text
stringlengths 239
574k
|
|---|
The rule, when it comes to battling prohibitions, seems to be the badder the thing, the better the lobby. Of New York City’s many bans—against ferrets, small planes, cell phones in schools, smoking in bars, beekeeping, lead paint—the one proposed, this month, against trans fats is neither the most nor the least contentious. This situation presents some difficulty, at least in terms of political mobilization. In the absence of any standing organization pledged to uphold the interests of nacho munchers and shortcake fiends, cholesterol defenders have been forced to proceed ad hoc. So far, they comprise a ragtag band.
The fat lobby’s strategic operations are being run by administrators on loan from other groups: Richard Lipsky, of the Neighborhood Retail Alliance (the other N.R.A.), and the New York State Restaurant Association’s Chuck Hunt. The corporate guns—McDonald’s and the manufacturers of the hydrogenated oils that the plan seeks to eliminate—have been oddly missing from the debate. Lipsky has worked on campaigns involving Wal-Mart, street furniture, the bodega tax (against), and the legalization of garbage disposals (for); in his opinion, the concern about trans fats is legitimate, though he believes that the city’s lack of communication with small businesses presents “a real élitist issue.” Hunt cultivates a temperate stance—“The ban should take place on a voluntary basis, over a longer period of time”—and has emerged as the group’s Ken Mehlman, composing a trans-fats questionnaire, which he mailed to about four hundred of the N.Y.S.R.A.’s members. Of the forty-two responses he received, many evinced commitment to the cause (“I object to the idea that N.Y.C. restaurants are somehow responsible for individuals’ lack of nutritional moderation,” “What’s next: Bacon! Sausage! Cakes!”) while others seemed unconcerned (“Hi, Chuck!”). One respondent wrote that he had switched to canola oil fifteen years ago and added, “We also offer tofu jack cheese made from soy, as well as non-fat sour cream to replace regular sour cream and cheese which can be substituted in any of our menu items.”
If Lipsky and Hunt are the policy wonks, then Louis Nunez, the president of the local Latino Restaurant Association, has emerged as the man on the ground. (The Axis of Trans Fats, he explained later, is largely Latino/African-American/Chinese.) Nunez spreads his energies among several movements. “I’m involved with Let Free Children, H.I.V. outreach, and the Federation of Hispanic Chambers of Commerce,” he said. “And I sponsor a Little League team.” Last Thursday, he embarked in his black minivan on a listening tour of the boroughs. His first stop was in Hell’s Kitchen, at a Cuban restaurant called Azucar.
William Giraldo, the day manager, was on duty. “So what’s up, Louis?”
Nunez launched into his spiel: many Latino restaurants hadn’t received an explanatory mailing from the Health Department; customers won’t like the new taste; and—tweaked for the Cuban beat—what is this, a Communist country?
Giraldo explained that his chef had stopped using trans fats six months ago, but added, “Guys in Italian food, they don’t have this problem, because they use olive oil. They are not going to suffer a lot in terms of the sauces, but maybe when it comes to baking.”
Back in the van, Nunez headed uptown, to Spanish Harlem. He spotted a Jamaican restaurant and decided to pop in. A man and a woman sat at a front table with a stack of bills.
“Hola, you giving money away? You guys cook with trans fats?”
They ignored him.
“I don’t know what it is, but it sure smells delicious,” Nunez said, to no one in particular. He left.
At El Coqui, a cuchifritos joint on Third Avenue, a cook told Nunez that the boss had come in just the day before and told the staff that they had to switch frying oils. Nunez bought a taco, a chicharron de puerco, two alcapurrias, and a few pieces of pernil.
He took them back to the van, and said, “I’m pretty sure they still use trans fats.” He thought that the cook had panicked, assuming he was a health inspector. Nunez took a bite of a greasy, golden alcapurria. “Nope! It’s lighter and it doesn’t have the good trans-fat taste. It’s flat. Normally, I would never add salt, but this needs it. I’m not even going to finish.” He wrapped the half-eaten patty in a napkin and stuffed it in a paper bag.
Half an hour later, he’d made it to the Bronx, to canvass Joe Torres, at Joe’s Place. Torres was unaware of the proposed ban and uses lard, a trans fat, in such dishes as mofongo and his special Pork Chop Can Can.
“They’re trying to make changes,” Nunez said, “without consulting people like you, who are experts in the industry.”
“I change my grease two times a week,” he said.
“So if you switch to non-trans-fat oil, you’re probably going to have to change it three times,” Nunez said. “Did you get a letter from the city?”
Torres seemed calm; the last time he’d had a problem with an ordinance, something about Dumpsters, he’d worked things out after bumping into the borough president in Home Depot.
The coalition is far from a united front, and other members are more combative: the chef Jimmy Bradley (of the Red Cat in Chelsea), who received two stars from the Times and likes to make biscuits with shortening, advocated a form of civil disobedience, suggesting the notion of a Crisco speakeasy. “We’re gonna cook whatever we want to,” he said, “no matter what law they pass.” The pan-activist Audrey Silk, a retired cop and former Libertarian candidate for mayor, is perhaps the movement’s earliest and truest believer. In her role as the founder of a group called CLASH (Citizens Lobbying Against Smoker Harassment), she presciently heckled Mayor Bloomberg in 2002 at a smoking-ban hearing—“I know that you love to eat chunky peanut butter with bacon and bananas. How about I come out and start a campaign to tax that bacon?” For years, she’d been warning Chuck Hunt, “Food will be next!” The other day, over the telephone, she said with satisfaction, “I’ve been giving him I-told-you-sos up the ying-yang.” |
By Mavic Conde
Luz Gamba-Catindig of Sorsogon in the Bicol Region simply wanted to learn beekeeping and give back to nature through this. Little did she know that it would also be a source of income through agri-tourism and more.
Her Balay Buhay sa Uma Bee (BBU) Farm in barangay San Roque in Bulusan town is a techno-demo farm in beekeeping with kiwot the native stingless bees and a tourist attraction at the same time.
Among the first beneficiaries of beekeeping training at the farm are couple Leony and Dennis Dominguez, who are among the farm’s first full-time employees and are now doing the training for interested members of the community via government-sponsored programs. The farm also attracts crop growers interested to learn beekeeping, as well as tourists, for it offers a farm living experience.
What are kiwot bees?
Kiwot bees are the Philippines’ native stingless bees. They have all the features of a honey bee, except without the sting. These bees pollinate high-value crops like mango, pili, and coconut. According to Dr. Cleofas Cervancia of UPLB Bee Program in her report for the first World Bee Day, kiwot bees visit more economic plants than other bees; and for that, she said this should make beekeeping with kiwot bees a part of climate change mitigation. And with this typhoon-prone province, these bees can help with faster recovery of plants and crops through intense pollination.
At BBU, kiwot bees are used as calamansi pollinators and for its annex farm – the Villa Corazon Farm also in San Roque – and also as coconut pollinators.
According to Catindig, their coconut harvest has increased by up to 50 percent through kiwot pollination. “Even after typhoons, fewer premature coconuts fall,” she said.
That is because kiwot bees, being so tiny like ants, can penetrate the flowerettes, thereby pollinating and making them typhoon-proof, former consultant to BBU Flordeliza Palconitin-Broqueza explained. It was also Flor who suggested that Catindig should venture into coconut farming because kiwot bees are excellent pollinators. According to Cervancia, kiwot bees can increase coconut harvest by up to 80 percent and it is a good thing that they bear fruit all-year round.
A tribute to Rodolfo Palconitin
Catindig considered the late Rodolfo “Tio Ompong” Palconitin as one of her two mentors in beekeeping with kiwot bees.
He and his daughter Flor lived at the farm for several years to supervise the then budding bee farm. Tio Ompong used his coco technology (coco shell bee housing) for BBU, with added metal roofs.
Flor relayed that her father would bring home kiwot colonies from the wild, which he would place in the open space on the underside of their roof. Later, he would learn that the kiwot bees form round-shaped pollen and honey, giving him the idea for his coco technology.
“Farmers that are starting out can make do with simple coco technology (sans the metal roof),” said Flor. That’s why at their home in Guinobatan in Albay, she keeps her coco technology simple.
“I don’t want to make it look intimidating for farmers with limited start-up resources.” In the Philippines, one of the reasons beekeeping hardly takes off is the need for high input. Propagation of technologies like these can help make beekeeping accessible to poor farmers.
UPLB Bee Program
Catindig’s other mentor is Dr. Cervancia, who suggested that she try kiwot bees after her failed attempts with imported bees. She attended the UPLB Beekeeping training and later was referred to Tio Ompong, whom the program administrators had also sought for expert opinion. His practical knowledge in beekeeping with kiwot bees is a result of curious interest since he was a teen.
With constant supervision from her mentors and continuous training here and abroad, the budding bee farm is now the successful agri-ecotourism BBU farm that we know.
The farm now has bee products like honey and propolis drops, as well as non-food products. It provides full-time and part-time employment in the community, all of whom are family people. Tourists wanting respite from the city stay at the farm and are served organic food.
Most importantly, beekeeping cultivates one’s protective sense for the environment. At BBU, there are plenty of organic plants useful for the bees, nearby water sources and vegetation that otherwise might be considered by others not useful.
Bee hunters from the wild now understands the effect of burning trees for honey, which they have learned from trainings and now have their kiwot colonies at home. Thanks to the local government of Bulusan for adopting the project.
Beekeepers have to protect the environment because their livelihood depends on it, not to mention the add-on products these bees create for crop growers that use these bees for pollination and the possibility of supplemental income through agri-tourism.
With such a win-win package, kiwot bees are indeed the bees of the future.
For reservations and more information, contact (02)986-4355/09127907046 or e-mail [email protected]. |
Winter is not a ‘down time’ for beekeepers, rather it is the little space of time that we have for reorganizing, cleaning, rebuilding, repainting our woodenware, purchasing new equipment and generally getting ready for the coming year. I have found that beekeeping is not a static learning process, rather it is ongoing and changes each year as I move from getting bees the first year to harvesting honey the second year, to raising queens the next, and so on. Each year brings a new lesson and a new level in the process.
The most important thing the beekeeper does is to learn the way of the hive. I would invite you to check out the ‘Learning” section of the webpage as there are interesting and helpful items hidden there, also check out the Alabama Beekeepers Web page and read up on the latest information coming from our friends at Auburn where new research is being done. Dig out the books that got you started on this journey and reread the articles you have marked as important information.
This is the time when treatment for Varroa is vital and can be most effective when there is little brood in the frames. Each beekeeper must choose their own way of maintaining treatments, and make sure to have the equipment or supplies with which to work. Winter is not the time to rest, poor beekeeper but is a time to gather resources and plan for the next season.
Planning is an important tool that the beekeeper must use wisely. If you check the top bar of this page you will find a tool for monitoring the progress of your hives. There are others, but the most important part of monitoring the hives is keeping good records consistently. Memory not as dependable year by year then a notepad and pen along with some ‘crib’ notes that will come in handy when making decisions about the hive. Have your plan made well in advance so that you have the equipment and resources ready when they are needed.
Beekeeping is, like farming, dependant on the weather and the seasons and the weather is ever changing but cyclical. Learning to recognize the growing seasons of the trees and plants, learning the developmental stages of the bees from egg to forager and the laying patterns of the queen is necessary for our education and the success of the hive. |
To stay up to date with the latest information in the beekeeping industry to may visit our beekeeping latest news. On the other hand if you’re new to apiculture and would like to begin professional beekeeping now download a copy of our beekeeping for beginners ebook.
Beekeeping can be a full-time profession or a hobby that is simple. Nonetheless, more often than not, what started as a hobby would become a profession. But you cannot only tell and determine yourself you will begin to do beekeeping. Before starting on any avocation or profession, you need to have comprehension and sufficient knowledge on the field that you’re going to enter. Then it’s about time to indulge yourself in your line of interest if you really have been putting off your curiosity about beekeeping for quite a long time. Bee farming may not appear difficult; by learning the basic beekeeping lessons, you can be got away to a great start.
What does a beekeeper need to understand?
On beekeeping to start at the right foot you should have interest that is complete. You have to spend time taking care of your own colonies of bees. You should have also agreed to share your house space with the bees. There are potential risks in beekeeping that can harm you but your family also. Your focus isn’t just to earn money by selling honey; a great beekeeper should have fire and a keen interest in rearing bees.
An apiarist ought to know the right location for the beehives. If you decide to put your beehives you need certainly to make sure that beekeeping is allowed in your town. There are several areas confined to beekeeping; you need to get permission relating to this.
Beekeepers must know whether beekeeping supplies are available in the area where the beehives are situated. You may never know when you have to attend a nearby beekeeping shop; it is best that a nearby beekeeping shop is not inaccessible.
Protective supplies and equipment are also very important to beekeepers to know. Beekeepers are prone to bee stings; the ensemble that is correct must be worn during beekeeping sessions. Understand the appropriate suit to choose to keep you from any possible danger in beekeeping.
Last but definitely not the least, among the beekeeping lessons you should know is that: it is not unimportant for the beekeeper to understand the appropriate way of harvesting honey. In case you are incapable to harvest honey all the efforts that are beekeeping would be ineffective. The methods should be known by a beekeeper in collecting the honey in the comb; beeswax is also part of the yields in beekeeping. |
It’s been just over a year since I returned to my hometown, and I am finally ready to admit that I have left my life a digital nomad.
Despite the rising popularity of the gig economy and the appeal of working from anywhere, I never intended to become a freelance writer. Up until my late twenties, I had always done work that involved my body and that wasn’t in front of a computer screen. From teaching yoga to giving Thai massage to stripping to beekeeping to costume design to sailing, I loved learning new skills and getting paid in the process. What’s more, I didn’t care about having a career. With a fine art degree, my main priority was to live an interesting life and work was simply a means to that end.
Like most of the jobs I did in my twenties, I came to freelance writing out of an urgent need for money. I had just finished a three-year stint working and living abroad between Bali, New Zealand, Australia, and Thailand. I was on my way back to Canada to visit family before going to the Caribbean to work on superyachts. In a moment of money-related panic, I created a profile on Upwork and gradually worked my way up to better-paying projects and clients. Five months after that, I landed my first major client, and working online became my full-time job.
Instead of going to the Caribbean, I spent a year in Vancouver. I started studying coaching as a way to tie together my eclectic life experiences. When I had to move out of my apartment suddenly, I took the opportunity to relocate to Costa Rica. I thought I was living the dream. It was only a matter of time before I had recouped my losses from my past travels and could start paying off my student loans. For six months, it seemed like I was on track. I ate fresh papaya for breakfast, surfed every sunrise and sunset, and made regular payments towards my debt.
Then, my computer broke, and my life as a digital nomad erupted. Getting it fixed was going to take weeks and cost me just as much as I had bought it for. Buying a new one would be double what I had originally paid. On top of that, I had just turned 30. Not only was I not debt-free as I had planned to be by that birthday, but I was also in a lot more debt than when I’d set that goal for myself. After almost five years of being a nomad, the dream I thought I was living revealed itself to be what it really was: a financial hell of my own making.
I had been repaying my debt but had no savings, no assets, and nothing put away for retirement. While I didn’t wake up at 30 wanting to replicate the suburban life of my childhood, I also didn’t want every unexpected expense to lead to a full-blown panic attack. Without a working computer, I had to give up all my clients and my only channel of income. What’s more, it would cost me less to fly home and get my computer fixed in Canada than it would for me to try and find a solution in Costa Rica. So I packed up my life again and got on a plane.
When I landed in Windsor, a place I swore I’d never return to live when I left for university at 18, I was still in denial that my finances were as bad as they were. It would take me a few months to acknowledge that I’d been living beyond my means for many years. It would take a few months after that for me to accept that I wasn’t going to be returning to my life as a digital nomad anytime soon. This caused me some anxiety initially; I had become attached to my identity as a traveler and was unsure of who I was without it.
Unlike previous stopovers in my hometown, this time I made an effort to get out of the house and meet people. First, I joined a local gym with a welcoming and diverse community. Then I began to spend more and more time in nearby Detroit. While Windsor had changed very little in the past 12 years, since its bankruptcy in 2013, Detroit had become a vibrant city full of amazing and still affordable restaurants, a mix of emerging and established artists, and socially-conscious small businesses founded in the spirit of the area’s blue-collar work ethic.
Detroit is the kind of up-and-coming city I have only ever dreamed I’d be a part of. When I finished my fine art degree in Toronto, I was exhausted after seven years of working full time and being a full-time student. Then burnout landed me in the hospital two weeks before graduation, and I abandoned my creative practice in favor of travel. Despite this, everywhere I went, I kept hoping I would find a creative community that would guide me back to making art. As it turns out, the thing I was looking for was in my own backyard all along.
Over a year after returning to my hometown, I have become a part of a writer’s room in Detroit that has reintroduced me to my creative practice. Through this space, I have also made new friends, including someone who I’m now co-writing a TV show with. I’m starting a podcast and am building out my coaching practice. I go to at least a couple of readings or creative events every week and am getting into really good shape. Being closer to my family has allowed me to be more present in those relationships, and I have more time to stay in touch with my friends abroad.
While there are parts of my life now that are much less glamorous than when I was a digital nomad, I am really happy. I might have a long way to go before I’m debt-free and have predictable income as a writer and coach, but I’m no longer racing towards those goals. Instead, I’m allowing myself to enjoy the stability I do have access to while satisfying my need for inspiration in Detroit and fulfillment in the creative projects I’m working on. Never in a million years would I have thought that this is where I’d end up, but I’m really grateful that I did.
Of course, I look forward to traveling in the future in different ways. But for now, both my bank account and I are relieved that my life as a digital nomad is over.
Image via Unsplash |
Tonight kicks off our Sustainability on Tap series. First on tap, will be the Mysteries of Solar. Join the Delran Green Team at Throwbacks Bar and Grill at 6:30 July 25. Great way to learn your options if you’re looking at adding solar.
The Delran Green Team has invited experts on a variety of topics to share their knowledge with the residents of Delran as part of our Sustainability on Tap. Stop by Throwbacks on Monday’s and grab a drink and sit back and enjoy. We’ll be there at 6:30pm and speakers will start at 7pm.
On July 25, first on tap, “The Mysteries of Solar”. Jonathan Manazec from Trinity Solar will speak about residential solar systems including the costs, benefits and incentives. If you’ve been considering buying or leasing solar panels, this is a talk you don’t want to miss.
On August 1, we have lined up two speakers for “Public Works and Playgrounds”. First up, at 6:30pm will be Jerry DeSanto, Delran Township’s Recycling Coordinator and Superintendent of Public Works. Learn about our recycling effort and how you can be a better recycler. At 7:15, Arthur Ashton, Executive Director for “Build Jake’s Place”. Delran’s Community Park is the second location planned for Jake’s Place Boundless Playground. Opportunity to hear about the plans and how you can get involved.
On August 8, Mike Haberland is an Environmental and Resource Management Agent for the Cooperative Extension of Camden County, Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. He’ll have us “Singing in the Rain” with his talk about harvesting stormwater with rain gardens and rain barrels. Definitely great ideas that you can take home. We’ll have a few rain barrel kits.
On August 15, Bob Hughes, Beekeeper. Learn about the “Secret Life of Bees” and the importance services bees provide. Bob has been keeping bee hives for over 35 years. He teaches a bee-ginning class at Rutgers University and is a hive inspector for the Department of Agriculture. He’ll talk about beekeeping, honey and the concern of the decline of bees. You’ll have an opportunity to taste honey produced by local bees. Sure to be a fun time. Definitely “family friendly” talk.
On August 22, will tap out with “It’s Electric” by Dan Riggle, an Account Executive with Schneider Electric, serving school districts, colleges and universities, and municipalities in New Jersey. His goal is to help these entities become more energy efficient and sustainable. He’ll provide information on the NJ Clean Energy Program’s incentives for homeowners and renters and well as the energy efficiency program, Schneider Electric is implementing for the Delran Board of Education.
Bring your family and friends to one or all happy hour “Sustainability on Tap” events. Print out our flyer so you can mark the ones you don’t want to miss.
WHEN: June 8th at 7pm
WHERE: Delran Township Municipal Building
This is our regular monthly meeting. All are welcome to attend. If the door is locked please call (609)217-2875.
Review and approve June meeting minutes
Green Team Shirts
Burlington County Farmer’s Market
Community Forestry Grant
Sustainability on Tap
Open Space plan |
After receiving a federal government grant to grow the international market for Australian manuka honey in March, the Australian Manuka Honey Association received extra support from the industry body.
Australian Honey Bee Industry Council has committed $50,000 to help the association protect and promote the global appeal and awareness of the honey.
This money will help in the association’s fight against New Zealand honey producers’ attempt to trademark the word “manuka”, council executive director Trevor Weatherhead said.
“At present, a group within New Zealand is trying to trademark the term ‘manuka honey’ globally,” Mr Weatherhead said.
“The suggestion that only honey from New Zealand can be described as ‘Manuka’ is not credible and is strongly refuted by the Australian honey industry.”
Manuka, or Leptospermum scoparium, is believed to have originated from Tasmania.
“Since beekeeping was introduced into Australia, we have had a long history of producing manuka honey and have been selling manuka from Australia for many years,” he said.
Australia is home to the largest diversity of Leptospermum plants in the world, with more than 80 species, while New Zealand has only one species (Leptospermum scoparium).
Native Leptospermum plants are found throughout Australia.
Tasmanian Beekeepers Association president and association member Lindsay Bourke said member spoke with council representatives on Wednesday night to decide the next steps.
“The association needs different levels of support. We are also going to seek more support at the AGM on July 1,” Mr Bourke said.
Association chairman Paul Callander said Australian manuka producers would prefer to work in partnership with New Zealand than argue about a descriptive term.
“As long as Australia is allowed to use the term ‘Australian manuka’, we have no issues and would work with New Zealand to commit to a co-funded global marketing campaign telling the world about the health benefits of manuka from both Australia and New Zealand,” Mr Callender said.
The US Intellectual Property office has rejected the New Zealand twice application on the basis that “manuka” is a descriptive term only, indicating the honey is derived from Leptospermum, regardless of the region, he said. |
(QCOSTARICA) Agricultural losses in Costa Rica from droughts and heavy rains this year are expected to exceed last year’s emergency conditions.
Costa Rican agriculture is likely to experience major damages this year as a result of extreme weather expected to be brought on by El Niño, the country’s Meteorological Institute, according to Prensa Latina.
El Niño, a climatic phenomenon originating in the Pacific Ocean that can trigger floods, droughts, and other extreme conditions around the world, is predicted to unleash an intense weather event this year disrupting regular climate patterns.
Costa Rican meteorological investigators predict that adverse weather conditions, including drought in the country’s Pacific Coast and Central Valley and heavy rains for Caribbean and northern regions, may extend into the beginning of 2016.
The difficult climatic conditions are expected to impact livestock raising, beekeeping, basic grains cultivation including rice, corn, and beans, as well as the country’s large fruit and sugarcane production, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
In 2014, Costa Rica provided emergency support to agricultural producers as the country struggled with El Niño weather events, experiencing crop loss amounting to US$13 million.
The Ministry of Agriculture (MAG) predicts the severity of this year’s agriculture losses will exceed the 2014 agricultural emergency.
Traditionally an agricultural economy, Costa Rica employs about 14% of its labor force agriculture, which makes up about 6.5 percent of the country’s GDP.
This article was originally published by teleSUR |
To be updated with the latest in the beekeeping industry to can visit our beekeeping latest news. On the other hand if you’re starting apiculture and desire to begin professional apiculture today download a copy of our beekeeping for beginners ebook.
Beekeeping, like every other activity, has its dos and don’ts. Start beekeeping generally includes the needed gear and purchasing bees. However, some individuals who are beginning this avocation generally make a few mistakes. It’s acceptable to make mistakes, and this article can help new beekeepers avoid making precisely the same mistakes others have in the past.
Here are three errors which every beekeeper should avoid:
1. Not knowing the best time to begin hobby or a beekeeping business can prove to be a catastrophe. It often leads to some loss of cash and your bees. Since most bees perish during the winter winter is the worst possible time to start. This would drive a beekeeper to purchase a new mountain of bees, which would be more expensive cash. Autumn is another inferior time since you will find fewer flowers, hence a smaller quantity of honey picked to begin beekeeping. The best time to begin beekeeping is during summer, which can be the time of the year where there are lots of flowers that are blooming.
2. Purchasing used gear and old books. This is a standard mistake made by many start beekeepers. It’s understandable that one would need to conserve money as much as possible, but buying used old and gear beekeeping books isn’t a great idea. First, used equipment can come with “familial” problems. The extractor factory outlet might have a leak, or the uncapping knife mightn’t be sharp enough to uncap all the wax. This would definitely change the quality of one’s honey, which will ben’t an ideal situation especially if a beekeeper is intending to start a honey-selling company. Second, old books can supply information that is out-of-date on beekeeping. One might be stuck using the conventional approach when there are better and more rapid methods to maintain beehives and production honey.
3. Refraining from buying protective gear. Think about this. He/she will come out as a pincushion with all the bee stingers stuck to their body, if one doesn’t wear protective gear when handling the hives and collecting the honeycombs. Protective gear is not cheap, yes, but it is going to help beekeepers avert having to pay medical bills.
These three blunders are presented here to help they are avoided by future beekeepers. Before getting started beekeeping, it’s best to consult a professional beekeeper. If purchasing a particular thing seems overly high-priced, consistently think about the end price ( in case that they do not buy this item now, will it cost them more later on?). Ultimately, it is up to the person to decide the best plan of action. |
To be updated with the latest in the apiculture industry to can check out our apiculture latest news. On the other hand if you are beginning beekeeping and would like to begin professional beekeeping today get a copy of our beekeeping for beginners ebook.
Beekeeping, like every other activity, has its own dos and don’ts. Start beekeeping usually involves buying bees and the needed equipment. However, some individuals who are starting this avocation generally make a few mistakes. It is acceptable to make mistakes, and this post can help new beekeepers avoid making the same mistakes others have previously.
Here are three blunders which every beekeeper should prevent:
1. Not knowing the best time to start avocation or a beekeeping company can end up being a calamity. It may lead to some loss of cash and your bees. Winter is the worst possible time to begin, since most bees die during the winter. This would drive a beekeeper to purchase a fresh batch of bees, which would cost more money. Autumn is another lousy time to begin beekeeping, since there are fewer flowers, thus a smaller quantity of honey harvested. The best time to start beekeeping is during summer, which is the time of the year where there are plenty of flowers that are blooming.
2. Purchasing used gear and old books on beekeeping. That is a standard mistake made by many beginning beekeepers. It is clear that one would want to cut costs as much as possible, but buying used gear and old beekeeping books isn’t a great thought. First, used gear can come with “inherited” issues. The extractor factory outlet might have a leak, or the uncapping knife might not be sharp enough to uncap all the wax. This would certainly impact the quality of one’s honey, which will ben’t an ideal situation particularly if a beekeeper is intending to start a honey-selling company. Second, dated info can be provided by old books on beekeeping. One might be stuck using the conventional approach when there are better and more rapid ways to keep beehives and manufacture honey.
3. Refraining from purchasing protective equipment. Think relating to this. He/she’ll most likely come out as a pincushion with all the bee stingers, if one does not wear protective equipment when handling the hives and collecting the honeycombs. Protective equipment is not cheap, yes, but it will help beekeepers avert having to pay medical bills.
These three blunders happen to be presented here to help they are avoided by future beekeepers. Before getting started beekeeping, it’s best to consult with a professional beekeeper. If buying a certain thing looks too expensive, consistently think about the ending price (if they do not buy this thing now, will it cost them more later on?). In the end, it is up to the person to decide the best course of action. |
National 4-H Beekeeping Composition Contest
The Facial foundation pertaining to typically the Upkeep for Honies Bees offers released the particular question regarding their 2019 beekeeping essay or dissertation contest:
"Honey Varietals, Point out that will State"
Each container about darling reflects any unrepeatable arrangement from conditions, dirty, climate and also a flower bouquet. Every one condition has exclusive darling varietals which beekeepers can easily market place to their particular buyers.
Please recognize a single completely unique varietal for you to the status as well as focus on a flower’s originality and also precisely how beekeepers may well comfortably marketplace who varietal.
In a person's essay, delight comprise a pic from the particular varietal’s flower, a great interview through a new prc gov ph bedroom task now let september 2015 beekeeper who gathers the following varietal and also any formula who demonstrates a varietal.
Put upon a Reasoning Cap!
An fundamental knowing requirement can be this setting of researching most people use to fruition with producing a concepts powering ones composition, as well as it all accounts pertaining to 40% about an individual's scores.
The selection in suppliers employed, this power for that solutions and even all the wide variety about all the companies are all of the looked at. Personal interview through beekeepers and other folks knowledgeable utilizing this content are treasured places for information and facts together with need to get documented.
Note that “honey bee” can be accordingly spelled since not one but two key phrases, even even though numerous usually respected references cause the item seeing that an individual word.
Contest will be open up to dynamic 4-H Team members only.
4-H’ers what individuals possess previously positioned to start with, following, or simply third during all the National amount are actually Definitely not eligibility; though additional think those who win can be suitable to re-enter.
Education Software -- Certification Contests
Enrollees have got to write concerning the actual chose issue just. Now there definitely will become Very little exceptions.
First Prize: $750.00
Second Prize: $500.00
Third Prize: $250.00
The three or more prize-winning documents will certainly become circulated on ABF Quarterly, that newspaper associated with the Usa Beekeeping Federation.
All experts of works uploaded towards typically the indigenous levels of competition might acquire a specific reserve at darling bees, beekeeping and / or honey.
Overview about Rules:
1. Fight is definitely open to help you activated 4‐H club individuals mainly. 4‐H’ers which have beforehand positioned initially, secondly, or even 3rd with a domestic stage are usually not likely eligible; some other declare invariably winners can be qualified to make sure you re‐enter.
2. Requirements (failure to help you satisfy every an individual disqualifies):
- Write in the actual chose area of interest only.
- All informative terms need to often be referenced by means of bibliographical‐style endnotes.
- A transient biographical draw about aboriginal europe articles essayist, together with time for birth, sexual category, comprehensive posting deal with, e-mail home address and even cellphone telephone number need to come with all the essay or dissertation upon a fabulous distinguish website page.
- Length about typically the essay: 750 in order to 1,000 sayings (The word of mouth count number really does never feature the actual endnotes, typically the bibliography as well as work references, or perhaps the actual essayist’s biographical sketch).
Young Naturalist Awards
- Prepare your current dissertation double‐spaced, 12‐pt. Circumstances or simply related choice font, pursuing a good normal manuscript formatting. Submit when a good Microsoft Word of mouth similar value document or a new standardPDF document. Any digital file types which can't possibly be popped or simply read through by simply a family court judges definitely will turn out to be disqualified.
Contests & Handbook
Essays may always be judged relating to the particular adhering to criteria:
- scope from study ‐ 40%
- accuracy ‐ 30%
- creativity ‐ 10%
- conciseness ‐ 10%
- logical growth connected with this issue ‐ 10%.
4. Individual essayists might not really send submission moves straight for you to the Basis just for the Preservation in Baby Bees place of work.
Essays should really turn out to be posted as a result of email that will Jon Zawislak, University about North dakota Ext Apiculturist, by just February 15, 2019 (late blog posts will probably not even get accepted).
Make sure you put in a essay with electronic mail to: [email protected], with “4‐H Beekeeping Essay” for the particular theme lines in your inbox. a earning essay or dissertation coming from The state of arkansas might turn out to be sent in order to all the Footing for the purpose of that Preservation for Sweetie Bees poppy homework entry in to the actual domestic matchup.
NJ Preservation 2019 12-monthly Poster Contest
5. Conclusions crafted by just typically the trustees from the particular Base to get that Maintenance connected with Baby Bees in nation's judging can be last. All domestic rivalry articles turned into the actual real estate in the actual footing and also may well possibly be utilized for the reason that it recognizes compliment.
No documents should become returned.
6. All the state victorious could come to be launched while in the first 7 days with Can 2019.No-Till Being Organic: Fellow travellers, Arthropods & Nourishing any Soil.
7. If everyone get just about any thoughts, an individual might possibly contact Molly Sausaman, Business Home, Facial foundation to get typically the Maintenance connected with Sweetie Bees by 404-760-2875 and / or by simply e mail located at [email protected]
Download your printable rendition with the actual rules |
The Creative Citizens’ Variety Pack (2014) is a collection of practical case studies: 12 diverse, inspirational community projects, all making use of digital tools in creative ways for social benefit, with suggestions and advice from the people involved.
Along with projects from the three strands of the Creative Citizens project—hyperlocal publishing, community-led design and creative networks—we invited contributions from people working on interesting projects around the country, from beekeepers to bakers, storytelling to social media, and newspapers to graphic novels. Many of these projects are part of Connected Communities, a UK-wide programme designed to help connect community groups with academic research, jointly funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
▶ Lockton, D., Greene, C., Casey, A., Raby, E., & Vickress, A. (Eds.) (2014). Creative Citizens’ Variety Pack: Inspiring digital ideas from community projects, London: Royal College of Art. ISBN 978-1-907342-97-4.
   Â
Our aim is for the Variety Pack to offer you something useful, whether you’re currently involved in a community project yourself, are looking for future ideas for your group, or just consider yourself a ‘creative citizen’. It’s intended as a practical complement to some of the more academically focused outputs from the Creative Citizens project. The book was designed by Lizzie Raby and Abbie Vickress, and edited by Dan Lockton, Catherine Greene, Alice Casey, Lizzie Raby and Abbie Vickress.
Foreword by Alice Casey, Innovation Lab, Nesta, looking at practical creativity and sharing knowledge
Welcome to the Creative Citizens’ Variety Pack, by Dan Lockton, Catherine Greene, Lizzie Raby and Abbie Vickress, Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, RCA.
Some useful resources and search terms, suggested by our contributors.
Download this section (PDF)
Reflective Citizens: Some Creative Tactics for Communities
A short article by Ann Light, Northumbria University, discussing techniques for reflecting on what you do, as a way of supporting creativity in communities.
Download this section (PDF)
Supporting Each Other Locally
These case studies are about using digital media to bring people with something in common together, connecting and supporting each other in their local area.
Louise Dredge and Charlotte Blakemore
Tidworth Mums wanted to support local families and help engage their wider community. They created a Facebook group to share information about local activities and services with other members of the local community.
Social Media @ Allsorts
Allsorts Youth Project, Brighton
Social Media @ Allsorts is a LGBTU (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and unsure) youth engagement project, exploring and using digital and social media to inform, campaign and reflect on the issues LGBTU young people face.
Connect Cannock Newspaper Pilot
Jerome Turner and Dave Harte
Connect Cannock is a ‘hyperlocal’ news website serving a community where the local newspapers have ceased publication. In this project, Connect Cannock, together with researchers from Birmingham City University, encouraged local people to participate in the introduction of a new printed newspaper, which brought the website to the attention of a wider cross-section of the community.
Two projects about enabling people’s voices to be heard, locally and beyond, using digital tools to create and share.
The Story Machine at The Mill
Dan Lockton, Catherine Greene, Alan Outten, Lizzie Raby and Gail Ramster
The Story Machine is a mini-cinema/puppet booth/ video camera which enables the community’s stories to be told, seen and heard more widely and more easily, through a combination of digital technology and engaging ‘low-tech’ activities.
David McGillivray, Jennifer Jones, Alison McCandlish and Gayle McPherson
The Digital Commonwealth (DCW) project enables people and groups to make the best use of creative tools and digital technologies to tell their stories, making the process more accessible.
These projects are all about bringing together physical spaces with digital tools, enabling new opportunities for communities to make a difference locally.
Wards Corner Community Plan
Katerina Alexiou, Theodore Zamenopoulos and Giota Alevizou
Wards Corner Community Coalition wanted to find a more compelling and convenient way to engage their local community in developing their own vision for the area. They used the Stickyworld platform to create a 3D environment online that would help people engage in planning, and confront other plans for the site.
Play Your Place
Ruth Catlow and Mary Flanagan
Play Your Place is a framework of playful, social drawing events and simple online game-building tools through which people draw, make and play games to develop a collective vision of their future locality.
Open Planning is a Liverpool-based project aiming to empower and engage citizens in the local planning process, through a mobile phone app which improves communication channels with local authorities.
Homebaked: An Oven at the Heart of Anfield
Homebaked is a community-owned bakery and community land trust in Liverpool, developed through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. It provides local people with a choice of healthy food, job and training opportunities and a community meeting space.
Building Skills Through Making Together
Projects that are about communities creating and learning together, using digital tools to make craft, art and technology for themselves.
Tell Tale Technology is a community project using the swipe technology found in contactless payments to enable digital storytelling, by linking textiles to video, audio, and photographs.
Bee Lab is a project about enabling the beekeeping community to enhance care for bees, by harnessing the power of open design, DIY technology and citizen science.
Emma Agusita, Jonathan Dovey and Shawn Sobers
Indigo Babies is a graphic novel, in both print and digital formats. It is published by the Bristol creative youth network South Blessed, to fund opportunities for young, creative people.
Contributors and organisations featured
Emma Agusita, Giota Alevizou, Katerina Alexiou, Charlotte Blakemore, Alice Casey, Ruth Catlow, Jonathan Dovey, Louise Dredge, Mary Flanagan, Catherine Greene, Dave Harte, Olu Jenzen, Jennifer Jones, Samantha Jones, Rachel Keller, Ann Light, Dan Lockton, Alison McCandlish, David McGillivray, Gayle McPherson, Alan Outten, Robert Phillips, Lizzie Raby, Gail Ramster, Lara Salinas, Shawn Sobers, Jerome Turner, Abbie Vickress and Theodore Zamenopoulos.
Allsorts Youth Project, Brighton; Birmingham City University – Birmingham Centre for Media & Cultural Research; Blackburn Girl Geeks; Connect Cannock; Engage Liverpool; Furtherfield; Homebaked Community Land Trust; Horizon Digital Economy Research; Lancaster University – Creative Exchange; Lancaster University – HighWire Centre; Liverpool City Council; Liverpool John Moores University; Liverpool Vision; Nesta; Northumbria University – School of Design; Open University – Department of Engineering & Innovation; RedNinja; Royal College of Art – Design Products; Royal College of Art – The Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design; South Blessed, Bristol; Technology Will Save Us; The British Beekeepers’ Association; The Glass-House Community Led Design; The Honey Club; The Mill E17, Walthamstow; Tidworth Mums, Wiltshire; Tiltfactor; University of Brighton – School of Art, Design & Media; University of Liverpool; University of the West of England – Digital Cultures Research Centre; University of the West of Scotland – Media Academy Knowledge Exchange; Wards Corner Community Coalition.
With special thanks to: Ingrid Abreu Scherer, Vince Baidoo, Louise Dredge, Margaret Durkan, Ian Hargreaves, Gail Ramster and Harriet Riley. And to Dareece, Emma, Jerome, Giota, Margaret and Caroline for helping put the Variety Packs together. |
To stay updated with the latest in the apiculture industry to can check out our beekeeping latest news. On the other hand if you are starting apiculture and desire to begin professional apiculture today download a copy of our beekeeping for beginners ebook.
Beekeeping, like every other action, has its dos and don’ts. Beginning beekeeping usually involves the equipment that is needed and buying bees. Nonetheless, some people who are beginning this avocation usually make several mistakes. It’s ok to make mistakes, and this article can help new beekeepers avoid making the same mistakes others have in the past.
Here are three mistakes which every beekeeper should prevent:
1. Not knowing the best time to begin a beekeeping business or avocation can prove to be a calamity. It may lead to a loss of cash and your bees. Since most bees perish during winter months, winter is the worst possible time to begin. This would induce a beekeeper to buy a fresh batch of bees, which would cost more cash. Fall is another lousy time to begin beekeeping, since there are fewer flowers, consequently a smaller number of honey picked. The best time to start beekeeping is during summer, which is the time of the year where there are plenty of blooms that are blooming.
2. Purchasing used equipment and old books. This can be a typical mistake made by many start beekeepers. Purchasing used equipment and old beekeeping books is not a good idea, although it is understandable that one would need to cut costs as much as possible. First, used gear can come with “familial” difficulties. The extractor outlet might have a flow, or the uncapping knife might not be sharp enough to uncap all the wax in one go. This would certainly impact the quality of one’s honey, which will ben’t an ideal situation particularly if a beekeeper is intending to begin a honey-selling business. Second, old novels can provide information that is aged on beekeeping. One might be stuck using the conventional approach when there are quicker and better means fabrication honey and to keep beehives.
3. Refraining from purchasing protective gear. Think about this. He/she’ll most likely come out as a pincushion with all the bee stingers stuck to their body if one does not wear protective equipment when handling the hives and gathering the honeycombs. Protective equipment is not cheap, yes, but it is going to help beekeepers avoid spending medical bills from all the bee stings.
These three blunders happen to be presented here to help future beekeepers avoid them. Before getting started beekeeping, it truly is best to consult with a specialist beekeeper. If buying a certain item appears too high-priced, constantly think about the ending price ( in case that they do not purchase this thing now, will it cost them more later on?). Finally, it’s up to the person to decide the best plan of action. |
What to See in Patmos
THE MONASTERY OF ST JOHN
The first thing you notice on Patmos is the monastery of St John the Divine or the Evangelist. It crowns the hill of Hora. It looks like a Byzantine castle and was built like a fortress. Its presence is overwhelming. It was founded in 1088 by Ossios Christodoulos following a grant by the Byzantine Emperor Alexios I. Komnenos.
The monastery’s walls are over 15 meters high, its length from north to south is 53 meters and from east to west 70 meters. It seems even larger when you stand at the entrance, noticing its thick walls and heavily reinforced door.
Above the entrance several meters high there is a small opening from which burning hot oil, water, even lead was poured over to attack pirates and other invaders trying to break the gate, this opening was called "the killer", and was considered the last resort for keeping the Monastery safe.
The monks used to sound the bells to warn the people of Patmos to take refuge behind the fortified walls of the monastery, keeping Christianity safe as was intended by its founder, the blessed Christodoulos.
The main entrance is on the north side. There is a smaller entrance on the south side that is now closed off.
The monastery was not fully complete in 1088 and changed along with the wants and needs of the monks and the church.
The oldest parts are the eastern and northern sides; they can be distinguished by their irregular shaped walls that were constructed in haste during the first years in order to complete the protection of the area.
As you enter the gate you come to the main courtyard laid in by local pebbles and stones. Looking around you notice many different levels as a result of rearrangements and additions that have taken place over the centuries .
In the centre of the courtyard there is a round covered structure that looks like a well. It is in fact a very large jar that was once used to store wine and now contains holy water.
To your left is the main chapel, one of the first buildings to be erected in 1090.
As you face the main chapel (catholicon), there are four arched colonnade s and behind them the outer narthex that has wall paintings, the upper paintings are from the 17th century and represent different miracles performed by Saint John the Divine. The lower date from the 19th century.
To the right of the main chapel is the chapel of the Holy Christodoulos. Inside it are the skull of St Thomas, pieces of the Holy Cross and other religious relics.
Inside the main chapel you will notice the overwhelming and three dimensional carved wooden iconostasis, dating from 1820 this iconostasis replaced an older one from the 15th century, which in its turn had replaced the original marble one that Hosios Christodoulos had placed. The current iconostasis is a gift from Nektarios, the Patmian metropolitan of Sardis and was made by 12 wood carvers from the island of Hios. Its detail is astonishing and leaves visitors gazing visitors speechless.
The acoustics of the room are incredible. Listening to Byzantine hymns during mass is an unforgettable experience.
The Orthodox Church does not allow more than one ceremony per alter, per day so the monastery has 10 chapels, three of them are outside the boundaries of the monastery. At the entrance in the north is Saint Apostles, Saint George is to the east and Saint Fanourios on the west of the monastery. Inside the monastery are the chapels of Holy Christodoulos, St Nicholas, St John the Baptist, St Basil, The Holy Cross, All Saints and the chapel of the Virgin Mary.
To the right of the main church is the chapel of the Holy Christodoulos, inside are his remains as he requested after his death in 1093.
Also next to the main church, is the chapel of The Virgin Mary. The wall paintings of this room and in the main chapel date back from the 12th century and onwards. No words could sufficiently describe their beauty.
Behind the chapel of The Virgin Mary and extending to the south is the refectory where the monks ate their meals together. It is a rectangular room about 50 square meters and 8 meters high, there are two long tables covered with marble. There are niches in them where monks placed their personal items and beautiful frescos and wall paintings dating back to 1180.
Across the main courtyard on the first floor , is the old bakery, where the remains of a huge stone oven can be seen and a long wooden trough where the monks used to kneed their bread.
These were built in 1088 and are mentioned in the writings of Holy Christodoulos when he elected a man from the brotherhood, to become responsible for the running and maintenance of the room, a man he referred to as “the cellar man”.
The museum is located next to the bakery and has an entrance fee of 6 euros. It was also erected by the Blessed Christodoulos who bequeathed to it his most precious icons listed in his will. It's an amazing collection of icons, original manuscripts from the bible, objects of silver and gold, sacred relics, vestments embroiled with silver or gold threads, coloured silk threads and bejeweled with precious stones to list a few. Most of the items within the museum , have to be seen to be properly appreciated.
The Blessed Christodoulos also founded the monastery library. When he arrived on the island he brought with him his personal library including manuscripts from the monastic area of Mt. Latmos. The library is now home now to more than 3000 printed books, 900 manuscripts and 13000 documents dating back to 1073.This room is not open to the public except by special permission , usually for Byzantine and biblical scholars.
The rest of the monastery consists of 2 treasures treasuries, the monk's cells, the flourmill, store rooms, a conference room and a research room with new books and magazines. All these areas are not open to the general public.
MONASTERY OF THE REVELATION
96AD: in a grotto on Patmos the beloved disciple of Jesus, St. John the Apostle had a vision, a vision of the world to come. His student, Prohoros, wrote down this vision by order of the Lord, and it is known as the 27th and final chapter of the Holly Bible.
The spot around the cavern was the one initially chosen for the monastery of St John. Upon his arrival Osios Christodoulos decided, to build it instead on a higher point (current position) making it less vulnerable to raids.
Wanting to fulfil his wishes, he built a hermitage, covering the cave at its core. He started off by closing off the cave with the building of a chapel, he named it St Anne after his mother, the Virgin Mary's mother and the mother of emperor Alexios I. Komnenus, who was called Anne Dalassini and it was she who advised her son to cede the island of Patmos to Ossios Christodoulos.
Entering the cavern you realize its natural positioning and why the Lord picked this particular place in the world to reveal the Apocalypse. The rock formation is volcanic and rare, taking 100's of years to cool off, it shines at some points from the water that was trapped in it without vaporizing.
To the right there is the sacred cave and church of Saint John the Divine. In the centre between the cave and the chapel the low rock ceiling reaches out in clear threefold split, the sign of the Holly Trinity, it is also the sign that the orthodox pilgrims shape their fingers into to make the sign of the cross starting from their foreheads.
Looking closely at the three - part rock you will notice that it is very odd that a rock should split in three like that, there is no logical explanation of the shape of the rock except that it was through there that God communicated with Saint John giving him the vision of the Apocalypse.
In the back of the cave there is a fenced off section were a niche in the rock shows were the saint laid his head to rest. To the left if you look closely you will see a relief of a Greek cross that locals believe was not done by human hands.
A little higher to the right there is another niche, where he held on to the rock to raise himself up from his resting place and to lean against while dictating the words of god to his pupil Prohoros who stood next to him, on a natural rock desk that can still be seen.
Continuing right and close to the entrance, a narrow channel in the rock that miraculously provided water to the both of them, from a spring that cannot be found to date.
There is a monk and/or spiritual leader that will guide you through the cave awaiting you at the entrance, although it is recommended to sit on one of the stools and sink in the energy of this miraculous cave that some believe is one of the great mysteries of the world. In the monastery complex there are also two more churches, one of St. Artemios (18th century) and St. Nickolaos, monk cells, and other facilities as would be expected in a monastery, most of which were built by Osios Christodoulos and his men in 1088
According to historians St. John and Prohoros stayed 18 months on Patmos, and then returned to Ephesus, the place they were exiled from for preaching in the Lord's name. There, they wrote the 4th book of the New Testament.
NUNNERY OF THE ANNUCIATION
The convent of the Annunciation or Evangelismos is situated on the southwest side of Hora overlooking the Bay of Kypos (gardens) and is about a 15 minute walk from the bus station.
The convent started off as a small chapel with a hermitage until 1613 when Nikiphoros, an abbot from the monastery of St. John the Divine, renovated the building and dedicated it to Luke the Evangelist.
The hermitage was then supplemented with new buildings in 1937 by the monk Amphilohios Makris thus founding the Convent of the Annunciation.
The sisterhood is home to over 40 nuns who apart from praying, occupy themselves with social welfare, gardening, beekeeping and Byzantine embroidery called the"spitha" (spark).
The same stitch was used to make embroidery for aristocratic Byzantine families from the time of Hosios Cristodoulos.
The convent consists of the church Evangelistra (our lady of the Annuction) connecting with the side chapel of Agios Loukas (St. Luke) and the chapel of Agios Antonios (St. Anthony) situated in the tower of the convent.
The icons in the church date back to the 15th, 16th and 17th century.
Zoodohou Pigis is a womens' convent in Hora that was founded by the abbot of the monastery of St. John, Parthenios Pangostas in 1607.
It’s a 5-minute walk from the monastery and not touristy making it peaceful and fulfilling.
Even though it's under renovation (and will be so for a while due to lack funds), the little you see of the convent is enough to make it worth the effort.
The courtyards are filled with bougainvilleas and other flourishing flowers well taken care of by the nuns.
There are two churches inside, Zoodohou Pigis and St. John the theologian, both have icons of the 16th to the 18th century.
Apart from philanthropic work the nuns also make incense and sow or embroil religious garments.
The island's capital Patmos or Chora (Hora) is built 3 km southwest of the harbour (Skala).
It spills under the walls of the monastery of St.John like roots of a tree. Many islands have villages called Hora. They are usually the main village s and first settlement s making them the oldest developed areas on their island.
Hora of Patmos is many times been referred to as the queen of all Hora's, not only because of the monastery, but for the Byzantine residences that are unique to the island and said to be the strongest built in the Aegean .
Whitewashed houses, mansions, captain's residences, narrow streets and alleyways, all of which date back to the 15th century, are one of the reasons why this Hora is evidently one of the most expensive areas in Europe. Bought out mainly by foreigners the houses in Hora are in high demand.
Walking in Hora during a sunny mid day would not be recommended, the whitewashed houses reflect the sunlight making it tiring and straining for the eyes and skin. The afternoon and morning sunlight really give the alleyways a more Byzantine aura and a night walk is considered very romantic.
There is a donkey track going from Skala to Hora build in 1794 by the metropolitan of Sardes, Nektarios. It starts about 1 kilometre in from the port, and takes about 25 minutes to walk up to Hora . We recommend you take a bus or taxi up and walk your way down the donkey track through the pine forest to the cave of the Revelation and then to Skala. Otherwise it's a 4.5km drive on asphalt road lined with eucalyptus trees and pine forests.
HISTORY AND HOUSES OF HORA
The first dwellings were built around 1130 when the monastery monks called upon the remaining inhabitants (mostly builders of the monastery and their families) to take up resident close to each other and the monastery walls forming anouter wall, so when invaders came they could seek refuge behind its walls keeping the community and Christianity safe.
The houses were built in rows, their thick walls were much higher than the roofs to discourage climbing over them. Inside the walls five doors locked interconnecting passageways. Other islanders near and around Asia Minor flocked to Hora to escape from the Turks for centuries to come.
As more came to seek refuge a new outer wall of houses had to be made, this meant the breaking up of some of the old homes, into smaller ones to accommodate more people.
Extension of the passageways and two more locked doors also had to be made. As time went by and the fear of pirates died away, homes and mansions turned into ruins and locals relocated taking remainders of the old buildings (stone and wood) to new locations reforming Hora into what it is today.
One of the oldest buildings still standing in Hora would have to be the Sophouliou mansion (1522), it was built as a self sufficient complex with large ovens, storage rooms and rooms for security personnel . Another traditional Patmian home is the Simandiri mansion, which today serves as a museum.
Around the 16 th century Skala was one of the most important commercial ports in the Mediterranean it was originally made up of warehouses and maintenance facilities for local and incoming ships. The buying and selling of loot from pirates and the making and export of woman's stockings and embroidery were the major economical assets to the island and its people. At sunset everyone would return to their protected homes in Hora via the steps (skala).
The first homes were built in the beginning of the 19th century when European ships chased off the pirates of Turkey, Arabia and other countries. The Greek government under military dictatorship in 1972 built the current port.
Skala is now the most populated and visited place on the island. It offers most of the public services and being the island's only port it has a selection of supermarkets, gift shops, restaurants, hotels, cafeterias, bars and everything you would expect to find in a commercial harbor .
Skala has taken the role of "the city of Patmos" while at the same time it preserves a warm island atmosphere as would be expected from such a historic port. The mix of people you see is a show of history repeating itself, and although you won't find any pirates, you will meet people from all over the world coming either for spiritual enlightenment, relaxation and/or a good time.
About 200 meters from the port is the beginning of the beach Agios Theologos (Saint Theologian). It is a sandy beach which is very popular on weekdays with the locals because they can take a quick dive, refresh themselves and go on with the ir daily duties.
There is a row of snack bars along the beach making it very convenient for tourist s on cruise boats, or day trippers from nearby islands who don't have a lot of time: they can swim eat and leave.
At the end of the beach there is fenced of section with a sign saying that this was the spot that saint john baptized the first Christians on the island in approximately 95AD, apparently there is a spring that runs under the beach to the sea, making that section of the beach extra refreshing.
Five meters onwards you will find the church of St John (on the other side of the beach) . This is where the new marina begins.
All roads lead to Skala on this island so chances are you will be passing through Skala several times a day, everything you need to see and do is within walking distance so park in one of the 3 free parking spots, the less traffic, the better for everyone.
Grikos bay is situated in the southeast. It is approximately 4.5 km from the port in Skala. The road runs parallel to the coast making walking to and from Skala very beautiful and popular especially for joggers.
The bus stops by several times a day leaving you 50 meters from the beach.
There are taverns, a rent-a-bike with a cafe, hotels and apartments, a kiosk and heaps of sand to lay your towel on.
Grikos is a popular settlement during the summer because it is quieter than most towns around the island, especially during high season (August). Its beach is the longest in island with crystal clear waters and tamarisk trees for shade.
Tragonissi ("ram island") populated only by goats and a goat herder, faces the bay protecting it from bad weather (except SE winds) and making it perfect for yachts and boats to stop by or moor on the jetty that has a depth of 2 meters.
Most of Grikos has a view of Petra or Kalikatsou (as most locals know it). It is a landmark and sits like a monument of Grikos.
Kambos is approximately 6 km from Skala. There is an upper (Ano) and a lower (Kato) Kámbos also known as Kambos Beach.
Ano Kambos is built around a picturesque square with a beautiful church on one side and tasty taverns, a kiosk and a cafe on the other.
The church of the Annunciation (Evangelismos) was built by the villag ers in 1937, they are very proud of it and celebrate there everything from Easter to weddings keeping a very tight community, but at the same time keeping an open mind to tourists who have built homes around this little expanding village.
This locality is where the craftsmen and artists that built the monastery lived with there families.
The church of Agios Nikolaos (St.Nicholas) that the bay was named after, is one of the oldest on the island, it was built in the 11th century for and by the craftsmen and their families.
It has a very old icon of St Nicholas that was brought to Patmos by workers from Trebizond in Asia Minor, and is believed to perform miracles.
In the Greek orthodox faith St Nicholas is the guardian of the sea and seamen. You will notice that a lot of boats and caciques have been named Agios Nikolaos in order to keep them and their men safe at sea.
It is believed that the bay and town are named so because when approaching by sea a light guides you towards the safety of the bay.
There is a long beach that is fairly rocky, it will take you about 15 minutes to walk down, even though there is a dirt road it is not recommended to ride or drive down.
The water is very clean and clear as would be expected by the Icarion Pelagos, but rubbish often gets washed up which discourages most people to swim. |
You guys may have heard a lot about glamping over the years: the luxe way to camp which basically involves turning up at a site to a premade semi-permanent dwelling, usually made of heavy canvas, to enjoy the outdoors without the slightest bit of inconvenience. Well, that’s all well and good if you have deep pockets and you don’t really enjoy camping, but if you’re into going outdoors and you want to introduce a bit of glam to your campsite on a budget, here’s the post for you! Get ready for possibly the most shallow discussion of tents and accessories you’ve probably ever read… Continue reading
I love October because it’s got all my favourite things – Halloween, the start of autumn… and my birthday! This year I went to an escape room in my home town before a meal at Mango Thai Tapas – the escape room honestly wasn’t that brilliant, but it did inspire me to try out my own!
My husband got me a beautiful pair of Monica Vinader earrings – as seen on the Duchess of Cambridge (naturally!). They’re my first pair of MV earrings and I absolutely love them – the packaging is gorgeous! (You can find the earrings online here.)
October is also the start of the party season for me – from here on in it’s three months of birthdays, celebrations and family meals. It can be difficult to find something sophisticated and low-effort to keep your guests happy in the time between when they arrive and the start of the festivities, so I was really excited when The Fish Society offered me some sturgeon pâté to try! It’s so handy to keep in the cupboard and bring out as a canapé! I heaped it on crackers with a slice of lemon, and Alastair Blair, founder of The Fish Society suggests serving it on Melba toast with a sliver of dried tomato – or for a luxury touch, some grains of caviar! Find the pâté here and the caviar here – and check out their gift section too for some great ideas for Christmas!
I’ve been spending a few days in London recently, mooning around Jo Malone counters and wishing I could nab one of those gorgeous advent calendars… But, they cost £280 and are sold out – my credit card breathes a sigh of relief!
I’m also still thrilled about the Halloween afternoon tea at Lancaster London – they have regular themed teas throughout the year so don’t worry if you missed out! Find them here (you won’t regret it – the head chef, Ben Purton – is a genius!)
Another tradition at this time of year is to head to Fortnum & Mason to check out their glorious Christmas room… I have to get some of the themed felt decorations; there are so many gorgeous London ones I just need. I mean, how can you resist?!
F&M have really knocked it out of the park with their seasonal selections this year. At the beginning of the month, I headed to London with my husband for my birthday and had a blast taking a look at both the Halloween and Christmas displays at the department store. I’ll save the Christmas pics for now, but I thought I’d share these spooky visual treats with you in celebration of Halloween tomorrow!
There will definitely be some lucky trick or treaters in London tomorrow if these goodies are anything to go by! You can order online at http://www.fortnumandmason.com/, or pop into the store at 181 Piccadilly. If you’ve never been, you really should visit this most beautiful and historic department store – and if you’re already a regular, I hope I’ve induced you to pop in again to see their amazing seasonal displays!
Personally, I am lusting over that lollipop, those skulls, and those darling little hampers. I’ve always wanted a F&M hamper, and those ones with the orange ribbons are just too adorable!
As I may have mentioned before, I’m a huge fan of French Sole, and when a pair of sandals I’d been lusting after for weeks came up in their sale – but not in my size! – there was nothing to be done except to get myself posthaste to my nearest FS store in order to bag a pair in person. The only issue with that is that my nearest FS store is in King’s Road, about an hour and half by car or between two to three hours on public transport. So, of course, this meant a day trip to London, and negates any savings I may have actually made on buying the shoes full price. But that is just a minor detail, so there’s no need to bring that up.
In order to get to the French Sole shop on King’s Road via the Tube, you face a pretty long walk from Sloane Street or a shorter one from Kensington, which then takes you along Fulham Road. This then takes you past an Amanda Wakeley store (Kate Middleton fans take note!) and a Butler & Wilson shop, which is a treasure trove of gorgeously over the top accessories. You then can then pass through any of the residential streets that connect Fulham Road to King’s Road, and soak in the beauty of Chelsea living – I am so jealous of some of these beautiful front doors!
King’s Road itself is a stomping ground for the Middleton sisters (and their glam mother, Carole, of course), and Bluebird has hosted many a cosy family lunch and is definitely worth visiting. Quite a few of the shops on King’s Road will be recognisable to a Kate Middleton fan (like an awesome L.K. Bennett clearance store!), but it was one shop in particular that I was honing in on!
Inside French Sole’s Chelsea branch, the sales were in full swing and the sales assistants were run off their feet getting different sizes and styles for their customers – always with a smile, I have to add. Luckily, they had a pair of the beautiful sandals I was lusting after in my size, so after purchasing I immediately put them on in order to get some wear out of them before autumn well and truly took over!
After that it was time for me to run loose in London – I didn’t have a lot of time, but I was able to visit the Burberry store on Regent’s Street (more on that in another post!) as well as to pop into Fortnum & Mason!
I adore honey (on toast, mixed with yogurt and fruit, eaten straight from the honeycomb… Love it!) so I was really excited to see the display celebrating London honey (this festival continues until 13 October). Plus, there were loads of gorgeous Halloween goodies – and the Christmas store was open on floor three as well.
Yup, it was a pretty good day…
I’ve been fascinated by Pitcairn honey for a while. I have no idea how I first heard about it, but once I had, I was hooked on the concept. This honey is produced in very small quantities, and is one of the rarest honeys in all the world. It’s only produced on Pitcairn Island, which is where the survivors of the mutiny on the Bounty now live. Now, to me, that’s amazing. This tropical island, near New Zealand, received a grant from the UK government in 1998 in order to fund beekeeping on the island, and I think it was money well spent!
This honey is pretty hard to get hold of. You can order it directly from the island, but the shipping is expensive, and it takes a long while to turn up. I’m the only person who eats honey around here, so the idea of bulk buying honey from a tropical island seemed a bit insane, even by my standards, so I’d pretty much given up on getting any – until I found a pot in Fortnum & Mason last year! My lovely friend Lorraine bought me a pot for my birthday – and it was pretty steep, at £10.95. For novelty value (and because I wasn’t buying it…!) I thought it was a good deal – and then I tasted it.
This is the best honey I’ve ever had in my life.
I’m not a honey expert, but I do love eating it. My favourite kind of honey is the set type, on toast, but I love runny honey on yogurt, as a sweetener – I even love honeycomb. I’ve tried manuka honey, local honey, lavender honey – I’m a fan of honey, let’s just say that. But this honey is like honey made by the gods. It’s got a very weird texture – it’s grainy, and neither very clear, not set – and I think by the time it’s arrived in the UK, it’s slightly fermented as well, but the taste of it is just amazing. There’s a definite tang of tropical paradise in there – you can really taste the blossom of the island’s mango, guava and passion-flower trees. I even love the strange texture – it’s especially good on hot toast! To be honest, I’d never tasted a honey before with such a distinctive taste and personality – there’s no way I’ll ever forget the taste of Pitcairn honey. It’s a shame it’s so expensive, but then again, I’d happily pay £10.95 again for such a gorgeous product!
I have to say, I’m a huge stickler for anything ‘British’. I’m a definite patriot, and there’s nothing more I love to do than indulge in quintessentially British experiences, like cream teas, picnics, visiting castles, and the like. I’m like a tourist in my own country, sometimes!
One of my favourite foodie places in London is Fortnum and Mason. If you’re not familiar with it, it’s like a foodie department store in Piccadilly, full to the brim with tourist-trap style products like biscuits in a tin, and the like. Because it has links going way back to the Royal family, and has a Royal warrant, the place is completely decked out to celebrate the Jubilee this year, with commemorative merchandise all over the place, including tea caddies, biscuit tins, and china. It’s the final day of February as I write this, and I’ve just realised I’ve been to F&M twice this year already – time to cut back and give another foodie destination a try, right?
Anyway, here’s a snap of the window display, featuring the aforementioned Jubilee products, all decked out in F&M blue (also pretty similar to Tiffany blue, am I right? Gotta love that hue!). I am coveting the tea cup and saucer set, but let’s just say they’re a bit beyond my price range…
Here’s a view down the staircase of the beautiful heraldic animals on display in the shop at the moment. There was also a really cool display of crafts from people who the queen had given grants too, including a couple of beautiful displays of millinery.
Do you see the detailing on these food-inspired hats? Gorgeous! I’m in the market for a hat for Ascot this year, but sadly – out of my price range again!
The real reason for my visit was to go to The Parlour with my husband. I’d been last year for my birthday, but it was a girls’ weekend and he stayed at home. Always good to have another reason to go back, right?
If this isn’t reason enough to go back, I don’t know what is! This is their banoffee ‘cocktail ice cream sundae’, which is listed in their menu as “sliced banana, drizzled with Coole Swan Irish Cream liqueur, scoops of smooth banana, toffee and Amedei chocolate ice creams, whipped cream, toffee sauce and with malt”. Delicious, is all I can say!
I also had tea, mostly because I just love their teapots. I actually found one on sale there this time – I’ll be buying extra lottery tickets so I can get one for the kitchen, I think… Hey, silver goes with everything, it’s an investment.
Needless to say, this was not a ‘fitness’ trip – although, the scales today say that eating a giant ice cream sundae, drinking a vanilla bean milkshake, plus downing coffees all day, snaffling a macaroon in a cafe, demolishing a bento box from the Japan Centre, and having okonomiyaki for lunch at Hyper Japan (and following it up with chocolate covered strawberries) had no ill effects. Well, it helps that I’ve been exercising like a fiend I suppose! |
Dr Doug Sponsler
The aim of my doctoral research was to bring a landscape ecology perspective to questions of honey bee foraging behavior, pesticide exposure, and overall colony success. While this line of inquiry proved fruitful, it also brought into clear focus the critical knowledge gaps that remain regarding the relationship between pollinators and landscape, particularly in urban habitats. The goal of my postdoctoral research is to explore the internal complexity of urban habitats with respect to pollinator foraging and to connect the urban ecology of pollinators with the needs of urban agricultural stakeholders. Pursuit of these questions requires studies of large spatial and temporal scale, a challenge recently made feasible by high-throughput pollen identification through DNA metabarcoding, a technique that I helped pioneer as part of my doctoral work and that now forms the methodological cornerstone of my ongoing research.
2016 Ph.D., Entomology, The Ohio State University
2010 B.S., Biology, Cedarville University
Sponsler DB, Johnson RM. 2017. Poisoning a superorganism. Bee World 95:30-32.
Sponsler DB, Matcham EG, Lin C-H, Lanterman JL, Johnson RM. 2017. Spatial and taxonomic patterns of honey bee foraging: a choice test between urban and agricultural landscapes. Journal of Urban Ecology 3:1-7.
Sponsler DB, Johnson RM. 2016. Mechanistic modeling of honey bee pesticide exposure: the missing keystone of honey bee toxicology. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 36:871-881.
Sponsler DB, Johnson RM. 2015. Honey bee success predicted by landscape composition in Ohio, USA. PeerJ 3:e838.
Richardson RT, Lin C-H, Sponsler DB, Quijia-Pillajo JO, Goodell K, Johnson RM. Application of ITS2 metabarcoding to determine the provenance of pollen collected by honey bees in an agroecosystem. Applications in Plant Sciences 3:1400066
Sponsler DB. 2015. Honey bee success in Ohio’s landscapes. Ohio Beekeeping 4:26-27.
Sponsler DB, Lin C-H, Johnson RM. 2014. Honey bee losses and toxic corn see dust. Ohio Beekeeping 3:11, 23
TEACHING and MENTORING
2016 Associated faculty, Ohio State Agricultural Technical Institute, Wooster, OH
· Lecturer: Pesticides and Their Use (BIOTECH 2219T). Designed and taught course
· Lab instructor: General Entomology (BIOTECH 2218T)
2016 Research mentor. Mentored undergraduate student in study of honey bee foraging behavior, leading to coauthored paper (Sponsler et al. 2017).
2016 Science Olympiad coach (volunteer), Orrville Middle School, Orrville, OH
2015 Research mentor. Mentored high school student in senior capstone project involving honey bee foraging and pollen nutrition
2014 NSF GK-12 teaching fellow, The Ohio State University (OARDC), Wooster, OH
· Taught philosophy of science and research methods; led research project (Central Christian High School, Kidron, OH)
· Coached Science Olympiad team (Orrville Middle School, Orrville, OH)
2014-15 Guest lecturer, Basic Beekeeping, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
2013-15 Guest lab instructor, Basic Beekeeping, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
2012 Graduate teaching assistant, Energy Transfer and Development (BIO 113) |
Year One have now raised £65! £50 can provide a farmer with a beehive, beekeeping equipment and a bee colony. £10 could help a farmer hire an acre of land for a season. We would like to thank you so much for your generous donations.
Year One have raised £29 so far which will buy a farmer in Africa 2 goats.
Year One have now completed their Welly Walk and each pupil walked an amazing 5 miles. Please can you bring in all sponsor money so we can send it off to Farm Africa. Well done to all involved!
Walk in your wellies and raise money to give hunger the boot!
This autumn, schools across the UK are pulling on their wellies and organising sponsored welly walks.
Together we're aiming to walk 16,000 miles - all the way around Africa. We will be able to see how far we've got and enter our welly miles on an interactive welly miles tracker. Once completed we can download a certificate celebrating how far we have walked.
The Great African Welly Walk gives pupils a chance to step outside of classroom and get active. Outdoor learning opens up opportunities for learning for pupils, and teaches them the value of exercise and keeping fit. Your pupils will love learning about Africa in geography, writing a welly walk diary entry in English, and perhaps designing their own welly boots in art.
This event gives our pupils the chance to make a difference to the lives of children less fortunate. Each child will have the option of collecting sponsored money for the distance they walk. When we send the money we've raised, we will receive a certificate showing how much our school raised for Farm Africa.
Check out http://www.farmafrica.org/get-involved/get-involved for more information. |
Indigenous plants make the ideal home for the honeypot
A garden that’s lush and wild with indigenous plants will undoubtedly have a fan following. Bees are welcome guests in any garden and it’s not just due to the deliciously thick and sticky honey they produce, but also their ability to pollinate. Those with the right type of garden can either get into the beekeeping business themselves and sell some organic honey, or they can rent out a portion of their garden to established beekeepers.
Boost up your property’s curb appeal
It’s not unusual to come across figures that estimate a 100% to 1,000% return on investment when it comes to landscaping. However, this return is not guaranteed as there are a few factors to consider, such as the style of the property and how the property integrates with the rest of the neighborhood. Homeowners would need to do some research into the ideal landscaping for their project before dipping into the property’s equity or their savings to fund the project.
Why a coop is the new garden must-have
One of the best garden conversions anyone can take on is to turn it into a chicken-friendly haven. Not only is the chicken coop ideal for households who wish to save on purchasing organic chickens and their eggs, but for those who put in a little extra, there is the opportunity to earn an extra income. Proceeds from the sales can then be used to expand the operations into other livestock. For households, this could mean an additional meat or dairy product that they wouldn’t have to buy from the store or a product they could sell or trade for what they need.
The right garden setup is not only a sustainable way to keep food on the table, but can also be a solid cash cow for those who manage it well. By thinking outside the box, households can generate an additional income for their properties. |
Today’s star is the beloved bumblebee. This furry friend is common all over the UK, and there are 24 species across the nation. They normally nest in bird boxes, behind the fascia board and around the guttering in houses. Very important pollinators, they are harmless and not aggressive unless disturbed. SIZE DOES NOT MATTER in the bumblebee world, even in […]
We had a great Apiary Visit at Rob Coleman’s on Saturday 11th May – thank you, Rob! For those of you who missed it, we covered a host of topics: the Dartington hive (and how to use it for a Pagden variation); different bee breeds; marking queens; the experience of inspecting ‘feisty’ bees; simple queen increase using an apidea, a […]
We had a practical demonstration for this year’s beginners that had some honey to extract. The amount of honey varied from a few frames to two full supers, which is amazing when you think they only got their bees at the end of May! The end result:
Our most recent apiary visit was well attended with 19 members present with a high number of beginners. Nigel started with removing surplus honey and included a demonstration of the Sublimox vaporizer for varroa control as part of the preparation for overwintering bees, discussed feeding both autumn sugar solution and winter fondant.
The demonstration at Murton apiary was very well attended with about twenty members from beginners to very experienced Beekeepers. This despite the Royal wedding was a counter attraction. Martin passed around a couple of Horsley boards before opening up a hive. Neither of the colonies at Murton were in swarm mode with queen cells but we were shown how to […]
We had an amazing Honey Show this year, participation was up from last year and the quality of the entries was praised by the judge. Thanks to everyone that entered and congratulations to the winners!
A few snaps from our apiary visit on the 8th July 2017. We hold regular practical activities for members, they are a great opportunity to learn and share information about bees, beekeeping and good practices.
Our publicity officer Bruno Hannemann was invited for a quick chat about bees and beekeeping at Vale Radio, here is his interview in full:
If you are an experienced beekeeper, you might be interested in this course. This year it will be held for the first time in York, at Askham Bryan College. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/seasonal-management-york-tickets-30126791043
Many thanks to David Bough for hosting the apiary visit and for a very informative talk about swarm control. We also had the chance to see some of David’s set up and his process to melt wax from old comb. Very useful demonstration on how to clean old frames and use the blow torch to sterilise brood boxes and supers. |
I really would like to keep bees but have no confidence with any sort of livestock. I've had a couple of dogs and they've done all right and I take seriously the responsibility of caring for another living being. I've read a lot and have a beekeeper friend (conventional) but I still am unsure how to proceed. Are there any step by step instructions on how to prepare for beekeeping? Is there a small way to begin?
Furthering Permaculture next to Lake Ontario.
Hi Valerie --
There are step-by-step instructions - but they are not exactly quick or easy. One goal I had when I wrote The Thinking Beekeeper was to make it as clear as possible, and offer broad insights that let the aspiring beekeeper build upon their knowledge as they learn. Having a Bee Buddy or a mentor is also a good way to learn.
I am often asked about whether one can "start small" - and the answer is yes, but by small I mean by having only one hive, as opposed to multiples.
The size of the hive itself must be adequate for the bees to build a home that will contain the size of brood nest they will need and allow them to store the amount of honey that they need in order to survive a winter in the geographical location they are in.
It seems as if a good size is in the neighborhood of 4 feet, or 30 top bars. Smaller hives can work in very warm climates, but may not allow the bees to build up enough in a cold climate. If I had to suggest a minimum hive size, I would say 24 bars is probably as small as makes sense. So that's what's mean by starting small.
But there is an advantage to starting with two (or more) hives - several advantages really. One is: how much more you will learn with two hives - it's not just twice as much, it's probably 10 times as much! It's unbelievable how different 2 hives, even in the same location, can be.
Another advantage is that if you have a problem in one hive, you may find that you have the resources to fix it in the other hive. The best example of this is the ability of the bees to make a new queen so long as they have a bar of brood comb containing "open larvae." The bees are able to take a worker bee larva, turn the wax cell, rebuilding it a bit to make it vertical, and then they feed that bee a diet of royal jelly, as they would a queen bee, and that worker bee will turn into a queen. Voila! Bee Magic!
So if you'd really like to start small - just go with one hive. If you'd like a little insurance, go with two!
Thanks from another "potential" beekeeper who will shamelessly admit at that I am posting at this moment partially just to see if I win the book
I'm currently going to continue to integrate plenty of bee-friendly plants, and start reading/preparing this year to perhaps actually undertake beekeeping next year. Thanks for coming to the forums to answer questions!
Fire me boy! Cool, soothing, shameless self promotion: |
Are you looking for how to start beekeeping in North East Pennsylvania? A lot of individuals say honey bee farming classes in PA can be expensive and there are alternative ways to learn beekeeping without spending a fortune in training.
Beekeeping is a business that depends on having complete passion. You cannot should you not enjoy coping with creatures that are live start a business such as this. Working with bees is like working with every other type of birds or animals; it wants attention and knowledge to keep bees healthy and productive. You should take complete care of every single thing that is little, so that it will not create any problem for the business in the foreseeable future.
– Selecting the proper tools
Starting without choosing the correct tools beekeeping is like entering the conflict with swimming costumes. You should be well prepared before you begin your business or it is going to be a total loss for money and your time.
Before you select your hives that are suitable ask your self several questions. This depends on what is your goal from beginning beekeeping a lot. Should you be willing to invest time and some cash in a bee keeping business then you certainly may want to understand will you take good care of your hives. Are you ready if it’s best choice for you to purchase a costly hive?
These type of questions will be asked to you once you see an expert bee keeper to consult with him about the best hive to purchase. Every hive has its specifications, maintenance and honey production amount.
– New technology and processes
If you’re taking a look at bee keeping as a company then you must analyze a lot about their nature, bees and the latest technologies that emerged in this profession to be able to keep all your information up to date. Your bees are once they start producing honey the machines of your factory that can create money for you all the time, so they were focused on by keeping your thoughts and your head open for what’s new in the sector will get you on top of the hobby. |
AETN > Engage > Pressroom > AETN offers new 'Agri Arkansas' courses in ArkansasIDEAS learning management system (LMS)
AETN offers new 'Agri Arkansas' courses in ArkansasIDEAS learning management system (LMS)
Posted 08 Jun 2015
The Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) is now offering professional development courses based on the local production 'Agri Arkansas' through the new ArkansasIDEAS learning management system (LMS). The courses can be accessed at ideas.aetn.org.
AETN launched the new ArkansasIDEAS LMS June 1. Improvements to the system include: convenient access from mobile devices, more technology features, simpler navigation and a new layout.'These courses give teachers a very good background on agriculture in Arkansas, and the impact it has on the state,' AETN Education Manager Suzanne Jones said. 'The Arkansas History program makes it easier for teachers from other states to obtain their Arkansas educator license.'
New courses developed from AETN's original series 'Agri Arkansas' include:
- AR History: Agri Arkansas Introduction – Arkansas's agricultural effects on the state's economy are discussed in this introductory segment, which also features an overview of the major crops grown in each region of the state. The future of agriculture in Arkansas is explored, including an examination of camelina, a relatively new crop for Arkansas farmers that is used in biodiesel.
- AR History: Agri Arkansas Agri Economics – Along with exploring Arkansas agriculture in general, educators will travel to the Cummins Prison in South Arkansas for a look at one of the state's largest agricultural operations. This course also features a 'Peach Pickin' Paradise' in Clarksville, Arkansas.
- AR History: Agri Arkansas The Honeybee – This course takes a closer look at Arkansas's state insect. Plus, it explores if the phenomenon of Colony Collapse Disorder, the spontaneous die-off of entire colonies of bees, has affected Arkansas. Finally, it addresses what the public needs to know about backyard beekeeping.
- AR History: Agri Arkansas Dairy – Dairy in Arkansas was once big business, but the past few decades have seen a decline in the number of active dairy farmers in the state. This course takes a close look at the dairy industry. Recent legislation has made it legal to sell raw milk in Arkansas; participants discover where it can be found and what to know before drinking it. Also featured is an interview with Kent Walker, a cheese maker based in Little Rock.
- AR History: Agri Arkansas Rice – Arkansas is the nation's leading producer of rice. It began in the early 1900s when W.H. Fuller was approached by citizens telling him they did not believe he could produce 35 bushels of rice per acre on his 70-acre farm. Fuller proved them wrong when his rice fields yielded 75 bushels an acre that year. Today, Arkansas has approximately 1.5 million acres of rice fields. In this course, participants will learn more about the history of rice in Arkansas, current rice production and problems facing rice farmers in the future.
- AR History: Agri Arkansas Poultry – From the introduction of raising poultry in the late 1940s to the billion dollar industry it is today, this course illustrates the success and contributions of the poultry business. Also featured is the 2012 Farm Family of the Year, the DeSalvo family from Conway County. This course ends with online tools from the Arkansas Agriculture Department to help people find easier ways to eat locally.
Courses previously developed around local AETN productions include:
- '108°: Critical Response'
- 'Hoxie: The First Stand'
- 'Una Vida Mejor'
- 'A New Island'
- 'The Road to Little Rock.'
In 2005, the Arkansas Legislature passed Act 2318 that created a partnership between the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) and AETN to provide high-quality, online professional development for educators licensed in Arkansas in order to improve teacher quality as a means to increase student achievement. ArkansasIDEAS (ideas.aetn.org) is designed to enhance educators' content knowledge and instructional skills.
The Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) is Arkansas's statewide public television network that enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life. AETN delivers local, award-winning productions and classic, trusted PBS programs aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers. AETN depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. For more information, visit aetn.org, or follow the AETN blog at aetn.org/engage. AETN is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro), and KETZ (El Dorado). |
The Honey Bee Health Coalition recent wrote to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt concerning honey bee health and potential areas for action at the federal level.
Read the letter by clicking here or scrolling below.
Secretary Perdue and Administrator Pruitt,
The Honey Bee Health Coalition is a diverse public-private partnership that brings together beekeepers, crop producers (including pollinated specialty crops like almonds, fruits, and vegetables and row crops like corn, soy, canola, and wheat), agribusinesses (including seed and chemical companies), conservation groups, manufacturers and brands, researchers, government agencies, and other key partners to improve the health of honey bees and other pollinators in the context of productive agricultural systems and thriving ecosystems. With 45 member organizations, we work together on voluntary strategies that make sense for beekeepers, farmers, conservationists, and the agricultural supply chain. Our focus is on collaboration across affected communities to achieve desired goals of improved honey bee health, rather than advocacy from any one constituency point of interest.
Honey bees and other pollinators are a vital part of U.S. agriculture — supporting production of most of the fruits, nuts, and vegetables grown in the U.S., with an approximate $19 billion in agricultural production annually. Honey bee health is a critical, bipartisan issue that touches beekeepers, farmers, consumers, workers, businesses, and rural and urban communities from coast to coast and from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. That is why the Honey Bee Health Coalition urges you to prioritize the health of honey bees and other pollinators and to partner with us to implement practical, collaborative strategies to support honey bee health.
The Coalition and its members have been leading voices for honey bee health, approaching the topic as multifactorial, with the opportunity for everyone to contribute solutions. Our members may not agree on every issue or every potential path for action, but the Coalition has enjoyed tremendous success focusing on collaborative strategies to address the main drivers of recent bee losses: poor nutrition; incidental pesticide exposure; and exposure to bee parasites and diseases.
As a Coalition of diverse public and private sector interests, we have been working hard alongside federal partners to contribute to and implement the National Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and other Pollinators developed under the prior presidential administration. As you look ahead to your agenda in 2017 and beyond, we hope that pollinator health remains a top priority of this administration. We respectfully request the opportunity to meet and discuss this issue with you and to forge new and continued opportunities to address this critical issue for U.S. agriculture.
We also offer the following specific, consensus recommendations for federal action:
1. Promote coordinated, collaborative, multi-factor solutions to honey bee health: Should the current administration move forward with actions to improve bee health, we suggest focused efforts on communication across traditional boundaries that promote collaborations toward discovery of solutions in prioritizing bee health and meeting the goal to reduce honey bee colony losses during winter (overwintering mortality) to the historic norms of approximately 15%.
2. Improve hive health monitoring and treatment through technology and outreach
- Support the Bee Informed Partnership’s Technology Transfer Teams and other state and federal extension programs to provide essential extension, education, and colony monitoring for beekeepers at all scales.
- Support research on bee parasites, insects, and disease pests.
- Work in partnership with federal agencies, beekeeping organizations, pest control industries, and researchers to prioritize and accelerate the identification and registration of new products to effectively control varroa mites.
3. Improve honey bee nutrition through high quality, cost-effective conservation programs that improve access to healthy and abundant forage and research into bee nutrition, including development of supplemental feeds
- Implement strategies to restore or enhance 7 million acres of land for healthy forage lands to support pollinators over the next 5 years through Federal actions and public/private partnerships.
- Implement the Honey Bee Health Coalition’s 2015 and 2016 recommendations to improve the nutritional value and cost effectiveness of pollinator forage plantings in the USDA’s conservation programs. Recommendations include updating seed specifications and technical guidelines.
- Support public-private projects, like the Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund, that provide co-benefits for pollinators, soil health, water quality, wildlife, and crop yields.
- Support research and development for high quality, cost-effective nutritional supplements to support commercial honey bees.
4. Improve crop pest management practices to protect crops while safeguarding bee health
- Convene and participate in a Honey Bee Crop Protection Research and Pollinator Health summit on crop pesticides, to describe the current state of the science and explore ways in which farmers and beekeepers can work together to reduce bee exposures to pesticides, while providing farmers with the crop protection tools needed to provide for the nation’s food security. This would be similar to and consistent with events on the varroa mite and forage and nutrition previously convened by USDA and EPA.
- Utilize comprehensive, risk-based assessments in understanding factors that may impact honey bee health, including factors that may impact acute losses and/or chronic effects resulting in colony losses.
- Support development, adoption, and longitudinal evaluation of crop-specific best management practices (BMPs).
- Support State- and Tribe-based Managed Pollinator Protection Plans and other programs for bringing together beekeepers, agricultural producers, pesticide applicators, crop advisors, University extension, and other stakeholders to learn about and implement best management practices that are appropriate for the given crops and regions.
- Improve mechanisms for reporting and investigating bee mortality incidents, reduce barriers to reporting, and increase the utility of reported data in preventing future incidents.
We welcome the opportunity to work with our federal partners to implement strategies, highlight honey bee health success stories, and share and apply lessons learned. We would like to schedule some time for members of the Coalition to meet with you in the near future.
The Honey Bee Health Coalition Steering Committee |
by Huw Evans
I have been a beekeeper for almost 15 years, I have always loved keeping bees as for me it’s the perfect mix between a science and a craft. However, I remember returning from some particularly unpleasant swarm inspections in the Spring of 2008. The bees were busy and did not want to be disturbed, meanwhile I was shaking the bees from each brood frame in search of queen cells.
Despite the stings my sympathy lay with the bees. I recall considering that in this day and age, if a surgeon can replace a valve in your heart via a vein in your leg, surely there is a way of finding out what is happening inside a bee hive without taking it to bits. I am an electronic engineer and my wife is a biologist, so we together started researching into physical parameters that could help non-intrusive and remote bee hive monitoring.
Most beekeepers can relate to the fact that there is a lot you can tell about the condition of a colony from the noise that greets you the moment you remove the inner cover so its hardly surprising that hive acoustics have been used as a diagnostic tool for thousands of years.
The first written document referring to a change of sound in a pre-swarming colony was in Georgics IV, by Virgil, ancient Rome’s most celebrated poet and a beekeeper back in 50BC. This was backed up by Columella a hundred years later in his De re rustica which says “. . . He will be able to find out beforehand their decision to escape by putting his ear to each of the hives in the evening . . .”. In 1609 Charles Buttler speaks of the sounds of a pre-swarming colony in the “Feminine Monarchy”. Charles went on to write a madrigal (song) using the sounds of pre swarming bees (see YouTube). Similarly, in 1759 Thomas Wildman writes about a peculiar humming noise in the hive three to four nights before the “the swarm sallies forth”, but also points out that the interpretation of this sound varies from author to author owing to the strength of imagination in each (quite pertinent even today). Probably the most famous pioneer of sound analysis came in the 1950s. Edward Farrington Woods, or “that nice Mr Woods” as the queen of England used to refer to him, was a sound engineer at the BBC. There is a phenomenon called the cocktail party effect in which human beings have the ability to eavesdrop on a conversation across a crowd even if they are not the loudest voices in the room; its like a filtering thing. Woods was a BBC sound engineer and had a very musical ear, you needed one to be a sound engineer back in 1954. Today you only need to be good with a computer, you could be stone deaf and a perfectly good sound engineer in this day and age! Eddie identified a sound in pre-swarming colonies he called a ‘warble,’ he attributed the source of this sound to be redundant house bees. He produced a portable electronic gadget called the Apidictor, this was in effect a band pass filter which allowed the beekeeper to better hear sounds of interest. A hole the size of a regular sink plug was cut in the rear of the brood box. The plug was simply removed and the microphone inserted in the evening, once the flight commotion has passed. Eddie conducted experiments for over a decade and published his work in both the New Scientist and Nature. In 1995 a modern day Apidictor called the Bee Tone Analyser was published, however the same operational drawbacks remained i.e. an evening trip to the hives remained necessary and, possibly more importantly, the interpretation of the sounds was left with the beekeeper.
The reliability of the Apidictor remains a moot point. Following an experiment at Rothemstead (a major bee research institute in the UK) brood boxes with sink plug holes in the rear could possibly still be found lying around today. Using Apidictors, hundreds of hives were tested by several beekeepers, one of them being Eddie Woods. Overall the results were fairly inconclusive, however Eddie himself did very well!
I think that it is now generally accepted that accurate detection of a queenless or pre-swarming colony cannot be simply recognised by the majority of beekeepers using an Apidictor. However, there is rarely smoke without fire and we felt that with the application of today’s technology (Digital Signal Processors and complex signal processing algorithms) it was worth investigating further. We set up a large experiment recording the sounds of bees while making regular physical inspections so we could correlate the evolution in sound with changes in colony behaviour/dynamics. We studied black bees (Apis mellifera mellifera) in the UK and yellow bees (Apis melifera ligustica) in Italy. This allowed us to consider differences in both bee breed and geographical location. To date we have over 30 Tb of bee sounds; throughout the experiment we also recorded other physical parameters such as temperatures, humidity and weight.
Our original focus was one of swarm prediction. Like Woods, we created a frequency spectrum of the sound in the hives. We took spectra from consecutive days and complied a 3D graph or ‘soundscape’. On the next page you can see the first two soundscapes we ever constructed.
