Musa Özcan

Antibacterial activity of Turkish spice hydrosols

The in vitro antibacterial activity of the hydrosols of (distilled spice water) sixteen spices (anise, basil, cumin, dalamagia sage, dill, fennel, laurel, mint, oregano, pickling herb, rosemary, sage, summer savory, seafennel, sumac and black thyme) were tested on fifteen bacteria (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ATCC 23842, B. brevis FMC 3, B. cereus FMC 19, B. subtilis var. niger ATCC 10, Enterobacter aerogenes CCM 2531, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, E. coli O157:H7 ATCC 33150, Klebsiella pneumoniae FMC 5, Proteus vulgaris FMC 1, Salmonella enteritidis, S. gallinarum, S. typhimurium, Staphlococcus aureus ATCC 2392, S. aureus ATCC 28213, Yersinia enterocolitica ATCC 1501). The hydrosols of five spices (anise, cumin, oregano, summer savory and black thyme) had antibacterial activity against some of the test bacteria. Oregano and summer savory were effective against all bacteria during incubation. Anise, cumin and black thyme hydrosols were active against some bacteria, but not all. Consequently, it is likely that some edible plant hydrosols may be used as antimicrobial agents to prevent the deterioration of food products. The other hydrosols did not show activity against any of the all bacteria tested.

Mineral contents of some plants used as condiments in Turkey

Abstract Mineral contents of thirty-two plants used as condiments in Turkey were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). All materials contained high amounts of Al, Ba, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, P and S. The highest levels of Ca, Fe, K, Mg and S were found in Thymus vulgaris, Lavandula officinalis L ., Anethum graveolens L ., Ocimum basilicum L. and Sinapis alba L., respectively. Bi, Cd, Li, Pb and Se contents of condiments were found to be very low. This work attempts to contribute to knowledge of the nutritional properties of these plants. These results may be useful for the evaluation of dietary information.

Chemical and technological properties of rose (Rosa canina L.) fruits grown wild in Turkey

Nutrients and technological properties were determined in developing Rosa canina L. fruits (rosehips) from Konya (Hadim) and Kastamonu to investigate potential uses. Completely ripe fruits contained ash, crude oil, crude energy, crude fiber, crude protein, ascorbic acid, dimethyl sulfite (DMS), and minerals including K, P, Mg, Ca and Fe. Also, technological properties such as length and width of fruit, weight of 1000 fruits, projected area, porosity, bulk density, hectoliter weight, skin break resistance were measured. In general, dry matter, crude energy, crude protein, ascorbic acid, water-soluble extract, acidity, DMS, Na, K, P, Mn and Mg contents of Kastamonu rosehip fruits were higher than those of Hadim fruits. Ascorbic acid was also present at high concentrations in the rose fruits. Also, length of fruit, width of fruit, weight of 1000 fruits, projected area and fruit bulk of Kastamonu rose fruits were found to be higher than those of Hadim fruits. Results of the static and dynamic coefficients of friction for both rose fruits were found to be similar.

Note: Effect of Some Spice Extracts on Bacterial Inhibition

Eighteen extracts of spices commonly consumed worldwide and grown naturally in Turkey were tested against twenty three bacterial strains to compare their antibacterial effects with eleven antibiotics. Eight pathogens and fifteen lactobacilli isolated from chick intestine were used as the test microorganisms. Pathogens (six different Staphylococcus aureus strains, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Yersinia enterocolitica ATCC 1501) were grown in Nutrient broth and lactobacilli in MRS broth. Hop extracts formed inhibition zones against S. aureus strains of upto 36 mm. Inhibitory effects of hop extracts against S. aureuswere generally higher than that of erythromycin as antibiotic. Helichrysum compactum extract produced an inhibition zone of 23mm to E. coli ATCC 25922 and 26mm to Y. enterocolitica ATCC 1501. Helichrysum compactum extract inhibited the growth of Y. enterocolitica ATCC 1501 more than other spice extracts. While inhibition zones of these extracts against lactobacilli were found smaller than on S. aureus strains, inhibition zones of the same extracts against lactobacilli were found similar to those of E. coli ATCC 25922 and Y. enterocolitica ATCC 1501.

Nutritional and physical properties of hackberry (Celtis australis L.)

Abstract Nutritional and physical properties of ripe hackberry fruits (Celtis australis L.) from Kastamonu were determined. Ash, crude oil, crude energy, crude fiber, crude protein and minerals (Na, P, K, Ca, Mn, B, Ba, Se, etc.) contents of completely ripe fruits were determined. Also, physical properties such as length and diameter of fruit, unit mass, volume of fruit, geometric mean diameter, sphericity, surface area, bulk density, fruit density, porosity, projected area, terminal velocity, 1000 fruits mass, static and dynamic coefficient of friciton were measured at three moisture content levels. The average length, diameter, unit mass, volume of fruit, the geometric mean diameter, sphericity and surface area were established as 9.34 mm, 8.07 mm, 0.233 g, 277.85 mm 3 , 8.37 mm, 0.89 and 206.4 mm 2 at 15.25%, respectively, moisture content (w.b.). Studies on rewetted fruit showed that as moisture content increased from 15.25% to 50.42% wet basis (w.b.), bulk density decreased from 595.1 to 535.9 kg / m 3 , fruit density increased from 826.1 to 1105.9 kg / m 3 . The porosity, projected area, terminal velocity, 1000 fruit mass increased from 30.97% to 53.84%, from 54.91 to 74.63 mm 2 , from 4.73 to 10.47 m/s, from 247.5 to 594 g, respectively, for the same moisture increase. The coefficient of static friction on rubber, plywood and galvanized steel increased from 0.5 to 0.55, 0.41 to 0.54 and 0.30 to 0.48, respectively, when the fruit moisture content increased from 15.25 to 50.42%. The coefficient of dynamic friction increased from 0.36 to 0.5, 0.31 to 0.43 and 0.22 to 0.35 on rubber, plywood and galvanized steel, respectively, for the same moisture range.

