The antibacterial activity of essential oils (EOs) isolated from ginger (Zingiber officinale), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) was evaluated against fish spoilage and fish‐borne pathogenic bacteria by agar well diffusion and microbroth dilution method. Chemical profiles of EOs by gas chromatography–mass spectrometer revealed that zingiberene, α‐phellandrene and limonene were the major components of ginger, eucalyptus, and sweet orange EOs, respectively. Among the three EOs evaluated, ginger oil had the best antibacterial activity against all the bacteria tested. Bacillus subtilis was found as the most sensitive bacterium against ginger EO. Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Aeromonas hydrophila were the most resistant to all the EOs. Antibiotic resistant Yersinia enterocolitica was found as the most sensitive bacteria among gram‐negative bacteria tested. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The results of the present study reveal the scope of the plant essential oils (EOs) in the shelf life extension of fish. The fresh fish after catching need to be ice‐preserved before undergoing further processing. In addition, the preservation during the postharvest handling and transportation of fish is important, during which there are chances for microbial contamination from the food contact surfaces, containers and transport vehicles. The use of plant EOs will definitely help in reducing the level of microbial contamination, preserving the fish and extending their shelf life. They are cheaper in economical terms as well and easy to use by dip or spray treatment. The fishermen can use the plant EOs onboard to preserve the fish. The retailers and vendors can use it for the quality maintenance of fish.

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Aim:The aim of the present study was to investigate whether Tribulus terrestris Linn (TT) could protect the cadmium (Cd)-induced testicular tissue peroxidation in rats and to explore the underlying mechanism of the same.Materials and Methods:In vitro and in vivo studies were conducted to know the protective effect of ethanolic extract of TT (eTT) in Cd toxicity. In in vitro studies, total antioxidant and ferrous metal ion chelating activity of TT was studied. In vivo studies were conducted in rats. A total of 40 Wistar strain adult male rats were divided into four groups. Group 1 served as control, while group 2 to 4 received CdCl2 (3 mg/kg b. wt. s/c once a week). In addition to Cd, group 3 and 4 rats also received eTT (5 mg/kg b.wt. daily as oral gavage) and α-tocopherol (75 mg/kg daily by oral gavage), respectively. At the end of 6th week, all the rats were sacrificed and the separated testes were weighted and processed for estimation of tissue peroxidation markers, antioxidant markers, functional markers, and Cd concentration. The testes were also subjected to histopathological screening.Results:In in vitro studies, the percentage of metal ion chelating activity of 50 μg/ml of eTT and α-tocopherol were 2.76 and 9.39, respectively, and the antioxidant capacity of eTT was equivalent to 0.063 μg of α-tocopherol/μg of eTT. In in vivo studies, administration of Cd significantly reduced the absolute and relative testicular weight, antioxidant markers such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione, and functional markers such as LDH and ALP, along with significant increase in peroxidation markers such as malondialdehyde and protein carbonyls in testicular tissue. Testes of Cd only-treated group showed histological insults like necrotic changes in seminiferous tubules and interstitium, shrunken tubules with desquamated basal lamina, vacuolization and destruction of sertoli cells, and degenerating Leydig cells. This group also had higher Cd levels in testicular tissue. Co-treatment with eTT and α-tocopherol significantly reduced the Cd burden in the testes along with reversal of the Cd-induced changes.Conclusions:eTT exhibited protective effect against Cd-induced testicular damage. The protective effect appears to be mediated through inhibition of testicular tissue peroxidation by antioxidant and metal chelator activity and also, may be indirectly by stimulating the testosterone production from Leydig cells.

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