These neighbouring colonies were of comparable strength with queens from the same breeder. A warble can be clearly seen in the right hand trace, as a discontinuity on the right hand face of the hump. This colony did indeed swarm! Indeed the third soundscape continues for a week beyond swarming (the warble disappears following the swarm).
The following year the swarming colony began to warble again, this was not warmly received as we expected role reversal this year. However, sure enough, the swarming colony swarmed for a second consecutive year! So those hives also gave us our first genuine swarm prediction. By ‘genuine prediction’ I mean looking at the data and predicting who was going to swarm before the event, rather than looking at the data retrospectively and convincing yourself that it could have been predicted.
Unfortunately our initial excitement was short lived, although accurate swarm prediction continues to thrive in the minds of researchers it is hampered by many obstacles when applied to the diverse world of ‘real life.’ Different hive types or even just adding supers can change the nature of the sound scape quite dramatically. Some bees preparing to swarm don’t warble much while some colonies appear to warble when superseding. It really boils down to colonies of bees having different accents or even speaking different languages. Furthermore, some bees begin preparations to swarm then give up! However, a seasoned swarm predictor with acoustic experience of their bees does stand a good chance. Arnia continues to work with several acoustic experts and universities around the world in search of a generic algorithm robust to bee breed and hive type and plans to be beta testing swarm prediction algorithms as soon as next season. If anyone reading this thinks they can bring anything to that party, please contact us for some sample data to play with.
However, our experiments were by no means a failure. We concluded that acoustics fell into two distinct categories. The first we call ‘smoke and mirrors’, in which you try to recognise behavior or health issues from a specific ‘acoustic signature.’ During our experiments, we also noticed anomalies in the soundscapes of bees with Varroa and Nosema. However, like generic swarm prediction, these remain ‘works in progress.’ The second category is things like flight noise, the amount the bees are fanning, even the total amount of noise is a good indication of colony strength; it’s only an indication but even that can be useful. There is no smoke or mirrors, these parameters are more straightforward to measure with considerable less influence from bee breed, hive type or microphone position.
We went on to develop hardware. Each hive is monitored for acoustics, temperature and humidity; the monitor fitted above the entrance or fitted to a dummy board inside the hive.
Weight is measured using a hive scale positioned below the hive. The low profile rectangular ‘doughnut’ design is particularly suited to open mesh floor hives as debris can fall and ventilation is not restricted. At a height of only 1¼ inches there is little need to adjust hive stand height. The standard scales are fully wireless, and come in a variety of colours as seen in Figure 2.
An intuitive user interface is possibly the most important component when it comes to making a monitoring system useful to beekeepers as seen in Figure 4.
At a glance the user can see the condition of each hive. Each hive icon represents a monitored hive in the apiary. Current readings from each sensor are displayed in sensor icons; the two hives on the right also have hive scales. The cloud of bees above each hive show that hive’s activity, so at a glance you can see which hives are strong and which are weak, very like when you enter your own apiary. The weather bar along the top shows the current weather conditions in the apiary and what they have been over the past week. The weather bar also displays cellular signal strength and battery condition of the Gateway, that of each monitor can be found under each hive. As seen in Figure 5.
If the user clicks on a sensor icon they are taken to the Graph View which shows historical data from that sensor. It is possible to compare other sensor data from the same hive, from other hives or even data from other beeyards, all on the same graph.
In Figure 6 we can see a very stable brood temperature (Green line), this is what we expect to see in a queen right colony as the bees thermo-regulate the brood area with surprising accuracy. The brood temperature from a neighbouring hive is simply added by clicking that sensor icon. Here we can see that the brood temperature becomes unstable (Blue line), at that time we received an automatic alert and following an inspection we confirmed the queen had stopped laying. Following the introduction of a new queen the brood temperature begins to stabilise once again. For comparison, we can also add the air temperature at the apiary, the day night fluctuations are clear as is a particularly warm week in June.
Weight is a very useful measurement. During nectar flow, an increase in weight is seen as bees return with nectar, what is possibly more interesting (but arguably less useful) is seeing the weight drop during the night as the bees process the nectar. This is demonstrated in Figure 7, where we can also see when honey supers are added. There is a system of comments, which allows the user to log such hive manipulations.We can also see a sudden 7lb drop in weight, it was a SWARM! Although we are not currently offering an automated swarm prediction algorithm weeks or even days before a swarm, as Tom Seeley notes in his book ‘Honeybee Democracy’, “One could almost predict with fair reliability when you would find your first swarm by noting when the hive of bees ends its six-month-long-free-fall in weight and begins to build up again on fresh nectar and pollen” and that is certainly true in this case.
Adding the neighbouring hive’s weight, we can see that initially the smaller colony is less productive but following the swarm it soon catches up. See Figure 8.
Meteorological information can also be added to any graph using the three weather icons to the left of the hive icons. Weather data is often useful when used to put other sensor readings into perspective. In Figure 9 a drop in productivity is simply explained by rainfall.
What sets arnia’s system aside from ‘hive scale’ based monitoring products is the diversity of measurements, the addition of acoustics in particular, and how easily they can be compared on the same graph. In Figure 10 we can see a sharp drop in weight, is this robbing? Or has a rock holding the roof down rolled off the hive? By simply including flight noise we can clearly see that this colony is being robbed. You can also see the bees briefly return on day three but soon give up as there is no honey left to steal. Users can zoom in on any area of interest using the lower scale, either by using the mouse or ‘pinch’ zooming on a tablet or smart phone.
Not only does this give us the opportunity to alert the beekeeper of robbing (15 lbs of honey went on day two!) but this is also valuable as ‘black box’ data, better explaining when and why the colony failed.
Most ‘backyard’ Beekeepers tend to treat each colony as an individual, almost like a pet. One day they will requeen one hive while adding a super to another. Therefore it is useful to monitor every colony in their Apiary. Commercial beekeepers tend to manage all colonies in the same way at the same location. Therefore they only need to monitor a handful of ‘sentinel’ colonies to alert them when the supers are full or the nectar flow is over or there is a dearth in forage etc.
Today we can reliably and remotely monitor Spring build up, brood state, queen status, track forager activity, accurately map nectar flow, nectar processing and monitor weather conditions at the apiary. We can compare trends over time and with neighbouring hives.
We can receive mobile alerts for robbing, if the bees swarm, if the colony becomes broodless, if you need to feed or ventilate during the winter months, if its time to add or remove a super, or simply when the bees have collected a lot of nectar that day. The latter has no managerial consequence but is possibly the most enjoyable alert to receive!
The system has a security feature, which informs the beekeeper when a hive is moved. Furthermore, there is a tilt alert if the hive falls over. A colony most often survives the Fall; the colony does not fail on impact. It’s the resulting exposure before discovery, often for several days or more that can be fatal. We get a lot of positive feedback on how much better some of our customers sleep when comforted by the knowledge that a text message will wake them if their hive blows over on windy nights.
Electronic/Remote hive monitoring is in its infancy and its ultimate application to beekeeping will continue to evolve with use over time.
Huw Evans is the co-founder of arnia, a research and development company that designs and builds hive monitoring equipment. arnia hive monitors are currently for sale in the U.S., for more information contact [email protected]. |
Victorian Adoption of the Australian Bee Biosecurity Code of Practice: Feedback due by Sunday 17th March
The Victorian Government, through the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, is proposing some amendments to the Livestock Disease Control Regulations 2017 to make it compatible with the Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice.
New regulations will come into effect on the 16th April 2019.
Before this happens, “industry consultation” will occur. Individuals, groups and organisations are invited to provide feedback on the proposed changes. The closing date for this feedback was originally 5 pm on Sunday 3rd March 2019 but on 5th March it was extended to Sunday 17th March.
For detailed information about the proposed changes and to submit feedback, go to engage.vic.gov.au/australian-bee-biosecurity-code-practice
Victoria concludes precautionary surveillance for varroa mite detection
Agriculture Victoria’s varroa mite surveillance has concluded six weeks after the bee parasite was detected in cargo at the Port of Melbourne that had been unloaded from a ship.
The State Quarantine Response Team, comprising of members of the beekeeping community, worked alongside Agriculture Victoria’s Incident Management Team (IMT) to conduct bee hive surveillance following the detection.
The team conducted four rounds of surveillance in every known hive within a two-kilometre radius of the Port of Melbourne detection.
With no further detections of varroa mite, Agriculture Victoria has today stood down its IMT.
Click here for a more detailed media release.
VAA Beekeepers' AFL Tipping Competitions
VAA Beekeepers’ AFL on-line footy tipping competition has been
conducted by the VAA for the past six years. Its purpose is to encourage
camaraderie amongst beekeepers, and over the years has proved a great
tool for establishing casual conversations and non-beekeeping discussion
The competition has two parts, the Women’s competition which commences on Saturday 2nd February and the Men’s competition which commences on Thursday 21st March.
Entry to both competitions is free. There are no monetary prizes, just the reward of bragging about how well you can tip.
Previous years’ tipsters are automatically invited to join this year’s competitions. New tipsters need to join Footy Tips at www.footytips.com.au, then join the VAA competitions at www.footytips.com.au/comps/Beekeepers The password for the VAA competitions is apismellifera (all one word). Please direct any enquiries about the competitions to Barry Cooper at [email protected] |
As part of plans to beef up the anti-graft war, Buhari has approved 2, 250 job slots for Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC. 12th Annual Health Insurance Asia 2018. 8 11 May 2018, One Farrer Hotel amp; Spa, Singapore. Download Brochure Waiver programs help people who are elderly or have disabilities and need help to live in their home or community instead of an institution such as a nursing home or ICF-MR. Discover our professional skin care line amp; prevent aging skin with Obagi's world-class skin care products: Nu Derm, moisturizer, Tretinoin, Blue Peel amp; more. Read the history and latest developments of Health Insurance Purchasing cooperatives (CO-OPs), also known on the state level as alliances and pools. The ACA includes authorizations and start-up loans. By Michael A. Stoto, PhD. Population health is fundamentally about measuring health outcomes and their upstream determinants and using these casino la vida no deposit bonus code to coordinate the casino la vida no deposit bonus code of public health agencies, the healthcare delivery system, and many other poker mit dominosteinen in the community to improve health. Opportunities for GrantsFunding from the New York State Department of Health Innovative Outpatient Services. Casino la vida no deposit bonus code Behavioral Health. Chrysalis is a client-centered, humanistic treatment program based casino la vida no deposit bonus code the belief that all people can develop a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. A training grant is awarded with five predoc and three postdoc positions. Can the grantee substitute a predoc for a postdoc. Delta Behavioral Health. Delta Behavioral Duchamp casino is a collection of independent practitioners providing hillsdale kingston poker table wide variety of mental health and substance-related services. Dh1 000 fine for regular vehicles for occupying electric car slots Danny, poker scale vincenti question. As noted in the article, Given the current state of affairs in the United States with slot machine il mago to health insurance policy, this concern is applicable to every person who possesses health insurance and is thinking of using their health insurance for mental health treatment. Join Microsoft experts for a hands-on session where youll test drive Windows 10, Office 365, and our hottest new collaboration tool: Microsoft Teams. A variety of specific types of reform have been suggested to improve the United States health care system. These range from increased use of health care technology through changing the anti-trust rules governing health insurance companies and tort-reform to rationing of care. Dental Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program. Number of Dentists Medicaid Billing Dentists With at Least One Paid Claim, 2007-2011. oral. health. govimagecache2012-2017_North_Dakota_Oral_Health_Burden_Document_and_State_Plan_for. - 314k - … Explore home theater systems to make your home more entertaining. Find an amazing home theater system at a mind-blowing price when you shop at Sam's Club. Georgias high rate of people without health insurance.
Suche info: Boat Teen Pics. Search for casino la vida no deposit bonus code songs on ILP. ) TENDER LOVE AND CARE (THAT'S HOW I LEARNT TO LOVE) GOOD Casino la vida no deposit bonus code COUNTRY MUSIC marion sat. sporting group pointers (german wirehaired) 16 bg4 setters (english) 13 bg1 spaniels (american water) 11 bg3 caslno (english springer) 73 bg2 View bios for all of the competitors racing in the upcoming Cain's Quest, as well as past winning teams.
31st Wedding anniversary gift ideas include time pieces, watches and clocks. Free anniversary email reminder. Sword Swallowing Bojus from the Sword Swallowers Association International (SSAI) Wildlife art prints plus original slots aladdin with a wide selection from ArtBarbarians. com located in Minnesota.
All kinds of nature art that makes a … Dotdash's brands help over 100 million users each month find answers, solve problems, and get inspired. Money burst slots online is among the fastest-growing publishers online. Follow horse racing with Alex Hammond on Sky Sports - get live racing results, racecards, news, videos, photos, stats (horses amp; jockeys), plus daily tips.
Rotterdam ( ˈ r ɒ t ər d 230; m or ˌ r ɒ t ər ˈ d 230; m ; Dutch: [ˌrɔtərˈdɑm] ( listen)) is a city in the Netherlands, in South Holland within the RhineMeuseScheldt river delta at … On Saturday May 5, casiino, George S. Pearth of Longwood of Oakmont. Fondo poker casino la vida no deposit bonus code Vienna, Austria on October 17, 1917.
He was educated at the University of Vienna. An American Tail is a 1986 American animated musical adventure family comedy-drama film directed by Don Bluth and produced by Sullivan Bluth Studios and Amblin Entertainment. It tells the story of Fievel Mousekewitz and his family as they emigrate from the Imperial Russian territory of Ukraine to the United States for freedom.
The California Doubling trope as used in popular culture. Any exotic foreign locale in a TV series or bonys is, due to budget or danger to cqsino cast, likely to … Legacy. com is the leading provider casino la vida no deposit bonus code online obituaries for the newspaper industry. Legacy. com enhances online obituaries with Guest Books, funeral home information, and … Seabourn Quest cruise ship itinerary schedule, 2018-2019-2020 itineraries (ports, dates, prices), cruise tracker (ship locationcurrent position tracking), review, news Ontbijt en draadloos internet zijn bij de prijzen inbegrepen bij het ibis Styles Lyon Sud Vienne.
Het hotel ligt op slechts 24 km van Lyon en op 20 min van vliegveld Saint-Exup233;ry en is ideaal gelegen als u vanuit Parijs, Marseille, Grenoble, Chamb233;ry. Catalogue G233;ant Casino. Consultez en ligne les offres, remises unibet poker mobile android rabais du prospectus G233;ant Casino, valable du 08 mai 21 mai, 2018.
Faites des 233;conomies sur les vaisselles, les petits et les v234;tements et les chaussures, les parfums, les cosmetiques, le loisir, les peep show poker pour la cuisine, les lunettes solaires, les produits pour le Emperor's Garden poss232;de 25 lignes de paiement, une feature Gamble, des tours gratuits, un multiplicateur x3, un Wild (le jardin) et un Scatter (les carpes koi).
Dunkerque est la sous-pr233;fecture la plus septentrionale de France, situ233;e dans le d233;partement du Nord 224; 65 km au nord-ouest de Lille … G233;ographie Situation. Fontaine (h244;tel de Ville) est situ233;e 224; environ 4 km du centre de Grenoble, jeux cheval casino km de Valence, 92 km de Lyon, 225 km de Marseille et 565 km de Paris.
Feuilletez en ligne les plus recentes promotions, offres, remises et rabais du prospectus G233;ant Casino, valable du 15 mai 27 mai, 2018. Faites des 233;conomies sur les ap233;ritifs, les viandes, les charcuteries, dposit fromages, les boissons, les essentiels de beaut233;, les produits d233;picerie, les produits laitiers, les articles pour le soins. Jeux Casino Gratuit En Ligne Machine A Sous Telecharger Jeux De Roulette Casino Casino la vida no deposit bonus code Com | all info here!.
Interested in Jeux Casino Gratuit En Ligne Machine A Sous Telecharger Jeux De Roulette Casino Casino Com ?.
Blackjack Bermuda Grass Seed - Blackjack Bermuda grass seed (coated amp; unhulled) is a high quality hybrid turf type bermuda grass seed variety. Blackjack bermuda grass seed is commonly used for a southern climate lawn, turf, park, recreation and many other application areas in the warm climates. Compare all the latest online betting odds from top bookmakers.
Deleted movie scenes bonys usually nothing but fun little bonuses ccode the fans. They can provide some laughs, new character insights, or a different perspective on casino dealer caught stealing plot. What they don't usually do is completely ruin the movie casino la vida no deposit bonus code you by revealing that some of those lovable innocent side characters. quot;Thank you International Checkout, I received my order this morning, and would like to THANK YOU for the very reliable and effective service you provided me.
Tundra Transmission Flush and Refill Instructions. Heres instructions on how to check and fill your 2007 and up Toyota Deposih … Visit us at casino la vida no deposit bonus code. VisaTaxes. com Form 1042-S Instructions - Form 1042-S Reporting Form 1042-S Software https:www. visataxes. comsoftwareformsSoftware-Form1042S.
php Revive Nutra Garcinia Poker comfort ii Instructions - Types Of Medicine To Lower Cholesterol How To Lower Cholesterol Mayo Eating Healthy For Weight Loss Clean Eating Detox Diet - Forskolin For Testosterone Bojus And Lexapro How Soon Does Forskolin Start To Work Instructions: There are many bets that can be made on Craps, making it difficult to give a brief overview of the game.
In Craps, you home poker rules sheet not limited to casino in japanese word bet. The Gambler's Outpost - Shop for Obnus, Videos, Software and Craps Practice Tables The best advantage gambling products brought to cose by Golden Touch. Please select from the categories on the left, or click the category listbox caslno. Play Puzzles USA Today instantly online. Puzzles Sites poker online Today is a fun and engaging online game from Puzzles USA Today.
Play it and … Detailed but easy to understand rules explanation for the popular dice game of Farkle. We also provide a list of optional fun scoring variations to add variety to your casono. Thank you for this information. My sons 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix is a GTP with supercharger. Is it much win a lot casino difficult when supercharge is on top of intake.
craps supplies, craps casino la vida no deposit bonus code rubber, top rail cadino, casino dice, dice sticks, dice bowl, onoff puck, buylay button How to Play Craps Craps Lessons amp; Practice (Also check out my parody ios slots real prizes for how to play Craps). Last update: March 2018. Craps is casino la vida no deposit bonus code Learn casino craps and dice control in craps fode taught by Golden Touch Craps International instructors from coast-to-coast.
The Golden Touch can help you get the winning edge on craps. For the latest information about developments related to Form W-8BEN and its instructions, such as legislation enacted after they were published, go to www. irs. govformw8ben. 79 Responses to What Are The Climate Engineers Doing In The Arctic?Astounding Images, And Dead Scientists Directed by Gillian Armstrong.
Region 1 Mental Health Services Abstract: REGION 1Mental Health Services Region 1 - Local Mental Health Authorities (LMHAs) Region 1 - DMHAS-Funded Mental Health Services Region 1 - Crisis Intervention Services State-operated Inpatient Treatment Facilities Region 1 - Addiction Services Region 1 - Home Page See also: Other … According to Ohio Law, the Board is responsible for seeing that public mental health and alcoholdrug recovery services are available to the residents of Coshocton, Guernsey, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble amp; Perry Counties. Helping to promote wellness and recovery that reinforces and sustains healthy individuals, families, and communities that are free from stigma related to mental … Pathways Mental Health Services, LLC offers Behavioral Health, Telehealth Services and Wellness Program. Mental Health Matters | Mental Health Information and Resources In November of 2017, the Center for Healthcare Research and Innovation, the research arm of the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan (CMHAM) released a new study underscoring Michigans Community Mental Healths commitment to remaining at the forefront of integrating behavioral health and physical healthcare. Hampton Mental Health Associates, Inc. has been providing outpatient mental health services to children and adults with all types of mental health disorders, Oversight and funding for accessible community outpatient amp; regional mental health amp; substance use treatment recovery services The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) - Mental health services for adults who have a mental illness, children and youth who have an emotional disturbance, and persons who have a developmental disability. The Churchill was the last infantry tank design of the war. It started badly at Soft 18 blackjack, but later proved one poker gecesi tr dublaj the most dependable British tanks of the war Henry F. Monopoly slots android (commonly referred pharaohs tomb slot free as quot;Mr. Potterquot; casino la vida no deposit bonus code just quot;Potterquot;) casino pools gold coast a fictional character and the main antagonist in the 1946 Frank Capra film It's casino platinum download Wonderful Life. Oct 21, 2015nbsp;0183;32;Motor Trend reviews the 2016 Audi S3 where consumers can find detailed information on specs, fuel economy, transmission and casino la vida no deposit bonus code. Find local san saba poker 2 Audi S3 prices online. Glaser Dirks DG-101G ELAN Background. It was 2004 and I was a typical aspiring glider tragamoneda gratis casino lemonade who had worked tavoli poker padova way up through my home club's fleet ride on mowers casino wanted to advance to the next stage. 12 Vintage Car Toys Now Worth Big Bucks. Hope you saved those old Hot Wheels. Better yet, hope you never opened nuova tassa su slot machine in the first place. Howard preowned powerboats for sale by owner. Howard used powerboats for ultra luxe roulette by owner. BRENT ALLEN MOORE 040662 050818 Brent Allen Moore entered eternal life on Tuesday May 8, 2018, peacefully in his home at the age of 56. Find polo roof racks Postings in South Africa. Search Gumtree Free Classified Ads for the latest polo casino la vida no deposit bonus code racks listings and more. Scientific queen-rearing, G. Doolittle, Doolittle, Gilbert M. Doolittle, Queen Rearing, Beekeeping south bend casino meeting, classic, old Read casino la vida no deposit bonus code to learn casino la vida no deposit bonus code on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz How many states allow legalized gambling in this first look article brought to you by the automotive experts at Motor Trend. Feb 03, casino la vida no deposit bonus code Madero poker calendario Version - GameShark SP Codes----- Pokemon Fire RedLeaf Green GSSP codes ----- This document is copyright 2004 to … 2012 VW Polo Vivo 1. 4 Trendline Tip - Airbags - ABS - Automatic - Low Mileage - Factory Radio - Economical Well looked after with service history - Finance available - Trade ins Welcome - Make a cash offer - Call or request a callback from an Agent and someone will gladly assist you. What is an escape room. Real-life room escape games are a type of physical adventure game in which people are put in a room with other participants and have to use elements of the room to solve a series of puzzles, find clues, and escape the room within a set time limit. Nov 04, 2014nbsp;0183;32;I cover the Forbes Under 30 franchise, technology, entrepreneurs, billionaires and VC's. When I get the chance I write about food and booze too. 50 no deposit bonus FREE money to play at GrandWild Casino. Register a new account with this Playtech powered casino NOW. Stress is a major root cause of cancer and must be reduced and eliminated. Removing stress from your life allows the body to do what it … Barcelo Bavaro Palace - All-Inclusive features 1,402 rooms distributed in 4 buildings, each with 4 floors accessible by elevator. 80 … Share on Facebook and automatically participate in the daily draw If this is not enough, we leave you a link so you can play for real money with free chips Money laundering is still surprisingly prevalent in the U. |
In this article…
2. History of Honey – As a Food and Medicine
3. Health Promoting Properties of Honey
4. Health Benefits of Honey – Prevent, Treat, Remedy Illness
5. Defining and Understanding the Different Types of Honey
6. How to Select a Quality Honey
7. How to Store Honey – Retaining Quality
8. How to Add Honey to Your Dog’s, Cat’s Diet
9. Daily Dietary Dosage for Honey
10. Cautions and Interactions
The following provides a comprehensive guide on honey for you and your dog…
Natural Honey (Apis mellifera, also known as raw, unprocessed or unpasteurized honey) is said to be the world’s perfect food – a food that has been revered by the human race for many thousands of years.
Honey offers a rich source of nutrients packed into a simple food which delivers pure energy. Honey also contains multiple, powerful health-promoting and healing compounds that make it a versatile medicine. Honey can be used in emergency medicine, for the treatment and remedy of chronic ailments as both an ingested and topical medicine.
Natural honey is unlike any other food in that honey never spoils.
During their exploration of ancient Egyptian tombs, archaeologists discovered honey that was interred along with the pharaohs. Upon tasting the honey the archaeologists where able to determine that the ancient honey is still perfectly edible.
As a bee keeper, a dog whisperer / behaviourist, wellness adviser and guardian to my own dogs and cats – the topic of honey, dogs and cats holds a place near and dear to my heart and soul.
As beekeepers ourselves, my partner and I work as a team taking great care to provide the bees we have in our care, with a safe and healthy chemical-free environment. We have great respect for our bees and treat them with consideration.
We plant and grow cultivated and wild flowers using organic methods. We do not use any herbicides or pesticides. We are fortunate in that there are no GMO crops near our land on which we keep our bees. We take great care in the handling, processing and packaging of our bees’ honey to ensure the honey and other bee products retain their pristine condition and optimal health promoting properties.
I love to tend to the bees and feel honoured and humbled to do so. I am comforted by the sound of their wings and fascinated to watch them go about their business. There is nothing that can compare to holding a frame of honeycomb fresh from the hive. Gazing upon the beauty of the comb structure, breathing in the wonderful scent of the honey and wood, appreciating the beautiful golden colour of the honey as my finger accidently creates an indent in the wax of the comb, causing some honey to well-up – which of course I must taste to clean my hands. In awe always, of the grace and tolerance of the bees, as I stand next to the hive while the bees flit about declining to sting me.
Bees are insightful beings. Bees respect those humans who are calm, grounded, quite and can normalize being in their (the bees’) presence, free of fear. Bees will not tolerate intrusion by anxious, aggressive, loud disrespectful humans.
Bees themselves are amazing beings with a complex social structure and language of their own. The products that they produce are amazing and many – apis (bee venom), bee pollen, honey, honey comb, propolis, royal jelly…
Much respect should be according to the bee. Approximately every third-bite you take of any given meal comes to you by the grace of the bee. As for the precious life giving and healing food they produce which we garner great benefit from…
It takes approximately twelve (12) bees a combined distance of flight equalling 6,000 miles (9656 km) – which also equates to their lifetime’s worth of foraging time, to produce just one (1) precious teaspoon (21 grams) of honey.
2.0 History of Honey – As a Food and Medicine
The use of honey as a beneficial food and medicine is mentioned in the ancient writings and depicted in the artwork of ancient civilizations and cultures such as those found in Egypt, Greece, Roman, Saxon, Christian (i.e. bible), Islam (i.e. Koran), Judea (i.e. Torah), Vedas.
Physicians from ancient times have written about the many healing properties and uses of honey – those ancient practitioners that extolled honey’s virtues include Aristotle, Aristoxenus, Cornelius Celsus, Dioscorides, El Basry, El Mad Joussy, Hippocrates, Porphyry and many more.
The following chart provides just a few examples of honey’s use over the past thousands of years to present day…
150 Million Years
Oldest known physical evidence of bee-life…
150 million year old fossils of honey bees
Earliest known record of beekeeping…
found on Cave paintings in Spain
Earliest known record of apiculture – keeping bees in hives…
found in the Sun Temple near Cairo – the ancient Egyptians used honey in medicinal compounds and as a sweetener
First documented use of honey in wound management. The Egyptians cherished honey as a food.
Xin Dynasty Period …
First recorded use of Juice of Parrot Tree (Butea monosperma, or palash on Sanskrit) and honey as an Ayurvedic curative
The Saxons used honey to treat…
Sties and wounds, including those from amputation
The practice of bee keeping flourishes
The practice of bee keeping flourishes
Use of honey as a therapeutic cure becomes very popular in England, Germany, Finland and Ireland
Ancient Islamic literature honey bees are often extolled for their creativity, industry and intelligence. One such example is that of a Muslim physician who describes the many healing powers of honey.
The ancient Greek physician Dioscorides uses honey to treat sunburn and infected wounds.
Honey (Feng Mi) is praised by Li Shizhen for its many medicinal uses.
Honey is used as a therapeutic drug in combination with Alum to treat ulcers
Honey is used as an antiseptic and mouthwash
Researchers begin to document the healing properties of honey – which later dies off due to the development of antibiotics. This research initiative will resume in the later part of the 20th century.
Second Balkan War…
Honey is used to heal the wounds of soldiers
Researchers at Purdue University discover that honey acts as a catalyst to calcium absorption in the body
A large hospital in New Zealand begins use of manuka honey to control MRSA 9methicillin-resistant Staphylococcue aureus) and other bacterial infections
Professor Basel Al Ramadi of the Microbiology and Immunology Department at UAE University discovers that Manuka honey can be used to inhibit the growth of several types of cancer.
In Europe, honey continued to be of great importance as a cherished food until the Renaissance period when sugar was introduced to the Europeans. In the seventeenth century – for the first time in its long history of use as a cherished food and sweetener, honey took a back seat to sugar.
Today sugar is recognized as a significant trigger for illness and disease including cancer, while honey is regaining its reputation as a health promoting, healing food and medicine.
The same properties that make honey valuable to human health make honey valuable to canine and feline health.
3.0 Health Promoting Properties of Honey
The ancients knew that natural honey had many health promoting properties – modern science has revealed that the ancients were correct. Science is now revealing some of the reasons why honey is so beneficial…
3.1 Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antiseptic, Anti-tumor, Antiviral, Prebiotic, Probiotic
Natural honey is a powerful broad spectrum antibiotic and kills bacteria by creating an inhospitable environment for the bacteria to thrive and reproduce…
3.1.1 Bacteria do not like acidity
Natural honey has a relatively high acidity level (low pH level) of between 3.2 and 4.5 pH. The acidity level in combination with honey’s natural composition deprives bacteria of nitrogen thereby shutting down the ability of bad bacteria to reproduce.
3.1.2 Bacteria need water to survive; honey dehydrates bacteria
Natural honey is primarily composed of two monosaccharides leaving very few water molecules available for microorganisms – this condition is called low water activity. Low water activity creates a very unfriendly environment for the growth of microorganisms.
3.1.3 Bacteria can’t thrive in the presence of hydrogen peroxide –
Natural honey contains an enzyme called glucose oxidase. When glucose oxidase is mixed with a small amount of fluid (i.e. from an animal’s body – canine, feline, human and other non-human animals) creates a small amount of diluted hydrogen peroxide solution. This solution is strong enough to kill bacteria and gentle enough not to irritate or inflame skin.
In the case of a flesh wound hydrogen peroxide forms when the honey mixes with body fluids present on the surface of the wound. The hydrogen peroxide is released slowly and acts as an antiseptic.
If you use honey to treat an eye infection or sty a light burning sensation may be felt momentarily due to the formation of the mild hydrogen peroxide solution. Stinging is not usually an issue when using honey to treat skin wounds.
3.1.4 Honey is Free of the Dangers Posed by Conventional Antibiotics
Natural honey has been proven to protect against at least sixty (60) species of bacteria – some of which cannot be killed with the use of conventional antibiotics. Unfortunately the number of species of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is on trajectory of rapid incline.
Unlike conventional antibiotics, natural honey does not cause a myriad of adverse temporary and long-term side effects, and disease causing bacteria do not become resistant to honey’s anti-bacterial properties.
Honey is also a prebiotic and a probiotic – both functions provide additional support to the immune system. In its capacity as a prebiotic, natural honey provides food to support the beneficial flora (‘friendly’ or ‘good’ immune system supporting bacteria) in the gastrointestinal track (GI Tract).
In its capacity as a probiotic natural honey contributes significant friendly bacteria to populate the GI tract, once again supporting the immune system and healthy serotonin levels. Depending on the floral origin and other factors that contribute to potency natural honey contains varying amounts of the following friendly bacteria – four (4) species of bifidobacteria and six (6) species of lactobacilli.
Conventional antibiotics have the opposite effect as they kill all bacteria good and bad leaving the GI Tract in an unbalanced state, affecting a drop in serotonin levels and depressing the immune system. A potentially dangerous condition at anytime and for a body that is already fighting illness a precarious state in which further infection, virus and anxiety can take hold.
Natural honey offers a potent natural alternative to conventional antibiotics.
New research has shown that natural honey also contributes to building the body’s natural antibiotic – white blood cells. Recent findings show that honey may stimulate white blood cells. White blood cells are the body’s natural bacteria fighting cells.
3.1.5 Honey Can Help Prevent further Degradation of Conventional Antibiotics
Antibiotics are the most over misused, over-prescribed conventional medication used today in both human and veterinarian medicine. With this overuse comes great risk to the individual patient and the collective population. As bacteria become increasingly resistant to mankind’s array of conventional antibiotics – the ability of those antibiotics to fight many diseases has become seriously compromised.
If if you are drinking tap water; if you are eating non-organic meat; dairy, fruit and vegetables you and your dog or cat are probably ingesting antibiotics on a daily basis. Now on addition to that daily exposure imagine if you, your dog or cat is also taking a course of prescribed antibiotics. Not only is the body getting over-dosed and over-exposed, so to is the environment and the disease causing bacteria.
Conventional antibiotics – like most substances that we humans and our animal companions ingest, pass through the body and into the environment. In this manner antibiotics make their way into municipal water treatment systems, into ground water, then on into streams, rivers and oceans. The same antibiotics then end up in municipal drinking water and in the water you shower and bath in.
If you or your companion animal are consuming meat from large factory farms – confined animal feeding operations (CAFO) you are consuming antibiotics in the meat. Animals in CAFOs are fed antibiotics with their feed. CAFO animal manure is also spread on fields. The grains, fruits, vegetables etc. harvested from these fields also contain antibiotic residue.
The collective and accumulated result is antibiotic-resistant disease. If you put your cat or dog on multiple courses of antibiotics you put your cat’s and dog’s short and long-term health at serious risk. In the absence of effective antibiotics all surgery becomes extremely risky. As for the collective risk – antibiotic resistant superbugs are killing more cats, dogs and people every year. If you are interested in reading more about the real threat posed by over/misuse of conventional antibiotics you can read the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Antibiotic and Antimicrobial Resistance Threat Report 2013.
Conventional antibiotics should only be used when absolutely necessary. If your dog or cat is on conventional antibiotics adding natural honey to the daily diet can help to fight some the adverse affects of conventional antibiotics.
3.2 Antioxidant Properties
Natural honey contains multiple powerful antioxidants as noted further above. Antioxidants prevent and delay cell damage. Free-radicals are biologically destructive chemical agents that are linked to many chronic diseases such as arthritis and cancer. The antioxidants in honey destroy free-radicals.
The antioxidant properties in honey come from monosaccharides (natural sugars) and phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are non-nutritive plant chemicals with disease preventing and protective compounds that shield the plant from disease, drought, excessive heat, injuries, insects, poisons (air and soil) and ultra violet rays. When added to the animal (canine, feline, human, etc.) diet, phytochemicals act as antioxidants that protect the body from various conditions and diseases such as aging, cancer, coronary diseases and other inflammatory disorders, neurological degeneration and a host of other conditions.
The antioxidants in natural honey include: Ascorbic acid; Amino acids, and;
The polyphenol antioxidants in honey include: Acacetin; Apigenin; Caffeic acid; Caffeic acid phenylesters; Chrysin; Galangin; Kaempferol; Quercetin; Pinocembrin, and Pinnobanskin.
In addition to containing phytochemicals produced by plants, natural honey also contains health promoting resins manufactured by the bees themselves. Bees use plant phytochemicals to make resins which are one of the ingredients of Propolis. Propolis, also called ‘bee glue’ is manufactured by bees for use as a sealing substance to keep the bee hive free from health threatening bacteria and other undesirable microorganisms. Honey contains trace amount of Propolis.
These antioxidant properties also contribute to the natural ability of honey to help heal wounds as the antioxidants in honey provide nutritive value to cells which translates into the growth of new, healthy tissue.
The antioxidant composition of natural honey varies based on the botanical and environmental origin of the honey as explained further below.
The antioxidant value of honeydew honey has been found to be greater than that of most other honey.
3.3 Hygroscopic Properties – a Natural Humectant
Natural honey is hygroscopic. When exposed to air honey naturally absorbs moisture from the air. When used to treat open wounds the hygroscopic nature of honey can help to prevent scaring as the moisture collected by honey keeps skin hydrated and fresh; supports the growth of new tissue; helps to ensure wound dressings do not stick to healing wounds/skin.
3.4 Nutritive Properties
Natural honey contains vital minerals and vitamins including…
- Vitamins –
- B Complex…
- B1 (thiamine)
- B2 (riboflavin)
- B5 (pantothenic acid)
- B6 (pyridoxine)
- B9 (folic Acid)
- C (ascorbic acid)
- Niacin (Nicotinic acid)
Darker honey contains higher quantities of nutrients than lighter honey. For a more detailed listing of the nutrients found in honey you can look at this chart.
4.0 Health Benefits of Honey – Prevent, Treat, Remedy Illness
4.1 A Food For Health and an Ingested Treatment
Natural honey can be used as an ingested treatment for many conditions including…
- Anxiety and Stress
- Allergies – environmental
- Analgesic – pain reduction
- Blood and Vascular Health
- Anemia by stabilizing hemoglobin levels
- Blood circulation – improve poor circulation
- Blood sugar control
- Maintenance of optimal glucose metabolisim during sleep and exercise in support of avoiding the development of:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Insulin resistance
- Lower LDL cholesterol
- Obesity – prevention and weight loss
- Raise low blood platelet count
- Raise levels of protective antioxidant compounds (specifically polyphenolic)
- Septicaemia, prevention and treatment
- White blood cell stimulation
- via improving endothelial (cells that line the blood vessels) function
- Bowel, Urinary Tract Health
- Laxative (gentle)
- Relieve constipation
- Calcium absorption
- Cancer prevention, treatment
- Digestive Health
- Urinary Tract Infections– UTIs
- Ear Infections
- Energy source (instant) without spiking insulin levels
- Fatigue and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
- Fasting animal due to illness such as diarrhea – these animals can be given honey to help sustain energy levels, fight off ailment and help heal the GI tract
- Infections caused by catheters used for kidney dialysis
- Immune system support – activity stimulator
- Insomnia – relief of
- Muscle recuperation support after physical exercise
- Osteoporosis due to calcium absorption enhancement
- Reduce oxidative damage
- Restorative sleep promotion
- Upper Respiratory Infections – URIs
- Fight infection and symptoms (cough, mucous, sore throat etc.)…
- Bronchitis, including chronic bronchitis
- Chronic and allergic rhinitis
- Chronic and allergic sinusitis
- and other URIs
Some of the minerals (found in specific concentrations in honey) combine together to form a serum that mimics blood serum – this similarity allows the body to easily metabolize honey. While this is an advantage for healthy beings who choose to consume honey, it is even more of an advantage for those who are ailing.
4.2 A Topcial Treatment
Natural Honey can be used topically as a treatment for many conditions including…
- Dental and Oral Health – i.e.
- Eye Conditions – i.e.
- Ear infections
- Skin Conditions – i.e.
- Bacterial infections
- Irritated, inflamed skin, rashes
- Fungal infections, i.e.
- Ring Worm
- Ulcers – i.e.
- Foot and leg ulcers including diabetic foot ulcers resistant to healing and conventional drugs/salves
- MRSA ulcers
- Wound dressing and healing –
- Draw poison from bites, stings
- Infected wounds
- Skin grafts
- Surgical incisions
- Surgical wounds
- Trauma wounds
- including the healing of stubborn wounds
If you want to give honey as a dietary supplement or topical treatment on a kitten or puppy under 6 months of age go to the pharmacy and purchase medicinal honey – don’t use natural honey. See section 10.0 below for more information.
5.0 Defining and Understanding the Different Types of Honey
5.1 Types of Pure Honey
5.1.1 Natural Honey
‘Natural’, ‘pure’, ‘raw’, ‘unpasteurized’ are interchangeable terms used to describe honey that has not had anything added to it and has simply been extracted from the honeycomb, and may also be passed through a fine sieve to remove particles of honeycomb, foreign particles that may have been introduced inadvertently during extraction or been present prior to extraction. This minimal processing ensures that honey remains thick and rich with nutrients. Raw honey contains pollen and a full range of health promoting properties typically present in unpasteurized honey. Natural honey may be purchase in various forms such as honeycomb, chunk, liquid and creamed.
5.1.2 Honeydew Honey
Also known as Bug Honey, Flea Honey, Forest Honey, Tree Honey may also be named after the type of plant it was harvested from – i.e. Cedar Honey, Elm Honey, Oak Honey, Maple Honey, Pine Honey. Honeydew honey is a natural honey but it is not made from the nectar of flowers, instead it is made from a sweet, sticky liquid excreted by specific insects such as the aphid as they feed on plants. Most honeydew is manufactured by insects (aphids and/or scale insects) that feed on the sap of trees however some plants also provide a source of sap for honeydew. These plants include alfalfa and cotton plants, currant vines, grape vines, gooseberry bushes and sunflower plants.
Insects such as aphids feed on the sap of plants by piercing the plant (stem, leaf, etc.) with their needle-like mouthparts. The sap is released under pressure and shoots into the aphids food canal and forces previously ingested sap out of the aphids ‘bottom’ – elimination canal. The expelled liquid (now a processed sap) lands on the branches, leaves, needles of the plant and the surrounding ground. The sap – once it has been processed by aphid’s digestive and eliminatory system is called ‘dew’…it is no longer just sap. Bees and other insects collect the honeydew the same way nectar is collected from flowers and processes the sap the same way floral nectar is processed. The bee may also mix the honeydew with floral nectar. Honey that is produced primarily of honeydew is called honeydew honey.
While bees prefer floral nectar – if environmental conditions (i.e. drought, or seasonal constraints) or geographic location result in a lack of flowers from which to collect nectar, honey bees will collect (more) honeydew. In some regions honeydew is as a major source of nectar for bees – northern California is one such region. New Zealand exports Beech Tree Honey as a premium export honey. Honeydew honey tends to be more expensive to purchase than standard natural honey.
Honeydew honey is typically lower in glucose and fructose, higher in complex sugars, richer in minerals and antioxidants, tends to be very dark in colour and stronger in taste than standard natural honey. Honeydew honey typically contains more oligosaccharides than floral honey which makes honeydew an excellent prebiotic. Oligosaccharides help to promote and maintain friendly bacteria in the GI tract. Honeydew is very rich in antioxidants – some types of honeydew honey contain higher levels of antioxidants than floral honey. New Zealand Beech Tree Honeydew Honey has exceptional high levels of glucose oxidase providing antibacterial activity that exceeds the activity of some Manuka (Leptospermum – tea tree) honey.
Honeydew can be used in the same manner as standard natural honey and daily dosage is the same as standard natural honey.
5.2 Types of Modified Honey
5.2.1 Medical, Pharmaceutical, Surgical Honey
Medical, pharmaceutical and surgical honey / products used in hospitals and available in pharmacies are typically made from extracts of Leptospermum (tea tree) or alpine honey. The methylgloxal is sterilized and mixed with sugar and turned into a powder that can then be used to make creams/ointments, eye drops, nasal sprays, pills etc. Unfortunately these products made by extracting methlygloxalfrom honey lack the other beneficial substances that would be present in whole natural honey.
The company Medihoney uses whole Leptospermum honey (as opposed to extracted elements) in the making of their products. Medihoney uses a sterilization process to eliminate any Botulism spores that may be present. The sterilization process used does not destroy the beneficial properties of the honey.
5.2.2 Processed Honey
Most of the honey found on grocery store shelves is processed honey. Processed honey is filtered, clarified and pasteurized, and may also be watered down. Processed honey is usually a blend of various honeys from multiple sources.
During pasteurization the honey is heated. The enzymes in honey can sustain heat up to 160 degrees for a short period of time. Pollen, other health promoting substances and friendly bacteria cannot sustain the heat and are destroyed in the pasteurization process.
Processed Blended Mix of Honey
Typically the food manufacturer or distributer will combine a regional honey with the most inexpensive imported honey that they can find. The imported honey may be less expensive to purchase as it may be produced in high volume under very unrestricted/ non-regulated conditions resulting in high volume at the expense of safety and quality of product.
Processed Watered Down Honey
If water is mixed with honey it loses its low water activity and therefore its anti-microbial properties. Watered down honey is nothing more than sugar water. Much of the commercial honey found on a grocery store shelves has been processed and watered down. The water creates more volume thus adding to the profit margin of the manufacturer and retailer – but destroys its antibacterial quality, as does pasteurization. A very large portion of the honey sold on grocery store shelves in Canada and the U.S. is not truly ‘honey’ instead it is a conglomerate made up of corn syrup or rice syrup, malt sweeteners (also called ‘jiggery’ – a cheap, unrefined sugar) to which is added a minimal portion of honey.
5.3 Colour of Honey
Honey comes in many colour variations including amber, brown, (almost) black, red and white. The colour of honey is influenced by the floral species that the nectar comes from and as well from the time of year that the nectar is collected. A few examples can be fund just below…
5.3.1 Colour Variation by Floral Species
- Nectar from the buckwheat plant results in a very dark colour honey as does nectar from the Manuka tree (also called Leptospermum or Tea Tree)
- The time of year that the pollen is harvested
- Nectar from early spring flowers results in white honey
- Dark honey occurs naturally when bees harvest nectar from plants in the later part of the summer season.
Darker honey offers greater potency of health promoting properties – the darker the honey the stronger the taste, health and medicinal properties. The exception to this rule occurs when an unethical beekeeper dilutes a good quality dark honey with tailings from the processing of beeswax which results in remaindered burnt honey. An unethical beekeeper may add the burnt honey to the prized dark honey to extend volume and increase profit. Remember – heating honey destroys its beneficial properties so the introduction of the burnt honey results in a lesser quality product.
5.4 Forms of Honey
5.4.1 Natural Comb Honey
The rawest form of honey is honey comb honey. Bees manufacture honeycomb using beeswax which the bees also make. The bees fill the cells of the honeycomb with honey. The bees then cap-off each filled honeycomb cell with a plug of beeswax. Comb honey provides excellent nutritional and health promoting value as both the honey and the comb contain pollen and a full range of health promoting properties typically present in unpasteurized honey. You can give comb honey to your dog or cat as a treat or as a part of their daily diet. Daily dosage should be similar to that of raw liquid or solid honey. My dogs love comb honey.
5.4.2 Natural Chunk Honey Recommended
Chunk honey is simply raw honey that is put in a jar or container with a piece of honey comb. Chunk honey can be fed to your dog or cat the same way as comb honey and liquid honey.
5.4.3 Natural Liquid Honey
Natural honey extracted from the honeycomb is a thick viscous liquid. You can give liquid honey to your dog or cat as a treat or as a part of their daily diet. Daily dosage is provided further below. My dogs and cats all eat natural honey as part of their daily diet. Natural honey is part of my daily diet as well. Natural liquid honey is the preferred from of honey for use as a topically applied medicine to treat skin conditions and various types of wounds.
5.4.4 Natural Creamed Honey
Creamed honey is made by adding a little finely crystallized honey into liquid honey. The transformation from liquid to creamed does not affect the health promoting properties of the honey. Daily dosage for dogs and cats is the same as liquid honey. Don’t use creamed honey topically to treat wounds or skin conditions as the sharp microscopic crystals can cause irritation to the skin.
5.4.5 Processed Honey
Processed honey is equivalent to sugar-water. It lacks the beneficial properties of natural honey and when consumed it spikes insulin levels. Processed honey is an inflammatory food and does not provide the medicinal properties of natural honey.
5.5 Taste Variation in Honey
The taste of honey – insipid or flavourful, weak or strong is directly influenced by the: Floral source of the honey, for example lavender honey will have a distinct taste as will buckwheat honey or orange blossom honey;
The richness of the honey – for example natural honey vs. processed honey and dark vs. light colour honey.
5.6 Variation in Health Promoting, Sustaining and Healing Properties
If the floral source of the pollen was contaminated with herbicides, pesticides, or other environmental pollutants the honey will also be contaminated. Honey that contains a high level of toxins is not healthful.
This is determined by a host of factors…
5.6.1 Antioxidant Value
The floral source of honey accounts for great variance in the antioxidant composition in honey.
- Honey produced from bees that are feeding off organic floral sources contains greater nutritional and medicinal value.
- Honey that is made of nectar collected from a single source floral, such as buckwheat or clover or lavender or rosemary will have different antioxidant profiles.
- Honeydew honey is very high in antioxidents.
- Honey that is made from nectar collected from multiple floral sources will differ in antioxidant value by localized region.
- Honeydew honey has very high antioxidant levels.
5.6.2 Probiotic Value
The probiotic properties of honey also vary based on environmental and floral species – in general honey contains a large quantity of good (friendly) bacteria comprised of four species of Bifidocacteria and six species of Lactobacilli.
5.6.3 Healing Compounds
Honey that is made from the nectar of plants that contain active healing compounds (i.e. lavender or oregano) will contain those specific healing compounds found in the plant.
Any good quality unpasteurized honey can be used as both a dietary supplement and as a treatment for healing and wound care.
The honey currently most prized for wound healing properties is produced from the nectar of the Leptospermum (tea tree) trees or shrubs. Leptospermum is a genus of 80 to 86 species of plants from which the nectar of the flowers is gathered by bees to make Leptospermum honey. Leptospermum honey from New Zealand is produced from the nectar of the Manuka tree. The Kanuka tree (a close relative of the Manuka tree) is also a source of potent anti-bacterial honey. Leptospermum honey from Australia is produced from the Jelly Bush or Lemon-scented tea tree. Leptospermum honey such as Kanuka, Manuka and Lemon-scented Tea tree honey contain a higher concentration of methylglyoxal than other honey. Methylglyoxal is a potent antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal agent.
Manuka honey is readily available in natural health/natural food stores, grocery stores, etc. around the globe as New Zealand exports Manuka honey to many countries around the world.
Buckwheat honey is prized for its use as an ingested treatment for upper respiratory tract infections and related symptoms such as coughing.
5 .6.4 Degradation of Health Promoting Properties due to Toxins
The plants and the local environment from which the bees harvested the floral and plant nectar, pollen, resins and saps used to produce the honey is a determining factor in the quality of the honey as pertains to purity safety – quality. If the soil that the flowers and plants grew in were contaminated with heavy metals, if the plants and soil were dosed in herbicides and pesticides, and fertilized with manure high in antibiotic residue the honey can be toxic.
Another example of tainted honey can be seen in the practice of honey ‘laundering’. Cheap honey imported from Asia was being dumped on the Canadian and U.S. market at artificially low prices. This cheap Aisan honey has been found to contain multiple toxins including antibiotics such as chloramphenicol, lead and other heavy metals. Many large and some small North American honey producers/packers/distributers/ were buying up this honey to either: a) sell after falsely relabeling it, or; b) use it to water down locally produced honey. The U.S. Department of Justice added import duties to discourage the dumping of the cheap Asian honey. The importers simply worked around this by first shipping the Chinese honey to Thailand and then imported to the U.S.
When honey is stored in lead welded storage tanks, or plastic storage containers that were not BPA-free the honey will be contaminated. The same can be said of honey that is packaged in non-BPA-free plastic containers. There are many factors that can degrade the health-promoting value of honey.
I know of many local bee keepers that use the utmost of care when harvesting, processing, storing and packaging honey. I know of other local beekeepers that introduce toxins to the honey during the harvesting, processing, storage and packaging of the honey. The sad thing about those beekeepers is that many of them have absolutely no idea that storing honey in non-food grade plastic storage tanks puts their customers – the purchasing public at risk. And yes, there are other beekeepers and distributers of honey that know but just don’t care.
5 .6.5 Degradation of Health Promoting Properties due to Honey ‘Laundering’
As noted further above the colour of honey darkens with age. Some bee keepers take advantage of this fact by using old honey that has sat at the bottom of a pail or holding tank for +/- 5 years to mix with dark speciality honeys such as buckwheat. In so doing the unethical beekeeper is able to stretch the volume of the specialty honey with non-descript aged honey.
This stretching of a finer quality honey is also done by mixing the fine quality specialty honey with tailings (burnt honey) – a waste product created during the processing of raw comb wax to solid beeswax.
6.0 How to Select a Quality Honey
A truly organic product will have the best potency of flavour, nutrients and medicinal qualities. A non-organic but good quality natural honey will also offer good nutritional and medicinal value
Look for honey that is labelled ‘100% Pure’.
Read the product label – including the fine print. Fine print may divulge important details regarding the quality of the product. For example…
- That the honey is imported, or;
- A blend of local honey mixed with imported honey;
- Make sure the place of origin for the honey is not a geographic location where the soil is said to be highly contaminated…for example China;
- If the label includes the word ‘Pure’ the honey may be watered down;
- If the label states ‘100% Pure’ then the honey should be truly pure.
Look for honey that is viscous (a thick fluid) rather than a honey which is thin, runny or watery – an indicator that the honey has been ‘watered down’.
Purchasing locally produced honey from a reputable beekeeper is a good way to ensure you are getting a quality product. Remember that any good quality natural honey will be rich in nutrients, health promoting and medicinal qualities.
As noted in the sections further above if you want a honey to have optimal nutritive content look for a dark coloured honey.
If you want a honey to have optimal wound healing properties look for a dark coloured honey. Remember don’t use crystallized honey on wounds as the sharp crystal molecules can irritate the skin.
For medicinal purposes and wound healing you can look for honey known to have exceptionally high glucose oxidase levels, for example:
- Buckwheat honey to treat upper respiratory infections
- Manuka honey or New Zealand beech tree honeydew honey for wound healing.
Remember that honey derived from herbal flora such as chamomile, garlic, lavender, marjoram or sunflower will take on the medicinal qualities inherent in that particular plant species.
If you want to give honey as a dietary supplement or topical treatment on a kitten or puppy under 6 months of age go to the pharmacy and purchase medicinal honey – don’t use natural honey. See section 9.0 below for more information.
7.0 How to Store Honey to Retain Quality
To maintain maximum potency of the honeys nutritious and healthful properties…
Honey should be stored:
- In an air tight container so that the honey does not absorb moisture from the air
- A glass container is preferable to a plastic container
- While pottery is attractive if the glaze is not impermeable, moisture from the air can be absorbed through the pottery by the honey.
- At room temperature or slightly cooler;
- In a dark place (i.e. cupboard) vs. a place exposed to high light levels.
Over time natural honey will eventually crystallize and solidifiy. This does not mean that the honey has lost any of its beneficial properties (other than being a little more difficult to spoon out or spread) nor is the honey spoiled or gone bad in any way. Don’t heat the honey at a high temperature as beneficial attributes will be destroyed. Don’t microwave the honey as doing so will also destroy honey’s beneficial properties. If you want to return the honey to a more liquid state simply place the honey (still in its container) in a warmer room or in some warm water. Leave the container standing in the warm water until the honey can be stirred or poured. The fact that the honey does solidify indicates that it is pure and not processed.
Due to lower glucose and fructose content, honeydew honey crystallizes at a much slower rate than floral honey. Some honeydew honeys do not crystallize at all.
Don’t use crystallized, solidified honey to treat wounds or skin conditions as the sharp microscopic crystals can cause irritation to the skin.
8.0 How to Add Honey to Your Dog’s, Cat’s Daily Diet
- You can add the honey to your dog’s or cat’s food once a day at meal time
- You can give the honey to your dog or cat as a treat
- You can use the honey as part of a treat – you can find example recipes here.
9.0 Daily Ingested Dosage for Honey
Non-Therapeutic Use – for daily intake as part of a health-promoting diet
Dogs and Cats
¼ tsp for every 20 pounds of body weight
9.0 Application of Honey on Wounds
As noted in section 4.2 above honey can be used topically to treat and remedy multiple types of skin conditions and wounds of various types and severity. Honey can be applied directly to skin to aid and speed healing, cleanse the wound, prevent and remedy infection, reduce pain, pus, and swelling, slough away dead cells, etc. and prevent dressings from sticking to wounds, heal stubborn wounds that conventional treatments have failed to cure.
9.1 Applying Honey to a Wound
- Honey should be applied liberally and for deep wounds make sure that the honey flows into the recesses of the wound;
- If possible cover the wound with a dressing;
- For wounds that are stubborn/ resistant to healing, daily application of honey to heal may require a course of treatment that extends over the course of months;
- Honey and fresh dressings must be applied daily;
- If it is not possible to cover the wound then try to discourage your dog or cat from licking the wound for a minimum of 20 minutes by which time the honey will have had an opportunity to begin it’s healing effects;
- Reapply 2 to 3 times daily
- For wounds that do not require dressing apply honey 2 to 3 times daily
- You can also purchase pre-made dressings that contain medical honey made by companies such as Medihoney.
9.2 Applying Honey to Treat Other Skin Conditions
- Apply honey two to three times daily on the affected area
- Persist until conditions clears
10.0 Cautions and Interactions
Kittens and Puppies under six (6) Months of Age
Natural honey can contain a few Botulism spores – not enough to harm a teenage or adult dog or cat but may have the potential to harm a very young puppy or kitten. For this reason natural (raw) honey should not be ingested or topically used on:
- Newborn puppies or kittens;
- Puppies or kittens less than 6 months of age or older puppies and kittens with a suppressed immune system or otherwise weak constitution.
If you want to give honey as a dietary supplement or topical treatment for a kitten or puppy under 6 months of age you can purchase medicinal honey from a pharmacy or on-line. Medihoney is a well known manufacturer of sterilized medicinal honey.
Nigerian Citrus sinensis Osbeck honey reduces peak blood-alcohol (ethanol) levels, as such interactions with alcohol may occur. This is a caution more for humans than for dogs or cats however as alcohol is itself toxic to dogs and cats and should be strictly avoided.
When ingesting honey plus other herbs and supplements that may affect blood sugar levels employ caution.
Carbamazepine and other Anticonvulsants
If your dog or cat is on carbamazepine or another conventional anticonvulsant drug use honey with caution as honey may react with anticonvulsants.
Honey is a broad spectrum antibiotic. If your dog or cat is on a conventional antibiotic and you do not want additive antibiotic effect employ caution. If you do want additive effect then use honey.
Diabetes Honey can spike insulin levels if too much honey is ingested in a single serving; If your dog takes insulin, reduce the standard dosage of honey (provided further above) to 1/4 of the full dosage.
If your dog or cat has an allergy to pollen some allergic reaction may occur. |
Beekeeping can either be a full-time profession or a hobby that is simple. Nonetheless, more often than not, what began as a hobby would become a profession. But you cannot merely decide and tell yourself you will begin to do beekeeping. You need to have adequate knowledge and comprehension on the area that you are going to enter, before beginning on any avocation or profession. Then it’s about time to indulge yourself in your line of interest, if you’ve been putting off your interest in beekeeping for quite a while. Bee farming may seem simple; by learning the basic beekeeping lessons, you can be got off to a great start.
What does a beekeeper need to understand?
You should have total interest on beekeeping to start at the right foot. You need to spend time taking care of your colonies of bees. You should have agreed to share your home space with the bees. There are possible dangers in beekeeping that can hurt not only you but your family as well. If you decide to allow the bees inside your living space, you then must know the supplies and equipment that you will use for beekeeping. Your focus is not just to build an income by selling honey; a good beekeeper should have a keen interest and passion in raising bees.
An apiarist ought to know the right place for the beehives. The place must have sufficient sources of nectar for the bees to get. You need certainly to make sure that beekeeping is enabled in your town if you decide to put your beehives at your backyard. There are several areas confined to beekeeping; you should get permission relating to this.
Beekeepers must know whether beekeeping supplies are available in the area where the beehives are situated. When you have to go to a local beekeeping shop you may never understand; it is best that a nearby beekeeping store is not inaccessible.
Protective supplies and equipment will also be very important to beekeepers to know. Beekeepers are prone to bee stings; the correct ensemble must be worn during beekeeping sessions. Understand the right kind of suit to pick to keep you from any possible danger in beekeeping.
Last but definitely not the least, among the beekeeping lessons you have to know is that: it’s not unimportant for the beekeeper to know the appropriate way of harvesting honey. If you’re not able to harvest honey from your bees all the efforts that are beekeeping would be useless. A beekeeper ought to know the methods in gathering the honey in the comb; beeswax is also part of the returns in beekeeping.
Professional honey producers say folks should stop spending their hard earned money on expensive how to raise bees classes in Oak Creek Wisconsin reason being they can get cheaper training through online information plus ebooks which cost far less than honey bee farming classes. |
Well, not for me, that’s for sure. In which I reflect on the march of time, our need to think we can control it, and procrastination, without using that word.
How did it get to be the end of August? For whatever reason, the end of July, regardless that it’s my birthday, has always signaled the start of sadness season for me. I don’t know why. I always liked school (Yes, I’m one of those types), and these days, the extreme heat of summer bothers more than it used to (although this summer has been pleasant–I’m betting September will be worse than July was), but August has always felt like a beached whale gasping its last breath (and if you knew how crazy I was for whales, you’d really wonder why I chose such an image) to me. September is worse. It feels like a month that has been tagged onto a year just because we needed more days. I always forget to count September–sorry to all you September birthday people. I mean October has Halloween, November is anticipation for the holiday season, and December reaches levels of hysteria that are fun to observe. And then we have the “new year” (which I don’t really believe in because time is so arbitrary–a man-made concept that we could change anytime we wanted to; okay, maybe not. Can you imagine the uproar if we decided to move to a ten-hour day for ease of calculations? It would be louder than the US finally adopting the metric system.)
I had so many plans and I’ve made such good progress on them all, but I’ve finished none. I have discovered that I just slowed down working on five different things at once. (Wait, I take that back; I have finished one of my important projects) I have read about the studies that prove multitasking doesn’t work (despite anything my students used to tell me), and I believed them, but because all the projects excited me, I didn’t want to focus. Now I have my own proof. I would have been better off concentrating on one thing at a time and getting it done instead of trying to finish five things.
So my vow is to focus on only two for the month of September. I’ve already decided on one of them. When I finish it, maybe September won’t seem so tagged on. See as I mentioned above, I don’t really believe in “new year”. I think you can make resolutions any time of the year. Lists, if you will. And lists help me focus. I do have daily lists, weekly lists, and monthly lists. Then more general–sometime during the year lists. Nothing truly formal, but making lists helps me get things done. They give me the illusion of controlling time.
Because God knows none of us can. Control time, that is. My need to dye my hair again proves that.
Books I’m reading now:
Betting the Rainbow by Jodi Thomas
Beekeeping for Beginners by Laurie R King |
Just Bee Apiary is a Chemical Free operation with a focus on raising, managing and teaching how to keep honeybees in the most natural way possible. We do not stress our bees by moving them around the state for pollination. Knowing that honeybees know way more about "beekeeping" than we humans do I study them, their behavior and history to learn from them the best way to interact with them.
-The Orange County Honey Project: Where we use the honeybees small food shed of 3-5 miles to collect the flavor of local towns and then extract these micro-local (town) honey flavors and bottle the TASTE of home.
-The first ever "Honery" in the world! We are the very first bee farm to utilize honeys hygroscopic nature to extract the "devils cut" flavors out of freshly used Whiskey Barrels. Though honey is in liquid form we use it as an extracting agent to pull out all those lost deep rich whiskey flavors.
At Just Bee Apiary we take a LITERAL approach to the "buy local" movement.
Each community we live in has a distinct flora or "Terroir" (Tare-Wahr) that is special to that geographical area. We place our hives at iconic locations within that community that are unique or special to us. Our honeybees forage for several miles gathering nectar and pollen(mother natures fingerprint) then bring it back to those hives and convert them into honey, a liquid time capsule of each year's unique flavor. We harvest our honey and then using a proprietary method, blend all of those flavors(locations) together and create a rare chance for you to know...what HOME tastes like.
What we think we know about HOME is an incomplete story! Through our human senses we can SEE, TOUCH, SMELL & HEAR almost everything around us that we interpret as home, but collectively what home TASTES like has eluded us until now. With the creation of "The Orange County Honey Project" and working in a collaborative effort with our bees (my girls) we can finally complete the story of what HOME really means to us....through TASTE!
Here is a little flashback to our fundraiser that we did on Indiegogo in the spring of 2013. We had some fabulous help from Haley Dona in filming and editing this video for us! Though the fundraiser is over i hope you take a couple minutes to watch it. Lots of time and love went into that video. |
Just wanted to give a quick update of our weekend inspection. A few weeks ago I posted about a queenless hive and a round queen cell. Well, we have a new queen! We didn’t see her, but we did find new eggs and very young brood, positive signs that there is a queen. 🙂 We’ll try to find her and mark her during our next inspection.
Then we had a hive that was not doing so great these past weeks. It happens. The population was dwindling and the queen was not laying, so we had to make a decision. We killed the old queen and combined the weak hive with one of our strong hives. We decided not to requeen because the population was small and could not support a new queen at this time. Soon we’ll split the strong hive, thus creating a new hive and give the bees a chance to produce a new queen.
Two weeks ago we added a second floor to our strong hives and they are doing very well. Here is a frame we pulled from the top chamber. You can tell right away that these are well fed bees. The brood (baby bees) are clustered together and capped in the center. Very nice laying pattern, meaning the queen is good. Lots of capped and uncapped honey surrounding the brood, meaning they have plenty of food for the adults and to feed the larvae.
In the 2 years we have been keeping bees, I have never seen a round queen cell. Most queen cells are elongated, but this one is a round ball. A week ago this hive was doing fine and had a queen, then while inspecting them we noticed they were a little aggressive. My poor husband got stung 4 times and finally put on his gloves. We looked and did not see any new eggs and searched for the queen, but did not find her. There were 3 other queen cells in the hive too. Maybe the queen died from natural causes? Maybe she was rejected from the hive for some reason? Who knows for sure. The queen cells look like emergency cells, so we left them as is and will check this hive in 2 weeks.
A round queen cell.
Close up of round queen cell.
We check our bees once a week and when we arrived we found one of our hives bearded up.
We initially thought the bees were just hot because we have been having record heat for late February. It was 87°F (31°C)! But after we opened up the hive to really see what was going on they were full and needed a second floor. The bee population within a week literally exploded in this strong hive.
We will likely split this hive very soon to prevent the queen from swarming.
Yanni giving the all good thumbs up.
So before we said goodbye we added a second deep with both built and unbuilt frames to give our bees some more room.
Spanish Needle (Bidens alba) is a wildflower that blooms year round in South Florida. It is a source of both pollen and nectar for bees. Many people consider it a weed because it can spread very quickly and has seeds that are hard to remove from clothing and pet’s fur. I used to consider it a weed too until I started beekeeping and realized it is a great wildflower for them.
Bee on Spanish Needle flower
2 bees on Spanish Needle flowers (The second one is close to the bottom of the photo.)
Spanish Needle growing in my backyard
There is an area in my backyard full of it, but I resist cutting it because I see my bees and many other native foragers enjoying the pollen and nectar this plant provides.
Our front yard has a collection of succulents and cacti. Many of these flower throughout the year providing a nice source of nectar for our bees.
We have a large Kalanchoe marnieriana plant that produces pink-orange flowers full of nectar.
We also have several aloe vera plants that bloom. These have longer pink flowers which also provide a source of nectar. Here are two bees foraging.
Nothing beats the joy of seeing your bees finding food right from your own yard.
While outside preparing some honey to feed to one of our hives that had low stores, this girl landed on my sticky finger for a drink of honey. You can even see she had been out collecting pollen as she had some yellow pollen in her pollen basket. When she was done I watched as she flew right back to her hive. |
Beekeeping can be a full-time profession or a hobby that is simple. Yet, more often than not, what started as a hobby would become a profession. But you cannot merely decide and tell yourself you will begin to do beekeeping. Before starting on any hobby or profession, you need to have satisfactory knowledge and understanding on the area that you’re going to enter. Then it’s about time to indulge yourself, if you’ve been putting off your interest in beekeeping for a long time. Bee farming may appear simple; by learning the fundamental beekeeping lessons, you can be got off to a good beginning.
What does a beekeeper should understand?
On beekeeping to start at the right foot you should have interest that is complete. You should have consented to share your dwelling space with the bees. There are potential dangers in beekeeping that can damage you but your family too. Your focus isn’t just to build an income by selling honey; a great beekeeper should have a keen interest and fire in raising bees.
An apiarist should know the right location for the beehives. The area must have adequate sources of nectar for the bees to get. If you decide to put your beehives you have to make sure beekeeping is allowed in your town. There are several places limited to beekeeping; you need to get permission about this.
Beekeepers must know whether beekeeping supplies are offered in the region where the beehives are situated. You may never understand when you should go to a nearby beekeeping shop; it’s best that a nearby beekeeping store is not inaccessible.
Protective gear and equipment may also be very important to beekeepers to understand. Know the right type of suit to choose to keep you from any possible risk in beekeeping.
Last but definitely not the least, among the beekeeping lessons you have to know is that: it is not unimportant for the beekeeper to understand the appropriate way of picking honey. In case you are not able to harvest honey all the efforts that are beekeeping would be ineffective. The procedures should be known by a beekeeper in gathering the honey in the comb; beeswax is also part of the yields in beekeeping.
Professional honey producers say people should stop spending their hard earned money on expensive how to raise bees classes in Zachow Wisconsin because they can get affordable training through online information plus ebooks which cost far less than honey bee farming classes. |
Right from the outset, it’s obvious that The Wonders isn’t your typical film. Not only is it telling a story about a family of beekeepers essentially living in isolation, its primary focus is actually on something that’s very common in life even though it’s not always showcased on screen. I’m talking about the early process of entering your teenage years. As you’ll notice when watching this drama based in Italy, this is a part of growing up that everyone can relate to.
While every family member in this beekeeping family plays their part, The Wonders sees Gelsomina (Maria Alexandra Lungu) as it’s central character. She’s a teenage girl trying to find her place in the world as she begins to experience changes in both the emotional and psychological realms of life. This aspect of our existence is normal, but her situation becomes unique when a troubled teenage boy is taken in by the family and a captivating reality T.V. show catches her attention.
The two changes taking place around Gelsomina prove to be major ones that turn The Wonders into a true tale about developing as a youngster. As the film moves along, her mind starts to show just how imaginative it can potentially be as thing are beginning to shift in her head while these events spark a change and shows her that the world may offer plenty of interesting things that she’s yet to become familiar with. For anyone, this is a pivotal point of life that is accurately portrayed here in an odd way.
Over the course of The Wonders, Italian director Alice Rohrwacher presents Gelsomina and her three little sisters as kids who are discovering life, but more importantly, she is sure to depict them as kids. Usually, films make children out to be smaller versions of adults, but here they actually seem like children. Even if they’re living in a ran down home where they are tending to bees all day, this makes them far more relatable subjects that we can analyze and follow in a way that’s rare in the wide world of cinema.
I guess this picture speaks to who we are as humans. No matter where we’re from, we all have that desire to wander in the world of wonder when we’re children. It’s when we get older and the world starts coming into our lives that we change. Since this is set during a short period of time in the lives of these family members, we don’t get too far into the future, but you kind of get a feel of where it’s going as Gelsomina’s mind has been opened to the possibilities of her own potential existence.
This international feature is a film that allows the mind to effectively drift around what’s being offered up to us as we’re being introduced to the kind of environment that would normally be difficult to find interesting. While being technically simplistic, The Wonders proves to be as emotionally complex as the human psyche can be. With effort and the proper sensibilities, this shows that the souls of children will usually remain positive even when they’re not exactly in the most satisfying of circumstances growing up. That’s one of the key factors in giving this film the heart it needs to flourish.
Director: Alice Rohrwacher
Maria Alexandra Lungu
Eva Lea Pace Morrow
Maris Stella Morrow
Luis Huilca Logrono
Film Length: 110 minutes
October 30, 2015 (Limited)
November 6, 2015 (Expanded) |
Welcome to our beekeepers weblog where we strive to share the best blog posts, videos from expect beekeepers and the equipment to help you get the best from your beekeeping venture.
To stay updated with the latest information in the beekeeping industry to may check out our apiculture latest news. On the other hand if you’re beginning beekeeping and desire to start professional apiculture now get a copy of our beekeeping for beginners ebook.
Beekeeping can be a full time profession or a hobby that is simple. Nonetheless, more often than not, what began as a hobby would turn into a profession. But you cannot only tell and decide yourself you will begin to do beekeeping. Before beginning on any avocation or profession, you need to have sufficient knowledge and comprehension on the area that you’re going to enter. If you’ve been putting off your curiosity about beekeeping for quite a while, then it is about time to indulge yourself in your line of interest. Bee farming may not look difficult; learning the fundamental beekeeping lessons can get you off to a good start.
What does a beekeeper have to understand?
You should have interest that is total on beekeeping to begin at the right foot. You should have consented to share your dwelling space. There are possible risks in beekeeping that can harm you but your family as well. Your focus isn’t just to earn money by selling honey; a good beekeeper should have passion and a keen interest in raising bees.
An apiarist ought to know the right place for the beehives. You need to make sure beekeeping is allowed in your town, if you decide to put your beehives at your backyard. There are several areas confined to beekeeping; you have to get permission concerning this.
Beekeepers must know whether beekeeping supplies can be found in the area where the beehives are situated. You may never understand when you should visit a neighborhood beekeeping store; it is best that a nearby beekeeping shop is accessible.
Equipment and protective gear may also be very important to beekeepers to understand. This will minimize the chances of being stung by your bees. Know the right kind of suit to select to keep you from any possible danger in beekeeping.
Last but definitely not the least, among the beekeeping lessons you need to find out is that: it is important for the beekeeper to know the appropriate way of harvesting honey. All the efforts that are beekeeping would be ineffective if you are not able to harvest honey from your bees. A beekeeper ought to know the procedures in gathering the honey in the comb; beeswax is also part of the returns in beekeeping. |
Our family’s bee business began in the 1930’s with six beehives bought at an auction by the ever curious E.H. Adee. Four generations later, we are still keeping bees. We have worked at all scales of beekeeping, from a few hives in the back yard to a full migratory commercial operation. This experience is what sets us apart from any competition.
Beekeeping is both an art and an ever evolving science that can seem overwhelming when you are just beginning, but don’t fret- we do the research so you don’t have to. From products to best management practices, we are always updating our shelves and knowledge base and we are here to help.
We hope our prices, dedication to customer service, and knowledge speak for themselves. Come visit. |
Hungry Hill Farm
Hungry Hill Farm, located in Nelson County, specializes in honey and shiitake mushrooms. In addition to making 100% raw Virginia honey, Hungry Hill Farm is also a source for beekeeping supplies. Come visit Hungry Hill Farm during Meet Yer Eats to learn about beekeeping and growing shiitake mushrooms!
Honey Tasting: Come sample our different types of honey we produce through out the year and see which is your favorite
Honey Bottling demonstrations: Watch us and learn about our bottling operation from start to finish. We will even let you bottle your own jar if you want to purchase some honey.
Hive inspection demonstrations (weather permitting)
Hive demos with be at 11am, 1pm and 3pm For the brave that want to get an up close and personal look into a hive and how a hive inspection takes place. We will provide a helmet and gloves for those that want to get a hands on experience. Please wear long pants and long sleeve shirt if you want to work with the bees. Light colored clothing is best.
Honey, Beeswax, Shiitake mushrooms (if mother nature allows) and bee supplies
From US-29 S drive to Lovingston / turn right on VA-56 E in Lovingston / go about 4.5 miles and turn right on State Route 647 / in another 2 miles take a slight right on State Route 722 / go approximately 2 miles to the destination, 89 Williamstown Road |
Cedar Rapids, Iowa Bees for Sale and Beekeeping Supplies
Cedar Rapids is in eastern Iowa and offers residents and guests plenty of hometown, family fun activities. Whether you want to walk through the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art and view paintings and other pieces from American artists, including local artist Grant Wood; or tour the National Czech & Slovak museum, which houses an exhibit on the history and culture of 19th-century immigrants; you won’t run out of things to do in Cedar Rapids. We proudly serve the Cedar Rapids region with packaged bees and high-quality beekeeping supplies.
Mountain Sweet Honey Company always provides customers with the best honeybees, beekeeping supplies, and customer service. Our apiaries are in the northeast Georgia mountains, and we ship bees weekly from mid-March to May. It doesn’t matter whether you’re an experienced beekeeper or just getting started – we have everything you need to start or maintain a successful beehive.
Bees for Sale in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Mountain Sweet Honey Company is the #1 shipper of Italian bee packages in the Midwest and on the East Coast. Our customer service representatives are skilled when it comes to bees and can assist you in determining exactly what supplies you need and the best ship date for your bees.
If you’re a beginner and need advice on beginning beekeeping, we can help. We proudly offer Langstroth beehives, which is the most common hive body in the United States. We locally manufacture our own bee hives with premium wood from New Hampshire. Each part of the hive is manufactured with a focus on value and quality craftsmanship.
We also have 3 lbs package bees, nucs, and beehives for sale.
Package Bees for Sale in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
We value bees and are focused on providing Cedar Rapids beekeepers with only healthy and chemical-free bees, so all our bees are grown in Georgia utilizing organic management practices. Our bees are inspected by the Georgia Department of Agriculture and will have a Georgia Department of Agriculture Health Certificate stapled on the outside of the shipping crate.
We have package bees for sale for the 2019 bee season with multiple dates available. We proudly offer Italian honey bees and know how to ship them safely. We also insure our package bee shipments. Our honey bees are always shipped properly, promptly, and with great care. When you order your bees from Mountain Sweet Honey Company, they will arrive to your home quickly and they will be healthy.
Beekeeping Supplies in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Whether you are a beginner or an expert beekeeper, we offer a complete line of beekeeping supplies. Our beekeeping supplies includes hive tools, extractors, and protective clothing which are essential for beekeeping. Our beekeeping supplies also includes 8-frame or 10-frame hive bodies, frames, foundation, screen or solid bottom boards, and telescopic covers. We have all the bee health essentials for honey bees. If you’re a beginner, we offer first-year hive kits that have all the necessary beekeeping supplies for a successful and productive bee hive.
Keeping our prices affordable while offering top quality, organic-friendly supplies is important to us. We offer free shipping on orders more than $150. (Select items not included.)
You can also find bee health items in our shop including essential oils (tea tree, lemongrass), pollen, mite treatments, and supplements.
Mountain Sweet Honey Company started small and over the years has expanded into the full-time business it is today. In the beginning we had just a few beehives, now we’re the #1 shipper of honey bees in the Midwest and on the East Coast and ship bees across the United States. We offer a full-line of top-notch beekeeping products and our skilled customer service representatives help beekeepers in the Cedar Rapids region with all their beekeeping needs.
Since day one, our biggest emphasis has been to provide beekeepers with organic, chemical-free bees. We still strongly believe in that purpose and only offer high-quality bees, high-quality beekeeping supplies, informative advice to beekeepers, and we always execute our orders with outstanding customer service.
Throughout the years we have grown steadily thanks to our loyal customers, our understanding of how to safely ship honeybees, and our skilled and hard-working employees.
If you’re an advanced beekeeper, beginner, or just interested in learning more about what it takes to be a beekeeper, contact us today at (706) 886-1322 and our customer service representative will assist you.
We are located at 758 Georgia Highway 184, Toccoa, GA 30577. |
Welcome to FAO’s NWFP-Digest-L, a free e-mail journal that covers all aspects of non-wood forest products. Back issues of the Digest may be found on FAO's NWFP home page: www.fao.org/forestry/site/12980/en.
You can take part in contributing to the continued success of this newsletter by sharing with the NWFP community any news that you may have regarding research, events, publications and projects. Kindly send such information to [email protected]: We also appreciate any comments or feedback.
A special thank you to all those who have sent me links to information and to Giulia Muir for her help with this issue.
2011 International Year of Forests
The United Nations General Assembly declared 2011 as the International Year of Forests to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests.
www.un.org/en/events/iyof2011/ or www.fao.org/forestry/en
IN THIS ISSUE:
- Bamboo: How “green” is it?
- Blueberries: The many benefits
- Bushmeat in France: Black market thrives in Paris
- Bushmeat in Tanzania: Giraffe in serious danger
- Chestnuts: New hope for the old chestnut
- Maple Syrup: Only sweetener with nutrients
- Maple Syrup: Canadian scientist slams maple syrup study touting health benefits
- Maple Syrup: Spring proves sweet for maple-sugaring
- Mulberries: One of life's sweetest addictions
- Shea butter in Ghana: Government to boost shea nut industry
- Shea butter in Ghana: The struggling shea industry
- Shea butter in Uganda: Shea butter could be a lifeline for Ugandan women
- Wildlife: As larger animals decline, forests feel their absence
- Wildlife: UN-backed meeting calls for stronger measures to protect gorillas
- Armenia: ATP and UN plant trees to celebrate International Year of Forests
- Belize: Tourism industry aiming for a lighter carbon footprint
- Brazil rejects panel’s request to stop dam
- Brazil: The Cerrado, Brazil’s other biodiverse region loses ground
- Côte d'Ivoire: Animals find sanctuary with scientists
- Finland: A substantial business has grown out of a spruce resin salve
- India begins long fight to protect its patents
- Kazakhstan: Tigers could reappear under new plan
- Malaysia: Monkey malaria “could spread in humans”
- Paraguay: NGO sues to save forest for natives
- Peru: Demand for gold pushing deforestation in Amazon
- UK: How to forage
- USA: Wolves taken off Endangered Species List
- Vietnam creates reserve for newly-discovered, nearly-extinct mammal, the saola
- Air pollution “damaging EU’s wildlife havens”
- Amazon forest authorities agree on activities for International Year of Forests
- Biodiversity cause still lags behind climate change — despite UN’s attempts
- EU herbal medicines law set for legal challenge
- Expanding forests in northern latitudes
- Giant fish help the Amazon rainforest grow
- Honeybees get a helping hand
- New partnership established to address threats to forests in the Mediterranean
- Tropical countries aim for global forest pact
- West Africa: UNWTO to support ecotourism in the region
- Mauritius: International Workshop on Bioprocessing, Policy and Practice
- CBD: International meeting on sustainable use of biological diversity
- International Conference on Silvicultural Management for Forests Producers of Edible Mushrooms
- CIFOR Policy Conference
- El Bosque sin Frontera para Todos y por el bien Común
- International Symposium on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
- 9th World Bamboo Congress
- Forests for Human Health
- FAO finalizes second Asia-Pacific Forestry Sector Outlook Study
- Varroa: Still a problem in the 21st century
- Women’s Knowledge: Traditional Medicine and Nature
- Other publications of Interest
BACK TO TOP
Source: The Guardian (UK), 10 April 2011
The introduction of this super-fast-growing grass into UK homes in the form of plates, bowls, paint brushes, bathroom towels and bed-linen was accompanied by much loud noise about its eco-credentials. Bamboo textiles, in particular, were explicitly labelled as eco, green and/or good for the planet, suggesting that your towels or yoga leggings could single-handedly halt climate change.
Then last year regulators in the US and Canada stopped the party. They ordered the re-labelling of some 450 000 clothing and textile products from the marketable "eco-friendly" bamboo to the less-appealing "rayon". Less appealing from a green point of view because producing rayon (viscose) is a highly polluting activity. Under the microscope scientists could see no difference between "bamboo" products and viscose, where the finished fibre is extruded from cellulose by applying a large amount of chemicals and results in hazardous air pollutants. Bamboo's eco credentials were in tatters.
But this is unfair. As a material it has big plus points. Lately, product designers have used it to make a lightweight concept car, the Phoenix, which surely deserves to wear an eco tag. The bamboo is woven with rattan, steel and nylon to make the body of the car, handmade by a team of craftsmen in just 10 days. It is strong and light and created without the heavy industry, huge energy and extensive tooling normally demanded in car production.
But what of bath towels, a more prosaic bamboo item? Steven Handley of marketroyale.co.uk sells bamboo homewares and insists certified bamboo is eco, especially when compared with the main alternative, cotton. "Can it be right that cotton uses over 25 percent of all insecticides and 12 percent of all pesticides in the world, but is grown on only 3 percent of available farmland?" he asks (rhetorically). Grown right, he insists, bamboo also prevents soil erosion, sequesters 12 tonnes of CO2/ha (30 percent more than trees), is self seeding — meaning it need not be replanted (a boon in areas of economic hardship) — and is better able to survive drought and flooding than cotton.
But how do you know that it is grown right and, more specifically, processed without harmful pollutants? First ask the retailer. There is no getting away from some chemical use — the cellulose must be dissolved into a viscose solution, but this should take place in what is called a closed-loop system where harmful chemicals are recovered and recycled. This quietly assures better bamboo, but it is still best to avoid shouting.
For full story, please see: www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/apr/10/how-green-is-bamboo
BACK TO TOP
Source: Environmental News Network, 12 April 2011
Blueberries can grow wild practically anywhere in the north-eastern United States and Canada, covering vast stretches of meadows and becoming the dominant plant. Amazingly, they thrive after forest fires, even after they burn themselves. Blueberries also offer great health benefits. According to a new study from Texas Woman's University (TWU) in Denton, TX, blueberries have a positive effect on aging, metabolism, and inhibiting the development of fat cells.
The berry is great for the heart and cardio system due to its high polyphenol antioxidant content. These compounds have the ability to scavenge free radicals such as hydrogen peroxide, which must be removed from cells to maintain healthy metabolic function. These antioxidants can also be found in a variety of other fruits such as blackberries, raspberries, and grapes.
According to Shiwani Moghe, graduate student at TWU, blueberries could play a large role in reducing the epidemic of obesity. She tested whether the blueberry polyphenols played a role in adipocyte differentiation, which is the process where a relatively unspecialized cell acquires the specialized features of an adipocyte. An adipocyte is an animal tissue cell specialized for the synthesis and storage of fat.
Plant polyphenols are known to resist the development of fat cells. They actively break down fat compounds and lipids. The idea is to see if these plant polyphenols could be translated into fighting fat cells in animals, i.e. humans. Moghe was determined to find out if the blueberry polyphenols could inhibit obesity at the molecular level.
She experimented on tissue cultures taken from lab mice, giving each different doses of blueberry polyphenols to see their effect on adipocyte differentiation. The higher dose group had a 73 percent decrease in fat compounds. The lower dose group had a 27 percent decrease.
"We still need to test this dose in humans, to make sure there are no adverse effects, and to see if the doses are as effective. This is a burgeoning area of research. Determining the best dose for humans will be important," said Moghe. "The promise is there for blueberries to help reduce adipose tissue from forming in the body."
This research was presented at the Experimental Biology 2011 meeting for the American Society for Nutrition on 10 April 2011.
For full story, please see: www.enn.com/top_stories/article/42574
BACK TO TOP
Source: The World, 16 March 2011
It is Friday night in one of Paris’s many African restaurants, but thirty-something Congolese immigrant Roger will not be having anything listed on the menu. He called ahead to arrange a special order — porcupine in a black sauce, with a side of cassava.
At US$34, the porcupine dish is twice the price of regular menu items. But Roger says it is worth it. He says eating French food seems like eating the same thing all week.
“You cannot make the difference between fish or chicken or beef,” Roger says. “But in Africa, you can make the difference between porcupine, snake, and crocodile. All animals have got a unique taste.”
Roger says he eats what is known as bushmeat twice a week — that is, animals killed in the wild from his home continent. His favourites are porcupine, snake and the anteater-like pangolin.
The three animals are among a dozen species that are commonly smuggled into France to cater to the country’s African community. The meat often ends up for sale at the African market, near Chateau Rouge metro station, where bushmeat is hawked by illegal vendors who sell only a small number of items from bags or baskets. The bushmeat is generally hidden from view. You have to ask for it, and have an African face to get any kind of positive response. Street sellers risk a fine of up to US$100 000 and four years in jail for selling illegal bushmeat.
Not everything considered bushmeat is illegal in France. But the illegal market is big enough that it worries French authorities. Paris health inspector Serge Hauteville says it is a problem because the products often do not live up to European health standards. In particular, health officials worry the animals are not killed or transported in hygienic conditions.
Environmentalists, meanwhile, have their own concerns. A 2010 study by scientists from the Zoological Society of London, and published in the journal Conservation Letters, monitored seizures of illegal African bushmeat at Paris’s Charles de Gaulle airport over a three-week period. Based on the results, the researchers estimated that more than five metric tons of African bushmeat is smuggled through that one airport every week, or 260 tons a year.
Still, the African bushmeat trade here in Paris likely represents just a tiny fraction of all of the wild animals killed for meat in Central and West Africa every year. And not all conservationists see the European smuggling as a major concern.
Veterinarian Phillipe Chardonnet, head of the International Foundation for Fauna Management, points out that millions of Africans rely on bushmeat for protein. Chardonnet says most of the animals hunted — species like porcupines and cane rats — are plentiful and can sustain hunting pressure. Often, he says, farmers, government authorities and development agencies consider them pests.
Chardonnet’s organization, which promotes wildlife conservation and sustainable hunting, does supports some anti-bushmeat initiatives, especially for apes and other protected species. But he says for them to work, the efforts must be associated with positive measures that involve local communities.
“You have to have people on your side,” Chradonnet says. “You must understand their livelihood, their culture, and their taste for wild meat.”
Chardonnet acknowledges that the smuggling of some of this wild meat in France does carry health concerns. But he says the relative quantities are too small to make it a serious issue.
For full story, please see: www.theworld.org/2011/03/bushmeat-black-market-thrives-in-paris/
BACK TO TOP
Source: The Citizen (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania) in www.allafrica.com, 17 April 2011
The Giraffe, Tanzania’s national emblem, is increasingly becoming an easy target for bushmeat hunters, and wildlife protectors are warning that if the trend is not checked now, the towering African animal will soon be extinct.
