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SUMMARY:In the current investigation the crude oil of Nigella sativa was extracted from seeds using hydraulic and screw pressing techniques. Different parameters were evaluated in order to find out the appropriate technique to enhance the physicochemical and functional-related characteristics of the extracted crude oil. Results showed that the acid and peroxide values were significantly lower in the screw pressed oil (SPO) than in the hydraulic pressed oil (HPO). The total phenolic content of the SPO was significantly higher than that of HPO. Evaluation of the oxidative stability using the Rancimat test showed that SPO recorded a much higher oxidative stability index (40.07 h) than HPO (0.51 h). The yield of the volatile oil fraction and its contents of thymoquinone isolated from the SPO were higher than that from the HPO. Biological evaluation revealed that the SPO had significantly higher antimicrobial activity than HPO against Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus at 40 µL/well. KEYWORDS : Crude oil; Functionality; Hydraulic pressing; Nigella sativa; Screw pressing RESUMEN: Mejoras potenciales de las características físico-químicas y funcionales del aceite de Nigella sativa mediante extracción con prensa de tornillo. En la presente investigación se extrajo el aceite crudo de Nigella sativa de las semillas utilizando técnicas hidráulicas y de prensado de tornillo. Se evaluaron diferentes parámetros para conocer la técnica apropiada que potencie las características fisicoquímicas y funcionales del aceite extraído. Los resultados mostraron que los valores de ácido y peróxido fueron significativamente más bajos en el aceite de presión con tornillo (SPO) que en el aceite prensado hidráulico (HPO). El contenido fenólico total del SPO fue significativamente mayor que el de HPO. La evaluación de la estabilidad oxidativa mediante Rancimat demostró que el aceite SPO tiene un índice de estabilidad oxidativa mucho más alto (40,07 h) que el HPO (0,51 h). El rendimiento de la fracción volátil y su contenido de timoquinona aislada del aceite SPO fueron superiores a los del HPO. La evaluación biológica reveló que el aceite SPO tenía una actividad antimicrobiana significativamente mayor que el HPO contra Listeria monocitogenes y Staphylococcus aureus a 40 μL/pocillo.

The disease results from excessive accumulation of liver fat which leads to the incidence of high oxidative stress and inflammation. If not closely monitored, NAFLD could induce non-alcoholic steatohepatitis NASH . NASH is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease 1 and could eventually progress to liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and liver failure 2 .

The current study aims at developing alcoholic-based sanitizing formula against some pathogenic bacteria based on highly diluted (< 70.0%) aqueous isopropanol solution which is fortified with small amount of an essential oil component like carvacrol. This phenolic compound can act as antimicrobial booster for the compensation of alcohol reduction in the sanitizer. The solubility behaviour of carvacrol in the aqueous alcoholic solution containing different ratios of isopropanol and water was investigated using the Gibbs' phase diagram. Based on that, a selected formula containing 1.0% carvacrol dissolved in the highest possible dilution of isopropanol (45.0%) was chosen for testing its antimicrobial activity against some gram positive and negative pathogenic bacteria in comparison to the standard 70.0% alcohol formula without carvacrol. Results indicated that a 45.0% aqueous isopropanol solution can hold up to 5.0% carvacrol at maximum in a physically stable and homogenous sanitizing formula. Antimicrobial evaluation of the developed diluted aqueous isopropanol fortified with 1.0% carvacrol showed the same inhibition against the tested pathogenic bacteria as the standard 70.0% alcohol sanitizer without carvacrol. In conclusion, 45.0% diluted isopropanol fortified with a minimum of 1.0% up to 5.0% carvacrol (in case of intensive sanitization) can possibly be used as sanitizer for protection against some pathogenic bacteria. The practical significance of this study is the production of diluted alcoholic sanitizing formula for decontamination of surfaces against some pathogenic bacteria with the advantage of increasing alcohol dilution in order to spare the absolute alcohol reserve for more quantitative production of the sanitizer.

Introduction: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease with a prevalence of 1% in the elderly worldwide. The aim of the research is to study the interrelationship of iron status, the immune system including inflammatory cytokines, brain divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1), and dopamine receptors D1 (DRD1) in a PD rat model. The potential protective effects of grape seed and green coffee bean ethanol extracts and quercetin were also studied. Methods: Phenolic and flavonoid contents of grape seed and green coffee bean and in vitro free radicals scavenging activities of the extracts and quercetin were determined. Male rats were divided into five groups. Group 1 served as normal control (NC), group 2 represented Parkinsonian control (PC). Groups 3, 4, and 5 were the test groups treated by daily oral green coffee bean, grape seed extracts, and quercetin, respectively. PD was induced by rotenone in groups 2 to 5. Brain oxidative stress, DMT1, and DRD1 expressions, and histopathology were assessed. Parameters of the immune system, represented by plasma interferon-gamma (IFNγ) and CD4, and brain tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) along with iron status were also determined. Results: Phenolic and flavonoid contents of green coffee bean were high compared to grape seed (P < 0.05). Quercetin experienced the highest in-vitro free radicals scavenging activities. Iron deficiency anemia, together with elevated IFNγ, TNF-α, DMT1 expressions, and brain malondialdehyde (MDA) were demonstrated in PC compared to NC (P < 0.05). Also, reduction in CD4 and brain reduced-glutathione (GSH) (P < 0.05) were noticed in PC with brain histopathological alterations. Different treatments showed variable improvements in the majority of parameters (P < 0.05) and brain histopathology. Conclusion: Iron deficiency anemia might result from cytokine elevation in PD. Reduced DRD1 and altered immune system including cytokines together with increased brain DMT1 might induce neurodegeneration in PD. Different treatments showed variable neuroprotective effects through modulation of inflammation, oxidative stress, immune system, iron status, DMT1, and DRD1.