Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is currently considered among the endogenously produced gaseous molecules that exert various signaling effects in mammalian species. It is the third physiological gasotransmitter discovered so far after NO and CO. H2S was originally ranked among the toxic gases at elevated levels to humans. Currently, it is well-known that, in the cardiovascular system, H2S exerts several cardioprotective effects including vasodilation, antioxidant regulation, inhibition of inflammation, and activation of anti-apoptosis. With an increasing interest in monitoring H2S, the development of analysis methods should now follow. This review stages special emphasis on the several analytical technologies used for its determination including spectroscopic, chromatographic, and electrochemical methods. Advantages and limitations with regards to the application of each technique are highlighted with special emphasis on its employment for H2S in vivo measurement i.e., biofluids, tissues. Fluorescence methods applied for H2S measurement offer an attractive non-invasive and promising approach in addition to its selectivity, however they cannot be considered as H2S-specific probes. On the other hand, colorimetric assays are among the most common methods used for in vitro H2S detection, albeit their employment in vivo H2S measurement has not yet been possible . Separation techniques such as gas or liquid chromatography offer higher selectivity compared to direct spectrophotometric or fluorescence methods especially for suitable for endpoint H2S measurements i.e. plasma or tissue samples. Despite all the developed analytical procedures used for H2S determination, the need for highly selective, much work should be devoted to resolve all the pitfalls of the current methods.
Thymus capitatus Hoff. et Link. essential oil was constituted by thymol (89.06%) as a major component followed by p-cimene (5.04%) and γ-terpinene (3.19%) after analysis by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The antioxidant activity assays of the essential oil used in the inhibition of the radical cation 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) and the free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl showed high 50% inhibitory concentration values of 1.24 ± 0.05 mg/L and 0.59 ± 0.02 mg/L, respectively. The essential oil of T. capitatus was tested for antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (Salmonella analum, Listeria monocytogenes), Gram-negative bacteria (Escherchia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae), fungi (Mucor ramamnianus, Aspergillus ochraceus), and yeast species (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicans) using the agar well diffusion method. It seemed that L. monocytogenes, E. coli, and K. pneumoniae bacteria were inhibited by the essential oil tested. A strong activity was also observed against fungi and yeasts.
1 November 2015 in International Journal of Pharmaceutics
Fermented dairy products are dominant constituents of daily diets around the world due to their desired organoleptic properties, long shelf life, and high nutritional value. Probiotics are often incorporated into these products for their health and technological benefits. However, the safety and possible contamination of fermented dairy products during the manufacturing process could have significant deleterious health and economic impacts. Pathogenic microorganisms and toxins from different sources in fermented dairy products contribute to outbreaks and toxicity cases. Although the health and nutritional benefits of fermented dairy products have been extensively investigated, safety hazards due to contamination are relatively less explored. As a preventive measure, it is crucial to accurately identify and determine the associated microbiota or their toxins. It is noteworthy to highlight the importance of detecting not only the pathogenic microbiota but also their toxic metabolites so that putative outbreaks can thereby be prevented or detected even before they cause harmful effects to human health. In this context, this review focuses on describing techniques designed to detect potential contaminants; also, the advantages and disadvantages of these techniques were summarized. Moreover, this review compiles the most recent and efficient analytical methods for detecting microbial hazards and toxins in different fermented dairy products of different origins. Causative agents behind contamination incidences are also discussed briefly to aid in future prevention measures, as well as detection approaches and technologies employed. Such approach enables the elucidation of the best strategies to control contamination in fermented dairy product manufacturing processes.