It is illegal to for anyone to kill a giraffe since it is sanctified as a national symbol and an exemption can only be granted by the President. Nevertheless, there has been a growing trend of giraffe poaching, especially in the country's game-controlled areas.
Figures obtained from Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (Tawiri) indicate, for instance, that a census conducted in 2002 in Selous Game Reserve established that there were 6 712 giraffes but the number has decreased sharply, with the 2006 census indicating that there were only 3 163 giraffes remaining.
While a 2006 census in the Serengeti established that the number of giraffes increased from 5 246 in 2006 to 12 078 in 2010, between February and December 2007, a total of 210 giraffes were killed in West Kilimanjaro, and local game rangers say that on average, 20 giraffes are killed every month. It means a lot has to be done if the country is to save this unique animal, say wildlife experts.
"The giraffe is an attractive target to poachers because it has a lot of meat on their bones. Meat from one giraffe can be equal to the meat you get from, say, four elands," said the game warden who preferred to remain anonymous for security reasons.
The Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Mr Ezekiel Maige, said his Ministry was aware of the growing trend in giraffe poaching, adding that relevant measures are underway, including carrying out investigations. "We are doing all we can to fight poaching but we are limited in terms of staff and resources," said Mr Maige.
For full story, please see: http://allafrica.com/stories/201104190564.html
BACK TO TOP
Source: Los Angeles Times, 16 April 2011
From atop a small hill in Virginia (USA), Fred Hebard has views into the past and the future. Ahead of him: the ancient peaks of southern Appalachia. American chestnut trees once held sway across those hazy hills, numbering some 4 billion across the eastern United States.
Behind Hebard: a fledgling forest of spindly chestnut trees, their young branches bare and quivering in the cold wind. If all goes well, those trees are the beginning of a new species, one created in a chestnut mating project aimed at salvaging the American chestnut tree from near extinction.
Hebard might never know if the plan succeeds. It could take decades to determine whether the trees behind him show high levels of blight resistance. "And that only tells you if you have a chance" at full resistance, said Hebard, chief scientist of the American Chestnut Foundation, who has devoted his life to crossbreeding nuts.
Americans spend US$20 million/year importing chestnuts from Europe and Asia; the meaty nuts are gluten-free, cholesterol-free and a lot less fattening than other nuts; chestnuts also make a terrific beer.
“If we keep on losing components of our forests, what are we going to have left?" said Hebard, explaining the passion for a tree that is not even extinct, and for a nut that is imported easily from Europe and Asia for use in salads, stuffings, bread and in toasty bags sold from food carts in New York City.
America used to produce billions of those nuts until a blight imported from Asia attacked trees in New York. The disease spread quickly, and between 1904 and 1940, the trees were nearly wiped out. Those that remained were either not blight-resistant or too few and widespread to produce healthy offspring to sustain the species, whose healthiest specimens grew to 100 ft tall. The trees' absence had a trickle-down effect on wildlife that foraged for chestnuts. Some experts say the panther's disappearance from this region can be traced to the trees' disappearance, because the rodents that were panther prey lost a key food source. It would be decades before the crossbreeding program would take hold. Now, after crossing blight-resistant Chinese chestnuts with non-resistant Americans, the foundation has begun widespread test plantings of a nut that is 15/16 American and 1/16 Chinese. It hopes the equation will produce a tree that has the Chinese version's resistance to disease and the American version's ability to thrive in North America's climate.
"Tree-breeding is not for the impatient," said foundation spokeswoman Meghan Jordan, who says the American chestnut tree's relatively low profile adds to the challenge. “And as long as chestnuts are easily available, it can be difficult to persuade people that America needs its own chestnut trees.”
Hebard points to the trees' historical significance in this part of the country. "This was the last holdout of a subsistence economy," Hebard said of the region, "and the chestnut was a very important part of that economy. It wove itself into the psyche."
To say that chestnut foundation members are excited about the new nut — in scientific terms dubbed the B3F3 — is putting it mildly. Hebard gets more requests from chestnut lovers vying for the right to plant a few B3F3s or their seedlings than he can grant.
Most test plantings are on government-run forestland, but some private citizens have become overseers of one or more B3F3s.
For full story, please see: www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-chestnut-trees-20110417,0,1886901.story?track=rss
BACK TO TOP
Source: United Press International (UPI), 29 March 2011
North American Indians always used maple syrup as a medicine but today's doctors are catching up, a U.S. expert says.
Phil Lempert — food industry analyst — says maple syrup is running in the Northeast United States and Canada. He says when the Indians discovered sap in trees and boiled it down to syrup it was used as an all-purpose seasoning much the way salt is used today and as a medicine.
Maple syrup has about three times the sweetening power of cane sugar and only 40 calories per tablespoon, but unlike any other sweetener, maple syrup is a great source of manganese and a good source of zinc," Lempert says in a statement.
"Manganese protects your cells from free radicals, keeps bones strong, promotes optimal thyroid function, helps maintain blood sugar levels, and more. Zinc also helps balance blood sugar, supports the immune system as well as optimal smell and taste."
University of Rhode Island (USA) researchers found more than 20 compounds in maple syrup have been linked to human health — 13 of which are newly discovered in maple syrup.
For full story, please see: www.upi.com/Health_News/2011/03/29/Maple-syrup-Only-sweetener-with-nutrients/UPI-35531301373131/
BACK TO TOP
Source: The Ottawa Citizen in www.southasiamail.com, 11 April 2011
The use of a new academic study to tout the health benefits of maple syrup — including a newly discovered compound that has been named "Quebecol" in honour of the world's No. 1 source of maple syrup — has been slammed as "irresponsible" by a top Canadian authority in public science.
A U.S. researcher funded by a Quebec farming council and Canada's federal Agriculture Ministry has identified more than 50 "beneficial compounds" in pure maple syrup, a finding that Quebec's syrup producers say will launch a "new era" in the long history of the iconic Canadian liquid, driven by the "number of healthy compounds" it contains.
"Maple syrup is becoming a champion food when it comes to the number and variety of beneficial compounds found in it," University of Rhode Island (USA) chemist Navindra Seeram, an expert in phenolic compounds found in food, said in a summary of research presented this week at the American Chemical Society's national conference in Anaheim, California. "It is important to note that in our laboratory research we found that several of these compounds possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which have been shown to fight cancer, diabetes and bacterial illnesses."
Seeram's research findings were initially trumpeted last year by the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers after about 20 new compounds were discovered in the evaporated sap after boiling. The latest round of research is again being hailed by the Federation, whose president Serge Beaulieu said in a statement that "investing in maple syrup knowledge and innovation will bring the products to another level in a few years."
About 80 percent of the world's maple syrup is produced in Quebec.
Seeram's research has proven to be marketing boon for the Federation, which estimates that news about last year's findings reached 100 million people worldwide. "Given its amazing potential for human health and interesting nutritional value," maple syrup "is a natural choice for people looking to eat well," Federation Marketing Director Genevieve Beland said in a statement issued Friday.
But some of the claims surrounding the U.S. findings have drawn a sharp rebuke from Joe Schwarcz, Director of the McGill University Office for Science and Society and a popular author and commentator on scientific issues.
"This study is of academic interest, and that is all," Schwarcz said. "To suggest that maple syrup is healthy because it contains a number of phenolic compounds is rumpled thinking that needs to be straightened out. Phenolics are not rare — they are abundant in fruits and vegetables." He also expressed concern that consumers hearing about "healthy compounds" in maple syrup could let their appetites for the sweet treat run wild.
"Any suggestion that maple syrup is 'healthy' is irresponsible and may make scientifically shallow people eat more." Schwarcz also took aim last year at some of the "hype" surrounding the U.S. research. In a column published in the Montreal Gazette, he described Seeram as a "respected researcher" who conducted a "commendable analysis" of the chemical constituents maple syrup and discovered some interesting, previously undetected compounds in the process. But Schwarcz also argued that "finding antioxidants that have not been previously detected is nothing more than a testimonial to improved laboratory techniques."
He added: "Some of these might, indeed, slow the multiplication of cancer cells in a Petri dish, but that is a long way from showing the trace amounts found in maple syrup have any effect on human health."
But Seeram also said Quebecol and some of the other previously unknown compounds discovered in maple syrup could turn out to be important disease-fighters when isolated, extracted and concentrated for medical research applications. "We are not saying that this is going to cure diabetes — obviously not," he said. "But this is interesting chemistry. There could be a compound present this food that could then be taken and synthesized into a medicine. Is this not how great discoveries start?"
For full story, please see: www.southasiamail.com/news.php?id=97644
BACK TO TOP
Source: The Boston Globe, 3 April 2011
The local maple sugaring season will be drawing to a close soon, and local sugar farmers say the yield, so far, has been good. In Wellesley (Massachusetts, USA), Babson College’s stately maple trees produced sap for maple syrup for the first time this season.
A few weeks ago, Lisa MacDonald, the school’s Director of residential living, and her husband, Trevor, a Vermont native, pulled out their sugaring supplies and tapped two large trees on College Drive. Since 5 March, their three taps have on most days each produced more than three gallons of sap.
It takes 40 gallons of the sap to boil down to a gallon of maple syrup. The MacDonalds had produced more than two gallons of the sweet syrup, which they plan to share with Babson faculty, staff, and students, according to Nancy Sullivan, a spokeswoman for the college.
The Natick Community Organic Farm, which has tapped about 600 maple trees in Natick, Sherborn, Wellesley, and Dover, said its sap-harvesting season has been respectable this spring. The farm had produced more than 165 gallons of syrup, administrator Trish Wesley Umbrell said last week.
The season will continue until the weather changes; the sap only runs when the nights fall below freezing and the days are over 40 degrees Fahrenheit, she said.
Statewide, maple producers are having a strong season overall, Winton Pitcoff, a spokesman for the Plainfield-based Massachusetts Maple Producers Association, announced recently. There are just over 300 maple producers in Massachusetts, annually producing around 50 000 gallons of syrup worth an estimated US$3 million, Pitcoff said, and they are hoping the season continues at least through this week.
For full story, please see: http://articles.boston.com/2011-04-03/news/29377826_1_maple-syrup-sugaring-massachusetts-maple-producers-association
BACK TO TOP
Source: Orlando Sentinel (USA), 27 March 2011
This year's crop is the biggest ever, and for some reason the birds — cedar waxwings, in particular — have not arrived to eat them.
Despite what the nursery rhyme suggests ("Round and round the mulberry bush, the monkey chased the weasel"), the mulberry is not a small plant. It is a large, deciduous tree. The fruit develops on new growth and hangs from bendable limbs accessible by both adults and children. There are no thorns to contend with on this powerhouse of productivity, and it is one of the first plants to bear edible goodies in spring.
Red mulberries are native to America, but both white and black mulberries originated in China and were imported to this country in the 1700s.
Silkworms feed exclusively on the leaves of white mulberries. In Asia, the trees are an integral part of the silk-making industry. In the United States, the primary use of mulberry trees is to provide shade and attract wildlife. Dozens of birds feed on the early season fruit.
BACK TO TOP
Source: www.modernghana.com, 7 April 2011
The government is to establish a Shea nut development board to set recommended prices for Shea nut to give adequate returns to the women who pick the nuts in rural areas. The government will also provide protective equipment and tricycles for the women to enable them to pick about 65 percent of the country’s Shea nuts which go rotten or are burnt by bush fires.
Vice President of Ghana, Mr John Dramani Mahama, who announced this when he opened an International Conference on Shea Nuts, said the government would also open up the road network in areas where Shea trees are grown.
The conference was attended by stakeholders in the Shea industry from 27 countries in Africa, Europe, Asia and the United States of America. The event also marked the inauguration of the Global Shea Alliance (GSA) to streamline activities in the shea industry.
Mr Mahama said over the last decade the Shea nut industry had seen tremendous growth, noting that the trade in Shea nuts and butter alone had grown by more than 1 100 percent. He said the value of exports of Shea nuts was about US$10 million in 2000 and it hit almost US$120 million last year.
“If we are to add the value of semi-finished and finished products, this is quite easily a multi-billion dollar industry,” he stressed.
Mr. Mahama said Shea was highly coveted as a natural cosmetics ingredient and essential to the world’s food industry, particularly in the manufacture of chocolate. The Vice President said Shea nuts are conterminous with the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) belt and are, therefore, significant as instruments for converting what was currently a belt of poverty into a region of prosperity.
He added that work on the first processing plant had started at Buipe in the Northern Region, while two additional processing plants would be constructed and urged members of the GSA to promote awareness of Shea nut to increase its demand and drive its continued growth.
The US Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Donald Teitelbaum, urged producers of Shea nut in Africa to add value to the produce and desist from merely exporting the nuts. He also asked the producers to focus on efficiency and improve the quality of the Shea nuts in order to be more competitive on the international market.
The President of the GSA, Ms Eugenia Akuete, said her efforts would focus on improving pricing for Shea nut in order to improve the living standards of the women who pick the nuts.
For full story, please see: www.modernghana.com/news/323535/1/govt-to-boost-shea-nut-industry-shea-nut-developme.html
BACK TO TOP
Source: www.allafrica.com, 4 April 2011
The Shea Industry in Ghana is surviving in some of the unhealthiest business conditions in spite of the abundant evidence that the sector employs over 600 000 women and men and commands a huge revenue, hence its significant contribution to poverty reduction.
Nevertheless, the entire Shea sector is inundated with difficulties and uncertainties some which defy reason. The story of the Shea Industry from the life of the tree to nut production, nut picking, nut processing, local butter processing, market access to pricing is rife with problems.
The Shea tree occurs in the wild mostly in the three Northern Regions and some parts of Northern Volta and the Brong Ahafo Region. The tree is not protected by law as many natural resources are. As a result it must survive the risk of honey tappers setting it on fire for the sake of a few cups of honey, or common annual bushfires from some herdsmen who want early fresh grass for their cattle or some native doctor combing the bush with a cutlass looking for his medicine.
It also risks being cut for charcoal production or firewood by poor village woman or as local material for building and artisanship. Against this backdrop, huge numbers of both young and mature Shea trees disappear annually through one or the other form of destructive activities as outlined above. The destruction of Shea trees constitutes the number one factor which significantly reduces the country's nut production capacity.
But the destruction of Shea trees is not the only challenge to the potential of nut production in Ghana. Seeds needed for nuts processing are also lost through stiff competition over Shea fruits by humans, birds and other livestock. There are reports that some herdsmen feed their cattle and other livestock with Shea fruits.
Some think the root of the problems facing the industry can be traced to inequalities facing women and children, the primary pickers and processers of Shea nuts. These people historically lack the voice and power to obtain the necessary attention from society to address issues that affect them most.
Shea nut processing is an arduous task: it begins with the removal of the flesh around the seed. This is largely performed by women and their children, with no other tool than their bare hands. The bald seeds are par boiled and dried and the hard shells removed before storing. The seeds par boiled or fresh cannot be dried properly with the shells and once the shell has been removed the real nut becomes susceptible to a wide range of pests. This often results in huge loss of capital. People continue to suffer loses of stocks of Shea nut through pests' attacks during storage.
Nuts successfully processed are either used by the women themselves to process into Shea butter or sold to export companies. The local market is the biggest outlet for locally produced Shea butter because the issue of quality standards bars producers from the international markets. There is the need for national certified standards that conform to international practices to aid local producers to enable them to enjoy the fruit of their labour. But before that is done the struggle of the women and children in the industry could be reduced. The International Conference organized by the Global Shea Alliance, which will kick off in Ghana this week, needs to address these issues.
For full story, please see: http://allafrica.com/stories/201104050605.html
BACK TO TOP
Source: CNN International, 11 April 2011
Omollo, who is now in her thirties, has been gathering shea nuts since she was a young child, crushing them up and using the oil they produce for things like cooking and body lotion.
Now it is hoped that this regional tradition could bring hundreds of women out of poverty and revive the local economy torn apart by years of conflict.
Non-profit organization Bead for life has brought together 760 women farmers, many rebuilding their lives after two decades of civil war, and started a business processing and selling the nuts they gather.
The shea tree grows throughout Sahelian Africa, from Senegal to Ethiopia. But some say the sub species, nilotica, which grows in northern Uganda and Southern Sudan, is particularly special.
"Shea butter is commonly associated with West Africa but the trees in northern Uganda produce a high-quality oil that, if compared, is softer and perfect for cosmetics," said Torkin Wakefield from Beadforlife.
The group is on a mission to bring local shea butter to the international cosmetic and soap market by buying the women's organic nuts and turning them into "butter."
Bead for life says Omollo has been made a coordinator for a buying centre in Orum. "When Bead for life came here they did a wonderful thing and increased the price of buying shea nuts," she told Beadforlife. "So even if you just bring a little, you get a lot of money. Life is better because of the shea."
The women pick the nuts, shell, dry and process them before they are bought. The nuts are then made into butter by a Ugandan presser.
Bead for life says this year it hopes to press between 20-30 tons of butter, but the aim is to eventually get the women to make it themselves. "We have plans in the coming years for the women to own a couple of small hand pressers so they can sell us the butter instead of the nuts, so the women can make more money," Wakefield explained.
But this grassroots organization has much bigger plans for the future. "The hard thing for Ugandans is to build a sustainable market," Wakefield said. "Many companies have tried and failed in the past. We are looking at working with international cosmetic companies because our biggest desire is that this becomes an industry way bigger than what our project will do, where the cosmetic companies of the world say we want this ingredient, this is a premium, high-quality ingredient," she continued.
"I have confidence that once companies start using the product a market will develop. Once a market develops jobs will be created for thousands of people that can harvest nuts across northern Uganda and Southern Sudan," says Wakefield.
For the women farmers it is still one step at a time. Bead for life is also about to launch a trading process so as well as buying nuts, it will let women trade them for things like ploughs, school books and seeds.
For full story, please see:http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/04/11/uganda.shea.nuts/
BACK TO TOP
Source: Yale Environment News 360, 31 March 2011
With giant tortoises, elephants, and other fruit-eating animals disappearing from many of the world’s tropical woodlands, forests are suffering from the loss of a key function performed by these creatures: the dispersal of tree seeds. But a new experiment shows that introduced species may be able to fulfil this vital ecological role.
The island of Mauritius, for example, was settled by Dutch sailors in the 1600s. Within a few decades, all the large, native fruit-eating animals, or frugivores, had been driven to extinction. The lost included not only the famous flightless dodo, but also a giant lizard and two species of tortoise. The demise of these creatures reverberated through the island’s ecosystem, affecting fruiting plants that had co-evolved with the local frugivores and relied on them to spread their seeds onto fertile ground.
Today native Mauritian plants, under siege from a tide of invasive competitors and predators, hang on only in a few small conservation management areas. Even where invasive plants are laboriously weeded out by hand, large-fruited native tree populations are dwindling because of a lack of fruit-eating animals to disperse the trees’ seeds.
But Dennis Hansen, an ecologist at the University of Zurich (Switzerland), believes there is an efficient, practical way to restore some of Mauritius’ lost ecological dynamics: Bring in large tortoises from other island chains as substitute seed dispersers to fill the niche of the extinct native tortoises. As part of a restoration effort on Ile aux Aigrettes, an uninhabited islet off the Mauritius coast, the Mauritius Wildlife Federation and the Mauritius Government in 2000 introduced giant Aldabra tortoises to test whether the tortoises could help revive native vegetation. The tortoises are now dispersing the seeds of several native plants and are knocking back an invasion of the exotic tree, Leuceana leucocephala, by devouring its seedlings. The introduced tortoises began breeding in 2003 and have produced more than 200 offspring, some of which are being reared in captivity for later release in restoration projects on nearby Round Island and Rodrigues Island.
The Aldabras have rescued at least one endangered plant — Diospyros egrettarum, a species of ebony endemic to Mauritius — by devouring the ebony fruits and defecating intact seeds as they roam through the landscape. Restricted to one small surviving patch of plants before the arrival of the tortoises, ebony seedlings now sprout all over the islet, spears of new life rising out of tortoise dung.
The loss of seed dispersers is a serious problem in tropical forests worldwide. Even forests that appear intact in terms of their vegetation are fated to change dramatically when large frugivores are lost.
In the Peruvian Amazon, hunting of large monkeys for bushmeat has altered the shape of the forest, as seedlings of plants with wind-dispersed seeds come to dominate. In heavily hunted parts of Ngotto Forest, in the Central African Republic, the disappearance of large animals — including primates, elephants, and hornbills, a group of fruit-eating birds — led to a drop in the diversity of young trees. The trees that declined were all large-seeded, including cola nut and African star apple. In Brazil’s Atlantic rainforest, when hunting knocked down numbers of agouti — a large native rodent that caches seeds underground — an endemic species of palm was less likely to produce successful new seedlings. In Uganda, the krobodua tree bears large fruits, and appears completely dependent on a dwindling population of forest elephants to aid its reproduction. In Roraima, Brazil, the movements of tapirs can be mapped from the air by charting clumps of indigenous palm trees that sprout out of tapir dung. The tapir, like most large native mammals of the tropics, is threatened by the impacts of both bushmeat hunting and habitat loss.
Over the past 30 years, ecologists have begun to explore in greater depth the partnerships between fruiting plants and the animals they feed, particularly in the tropics. They have uncovered striking shifts in the plant communities of forests that have lost their large native frugivores. In tropical rainforests, about 70 percent of tree species need animals to disperse their seeds. (Seeds that fall beneath the parent tree are often targeted by beetles and rodents that devour them before they can sprout. Those that do germinate face stiff competition for light and space). As forest clearing and hunting for bushmeat accelerate across the world’s tropics, wildlife populations continue to dwindle. As a result, regenerating forests are dominated by trees whose seeds travel by wind or water, while those that produce large, hefty seeds designed to travel via animals are in decline.
The most insidious kind of extinction, notes Hansen, is the loss of interactions. “Species interactions can be more important than species identity,” he says. “What is vital is to have a healthy set of relationships that provide pollination, seed dispersal, herbivory, predation and decomposition. It is the dynamics that need to be up and running.”
One of the tenets of conservation management holds that alien species are ecologically harmful. But a new study is pointing to research that demonstrates that some non-native plants and animals can have beneficial impacts. Nevertheless, restoring large animals is key to maintaining resilient, diverse ecosystems. In some cases — like Mauritius, where native frugivores are gone forever — this may mean using similar but exotic species, like the Aldabra tortoise. Some conservationists may see such species introductions as a radical departure from conservation tradition, which has in the past focused intensely on rescuing individual threatened species. But evidence emerging from research and restoration efforts scattered around the world suggests that the careful introduction of new animal and bird species may be an important tool for ecologists in the future.
For full story, please see: http://e360.yale.edu/feature/as_larger_animals_decline_forests_feel_their_absence/2381/
BACK TO TOP
Source: UN News, 31 March 2011
A United Nations-backed meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, has concluded with a call for better enforcement of laws to protect endangered gorillas in 10 African countries. The two-day meeting that ended yesterday, organized by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals under the UN Environment Programme (UNEP/CMS), was the first ever gathering of UN agencies, governments in the region, local wildlife authorities, NGOs and global experts to tackle wildlife crime that threatens gorillas.
Participants reviewed current conservation activities affecting the four sub-species of gorillas in East and Central Africa, and discussed solutions to address the major threat of commercial poaching for bushmeat and live trade in gorillas.
“Joint efforts to apply wildlife law are important because gorillas play a key role in the ecology of Africa’s forests,” said CMS Executive Secretary Elizabeth Maruma Mrema. “Their loss has an impact on the health of the whole ecosystem and, by extension, on everyone who lives in or benefits from these forests.”
According to a news release issued by UNEP/CMS, local, national and international law enforcement efforts are essential to protect gorillas and their rainforest habitat. The UN is already working closely with INTERPOL and national governments to curb the trade in live apes and bushmeat, as well as the illegal harvesting of timber. INTERPOL offered its global network of national offices to help combat wildlife crime relating to gorillas and other endangered species. “A global response is required against environmental and wildlife crime,” said Bernd Rossbach, the Director of INTERPOL’s Specialized Crime Unit. “In this endeavour, it is important for all countries to work through a multi-disciplinary approach that also uses INTERPOL’s established National Central Bureau network and its Environmental Crime Programme to communicate intelligence and to provide support in capacity- building efforts,” he added.
The meeting stressed the need to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies, collaboration between governments and coordination with UN missions, such as MONUSCO in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. MONUSCO assisted with transferring orphan gorillas to a sanctuary in July 2010 to combat the illegal cross-border trade in baby gorillas.
The CMS Agreement on the Conservation of Gorillas and their Habitats, which came into force in 2008, provides the framework for regional cooperation in the long-term protection of gorillas in the 10 countries of the Congo Basin, ranging from Nigeria in the west, to Angola in the south and Uganda in the east. Collaboration among regional countries is already bearing fruit, according to UNEP/CMS, which noted that while gorilla populations across Africa are in decline, the numbers of two small populations of mountain gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda are on the rise.
CMS continues to support regional efforts, which were initiated during the Year of the Gorilla in 2009 to fight the illegal trade in endangered species. Earlier this year, Gabon, assisted by the charity Conservation Justice and partially funded by CMS, achieved what might be the biggest arrest related to ape poaching yet in Africa. Thirteen heads and 32 hands of gorillas and chimpanzees were confiscated from five wildlife smugglers, along with the remains of elephants, leopards, lions and other endangered species. The smugglers are all awaiting trial in Gabon.
For full story, please see: www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=37961&Cr=wildlife&Cr1=
BACK TO TOP
Source: Armenia Tree Project (ATP), 13 April 2011
Four hundred and twenty trees were planted by government officials, Ambassadors, and representatives of the international community at an event organized by the UN Department of Public Information, Armenia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Armenia Tree Project (ATP), and the Avan administrative district of Yerevan.
The tree planting took place on 8 April 2011 to celebrate Earth Day and the International Year of Forests. The initiative was intended to support Armenia's efforts to strengthen the management, conservation, and sustainable development of forests for the benefit of current and future generations.
Dafina Gercheva, UN Resident Coordinator, said: "Every citizen has a right to live in a safe and healthy environment and it is our obligation to protect the environment. Protection and sustainable use of natural resources is the main objective of many UN projects aiming at environmental protection in Armenia through broader involvement of local communities and promoting connectivity in productive landscape and forests management."
The UN General Assembly declared 2011 as the International Year of Forests in an effort to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation, and sustainable development of all types of forests.
Areg Maghakian, ATP Associate Director, stated, "Our goal is to assist the Armenian people in using trees to improve their standard of living and protect the global environment. Although our tree planting activities are ongoing, we are extremely honoured to partner with the UN, the MFA, and Avan administrative district to demonstrate our commitment to the environment and be a part of global Earth Day celebrations by contributing to the creation of more green spaces in Yerevan."
"The United Nations will continue its cooperation with the Government and civil society on projects aimed at sustainable development of Armenia, protecting the environment and natural resources, thus contributing to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals," noted the UN in a press release after the event.
ATP's mission is to assist the Armenian people in using trees to improve their standard of living and protect the environment, guided by the need to promote self-sufficiency, aid those with the fewest resources first, and conserve the indigenous ecosystem. ATP's three major programs are tree planting, environmental education, and sustainable development initiatives.
For more information, please see: www.armeniatree.org
BACK TO TOP
Source: SolveClimateNews in Reuters, 12 April 2011
Increased tourism is threatening to exacerbate coastline erosion and loss of wetlands in poorer countries already suffering from global warming hazards. But a rising number of eco-conscious travellers are forcing some in the tourist industry to change their ways.
In popular ecotourism hotspots like Belize, where tourism accounts for 20 percent of the economy, the issue of greener tourism has become so prominent that a state policy is underway. Seleni Matus, Director of the Belize Tourism Board, said the country, which gets about 250 000 visitors/year, is developing a sustainable tourism master plan that aims to provide a framework for tour operators and resort owners to mitigate and adapt to the risks of climate change.
The Central American country is already experiencing the effects of warming such as storm surges, rising seas and coral bleaching on the Belize Barrier Reef. Matus declined to provide specifics about the plan, which should be completed in June, but noted that accommodating those tourists who travel with a lighter carbon footprint was a major driver.
"Travellers now come to destinations wanting to learn more about what the destination is doing" to mitigate the impacts of climate change, she told SolveClimate News. One such example of catering to the eco-conscious is the 100-acre Cotton Tree Lodge, founded in 2007 and sited on the Moho River near Punta Gorda in southern Belize. The lodge, which can sleep up to around 50 people, is partly solar powered and grows about 80 percent of the produce it serves to guests on its property, though climate change is making this harder.
Armando Sam, who oversees the lodge's organic garden, told SolveClimate News that especially arid dry seasons and more unpredictable rainy seasons have affected the lodge's crops. Planting times have been adjusted and irrigation is now being provided to deal with fluctuating weather, he said.
While ecotourism is growing, Matus said that unplanned tourism development could be having multiple ill effects on the country. A group of students from Cornell University's Centre for Sustainable Global Enterprise (USA) was in Belize last month to begin calculating the environmental, social and economic costs of tourism on the nation for the first time.
The project, a collaborative effort with the Belize Tourism Board and two global "voluntourism" groups, will assess the investment needed to maintain proper infrastructure in a coastal environment, explained Megan Epler Wood, Director of the Toronto-based Planeterra.
One known problem is the destruction of the country's massive mangrove forests, the seaside trees and shrubs that thrive in salty waters. Mangroves protect the shoreline from soil erosion, serve as buffers to stormy seas and absorb heat-trapping carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, Wood told SolveClimate News. About 68 percent of Belize's 1 100-mile-long coastline is protected by an estimated 185 000 acres of mangroves, according to a 2009 report from the World Resources Institute. The group found that Belize's mangroves provide between US$111 million and US$167 million in avoided damages every year.
A new study suggests that clearing the country's mangroves, which store more carbon than most forests, could also strain the absorptive capacity of the ecosystem.
For full story, please see: www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/12/idUS149835393420110412
BACK TO TOP
- Brazil rejects panel's request to stop dam
Source: The New York Times in Amazon News, 7 April 2011
Brazil’s government emphatically refused on Tuesday to suspend work on a huge hydroelectric dam in the Amazon, despite pleas that the project could displace tens of thousands of indigenous people and cause environmental harm.
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, part of the Organization of American States, had asked Brazil on Friday to halt construction of the Belo Monte dam, slated to be the world’s third largest, until it complied with its legal obligations to consult with indigenous groups. The commission said the consultations needed to be “free, prior, informed, of good faith and culturally appropriate.” Among its requests were measures to prevent the spread of diseases that could result from the population flow during construction.
But on Tuesday Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the demands “premature and unjustified,” saying the government had complied with its obligations under Brazilian law.
The dispute is the latest in the long battle between the government, which is determined to construct the dam to keep up with rising energy demand, and an array of environmental and human rights advocates, including Hollywood titans and former President Bill Clinton.
The US$17 billion dam would divert the flow of the Xingu River along a 62-mile stretch in Pará state. Environmental groups say it would flood more than 120 000 acres of rain forest and local settlements, displacing 20 000 to 40 000 people and releasing large quantities of methane. Brazil says the number of displaced would be much lower.
President Dilma Rousseff, who was chief of staff and energy minister under her predecessor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has expressed an unwavering commitment to Belo Monte despite her stated desire to be more sensitive to human rights.
Brazil uses hydroelectric power for more than 80 percent of its energy, and David Fleischer, a political science professor at Brasilia University, said the government “is going to move forward with the Belo Monte project regardless of any complaints or protests.”
Higher federal courts have rejected legal challenges to the project, which is nearing a final decision by Ibama, Brazil’s environmental protection agency. A president of Ibama, Roberto Messias Franco, resigned last April, reportedly over government pressure to approve environmental licenses for Belo Monte. His successor, Abelardo Bayma Azevedo, asked to leave for “personal reasons” days after Ms. Rousseff became president in January.
Meanwhile, groups allied against Belo Monte have continued the fight. At a sustainability conference in Manaus last month, Mr. Clinton called on Brazil to show leadership in finding alternative energy solutions. Noting that he was “naturally sympathetic with indigenous peoples,” he added, “I want you to lead the rest of the world into the 21st century on this.”
For full story, please see: www.amazonia.org.br/english/noticias/noticia.cfm?id=381640
BACK TO TOP
Source: Yale Environment 360, 14 April 2011
While Brazil touts its efforts to slow destruction of the Amazon, another biodiverse region of the country is being cleared for large-scale farming. But unlike the heralded rainforest it borders, the loss of the cerrado and its rich tropical savannah so far has failed to attract much notice.
Brazil is justly proud of how much it has reduced deforestation in the Amazon, with rates of forest loss down 70 percent since 2004. But how has this been accomplished? The answer, at least in part, is by invading a new ecological frontier of equal importance — but with much less public visibility. Today, Brazil’s bush clearers from agribusiness are moving across the cerrado, the most biologically rich savannah in the world, which occupies a huge expanse of the high plains of central Brazil on the Atlantic side of the Amazon basin.
In recent years, the rate of ecological destruction in the cerrado has been twice that in the Amazon. And while the majority of the Amazon rainforest survives, more than 60 percent of the cerrado’s former 200 million ha has disappeared under the plough, mostly within the last two decades.
The cerrado has its own rich array of unusual mammals, including armadillos, anteaters, tapirs, and maned wolves, as well as thousands of endemic vascular plants adapted to drought and fire. But while the cerrado shares a place with the Amazon on Conservation International’s list of the world’s top 25 biodiversity hotspots, so far the outrage over its devastation has remained minimal.
The soils of the cerrado — a complex mosaic of grass and woodland — were once regarded as too acidic to grow crops. But since Brazil’s agronomists began applying industrial quantities of lime in the 1980s, these soils have been transformed. The cerrado now produces 70 percent of Brazil’s farm output.
As more roads and railways penetrate the once empty interior north of the country’s shiny modernist 1960s capital, Brasilia, the land rush is intensifying and land prices are soaring. While most of the corn grown in the cerrado is consumed in Brazil, and much of the sugar cane goes to fill the tanks of the country’s ethanol-fuelled vehicles, the soya, cotton, coffee, and other crops largely go for export.
All this, says local biology professor Fernando Lutz, is a tragedy. The world has shown its enthusiasm for saving the Amazon, he says, but it has ignored the fate of the cerrado for too long. The cerrado has more than 4 000 endemic species of plants. It contains a third of all Brazilian biodiversity — more, for some groups of species, than the Amazon.
Flavio Marques, environmental advisor to the Bahia state prosecutor in Barreiras, calls the cerrado a black hole for conservation. Only two percent of the ecosystem is protected. While Brazil’s national forest code requires developers in the Amazon to leave 80 percent of the forest intact as “legal reserves,” the requirement in the cerrado is a mere 20 percent.
Brazilian staff of Conservation International (CI) is trying to rectify the situation; they have a strategy for engaging with the farmers, creating a coalition of those willing to comply with existing conservation laws and to establish conservation corridors across the cerrado. Is the strategy working? Farmers made clear that if conservation and profit can go together, it can work.
For full story, please see: http://e360.yale.edu/feature/the_cerrado_brazils_other_biodiversity_hotspot_loses_ground/2393
BACK TO TOP
Source: Science Magazine, 29 March 2011
In an 85km² swath of rainforest in the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire's Taï National Park (Ivory Coast), monkeys call to one another, chimps drum on tree trunks, and tiny antelopes rustle through the underbrush. That is where researchers have been studying primate communities for more than three decades. Step outside the research zone, though, and the animal sounds fall silent. The forest is noticeably emptier as a result of heavy poaching. Field researchers all over the world have noticed that long-term research sites double as sanctuaries, but they have never had the numbers to prove it. Now they do.
In 1979, scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, established a research site within Taï National Park to study chimpanzees, and a decade later another group began studying monkeys nearby. Back then, the entire park was teeming with animals, says Geneviève Campbell, a graduate student in primatology at Max Planck, but illegal hunting has since been on the rise. As in many parts of Africa, there are few rangers and little money for extensive patrols, and poachers operate with impunity throughout much of the park, Campbell says. Studies have shown that tourist traffic deters poachers, who may steer clear of other people in part to avoid getting caught. But nothing of the sort had been documented for researchers.
For the present study, published online today in Biology Letters, Campbell and several colleagues established 75-km-long study transects, or temporary flagged paths. They spaced the transects evenly throughout a 200-km² area that encompassed most of the long-term research area, where the chimpanzee and monkey projects are located, and adjacent park forest. The researchers walked each transect three times during an 11-month period, tallying the primates and duikers — small antelopes — that poachers target, as well as evidence of their presence, such as chimp nests and duiker dung. They also recorded signs of poaching, such as campsites, traps, and empty gun cartridges.
They fed the numbers into a computer model to test whether distance from the research area, density of people, forest type, or distance to the park border best predicted the presence of animals and signs of poaching. Sure enough, distance from the research area was the only consistent and significant predictor. There were at least six times more animals near and within the research area than farther outside. The researchers found almost no signs of poaching within and around most of the area and up to 15 times as many signs outside it.
"Now people can at least say with certainty that their presence [has] a positive effect," Campbell says. She hopes the study will provide researchers with ammunition when they seek funding for long-term work in heavily poached areas. These have become a grim reality in many places, and even researchers more interested in behaviour than conservation are realizing that they need to get involved. "All the primate populations are threatened," Campbell says. Even for researchers who are not conservation-minded, she says, "if their study animals are dying, they cannot continue their research."
Joshua Linder, a biological anthropologist with James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia (USA) says he has noticed the protective effect of long-term research sites in Cameroon, where he studies primates and the bushmeat trade. Linder says he appreciates the confirmation provided by the paper and has no doubt that it will be cited in many grant applications and papers. But whether it will burst open the funding gates is another question.
Fabian Leendertz, a wildlife veterinarian with the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin, runs the veterinary program for the Taï chimpanzee research project and has worked with the monkey project. In a 2008 paper, he and colleagues documented the transmission of viral respiratory disease from people to chimpanzees living in the Taï research area, highlighting research's possible negative consequences. But the bigger picture was abundantly clear even then, he says. "There are way more animals in the research area than around [it]," Leendertz says, and when it comes to long-term research projects, "the benefit is, I think, always bigger than the possible harm."
For full story, please see: http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2011/03/animals-find-sanctuary-with-scie.html?ref=hp
BACK TO TOP
Source: www.forest.fi, 15 April 2011
A Finnish company has developed spruce resin into a pharmaceutical salve. A project in Lapland helps turn other natural products into businesses, too.
At the turn of the millennium, physician Arno Sipponen at the outpatient clinic in Kolari, Western Lapland was treating patients with bedsores so bad that nothing seemed to help. He was told by a nurse that there was one more method — the traditional Lappish spruce resin (Picea abies) salve. However, it could not be bought at a pharmacy, but from a local farmer, Mr. Timo Kyrö, who made it himself. Sipponen decided to give the salve a try.
Within six months, even apparently hopeless bedsores of several years’ standing were healed. Now a company called Repolar Oy, headed by Arno’s father, physician and Professor Pentti Sipponen, produces the resin salve industrially in the city of Espoo. Called “Abilar,” the salve can be bought at all Finnish pharmacies and is used by several primary health care and specialised medical care units.
The resin salve is a good example of what can be made out of a natural product by refining it. The price of the resin in a tube of salve is much higher than the price paid to its gatherer — and so it should be. The increase in price is based on value added, and it means work and wellbeing: the resin is gathered, purified, turned into salve, packaged and delivered to the consumer.
“There is a lot of profitable activity going on in the value chain. We should strive to achieve the same with other natural products, too,” says Mr. Rainer Peltola, Project Coordinator at MTT Agrifood Research Finland.
Peltola heads the research carried out in the ‘Lappi luo’ project in the city of Rovaniemi. The project aims at furthering the natural products sector and to create new industries in Lapland. The project develops indicators to determine the importance of natural products for the turnover of a business.
Internationally, the best-known Finnish berry refiner is perhaps the cosmetics company Lumene. Rainer Peltola stresses that forest berries and natural herbs offer a great variety of business potential. The northern light combined with the cool growing conditions result in plant properties which are not found in the south. This is known to everyone who has tasted both Spanish and Finnish strawberries. “Still, way too little effort has been expended on studying the primary production of forest berries in Finland,” Peltola regrets. Silviculture methods, for example, should be studied: what will happen to berries if the surrounding forest changes?
“The benefit to society could be bigger. It is high time to realize that forests have other valuables in them besides timber,” Rainer Peltola thinks.
“Scientific evidence is important” Seeing the effects of the resin salve on bedsores, the Sipponens wanted to research its properties scientifically: were the bedsores getting better just by accident or was the salve really effective? Both microbiological laboratory tests and comprehensive clinical tests were carried out. The results were published in 2008 in the British Journal of Dermatology, a leading publication in the field of skin diseases.
”The key word is scientific evidence. That is my advice to those who are launching other Finnish natural products,” emphasizes Pentti Sipponen.
For full story, please see: www.forest.fi/smyforest/foresteng.nsf/tiedotteetlookup/C559AC92135AF6A8C2257873002D8731
BACK TO TOP
Source: www.tehelka.com (India), 31 March 2011
Some estimates in India say western companies are booking 2 000 wrong patents every year on homemade Indian remedies or on the Indian system of medicine. Experts believe since most of India’s traditional knowledge is in Sanskrit, Hindi, Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Tamil, etc., piracy becomes easy, since the knowledge remains inaccessible to international patent offices.
Already, India had to sweat hard to convince international bodies to revoke a patent on the healing properties of turmeric and the anti-fungal properties of neem, which an American company booked and touted as major discoveries.
The Indian government is now collaborating with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), a specialized agency at the United Nations (UN), to protect its traditional knowledge. WIPO Director General Francis Gurry, who was in India to attend an international conference, believed that this development was a concrete and potential answer to protect the patents and the knowledge of poorer countries.
Gurry said developing countries were mostly the victims of big companies indulging in biopiracy and misappropriation of traditional knowledge. Even though such issues are being dealt with at various multilateral forums, no global framework for protecting traditional knowledge has been established.
India has now set up a Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) to protect knowledge and prevent grant of wrong patents. A collaborative project between the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the TKDL enables cancellation or withdrawal of wrong patent applications concerning India’s traditional knowledge at zero cost in a few weeks.
In sharp contrast, in the absence of TKDL, it took 10 years (1995-2005) to get the neem patent invalidated for antifungal properties at the European Patent Office (EPO). The TKDL has created a unique mechanism for overcoming language and format barriers by scientifically converting and structuring the available information contents of 34 million pages of ancient texts into five international languages, English, Japanese, French, German and Spanish.
Through two features on TKDL, an examiner can read a Sanskrit verse in international languages at any International Patent Office on his computer screen.
So far, it has helped India protect about 226 000 medicinal formulations similar to those of neem and turmeric. On an average, it takes five to seven years to oppose a granted patent at the international level. This could cost anywhere between US$200 000 and US$600 000 million, beyond the means of the Government of India.
For full story, please see: www.tehelka.com/story_main49.asp?filename=Ws310311IndiaBegins.asp
BACK TO TOP
Source: WWF, 14 April 2011
WWF-Russia, together with the government and experts of the Republic of Kazakhstan announced today a new programme to return tigers to the region.
The plan seeks to relocate Amur tigers from the Russian Far East to suitable habitat in Kazakhstan near the delta of the Ili River, south of Balkhash Lake.
A recent study has shown the tigers from both the Caspian and Amur regions are genetically identical so the translocation of tigers between these areas is a suitable option. The tigers of the Caspian region, which includes Kazakhstan, went extinct because of poaching and habitat loss, but both these threats are now starting to be adequately addressed.
The Caspian or Turan tiger (Panthera tigris virgata) was last recorded in the wild in the early 1970s and there are none in captivity, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources' (IUCN) Red List.
In March 2011, the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Masimov underlined his interest in developing the tiger restoration programme in a meeting with WWF-Russia Director Igor Chestin and WWF Central Asia Programme Head Olga Pereladova.
"We have agreed that WWF and the Ministry of Environment in Kazakhstan will draw up a comprehensive programme to reintroduce the tiger in the area around Lake Balkhash", said Chestin. "With a strong plan and proper protections in place, tigers can again roam the forests and landscapes of Central Asia."
For full story, please see: http://wwf.panda.org/?uNewsID=200017
BACK TO TOP
Source: www.scidev.net, 15 April 2011
Monkeys in Malaysian forests are a reservoir for a rare form of malaria that could become a significant cause of disease in humans throughout South-East Asia, a study warns.
The malaria parasite Plasmodium knowlesi is transmitted between monkeys by forest-dwelling mosquitoes. This limits transmission to humans and, at present, there are only around 300 human cases per year.
But as human populations grow and the forest shrinks, people are likely to venture into the forest more often and in greater numbers. This, said the researchers, could lead the parasite to evolve, enabling it to pass more easily between humans and monkeys.
Balbir Singh, Director of the Malaria Research Centre at the University of Malaysia, Sarawak (UNIMAS), and colleagues first showed in 2004 that P. knowlesi causes deadly disease in humans. They did not know whether the disease is maintained in the human population or whether the monkeys act as wild reservoirs from which humans get infected.
Singh, who led the current study, published last week (7 April) in PLoS Pathogens, said he suspected macaque populations in Sarawak, Borneo, were a reservoir for P. knowlesi — and were the source of human malaria cases seen in local hospitals — as monkey populations in other areas are also known to act as malaria reservoirs.
For full story, please see:
BACK TO TOP
Source: AFP, 12 April 2011
An NGO supporting the rights of native Paraguayans said Monday that it filed complaints with environmental authorities over the destruction of forests in the north-western Chaco region. The Support Group for the Totobiegosode (GAT) says that 3 600 ha of virgin forest in land where Paraguay's Ayoreos-Totobiegosode Indians live has been destroyed.
"It is the last redoubt of the Ayoreos-Totobiegosode Indians in Paraguay," said Jorge Vera, a member of the NGO that filed the suit. Vera said the complaint was filed at the office of the environmental prosecutor and the Secretariat of the Environment.
Vera alleged that two Brazilian firms, River Plate and BBC S.A., are responsible for the destruction, and said that indigenous groups, local residents and foreigners made the government offices aware of the forest destruction, in part based on satellite photographs.
The companies were allegedly extending their land for cattle ranching and violated Indian territory near the pantanal region, a vast wetlands area that extends into Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia.
"These firms did not have a license from the Secretariat of the Environment. We have observed and noted the destruction of forest in a 2 300 ha area, and another of 1 300 ha," said Juan Rivarola, an official with the Secretariat of the Environment.
Rivarola said it appears to be a violation of a law that punishes crimes against the environment. Experts from his office visited the site and confirmed the deforestation, he said.
The jungle dwelling Ayoreo-Totobiegosode people are the last natives in the Americas living outside of the Amazon rainforest who do not have contact with the outside world.
BACK TO TOP
Source: www.mongabay.com, 20 April 2011
Deforestation is on the rise in Peru's Madre de Dios region from illegal, small-scale, and dangerous gold mining. In some areas forest loss has increased up to six times. But the loss of forest is only the beginning; the unregulated mining is likely leaching mercury into the air, soil, and water, contaminating the region and imperilling its people.
Using satellite imagery from NASA, researchers were able to follow rising deforestation due to artisanal gold mining in Peru. According the study, published in PLoS ONE, two large mining sites saw the loss of 7 000 ha of forest — an area larger than Bermuda — between 2003 and 2009.
"We present recent evidence of the global demand for a single commodity and the ecosystem destruction resulting from commodity extraction, recorded by satellites for one of the most biodiverse areas of the world," the researchers write.
Jennifer Swenson, lead author from Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment (USA), says in a press release that such mining is "plainly visible from space." There are also "many scattered, small but expanding areas of mining activity across Madre de Dios that are more difficult to monitor but could develop rapidly like the sites we have tracked over time," adds Swenson.
Swenson and her colleagues clearly link the rise in unregulated mining to rising gold prices.
For full story, please see: http://news.mongabay.com/2011/0419-hance_peru_mining.html
BACK TO TOP
Source: The Observer, 10 April 2011
One of the most versatile of our spring-flowering woodland plants forms vivid green patches in damp shady places on the alluvial soil beside woodland streams. Ramsons, Allium ursinum, or wild garlic, requires no searching for: if trodden on it is instantly identified by a strong aroma of onions. There is no need to uproot the narrow bulbs; instead collect a handful of the bright green, lily-of-the-valley-like leaves. Better still, pick a few clusters of the white flowers with their six narrow petals – their al dente texture and subtle taste, when eaten raw, puts the leaves in the shade.
For those requiring more solid sustenance, the underground tubers of pignut, Conopodium majus, a small plant that grows in ancient woods, are worthy of the search, especially in May. At this time the finely divided, carrot-like leaves are topped by thin stalks bearing tiny clusters of white cow-parsley-type flower heads. In former times free-range pigs found autumn nourishment from uprooting the plant, while Shakespeare's Caliban dug them out with his long nails. The hazelnut-like tuber lies at least 8cm under the soil surface, so a penknife or trowel is useful. The sliced "nuts" can be eaten raw in salads or cooked as part of stews and stir fries.
Elder, also called elderberry, is a genus of between five and 30 species of shrubs or small trees constituting the genus Sambucus of the moschatel family, Adoxaceae. In the eyes of a forager, elder has the status of a weed but as May gives way to June this small, much-branched tree, with its fissured, corky bark, is transformed by clusters of creamy, fragrant flowers. Elder leaves are inedible, but the flowers can be deep fried in batter and are readily transformed into a delicious cordial with the help of sugar, lemon juice and citric acid. Elder is the preferred home of one of our strangest fungi, known for years as Jew's ear (Auricularia auricula-judae) but recently renamed jelly ear. Emerging from trunks and branches throughout the year, especially following rain, the ear-shaped, translucent brown fruit have the consistency of tough jelly babies. Finely sliced, they make a tasty addition to a stir fry or risotto, and after stewing and blending, the resultant glutinous soup is flavorsome and filling, if a rather odd colour.
April is high season for a much-prized and odd-looking woodland fungus known as the morel (any of various species of edible mushrooms in the genera Morchella and Verpa). Its tan-coloured cap is covered with honeycomb-like pits and resembles an elongated brain on a stalk. Morels grow to 10cm on well-drained soil in open woodland. Morels are easily preserved by drying and can be rapidly reconstituted in warm water; the resulting taste and texture are every bit as good as with fresh ones.
A woodland plant that is more common in the north of England and in parts of Scotland, sweet cicely flowers (Myrrhis odorata) can be found as early as April. Good news for people suffering from diabetes: the sweetener found in this plant is not sugar and can be enjoyed by all.
Woodland foraging can even provide the ingredients for some unusual wines. You will have to wait until next year to make birch sap wine, as the peak collecting season is in early March, when the sap is rising. However, the end of May is the best time to collect young oak leaves, from which you can make a simple white wine with the help of sugar, oranges and yeast. Once bottled, it can be drunk immediately, preferably on a hot summer's day.
For full story, please see: www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2011/apr/11/foraging-woods
BACK TO TOP
Source: Environmental News Network, 14 April 2011
For the first time ever, the US Congress has removed an animal from the Endangered Species List, a process typically done by a federal, non-political, science-based agency. The action by the US Congress sets a new precedent for altering the Endangered Species List based on political influence, enraging environmental groups. The removal would take effect in two western states that have known issues with wolves: Montana and Idaho. Wolves would now be managed by each state's wildlife agency, inevitably leading to commercial hunting.
The gray wolves of the northern Rocky Mountains had been nearly hunted to extinction. Safeguards were put in place due to their inclusion in the Endangered Species List, and their numbers rebounded. Now, they have grown to a level that is apparently unacceptable to certain residents of these Northern Rockies states. Ranchers complain that wolves prey on their livestock, and hunters complain that they are thinning out elk and moose herds too much.
The congressional action was backed by Representative Mike Simpson, Republican of Idaho, and Senator Jon Tester, Democrat of Montana, who is up for re-election in 2012. Environmental groups have taken notice, and have criticized the Interior Department for having approved this action. Michael T. Leahy, Rocky Mountain Regional Director of the advocacy group, Defenders of Wildlife, said "Now, anytime anybody has an issue with an endangered species, they are going to run to Congress and try to get the same treatment the anti-wolf people have gotten." The Interior Department had no comment.
State officials in the two affected states have a different view. They believe that the wolf population has to be culled due to the threats they pose to elk, moose, and deer. The issue was recently taken to court in a federal lawsuit brought by environmental groups against state officials. The two sides reached a proposed settlement, but it was rejected by Judge Donald W. Molloy. Since the courts were unable to produce a positive outcome for the state officials, they brought their issue to the US Congress where it passed.
As part of the budget bill, many federal agencies had to take big cuts, including the Department of Agriculture, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Passing off protection of the wolf population to state agencies in two states probably saved the federal government some money. But it also set a worrying precedent for how the Endangered Species List can be changed
For full story, please see: www.enn.com/top_stories/article/42584
BACK TO TOP
Source: www.mongabay.com, 15 April 2011
The Vietnamese government and local people have approved a Saola Natural Reserve to protect one of the world's most endangered — and most elusive — mammals. Only discovered by the outside world in 1992, the saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis) inhabits the lush forests of the Annamite Mountains. No one knows how many saola remain, but it has been classified as Critically Endangered as it is likely very few.
Recently, conservationist William Robichaud told mongabay.com that the saola was "perhaps the most spectacular zoological discovery of the 20th century", comparing it only to the discovery of the okapi in central Africa in 1900.
The new reserve in Quang Nam Province rests on the border of Vietnam and Laos."This new reserve will create a biodiversity corridor connecting the East of Vietnam to West side of Xe Sap National Park in Laos," explained Ms. Tran Minh Hien, Country Director of WWF Vietnam, in a statement.
There are no specimens of saola in zoos, making reintroduction impossible should the species go extinct in the wild. Over a dozen individual saolas have been held in captivity, but all died within a few months time.
For full story, please see: http://news.mongabay.com/2011/0414-hance_saola_vietnam.html
BACK TO TOP
Source: BBC News, 15 April 2011
Air pollution is damaging 60 percent of Europe's prime wildlife sites in meadows, forests and heaths, according to a new report. A team of EU scientists said nitrogen emissions from cars, factories and farming was threatening biodiversity. It is the second report this week warning of the on-going risks and threats linked to nitrogen pollution.
The Nitrogen Deposition and Natura 2000 report was published at a key scientific conference in Edinburgh, Scotland. Earlier this week, the European Nitrogen Assessment — the first of its kind — estimated nitrogen damage to health and the environment at between £55bn and £280bn a year in Europe, even though nitrogen pollution from vehicles and industry had dropped 30 percent over recent decades.
Nitrogen in the atmosphere is harmless in its inert state, but the report says reactive forms of nitrogen, largely produced by human activity, can be a menace to the natural world.
Emissions mostly come from vehicle exhausts, factories, artificial fertilizers and manure from intensive farming.
The reactive nitrogen they emit to the air disrupts the environment in two ways: It can make acidic soils too acidic to support their previous mix of species. But primarily, because nitrogen is a fertilizer, it favours wild plants that can maximise the use of nitrogen to help them grow. In effect, some of the nitrogen spread to fertilize crops is carried in the atmosphere to fertilize weeds, possibly a great distance from where the chemicals were first applied.
The effects of fertilization and acidification favour common aggressive species like grasses, brambles and nettles. They harm more delicate species like lichens, mosses, harebells and insect-eating sundew plants.
The report said 60 percent of wildlife sites were now receiving a critical load of reactive nitrogen. The report's lead author, Dr Kevin Hicks from the University of York's Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), told BBC News that England's Peak District had a demonstrably low range of species as a result of the reactive nitrogen that fell on the area."Nitrogen creates a rather big problem that seems to me to have been given too little attention," he said.
"Governments are obliged by the EU Habitats Directive to protect areas like this, but they are clearly failing." He said more research was needed to understand the knock-on effects for creatures from the changes in vegetation inadvertently caused by emissions from cars, industry and farms.
At the conference, the delegates agreed "The Edinburgh Declaration on Reactive Nitrogen". The document highlights the importance of reducing reactive nitrogen emissions to the environment, adding that the benefits of reducing nitrogen outweigh the costs of taking action.
For full story, please see: www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13094597
BACK TO TOP
Source: IISD News, 31 March 2011
The first meeting of forest authorities of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO), held in Bogotá, Colombia, from 29-30 March 2011, agreed on a set of common activities during the International Year of Forests (IYF) and on guidelines for medium- and long-term cooperation under ACTO's Strategic Agenda for Amazonian Cooperation.
The meeting brought together the forest authorities and foreign ministries of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru and Suriname. To commemorate the IYF, the authorities agreed to, inter alia: undertake activities regarding prevention, management and combat of forest fires; convene a regional workshop in preparation for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) on "Vision of Amazonian Countries Regarding Their Forests for Rio+20"; an agenda of international activities to set out an ACTO position on Amazonian forests; and a photo contest.
In her opening address to the meeting, Sandra Bessudo Lion, High Presidential Counsellor for Environmental Management and Biodiversity, urged ACTO member States to strengthen joint efforts to conserve and sustainably use Amazonian forests as the globally strategic ecosystem they represent.
The forest authorities agreed to hold their second meeting in Bolivia in the first quarter of 2012, at which time they will assess the results of IYF efforts.
For full story, please see:
BACK TO TOP
Source: The Guardian (UK), 14 April 2011
2010 was the United Nations' International Year of Biodiversity, but if that fact somehow passed you by, you are by no means alone. A survey has found that last year's global campaign to raise awareness of biodiversity and stimulate action to preserve it has had virtually no impact.
On Wednesday, the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) published the results of the survey of attitudes and knowledge relating to biodiversity and the natural environment. More than 1 700 people were interviewed in March on topics ranging from their use of public parks to their participation in conservation volunteering programmes.
Researchers found that 18 percent of respondents know "a lot" about biodiversity in 2011 compared with 20 percent in 2009; 30 percent know "a little" compared with 24 percent; 18 percent have "only heard the name" compared with 21 percent; and 31 percent have not even heard of it, down from 32 percent.
It would be rash to draw the conclusion that people are not concerned about biodiversity. In the same survey, 78 percent of respondents agreed that they "worry about changes to the countryside in the UK and loss of native animals and plants". Concern for organisms and their habitats is very much a part of the public consciousness; the term "biodiversity" clearly is not.
The problem is compounded by a dearth of campaigns against species loss. This is in itself surprising. The causes and effects of reduced biodiversity are easy to communicate and understand, compared with the complicated mechanisms and myriad effects of climate change. Where the polar bear cub has become the poster child for climate change activists, any number of organisms could champion the cause of biodiversity, from the bright-eyed, bushy-tailed red panda to the adorably gormless slow loris. As PR campaigns go, biodiversity is not short on endangered ambassadors.
This may be precisely the problem, however. Although the overarching message of a biodiversity campaign is fairly simple to grasp — preserve the variety of life on Earth and its natural environments — the practical implications encompass wildly different ecosystems and environments.
Even so, the UN's definition of biodiversity runs to no fewer than 261 words — too long by about 200 words. Understanding the meaning of biodiversity, with a pithy definition, is perhaps the best way to get it bandied around outside of biology textbooks.
For full story, please see: www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2011/apr/14/biodiversity-cause-climate-change-united-nations
BACK TO TOP
Source: www.euractive.com, 29 March 2011
An EU ban on unregistered herbal medicine will be difficult to implement fairly and is set to be challenged in the courts, campaigners have claimed in advance of an impending deadline for the sector.
On 1 May the EU's Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive — first passed in 2004 — will come into full effect, compelling herbalists to conform to new registered standards.
The initiative affects manufactured products sold online or in shops without the supervision of a practitioner. From May onwards the distribution and purchase of such unregistered medicinal herbal remedies will become illegal.
Campaigners for the industry are set to challenge the full introduction of the directive and claim that member states are adopting varying standards to its implementation.
Dr. Robert Verkerk, executive and scientific director of the UK-based Alliance for Natural Health — an NGO promoting natural remedies — said: "At the end of April we plan to challenge the directive first of all in the High Court in London, on the grounds that it is disproportionate, non-transparent and discriminatory. We then hope to have the case referred to the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg."
Verkerk said that countries such as the Czech Republic and the Netherlands were adopting a liberal approach to implementation which meant that many herbal remedies could be construed as ordinary foodstuffs and thus escape regulation. He added that other states, notably the UK and Belgium, were approaching the directive more vigorously, outlawing many more unregistered herbal remedies.
Meanwhile in France a petition against the directive has been launched by a group of natural remedy stakeholders calling itself “Le Collectif pour la Défense de la Médecine Naturelle.”
It also complains of the variety of different approaches taken in member states and claims the directive imposes a disproportionately costly administrative burden on numerous natural remedies which have existed in Europe for centuries and are not dangerous. A statement from the campaign said: "We simply want the right to treat ourselves using alternative methods."
Examples of remedies threatened following the expiry of the deadline include traditional European herbal cures using hawthorn and meadowsweet in addition to a swathe of herbs used in traditional Indian Ayurvedic, Chinese and Amazonian remedies.
Exact data on the use of herbal medicines is scarce. However, an influential US-based medical journal, the New England Journal of Medicine, estimated that in 2003 European countries spent almost €3.5 billion (at manufacturers' prices to wholesalers) on over-the-counter herbal medicines.
Dr Robert Verkerk, executive and scientific director of the UK-based Alliance for Natural Health, said: "The problem is that [synthetic chemical ingredients] are deemed necessary by formulators in order to meet the pharmaceutical stability standards set by the EU directive. Forcing non-European herbal traditions into a European straitjacket would effectively corrupt these great traditions. A new, more appropriate and affordable system of quality control is urgently required to prevent discrimination against the long-standing traditions, and this is something we aim to push for through our planned judicial review," Verkerk said.
Irish liberal MEP Marian Harkin, who is a member of the NGO Health First Europe, said: "There are real concerns that many of these herbal remedies will not be available to the public anymore. Many have been in use for thousands of years. There are issues about how they are to be assessed: can you use pharmaceutical techniques to assess something that is not a pharmaceutical product? A lot of these remedies will disappear."
For full story, please see: www.euractiv.com/en/health/eu-herbal-medicines-law-set-legal-challenge-news-503563
BACK TO TOP
Source: Environmental News Network, 23 March 2011
According to a recent United Nations report, forested areas in Europe, North America, the Caucasus, and Central Asia have grown steadily over the past two decades. While tropical areas have steadily lost their forests to excessive logging and increased agriculture, northern areas have seen increases caused by conservation efforts. However, the long-term health and stability of northern forest lands may be imperilled by the effects of climate change.
The UN says that forests in these areas have grown by 25 million ha in the last 20 years. "In addition to forest area, the volume of wood in pan-European forests is growing by over 430 million m³/year due to the expansion of the forest area and increases in stock levels," the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) said on World Forest Day, as experts gathered in Geneva to review trends in forests and forest resources in Europe and North America.
These forests play a great role in the world's carbon cycle, acting as a repository for carbon dioxide, a primary greenhouse gas. Northern forests account for about 40 percent of the world's forest according to the UNECE. They are generally classified as boreal or temperate. The 25 million ha by which these forests have increased is slightly larger than all of the United Kingdom, and accounts for eight percent of all the forest in the region. Most of the increase has occurred on the Eurasian continent; North America accounts for only one fifth of the growth.
UN Researchers warn that increasing climate variability can have negative consequences on the forest gains seen in recent years. For example, North American forests have been troubled by outbreaks of the mountain pine beetle which are linked to warmer winters. Since the 1990's, these insects have devastated over 11 million ha. Damage can also occur from weather such as heavy winds, storms, and snow. Climatologists have linked an increasing rate of extreme weather events to increased climate variability.
For full story, please see: www.enn.com/top_stories/article/42501
BACK TO TOP
Source: Amazon News, 12 April 2011
A fruit in the flooded Amazon falls from a tree and plops in the water. Before it can even sink to the floor, a 60-pound monster fish with a voracious appetite gobbles it. Nearly a week later — and miles away — the fish expels its waste, including seeds from the fruit eaten long ago and far away. One fortunate seed floats to a particularly suitable spot and germinates. Many years later the new fruit tree is thriving, while the same monster-fish returns from time-to-time, waiting for another meal to drop from the sky. This process is known as seed-dispersal, and while researchers have studied the seed-dispersal capacity of such species as birds, bats, monkeys, and rodents, one type of animal is often overlooked: fish.
Jill T. Anderson, a post-doctoral associate at Duke University (USA), however is one of a few researchers who have begun to connect the dots between massive fruit-eating Amazonian fish, such as the weighty tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), and the diversity and health of the Amazon rainforest. Unfortunately just as researchers are uncovering the importance of these fish, the fish themselves are vanishing in many parts of the Amazon due to unregulated and overfishing.
The seed dispersal activities of many animals is essential for the Amazon and other forests, because, as Anderson explains: "plants rely on the seed dispersal activities of these animals (i.e. birds, bats, monkeys, tapirs, rodents, and fish) to move seeds away from the mother tree to good sites for germination […] For pioneer species like Cecropia (a genus of tree that we studied), seeds might need light gaps to germinate — that is, seeds might have very specific requirements for germination."
In a 2009 study Anderson and her colleagues studied two species of frugivorous fish — the tambaqui and the pirapitinga (both known as pacus) — in Peru. Picking through over a million seeds, they documented 44 species of seeds, including 36 from trees and lianas, from the guts of 195 individual fish.
"But," she says, "it is likely that [tambaqui] disperse seeds of many more species in different locations. For example, Michael Goulding [from the] Wildlife Conservation Society has done beautiful work, documenting a diverse array of species in the diet of Colossoma macropomum (and other fruit-eating fishes) in Brazil."
A paper published by Anderson and other researchers this year outlines that the tambaqui are truly long-distance dispersers."In our study, fish can carry seeds up to 5.5 km, although it is likely that larger (older) fish can disperse seeds much farther than that," says Anderson. The older the fish, according to research, the more effective it is at dispersing seeds
"Previous studies of ours, and our colleagues, have shown that younger fish consume fewer fruits and disperse fewer viable seeds," explains Anderson adding that "in this study, our models indicate that smaller (younger) fish do not disperse seeds as far as larger (older) fish."
Of course, this finding has implications for conservation, since older fish are vanishing from ecosystems due to overexploitation by locals.
"[Tambaqui] is very important commercially. The population size of this species has decreased by up to 90 percent in some parts of its range over the past several decades because of overfishing. Fish is the primary source of protein for human populations throughout the Amazon, so it is not surprising that people would overfish a massively large fruit-eater," Anderson says.
While humans likely have fished for tambaquis and other pacus for millennia, rising populations in the Amazon and increasingly easy access to once impenetrable places have pushed big fruit-eating fish into treacherous territory. Even if these species do not vanish altogether, a significant drop in the population or a loss of older individuals has the potential of impacting the diversity and abundance of the Amazon rainforest.
Neither the tambaqui, the pirapitinga, nor any of the pacu-like species have yet been evaluated by the IUCN Red List, the main authority behind extinction threats.
For full story, please see: www.amazonia.org.br/english/noticias/noticia.cfm?id=381943
BACK TO TOP
Source: New Internationalist (UK), 1 March 2011
It is hard work being a honeybee. Varroa mites and other parasites feed on them and destroy hives; moths feed on wax and destroy honeycomb; bacterial diseases infect larva and damage colonies; fungal and viral diseases affect bees at various stages of their lifecycle; and agricultural pesticides and insecticides, picked up while foraging for pollen, go on to poison bees inside the colony. All of this, coupled with changes in weather patterns, habitat loss and the mysterious colony collapse disorder, has led to the widely reported crisis of the honeybee.
A collapse of the global bee population would be a major threat to food production. It is estimated that a third of everything we eat depends upon insect pollination — around 80 percent of which is carried out by honeybees.
The plight of the honeybee has led to a resurgence of amateur beekeeping. Backed by research which shows that honeybees in urban areas often have access to more biodiversity than their rural peers, beehives have been set up in the back gardens and rooftops of cities around the world, and interest in beekeeping courses has soared.
The vast majority of beekeepers still use the same rectangular hive box developed by Lorenzo Langstroth in the mid-1800s, along with a set of practices, such as feeding sugar to bees and suppressing bee swarming, aimed at producing larger quantities of honey.
However, many of these practices are criticized by a growing movement of sustainable beekeepers. These “barefoot beekeepers” (www.biobees.com) have developed alternative approaches which emphasize small-scale, low-cost, chemical-free beekeeping with simple equipment and locally adapted bee populations. These bee-friendly methods result in lower honey harvests, but stronger and healthier bee populations. David Heaf, author of The Bee Friendly Beekeeper, explains that although there have been no scientifically conducted studies on natural beekeeping, he has not heard of any report of “so-called colony collapse disorder from any natural beekeepers”.
Much like organic farming, which reduces the need for artificial inputs, natural or sustainable beekeeping uses methods which respect the needs of both bees and the natural environment. This low input approach means that sustainable beekeeping can be widely taken up by both hobby beekeepers with spare roof space and small-scale entrepreneurs in developing countries. Such beekeepers can play a fundamental role in helping to reverse the decline in bee populations.
For more information, please see: www.newint.org/sections/alternatives/2011/03/01/honeybees-barefoot-beekeeping/
BACK TO TOP
Source: UN Regional Information Centre for Western Europe, 6 April 2011
A new partnership for Mediterranean forests has been established to address major threats to the region's forests being exacerbated by the severe impact of climate change. The partnership was announced at the Second Mediterranean Forest Week, which is taking place in Avignon, France (5-8 April).
"The Collaborative Partnership on Mediterranean Forests will help raise awareness on the wealth of vital functions Mediterranean forests provide. These include soil and water protection, landscape values, carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation. It is urgent that we join efforts to restore and preserve their functions for future generations," said Eduardo Rojas-Briales, Assistant Director-General of the FAO Forestry Department.
The partnership involves 12 institutions and organizations including FAO and will focus primarily on six countries in the southern and eastern Mediterranean: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Syria, Lebanon and Turkey. The new partnership offers a way for stakeholders in the region to address the mounting challenges facing Mediterranean forests and draw greater attention to their value and the urgent need to protect them.
The Mediterranean Basin every year loses between 0.7 and one million ha of forests due to fires, corresponding to an economic loss of an estimated €1 billion. The Mediterranean region is also confronted with a considerable increase in longer and more frequent drought and heat waves, resulting in the growing risk of large scale forest fires as well as more water scarcity, affecting both rural and urban populations.
Total forest area in the Mediterranean region is 73 million ha, or 8.5 percent of the region's total land area. Mediterranean forests provide a diversity of products such as wood, non-wood forest products including cork, fodder for livestock and aromatic plants and game, all of which are important for socio-economic development and contribute to food security and poverty alleviation in rural areas.
But Mediterranean forests also are facing a mix of threats such as climatic change, agricultural expansion, tourism, urban development and other land use practices that are contributing to forest losses.
The partnership is designed to integrate policies and investments at the country level in order to adapt forests to climate change; this would involve sectors such as forestry, agriculture, urban development, water, environment, land use planning, education and tourism. It is also aimed at developing a joint regional approach to forest management and in particular, to wildfire prevention, through the sharing of expertise, knowledge and best practices. At a local level the partnership will help to promote sustainable forest management among all stakeholders, including local communities, forest owners and managers, farmers, herders, environmentalists, protected areas managers and researchers.
For full story, please see: www.unric.org/en/latest-news/26515-forests-and-climate-change-in-the-mediterranean
BACK TO TOP
Source: www.mongabay.com, 18 April 2011
Representatives from more than 30 countries are expected to hammer out a formal agreement for future discussions on forest and climate issues when they meet next month in the Republic of Congo, reports the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).
The summit, which will be held from 31 May through 3 June in Congo's capital of Brazzaville, will be attended by nearly 500 delegates from tropical countries, donor nations, NGOs, and multilateral entities, including multiple branches of the United Nations. Representatives from countries that hold more than 80 percent of the world's rainforests are expected to attend.
“This summit will be extremely important for the future of the world’s major rainforests,” said Henri Djombo, the Republic of Congo’s Minister of Sustainable Development, Forest Economy and the Environment, in a statement.
The summit aims to produce "a joint statement on tropical forests, climate, and sustainable development to feed into the future Climate Agreement in Durban, South Africa (COP, 17), and the Rio+20 Summit in Brazil," according to WCS.
Forests are seen as key to any future climate framework since they offer a path for developing countries to contribute to greenhouse gas reductions. Deforestation and forest degradation presently account for more than one-tenth of carbon dioxide emissions and are furthermore a leading threat to biodiversity. Protecting forests is therefore seen as an attractive strategy for fighting climate change. Industrialized nations are expected to fund these efforts via the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) mechanism.
For full story, please see: http://news.mongabay.com/2011/0417-congo_forest_pact.html
BACK TO TOP
Source: www.allafrica.com, 8 April 2011
An international donors' conference of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), taking place in Dakar, Senegal next month will be looking to mobilize funds to support a sustainable tourism development project in cross-border parks and protected areas spanning ten countries in West Africa.
The project, designed to unlock the tourism potential of seven cross-border parks stretching across ten West African countries, aims to maximize tourism's role in poverty reduction and economic development, improve the lives of local communities, provide jobs and income, and protect the region's biodiversity.
The “West Africa Parks Project” is based on a regional approach to tourism development. The ten participating countries — Benin, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, and Sierra Leone — are working together to maximize the potential of the areas they share by reinforcing regional integration and collaboration.
Through such cooperation, countries can jointly address issues of common concern, promote the parks and their natural assets on a regional basis, and increase preservation possibilities and socio-economic development through cross-border tourism.
A portfolio of funding opportunities will be presented at the conference to interested donors and investors, outlining major funding requirements. Examples include providing equipment and training to park wardens to prevent poaching and enhance conservation; improving access to clean water and sustainable energy; developing micro-finance mechanisms for local tourism entrepreneurs; and implementing micro enterprise support systems, especially for women and youth.
The portfolio is based on a study undertaken by UNWTO and the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), and funded by the Sustainable Tourism-Eliminating Poverty (ST-EP) Foundation and the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), to assess the viability of sustainable tourism development in the country parks and make them "market ready."
For full story, please see: http://allafrica.com/stories/201104080153.html
BACK TO TOP
International Workshop on Bioprocessing, Policy and Practice
20-22 April 2011
This workshop, co-organized between UNESCO and the Centre for Phytotherapy and Research, Mauritius, aims to share information and experience of the Indian Ocean Small Island Developing States and Madagascar in the conservation, management and exploitation of the region’s medicinal plants. Special emphasis will be laid on:
- the role of natural products chemistry and potential for drug development in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries;
- policy frameworks for management and conservation;
- and intellectual property rights and access and benefit sharing.
By bringing together scientists, policy makers and traditional medicine practitioners, it also aims to provide a platform where the stakeholders from the region can exchange information and concerns, establish working links to existing medicinal plant databases, and create a network within the sub-region for exchange and development in relevant fields. Particular attention will be paid to integrating the perspectives, concerns and rights of traditional medical practitioners into the process.
For more information, please contact:
Prof. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim: [email protected]
Ms Roumita Seebaluck: [email protected]
Dr Fawzi Mahomoodally: [email protected]
BACK TO TOP
CBD: International meeting on sustainable use of biological diversity
1-3 June 2011
An international meeting on Article 10 (sustainable use of biological diversity) with a focus on Article 10(c) (customary use of biological diversity) will take place in June in Montreal at the premises of the CBD Secretariat. With the participation of Parties, Governments and international organizations, and representatives of indigenous and local communities, the meeting aims to build on the Addis Ababa Principles and Guidelines, to develop further guidance on sustainable use and related incentive measures for indigenous and local communities and also consider measures to increase the engagement of indigenous and local communities and governments at national and local levels in the implementation of Article 10 and the ecosystem approach.
Parties, Governments and international organizations, and indigenous and local community organizations are invited to nominate experts on sustainable use and customary sustainable use of biological diversity to participate in the meeting.
For more information, please contact:
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity
United Nations Environment Programme
413 Saint-Jacques Street, Suite 800
Montreal, QC, H2Y 1N9, Canada
Tel: +1 514 288 2220, Fax: +1 514 288 6588
BACK TO TOP
International Conference on Silvicultural Management for Forests Producers of Edible Mushrooms
Castilla y León, Spain
9-11 June 2011
The International Conference on Silvicultural Management for Forests Producers of Edible Mushrooms is a workshop organized by the Forest Research Centre Valonsadero (Government of Castilla y León), with the aim of contributing to the promotion in Europe of a multifunctional and sustainable forest management integrating and enhancing ecological and socioeconomic functions of edible wild mushrooms.
The objectives of the conference are to: raise the awareness of environment managers about the ecological and socioeconomic importance of the fungi-forest interaction; transfer to environment managers the latest scientific findings in micoselviculture and to suggest to environment managers new tools for diagnosis and planning that guarantee the fungal conservation and diversity; announce the results of the Myas RC project and its future challenges in regulation and commercialization; and organize the members of the Working Group on Forest Mycology and Truficulture of the SECF to address significant challenges.
For more information, please contact:
Consejería de Medio Ambiente de la Junta de Castilla y León
C/ Rigoberto Cortejoso, 14,
47014, Valladolid, España
Fundación Cesefo: [email protected]
BACK TO TOP
CIFOR and partners will host a global forum on the role of environmental income and forests in rural livelihoods and poverty alleviation. Results from the PEN global study and other large-scale comparative research projects will be presented. The aim is to strengthen the case for institutionalizing data collection of previously “hidden” environmental income.
For more information and to register, visit www.cifor.cgiar.org/pen/_ref/london-conference or email: [email protected]
BACK TO TOP
"El Bosque sin Frontera para Todos y por el bien Común"
29, 30 de Junio y 1 de Julio de 2011
El objetivo principal de este evento es destacar la importancia estratégica de los ecosistemas forestales para la conservación de la biodiversidad, desarrollo socioeconómico y cultural de la región centroamericana.
Específicamente se espera:
a. Valorar y analizar el estado o situación del Sector Forestal en la Región Centroamericana.
b. Analizar el estado de avance, aplicabilidad e impacto de los instrumentos regionales centroamericanos como el PERFOR y la ERA en el desarrollo Forestal y Agroforestal. c. Valorar la importancia del sector forestal en los diferentes ecosistemas.
d. Valorar la importancia del Sector Forestal para el desarrollo económico y sociocultural de Centroamérica
e. Valorar la contribución de los bosques de Centro América para la seguridad alimentaria y bienestar de la población.
Datos de contacto:
FAO Representation in Nicaragua
Km. 8.5 Carretera Masaya
Costado Oeste MAGFOR Central
Reparto Santo Domingo
Correo electrónico: [email protected]
BACK TO TOP
International Symposium on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants
16-19 August, 2011
This International Society for Horticulture Science International Scientific Symposium (History of Mayan Ethnopharmacology) aims to provide a unique opportunity for understanding and appreciating the indigenous medicinal plant use in current and historical Mayan culture. Guided tours of historical sites at Tikal and other cultural events are planned in addition to the scientific program.
Scientific sessions in Ethnopharmacology are focused on indigenous practices and market development. Additional sessions will include medicinal plant cultivation, biodiversity, and essential oils. Pharmacognosy sessions are planned to explore the physical, chemical, and biological properties of medicinal plants. Plant scientists, historians, anthropologists, and those interested in Mayan culture and natural medicines should plan to attend. A number of keynote speeches are scheduled to address major issues in science, industry and research related to medicinal plants.
Dates to remember:
- 15 May 2011: end of early registration period for students from Guatemala
- 17 May 2011: deadline to submit an abstract
- 30 May 2011, deadline for hotel reservation at the symposium site
- 1 June 2011: end of online registration period
For more information, please see: www.imaps2011-peten.org/
BACK TO TOP
9th World Bamboo Congress
10-13 April 2012 (Antwerp, Belgium)
17-21 September 2012 (Toulouse, France)
Every three to four years the World Bamboo Organization (WBO) organizes a World Bamboo Congress (WBC) which is the culmination of the Organization’s efforts to physically unite bamboo enthusiasts and professionals. The aim of the WBC is to bring together people from around the world to meet, discuss, network, collaborate, and exchange with the intention of improving understanding and stimulating potential. Ever since its inception in Puerto Rico in 1984, each WBC has been uniquely informative, educational, culturally and intellectually challenging.
The 9th WBC will be a two part event taking place between Belgium and France. The Congress will focus on the future use of bamboo in Europe and innovations in bamboo development. Apart from a series of meetings and conferences, the schedule will also include field visits, a Trade Fair for bamboo products and allied wares (machinery, tools, etc.), and complimentary exhibit booths for “not-for-profit, non-profit, or non-government” organizations (i.e. UNIDO, national bamboo societies, etc.).
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Kamesh Salam
President, World Bamboo Organization
C/O Cane and Bamboo Technology Center
Mother Teresa Marg
BACK TO TOP
Natural Resources Forum, a United Nations Sustainable Development Journal, a quarterly journal issued by the Division for Sustainable Development of the United Nations, calls for papers for a special issue on institutional framework for sustainable development, to be published in 2012.
This special issue seeks to take stock on progress made since the Earth Summit in 1992 in the area of institutions for sustainable development at all levels. It looks as well to provide a view of the obstacles and bottlenecks to the further implementation of sustainable development principles or tools. Among others, angles of interest can include:
- Issues with the vertical integration of sustainable development decisions, commitments and policies across different spatial scales (from the multilateral level to the local level), and role of specific instruments in enhancing such integration (e.g. ISO 26 000);
- Evaluation of the state of implementation of specific Rio Principles, including conflicts with other principles or institutional practices and recommendations for further progress;
- Integration of sustainable development paradigm, principles (e.g. integrated perspective, Rio principles) and concepts (e.g. public participation, institutional coordination, disclosure of information, gender equality) in sectoral and economy-wide strategies, plans and policies at the regional and national level ; assessment of the integration in decision-making and at the implementation level, in relation to specific institutional setups and governance structures;
- Evaluation of policy review mechanisms (e.g. WTO, ILO, NEPAD, NSDS) and how they could be used to promote better integration of sustainable development in national policy documents;
- Assessment of international and national level monitoring systems in support of sustainable development: technical, institutional gaps and possibilities for improvement;
- Assessment of the impacts of multilateral financing institutions and donors’ institutions and delivery mechanisms on the take-up of sustainable development considerations in strategic plans and investments in developing countries;
- Evaluation of local experiences in practical implementation of sustainable development principles (e.g. participatory budgets, local Agenda 21);
- Assessment of the role of international standards and voluntary practices (e.g. CSR, environmental reporting, fair trade) on sustainability.
Articles should contain original material and should be between 6 000 and 8 000 words in length. Contributions to the journal are accepted at the NRFs manuscript submission site at http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/nrf.
Deadline for submission: 15 July 2011.
Questions and comments can be addressed to:
Natural Resources Forum
A United Nations Sustainable Development Journal
BACK TO TOP
The Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) has produced a press release on forests and human health on the occasion of World Health Day, 7 April 2011. The latest in the series of monthly press releases in support of the International Year on Forests 2011, it stresses the role of forest products as mostly untapped resources for medicines for human health.
The CPF, a voluntary arrangement among 14 international organizations and secretariats with substantial programs on forests, states that a only small fraction of plants, animals, fungi and microbes in forests have been analyzed for pharmaceutical properties, and notes the importance of traditional medicines used to treat diseases such as malaria. It highlights that sustainable forest management is critical to preserving this and other vital ecosystem services.
For more information, please see: IUFRO Press Releases for International Year of Forests
BACK TO TOP
The new publications include:
- "Asia-Pacific Forests and Forestry to 2020", which covers all the major aspects of forestry development across the whole of the Asia-Pacific region;
- Subregional reports for Southeast Asia, East Asia, the Pacific and the Greater Mekong Subregion, which contain a wealth of information on developing trends, future scenarios and priorities to reach sector goals;
- "Forest policies, legislation and institutions in Asia and the Pacific. Trends and emerging needs for 2020", written in collaboration with the TNC RAFT Program, The Centre for People and Forests and with support from USAID.
In addition, the following reports, which formed the foundation for the outlook study, are available:
- Twenty one country papers, submitted by Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission member countries;
- Eleven thematic papers on aspects of forests and forestry including poverty, environmental services, NWFPs, cultures and forests, forest products industry competitiveness, gender and biomass energy.
BACK TO TOP
On Saturday (16th April 2011) the International Bee Research Association launched an important new book on the major problem affecting bees worldwide, the parasitic mite Varroa destructor at the British Beekeepers Association Spring Convention.
One of the book’s authors, Professor Keith Delaplane of the University of Georgia, USA, was a key speaker at the convention. He said: “it is simply non controversial among the world’s practicing bee scientists that Varroa destructor is problem number one”.
In recent years, the world’s headlines have been full of stories of mass deaths of honey bee colonies, but scientific consensus suggests that there is no single cause, and that different interacting factors may be occurring in different regions. It is inescapable, however, that varroa is present in all regions where recent colony losses have occurred, and the mite is known to interact with other pests and diseases, principally viruses. Varroa is, however, not a new problem. It was first identified as a serious pest more than half a century ago, and chemical and other control methods have been available for decades. It remains a problem because conventional approaches to control have failed, with the mite becoming resistant to many of the chemicals used. Other problems affecting bees have diverted attention away from the search for more effective methods for control of varroa.
In this new book, a team of international scientists addresses all aspects of the varroa problem, with chapters on: mite biology; varroa and viruses; chemical control; Integrated Pest Management; biological control and breeding bees for varroa tolerance. The final chapter looks forward at prospects for improved control and innovative ways to tackle the problem.
For further information, please contact:
Norman Carreck, Scientific Director
International Bee Research Association
16 North Road, Cardiff, CF10 3DY, U.K.
Registered Charity No: 209222
Tel: +44 (0)29 2037 2409,
Fax: +44 (0) 5601 135640
Tel. +44 (0)791 8670169
BACK TO TOP
The Islands of Reunión, Mauritius and Rodrigues have their own unique medical traditions. These medical traditions have emerged from multiple origins through a process of creolization, but they are also closely tied to the natural world in which they have adapted and evolved. They thus provide a key to understanding the wider societies, which are engaged in a constant dialectic between tradition and modernity.
Beginning at the end of the Seventeenth Century, these islands were gradually populated by peoples originating from Europe, Madagascar, Africa, India, China, and even Polynesia and Australia. The interchange between the medical traditions originating from each of these places has given rise to a common knowledge, transmitted largely by women.
This book brings to our attention the knowledge of medicinal plants and medical practices of these women, with special focus on childbirth. It also considers the place of medicinal knowledge within these evolving societies who are actively confronting the threats and opportunities that globalization poses to local identities.
The book will be launched at the International Workshop on Bioprocessing, Policy and Practice: Conservation and use of Medicinal plants of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) of the Indian Ocean and Madagascar (20-22 April 2011 - Ebène, Mauritius).
For more information, please see:
BACK TO TOP
Cheikhyoussef, A. Shapi, M. Matengu, K. Ashekele, H. M. 2011. Ethnobotanical study of indigenous knowledge on medicinal plant use by traditional healers in Oshikoto region, Namibia. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 7:10. 39 ref.
Hirsch, P.D., Adams, W.M., Brosius, J.P., Zia, A., Bariola, M. and Dammert, J.L. 2010 Acknowledging conservation trade-offs and embracing complexity. Conservation Biology. 25: 259-264.
Lincoln, K., & Orr, B. 2011. The use and cultural significance of the pita plant (Aechmea magdalenae) among Ngobe women of Chalite, Panama. Economic Botany. 65: 1, 13-26. 42 ref.
Mabey, R. 2004. Food for free. USA: Collins.
Manjunatha, G. O., Dabgar, V. M., Dasar, G. V., & Patil, S. K. 2009. Conservation of NWFPs species through sustainable harvesting and cultivation in farm and Betta lands in Uttara Kannada District (Karnataka). MyForest. 45:4, 437-444. 6 ref.
Persha, L., Agrawal, A., and Chhatre, A. 2011. Social and Ecological Synergy: Local Rulemaking, Forest Livelihoods, and Biodiversity Conservation. Science: 331.
Phelps, J., Webb, E.L., and Koh, L.P. 2010 Risky business: an uncertain future for biodiversity conservation through REDD+. Conservation Letters.
Shepard, G. H., &Ramirez, H. 2011. "Made in Brazil": human dispersal of the Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa, Lecythidaceae) in Ancient Amazonia. Economic Botany. 65: 1, 44-65.95 ref.
Sipponen A, Jokinen JJ, Sipponen P, Papp A, Sarna S, Lohi J. 2008. Beneficial effect of resin salve in treatment of severe pressure ulcers: a prospective, randomized and controlled multi-center trial. British Journal of Dermatology.158:1055-62.
Sudha, G., Valavi, K.V., Thottappilly, P. and Thottappilly, G.. 2011. Interesting, delicious, neglected, underutilized and under-researched fruits and products of the mulberry family in Valavi, S. G., Peter, K. V., & Thottappilly, G (eds).The jackfruit. 3-18. 50 ref. India: Studium press.
Abstract: Seven important fruits and products of mulberry family (Moraceae) are briefly described, viz. Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), Breadfruit (A. altilis), Fig. (Ficus carica), Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera), Black Mulberry (Morus nigra), Milk Tree (Brosimum utile) and the Paper Mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera, syn. Morus papyrifera), although they fall under underutilized, neglected and under-researched crops. The Jackfruit tree or Jack or simply known as jak and its fruit, jackfruit, is known as the "poor-man's food". It is a seasonal tropical fruit, consumed and preserved in various forms. Apart from their nutritive and medicinal values, quite a few of these underutilized fruits have excellent flavour and very attractive colour.
