Mirjana Milovanovic

Characteristics and composition of melon seed oil

Dried melon seeds (Citrullus colocynthis L) of the family Cucurbitaceae were investigated for nutritional quality and the oil seed characteristics. These melon seeds, on a dry weight basis, consisted of 52.3% of test and 47.7% of kernel. The moisture content in melon seeds was 54.5% and the mineral constituents were also determined. The oil content of seeds was very high ranging from 22.1-53.5%, due to the presence of the hulls, 22% from the seeds and 53% of the kernel, and also the crude protein content was so high as the 21.8% of the seeds. Standard procedures were applied to determine the fatty acids composition of the seed oil. The fatty acid profiles of the seed oil showed an unsaturated fatty acid content of 77.4% and the high content of 63.2% of PUFA. The predominant fatty acid was linoleic (18:2) acid in 62.2%. The presence of other fatty acids ranged in 10-14% for oleic (18:1) stearic (18:0) and palmitic (16:0) acids, respectively. Furthermore, the physical and chemical characteristics of the seed oil was also determined as iodine, acid, saponification, peroxide values and specific gravity.

Antioxidant effects of flavonoids ofAnthriscus sylvestris in lard

Ethanol/water (7∶3) extracts of the plant speciesAnthriscus sylvestris possess antioxidant activity. Separation and identification of antioxidant components by thin-layer and column chromatography and spectral analysis demonstrated that quercetin and apigenin appeared to be the main flavonoid species inAnthriscus sylvestris. Rutin was one of the major quercetin glycosides. Structures of the isolated compounds were determined by infrared and1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies. Ethanolic extract (70%) ofA. sylvestris showed concentration-dependent, strong antioxidant activity as determined by the Schaal Oven test of lard at 60°C. Rancimat analysis at 100°C showed that the antioxidant activity of 70% ethanolic extract ofA. sylvestris was superior to quercetin, apigenin, or a tocopherol mixture.

Buckwheat and quinoa seeds as supplements in wheat bread production

The aim of this work was to compare the nutritional characteristics of wheat bread with the bread produced of wheat flour supplemented with quinoa and buckwheat seeds. Bread making properties of these blends were analyzed in order to investigate their ability to make moulded bread. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Will.) and buckwheat seeds were grown in the vicinity of Belgrade, Serbia. The addition of pseudocereal seeds (at levels of 30% and 40%) and a selected technological process, which included hydrothermal preparation of supplements, resulted with a valuable effect on nutritive value of breads. In comparison with the wheat bread that was used as control sample, the protein increase of 2% and the increase of crude fiber content at around 0.5% in 30% supplemented breads were registered. Furthermore, the incorporation of both seeds mixture at the level of 40%, increased the content of protein for 2.5% and fiber content for 0.4%. In regard to the starch, fat, and ash contents there were no major differences. The investigated breads were nutritionally superior to the wheat bread. Chemical composition of the selected seeds was also investigated. The results showed that the blends containing either 30% or 40% of selected seeds expressed high potential for the production of molded breads, as new baking products with enhanced nutritional composition. The applied technological procedure was modified in such way that for all blended combination of supplements it changed rheological properties of dough. Furthermore, it resulted in a good volume of breads with excellent sensory properties of aroma-odor and taste.

Compositional Components and the Oxidative Stability of Ribes nigrum Seed Oil

ABSTRACT Studies on the physical and chemical characteristics of seed oil from Ribes nigrum L. indicated that the seeds contained from 8 to 15 percent oil. Fatty acids in the oil included oleic (12.3%), linoleic (41.0%) α-linolenic (20.9%), γ-linolenic (12.6%) and stearidonic (1.6%). The seed oil also contained α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, and δ-tocopherol, plus 2.21 mg/l of carotene, 3.11 mg/l of chlorophyll, and 0.64 mg/l of chlorophyll b. The oil was stable to oxidation with an induction period (IP) of 16 days.

Influence of the aqueous-enzymatic method on the oxidative stability of plum kernel oil

This study demonstrates the usefulness of an aqueous-enzymatic process for preparing plum kernel oil. The plum kernel oil was obtained by the aqueous-enzymatic method and by extraction with an organic solvent according to the common method, respectively. Oxidative stability of these oils was determined at moderate temperature by the Schaal Oven test, at elevated temperature by the Rancimat method and with exposure to artificial daylight. Oil prepared with the aqueous-enzymatic method showed a major oxidative stability at moderate temperature, below 60°C, in comparison with oils extracted with the common method. At the elevated temperature and under the conditions of photooxidation the oil extracted with the aqueous-enzymatic method exhibited a lower oxidative stability than the corresponding oil extracted by the common method. Einflus der wasrig-enzymatischen Methode auf die oxidative Stabilitat des Pflaumenkernols. Die Untersuchungen zeigen die Moglichkeit der Anwendung eines wasrig-enzymatischen Prozesses zur Gewinnung von Pflaumenkernol. Das Pflaumenkernol wurde durch die wasrig-enzymatische Methode und durch Extraktion mit dem organischen Losungsmittel nach der ublichen Methode erhalten. Oxidative Stabilitat von diesen Olen wurde bei niedriger Temperatur durch den Schaal-Oven-Test, bei erhohter Temperatur nach der Ranzimat-Methode im Kunstlicht bestimmt. Die wasrig-enzymatische Olgewinnung zeigte eine bessere oxidative Stabilitat bei einer Temperatur unter 60°C im Vergleich zu dem Ol, das nach der ublichen Methode extrahiert wurde. Bei der erhohten Temperatur und unter den Bedingungen der Photooxidation zeigte das wasrig-enzymatisch extrahierte Ol eine niedrigere oxidative Stabilitat im Vergleich zu dem mit organischem Losungsmittel extrahierten Ol.

L-ARGININE-NO SYSTEM PARTICIPATES IN THE ANALGESIC EFFECT OF FLUNIXIN MEGLUMINE IN THE RAT

Abstract This study investigated whether the L-arginine-NO system participates in the analgesic effect of flunixin meglumine in the rat. Hyperalgesia was induced by intraplantar (i.pl.) administration of carrageenan (500 μg) into the rat’s hind paw. Electronic von Frey apparatus was used to determine paw withdrawal threshold induced by pressure as the painful stimulus, measured in grams (g). Flunixin meglumine (FM; 0.09-0.1 mg/kg; s.c.) and NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 10 mg/kg; i.p.), given separately as a pre-treatment, i.e. 15 min before i.pl. injection of carrageenan, produced a significant antinociception. When FM (0.09 mg/kg) and a sub-effective dose of L-NAME (5 mg/kg) were co-administered, the antinociceptive effect was significantly increased in comparison with the effect of FM alone. L-arginine (L-ARG;10 mg/kg; i.p.) itself did not produce significant effect on carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia, but significantly reduced the antinociceptive effects of both FM and FM + L-NAME combination. The inhibition of the production of NO might be involved in the mechanism of the analgesic effect of FM.

The Effect of Carvacrol on Inflammatory Pain and Motor Coordination in Rats

Abstract Carvacrol is a monoterpenic phenol and an active ingredient of the plant essential oils of the family Lamiaceae. We have investigated the analgesic effect of carvacrol, the possible dependence of the effect in relation to animal sex, and the impact of carvacrol on motor coordination in rats. Hyperalgesia was induced by formalin (1.5%), which was administered SC in the upper lip of rat. Hyperalgesia and effects of carvacrol and indomethacin were measured by using the orofacial formalin test. The influence on motor coordination in animals treated with carvacrol was investigated by using the rota-rod test. Carvacrol administered PO in pre-treatment (45 min. prior to formalin) at a single dose of 50, 75 and 100 mg /kg BW, in the male, 50 and 100 mg /kg BW, in female rats caused a dose-dependent antinociceptive effect. This effect of carvacrol was significantly higher (P<0.01, P<0.001) in male rats. Compared with indomethacin administered during pre-treatment (2 mg/kg, PO), carvacrol (100 mg/kg) exhibits significantly higher (P <0.05 and P <0.001) antinociceptive effect on formalininduced hyperalgesia in male rats. In the rota-rod test carvacrol did not disturb the motor coordination in male rats, nor the dose of carvacrol with clear antinociceptive properties exhibited depressive effect on the CNS of treated rats. Keeping in mind that the monoterpene carvacrol is of plant origin, with potentially less side effects and without residues, it is realistic to expect the possibility of its therapeutic use in the treatment of inflammatory pain in animals.

