Antimicrobial and Antioxidant features of Nutmeg
Introduction
Hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, singlet oxygen, super oxide anion and free radicals consist of reactive oxygen species. These reactive species will cause damage to the biological molecules. The damaged bio molecules might initiate certain diseases or might lead to the worsening of the existing diseases. Free radicals are reactive ions that can cause progression of diseases like diabetes, immunosuppression, metabolic injury, atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, aging, and Parkinson’s disease.
Diseases that result from the oxidative stress could be prevented by the exogenous antioxidants such as tocopherols, flavonoids, vitamin C, carotenoids and various phenolic compounds. Some commonly used synthetic antioxidants are butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Natural antioxidants in plants can prevent the diseases by reducing the oxidative damage created by bio macromolecules.
Various harmful pathogens cause several diseases to human beings. When the defense mechanisms in the humans is not sufficient for fighting against the pathogens, certain chemotherapeutic drugs have been introduced. Haphazard usage of these drugs has led to the development of drug resistant strains. So, there is an extreme necessity to generate alternatives for synthetic drugs. The answer for this problem can emerge from the use of aromatic herbs and spices. Spices and aromatic herbs have antimicrobial and antioxidant features.
Nutmeg: Nutmeg is the dried seed of the Myristica fragrans Houtt. It has anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrheal properties. Nutmeg also acts as a memory enhancer and aphrodisiac. This study concentrates on investigatin...
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...reverse the process and hence the rate of antioxidation by the nutmeg extract is inversely related to the oxidation of beta-carotene. The acetone extract showed this activity as 74.36+/-1.94percent, and ethanol extract as 38.47+/-1.31percent. BHT showed this activity as 94.9+/-1.03percent.
Antimicrobial activity of the extracts
In this study, it is proved that nutmeg extracts showed antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi that are pathogenic.
GC-MS of acetone extract
The acetone extract of nutmeg seed consisted of the chemicals like sabinene, beta-pinene, myristicin, terpinen-4-ol, limonene, gamma-terpinene, p-menth-2-en-1-ol, elemicin, isoeugenol, p-menth-2-en-1-ol, myrcene, alpha-phellandrene, terpinolene, lonalool, and p-cymene.
In conclusion, the current study has elaborated the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of different nutmeg extracts.
To any top chef around the world, nutmeg is a highly prized spice. Nutmeg is known for its aromatic, aphrodisiac and curati...
It is crystal clear that free radicals are harmful things. Once they accumulate in the tissues, they cause inflammation. As a result, a victim develops a degenerative disease like cancer or arthritis. They also cause pre-mature
Murray, Michael T., Joseph E. Pizzorno, and Lara Pizzorno. "The Healing Power of Nuts and Seeds." The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods. New York: Atria, 2005. N. pag. Print.
Phenolic acids are secondary plant metabolites widely distributed in foods, especially fruits and vegetables. In recent years, phenolic acids have attracted a lot of attention because they exist ubiquitously in plants and play protective roles. Phenolic acids possess interesting biological properties, (Beilin, Stocker, & Croft, 1997) that render them interesting to study. They are widespread in crops such as fruits, vegetables, herbs, grains, and seeds and derived foods such as juices, wines, and oils, (Graf, Ameho, Dolnokowski, Milbuty, Chen, & Blumberg, 2006). Phenolic compounds play a key role in thwarting the negative impacts of oxygen and nitrogen reactive species (ROS/RNS), maintaining the redox homeostasis of biological fluids and preventing conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, and other degenerative pathologies, such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, (Shahrzad & Bitsch, 1998).
The objective of the current project is to determine the effects of oxidative stress on normal human liver cell line and human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. Altered protein expression generated as a result of oxidative stress will be studied by using proteomic techniques. This may be helpful in understanding the effects of mechanism of oxidative stress and identifying oxidative biomarkers involved in carcinogenesis. Identification of new biomarkers of the disease could be helpful in early diagnosis and hence better treatment..
“Indeed, rosemary was once thought to be a cure for poor digestion, migraine, joint disorders, and muscle aches. I...