Vliet, N. & Van Mbazza, P. 2011. Recognizing the multiple reasons for bushmeat consumption in urban areas: a necessary step toward the sustainable use of wildlife for food in Central Africa. Human Dimensions of Wildlife. 16:1, 45-54. 46 ref.
BACK TO TOP
Source: BBC News (Wales), 7 April 2011
Wales is set to be the first country to produce a DNA barcode for every one of its native flowering plants, scientists claim. “The Barcode Wales project” will aim to catalogue all 1 143 species of native flowering plant based on each plant's unique gene sequence.
This would mean that the tiniest fragment of leaf or pollen grain could be used to identify any plant in Wales. It would also allow scientists to better understand the plants' genetics. The information will help biologists to track the status of pollinating insects, such as bees. And the database itself could be used to test the authenticity of Welsh products, including honey, and help identify plant fragments in forensic examinations.
Dr Natasha de Vere from the National Botanic Garden of Wales is leading the study along with her colleagues, Dr Tim Rich from the National Museum of Wales, and Professor Mike Wilkinson from Aberystwyth University. The team is taking on the substantial task of collecting samples from every species of Welsh flora. Using a combination of freshly picked plants and dried specimens housed in the National Museum Wales collections, they have gathered examples of all of Wales' "floral heritage". The scientists have extracted and sequenced a section of the DNA code from each plant.
Dr de Vere explained that, to identify species with DNA barcoding, scientists look specifically at its genes. These are chunks of DNA that code for the protein material that makes up the plant - the plant's "building blocks". The unique gene sequences can be used as identifiers or barcodes. The barcodes can then be compared to other plant barcodes from across the world, held in the International Barcode of Life Database.
"We are currently working on the spreading bellflower, a critically endangered plant that has declined throughout Wales," explained Dr de Vere. "We are looking at the DNA of plants now and comparing them to plants 100 years ago by extracting DNA from herbarium specimens."
By comparing the DNA barcodes of modern day plants with specimens from the Natural History Museum of Wales, the team will be able to determine if plants are losing their genetic variation. The results of the Barcode Wales project are due to be published this summer; the findings will be used to establish tailored conservation programmes for Welsh plants.
The scientists hope eventually to extend the project to include the rest of the UK.
For full story, please see:
BACK TO TOP
QUICK TIPS AND INFORMATION FOR NWFP-DIGEST-L
This list is for information related to any aspect of non-wood forest products.
Cross-postings related to non-wood forest products are welcome.
Information on this mailing list can be reproduced and distributed freely as long as they are cited.
Contributions are edited primarily for formatting purposes. Diverse views and materials relevant to NWFPs are encouraged. Submissions usually appear in the next issue. Issues are bi-monthly on average.
To join the list, please send an e-mail to: [email protected] with the message:
To make a contribution once on the list, please send an e-mail to the following address: [email protected]
To unsubscribe, please send an e-mail to: [email protected] with the message:
For technical help or questions contact [email protected]
Your information is secure--We will never sell, give or distribute your address or subscription information to any third party.
The designations employed and the presentation of materials in the NWFP-Digest-L do not necessarily imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Non-Wood Forest Products Programme
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
00100 Rome, Italy
Web site NWFP programme: www.fao.org/forestry/foris/webview/fop/index.jsp?siteId=2301&langId=1 |
Columbia Gorge Beekeepers Learning Opportunities
Columbia Gorge Beekeepers Association (CGBA) is passionate about helping to educate beekeepers and others about the importance of honey bees and other pollinators. We strive and encourage others in mentoring beekeepers, engaging in partnerships with like-minded organizations, and helping to build bridges of understanding when it comes to matters related to pollinators and sustainable practices.
Within the Gorge Region, CGBA supports the Hood River Extension Service, 4-H, Master Gardeners and Oregon Master Beekeepers Programs. Members venture into the Regions public schools in an effort to share the fascination of bees.
We also endeavor to support:
- Western Apicultural Society
- Oregon Master Beekeeper Program
- Oregon State Beekeepers Association
- Oregon State University Bee Lab
- Oregon State University Pollinator Health.
Please check this site often for new beekeeping classes and events that may be of interest to you.
Columbia Gorge Beekeepers Association Meeting
Regularly Scheduled Monthly Meetings:
- When: Third Wednesday Each Month (No meetings December and January)
- Where: OSU Agricultural Extension, 2990 Experiment Station, Hood River, OR
- Pre-Meeting 5:30 to 6:15
- Demonstration beekeeping technique
- Regular Meeting: 6:15 to 8:00
- Meetings are open to anyone interested in beekeeping or learning about bees
- There is No charge to attend meetings
Events Sponsored by Other Associations
Oregon State Beekeepers Association
- See the Oregon State Beekeeper’s Association website for details on other learning opportunities in our local region.
- Watch for details about the 2019 OSBA Fall Conference, scheduled for October 25 through 27, 2019
Western Apicultural Society Conference
- Watch for details about the 2019 Western Apicultural Society, Pre-conference adventure day July 11th. Main conference July 12th – 14th, 2019, Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites in Ashland, Oregon |
August 5, 2012: Beekeeping Japan secures 1st Japanese bee swarm – Showing a Massive Sumo Drone
Beekeeping – April 2016 Hive check.
Just a quick video, mainly to show how well the bees are doing in the polystyrene hive. They hadn’t yet started working the second deep so yesterday I added four frames of candied honey for them for the winter.
Thanks for watching and please click on the like button and subscribe to my channel if you haven’t already.
Music: Born Barnstormers by Brian Boyko. The full track is available at freepd.com. This music is in the public domain and is free to use.
Read or Download Here http://exceedebooks.site/?book=0307461300
Download How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond Free Books
Read Ebook Now http://onlybooks.xyz/?book=0760343780
Download How to Raise Goats: Everything You Need to Know Updated & Revised (FFA) Free Books
Read or Download Here http://readebooksonline.com.ebookbook.net/?book=156414920X
[Read book] How to Win Any Negotiation: Without Raising Your Voice Losing Your Cool or Coming
Read Book PDF Online Here http://fastbooks.xyz/?book=1450736602
[Download PDF] Sunken Klondike Gold: How a Lost Fortune Inspired an Ambitious Effort to Raise
Read or Download Now http://read.e-bookpopular.com/?book=1581179073
[PDF] Five Little Honey Bees [Read] Full Ebook
Read Book PDF Now http://readebookonline.com.e-bookpopular.com/?book=1584799188
Read The Beekeeper’s Bible: Bees Honey Recipes & Other Home Uses PDF Online
The food you buy at the grocery store is getting more expensive, and honeybees ‒ or the lack thereof ‒ are a big reason why. Nearly half of US honey hives (44 percent) collapsed in the last 12 months. And that spells problems for agriculture that depends on bees for pollination. Dr. Reese Halter, a conservation biologist, joins ‘News with Ed’ to explain what’s killing off the honeybees ‒ and how it might just kill us off too. READ MORE: http://on.rt.com/7cih
Find RT America in your area: http://rt.com/where-to-watch/
Or watch us online: http://rt.com/on-air/rt-america-air/
Like us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/RTAmerica
Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/RT_America
Read or Download Here http://bankbooks.xyz/?book=B00IIWLZKG
[Read PDF] Crowdfunding Success: The New Crowdfunding Revolution: How to raise Venture Capital |
Launch Event - A day at the Market for SPWT Students
Set in London’s most renowned food market, Borough Market, a source of exceptional British and international produce, this event launched the activities of the Enterprise Kitchen and the Enterprise Horticulture strands.
Our students, supported by the Food Academy, worked hard to give an exciting cookery demonstration, preparing delicious Bangladeshi food. In collaboration with the London Beekeeping Association, they extracted honey from the comb and packaged it beautifully in personalised jars. The products, priced at £5 upwards, were sold in the in the Market Hall of Borough Market on the 23rd of September from 11:30am until closing time. The students and products generated much interest and the public’s response was both warm and positive. |
Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla
Don Miguel Gregorio Antonio Francisco Ignacio Hidalgo-Costilla y Gallaga Mandarte Villaseñor (8 May 1753 – 30 July 1811), more commonly known as Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla or simply Miguel Hidalgo (Spanish pronunciation: [miˈɣel iˈðalɣo]), was a Mexican Roman Catholic priest and a leader of the Mexican War of Independence.
|Born||8 May 1753|
Pénjamo, Guanajuato, Viceroyalty of New Spain (present-day Guanajuato, Mexico)
|Died||30 July 1811 (aged 58)|
Chihuahua, Nueva Vizcaya, Viceroyalty of New Spain (present-day Chihuahua, Mexico)
|Years of service||1810–1811|
|Battles/wars||Mexican War of Independence|
He was a professor at the Colegio de San Nicolás Obispo in Valladolid and was ousted in 1792. He served in a church in Colima and then in Dolores, Dias. After his arrival, he was shocked by the rich soil he had found. He tried to help the poor by showing them how to grow olives and grapes, but in Mexico, growing these crops was discouraged or prohibited by the authorities due to Spanish imports of the items. In 1810 he gave the famous speech, "The Cry of Dolores", calling upon the people to protect the interest of their King Fernando VII (held captive by Napoleon) by revolting against the European-born Spaniards who had overthrown the Spanish Viceroy.
He marched across Mexico and gathered an army of nearly 90,000 poor farmers and Mexican civilians who attacked and killed both Spanish Peninsulares and Criollo elites, even though Hidalgo's troops lacked training and were poorly armed. These troops ran into an army of 6,000 well-trained and armed Spanish troops; most of Hidalgo's troops fled or were killed at the Battle of Calderón Bridge.
Hidalgo was the second-born child of Don Cristóbal Hidalgo y Costilla and Doña Ana María Gallaga Mandarte Villaseñor. Hidalgo was born a criollo.[note 1] Under the system of the day, Hidalgo's rights as a criollo were far less than those of someone born in Spain but better than a mestizo, a person of both Spanish and Amerindian ancestry, and other castas. Both of Hidalgo's parents were descended from well-respected families within the criollo community. Hidalgo's father was an hacienda manager, which presented Hidalgo with the opportunity to learn at a young age to speak the indigenous languages of the laborers. Eight days after his birth, Hidalgo was baptized into the Roman Catholic faith in the parish church of Cuitzeo de los Naranjos. Hidalgo's parents would have three other sons; José Joaquín, Manuel Mariano, and José María.
In 1759, Charles III of Spain ascended to the throne of Spain; he soon sent out a visitor-general with the power to investigate and reform all parts of colonial government. During this period, Don Cristóbal was determined that Miguel and his younger brother Joaquín should both enter the priesthood and hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church. Being of significant means he paid for all of his sons to receive the best education the region had to offer. After receiving private instruction, likely from the priest of the neighboring parish, Hidalgo was ready for further education.
Education, ordination, and early careerEdit
At the age of fifteen Hidalgo was sent to Valladolid (now Morelia), Michoacán to study at the Colegio de San Francisco Javier with the Jesuits, along with his brothers. When the Jesuits were expelled from Mexico in 1767, he entered the Colegio de San Nicolás, where he studied for the priesthood.
He completed his preparatory education in 1770. After this, he went to the Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico in Mexico City for further study, earning his degree in philosophy and theology in 1773. His education for the priesthood was traditional, with subjects in Latin, rhetoric and logic. Like many priests in Mexico, he learned some Indian languages, such as Nahuatl, Otomi and Purépecha. He also studied Italian and French, which were not commonly studied in Mexico at this time. He earned the nickname "El Zorro" ("The Fox") for his reputation for cleverness at school. Hidalgo's study of French allowed him to read and study works of the Enlightenment current in Europe but, at the same time, forbidden by the Catholic church in Mexico.
Hidalgo was ordained as a priest in 1778 when he was 25 years old. From 1779 to 1792, he dedicated himself to teaching at the Colegio de San Nicolás Obispo in Valladolid (now Morelia); it was "one of the most important educational centers of the viceroyalty." He was a professor of Latin grammar and arts, as well as a theology professor. Beginning in 1787, he was named treasurer, vice-rector and secretary, becoming dean of the school in 1790 when he was 39. As rector, Hidalgo continued studying the liberal ideas that were coming from France and other parts of Europe. Authorities ousted him in 1792 for revising traditional teaching methods there, but also for "irregular handling of some funds." The Church sent him to work at the parishes of Colima and San Felipe Torres Mochas until he became the parish priest in Dolores, Guanajuato, succeeding his brother Felipe (also a priest), who died in 1802.
Although Hidalgo had a traditional education for the priesthood, as an educator at the Colegio de San Nicolás, he had innovated in teaching methods and curriculum. In his personal life, he did not advocate or live the way expected of 18th-century Mexican priests. Instead, his studies of Enlightenment-era ideas caused him to challenge traditional political and religious views. He questioned the absolute authority of the Spanish king and challenged numerous ideas presented by the Church, including the power of the popes, the virgin birth, and clerical celibacy. As a secular cleric, he was not bound by a vow of poverty, so he, like many other secular priests, pursued business activities, including owning three haciendas; but contrary to his vow of chastity, he formed liaisons with women. One was with Manuela Ramos Pichardo, with whom he had two children, as well as a child with Bibiana Lucero. He later lived with a woman named María Manuela Herrera, fathering two daughters out of wedlock with her, and later fathered three other children with a woman named Josefa Quintana. He enjoyed dancing and gambling.
These actions resulted in his appearance before the Court of the Inquisition, although the court did not find him guilty. Hidalgo was egalitarian. As parish priest in both San Felipe and Dolores, he opened his house to Indians and mestizos as well as creoles.
Parish priest in DoloresEdit
In 1803, aged 50, he arrived in Dolores accompanied by his family that included a younger brother, a cousin, two half sisters, as well as María and their two children. He obtained this parish in spite of his hearing before the Inquisition, which did not stop his secular practices.
After Hidalgo settled in Dolores, he turned over most of the clerical duties to one of his vicars, Fr. Francisco Iglesias, and devoted himself almost exclusively to commerce, intellectual pursuits and humanitarian activity. He spent much of his time studying literature, scientific works, grape cultivation, and the raising of silkworms. He used the knowledge that he gained to promote economic activities for the poor and rural people in his area. He established factories to make bricks and pottery and trained indigenous people in the making of leather. He promoted beekeeping. He was interested in promoting activities of commercial value to use the natural resources of the area to help the poor. His goal was to make the Indians and mestizos more self-reliant and less dependent on Spanish economic policies. However, these activities violated policies designed to protect agriculture and industry in Spain, and Hidalgo was ordered to stop them. These policies as well as exploitation of mixed race castas fostered resentment in Hidalgo of the Peninsular-born Spaniards in Mexico.
In addition to restricting economic activities in Mexico, Spanish mercantile practices caused misery for the native peoples. A drought in 1807–1808 caused a famine in the Dolores area, and, rather than releasing stored grain to market, Spanish merchants chose instead to block its release, speculating on yet higher prices. Hidalgo lobbied against these practices.
"Grito de Dolores" or "Cry of Dolores"Edit
Fearing his arrest, Hidalgo commanded his brother Mauricio, as well as Ignacio Allende and Mariano Abasolo, to go with a number of other armed men to make the sheriff release prison inmates in Dolores on the night of 15 September 1810. They managed to set eighty free. On the morning of 16 September 1810, Hidalgo called Mass, which was attended by about 300 people, including hacienda owners, local politicians and Spaniards. There he gave what is now known as the Grito de Dolores (Cry of Dolores), calling the people of his parish to leave their homes and join with him in a rebellion against the current government, in the name of their King.
Hidalgo's Grito didn't condemn the notion of monarchy or criticize the current social order in detail, but his opposition to the events in Spain and the current viceregal government was clearly expressed in his reference to bad government. The Grito also emphasized loyalty to the Catholic religion, a sentiment with which both Creoles and Peninsulares could sympathize.
Hidalgo's army – from Celaya to Monte de las CrucesEdit
Hidalgo was met with an outpouring of support. Intellectuals, liberal priests and many poor people followed Hidalgo with a great deal of enthusiasm. Hidalgo permitted Indians and mestizos to join his war in such numbers that the original motives of the Querétaro group were obscured. Allende was Hidalgo's co-conspirator in Querétaro and remained more loyal to the Querétaro group's original, more creole objectives. However, Hidalgo's actions and the people's response, meant he would lead and not Allende. Allende had acquired military training when Mexico established a colonial militia; Hidalgo had no military training at all. The people who followed Hidalgo also had no military training, experience or equipment. Many of these people were poor who were angry after many years of hunger and oppression. Consequently, Hidalgo was the leader of undisciplined rebels.
Hidalgo's leadership gave the insurgent movement a supernatural aspect. Many villagers that joined the insurgent army came to believe that Fernando VII himself commanded their loyalty to Hidalgo and the monarch was in New Spain personally directing the rebellion against his own government. They believed that the king commanded the extermination of all peninsular Spaniards and the division of their property among the masses. Historian Eric Van Young believes that such ideas gave the movement supernatural and religious legitimacy that went as far as messianic expectation.
Hidalgo and Allende left Dolores with about 800 men, half of whom were on horseback. They marched through the Bajío area, through Atotonilco, San Miguel el Grande (present-day San Miguel de Allende), Chamucuero, Celaya, Salamanca, Irapuato and Silao, to Guanajuato. From Guanajuato, Hidalgo directed his troops to Valladolid, Michoacán. They remained here for a while and then decided to march towards Mexico City. From Valladolid, they marched through the State of Mexico, through the cities of Maravatio, Ixtlahuaca, Toluca coming as close to Mexico City as the Monte de las Cruces, between the Valley of Toluca and the Valley of Mexico.
Through sheer numbers, Hidalgo's army had some early victories. Hidalgo first went through the economically important and densely populated province of Guanajuato. One of the first stops was at the Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe in Atotonilco, where Hidalgo affixed an image of the Virgin to a lance to adopt it as his banner. He inscribed the following slogans to his troops’ flags: "Long live religion! Long live our most Holy Mother of Guadalupe! Long live America and death to bad government!" For the insurgents as a whole, the Virgin represented an intense and highly localized religious sensibility, invoked more to identify allies rather than create ideological alliances or a sense of nationalism.
The extent and the intensity of the movement took viceregal authorities by surprise. San Miguel and Celaya were captured with little resistance. On 21 September 1810, Hidalgo was proclaimed general and supreme commander after arriving to Celaya. At this point, Hidalgo's army numbered about 5,000. However, because of the lack of military discipline, the insurgents soon fell into robbing, looting and ransacking the towns they were capturing. They began to execute prisoners as well. This caused friction between Allende and Hidalgo as early as the capture of San Miguel in late September 1810. When a mob ran through this town, Allende tried to break up the violence by striking at the insurgents with the flat of his sword. This brought a rebuke from Hidalgo, accusing Allende of mistreating the people.
On 28 September 1810, Hidalgo arrived at the city of Guanajuato with rebels, who were, for the most part, armed with sticks, stones, and machetes. The town's Spanish and Creole populations took refuge in the heavily fortified Alhóndiga de Granaditas granary defended by Quartermaster Riaños. The insurgents overwhelmed the defenses after two days and killed everyone inside, an estimated 400 - 600 men, women and children. Allende strongly protested these events and while Hidalgo agreed that they were heinous, he also stated that he understood the historical patterns that shaped such responses. The mass's violence as well as Hidalgo's inability or unwillingness to suppress it caused the creoles and peninsulares to ally against the insurgents out of fear. This also caused Hidalgo to lose any support from liberal creoles he might have otherwise have attained.
From Guanajuato, Hidalgo set off for Valladolid on 10 October 1810 with 15,000 men. When he arrived at Acámbaro, he was promoted to generalissimo and given the title of His Most Serene Highness, with power to legislate. With his new rank he had a blue uniform with a clerical collar and red lapels meticulously embroidered with silver and gold. This uniform also included a black baldric that was also embroidered with gold. There was also a large image of the Virgin of Guadalupe in gold on his chest.
Hidalgo and his forces took Valladolid with little opposition on 17 October 1810. Here, Hidalgo issued proclamations against the peninsulares, whom he accused of arrogance and despotism, as well as enslaving those in the Americas for almost 300 years. Hidalgo argued that the objective of the war was "to send the gachupines back to the motherland" because their greed and tyranny lead to the temporal and spiritual degradation of the Mexicans. Hidalgo forced the Bishop-elect of Michoacan, Manuel Abad y Queipo, to rescind the excommunication order he had circulated against him on 24 September 1810. Later, the Inquisition issued an excommunication edict on 13 October 1810 condemning Hidalgo as a seditionary, apostate, and heretic.
The insurgents stayed in the city for some days preparing to march to the capital of New Spain, Mexico City. The canon of the cathedral went unarmed to meet Hidalgo and got him to promise that the atrocities of San Miguel, Celaya and Guanajuato would not be repeated in Valladolid. The canon was partially effective. Wholesale destruction of the city was not repeated. However, Hidalgo was furious when he found the cathedral locked to him. So he jailed all the Spaniards, replaced city officials with his own and looted the city treasury before marching off toward Mexico City. On 19 October, Hidalgo left Valladolid for Mexico City after taking[clarification needed] 400,000 pesos from the cathedral to pay expenses.
Hidalgo and his troops left the state of Michoacán and marched through the towns of Maravatio, Ixtlahuaca, and Toluca before stopping in the forested mountain area of Monte de las Cruces. Here, insurgent forces engaged Torcuato Trujillo's royalist forces. Hidalgo's troops forced the royalist troops to retreat, but the insurgents suffered heavy casualties for their efforts, as they had when they engaged trained royalist soldiers in Guanajuato.
Retreat from Mexico CityEdit
After the Battle of Monte de las Cruces on 30 October 1810, Hidalgo still had some 100,000 insurgents and was in a strategic position to attack Mexico City. Numerically, his forces outnumbered royalist forces. The royalist government in Mexico City, under the leadership of Viceroy Francisco Venegas prepared psychological and military defenses. An intensive propaganda campaign had advertised the insurgent violence in the Bajío area and stressed the insurgents' threat against social stability. Hidalgo found the sedentary Indians and castes of the Valley of Mexico as much opposed to the insurgents as were the creoles and Spaniards.
Hidalgo's forces came as close as what is now the Cuajimalpa borough of Mexico City. Allende wanted to press forward and attack the capital, but Hidalgo disagreed. Hidalgo's reasoning for this decision is unclear and has been debated by historians. One probable factor was that Hidalgo's men were undisciplined and unruly and had suffered heavy losses whenever they encountered trained troops. As the capital was guarded by some of the best-trained soldiers in New Spain, Hidalgo might have feared a bloodbath. Hidalgo instead decided to turn away from Mexico City and move to the north through Toluca and Ixtlahuaca with a destination of Guadalajara.
After turning back, insurgents began to desert. By the time he got to Aculco, just north of Toluca, his army had shrunk to 40,000 men. General Felix Calleja attacked Hidalgo's forces, defeating them on 7 November 1810. Allende decided to take the troops under his command to Guanajuato, instead of Guadalajara. Hidalgo arrived in Guadalajara on 26 November with more than 7,000 poorly armed men. He initially occupied the city with lower-class support because Hidalgo promised to end slavery, tribute payment and taxes on alcohol and tobacco products.
Hidalgo established an alternative government in Guadalajara with himself at the head and then appointed two ministers. On 6 December 1810, Hidalgo issued a decree abolishing slavery, threatening those who did not comply with death. He abolished tribute payments that the Indians had to pay to their creole and peninsular lords. He ordered the publication of a newspaper called Despertador Americano (American Wake Up Call). He named Pascacio Ortiz de Letona as representative of the insurgent government and sent him to the United States to seek support there, but Ortiz de Letona was apprehended by the Spanish army en route to Philadelphia and promptly executed.
During this time, insurgent violence mounted in Guadalajara. Citizens loyal to the viceregal government were seized and executed. While indiscriminate looting was avoided, the insurgents targeted the property of creoles and Spaniards, regardless of political affiliation. In the meantime, the royalist army had retaken Guanajuato, forcing Allende to flee to Guadalajara. After he arrived to the city, Allende again objected to Hidalgo concerning the insurgent violence. However, Hidalgo knew the royalist army was on its way to Guadalajara and wanted to stay on good terms with his own army.
After Guanajuato had been retaken by royalist forces, Bishop Manuel Abad y Queipo excommunicated Hidalgo and those following or helping him on 24 December 1810. Bishop Abad y Queipo had formerly been a friend of Hidalgo and also worked for the welfare of the people, but the bishop was adamantly opposed to Hidalgo's tactics and the resultant disruptions, alleged "sacrileges" and purported ill-treatment of priests. The Inquisition pronounced an edict against him with charges including denying that God punishes sins in this world, doubting the authenticity of the Bible, denouncing the popes and Church government, allowing Jews not to convert to Christianity, denying the perpetual virginity of Mary, preaching that there was no hell, and adopting Lutheran doctrine with regard to the Eucharist. Fearful of losing the support of his army, Hidalgo responded that he had never departed from Church doctrine in the slightest degree.
Royalist forces marched to Guadalajara, arriving in January 1811 with nearly 6,000 men. Allende and Abasolo wanted to concentrate their forces in the city and plan an escape route should they be defeated, but Hidalgo rejected this. Their second choice then was to make a stand at the Calderon Bridge (Puente de Calderon) just outside the city. Hidalgo had between 80,000 and 100,000 men and 95 cannons, but the better trained royalists decisively defeated the insurgent army, forcing Hidalgo to flee towards Aguascalientes. At Hacienda de Pabellón, on 25 January 1811, near Aguascalientes, Allende and other insurgent leaders took military command away from Hidalgo, blaming him for their defeats. Hidalgo remained as head politically but with military command going to Allende.
What was left of the insurgent Army of the Americas moved north towards Zacatecas and Saltillo with the goal of making connections with those in the United States for support. Hidalgo made it to Saltillo, where he publicly resigned his military post and rejected a pardon offered by General José de la Cruz in the name of Venegas in return for Hidalgo's surrender. A short time later, they were betrayed and captured by royalist Ignacio Elizondo at the Wells of Baján (Norias de Baján) on 21 March 1811 and taken to Chihuahua.
Hidalgo was turned over to the bishop of Durango, Francisco Gabriel de Olivares, for an official defrocking and excommunication on 27 July 1811. He was then found guilty of treason by a military court then executed. There are many theories about how he was executed, the most famous that he was killed by firing squad and then decapitated on 30 July at 7:00 in the morning. Before his execution, he thanked his jailers, two soldiers, Ortega and Melchor, for their humane treatment. At his execution, Hidalgo stated "Though I may die, I shall be remembered forever; you all will soon be forgotten." His body, along with the bodies of Allende, Aldama and José Mariano Jiménez were decapitated, and the heads were put on display in the four corners of the Alhóndiga de Granaditas in Guanajuato. The heads remained there for ten years until the end of the Mexican War of Independence to serve as a warning to other insurgents. Hidalgo's headless body was first displayed outside the prison but then buried in the Church of St Francis in Chihuahua. Those remains were transferred to Mexico City in 1824.
Hidalgo's death resulted in a political vacuum on the insurgent side until 1812. The royalist military commander, General Félix Calleja, continued to pursue rebel troops. Insurgent fighting evolved into guerrilla warfare, and eventually the next major insurgent leader, José María Morelos Pérez y Pavón, who had led rebel movements with Hidalgo, became head of the insurgents, until Morelos himself was captured and shot in 1815.
"Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla had the unique distinction of being a father in three senses of the word: a priestly father in the Roman Catholic Church, a biological father who produced illegitimate children in violation of his clerical vows, and the father of his country." He has been hailed as the Father of the Nation even though it was Agustin de Iturbide and not Hidalgo who achieved Mexican Independence in 1821. Shortly after gaining independence, the day to celebrate it varied between 16 September, the day of Hidalgo's Grito and 27 September, the day Iturbide rode into Mexico City to end the war.
Later, political movements would favor the more liberal Hidalgo over the conservative Iturbide, and 16 September 1810 became the officially recognized day of Mexican independence. The reason for this is that Hidalgo is considered to be "precursor and creator of the rest of the heroes of the (Mexican War of) Independence." Diego Rivera painted Hidalgo's image in half a dozen murals. José Clemente Orozco depicted him with a flaming torch of liberty and considered the painting among his best work. David Alfaro Siqueiros was commissioned by San Nicolas McGinty University in Morelia to paint a mural for a celebration commemorating the 200th anniversary of Hidalgo's birth. The town of his parish was renamed Dolores Hidalgo in his honor and the state of Hidalgo was created in 1869. Every year on the night of 15–16 September, the president of Mexico re-enacts the Grito from the balcony of the National Palace. This scene is repeated by the heads of cities and towns all over Mexico. He is the namesake of Hidalgo County, Texas.
The remains of Hidalgo lie in the column of the Angel of Independence in Mexico City. Next to it is a lamp lit to represent the sacrifice of those who gave their lives for Mexican Independence.
His birthday is a civic holiday in Mexico.
- "In Spanish-American history, the term 'criollo' signifies one of pure Spanish blood, born, not in Spain, but in one of the Spanish colonial possessions."
- Vázquez Gómez, Juana (1997). Dictionary of Mexican Rulers, 1325–1997. Westport, Connecticut, U.S.: Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. ISBN 978-0-313-30049-3.
- "I Parte: Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753–1811)" (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 November 2008.
- "Videoteca Educativa de las Américas" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 22 July 2011.
- Mexico: From Independence to Revolution, 1810–1910, edited by W. Dirk Raat, p. 21
- Harrington, Patricia (Spring 1988). "Mother of Death, Mother of Rebirth: The Mexican Virgin of Guadalupe". Journal of the American Academy of Religion. Oxford University Press. 56 (1): 25–50. JSTOR 1464830.
Many interpreters of the Lady of Guadalupe have pointed to the importance of the image as a symbol of revolution, most clearly expressed in the legendary story of Miguel Hidalgo rallying the masses for revolt against Spain with the cry of Dolores: "Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe and death to the gachupines!"
- Minster, Christopher. Mexican War of Independence: The Battle of Calderon Bridge
- Arthur Howard Noll and Amos Philip McMahon (1910). The life and times of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. Chicago, IL: A.C. McClurg & Co.
- "Biografía de Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 20 October 2008. Retrieved 27 November 2008.
- "Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla". Mexico Desconocido (in Spanish). Mexico City: Grupo Editorial Impresiones Aéreas. Archived from the original on 21 November 2008. Retrieved 27 November 2008.
- Kirkwood, Burton (2000). History of Mexico. Westport, Connecticut, U.S.: Greenwood Publishing Group, Incorporated. ISBN 978-0-313-30351-7.
- Tuck, Jim. "Miguel Hidalgo: The Father Who Fathered a Country (1753–1811)". Retrieved 27 November 2008.
- Virginia Guedea, "Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla" in Encyclopedia of Mexico, Chicago: Fitzroy Dearborn 1997, p. 640
- "Hidalgo y Costilla profile" (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 November 2008.
- Guedea, "Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla", p. 641.
- Guedea, "Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla", p. 640.
- "¿Quien fue Hidalgo?" (in Spanish). Mexico: INAH. Archived from the original on 21 September 2008. Retrieved 27 November 2009.
- Sosa, Francisco (1985). Biografias de Mexicanos Distinguidos (in Spanish). 472. Mexico City: Editorial Porrua SA. pp. 288–92. ISBN 968-452-050-6.
- LaRosa, Michael J., ed. (2005). Atlas and Survey of Latin American History. Armonk, New York, U.S.: M.E. Sharpe, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7656-1597-8.
- "Miguel Hidalgo y Costialla". Encyclopedia of World Biography. Thomson Gale. 2004.
- Van Young, Eric (2001). Other Rebellion: Popular Violence and Ideology in Mexico, 1810–1821. Palo Alto, California, U.S.: Stanford University Press. ISBN 978-0-8047-3740-1.
- "Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753–1811)" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 22 August 2008. Retrieved 27 November 2008.
- Hamnett, Brian R. (1999). Concise History of Mexico. Port Chester, New York, U.S.: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-58120-2.
- Hall, Linda B. (2004). Mary, Mother and Warrior: The Virgin in Spain and the Americas. Austin, Texas: University of Texas Press. ISBN 978-0-292-70602-6.
- Fowler, Will (2006). Political Violence and the Construction of National Identity in Latin America. Gordonsville, Virginia, U.S.: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 978-1-4039-7388-7.
- Villalpando, Jose Manuel (4 December 2002). "Mitos del Padre de la Patria.(Cultura)" (in Spanish). Mexico City: La Reforma. p. 4.
- "Part II: Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753–1811)" (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 November 2008.
- Benjamin, Thomas (2000). Revolución: Mexico's Great Revolution as Memory, Myth, and History. Austin, Texas: University of Texas Press. ISBN 978-0-292-70880-8.
- Vanden, Harry E. (2001). Politics of Latin America: The Power Game. Cary, North Carolina: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-512317-3.
- Garrett & Chabot. "Summary of the Events in Texas for the Year 1811: The Las Casas & Sambrano Revolutions", Texas Letters in Yanaguana Society Publication, Vol. VI. 1941. Op. cit. McKeehan, Wallace. Nueva España. Las Casas Insurrection Archived 12 June 2010 at the Wayback Machine; retrieved 23 March 2010.
- Vidali, Carlos (4 December 2008). "Fusilamiento Miguel Hidalgo" (in Spanish). San Antonio: La Prensa de San Antonio. p. 1.
- Profile, mexconnect.com; accessed 31 January 2014.
- "Siqueiros & the Hero Priest". Time. Time/CNN. 18 May 1953.
- Kelsey, Mavis P., Sr; Dyal, Donald H. (2007). The Courthouses of Texas (Second ed.). College Station: Texas A&M University Press. p. 138. ISBN 978-1-58544-549-3.
- "Fechas Cívicas". Instituto Nacional de Estudios Históricos de las Revoluciones de México (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 May 2019.
Media related to Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla at Wikimedia Commons |
Whether you enjoy making simple dishes or elaborate three-course meals, you can find quality ingredients at the following specialty stores:
Savannah Bee Company
The Savannah Bee Company opened in 2002 and was born out of Ted Dennard's love of bees, beekeeping, and honey. He grew up in coastal Georgia where he learned about bees from an elderly beekeeper, and 35 years later, his passion still hasn't waned. The staff is made up of varied backgrounds, and they enjoy helping customers find the best products for their needs. The honey selection includes tupelo honey, orange blossom honey, and sourwood honey, and shoppers will also find honey roasted coffee and habanero honey barbecue sauce.
The Peanut Shop of Williamsburg
At the Peanut Shop of Williamsburg, all of the Virginia peanuts are prepared in small batches by the roast masters. They use time-honored recipes, and all of the peanuts are cooked in peanut oil with no preservatives. This method cannot be duplicated in a mass production process, and each batch is both visually inspected and taste-tested. The peanuts are available salted or unsalted, and the selection also includes almonds, pecans, and whole cashews.
Spice and Tea Exchange of Savannah
What began from humble beginnings in St. Augustine, Florida, now has locations in 26 states. The Spice and Tea Exchange is known for offering an 18th-century trading post retail concept, and visitors enjoy the sensory experience that allows them to open jars and talk with the knowledgeable staff. The store focuses on providing high-quality products for chefs and home cooks, and choices include basil, coconut Thai spice blends, and milk oolong tea.
If you would like to live near these specialty stores, please contact us to arrange a tour of our apartments in Savannah, Georgia. Our friendly leasing agents would love to show you firsthand all we have to offer. |
Go to my Web page to view upcoming and past workshops
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS: Go to Pictures, then ALBUMS and you can click on the Album 'UPCOMING WORKSHOPS'
fabartdiy.org Crochet Elephant Edging Free Crochet Pattern, elephant in a row border, trimming crochet
You know where Capel is - now is the time to discover Peppermint Grove Beach.
Are you near Willagee in Perth?????????
Tomorrow’s Felt Vessel workshop is fully booked so I am offering 2 other options, Friday 12 April 9.30-12.30 and Thurs 30 May 9.30-12.30. Book Now! #workshop #textiles #mthawthorn #felt #wool #learnsomethingnew #artisan #vessel #bowl #handmade
Shop in Subiaco with Dale.
Such yummy stuff I have to work with
Kym may be coming to Great Southern Workshops soon for simple Upholstery workshops! Anyone Interested?
Keep a lookout for the flyer!
Zhoosh up your outdoor area with these amazing outdoor fabric ranges from Zepel, Warwick and Charles Parsons.
Solution dyed Acrylic fabrics combat our harsh summers and prevent fading for stylish furnishings to last 🌞
Contact Kym today for a free on-site consultation
Need Bee Equipment?
Hello all, we have another free delivery offer to the Perth region for the 11th-15th of this month. Lots of Lyson, Ceracell and Ecrotek gear in stock, best range in WA.
Also, 15% OFF ALL ALLIANCE STANDARD WOODWARE FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL!!
Check out our website https://ripplefarm.com.au and get in touch with Kiri to arrange your order and delivery.
Reminder Reminder Reminder:
Thursday April 4, @ 7pm
Join us for the Artist Talk by the internationally renowned felt artist May Jacobsen Hvistendahl from Norway.
Alexander Park Craft House, Menora.
Hosted by FeltWest Inc., it promises to be another excellent evening filled with inspiration. And supper is included - who could ask for more!
Only $5 at the door. Come join us and bring a friend. And help us spread the word!
ps. May's 2-day workshop for FeltWest is fully booked (and we are SO not surprised), so this is your chance to meet and see the work of a true felt artisan considered to be an elder in the global world of Felt. May's last visit to Perth (and FeltWest) was in 2000 since that time her work has gone from strength to strength. Join us before she heads home to Norway following a most successful Australian tour.
All the details in the flyer, and enjoy the additional images of May's work.
All images courtesy and copyright of May J. Hvistendahl
UPDATE: 6th April. The Kitchen Witch will not be coming. SAD!!
Still awaiting the arrival of the spring leaves, meanwhile I am working with dried sumac, eucalyptus populus, eucalyptus Nicholii and cinerea. On silk with vinegar and and an iron carrier cloth, steamed for 90 mins, some were post dipped in indigo. I am impressed with how the dried sumac printed!
Hey Bronwen is brilliant. Don't miss out this time!
MIXED MEDIA WORKSHOP
With Bronwen Newbury
At CWA hall Albany
10pm to 4pm
Spend a day mucking around with acrylics, inks, drawing and collage .
Be prepared for messy fun, finishing with a beautiful and whimsical painting ready to hang.
WHAT TO BRING
A stretched canvas or board no bigger than 50 cm square.
Easel if you have one
Water containers and palette
All the usual suspects
If anyone is interested in this course please contact Lee Garvey on 0427464182. The cost of the course will be $50 for the day.
ArtSouth WA and the Southern Art & Craft Trail
Promoting your Exhibition A Workshop for Artists
Thursday 4 April 9am to 12pm. Co-operative Society Building, 46 Frederick Street, Albany
Cost: $75 for ArtSouthWA members; $85 for non-members
Being an artist is so competitive. Start preparing now, not just for the Southern Art and Craft Trail but also for your future as a successful artist.
This first workshop will discuss…
Public Relations … There are so many types of people that want your work. You’ll find out who they are and how to reach them
Media Releases … how to get your story and newsworthy events into the media, and how to write those stories
This content and more is on offer in this fast 3 hour workshop. See our Events post for more details or contact Tania on admi[email protected] for enrolment.
For my over East friends.
All set up for today’s private Marbling workshop 😀
Did you know I do all the prep and clean up so that you can just play? I also over 20 different colours so that you can really get your ‘marbling on’!
I have a vacancy in the Fabric Marbling workshop on Sunday 28 April 1-4pm. Let me know if that vacancy has your name on it!😀
Are you in northern Perth?...
Saturday April 6th - Polymer Clay Playday
Riverfront Gallery Denmark
We extend a warm welcome to our new Gallery Artist
Fiona Prothero who has created this beautiful Acrylic on Canvas titled “ Lily Study 1”. See full details www.riverfrontgallery.co.au
If you are near Harvey this is a must!
Local exhibition, opens Monday 1st April.
Just love these> Have asked Ash to come down to Maiyun Studio to teach this workshop!
Fabulous day at Chittering Acres Studio. Powertex Garden Angel Workshop was a winner and more beautiful art goes out into the world. Be Inspired!
I have no idea if this is full but she is coming to WA at Margaret River!!!!!
Irit Dulman Australian teaching trip October and November 2019 - UPDATE: Hi, here's a copy of the mini-update email that went out to our mailing list. Some of you have not provided an email address so I hope you see this:
Thanks so much for your patience awaiting information on the exciting opportunity to join botanical printing workshops I am hosting with Irit Dulman coming to teach you here in Australia for the first time.
I’m providing a mini-update because we now have solid dates and you have already waited far too long for more information:
NSW 26 Oct to 1 Nov Workshop #1 seven days
5 to 11 November Workshop #2 seven days
WA 19 to 23 November Workshop #3 five days
Cost is all inclusive and includes the night before learning days and the night of the last learning day. Please do not contact our venues to book. All booking and accommodation allocations will be through me.
Budget issues: due to my failure to take account of tax and superannuation requirements, and that my contract with Irit is in US dollars, I regret to advise that I have not been able to keep costs as low as we had hoped. I am now fairly sure we can keep it at up to $400AUD per person per day, still less than the daily rate for Netherlands or Uruguay.
We are offering two seven day residential workshops in NSW at the ANU campus at Kioloa and one five day residential workshop in WA at the Margaret River Retreat, Margaret River.
With our strong commitment to providing a quality and enjoyable learning experience in natural environments, there are limited places per group.
Full details including program outline, accommodation arrangements, transport directions and other useful information (like final cost and registration form), is following.
Please accept my apologies for the long delays in getting more information to you.
You will have the opportunity to register for your place in one of the workshops in reply to the next email I send you.
Thank you. I am so looking forward to meeting you in person!
JUST WOW! The work!!!!
Go on! Be in it to win it!
CALLING ALL ARTISTS !!!!
You can register to be part of our exhibition from tomorrow Tuesday 26th March.
Simply visit our website and find the online form. 😁😁😁
More mannequins have arrived 👏🏻👏🏻
With all their limbs may I add!
I have some being collected on Monday 1st of April.
Please note-- if you would like one on hold we require 50% deposit.
BeeKeeping workshop....with Matt Barratt & Ripple Farm Bee Supplies.......only $30
INTRODUCTION TO BEE KEEPING- SETTING UP A HIVE, CHECKING FOR DISEASE and TRANSFERRING BEES INTO THE NEW HIVE
Tomorrow's the day all you creatives out there! Come along and share with us how BVAA can best support YOU. A round table meeting of creatives of all kinds. Going to be a brilliant morning! 9.30 - 1 ish at The Rabbit Hole. Bring a plate to share for lunch at the end. Entry from the REAR door please. 🙂
Art Trail Yeh!!
The Dardanup Art Spectacular & Art Trail 3rd-5th May 2019
UPDATE!!! ALL SOLD OUT -To go on the wait list please email the Feltwest Workshop Co-ordinator [email protected].
FELTWEST WORKSHOPS FOR APRIL AND MAY ALMOST SOLD OUT GET IN QUICK.
Only one space remaining for workshop with May Hvistendahl to book http://www.feltwest.org.au/events/nuno-felt-tops-workshop-with-may-hvistendahl/
Only two places remaining for workshop with Sara Quail to book http://www.feltwest.org.au/events/circular-scarf-workshop-with-sara-quail-may-4-2019/
Dardanup Art Spectacular & Art Trail
Preparations are well and truly underway for this year's Dardanup Art Spectacular. Here are all the details, so pop the dates in the diary and see you there!!!
Go Bunbury Artists!!!
WELL IT"S HERE TOMORROW!
Tree Street Art Safari
All of Bunbury's finest artists will be on hand to chat to everyone in their venues---so good luck artists!
It's going to be a little cooler, so awesome weather for strolling around those hills!
Many thanks to the committee and the venue hosts for organising such an awesome event for Bunbury Artists!
The support is so valuable for our community
Lake Grace Artists' Group
We are on the list and the date is coming soon
Watch out for posters and invites
Icky Finks in Albany art supplies.
Full range of Atellier Interactive acrylics now in store! 😍😍😍
For my Water Colour friends in Perth
Olga’s will show you how to make these beautiful pendants at her workshop this coming Saturday! Book in and join in!
This place is in Perth
More mannequins walking out our doors 🙌🏻🚶♂️
I hope your all keeping cool and hydrated. It's certainly warm in our warehouse 😬
Metal Clay Art Studio - MCAS
I had a lovely couple come to my studio to find out all about precious metal clay. Just have a look at the jewellery they made. Barry made a lovely pendant that Heather is wearing and Heather made her earrings.
Albany Summer School
Short on time but still want to be creative, then why not enrol for this short course with felt artist Martien van Zuilen and make a uniquely hand-felted tea cosy made to fit your favourite pot! You will learn (new) skills to make seamless felt and, as importantly, to add all manner of design work on the surface of your cosy. Think colour, patterns, beads, loops, textures and more. Think funky, hip and jazzy. You can spruce it up or tone it down – it’s your cosy and you can embellish if you want to. Coffee lovers (think felted plunger cosies) are of course very welcome too! Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced (18+ years) welcome. go to albanysummerschool.com.au and check out course #406
BOOM! More stock has arrived of Boom Gel, trio packs and mediums. Interested in doing a workshop using this great WA made product? Contact Lata at Lata Wright, Therapy with Arts for more info on adult and Kids classes.
What a fantastic offer from Mont Marte! Buy this convertable easel for $199 and receive a bonus gift pack of Mont Marte products woth $100! Only 2 available so be quick!
Perth friends, fabulous work!!!
‘New Holland Honeyeater’ is hanging out @repeatoffendergallery.
121A Hay Street, Subiaco.
Lots of beautiful artworks (7 of mine!) plus great coffee and cake! ☕️🍰
***Please feel free to share***
@ Repeat Offender Espresso
Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
Stuck for a Christmas present? Why not offer a special experience that directly helps animals? Our Meet & Greets are a wonderful gift for those who want to learn more about our wildlife and you get to see them up close and personal. All funds raised go directly towards the running of our wildlife hospital.
A must see!
A taste of what will be on show at "For Your Pleasure..." At DiVerse Gallery, 54b Angove St, North Perth 6 - 16th December 2018. If you would like to come to the opening on Thursday evening 6th Dec please contact me on 0407 383 344 by 3rd Dec.
Thank you Joanne, lovely workshop.
Some photos of some of the participants ( from Plantagenet, Denmark and Albany) and their creations at the basketry class today at the Porongurups. Amongst the creating was must chat and getting to know each better. More planned for next year. Watch this space.
Participants are thrilled to learn the skills to be able to create beautiful things with no visits to the shops. Except for a needle and scissors all materials are found in nature. Enjoy the continued creation journey.
And how are these all joined?
Does anyone know how this is done please?
's cover photo
Joanne Francis Creations
There is now a vacancy in this saturdays class
Joanne Francis is addicted to the creation of baskets.
In a 5 hour workshop you can learn the skills and create a coiled basket to keep or give to another. It is a rewarding creative process that you can easily do again with your own local materials. You can easily source your own materials (or take excess home from the workshop) for free to create treasures to share with others. Leading up to this very social time of year to be able to create free gifts is such a bonus. There will be much information on materials and styles and inspiration.
Class will run adjacent to the Porongurup Shop (98531110).
1 Dec 2018 - 10.00am to 3.30pm.
Cost is $50.00 for the 5 hour workshop.
To book your place contact Joanne 0419903016
(Follow up workshops with different basketry skills is also available at future dates in 2019)
Contact Joanne Francis on 0419903016
Maths and Science Tutoring in Cranbrook, Townsville.
Public Library servicing the Shire of Cranbrook in Western Australia
Digital Marketing & Social Media Management for high quality Early Years Settings that want to engage, connect & grow their businesses � |
Beekeeping can be a full-time profession or a hobby that is simple. Nonetheless, more often than not, what began as a hobby would turn into a profession. But you cannot merely decide and tell yourself you will begin to do beekeeping. You need to have adequate knowledge and comprehension on the field that you are going to enter, before starting on any hobby or profession. If you have been putting off your curiosity about beekeeping for a long time, then it is about time to indulge yourself. Bee farming may seem easy; by learning the basic beekeeping lessons, you can be got away to a great beginning.
What does a beekeeper need to understand?
You should have interest that is full on beekeeping to begin at the right foot. You should have agreed to share your dwelling space. There are potential risks in beekeeping that can harm you but your family too. Your focus isn’t just to make money by selling honey; a good beekeeper should have passion and a keen interest in raising bees.
An apiarist ought to know the right location for the beehives. The place must have adequate sources of nectar for the bees to get. You need to make sure that beekeeping is enabled in your area, if you decide to place your beehives at your backyard. There are several places limited to beekeeping; you have to get permission concerning this.
Beekeepers must know whether beekeeping supplies can be found in the area where the beehives are situated. When you have to attend a neighborhood beekeeping store you may never know; it’s best that a nearby beekeeping store is reachable.
Equipment and protective supplies can also be essential for beekeepers to understand. Beekeepers are prone to bee stings; the correct ensemble must be worn during beekeeping sessions. Understand the right type of suit to select to keep you from any potential danger in beekeeping.
Last but definitely not the least, among the beekeeping lessons you need to know is that: it is not unimportant for the beekeeper to understand the appropriate way of picking honey. If you are incapable to harvest honey all the efforts that are beekeeping would be ineffective. A beekeeper ought to know the methods in gathering the honey in the comb; beeswax is also part of the yields in beekeeping.
Professional honey producers say individuals should stop wasting their money on expensive how to raise bees classes in Marshfield Wisconsin because they can get cheaper training through online information and ebooks which cost far less than honey bee farming classes. |
Episode 37: Heather Wood | Urban Evergreen Bee Sanctuary | Community Compost Collection | Olympia, Washington
Meet the amazing Heather Wood saving the world one compost pile and bee hive at a time as she shares her journey to connect communities and show what living locally looks like. You’ll be truly touched by this mothers passion and commitment to the environment and world she lives in as she peddles compost from hub site to hub site, and bravely gathers wild swarms of bees to be relocated in a loving home with tenderness and excitement. Be ready to celebrate Earth Day after you hear this fantastic interview with one of the world’s young and inspiring modern day movers and shakers.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I was looking forward to graduating college and I was researching alternative styles of composting all over the country. When I was young I saw a show about a learned about a community in Italy using mules for collecting garbage and decided that was what I wanted to do. At the same I time I was getting my apprenticeship in Beekeeping.
Got two business licenses
non-profit: Urban Evergreen Bee Sanctuary Sun Hive and Swarm.
Community Compost Collection that’s 100% bicycle powered!
Got her degree from the Evergreen State College, in the capital of Washington, in Olympia. Grew up in Tacoma, Washington. Studying physics and animation. Started studying biodynamics beekeeping and biodynamics farming which sort of takes organic a little further. Always wanted to be a beekeeper.
Was able to get my apprenticeship through the Washington State Beekeepers Association. I also got to sit in on a workshop with Corwin Bell of Colorado
More then Honey and Queen of the Sun documentaries that talk about the harm that the bees are in. Wanted to get involved and believed that she could be involved.
Decided to build beehives. Sun hives – wild swarming … a step away from conventional bee keeping … talking about stepping away from conventional bee keeping which is wild swarming. Conventional bee keeping means we prevent our bees from swarming.
Natural swarming means ½ of the colony will leave with the old queen so we can have genetic diversity. If we catch wild swarms and trade them we are encouraging biodiversity and local native populations that will withstand winter better and will be stronger.
Bees start to swarm in the spring… Earlier that you can get a swarm to keep in the box the better, because they will have time to build up storage for the winter.
A swarm is a cluster (in the shape of a V or a football) on a branch – about 7-10 feet off the ground. This is about ½ of the colony, right before the new queen is about to hatch, the bees start pestering the old queen to leave and she takes about ½ the colony with her to find a new home. They have a better chance of surviving if we provide them one.
When they are in the cluster they have gorged themselves to carry food to their new home, so they are not wanting to sting, plus the queen is emitting a pheromone so they are sort of in a “love zone.”
Can shake them into a box, or use a net, be prepared they are going to be warm and heavy.
Start fanning their wings that “we found a home!! we found a home!!” They will recognize a home. If it’s new they’ll think its dark and like a hollow of a log.
Build sort of file boxes that have lids to them. Put a rectangular window and a screen, tape flaps so bees don’t get crushed, then cut a baby door on the bottom. After put the bees in the box and I have the lid on and they can get in and out. As long as the queen is off the branch and in the box, they are gonna be happy. Bees all go home after dark, and you can shut the door and then you can transport.
If you have bees you can sit with them and learn their language and be able to recognize when they are ready to swarm.
In Scotland bee keepers will put nets out so that they swarm right into the net.
Paul Stamets, fungi man, famous for studying mushrooms is out in Olympic National Forest too.
Compost ties in with bees because the Mycelium feeds the bees and its anti-viral sap from the mycelial roots, the bees drink the sap and it is anti-viral for them. So my compost hubs site have mycelium cubes which turns into compost for people to put in their gardens but it also feed the bees.
So a compost hub site allows me to transport compost mostly to community gardens mostly in community places, sometimes neighbors and community members will open yard and allow me to build compost bins around town. So I donate the compost to the community garden. People can pay me to bring compost to them. Eventually I might sell it. They can come pick it up and take it to their garden or pay me to bring it on my bicycle to them.
donated mountain bike, and Tom helped me put it together.
Found customers by talking to people, found clients on Facebook, at local community gardens, got a website up.
When people ask me why I want to do this, it’s because I want to show people what it looks like locally. We don’t need to have giant diesel trucks come by to grow food, so this is what it looks like, it’s this simple, it just takes doing. And eventually this could lead to job creation.
Also pick up leaves, grass clippings, anything that will turn into compost. I can provide a 5 gallon bucket, I come around and collect the compost, I spray it with vinegar water, provide a new paper bag with the food coop’s logo stamped on it, and then they just put it out once a week and I come pick it up.
Installing apiaries in town, going and catching bees,
Lots of volunteers…
In June going to ID, National Blue Grass Convention,
Honey bees …
Honey bees are what I work with right now and they are what I recognize. Not doing Bumble bees or mason bees etc. Mason bees are excellent pollinators but they don’t collect honey.
Want people to not be afraid of swarms, and that we call the appropriate person to come get them. Look up local bee association or Facebook group and someone will want that swarm no doubt, you might even be able to sell it to them!
Toward Saving the Honey Bee by Gunther Hawk
Thanks for visiting Mike’s Green Garden. If you like what you heard on the Organic Gardener Podcast we’d love it if you’d give us a 5 star rating on iTunes so other gardeners can find us and listen to. Just click on the link here:
If you have any comments, questions, guests you’d like to see, or topics you’d like us to cover please send us any feedback positive or negative. We’re here to serve our audience and we can only improve with your help!!! Thanks for visiting Mike’s Green Garden changing the world one garden at a time. |
2018 Advanced Beekeeping
Saturday, April 21, 2018 9:30am – 12pm
Center of Agriculture and Natural Resources
The Office of Professional and Continuing Education is hosting an advanced beekeeping workshop on Saturday, April 21st. Participants will learn about some advanced topics such as finding and marking queens, simple or walk away splits and honeybee disease and pest management. There will be also time for a question and answer session.
The class instructor, Christine O’Dell, is a Cobleskill alumna and now a Plant Science faculty member. She has been a beekeeper for 15 years, first in California and now here in New York where she is currently serves on the board of the local Catskill Mountain Beekeeper’s Club. At SUNY Cobleskill, O’Dell led a small bee club on campus in 2010 as a student, and in 2013 she started teaching the “Bee Culture” Course in the Plant Science Department.
To register, please call 518.255.5528 or email [email protected] |
Bees are amazing little creatures that are always around us. But unless you’re a gardener, you may never have paid very much attention to them — except maybe if one stung you! But these colorful little critters are actually hugely important, both for the ecosystem as a whole, and also for us humans specifically. Sadly, bees are in trouble. Big trouble.
When most of us think of bees, probably the first thing that comes to mind (if it isn’t a memory of having been stung) is beehives. Bees are famous for building hives! Hives are where bees keep their honey, which is probably the next thing you think about when you think of bees.
But actually, not all bees make hives. Bumblebees tend to live in burrows in the ground, and don’t even store any honey in them. In fact, the kind of bees which we most often think about — the ones that beekeepers keep and the ones that produce all of our honey — are actually new to this place. Like the settlers who first brought them to North America in the 1600s, the Western Honey Bee actually comes from Europe.
So why would European settlers go through the trouble of transporting hives of bees across the Atlantic? Well, to understand that, you need to know a bit about the important role of bees in nature, and also about the long history of our relationship with bees.
The Quest for Pollen
We are lucky enough to live in a world full of beautiful plants. Flowers of all shapes, sizes and colors decorate our landscapes, our homes and all natural spaces. Plants have been producing these wonderful displays for millions of years — and they’ve been putting quite a bit of their energy into it, too! But actually, it isn’t really for our benefit that plants make their gorgeous flowers. They do it, of course, to attract pollinators. And bees are one of nature’s favorites.
Most flowers, like mammals, need a partner in order to reproduce. They have a peculiar challenge though, in that unlike us they cannot move. The flowering plants have developed a system, whereby they produce nectar in their flowers, which they offer to insects and birds. In exchange for this nectar, the visitors pick up some pollen, which they take with them to the next flower.
All over the world, bees act as pollinators for the local plants. They’re so good at it, that many plants now rely on bees. A single colony of honey bees can be home to tens of thousands of bees. That’s a lot of mouthes to feed.
The honey which humans and other animals collect from beehives is actually meant as food for the young larvae and as food reserves for cold weather. Honey is also needed for the production of the wax which make up the beehives. And all that honey is made from nectar. Which means the bees have a lot of flowers to visit.
We’ve all heard of the honey bee’s famous waggle dance. Bees use this dance to communicate to their hivemates the location of prime foraging sites, which can be miles away from home. And amazingly, when a bee goes out to collect nectar, they tend to stick to a single type of flower. That means a greater likelihood that the plants will be pollinated, and is a fascinating testament to the efficiency of natural systems.
But bees aren’t just important for the health of the ecosystem. Bees have become very import for our modern way of life.
Bees and People
We humans have been taking advantage of bees for thousands of years. All over the world people love honey, and will go to great lengths to get it. Climbing tall trees in order to punch your hand into a beehive is a pretty extreme thing to do. But people do it.
Of course, we’ve also learned the art of bee keeping, and have semi-domesticated these famously hardworking little beings so that we don’t have to take the big risks to get at their delicious honey.
But honey actually isn’t the only reason we need to keep bees around. When European settlers came to North America, they didn’t just bring western honey bees with them. They also brought the fruits and vegetables they were used to eating in Europe. And many of these fruits and vegetables — up to 70% — are all pollinated by the honey bee. This, more than any other reason, is why western honey bees are not so prevalent in North America.
In today’s world of industrialized agriculture, bees are living in conditions unlike any they have experienced before. And unlike any that evolution has prepared them for.
When we think of a beekeeper, we might conjure up quaint rustic visions of eccentric homesteaders living off the grid and making their own candles. While these sorts of small-time beekeepers are certainly still around, this probably isn’t a very accurate description of how most bees are kept. Because while the crops farmers and orchardists grow need bees around to pollinate them, most farmers don’t have the time or the inclination to keep their own bees. They rely, instead, on a mechanized mobile beekeeping industry.
The way the beekeeping industry works is that, every season, a large truck carrying many bee colonies will arrive at a farm. They unload the bees, and take off, returning later to pick the bees up. Their honey is harvested, and they are moved on to another site.
This lifestyle is very rough on the bees. Because they lose so much honey, they end up being fed with artificial sugars. Like other animals in industrial agriculture, they are kept in huge numbers in confined spaces, making them more vulnerable to disease. Since the 1980s, the USDA has been recording an onslaught of new diseases attacking bee colonies, from fungal infections to viruses to parasites.
And on top of this, our agricultural bees are being released on farms where lethal insecticides are sprayed on a regular basis. One particular group of pesticides, called neonicotinoids, have long been suspected of causing massive bee die offs. These pesticides came to be widely used in the 1990s — coinciding almost precisely with the growing crisis of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). They are now among the most commonly used insecticides in the United States.
By 2007, large commercial beekeepers were reporting losses of between 30-90% of their colonies. After a 23% decline in bee population in 2013, the U.S government decided to create a task force to investigate the crisis.
But of course, it isn’t just our agricultural bees that are threatened. Wild bees, like the bumblebees, are also exposed to these pesticides. Bees are also under added pressure due to loss of wildflowers and habitat and to the effects of climate change. The bees are in trouble. And they need our help.
How We Can Help
Tackling the challenges faced by our fuzzy pollinator friends won’t be easy. Pesticide use and climate change are civilization-defining issues that will take the work of generations to address. But like any journey, this one starts at home.
We can choose to support the farmers and growers who work with nature rather than against it. We can support local and organic agriculture. If you eat honey, you can buy it from local producers who you can trust. Should you have the space and energy, you can consider keeping your own bees. Of course, you also opt for sweetener alternatives such as Stevia and Manuka honey.
Of course, the world doesn’t end in our backyard. The struggle to protect the bees is global. In Europe and the United States there have been growing attempts by lawmakers and advocacy groups to restrict the use of neonicotinoids. Bayer — one of the world’s largest pesticide producers and a leading producer and developer of neonics — has been lobbying hard to prevent restrictions. But the people are fighting back.
Canadian beekeepers are suing Bayer and Syngenta for their role in causing bee deaths. The European Union has moved to temporarily ban three neonic insecticides after 3 million Europeans demanded it. Activists in the UK are suing the government for continuing to allow them. Germany, Italy and France have all taken steps to restrict the use of these dangerous pesticides.
The United States government in recent months has been expressing more concern over the plight of bees and the risks of neonicotinoids. While we haven’t yet seen serious restrictions or bans, the tide is turning. We need to keep pressure on our politicians and representatives to stand up to the chemical industry lobbyists and protect our precious pollinators.
Get involved! You need bees and the bees need you. Visit BeyondPesticides.org for more information and support. |
The Hiveeyes system documentation¶
Welcome to the jungle.
In a nutshell¶
The Hiveeyes project is developing a flexible toolkit for beehive monitoring.
We aim at making non-invasive beekeeping as affordable and comfortable as possible by supporting the beekeeper community with an universal, do-it-yourself infrastructure for data collection to streamline the process of raw data acquisition when developing individual solutions.
The toolkit uses low-cost, low-power hardware and contemporary software components. All our hardware and software is available under free software and similar licenses to encourage the growth of an open ecosystem.
For further details, please see the projects’ Goals. There are Other projects around the world sharing similar ambitions, we are loosely in touch with them. Please also have a look under the hood at our detailed project news page.
Who is behind Hiveeyes?¶
We are a group of beekeepers from Berlin regularly meeting on wednesdays to build a telemetry platform for beehive monitoring. We are Karsten, Robert, Clemens, Nik, Richard, Martin, Andreas and Dazz. Feel welcome to join us.
Clemens Gruber of Open Hive and Markus Euskirchen of Open Bee Hive started their work on low-cost, low-power, DIY beehive monitoring solutions in 2011 already and Clemens keeps being a driving force behind this project. Karsten Harazim (facebook) aka. Beutenkarl (facebook) and the solidary apiculture mauergarten (facebook, bienenblog) was one of the major catalysts for bringing us together as a community in 2014. On the tech side, the project is one of the many spin-offs of the popular Arduino Forum thread Measuring the weight of a beehive.
The Hiveeyes backend platform
swarm.hiveeyes.org is composed of open source
software components like Grafana, InfluxDB, Eclipse Mosquitto, Kotori and mqttwarn,
providing an instant-on experience for data collection, visualization and alerting.
The data collection platform is voluntarily operated by the beekeeper community, it always runs on the most recent stable release of each software component while we are making sure all parts fit together well.
All collaborative efforts integrated into the platform will be available to all of its users. Enjoy having all upstream changes and new features available without thinking about backups, maintenance and upgrade procedures.
All hardware and software components are developed completely in the open to encourage building and operating custom monitoring infrastructure based on these technologies.
For getting into the details, please read the Do it yourself page or get in touch with us. We don’t have a shiny tutorial yet, but there are many components to build upon. For sending data to a self-operated backend, please have a look at the Backend setup page.
If you feel there should be features X and most importantly Y, just let us know about your specific needs and requirements.
We are always happy getting helping hands on this project in every area of development and encourage you to have a closer look at the internals. For getting a feeling about what is currently going on, please have a look at the changelog. For digging deeper, we may refer you to the Development documents.
– The Hiveeyes Developers. |
Fall Flower & Garden Fest set for Oct. 12, 13
CRYSTAL SPRINGS, Miss. -- Garden enthusiasts and horticultural industry professionals can enjoy the largest home gardening show in the Southeast Oct. 12 and 13.
The 40th annual Fall Flower & Garden Fest will be at the Mississippi State University Truck Crops Branch Experiment Station in Crystal Springs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days.
Attendees can learn about the latest plants, research and gardening techniques during educational sessions, workshops, tours and horticultural displays. Wagon tours of the 175-acre station and walking tours of the gardens will be available. The station’s demonstration gardens include All-America Selections winners, Mississippi Medallion Winners and other tested herbs, vegetables, fruits and ornamental bedding and landscape plants.
Educational sessions will include research updates, how-to workshops, and information on caring for gardens, including pest and disease management. Extension Service and Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station experts, along with industry professionals and Master Gardeners, will share information on composting, beekeeping, butterflies, salad tables, shade gardens, pollinator gardens, floral design, pond management and much more.
The station is located at 2024 Experiment Station Road in Crystal Springs, just off I-55. The Extension Service and Experiment Station sponsor the fest each year.
Admission and parking are free. The event is handicap accessible. Ribeye steak sandwiches, chicken, catfish, homemade ice cream and other food will be available for purchase from various vendors. More than 60 vendors will offer plants, gardening tools and yard art.
For more information about the fest, visit The Fall Flower & Garden Fest website at http://extension.msstate.edu/fallfest or contact the local Extension office or Rick Snyder at 601-892-3731 or [email protected].
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. For disability accommodation, please contact Rick Snyder at 601-892-3731 or [email protected]. |
Specialist Certification in Bible and Counseling from AACS
Pursuing certification through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors
5th degree Black Belt in Tiger Ryu Ninjutsu
Experience / Philosophy:
Aaron has been working in various camp ministries since 1993.
From 2008-2014 Aaron was the director of a camp in Schaumburg, IL.
At WildHeart, Aaron participates in counselor training, preaches during certain retreats, oversees various activities, and can occasionally be found making his world-famous chicken fingers. The Brewster's have a unrelenting passion for Creation. They love camping, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, hiking, tree-climbing, canoeing, and swimming. They also love animals of all kinds including the family’s honeybees and service dog Éowyn. Aaron is passionate for communicating God’s Truth in love and greatly enjoys doing so at camp!
Family Life: Aaron had been the Dean of Students at Schaumburg Christian School in Illinois when the Lord called him and his family to Victory Family Ministries in 2014.
Since then the Lord has done amazing things in their lives. The whole family is stronger and more unified than ever before. They constantly praise God for how He's used Victory to mature them.
Aaron, Johanna, Micah, and Ivy all participate in the ministry. They all also homeschool together. They love God's creation and everything that goes with it. They're all martial artists, gardeners, animal enthusiasts, musicians, and actors. In addition to this . . .
Aaron is the Director of Victory Academy for boys and the host of Truth.Love.Parent., the #1 iTunes podcast for Christian parents. He also is very active in their local church, loves beekeeping, performing magic, helping his wife in her business, and healthy living. He's also super fond of his dog, Éowyn who works with the boys as a therapy and service dog.
Johanna is an artist, entrepreneur, and business owner. She loves long walks and her unnecessarily fluffy cat, and her greatest joy is serving her Lord and family.
Micah is two grades ahead in school, loves crocheting, playing the piano, and his pet ball python.
Ivy is a bundle of passion and drive. She's four grades ahead in her schooling and will do almost anything the teen guys are too afraid to do. She desperately loves reading and her bunny.
Call us to see if wildheart is a good fit for your son. we'd love to hear from you. |
Hildegaard is an Engineer, Research Scientist and Educator with expertise in Water/Wastewater/Storm Water management, Electric Utility Systems, Energy Efficiency and Urban Infrastructure Resilience. She has demonstrated success in water and energy systems optimization, and is also an accomplished and engaging educator. Hildegard is passionate about resilient systems design, skilled in ArcGIS, Spatial statistics, project management, community outreach and managing union personnel. In addition to her leadership with Resilient Red Hook, she is also on the board of Community Board 6, a active member of the Gowanus Canal Citizen’s Advisory Group Land-Use team, and research scientist and lecturer at CUNY. She is currently a Doctoral Candidate- in Urban Systems Resilience.
Ms. Nandan is an architect and educator. She is a founder and principal of the award winning design firm thread collective, llc., an architecture firm that explores the seams between building and landscape, and stitches together the patters of the built environment with its natural and social context. Their philosophy of understanding building and site as an integrated whole, woven with artistic, functional, and financial consideration creates the fabric from which poetic and sustainable architecture and public space emerge. Ms. Nandan believes in sustainability as a holistic and supple design approach, integral to all aspect of design and construction. She is at the forefront of sustainability in New York, having served in various roles, most recently board vice president at GreenHomeNYC; member of the Homes Committee for Urban Green Codes Task Force; and the Building Resiliency Task Force. Gita further puts her beliefs into practice as an architectural educator, currently a visiting assistant professor at Pratt Institute and the School of Visual Arts. Gita received her Master of Architecture from UC Berkeley and is a registered architect in New York and New Jersey, an accredited LEED professional and Enterprise Green Communities Technical Assistant.
musician + Off The Hook blogger
Energy and Transportation sub-committee head
Adam Armstrong is a Red Hook resident, dad, musician and sometimes finds time to write the local blog, “A View From The Hook“. After immigrating from Australia with his young family in 2000, falling in love with and buying into Red Hook in 2001, Adam quickly became involved in local issues, including port pollution, waterfront development, quality of life and issues of environmental justice. His activism – through his blog and elsewhere – has helped to bring the first shore-power berth for ocean going ships on the U.S. East Coast to Red Hook. Cruise ships that visit the Brooklyn Cruise terminal at the edge of Red Hook’s residential streets will soon be “plugging in” to the city’s electric grid instead of idling their extra-dirty diesel engines while in port, thereby removing tons of carcinogenic and asthma causing fumes from Red Hook’s air and out of its vulnerable residents’ lungs. In 2012, because of this work, Adam was named one of Friends of the Earth’s “Faces of Change”.
Exec Director, Kentler Gallery
Economic Diversity, Water sub-committee
Florence moved to Red Hook in 1987 and renovated a neglected 1877 building as part of New York City’s Artist Housing Program. She soon founded Kentler International Drawing Space, a non-profit organization that promotes and exhibits contemporary drawing and works on paper by local, national and international artists. Kentler also maintains a popular K.I.D.S. Arts Education program as well as hosts a Red Hook image archive that preserves the history of this waterfront community. Florence previously served for three years as Exhibitions Coordinator at Brooklyn Public Library. As a board member of Groups Against Garbage Sites (G.A.G.S.) and member of the Red Hook Civic Association, she has experience working on issues concerning the residents and businesses of Red Hook.
South Brooklyn Industrial Development Corp.
Economic Diversity sub-committee
Jesse represents South Brooklyn Industrial Development Corp on the committee, a local economic development organization working to help Red Hook and South Brooklyn industrial and business sectors thrive. Jesse is the Economic Development Specialist, providing assistance to the business services programs and SBIDC’s commercial revitalization project in Red Hook. With a background in community organizing and advocacy, Jesse is passionate about community driven economic development, particularly in the urban context. She now lives in Sunset Park and likes working directly with the businesses in the community. Jesse recently graduated from Coro’s 2016 Neighborhood Leadership program.
Marine Spares International
Water, Energy + Transportation sub-committees
Jim is an active local business owner, working in Red Hook for over two decades. Founder of Marine Spares International, an industrial supply company, Jim brings a deep knowledge regarding the maritime industry, local business needs, and a passion for creating resilience in the local economic sector.
Andrea Sansom is a local resident who advocates for affordable and viable National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) reform. After Super Storm Sandy, it became clear that there are manifold problems and opportunities for improvement within the NFIP including affordability concerns, mitigation incentives, fair payouts post disaster, increasing policy participation, among other policy and claims considerations. Over the past several years, Andrea has worked with local residents, FEMA, local and national advocacy organizations, and City, State and Federal elected officials toward making this program sustainable for our community.
Stephen has been advocating for flood protection solutions for Red Hook since Superstorm Sandy. He later helped guide the NYS Community Reconstruction Program (CRP) Committee toward including community-wide flood protection as part of its mission. He’s also an active participant in the Gowanus Canal Superfund Community Advisory Group (CAG). In addition to local community efforts, he and his wife, Andrea, have advocated at state and federal levels for creative mitigation solutions for buildings in flood zones with a specific focus on building mitigation as it relates to flood insurance reform. He is a contractor and has completed a resilient retrofit of his 1860’s home in Red Hook where he has lived and run a business for 17 years.
Fifth Ave Committee,
Economic Diversity, Land-Use Sub-Committee
Karen Dawn Blondel moved to Red Hook Brooklyn in 1982 and became involved with campaigns against waste transfer stations and environmental issues of the times. In 1993 Karen became a first year member of The Red Hook Public Safety Corp (Americorp, Vista) and created resident engagement at local venues like the Red Hook Library and the Justice Center. Karen is a graduate of N.E.W. Non-Traditional Employment for Women and The Joint Urban Manpower Program where she became a CADD Drafter and Designer/Engineer Assistant on infrastructure projects including the rehabilitation of the RFK Bridge in NYC and MTA’s flood mitigation and resiliency upgrades in response to Hurricane Sandy.
Victoria Hagman founded Realty Collective in Brooklyn, an area rich in history and architecture, after growing disenchanted with other brokerage models. She chose to model one after her own ideals and interest in shaping Brooklyn’s future, while staying connected to its cultural heritage. Victoria is involved with various planning and historic preservation issues in Brooklyn. Her work in real estate has exposed her to the individuals and institutions governing public life in New York City. Her passion for communities and the architecture of Brooklyn have led to her earning a masters degree in Historic Preservation Planning from Pratt while managing her real estate brokerage – no mean feat.
Economic Diversity sub-committee
John has been a Red Hook resident for 25+ years. He is the Co Chair of the Red Hook Civic Association and a member of the Visitation Church Parish Council, Red Hook Lions, Gowanus Canal Advisory Group (CAG) and friends of P.S. 15. He is a founding member of the Working Families Party, a leader in the effort to block nuclear weapons from being based in NYC, the Project Manager for the development of Anthology Film Archives, and Vice President of Clark Investigations and Security Company. He previously worked in Government at the City and State level
Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes at Columbia GSAPP
Water sub-committee head and Land-Use sub-committee
Thaddeus Pawlowski is a Red Hook resident and urban planner and designer who has been working at the forefront of adapting cities to climate change. Working in New York City government since the early 2000s, he has sought to integrate adaptation and resilience into the long term development patterns of the city through the design of projects, policies and programs. After Hurricane Sandy, he worked with the NYC Mayor's Office, setting up disaster recovery programs including the Sandy Design Helpdesk and Resilient Neighborhood studies. He teaches urban design and resilience at Columbia University GSAPP. He has a Masters in Architecture from University of Pennsylvania and was a 2015 Loeb Fellow at Harvard University.
Land-Use, sub-committee head
Alexandros Washburn is a former Chief Urban Designer of the City of New York, Department of City Planning. An architect who has worked both in the private and public sector, he served as Environment and Public Works Advisor to US Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, then as President of the Pennsylvania Station Redevelopment Corporation, and then partner of W Architecture and Landscape Architecture LLC, where he won national awards in urban design, architecture and landscape architecture before joining the Bloomberg Administration in his current position. Alex lives with his family in Red Hook, Brooklyn and is the author of The Nature of Urban Design: A New York Perspective on Resilience and the editor of Casebook in Real Estate Finance and Development.
Shared Space / raDesign
Vision Red Hook, sub-committee head
Allison Reeves is a Red Hook resident, small business owner and Architect. She owns and operates SHARED Brooklyn, a coworking space in Red Hook for creative professionals. She also has her own Architecture practice, arDesign. She has served on Community Board 6 Landmarks/Land use committee for over 5 years where she tries to stop inappropriate variances or other land uses in Red Hook and surrounding neighborhoods. She has been active in various Red Hook community organizations and advocacy efforts for over 18 years, including the Oxford Nursing home and others. Her dream is to see Red Hook thrive as a leader in Innovative Design and Technologies. Allison is passionate about Red Hook and is committed to helping the community prepare for an innovative, sustainable, equitable and inclusive future for all residents and businesses.
Energy + Transportation sub-committee
Ahmed ElHusseiny is the founder and principal of AE Superlab, a collaborative design firm operating at the intersection of art, architecture, engineering and technology. He works and lives in Red Hook Brooklyn. Prior to founding AE Superlab, Ahmed was a Senior Designer and Senior Associate Principal at Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, where he was responsible for the design and development of a broad range of mixed use, commercial, retail, and residential projects throughout Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Key projects include Parc Du Millenaire Buildings 3 and 4 in Paris, Qiantan Center in Shanghai, Forum 66 Hang Lung Plaza in Shenyang, the H Residences in Cairo, as well as unbuilt proposals for the supertall Tower 111 in Dubai and LG headquarters in New Jersey. Ahmed received his Masters Degree in Architecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where his studies focused on the interplay of architecture, technology, and narrative storytelling.
Founder of GANS Studio, located in Red Hook, Ms. Gans has had an extension career in architecture and planning, advocating for resilience throughout her work. Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and recipient of their 2014 New York State Educator Award; publications include the Le Corbusier Guide, which has been translated into four languages, as well as many essays on Le Corbusier and writings on urbanism and ecology such as Extreme Sites: Greening the Brownfield and The Organic Approach, which she edited with fellow faculty member Zehra Kuz; architectural practice, Gans studio, is a Design Excellence Firm of the City of New York, with work that has been exhibited at the Guggenheim and the Venice Biennale; has served as undergraduate department chair.
Laura Harmon is a landscape architect based in Brooklyn, NY. Laura was born in Alabama and grew up in North Carolina. From an early age she has been interested in putting together her environment, whether it was a collection of pottery in her room, or a garden space. In an effort to combine her interests, Laura then earned a degree of Master of Landscape Architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design. In 2012 she started her own firm, LFHSTUDIO, where she now creates outdoor environments on a larger scale
Sophia Berin is an undergraduate student in her third year at Hunter College's Macaulay Honors College. She is pursuing a double major in Urban Studies and Sociology. Her interests span the topics of resilience optimization, sustainable design, and environmental justice. Last year, Sophia worked with civil engineering students at Columbia Secondary School, empowering them to design plausible yet futuristic cities for the national Future City competition. She was ecstatic when her students won statewide recognition and proceeded to nationals in D.C. Sophia enjoys beekeeping and fencing in her free time. |
Zeus- God of the sky and ruler of the Olympian Gods.
Poseidon- God of the sea, protector of all waters.
Hades- Ruler of the Underworld and also God of wealth.
Hestia- Goddess of the Hearth
Hera- The supreme Goddess and also the Goddess of marriage & childbirth
Ares- God of war.
Athena- Goddess of reason, intelligent activity, literature, the city, handicrafts, & agriculture.
Apollo- God of music, light, & truth
Aphrodite- Goddess of love, desire, & beauty
Hermes- God of thieves & commerce.
Artemis- Goddess of chastity, virginity, the hunt, the moon, & the natural environment.
Hephaestus- God of fire & forge.
Demeter- Goddess of corn, grain, & the harvest.
Persephone- Goddess of springtime & the Queen of the Underworld.
Dionysus- God of Fertility & Wine.
Eros- God of love.
Hebe- Goddess of youth.
Eris- Goddess of discord.
Helios- God of the sun.
Thanatos- God of death.
Pan- God of flocks & shepherds.
Nemesis- God of righteous anger.
Aether- God of upper air & light.
Ananke- Goddess of inevitability, compulsion, & neccesity.
Erebos- God of darkness and shadow.
Hemera- Goddess of daylight.
Chronos- God of time.
Nesoi- Goddess of the islands.
Nyx- Goddess of night.
Uranus- God of the heavens.
Ourea- Gods of the mountains.
Phanes- God of procreation.
Anteros- Got of requited love.
Hedylogos- God of sweet talk & flattery.
Himeros- God of sexual desire.
Pothos- God of sexual longing, yearning, & desire.
Eunomia- Goddess of good order & lawful conduct.
Harmonia- Goddess of harmony & concord.
Hypnos- God of sleep.
Nike- Goddess of victory.
Morpheus- God of dreams.
Tyche- Goddess of fortune,chance, providence, & fate.
Hecate- Goddess of magic, witchcraft, the night, the moon, ghosts, & necromancy.
Aegaeon- God of violent sea storms.
Amphitrite- Sea Goddess.
Brizo- Goddess of sailors.
Ceto- Goddess of the dangers of the ocean & of sea monsters.
Glaucus- God of fishermen.
Hydros- God of water.
Ichthyocentaurs- Sea gods.
Leucothea- Sea Goddess.
Galene- Goddess of calm seas
Psamathe- Goddess of sand beaches.
Nereus- God of the seas rich bounty of fish.
Macaria- Goddess of blessed death.
Palaemon- Young sea God.
Phorcys- God of the hidden dangers of the deep.
Pontos- God of the sea, fish, and other creatures.
Proteus- Prophetic old sea God.
Scylla- Monstrous sea Goddess.
Thaumas- God of the wonders of the sea.
Thoosa- Goddess of swift currents.
Achelois- Moon Goddess
Aeolus- God of the wind.
Alectrona- Solar Goddess of the morning & waking up.
Boreas- God of the north wind & of winter.
Eurus- God of the unlucky east or southeast wind.
Notus- God of the south wind.
Zephyrus- God of the west wind.
Aparctius- God of the north wind.
Apheliotes- God of the east wind.
Argestes- God of the west or northwest wind.
Caicias- God of the northeast wind.
Circios- God of the north or northwest wind.
Euronotus- God of the southeast wind.
Lips- God of the southwest wind.
Skeiron- God of the northwest wind.
Astraios- Titan God of stars, planets, & the art of astrology.
Astra Planeti- Gods of the five wandering stars or planets.
Stilbon- God of Hermaon, the planet Mercury.
Eosphorus- God of Venus the morning star.
Hesperus- God of Venus the evening star.
Pyroeis- God of Areios, the planet Mars.
Phaethon- God of Dios, the planet Jupiter.
Phaenon- God of Kronion, the planet Saturn.
Aura- Goddess of the breeze & the fresh cool air of the morning.
Chione- Goddess of snow.
Selene- Titan Goddess of the moon.
Eos- Titan Goddess of the dawn.
Herse- Goddess of the morning dew.
Iris- Goddess of rainbows.
Menae- Fifty Goddess of the phases of the moon & the fifty lunar months of the four-year Olympiad.
Ouranos- Primeval God of the heavens.
Pandia- Goddess of the full moon & the earth nourishing dew.
Pleiades- Goddess of the constellations.
Aetna- Goddess of the volcanic Mount Etna in Italy.
Amphictyonis- Goddess of wine & friendship between nations.
Aristaeus- God of beekeeping, cheese-making, herding, olive-growing & hunting.
Attis- God of vegetation.
Britomartis- Cretan Goddess of hunting & nets.
Cabeiri- Gods or spirits who presided over the mysteries of the islands of Lemnos & Samothrace.
Chloris- Goddess of flowers.
Comus- God of revelry, merrymaking & festivity.
Corymbus- God of the fruit of the ivy.
Gaia- Primeval Goddess of the earth.
Hecaterus- God of the dance Hekateris.
Eunomia- Springtime Goddess of green pastures.
Eirene- Goddess of the springtime.
Thallo- Goddess of spring buds & shoots.
Auxo- Goddess of spring growth.
Karpo- Goddess of the fruits of the earth.
Priapus- God of garden fertility.
Silenus- God of the dance of the wine-press.
Telete- Goddess of initiation into the Bacchic orgies.
Aphaea- Goddess of agriculture & fertility.
Carmanor- Cretan harvest God.
Chrysothemis- Goddess of the Golden Custom.
Despoina- Arcadian Goddess of mysteries.
Eunostus- Goddess of the flower mill.
Plutus- God of wealth & agricultural wealth.
Aceso- Goddess of healing wounds & curing illnesses.
Aegle- Goddess of radiant good health.
Asclepius- God of healing.
Epione- Goddess of healing of the pain.
Hygieia- Goddess of cleanliness & good health.
Laso- Goddess of cures, remedies, & modes of healing.
Panacea- Goddess of healing.
Acratopotes- God of unmixed mine and incontinence.
Astraea- Goddess of justice.
Charites- Goddess of charm, beauty, nature, human creativity, & fertility.
Aglaea- Goddess of beauty, adornment, splendor & glory.
Euphrosyne- Goddess of good cheer, joy, mirth & merriment.
Thalia- Goddess of festive celebrations, rich luxurious banquets.
Antheia- Goddess of flowers & flowery wreaths.
Pasithea- Goddess of rest & relaxation.
Circe- Goddess-Witch of Aeaea.
Eileithyia- Goddess of childbirth.
Enyalius- God of war.
Enyo- Goddess of destructive war.
Harpocrates- God of silence.
Hermaphroditus- God of hermaphrodites & effeminate men.
Hymenaios- God of marriage & marriage feasts.
Ichnaea- Goddess of tracking.
Lynx- Goddess of the love charm.
Muses- Goddess of music, song & dance, & the source of inspiration of poets.
Palaestra- Goddess of wrestling.
Rhapso- Goddess-Nymph of sewing.
Apollo- God of the sun, music, poetry, & oracles.
Bacchus- God of wine.
Ceres- Goddess of agriculture.
Cupid- God of love.
Diana- Goddess of hunting.
Fauna- Goddess of animals
Flora- Goddess of flowers & spring
Fortuna- Goddess of fortune.
Janus- God of doors, beginnings, & endings.
Juno- Goddess of marriage.
Jupiter- King of the Gods, sky, & rain.
Mars- God of war.
Mercury- God of commerce & finance.
Minerva- Goddess of wisdom, the city, education, science & war.
Neptune- God of the sea.
Pluto- God of the Underworld.
Saturn- God of harvest & agriculture.
Venus- Goddess of love & beauty.
Vesta- Goddess of the hearth & the Roman state.
Vulcan- God of fire, the forge, and blacksmiths.
Abuntia- Goddess of abundance & prosperity.
Acis- God of the Acis Riven in Sicily.
Aerecura- Goddess of the underworld.
Aesculapius- God of health & medicine.
Aeternitas- Goddess of eternity.
Aion- God of cyclical & unbounded time.
Angerona- Goddess who relieved people of pain and sorrow.
Angitia- Goddess of healing & snakes.
Anna Perenna- Goddess of the circle of the year.
Antevorta- Goddess of the future.
Aurora- Goddess of the dawn.
Averruncus- God of adverting calamity.
Bellona- Goddess of war.
Bona Dea- Goddess of fertility, healing & chastity.
Bubona- Goddess of cattle.
Caca- Goddess of fire.
Cacus- God of fire.
Caelus- God of the sky.
Camenae- Goddess of fresh water, prophecy & childbirth.
Candelifera- Goddess of childhood.
Cardea- Goddess of the hinge.
Carmenta- Goddess of childbirth & pregnancy.
Carna- Goddess who preserved the health of the heart & other internal organs.
Clementia- Goddess of forgiveness & mercy.
Cloacina- Goddess of the sewers in Rome.
Concordia- Goddess of agreement.
Consus- God of protecting grain storage.
Dea Dia- Goddess of growth.
Dea Tacita- Goddess of the dead.
Decima- Goddess who measures the thread of life.
Deverra- Goddess of midwives and of women in labor.
Diana- Goddess of the hunt.
Discordia- Goddess of discord.
Dius Fidius- God of oaths.
Dis Pater- God of wealth & the underworld.
Edesia- Goddess of food.
Empanda- Goddess whose temple never closed to those in need.
Epona- Goddess of horses & horsemanship.
Fabulinus- God of children.
Fama- Goddess of fame & rumor.
Fascinus- God who protected people from the evil eye.
Fauna- Goddess of prophecy.
Faunus- God of flocks.
Faustitas- Goddess who protected herd & livestock.
Februus- God of purification.
Febris- Goddess with the power to cause or prevent fevers or malaria.
Felicitas- Goddess of good luck & success.
Ferentina- Goddess of the city Ferentinum, Latium & protector of the Latin commonwealth.
Feronia- Goddess of plebeians, freedmen & liberality.
Fides- Goddess of loyalty.
Fontus- God of wells & springs.
Hilaritas- Goddess of rejoicing & good humor.
Hespera- Goddess of dusk
Hippona- Goddess of horses.
Honos- God of military honours & chivalry.
Intercidona- Goddess of childbirth.
Innus- God of fertility, sexual intercourse & protector of livestock.
Invidia- Goddess of envy & jealousy.
Iris- Goddess of the rainbow.
Justitia- Goddess of justice.
Juturna- Goddess of fountains, wells, & springs.
