title: Phenolic contents and antimicrobial activity of squirting cucumber (Ecballium elaterium) extracts against food-borne pathogens.
abstract: Squirting cucumber (Ecballium elaterium), is an indigenous species of the south of Europe and the Mediterranean basin, sometimes cultivated for its use as a medicinal plant. This study compared phenolic contents in Ecballium elaterium organs and their antimicrobial activities against some foodborne pathogens. Our results indicated that the plant organs had different total polyphenol contents (ranging from 6.744 to 46.848 mg GAE g(-1) DW) the leaves and fruits contained about 6-fold higher phenol contents than the root. The same tendency was observed for flavonoid and tannin levels. An interesting antimicrobial activity was also observed against the food pathogens at concentrations ranging from 0.004 to 2.5 mg ml(-1). Ecballium elaterium extracts might therefore be a potential source of preservative candidates for use in food or pharmaceutical industries.
authors.affiliation: The Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Béja, University of Jendouba, Avenue Habib Bourguiba Béja, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Feten
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Abbassi
authors.affiliation: The Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Béja, University of Jendouba, Avenue Habib Bourguiba Béja, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Besma
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ayari
authors.affiliation: Aromatic and Medicinal Plants Unit, Biotechnologic Center Borj-Cedria Technopark, Hammam-Lif, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Baya
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mhamdi
authors.affiliation: The Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Béja, University of Jendouba, Avenue Habib Bourguiba Béja, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Lamjed
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Toumi
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018553:Cucumis sativus / Q000737:chemistry*; D005520:Food Preservatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D005520:Food Preservatives; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts