Origanum majorana L. is a widely used medicinal plant; its distilled oil and preparations are extensively utilised in the phytotherapy and food industries. The objective of this study is to evaluate the extracts and the essential oil (EO) of Origanum majorana L, and its monoterpenes for antimicrobial, bacterial multidrug resistance reversing, and biofilm formation inhibitory potency. The composition of EO and n-hexane extract was characterized by GC-MS. In the essential oil terpinen-4-ol (24.92%), trans-sabinene hydrate (25.18%), γ-terpinene (6.48%), cis-sabinene hydrate (5.44%), p-cymene (4.72%), sabinene (4.53%), α-terpineol (4.43%), and α-terpinene (3.00%) were found as the main constituents while trans-sabinene hydrate (1.43%), and terpinen-4-ol (0,19%) were detected in the n-hexane extract besides a series of hydrocarbons. The antibacterial activity of EO and terpinen-4-ol, α-terpinene, and linalool was also assessed against sensitive and drug-resistant S. aureus, and E. coli strains with MIC values of 0.125–0.250% and 30–61 µM, respectively. In the efflux pump (EP) inhibitory assay, made by the ethidium bromide accumulation method in E. coli ATCC 25922, and AG100 and S. aureus ATCC 25923, and MRSA ATCC 43300 strains, EO exhibited substantial activity, especially in the E. coli ATCC 25922 strain. Among the EO constituents, only sabinene was an EP inhibitor in sensitive Escherichia strain. In the case of S. aureus strains, EO and sabinene hydrate exhibited moderate potency on the drug-resistant phenotype. The antibiofilm effects of the samples were tested by crystal violet staining at sub-MIC concentration. γ-Terpinene, terpinen-4-ol, sabinene, sabinene hydrate and linalool were found to be effective inhibitors of biofilm formation (inhibition 36–86%) on E. coli ATCC 25922 and S. aureus MRSA ATCC 43300, while EO was ineffective on these strains. In contrast to this, biofilms formed by E. coli AG100 and S. aureus ATCC 25923 were significantly inhibited by the EO; however, it was not affected by any of the monoterpenes. This observation suggests that the antibiofilm effect might be altered by the synergism between the components of the essential oil.

Two experiments were conducted to assess the influence of sesame meal (SM) feeding on nutrient digestibility, N balance, milk production and composition, ewes’ body weight change, and growth performance of lambs. In experiment 1, 18 ewe lambs were randomly distributed into three diets to evaluate the effects of soybean meal replacement with SM on nutrient intake, digestibility, and N balance. Treatments were no SM (SM0), 7.5% SM (SM7.5), or 15% SM (SM15) of the dietary dry matter (DM). Aside from intake and digestibility of ether extract (EE), which was greater in the SM-containing diets compared with SM0, intake and digestibility of the remaining nutrients was similar among dietary treatments. In experiment 2, 30 ewes suckling single lambs were randomly assigned to the same diets used in experiment 1. Intakes of DM, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber were unaffected by treatment. Milk yield was greater in SM diets than in the SM0 diet. Cost/kg of milk production decreased while feed efficiency improved in the SM-diets compared to the SM0 diet. In conclusion, results of the current studies demonstrate the possibility of replacing soybean meal with sesame meal in diets of lactating Awassi ewes.

Background: The prevalence of obesity is increasing dramatically worldwide. Obesity injuries have been linked to the alteration of many health biomarkers in humans. Consuming a 2.5:1 ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 helps to restore standard health biomarkers. Hemp, the non-psychoactive variety of Cannabis Sativa L., has a long history of being used as a source of food, fiber, and medicine. One of its attractive features is the favorable omega-6:omega-3 ratio found in its seed oil (HSO), making it a promising functional food for mitigating obesity-related injuries. Methods: A total of 84 female Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups. Two control groups (n = 21 each) were fed with a standard diet supplemented with 10% HSO. Two other equivalent groups consumed a high-fat diet, and one was supplemented with 10% HSO. Rats were euthanized from each group at 5, 10, or 15 weeks to measure body weight change, food intake, and several health biomarkers. Results: The results demonstrated that body weight gain and triglycerides were lower (p ≤ 0.05) for the control group supplemented with HSO compared with the other groups. Adiponectin concentration was lower (p ≤ 0.05) in both the control and high-fat treated groups. Other biomarkers were comparable among treatment diets. Conclusion: Our results suggest the usefulness of HSO supplementation for the overall health status.

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Species belonging to the genus Origanum from the family Lamiaceae are used since ancient times as spices, medicinal, aromatic, and ornamental plants. Origanum majorana L. (syn. Majorana hortensis Moench), commonly known as sweet marjoram, is native to the Mediterranean region and cultivated in many countries of Asia, North Africa, and Europe. O. majorana is known for its antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antiulcer, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor activities [1]. Different types of terpenoids (mono-, di and triterpenes), and phenolic compounds (phenolic acids, hydroquinones, and flavonoids), are the most abundant constituents detected in sweet marjoram to date [2]. The present study aims to investigate marjoram, its essential oil, chemical compounds, and possible activities against bacteria, fungus, and other microorganisms, alone or synergized with other materials. Previously only the essential oil was studied in detail for these activities [3], but non-volatile compounds effective against microorganisms were not identified. Two samples of 'Hungarian' and one of 'Egyptian' varieties were involved in our investigations. Essential oils were obtained by steam distillation, and extracts of different polarities were prepared by a solvent-solvent partition of the MeOH extracts. Besides the dried leaves, stems were also extracted and subjected to essential oil distillation. The antimicrobial evaluation of 15 extracts and essential oils was made by disk diffusion and broth dilution methods against 9 bacterial and 1 fungal strains. Preliminary TLC tests showed no substantial differences in chemical profiles of the three samples of marjoram. The highest antibacterial activities were detected for the CHCl3 fraction of a Hungarian variety against Staphylococcus aureus, S. aureus MRSA, S. epidermidis, and Candida albicans.