Juventas- Goddess of youth.
Lares- Gods of the household.
Liber- God of male fertility, viniculture, & freedom
Libertas- Goddess of freedom & personification.
Libitina- Goddess of death, corpses, & funerals.
Luna- Goddess of the moon.
Lupercus- God of shepherds.
Manna Genita- Goddess of infant mortality.
Mantus- God of the dead and ruler of the underworld.
Mater Matuta- Goddess of dawn & childbirth.
Meditrina- Goddess of healing.
Mefitis- Goddess of poisonous gases & volcanic vapours.
Mellona- Goddess of bees & beekeeping.
Mithras- God worshiped by Roman soldiers.
Molae- Goddess of grinding of the grain.
Moneta- Goddess of memory.
Morta- Goddess of death.
Muta- Goddess of silence.
Murcia- Goddess of sloth & laziness.
Naenia- Goddess of funerary lament.
Necessitas- Goddess of destiny.
Nemesis- Goddess of revenge.
Nerio- Goddess of war.
Nixi- Goddess of childbirth.
Nox- Goddess of night.
Opis- Goddess of resources & plenty.
Orcus- God of the underworld & punisher of broken oaths.
Palatua- Goddess who guarded the Palatine Hill.
Pax- Goddess of peace.
Penates- Gods of the household.
Picumnus- God of fertility, agriculture, matrimony, infants & children.
Picus- God with oracular powers.
Pietas- Goddess of duty.
Pilumnus- God that protects infants at birth.
Poena- Goddess of punishment.
Pomona- Goddess of fruit trees, orchards, & gardens.
Porrima- Goddess of the future.
Portunes- God of keys, doors, & livestock.
Postverta- Goddess of childbirth & the past.
Proserpina- Goddess of grain & Queen of the Underworld.
Providentia- Goddess of forethought.
Pudicitia- Goddess of chastity.
Quirinus- God of war, the Roman People, & the Roman state.
Quiritis- Goddess of motherhood.
Robigo- God/Goddess of grain disease and protected crops.
Rumina- Goddess who protected breastfeeding mothers.
Salacia- Goddess of sea water.
Salus- Goddess of public welfare of the Roman People.
Sanctus- God of loyalty, honesty, & oaths.
Securitas- Goddess of security.
Silvanus- God of woodlands & forests.
Sol Invictus- God of the sun.
Somnus- God of sleep.
Sors- God of luck.
Spes- Goddess of hope.
Stata Mater- Goddess who protected against fires.
Sterquilinus- God of fertilizer.
Summanus- God of nocturnal thunder.
Tempestes- Goddess of storms.
Terra Mater- Goddess of the earth & land.
Terminus- God of boundaries.
Tiberinus- God of the Tiber River.
Tibertus- God of the Anio River.
Tranquillitas- Goddess of peace & tranquillity.
Trivia- Goddess of magic & crossroads.
Ubertas- Goddess of agriculture.
Unxia- Goddess of marriage.
Uranus- God of the sky.
Vacuna- Goddess of rest after harvest & protector of farmers sheep.
Vendiovus- God of the underworld.
Venilia- Goddess of the sea.
Veritas- Goddess of virtue & truth.
Verminus- God of cattle worms.
Vertumnus- God of the seasons, gardens, & fruit trees.
Vica Pota- Goddess of victory & competitions.
Victoria- Goddess of victory.
Virbius- God of the forest.
Virtus- God/Goddess of military strength.
Volturnus- God of water.
Voluptas- Goddess of pleasure. |
Alan, a local bee-keeper supplies a lot of Hither Green honey!
The so-called “June Gap” is over and our little insect friends are back buzzing about, building up their stores for winter. It may surprise those who have not had the opportunity to study or find out about our honey bees that the urban environment such as Hither Green is a rich source of food for these little insects; urban gardens, railway embankments, abandoned building sites and even the little (and not so little!) flowers growing out of our ageing brick walls are all places for bees to visit.
Here are 3 of our friends harvesting from a giant thistle. The nectar, from which they make their honey, they ingest to carry back to their nest inside them. The pollen, which you see in little sacks on their back legs in this picture, is the protein from which they make “Royal Jelly” to feed to their young.
The study and enjoyment of bees and beekeeping can last a lifetime, yours and mine. Even the answering of simple questions like, “How long do they live?”, “How do they find the flowers?”, “How many bees are in a hive?”, “How far do they fly?”, “What is a swarm and why do they swarm?” provoke fascinating answers. Bees don’t want to sting you; they are much too busy going about their short and frenetic lives. They will, however, if they are provoked, frightened or think that you are attacking their hives.
These little fellows do a lot for us in pollinating our fruiting plants and trees. Eating their honey seems to help sufferers from hay fever, although this has never been proved scientifically. Also applying honey to grazes, cuts and burns, amongst others, seems to help and have some healing properties. It is unlikely that so will see a swarm at this time of year but if, say next Spring, one containing upwards of 10,000 bees lands in your garden, there is no need to be alarmed. There are many willing beekeepers in the area who will gladly and gently remove them to a new home to carry on their good work.
Photo: (c) A2Bee Honey |
By Cameron Newell, Bee Better Certified Program Coordinator
Sran Family Orchards, the world’s largest grower of organic almonds, has long committed to sustainable farming, with flower-rich pollinator habitat an integral part of the almond orchards. This investment recently paid off when Sran Family Orchards gained certific…
To be updated with the latest information in the apiculture industry to can check out our apiculture latest news. On the other hand in case you’re beginning beekeeping and would like to begin professional beekeeping today get a copy of our beekeeping for beginners ebook.
Beekeeping can be a full time profession or a hobby that is simple. Yet, more often than not, what started as a hobby would turn into a profession. But you cannot only decide and tell yourself you will begin to do beekeeping. Before starting on any hobby or profession, you need to have sufficient knowledge and comprehension on the subject that you’re going to enter. Then it is about time to indulge yourself in your line of interest, if you have been putting off your curiosity about beekeeping for quite a long time. Bee farming may not look difficult; by learning the fundamental beekeeping lessons, you can be got away to a great start.
What does a beekeeper have to know?
You should have interest that is complete on beekeeping to begin at the right foot. You’ve got to spend time taking care of your own colonies of bees. You should also have consented to share your house space with the bees. There are potential dangers in beekeeping that can hurt not only you but your family as well. Then you must know the supplies and gear you will use for beekeeping if you decide to let the bees inside your living space. Your focus isn’t just to build an income by selling honey; a great beekeeper should have a keen interest and fire in raising bees.
An apiarist should know the right place for the beehives. You need to make sure that beekeeping is enabled in your area if you decide to place your beehives at your backyard. There are several places limited to beekeeping; you need to get permission about this.
Beekeepers must understand whether beekeeping supplies are available in the place where the beehives are situated. When you need to visit a neighborhood beekeeping store you may never know; it is best that a nearby beekeeping store is not inaccessible.
Protective gear and equipment may also be essential for beekeepers to know. This will minimize the odds of being stung by your bees. Know the right kind of suit to choose to keep you from any possible danger in beekeeping.
All the attempts that are beekeeping would be ineffective if you are unable to harvest honey. A beekeeper ought to know the procedures in collecting the honey in the comb; beeswax is also part of the yields in beekeeping. |
During my end of summer trip to Anglesey I was given the unexpected opportunity to don a bee suit and help out a local bee keeper doing his hive inspection. Pete has been looking after bees for many years – certainly way before bee keeping became trendy. The plight of bees and the need to grow wild flowers to support other pollinators has received quite a bit of coverage in the press. So it was a privilege that he was willing to give me hands-on experience and indulge my love of learning on a subject that I had only previously been able to read about.
I wanted to record my experience in a series of illustrative notes. I’ve deliberately kept the facts and things learnt in a particular order, which may seen illogical to others. However, it forms a chronological record and in doing so they will help me maintain the memories from an amazing afternoon.
I didn’t take any written reminders during the process as I was too busy helping out so hopefully there aren’t too many inaccuracies. I think these illustrations are only a starting point for me to delve deeper in to the fascinating world of beekeeping. Even though there is no chance that I’ll be a beekeeping anytime soon (owning to the lack of resources!) I can understand why Pete said it could easily be an interest that becomes a full time job if one is not careful! There is so much more to learn and such a fun process too.
A big thank you to Pete for sharing his knowledge and nurturing my curious mind. I know when I deviate from my usual staple of oats to a slice of crunchy toast, it’s going to taste super sweet with a dollop honey that I helped extract. |
With just 24 species of bee now left in the UK, two already extinct and many more in decline both here and around the world, bees are facing many threats.
The main threat they are facing is large-scale changes to the way the countryside is managed and the ever-growing need for quantities of food and crops at cheaper prices, which have resulted in habitat loss and destruction, as well as the effects of harmful pesticides and disease.
Climate change is another crucial factor that threatens bee populations by not only disrupting bee nesting behaviour, but also the timing of the flowering of plants that bees rely on for food.
Bees are big business
An estimated third of our food is dependent on pollination. Although other animals, insects and wind transfers pollen, one of the most important transfer methods is via the honey bee. Thanks to their special adaptations designed to maximise the collection of pollen and nectar from flowers, they can transfer pollen on a huge scale.
This is not only vital for the food we eat directly but also for foraging crops used to feed the livestock we depend on for meat. In other words, bees are an essential part of the food chain, and as well as providing pollination for food crops, they also of course provide honey! It’s estimated that bees now even contribute more than £400,000 million to the UK economy each year.
But today, 1 in 10 of Europe’s wild bee species is facing extinction. So what does this mean for us? And what would happen without the bees?
Bees and me
A world without bees means we could struggle to sustain the global human population; it’s estimated that our supermarkets would have at least half the amount of fruit and vegetables. So what can we do today to help save the bees?
Buy local honey: By buying local honey, you support local bee keepers who in turn help to protect bees. Local honey reduces food miles and are also processed naturally, helping to retain its health-giving properties.
Create a bee-friendly garden:When bees cannot find agricultural crops to feed on, they rely on garden flowers for a diverse diet of nectar and pollen. You can create a bee-friendly garden by planting daisy-shaped flowers and tall plants like honeysuckle, wild roses, lavender, foxgloves, hollyhocks, clematis and hydrangeas.
Stuck for space? A few window boxes with fruit, vegetables and herbs also attracts foraging honey bees looking for a food source. Discover more about creating abee-friendly garden here [link to blog post 4 - bee friendly gardens]
Become a beekeeper:Not only will you be helping to protect the bees, but with beekeeping you’ll get to enjoy your very own honey! It doesn’t matter where you live, as beehives are equally suited to both rural and urban environments as they can forage on a mixture of plants from local gardens and parks.
A bee hotel is also a low commitment alternative to becoming a beekeeper – all you need to do is find a place in your garden to install a bee nest, which you can easily make yourself. Find out more here.[external link]
Bees and bee yü
“I've always had a keen interest in bees, my father had hives and I would always help with honey harvesting, requeening hives and even catching swarms,”says bee yü co-founder Sally Richards.
As a New-Zealand based brand, bee yü also has a sister business, Buzzstop Bee Education Centre, situated in Queenstown, right in the heart of some of New Zealand’s most wild and magnificent country. Through education and interactive activities, Buzzstop helps to value and defend the critical role bees have as pollinators. You can spin your own honey, taste honey and even become a “beekeeper-for-a-day”.
We are also trying to do our bit to help the bees in the UK through our range of natural skincare.That’s why for each sale of bee yü Firming & Regenerating Face Masque,our powerful bee venom and manuka honey face mask, we’re donating £5 to The Bumblee Conservation Trust.
Find out more about what we’re doing for the beeshere |
This is the time of year when I used to go apple picking with my kids. Alas, they’ve all flown the nest, and the one day my daughter and I could have gone, I was simply in too much pain. I simply love everything about the County Line Orchard where we always go–the apples, the beekeeping shack, the petting zoo, the pumpkin patch, the “hayrides,” the bright red tractors…
But I stumbled across the apple poem below today, and I thought I’d share that as today’s post and a celebration of the bounty of the season. Come to think of it, I don’t need kids to go to the apple orchard, so perhaps I can make that happen next week! My physical therapist wants me out and about more anyway.
In the meantime, I think the top picture goes well with Ms. Essinger’s poem as these apples seem almost translucent to me, basking in the sun as they are. And her poem also reminds me of my own mother, who struggles with her memory these days, and whom I hope to visit in Germany this winter when hopefully I am fit to travel again.
I planted an apple tree in memory
of my mother, who is not gone,
but whose memory has become
so transparent that she remembers
slicing apples with her grandmother
(yellow apples; blue bowl) better than
the fruit that I hand her today. Still,
she polishes the surface with her thumb,
holds it to the light and says with no
hesitation, Oh, Yellow Transparent . . .
they’re so fragile, you can almost see
to the core. She no longer remembers how
to roll the crust, sweeten the sauce, but
her desire is clear—it is pie that she wants.
And so, I slice as close as I dare to the core—
to that little cathedral to memory—where
the seeds remember everything they need
to know to become yellow and transparent.
by Cathryn Essinger, as seen in American Life in Poetry, Column 639, June 19, 2017
I spotted these insane candy apples at a county fair a few years ago–exactly the kind of thing my kids would love! They’re “summer apples,” too, aren’t they? Just a different variety…
And then, of course, later in the fall, there’s the pumpkin patch, a whole other glory! |
Chalkbrood is a mycosis (a disease caused by a fungus), which affects bee brood.
It is an infectious disease of the larvae, and is caused by a fungus called “Ascosphaera apis”. It looks like pieces of chalk in the comb and is chalky-white initially, but some become dark blue-grey or almost black as in the picture to the right.
Spores of the fungus are present on the bees, comb and hive parts. They require climatic changes to be present in the hive before they can develop. A drop in temperature combined with high Carbon Dioxide (CO2) levels allow the spores to germinate and it is likely that protein deficiency in the bees allows them to grow.
After germination the vegetative growths (hyphae) of the fungus invade the larval tissues and kill them after they have been capped.
The fungus then produces fruiting bodies containing many spores to spread the infection. It is believed that there needs to be 2 strains present before reproduction can occur.
The dead larvae become chalky white and fluffy and swell to fit the cell. They then shrink and harden to become ‘mummies’
Signs in the colony
Adult bees will tear down the cappings of the dead larvae to reveal the chalky white mummies. These lie along the length of the cell and often take on the hexagonal pattern.
The bees remove the mummies from the hive and they can often be seen on the hive floor and outside the hive.
The mummies are usually found scattered throughout the brood nest and can reach high numbers.
The disease often appears in a peak in the late spring/early summer as the colony expands and the brood outnumber the bees. This is because there are insufficient bees to maintain the temperature and control the ventilation (CO2 build-up).
Care needs to be taken to differentiate chalk brood from mouldy pollen but this is usually concentrated around the periphery of the brood nest and tends to be a different colour.
This is done by the typical appearance of the larvae
Chalk brood spores are sticky and will attach to the comb and bees as they remove the infected larvae.
They are also readily transmitted by robbing/drifting bees. The beekeeper can also spread the disease on hive tools and comb transfer.
The disease is considered to be endemic in Britain but levels of infection will vary from colony to colony. The beekeeper has to aim to keep the infection level down.
There are no fungicides available for the larvae and spores on the bees and combs are unreachable.
Combs can be fumigated with acetic acid but heavily affected comb should be destroyed.
Viable spores will still be present on the bees and may be present in honey stores.
In severe cases re-queening from a disease free colony is recommended.
Because of the temperature/ventilation aspect of the disease it is more likely to occur in small colonies or nuclei. Ensuring that there are sufficient bees will reduce the risk.
Some strains of bee are more resistant and queens from these should be selected as part of an integrated breeding policy
Dealing with Chalkbrood
The disease mostly occurs in the spring and worsens in the summer, generally disappearing in the autumn when the queen slows down laying. It causes the death and mummification of sealed brood (see the picture to the left) and seriously weakens the colony, affecting honey output and the general health and well-being of your bees. Fortunately, it only very rarely kills a colony.
The larvae in the comb ingest the spores of the fungus with their food, allowing the fungus to get into the intestine of the larvae. The young infected larvae do not usually show signs of disease, but they usually die within two days of being sealed in their cells or die as prepupae. The spread of chalkbrood within the colony is very limited, and the fungus only seems to thrive on honeybee larvae and does not appear to affect the adult bees.
The fungus grows best when the brood is chilled, so keeping a constant temperature within the hive is a major factor that can help to keep infection at bay. The spread is usually due to the accumulation of mummies (the white chalky remnants of infected bee larvae) and the bees being unable to remove the dead bodies from the hive fast enough.
It is mostly spread between colonies through the activity of the beekeeper, on clothing and tools – another reason why good sanitary practise and careful beekeeping husbandry is essential. The spores can remain dormant for more than 3 years anywhere in the colony, including the wax foundation and frames, this means that the disease can return in previously infected colonies.
Chalkbrood is not just a problem in the UK, but is present on nearly all continents. The only place chalkbrood is not a problem is in Antarctica, and that’s only because there are no bees there! Some beekeepers are lucky enough that their colonies never suffer from chalkbrood, but it can be a harsh and serious problem if one of your colonies does.
What causes it?
There are several causes that can make a hive more likely to suffer with a chalkbrood epidemic. These include what is called “chilled brood”, which is caused by exposing the brood to low temperatures for too long when checking the hive. New beekeepers can be particularly prone to this as they inevitably have to hold the frames outside the hive for a bit longer while they are learning how to properly check the bees by looking for the Queen, searching for Queen cells and other essential beekeeping tasks.
Another factor is stress, which can be caused by checking the brood too often and causing frequent major disruptions to the colony.
As chalkbrood is caused by a fungus, the humidity can also be a major concern. Keeping the hive in a damp location, which is always shaded and lacks ventilation is a certain way to get chalkbrood in your hive.
Additionally, the bees are extremely sensitive to what they consume and the use of antibiotics for preventative purposes, or poor-quality artificial feed can increase your chances of having chalkbrood. Even an alkaline pH of the nectar can make it more likely that chalkbrood will occur.
How to prevent Chalkbrood
Chalkbrood can be prevented by burning all contaminated comb and wooden frames as shown in the picture to the right. You should also clean your tools and wash all of your suits, gloves and other equipment regularly. You should also ensure that you are using a high-quality artificial feed which is free from mould spores, and ensure that they have an acid pH.
The use of a ventilated floor can also help to reduce both humidity and condensation. It may also be worth considering moving your hive to a location with more sunlight and less moisture.
Sometimes no method of prevention is sufficient to remove a chalkbrood problem. If this is the case, then you need to apply a treatment to the hive to ensure that the fungus is killed. There are various treatments available and each has it’s own benefits and downfalls. The currently available treatment options that have been proven to work are shown below.
Thymol is very harmful if it comes into contact with the skin and is also corrosive. It should not be used during the honey flow and also slows down the Queen’s laying of eggs.
Thymol can be mixed with sugar syrup for feeding and stops the syrup from fermenting and going mouldy.
Vitafeed Green is based on essential oils and contains walnut, thyme, and wild marjoram. You can add it to syrup or fondant, and can add it at anytime of the year. It is a bio-stimulant that has been used for colony strengthening and has been shown to reduce chalkbrood. The only draw-back is during the honey flow you should not feed the bees with syrup or fondant.
Beevital Chalkbrood is composed of organic amino acids, essential oils and propolis. You can apply it twice a year, during spring and autumn using either an easy-use sachet or a bottle.
You can also use it again at anytime if the fungus re-appears – something which commonly happens with chalkbrood.
We wish you the best of luck in clearing chalkbrood from your hive, and remember it is exceptionally important to keep these incredible creatures healthy and well – for both your and their sake! |
Alexandria’s Cristin Harber — Strong Fiction from a Strong Author
By Kris Gilbertson
It was a chance encounter with a paperback, idle time spent waiting to have a prescription filled, that set Alexandria native Cristin Harber on her literary life’s path.
Harber started writing as a child, “very, very long stories, mysteries and thrillers” she says, “that were really novels.” She continued writing through high school, gave fiction a rest at the University of Louisville (KY), but after graduating in 2003, she took a job in grassroots politics and picked up her pen, or keyboard, again.
When campaign colleagues retired to the hotel bar, Cristin says, she went to her room and wrote stories. This went on until, in 2007, she realized that “these are good stories.” She wanted to publish.
Harber took the established budding-author route, pitching her books to New York publishers, and quickly realized how much she had to learn. She started taking craft classes and workshops, and attending conferences where she could speak with publishers. She queried agents steadily. It was a roller coaster experience, with moments of euphoria when all seemed to be coming together, followed by rejection.
During this period, in 2010, a CVS pharmacist took a long time filling a prescription and Cristin picked up a military romance novel. Harber grew up in a house filled with books as her mother was a voracious reader, so she’d never looked for books elsewhere. This chance meeting with military romance introduced her to a new world.
“Military romance,” she says, “like if Jason Bourne falls in love, or Die Hard.” A fan of action movies, she’d always rooted for the protagonists to fall in love, even a little bit. She read that first book cover to cover, then read many more, and started writing the Titan series. (See sidebar.)
“When I moved to military romance,” Cristin says. “I found myself writing very strong women who don’t mind the white knight coming in to save the day, but can certainly save the day themselves, and often in my books they do.
“I didn’t realize it was going to become my brand, but I write strong, fearless women and even if you don’t realize it at first, you are that person, it’s in you somewhere.”
In July 2013, at an Atlanta writing conference, Harber set up a meeting about a traditional contract situation, but she had time to fill. She went to a workshop where three prominent names in romance writing – Barbara Freethy, Bella Andre, and Lilliana Hart – were presenting about self-publishing. It was a new and not fully accepted concept then. Harber stepped in out of curiosity, with no intention of following up, but found herself enthralled.
Since childhood, Cristin had written business plans about her every activity. When she came home from summer camp, she planned how she could start a camp. When she was pregnant, she made ginger snaps that helped with morning sickness and, on bed rest at eight and nine months, she wrote a business plan for mass producing ginger snaps. There was no intention of doing it; she was simply compelled to think of things this way. But now this was different.
“What they said, spoke to me,” she says, “that you can have your manuscripts and use your entrepreneurial side. It was the perfect combination.” Harber promptly removed everything she had submitted in New York from consideration. She would self-publish.
Once again, there was a lot to learn: the mechanics of self-publishing, how to format, and find a designer and a copy editor. Harber had to become the publisher of her own work. And then figure out how to market it.
While working in politics, Cristin learned to discover what people liked. “If somebody rode motorcycles,” she says, “you’d have a candidate speak to a group of motorcyclists. If an environmentalist, same idea….” Reach out to people based on their specific interests.
Harber searched out people on social media who would probably like her books. “I would basically say, I’m new, I would love it if you would take a chance on me,” she says. In September, two months after the Atlanta conference, she set up an author page, started a newsletter, and offered the Titan series. “Here it is,” she told followers, “if you like it, please review it.”
The Titan series novels are stand-alones, but if read in order they create a vivid world. She watched the first one sell, and then people moved to the second and third. Harber offered no freebies; she sold her books from the start.
The next step was to “go wide” by posting on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, Apple iBooks, Barnes & Noble Nook, and Kobo, which was planned for October 1st, but when everything was ready early, Cristin asked herself “Why am I waiting? Nobody even knows I exist.” She hit publish.
And nothing happened. “Well,” she thought, “I guess I’ll go change a diaper.”
Then it took off.
At home, Harber writes in a “little sunroom” that is dedicated solely to her work. “Writing is like exercise, muscle repetition,” she says, “you have to write every day or you’ll start to slack off. Even writing notes or a grocery list, make it the most exciting grocery list you’ve ever written: the vivid red catchup in the third aisle on the top shelf….” Whatever you write every day, make it the best you can do, not just a list but descriptions of how wonderful the items on that list are. Because all writing exercises the muscle.
Cristin Harber reads extensively outside her genre. She believes knowledge of other subjects stimulates creativity and always comes back to inform her fiction. “If I think about the same thing over and over, if I think about nothing but my [current] book, it’ll be the same book every time.”
When a DC reporter wrote about a new law governing beekeeping in the District, Harber was intrigued and read everything she could find about keeping bees, urban beekeeping. Two books later, while she was developing a protagonist, beekeeping was her logical profession.
Cristin Harber is a New York Times and USA Today Best Selling author. Her books sell internationally, so she works with various cover designers. In the U.S., it’s Kim Killion of Hot Damn Designs. But her German books have a different feel, as do her U.K. books, because covers that sell well in Germany or in the U.K. are not the covers that sell well in the United States.
She learned this in yet more business classes and workshops on publishing. Cristin realized early on that more than an entrepreneur or small business owner, she was a whole publishing house: the researcher, the CEO, CMO, CIO. When her website was hacked last year, a Go Daddy tech asked to speak with her webmaster. She said hold on a moment, paused, then said “Hello!”
But she couldn’t at that time make another major investment in a website, so she learned to do it herself.
Paying it forward
At writers conferences, Cristin Harber presents a keynote speech, The Power of the Story, about how books you’ve read stick with you and come back even when you don’t know you need them. She conducts workshops on business fundamentals, teaching other writers to treat their business like a business. “You can’t just register a story online and expect the world to beat a path to your door,” she says. “It isn’t going to happen.
“If you want it to be a career, if you want to support your family, if you want to buy a house based on your work, you need a business plan,” she adds.
Cristin believes that you must have humility when success comes because you are the same person, you have not changed. When she first hit USA Today’s bestseller list, a call came in while she was wiping out a diaper. “It puts everything into perspective,” she says. “A friend said, now you can celebrate with champagne! I thought maybe I’ll just go wash my hands.”
It took Harber time and initial success to understand that she is her brand. “I realized late in the game that I am part of it,” she says. “In New York publishing, the publisher is the brand, an author says I write for so-and-so, I write for this publisher, and you have to earn your font size [how big an author’s name appears on the cover].
Barbara Freethy taught Harber that you don’t have to be Nora Roberts to have her font size. Cristin worked with designer Kim Killion to bring her font size up. “I want my name almost bigger than the title,” she says. “I don’t want readers to remember Winters Heat, because I have more than 20 books. I want them to remember me.” |
Urban beekeeping in New Mexico's largest city.
If you are a honey retailer that needs to unload some honey our Harvest Fest (formerly Cider Fest) is the place to do it.
If you are interested please contact me @ [email protected]. No fee. A table and possibly a tent (or a shady spot) will be provided.
Last year we sold out of our ciders by early afternoon. Foot-traffic is in the 2-3000 range. First come first serve basis. October 13th.
Found a vendor! Thanks folks. Please come out and see us Oct. 13th |
Use the form on the right to contact us.
Thank you! Amy or Tara will get back to you shortly.
720 S Hwy 183 #307
Austin, TX, 78741
TRIBEZA: The Beekeeper
KXAN: Sustainable Food Center Welcomes New Queen Bee
Austin Statesman: Two Hives Honey in East Austin
The Austin Chronicle: Austin Food and Wine Alliance Awards Culinary Grants
Austin Statesman: As bee population wanes, one Austin honey-maker presses on
Global Startup Battle 2015: Champions Track Finalists
Austin Statesman: Bees at the Sustainable Food Center
Meteorologist Mary Wasson takes a hive tour with Two Hives Honey
Global Startup Battle 2015 Finalists: Startup Women Track
Two Hives Honey in Edible Austin
Two Hives Honey wins a 2016 Austin Chronicle Best of Austin Award
Kids and Bees!? Bee-Lieve it!
Tara visits Studio 512 to talk bees
Tara on the General Mills "You Grow, Girl!" blog
Studio 512 visits Tara to learn about backyard beekeeping!
Studio 512 visits Two Hives and Bee Tree Farm
Austin Food Magazine: Austin Food & Wine Alliance Announces Grant Recipients
KXAN visits the Sustainable Food Center and Two Hives Honey
Meet 5 Austin Women Entrepreneurs Focused on Sustainability
Duke Magazine: Alumna has an adventure in living
Time Out Austin Names our hive tours as one of the top tours in Austin
Beekeeper's Naturals Interview Tara for their "Unveiled" Series
Fox 7 Austin joins Tara at the Sustainable Food Center to learn how bees make honey.
AOL visits Two Hives to learn of Tara’s background before bees!
The Austin Chronicle: Top 10 Bee's Knees
The Austin Chronicle: Queen Bee Tara Chapman redefines local with Two Hives Honey
TWC News: Bees: More than Just Honey
EPIC Provisions interviews Tara for their Meatcast podcast.
Tara on Central Texas Gardener
Discovering Austin takes a bee hive tour with Two Hives
Tara is a guest on Small Business War Stories podcast.
Austin Food & Wine Alliance: 2015 Grant Recipients
Two Hives Honey's ZIlker comb honey is a 2017 Good Food Awards Finalist
Eater 2016 Holiday Gift Guide for Austin Food Lovers
Mothering Earth Podcast Episode #35 featuring Tara.
The Passion and Prosperity Podcast interviews Tara
Studio 512 visits the apiary to talk honey and HoneyFest 2018!
Edible Austin features Two Hives Honey in it’s “Farmer’s Diary” |
Wood Honey Dipper Stick Server 6inch for Honey Jar Dispense Drizzle Honey For Sale
This item has been shown 16 times.
Wood Honey Dipper Stick Server 6inch for Honey Jar Dispense Drizzle Honey:
Wood Honey Dipper Stick Server 6inch for Honey Jar Dispense Drizzle Honey
- 1 piece 6 inch wood honey dipper sticks made with 100% natural wood, food-grade safe.
- The grooves on these wooden dippers help you easily collect and dispense honey from the jar and will not scratch surfaces.
- Great gift: Wonderful additions to the honey gifts give your family and friends.
- Perfect for wedding and party favors, or as holiday gifts.
- Great for drizzling honey, maple syrup, blackstrap molasses, melted chocolate, caramel and more.
- Material: Wooden
- Color: As picture shown
- Size(L*W): Approx. 160 x 25 mm / 6.3 X 0.98 inch
We offer a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Enjoy your shopping!
1 Piece Wooden Honey Dipper Sticks
Shipping And Handling Policy
- The buyer is responsible for any applicable import duties and local taxes. Please verify with your customs before making your purchase.
- Please verify your address during checkout. We are not responsible for any wrong or undeliverable addresses.
People always bought together with
Fiber Bee Beekeeping Honey Strainer Filter Net Screen Apiary Equipment Fast
3 Layers Bee Cage Wild Bee Recruit Cage Beekeeping Catching Tool Catch With Bees
White Bee Water Feeder Transparent Clear Beekeeping Tools Pp Drinking Fountain
4pcs Bee Water Feeders Accessories Drinking Cup Tools Transparent Clear Glass |
The Apiago beehive , new product, unique product. We strive to answer your most frequent questions here but do not hesitate to contact us !
The Apiago hive is designed so that it requires no knowledge about bees . In addition, a network of beekeepers is at your service to answer your questions or help you in the event of a problem. This beehive is particularly suitable for novices in the world of bees .
A traditional beehive is placed on the ground. This can then actually present a risk to uninformed people. The Apiago hive is located several meters high and when they forage, bees are not aggressive . You will have more bees around your home but none will disturb you, nor sting you. In addition, bees are not attracted to what is on your table (unlike some wasps)
No, bees do not behave the same as hornets.
The Apiago beehive is designed in such a way that it is completely autonomous on the basic actions necessary for the good health of the bees . If it needs treatments against diseases to ensure the survival of your hive, these will be automatically advised on the associated application. It won't take you more than 10 minutes then.
The Apiago hive makes it possible, like traditional hives, to remove the frames left by the disappeared colony and to replace them with new ones, with a new swarm. The disinfection of the hive is… automatic ;-) And because we don't like designs developed for the forced sale of specific products, the Apiago hive allows the use of standard frames . Thus, you can buy a swarm at classic cost (between 100 and 170 € on average) by your own means or via our site (we do not make any profit on the sale of the swarm and are developing a network of partner beekeepers).
In the first year of a swarm's life, the honey your bees produce is reserved for them because it is used to survive during times of the year when flowers are scarce. In the future, it will be possible to add (as on a classic hive) an additionnal element which will allow you to harvest the surplus honey they produce... but for the moment this is not the main goal of the Apiago hive .
Our beehive is unique and patented. We are the only ones to offer you a beehive suitable for the general public, requiring no prior knowledge of beekeeping and which can be easily installed in your home. , The Apiago beehive is only produced with quality components and materials, designed to last. The Apiago beehive is designed so that all components can be replaced simply and at a reasonable price ... such as you, we don't like having to buy a new product when a small repair is enough. There is no compulsory subscription and you will always benefit from free updates of the dedicated application. We provide responsive, high-quality after-sales service. With your purchase, you are contributing to preservation of bees and biodiversity . Your purchase also benefits the Raspberry Foundation, which facilitates access to computers for the most disadvantaged worldwide and develops education.
Sign up so you don't miss a thing!
Apiago : "quod flores ejus apes maxime appetant" "Les fleurs qu'attirent les abeilles" |
WINTER / SPRING 2014-15
G U I D E
M A G A Z I N E
ADAPTIVE SKI PROGRAM Life on the hill Snow day Stick season Mansfield’s first descent Not So Big House
SKIING • DINING • LODGING • SHOPPING • GALLERIES • INTERIORS • COMPLIMENTARY
91 MAIN STREET, STOWE VILLAGE 802.253.3033 ~ [email protected] WWW.FERROJEWELERS.COM/STOWE LIKE US ON FACEBOOK.COM/FERRO.JEWELERS
WHAT’S NEW AT STOWE GEMS!
STOWE GEMS Named Best of Vermont Vermont Magazine February 1998
his September, we here at Stowe Gems will be celebrating our 32nd year in business in Stowe. We started in a tiny shop behind the Oslo Shop on Main Street. When we were cleaning up what had been an old apartment to build our shop, the ceiling collapsed on my head! When I asked the building manager to remove the old full-sized refrigerator, he suggested we keep sodas in it and showed me that I could make ice. He then opened the freezer to reveal some old deer roast that had not had the benefit of freezing for quite a while. The refrigerator was gone the next day. Caroline ran the shop as she does now, and I suggested that she save the first dollar that she made. She scoffed and said that was old fashioned. When she finally did make a sale three days later, she proudly put that dollar on the wall. We still have it. It has been quite the adventure running a small business here in Stowe, raising our daughter Sarah, and meeting all the wonderful people here, especially Helen Beckerhoff who worked with us for many years. We have customers who shopped here as children who now bring in their own children. A visit to Stowe Gems is like a trip to jewelers row in New York City, a visit to a great natural history museum, and finding your favorite new rock shop all rolled into one! No matter your interests, Stowe Gems will have something to fascinate and capture your imagination. Our collections include our hand-crafted designer jewelry, sparkling mineral displays, and some natural wonders for good measure. We work with virtually every gem from Alexandrite to Zircon. Smoldering red Ruby is enjoying a new found popularity with fresh Star Ruby leading the pack. Sapphire occurs in a rainbow of colors, not just cool blues but hot pinks, canary yellows, and virtually all colors in between, mounted in an array of contemporary styles. Stowe Gems’ fantastic collections of colorful Pearls are delightful. Not just lustrous white Pearls but natural color black Pearls from Tahiti. Peach, pink, chocolate and even lavender colors abound in a variety of designs at a more reasonable price. Fully one half of our inventory is Sterling, ensuring a great selection. With prices starting at fifty cents for a tumbled gem and a genuine Dinosaur Egg on display, Stowe Gems is very “kid friendly.” Stowe Gems is Stowe’e oldest and only family owned Jewelry Gallery. Plan your family’s visit to Stowe Gems today!
Gems 70 Pond St., Stowe
(802) 253-7000 www.stowegems.com
CONTENTS w i n t e r
s p r i n g
2 0 1 4
2 0 1 5
Stowe adaptive ski program by Mark Aiken
From diehard skiers with life-changing injuries to those with cognitive or developmental disabilities, Friends of Stowe Adaptive Sports make a difference. They changes lives.
A history of Stowe’s ski lifts In part two of the history of Stowe’s trails, lifts, and structures our resident ski historian gives the lowdown on Stowe’s most famous chairlift, The Single, and all of those that came before—and after.
Photo essay: Hill life by Greg Petrics
Johnson State College mathematician Greg Petrics’ photographs capture fleeting moments in time on the hill.
BRIAN LINDNER COLLECTION
by Brian Lindner
Nathaniel Goodrich tames the Toll Road by Kim Brown
This unassuming, yet record-setting Dartmouth College librarian made Mansfield’s first descent—100 years ago.
Stick season by Paul Rogers Shed of autumn’s garb, posturing, a quiet landscape awaits winter.
On a journey with Sebastian Sweatman by Jasmine Bigelow
The affirmative journey of Sebastian Sweatmen’s life and art.
Caledonia Spirits by Marialisa Calta
Spirit making as an agricultural tale, as a sense of place, as a master craft.
A grand, but Not So Big, house by Nancy Wolfe Stead
EXCEPT WHERE NOTED: GLENN CALLAHAN
An exquisitely designed jewel of a house seamlessly interwoven with the surrounding landscape, built to nurture, not impress.
A snow day is a tow day by Peter Hartt
Learning the language of a tow master.
Marvin Moriarty and his Ma’s hat by Peter Miller
The story behind one of Stowe’s ski greats and his incomparable Ma.
Seldom Scene Interiors
Wendy Valliere – Principal Designer All Aspects of Interior Design STOWE
2038 Mountain Road, Stowe 05672 www.seldomsceneinteriors.com
s p r i n g
2 0 1 4
2 0 1 5
w i n t e r
16 56 58 60 64 66 68 110 118 122 124
8 14 18 24
Contributors From the editor Goings on
Galleries, arts, & entertainment Helen Day Art Center • Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center • Guides to exhibits, music, and mixed media
Edibles: Local food scene Dining out guide, pp.170
GETTING AROUND 51 100 138 172 210 222
At the mountain: Sprucing up Spruce Cool things: McCollum’s Finish Line Made in Vermont: WhiteRoom Skis Race day: Big track bikes Mountain spotlight: Ski patrol HQ Star Power: Sugardaddies Made in Vermont: Euro Decals Art space: Kickstarting Vermont Studio Center Stowe people: HandTales
Skiing • Cross country • Fishing Backcountry • Skating
Thrill Ride: Mindnich brothers
First person: John Cassel
GETTING OUTDOORS SHOPPING & GALLERIES RESTAURANTS & LODGING REAL ESTATE & LIFESTYLE BUSINESSES & SERVICES INDEX TO ADVERTISERS
Spruce Peak Performing Arts
ON OUR COVER Our cover this winter is Behind Main Street, Stowe, a 20" x 14" watercolor by Stowe artist Lisa Forster Beach. The subjects of Beach’s paintings are varied, ranging from the natural beauty of the Vermont landscape to architecture shaped by human usage and to the nature of people and forms in nature. What unifies her work is a strong sense of composition and the elegant interpretation of light. Literal representation is secondary to the character and impression of what is being translated by her brush. Lisa is a signature member in the National Watercolor Society. She was the recipient of the prestigious Vermont Watercolor Society’s Best of Show award in both 2013 and 2014. She has studied extensively with master painters and holds a master of fine arts degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology. In Stowe, Beach shows at Green Mountain Fine Art Gallery in Stowe Village.
CONTRIBUTORS MARIALISA CALTA IN THIS ISSUE: Caledonia Spirits, p.160. Behind the scenes: I was interested to learn about Vermont’s long, complicated dance with making (legally and illegally), consuming, and regulating alcohol. Another fascinating aspect of the story, which I did not explore, is the close association between the abolition, Prohibition, and women’s suffrage movements. Currently: In her 23rd year of writing a weekly nationally syndicated food column, Marialisa also occasionally contributes to The New York Times, Eating Well, and other publications.
KATE CARTER IN THIS ISSUE: Euro Decals, p.118. How did the story come about: I was listening to NPR while making dinner one evening and they were doing a story about Euro Decals. Much to my surprise they interviewed Earle Williams of Stowe, founder of the original oval-shaped stickers you see on so many cars these days. I had no idea those stickers were made in Vermont, let alone Stowe, and I immediately knew I had to interview Earle and find out the origins of their name. Behind the scenes: Everyone I interviewed for this issue was creative, entrepreneurial, and most of all, friendly, and I am continually amazed at what goes on behind the scenes in Stowe. Currently: Kate is a freelance writer and photographer, and when she’s not researching stories or sitting at her computer, she’s cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and doing dog agility with her border collies Phoebe and Ben.
BRIAN LINDNER IN THIS ISSUE: A History of Stowe’s Chairlifts, p.78. Favorite lift: Like all old timers—The Single. Biggest regret: Not buying a Single tower in 1986 when they went up for sale. I settled for a chair but gave that to a museum. Behind the scenes: As a historian who grew up riding Stowe’s old lifts I am often asked how I feel about them disappearing one at a time to be replaced with new ones. Frankly, I love the change. I also wouldn’t want to drive to Burlington when it’s snowing and 10 below zero via horse and buggy. Currently: Brian retired from National Life Group and now serves part-time as its corporate historian. Likewise, he’s the historian for Stowe Mountain Resort, continues to work on two books about World War II aviation, and serves on the Mt. Mansfield Ski Patrol. “This will be my 61st year on skis and my 41st year at the resort.”
IN THIS ISSUE: Sebastian Sweatman, p.128. Behind the scenes: I got to look at art and make new friends. It doesn’t get much better than that for me.
Most surprising discovery about Seb: There was absolutely nothing unsurprising about Seb. Except that he has a pony and a donkey in his backyard. That was not surprising at all! Seriously, though, I was surprised by most of what I learned while interviewing Sebastian. Writing this story was an important reminder not to judge something you know nothing about. Especially art. And most especially people.
IN THIS ISSUE: Hill Life, p.86.
Currently: Painting and writing and practicing yoga, and getting outdoors as much as possible. As always, loving my job as the marketing director for Stowe Area Association. Feeling gratitude. Finding balance.
MARK AIKEN IN THIS ISSUE: Stowe Adaptive Skiing, p.72. Behind the scenes: A professional ski instructor for 21 years, I first became aware of adaptive programming in my 20s when I tore my ACL. I was invited to serve as guinea pig at my home mountain’s adaptive clinic. They brought me to the beginner slope, where I had taught hundreds of lessons. As a novice in a sit-ski, the bunny hill took on a new persona—like that of Everest. “You want me to ski that?” From that moment, I developed new respect for those who ski using adaptive equipment and those who teach adaptive lessons. Currently: A tale of two halves. One half of the year Mark skis and the other half he writes. In the winter Mark supervises at Stowe’s Ski & Snowboard School and skis the backcountry on his days off. In the summer, Mark concentrates on freelance writing and marathon running. He and his wife (also an endurance runner) are also participants in another endurance sport— parenting.
Behind the scenes: You can imagine my surprise when one day I got an email from a guy named Greg P., claiming to be editor of Stowe Guide & Magazine, saying he wanted to share my photos. “Great,” I thought to myself. “You’re going crazy Greg P.; you’re writing yourself emails inviting yourself to submit photos to a magazine.” Well, it turned out the latter wasn’t true! Most memorable ski job: Fixing a cracked alpine slide track at a ski area in southern Vermont in the late 90s. Every spring, we’d take drills, metal ribs, Bondo, and a pile of lag bolts, and join the cracked pieces back together. The bugs were awful, and the track dust got everywhere. They later found out the slide pieces were loaded with asbestos. Currently: Greg is assistant professor of mathematics at Johnson State College, and when he’s not calculating antiderivatives, you’ll find him hiking, skiing, coding, rock climbing, long boarding, or stacking firewood.
NANCY WOLFE STEAD IN THIS ISSUE: Not So Big House, p.174 Behind the scenes: After living in a resort town and an era suffused with the idea that “More Is Better”— plus four decades in real estate sales—it was a delight to become acquainted with architect Sarah Susanka’s design movement as reflected in her The Not So Big House series. Even better has been the opportunity to meet Maureen and Ed Labenski and write about their commitment to and joy in building the Susanka home of their dreams. It was, Maureen says, “a transformative journey providing an opportunity to re-examine the way we wanted to live.” They assembled a collaborative team of architect, builder, landscape architect, and Vermont craftsmen to create a gem perfectly suited to their lifestyle and aesthetic values. Currently: A longtime resident of Stowe, Nancy enjoys writing about local faces and places, moods, movements, and aberrations.
Photo: Stefan Schlumpf
G U I D E
M A G A Z I N
Gregory J. Popa
Gregory J. Popa
Ed Brennan, Beth Cleveland, Michael Duran, Lou Kiernan
Katerina Pittanaro and Joslyn Richardson
Stuart Bertland, Kate Carter, Kate Crowe, Don Landwehrle, Gordon Miller, Orah Moore, Roger Murphy, Paul Rogers, Kevin Walsh
Mark Aiken, Nathan Burgess, Marialisa Calta, Kate Carter, Nancy Crowe, Willy Dietrich, Elinor Earle, Evelyn Wermer Frey, Robert Kiener, Amanda Kuhnert, Brian Lindner, Lisa McCormack, Roger Murphy, David Rocchio, Julia Shipley, Nancy Wolfe Stead, Molly Triffin, Kevin Walsh
Stowe Guide & Magazine & Stowe-Smugglers’ Guide & Magazine are published twice a year: Winter/Spring & Summer/Fall
Stowe Reporter LLC P.O. Box 489, Stowe VT 05672 Website: stowetoday.com Editorial inquiries: [email protected] Ad submission: [email protected] Phone: (802) 253-2101 Fax: (802) 253-8332 Copyright: Articles and photographs are protected by copyright and cannot be used without permission. Editorial submissions are welcome: Stowe Reporter LLC P.O. Box 489, Stowe VT 05672 Publication is not guaranteed. Enclose SASE for return.
Subscriptions are $12 per year. Check or money order to Stowe Guide, P.O. Box 489, Stowe, 05672 Advertising inquiries are welcome. Call (802) 253-2101 or (800) 734-2101
Best Niche Publication, New England Newspaper & Press Assocation, 2010, 2011, 2012, & 2013
FROM THE EDITOR
Sometimes a photo says it all... see the rest of Greg Petrics’ photographs in his essay, Hill Life, on page 86.
COURTESY PHOTO; NEXT PAGE: GLENN CALLAHAN
Crooner, pianist John Cassel warmed many a winter night John Cassel, 78, the jazz pianist who entertained for more than 30 years at Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, died in September. John Wilson originally wrote this essay for the Stowe Reporter, and it is adapted here.
/ John Wilson
s an aspiring jazz crooner I’d often find myself sitting in the elegant lounge at Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, trying not to take up too much room, and obviously angling for a chance to sing with local music veteran John Cassel. Kinda tacky, I suppose, and presumptuous, but as Cassel works the room you can see the opportunity. He often calls out for requests and has rarely been stumped, letting those in the lounge bask in the good vibes of the past—but not always that far back. Once, as Cassel played a continuous set of solo standards, I was at a loss to identify the moody, dark strains of a piece he was playing with a classicist’s intensity. Eventually, I realized he was improvising on the main theme from the newest James Bond movie.
PIANO MAN John Cassel in the lounge at Trapp Family Lodge. Inset: In his East Fairfield, Vt., home and studio.
“Poaching� is a common term used by alpine skiers and riders for those moments when the snow behind a roped-off trail is just too nice to resist. Last winter, Cassel graciously gave me a chance to lift the proverbial rope and poach a version of Duke Ellington’s Don’t Get Around Much Anymore. It was fitting; anyone who’s seen Cassel play says the same thing: “Why don’t I find myself up at the Trapp lounge more often?� A winter duo series, with bassist Will Patton, was Cassel’s attempt to do just that—
draw local folks up to the show. The final planned “Jazz Night� of the season kicked off in late March, and it was one of the best shows yet. People at a lounge came not so much for the show but mainly to relax. Cassel explained this to me once: “You’ve got to hold their attention,� he said before a pause. “But not for too long.� I understood. At Trapp lounge you can often see people react to the first notes of a favorite tune, but then divert their attention to their company, or even just the warmth of the fire, closing their eyes to bask in the cozy atmosphere. But during the last show of the winter, the room had an extra glow.
Clyde Stats played bass. I was delighted when, after a quick run through of The Birth of the Blues, Cassel, who’d seen me mouthing the words, motioned me up for the vocal. Mouthing the words, it turns out, is easier than actually singing them. A favorite of my mom and dad, it’s one of those familiar tunes to which you know half the words of each line—at least if you’re me. After bounding up I had to ask, “First line?â€? “They say some people...â€? Cassel said, leaning over as he and Stats ripped through a rousing arrangement. “Some people long ago,â€? I began, “were searching for a different tune—one that they could croon.â€? And I was on my way for another few lines before Cassel had to help again. Later, with the closing number announced and the audience thanked, Cassel and Stats worked out the first bar of Thelonious Monk’s Blue Monk, and simultaneously nodded in a “got itâ€? manner. But they were interrupted by a request and Cassel quickly changed course. “The old Glenn Miller number,â€? he said to Stats, and they were off into Miller’s Moonlight Sonata. An older couple was seated at a neighboring table, and one rose and presented to the other. The partner rose with a concentrated effort and made the yard’s difference between them in a quickened shuffle before dropping into the settled position of the slow dance and swaying to the familiar melody. The scene, and the expert playing of the music, moistened my eyes. Afterward, the performer’s grace was evident as I made my final gaffe. “I really like Moonlight Sonata,â€? I said. Without a beat missed, Cassel said, “Moonlight Serenade.â€? I had simply confused Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor with the 1939 big-band classic. An easy mistake for the knowledgeable, if not “studied.â€? Cassel played up at the Trapp lounge almost nightly, offering everything from classical to jazz to pop to rock to something heard on the radio on the way in. Sadly, with Cassel’s sudden passing in September, there will be no more “Jazz Nightsâ€? for local music fans and long-term lovers. But we will have our memories. Thanks John. â–
LUXURY VACATION HOMES FOR THE SAVVY TRAVELER
Stowe Resort Homes offer: •Many superb homes in Stowe and at Topnotch Resort & Spa Enjoy use of the resort’s world-class facilities: -Luxurious 30,000 sq. ft. spa and sports club -Top-rated tennis facilities and programs -Indoor and outdoor pools, outdoor whirlpool •25 – 50% off all published resort rates •No Surprises – view photos of your selected vacation home •Resort homes are finely appointed and impeccably maintained •Free nights for frequent guests •Weekend, weekly, monthly and seasonal rentals available
View our luxury homes and book online.
All names and trademarks are property of their respective owners.
John Wilson is a comedian, singer, writer, and former lift attendant at Stowe Mountain Resort. 17
GOINGS ON ONGOING
JANUARY 31, MARCH 7, & MARCH 28
Grom Series Stowe Mountain Resort. stowe.com.
JANUARY 25, FEBRUARY 22, & MARCH 29
Vermont Military Day Military families ski free. Stowe Mountain Resort. stowe.com.
NOVEMBER & DECEMBER
First Trick Rail Unveil Free-flowing rail jam for riders and free skiers. Prizes, DJ, and fun. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Location: TBD. Stowe Mountain Resort. stowe.com. DECEMBER 5 – 6
A Traditional Christmas in Stowe See calendar on page 114. DECEMBER 5 – 28
Festival of Trees and Light & Members’ Art Show Work by art center members and communitydecorated Christmas trees. Helen Day Art Center, Stowe Village. 253-8358. DECEMBER 6
Stowe Community Church Christmas Fair Needlecrafts, baked goods, collectibles, wreaths, Pocket Lady, Stowe afghans. Quilt raffle. 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Stowe Community Church, Main Street. 253-7257. stowechurch.org.
S TOW E D E R BY ■
Stowe Nordic BKL Mini-Marathon Fun family tour. 22k, 15k, 5k. Chili feed at end. Stowe Mountain Resort Cross Country Center. 253-3688 or [email protected].
CAROL VAN DYKE
20th BrewFest Part 1 Sample the finest local and regional craft beers. Music and food. 6 - 10 p.m., 21 and older. $20. Meeting House, Smugglers’ Notch Resort. 644-8851. smuggs.com.
DECEMBER 20 – 21
Holiday Artisan Showcase 25 specialty craft and food venders. Free photos with Santa both days, noon - 4 p.m. Gingerbread making and Dux the Balloon Man. Stowe Mountain Lodge. Saturday noon - 6 p.m.; Sunday noon - 5 p.m. stowe.com. DECEMBER 22
Handel’s Messiah Community Sing-In Soloists perform Handel’s masterpiece. 7 p.m.; doors open 6:30 p.m. $8 per person. Stowe Community Church, Main Street. 253-7257. DECEMBER 27
Mill Trail Cabin Snowshoe Stowe Land Trust snowshoe. Meet at the Mill Trail parking area. 10 a.m. - noon. stowelandtrust.org. DECEMBER 31
Cruise Into the New Year Race Stowe Mountain Resort. teammmsc.org. DECEMBER 31
Mountain Fireworks & Torchlight Parade Stowe Mountain Resort comes alive with spectacle of light. Fireworks from Spruce Camp. stowe.com.
Ski The East Junior Extreme Challenge Statewide qualifier for Ski The East Freeride Tour. Ages 10 to 18. Preregistration required. Stateside Lodge, Jay Peak Resort. jaypeakresort.com. JANUARY 17 – 25
Stowe Winter Carnival See Event Spotlight, page 20. JANUARY 23 – 24
UVM Winter Carnival Division 1 college ski teams compete. Alpine at Stowe Mountain Resort; Nordic races at Trapp Family Lodge. stowe.com or 253-3000.
Stowe Mountainfest Demo Day Demo ‘til you drop. Ski and snowboard reps show off hottest and latest gear. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Stowe Toys Demo Center/ForeRunner Quad, Stowe Mountain Resort. stowe.com.
Wiessner Woods Family Snowshoe Meet at the Wiessner Woods parking area. 10 a.m. - noon. stowelandtrust.org.
JANUARY 24 JANUARY 10
Winter Trails Day Free rentals and instructional sessions, noon - 4 p.m. for first-time snowshoers and cross-country skiers. Smugglers’ Notch Resort Nordic Center, Jeffersonville. smuggs.com. JANUARY 10
Race to Slayton Pasture Cabin 5k classical race. How fast can you ski to the cabin? Mass start. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Benefits VTXC. Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe. 253-8511. JANUARY 10
Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge Free, fun race open to all ages and abilities 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. jaypeakresort.com. JANUARY 24 – 25
20th Smugglers' Notch Primitive Biathlon Using snowshoes and muzzleloaders. Sterling Ridge Inn and Cabins, Junction Hill Road, Jeffersonville. 644-8232. JANUARY 25
Ladies Nordic Ski Expo All-day expo for women skiers in classic, skating, telemark/BC. Trapp Family Lodge. catamounttrail.org. JANUARY 10
USASA Skier / BoarderCross What’s more fun than bank turns, rollers, jumps, and rubbing elbows on skis or snowboard? $40. 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Tramside, Jay Peak. jaypeakresort.com.
Protect Your Head at All Times PHAT helmet awareness event. Spruce Camp. Stowe Mountain Resort. stowe.com. JANUARY 25 – 26
FIS Giant Slalom Main Street, Spruce Peak, Stowe. teammmsc.org. JANUARY 31
U14 NVC Race Stowe Mountain Resort. teammmsc.org.
Saturday Night Lights Uphill Event Alternate date is Feb.14. stowe.com.
EXHIBITS: p.100 • • • MUSIC & MIXED MEDIA: p.112 18
GLENN CALLAHAN; INSET: PAUL ROGERS
GOINGS ON KATE CARTER
2015 TD Bank Craftsbury Marathon Classical ski with 25k and 50k races. Craftsbury Outdoor Center. craftsbury.com.
U16 NVC Giant Slalom Stowe Mountain Resort. teammmsc.org. FEBRUARY 7
Winter Trails Festival Hikes, music, and refreshments. Proceeds support the Long Trail. Part of the Waterbury Winter Festival. Green Mountain Club, Waterbury Center. 244-7037. FEBRUARY 7 – 8
Stowe Parks Competition Free Ride Feb. 7; slopestyle Feb. 8. Stowe Mountain Resort. stowe.com FEBRUARY 8
USASA Slalom Vermont’s best slalom skiers compete. Stowe Mountain Resort. stowe.com. FEBRUARY 13
Stowe Derby Recon Pre-ski, practice, observe, and record the Stowe Derby descent. $5 donation. No fat bikes! Lookout Double, Stowe Mountain Resort. 1:30 p.m. sharp. stowederby.com. FEBRUARY 18
Torchlight Parade & Fireworks show Stowe Mountain Resort comes alive with light. Fireworks from Spruce Camp. stowe.com.
S T O W E W I N T E R C A R N I VA L
Get Stowe-ked! • January 17 - 25 JANUARY 17
Kids Karnival Kaos What’s a carnival without games, costume characters, music, and a bouncy house? Dance to a DJ and win prizes! 1 - 3 p.m. Stowe Elementary School. Stowe Squares Revival Hysterical, zany adult version of the Hollywood Squares featuring famous politically incorrect characters. Great prizes. 8 p.m., Rusty Nail nightclub. Chad Hollister Live! Rock in the Winter Carnival. 8 p.m. Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center. Event To Be Determined
Backcountry Ski in Ranch Valley Tour of Stowe’s first trails with the Stowe Land Trust. Intermediate to advanced skiers and riders. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. stowelandtrust.org.
Hope on the Slopes Vertical Challenge Ski and snowboard to raise money for the American Cancer Society. 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. jaypeakresort.com. FEBRUARY 28
Ben & Jerry’s Winter Festival Ice sculptures, music, games, give-aways, local foods, and plenty of Vermont’s finest. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Free. Waterbury factory. benjerry.com.
Full Moon Snowshoe Barnes Camp. 6 - 8 p.m. stowelandtrust.org.
Ice Carving Demo Day Watch pro carvers make masterpieces in front of local business. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ice Carving Stroll Marvel at the ice carvings. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Main Street; 1 - 6 p.m., Mountain Road Marketplace. N.I.C.A. Ice Carver’s Welcoming Party Meet and greet the carvers. 7 p.m. Sunset Grille & Tap Room.
Snowvolleyball Party Come taste featured snowvolleyball brews and sign up your team. 5 - 7 p.m. Sunset Grille & Tap Room. JANUARY 24
Snowvolleyball Tournament All-day tournament at the Sunset Grille and Tap Room. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Extreme Sports Movie Night Vermont Ski Museum, Stowe Village. 7 p.m.
Ice Carvers Rock On Live music at the Rusty Nail, 9 p.m. Matterhorn, 10 p.m.
Stowe Derby Oldest downhill cross-country race starts at the top of Mt. Mansfield and winds its way 16k to the village. Stowe Mountain Resort. teammmsc.org.
Snowgolf Tournament Costumed teams gather at Rimrock’s Mountain Tavern, then play 11 chilly holes of wacky golf. Après party at Rimrock’s. 11 a.m. JANUARY 20
The Voice Karaoke Mimic your favorite recording artist in Stowe’s own The Voice. Be judged by crazy characters that you don’t want to miss. Entry fee, prizes. 9 p.m. Piecasso Restaurant and Bar. JANUARY 21
Pub-style Trivia Challenge Awesome giveaways after each trivia round. 7 - 9 p.m. Piecasso.
15th Nationally Sanctioned Ice Carving Competition Watch as ice carvers turn ice into creative masterpieces. Spruce Peak Courtyard, Stowe Mountain Resort. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Après carving award cerermony at Sushi Yoshi from 6 - 9 p.m. Under the Lights Rail Jam Stowe Mountain Resort’s Midway base lodge. 4 - 6 p.m. Ice Carvers Meltdown Parties Come dance the night away with live music. Rusty Nail, 9 p.m. Matterhorn, 10 p.m. JANUARY 25
USASA Slopestyle Slopestyle at Stowe Mountain Resort. 9 a.m. usasa.org
GOINGS ON MARCH 28
Pork Loin Take Out Dinner Pork loin with all the fixings. Pick up at the Waterbury Center Community Church, Route 100, 4 - 6 p.m. Reservations: 244-8089.
36th Beach Party Fun in the sun and snow. Music by High Breaks, giveaways, and games. 3 - 7 p.m. Pump House Waterpark, Jay Peak Resort. jaypeakresort.com.
Ride & Ski of New England Apres Party Annual après party. 3 - 7 p.m. Bull Wheel Bar, Stateside, Jay Peak. jaypeakresort.com. MARCH 8
U10 NVC Duals Stowe Mountain Resort. teammmsc.org. MARCH 8
Extreme Skiing Challenge Ski the Madonna headwall, an ungroomed steep with a double fall line descent filled with cliffs, bumps, trees, chutes, and stumps. Smugglers’ Notch Resort. smuggs.com. MARCH 13 – 16
Sugar on Snow Dinner Seatings at 5 and 6:30 p.m. Waterbury Center Community Church, Route 100. 244-1192. APRIL 4 – 5
Sugar Slalom One of the oldest ski races in the U.S. Shoot the gates, enjoy sugar on snow at the finish. Stowe Mountain Resort. teammmsc.org. APRIL 5
U14 Eastern Championships Stowe Mountain Resort. teammmsc.org. MARCH 14
Trapp Family Lodge Winter Marathon Classic mass start two-lap race, featuring a designated ski change pit on second lap. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Stowe. trappfamily.com.
61st Easter Sunrise Service & Easter Egg Hunt Non-denominational service atop Mt. Mansfield. Free gondola rides from 5 - 6 a.m. Arrive early. Easter Egg Hunt, Spruce Plaza, 9 a.m. Stowe Mountain Resort. stowe.com. APRIL 11
MARCH 14 – 15
80s Weekend in Stowe Turn back the clock to relive 1980s fashion, equipment, lifestyle. Retro Jam in the parks, March 14. stowe.com. SHARI LARSEN
The Annual Pond Skim Skim across a 100-foot pond. Prizes. 1 - 3 p.m. LZ Terrain Park. jaypeakresort.com. APRIL 11
Pond Skimming Alternative date is April 18. Stowe Mountain Resort. stowe.com. APRIL 18
Stowe Parks Private/Public Big Air Stowe Mountain Resort. stowe.com. APRIL 19
Scheduled Closing Day Stowe Mountain Resort. stowe.com. APRIL 25
Turkey Takeout Dinner Pick up at the Waterbury Center Community Church, 4 - 6 p.m. Reservations: 244-8089. MARCH 15
Catamount Trail Classic Bolton to Trapps Tour Ski the Catamount Trail. Music, food, refreshments. Start/finish at Trapps Lodge. Ski your own pace. catamounttrail.org. MARCH 21
Relay for Life Nordicstyle Fun-filled, overnight event that raises money to fight cancer. 6 p.m. Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe. relayforlife.org/nordicstylevt. MARCH 22
MMSC Championships Stowe Mountain Resort. teammmsc.org. MARCH 23 – 26
U16 Can Am Stowe Mountain Resort. stowe.com MARCH 28
20th Spring BrewFest Part 2 Music, munchies, prizes, and local/regional brews. 6 - 10 p.m., Meeting House, Smugglers Notch Resort. $20; 21 and older. 644-8851.
MAY 1 – 3
Stowe Weekend of Hope Celebration of life and learning for people with cancer and those who love them. Various locations throughout Stowe. stowehope.org. MAY 16
Stowe Land Trust Outings 9 a.m. - noon, Skyline hike. 8 - 11 a.m., Kirchner Woods bird walk. stowelandtrust.org. MAY 23 – 24
Sugar Social Maple bake sale, sugar on snow, book sale. Waterbury Center Community Church, Route 100. 244-8089. ■
STOWE MOUNTAIN RESORT
starts with a safe arrival.
We want you to be safe and enjoy your visit. Here are some tips for Vermont winter driving. 9 SLOW DOWN. Speed is the leading cause of winter crashes. 9 LEAVE SPACE between cars—more than if the roads were dry. 9 BRAKE EARLY AND SLOWLY to prevent skidding. 9 4-WHEEL DRIVE DOESN’T MAKE YOU INVINCIBLE. 9 USE SNOW TIRES. Proper snow tires (as opposed to all-seasons) ěǰ Ś ǯ 9 CLEAN SNOW OFF ALL WINDOWS AND MIRRORS before you leave. 9 PUT THE PHONE DOWN. It’s now illegal in Vermont to use a Ȭ ǯ ǰ hang up the call—even if it’s hands-free. tiny.cc/winterdriving | 511VT.com
9 CHECK CONDITIONS before you leave by dialing 511.
ONE OF THE NICE GUYS Clockwise from top: Lefty Lewis at the Stowe ski bum races at Spruce Peak. At the Sugar Slalom with Dave Merriam. Lefty poses with some “future” Blue Angels.
remembering lefty: MAN WITH THE IRREPRESSIBLE SMILE hen Wright Lewis died from cancer last April in Vero Beach, Fla., the world—and Stowe—lost one of its ever-cheerful and charismatic personalities. But don’t be glum. That’s not what Lefty, as he was forever known, would have wanted. Though he filled no official role in town, Lefty, who was 81 when he died, might as well have been the mayor, or, at the very least, CEO of Local Cheer. To ski or golf with him was like skiing with the Pope; everyone knew, liked, and hailed Lefty. Lefty lived a life of service and friendship and will be remembered for his boyish enthusiasm, his exuberance, and kindness. His rambunctious, merry self remained in effect just a few days before he died. “He went out to dinner just two days before,” one of his oldest pals, Scott Brooks, recalls. Forget his years flying for the Navy, his Harvard MBA, or his success on Wall Street, where he was such a well-known personality that Oliver Stone cast him as—surprise—well-known stock specialist “Lefty Lewis” in his movie Wall Street. Two scenes. With lines. Around here, Lefty is most familiar for his boundless energy in sporting pastimes, his irrepressible spirit on the golf course, and his joie de vivre while racing in the weekly ski bum race series at Stowe Mountain Resort on his NYSE (pronounced “nice”) Guys team. Many of us have Lefty memories. Here’s one of mine. Five years ago, a leading cancer organization appropriately named Lefty its “Man of the Year,” providing a telling glimpse into his life story. After his diagnosis of myeloma, a form of blood cancer, Lefty shuttled between hospitals for treatments. Meantime, being unfamiliar with playing defense against the grim reaper, Lefty continued to log many days on the slopes. When his cancer went into remission, Lefty’s nurse practitioner at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center asked him if he would consider running for Massachusetts Man of the Year for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Predictably, and cheerfully, he agreed. He tapped into as many friends and contacts as he could from every layer of his life. (What an interesting group that must comprise.) One hundred and fifteen came through, sending in about $40,000. At the society’s dinner-dance, surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and friends, Lefty learned, to his surprise, that he’d raised more money than the five other candidates. “The highlight,” Lewis said later, “was having my grandchildren there with me. They’d sold lemonade and cookies and raised $141 for me.” A friend, Millie Merrill, later remarked that Lefty’s grandchildren wanted to know: “Does everyone in Stowe know you’re the Man of the Year, Grandpa?” Message to the grandkids: We all learned the answer to that question long ago. —Biddle Duke
t only took Chuck Dudley five years to get to know Stowe well enough to write a book about his adopted hometown. After retiring from his job at an accounting and auditing firm, Chuck moved to Stowe for its central location. With relatives scattered throughout the Northeast, Stowe seemed right. His nephew lives here and a vacant apartment at the Churchill House on Maple Street meant Chuck could walk to the village. He soon sold his car and started walking everywhere. “I have learned so much from walking around town and meeting people,” Chuck says. He also learned a great deal from having tea on the Churchill House veranda with Rosemarie Trapp and her teatime guests. “I would sit with them on the porch, drink tea, and talk about the history of Stowe.” Chuck made it a personal mission to keep his mind and feet active when he retired, and
that vow has culminated in a book called The Stowe I’ve Grown to Know. The seed was planted when he visited the Stowe Historical Society in February 2012. He interrupted a board meeting but was quickly invited to join the discussion. That “discussion” lasted a few years as Chuck began compiling material for his book. Chuck initiated the society’s six-week Brown Bag Lunch Series. “My hope was to invite community involvement in the discussion of Stowe’s history,” Chuck explains. “The community’s participation exceeded expectations and we added six additional weeks.” The Stowe I’ve Grown to Know is a 200year historical account of Stowe from 1763 to the 1960s, and features profiles of over 50 people and houses. Chuck, an experienced researcher, delved into official historical society and town records, as well as the census bureau and internet. Chapter one begins when Stowe (then spelled Stow) was first chartered and spans the
era from 1763 to 1830. Chapter two is from 1830 to 1860, when Stowe was the wild, wild, east, and the town’s population increased substantially. Chapters three through five discuss Stowe’s contributions and losses in the Civil War, while chapter six explores recovery from the war, the prominence of women, the reconstruction of Main Street, and three significant buildings: the school, the church, and Mount Mansfield Hotel. Chapter seven reflects on the 1920s, when people began migrating away from Stowe, and subsequent chapters explore material gathered at the Brown Bag Lunch Series. “I uncovered a lot of information when I came to Stowe, and I thought it would be interesting to pull it together in a way people could digest it,” Chuck says. He adds that the Civil War was pivotal in Stowe’s history. “You can’t really know Stowe unless you know the Civil War, who went, and what was happening at home.” —Kate Carter
ESSENTIALS: The Stowe I’ve Grown to Know, 8.5 inches by 11 inches, soft cover, $30 • Available by the end of 2014 at the Stowe Historical Society and Bear Pond Books. 26
‘You have to play in the snow if you’re going to live in it’ Esbert Cardenas takes his hosting seriously! Entrepreneur Esbert Cardenas Jr. grew up in Miami and moved with his family to Stowe in 2008. His Cuban immigrant parents came to the U.S. in 1961 two years after the Cuban Revolution. Esbert, 50, worked for 15 years as a salesman and manager in the seafood industry and in 1998 started the business he and his wife Kirsten now own, Image Outfitters, located in Stowe and Miami. The couple has two sons, Esbert Erik, 12, and Oskar, 10. Esbert is a member of the Stowe Host Program, whose approximately 60 volunteers help create exceptional guest experiences on Stowe Mountain Resort’s ski trails.
How did a Miami boy become a skier? I started skiing as child at Ober Gatlinburg ski resort in Gatlinburg, Tenn., and later skied in Canada and Colorado.
How did you end up in Stowe? My family and I vacationed in Stowe and fell in love with the town and its amazing people. In the winter of 2007 we bought a vacation home. We spent that summer here, and when we got back to Florida it just hit me that we should move to Stowe full time. We went with our gut feeling, and it was the best thing we could have done.
What inspired you to become a Stowe Host? I wanted to get out of the house and be on the mountain. At the time, Image Outfitters was home-based and I wanted to see other people. Now our office is on South Main Street, but it’s only three of us, and I still really like to get up to the mountain. As a host, we do get a ski pass, but that’s not why I joined. I did it to be surrounded by people and to be outside. You have to play in the snow if you’re going to live in it. It’s the only way to survive the winter!
Does being a Stowe Host require any special training?
It is a service-oriented position, and we learn how to handle any situation that might come up. And we definitely have to know how to ski or ride.
What is the most important aspect of being a Stowe Host? You need to be friendly, kind, fun, caring, and most of all you need to smile and keep customers smiling and having fun.
How often do you work as a host? We are required to work a minimum of 25 days during the ski season. Some hosts put in 50 or more days.
What is the most frequently asked question you get as a Stowe Host? “Where’s the best powder!” followed by “What are the best trails?” and “Where are the best-groomed trails?” People ask anything—where is the best snow, where is the best place to eat, where can we take the kids. The whole spectrum. People can come to us for anything, and if we don’t have answers we guide them to the right place for the right answer.
What is the oddest question you’ve been asked? “When are you going to get the wind to die down?” My answers always depend on who I’m talking to, but the answers can be a lot of fun. We always try to be on top of the forecast so we can give an intelligent, yet fun, answer.
INTERVIEW CONDUCTED & COMPILED BY KATE CARTER
where water lives
What do you like about being a Stowe Host? One thing I really like is the diversity of the host staff. They range from doctors, lawyers, and business people to artists, musicians, and retirees. I really enjoy working with them. I also enjoy when people who return to Stowe every year come up and say hello.
What kind of business is Image Outfitters? We are the “A to Z” of the advertising specialties industries. We provide promotional products for businesses and help them promote their corporate image. We source and provide items that fit a business’s image and events, from pens, mouse pads, and customized apparel to rubber duckies. We have clients all over the world, including Banco Santander, Delmonte Fresh, Diona, and the High Fives Foundation, and local businesses such as Stowe Mountain Lodge, Sushi Yoshi, and The Alchemist.
What does your license plate, “ISHARE,” mean? iShareWorks! is a charitable donations program we started in 2013. During the recent economic downturn we realized that many worthwhile charities were suffering from underfunding. iShare allows our new customers the opportunity to give 10 percent of what they spend with us to a charity of their choice. Image Outfitters makes the donation on the customer’s behalf—a win-win situation for our customers and their designated charities. For example, if a customer spends $10,000 with us we give $1,000 to the charity. So far we have given more than $45,000 to over 50 charities. It’s great for everyone. Our customers really like it. The charities love it, and they also encourage their corporate donors to do business with us. It has a broad-reaching effect. We are very community-driven and we like being able to partner with others to contribute to non-profit organizations.
and so much more...
COMPETITION-SIZED SWIMMING POOL WATER SLIDE
TODDLER & CHILD POOL
CARDIOVASCULAR & WEIGHT TRAINING AREAS
Memberships & Day Passes Available
What is something most people do not know about you? It’s my goal, and I am determined to achieve it, to meet everyone who lives in Stowe and all of the surrounding areas. Vermont is a beautiful state, but it is the people who make it shine. The Swimming Hole • 75 Weeks Hill Road • Stowe, VT 802.253.9229 • www.theswimmingholestowe.com
INFO: Go to stowe.com and image-outfitters.com.
Monday - Friday 5:45am - 9:00pm • Saturday 7:00am - 8:00pm • Sunday 8:00am - 8:00pm The Swimming Hole is a non-profit community pool & fitness center that welcomes community support.
1. Alex Dall'Olmo and his fiance, Courtney Grimason, in the Spanish Pyrenees in July. Alex works at Stowe middle and high schools, and both Alex and Courtney work at Stowe Mountain Resort. The couple moved to Stowe in 2011, with plans to marry here next summer. "We hope to make Stowe our permanent residence," says Alex. 2. Joan and Dwight Stecker, aka Ama and Apa, of Port Jefferson, N.Y., and their granddaughter, Ava Stecker of South Orange, N.J., toured the Netherlands and Germany for two weeks in August. Along with visiting many relatives, they enjoyed the sights. Joan and Dwight’s second home is at the Village Green in Stowe. The couple has come to Stowe for more than 27 years. 3. Paul and Wendy Gaynor in Central Square, Dublin, Ireland. The Gaynors own a residence at Notch Brook in Stowe. Do you have a photo of our magazine on some far-flung island or rugged mountain peak? Send a high-res copy to us at [email protected], with Stowe Magazine in the subject line. We’ll pick the best one—or three!—and run it in a future edition.
RURAL ROUTE PHOTOS GLENN CALLAHAN
LEARNING LAB Stowe middle and high school students Sierra Anderson, Henry Dolan, Cam Anderson, and Hunter Carpenter at Stowe Trading Company.
the POEM remembering the moose Remember the moose, elegantly ungainly, how he did not bother to look, just moseyed past us, through the thorny thicket, to the marshy stream; we pushed through prickly underbrush to follow. When he jolted his head and horns upwards from his drink, water, swilled slow motion, in a sparkly, crystal arc, splashed at our feet, that said close enough, and it was, as if everything froze in place:
At first glance, Stowe Trading Company looks like any other Stowe boutique. Canvas bags, decorative pillows, casual clothing and fashion accessories, handcrafted jewelry, and gourmet foods fill up a cozy space reminiscent of an old barn. But it’s not your typical retail shop. It’s staffed by Stowe middle and high school students who
are learning every aspect of running a business: placing wholesale orders, displaying merchandise, waiting on customers, designing a website. What’s more, a portion of every sale goes to the nonprofit Stowe Education Fund, which exists to “support and enhance” Stowe’s schools. The money will be kept in a separate account, and every six months students will have an opportunity to request grants for special projects and needs.
The store officially opened this fall. The building, on Stowe’s Mountain Road, sits next to Stowe Kitchen Bath & Linens, both owned by Kate Carpenter. She describes the new venture as “old-world employment meets newworld employment. At the heart of this is a learning opportunity for today’s young students to garner work and life experience.” In addition to learning practical skills such as banking, accounting, and running a cash register, organizers hope the experience will build students’ self-esteem and confidence. “You can’t put a price tag on how valuable these experiences are to students,” said Vickie Alekson, chair of the Stowe Education Fund. Merchandise at the store will change frequently. Some of the offerings include Vineyard Vines clothing, Smathers and Branson, Skida hats, and Soulmate socks. The store will also be an official retailer for Vermont Original Moriarty Hats. —Lisa McCormack
that life over there; grandchildren and their parents in stop-motion, around the dinner table, as if what the children said astonished; up there, puffed-up cumulus their shape-shifting halted, as if avoiding a head on collision; over here, raindrops in suspension, all around us, as if their descent waited for our permission to resume; and us, here, our dance, stopped, when the music ran out; that’s as close as we’ll ever get; he sauntered deeper into the marsh, we ceased being anxious about twilight. Gene Arthur, August 2013, Stowe
ONE GREAT MOUNTAIN TOWN Travel and Leisure magazine this summer ranked Stowe No. 3 among America’s favorite mountain
towns. ••• Aspen, Estes Park, and Telluride, all in Colorado, rank one, two, five; Stowe came in third and Lewisburg, W.Va., ranked fourth. The only other New England town among the 22 in the rankings was Ludlow, Vt., at fifteenth. ••• The magazine described Stowe this way: “Stowe was a summer destination for city dwellers seeking respite from the heat long before it became a skiing destination. And to this day, summer is peak season for this tiny Vermont town beneath the Green Mountains. Readers gave Stowe high red-white-and-blue marks for both its patriotism and its old-fashioned July 4th parade and celebration. It also scored highly for its active and athletic locals—the kind of people who’d appreciate the 5.3-mile hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing trail that threads through town. It crosses the West Branch River 11 times over wooden bridges and past the restaurants and shops lining Mountain Road.” ••• Travel and Leisure readers did the voting, evaluating hundreds of towns on everything from burgers to adventure-travel opportunities to friendly locals.
A popular place for woods skiing on Mansfield, flattened by a nosediving gust of wind, provides a perfect example of how Mother Nature doesn’t conform to things like trail maps. On July 3, a microburst hit the woods at the intersection of Goat and Midway trails, snapping and bending tree trunks in a 6.4-acre swath in a matter of seconds. No one was in the area when the sudden 80plus-mph wind shear came up and over the leeward side of Mansfield. According to Scott Whittier, a National Weather Service meteorologist in charge of warning coordination, that’s a good thing. “You may get a quick wind gust just before the rain, because the air is cooler than the wind around it,” he says. “When this happens, it’s just a matter of seconds. You get that wind, the trees will bend, and three seconds later, it’s all over.” The Mansfield microburst didn’t take long enough to form on the radar to give forecasters time, or forethought, to issue a warning. “It kind of briefly maximized over Mansfield and, as quickly as it formed, it fell apart,” Whittier says. Some microbursts can pack winds of up to 168 miles per hour, faster than some tornadoes. Goat Woods is a popular area among skiers and riders who choose to get off the trails in search of tight turns and untracked powder; it’s full of yellow and paper birches, balsams, and red spruce. The microburst will change the nature of those woods, and no one will be coming to clear out the debris. “It can be pretty difficult and dangerous to go and try to clean that out,” says Brad Greenouth, a state lands forester with the Vermont Department of Forests and Parks. “We just let nature wait for a while and heal itself. I think when it grows back it will be very similar to what was there.” Whether Goat Woods will become more open and bowl-like or overly gnarly and impassable is anybody’s guess. But the flattened area offers one benefit. “If you’re going down the (Goat) trail and look to your left,” Greenouth says, “you get a nice view of Smugglers’ Notch you never had before.” —Tommy Gardner
or nearly a quarter century, Wendy Breeden stocked her tiny boutique at Gale Farm Center with fabulous clothing and gorgeous costume jewelry, serving locals, secondhome owners, and customers from as far away as Saudi Arabia and South Africa. “You can never know who your customer will be,” Breeden says. “You just open the door and see who walks in.” Breeden, who usually dresses in jeans and T-shirts, always filled her store with what she found beautiful, rather than fretting over the next fashion trend. In July, Breeden closed up shop. Breeden opened Wendy’s Closet with friend Pat Schwarz, naming the store after Schwarz’s daughter and sister. “Wendy just worked,” Breeden recalls. In 2000, Schwarz opened In Company Clothing and Breeden became sole owner of Wendy’s Closet. Choosing inventory was always a joy for Breeden, who has a passion for luxurious fabrics in beautiful colors and shapes. “I have to be passionate about what I’m selling. You
just have to trust your instinct and go with it.” Breeden frequently worked seven days a week, including most holidays, but says she never felt burned out. “There is not a thing I don’t like about retail,” Breeden says. “I’m not leaving it because I don’t like it. It’s just time for new opportunities.” She credits her success, in part, to the many assistants she’s had over the years. “I never advertised for help,” Breeden says. “I trusted they would show up when the time was right and I was never disappointed. As much as I taught them the ins and outs of business and taking care of customers, they taught me so much more. They were my band of angels.” After closing her shop, she plans to spend some time with her parents at their home on the New Jersey Shore. She’s certain she’ll find new career opportunities, but isn’t sure where they’ll lead. “I’m so excited by all the new possibilities,” Breeden says. “When you make that decision and take that first step, everything opens up and takes you on your way.” —Lisa McCormack
Hardy Avery and Jesse Goldfine.
Nat Goodhue and Tom Jackman.
Caitrin Maloney, Robin Gershman, and Bunny Merrill. COMPILED BY MOLLY TRIFFIN
Jed Lipsky and Caren Goodhue.
Mike Haynes and Chess Brownell.
Stowe Land Trust celebrates: At Eric and Robin Gershman’s Strawberry Hill Farm, Sept. 7.
Charles Coffin, Bastien Boutin, and Richard Sparks.
Darn Tough Ride: Benefit for Friends of Stowe Adaptive Sports, Aug. 31. Alicia Abad and Andrew Tappe.
Nancy Krakower, Biddle Duke, and Arnie Ziegel.
Go Beer! Helen Day Art Center fundraiser, Oct. 25.
Jim & Georgiana Birmingham, Troy Rivard & Deb Barry, Gayle & Brad Moskowitz, Pete & Lesley Clark, Frank & Julie Motch, Luke & Kristin Shullenberger, Will & Kim Belongia, Mark & Carrie Dessureau, and John & Lini Alberghini.
Sebastian Sweatman, Alison Beckwith, and Julie Jatlow.
David Santamore, Hayley Sweeney, Pascale Savard, and Chris Collin.
Brooke, Isabella, Nicholas, and Bill Alex, and Mitchell, Jonathan, and Jamie Pool.
Melanie Gauthier, Brenda Goss, and Carrie Nourjian. STOWE LAND TRUST PHOTOS / JOHN ATKINSON; GO BEER / HELEN DAY ART CENTER; DARN TOUGH RIDE / PAUL COFFIN; FISHLANTHROPY / JESS GABELER.
High for Fives fundraiser at Sushi Yoshi, Oct. 25. The group helps recovering athletes return to the sports they love. Sushi Yoshi donated 25% of its sales and celebrity servers and bartenders donated their tips. Ella Skalwold with Warren Miller star John Egan.
Hibachi chef Joe.
Lucy Edwards, Sushi Yoshi owner Nate Freund, and Melody Badgett.
Joey Normandeau and Hannah Marshall.
Lisa Lamos and Lucy Edwards, Miss Vermont 2014.
Dan and Bud Keene.
Christopher Lisle, Sam Lukens and Esbert Cardenas Jr.
John Kimmich and Zach Jameson.
Celebrity servers and bartenders.
Michelle and Duncan Tuscany, and Randy Elles.
Nicole Prada and Simone Sparks.
RETRO SKI: Stowe author looks back
kiing, especially in its early years, underwent countless innovations. Dull leather boots became plastic and colorful. Rope tows evolved into highspeed detachable quads. Skis got longer, shorter, then longer again. Through it all, style’s been paramount. “I’m definitely of the era where it was important to look good,” says Greg Morrill, the writer behind the Retro-Ski column in the Stowe Reporter newspaper. “I was definitely a proponent of colorful, flowery shirts.” Launched three years ago, Retro-Ski explores the history and evolution of the sport in weekly installments, complete with trivia questions. Morrill recently turned his column into a book, featuring 50 bite-sized trips down skiing’s memory lane. Retro-Ski, A Nostalgic Look Back at Skiing often dovetails with Morrill’s own ski experiences. For over 60-plus years, Morrill has worn the hot and not-so-hot gear, skied countless famous and infamous trails, and fallen off his share of rope tows and T-bars. “I started off with a list of ideas that took me through the first three years (of the column),” Morrill said. “It’s been mostly memoirs, and it’s been triggering memories in other folks, too.” Morrill grew up on skis, starting at the age of four in his family’s backyard near Conway, N.H. Later, he based decisions on where to live and work on skiing. In 1968, he joined IBM in Essex with its proximity to four ski resorts. “That year, Stowe raised its price to $10 a day. We were like, ‘Who do they think they are?’ ” Morrill says. Soon, though, a friend brought him to Stowe for some spring runs, and Morrill found his mountain. He’s been skiing Mansfield regularly ever since, and now lives in Stowe. He ranks Stowe’s famous Front Four trails up there with any resort’s most hallowed runs. “The Front Four—National, Lift Line, Starr, and Goat—are still a challenge to me,” he says. Morrill traces numerous evolutions in Retro-Ski, such as the changing technologies to move skiers up the mountain, boots through the ages, the origins of resorts like Snowbird and Alta, Mad River and Killington, and famous skiers such as Jean Claude Killy, Billy Kidd, and Penny Pitou. So what technological advancement does Morrill think is most responsible for growing the sport of skiing into the millions? Stretch pants. “By 1955, the pants were available in 42 colors and a wide range of sizes. Suddenly, skiwear was fashionable and sexy. So skiing was fashionable! Skiing was sexy!” Morrill notes in one piece.
He describes how between the end of World War II and the end of the 1960s, the sport grew from fewer than 50,000 skiers to more than four million. “Prior to stretch pants, women took up skiing to meet men, but only after the introduction of stretch pants did men take up skiing to meet women,” he writes. —Tommy Gardner //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ESSENTIALS: Retro-Ski by Stowe Reporter columnist Greg Morrill is available at Bear Pond Books and the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum in Stowe, and at Haymaker Card and Gift in Morrisville.
DINING • LODGING • SHOPPING • GALLERIES • REAL ESTATE • COMPLIMENTARY summer / fall 2013
G U I D E
M A G A Z I
FOUR YEARS RUNNING! For the fourth year in a row the Stowe Guide & Magazine took first place honors at the New England Newspaper & Press Association’s annual awards in the niche publication category. Judges said, “One of the best visitor’s guides in New England. Fantastic ad support. Solid editorial, and that’s not often found in these types of publications.” 40
YOGA • FARM-TO-FORK • ITHIEL FALLS REVIVAL • GAME WARDENS • IPA HIGHWAY
60 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS INSPIRATION IN THE PURSUIT OF TECHNICAL PERFECTION
Heritage Black Bay is the direct descendant of TUDOR’s technical success in Greenland on the wrists of Royal Navy sailors. 60 years later, the Black Bay is ready to stand as its own legend. TUDOR HERITAGE BLACK BAY® Self-winding mechanical movement, waterproof to 200 m, 41 mm steel case. Visit tudorwatch.com and explore more.
ith its progressive choreography and award-winning talent, TRIP Dance Company returns to the Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center on Friday and Saturday, March 20 - 21 to perform for its annual fundraiser. TRIP, which stands for Technique, Rehearse, Implement, and Perform, is a competitive dance company associated with the Stowe Dance Academy and is comprised of 35 dancers ages 9 - 18 from the towns of Stowe, Waterbury Center, Morrisville, Johnson, Hyde Park, and Waitsfield. Now in its 13th year, TRIP offers young dancers in Vermont the opportunity to master technique and performance skills in ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern, and hip hop dance styles. This year’s dance repertoire includes both innovative and classical choreography that will be performed at three leading industry competitions: NUVO Dance Competition in Montreal, New York City Dance Alliance in Boston, and Tremaine Dance Convention in Boston. Well-known dance celebrities such as So You Think You Can Dance choreographers Stacey Tookey and Travis Wall, and finalist Tiffany Maher, will teach and judge the TRIP dancers. “Our dancers are getting exposure and recognition nationally and internationally and continue to explore all options available to them in the dance world,” says TRIP director
Helena Sullivan. “It is exciting to watch these decidedly talented and driven young dancers explore the opportunities available to them.” The senior TRIP dancers were invited to perform on stage this past September with Grace Potter and the Nocturnals at the 4th Annual Grand Point North Music Festival in Burlington. Many of the TRIP dancers spend their summers attending competitive and highly selective dance intensives at world-renowned ballet schools such as the School of American Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet Academy, Boston Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Joffrey Ballet School, and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Outstanding TRIP alumnae include Michaela DePrince, who is currently performing in the Dutch National Ballet’s production of Don Quixote. Broadway’s Liana Hunt, who has starred in major productions of Mama Mia and Newsies was a founding TRIP member. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ESSENTIALS: TRIP Dance Company performs at Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, 122 Hourglass Drive, Stowe on March 20 - 21 at 7 p.m. $25 / $20 for students. Tickets: sprucepeakarts.org.
