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  • List of Articles


      • Open Access Article

        1 - Evaluation of the Acute Oral Toxicity of a Crocus sativus (Iranian Saffron) Nanoemulsion in Rats
        Seyed Amir Ali Anvar Hamed Ahari Sara Allahyaribeik Sonia Shojagharehbagh Sima Moradi
        Crocus sativus (Iranian saffron) is a widely consumed spice that has been historically attributed to various therapeutic properties. It is commonly used as a food colorant and flavoring agent in the food industry. Encapsulating spices using nanoemulsions can enhance pro More
        Crocus sativus (Iranian saffron) is a widely consumed spice that has been historically attributed to various therapeutic properties. It is commonly used as a food colorant and flavoring agent in the food industry. Encapsulating spices using nanoemulsions can enhance properties such as stability and antibacterial activity. In this study, we developed a C. sativus nanoemulsion using ultrasonication. Toxicological assessment is imperative for validating the incorporation of spice nanoemulsions into foods. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the potential acute oral toxicity of this nanoemulsion in albino rats. All assessments were conducted using a single prototype batch representative of projected human exposure levels. Results indicated no treatment-related mortalities or statistically significant changes in food or water intake. Additionally, no gross abnormalities were observed in vital organs upon macroscopic examination at doses exceeding the projected human intake. Overall, this nanoemulsion demonstrated a satisfactory acute oral toxicity profile under the conditions tested. Manuscript profile
      • Open Access Article

        2 - Study of the Combined Effect of Trachyspermum ammi and Lavandula officinalis Essential Oils on Some Foodborne Pathogenic Bacteria
        Asal  Ahmadi Hassan  Gandomi Negin  Noori Melika  Farzaneh Mahdie Shabanizade
        In this study, the effects of different concentrations of Trachyspermum ammi and Lavandula officinalis essential oils (EOs) were investigated individually and in combination against certain foodborne pathogens, including E. coli, Salmonella typhimurium, L. monocytogenes More
        In this study, the effects of different concentrations of Trachyspermum ammi and Lavandula officinalis essential oils (EOs) were investigated individually and in combination against certain foodborne pathogens, including E. coli, Salmonella typhimurium, L. monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus. The MIC of T. ammi essential oil alone against the studied bacteria was as follows: E. coli (1000 ppm), S. typhimurium (2000 ppm), L. monocytogenes (1000 ppm), B. cereus (2000 ppm), and S. aureus (2000 ppm). On the other hand, the MIC of L. officinalis alone against the studied bacteria was higher: E. coli (>4000 ppm), S. typhimurium (>4000 ppm), L. monocytogenes (1000 ppm), B. cereus (1000 ppm), and S. aureus (2000 ppm). Interestingly, the combined effect of T. ammi and L. officinalis EOs demonstrated that a combination of 500 ppm T. ammi EO and 1000 ppm L. officinalis EO could effectively inhibit the growth of E. coli. Similarly, a combination of 500 ppm T. ammi EO with 500 ppm L. officinalis EO and 125 ppm T. ammi EO with 1000 ppm L. officinalis EO effectively inhibited the growth of S. aureus. Furthermore, the combined MIC values for specific bacteria were 1000 ppm T. ammi EO with 3000 ppm L. officinalis EO for Salmonella typhimurium, 500 ppm T. ammi EO with 500 ppm L. officinalis EO for L. monocytogenes, and 1000 ppm T. ammi EO with 500 ppm L. officinalis EO for Bacillus cereus. Overall, the combination of these two essential oils led to an increase in the lag phase and a decrease in the growth rate of the target bacteria, which is significant in food microbiology. In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of the combination application of T. ammi and L. officinalis EOs as natural antimicrobial agents in food safety. Manuscript profile
      • Open Access Article

        3 - Utilizing Plant Extracts and Essential Oils as Bio-Based Additives in Biodegradable Polymer Coatings for Food Packaging: A Review
        Marjan Nouri
        Edible films and coatings have gained increasing interest due to demands for convenient, ready-to-eat foods with extended shelf life. However, packaging without additives or pigments is insufficient to preserve foods due to various limitations. This review discusses the More
        Edible films and coatings have gained increasing interest due to demands for convenient, ready-to-eat foods with extended shelf life. However, packaging without additives or pigments is insufficient to preserve foods due to various limitations. This review discusses the potential of utilizing natural extracts and essential oils as promising free or encapsulated additives to enhance the functionality of edible films and coatings. Extracts and essential oils offer antioxidant, antimicrobial and emulsifying properties when incorporated into coatings. Their incorporation level, type and nanoencapsulation influence their activity against food-spoiling microbes and their ability to extend shelf life. Nanoencapsulation preserves bioactive compounds against environmental stresses like oxygen and moisture, prolonging coating stability. This review focuses on recent research evaluating natural extracts and essential oils as additives in edible films and coatings applied to various foods. Their antimicrobial and antioxidant effects on coated substrates are discussed. The benefits and limitations of developing antimicrobial and antioxidant-active packaging technologies are also reviewed. Biodegradable smart coatings utilizing natural additives provide a sustainable food packaging approach with reduced environmental impacts while ensuring safety. Overall, extracts and essential oils show great potential as natural additives to develop high-performance edible films and coatings when applied in free or encapsulated forms. Manuscript profile
      • Open Access Article