Lycopene is a member of the carotenoids pigment family that conveys bright red color to many plants. Its name is obtained primarily from tomato. Lycopene is currently considered one of the most efficient antioxidants, protecting against free radicals that accelerate aging and damage critical parts of the cell (Liu, 2008). Recent studies have shown an inverse relationship between intake of tomatoes along with tissue lycopene levels and the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD).
The crude extract obtained by solvent extraction was subjected to various qualitative tests to detect the presence of common chemical constituents as:
The first group of chemical compounds to be discussed are terpenes. Terpenes are a very comprehensive group of metabolites which are known to contain essential oils that produces well-known scents in herbs belonging to the Lamiaceae plant family (Scott 2008). These scented compounds are usually found in the trichomes of basil, rosemary, lavender, etc. (Scott 2008). Electron micrograph images of these trichomes can be seen below. According to Keeling & Boltmann (2006), there are about 30 000 known types of terpenes which originated from structures created from terpene synthases. These terpene synthases can be broken up into three groups, monoterpene synthases, sesquiterpene synthases, and diterpene synthases (Keeling &...
Spices should exhibit antibacterial and antifungal activity. Microbiologists and food-product developers have conducted laboratory experiments that involve challenging numerous foodborne bacteria, fungi, and yeasts with phytochemicals extracted from spice plants. Multiple techniques have been used. Nevertheless, it is now clear that many spices have potent antimicrobial properties (e.g., Hargreaves et al. 1975, Shelef 1984, Deans and Ritchie 1987, Zaika 1988, Beuchat 1994, Nakatani 1994, Hirasa and Takemasa 1998).
Health Benefits of Peppermint Peppermint is said to have many benefits regarding the health of the human body. Although many people relate peppermint to the extract we put in foods to give it flavor around the holidays, peppermint oil is used in aromatherapy. Some of its usage is for helping with irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion, relieves headaches, and improves mental focus. Due to the many health advantages of peppermint oil, it has become a common essential oil used in modern day aromatherapy. The peppermint plant (also known as black mint, candy mint, and in commercial use Mitcham), is a perennial aromatic herb from the classification family of Lamiaceae (1).
Abstracts: - The present field survey revealed that an extensive study of spices and condiments in four districts of Manipur Valley. Species of the four districts were found in different forms ranging from their soil and climatic conditions. A total of 73 species, belonging to 20 families are collected for improving the palatability and the appeal of dull diets or spoiled food. Among 20 families, Zingiberaceace family was found the highest no. of species. Spice
In this experiment, lipids from ground nutmeg are extracted using a combination of solvents and identify the lipids through chromatography. The purpose of using solvent combinations is to elute the lipids based on their polarity to binding of the silica gel. The chromatography is performed on a silica gel plate and the use of iodine to visualize the lipids. By calculating the Rf values for each compound and comparing them to the known lipids, we are able to distinguish the lipids within the grounded nutmeg.
Nutraceutical is a combination from two words i.e. ‘nutrition’ and ‘pharmaceutical. Nutraceuticals can be defined as a food or a part of food which helps in altering and maintaining normal physiological functions in healthy human beings. The principal reasons for the growth of the nutraceutical market worldwide are the current population and the health trends. The food products used as nutraceuticals can be characterized as dietary fiber, prebiotics, probiotics, polyunsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants and other different types of herbal/ natural foods. These nutraceuticals help in fighting some of the major health problems of the century such as metabolic disorders (obesity, cardiovascular disease, cholesterol & diabetes), cancer, bone disorders (osteoporosis, arthritis etc.). Altogether, ‘nutraceutical’ has led to the new era of medicine and health.
Herbs and spices are commonly regarded as the most nutritious foods and are used in recipes as inconspicuous ingredients to make them more favorable. However ordinary plants they may seem, they add ripple flavor on recipes. When the herbs and spices are dried, they provide a numerous healthy compounds known as phytonutrients that not only improves the taste of food but also benefits the body.