbates onto soluble inorganic silicate glass surface: example with acetaminophen

A ternary melt-derived inorganic glass system (Igl) of composition corresponding to 62SiO₂, 35Na₂O, 3Al₂O₃ (wt.%) has been formulated and studied as a drug carrier. The [Al₂O₃/Na₂O] ratio is less than one and the aluminium ion is a network former that retards the glass dissolution. The processing conditions lead to a brittle, easily grinding, amorphous product. The Igl structure was proven by IR-spectroscopy, energy-dispersive spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy. A very important fact established is that the Igl corrosion (dissolution) is pH-dependent. Inorganic glass system was transformed into model acetaminophen (APH) adsorbate (APH/Igla 1:1(w/w)) with mild experimental conditions and evaluated as a drug carrier. No interactions between Igl and APH during the processing were proven. Besides, APH settles onto the glass surface as crystalline phase. A lower extent of corrosion, apparent solubility and delayed in vitro APH release from the adsorbate in water and artificial gastric juice in comparison to the samples untreated drug and APH/Iglm physical mixture were established. It is hypothesized that the glass decomposition products, formed into contact with a solvent, initiate interactions with APH at the glass/solution interface. Similar behaviour of the Igl and its drug adsorbates could be expected in gastro-intestinal tract.