Tea tree oil (TTO) from the genus Melaleuca L. has antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties and is used by the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and horticultural industries. In Pakistan, Melaleuca bracteata can be exploited for essential oil purposes, as this species is well adapted to Pakistan’s agroclimatic conditions. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the yield of M. bracteata essential oil together with its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties under local prevailing conditions of the subtropics. Essential oil was extracted through the hydrodistillation method. Using this method, six batches of 8 kg samples (fresh leaves and branches) underwent a distillation process for 4–5 h. The average yield obtained was about 0.2%. The GCMS was used to identify the components of extracted essential oil. Eugenol methyl ether is the major component in extracted essential oil, i.e., 96% of the total. A high content of flavonoids and phenolics and a Fe-reducing power ability of M. bracteata were observed. The oil was also found effective against B. subtilis, B. cereus, White rot, and A. flavus. Hence, it is concluded that there is a possibility to use TTO for its biocidal properties, and it must also be inspected and then commercialized in Pakistan by the agriculture and cosmetic industries.

Melaleuca is one of the genera of the Myrtaceae family enriched in tea tree oil (TTO). Tea tree oils of Melaleuca bracteata and Melaleuca alternifolia are of prime importance and have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Terpinen-4-ol and 1-8 cineole are major constituents of M. alternifolia oil. The percentages of the compounds in the oils can slightly vary according to the region of plant harvest, the distillation technique, or the part of the plant used for oil extraction. TTO has a bactericidal effect against various bacterial species such as Bacillus cereus, B. subtilis, E. coli, Pseudomonas putida, and S. aureus. Several reports proved that this essential oil is also effective against fungal strains of Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Candida species. It also has antioxidant properties such as radical scavenging activity and reducing power. The antioxidant properties of TTO at a concentration of 30 mM were observed to be greater than those of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), commonly used as a synthetic antioxidant. TTO is also an effective organic fungicide, herbicide, and insecticide for use in the agriculture sector. Postharvest application of the oil has been found efficient on sweet basil, citrus, and strawberry. It is concluded that tea tree oil has the potential to be used in the food, agriculture, and pharmaceutical industries as a natural antimicrobial and preservative agent. This review provides comprehensive information regarding the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of tea tree oil and its potential applications in agriculture.

Pesticides have a negative impact not only on the environment but also on human health. Therefore, alternative method of integrated pest management (IPM) is a suitable technique used to control insect pest and to protect the environment for the betterment of human health. It is a combination of biological, chemical, cultural and mechanical methods. All these methods are essentially integrated with each other. The purpose of the study was to identify the residual impact of pesticides on environment and health of sugarcane farmers; with special reference to integrated pest management. The study was conducted in District Rahim Yar Khan was taken randomly as a universe of the study from the province of Punjab. Tehsil Sadiqabd was selected randomly from District Rahim Yar Khan. Out of twenty-nine rural Union Councils (RUCs) of Tehsil Sadiqabad, two RUCs were selected purposively due to high production of sugarcane. From each selected Union Council, two villages were selected into account to investigate the health-related issues of sugarcane growers and its holistic effects on environment. A pre-tested and well-structured interview schedule was developed for the collection of information from sugarcane farmers. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The results indicated that various diseases were present among sugarcane workers due to residual impact of pesticides. The diseases were skin burning, skin infection, nausea, chest pain, diarrhea, respiratory problems, hypertension, convulsion, bleeding, cramping, nausea, asthma, fever, dizziness and vomiting. It also indicated that pesticides affects the natural enemies of sugarcane, physical structure of soil, climatic condition, increase resistant in sugarcane pests and cause environmental pollution. The results revealed that the majority of the respondents were unable to practice IPM due to lack of technical knowledge, practical skills and awareness related to the identification of sugarcane pest and their management. Results indicated that IPM technology is a source of reduction of pesticides, protect environment and human health. The study recommended that awareness regarding integrated pest management should be promoted through proper campaigns to overcome the blind use of pesticides for mitigation insect pest of sugarcane.

Capsaicinoids are pungent alkaloid compounds enriched with antioxidants, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, analgesics, anti-carcinogenic, anti-obesity and anti-diabetic properties. These compounds are primarily synthesised in the placenta of the fruit and then transported to other vegetative parts. Different varieties of capsicum and chillies contain different capsaicinoid concentrations. As capsicums and chillies are grown extensively throughout the world, their agricultural and horticultural production leads to significant amount of waste generation, in the form of fruits and plant biomass. Fruit wastes (placenta, seeds and unused fruits) and plant biowaste (stems and leaves) can serve as sources of capsaicinoids which can provide opportunities to extract these compounds for development of nutraceutical products using conventional or advanced extraction techniques. Capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin are two most abundantly found pungent compounds. Considering the health benefits of capsaicinoids, these compounds can help in reducing metabolic disease complications. The development of an advanced encapsulation therapy of safe and clinically effective oral capsaicinoid/capsaicin formulation seem to require evaluation of strategies to address challenges related to the dosage, limited half-life and bioavailability, adverse effects and pungency, and the impacts of other ligands antagonising the major capsaicinoid receptor.