Note: Inhibition of Pathogenic Bacteria by Essential Oils at Different Concentrations:

The antimicrobial effect of 11 selected Turkish spice essential oils was investigated against seventeen pathogenic bacteria. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of six spices (cumin, fennel, laurel, mint, marjoram, oregano, pickling herb, sage, savory, thyme (black) and thyme) was tested at four concentrations (0.2, 0.4, 1 and 2%) on various microorganisms (E. aerogenes, E. coli, E. coli O157:H7, K. pneumoniae, P. vulgaris, S. enteritidis, S. gallinarum, S. typhimurium, S. aureus, Y. enterocolitica, A. hydrophila, C. xerosis, M. luteus, M. smegmatis, E. feacalis, P. aeruginosa and P. fluorescens). All preparations showed antibacterial activity against at least one or more bacteria. The inhibitory effect of the essential oils was evaluated through paper disc diffusion method. In general, the essential oils at 1 and 2% levels were effective. The most active essential oils were marjoram, thyme and oregano. According to the results, the studied essential oils potentially might be used as antibacterial agents to prevent the spoilage of food products, although further research is needed.

Influence of species, harvest date and size on composition of capers (Capparis spp.) flower buds

Physical and chemical properties of raw flower buds at three different sizes (x ≤ 8 mm, 8 13 mm) of Capparis spinosa var. spinosa and Capparis ovata var. canescens harvested in June and August were determined. C. Spinosa buds were more firm and spherical than C. ovata. Water, crude fiber, crude oil, total carotenoids and starch values of species in both harvests increased as bud size increased. All materials contained high amounts of Na, K, P, Ca, Mg and Mn, but decreasing Mn in August. Small buds harvested in June were more suitable to processing for physical and chemical properties. Values of analyses were variously affected by species, size and harvest date.

Some physico-mechanic properties of terebinth (Pistacia terebinthus L.) fruits

Abstract Several physical properties of terebinth fruits were evaluated as functions of moisture content. The average length, width, thickness, the geometric mean diameter and unit mass of the fruits were 6.10 mm, 5.30 mm, 4.96 mm, 5.43 mm, 0.0565 g, respectively at 6% moisture content dry basis. Studies on rewetted fruit showed that as moisture content increased from 6% to 26% dry basis (d.b.) kernel and bulk density increased from 1031 to 1071 kg/m 3 and from 449 to 620 kg/m 3 , respectively. While increasing moisture content, porosity decreased from 56% to 42%, projected areas increased from 0.23 to 0.26 cm 2 and terminal velocity increased from 6.3 to 8.18 m/s. The rupture strength decreased with increasing moisture.

Composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oil from Crithmum maritimum L. (Apiaceae) growing wild in Turkey

The essential oil from aerial parts of Crithmum maritimum L. (Apiaceae) growing wild in Antalya and Mersin, Turkey, was isolated by hydrodistillation and obtained in a yield of 0.17 and 0.19% (v/f w), respectively. The oil composition was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Nineteen and twenty one compounds, accounting for 98 and 97% of the oils, were identified. The former oil was characterized by a high content of β-phellandrene (30%) and thymol methyl ether (25%), the latter by γ-terpinene (24%) and dill-apiole (21%). Evaluation of the antibacterial activity showed that the oils have a similar, appreciable activity, mostly against Gram+bacteria. Copyright

Essential oil composition of Turkish mountain tea (Sideritis spp.)

Abstract The essential oil components of aerial parts from Sideritis bilgerana, Sideritis tmolea and Sideritis congesta were investigated by GC and GC–MS. The oil yields of dried plants obtained by hydro-distillation were 0.26, 0.33 and 0.83 (v/w), respectively. Fifty compounds representing 94.6% of the S. bilgerana oil were identified. The main ones were β-pinene (51.2%) and α-pinene (30.2%). Thirty-six components, representing 79.7% of the S. congesta oil were determined with high contents of muurol-5-en-4-a-ol (11.7%) and muurol-5-en-4-b-ol (33.0%). Fourty-four components were identified accounting for 89.6% of the S. tmolea oil. Major constituents were α-cadinol (21.9%), β-caryophylene (10.6%), calamenene (7.05%), muurrol-5-en-4-b-ol (7.05%) and α-pinene (5.1%). All oils consist of monoterpenic hydrocarbons, oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. Muurol-5-en-4a-ol and muurol-5-en-4b-ol, at high percentages, were distinct components of S. congesta.