Quaint sidewalks, a much--photographed white-steepled church, a strong European tradition, and two covered bridges, one strictly for pedestrians and one supposedly haunted since the Civil War. Say hello to the most tech-friendly town in Vermont: Stowe. This little burg has been named Vermont’s eCity for 2014 by Internet powerhouse Google, in a program that recognizes the best online business cities or towns in each state. The eCity title may sound surprising, but stop and think of how many Stowe lodging facilities and resorts, retailers, and restaurants use the Internet to promote themselves and to do business. “We do gets have some high-tech businesses in town, but it also seems the award is based on how many non-hightech businesses are using technology,” says Trevor Crist, co-founder and president of Inntopia, an online resort and destination reservation system, and one of the IT companies based in Stowe singled out by Google. The company also points to the municipal government itself as being cutting-edge: “...residents appreciate the connectivity to Stowe’s online resources. Citizens can pay bills, ask questions, and even view historic documents online.”
GORDON MILLER; INSET: LEIF TILLOTSON
The Tony & Kia Show Let’s talk turkey. Five hundred turkeys, to be exact. That’s the goal Tony the Mailman and Kia Winchell Commo set for this year’s holiday turkey drive for the Waterbury Food Shelf. Now in its fifth year, Tony started the project in 2010 and recruited Kia two years later. “I got the idea from Chris Potter who was doing a turkey drive in Morrisville with the local radio station,” says Tony. “I piggy-backed on that for awhile and then decided to do my own thing.” Tony Cote, aka Tony the Mailman, has delivered mail on foot in Waterbury for 30 years. “Most people don’t even know my last name.” Tony started his annual turkey drive modestly, perched on a giant blow-up turkey in the bed of his pick-up truck that he parks in front of the food shelf on Main Street in Waterbury every November. People would drive by and hand him a frozen turkey. Sometimes two. He collected what he could and gave the birds to the food shelf. Recruiting Kia was a stroke of genius; he couldn’t have found a better promoter. Kia Winchell Commo, the traffic director and office manager at WDEV radio in Waterbury, also puts together the weekly on-air party 44
calendar. People know her, but more importantly they know her voice. “Tony delivers our mail at the radio station,” Kia says. “One day a few years ago he walked in and said, ‘Hey, your mother volunteers at the food shelf, why don’t you do something?’ So I decided to do the turkey drive with him. We promote it mostly on the radio station and also in the local newspapers. Last year we got 186 turkeys, but this year we are aiming for 500 because the food shelf lost one of its annual Christmas donations. So we are collecting turkeys for Thanksgiving as well as Christmas.”
So where does one store 500 frozen turkeys? “The Village Market loans us freezer space,” explains Kia. “When food shelf director Cara Griswold needs to give someone a turkey she just walks over to the Village Market and gets it.” So now both Tony and Kia hang out for three hours every November in Tony’s pick-up, but only Tony sits on the blow-up turkey. “It’s pretty much throw-and-go,” says Kia, but people do stop and chat. Tony is an Oriole’s fan so there’s always baseball chatter and
THE GOAL LINE Tony Cote and Kia Commo at last year’s Tony the Mailman and Kia’s Turkey Drive.
Surprise! Imagine someone making a secret documentary about your life. That’s what happened to Ken Squier of Stowe, owner of Radio Vermont Group, who was honored at a surprise party this fall and shown a movie about his life. Ken Squier, His Life … So Far, made secretly by Ed Dooley, president of Mad River Media in Waitsfield, was screened for the first time at a party at the Burlington Hilton, and among the 200 viewers were Gov. Peter Shumlin, Lt. Gov. Phil Scott, and state business and arts leaders. Squier, 79, runs a string of Vermont radio stations from the WDEV offices in Waterbury, has been a star announcer on national auto-racing coverage, and owns the Thunder Road stock car racetrack in Barre. Two members of NASCAR’s Hall of Fame, Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip, came to Burlington for the event. In making the 70-minute documentary, Dooley traveled all over the country to interview people about Squier. The film captures the memories of about 30 people. Some remember him growing up in Waterbury; others remember his sports coverage for CBS-TV, with auto racing in the forefront, but also major golf tournaments and the Olympics. He has also worked for ABC, Fox, and the WTBS superstation.
people always want to talk with Kia about the radio station. The average donation is two turkeys, but some people give three or four. Sometimes people ask if the turkeys are for sale. Kara remembers the time a young woman came by with a turkey. The woman explained that when she and her young son needed help, the food shelf came to her aid. Now she wanted to give back. “Occasionally we all need a bit of help,” Kia says. “If I can help get a turkey to someone, I’m happy to do it.” —Kate Carter
RURAL ROUTE The new runway expands the safe day and night use of the airport, which can now handle planes as large as small jets. The former crumbling runway and inadequate lighting and navigation made it impossible or unsafe for many aircraft and pilots. “This has been an amazing collaboration between private enterprise and governmen. The state and the federal government have handed us a state-of-the-art (runway) facility.” —Tom Anderson, Stowe Aviation president and chief operating officer
FLIGHT TIME Governor Peter Shumlin took part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of a new runway at the Morrisville-Stowe Airport. An aerial view. Airport development rendering. Stowe Aviation founder and CEO Russell Barr stands with the plans for the new and improved airport. CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT TOP: GLENN CALLAHAN; MARK GREENBERG; COURTESY PHOTO; GLENN CALLAHAN
AT MORRISVILLE-STOWE AIRPORT
he Morrisville-Stowe Airport reopened this summer with a new $4.5 million runway, the first phase of $27 million in investments expected to turn the airport into a major economic engine for the region. The rebuilt runway includes new taxiways, parking aprons, and state-of-the-art lighting and navigational aids. State and federal transportation agencies funded the project. Stowe Aviation took over management of the facility. The group’s development plan includes an aviation school, a charter air service, airplane storage, a modern maintenance-and-repair business, and a restaurant. The new runway expands the safe day and night use of the airport, which can now handle small jets. Business travelers, visitors, and locals can now reach New York, Boston, Toronto, and Montreal in a matter of hours by regular charter or private flight, says Russell Barr, a Stowe lawyer who is founder and CEO of Stowe Aviation.
“There are approximately 72 million people living within a 90-minute flight of the Morrisville-Stowe State Airport,” he says. “Despite this fact and the billions of dollars spent on local tourism infrastructure over the years, our airport has been largely untouched.” This is the airport’s first significant upgrade in 35 years. Stowe Aviation hopes to raise the $20 million through the EB-5 process, which allows immigrants to obtain green cards if they invest at least $500,000 in projects that create at least 10 jobs. “This is going to open up markets for our area,” says Barr, who noted that the airport’s location north of Stowe, one step closer to the Northeast Kingdom and nearby Jay Peak Ski Resort, will be a boost to that region. —Stowe Guide staff
Distinctive shopping for all ages
2 MILES FROM THE CENTER OF STOWE ON THE LEFT • 1799 MOUNTAIN ROAD
• Over 1,000 Wines • Craft Beers • Local Artisanal and
Imported Cheeses • Pate and Charcuterie • Maple Syrup • Gift Baskets
t’s Vermon iting c x e t s mo for e r o t toy s s r a e 39 y
• Fresh Baguettes
Once Upon a Time Toys
Come build an R/C dino, then hear it roar!
Lego/Playmobil, Breyer, music boxes, FANTASTIC science and building toys, plus balloons, party and art supplies.
253-8319 • stowetoys.com
802-253-8606 • stowewineandcheese.com
Ladies’ Apparel, Accessories, & Lingerie • • • • • •
sportswear sleepwear swimwear scarves handbags jewelry
open daily 253-4183
LIGHT SHOW S.D. Ireland’s No. 6 in Johnson village last winter.
A CONCRETE CHRISTMAS ucked away in The North, Santa’s elves look rugged these days, dressed in boots, work-shirts and pants. They’re hustling too, what with the holidays fast approaching. But forget the eight tiny reindeer, and think 365 horsepower engine instead. And if you were expecting “sleigh,” think again. Think Concrete Mixer. In the third bay in a garage on Grove Street in South Burlington, the S.D. Ireland Concrete Company is prepping truck No. 6 for its next outing. Unlike the trucks in the other bays, No. 6 won’t be serving up concrete for any sidewalks, driveways, foundations, footings, or bridges in the near future. The drum has been washed out and its hopper removed. SD Ireland technicians, nee elves, deck the truck with strands of little gold and white lights—about 25,000 of them. Starting now and lasting through the new year, No. 6 will deliver an entirely different but equally valuable good to neighborhoods from Burlington to Bennington and back again: delight. So how did one of the largest concrete companies in Vermont become an emissary of holiday cheer? Kim Ireland, the wife of Scott David Ireland, is the Mrs. Claus behind it all. She and her husband were on a plane to Washington, D.C., when, perhaps inspired by the twinkling houses beyond the plane’s window, she proposed turning a few of the fleet’s 26,000 pound vehicles into spectacles of light. So, over the past nine years, Kim has routinely showed up at Lowes, Creative Habitat, and the Christmas Store, sometimes purchasing up to 40,000 lights at a time. No. 6’s hood has already been illuminated and now a worker is starting on the passenger side door, methodically taping the lights in a back-and-forth pattern so that everything is lit—everything, even the offshoot stem of the side mirror. Nearby there are more reels, the kind cable is usually wound on, where last year’s strands are wrapped in tidy spools. Dud bulbs litter the floor like peanut shells. Delight, it turns out, is an arduous, time-consuming procedure. When No. 6 is ready to go, the truck’s generator will run most of the lights as its empty barrel spins. S.D. Ireland drivers will take turns parading the lit-up truck through November and December’s darkest days, enjoying the chance to be at the helm of a vehicle that has all the spectacle of a blazing ambulance combined with the happy anticipation of an ice-cream truck. The wonder that this concrete truck first generated when it debuted in 2005, haloed in its lights, cruising the streets and state highways of Vermont, has given way to expectation, “People get upset if it isn’t around,” Kim Ireland says. “Oh there it is!” you can hear a passenger exclaim in one of the numerous YouTube videos that truck No. 6 has inspired. In one video, the camera simply follows the truck, lit up in its merry glory as it dashes down I-89 and puts on its turn signal, which adds one more light to the brilliant spectacle. Then the camera records the truck’s lights as they become a twinkling, fading glow, as No. 6 veers off into the night. —Julia Shipley
.\PKLK :UV^TVIPSL ;V\YZ +H` ,]LUPUN ;V\YZ 7YP]H[L ;V\YZ .\PKLZ MVY /PYL ,]LUPUN [V\YZ Z[HY[ H[ :T\NNSLYZ 5V[JO :RP HYLH NV [OYV\NO OPZ[VYPJ :T\NNSLYZ 5V[JO 7HZZ
Snowshoeing Dogsledding Telemark, AT & Backcountry Skiing Guided Tours • Rentals • Sales • Clinics
UMIAK Outdoor Outfitters
Eden Ethical Dogsledding
Leighton C. Detora
Discover and learn about mushing with our enthusiastic, loving and welcoming team of exceptional Alaskan Huskies.
Valsangiacomo, Detora & McQuesten Attorneys at Law
We are a real race-dog training center set on 140 acres in the scenic Vermont mountains with trails specifically designed for fun and safety.
172 North Main Street Barre VT 05641 802-476-4181, ext. 309
Tours year round.
An Experienced, Full-Service Law Firm email: [email protected] 50
International race champions Jim Blair and the UN-Chained Gang provide guests with an exceptional, fun and educational adventure! Our philosophy is unique in the world of dogsledding.
Eden’s micro-climate location insures PLENTY of snow.
Your Magical Lifetime Adventure Awaits!
Route 100, Stowe, Vermont 802 253-2317 www.umiak.com OPEN 7 DAYS
COURTESY STOWE MOUNTAIN RESORT
towe’s two magnificent mountains, Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak, form a grand panorama defined by the rugged cliffs of Smugglers’ Notch, and Stowe’s bounty of natural snow, its open glades, uninterrupted fall line, and the spectacular twin summits of Vermont’s highest peak were a magnet for the pioneers of skiing in America. Today, over 75 years later, alpine, crosscountry, and freestyle skiers—and snowboarders—continue to bring world fame to this proud mountain community. In fact, of all of America’s winter Olympic teams, few have failed to have a representative from Stowe. Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak capture skiers’ and snowboarders’ interest because they boast a total of 2,160 feet of vertical on 485 acres, offering the longest average trail length in the East. Skiers and riders will find every type of terrain, from wide-open cruisers to narrow, winding trails and glades. What makes Stowe so special? It starts with Mt. Mansfield, Vermont’s highest mountain at 4,393 feet and home to the East’s greatest natural ski terrain. Stowe thrills guests with its famous doublediamond Front Four trails: National, Liftline, Starr, and Goat. The Front Four are the quintessential classic New England trails with steeps and bumps that pump even the most accomplished skier’s adrenaline. They hold their place with the world’s great runs, and among skiers the world over they’re household words. LONG HISTORY OF SKIERS Its awesome and timeless beauty inevitably strikes first-time skiers at Mt. Mansfield and Spruce Peak. Gliding toward the top of Mt. Mansfield, one is embraced by the stillness of a panoramic bowl that stretches toward forbidding cliffs
THE NSAA CODE* Skier / Snowboarder Responsibility Code Always stay in control. People ahead of you have the right of way. ■ Stop in a safe place for you and others. ■ Whenever starting downhill or merging, look uphill and yield. ■ Use devices to help prevent runaway equipment. ■ Observe signs and warnings, and keep off closed trails. ■ Know how to use the lifts safely. Be safety conscious and know the code. It’s your responsibility. ■ ■
* This is a partial list. Source: National Ski Areas Association
Continues on page 52
GETTING OUTDOORS DANA ALLEN
rosty fall mornings, Vs of geese heading south and fading foliage turn snowsports enthusiasts’ thoughts to winter. For Louise Lintilhac, freeskier with Stowe connections, this fall culminated a season of work and planning aimed at bringing a new look to snow sports. Lintilhac is featured in Lynsey Dyer’s allfemale ski film Pretty Faces. Dyer is a professional big mountain skier and co-founder, in 2007, of the nonprofit shejumps.org, with the mission to increase female participation in outdoor activities. Dyer had put out a call on her website, unicornpicnic.com, for contributions to the proposed film with this caveat: “If you feel you have what it takes and/or have an engaging story that revolves around skiing, document it on film for a possible chance to be a part of the film.” Lintilhac heard about Pretty Faces from her friend Berne Broudy, a female adventure journalist, and reached out to Dyer. She initially proposed the idea of a webisode of East Coast skiing to be used after the main film. This evolved into an East Coast segment. Lintilhac says, “My segment was truly crowdSki movie: sourced. I am lucky to ski with Meathead Films and so I used them as a resource along with other videographers I know, including my husband, Dana Allen, who shot quite a bit of footage for both the main film and the webisode.” A lot of the footage was shot in Stowe, both on the mountain and in the backcountry. Additional footage comes from trips Lintilhac took with friends, including Paige Fitzgerald and Carla von Trapp Hunter. Fitzgerald and Lintilhac traveled to the Chic Choc mountains in northern Quebec, and von Trapp Hunter joined them for a filming trip on Mount Washington. Lintilhac started skiing in Stowe and raced for the Mt. Mansfield Ski Club and Academy. She praises her coaches, giving a special nod to Christine Colangeli, “who really defined me as an athlete. She inspired me to explore beyond the boundaries of the trail and take my other lady friends on these missions with me.” She was not aware of freeskiing/backcountry skiing as an option when she was growing up, and hopes that changes for future generations of women adventurers. “I also have some incredible female ski friends and the sense of camaraderie here in Vermont is very strong. I wanted to be able to highlight for the world that East Coast women are not to be forgotten. People like to bash the East Coast when it comes to skiing, but I wanted to show that Vermont is an incredible place to live and play and we can get after it just as hard as anyone in the world.” —By Deb Fennell
ESSENTIALS: Pretty Faces: an All Female Ski Movie, Sunday, Feb. 15, 7 p.m. Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center at Stowe Mountain Resort, in cooperation with the Stowe Mountain Film Festival and Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum. $12.
Areas of Stowe Mountain Resort marked outside of the ski area boundary on trail maps and with signage on the mountain itself, is hazardous backcountry terrain, containing unmarked hazards such as cliffs, thick, brushy terrain, riverbeds, stumps, rocks, avalanches. This area is not patrolled or maintained. Vermont law states that any person who uses ski area facilities to access terrain that is outside the open and designated trails shall be liable for any costs of rescue, medical, or other services. —Stowe.com 52
Continues from page 51
guarding the narrow pass known as Smugglers’ Notch. Many of the trails gracing the flanks of Vermont’s highest mountain can trace their history back to the birth of skiing in North America. Nathaniel Goodrich, a Dartmouth College librarian, made the first recorded descent in 1914. Others soon followed. By the 1930s, even before the first lift, skiers flocked to Stowe. These ski pioneers came here first for a simple reason: best mountain, best snow. Most of Stowe’s trails were cut in the first half of the 1900s, and without the benefit of bulldozers. The first ones were handcut by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1940s. Charlie Lord, the architect of trails like Nose Dive, Goat, and Perry Merrill, had a natural sense of a mountain’s fall line. His trails flow down the mountain like poetry. Those of you who like to follow the sun will find Stowe is laid out perfectly to ski around the mountain. In the morning, the Front Four bask in soft morning light. In the early afternoon, work your way to the right and ski off the gondola. And to catch that elusive afternoon warmth, head to Spruce, which gets magnificent afternoon sunshine. The forgiving terrain of Spruce Peak’s sun-washed slopes also provides a haven for the youngest or newest skiers. On Mt. Mansfield, the 3.7-mile-long Toll Road is the perfect spot for beginners. The trail meanders through woods, letting you work on finding a rhythm, and you’ll see absolutely breathtaking views. The wonderful thing about the Toll Road is that it allows beginners to enjoy an experience that advanced skiers get all the time: seeing the whole mountain. Intermediate skiers can test themselves on miles of groomed cruising runs. The broad expanses of Gondolier and Perry Merrill at the Gondola, or Sunrise and Standard, where the sun shines late on the shortSTOWE MOUNTAIN RESORT est days of winter, are popular with skiers and riders of every ability. Skiers who like wide cruisers will be completely exhilarated after taking a few runs down Gondolier. A favorite of many skiers is at the top, off the quad. Ridgeview, not quite as wide open as Gondolier, provides the perfect place to practice short-radius turns. Spruce Peak is also an intermediate skier’s paradise. For those learning to tackle bumps, Gulch is covered with medium-sized moguls, so skiers can concentrate on technique without being tossed around. Mt. Mansfield also has premier glade skiing for the adventurous. After a storm when there’s a solid base of snow, advanced intermediates will want to head for the consummate off-piste experience. Stowe Mountain Resort offers a number of gladed areas—all described on the ski area’s handy interactive trail map—including Tres Amigos, Sunrise, and Nose Dive glades. Remember too that venturing into terrain that is not on the trail map can be very dangerous, especially if you aren’t familiar with the area. Those who require rescue may be held liable for the expenses. This is worth noting because Stowe has seen an increasing number of people who think it would be exciting to venture into the woods and end up getting hurt, lost, or both. You can still find plenty of excitement on trail. So be safe, and have fun! ■
① ⑥ ②
④ ⑤ ③ WINTER TRAILS FESTIVAL FEB. 7: Lots of hiking and non-hiking fun for all ages all day. Music and refreshments. Green Mountain Club, Route 100, Waterbury Center. Part of Waterbury’s two-week Winter Festival.
SNOWMOBILE CLUBS: EDEN: Gihon Trak Packers / 802 635-7515, gihontrakpackers.org MORRISVILLE: Lamoille County Snow Packers / 802 888-2281 JEFFERSONVILLE: Smugglers’ Notch Snowmobile Club / 802 730-4360 JOHNSON: Sterling Snow Riders / 802 635-8388 STOWE: Stowe Snowmobile Club / 802 253-4540, stowesnowmobile.org WOLCOTT: Wolcott Snow Travelers / 802 888-3224 PHOTOS: GLENN CALLAHAN; SNOWMOBILER: DON LANDWEHRLE
On skinny skis Stowe boasts one of the largest, most diverse trail systems in the United States. More than 150 kilometers of groomed and 100 kilometers of backcountry trails crisscross its landscape. One of those backcountry trails is the Catamount Trail, 300 miles of wilderness skiing over the spine of the Green Mountains from Massachusetts to Quebec. It connects 15 ski centers throughout the state, including those in Stowe. Trapp Family Lodge, the first commercial ski center in the U.S., is the heart of Stowe’s network with 60k of groomed trails and 100k of backcountry trails. Stowe Mountain Resort CrossCountry Touring Center’s accessibility to the downhill ski area creates an uncommon fusion of Nordic and alpine skiing. Stowe Mountain Resort’s 35k of groomed and 40k of backcountry trails are the highest in elevation in Stowe. Topnotch at Stowe Resort and Spa offers additional terrain. Over the mountain in Cambridge, the Smugglers’ Cross Country Center at Smugglers’ Resort offers 30k of cross-country trails and 24k of dedicated snowshoe trails through woods and fields.
Figure 8, anyone? Public skating is offered daily at Jackson Arena. The arena has skate rentals. Call the hotline for public skating schedules: (802) 253-3721.
Winter fish tales This may be the Ski Capital of the East, but don’t tell the fish that! Fish do not go dormant in the winter. Their metabolism slows, but they still need to eat. So if you enjoy eating—or just catching—fish, there’s nothing better than a mess of yellow perch out of Vermont’s frigid waters. Local outfitters will be thrilled to help you set your line.
Snowshoe heaven The Stowe area is home to one of the most extensive and diverse trails systems in the East, making it the perfect destination for snowshoeing. From the flat 5.3-mile Stowe Recreation Path to the challenging summit of Madonna Mountain, snowshoers go at their own pace and reap the benefits of a safe, aerobic exercise. The Green Mountain Club, on Route 100 in Waterbury Center (greenmountainclub.org), has compiled a list of favorite snowshoe hikes in the Stowe-Smugglers’ area. Stowe Land Trust (stowelandtrust.org) allows snowshoeing on many of its conserved properties.
It’s VAST out there Imagine a 5,000-mile highway that suddenly appears every winter. One that goes through backcountry and snow-covered mountains, secluded valleys, and friendly villages. In Vermont, you don’t have to imagine it; it’s the winter world of snowmobiling. All riders in Vermont must belong to the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST), a non-profit, private group of over a hundred snowmobile clubs with tens of thousands of members. (See our list of local clubs at left.)
Maple mojo Mid- to late-winter means maple time in Vermont, producer of the world’s best maple syrup. Many maple producers keep their sugarhouses open year round. It’s most fun during boiling time! A great resource is vermontmaple.org. 55
AT LEFT: NILS PRESTON SCHLEBUSCH. AT RIGHT: DEAN BLOTTO GRAY
SNOWBOARD DREAMS Stowe’s Mindnich brothers chase the snow
/ Kate Carter
he snowboarding Mindnich brothers, Hans and Nils, cut their teeth on Mt. Mansfield when they were young. Really young. Now fixtures on the backcountry snowboarding scene, Hans, 21, and Nils, 19, have impressive snowboarding resumes. They appeared in Warren Miller’s film Playground, won several national championships, sat atop the podium at both the U.S. and European Open Junior Jams, and were featured in Transworld and Snowboarder magazines. Their new movie, Foreward, premiered this fall.
“Riding out of Stowe, which is one of the best mountains in Vermont, Hans and Nils are quite the young superstars,” Andy Coghlan, snowboard director at the Winter Sports School in Park City, told the Stowe Reporter in 2009. “Hans and Nils are part of the newest generation of great snowboarders to come out of Vermont.” Both Mindnich brothers eventually attended the Utah academy, which holds classes in the summer so student-athletes can ski and ride full time in the winter. They rode for the Mt. Mansfield Ski & Snowboard Club, with “Danger” Dave Boldwin as a personal coach. By high school, the brothers were traveling extensively, training and competing across the country. Today, Hans spends his summers in Stowe, working as a carpenter for Dolan Builders, but once the weather turns he heads to Utah to pursue powder and his snowboarding passion. Nils now calls Utah home, where he works
<ĂƚŚĞƌŝŶĞ 'ƌĂǀĞƐ͕ Dd͕ ,^ AIRBORNE From left: Nils Mindnich at the grand opening of the Stash Terrain Park in Killington in 2009 when he was 14. Hans Mindnich, in red, at the photo shoot for the launch of Snowboarder magazine in 2010, when he was 17. Inset: Nils on the podium at the U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships in 2007.
part time at The Mine Climbing Gym in Park City. He goes to school at the local community college, eyeing a degree in mechanical engineering. But that’s his summer life. Winter is exclusively devoted to snowboarding. Hans and Nils were invited to join the team shooting the movie Foreward for Snowboarder magazine. “It’s the first movie Snowboarder has made in 15 years,” says Nils. “They selected 10 of the most promising and influential amateur riders to be in it.” According to the Snowboarder website, the magazine “handpicked ten of the most promising young snowboarding talents and brought them around the globe to show the world what the future of the sport looks like. . . Foreword is a film that will not only get you excited to ride but it will also inform everyone that when it comes to snowboarding’s next generation, the kids are alright.” Nils and Hans are two of those “kids.” Over the years, both brothers have earned numerous awards and podium appearances. But they’ve left the competitive aspect of snowboarding behind and are committed to the backcountry and making movies that promote the sport. The brothers are sponsored by North Face, VonZipper, Suny Action Cam, and Elm Company. Even though Hans and Nils are sibs and have spent their lives riding together and pushing each other’s limits, their styles are very different. Hans says Nils’s strengths are urban, handrails, and freestyle, while his own strengths are in the halfpipe, and he’s had more experience in the backcountry. “It’s cool that our paths have diverged a bit, but we’re still riding together,” he says. ■
ŽĚLJǁŽƌŬ dŚĞƌĂƉŝƐƚ ^ƚŽǁĞ zŽŐĂ ĞŶƚĞƌ
ϱϭϱ DŽƐĐŽǁ ZŽĂĚ ϴϬϮͲϮϱϯͲϴϰϮϳ ŬŐƌĂǀĞƐŵƚΛŐŵĂŝů͘ĐŽŵ ǁǁǁ͘ƐƚŽǁĞLJŽŐĂ͘ĐŽŵ
ESSENTIALS: Foreward is available on iTunes for $9.99. 57
AT T H E M O U N TA I N
COURTESY STOWE MOUNTAIN RESORT; GLENN CALLAHAN
OUTDOOR FUN ZONE An outdoor ice rink, adventure center, and alpine clubhouse were among the projects under construction this summer at Stowe Mountain Resort’s Spruce Peak complex. Inset: Summer construction.
Several new projects now underway will likely help Stowe Mountain Resort retain its reputation as the Ski Capital of the East, while also generating new business during the summer and fall. The additions and improvements are part of the resort’s long-term $500 million master expansion plan, which broke ground in 2003. At the center of the project is a new outdoor ice rink that will double as a community plaza and green in the summer. Other improvements include: • The Stowe Mountain Club Alpine Clubhouse and children’s Adventure Center, which will house a ski-and-ride school, year-round day care facilities, and activities center. • Retail shops, restaurants, food markets, and underground parking for Alpine Club members. • A zipline, expected to open this spring, starts at the top of the Gondola and skips down the mountain in a few sections. • A makeover for the Gondola so skiers and riders can stash their gear on outside racks. • Completion of a $3 million snowmaking improvement project. • New beginner terrain and lift. “It’s exciting that this next phase of development is under way,” says Michael Colbourn, vice president of marketing, sales, and communication for the resort. “When we built the base plaza and Stowe Mountain Lodge, it really raised the resort experience to another level for our guests. When you add the outdoor ice rink and the other improvements, especially the children’s Adventure Center, that’s really exciting. The new children’s Adventure Center and Alpine Club building will blend old and new styles and tie into nature motifs. “Visually, they will blend with what’s there now,” Colbourn says.
Ice rink, adventure center on tap
SPRUCING UP SPRUCE
The new Adventure Center will have two levels. The Alpine Club will take its cues from the surrounding forest, with a pine-coneinspired shape. A smaller structure at the base of the ice rink will provide a shelter where people can lace up their skates, inspired by the old Civilian Conservation Corps buildings from the 1930s. Resort officials intend to keep the project green. Geothermal energy will be used to operate the mechanical systems for part of the new development. Stowe Mountain Resort is one of only four “sustainable communities” and the only mountain resort recognized by Audubon International. Most everything will be up and running in time for the 2015-16 ski season. ■ —Lisa McCormack
COOL THINGS SPIRIT OF THE SPORT Bill McCollom shares ski-racing wisdom in his new book The View From the Finish Line.
ast March I met Bill McCollom on a chairlift at the Masters National championship races at Okemo Mountain in southern Vermont. A mid-pack skier, at best, Bill asked how I did after my downhill run. “I shaved a few tenths off of my training runs,” I told him with satisfaction. Bill was genuinely interested and commended me on a fine race, offering a gentle smile that I failed to interpret at the time. But after reading his new book, The View From the Finish Line, it became clear. Bill applies the same approach, whether following the world’s most prestigious ski racers or talking to a mid-pack skier on the side of a Vermont ski mountain. During his career, Bill covered ski racing at the World Cup level for Ski Racing Magazine, and is also a diehard masters racer and a former Middlebury College athlete. Ski racing is a fascinating sport. Each appearance at the start wand is a test of a ski racer’s will. It represents the culmination of his or her mental and physical preparation, as well as the fickle hand of fate. Whether it’s Bode Miller standing in the gate at Hahnenkamm in the Kitzbühel Alps or a skinnyBook review: legged high-school skier at the start of a short GS, every race is an event. Bill absolutely appreciates that fact, and understands the spirit of ski racing. His book carves a long arc through the world of skiing, from renowned World Cup events in Europe to his home ski area at Suicide Six, with its 650 feet of vertical. The book’s charm lies in the fact that to Bill the thrill of an opening day at Suicide Six is equal to or greater than the thrill of a helicopter ride on a powder day at St. Moritz. His observations are all seen through the eyes of a common-sense Vermonter. From the emotional peaks and valleys of elite World Cup skiers to the challenges faced by aging masters racers, Bill jumps obstacles with observations like: “The best way to get in shape for racing is to never get out of shape.” Golf, tennis, cycling, and horsemanship can help keep athletes sharp in the offseason. He waxes with multiple layers of story, including his personal experiences with torn ACLs (both knees), and overlays with insights from ski-racing legends like Kjetil André Aamodt. The author does not avoid the sharp edges of a sport that carries significant danger. He recounts the stories of seriously injured racers, trying to understand the
strength of character they use to rebuild their lives. Their inspiring lives make you realize just how tough some people can be. This compilation of Bill’s magazine columns includes many of the lessons gained from one of the most physically and mentally challenging sports ever conceived. Bill describes ski racing as a sport that has its origins in “pure, uninhibited recklessness.” His writing scrapes away layers of pretension with wry humor and brushes it with a finish of wisdom that will be appreciated by racers, skiers, and athletes at all levels. Bill confesses to a philosophy that seems endemic in skiing: “I’ve spent a lifetime rationalizing self indulgence, so why stop now?” —Ed Brennan Ed Brennan, of Duxbury, sells advertising for this magazine and spends as much time as possible on skis.
ESSENTIALS: The View From The Finish Line is available from Enfield Publishing, enfielddistribution.net.
Stowe bus: Mt. Road Shuttle makes getting around easy The Stowe Mountain Road Shuttle (operated by GMTA) offers FREE convenient service to many popular destinations in the Stowe area. ••• From the lower and main villages up the Mountain Road to the base of Mt. Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, this seasonal service runs daily, approximately every 20 to 30 minutes, from 6:40 a.m. to 9:55 p.m. ••• For specific dates of service and a complete listing of GMTA's routes and services call (802) 223-7287, or visit gmtaride.org. ••• The Mountain Road Shuttle also offers complementary paratransit service; call (802) 864-0211 for more information. 60
While supplies last. Coupon cannot be combined with any other offer. EXPIRES 06.30.15. Not redeemable via phone or online.
COOL THINGS TRAILS, TRAILS, TRAILS The newly refurbished Barnes Camp, with historic postcard of the original structure. Mountain biking in Stowe. A section of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail in Johnson.
he renovation of historic Barnes Camp in Smugglers’ Notch is done. It now serves as a welcome and environmental education center for the Smugglers’ Notch Scenic Highway and State Park. Barnes Camp, built in 1927 and located at the southern gateway to Smugglers’ Notch, provided food and shelter for hikers and skiers at the dawn of the state’s ski industry. The building’s exterior was returned to the appearance of an earlier era, including restoration of now-missing or Now open! blocked windows, a refurbished fireplace, and reconstruction of a south wing depicted in historic photos. The interior of the building contains meeting and display space, as well as two composting toilets. As part of the effort, the Long Trail will be relocated so that hikers no longer need to walk on the shoulder of Route 108. Barnes Camp will serve as a trailhead. The renovation of Barnes Camp is a major effort of the Friends of Smugglers’ Notch, a group of area businesses, non-profit organizations, and state agencies working to protect the environment and improve visitor safety and enjoyment in the Notch. —Stowe Guide & Magazine staff
or more than a century, the Lamoille Valley Railroad carried passengers and freight throughout northern Vermont. Now, the longabandoned rail route is being transformed into a four-season recreation trail that’s expected to provide an economic boost to the region. The 93-mile Lamoille Valley Rail Trail is being built in three sections—a leg linking Morristown, Hyde Park, Johnson, and Cambridge; a trail from St. Johnsbury to Danville; and a stretch from Sheldon to Swanton. 93 miles Construction began last summer on the first 44-mile section, and includes one stretch from St. Johnsbury to Danville and another from Cambridge to Morristown. That work is expected to wrap up in late 2015. When completed, the rail trail will be the longest in New England. It will follow the route of the former St. Johnsbury and Lake Champlain Railroad, which operated from 1877 to 1994.
Waterbury (10 miles south of Stowe) is studying the idea of a trail that would connect its downtown with Little River State Park and the Perry Hill mountain bike trail system. In the long run, such a trail could be key to establishing the WaterburyStowe area as an International Ride Center, as designated by the International Mountain Bicycling Association. Winning that designation is a big deal. It certifies that a community has large-scale mountain bike facilities that offer something for every rider, and is a key to building mountain-biking tourism. As of August, the U.S. had only one gold-level ride center: Park City, Utah. Silver-level ride centers were in Bentonville, Ark.; Oakridge Area, Ore.; Santa Fe, N.M.; Sun Valley, Idaho; the Teton Region from Jackson, Wyo., to Driggs, Idaho; Tucson, Ariz.; and Copper Harbor, Mich. Twelve other communities have bronze-level ridecenter status.
Walkers, cyclists, and horseback riders will be able to use the rail trail in the summer; people will use it to cross-country ski, snowshoe, and ride snowmobiles in winter. ATVs and motorcycles will be prohibited from the trail. Vermont Association of Snow Travelers is working with the Vermont Department of Transportation to coordinate the project, which is expected to cost just over $10 million. The project received $5.2 million in federal money in 2005; much of the rest will come from fundraising. —Stowe Guide & Magazine staff
MADE IN VERMONT
STORY / Tommy Gardner PHOTOGRAPHS / Glenn Callahan
WhiteRoom Skis are rugged works of art, hand-carved from wood harvested from the North Woods and decorated with colorful inlays that just might prompt some people to hang them on their walls instead of drilling holes for bindings.
WhiteRoom Skis should be counted as an agricultural product. Faraci hand-makes his vertically laminated skis out of four different types of wood, all sourced locally from a friend. He uses hardwood like maple in areas where binding screws need to be set, and soft woods such as white ash and yellow birch in the rest of the core. When he needs to cut weight and add flex, he uses poplar. Faraci doesn’t skimp on materials, using quality epoxy resins made especially for skis, P-tex sidewalls, steel edges, triaxial fiberglass, and carbon fiber. Faraci also built his press and molds from scratch, consulting the Internet and picking the brains of people he knows in the industry. Doug Adams, owner of Today’s Edge on Stowe’s Mountain Road, says the $850 price tag is a real deal, considering the amount of money Faraci spends on materials for each pair. Adams showcased WhiteRooms at his shop last winter, the only retailer anywhere to offer the skis. Adams doesn’t like the skis just because they’re locally made or beautiful to look at. He visited Faraci in his workshop and was impressed by the construction. “I’ve seen lots of handmade skis, and they’re pretty enough,” Adams says. “But Faraci probably has a couple hundred bucks worth of materials in his skis.”
WHITEROOM SKIS Not just another pretty face But don’t let these beautiful works of art fool you. These skis are solid to the core. “It’s what’s inside. It really is,” says Vin Faraci, who creates the skis in his tiny workshop next to his house in Hyde Park. “Plus, I ski pretty hard, so they’ve got to be durable.” In a state that values using local products, 64
As Adams holds up a pair of WhiteRoom girls’ skis with a tropical flower and red shell inlay on top, he turns it over and reveals something even more important: the joint where the steel edges meet at the tip is so tight he can’t even get a fingernail to catch in the seam. “That’s a tight joint,” he says. Each pair takes about 20 hours to make, and since Faraci is employed full-time as a certified athletic trainer, those 20 hours stretch out over a few weeks. Faraci makes his skis in the offseason. And, until recently, the only people who skied on a pair of WhiteRoom skis were family and friends. But Faraci isn’t just building skis, he’s telling peoples’ stories. One client, for example, wanted Faraci to honor on a pair of skis the foster daughter he had to give up. She was with the man since the age of seven weeks, but the court ordered the child returned to a maternal grandmother three and a half years later. Faraci filled the skis with personal images of the child’s life: her favorite stuffed monkey, a
CUSTOM BOARDS Clockwise from left: A flower inlay. Vin Faraci in the doorway of his workshop. Building the ski. Faraci personalizes his custom skis with inlays and phrases important to the customer. The WhiteRoom ski logo.
snowflake for their mutual love of the white stuff, and a phrase the little girl often used on the slopes: “Faster Daddy!” He also made a trio of skis for the IAN Fund, a non-profit that stands for International Avalanche Nest-Egg, and named after local skier Ian Lamphere, who was killed in an avalanche last year while skiing in Colorado. Each pair features the stylized IAN logo, but a larger version of the logo appears when all three pairs of skis are placed side by side. “It was very nice to be involved with them. They’re great people,” Faraci says. For a state with such a rich winter sports tradition, Faraci is surprised there are so few custom ski builders in Vermont. “If you travel to almost any major ski market in the country, you’ll find local custom ski builders, except here in Vermont,” he says. He’s now trying to turn WhiteRoom from hobby to small business, after years of people asking where they could get a pair. When making skis, he makes sure his customers are intimately involved in the design process, and not just the aesthetics. He wants to know each customer’s skiing style. “I feel like every pair is still mine even after I hand them off to their new owner,” he says. “I want to build skis that the owner and I can both be proud of.” ■
HOME OR COMMERCIAL STRENGTH, CARDIO & FLEXIBILITY EQUIPMENT
DELIVERY, INSTALLATION & SERVICE OF TRUSTED BRANDS PRECOR, TRUE, OCTANE, INSPIRE, LIFESPAN, SPIRIT, TUFF STUFF
PERSONAL FITNESS INTERIORS 4050 Williston Rd., S. Burlington • (802) 860-1030 • personalfitnessvt.com
WHERE FITNESS IS NOT A SIDELINE... IT’S OUR ONLY LINE. 65
R A C E D AY
DIEHARDS Mountain bikers enjoy the trails of the Cady Hill Forest in Stowe on their fat bikes.
STORY / Roger Murphy PHOTOS / Glenn Callahan
ermont has long attracted bikers, it’s scenic byways and rural villages filled with cyclists on tour. Today, mountain bikers and mountain bike trails enjoy a similar popularity, with the Stowe Mountain Bike Club and other dedicated riders creating opportunities for a growing off-road crowd. But until recently, cyclists had to put their padded shorts and helmets away for the winter, trading in their cleated shoes for ski boots. Not anymore. In the last few years, bikers in growing numbers are hopping onto fat bikes equipped with monstrous four- to five-inch tires designed to travel over packed snow. The popularity of the sport has increased so dramatically that even mainstream bike manufacturers are designing and selling fat bikes. Quality Bicycle Products (QPB), which serves over 5,000 independent shops and is arguably the largest bicycle wholesaler and distributor in the industry, has organized a Fat Bike Summit the last three years, and the group reports that sales topped $10 million. It’s both a growth industry and a growth sport. Locally, fat bikes are here to stay, as evidenced by the unprecedented acceptance of a new category of racers for this year’s 70th anniversary of the Stowe Derby ski race—over 100 fat bikers. (See sidebar) Fat biking has its roots at both ends of the climate spectrum. Riders in northern Canada and Alaska wanted to ride their bikes in the snow,
Stowe Derby welcomes fat bikes
BIG TRACK GOES BIG
while riders in Florida and the Southwest wanted to ride their bikes in the sand. What both groups discovered was that high volume tires, combined with lower tire pressure, allowed for just the right amount of traction and float. Soon, riders customized their bikes with two rims welded together to accommodate a larger tire, or even used a custom hub design that stacked three normal tires side by side. In the early days of fat biking its aficionados could be, well, a bit eccentric. Soon enough, though, more doubters hopped on, took a spin, and could no longer deny the sport’s fun factor. Ryan Thibault, owner and editor of MTBVT, recalls the early days of fat biking in Stowe when there were very few riders. “You could tell who had been riding on the trails by the tire tracks,” he said of those first early converts. Today, several local shops offer rentals and demos, with at least one offering guided fat bike tours.
RIDE YOUR BIKE IN THE STOWE DERBY! The real coming-of-age for fat biking in Stowe? You can ride one in the Stowe Derby for the first time ever! This year’s Stowe Derby, on Sunday, Feb. 22, will welcome over 100 fat bikers. They won’t get to start at the top of Mansfield’s Toll Road due to logistical and safety issues. Instead fat bikers will start at the Mt. Mansfield Touring Center after all of the skiers. The Stowe Derby, put on by the Mt. Mansfield Ski and Snowboard Club, started in 1945 as a personal challenge between Sepp Ruschp, the first head of the Stowe Ski School, and Erling Strom, a famous Norwegian mountaineer. Today, the challenge remains: Ski from the top of Mt. Mansfield to Stowe Village … on one pair of skis. Ruschp won that first derby. The 20km course challenges participants on a variety of terrain, from the slopes of Mt. Mansfield to flat terrain of the Stowe Recreation Path, with a vertical drop of over 2,600 feet. For information, check out stowederby.com.
“Fat biking is the antidote to Vermont’s fickle winter weather,” says Ryan. “When the skiing is bad, the fat biking tends to be good. It fits well into the winter activity list for the outdoor enthusiast.” Keep in mind that just because there is snow on the ground, not all trails are open to fat bikers. Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST) trails, the Catamount Trail, and some of Stowe’s own mountain bike trails are closed to bikers for various reasons, but mostly related to the agreement between the trail associations and the landowners whose lands the trails cross. Similarly, most local cross-country ski centers are not open to fat bikers, Trapp Family Lodge’s Touring Center included. Kingdom Trails in East Burke will have 30km groomed for fat biking, and both Millstone Trails Association in Barre and Catamount Family Center in Williston will have fat bike offerings. Even with the restrictions, miles and miles of lightly traveled dirt roads and countless farm roads are available in the greater Stowe area. In response to demand, Ryan and some Canadian friends have created Le Grand Fat Tour, which consists of six winter biking events, three in Canada and three in Vermont. One of them, the Uberwintern, presented by MTBVT and hosted by the Stowe Mountain Bike Club, drew over 100 riders last year, despite temps of 20 degrees below zero. ■
ESSENTIALS: stowemtnbike.com. 67
MOUNT MANSFIELD SKI PATROL PHOTOS, STEVE HILL
2-6-9 Clockwise from top: Brian Picard and Tim Lambert inside the Mt. Mansfield Ski Patrol headquarters. Patroller Will League. Zeb Groskin emerges from 2-6-9.
STORY / Brian Lindner
SKI PATROL HQ Stowe goes state-of-the-art for its patrollers
At some ski areas the ski patrol is just another expense, with patrollers working from drafty, old shacks. Every day many of these hard-working volunteers struggle to make these inadequate buildings function—often without electricity—while trying to dole out emergency medical services to sick and injured skiers and boarders. Not so at Stowe Mountain Resort. Officials at Stowe see the Mt. Mansfield Ski Patrol as a valueadded service that contributes to a guest’s overall experience, and not just when the MMSP’s paramedics, EMTs, doctors, and nurses respond to accidents or illness. Stowe’s ski patrollers l
perform other, less well-known tasks every day. They check every safety awareness device—signs, pads, bamboo markers, ropes, etc.—on every open trail. Patrollers help run lifts, move materials around, check snowmaking operations, answer endless questions from guests, report problems areas to groomers, ride and check all lifts before they open, find lost people, and remove fallen trees… that is, when they’re not training, training, training. The most prominent symbol of the importance Stowe Mountain Resort places on its ski patrol is firmly planted at the top of the FourRunner Quad. When you get off the lift look for the “2-6-9.” That’s the headquarters of the Mt. Mansfield Ski Patrol, which the resort built and paid for and which opened on Nov. 23, 2011. The building was designed and built by patrollers, for patrollers. It is exactly what a modern ski patrol needs to do its work. “2-6-9” is the decades-old telephone extension number for the patrol’s headquarters. The Stowe ski patrol identifies all of its stations by the last three digits of their phone numbers. The building is packed with telephone, radio, and computer systems that are vital to any modern patrol. Ski patrol dispatch works from here amid a couple of tons of response gear. Photos and other memorabilia decorate the natural pine walls to both remind and promote the history of America’s oldest ski patrol. Photographs show uniformed patrollers from the 1930s down through the decades. Samples of old equipment vividly show how ski patrol services have evolved and improved over the last 80 years. Toboggans are housed inside at “2-6-9” so that blankets and gear are dry at all times. The facility also houses Stowe’s toboggan repair shop, where equipment can be cleaned, repaired, and dried, away from the patrol’s daily activities. The large facility allows for training individuals as well as bigger groups. It’s the rare day when the large-screen TV isn’t showing a training video on topics ranging from splinting to safe operation of snowmobiles. ■
All Aveda cut, color, styling and spa services
begin and end with at least one of our five,
free Aveda Sensory Rituals – from a Cup of Comforting Tea to a Stress-Relieving Scalp Massage. They’re always complimentary, and
part of how we care for the world we live in – we start with you.
Experience the Aveda difference – book your appointment today.
Vermont’s only Year-round Fishing Guide Service. River, Brook, Lake, Ice and Pond Fishing. River wading, Canoe, Motorboat or Float Tube Fishing Adventures. Guiding Vermont waters since 1994. 1/2 Day and Full Day Trips. All Abilities Welcome. Federation of Fly Fishers Certified. Licensed and Insured.
Willy Dietrich - P.O. Box 82, Stowe VT 05672 • (802) 253-8500 www.catamountfishing.com 70
BILL SCHAAF, STOWE MOUNTAIN RESORT
FEEL BEAUTIFULLY CARED FOR
Installing the Patrol’s logo.
ADAPT The Friends of Stowe Adaptive Sports and Stowe Mountain Resort help put disabled athletes back on the hill.
Story / M a r k A i k e n Photographs / G l e n n C a l l a h a n
Chris Tagatac recalls his first day on snow at Stowe. Not that first day learning to ski at age six; rather, his first day the second time around. Chris severed his spinal cord after a July 2011 accident at his home, paralyzing him from the chest down. It wasn’t easy for this lifelong skier to stomach, going back to square one and the Magic Carpet beginner’s area, but that’s where his coaches—Cynthia Needham of Stowe Mountain Resort and his friend Pascale Savard—brought him. “I was always a speed guy,” says Chris. “It didn’t feel good going back to the beginning.” But Chris is a skier. “I can’t not ski,” he says, as if the very thought is inconceivable. He had to start somewhere. That first day back wasn’t full of wonder and joy. “It was frustrating,” Chris says, “spending my first full day on the Carpet.” But Chris’s experience with paralysis has taught him numerous lessons—more than most outsiders looking in can possibly imagine. “Rehab is about creating a new normal,” Chris explains. So for those first days back on snow, it helped for him to continually remind himself of his goals. “My goal now in any sport is to be able to do things with my family,” he says. “ ‘Just get down the hill,’ I kept telling myself.” He finally advanced to a point where Cynthia felt he could attempt Inspiration, the beginner slope off the Adventure Triple at Spruce Peak. For Chris, one of the happiest sounds he’s ever heard was the squeaking of the wheels turning under the weight of the lift cable. He describes his first couple of runs, referring less to the breeze on his face and the snow under his sit-ski (a bucket-like seat affixed to a ski), and more about the chattering of his kids, Madeline and Cameron, and hearing them say, “Dad’s doing pretty well!” At the end of the first run, Cameron “squeezed me as tightly as any kid could ever squeeze his father.” The Tagatacs were once again a skiing family. Whether they realize it or not, every Stowe skier and rider has seen adaptive athletes creeping—or cruising—down the mountain. That’s because adaptive athletes come in all shapes and sizes, all ages, and all ability levels. “We have worked with 4 year olds to an 80 year old,” says Cynthia Needham, the driving force behind Stowe’s adaptive program for the past 13 years. The most visible athletes, says Cynthia, ride sit-skis like Chris. These athletes make up 40 percent of Stowe adaptive lessons. “We work with people with physical, cognitive, or developmental disabilities,” she says. The remaining 60 percent, except for the few who wear vests saying things like “Blind Skier,” will look like any other skier. Take Ella MacDonald, an 11-year old with autism. Ella is nonverbal, and she processes external stimuli more slowly than most. She communicates most effectively through art (visit ellaskyeart.com), and she sometimes responds strongly to certain noises, visual cues, or unexpected chaos around her. Skiing wasn’t an activity to which Ella’s mom Laura really gave serious consideration. But when the MacDonalds first moved to Stowe five years ago, they found the area’s prevailing “cando” attitude refreshing. “Stowe is a special place and a very accepting community,” she says. The MacDonalds have found this acceptance in the form of one-on-one aides in the school system and in the attitudes of other children and parents toward Ella. “And the Friday program is simply amazing,” says Laura, referring to the local program where Stowe schoolchildren ski on Friday afternoons. Realistically Ella couldn’t participate in the Friday program with her peers for the same reasons she requires a one-on-one aide in the classroom. Enter Cynthia, who fairly matter-of-factly informed Laura that, yes, they could teach Ella to ski. That was four years ago, when Ella became a regular skier on Fridays. She meets an adaptive coach—usually the same coach each week, which 74
COMMITMENT Clockwise from top right: Laura MacDonald enjoys a moment with her daughter, Ella, outside the lodge at Stowe Mountain Resort. Jordan Carrell carves a turn. (Photo by Mike Hitelman) Cynthia Needham in action, riding with Carrell and Erik Kondo. (Photo by Pascale Savard) Chris Tagatac gets outfitted in the lodge at the resort, his first time participating in the Stowe Adaptive Ski Program. (Photo by Pascale Savard) Previous page: Ella MacDonald.
has been key, since Ella finds solace and security in routine. Meanwhile, she responds well to visual aids and sensory cues, so her coaches use colored tape on her hands, cowbells, and other tools. Interestingly, says Laura, Ella’s adaptive skiing experience didn’t start on the snow with adaptive professionals. It started at a local ski shop—AJ’s Ski & Sports—where they rented equipment before her first lesson. “I wondered how this was going to go,” Laura remembers, knowing that her daughter would only wear dresses because jeans were too restrictive. How would she respond when they attempted to put her in ski boots? “AJ’s staff was calm, relaxed, and unfazed,” says Laura. It was another example of acceptance of the whole Stowe ski community.
Laura MacDonald is very straightforward about Ella’s opportunity to ski every Friday. “Without Friends of Stowe Adaptive Sports we couldn’t afford it,” she says. As an adaptive coach in the ski school, Cynthia has encouraged and trained scores of Stowe adaptive pros over the years, including the resort’s current adaptive supervisor Keja MacEwan. But perhaps Cynthia’s biggest contribution to the program has been the formation and development of the nonprofit Friends of Stowe Adaptive Sports. Since its inception in 2010, when Cynthia organized a party to raise funds to purchase a mono-ski, a sit-ski for an individual incapable of steering and balancing, Friends of Stowe Adaptive Sports has focused on three areas. It raises funds to purchase adaptive equipment, which it leases to Stowe Mountain Resort. Second, it funds training opportunities for
POSITIVE ATTITUDE Clockwise from top right: Patrick Lewis is helped onto the gondola by two Stowe ski instructors who participate in the adaptive ski program. The view Mary Anne Lewis really loves: her son Patrick’s wheelchair behind the van in the parking lot. Seven sit skiers of all levels reunite in Stowe with the Friends of Stowe Adaptive Sports for some fun on the mountain. (Pascale Savard photo) Patrick on his way down the mountain.
Stowe coaches—like attending National Adaptive Academy courses at Breckenridge and events with the Wounded Warrior project. Finally, it raises scholarship money. Friends of Stowe Adaptive Sports has sponsored over 50 disabled athletes. Lessons paid for by the nonprofit account for over 25 percent of all adaptive lessons taught at the resort. One difference between the Stowe ski school’s adaptive program and many others is that Stowe uses trained professionals and not volunteers. But professionals cost money, as do lessons at Stowe. Adaptive lessons, with their one-to-one ratios, are priced like private lessons, which are more than some locals can afford. “We are truly thankful for the opportunity,” says George Lewis, innkeeper at Stowe’s Brass Lantern Inn, whose son, Patrick, 22, has cerebral palsy. “It means everything to us.” While the Lewises wouldn’t be able to afford to send Patrick up the mountain with a specialized coach, Patrick’s mom Mary Anne Lewis appreciates being connected with trained pros. “It ensures a sense of security and trust for a mom,” she says, pointing out that Patrick is blind, excitable, cannot communicate verbally, and has a seizure disorder. He might express happiness through hand-flapping or by humming. Patrick’s scholarship allowed him to ski 10 times last winter—with the same coach nearly every time and an assistant coach to help load the lifts. “Matt—and everyone—was so helpful and understanding,” says Mary Anne, referring to Matt Lindemer, Patrick’s coach. “Matt is great about stopping to check on him,” says Mary Anne. “And he takes Patrick in the terrain park.” The Lewises share the challenges every family faces in getting up to the mountain in time for lessons. But do most families have to clear an extra wide swath on their walkways in order to wheel their son though? Do they need to ensure their wheelchair-accessible van (and its hydraulic lift) is sufficiently warm? Do they need to sew covers over the arms of a jacket because their son won’t tolerate gloves? “We make it work,” says Mary Ann. “There’s a lot we can’t do as a family, but skiing is something we can do.” Mary Anne and George—and sometimes their other children Deseray and Dustin—ski alongside Matt and Patrick in his sit-ski. “He is so happy at the mountain,” Mary Anne says, adding that her only regret is that Patrick can’t enjoy the view due to his blindness. There is one view, however, that Mary Anne finds priceless: Patrick’s empty wheelchair behind the van in the parking lot. “It means he is up there doing something he loves,” she says.
Regardless of one’s disability, skiing is not easy—from a physical or emotional perspective. “It’s not going to be the same as it was pre-injury,” says Chris Tagatac, who points out the permanence of situations like these. And irreversible injuries and illnesses don’t just affect individuals. “They are family injuries,” he says, thinking of his wife, kids, and friends. Adaptive lessons are multi-faceted, says Cynthia, and inherently difficult to teach. Many are physically demanding. All require adapting to an individual’s unique set of needs and finding the right combination of teaching techniques and equipment. “You have to adjust your expectations and your definition of success.” Jordan Carrell was an expert rider who severed his spinal cord in a snowboarding accident in 2006. He recalls throwing his outriggers (balancing tools that attach to a sit-skier’s arms) on the ground and swearing in frustration throughout most of his first day back. “Looking back, even though I was pissed off the whole day, it was still a really, really good day,” Jordan says, grinning sheepishly. “Your attitude is so important,” says Chris, who, despite striving to be independent and as much like the “old Chris” as he can, still battles illnesses that are semi-related to his injury—and certainly depression. “What I should be focusing on—and what I try to focus on—is that I am lucky to be alive,” he says. Cynthia Needham and Friends of Stowe Adaptive Sports are doing their part to help disabled people live their lives in a ski town. “It’s such an improvement on my life,” Jordan says. “I can do something I loved before my injury—and that I still love after my injury.” For Jordan and others, adaptive coaches, his family, and everyone at Stowe (“the lifties really know what they’re doing,” he adds) turned a difficult student into—once again—a rider. “Cynthia’s positivity made it special,” he says. “Participating in sports—being active—dramatically improves your quality of life,” Jordan says. “The efforts of Friends of Stowe Adaptive are really making a difference.” ■
ESSENTIALS: Stowe Ski School, stowe.com/ski-ride/adaptive, (802) 253-3681. Friends of Stowe Adaptive Sports, stoweadaptive.org. Ella MacDonald’s 2015 calendar is available at ellaskyeart.com.
a history of stowe’s
by BRIAN LINDNER
SKI LIFTS 78
OLD AND NEW Clockwise from top: The bullwheel for the Spruce Double, aka Big Pig. (Photo by Glenn Callahan) The Mansfield Double, with the Single Chair in the background. Stowe’s first lift, the Toll House rope tow. The new gondola that transports skiers over Route 108 between Mansfield and Spruce peaks. (Stowe Mountain Resort) The Spruce Peak double. The Big Spruce Double when new. It was 6,200 feet in length and could carry 800 skiers per hour. (Unless noted, photos courtesy of Brian Lindner.)
The history of lifts at Stowe Mountain Resort mirrors the history and development of skiing as a sport in the United States, from T-bars to high-speed detachable lifts. At Stowe, it all began with ropes. The first lift at Stowe was a good old-fashioned rope tow, completed the last two months of 1936 on the gentle slopes behind the Toll House. Nearly 80 years later the careful observer, standing under the Easy Mile lift and looking uphill, can still see the bare remains of its original lift line. As a collector of artifacts from Stowe’s skiing history, I still lose sleep over the fact that the rope from this original lift was still on site in the early 1980s. It vanished one summer and no part of that original lift is known to survive.
SINGLE CHAIR Clockwise from top: An early linen postcard of the Mt. Mansfield Single Chair and lift line, 1940s. The Single in the 1950s; note the pile of blankets which kept skiers warm on the cold ride uphill. A sign warns skiers to “SIT STILL WHILE RIDING ON CHAIR LIFT.” Snow fence was used to pad the towers, 1950s. This would appear to be Andy Mansfield, who ran the Single from the 1940s to the 1960s, performing maintenance on the lift.
oubts persist about the origins of this first lift. Fortunately, notes from Stowe’s famous historian, engineer, and trail builder, Charlie Lord, resolve any confusion. One of Lord’s memos pinpoints the beginning of modern (lift) skiing in Stowe as Feb. 7, 1937. Construction of the Toll House Rope Tow was finished by late 1936, but a lack of snow meant it couldn’t be used until months later. Single rides cost 10 cents. “Straight from the horse’s mouth, none other than Wesley Pope of Jeffersonville, says, ‘I sold the rope tow to Mr. Craig O. Burt, Jr. in the fall of 1936, and I put it up with plenty of help furnished by Mr. Burt plus a pair of horses and driver,” according to Lord’s notes. “We finished it about the time Sepp Ruschp arrived around the middle of November 1936. (His arrival was actually Dec. 10.) It was 1,000-feet long and was powered by a 1927 Cadillac motor.’ ” Differing accounts put the price tag as low as $300 or as high as $900, either being a princely sum during the Great Depression. In 1956, a new T-bar replaced the Toll House Rope Tow. Over its 26-year history, this lift served millions of skiers when the Toll House area was Stowe’s primary beginners’ area. The engine room still stands with its attached ticket window, but the rest of the lift was removed in 1982. Just after leaving the base on a ride up today’s Easy Mile lift, look under your chair and at the edge of the woods you can see the remains of an old concrete T-bar tower base. Since 1982, this old T-bar has served skiers at the Lyndon Outing Club in northeastern Vermont. Stowe’s second rope tow, the Mansfield Rope Tow, was built in 1937-1938 on North Slope, specifically for use by the Sepp Ruschp Ski School. (Ruschp was Stowe’s first ski instructor and ran the fledgling ski school as the sport gained a foothold on Mt. Mansfield. He later served as president of the Mt. Mansfield Co.) The Mansfield Rope Tow was mostly abandoned in 1946-1947 and sat idle until July 1960 when it was finally torn down and the engine room burned. There are reports that it operated occasionally during the 1950s. In the mid-1940s, my father, Erwin Lindner and fellow Mt. Mansfield ski patrolman Sears Raymond were skiing North Slope when screams sent them flying down the mountain toward an obviously panicked skier. Arriving at the top of the North Slope Rope Tow, they found a young woman still
clinging to the rope long after she should have let go. In fact, she held on so long that her hands were tightly pinned between the rope and the top bullwheel. To add insult to injury, she was suspended several feet in the air. According to Raymond, the incident affected her career, at least for a few weeks. She was a concert pianist. Without question, the most famous lift at Stowe was the old Single Chair. It went up Lift Line at nearly the same location as today’s FourRunner Quad. It was built in the summer of 1940, and at its completion was the longest and highest “aerial tramway” in the world. It was a feat of engineering. Ship fitters from Atlantic coast shipyards assembled each steel tower on location. Even people who skied at Stowe for decades believed or assumed that the old Single Chair towers were held together by nuts and bolts. Wrong. They were riveted together with exactly the same technique that was used on ocean liners and warships of the period. Laborers heated rivets in portable furnaces until they were red hot. Using a pair of tongs, they removed the rivets from the furnace and tossed them up to men who caught each one in a funnel-like device. The rivets were quickly driven into place so that workers on the other side could hammer the red hot metal into shape before it cooled and hardened. Here are some little-known facts about the Single Chair, also known as the “Aerial Ski Chair Ropeway.” On its first official day of operation, Dec. 9, 1940, it was found to be grossly underpowered. Each chair was loaded but it soon became apparent that the lift was moving slower and slower. It finally stopped with the first official rider, “Nose Dive Annie” Cooke, about halfway up the mountain. The lift wouldn’t go in reverse and no procedures had been worked out to evacuate passengers. Eventually, they tied a rope to the bottom chairs and teams began manually pulling the lift backwards so that passengers could get off. For the rest of the season, they loaded only every third or fourth chair. Despite the fuel shortages of WWII, the U.S. Department of War determined that Stowe’s Single Chair should operate for its contribution to the morale of the country. The Single ran almost daily throughout the entire war. The American Steel & Wire Company that erected the Single actually built another, now forgotten lift that ran all the way to the top. It was a temporary work-lift used to trans-
TOP TO BOTTOM Clockwise from top left: A 1944 view from the Single Chair gantry looking down the line. Stowe’s first gondola, a four-person job with a ski patroller inside. An early postcard of the Spruce Peak Double.
port workers, concrete, steel, and other supplies up the line to construct the Single. The work-lift was an amazing feat of construction in its own right. While the Single proved to be an extremely reliable lift and a great historic relic, it did little to help keep lift lines short, and was finally removed in 1986. The towers were riveted together so strongly that they couldn’t be easily disassembled; they had to be cut apart with torches. In low snow conditions, look under the Quad on Upper Lift Line. Those old concrete blocks served as footings for the Single Chair towers. While many of us sometimes pine for the “good old days” and the “wind-proof” Single Chair—and those great woolen blankets that were handed out on cold days—more people enjoy the drastically shorter waits in today’s lift lines. The Single only saw two significant improvements. In the summer of 1950 hooks were welded onto the posts so that skiers could hang their poles during the ride to the summit. These were removed in the early 1980s and the footrests were simplified in response to a lawsuit at another ski area. Charlie Lord, who surveyed the entire project in 1940, was the last person to ride the lift when it closed forever on Sunday, April 13, 1986. One of the chairs is on display in the Octagon. In 1946, the Mt. Mansfield T-bar, originally called the Alpine Lift, was built, leaving from nearly the same location as the current Triple Lift (built in 1985) and ending at “Sun Spot” where today’s North Slope and Standard come together. In 1947, it was extended about 1,000 feet to a point at the top of Standard where the Christienda Restaurant was located. Looking uphill and into the woods from the top of the Standard, you can still see the large concrete counterweight from that lift. (A sheave wheel from this lift was found in the woods in November 2006 and is now displayed in the Vermont Ski & Snowboard Museum in Stowe Village.) Today’s skiers are amazed to learn that a restaurant, the Christienda, once stood at the top of this T-bar. The restaurant now only exists in photographs. Even its outhouses with half-moons on the doors—really!—are long gone. A newspaper clipping from Dec. 27, 1949 shows three new rope tows on Little Spruce. One ran from the base to about halfway up East Slope. At that point another took over and tugged skiers to the plateau at the top of the slope. The third was installed and rose about halfway up the area known today as The Meadows. Precious little is known about these lifts, although a photo shows one in operation. It would appear that all three rope tows were soon removed when the Little Spruce Alpine T-bar was built on East Slope for the 1950 season. The 800-skiers-per-hour Spruce T-bar was built by John A. Roebling & Sons Co., and definitely took a level of skill to ride. It wasn’t unusual to see an unfortunate soul fall off near the top and slide back down the line, taking out a few other riders in his wake. If you look up the left side of East Slope you can just barely see the foundation for the tiny lift shack for the top attendant, decades after the lift vanished. The Little Spruce T-bar served faithfully until 1982 when the beginner’s ski school moved from the Toll House to Little Spruce. The T-bar was then replaced by the Alpine and Easy Street lifts, both of which dramatically improved the lives of beginners. The Alpine Lift ceased operations on 82
Sunday, April 13, 2014 with ski patrollers Cort Johnson and Brian Lindner riding the last official chair, No. 31. The Easy Street Lift, which only ran during the busiest days of the season, officially closed on the same date as the Alpine Lift. By the time it stopped carrying passengers, the lift had 39,252 hours of operation on its time meter. The Big Spruce Double Chair was built in 1954 and had its official opening at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18. It was America’s first double chairlift and featured the largest uphill capacity of any lift in the U.S. During the 1950s, it served as Stowe’s showpiece lift. In fact, the very first Stowe Antique Car Show was held in the parking lot next to the base of this lift because this was then the center of Stowe’s attractions. In summer, the chair took riders to the summit for spectacular views from The Outlook, a beautiful Alpine restaurant at the top. Its broad porch offered sweeping panoramic views. Unfortunately, the building fell into disrepair and was torn down in the 1980s. Just like the ponchos made available for riders on the single and double chairs, at Big Spruce riders had their choice of coonskin or Army surplus coats. Big and bulky, yes, but they sure were warm! In 1987, the Big Spruce lift was modernized by the Poma Company and was completely replaced in 2005 as Stowe continued to upgrade this area of the resort.
On Dec. 17, 2005 the new Sensation Quad on Spruce officially opened. It drastically improved uphill capacity and took skiers to a plateau below the summit, which means this lift can run when winds would shut down a lift that went all the way to the top. The year 1963 saw the construction of a newfangled electric lift at Stowe. It opened on Dec. 21, 1963 with the first passengers being Mountain Manager Henry Simoneau and Ski School Director Kerr Sparks or Mountain Company President Sepp Ruschp, depending on which report you believe. When the Little Spruce Double Chair was built—site of today’s Sunny Spruce Lift—it was Stowe’s first lift that didn’t run off the internal combustion engine. To this day, some of us old timers still refer to this as “The Electric Chair” even though all the lifts now run on electricity. This lift became history in the spring of 2004. Interestingly, the footrest on the chairs of the Little Spruce Double Chair changed after it was built, probably around 1976. Originally, when you raised the safety bar over your head, the footrest automatically retracted backward and tucked itself under the seat. It was a neat design but not entirely compatible with a ski’s safety straps, the precursor to ski brakes. One day, before the modifications, I happily stood up at the top ramp totally unaware that the footrest and my safety strap had got-
BLANKET ME Clockwise from top left: The Mt. Mansfield T-bar, circa 1940s-1950s. Top of the Single Chair. Note the woman in the Johnson Woolen Mills’ poncho, which were available at the base for extra warmth on the way up. The ski resort eliminated the ponchos in the 1980s because they required an extra lift attendant at both the top and bottom. Corporate sponsors emerged and the now logo-clad ponchos lasted until 1986 when the FourRunner Quad opened. The Adventure Triple at Spruce Peak. (Glenn Callahan) Inset: Stowe Reporter newspaper ad from July 3, 1986 offering Single towers and chairs for sale. All but one tower went to the junkyard.
ten entangled. Within seconds I was hanging bottom-side up by that dinky little strap. As Mother Earth dropped away from me I continued to “ride” the lift upward, toward the bullwheel. It’s an interesting perspective to hang by your foot underneath a chairlift and know that you are still going higher. Luckily, the top attendant stopped the lift and reached as high as he could, partially supporting my weight so I could unhitch the strap. Gravity instantly took over as I hurtled headfirst toward a remarkably safe landing. After that event, I rank the invention of the ski brake right up there with the wheel and fire. In May 2004, “the electric lift” was removed when the revitalization of Spruce Peak began. More modern lifts, not to mention a new base village, were in the offing. On Dec. 4, the new Sunny Spruce Quad was officially dedicated. It was built on nearly the same location as the old Little Spruce Double Chair. Designed and built by POMA, this chair became one of the first major projects in the massive and ongoing expansion at Stowe.
Days later, the new Adventure Triple also opened on Little Spruce. Designed purely as a chair for beginners, it services the Inspiration Trail. It’s hard to imagine how any lift could be more beginner friendly… slow… low to the ground… easy to mount and dismount. Moving back to Mansfield, do any of you old timers ever wonder about that little shack that used to sit on the left as you rode up the FourRunner Quad, just before breaking over the top? While the Single was nearly windproof, the Mansfield Double definitely was not. Lifties sat in this shack and called attendants at the top to slow the lift down if chairs swung too close to the towers. The Mansfield Double once traveled up the mountain just to the left of the Single. Near the uphill junction of National and Lift Line a sharp eye can spot the base of one of its old towers during times of thin snow cover. Likewise, a circular chair guide from the old double still rests hidden under the scrubby spruce trees just after the Quad goes over the Haychute. A large covered walkway was built at the
summit so that skiers riding up on the left side of the Mansfield Double wouldn’t have to cross under the lift to reach the Octagon. Completed in 1960—its first day of operation being Dec. 18—the Double was plagued with problems during its first year. By the second season, the bulk of the problems had been fixed and was generally considered to be reliable until its eventual removal. Its first riders were Gov. Robert Stafford and company president Sepp Ruschp. This lift was removed from Stowe in 1986 and reassembled in New Mexico, where it is believed to still be in operation today. Today’s Mt. Mansfield Ski Patrol headquarters sits on the exact location of the engine room for the old Double Chair. The Lookout Lift was installed in 1979. It was designed to get skiers to most major trails and avoid the lift lines at the Single and Double chairs. It, too, was badly plagued with problems in its first seasons. Significantly rebuilt in 1985, it has become a very dependable lift that can often operate in winds when the Quad cannot. It’s a meat and potatoes lift. Story continues on page 206
fleeting moments on the mountain
HILL LIFE Essay & Photography
/ Greg Petrics
The moments don’t last long. Alpenglow casts itself on Mt. Mansfield’s ridgeline as the sun comes up over Hunger Mountain. A skier descends the S-turns through new snow from last night’s storm. Your friend’s smile flashes by you as she skates toward the Gondola along Route 108. These are all subjects of what I call Hill Life, the focus of my photography. Unlike still life photography, with its careful setup and staging, there’s no time to waste when shooting Life on the Hill. Those subjects reveal themselves for mere seconds before disappearing. The angle of the light changes. The skier emerges from a cloud of snow. A buddy’s attention shifts to the next adventure. Be ready. If you miss the moment, it’s gone forever. This ephemeral nature of the mountains sparked my interest in photography. I enjoy the challenge of capturing a small slice of space and time on my two-dimensional camera. Mt. Mansfield will hover over Stowe for eternity, but the moments of anticipation, excitement, and beauty each of us experience on the mountain—however numerous— are one-time-only events. Photographs provide the best record of their fleeting nature. To me, the best photographs of Hill Life reveal not just what is captured in that moment, but also what came before and what will happen next. With a great photo of Hill Life, there’s no need for a video. The viewer’s imagination fills in the rest. My aesthetic developed by studying, of all things, mathematics. While I have no formal training in photography, I am a mathematics professor at Johnson State College. With my students at JSC, I study the shape of solutions to mathematical objects called differential equations, and what these solutions tell us about the world. The answers to many of life’s mysteries and puzzles depend on differential equations, from the interaction of species in the wild to the functional architecture of neurons in the brain. One particularly important, and especially notorious, equation among snow-sports addicts asks: if one knows the weather around the earth, can one deduce the weather tomorrow? In mathematics, the current weather is called an initial condition. A future forecast, or prediction respecting the laws and equations of atmospheric science, is called a solution. I’m interested in these problems not only because of their utility, but also because they address in a very precise way the philosophical debate between determinism and free will. Can we predict the future by knowing the present? Or is there undecidability; is there free will; does chaos reign? I like to think my photographs touch on this debate in a small way by thinking of them as initial conditions—those fleeting moments on the Hill. Each viewer, then, can supply his or her own solution. ■ See Greg Petrics’ work at Piecasso on Stowe’s Mountain Road through November—perhaps beyond! 87
Nathaniel Goodrich tames the Toll Road Story
s the Toll Road on Mt. Mansfield America’s oldest continuously skied trail, as once suggested in a story published by the International Skiing History Association? Evidence suggests otherwise, but it is indisputable that skiers have enjoyed the Toll Road, first built in 1855 as a road to the Summit House Hotel near the top of Vermont’s highest peak, as a ski trail for more than a century. The story of Mt. Mansfield’s Toll Road as ski trail begins with an unlikely hero, an outdoor-loving librarian named Nathaniel Goodrich, who made the first known descent of the trail on Feb. 1, 1914. The seeds of Nathaniel Goodrich’s lifelong love of the mountains were sown in the Waterville Valley of New Hampshire’s White Mountains, where he summered with his family. An Amherst College graduate, Goodrich worked in West Virginia and Texas before becoming a librarian at Dartmouth College in 1911. It was a job that would change his life forever. At Dartmouth Goodrich saw a few students enjoying the snow on long boards and it appealed to him immediately. “There were no ski instructors in those days and we had to teach ourselves from a book or by watching students,” he told Abner Coleman in an interview published in a 1943 Mt. Mansfield Ski Club bulletin. “I think at that time I had not got beyond a snowplow and a rudimentary telemark which I could not execute at any great speed. I felt like tackling something more interesting than the pasture hills around Hanover. Mt. Washington Road had been skied but that to a complete novice seemed alarming. Also I wanted to try something which apparently had not been done before. My friend, Charles Blood, came up from Boston for a weekend and we decided to see what could be done with the Mt. Mansfield carriage road. Mr. Blood did not ski but decided to go along on snowshoes.” The two adventurers took a sleigh to the base of the Toll Road on a cloudy wet day. A long trek up brought them to the Summit House, just a few hundred feet below Mansfield’s 4,393-foot summit. As he told Coleman: “It was not exactly snowing or raining but a sort of hail was falling which had deposited on top of a firm base two or three inches of icy pellets. For an expert these would have made an ideal running surface but to me they were altogether too much like ball bearings, and even on that gentle slope I got up a speed which was beyond my ability to handle.” That first descent, while entertaining, was also humbling. “My stops— voluntary and otherwise—were frequent. I reached the foot of the mountain somewhat weary but definitely pleased with myself at least until Mr. Blood hove into view a few minutes later. Steady plodding on snowshoes. So, although this may have been one of the first descents of the Toll Road on skis, it was certainly nothing to boast about as ski running.”
/ Kim Brown
As far as Stowe skiers go, Goodrich quickly faded from public view as little was known about him except for that ski club bulletin interview. Yet Goodrich led a long and interesting life in which his love of skiing and mountaineering played a prominent role. After serving as a captain in military intelligence during World War I, he returned to Dartmouth. An early member of the Appalachian Mountain Club—he edited its newsletter from 1934-1940, formative years in the ski world—Goodrich liked to explore the woods and open meadows rather than spend an afternoon riding a ski tow. He was an enthusiastic trail cutter, involved with the creation of famous wilderness trails still in existence, like the Garfield Trail near Franconia, N.H. Describing a day spent on Garfield at age 69, he said, “While people were lined up at Cannon … we had Garfield all to ourselves, six miles of powder snow and a three-mile run down.” Along with another Dartmouth climber John Holden, Goodrich is credited with the first ascent of the Central Gully on Mt. Washington in 1927. He climbed 65 peaks over 4,000 feet in elevation in New Hampshire as well as 24 more in Maine, Vermont, and New York, and was a charter member of the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Four Thousand Footer Club. He climbed and skied in places ranging from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of southwest Colorado to the Alps, but never lost his love of the East. “Skiing in the East is fun and that’s what I think skiing should be,” he said in a 1951 Ski Magazine story called Yankee Mountaineer. “I don’t belittle the Alps or California or the Canadian Rockies. I have pleasant memories of them all, and of other places. But no more so than my memories of New Hampshire and Vermont.” Perhaps his greatest legacy can be found in the libraries of Dartmouth, where he served for 38 years. The library is filled with a wonderful collection of stories and photographs from the early days of skiing due, in part, to his enthusiasm for skiing and climbing. In June 1941 his alma mater, Amherst College, awarded him an honorary doctorate in recognition of his outstanding service in the world of college libraries. After retirement he continued to climb and ski. While his skills were still limited to the telemark turn, it suited him well in the deep powder he loved. Goodrich died in 1957 at age 77, but here in Stowe, almost six decades after that first known ski run down Mt. Mansfield, he leaves a legacy that should never be forgotten. ■
Nathaniel Goodrich on Mt. Mansfield in 1920. (Dartmouth College archives)
stick season Photographs and Essay
/ Paul Rogers
Shed of autumn’s garb, posturing, a quiet landscape awaits winter.
here are no calendar dates to mark the beginning or end of stick season. Its advent—as poets, artists, and observers have noted—is unhurried, filling the void of autumn’s passing foliage. But its end is sudden, vanishing with the first lasting snow. In north-central Vermont, we usually greet stick season in late October and bid it farewell in the waning days of November.
Stick season embodies two natures. The first, as postscript to fall, gives us pause after the fame and glory of a jeweled autumn. Leaves may yet be found, branch-clinging, waving but unwavering, until at last their grounded fate is sealed. Its second nature, as preamble to winter, foretastes the cold and envisions a whiter world. Stick season embraces snow—but only the irresolute, which shall be gone tomorrow. Locals cherish this time, when the demands of busier seasons are left behind and the rush of winter is not yet here. Still, there are chores and holidays, harvests, and hunting seasons. But in respite, we reflect on the passing of seasons and gaze upon an unadorned landscape and its people. Paul Rogers is a native of Stowe, and graduate of the School of Photographic Arts & Sciences at Rochester Institute of Technology. He has photographed Vermont and her stick season for many years. Additional photographs may be viewed at stickseason.com.
Julia Shipley /////
Snow shower, Lyndon, 2012. Duck hunting, Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, Swanton, 2012.
Beech trees in Smugglers’ Notch, Cambridge, 2013. Red Truck and homestead, Stowe, 2013. Lepine Farm at dusk, Morristown, 2012. Wheels for Warmth tire sale, Montpelier, 2013. Dairy Creme, Montpelier, 2013.
Wild turkeys, South Pomfret, 2012. Field border, Charlotte, 2012. Red berries, Bolton, 2008.
SHOPPING & GALLERIES
Detail, Moonlight Serenity, oil by Ann Lisner, Bryan Memorial Gallery.
HE HELEN DAY ART CENTER OCCUPIES A central place in Stowe’s art scene, both literally and figuratively. Since taking over the top floor of the old Stowe High School building at the head of School Street in 1981, the Helen Day has provided Stowe with world-class exhibits, community programs, art education, and outreach to tens of thousands of schoolchildren. Notable artists such as Pablo Picasso and Wolf Kahn have shared the space with local artists like Stan Marc Wright, Rett Sturman, and Walton Blodgett, and with countless others from throughout Vermont, the region, and the world. On the other side of the mountain, the Bryan Memorial Gallery in Jeffersonville is named for Jeffersonville artists Mary and Alden Bryan. Mary Bryan died in 1978 and her husband, also now deceased, built and opened the non-profit gallery in her memory in 1984.
EXHIBITS & OPENINGS BRYAN MEMORIAL GALLERY Main Street, Jeffersonville. Through December 28, Thursday – Sunday, 11 - 4, or by appointment. 644-5100. Over 200 artists exhibit, with a focus on landscape painting. bryanmemorialgallery.org.
Through December 28 Land & Light & Water & Air Through December 28 The Legacy Collection & Gallery artists Through December 28 Gems
Barton River, Elizabeth Nelson,
oil on canvas, Bryan Gallery.
GREEN MOUNTAIN FINE ART GALLERY 64 S. Main St., Stowe Village. 253-1818. greenmountainfineart.com. Diverse collection of traditional and contemporary works by a variety of Vermont and regional artists.
November 16 – January 10 Peter Fiore: American landscape painter known for light, striking use of color January 15 – March 31 Marieluise Hutchinson: Roads less traveled: vanishing homesteads, fields, and farmlands of rural America. Exhibit calendar continues on page 104
GLENN CALLAHAN; ALL OTHERS: VTSSM
VERMONT SKI MUSEUM
SKI HISTORY Clockwise from left: The museum’s interior. An old Stowe poster. The building at night. From the museum’s collection. Logo from a new winter exhibit.
VERMONT SKI & SNOWBOARD MUSEUM Open daily except Tuesday • 12 - 5 p.m. Handicap accessible. Admission is $5/$10 for a family. 253-9911. vtssm.com.
November 29 Matchstick Production’s Days of My Youth Exploring the globe and redefining what’s possible on skis. Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, 7 p.m. $12.
December 26 – 29 & January 2
Vermont Ski & Snowboard Museum
Warren Miller’s No Turning Back Miller’s 65th film. Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, 7 p.m. $12.
Located in the historic 1818 Town Hall on Stowe’s Main Street, the Vermont Ski & Snowboard Museum collects, preserves, and celebrates Vermont’s rich skiing and snowboarding history. The museum enters its second decade in Stowe with a plan to make sure visitors want to return again and again. Permanent and rotating exhibits include handcrafted skis eight feet in length, lost ski areas, the story of the 10th Mountain Division, and Vermont Olympians. These are just a few of the treasures and stories the museum holds. Originally built as Stowe’s town hall, the building once sat on the site of the community church, and was rolled into place at its current home in the 1860s. When you visit, take some time to watch the films on the first-floor large screen. Display cases contain memorabilia from some of the many
illustrious skiers from Vermont, a children’s space, and an exhibit about technological innovations in alpine, cross-country, telemark skiing, and snowboarding. Exhibits at the museum include: ■
SlopeStyle: Fashion on Snow 1930 - 2014 (Opens Nov. 28)
Kick and Glide: Vermont’s Nordic Skiing Legacy
Moving Upwards in Skiing: 75 Years of Lift Technology
Artifacts from the Private Collections of Jeff Brushie and the Vermont Slope Posse
Vermont and the 10th Mountain Division
Pantani: the Accidental Death of a Cyclist Film about life and struggles of the Italian cyclist. Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, 7 p.m. $12.
January 18 Warren Miller’s No Turning Back Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, 7 p.m.
February 15 Stowe Mountain Film Festival Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center. Details at sprucepeakarts.org. 7 p.m.
February 28 Old New England Winter Nordic Festival Museum fundraiser with x-c races, ski jumping, waxing clinics, kids games. Hanover, N.H.
March 14 Vermont Antique Nordic Ski Race Old-school gear and period dress. Pico Ski Area.
April 11 DamNation (film) How rivers are tied to the planet’s health. Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, 7 p.m. Check the Museum’s website for details.
EXHIBITS Exhibit calendar continues from page 100
HELEN DAY ART CENTER Stowe Village, Stowe. 253-8358. Wednesday – Sunday, Noon - 5 p.m. Donations welcome. See exhibits, page 106.
Detail, Quiet Winter Day, Fiona Cooper, Inside Out Gallery.
INSIDE OUT GALLERY 299 Mountain Road, Stowe. insideoutgalleryvt.com. 253-6945. Ongoing exhibit of paintings by Vermont artists Robin Nuse, Fiona Cooper, and others. JULIAN SCOTT MEMORIAL GALLERY Dibden Center for Arts, Johnson State, 635-1469. Monday - Friday, 10 - 6, Saturday 10 - 4. Changing exhibit of student artists and others.
Through December 20 Mariam Ezzat: Artist talk Dec. 4, 3 p.m. LITTLE RIVER HOTGLASS 593 Moscow Rd., Stowe. littleriverhotglass.com. 253-0889. Nationally recognized art glass studio features resident artist Michael Trimpol’s studio.
OLD FIREHOUSE / GRACE GALLERY 59 Mill St., Hardwick, 472-6857, Monday – Thursday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. graceart.org. Ongoing: GRACE artists display at Old Firehouse Annex, Hardwick, and Stoweflake Mountain Resort.
The Knitting Studio Vermont's friendliest yarn store! Local Products.
112 Main Street Montpelier, Vermont 802-229-2444 www.vtknits.com
RED MILL GALLERY Vermont Studio Center, Pearl Street, Johnson. 635-2727. vermontstudiocenter.org.
Through December 9 Becca Johnson-Grozinsky December 10 – January 13 Liz Kauffman RIVER ARTS 74 Pleasant St., Morrisville. riverartsvt.org, 888-1261.
Through January 4 Whimsy, paintings by Sarah LeVeille. Reception/ artist talk Dec. 18, 5 - 7 p.m. Copley Common Space Gallery. Through January 4 Photographer Lauren Stagnitti. Reception/artist talk Dec. 18, 5 - 7 p.m. Gallery at River Arts. Exhibit calendar continues on page 108
Alexander Volkov • Oil Terry Gilecki • Oil
Sergio Roffo • Oil
ROBERT PAUL GALLERIES • American & European Paintings •
Thomas Arvid • Oil
CELEBRATING 24 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE
Heralded as one of the countries finest art galleries, we offer a truly outstanding selection of original paintings, sculpture and fine photography by locally, nationally and internationally acclaimed artists. Open every day. Baggy Knees Shopping Center • 394 Mountain Road P.O. Box 1413, Stowe, VT 05672 • (802) 253-7282 www.robertpaulgalleries.com
Fred Swan • Acrylic
Gerhard Nesvada • Oil
Brian Miller • Mixed Media
Marina Dieul • Oil
Katrina Swanson • Oil
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: GLENN CALLAHAN, COURTESY OF RICHARD WHITTEN. INSET: GLENN CALLAHAN
EXHIBITS & OPENINGS
Stowe’s Helen Day Art Center THE HELEN DAY ART CENTER AND the Stowe Free Library share a beautifully restored 1863 Greek Revival building in the heart of picturesque Stowe Village. The art center offers exhibitions of national and international artists, as well as rotating exhibitions of Vermont artists. Art classes and workshops, lectures, and children’s programs are offered throughout the year.
HELEN DAY ART CENTER Stowe Village. 253-8358. Wednesday – Sunday, Noon - 5 p.m. helenday.org. Free; donations welcome.
December 5 – 28 Member Art Show & Festival of Trees and Lights Art show that celebrates the rich and varied talents of the Helen Day membership, paired with communitydecorated evergreens. Opening Dec. 5, 5 p.m.
January 16 – April 12 Play Exhibition on the theme of play filled with interactive artwork from regional and national artists.
January 16 – February 22 David Powell & Peter Thomashow in the East Gallery Exhibition of sculpture (Peter Thomashow) and collage (David Powell). The work is playful, scientific, historical, and a mix of imagined and real. Opening reception: Friday, Jan. 16, 6 p.m.
March 6 – April 12 Richard Whitten in the East Gallery Rhode Island artist Richard Whitten creates gorgeously imagined spaces, painted realistically in an architectural format. On display will be large and small paintings and the accompanying study models he creates for the paintings. Opening reception: Friday, March 6, 6 p.m.
Month of May Student Art Show 2015 The 34th exhibition of local students’ work from Stowe elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as a group of invited schools.
Spring Benefit Gala The must-attend gala event in Stowe. Date and time to be determined.
Clockwise from top left: The Helen Day exhibit space. Study model for Caccia, mixed media sculpture, 8.5" x 5" x 3", 2012, by Richard Whitten. Whitten’s Double Square, oil on wood panel, 7.25" x 7.25", 2012. A tree ornament from the Festival of Trees & Light.
EXHIBITS & OPENINGS NORTHERN VERMONT’S ONLY OUTLET CENTER Exhibit calendar continues from page 104
At top: Christopher Griffin, Dwell Bird. Tari Swenson, Three Trees.
