Introduction: Folkloric claims have surrounded essential oils, including their enhancement of learning and memory through inhalational exposure. Few studies in humans have shown a benefit in cognition, albeit incremental. However, this benefit may not be entirely attributable to the essential oil aroma but may be confounded by psychological associations. We investigated rosemary, peppermint, lemon, and coffee aromas in a learning and memory model of Drosophila melanogaster to eliminate this confounder. Methods: We screened for concentrations of the four treatments that are non-stimulatory for altered locomotory behavior in the flies. At these concentrations, we determined if they were chemoneutral (i.e., neither chemoattractant nor chemorepellent) to the flies. Learning and memory of the flies exposed to these aromas were determined using an Aversive Phototaxis Suppression (APS) assay. Results: The aromas of rosemary, peppermint, and lemon that did not elicit altered mobility in the flies were from dilute essential oil solutions that ranged from 0.2 to 0.5% v/v; whereas for the aroma in coffee, it was at a higher concentration of 7.5% m/v. At these concentrations, the aromas used were found to be chemoneutral towards the flies. We observed no improvement in both learning and memory in the four aromas tested. While a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in learning was observed when flies were treated with the aromas of rosemary, peppermint, and coffee, a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in memory was only observed in the peppermint aroma treatment. Conclusion This study demonstrated that in the absence of psychological association, the four aromas do not enhance learning and memory
Drosophila melanogaster ; Learning ; Memory ; Rosmarinus ; Mentha piperita ; Citrus ; Coffea

Background: Tapuy is an indigenous fermented rice wine produced in the Northern areas of the Philippines. Fermented foods and drinks have gained interest due to their associated health benefits, attributable to probiotic bacteria in the food items. However, pathogenic bacteria may also be present in fermented food and pose health risks, signifying a need for standardization. Currently, there is limited knowledge on the bacterial content of tapuy. Objectives: This study aimed to characterize the bacterial diversity and community structure of culturable bacteria in traditionally fermented tapuy samples, to perform standardization of tapuy fermentation, and to compare the bacterial diversity and community structure of culturable bacteria in laboratory fermented tapuy with that of the traditional samples. Methods: Tapuy samples were obtained from four municipalities in Benguet, Philippines. Laboratory fermentation of tapuy was performed simultaneously with the fermentation in the sampling site using a standardized protocol. Samples were plated on de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) agar and NA, and the colonies were harvested for DNA extraction. DNA samples were sent for 16S rDNA metagenomic sequencing. Results. Metagenomic analysis revealed the presence of many bacterial species that were previously unreported in tapuy. Traditional tapuy samples were composed primarily of members of the genera Bacillus and Lactobacillus in varying proportions. Potential probiotic bacteria were abundant in Kapangan (97.42%) and Sablan (99.89%) field samples. B. wiedmannii was present in all samples and was identified as a harmful species. Laboratory fermentation increased the abundance of potential probiotic bacteria in Itogon and La Trinidad samples (differences of 75.36% and 78.36%, respectively). It decreased the quantity of B. wiedmannii in La Trinidad (a difference of 97.1%). Laboratory fermented samples generally exhibited higher bacterial diversity and species richness compared to field samples. Conclusions Traditionally fermented tapuy samples contained a significant proportion of potential probiotic bacteria belonging to the genera Bacillus and Lactobacillus. Laboratory fermented samples were found to have higher bacterial diversity and richness compared to field samples. The significant presence of potential probiotic bacteria suggests that tapuy is a good candidate for development into functional food and a good source of likely probiotic species that could be explored for health applications. The presence of harmful bacteria suggests the need for possible standardization of fermentation practices.
Food Microbiology ; Fermented Foods ; Wine