        4 - Association Between Dietary Atherogenic Index and Risk of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Case-Control Study in Tehranian Women
        Parisa Navidgouei Behnood Abbasi Sedigheh Hosseini
        Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous endocrine disorder characterized by impaired glucose metabolism and insulin resistance. Dietary fatty acids may play a role in the progression of PCOS and related metabolic abnormalities. We conducted a case-control st More
        Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous endocrine disorder characterized by impaired glucose metabolism and insulin resistance. Dietary fatty acids may play a role in the progression of PCOS and related metabolic abnormalities. We conducted a case-control study to examine the association between dietary atherogenic index (AI) and PCOS risk. The study included 203 women with PCOS and 291 healthy controls from Taleghenai Hospital in Tehran, Iran. Demographic, anthropometric, and dietary data were collected using a validated food frequency questionnaire. AI was calculated based on dietary fatty acid intake. Participants’ mean ages were 28.98±5.43 and 30.15±6.21 years for cases and controls, respectively. No significant differences in intakes of total fat, cholesterol, saturated, trans, monounsaturated fatty acids, linoleic, or linolenic acids were observed across AI quartiles (p>0.05). However, polyunsaturated fatty acid intake decreased significantly with increasing AI quartiles (p=0.034). In addition, this case-control study found no relationship between the dietary atherogenic index and the risk of PCOS among Iranian women. Further research is needed to validate these findings and elucidate the role of dietary fatty acids in PCOS pathogenesis. Manuscript profile
      • Open Access Article

        5 - Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Conditions for Pigment Compounds of the Brown Algae Sargassum angustifolium Using Response Surface Methodology
        Niloofar Aghajanpoor Sourkohi Aria Babakhani
        In this study, the extraction of S. angustifolium brown alga pigments was investigated by ultrasound to identify process variables and optimize the extraction conditions. Experimental design using central composite design (CCD) with four independent variables including More
        In this study, the extraction of S. angustifolium brown alga pigments was investigated by ultrasound to identify process variables and optimize the extraction conditions. Experimental design using central composite design (CCD) with four independent variables including the percentage of ethanol concentration (at three levels of 50, 75 and 100%), extraction time (at three levels of 10, 20 and 30 minutes), solid-liquid ratio (at three levels 1: 5, 1:10 and 1:15) and the power of ultrasound (at three levels 80, 240 and 400 watts) was performed for the responses of chlorophyll a, total chlorophyll, total carotenoids and fucoxanthin. The results showed that the highest amount of total fucoxanthin and carotenoids was obtained in 75% ethanol, duration 20 minutes, solid-liquid ratio 1:5 and ultrasonic power of 240 watts. In the mentioned optimal conditions, fucoxanthin and total carotenoids were 0.42 and 1.11 mg/g, respectively. The values obtained in the experiment have a logical relationship with the values predicted by the software, which indicates the appropriateness of the models used. Manuscript profile
      • Open Access Article

        6 - Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Potential of Astragalus fasciculifolius Gum Extract Against Clostridium perfringens in Meatball Formulations Using Response Surface Methodology
        Najmeh Khademi Pour Anousheh Sharifan Hossein Bakhoda
        Astragalus fasciculifolius Boiss. is a native medicinal plant of Iran with a long history of traditional use. This study investigated the phenolic composition, antimicrobial activity, and growth dynamics of Clostridium perfringens when treated with ethanolic extracts More
        Astragalus fasciculifolius Boiss. is a native medicinal plant of Iran with a long history of traditional use. This study investigated the phenolic composition, antimicrobial activity, and growth dynamics of Clostridium perfringens when treated with ethanolic extracts of A. fasciculifolius gum. Phenolic profiling revealed hesperidin as the most abundant compound (17.61%). Extracts showed antimicrobial activity, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of 156 and 78 mg/g against C. perfringens, respectively. Microscopy indicated membrane shrinkage and changes upon treatment. A quadratic model was developed to describe C. perfringens growth in meat over time at different extract concentrations and temperatures. Optimization predicted the lowest bacterial numbers at 7200.8 ppm extract concentration, 14.29 h storage time, and 4.0°C temperature. These results demonstrate that A. fasciculifolius gum possesses bioactive compounds with antimicrobial properties against foodborne pathogens. The extract could potentially be developed as a natural preservative for the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. Manuscript profile