Carvacrol importance in veterinary and human medicine as ecologic insecticide and acaricide

Carvacrol is an active ingredient of essential oils from different plants, mainly from oregano and thyme species. It poseses biocidal activity agains many artropodes of the importance for veterinary and human medicine. Carvacrol acts as repelent, larvicide, insecticide and acaricide. It acts against pest artropodes such as those that serve as mechanical or biological vectors for many causal agents of viral, bacterial and parasitic diseases for animals and humans. Therefore, it may be used not only in pest arthropodes control but in vector borne diseases control, too. In the paper carvacrol bioactivity against mosquitoes, house flies, cockroaches, ticks and mites are described. Potencial modes of carvacrol action on artropodes are given, too. Carvacrol reachs its biotoxicity against arthropodes alone or in combination with other active ingredients from the same plant of its origin, such as tymol, cymen or others. The paper explains reasons for frequently investigations on essential oils and other natural products of plant origin to their biotoxicity against food stored pest or pest of medicinal importance, as well as, needs for their use in agriculture, veterinary and human medicine.

Occurrence, structures and estimation of daily intake of trans fatty acids.

The present review provides an outline of the current knowledge of trans fatty acids (TFA) including their structure and formation, occurrence in foods, especially in meat and meat products, and some estimation and evaluation of daily intake. Special emphasis is put on conjugated linoleic acids (CLA), related to unique beneficial physiological properties, such as on cancer inhibition via the immune system.

UTICAJ PRODUŽENE PERORALNE PRIMENE EUGENOLA NA HEMATOLOŠKE I NEKE BIOHEMIJSKE PARAMETRE KRVI KOD PACOVA

The possible haematotoxic, hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects of eugenol in rats after two-week and the four-week continuous use were tested. The experiment was conducted on 72 male Wistar rats divided into six equal groups. Four were treated with different doses of eugenol (10 mg/kg bw/day, 50 mg/kg/d, 200 mg/kg bw/d and 400 mg/kg bw/d), the control group received the vehikulum (0.5% methyl cellulose, 20% propylene glycol and water), and the sixth group was the absolute, untreated control. Eugenol and the vehikulum were administered with a gastric probe, on a daily basis, for four weeks at a rate of 1 ml/100 g body weight of rats. Blood was collected by cardiac puncture of the anesthetised rats on days 14 and 28 in order to assess the haematological and biochemical blood parameters: haematocrit, red blood cell count, white blood cell and platelet counts, leukocyte formula, hemoglobin, MCV, MCH, total protein concentration, albumin, urea, creatinine, and the activity of the alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and creatine kinase (CK). The results showed that, having been applied for two and four weeks at doses of 10, 50, 200 and 400 mg/kg bw/day, eugenol did not show any haematotoxic, hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic effects. Eugenol administered for four weeks does not significantly affect the number of erythrocytes, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, red blood Ветеринарски журнал Републике Српске Veterinary Journal of Republic of Srpska (Бања Лука-Banja Luka), Вол/Vol.XIII, бр/No.2, 131–142, 2013 Milanka Jezdimirović и сар.: Uticaj produžene peroralne primene eugenola na hematološke i neke biohemijske parametre krvi kod pacova 133 cell volume, leukocyte count and leukocyte formula. Applied for two weeks it caused a significant increase in the mass of haemoglobin in erythrocytes. This effect is not specific and does not depend on the dose or the treatment duration. Eugenol in doses of 10 and 200 mg/kg/day applied for four weeks caused a significant reduction in the number of platelets, whilst the highest dose tested (400 mg/kg/day) caused a significant increase in comparison to the number of platelets in rats treated with 10 and 200 mg/kg/day. Changes in the number of platelets induced by eugenol qualitatively different and are not related to dose or length of treatment. Eugenol applied for two and four weeks does not significantly affect proteinaemia, albuminaemia, serum urea and creatinine concentrations, and serum ALP activity in rats. Three assessed doses of eugenol (10, 50 and 200 mg/kg/d) significantly decreased, whereas the highest dose increased the ALT activity. However, eugenol applied for four weeks at a dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg/d caused a statistically significant decrease in CK activity.