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of seven edible mushrooms in the regeneration rate of planarian Dugesia hymanae (D. hymanae). Methods: The ability of D. hymanae to regenerate was used to test extracts of seven mushrooms to reduce regeneration time, using eyespot and tail formations as endpoints. The planarians were amputated and were allowed to heal and regenerate in planarian water (control) and varying concentrations of Crude Ethanolic Extracts (CEE) of the seven edible mushrooms. The CEE with the most significant effect in reducing the regeneration time will be further sub-fractionated into hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol solvent extracts. Results: In untreated planarian water, amputated planarians' eyespot and tail formations took 4.65 (SD 0.34) and 4.1 (SD 0.21) days, respectively. The CEE of four mushrooms (Shiitake var Benguet, Tea tree, Shiitake var flower, and Black & White) significantly reduced the regeneration time, with Shiitake var Benguet extract reducing the regeneration time the most at 2.56 (SD 0.30) days and 2.61 (SD 0.22) days for both eyespot and tail formations (P<.0001) respectively. The solvent extracts of the Shiitake (Benguet variety) did not reduce the planarian regeneration time relative to the control (P>.05). Conclusion Lentinula edodes (L. edodes) [Benguet variety CEE] had reduced the regeneration time most significantly for both the eyespot and tail formations compared to the other six tested fungi extracts. The L. edodes (Benguet variety) CEE may contain compounds that can hasten the regeneration of the planarian D. hymanae.
Wound Healing ; Regeneration ; Agaricales ; Planarians

Objectives: Probiotic supplementation often only leads to transient improvement in the gut microbiome. Potential prebiotics, such as the oligosaccharide-rich varieties of Dioscorea esculenta tubers, can potentially bridge the gap between supplementation and persistent colonization. Thus, this study aimed to assess the ability of D. esculenta tubers to promote the growth of probiotic Lactobacillus sp. in vitro selectively.

Methods: The prebiotic activity of the selected varieties of Dioscorea esculenta tubers was evaluated via compe titive growth assay, wherein the ratios of probiotic Lactobacillus sp. over enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) or "prebiotic ratios" were compared following treatment.

Results: Negative control (0.9% NaCl solution) produced a ratio of 0.88, Lowland and Highland varieties produced ratios of 1.26 and 1.29, respectively, and positive control (inulin) produced 1.54. The two varieties had comparable ratios to one another (p > 0.05), and significantly higher ratios than the negative control (p < 0.05). Both varieties have significant prebiotic activity. Compared to inulin, the two varieties' prebiotic activity was 84% as effective.

Conclusion: Overall, the tubers promoted the growth of Lactobacillus sp. over ETEC. The crude tuber samples, given their availability and affordability, can be easily integrated into the local diet to contribute to the improvement of the general population's health.

Background: Consumption and abuse of alcohol remains a significant cause of concern worldwide. Furthermore, there is evidence of the association between chronic alcohol use and reduced life expectancy. Objectives: To study the effects of Garcinia binucao extract (GBE) supplementation on lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster, in the presence or absence of chronic alcohol exposure. Methods: D. melanogaster was mass cultured and given GBE supplementation in high (1 mg/mL) and low (200 µg/mL) sublethal doses. D. melanogaster flies were divided into groups - with and without chronic alcohol exposure, and their respective lifespans were monitored. Results: In D. melanogaster without alcohol exposure, mean lifespan was highest in the control flies (38.15 days), followed by high-dose GBE (34.42 days), low-dose GBE (33.24 days), and DMSO (22.29 days). In D. melanogaster chronically exposed to alcohol, the longest mean lifespan was observed in flies treated with high-dose GBE (33.80 days), followed by low-dose GBE (33.63 days), the DMSO group (30.30), and the control group (29.65 days), but the differences were not statistically significant. Comparing groups with and without chronic alcohol exposure, the mean lifespan of the control group chronically exposed to alcohol significantly decreased by 9.51 days (p < 0.05). In GBE treatment groups, mean lifespan significantly decreased by 0.82 days in high-dose set-up (p < 0.05), and significantly increased by 0.39 days in the low-dose set-up (p < 0.05) upon chronic alcohol exposure. Conclusion Garcinia binucao extract supplementation ameliorated the observed reduction in lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster chronically exposed to alcohol.
Drosophila melanogaster ; Longevity