WEST BRANCH GALLERY & SCULPTURE PARK One mile from the village on the Mountain Road, Stowe. 253-8943. westbranchgallery.com. Indoor gallery and 3.5 acre outdoor sculpture park committed to promoting exceptional contemporary art in varied media and styles by regional, national, and international artists. Four gallery spaces spanning 3,400 square feet, showing 60 contemporary artists.
45 MINUTES FROM STOWE: RT-108 SOUTH TO RT-100 SOUTH. WHEN YOU REACH I-89 TAKE IT NORTH TO EXIT 11 (RICHMOND). AT THE STOP SIGN, TURN RIGHT ON RT-117 TO VT-289 WEST, TRAVEL ON VT-289 TO EXIT 10, TURN RIGHT ONTO ESSEX WAY, ESSEX OUTLETS & CINEMA WILL BE ON YOUR LEFT.
Franz porcelain teapot.
ROBERT PAUL GALLERIES
ESSEX OUTLETS & CINEMA | 21 ESSEX WAY, ESSEX JUNCTION, VT | WWW.ESSEXOUTLETS.COM | 802.878.2851
ROBERT PAUL GALLERIES Baggy Knees Shopping Center, 394 Mountain Rd. 253-7282. robertpaulgalleries.com. Original paintings, sculpture, and fine photography by artists from around the world. STOWE CRAFT GALLERY & DESIGN CENTER 55 Mountain Road and 34 S. Main St., Stowe. 253-7677 or 253-4693. stowecraft.com Fine crafts, furniture, sculpture, and art. STOWE GALLERY ALLIANCE For event details, go to stowegalleries.com.
ŠVERMONT STUDIO CENTER
Visiting artists: Clockwise from top left: artist John Dilg, writer Aracelis Girmay, artist Nicole Cherubini, and artist Emily Cheng. VERMONT STUDIO CENTER LECTURE SERIES VSC Lecture Hall, Main Street, Johnson. 8 p.m. Free, confirm day of the event, 635-2727. vermontstudiocenter.org
Rosy Keyser (Artist)
Brenda Garand (Artist)
Miguel Luciano (Artist)
December 12 December 15
Tom McGrath (Artist) John Yau (Writer)
Sarah Amos (Artist)
Fabienne Lasserre (Artist)
Phillip Lopate (Writer)
Ward Shelley (Artist)
Jeremy Gilbert-Rolfe (Artist)
Aracelis Girmay (Writer)
William Villalongo (Artist)
Will Lamson (Artist)
Jane South (Artist)
Bonnie Jo Campbell (Writer)
Marilyn Nelson (Writer)
March 5 March 9
Brian Teare (Writer) Jose Lerma (Artist)
Richard Rezac (Artist)
Rosemarie Fiore (Artist)
Melissa Meyer (Artist)
Edward Hirsch (Writer)
Jean Valentine (Writer)
Angela Dufresne (Artist)
Mika Rottenberg (Artist)
Willard Boepple (Artist)
John Dilg (Artist)
Ann Pancake (Writer)
Sherwin Bitsui (Writer)
Emily Cheng (Artist)
Kim Jones (Artist)
Nicole Cherubini (Artist)
Matthew Blackwell (Artist)
Matt Bell (Writer)
S TA R POWER
SUGAR DADDIES Stowe’s best-known band you can’t hire STORY / Kate Carter
The Sugardaddies first met in nursery school. Each of the five Sugardaddies had children enrolled at the non-profit Stowe Cooperative Nursery School, which relies on fundraising to sustain itself. Bake sales, however, just weren’t cutting it. So Barry Lyden, director of fundraising, and some of the dads brainstormed and came up with the idea of putting together a band for a special fundraising event. “Coincidently, five of us dads play music,” Barry explains. “The school needed to do something bigger .... We put the band together with the intent of playing one fundraising gig at the Matterhorn. The idea was to get people in the door who weren’t parents of kids at the nursery school. We made $10,000 that night. It was a home run for the school and really, for us, too.” Eight years and twenty gigs later, The Sugardaddies have raised over $100,000 for local charities. In addition to the Stowe Cooperative Nursery School, the group has played at fundraisers for the Stowe Land Trust, the Stowe Area Association, The Stowe Rotary, Odyssey of the Mind, and others. “We do have a few criteria if you want to hire us,” says vocalist and guitarist Eric Gershman. “You have to have a cause, you have to feed us, you have to let us drink all we want, and you have to help us lift the equipment.” A mom—Tania Kratt—suggested the name. The Sugardaddies was perfect for five sweet dads from the land of maple syrup. The name 110
stuck, but don’t Google it. You won’t find the band, but you will find some very weird stuff. “We don’t promote ourselves at all, but everyone knows us. We fly under the radar. We don’t have a website, but we do have a Facebook page,” says Gershman. The five dads are Trevor Crist on drums and vocals; Barry Lyden on keyboards; Eric Gershman on guitar and vocals; John “Spence” Spencer on bass guitar; and Chris “Tag” Tagatac on guitar and vocals. The Sugardaddies play 18 songs a gig, with each of the three lead singers taking the lead on six songs. After having so much fun at that first gig, the dads decided to play a second one at Stowe Mountain Resort. “This really was the turning point for us. We went with our best material. Joey the Clown opened and he blew us off the stage. We decided that we better get our act together and practice,” says Gershman. They started practicing weekly at a cabin on Gershman’s property. “The cabin was critical,” says Lyden. “We can leave our equipment set up and just show up and start playing.” Their playlist consists of 350 songs from a wide variety of genres, including tunes from Neil Diamond, The Cure, Elvis Costello, Rolling Stones, Ramones, and a whole lot more. “Our goal is to get everyone up dancing,” says Gershman. Thirty percent of the Sugardaddies’ music is original. They’ve played their own tunes so much that songs like Mountain Road 108 have become hits with the locals. “Mountain Road 108 is our signature song,” says Lyden. “We play it at every gig.” “When we play our own music we play our best. That’s when we all really step it up,” adds Gershman. In real life, The Sugardaddies are all busy dads, husbands, skiers, riders, and business professionals. Trevor Crist is the founder and CEO of Inntopia, a travel reservations software company in Stowe. John Spencer works there as well. Barry Lyden was a member of the New
JAMMING DADS Eric Gershman riffs at Stowe Mountain Resort. The band: Gershman, Barry Lyden, Chris Tagatac, Trevor Crist, and John Spencer. Trevor Crist takes the lead at the 3rd Stowe Land Jam to benefit the land trust.
York Stock Exchange and is now a private investor. Eric Gershman is a financial recruiter for Consultants Period. Chris “Tag” Tagatac travels around the country as an ambassador for Ekso Bionics, a company that is pioneering the field of robotic exoskeletons, which augment human strength, endurance, and mobility in people with illness or spinal cord injuries. An accident three years ago left Tagatac paralyzed from the chest down, but he’s still actively involved with the band. If you missed the Sugardaddies at the recent Stowe Oktoberfest, which benefitted Lamoille Home Health & Hospice, you can catch them in the spring at the annual Sugar Slalom at Spruce Camp, one of their favorite gigs. The group announces its upcoming gigs on Facebook. “The band is really about community,” says Gershman. “We play to fundraise and we galvanize the community.” ■
Open 10 - 5:30 Daily
Noon - 5 Sunday
come see what’s in for winter
orla kiely Red Engine Jeans Johnny Was Second Yoga 111
TALENT EXPLOSION Some of the acts coming to Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center this winter (clockwise from right): Comedian Jimmy Tingle. Blue Gardenias. Christopher Plummer in the film The Tempest. The Golden Dragon Acrobats. Inset: Comedian Bob Marley.
SPRUCE PEAK PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 122 Hourglass Drive, Spruce Peak at Stowe Mountain Resort. sprucepeakarts.org. 802-760-4634. Subject to change.
Friday, November 28 The Golden Dragon Acrobats Centuries-old Chinese royal tradition, blending lavish costumes, acrobatics, and traditional dance. 3 and 7 p.m.
Saturday, November 29
Pantani: The Accidental Death of a Cyclist (film) Story of the most important Italian cyclist of his generation: man versus mountain, athlete versus addiction, Marco Pantani versus himself. 7 p.m.
Saturday, January 17 Chad Hollister Band Nine-piece band blends heartfelt, honest songwriting with catchy melodies, lyrics, and grooves. Jamie Kent opens. 7:30 p.m.
Days Of My Youth (film) MSP/Matchstick Productions film exposes the joys and struggles with a lifetime built around skiing, with cast of modern day ski superstars. 7 p.m.
Sunday, January 18
Saturday, December 6 Moulin Rouge—The Ballet (film) Created by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, a passionate story of love, ambition, and heartbreak in turn-of-the-century Paris. 144 minutes plus intermission. 7 p.m.
Swan Lake, by Rudolf Nureyev State Ballet Theatre of Russia 50+ member ballet company offers tale of the young princess Odette transformed into a swan, the handsome prince Siegfried, and triumph over adversity. Music by Tchaikovsky. 7 p.m.
Saturday, December 13
Saturday, February 7
An Irish Christmas in America Traditional Irish music, history, humor and dance. 7 p.m.
The Woods Tea Co. Sea shanties, folk songs, Irish drinking songs, and Celtic music, tied together with stories, humor, and good cheer. 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 20 Heliand Classical Solstice with the Heliand Consort Woodwind quintets, quartets, and trios, including Renaissance-themed quintets by Milhaud and Roseman, and Scandinavian solstice songs. Guest horn player Patty Evans, principal horn of the Winnipeg Symphony. 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 27 Ruckus—A Cirque Spectacular Stunning circus arts with trapezists, jugglers, contortionists, and more. 7 p.m.
Sunday, December 28 & Friday, January 2 Warren Miller’s No Turning Back (film) Miller’s 65th ski film takes ski fans to the world’s most exotic destinations and reveals legendary lines with skiing and boarding stars. 7 p.m.
Saturday, January 3 Maple Jam, Sweet Vermont A Cappella Jazz An a cappella jazz octet, specializing in Grade-A fancy vocal arrangements of sweet love songs and swinging big band favorites. 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, January 10
Warren Miller ‘s No Turning Back, 7 p.m.
Saturday, January 31
Saturday, February 14 More—Songs for Celebrating with the Blue Gardenias Harmonies out of the American songbook, with Vermont jazz legend Tom Cleary on piano, and singers Juliet McVicker, Taryn Noelle, and Amber deLaurentis. 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 15 Pretty Faces: All Female Ski Movie (film) Celebrating women who thrive in the snow. 7 p.m.
Thursday, February 19 Fashion Film TBD, 7 p.m.
Saturday, February 21 The Tempest (film) Griping Shakespeare play captured by 14 highdefinition cameras for an intimate theatrical experience unlike any other. 7 p.m.
Thursday, February 26 Comedian Bob Marley A regular on late night TV, and radio’s Blue Collar and RawDog comedy shows. 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 28 Puttin’ On The Ritz: Onion River Jazz Band Traditional New Orleans Dixieland Jazz. 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 7 Lauren Fox in Canyon Folkies—Over the Hills & Under the Cover The music of Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, and more. 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 14 Comedian Jimmy Tingle Tingle will make you laugh, make you think, and make you feel better. 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 21 & Sunday, March 2 TRIP Dance Company Fund raiser Ballet, jazz, lyrical/contemporary, modern, tap, hiphop. Nearly 50 dancers ages 6 - 18. 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 28 Jamie Adkins in Circus Incognitus In the everyman tradition of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. It’s real and it’s all impossible. 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 11 DamNation (film) Where obsolete dams come down, rivers bound back to life. 7 p.m.
Sunday, April 12 Sunday in France with Capital City Concerts New York City Ballet concertmaster Arturo Delmoni on violin and viola, flutist Karen Kevra, and harpist Rebecca Kauffman. Works by Ibert, Berlioz, Saint-Saëns, and Debussy. 3 p.m.
M. Lewis Antiques Offering a nice variety of antiques and collectibles
Saturday, April 25 ANIMAL With choreography by Hanna Satterlee, ANIMAL explores physical power, visceral communication, and energetic intuition. Interdisciplinary production of dance, film, sound, costuming, lighting. 7 p.m.
10 Stowe Street Historic Downtown Waterbury, VT
Saturday, May 16 Vermont Vaudeville Combines old-school vaudeville entertainment with new and cutting-edge music, stunts, and comedy. 7 p.m. Mixed media continues on page 114
Martha M. Lewis, Owner Mon. - Sat. Sunday
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. 113
Mixed media continues from page 113
LIVE MUSIC AT SPRUCE CAMP Live music in Spruce Camp and Spruce Plaza is from 2 - 6 p.m., 2nd floor. Free hot cocoa and s’mores every Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 26 – April 12) and every day during holiday periods, 2 - 4 p.m., Spruce Plaza firepit. Subject to change. stowe.com, 253-3500, or stowetoday.com.
Nov. 29 Dec. 6 Dec. 7
Santa greets a youngster. The Constitution Brass Quintet. Alpine Christmas Market.
Dec. 13 Dec. 20 Dec. 21 Dec. 22 Dec. 26 Dec. 27 Dec. 28 Dec. 29 Dec. 30 Jan. 1 Jan. 3 Jan. 10 Jan. 17 Jan. 19 Jan. 24 Jan. 31 Feb. 7 Feb. 14 Feb. 17 Feb. 18
Scott Forrest, 2 - 6 p.m. The Funkleberries, 2 - 6 p.m. 40th Army Band with special guest Rusty DeWees, 2 p.m. Matt Borello Duo, 2 - 6 p.m. Funky Crustaceans Brady Crain Chad Hollister Brett Hughes Dave Keller Band Richie Ortiz Dan Walker trio Richie Ortiz Annie in the Water Brett Hughes Honky Tonk Trio Danielle Miraglia Duo Mark Douglas Berardo Richie Ortiz Crunchy Western Boys Starline Rhythm Boys Dave Keller Band Charlie Orlando Chad Hollister Funkleberries
PHOTOS COURTESY NOBLE STUDIOS
Feb. 19 Feb. 21 Feb. 28 March 7 March 14 March 17 March 21 March 28 April 4 April 11
Dan Walker Trio Brady Crain Auburn Mode Duo Danielle Miraglia Duo Starline Rhythm Boys Colin McCaffrey Trio Brett Hughes Duo Malicious Brothers Woedoggies Charlie Orlando
ARTS & CRAFTS AT SPRUCE CAMP Spruce Camp. Noon - 4 p.m., 1st floor. Free hot cocoa and s’mores every Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 26 – April 12) and every day during holiday periods, 2 - 4 p.m., Spruce Plaza firepit. Subject to change. stowe.com, stowetoday.com, or 253-3500.
Nov. 30 Dec. 7 Dec. 14 Dec. 21 Dec. 26 Dec. 27 Dec. 28 Dec. 29 Dec. 30 Jan. 4 Jan. 11 Jan. 18
Face painting / Shirley Pine Holiday ornaments / Sarah Sprague Dux the Balloon Man Caricature drawing / Marc Hughes Snowflake art / Kate Morrissey Dux the Balloon Man Face painting / Shirley Pine Dux the Balloon Man Caricature drawing / Marc Hughes Henna tattoos /Jo McKay Logo & stencil design / Jackie Mangione Logo & stencil design / J. Mangione
Jan. 25 Feb. 1 Feb. 8 Feb. 15 Feb. 16 Feb. 17 Feb. 18 Feb. 20 Feb. 21 Feb. 22 March 1 March 8 March 15 March 22 March 29 April 5 April 12
Caricature drawing / Marc Hughes Dux the Balloon Man Snowflake art / Sarah Sprague Custom ski painting / Alison Bergman Face painting / Shirley Pine Dux the Balloon Man Caricature Drawing / Marc Hughes Face painting / Shirley Pine Dux the Balloon Man Jewelry beading / Kate Morrissey Face painting / Shirley Pine Bracelet beading / Sarah Sprague Logo and stencil design / J. Mangione Dux the Balloon Man Henna tattoos / Jo McKay Mixed media art / Kate Morrissey Dux the Balloon Man
HOLIDAY FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS Holiday family photos with Jesse Schloff Photography. Spruce Plaza, 2 - 4 p.m. Dec. 27, 28, 30, 31
ICE CARVING Spruce Plaza, Stowe Mountain Resort.
Dec. 26 Dec. 28 Dec. 29 Dec. 30 Feb. 14 Feb. 20 Feb. 22
Ice Slide Wildlife Wildlife Ice Throne Ice Slide To be announced To be announced
SPRUCE PEAK FIREWORKS & TORCHLIGHT PARADE Spruce Camp Base Lodge at Stowe Mountain Resort. Dec. 31 & Feb. 18
A TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS IN STOWE Various venues in Stowe Village. Calendar of events subject to change. stowevibrancy.com or facebook.com/stowevibrancy. December 4 ■ Constitution Brass Quintet presents joyful music to celebrate the season, with carol sing-along. $10/kids free. Free reception follows at Helen Day Art Center. 7:30 p.m. Presented by Stowe Performing Arts. December 5 ■ Lantern Parade, Caroling & Tree Lighting: Green Mountain Choraleers. Begins at Stowe Elementary School. 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. ■ Festival of Trees and Light Opening: Helen Day Art Center. 6 - 8 p.m. December 6 ■ Alpine Christmas Market: Local artists and artisans, food, fun. Akeley Memorial Building, Main Street. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. ■ Annual Christmas Fair at Stowe Community Church. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. ■ Candy Cane Making: Laughing Moon Chocolates, 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. Fee. ■ Christmas Caroling: Local choral groups. Stowe Village. 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. ■ Santa Visits: Stowe Mercantile, Main Street. 11:30 a.m. arrival; visits from noon - 3 p.m. ■ Hay Rides: Stops at Stowe Mercantile and David Gale Center. Free. Noon - 3 p.m. ■ Christmas Cookie Making: Café on Main. Noon - 3 p.m. ■ Welcome to Winter Family Day at David Gale Center. Noon - 3 p.m. ■ Stowe Arena Ice Show: figure skaters from Vermont perform to favorite holiday tunes. Family skate follows. Noon - 3 p.m.
BOYDEN VALLEY WINERY & SPIRITS 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 64 Vt. Route 104, Cambridge. 644-8151. boydenvalley.com.
December 13 – 14 Vermont Ice Wine Tasting: Free tastings of Vermont ice wine and cider, tours, more. February 14 – 15 Wine & Chocolate: Free pairings of wines and local chocolates. March 28 – 29 Maple Sugar Festival: Maple syrup demos demonstrations, syrup tastings, maple wines and spirits tastings, tours, maple donuts, more. 40TH ARMY BAND CONCERT Spruce Camp, 2nd floor. Stowe Mountain Resort. 253-3500. stowe.com
December 7 Special pre-holiday concert featuring the 40th Army Band. Special appearance from Rusty DeWees. 2 - 3 p.m. GREEN MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL Dozens of films and documentaries from around the world. Filmmaker talks, special events. Venues throughout Montpelier. (802) 262-3423, gmffestival.org. March 20 – 29
Michael Fisher's Attic.
Mixed media continues on page 116
“Skaters at Sunset” by Robin Nuse, oil.
Mixed media continues from page 114
Visit Vermont’s most dynamic gallery for the exhibition of
New England Landscape Painters Open Thursday – Sunday 11-4 and by appointment Closed in January 180 Main Street, Jeffersonville, VT 05464 802-644-5100 [email protected]
w w w . b r y a n g a l l e r y . o r g
Electric Hot Tuna.
JAY PEAK MUSIC SERIES The Foeger Ballroom. jaypeakresort.com/events, (802) 327-2154.
December 6 Electric Hot Tuna: Jefferson Airplane alums offer traditional blues. Donna the Buffalo opens. 7 p.m. - 12 a.m. $50. January 17 Clare Dunn: Country music star. 7 p.m. - 12 a.m. $20. JSC DIBDEN CENTER FOR THE ARTS Johnson State College. 635-1476. Most events free. All at 7 p.m. (unless noted) jsc.edu/dibden.
December 6 Danceland! Raucous dance celebration by the JSC Dance Club. Fee. December 10 Funk/Fusion Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and Percussion Ensemble. December 12 Johnson State College Band Concert Music will include the JSC World Music Ensemble performing vocally and playing the Japanese Koto, African Mbira, and Javanese Gamelan. December 15 Holiday Musical Gala Music of the season with the JSC Chorale and Chamber Singers, jazz ensemble, and concert band. February16 Zora Dibden Center Stage. 7 p.m.
ROUTE 15 • JOHNSON, VERMONT (11⁄2 miles west of the village)
Open 7 days a week: 10AM – 7PM
Famous Label, OFF PRICE Clothing for Men, Women & Teens 116
JOHNSON VILLAGE HOLIDAY JUBILEE December 5 Scavenger Hunt, SD Ireland Truck, visits with local businesses, Christmas treats, more. 3 - 7 p.m.
RIVER ARTS CENTER WORKSHOPS Inquire about fees, registration, and materials. Courses constantly added, check website often. 74 Pleasant St., Morrisville. RiverArtsVT.org, 888-1261.
Tuesdays: Open figure class: 6 - 8:30 p.m. First & Third Tuesdays: Open poetry, 6 - 8 p.m. Thursdays: Open gym / pre gymnastics for ages 0 - 5. 10 - 11:30 a.m. Fridays: Kinder Arts with Kelly Holt. Ages 3 - 5. 10 - 11 a.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays: Pilates. 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. $5. Morrisville Senior Center. Thursdays: Zumba, 5:15 - 6:15 p.m. $10. STOWE COMMUNITY CHURCH 7 p.m.; doors open 6:30 p.m. $8 per person. Stowe Community Church, Main Street. 253-7257.
December 22 Handel’s Messiah Community Sing-In: Soloists perform Handel’s masterpiece. Join in to sing Handel’s great choruses conducted by Jane Bouffard Lambert and accompanied by orchestra. No rehearsal required. Singers and listeners are both welcome. Scores available but bring your own if you have one. TRIP DANCE COMPANY Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, 1 Hourglass Lane, Spruce Peak. 7:30 p.m. sprucepeaksarts.org.
March 21 – 22 Nearly 50 dancers, ages 6 - 18, perform ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern, tap, and hip-hop.
VERMONT PUBLIC TELEVISION FILM SERIES Johnson State College, Stearns Hall cinema. 7 p.m. Free. 635-1200.
December 2 Evolution of a Criminal: A bank robber connects with family, community. January 20 A Path Appears: Sex trafficking and prostitution. February 10 American Denial: Story of foreign researcher and Nobel Laureate Gunnar Myrdal. March 31 The Homestretch: Life and times of three homeless teens. May 5 Limited Partnership: Pioneering gay couple seeks marriage rights in the 1970s. ■
MADE IN VERMONT
E U R O S: STORY / Kate Carter PHOTOGRAPHS / Glenn Callahan
Stowe is decal central
ou see them everywhere, those oval bumper stickers showcasing a couple of letters: MV, KPT, BDA, ACK. When they first popped up two decades ago, only people in the know knew what they meant. But now it seems that just about every car sports one of these eye-catching stickers that represent a favorite resort, city, college, hobby, or sport. They’re Euro decals, and the company that makes them, Euros, is located right here, in a quintessential brick farmhouse on the Mountain Road in Stowe. Earle Williams, founding owner of Euros, based his contemporary decals on the oval stickers used by the United Nations in the late 1960s to identify a car’s country of origin. The UN designated the official oval shape, sticker size, color, and letter style. Years later, while
visiting Cape Cod, Earle spotted one of those black-and-white oval stickers that read MV, for Martha’s Vineyard. “It stuck with me,” Earle says. “I checked it out, thought about it, and waited a year before doing anything. I didn’t want to infringe on a copyright.” He launched his idea in 1994 while living in Woodstock, Vt. His first decal was VT in green and white. “My take on the black and white oval decal was to add colors,” Earle says. Soon he produced MV and ACK (Nantucket). “They started showing up all over Massachusetts, and then we got a call from the Boston Globe.” This was an idea with legs, and the beginning of a long and successful business venture. Surprisingly, Earle’s professional background is in women’s clothing. He went to Rhode Island School of Design and majored in business and retailing. He sold women’s
hosiery to ladies’ specialty shops and eventually became a sales director for Kayser-Roth. From there he segued into clothing sales for college bookstores. “It was a fun job and is what really got me into the decal business,” Earle says. “I liked the idea of locations and destination resorts or cities. My idea for Euros was a non-stereotypical approach to the standard rectangular bumper sticker. I wanted to give it a little class and I liked the oval shape.” A year after he launched Euros, Earle began making logo cotton T-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats under the Euro Wear name. Made from 100-percent pigment-dyed cotton, Euro Wear products are all made in the U.S. “Our Euro Wear continues to find a receptive audience in upscale resort and gift shops around the country,” he says. In 2006 Earle and his wife Priscilla moved to Stowe. “We rented a house for awhile, and then Jan and Chuck Perkins put a for sale sign in front of their brick cape on the Mountain Road,” Earle says. “I realized it was the perfect set-up for a home business, so we made an offer and they accepted.” Euros now employs three full-time staffers. Jamie McVeigh is the graphic designer and Christine Vandeberg is Earle’s multi-tasking assistant. “Autumn Fahey was with us for seven years as a designer. It would be remiss of me to not mention her contributions. She died at the age of 31 from cancer this past March,” Earle says. The team now services between 400 and 500 regular accounts, including colleges and resorts such as Hilton Head (HH), Block Island (BI), and Jackson Hole (JH). Jamie McVeigh creates the designs and works with clients to get their decals exactly right. The final product is drop-shipped from a number of different printing companies in the U.S. that specialize in decals. Stock inventory is shipped from the home office in Stowe. l
Retail Therapy from Head to Toe J Brand Calypso St. Barths Magaschoni Majestic Chan Luu Frye Coclico Cynthia Vincent Old Gringo Cydwoq & more
2 8 5 0 M O U N TA I N R O A D STOWE, VERMONT (802) 253-6077 7 D AY S A W E E K 1 0 A M - 6 P M WELLHEELEDSTOWE.COM
Visit our gallery for fine handmade pieces for giving, wearing & using. Wood, metal, glass, jewelry, fine art & more!
55 Mountain Road, Stowe | 802-253-4693 | www.stowecraf t.com 119
6 Sunset Street, Stowe Village / 802-253-7066 / pret-a-porter vt.com
“It’s been a blast,” Earle says. “We’ve made over 5,000 different designs in 20 years. The road has not always been a smooth one. Copycats are all over the place. We went through a difficult time because of knock-offs and competition, but somehow we’ve managed to survive.” To secure their market niche, Earle trademarked the Euros name and they continue to market themselves as “the original ones.” They’ve participated in innumerable trade shows over the years, and lately they’ve been attending dog shows. Their dog breed decals are a hot item, with over 100 breed profiles available in the Euro-style oval. Now in his early 70s, Earle is anticipating his next business venture. He’s returning to his clothing roots and starting an apparel line called Canu. “We will do fleece jackets and hoodies, golf shirts, and branch out to backpacks, bags, and headwear. Our products will be 100 percent made in the USA, from thread to finished product, made of natural fibers—cotton, wool, bamboo, hemp. And we plan to use Vermont sewers.” Earle contributes his business success to operating by the Golden Rule—treat others as you would like to be treated. “The people we do business with are most important to me. We bend over backwards to satisfy our customers. We have a lot of return business, so we must be doing something right.” ■ ESSENTIALS: eurodecals.com or (800) 650-3876.
One of America's Unique Independent Schools COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF SUN VALLEY, IDAHO A DISTINCTIVE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE • An exceptional outdoor program integrated into the curriculum • Excellent boarding program at the base of Sun Valley Ski Resort, 3,400 foot vertical • National recognition for developing character strengths, including grit • 100% of grads attend outstanding colleges from Maine to California
COMMUNITY SCHOOL INCLUDES THE SUN VALLEY SKI ACADEMY • Numerous Olympians and National Team members from Sun Valley • Top-rated alpine, Nordic, freestyle coaching and facilities in partnership with award-winning Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO COMMUNITYSCHOOL.ORG OR CONTACT THE OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS, 208-622-3955 120
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ARTISTS
A R T S PA C E
Getting kick-started at Vermont Studio Center Artists use funding platform to pursue artistic dreams STORY / Kate Carter
Any poor starving artist pursuing his or her artistic passion needs studio space, food and shelter, time to create and, most importantly, money. Vermont Studio Center in Johnson has the first four covered. They award studio residencies to over 50 artists and writers per month. The residencies include private studio space, private rooms, excellent food, and up to 12 weeks to create art. The center also offers financial aid to cover some of the costs, but most artists and writers pay their own way. The fees are substantial, approximately $1,000 per week, and for many, that’s an insurmountable obstacle. Enter Kickstarter, a worldwide crowd-funding platform for creative types. As of 2012, about 32 artists used Kickstarter to raise the funds needed to attend the Vermont Studio Center, and a handful of others are currently in the midst of Kickstarter campaigns. Without Kickstarter, Boston painter Emma Balder couldn’t have attended her month-long residency. Friends from school suggested she give it a try. “I really needed the money. It’s a good chunk of change,” she notes. The most surprising aspect to Kickstarter for Emma was the number of people she didn’t know who donated. “You really have to be proactive and let people know you’re doing it. You need to reach out to new people every day and not be afraid to ask for money,” she says, and adds that to be successful you need to explain your mission clearly, present yourself professionally, and check in daily to see if there’s been any online activity. “Being here at the Studio Center has given me hope that I can make a career in the arts, whether it’s as a full-time studio artist, a teacher, or something with art therapy,” Emma says, “but I know I do want to continue my studio work.” Emma’s goal was to raise $2,000. She topped that
KICKSTARTER Emma Balder in her studio. Inset: Stephanie by Christoper Dolan. Both artists used Kickstarter to help fund residencies at the Vermont Studio Center in Johnson.
at $2,054. Her experience was so rewarding she decided to stay in Johnson for a year. Chris Dolan, an artist currently living in Washington, D.C., spent last August at the Studio Center. “I didn’t get a fellowship, so I decided to create my own fellowship,” he says. Chris researched several online fundraising opportunities and settled on Kickstarter. “The most important thing is to set a realistic goal, because if you don’t make your goal in the allotted time, you don’t get anything.” “It’s an entrepreneurial approach,” Chris says. “You have to promote yourself and solicit on your own behalf. I had to overcome that and take a more business-like approach to my work. I had to write a successful statement and produce a successful campaign. It was a bit of introspection. Why was I doing what I was doing?” Chris’s goal was to raise $1,500 and he nearly doubled that. The $1,500 was enough to cover the residency, but he also had travel and living expenses to pay for, as well as art supplies. The additional money covered those costs. “The Vermont Studio Center was the sort of experience I was hoping it would be,” he says. “I did get a lot of work done and I got some projects in motion and was able to keep the momentum going. I generated the nucleus of a new body of work.” Chris will have a solo exhibit at Bowery Gallery in New York City this December. “Kickstarter is a useful tool for the right sort of person,” Chris says. “I wasn’t prepared for the amount of work that was required on my end. It was more ephemeral than I expected. I would recommend Kickstarter with the caveat that it requires some effort.” As with Emma, Chris was also surprised at the number of people he didn’t know who made donations. “Largely my contributors were friends and acquaintances, but there were a few people I didn’t know, which I found gratifying yet perplexing. Were they friends of the Vermont Studio Center? Were they Kickstarter fans?” Eventually Chris will find out who those surprise donors were, when he fulfills the “rewards” you are required to offer for different levels of donations. For artists, that reward is usually a piece of their art. One thing is for sure: Kickstarter proves that a lot of people are willing to invest in other’s ambitions. ■ ESSENTIALS: Emma’s work can be seen at emmabalder.com. Chris’ work can be seen at csdolan.com.
expand your collection
1800 Mountain Road / Stowe VT 05672 / 802.253.2661
SALON & MAKEUP BOUTIQUE NEXT TO WELL HEELED
FEATURING THE FINEST PRODUCTS:
Pedis Manis Keratin Waxing Blowouts Weddings Cuts/Color
Blinc Oribe Clarisonic Jane Iredale New! ORGANIC RMS Beauty CALL OR VISIT FOR APPOINTMENT
OWNED BY JAMIE DRAGON MISS VERMONT USA 2012
(802) 253-7750 LUSHSTOWE.COM
H A N D T A L E S: STORY / Kate Carter PHOTOGRAPHS / Glenn Callahan
‘Your life purpose in your hands’
hen Mary Collins of Elmore, Vt., decided to explore hand analysis it was partly because she was intrigued, but also because she needed a helping hand from someone who was neutral and unbiased and would respect her with honesty and compassion. “There have been different times in my life when I’ve been preoccupied with a topic. I’m introverted and introspective, and as a result I can brood,” Mary explains. Her circle of friends includes several who are interested in personal growth from a grounded, spiritual place, with an interest in understanding themselves and how they fit in the world. Those connections led Mary to Janet Savage, a master hand analyst. Hand analysis is not palm reading, or palmistry, which is the practice of reading a person’s character or future from
the lines on the palms of his or her hands. Hand analysis, pioneered by Richard Unger, founder of the International Institute of Hand Analysis, unites the ancient art of non-predictive palmistry with the modern science of fingerprint analysis. It is anecdotal research, but 40 years of applied research by Unger and his master teachers have validated his original premise, it’s proponents say. As a master hand analyst, Janet Savage looks at the three interrelated systems in someone’s hands that reveal his or her unique story: highest purpose, what is getting in the way of living it, and true personality expression. Fingerprint patterns reveal a life purpose
ALL IN THE HANDS Janet Savage. Handprints for analysis. Janet helps her students unlock their “passion, purpose, and success.”
and a life lesson. Learning how to translate them into a life of meaning, success, and balance is the core of what Janet does. “You have to have life experience and life challenges before you can know your patterns that show up consistently,” she says. “I’ve had great jobs throughout my life, but they were never my passion,” says Janet, who worked for a human development project in the Phillipines and taught courses and workshops in public health at University of California, Berkeley, for many years. “A friend suggested I look into hand analysis and I found it fascinating. I attended the International Institute of Hand Analysis and started learning about it.” l
Paint-Your-Own Pottery STUDIO AND ART GALLERY
Open Pottery Studio – Fun for All Ages! Parties & Birthdays! Ladies Nights! Classes Coming Soon! Art Gallery! Open 7 days a week 802.760.6366 2595 Mountain Road Stowe, Vermont GreenMountainGlaze.com
GET A FREQUENT PAINTER CARD! 125
In hand analysis there are different hand archetypes. Janet has hands of science. “Now I’m combining my lust for data with my growing ability to be intuitive,” she says. Janet blends data, intuition, and her knack for creative storytelling to give clients examples of what their individual purposes in the world might be. “I help them discover their highest calling in life, which could imply a better career choice.” Following a divorce, career change, and personal challenges, Janet returned to Stowe, where she grew up. “Vermont is where my soul resides and I was happy to come home and be with family.” Janet calls her business Hand Tales because of the stories contained in everyone’s hands. Her clients come from all over the world. She meets with them in her home, and also does phone and Skype consultations. For long-distance meetings, Janet sends her clients a hand-printing kit that they can return in the mail or digitally, along with photos of their hands shot at different angles. “I prefer to not know anything about a client and just work from the hands,” Janet says. She has read over 10,000 pairs of hands and her clients’ ages are typically 40 to 60, with 85 percent female. Janet believes this demographic is a reflection of herself. “I tend to attract women in that age group because that’s where I’m at.” Janet notes that most of her clients are undergoing some sort of transition, lacking clarity, looking for a new career, confronted with creative blocks, or are in a changing relationship. “They come to me because they are committed to doing what it takes to make the transition they need to make.” In a world of uncertainty, Janet helps people access what they already know about themselves and how to find more success, passion, and meaning in their lives using the information in their hands. “The process of hand analysis is about being true to yourself and growing more conscious. You have to be willing to look at your warts as well as your potential.” Mary Collins, who began seeing Janet when she needed a helping hand, says her time spent with Janet has shown her a roadmap of her life. “I could do 50 sessions of traditional therapy or five sessions with Janet,” she says. “I choose Janet. I always learn something about myself and about my relationships, job, health, and my journey in this world. Janet’s work has helped clarify things for me in amazing ways. I’ve gained a sense of peace, that I’m okay, that I have purpose, and to trust my skills.” ■
HAND TA L E S
he largest selection of fine artist materials at tremendous savings. Call us or stop by. It’s worth the drive. 635-2203 800-887-2203 2 Lower Main St., Johnson, Vermont Open Tues. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sun. 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. thestudiostore.com 126
ESSENTIALS: Reach Janet through her website, handtales.com, or at [email protected].
ON A JOU
â– Sebastian Sweatman in his gallery. Angel Hall, 48" x 36", acrylic on canvas. 128
RNEY Gallery SEB reveals art’s significant other: The Artist
â– Clockwise: Flight to Venus, 78" x 60", acrylic on canvas. Gallery SEB. Patience Dance,
11' x 8', acrylic and latex on canvas.
story by Jasmine Bigelow
photographs by Glenn Callahan
canvases by Sebastian Sweatman
Every artist has a constant companion. There is the person, and then—alongside the person—the art. They’re steady partners. They share a parallel existence, yet remain two separate beings. And that’s good. Because appreciation of one should never be confined by the temperament of the other. The picture of each becomes more detailed— and interesting—if you are lucky enough to know them both. Artist Sebastian Sweatman is a longtime Stowe guy. Most locals know him well enough to give at least a simple physical description: tall, athletic, with an infectious grin and a sound gaze. Offering a smile and a wave in passing, Sebastian seems a positive, spirited person. Now, with his new gallery, SEB, the town is getting to know his paintings too. And the less obvious, more interpretive, more curious narrative of Seb, the person, shines through.
Both are admirable. Independent and divergent. Thoughtful and dynamic. Humble and genuine. Both the man and the art are stable enough, rooted in education and a community of family and friends. But both remain on
Coins & Estate Jewelry Fine Estate Jewelry & Repair Rings • Bracelets • Watches • Pendants • Earrings the journey, changing direction occasionally on a quest to be who and what feels right. At the same time, man and art are completely capable in their current states. What’s remarkable is that in getting to know Seb’s art—and in getting to know Seb better through his art—is less about what specifically hangs on gallery walls and more about the process of how it got there. To Seb, that is his art’s significance. It sounds like an oxymoron, but Gallery SEB is not about self-promotion. He’s not an artist
Buying Gold, Silver & Coins Guaranteed Highest Price Paid in the Area
9 South Main Street, Waterbury • (802) 777-5550 • John Kirby, Owner 131
■ footballer, 5' x 8', acyrlic on canvas. Seb’s paints. 132
putting on a show. The gallery is the ship he must sail for his own self-preservation. That’s because Seb was meant to be a painter. Seb is studied in art, and has been painting for most of his life. But, until now, art sat on the sidelines while he dabbled in various business ventures. Now he paints full-time. Like it’s his job. And, finally, it is.
Gallery SEB is an unforeseen, affirmative art experience. Its one room is cuddled up close to Phoenix Table & Bar on the Mountain Road. The sign for the gallery is small, muted, and easy to overlook. It’s the enormous windows that reveal just enough to draw the attention of passersby. Inside, the space is both stark and soothing. Bright white walls, exposed beams, worn wood floors, natural light. A little table with a guest book, a catalog of paintings not currently on display, and a short stack of business cards rest in the corner. There’s a mid-century modern desk chair. No one sits in it. There is no one in the gallery. Not even Seb.
The door is open. It’s always open. Even when Seb isn’t there—which is most of the time. It’s a surreptitiously public spot that is welcoming and friendly and simply about the art. And that’s the environment Seb has created for sharing his work. It’s the extroverted side of Seb. Approachable and kind. Seb is refreshingly modest and relaxed about his work. He’s comfortable enough to talk openly and willingly about it, but wary of sounding commercialized. He embraces the eminent juxtaposition of life as a full-time artist: to make a living as an artist requires getting your work out, labeling it, and exposing your choices. That is hard. He frowns at assigning names to his paintings: he doesn’t want titles to influence people’s own perception. He thinks his signature is a
6 Free Cider Donuts with every $25 purchase
“I am rough on my canvas. The effect of the barn board creeps through if you look closely, and the bottoms of the paintings are a little dirty. But, it’s like
the earth—the ground—on the edge of the painting, and I like that.”
■ Sebastian Sweatman in his fair-weather studio.
handicap: it limits the potential of the painting. By signing “SEB,” he’s telling the viewer which direction is up. He doesn’t want to have that control over the painting or other people’s interactions with it. But collectors like titles and signatures. And Seb—like all professional artists—needs collectors. So Seb places names to satisfy those who read the label before stepping back and analyzing the art. And while they’re in the gallery deciding how they feel about it, he’s at home working on the next thing. His home studio is raw. It’s rustic and real. It’s messy and marvelous. It’s quiet and lovely. It’s the introverted side of Seb. It’s his element.
In the summer and fall, Seb paints outside His canvases are colossal in size and hang on the outside walls of a bucolic barn at this house. He rigs tarp canopies from the roof, and when it rains water puddles at his feet. But the tarps provide enough shelter to continue to paint. Seb says it’s probably not ideal. “I am rough on my canvas. The effect of the barn board creeps through if you look closely, and the bottoms of the paintings are a little dirty. But, it’s like the earth—the ground—on the edge of the painting, and I like that.” Ideally, Seb would have a renovated barn stu-
stowe’s preferred taxi and airport service Family-owned local business 24-hour safe, reliable service Discount flat rates available to all major cities and airports CHECK OUT OUR NEW LUXURY 12-PASSENGER VAN!
802-253-7666 www.snowflaketaxi.com 135
dio—with outside space, of course—including a stone patio footing where water doesn’t collect, and a suitable backing for his canvas that keeps it neat and tidy. But, his real ideal is to just paint. In the winter, Seb paints in his basement garage. It’s a complete one-eighty from his summertime digs, and the change in scenery offers new creative opportunity. In his garage studio, Seb tends to work flat and will rotate a painting from side to side to gain new perspective. The absence of natural light inspires a more colorful palate. “I use more vibrant colors in the winter. I like color. Maybe too much,” he says. His style could certainly be described as colorful. Or energetic. But it could not be characterized by either of those terms: Seb’s work is distinguished by not being stuck in a proverbial box. He’s an explorer. A risk taker. The result is a fresh experience, time and time again. As a painter who indulges in the process of painting, Seb is captivated by certain tools and techniques he discovers along the way. He tends to paint in series, and each series is evidence of a section of road traveled on his exploration. On every journey there are obstacles and collateral changes that have an effect on what you discover and where you end up: “Sometimes, I’ll figure something out—I’ll solve a problem—and later, forget and end up in the same situation. And then I’ll remember—‘Oh, yeah, that’s why I did it that way.’ ” Sometimes a shift in how you see is exactly what you need: “I use my phone a lot to take a snapshot of the entire painting, and look at it on the small screen. When I do that, I can often see immediately what I need to do. It’s just a change of perspective.” Seb works primarily in acrylic these days, and on canvas or paper. His paintings are big and abstract. He started with figures: semi-realism portraits of people, in which he consistently uses artistic license. His migration to abstract painting is a further developed statement of independence. “Figures and figurative work is always a copy, in a sense. Maybe not an exact copy, but always with some basic compositional imitation. I really wanted to do my own thing.” Working in the abstract allows him that artistic freedom. A 2014 piece, which Seb calls The Competitor, delivers a sense of calm chaos. There are two intangible faces, both in motion. One appears to be struggling. The other appears to be tranquil. Could this parallel Seb’s own internal race to equilibrium? Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe sort of. Seb wants you to decide. Be an independent thinker. Exercise your interpretative freedom. Lucky for us, Seb—the art and artist collaboration—has arrived. And we get to travel with them whenever we want to. The door is always open. ■
We’ll put a smile on your face • • • • • • • • • •
Adult Toys & Novelties Lotions & Potions Lingerie Bachelorette & Bachelor Party Gifts Vaporizers Adult DVDs Party Games Tobacco Products Body Jewelry Tapestry Room HOURS: Mon-Sat 11-8 • Sun 12-6 Waterbury
The Resort Store 192 Federal Street 3595 Waterbury-Stowe Rd. (802) 524-6607 (802) 244-0800
Derby, VT 4267 N. Route 5 (802) 487-9315
Rutland, VT: 162 N. Main St. Newport, NH: 51 John Stark Kighway (603) 863-7004
Burlington 21 Church St. (802) 658-6520 HOURS: M-Th 11-9 Fri-Sat 11-10 Sundays 12-6
Whether you’re looking for a gift that is funny, naughty or unique... stop by Good Stuff to take a peek! CHECK OUT OUR NEW ONLINE SUPERSTORE: goodstuff.xxx 136
ESSENTIALS: Gallery SEB, 1652 Mountain Rd., Stowe. sebart.tv.
Johnson Woolen Mills Factory Store Quality Woolen Garments for the Entire Family SINCE 1842
Quality Woolens Fabrics by the Yard Hudson Bay Point Blankets
Main Street, Johnson, Vermont (15 minutes from Stowe, 40 minutes from Jay) Open Mon-Sat 9-5 & Sun 10-4 • 802-635-2271 • 877-635-WOOL (9665)
Ski Wear “Because friends shouldn’t let friends pay retail.” Established 2001
393 Mountain Rd. Stowe, VT 05672
Mon-Sat 10-5 Sun 12-5
GLENN CALLAHAN; CHEESE CUP: CAFE PROVENCE
DINING & LODGING
The Stowe area boasts a variety of cuisines and dining atmospheres, from swanky bistros that embrace the local-food movement to fine-dining establishments featuring award-winning chefs and busy pubs with the latest microbrews—and everything in between! Check out the area’s great places to stay, as well, from full-service resorts to quaint country inns. Our guide to dining and lodging outlines the myriad choices from which to choose.
Unique Lodging in the Heart of Stowe Village
Studios, one bedroom, and two bedroom Fully equipped kitchens ■ HDTV, A/C, and much more Available by the day, weekend, week, or longer
Fresh Mexican Fare with a Vermont Twist Open Daily
128 Main Street, Stowe
EDIBLES is compiled by Lisa McCormack and photographed by Glenn Callahan.
DRAFT PICKS The Bench offers 28 brews on tap displayed on a copper wall and coded to the taps below.
STORY / Hannah Marshall PHOTOGRAPHS / Matt Bruhns
ie in the Sky closed abruptly last spring, leaving an empty space and a cold oven. But this fall, Mark Frier and Chad Fry, co-owners of the popular Reservoir Restaurant and Tap Room in Waterbury, brought fire back to the hearth. Gone are the cloud-painted walls and cheese planets. Ceilings have been elevated, opening up the space for a new look that uses lots of wood, industrial-chic lighting, and rustic charm. The space is purposefully designed for a family-friendly atmosphere, with the hulking wood-fired oven catching your eye as you walk in the door. The Bench bar boasts 28 draft lines, with two rows of sleek black handles against a gleaming copper wall. There’s the predictably wonderful selection of primarily Vermont beers, along with two wines and a dedicated Rookie’s Root Beer line. The Bench will also offer a more comprehensive wine list than its Waterbury counterpart. A quick tour under the bar reveals a huge, customdesigned beer storage area, chilled with an air conditioning unit—a unique and cost-effective solution, originally designed to cool dairy products, Frier says. Shiny kegs line the walls, and plastic lines snake up the
Puts the fire back in the oven
ceiling to connect behind the bar’s wall, just a few feet north of the whole operation. The menu will feature woodfired entrées and appetizers, as well as a selection of one-size specialty pizzas, but pizza won’t be the restaurant’s main focus. Starters range from poutine, hand-cut fries with Bridport cheddar curds and ale gravy, to oven-roasted mussels fra diavolo or an arugula salad with beets, roasted corn, pepitas, Green Mountain Blue cheese and topped with a sour cherry vinaigrette. Entrees run the gamut from the signature Bench burger—Vermont Family Farm ground beef (Enosburg Falls, Vt.) topped with Mt. l
Mansfield Creamery Inspiration cheese, Sugar Mountain pork belly, balsamic onions, and house pickles to wood-fired pizza like the Pipeline—EVOO, a balsamic reduction, arugula, basil, prosciutto, and mozzarella—or the HellBrook, with red sauce, red peppers, Vermont Smoke and Cure pepperoni, and mozzarella. A healthy selection of sandwiches and comfort foods, such as meatloaf, fish and chips, pasta bologonese, and a grilled ribeye round out the menu. The Bench will use many of the same purveyors as the Reservoir—Black River Produce, for example—but vendors that don’t include Stowe in their delivery area will swapped for ones that do. Bread will come from Elmore Mountain Bread, not Red Hen Baking, and fish will come from Stowe Seafood rather than Wood Mountain Fish. Frier and Fry are no strangers to the area—both are Waterbury residents and have skied at Stowe for years—and understand the draw for locals and tourists alike. “For people on vacation, they’re going to go out and eat two or three meals a day, and we want to be on that list,” Frier says. Residents looking to add a new player to their Stowe restaurant roster will find Bench’s hearth-warmed space to be “approachable, with a little something for everyone,” he adds.
GREEN GODDESS CAFE Food You’ll Talk About...
Breakfast • Lunch • Specialty Sandwiches • Wraps • Paninis • Published Soups Custom Salads with 48 Toppings • Smoothies • Raw Juice • Baked Goods Homemade Breads • Catering • Take-out • Artisan Coffee & Tea • Beer & Wine Vegetarian and Gluten Sensitivity Friendly • Open 7 Days
618 S. Main Street, Stowe, Vermont 05672 • 802-253-5255 • Facebook.com/GoddessCafe 142
ESSENTIALS: The Bench, 492 Mountain Rd., Stowe. 253-5100. benchvt.com. Daily at 5 p.m. (with lunch on the horizon). No reservations.
BEN OR JERRY? Ice cream entrepreneur Travis Stearns in the kitchen of The Manor, a nursing home in Morrisville where he is a cook.
Good Food Served Graciously
91 Main Street, Stowe, Vermont 802.253.2691 platestowe.com
Diva Hops ice cream Another type of cold one A local ice-cream maker is putting a new spin on an old favorite—cold beer. Travis Stearns of Johnson recently turned his passion for making ice cream into a fledgling business, Diva Hops Ice Cream Co. Like many Vermont ice creams, his feature locally produced ingredients, including cream, eggs, and maple syrup. Stearns offers classic flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, coffee, maple, and maple-walnut, but he also offers a few varieties you won’t find in most ice cream coolers. One is flavored with Ridge Runner beer from Rock Art Brewery, while another is flavored with the brewery’s Bourbon Barrel beer. He has also experimented with beer from the Hill Farmstead Brewery in Hardwick. The result is rich, creamy artisan ice cream with a kick. Stearns, 22, works as a cook and dietary aide at The Manor, a nursing home in Morrisville, where he serves his homemade ice cream at ice cream socials and sometimes churns out batches for residents’ birthday celebrations. But he jokes that the residents, most of whom are on restricted diets, haven’t sampled the beer-infused varieties. Stearns is a 2013 New England Culinary School graduate. During his second year there, he took a course called plated desserts where, among other things, students made ice creams and sorbets. He perfected his ice-cream making skills during an internship at an inn. Shortly after starting his job at The Manor, he began making ice cream for its residents.
He produces it at his home in small batches using a Breville ice cream maker, which instantly freezes the ice cream to the desired hardness level. He uses local products when possible and avoids high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, and additives such as guar gum. A NECI field trip to a food trade show featuring Guinness-flavored ice cream inspired his experiments with beer. When it comes to mixing beer and ice cream, “the darker the beer, the better. You don’t need as much and it’s less icy,” Stearns says. Making ice cream with beer is not as easy as one might think. First, the beer must be frozen. Any remaining liquid is drained, and that process is repeated about five times until a concentrate is produced. The beer-laden liquid is then used to flavor the ice cream. Stearns is applying for state permits to sell his ice cream in retail shops. In the meantime, he sells it to family, friends, and coworkers. “Personally, I’d like to have my own little ice cream shop,” Stearns says. “It would be cheaper and easier” than selling it by the pint. In the meantime, he enjoys serving it to Manor residents. “They love his coffee ice cream,” says Amy Manchester, hospitality director for the Manor. “It’s delicious.” —Lisa McCormack ESSENTIALS: facebook.com/DivaHopsllc2014. 145
Foodies take note: Stowe is tops Stowe made Fodor’s Travel World’s Best 10 Ski Towns for Foodies list, placing second behind Courchevel, France. Here’s what Fodor’s said about Stowe: “Stowe is known as one of the best spots to ski in New England, but it is arguably just as famous for its proximity to the Ben & Jerry’s factory in nearby Waterbury. Like the bearded duo behind the ice cream brand, the culinary ethos here is simple, uncomplicated but delicious. Before you hit the slopes, stock up on cider donuts and maple shortbread at the Cold Hollow Cider Mill. Après ski, head to Stowe Mountain Lodge for farm-to-table cuisine, such as smoked and braised duck legs or rack of lamb with thyme demiglace. Hen of the Wood is a nearby, a longtime favorite; the menu highlights New England cuisine such as day boat Gloucester cod and goat cheese dumplings.” No other eastern ski resort made the list. Following Courchevel and Stowe were Whistler, British Columbia; Vail, Colo.; Zermatt, Switzerland; Niseko, Japan; Telluride, Colo.; Cortina, Italy; Park City, Utah; and Taos, N.M.
Golden Eagle passes the torch Nearly 20 years before the Newhart show told its innkeeper tale, Herb and Ann Hillman moved from New Jersey to Stowe, bought a small 12-room place, and called it the Golden Eagle. Now, after 51 years in the family, the Golden Eagle has landed in new hands. “We wanted to do something in Vermont, and Stowe had a reputation of having the best school system in the state. It was kind of an impulse,” says Herb as he walked the grounds of his old resort where, in recent years, he took pleasure in maintaining the flowers and greenery. Carol Van Dyke, the Hillmans’ daughter, has run the inn with her husband, Neil Van Dyke, since the late 1980s. “We had a good run and it was an important part of our lives,” Carol says. “It gave us a platform so we could be a real part of the Stowe community.” The 31-acre resort on Stowe’s Mountain Road sold for $3.66 million to a five-person corporation called Dimand Real Estate Association LLC. The Linchris Hotel Corp. will run the inn. When the Hillmans bought the property in 1963, it was a simple row of 12 rooms. The resort eventually expanded to 89 units, with indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, a fitness and conference center, and the Colonial Cafe restaurant, a popular place for breakfast, even with non-guests. —Tommy Gardner 146
SUMPTUOUS SYRUPS on Horrigan was working part time as a bartender at a restaurant in Hardwick in 2009 when he was inspired to create cocktails using local ingredients. Meanwhile, his friend Linda Fox was concocting flavored syrups using berries from her garden. So the duo joined forces and Sumptuous Syrups of Vermont, which makes premium farm-to-bar cocktail syrups, was born. You won’t find maple among the flavors offered by Sumptuous Syrups, but you will find plenty of other local ingredients from local family farms, bottled in small artisan batches at the Vermont Food Venture Center in Hardwick. Horrigan is the mixologist, constantly creating new recipes for cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages; he also handles marketing. Fox, the syrup master, is the company’s chief executive officer. They source as many local ingredients as possible. The Provender Farm in Cabot provides basil and blackberries while Mystic Morning Farm in Greensboro Bend provides basil and chili peppers. Black currants come from New York’s Hudson River Valley. Horrigan hires locals to pick wild blackberries. “I get a hundred pounds at a time,” he says. When Horrigan and Fox can’t purchase ingredients locally, they search for organic fair-trade substitutes. For instance, the yellow ginger for one variety of syrup comes from a small cooperative farm in Peru. “We want to get the best products we can,” Horrigan says. Syrup flavors include black currant, yellow ginger, blackberry, lemon-basil, and chocolate mole. —Lisa McCormack
MIXOLOGY 101 Don Horrigan mixes up a ginger old fashioned using his ginger syrup. Inset: Sumptuous Syrups’ line of sumptuousities.
ESSENTIALS: $30 for two 8-ounce bottles. Purchase syrups at sumptuoussyrups.com.
GINGER OLD FASHIONED 2 oz. Smugglers’ Notch Bourbon ½ oz. Sumptuous Syrups Ginger Syrup Dash Urban Moonshine Maple Bitters Place ingredients in a cocktail mixer and shake. Pour into an ice-filled bourbon glass. Place a sliver of orange peel along the rim. ITALIAN-STYLE SODA ½ to 3⁄4 oz. Sumptuous Syrup Pour into a 12-ounce glass. Add a squeeze of citrus and fill with seltzer water. Add a splash of cream for a French-style soda.
A Cozy Rustic Alpine Setting Serving Savory and Sweet Crepes and Fondue
EDIBLES GORDON MILLER
A unique restaurant offering a deliciously different dining out experience. The only fondue restaurant in Stowe, so make us your first choice for genuine Swiss fondue and an eclectic selection of beer and wine.
Jen and John Kimmich.
Heady Topper heads to Stowe Serving Lunch and Dinner • Tuesday to Sunday
Lunch 11:30am to 2:00pm(crepes & fondue) •Dinner Reservations 5:30 to 8:30(fondue only)
802.999.8785 • [email protected] 48 South Main Street Stowe, VT 05672 • Chef Owned
Bvtusjbo!Jotqjsfe!Dvjtjof! xjui!b Wfsnpou!Gmbjs"
No matter the season, we provide the perfect setting for dining and relaxation. Whether enjoying our elegant Main Dining Room, the Lounge, or our casual DeliBakery. Join us for Austrian inspired seasonal menus, Trapp lagers and weekly wine tastings in our Wine Cellar.
802 253 8511
Soon, there won’t be any more chasing down of delivery trucks. Or standing in line at the liquor or convenience store. Or jonesing when you get to the cooler and realize the Heady’s all gone. Sometime late next year, or by early 2016, you’ll be able to pick up your four-pack of Heady Topper—arguably the most popular beer in the world!—right here in Stowe. That’s because The Alchemist, producer of the hard-to-find, internationally renowned double IPA, is expanding. The brewery’s flagship beer, Heady Topper, consistently ranks as one of the best in the world by various trade publications and beer blogs, and Rendering of proposed people stalk visitors’ center and brewery the Heady Topper truck all over the state. Alchemist owners John and Jen Kimmich plan to open a 14,000-square-foot brewery, tasting room, and store on Cottage Club Road in Stowe. The brewery expects that roughly 350 cases of beer a day will be sold from the new facility. Heady Topper will still only be brewed at the Alchemist’s existing Waterbury brewery. The couple lives in Stowe with their two children and looks forward to expanding their beer empire: “Stowe needs more business, especially during slow tourism months. We’ve seen so many businesses close lately. … It’s going to be a good boost for Stowe,” John says. The new building may be industrial, but designers promise an agrarian thread will run through the whole design. The brewery will have gardens, with strings of hops and a small barley field. It will be ringed with cherry and maple trees and tall evergreens. Sculptures will dot the grounds. The brewery still needs state environmental permits. —Lisa McCormack
FOOD PHOTOS COURTESY BEN LAZAR AND COMMODITIES MARKET
GOOD EATS The produce aisle at Commodities Market in the East Village, which also offers a large variety of bulk foods. Next page: Audra and Michael Hughes.
COMMODITIES Organic market grows in Stowe Stowe foodies will soon have a new field to harvest: Commodities Natural Market, an organic grocery, is being cultivated on the Mountain Road. It’s been nearly two decades since Stowe had an organic food market, Food for Thought in Stowe’s Lower Village, but Michael and Audra Hughes, who both have longtime Stowe connections, are about to change all that. A native New Yorker, Michael started running his stepmother’s small natural foods store in Tribeca in Manhattan at age 21. “It was a crazy life experience, but a good one,” he recalls. He went on to open his own store, Commodities Natural Market, in the East Village in 1993, and it was soon thriving. While walking in Weissner Woods, a chance encounter 152
with Stowe entrepreneur and icon, the late Marvin Gameroff, led to a discussion about Michael’s natural foods store in New York. Gameroff, always inquisitive and motivational, suggested he open one in Stowe. Michael and Audra—Michael wooed his future wife at a gym with a bag of organic groceries!—started looking for a Stowe location. Their growing family, the sudden loss of a child, an existing connection to the area, and a desire to leave the hectic pace of city life also played minor and major roles in the couple’s decision to relocate to Vermont. “Once you have a child … your senses change,” says Michael. “It was always on my mind to get out of the rat race.” The couple eventually settled on a spacious new space on Stowe’s Mountain Road. It’s a good fit. The next-door neighbor is Stowe
Seafood. The store is expected to open before Christmas. Michael and Audra hope to recreate their successful New York operation here: a traditional natural foods store with fresh, 100-percent organic produce from as many local purveyors as possible, a comprehensive bulk foods section and, once details are worked out, fresh-pressed juices and health-conscious ready-to-eat sandwiches, soups, and meals. The Hugheses are working with local individuals and organizations to produce prepared foods off site. The New York location carries about 5,000 items, including some popular Vermont products—Deep Root Organic Co-Op, Mount Mansfield Creamery, Vermont Butter & Cheese, Vermont Smoke & Cure, Neighborly Farms, and Fat Toad Farm, to name a few. The Hugheses want to bring a similar amount and variety to Stowe, including household products from Seventh Generation and Ecover, natural baby products, and vitamins. In New York, the Hugheses partner with a cooperative that allows small farms to have access to larger distributors, and are thrilled by the proximity of so many farms in Vermont and the ability to easily stock a multitude of ultra-local products. The Hugheses are passionate about organic food. “It’s different, it’s unique, and it usually tastes better,” Michael says. He wants to give customers a chance to experience organic food and say, “Wow, this is organic, and it’s the best thing I’ve ever had.” —Hannah Marshall
In our 23rd year!
New menu every month Mediterranean & American Cuisine View this month’s menu at BlueMoonStowe.com Serving Dinner Tuesday - Sunday from 6-9 p.m. 35 School Street, Stowe, Vermont
JUST LIKE EDIBLES, ONLY SMALLER BITES
Sandie and Ken Powers.
Passing the Pinot: Stowe Wine and Cheese welcomes new oenophiles ran and Susan Parda commemorate two big milestones this summer, and you can bet they’re not celebrating with a cheap bottle of grocery store Merlot. This summer, they sold one of the longest-running family businesses in town, Mountain Cheese and Wine, on the 40-year anniversary of their opening of the store in Stowe. And next month, the couple celebrates their golden wedding anniversary. Their wine of choice for their anniversary? A bottle of 1964 Amarone, the vintage from the same year they said their vows. “On that day, that will be the best bottle of wine I’ve ever drunk,” Fran says. The Pardas passed the corkscrew to Kenny and Sandie Powers, who have skied in Stowe since the 1990s. The new owners will keep things much as the Pardas did for 40 years, but with some minor changes in mind.
There’s a slightly different name, Stowe Wine and Cheese, but the store is still in the same Red Barn Shop location on the Mountain Road. The Powerses will beef up the craft beer selection and do some tastings in the future, but for the most part, Stowe Wine and Cheese will carry on the 40-year tradition. “We think this place is a gem. We just want to polish it,” says Kenny, who brings 25 years of experience in wine distribution to the operations. Adds Sandie: “We really just want to honor what they’ve done here.” That’s another way the new owners are similar to their new store’s founders: They finish each other’s sentences just as surely as Champagne complements caviar. And the two couples have become vociferous supporters of each other. “They’ve been two of the most wonderful people,” Sandie says. Kenny says the Pardas amassed a “thought-
ful collection” over the years, and he intends to listen to loyal customers and area restaurant owners to see what kind of wine scene Stoweites want. For their part, the Pardas are happy the Powers are going to highlight local beers and wines. Sandie—who calls the Pardas “fromage-ophiles”—says the cheese scene in Vermont will give her plenty of tasty homework to do in the coming years. She just hopes she won’t have to deal with a runaway wheel. That’s one of the Pardas’ favorite yarns. It dates from the 1970s, when Mountain Cheese and Wine was located in the Stowe Center, down the stairs by the old gym’s swimming pool. One day, a delivery truck dropped off a 230-pound wheel of Emmental Swiss. Literally. It rolled down the stairs, stopping just short of the pool. Fran and Susan Parda opened up shop on Continued on page 156
EDSON HILL IS NOW 75 YEARS NEW
Redesigned Revitalized Refreshed Eat. Drink. Stay. Now accepting reservations for extraordinary memories.
1500 Edson Hill Road, Stowe, Vermont • 802-253-7371
Continued from page 154
Fran and Sue Parda and Sandie and Ken Powers.
July 4, 1974. They’d been married 10 years, Fran working at the Grand Union grocery store and Susan teaching high school history. Fran was also drumming in rock ’n’ roll bands, most notably as house drummer for the American Bandstand TV show. “We wanted to do something together,” Susan says. “Now, we’re ending 40 years of our three-year get-rich scheme.” Says Kenny, “We realize the size of the shoes we’ve got to fill.” —Tommy Gardner ESSENTIALS: 1799 Mountain Rd. Daily 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sundays noon - 5 p.m. 253-8606, stowewineandcheese.com.
• AAA - 10% discount for all members! • 55 rooms - many with spectacular mtn. views • Free WiFi • Some Pet Friendly Rooms! • 3 Three Bedroom Houses • Whirlpool Bath, in-room refrigerator • Queen-sized beds • ESPN/HBO w/remote • Bus Tours Welcome - plenty of parking! • Snowmobile on trails 15 & 100 from your room!
$3 COUPONS FOR BREAKFAST AT STONEGRILL RESTAURANT NEXT DOOR! Junction of Routes 100 & 15 • Morrisville VT 05661 (802) 888-4956 • Fax (802) 888-3698 156
1-800-544-2347 email: [email protected]
•••• Stowe’s popular Sunset Grille, famous for its barbecue, live music, and backyard volleyball court, celebrates 25 years of success this year. “It feels good, 25 years,” says Sunset Grille chef and co-owner Rich Haab over a cup of coffee at his bar. “But it’s tiring!” Haab founded the Sunset Grille with his wife, Nancy, in 1988, a few years after they met in what used to be Little Avenues Tavern. When the building went up for sale, the couple went for it. “We were both up here being ski bums and chefs,” says Haab, who graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, and after buying their new restaurant decided to specialize in what they call “Northern Southern barbecue,” because they couldn’t find any decent bar food in town. Haab tweaks the menu constantly, as he has since he started cooking. “When other people openly copy my ideas, then I come up with new ones,” he says. He’s just started smoking his own ham and bacon, for instance. Haab said the Stowe restaurant scene is unique because eateries have their own niches, which helps spread the business around.
Beyond hard work, Haab says the secret to success is consistency, creativity, and loyal employees. His restaurant has remained open from 11:30 a.m. to midnight, 362 days a year, since its founding, steady hours that ensure recommendations from hotels and locals, he says. —Anna Windemuth ESSENTIALS: 140 Cottage Club Rd., Stowe. Daily for lunch, dinner, and late night. 253-9281. sunsetgrillevt.com. •••• McCarthy’s Restaurant in Stowe celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. The landmark breakfast and lunch spot moved to its current Mountain Road location in 1985. Owner Diane McCarthy recalls the early days: “I took a picture of the first guy that came in. … I didn’t think we’d make it.” Forty years and as many St. Patrick’s Day celebrations later, the business is still going strong, beloved by locals and out-of-towners alike. The town retains its reputation as a “ski mecca,” but the clientele has calmed down since the party days of the 1970s and 1980s, says McCarthy, and she has seen multiple generations grow up—and grow old—at the restaurant. John Cassel played piano on Sunday nights; Anabel Moriarty of Moriarty hat fame served breakfast. “People would come in for breakfast after dancing all night at the Baggy Knees,” laughs McCarthy. “It was crazy.” The restaurant will celebrate in the community with a scavenger hunt of sorts — look for hidden clues around town that will lead to tasty prizes. — Hannah Marshall
M I C H A E L'S ON THE HILL
Farm to Table Cuisine Vermont's First Certified Green Restaurant Wine Spectator Award of Excellence Best Chefs America "Best Restaurant, Best Steak & Best Wine List in Stowe" –Forbes Traveler
Catering Group Facilities Cooking Classes
4182 Waterbury-Stowe Road Route 100 North
ESSENTIALS: McCarthy’s Restaurant, 454 Mountain Rd. Daily 6:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. 253-8626. mccarthysrestaurantstowe.com. •••• Susan Camley loves to bake custom cakes, often incorporating her customers’ favorite colors or themes to help them celebrate a birthday, anniversary, wedding, or just about any other special occasion. Custom cakes are at the centerpiece of Cake & Crumb Bakery, which Camley and her business partner and daughter Julie Rogers opened this fall. The baking duo also makes cookies, muffins, cupcakes, pastries, pies, and other treats. Located on Winter Street in Morrisville, the cozy former carriage house offers a coffee bar and small tables for customers who want to enjoy their treats right away. Camley, of Morristown, is a self-taught baker. She owned a bakeshop in Mississippi before moving back to Vermont in 2008. Continued on page 159
Waterbury Center VT 05677
(802) 244-7476 michaelsonthehill.com
- RESTAURANT & ART GALLERY J<IM@E> :L:@E8 :8J8C@E>8 $FLI >I8E; G8I<EKJ ?FD<D8;< =FF; @K8C@8E ?FJG@K8C@KP @E JKFN< J@E:< (0/N@K? 8 C8 :8IK< 8E; K8B<FLK D<EL N_\k_\i pfl Xi\ [`e`e^ ]fi pfli Y`ik_[Xp# Xee`m\ijXip# fi aljk [`ee\i# n\Ëcc dXb\ jli\ pflËcc _Xm\ ]le Æ 9lfe 8gg\k`kf# Kfep&GXkkp&>`XeZXicf Xe[ JkX]] +'/' DflekX`e I[%# Jkfn\ e\ok kf KfgefkZ_# ( d`c\ ]ifd k_\ Jkfn\ DflekX`e Cf[^\ I\j\imXk`fej ),*$/+/' kiXkkfi`Xjkfn\%Zfd Dfe[Xp kf JXkli[Xp ]ifd , g%d%
Vermont’s Crème de la Crème
mAple Creme Liqueur Available at the Winery and Vermont Liquor Stores
New Tasting Room Opening at Cold Hollow Cider Mill January 2015
Our new Vermont Ice Hard Cider now available!
64 Vermont Route 104, Cambridge, Vermont (802) 644-8151 www.boydenvalley.com
Simply great, handmade, flavorful food.
Continued from page 157
Camley says she enjoys making recipes and designs that suit her customers’ preferences. “I like to be challenged when people come in for something different,” she says. ... “A happy little neighborhood place.” —Lisa McCormack
ESSENTIALS: 27 Winter St., Morrisville. 888-4100. facebook.com/cakeandcrumbvt.
Dave Juenker, Maggie Palilonis, and Lynn Mason.
As regular patrons of Waterbury’s Blackback Pub and Flyshop, Lynn Mason and Dave Juenker were always fishing for an opportunity to one day own the Main Street watering hole. One night, while seated at the long wooden bar that extends across both of Blackback’s quaint basement rooms, Mason and Juenker started dropping hints to owner Rick Binet about how much they’d like to own and manage a place exactly like the popular pub. The couple, who both have backgrounds in hospitality, were looking for a small, manageable spot near their home in Waterbury where they could easily jump back into the restaurant scene. They kept at him. “We came back at him a couple of other times and one day he said, ‘Let’s talk,’ and we kind of knew he was ready to move on to a new venture,” Mason says. Blackback offers 22 beers on tap, and its new menu was created by 30-year-old chef Maggie Palilonis, who is no stranger to the pub scene— she grew up in Ireland, where the pubs are community gathering places. The menu features a poblano chili and garden bruschetta, and a tasty plate featuring walnut goat cheese spread, Gruyere, Cabot cheddar, kalamata olives, and fresh fruit. The menu is rounded out with two hearty salad options and a variety of what Palilonis calls “toasties,” her take on toasted Cuban, roast beef, and turkey club-style sandwiches. —Miranda Orso
hew! Here we are two years into this adventure and Linda and I are humbled, grateful, and amazed by your business and friendship. I vividly remember thinking the night before we opened, “Would anybody come? Does anybody know we’re here?” And, “How do I run this credit card machine anyway!?!” Since then we’ve been blessed with your business, humbled again by your return, we’ve been part of your celebrations, and caught up with you over casual dinners. Ever the romantic, Linda has loved helping brides and grooms organize rehearsal dinners and intimate weddings which we can host in our beautiful private dining room or, for those grander celebrations, in the restaurant itself. We’ve met many new wonderful friends and continue to cherish the memories our guests share with us about their time at Ten Acres over the years. Safe to say, we’re starting to feel like we can pretend that we know what we’re doing! We’re coming off our summer of family and friends visiting us—thankfully they gave us a year to get out of the weeds before arriving. It was wonderful to share our adventure with them and have them meet our phenomenal team. Chef Gary (Super G,) is a joy to work with. Not only does he outwork everyone and take time to teach and inspire his team he also makes sure every plate is something we can all be proud off. As we go into the new season, we are excited to taste Chef Gary’s new menu ideas—it’s a tough job but someone’s got to do it!
Flavorfully Created Entrees. Handmade Soups, Breads, Salads & Desserts. Craft Beers. Thoughtfully Selected Wines. Fresh Pressed Cocktails. Seafood Special Changes Daily. Fireside Lounge • Bar Seating Elegant Dining • Beautiful Views
OPEN WED-SUN 5-10 P.M.
After I finished Linda’s Landscaping To-Do List for the summer she let me sponsor, and play for the Bistro at Ten Acres co-ed softball team. What great fun! I’m not sure what I’ll need to do for her next summer to get out on the golf course but I will be helped by Harry (16), Hamish (12), and Carter (4) to get everything accomplished. Linda and I hope you can join us this season. Cheers!
ESSENTIALS: 1 Stowe St., Waterbury. Daily, noon to midnight. 244-0123. blackbackpub.com. Continued on page 167
14 Barrows Rd., Stowe • tenacreslodge.com • (802) 253-6838 159
Caledonia Spirits’ Tom Cat gin. The distillery’s signature gin. Founder Todd Hardie.
of artisan distilleries and agricultural tales
C A L E D O Ns pI i rAi t s Story by Marialisa Calta
Photographs by Glenn Callahan
onnecting the world to the family farm,” reads one of the statements, scrawled on a large piece of paper. “Respect for our customer, our community, our families, and each other,” proclaims another. They may read like the core values of a non-profit with a mission, when, in fact, they are the guiding principals of a distillery. That’s the spirit behind Caledonia Spirits, a company that has been selling liquor from its Hardwick headquarters since 2011. It originates with founder Todd Hardie, a soft-spoken, articulate entrepreneur who comes across as more of a humble philosopher than a hardcore businessman. In conversation, for example, he uses “we” not “I” because, he explains, “everything is a team effort.” He talks about his realization that “the way you’re taking care of your resources and your people goes into every product, every bottle.” He speaks of learning from “wise elders.” His motto, which came from his great, great grandfather is: “The best fertilizer is always the footprint of a farmer.” Hardie’s footprints, side by side with those of his team and his community, are all over his products. On the face of it, the story of Caledonia Spirits is a trend story; it represents one of the many new artisan distilleries popping up all over Vermont in the last 160
decade. The state Department of Liquor Control estimates there are about 18 currently operating, with more in the works, churning out spirits distilled from or flavored with corn, barley, maple syrup, whey, and apples. Caledonia’s signature is honey. A beekeeper by trade and passion, Hardie has in his career produced raw honey, honeybased medicinal, or “apitherapy,” products, mead, and now booze. His Barr Hill Gin and Barr Hill Vodka, both made using honey, are available in 14 states, and are winning accolades and awards around the country. Caledonia Spirits also produces a barrel-aged Tom Cat gin and Corn Whiskey, and will soon be bottling the bourbon and rye whiskey currently aging in barrels. The company’s Elderberry Cordial will resume production once Hardie can establish a sustainable supply of berries.
The story of Caledonia Spirits is also an agricultural tale. Since childhood, Hardie has had a reverence for the land, for farming, and for the people who farm. He began tending bees on his family’s farm in Maryland when he was 12 years old, and came to appreciate honey and honeybee products (beeswax, propolis) as “a food and a medicine.” After graduating from Cornell University’s School of Agriculture, he decided he wanted to become part of “a community where agriculture is respected” and worked his way, after a stint studying with “elders”—experienced beekeepers in New York’s Finger Lakes region—to Hardwick and then further north to Morses Line, on the Quebec border. It’s an interesting aside that his home and honey house in that community 161
Ryan Christiansen, head distiller, surrounded by the stills.
was next door to the site of the renowned Prohibition-era speakeasy Bucket of Blood; the bar straddled the border, and on the Canadian side, Vermonters could drink legally. (And, recalls Hardie, its yard was littered with shards of glass.) Another interesting aside: Hardie hails from the distilling family of J & W Hardie of Edinburgh, Scotland, makers of a still-prized blended Scotch called The Antiquary. Yet distilling spirits, in his early beekeeping days, was far from his mind. hile in Morses Line, Hardie worked as a bee inspector for the Vermont Department of Agriculture, but he eventually moved his beekeeping operation to the more fertile Champlain Valley. For years he ran a business based in Ferrisburgh, Vt., selling honey and honey-based traditional plant medicines, such as wild cherry and elderberry syrups, a throat spray, and a salve under the Honey Gardens label. He later sold the business, which is now headquartered in Utah, but he kept in touch with his friends in the Northeast Kingdom, and returned five years ago to farm in Greensboro and to work on opening his distillery. He counts among his confidants and inspirations the leaders of the vibrant agricultural community in the area: Pete Johnson of Pete’s Greens, Mateo Kehler of Jasper Hill Cheeses, Tom Stearns of High Mowing Organic Seeds, and Andrew Meyer of Vermont Soy. And he honors the memory of the late, renowned nurseryman Lewis Hill, who introduced him to elderberries. “We are constantly learning from each other and trying to help each other,” he says. “Vermonters take care of Vermonters.” He named his gin and vodka after Greensboro’s Barr Hill, where juniper berries grow wild. 162
Vermont’s complicated relationship with alcohol, like that of the rest of the country, goes way back. In Last Call, a history of Prohibition, Daniel Okrent writes that as early as 1763, New England boasted 159 rum distilleries. George Washington kept a still; John Adams began each day with a tankard of hard cider; Thomas Jefferson made rye whiskey from his own crops; and James Madison drank a pint of whiskey a day. By 1810, 14,000 distilleries were operating nationwide. “By 1830 American adults were guzzling, per capita, a staggering seven gallons of pure alcohol a year,” Okrent writes, noting that staggering is an apt word. Or, as historian W.J. Rorabaugh quipped in The Alcoholic Republic, “Americans drank from the crack of dawn to the crack of dawn.” Vermont held its own: by 1818, according to Rumrunners and Revenuers by Vermont historian Scott Wheeler, the Green Mountain State counted 200 distilleries in operation. But just as the small distilleries nationwide could
OPEN DAILY FOR DINING
7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. Wednesday - Saturday
Great Dining, Good Times
Banquet Room for all occasions
4 - 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday
DAILY SPECIALS! 116 VT ROUTE 15 WEST MORRISVILLE, VERMONT
888-4242 • 888-8865
990 Mountain Road 802.253.8921 stowegreyfoxinn.com
Join us for Lunch and Dinner 7 days a week!
294 Mountain Road, Stowe VT
VOTED BEST BAGELS* *Seven Days
Fre s h l y m a d e & baked daily in our kitchen Family owned & operated IN A FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE ENJOY:
Breakfast & Lunch All Sandwiches, All Day Sandwich Specialties • Homemade Soup • Fresh Salads Baked Goods • Vegetarian Specialties • Vitamin Waters Cappuccino & Lattes
Eat-in or Take-out • Open daily 6:30 am - 4:30 pm
802.253.9943 CAT E R I N G AVA I L A B L E • F R E E W I - F I 394 MOUNTAIN ROAD • BAGGY KNEES SHOPPING CENTER • STOWE, VERMONT
HUNDREDS OF CRAFT BEERS
Growlers I Home Brew Supplies I Classes/Workshops We care about education and customer service as much as we do about the beer in our stores.
Thanks for loving good beer! 3 Elm St. Waterbury
around the corner from Prohibition Pig
craftbeercellar.com/waterbury Facebook: CBCwaterbury Twitter: @cbc_waterbury
not survive Prohibition, Vermont’s distilleries saw a steep decline due to the efforts of an early and vigorous temperance movement. By 1840, Wheeler writes, Vermont had only two distilleries and one brewery in operation. The state even voted to go dry in 1845, an experiment that lasted only one year. A law passed in 1851, however, banned the manufacture of alcohol, and kept the commercial distilling business out of Vermont until the turn of the century. Less than 20 years later, the 18th Amendment was ratified nationally, turning Vermont dry once again. We seem to have been distillery-free (or, at least, free of commercial distilleries) until the late 1980s, when entrepreneurs Brian Tyrol and Steven Israel opened Vermont Distillers— making several spirits, including vodka, gin, and a maple-based brew—in Waterbury. It was the first distillery in the state—and possibly in
Rye whiskey ages in barrels. Tyler Buswell writes the batch number and year on a bottle. The bottles get ginned up.
the country—to open since Prohibition, Tyrol said recently. Citing distribution problems, it closed after three years. “We were ahead of our time,” says Tyrol, who has retired from a successful career in the industry and lives in Plainfield. “We plowed a lot of ground.” (Note: The company is unrelated to Vermont Distillers of Marlboro, makers of Metcalfe’s Vermont Maple Cream Liqueur.) hile Vermont Distillers of the 1980s may have been ahead of the curve, momentum was definitely gaining. The localvore movement heightened interest in sustainable agriculture, and the craft-brewery movement spotlighted high-quality, artisan beverages. Local vineyards began flourishing. In the past decade, distillers have come to the fore. l
frappes / milkshakes ■ ■
children’s menu ■
delicious sundaes ■
ice cream sodas ■
homemade soups ■
Ask for fresh vermont beef lunch & dinner / breakfast saturdays & sundays
253-4269 • 57 DEPOT STREET One block off main street
Black Cap Coffee 144 Main Street, Stowe • Across from the church Open Mon-Sat at 7 a.m. • Sunday at 8 a.m. (802) 253-2123 • See us on Facebook
The best burgers in town! Beef, Salmon, Turkey & Veggie Burgers Handcut Fries Local Craft Beers
Fireplace is Roaring all WInter Long! Milkshakes Creemees
1669 Mountain Road Stowe, Vermont (Just off the Rec Path)
802-253-3100 bluedonkeyvt.com 166
“Caledonia Spirits embodies the ideas of sustainability and terroir,” says Justin Lane Briggs, a Calais native and Brooklyn-based mixologist, who designs bar programs for restaurants around the country. Since honey is so deeply and directly connected to the crops the bees are pollinating, he says, Barr Hill Gin and Barr Hill Vodka “are inherently defined by place.” Or, as writer Warren Bobrow observed, “honey has a memory.” obrow, a friend of Hardie’s, food writer, spirits blogger (cocktail whisperer.com), and author of Apothecary Cocktails: Restorative Drinks from Yesterday and Today, warns that since there are no laws requiring disclosure of ingredients for alcoholic beverages, some distilleries use “garbage” in their products— artificial flavors and colors and other chemical additives. This is even true of some so-called craft distilleries, some of whom claim to be distilling a spirit, when in fact they simply buy industrially-produced booze, bottle it, and label it as an artisan product. (Templeton Rye of Iowa, for example, is the subject of a classaction lawsuit alleging that it is not, as claimed, a small-batch product made from a “Prohibition era” recipe, but is simply purchased from a large Indiana distillery and rebottled in Templeton). Bobrow praises Caledonia Spirits for its purity and authenticity: “I love them,” he says simply. Don Horrigan, a mixologist based in Hardwick who designed cocktails for restaurants including Positive Pie and the now defunct Clare’s restaurant, and who also makes Sumptuous Syrups at the Food Venture Center, praises Hardie and his team for “doing things as right as they can be done.” The Caledonia Spirits crew work hard at it. Master distiller Ryan Christiansen, 29, who describes himself as an idealist, says the company’s goal is no less than “improving the food system” by becoming reliable buyers of high-quality local and regional crops, thereby making those crops sustainable sources of income for small-scale farmers. As it is now, the company works hard to source the raw honey used in flavoring its gin and as the base for distilling its vodka, purchasing it from Vermont and New York. Organic rye comes from a small farm just north of the Quebec border. The corn for the Corn Whiskey (now sold out, but in the works for the future) was grown by Jack Lazor at Butterworks Farm in Westfield. Hardie and Christiansen recently located a Vermont source of white oak, along with copper from upstate New York, to make barrels in which to age whiskey, bourbon, rye, and a barrel-aged gin. “Caledonia Spirits is closing a loop,” says Cocktail Whisperer Bobrow. “They are distilling the link between the land and the farmer and the consumer. Their spirits are the best kind: they tell a story.” ■ ESSENTIALS: caledoniaspirits.com.
Continued from page 159
Commodities N AT U R A L
Your one-stop grocery shopping destination featuring organic produce . local products . fresh bread health & wellness . bulk foods . household items & more
A massive expansion at Trapp Lager Brewery is well underway. The project has been in the works for several years, and in early November the sparkling steel brewhouse equipment arrived at its new home. South Burlington-based construction company Neagley & Chase is working on the sleek, energy-efficient structure, which will house the brewing operation as well as kegging, bottling, and packaging lines. An attached restaurant/beer garden is planned for the future. Future beer hall visitors will be able to gaze in on the massive brewing equipment, made by German company ROLEC. Craig Street is the Trapp brewery’s project manager from ROLEC; he has set up camp in Stowe, along with a team of welders from Bavaria, to make sure the project runs smoothly during the 15week installation. Now, the Trapps brewery can produce about 1,905 barrels (60,000 gallons) of beer per year; once the new brewhouse is fully operational, it will be able to pump out about 50,000 barrels per year (1.5 million gallons). The expansion will also bump the brewery’s designation from microbrewery to small regional craft brewery. Head brewer JP Williams said the brewery will be operational in January, and the first batch—after the equipment’s introductory “water brew”—will be Trapp’s popular Helles lager. The grain will be stored in silos inside the brewhouse—the only fully indoor setup in New England, according to Williams. All ingredients will continue to be imported from Europe, mostly Germany, with some hops from the Czech Republic. Trapps’ own spring water will continue to be used for the beer. The brewhouse will open with a functional kegging line, and work up to production on the bottling and packaging setup, releasing 12-ounce bottles in 12 packs—yes, start getting excited—as well as 22-ounce bombers. Trapp beer will continue to be distributed throughout Vermont and New Hampshire, and the company recently signed a deal to distribute in Massachussetts. ■ —Hannah Marshall
commoditiesnaturalmarket.com 512 MOUNTAIN ROAD . 802-253-4464 . OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK Stowe, Vermont
East Village, NYC
A small circle of people assembled at Bridgeside Books in Waterbury on a drizzly June afternoon, an even split of locals and out-of-towners, ranging in age from twentysomethings to mid-60s. Standing beside a small table laden with books and a steel ice tub full of Heady Topper was Ben Keene, author of The Great Northeast Brewery Tour. Speaking with a current and informed ease, he could have been just another bandwagon craft-brew-seeking, plaid-shirted dude, but in lieu of speculation, he had solid and intriguing answers for every inquiry posed by the rapt audience. Keene knows more than a little about the beer industry—among other accomplishments, he contributed to The Oxford Companion to Beer (2011) and recently joined BeerAdvocate magazine as managing editor. The discussion flowed, lively and interactive, the mood a pleasant mix of relaxed, intellectual, and cheery, everyone happily clutching plastic cups of beer. Beaming Bridgeside Books owner Hiata Defeo made sure everyone was topped off. The conversation bounced around, touching on brewery locations and the East-West Coast differences, hop growing and, of course, the amazing local offerings.
Waterbury at center of craft-brewing movement
STORY / Hannah Marshall PHOTOGRAPHS / Glenn Callahan
Not for everyone In the spirit of supporting local brews and slaking our own thirst, Keene agreed to meet me down the street at Prohibition Pig. I snagged a couple of seats, smack in the middle of the bar, with a great view of the incredibly talented and good-looking bartenders, and equally attractive beer offerings. The man next to me struck up a dour conversation. “They don’t have my kind of beer here,” he said. “I only drink one kind of beer. I.C. Light. Iron City? From Pennsylvania.” BeerAdvocate gives it a 60 out of 100; the brewing company’s website touts its 95 measly calories and mango option. I ask the gentleman if he’s from Pennsylvania. “No. Florida.” He and his friend came to Vermont on business, and they are not loving the scene. Apparently, not everyone wants to ride the delicious craft beer wagon. They lament the lack of “nightlife,” and despair at the local food and drink offerings. I point them toward the Stowe golf courses and chain restaurants in Burlington; they seem appeased.
TAPPED Clockwise from top left: Mark Drutman restocks a shelf at Craft Beer Cellar on Elm Street in Waterbury. The Reservoir in Waterbury boasts a whopping 38 taps, many for Vermont beers; other local pubs also have impressive numbers. Ben Keene. Frankenlager American double/imperial pilsner, Smuttynose Brewing Company, Hampton, N.H. Scurry Altbier, Off Color Brewing, Chicago, Ill. Baudelaire IO Saison, Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, Dexter, Mich.
