The aim of this study was to investigate and compare in detail both the antifungal activity in vitro (with planktonic and biofilm-forming cells) and the essential oil composition (EOs) of naturally growing (OMN) and cultivated (OMC) samples of Origanum majorana L. (marjoram). The essential oil composition was analyzed using GC-MS. The major constituent of both EOs was carvacrol: 75.3% and 84%, respectively. Both essential oils showed high antifungal activity against clinically relevant Candida spp. with IC₅₀ and IC₉₀ less than or equal to 0.5 µg mL⁻¹ and inhibition of biofilm with a concentration of 3.5 µg mL⁻¹ or less. Cultivated marjoram oil showed higher anti-biofilm activity against C. albicans. In addition, OMC showed greater inhibition of germ-tube formation (inhibition by 83% in Spider media), the major virulence factor of C. albicans at a concentration of 0.125 µg mL⁻¹. Both EOs modulated cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH), but OMN proved to be more active with a CSH% up to 58.41%. The efficacy of O. majorana EOs was also investigated using Galleria mellonella larvae as a model. It was observed that while the larvae of the control group infected with C. albicans (6.0 × 10⁸ cells) and not receiving treatment died in the controls carried out after 24 h, all larvae in the infected treatment group survived at the end of the 96th hour. When the treatment group and the infected group were evaluated in terms of vital activities, it was found that the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The infection of larvae with C. albicans and the effects of O. majorana EOs on the hemocytes of the model organism and the blastospores of C. albicans were evaluated by light microscopy on slides stained with Giemsa. Cytological examination in the treatment group revealed that C. albicans blastospores were phagocytosed and morphological changes occurred in hemocytes. Our results indicated that the essential oil of both samples showed strong antifungal activities against planktonic and biofilm-forming C. albicans cells and also had an influence on putative virulence factors (germ-tube formation and its length and on CSH).

The aim of this study were to determine total phenol contents, antibacterial and antioxidant activity of bryophyte species including Plasteurhynchium striatum (Spruce) M. Fleisch, Palamocladium euchloron (Bruch ex Müll. Hal.) Wijk & Margad. and Cratoneuron filicinum (Hedw.) Spruce and Campyliadelphus chrysophylus (Brid.) R.S. Chopra. Antibacterial activity of methanolic, ethanolic, chloroform, acetone and water extracts of these species was determined by microdilution method. Antioxidant activity of these species was evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical-scavenging ability. The total phenol content of these species was determined quantitatively using the folin ciocalteu reagent, with gallic acid equivalents as the standard. The highest DPPH free radical scavenging activity was observed in about 65% C. filicinum. Total phenolic content of P. euchloron was determined the highest extract value of 0,027±0,002 mg/g. The methanol extract of bryophytes was found to have significant antioxidant activity and phenolic contents. Antibacterial effect of the extracts was not observed against the tested microorganisms

Mespilus germanica L. is one of the two species of the genus Mespilus L., and is distributed in several regions, including Southeastern Europe, Anatolia, the Caucasus, and parts of the Middle East. The fruits of the plant are consumed as food, and the fruits, leaves, and stem bark are traditionally used for various systemic disorders, including gastrointestinal, respiratory, urinary tract, and skin conditions, as well as menstrual irregularities. In our study, the anti-inflammatory potential and antimicrobial activities of aqueous-methanolic extracts prepared from ripe (MGRF) and unripe fruits (MGUF), leaves (MGL), and stem bark (MGB) of M. germanica were evaluated in vitro. Quercetin, catechin, epicatechin, ellagic acid, chlorogenic acid, and caffeic acid were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. MGL exhibited the strongest activity against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 8 µg/mL), while MGB was most active against Enterococcus faecalis (MIC = 4 µg/mL), and fruit extracts were effective against resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MIC = 16–32 µg/mL). Membrane-protective effects were more pronounced in MGUF and MGB, whereas MGL demonstrated the highest protein stabilization activity. Leaves also contained the highest levels of chlorogenic acid and epicatechin. These findings support the traditional use of M. germanica, though further studies are required to explore its therapeutic potential.

This study, which bridges the disciplines of archaeology and microbiology, examines the ancient bacterial communities and antibiotic-resistance genes in soil samples collected from İnönü Cave in Zonguldak, Turkiye. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive understanding of historical human activities and their influence on microbial communities. Soil samples were gathered from four distinct cultural levels from the Chalcolithic Age to the Early Iron Age. The microbial communities were characterized, and antibiotic-resistance genes were identified using high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes and metagenomic studies. This interdisciplinary approach not only enriches our understanding of ancient microbial communities but also opens up new avenues for research and collaboration. The results of our study showed a wide range of microorganisms, including prominent bacterial groups such as Acidobacteriota, Actinobacteriota, Bacteroidota, Chloroflexi, Cyanobacteria, Firmicutes, Myxococcota, and Proteobacteria. The study identified the presence of the tetracycline resistance gene tetA in Chalcolithic samples, the class 1 integron intl1 in Early Bronze Age samples, and the oxacillinase gene OXA58 in Late Bronze Age samples. These findings underscore the long-term impact of human activities on microbial communities, as antibiotic-resistance genes have been present and have remained over various historical periods, perhaps influenced by both human activities and environmental variables. This knowledge is crucial for understanding the resilience and adaptability of microbial communities in the face of human-induced changes. The coexistence of these resistance genes and alterations in the microbial population suggest substantial connections between human activities and soil microbiota. This study, which draws on the fields of archaeology, microbiology, and environmental science, offers valuable insights into the ancient microbial ecology and underscores the enduring presence of antibiotic resistance. It emphasizes the necessity of a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach, spanning multiple fields, to comprehend microbial communities’ evolution and resistance mechanisms in archaeological settings.