GC-MS

The antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of methanol (ME-OH), ethyl acetate (ETOAC) crude extracts and essential oil (EO) of Commiphora myrrha resin were investigated. The major constituents of the essential oil identified from the resin of C. myrrha were ␣-elemene (12.86%), 7-isopropyl-1,4-dimethyl-2-azulenol (12.22%), curzerene (11.64%), and germacra-1(10)7,11-trien-15-oic acid,8,12-epoxy-6-hydroxy-ç -lactone (6.20%). In both DPPH scavenging and Fe 2+ chelating assays, the ME-OH extract exhibited the highest activity compared to ETOAC extract and EO. Concerning the reducing power ability, EO was superior to Me-OH and ETOAC extracts. The Me-OH extract manifested the highest potential of antimicrobial activity against the tested bacterial and yeast microorganisms, while ETOAC extract and EO showed moderate or no potential antibacterial activity. The Me-OH extract exhibited the highest antioxidant and antimicrobial activity as compared to ETOAC and EO. It is concluded from the present study that besides its traditional use, the C. myrrha resin could be used as a natural source for antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds for possible applications in food and nutraceutical industries.

One of the factors that affect the yield of button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) is the quality of mushroom compost. To provide an optimal growth medium for mushrooms, it is important to understand the typical components of mushroom compost. The aims of this study were to isolate and identify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and investigate patterns of change in selected VOCs during the different phases of the mushroom compost production process.

RATIONALE: Pressure ulcers are a major economic and clinical problem in hospitals and intensive care units. Current methods to detect and grade pressure ulcers use subjective measures, and, presently, there are few ways to detect developing pressure ulcers which are not clinically evident. Here we aimed to employ a model to identify if volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from skin could Leporidae be used to biochemically separate intact skin from skin with experimentally-induced ulcers. METHODS: Four New Zealand female white rabbits underwent experimental ulcer formation on their right ear while their left ear was used as a control. Ulcers were created using 7/16 x 1/16-inch neodymium magnets (KJ Magnetic Inc, Pipersvile, PA) for 60 minutes. The goal was to achieve an erythematous ring without causing skin breakage or necrosis (i.e., an early-stage ulcer). Following ulcer formation, 5-mm diameter circular polydimethylsiloxane sorbent patches (PDMS; 0.6-mm thick, Goodfellow, Coraopolis, PA) were placed in close proximity to the ulcer on the experimental ears and in a similar location on the control ears. These were covered with polytetrafluoroethylene patches and affixed with Tegaderm® dressings. Skin VOCs were sampled with the PDMS for 30 minutes, and patches were removed, placed into sterile, nitrogen-purged borosolicate vials, capped, and routed for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. For analysis, the sampled chemicals were desorbed off the patch at 200C, and 500 µL of headspace was aspirated from the vials and injected into a GC/MS instrument. Two rabbits underwent necropsy for ear histology. Data from each group was compared using Student's test for each VOC. t RESULTS: A significant number of emitted VOCs that were clearly different for the background were detected for each category of samples (ulcer vs non-ulcer). We identified two compounds which were unique to the ulcer group, one of which we tentatively identified as benzyl alcohol. A number of compounds were found to differ in abundance between ulcer and non-ulcer samples. Histologic analysis of two rabbits showed 1-1.5 cm erythematous lesions with acute heterophilic dermatitis, edema, and micro-hemorrhage on the ulcerated ears with normal findings on the control ears. CONCLUSIONS: In this small animal model study, we showed that VOCs are released from rabbit skin, VOCs change as a result of induced experimental ulcers, and VOCs likely correlate with histologic evidence of early-stage ulcers. VOCs may be useful for future, non-invasive monitoring of pressure ulcers in humans.

— Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) is a small tree shrub of the family Myrtace, grown naturally of the Mediterranean area. Myrtle is very important as an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic agent. Turkey has great genetic resources for myrtle. Propagation of myrtle genotypes is significant issue. Plant tissue culture techniques offer fast and reliable micropropagation for many plant species. Different media content could be used for micropropagation in in vitro condition. The aim of the present study is to determinate of effects of different media on micropropagation and rooting in myrtle. For this purpose, Murashige and Skoog (MS), Rugini Olive Medium (OM) and Woody Plant Medium (WPM) media were used for micropropagation and rooting experiments. All media were supplemented with 1 mg l-1 BA for micropropagation, 1 mg l-1 IBA for rooting. The rate of micropropagation and plant length, rooting rate, numbers of root and root length were determined. Rooted with well-developed shoots transferred to plastic pots containing autoclaved peat and perlite (1:1, v/v). The potted plants were placed in a greenhouse. Acclimatized plants were compared after eight weeks. Means were separated by analysis of variance and the LSD test was performed to examine significant differences. Based on the result, the best medium was detected WPM on micropropagation rate (6.75 per plant), and then MS (4.20 per plant), OM (3.70 per plant). According to rooting data the highest rooting rate was calculated in WPM with 100%, rooting rate in OM and MS media was detected 70% and 50%, respectively.