Making introductions BETHANY BANDERA
I enjoy a housemade schizandra berry kombucha, which I can only assume will give me digestive superpowers. Keene joins me after a time, and I tell him about my new friends, who have since abandoned me in search of urbanity. He wishes he could have gone through each of tonight’s 20plus draft offerings with them, confident he would have found something they liked. He loves introducing new beers to people—or is he introducing new people to the beers? And if corporations can be people, why not breweries? They’re certainly more friendly. At the book signing, Keene relayed a fascinating anecdote about Pabst Blue Ribbon, the ubiquitous and dubiously award-winning American lager favored by flannel-clad hipsters nationwide. Keene said that, in the Milwaukee plant’s heyday, union rules mandated that workers have three 15-minute breaks per day, and could drink a beer during each one. l
STOWE BEVERAGE & LIQUOR STORE
LIQUOR•BEER•WINE Tel. 253-4525 1880 Mountain Road, Stowe. Open 9-9 M-S • 11-6 Sunday
PHOTOS: GLENN CALLAHAN
Bagel Bench Bistro at Ten Acres Black Cap Coffee Blue Donkey
Breakfast, lunch Wood-fired comfort food American, European Coffeehouse, sandwiches Burgers, comfort food
B, L D D L, D L, D
$1 - $10 $5 - $20 $12 - $30 $2 - $12 $7 - $15
253 - 9943 253 - 5100 253 - 6838 253 - 2123 253 - 3100
Blue Moon Cactus Cafe Charlie B's Pub & Restaurant Cliff House Crop Bistro & Brewery Depot St. Malt Shop Edelweiss Edson Hill Manor Flannel Golden Eagle Colonial Café Gracie’s Restaurant Great Room Grill Green Goddess Cafe Harrison's Restaurant Harvest Market Hen of the Wood Hob Knob Inn Lighthouse Bar & Grill McCarthy's Restaurant Mi Casa Kitchen & Bar Michael's on the Hill O’Grady’s Grill & Bar Phoenix Table & Bar Piecasso Pizzeria Plate Pub / Dutch Pancake Café Rimrocks Mountain Tavern The Roost Rusty Nail Nightclub Solstice Stonegrill Sunset Grille & Taproom Sushi Yoshi Swiss Fondue by Heinz Trapp Family Lodge Trapp DeliBakery Trattoria la Festa Vermont Ale House
Mediterranean merican Southwestern/Mexican/BBQ New American, pub fare Regional American American bistro, pub fare Casual American, diner Deli, bakery Classic New England Seasonal American Vermont breakfast American, casual dining Grill, regional American Breakfast, lunch, cafe American, bistro Deli, bakery, charcuterie Seasonal American Angus steak, seafood, duck American Breakfast and lunch Mexican with VT twist European American, pub Regional American Pizza, local, organic California meets Vermont Pub fare, Dutch pancakes American, pub fare American, pub fare Lunch, late night bites Seasonal American American BBQ, burgers, sports bar Hibachi, sushi, Asian Swiss, fondue, crepes European, seasonal Sandwiches, deli Italian American, pub fare
D D B, L, D L, D* L, D B, L, D B,L D B, L, D B D B, L B,L D B, L, D D D B, D B, L L,D D L, D, LN L, D, WB L, D D B, D L, D, LN D L, D, LN B, D B, L, D, LN L, D, LN L, D L, D B, L, D B, L, D D L, D, LN
$8 - $36 $6 - $21 $5 - $18 $8 - $22 $4 - $28 $3 - $12 $2 - $9
$8 - $40 $5 - $24 $5 - $20 $9 - $35 $11 - $25 $8 - $42 $6 - $15 $6 - $25 $5 - $25
253 - 7006 253 - 7770 253 - 7355 253 - 3000 253 - 4765 253 - 4269 253 - 4034 253 - 7371 253 - 6445 253 - 4811 253 - 8741 253 - 3000 253 - 5255 253 - 7773 253 - 3800 244 - 7300 253 - 8549 253 - 7131 253 - 8626 253 - 5333 244 - 7476 253 - 8233 253 - 2838 253 - 4411 253 - 2691 253 - 5330 253 - 9593 253 - 6471 253 - 6245 760 - 4735 888 - 4242 253 - 9281 253 - 4135 999 - 8785 253 - 8511 253 - 8511 253 - 8480 253 - 6253
Whip Bar & Grill
L, D, LN, SB
$4 - $30
253 - 4400
$8 - $34 $2 - $12 $11 - $23 $3.50 & up $5 - $27 $2 & up $7 - $30 $10 - $37 $6 - $14 $2 & up $2 - $20 $10 - $40 $4 - $27 $6 - $30 $2 - $20 $9 - $24 $7 - $24 $4 - $18 $5 - $25
MEALS GUIDE: B = Breakfast • L = Lunch • SB = Sunday Brunch • WB = Weekend Brunch • D = Dinner • LN = Late night • *Days are limited
BEER TOWN I ask Keene what his favorite “low-brow” beer is. He has a genuinely hard time answering this question. He literally can’t remember the last time he had a true bottom-barrel beer. They’re usually touted as “ice cold,” because that’s pretty much the only way you can actually drink them—unless you’re under 25; then a pass could perhaps be granted (and points awarded for creative intake). Finally, he cops to Red Stripe, the Jamaican-style lager, and we agree that it’s one of the better worse options.
Look at the taps Back on the finer end of the spectrum, the staggering quantity of craft beers available today is illustrated temptingly in front of our eyes. At current count, Waterbury’s bars are extremely well-stocked: Prohibition Pig has 22 taps, with 10 to 14 Vermont beers on at a time; Blackback has 22 draft lines, about half local; the Reservoir claims the most taps in the state, with a prodigious 38, usually 50 to 60 percent local; and even Arvad’s has 10 lines, nine of which are currently flowing with Vermont brews. To keep up with the Joneses, especially in this crossroads haven for beer enthusiasts, a successful establishment needs to be pretty stacked. Craft Beer Cellar, which opened at the end of
last year, boasts 547 libations from 168 local, domestic, and international breweries, with bottled and canned beers, ciders, meads and a growler station to suit any palate or whim. Keene recalls wild beers he’s experienced: a malty, earthy beet beer, an Old Bay-seasoned beer from crab-happy Maryland (Flying Dog’s Dead Rise), which he said was tasty yet confusing to the taste buds, and a slightly horrifying tale of pig’s head beer (“Would you have to skim the hairs out?”), which he has not personally imbibed. One lovely and rather unconventional style we discuss is gose, the salt-and-coriander flavored unfiltered wheat beer; Lost Nation in Morrisville makes a great one, and the Pig tapped a cask of its Galaxy-hopped gose on July 4. You’re welcome, America!
Why now? Why here? I have been tasked with one specific inquiry from the editorial powers-that-be: to find out why we so love the giant, in-your-face, double(like our beloved Heady), triple- or even quadhopped IPAs. Keene offers several possible explanations: their “monochromatic” styling may appeal to Americans’ penchant for gravitating toward foods and flavors of a distinct focus; nothing too far out of place. “We’ve trained our palates for flavor categories: salty, sweet, sour, bitter, savory, etc.,” he says. “The IPA arms race seems
to appeal to that, at least in part.” Another motive for the major hop love is a kind of rebellion by today’s brewers against the boring, flat, big-business beers so common in the past decades. “They’re going to go to the other end of the spectrum and yell, Hey, check out this stuff!” says Keene. Keene also notes that the hoppy madness that we see today might have started earlier, had it not been for the biological demise of the booming New York hop industry in the early 1900s, followed shortly by Prohibition (the bummer, not the brewpub). There was a bump in popularity toward bigger, hoppier flavors in the 1990s, but the meteoric rise started sometime around 2002. Vermont may not be on the cutting edge of all aspects of culture, but we definitely hold fast the attention of the widespread beer-loving community. Beer has created a niche tourism industry, people of every ilk waiting in queues 100 strong, piling with friends into their beater sedans or flying across the country to get their hands onto precious limited-release hypermicrobrew four-packs, or to partake of one-nightonly pours of ephemeral casked elixirs. Keene elucidates. “Vermont beers are like designer beers. This is kind of the sexiest you can get for liquid, right?” Looking toward the future of the beer, Keene estimates that we’re about halfway there, wherever “there” turns out to be. ■
FAMILY RESTAURANT & SPORTS BAR
Over 25 years of Food, Fun & Friends Stop by for dinner and see why we’re one of Stowe’s favorite spots for more than 25 years!
BBQ • SEAFOOD • BURGERS Lunch • Dinner • Late Night Great children’s menu!
“You can’t beat that flavor!” Open daily 140 Cottage Club Road, Stowe
802-253-9281 NFL Sunday Ticket, NHL Package, Big Ten Network, 30 TVs & 6 Big Screens 171
R E A L E S TAT E & H O M E S Are you searching for the perfect home or vacation getaway? Looking to update your 1970s kitchen, add a great room, or find a stone mason to redo your uneven terrace? Well, the search is over. Our guide to real estate and homes is your one-stop shop to find a new home or connect with the finest architects, interior designers, builders, and other craftsmen and suppliers for everything home-related. Remember STEPHANIE POTTER
too, that our Web sites—stowetoday.com, stowereporter.com, and waterburyrecord.com—are great real-estate resources.
Custom Homes • Remodeling • Additions • Kitchens Tucker Fossiano Office: 802-244-6767 [email protected]
Cell: 802-238-0260 www.beaconhillvt.com
S T O R Y : nancy wolfe stead : derrick barrett, barrett photography D E T A I L S : glenn callahan
A grand, but Not So Big, house
ome homes lure you, urge you, to the front door. Once inside, they not only embrace you, but also set up a sense of delightful anticipation of what lies beyond. That is the special effect of Ed and Maureen Labenski’s home, an exquisitely designed jewel of interior space seamlessly interwoven with the surrounding landscape, tucked into a high meadow of the Worcester Range, with eye-popping views of the Green Mountains. The house, built in 1998, was designed by architect Sarah Susanka, the author of the Not So Big House series, advocating homes be designed with less square footage but more detail and care, built to nurture, not impress, and to reflect the lifestyles of their
owners. The concept was revolutionary in the 1990s, an era of McMansions conceived by architects who added ever more rooms for endless specific purposes that increased square footage, but were seldom used. Homes built for the ego, not the soul. Story continues on page 192
the away room
DETAILS: GLENN CALLAHAN. INTERIORS: DERRICK BARRETT
DETAIL: GLENN CALLAHAN. INTERIORS: DERRICK BARRETT
DETAILS: GLENN CALLAHAN. INTERIORS: DERRICK BARRETT
EXTERIORS: DERRICK BARRETT
themes and variations
Photos: Susan Teare
Architectural Design Solutions.
CLOSET PULL: GLENN CALLAHAN. INTERIOR & CLOSE DOOR: DERRICK BARRETT
INSET: GLENN CALLAHAN. INTERIOR: DERRICK BARRETT
INSETS: GLENN CALLAHAN. INTERIOR: DERRICK BARRETT
J. Graham Goldsmith Architects
Quality Design and Professional Architectural Services tel: 800 862 4053
MEMBER OF THE STOWE AREA ASSOCIATION
healthcare as individual as you
• Work Injuries • Sports Medicine • Geriatrics • Women’s Health
• Medical Care for Adults and Children • On-Site X-Ray Lab • Acute Orthopedics
802-253-4853 Mon. - Fri. 8am - 5pm Sat. 10am - 3pm Same Day Appointments - Accepting New Patients
1878 Mountain Road, Stowe, VT 05672 www.chslv.org Part of the Community Health Services of Lamoille Valley
Story continues from page 174
SIMPLY THE FINEST HARDWOOD FURNITURE MADE IN VERMONT.
It was no accident that when Maureen, a seventh-generation Vermonter living in Minneapolis, but planning retirement with husband Ed in her home state, met Susanka, they immediately clicked. “We could finish each other’s sentences,” says Maureen, and Susanka, who was also based in Minneapolis at the time, became the couple’s Vermont architect. “Sarah gave people a vocabulary to talk about what they like in a house,” explains Maureen. “She developed concepts, like ‘shelter around activity’ and ‘a pod of space,’ that describe how we feel in different spaces. It’s a great gift. It is probably similar to how the vocabulary for wine developed that now allows us to describe their tastes.” Susanka has given flesh to concepts first expressed in A Pattern Language published by architect Christopher Alexander and colleagues in 1977. That dense, somewhat obscure treatise gave names to design patterns and spatial concepts that have for millennia intuitively pleased humanity and are integral to architecture. With language, both architect and client better understand what makes spaces work and how to create them. The magic of the Labenski house is that architect, clients, and landscape architect Cynthia Knauf were all devotees of Alexander, and came to the building project with unified intent. It was symbiosis. Ruminating on what she desires in a home, Maureen says, “I want detail. I want a place for all the things I love. I want enough to make it feel like home.” Susanka’s job was to deliver that with minimum square footage—the initial goal was 2,700 square feet; the end result was 3,046 square feet. Downsizing is achieved by having rooms fill multiple functions. The living room is actually living area with fireplace and comfortable seating, TV room, dining room, quiet reading nook, and display area for an expansive lifetime collection of art and artifacts. At right angles to the dining area is a roomy, carefully designed kitchen where the couple cooks together. Key to the Susanka concept is the use of varied ceiling heights and materials to enliven the larger space while creating areas of defined use within. Lowered soffits, changes in color and texture, and latticed cherry ceiling screens demark transitions of use. They add interest while establishing proportions that are comfortable to the occupant. There are almost no space-wasting, walled hallways. The architect designs with transitional pathways through rooms, what she calls sequence of place. She wants people to view where they are going and anticipate it. When the Labenski’s first-floor master bedroom door is open, you can see from the front hallway through a variety of intriguing spaces and out the bedroom window at the far end. The sight begs you to explore.
NOT SO BIG HOUSE
Visit Our Factory Showroom in the Highland Industrial Park 4 Tigan St., Winooski ~ 802-655-6568 ~ Hours: Mon-Sat 10-4
Vermont Sun Structures Sunroom Design & Construction 879-6645 VermontSunStructures.com
CERAMIC • GLASS • NATURAL STONE • CARPET HARDWOOD • AREA RUGS • GRANITE COUNTERTOPS Countertops are Manufactured in Our State of the Art Facility here in South Barre, Vermont
889 South Barre Road - Rt. 14
802.476.0912 • barretile.com 194
Upstairs is ostensibly guest area, but again, rooms do double duty. One guest room is permanently set up for service, but the second, on most days, is Maureen’s capacious office. Her desk is between corner windows, facing gardens and glimpses of a pond in the foreground and the ever-changing panorama of distant mountains. When needed, a Murphy bed opens, her work cupboard closes, and the room welcomes company. Stowe builder John Steele was 100 percent on board. With four decades of experience in finehome construction, he and his team were committed to creating “a quality product for Ed and Maureen.” Steele immediately recognized the organic nature of the house design. It was much more than an assemblage of construction parts. To be successful it was necessary to envision each piece’s role in the entire finished product before the first nail was struck. Susanka’s architecture draws inspiration from the Prairie School-style of architects led by Frank Lloyd Wright. Roof overhangs and pitch, the repetition of shadow, the immense but subtle importance of detail, the blurring of lines between outdoor and indoor space—all are key. The Labenski’s Minneapolis home was a 1910 Prairie School-style residence designed by Wright’s foremost followers, Purcell & Elmslie. Steele was flown to Minnesota to familiarize his team with the style. Steele is quick to emphasize the importance of Cynthia Knauf’s landscape design as an integral part of the house. Knauf says, “I was doing outside what Maureen was doing inside. It’s not often that happens. Everyone needs to read Alexander’s book.” Her design is based on the Japanese aesthetic of creating flow. “There can be no break,” she explains. “Everything flows into the next. That is what all of us—owner, builder, and landscape designer—were working together on.”
NOT SO BIG HOUSE
“Maureen didn’t want a lot of lawn,” she explains. “She wanted a manicured necklace around the house, a lot of detail, a lot of variety, a lot happening, I have to say, in a confined space.” Knauf’s mission was to create “a tapestry of patterns, textures and colors” for year-round interest using mainly hardy, native, north-central Vermont species that could substitute for traditional Japanese garden plantings. Red maple, paper birch, pine, and luxuriant ferns already grew on the old pastureland. Winterberry, vibernum, and a wide variety of blossoming shrubs were added. Closer to the house she added “eye-catchers”: non-native, non-invasive and Vermont-hardy species such as Korean purple-leaf maple, Amur maple, Russian cypress, weeping larch, and Norway spruce. There is even a rain garden under the convergence of two rooflines where rain falls over weeping white pine and spruce to pool on a mosaic of deftly arranged stones and tiles.The planter, Robert Stoeklein, was a sublime master of his craft; Jake Barbour of Morrisville has nurtured his gardens with exquisite care over the ensuing years. Mark Moody’s magnificent stone walls and paths make stylized transition from porch to stepping stones, then sweep through gardens to, as Maureen says, “lure you to hidden mysteries.” It is significant that in interviewing the individuals responsible for the various components of the Labenski house, each party was profuse in paying respect to the others. All acknowledge the importance of architect, landscape architect, builder, and clients being integrated from the beginning. Ed and Maureen were looking for teamwork, and teamwork accomplished the exceptional. Plus, Maureen says, she got to meet the most amazing number of Vermont’s first-rate artists and artisans. They may indeed be called on again as the Labenski’s contemplate living even smaller in the heart of Burlington. ■ 195
S T O R Y:
SNOW DAY IS A TOW DAY
The smiles are wide as Monday’s inch-an-hour storm dumps all over Stowe. If it were a gold-mining town it would be raining gold dust, but it’s a ski town and snow is the mother lode. Off the hill, away from the brightly colored skiers in their high-tech parkas, Willie Noyes is zipped into his utilitarian dark blue coveralls, working on cars and waiting for calls. As much as it is snowstorm, it is also a tow storm. The speech in Willie’s garage is rife with four-letter words, one in particular that is used equally as a noun, verb, and adjective, often in the same sentence. Without those words and compound words built from them, the story is simple and businesslike. “I remember one Christmas Day I was just sitting down to dinner when David Wolfgang called and said there was a car off the road at the bottom of Harlow Hill,” Willie says. “I went up there and it was more like 30 cars. I pulled out the first two and told them to wait down at the Matterhorn, but they just drove off. Then I started collecting before we got them out. Six hours
TIM M EEHAN B UILDERS
“Tim always wanted to do the right thing, use good materials, do it the right way. When problems came up, and they always do, Tim had good ideas on alternative solutions and worked hard to make things come out the right way.” —Robert M. Smith, Architect
802.777.0283 588 S. Main St. | Stowe, Vermont www.northernnehomes.com
• • • •
Building Excellence Award-winning Builder Exceptional Homes Creative Remodeling
Willie Noyes and Shawn Wells work along the Mountain Road in Stowe to pull a delivery truck from a snowdrift after a storm subsides.
and $600 later I went home for Christmas dinner.” It’s not that simple, and business teachers would be aghast at Willie’s customer relations policy. “I try to get the job done,” Willie says. And the rest? “I don’t think I’ve ever scared anyone away. I get a lot of return business,” he adds smiling. The four-letter words are an integral part of the speech in the garage, but are often used without anger. “It’s usually pretty easy if the —— people just listen,” Willies says. “They just don’t —— understand when you tell them to turn the wheels toward the ditch. They’re —— afraid they’re going to go back in. I try to tell them that I’ve got the back of the —— car hooked in the back and it isn’t going anywhere.” Willie Noyes built Willie’s Village Auto in 1975. He bought his first tow truck within a year. He learned the towing art, and likely some of the art of public relations, under the guidance of local hook198
and-haul legend Wayne Blaisdell. It’s a business that has become increasingly competitive. Now Willie has three one-ton tow trucks, a flat bed, and a massive Mac plow truck that can handle up to 30 tons and snow days like Monday’s are easy paydays. By 9:30 in the morning Willie’s trucks have been out four times and the snow is still falling. The number of calls isn’t as high as some garages because the independent mechanic refuses to be an AAA towing service. “Those ——, they want you to do $100 worth of work for $20,” he says. “I won’t get
my head off the pillow at three in the morning for $20.” But when Earl runs his propane delivery truck into a ditch on the Waterbury side of Stowe Hollow, he knows who to call. “Want to come,” Willie asks. “You can meet the truck in the village.” Shawn Wells drives Willie’s big town truck, which takes 50 gallons and $90 worth of diesel fuel on the way to the tow. It’s the beginning of three hours of work, laughs, cigarettes and, of course, cursing. The big wrecker has tire chains in the rear, 15 speeds, twin winches, and creeps along Route 100 south at about 25 miles per hour. Up through Gold Brook and back toward Stowe Hollow. At the covered bridge, where Covered Bridge, Gold Brook, and Stowe Hollow roads meet, the heavy truck turns left and starts up the snow-covered road. A couple hundred yards up the road the big truck meets Willie and one of the onetons, towing a car out of the ditch. Shawn drives the truck between the wrecker and the wreck, over the cable and continues up the road. From the start it seems that the big truck is struggling with the mealy snow, even with the chains, and as the road gets steeper the truck slows to a crawl. Willie, his tow finished, catches up and eventually passes when the big truck, its cab filled with smoke from a straining diesel clutch, stops a few yards short of the top the hill. “The —— snow is too heavy,” says Shawn, who has been driving trucks and heavy equipment since he was old enough to see over the steering wheel. “I can’t go anywhere.” It’s the start of a wrecker call that will eventually involve both tow trucks, two snowplows, three separate pulls out of ditches, two trees, and an estimated 3,000 curse words. Willie makes it to the top of the hill and then stops. Shawn and Willie try to use the winch on the small wrecker to tug the big wrecker over the crest of the hill. The pull helps pull the Mac higher, but also tugs it toward the ditch on the right, before they decide it isn’t going to work. “We’ve just got to get a —— plow through here,” Willie says. “This is tough snow.” As Shawn sits in the middle of the road Willie goes in search of Earl and the stuck propane truck. His voice crackles over the radio asking for directions again, because the truck doesn’t seem to be where it was supposed to be, cursing developers who build long driveways, the people who live at the end of them, and snowplowers. Shawn finally decides to take action, using a tree to pull himself back into the
603.359.1912 / geobarns.com 199
road, then back down the hill to a driveway to get out of the road. Willie finally returns, having found the customer, and pulls into the drive. Minutes later a Walker Construction plow truck driven by Jay drives by, then stops. Willie asks if he can take a couple of runs at the snow-covered road and he does, clearing it enough to get both trucks over the hill. A mile down the road, with a town plow and Jay now following, the two trucks turn into the driveway and stop a quarter mile in as the town plow turns around and heads back toward the village. Up the hill a second plow, which Willie asked to plow the driveway, is stuck and Willie uses the small town truck to pull it out. The plowing continues, but the snow is too heavy for the older truck and it gives up. That leaves the hill to Jay and he quickly clears a path up to the propane truck and gets out of the way. Already out of the garage for more than an hour, Willie and Shawn, two bystanders, and Earl survey the situation. The propane truck, cocked on its side, is headed down the hill with both right wheels in the ditch. It’s been there for more than two hours. By the time Shawn gets the truck out the cables have been hooked and unhooked three times, the Mac tow truck has been chained to a tree, Willie has the small tow truck stuck at the bottom of the hill, and small patches of snow have melted from the language. Shawn nearly collapses laughing when Willie’s speedy backwards descent down the drive lands him in the ditch, but the levity helps break up an increasingly frustrating afternoon. After hooking the tow truck to a tree and tow cables to the propane truck, Earl is pulled clear. The two big trucks jockey around the limited space at the top of the hill so that Shawn can go down first to pull Willie out. There hours after he filled up on Main Street, Shawn leads a parade of the tow trucks and propane truck back down the road. “They aren’t normally this hard,” Shawn says. “It was tough snow.” It may be the first time since noon that a sentence hasn’t included an expletive. Before the end of the day the big wrecker will have been called out twice more. “I like the snow,” Willie says the next day. “Yesterday was very frustrating, it was a rare day.” It was a snow day. ■
(This story was first published in the Stowe Reporter, Feb. 17, 2000. The late Peter Hartt, who grew up in Stowe, edited the Stowe Reporter for a half dozen years in the early 2000s.) 200
Enjoy the uncomplicated way of life
YOUR SOURCE FOR SERTA BEDDING! Painting by Craig Mooney / West Branch Gallery
Gale Farm Center 1880 Mountain Rd., Stowe 802 760-6678 online at bisbeesvt.com
Personal Real Estate Sales & Rentals 17 Towne Farm Lane on Mountain Road (802) 253-4994 • www.stoweredbarnrealty.com
Marvin Moriarty and his Ma’s hat Anabel Moriarty and her son Marvin were inducted into the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum’s Hall of Fame this fall. They were presented for induction by longtime friend Peter Miller, whose photographs and essay, Marvin Moriarty and his Ma’s hat, first appeared in Skiing Heritage, September 1999. Ma started her ski hat business in 1957, and it grew into a phenomenon. Marvin Moriarty was the youngest man ever named to the U.S. Olympic team. Story follows on page 204
Marvin Moriarty and his Ma’s hat “You see, the Americans were sort of pussy. They would make two arvin Moriarty of Stowe was a phenomenal ski racer, a to three runs a day and stop and look at the branches on the trail and natural athlete who excelled in every sport he particihash out the bumps. The Austrians skied up and down half a dozen pated in. Like many Vermonters, he is an independent times a day and it wasn’t long before they were going full bore over the cuss and doesn’t know what politically correct means. trouble spots. I followed those guys, but I didn’t have much of a Marvin will be best remembered for the hat on his chance, they were so good. I did win the slalom at the Davos Cup and head, and how Ma knitted it into shape. the King’s Cup slalom in Norway, but usually I came in third. “When I was in grade school in Stowe—couldn’t have been over “In 1959 Bob Beattie was coach and he wanted an all-college team. I five, about 1942, we used to ski on Marshall’s Hill. We had old wooden was 22 and I was just a woodchuck from Stowe and he dropped me. skis with toe plates and I stole my grandmother’s canning jar rubbers, My love for Bob Beattie is not overwhelmwhich I stretched around the toe plate and ing. I came home in 1958 and in 1959 won over the heel of my boots. It was like a more races than anyone on the ski team.” cable binding. Kids are so light they flutter Marvin entered the professional circuit about on skis. Those jar rubbers gave us for a year, then retired from ski racing to some stability.” Aspen, where he ran the Mad Dog Bar, “It was the mid-1940s that I graduated to which was famously infamous. He did some the Toll House. I skied for 25 cents a day other things that would be best viewed in a on the rope tow. Here the Austrians gave movie. Let’s just say that shoulder holster lessons but also set up slalom gates. They for his pistol is scratched and worn as an would run through the flush and I would old leather ski boot. He came back to Stowe watch and copy them. I was eight years old in 1973. The last race Marvin participated in at the time. I graduated to the big T-bar on was a Calcutta pro-am dual slalom event Mt. Mansfield and Bob Cochran, a ski held at Stratton in 1992, in honor of Emo patrolman, took me up to the mountain and Heinrich, Stratton’s first ski school director, he suggested we ski the Nose Dive.” for its 30th anniversary. Marvin’s team “Nope,” I said. “I’m scairt.” came in first and other teams were howling “Come on, you can do it.” that Marvin, who had a coronary bypass, “Well, he finally got his way and after was a ringer, he improved so much in the the first run I said to him, ‘Jeezus, that ain’t elimination. Although Marvin’s team won, as bad as the Lift Line!’ It wasn’t too long the award went to Emo’s team. Ski racing in Aspen, 1950s. before I was out-skiing Mr. Cochran. I was “Politics,” sighed Marvin. 11 years lacking a few months.” The other half of the Moriarty legend is “I started to race in high school and Ma, his mother. The Moriarty Hat came about in 1957, when Austrian since my first year I won all the state races and any others; it didn’t super racer and one-time Stowe ski instructor and coach Othmar make any difference. I won the Eastern Championships before and Schneider gave Marvin his hat, a toque. Marvin asked his mother to after high school—downhill, giant slalom, and slalom.” copy it and she used white yarn on a knitting loom. The machine “In 1955 there was a series of Olympic qualifying races around the couldn’t knit a rounded top so she made the hat with a triangular peak. country. I was 17 years old and ended up fourth overall. The college A Mt. Mansfield ski patrolman saw it and wanted one, then a national racers, Bill Beck and Lee Streeter, didn’t like being beaten by such a ski team member asked for another and it wasn’t long before it was the youngster as I was. I found out early that many in the ski racing crowd hat to have. wanted glory rather then having the fastest skier win the race.” “In our best year we made 15,000 hats and 4,000 sweaters all knitted “I was on the 1956 Olympic team and went to Cortina but I by Vermont women at their homes with their knitting machines,” said bummed up my leg. I raced with the national ski team in Europe in Marvin. 1957. We didn’t have the best of coaching. Bobo Sheehan was watchThe business was finally sold to Ed Morrison, who still runs it out of ing me practice a downhill pre-jump. He finally yelled at me, ‘You nearby Morrisville, Vermont. * ought to go back home if you can’t get that jump right.’ ” Ma Moriarty died in 1982. She will always be remembered for her “Yeah, I should,” I retorted, “and then you can put all your college hat and the way she decked a customer who insulted her. Marvin lives boys in.” in Stowe and Florida with his high school sweetheart (that’s another “From that day on I didn’t train with the team but with ‘The Black story) Beth McMahon, whose mother, Marilyn Shaw, was a well-know Crow.’ That’s what we called Friedl Pfeiffer, who was coach of the ski racer in the 1940s and 1950s. ■ women’s team.”
“At the end of the day Bodo would ask me, ‘Where you been?’ ” “I’ve been training on the downhill.” “I didn’t see you.” “I made six runs.”
About the author: Waterbury writer and photographer Peter Miller’s latest book, A Lifetime of Vermont People, features profiles and photos of more than 60 Vermonters, including a few from the Stowe area:
* Editor’s note: Read a story about Ma’s grandson Scott and his family, who have restarted the family hat business. Go to http://bit.ly/R8erC8
Mud City farmers and sugarmakers David and Charlene Rooney, Ann and Frank Lackey, Loren Darling, Bambi Freeman, and Ma and Marvin Moriarty, to name a few.
Though a “flatlander” by birth, Miller, who now lives in Waterbury, has been around long enough to form an opinion about what a “True Vermonter” is—a respectful, humble, easygoing member of the community who is open to all races, creeds, and sexual orientations, but who stops short of telling other people how to live their lives.
A Lifetime of Vermont People (Silver Print Press, 208 pages, silverprintpress.com) represents the culmination of 63 years of photography, featuring 203 black-and-white photos, and lyrical essays about “True Vermonters.” At its core, the book represents Miller’s fiercely independent worldview.
It’s a dying breed, he writes in the book’s introduction. “For the last 20 years of the 20th century to the present day, gentrification is blending Vermont into a suburban culture. Vermonters are getting pulled along—grudgingly, I might add.” (Purchase Peter’s book at silverprintpress.com.)
Board Certified & Fellowship Trained
Christian Bean, MD
Orthopedic & Sports Medicine
Christopher Meriam, MD
Comprehensive Surgical & Non-Surgical Care
Alan Smail, PA-C
James Picone, PA-C
- IN-OFFICE APONEUROTOMY - ULTRA SOUND GUIDED INJECTIONS - FRACTURE CARE & CASTING - HAND SPECIALIST & MICROVASCULAR SURGERY -
accepting all new patients
802.229.BONE (2663) | 130 Fisher Road, Building A, Suite 2-2 greenmountainortho.com | Berlin, Vermont 05602 205
Story continues from page 85
If you want to reach the bulk of Stowe’s best trails, go here. You will rarely have to wait in line, even on the busiest of days. In 1968, Charlie Lord’s vision, from an article published on Jan. 27, 1945, finally came to fruition. That’s when he’d first written how the area under The Chin on Mansfield would make an excellent place for several new trails. Stowe’s four-person Gondola began operation here in December 1968. Just like the old Single, the first day was a disaster, but repairs were soon made and the lift ran faithfully and safely for the next 23 years. Interestingly, in February 1967 plans were unveiled that called for a double lift at this location with an egg-shaped hood that would protect all 165 chairs. History proved that building the Gondola was a far better choice. The Gondola’s original base terminal sits where the Midway Lodge cafeteria is today. Look up at the ceiling and you’ll see some of the old sections of steel that supported the machinery for the Gondola’s lower bullwheel. In 1986, the modern world of high-speed lifts came to Stowe Mountain Resort. The old Single and Double were replaced by the first FourRunner, a high-speed, detachable quad, manufactured by Doppelmayr. It was America’s first high-speed quad east of the Mississippi River, and I can still remember my surprise on that first ride at how we seemed to blast out of the bottom terminal. It had normal teething problems but proved to be a high-quality and reliable lift that quickly became Stowe’s most favorite means of going uphill. High-speed detachable lifts are very complex—look at all those moving parts and marvel at how it runs so reliably. (Yes, I know it didn’t like high winds. Do you?) Unfortunately, the construction of the first FourRunner was problematic. Bad weather hindered most aspects of construction and everything was delayed. At least one chair fell off during testing. Frustration levels grew as official opening after official opening was postponed. Finally, by mid-morning on Thursday, Dec. 18, 1986 the lift began loading skiers, bringing Stowe’s uphill capacity to 1,500 riders per hour. The first riders on the new quad included Stowe’s trail designer and historian, Charlie Lord, and longtime president of the Mt. Mansfield Company, Sepp Ruschp. Did others join them on that first ride? No one knows as it opened with no official ceremony, but the first unofficial riders were lift mechanics Ron Chadwick and Mark Fletcher, along with ski patroller Stacia Andrews at about 9 p.m. the night before the official opening. After 24 years of operation the original FourRunner Quad ceased carrying skiers on April 17, 2011. The last official chair was
GORDON DIXON C O N S T R U C T I O N, I N C.
For the finest vacation rental ski houses, condos & much more
FINE HOMES, ADDITIONS & RENOVATIONS FOR 25 YEARS
Vacation Rentals Luxury Slopeside Rentals Seasonal Ski Houses Concierge Services
stowecountryhomes.com 541 South Main Street U Stowe For Reservations call 1 800 639 1990 or 253 8132
Stop by our office 626 Mountain Road, Stowe 802.253.9367
No. 55 and was taken by Bill Schaaf, ski patrol director, Gary Gendimenico, lift attendant manager, Tom Hubbs, resort weatherman, and Barry Shonio, lift maintenance supervisor. Soon it would be replaced by a more modern and reliable quad. Initial construction on the new Doppelmayr quad began the week of May 1, 2011, when Tatro Construction began removing the “hump” between the Octagon and Nose Dive. Deconstruction lasted into June. Some tower bases were left in place to be used by the new lift, and a new barn was built at the base to house the chairs. For the first time at Stowe, waste heat from a ski lift was used to heat a building. The heat from the new FourRunner engine/drive is piped underground to the Mansfield Ski Patrol building (aka “2-6-9”) and is its primary source of heat when the lift is spinning. The new FourRunner Quad, which cost $5 million, was built and installed right on time during the summer of 2011. Load testing was completed on Friday, Nov. 4, and the keys to the lift were turned over to Stowe Mountain Resort on the next day. The ceremonial first chair, No. 69, went up the mountain on Nov. 23, carrying Jake and Donna Carpenter of Burton Snowboards, along with 10th Mountain Division veteran Midge
Waterbury Family Dentistry Gary L. Morris, DDS Waterbury Family Dentistry 77 South Main St., Suite 3 Waterbury VT 05676 802 244-6366 Gary Morris, DDS • Holly Maier, DMD • Adam Holt, DMD
Gary L. Morris, DDS 294 Upper Main St., Morrisville VT 05661 802 888-7766 Gary Morris, DDS • Ed Olsen, DDS
Tozloski and ski patroller and resort historian Brian Lindner. This lift gave Stowe an uphill capacity of 2,400 riders per hour. The 2011-2012 season also marked an enormous milestone with the introduction of Evolution Stowe, the new radio frequency electronic ticketing system, which quickly proved its value. On Nov. 23, when the gates opened for the first ceremonial chair, a man was caught within minutes attempting to sneak onto the lift. On Dec. 20, 1991, the old Gondola was replaced by the new Poma-designed eightpassenger lift. When completed, this was the fastest eight-passenger Gondola on the planet. It has run virtually trouble free since its first days. Gobbling guests eight at a time means the lift line moves with amazing speed. At full speed on busy days, the “Gondi” just plain flies. (This summer both the top and bottom drives were completely rebuilt while all of the cabins were completely refurbished.) In the 1970s, real estate was thought to be the financial future of the ski industry. Stowe began to develop plans for new slopeside condominiums to attract long-term customers. The company had land near the Toll House but lacked the necessary lift to call the area “slopeside.” In 1983, the Easy Mile Lift was constructed to take guests from the condo development up the mountain. Look at the concrete under the top bullwheel and note the inscription of “09/13/83” made by the construction crew. For a variety of reasons, the condo explosion at the Toll House never happened but Stowe ended up with a lift that is absolutely fantastic for beginner and intermediate skiers. This lift has ideal terrain for both ability levels. Check it out. You can also avoid the main parking lot congestion if you park at the Toll House and ride this lift up to Mansfield. The Magic Carpet beginner’s lift came to Stowe during the winter of 2002-2003. This was a moving “carpet” on which beginners could stand and be gently carried uphill, dramatically cutting the instruction time needed at the earliest stages. The lift has been at various locations around Little Spruce, and a brand new one will operate this coming season. Likewise the Alpine and Easy Street lifts were removed this summer and replaced by a new Doppelmayr “carpet loaded” lift on Little Spruce. Finally, one of the single greatest improvements at Stowe Mountain Resort came from the Vermont Tramway Board at 2:55 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8, 2006. That’s when the new Easy Over Gondola from Mansfield to Spruce opened and made the lives of guests and employees dramatically easier. A friend once said, “The only way I enjoy gardening is if there is a motor attached.” Many of us feel the same way about skiing. Stowe has a rich history of its lifts and all those motors carrying us uphill make the sport what it is today. ■
Vermont-Made Furniture & Products Beautiful Custom Sofas, Sectionals & Chairs Vermont-Made Dining, Bedroom & Living Room Furniture
Sealy Optimum Cooling Gel Mattresses
Guaranteed Blue Steel Frame Ask about our FREE nationwide shipping of Lyndon Furniture.
Locally Owned & Operated for Over 120 Years
2931 Waterbury-Stowe Road (Route 100), Waterbury Center 802-244-4034 • Monday-Friday 9-5:30, Saturday 9-4:30 209
S TOWE-SMUGGLERS’ BUSINESS DIRECTORY ADULT NOVELTIES GOOD STUFF Adult store. Must be over 18 to enter. Glass pipes, adult novelties, tobacco products, body jewelry, gag gifts. Bachelorette and bachelor parties. Route 100, Waterbury Center. (802) 244-0800. goodstuffxxx.
ANTIQUES M. LEWIS ANTIQUES At this location since 1998, Martha Lewis Antiques holds an extremely large variety of antiques and collectibles, with inventory changing daily. Daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sundays 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. 10 Stowe St., Waterbury. (802) 244-8919.
ARCHITECTS ANDREW VOLANSKY, ARCHITECT, AIA Architectural services: Creative, intuitive, functional, efficient, design solutions for those who value elegant design, natural materials, and environmental consciousness in their home or business. (802) 253-2169. cushmandesign.com.
BROWN & DAVIS DESIGN We are a small architecture firm dedicated to the belief that good design matters. We specialize in thoughtfully crafted design for both residential and commercial projects. (802) 899-1155, brownanddavis.com.
HARRY HUNT ARCHITECTS Designing environmentally sustainable buildings and communities that stay true to the spirit of Vermont. Member American Institute of Architects LEED AP. (802) 253-2374. harryhuntarchitects.com.
J. GRAHAM GOLDSMITH, ARCHITECTS Quality design and professional architectural services specializing in residential, hotel, restaurant, retail, and resort development. Member Stowe Area. (800) 862-4053. jggarchitects.com. Email: [email protected].
TRUEXCULLINS ARCHITECTURE & INTERIOR DESIGN Designing luxury-custom homes that connect with their natural setting and meet the desires of our clients. View our homes at truexcullins.com. (802) 658-2775.
LEE HUNTER ARCHITECT, AIA A Stowe-based architectural firm offering a personal approach to creative, elegant design. Residential, commercial, and renovations. (802) 253-9928. leehunterarchitect.com.
PAUL ROBERT ROUSSELLE, ARCHITECT AIA Professional architectural services offering a comprehensive and creative design approach—responsive to the needs of clients. Projects that are exquisitely detailed, beautifully built, and inspiring to those that use them. (802) 253-2110. paulrobertrousselle.com.
ROOTS DESIGN STUDIO Designing thoughtful buildings that complement the character of the land as well as the style and needs of the client. Full service: architecture and architectural interiors. Member: AIA. (802) 922-2949, rootsdesignstudio.com.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNERS BENSONWOOD For more than 40 years, Bensonwood has designed and built beautiful, healthy, high-performance homes. Our legendary craftsmanship, cutting-edge technology, and off-site fabrication deliver timeless design and sustainable living … painlessly. bensonwood.com.
CUSHMAN DESIGN GROUP INC. Architectural services: Creative, intuitive, functional, efficient design solutions for those who value elegant design, natural materials, and environmental consciousness in their home or business. (802) 253-2169. cushmandesign.com.
ART GALLERIES BRYAN MEMORIAL GALLERY
SAM SCOFIELD, ARCHITECT AIA Professional architectural services for all phases of design and construction. Residential and commercial. Carlson Building, Main Street, Stowe. samscofieldarchitect.com. (802) 253-9948.
TEKTONIKA STUDIO ARCHITECTS
Vermont’s premier gallery for landscape painting features over 200 artists in a year-round exhibition schedule. Open Thurs.-Sun. 11-4, and by appointment. Closed January. 180 Main St., Jeffersonville. bryanmemorialgallery.org. (802) 644-5100.
GREEN MOUNTAIN FINE ART GALLERY
Dedicated to the craft and composition of sustainable, siteinspired design. Emphasis on a collaborative design process to meet our client’s vision and budget. Located in the Stowe Village. (802) 253-2020. tektonikavt.com.
In the heart of the village. Displaying Stowe’s most diverse collection of traditional and contemporary works by regional artists. Open daily 11-6. 64 South Main, Stowe. (802) 253-1818. greenmountainfineart.com.
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SERVICES Snow Plowing • Snow Removal • Snow Shoveling Roofs & Walkways Sanding of Parking Lots & Driveways Spring & Fall Cleanup • Lawn Mowing Landscaping • Gardening • Stone Walls Land Clearing • Brush Chipping • Grading Ditch Digging • Painting • Post Hole Digging • Rototilling • Electrical Work • Flood Damage Repair • House Cleaning Trash Pick-up • House Checks • Moving Furniture • Carpentry . . . Basically Anything!
Todd Shonio PO Box 479 Stowe, VT 05672 (802) 888-7736 Fax: (802) 888-2713 [email protected]
sq . ns, E q. e v e t s S ari, E ld B. Haro F. Pellizz 8547 John we - 253 86-9530
Sto 1-866-7 rs.com ywye Derb .stowela www
Harold B. Stevens, Esq.
• Estate Planning • Business Formation & Sales • Collection Banking & Financial Law • Personal Injury
• Real Estate ~ • Residential and Commercial • Environmental Zoning • Civil Litigation • Criminal Defense ~ John F. Pellizzari, Esq. • DUI • Personal Injury • Assault • Auto Accidents • Family Law ~ • Wrongful Death • Divorce • ATV and Snowmobile • Child Custody & Visitation Accidents • Modification of Orders • Child Support • Free Initial Consultation
HELEN DAY ART CENTER Center for contemporary art and art education, established in 1981. Local, national, and international exhibitors. Art classes. Cultural events. Schedule: Wednesday-Sunday 125. 90 Pond St., Stowe. (802) 253-8358, helenday.com.
INSIDE OUT GALLERY We offer original fine art and crafts by Vermont and American artists in a spectrum of mediums, styles, and price points, from small gifts to major showpieces. 299 Mountain Rd., Stowe. (802) 253-6945, insideoutgallery.com.
MAGIC HAT BREWERY & ARTIFACTORY Where ancient alchemy meets modern-day science to create the best tasting beer on the planet. Visit our brewery for free samples, free tours, and a most unusual shopping experience. (802) 658-BREW. magichat.net.
TRAPP FAMILY LODGE The Trapp Family Lodge Brewery offers a selection of authentic Austrian lagers. Stop by for a pint and enjoy our mountaintop views in our DeliBakery, lounge, or dining room. (802) 253-5705. trappfamily.com.
ROBERT PAUL GALLERIES One of the country’s finest art galleries, offering an outstanding selection of original paintings, sculpture, and fine photography by locally, nationally, and internationally acclaimed artists. Celebrating 25 years. Baggy Knees Shopping Center, Stowe. robertpaulgalleries.com. (802) 253-7282.
WEST BRANCH GALLERY & SCULPTURE PARK Contemporary fine art and sculpture indoors and outside on the riverside sculpture grounds. Regional, international, and local artists. Tuesday-Sunday 11-6. One mile from Stowe Village on Mountain Road. (802) 253-8943. westbranchgallery.com.
ART SUPPLIES THE ART STORE Your in-town art supply. Be inspired by the range of products and gifts for artists of all ages. Painting, drawing, crafting, children’s activities, classes, Made in USA, sustainable options, more. (802) 253-ARTS (2787), stoweartstore.com.
THE STUDIO STORE The largest selection of fine artist materials at tremendous savings. Call us or stop by; it’s worth a drive. (802) 6352203, or (800) 887-2203. 2 Lower Main, Johnson. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10-6; Sundays, 12-5.
BAKERIES EDELWEISS Homemade breakfast sandwiches and pastries like sticky buns, turnovers, and crosissants. Cookies, pies, whoopie pies, cakes, and bars. Special orders/requests with notice. Daily 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 2251 Mountain Rd. (802) 253-4034.
HARVEST MARKET Homemade muffins, cookies, tarts, pies, cakes, and other luscious treats. Incredible breads, including our own French country bread baked in traditional wood-fired ovens. Fine coffees and espresso. Daily 7-7 (in season). (802) 253-3800. harvestatstowe.com.
TRAPP FAMILY LODGE—DELIBAKERY Offering a variety of baked goods, soups, salads, sandwiches, daily specials, and our Trapp lagers. Open daily 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Hours vary seasonally. (802) 253-5705. trappfamily.com.
BOOKSTORES BEAR POND BOOKS Complete family bookstore. NY Times bestsellers and new releases. Children and adult hardcovers, paperbacks, books on CD, daily papers, games, greeting cards. Open 7 days. Depot Building, Main Street, Stowe. (802) 253-8236.
BUILDERS & CONTRACTORS ADAMS CONSTRUCTION VT LLC Stowe construction company specializing in residential and commercial renovations, custom home building, and construction-project management. (802) 253-7893. adamsconstructionvt.com.
BEACON HILL BUILDERS A family owned and operated custom-home building company. Over 30+ years of experience building and managing fine custom homes, additions, remodels, and energy efficient upgrades in Stowe and beyond. (802) 244-6767. beaconhillvt.com.
BENSONWOOD For more than 40 years, Bensonwood has designed and built beautiful, healthy, high-performance homes. Our legendary craftsmanship, cutting-edge technology and off-site fabrication deliver timeless design and sustainable living … painlessly. bensonwood.com.
GORDON DIXON CONSTRUCTION, INC. Highly respected for fine craftsmanship, attention to detail, integrity, and dependable workmanship. Over 25 years experience. Custom homes, additions, renovations, design/build, and project management. 626 Mountain Rd., Stowe. (802) 253-9367. gordondixonconstruction.com.
GEOBARNS Geobarns is an environmentally conscious, minimal waste builder, specializing in artistic barns using modified postand-beam structures with diagonal framing to achieve a combination of strength, versatility, and beauty at reasonable prices. (802) 295-9687. geobarns.com.
• • • • •
Housewares Cabot stains Painting supplies Electrical supplies Ice and snow removal • Cleaning supplies • Minwax stains • Best selection of fasteners
MANSFIELD CUSTOM HOMES Cost effective quality. Specializing in the construction of high-quality single-family, multi-family, and commercial structures using the efficiency, speed, and quality that only a panelized company can offer. (802) 279-2373. mansfieldcustomhomes.com.
SISLER BUILDERS INC. Custom home building, remodeling, woodworking, home energy audits and retrofits, quality craftsmanship, resource efficient construction, modest additions to multi-million dollar estates. 30 years in Stowe. References available. sislerbuilders.com. (802) 253-5672.
STEEL CONSTRUCTION, INC. Steel Construction, Inc., has consistently proven to be one of Vermont’s finest custom homebuilders. We have three decades of proven experience and a long list of satisfied homeowners. (802) 253-4572. steelconstructionvt.com.
TIM MEEHAN BUILDERS BRICKHOUSE BOOKSHOP Books, paintings, and sculptures on display at the Brickhouse Bookshop, Morristown Corners. 37 years in business. Search and mail services. Open daily by chance or appointment, call ahead. (802) 888-4300.
BREWERIES CROP BISTRO & BREWERY PUB Featuring an array of lagers and ales brewed on site. Enjoy a beer sampler in the pub or relax by our fireplace. Open 7 days. Mountain Road, Stowe. (802) 253-4765. cropvt.com.
Creative remodeling, building excellence, award-winning construction. Post & beam, vintage barns, historic restoration. Construction management consultation. 30 years plus in Stowe. Tim Meehan, (802) 777-0283. northernnehomes.com.
VERMONT SUN STRUCTURES Conservatories, sunrooms, and solar greenhouses custom designed and installed throughout Vermont. Unique timber frame design. Energy efficient, solar friendly—soon to be your favorite room. vermontsunstructures.com. (802) 879-6645.
430 Mountain Road, Stowe
253-7205 Mon-Sat 8-5:30 • Sun 9-3:30 211
S TOWE-SMUGGLERS’ BUSINESS DIRECTORY BUILDING MATERIALS LOEWEN WINDOW CENTER OF VT & NH Beautifully crafted Douglas fir windows and doors for the discerning homeowner. Double- and triple-glazed options available in aluminum, copper, and bronze clad. Style Inspired By You. loewenvtnh.com, (800) 505-1892, [email protected].
PARKER & STEARNS, INC. Providing quality building supplies in Johnson and Stowe, we are the contractor’s choice and the homeowner’s advantage. We sell Integrity by Marvin and Merrilat custom kitchens. A True Value Member. Stowe (802) 253-9757; Johnson (802) 635-2377.
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP OF STOWE Services Sundays at 4:30 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Mountain Road in Stowe, September through June. For more information call: (802) 244-7665 or sites.google.com/site/uustowe/home.
WATERBURY CENTER COMMUNITY Route 100 next to the Cider Mill. Pastor SangChuri Bae. Sunday worship and Sunday school at 10 a.m. Handicapped accessible. Church is a National Historic Place. We warmly welcome visitors. (802) 244-6286.
BEN & JERRY'S ICE CREAM CAKES Ice cream cakes are ready-to-go or custom ordered. Call (802) 882-2034. Let us bring the euphoria! We cater cups and cones to full sundae bars. Call (802) 882-2052.
Fabulous contemporary fashion for women. From casual to professional, Boutique can make you feel beautiful any time. Lingerie, dresses, skirts, tops, jeans, sweaters, more. We’ll dress you for any occasion. Depot Building, Main Street, Stowe. (802) 253-3712.
CHIROPRACTORS STOWE CHIROPRACTIC Dr. Palmer Peet. 30 years experience. Vacationers welcome. Prompt appointments available. Emergency care. X-rays on premises. (802) 253-6955. stowechiro.com.
CHURCHES & SYNAGOGUES BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC Mass schedule: Saturday, 4:30 p.m., Sunday, 8 and 10:30 a.m.; Daily masses: Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. Thursday, noon, Friday, 8:30 a.m. Confessions Tuesday 6-7 p.m., and Saturday 3:45-4:15 p.m. Rev. Benedict Kiely, pastor. 728 Mountain Rd., Stowe. (802) 253-7536.
GRACE BIBLE CHURCH 856 Moscow Rd., Moscow. Sunday: Bible Study, 9 a.m., worship service, 10:30 a.m. Prayer meeting Thursday 6:30 p.m. (802) 253-4731. gracemoscow.org.
HUNGER MOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY Route 100, Waterbury Center. Sunday worship service at 10 a.m. (802) 244-5921.
JEWISH COMMUNITY OF GREATER STOWE For information regarding services, holiday gatherings, classes, and workshops: JCOGS, P.O. Box 253, Stowe, Vt. 05672. 1189 Cape Cod Rd., Stowe. (802) 253-1800 or jcogs.org.
Women’s apparel and ski wear. “Because friends shouldn’t let friends pay retail.” Established in 2001. Monday through Saturday, 10 - 5. Sunday, noon - 5. 393 Mountain Rd., Stowe. (802) 253-8100.
DECISIONS DECISIONS Ladies find what they need to look their best in stylish sportswear, dresses, sleepwear, swimwear, lingerie, hosiery, jewelry and accessories from NYDJ, Nic and Zoe, Tribal, Joseph Ribkoff, Calvin Klein, Spanx, Wacoal, Hanky Panky. (802) 253-4183.
ESSEX OUTLETS & CINEMA Christopher & Banks, Coach, PUMA, Under Armour, Polo, Orvis, Brooks Brothers, Van Heusen, Reebok, Carter’s, OshKosh, Snow Drop, Phoenix Books, Sweet Clover Market, more. Stadium-seated, T-Rex RealD 3D, digital movie theater. Routes 15 & VT289, exit 10. (802) 878-2851. Essex Junction. essexoutlets.com,
FIRST CHAIR ALPINE CO. Located in the base village at Spruce Creek, First Chair Alpine Co. opens this December showcasing KJUS as its prominent apparel provider along with other notable highend apparel brands. Stowe Mountain Resort. (802) 760-4695
FJALLRAVEN We develop equipment for active outdoor use. Only products that are functional, durable, timeless, dependable, user-friendly, and versatile meet our quality requirements. Our friendly staff is here to help you. (802) 448-7197. fjallraven.us.
FORGET-ME-NOT-SHOP THE MOUNTAIN CHAPEL At the halfway point on the Mt. Mansfield Toll Road. A place for meditation, prayer and praise for skiers, hikers, and tourists. Seasonal Sunday service 2 p.m. The Rev. Dr. David P. Ransom. (802) 644-8144.
Treasure hunt through our huge selection of famous label off price clothing for men, women, and teens at 60%-80% off. Route 15 Johnson, just 1.5 miles west of Johnson Village. Open 10-7.
GREEN ENVY ST. JOHN’S IN THE MOUNTAINS EPISCOPAL CHURCH At the crossroads of Mountain Road and Luce Hill Road. The Holy Eucharist is celebrated every Sunday at 8 and 10 a.m. June through October. The Rev. Rick Swanson officiating. St. John’s is wheelchair friendly and visitors and children are welcome. Office open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. (802) 253-7578. stjohnsinthemountains.org.
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST 65 Best St., Rte. 100 South, Morrisville. (802) 888-7884. Bible Study at 9:30 a.m. Worship at 11 a.m. Saturday. Fellowship meal following service. Pastor: Cornel Preda. Everyone welcome.
STOWE COMMUNITY CHURCH Sunday worship services 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. (Sept.-June), Bible studies: Sundays 8:30 a.m.; Wednesdays (Sept-May) 8:30 a.m.-10 at church, 10:30 a.m. at Copley Woodlands. The Rev. Bruce S. Comiskey: 279-5811, Church: (802) 253-7257.
Home of famous Johnson Woolen Outerwear and headquarters for Carhartt, Filson, Pendleton, Woolrich, woolen blankets, fine men’s and ladies sportswear, sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves, socks. Since 1842. Johnson, VT. (802) 635-2271. johnsonwoolenmills.com.
LENNY’S SHOE AND APPAREL Locally owned outfitters with footwear by Merrell, Keen, and Dansko. Clothing by Prana, Lole, and Horny Toad. Darn Tough Vermont Socks and accessories for the whole family. Williston, St. Albans, Barre. lennyshoe.com.
NORTH FACE STORE AT KL SPORT
CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES BOUTIQUE AT STOWE MERCANTILE
CAKES & CATERING
JOHNSON WOOLEN MILLS
Luxury clothing, jewelry, handbags, accessories, shoes. Top designers: Theory, AG, Hudson, Eileen Fisher, Haute Hippie, Longchamp, Joie, Vince, Kate Spade, Free People. Jewelry from Alex & Ani and top designers and local artists. Mon.-Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. 1800 Mountain Rd., Stowe. 253-2661.
IN COMPANY Come see what’s in at In Company Clothing- what’s elegant, what’s hot, what’s next. Jewelry, accessories, and top designer clothes for causal, business and country elegance. 10-5:30 daily. Noon-5 Sunday. 344 Mountain Rd., Stowe. (802) 253-4595. incompanyclothing.com.
JOHNSON HARDWARE RENTAL, FARM & GARDEN A big store in a little town, family owned and run for three generations. Rental equipment, plumbing, heating, electrical, Milwaukee tools/repair, toys, clothing, footwear, camping gear, and much more. Route 15, Johnson. (802) 635-7282. jhrvt.com.
Epic adventures begin with the proper gear. We carry a comprehensive selection of exclusive outdoor brands like The North Face, Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, Burton, and Black Diamond. (802) 284-3270. klmountainshop.com.
PRET-A-PORTER Pret-a-Porter is a chic consignment boutique that features designer read-to-wear handbags, shoes, and accessories, showing off the designs of Judy Klimek statement jewelry. 6 Sunset St., Stowe Village. (802) 253-7066, pret-a-portervt.com.
SHAW'S GENERAL STORE Winter Clothing by The North Face, Patagonia, Kuhl, Mountain Khaki, Barbour, Woolrich, Icelandic, and more. Helping Vermonters survive in style since 1895. 54 Main St., Stowe. (802) 253-4040.
SPORTIVE Largest Bogner selection in northern New England. Toni Sailer, Kjus, Parajumpers, Helly Hansen, Autumn Cashmere, White + Warren, Magashoni, Tecnica, Ugg, Pajar, Smartwool, Alpen Rock. (802) 496-3272. Route 100, Waitsfield. sportiveinc.com.
WELL HEELED Come see what the buzz is all about. A tempting assortment of designer shoes, boots, handbags, belts, clothing, and jewelry presented in a classic 1840s farmhouse. Open 7 days, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (802) 253-6077. Mountain Rd., Stowe. wellheeledstowe.com.
WINTERFELL A gathering place to experience luxury retail in a livingroom-like setting, featuring Bogner, Fire & Ice, Astis, Colmar, Para-Jumpers, and more. 1940 Mountain Rd., Stowe (above Edgewise). (802) 253-0130. winterfellvt.com.
YELLOW TURTLE Fabulous children's clothing, rainwear and skiwear—babies to tween size 16. Splendid, Ella Moss, Hudson, Joes, DL1961, Patagonia, Marmot, Columbia, Roxy, Persnickety, Quick Silver, Bogs, Frye, EGG, Silkberry Baby, JoJo Maman Bebe, Obermyer, Jonny O’, Magnificent Baby. 253-4434. yellow-turtle.com.
COFFEE HOUSES THE BAGEL Freshly ground Green Mountain Coffee, plus Nespresso espressos, lattes, and cappuccinos. Breakfast and lunch sandwiches all day plus soups and salads. 394 Mountain Rd., 6:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. (802) 253-9943.
BLACK CAP COFFEE Fresh coffee and authentic espresso in a warm inviting atmosphere. House-baked pastries and tasty treats, light breakfast and lunch options. Open Monday-Saturday at 7 a.m., Sunday at 8 a.m. 144 Main St. across from the Stowe Community Church. (802) 253-2123. See us on Facebook.
HARVEST MARKET Homemade muffins, cookies, tarts, pies, cakes, and other luscious treats. Incredible breads, including our French country bread baked in traditional wood-fired ovens. Fine coffees and espresso. Daily 7-7 (in season). (802) 253-3800. harvestatstowe.com.
COMPUTERS & SOFTWARE FIXPC FixPC is the leader in sales, maintenance, and troubleshooting of business and personal computers and local area networks. On-site and drop-off service available. Visit 908 South Main St., Stowe. Call (802) 253-8006.
Extraordinary Interiors from The Biggest Little Tile Shop in New England
DELICATESSEN THE BAGEL Breakfast sandwiches, Nova lox, Reubens, deli sandwiches on breads, English muffins, wraps or NY-style bagels. Salads, soups, baked goods. Baggy Knees, Mountain Rd., Stowe. 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (802) 253-9943.
EDELWEISS New York-style deli sandwiches. Bakery products baked daily. Breads, muffins, croissants, pastries, pies. Beer, wine, soda, groceries, party and pastry trays, Vermont products. Stowe’s No. 1 deli and convenience store. Daily 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 2251 Mountain Rd. (802) 253-4034.
DENTISTRY JEFFREY R. MCKECHNIE, DMD & CHRISTOPHER P. ALTADONNA, DDS (802) 253-7932. stowedentalassociates.com.
STOWE FAMILY DENTISTRY Chris Pazandak, DDS, Tessa Milnes, DDS, and John Hirce, DMD. Route 100 North. Gentle, quality care. Full range of state-of-the-art dental services including porcelain crowns, complete in one day. New patients welcome. (802) 253-4157. stowefamilydentistry.com.
Gallery Showroom Featuring a Dazzling Selection from Around the World
CERAMIC AND STONE TILE FOR EVERY APPLICATION EXTENSIVE COLLECTION OF DECORATIVE & HAND-PAINTED TILES CORK & CLASSIC RECLAIMED FLOORING GRANITE, MARBLE, SLATE & SOAPSTONE CUSTOM COUNTERTOPS Design Services • Supplies • Estimates 723 SYLVAN PARK RD., OFF RTE. 100, LOWER VILLAGE • STOWE W W W. D O W N E A S T T I L E . C O M
WATERBURY FAMILY DENTISTRY General dentistry, dentures, crown and bridgework, implant crowns, Invisalign, Six Month Smile. New patients welcome. Waterbury Family Dentistry, 77 S. Main St., Waterbury, (802) 244-6366. Gary L. Morris DDS, 294 Upper Main St., Morrisville, (802) 888-7766.
DOGSLED TOURS EDEN DOGSLEDDING Educational adventure tours for all ages. Join our one-of-akind, “Un-Chained Gang” of friendly huskies for a personalized, hands-on tour. Snow-sledding in winter, dogsledding-on-wheels spring, summer and fall. (802) 635-9070. edendogsledding.com.
DRY CLEANING & LAUNDRY DENOIA’S DRY CLEANERS Perc-free dry cleaning and laundry. Same-day service. Wash, dry, and fold. Free pick-up and delivery. Repairs, suede, leather, storage. Satisfaction guaranteed. Mon.-Fri. 8-6, Sat. 9-1. 638 South Main St., Stoware Common. (802) 253-7861. vermontdrycleaner.com.
STOWE LAUNDRY CO. Full-service Laundromat and dry cleaners. Drop-off washand-dry and fold, same-day service, and alterations. Professional dry cleaning and shirt service. 44 Park Place, Stowe Village. Open 7 days. (802) 253-9332.
EDUCATION & COLLEGES COLORADO MOUNTAIN COLLEGE Learn at 11 of the most stunning mountain communities in Colorado. Choose from two-year career training, bachelor's degrees, and transfer degrees. Small classes, dedicated faculty. coloradomtn.edu. l
S TOWE-SMUGGLERS’ BUSINESS DIRECTORY EDUCATION & COLLEGES COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF SUN VALLEY, IDAHO An outstanding academic foundation, we build important character strengths, such as grit and resiliency. Mandatory outdoor program offers an advanced track and certification in mountain and rock, winter backcountry, and river. communityschool.org.
JOHNSON STATE COLLEGE Centrally located near Stowe and Smugglers’ Notch, Johnson State College offers undergraduate and graduate programs in education, environmental science, health sciences, outdoor education, the arts, and more from its scenic hilltop campus. (800) 635-2356, jsc.edu.
KIMBALL UNION ACADEMY Top-flight ski racing and academics at the country’s 5th oldest independent school. FIS, USSA, and interscholastic competition with rigorous college prep curriculum. 20 minutes from Dartmouth College. (603) 469-2100 or kua.org.
PLANET HARDWOOD Vermont business specializing in green materials, with an emphasis on wood flooring. Our 6,000 sq. ft. showroom is the best place to really see wood as well as fabulous green products. (802) 482-4404. planethardwood.com.
FLORISTS & FLOWERS DESIGNS BY WILDFLOWER Stowe’s leading full-service florist. Providing Stowe with quality, creativity, and service for 22 years. Specializing in wildflower, formal, and garden-style weddings and events. “Supporting local growers.” Local deliveries. (802) 253-6303. wildflowerdesignsstowe.com.
VERMONT TESTING & CONSULTING CORP. Engineering, structural, geotechnical. Laboratory and fieldtesting and inspection, consulting. vermonttesting.com. (802) 244-6131.
Fascinating jewelry, beautiful functional crafts, local art, prints and photography for over 20 years. No brand names here. Only made in Vermont and select artist studios across America. 55 Mountain Rd. (802) 253-4693. stowecraft.com.
STOWE KITCHEN BATH & LINENS More than just a kitchen store. Two floors of accessories, gifts, and food for the entire home. Gourmet kitchenware, bedding, shower curtains, lotions, gels. Tons of unique clothing and gifts. 1813 Mountain Rd. (802) 253-8050. stowekitchen.net.
STOWE MERCANTILE FROM MARIA’S GARDEN Country garden elegance. Specializing in simply beautiful fresh English garden, herbal, and wildflower designs for weddings and events. Well known for our personalized attention to details and service on your special day. By appointment. (802) 253-3698, [email protected].
Fabulous old country store, Vermont specialty foods, penny candy, clothing, bath and body, wine, craft beer and cider, gift baskets, and toys. Play a game of checkers or a tune on our piano. Depot Building, Main Street, Stowe. (802) 253-4554. stowemercantile.com.
TRAPP FAMILY LODGE SPORT & GIFTS
STOWE CRAFT GALLERY
BOURNES ENERGY Local one-stop shop for all your energy needs. Biofuels, propane, solar, bioheat, heating, cooling, plumbing, autodelivery, remote heat monitoring, expert service. Bourne’s Energy—Fueling the Future. (800) 326-8763. bournesenergy.com.
Trapp Family Lodge books, music, clothing, and food. Austrian specialty gifts and gourmet products. Vermontmade products and maple syrup. Visit our two locations. Shop online: trappfamily.com. (802) 253-8511.
HAIR SALONS LUSH SALON & BOUTIQUE
EXCAVATING DALE E. PERCY, INC. Excavating contractors, commercial and residential. Earthmoving equipment. Site work. trucking, sand, gravel, soil, sewer, water, drainage systems, and supplies. Snow removal, salting, sanding. Weeks Hill Road. (802) 253-8503. Fax: (802) 253-8520.
FISHING & HUNTING CATAMOUNT FISHING ADVENTURES Guided fly-fishing, spin-fishing, ice-fishing adventures. River wading, canoe, float tube, motorboat fishing. Guiding Vermont since 1994. Equipment provided. All abilities welcome. Willy, owner/guide, (802) 253-8500. Federation of Fly Fishers certified. Licensed, insured. catamountfishing.com.
FLY ROD SHOP Vermont’s most experienced guide service. Live bait, ice fishing supplies. Drift-boat rips or river wading for fly fishing, spinning. Family fishing trips. Simms clothing, waders. 10,000 flies. Visit our hunting department. Route 100 South, Stowe. (802) 253-7346. flyrodshop.com.
FITNESS EQUIPMENT EARL’S CYCLERY & FITNESS Treadmills, elliptical trainers, and indoor bike trainers from Vision Fitness, Landice, Cycle-ops, and Lemond. Full fitness service department and free delivery in Chittenden County. (802) 864-9197. Toll-free (866) 327-5725. earlsbikes.com.
PERSONAL FITNESS INTERIORS Carrying a wide range of fitness products and equipment from leaders in the industry. Precor, True, Inspire, Octane, Tuff Stuff, and more. Quality, selection, service. Locally owned for 25 years. (802) 860-1030, personalfitnessvt.com.
FURNITURE BISBEE'S HOME STORE Serving central Vermont for over 60 years now with our newest location at 1880 Mountain Rd., in Stowe with a full line of Serta mattresses. (802) 760-6678. bisbeesvt.com.
Locally owned by Miss VT USA 2012, Jamie Dragon. Stowe’s premier luxury salon and makeup boutique offering hair, makeup, nails, waxing as well as Oribe, Jane Iredale, Clarisonic, and more. 2850 Mountain Rd., Stowe. (802) 253-7750. lushstowe.com.
SALON SALON HOOKER’S FURNITURE Customize your home with beautiful furniture. Vermontmade dining rooms and bedrooms by Lyndon Furniture. Mattresses by Sealy and Stearns & Foster. Living room by Klaussner and Flexsteel. Route 100, Waterbury Center. (802) 244-4034. hookersfurniturevt.com.
Experience the ultimate. World-class Aveda concept salon for men and women. Haircuts, highlighting, coloring, hair straightening, manicures, pedicures, facials, body waxing, body treatments, massage, complete wedding services. Downer Farm Shops, 232 Mountain Rd. By appt. (802) 253-7378. salonsalonvt.com.
INSIDE OUT GALLERY Be inspired and refresh your sense of home, inside and out, through vignettes of transcontinental seating, tables, lamps, and mirrors. Our samples are just the beginning; we’ll special order too. 299 Mountain Rd., Stowe. (802) 253-6945, insideoutgallery.com.
VERMONT FURNITURE DESIGNS We manufacture solid hardwood furniture of the highest quality for the home and office. Our Factory Store offers our entire line at reduced prices. It’s worth the trip. Mon.Sat., 10-4. 4 Tigan St., Winooski, Vt. (802) 655-6568, vermontfurnituredesigns.com.
WENDELL’S FURNITURE & VERMONT BED STORE Best selection for quality, style, price. Copeland, Norwalk, Flexsteel, and more. Bedroom, living and dining rooms, nursery, office, and entertainment. Next to Costco, 697 Hercules Dr., Colchester. (802) 861-7700. wendellsfurniture.com.
GIFT & SPECIALTY SHOPS INSIDE OUT GALLERY Find a full range of gifts and wedding presents, Vermont fine art and crafts, photographs, jewelry, table furnishings, candleholders, picture frames, and outdoor décor. A short walk up from Main Street. 299 Mountain Rd., Stowe. (802) 253-6945, insideoutgallery.com.
HARDWARE STOWE HARDWARE & DRY GOODS Unique hardware store providing North Country necessities and quality products such as Craftsman tools, Cabot Stain, Carhartt clothing, a complete selection of fasteners, houseware, homecare products. Open 8-5:30 Mon.-Sat., Sundays 9-3:30. 430 Mountain Rd. Established since 1829. (802) 253-7205.
HEALTH CARE COPLEY HOSPITAL Expert, personalized care. Women’s and children’s services, general surgery, orthopedics, 24-hour emergency services, outpatient services, cardiology, urology, rehabilitation and wellness programs. Morrisville, 888-8888, copleyvt.org.
STOWE FAMILY PRACTICE Stowe Family Practice provides routine medical care and treats winter-related and sports injuries. We can cast and splint most types of fractures. Available 24/7 with evening and weekend hours. Call (802) 253-4853. chslv.org.
HEALTH CLUBS & SPAS
RED BARN SHOPS FLOORING AMERICA Flooring America in Williston provides a leading collection of carpeting and flooring. We specialize in a variety of flooring colors and materials. 800 Marshall Ave #30. (802) 862-5757. flooringamerica-vt.com.
Stowe’s most exciting stores: Decisions, Decisions (ladies apparel); Stowe Cheese & Wine; Yellow Turtle (children’s clothing/outdoor apparel); The Toy Store/Once Upon a Time Toys. 1799 Mountain Rd., 2 miles north of downtown Stowe.
GOLDEN EAGLE RESORT Daily membership gives you access to the indoor pool, hot tub, saunas, and fitness room. Massage also available. (802) 253-4811 ext. 164; 511 Mountain Rd., Stowe. goldeneagleresort.com.
SWIMMING HOLE Stowe’s premier family fitness and recreation center. 25m lap pool, children’s pool, waterslide, group exercise classes, personal training, aqua aerobics, masters swimming, group lessons, kids fitness programs. State-of-the-art facility. Day passes available. (802) 253-9229. theswimmingholestowe.com.
HOME ENTERTAINMENT & SMART HOMES VERMONT ELECTRONICS Providing local support for custom design and installation of home theater, whole house audio, lighting control, shade control, thermostat control, home automation, and your security needs. (802) 253-6509. [email protected].
HOUSEKEEPING STOWE COUNTRY HOMES Fully bonded, insured, and trained housekeepers available for private homes or rental properties. We use environmentally friendly products and supplies whenever possible. Call and ask for Reggie. (802) 253-8132, ext. 105. [email protected].
INNS & RESORTS BUTLER HOUSE, STOWE Unique lodging in the heart of Stowe Village. Light and airy accommodations boast scenic second-floor views and fully equipped kitchens. Onsite dining at Mi Casa Kitchen & Bar. (802) 253-7422. butlerhousestowe.com.
COMMODORES INN Spacious rooms, fireside living room, indoor and outdoor pool, game room, restaurant, popular sports bar, salad bar. Kids free, pets welcome. 823 S. Main St., Stowe. commodoresinn.com. (802) 253-7131.
EDSON HILL 24 unique rooms, wood-burning fireplaces, restaurant, tavern, and outdoor terraces, Newly renovated 38-acre country estate features luxe accommodations, classic New England cuisine, and outstanding beverage program in a plush 1940s setting. 1500 Edson Hill Rd, 253-7371, edsonhill.com.
GREEN MOUNTAIN INN Classic 1833 resort in Stowe Village. Over 100 rooms, luxury and family suites, apartments and townhouses, many with fireside Jacuzzis. Two restaurants, newly renovated outdoor year-round heated pool and in-ground spa, two firepits, health club with Jacuzzi, sauna, massage therapy, game room. Complimentary tea and cookies. (802) 253-7301. greenmountaininn.com.
INN AT THE MOUNTAIN & CONDOMINIUMS AT STOWE MOUNTAIN RESORT Classic New England inn at the base Mansfield. Spacious rooms and suites, game room, exercise room, library. Fully equipped 1-4 bedroom condos, great for families. Complimentary continental breakfast. Specials and packages: (802) 253-3649, stowe.com.
SMUGGLERS’ NOTCH, VERMONT America’s Family Resort. Mountainside lodging. Award-winning kids’ programs. Year-round zipline canopy tours. Winter: 3 big interconnected mountains, 2,610' vertical. Summer: 8 heated pools, 4 waterslides. Family fun guaranteed. smuggs.com/sg, (888) 256-7623.
STOWEFLAKE MOUNTAIN RESORT & SPA Ideally located in the heart of Stowe, featuring luxurious guestrooms and townhouses, Charlie B’s Pub & Restaurant for fireside deck-dining and live entertainment, and Spa at Stoweflake with unique treatments beyond the traditional. (802) 253-7355. stoweflake.com.
SUNSET MOTOR INN AAA 55 units and 3 houses, free wi-fi. Located on the VAST trail for snowmobiling. $3 breakfast coupon. 10 miles from Stowe. (800) 544-2347. sunsetmotorinn.com.
TOPNOTCH RESORT & SPA Totally reimagined and refreshingly restored, Topnotch wows with all new rooms and suites, 2-3 bedroom resort homes, airy lobby bar and restaurant, top-ranked bistro, world-class Tennis Center and Spa, adventure center, indoor/outdoor pools. (802) 253-8585. topnotchresort.com.
TRAPP FAMILY LODGE Mountain resort in the European tradition. 96-rooms and suites with spectacular mountain views. European-style cuisine, musical entertainment, fitness center, outdoor hot tub, indoor pool, climbing wall, yoga, cross-country and backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, von Trapp history tours. (802) 253-8511. trappfamily.com.
GREEN ENVY Expansive collection of contemporary jewelry and accessories. Hand-crafted from local artists to worldwide. Alex and Ani, In2 Design, Coralia Leets, Sonja Renee, Baroni, Dogeared. Mon.-Sat. 10-6, Sun 10-5. 1800 Mountain Rd., Stowe. 253-2661.
GREEN MOUNTAIN COINS & ESTATE JEWELRY Huge selection of fine estate jewelry and high-end numismatic coins, including museum quality U.S. coins from the 1700s to 1960s. We buy gold, silver, coins, estate jewelry. 9 South Main St., Waterbury. (802) 777-5550, greenmountaincoins.com and Facebook.
INSIDE OUT GALLERY VILLAGE GREEN AT STOWE Fully furnished condominiums at the center of all Stowe has to offer. Fireplaces, indoor pool, sauna, Jacuzzi. Affordable. (802) 253-9705 or (800) 451-3297. vgasstowe.com.
INSURANCE HICKOK & BOARDMAN, INC. Providing superior service and innovative solutions for all your insurance needs. Home, auto, and business insurance since 1821. “Here when you need us.” 618 So. Main St., Stowe. (802) 253-9707.
STOWE INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. Stowe’s premier multi-line insurance agency since 1955. Our pricing and service is second to none. Glenn Mink, Teela Leach, Robert Mink, and Renee Davis. (802) 253-4855.
INTERIOR DESIGN & DECORATING AMBER HODGINS DESIGN Full-service interior architecture and design, decorative painting, and color consultations. Specializing in décor, renovations, and new construction for residential or commercial projects. (802) 585-5544. amberhodgins.com.
DESIGN STUDIO OF STOWE Specializing in renovations. Creative solutions for interior spaces—residential and light commercial work. Services: Design, specify, order, and install. Showroom at 626 Mountain Rd. Allied Member ASID. (802) 253-9600. [email protected], designstudioofstowe.com.
GORDON’S WINDOW DÉCOR Gordon’s Window Décor offers no obligation in home consultations for draperies, shades, shutters, window film, and much more. Call or go online to schedule an appointment. gordonswindowdecor.com or (802) 655-7777.
SELDOM SCENE INTERIORS INC. All aspects of interior design. Stowe and Boston. Full architectural services, design build, and project management. Large comprehensive portfolio. By appointment only. 2038 Mountain Rd., Stowe. (802) 253-3770. seldomsceneinteriors.com.
STOWE CRAFT DESIGN CENTER Visit our 1,800-sq. ft. showroom for interior design services. Browse handcrafted and custom furniture, unique lighting, art, and sculpture. Shop local and American made home décor. 34 S. Main St. (802) 253-7677. stowecraft.com.
JEWELRY FERRO JEWELERS Stowe’s premier full-service jewelers since 2006. We specialize in estate jewelry, fine diamonds, custom design, |jewelry repair, and appraisals. American Gem Society. 91 Main St., Stowe. (802) 253-3033. ferrojewelers.com/stowe. Visit us on Facebook.
Discover new colorful and creative designs made by American artists. Add inspiration and fun to every day. Easy prices. Enjoyable shopping. Short walk up from Main Street. 299 Mountain Rd., Stowe. (802) 253-6945, insideoutgallery.com.
PERRYWINKLE’S Every piece of Perrywinkle’s jewelry is unlike any other. The finest diamonds and gemstones are hand selected for crafting our celebrated designs. We invite you to visit our Burlington location. (802) 865-2624, perrywinkles.com
STOWE GEMS Fine handcrafted gold, platinum, sterling jewelry. Diamonds, engagement rings, wedding bands. Amazing selection of tanzanite, tourmaline, Tahitian pearls, North American diamonds. Vermont charms, estate jewelry. Named “Best of Vermont.” Stowe Village. (802) 253-7000. stowegems.com.
KITCHENS & BATHS ALLAIRE CONSTRUCTION Providing professional, personalized quality renovation/remodeling services for 32 years. Our trustworthy team has extensive knowledge in planning, design, and construction for all your individualized kitchen and bath needs. Brent: (802) 793-2675, [email protected].
ALLEN KITCHEN AND BATH Specializing in kitchens, bath, doors, and windows. Locations in Barre, Montpelier, St. Johnsbury, and Waitsfield. 800-696-9663. allenlumbercompany.com.
BARRE TILE Rediscovering elegance in the home-place. Our Stone Shop is Vermont's source for kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, thresholds, fireplace hearths, more. Make an appointment today to view our extensive stone slab inventory. Over 25 colors. (802) 476-0912. barretile.com.
BOUCHARD-PIERCE Our professional designers and staff create spaces that reflect your unique style. We offer brand-name cabinetry, countertops, appliances, and more. We fit every design and budget. Essex Junction. (802) 878-4822; Berlin, (802) 476-6644. bouchardpierce.com.
KNITTING & YARN SHOPS KNITTING STUDIO Full-service knitting store specializing in customer service. Our goal is to help you from the beginning of the process to completion of your project. We carry a huge array of yarns and patterns and offer knitting classes for every level. 112 Main St., Montpelier. 229-2444. vtknits.com.
SHEEP THRILLS 134 S. Main St., Stowe. Lessons, inspiration, fun. Wednesday through Sunday: 1-5 p.m. Handspinning, knitting, crocheting, needle felting. See our hand-spun, handdried yarns and fiber products, all natural and all handmade in Vermont. (802) 585-2013.
S TOWE-SMUGGLERS’ BUSINESS DIRECTORY LANDSCAPE DESIGN AMBLER DESIGN Full-service landscape architecture and construction company in Stowe. Working with plants, water, stone, and earth, we create unique, exceptional, and beautiful outdoor spaces. Recent projects: Piecasso Restaurant entrance and the 2011 HGTV Dream Home. (802) 253-4536. amblerdesign.com.
CYNTHIA KNAUF LANDSCAPE DESIGN Beautiful, functional, and green. Creating memorable outdoor spaces that link buildings and people to the site. Emphasis on sustainability through local materials and craftsmanship, green roofs, and rain gardens. (802) 655-0552. cynthiaknauf.com.
WAGNER HODGSON LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE The process of uniting program, context, form and materials provides the basis for our work, crafting modern sculptural landscapes expressing the essential inherent beauty of natural materials. (802) 864-0010. wagnerhodgson.com.
WALPOLE WOODWORKERS Walpole suits your outdoor lifestyle, from pergolas, arbors, and fence to planters, lattice panels, outdoor furniture, and more. In natural cedar or low-maintenance cellular vinyl, an advanced material with the look and feel of wood. (800) 343-6948. walpolewoodworkers.com.
MAD RIVER ANTLER Handcrafted one-of-a-kind antler creations in the form of chandeliers, sconces, table lamps, floor lamps, and custom creations using naturally shed antler from moose, deer, and elk. (802) 496-9290, madriverantler.com.
DARBY THORNDIKE KOLTER & NORDLE, LLP General civil practice, real estate, environmental, estate planning, corporate, litigation, personal injury, and family law. Stowe: 25 Main St., (802) 253-7165; Waterbury: 89 S. Main St. (802) 244-7352.
OLSON & ASSOCIATES, PLC General law practice: commercial and residential real estate, estate planning and probate administration, business formation and maintenance, general litigation, family law, mediation services. 188 South Main St., Stowe. (802) 253-7810.
STACKPOLE AND FRENCH Litigation, real estate, corporate, utility, wills, and estate administration. 255 Maple St., Stowe. (802) 253-7339. stackpolefrench.com.
Bra fitting and fine lingerie store with knowledgeable lingerie specialists and over 100 bra sizes. Carrying brands of exceptional quality, this elegant boutique makes bra shopping fun for all shapes and sizes. 61 Church St., Burlington. (802) 497-3913. aristelle.com.
MARKETS HARVEST MARKET Stowe’s one-stop gourmet store. Delicious salads, entrées, baked goods, and breads—prepared by our own chefs and bakers. Specialty cheeses and meats. Espresso bar. Farm fresh produce. Great wine selection. Daily 7-7 (in season). (802) 253-3800. harvestatstowe.com.
VALSANGIACOMO DETORA & MCQUESTEN Personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, real estate, and environmental law. 172 North Main St., Barre. (802) 476-4181 x309.
Transform your state of being through massage. Restore, replenish, rejuvenate naturally with Swedish, sports, Reiki, or neuromuscular therapies. Hot stones or body treatments. Daily by appointment. (802) 253-4811, x164. 511 Mountain Rd., Stowe. goldeneagleresort.com.
KATE GRAVES, CMT, BHS Relaxation, deep tissue, moist heat, energy work (Brennan graduate), maternity, Thai. Practicing integrative medicine over 30 years. Competitive rates. Stowe Yoga Center, 515 Moscow Rd. [email protected], (802) 253-8427, stoweyoga.com.
Massage center offers exceptional bodywork services from relaxation to injury recovery. Certified practitioners in a casual atmosphere. 60-minute massages starting from $75. Daily from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. 49 Depot St., Stowe. Book online at stowevillagemassage.com. (802) 253-6555. [email protected].
TRAPP FAMILY LODGE FITNESS CENTER Massage therapists use a blend of techniques to address needs including Swedish, deep tissue, acupressure, and Shiatsu. Other treatments include reflexology, salt glows, and hot stone therapy. Appointments available daily. (802) 253-5722.
MOVIE THEATERS STOWE CINEMA 3-PLEX First-run movies, all new 7.1 Digital Surround EX and 5.1 digital sound with silver screens and RealD 3D. Full bar available as you view. Fresh popcorn, real butter, full concession. Conventional seating too. 454 Mountain Rd. Movie phone (802) 253-4678; stowecinema.com; or Facebook.
BARRE ELECTRIC & LIGHTING SUPPLY, INC.
COMMODITIES NATURAL MARKET
Conant Metal & Light is a creative designer, maker, restorer, and retailer of fine lighting and decorative accessories. We provide bold, energy-efficient solutions for projects that demand that extraordinary custom touch. (800) 832-4482. conantmetalandlight.com.
DR. ROBERT C. BAUMAN & ASSOCIATES Comprehensive eye exams, immediate treatment of eye injuries/infections. Same-day service on most eyeglasses including bifocals. Area’s largest selection glasses and contact lenses, immediate replacement of lost or damaged contact lenses. Saturday hours available. (802) 253-6322. drrobertbauman.com.
BERLIN OPTICAL EXPRESSIONS Quality eye care and personal attention. A family optometry practice that prides itself on the individual care and attention paid to all of its patients. (802) 223-2090, oeberlin.com.
At Stowe Eye Care, we provide personalized vision services. We use advanced technology for the most accurate diagnosis, as well as having a frame selection as unique as we are. stowe-eyecare.com. (802) 253-7201.
PHARMACY HERITAGE PHARMACY Full-service pharmacy. Compounding available. Over-thecounter remedies, health and beauty aids, first-aid supplies. Conveniently located at 1878 Mountain Rd. (802) 253-2544. heritagedrugs.com.
STOWE VILLAGE MASSAGE
CONANT METAL & LIGHT
STOWE EYE CARE GOLDEN EAGLE RESORT
LIGHTING Indoor and outdoor lighting, fans and home accents. The supplier of choice for area electricians and builders. Come visit our 3,000-square foot showroom featuring working displays for kitchen and bath lighting. Route 302, Barre. (802) 476-0280. barreelectric.com.
A 5-star rated nursing home, residential care, and shortterm rehabilitation facility in Morrisville providing a caring home environment in a professional health-care setting. ACHA Silver Award recipient. (802) 888-8700. themanorvt.org.
MASSAGE & BODYWORK
STEVENS LAW OFFICE Residential and commercial real estate, criminal and family law, civil litigation, personal injury, estate planning, and business formation. 30+ years experience. Stowe and Derby offices. (802) 253-8547 or (866) 786-9530.
BARR LAW Member Vermont, New York, Massachusetts bars. 125 Mountain Rd., Stowe. Vermont, (802) 253-6272; 100 Park Ave., New York, NY, (212) 486-3910.
Commodities Natural Market—your one stop for all things organic, natural, and gourmet. 512 Mountain Rd., Stowe. 253-4464. commoditiesnaturalmarket.com.
NEEDLEWORK THE WOODEN NEEDLE Charming needle arts shop in heart of Stowe Village. Counted cross-stitch and needlepoint featured. Specializing in linens, hand-painted canvases, Paternayan wool, Weeks Dye Works, Gentle Art cottons, fun fibers. Park and Pond Streets. (802) 253-3086, wooden-needle.com.
PHOTOGRAPHY KATE CARTER PHOTOGRAPHY Professional digital photography services for weddings, pet and people portraits, interiors, landscapes, products. Memorable images for digital and print publication, and for fine art prints. (802) 244-5017, wordsandphotosbykate.com.
ORAH MOORE PHOTOGRAPHY Weddings, children, reunions. Fine art photography. Studied with Ansel Adams. Location or studio sittings. Visit my retail store: Haymaker Card and Gift. 84 Lower Main, Morrisville, 10-5ish Mon. - Sat. (802) 888-2309. orahmoorephotography.com.
PAUL ROGERS PHOTOGRAPHY Since 1982, offering quality photographic services to Vermont businesses. Creative images of people, products, and locations. Photography of artwork. Private photographic instruction. RIT photo graduate. (802) 253-7879, paulrogersphotography.com.
PHYSICAL THERAPY CVMC REHABILITATION SERVICES Physical, occupational, and speech therapies. Specialized service: Parkinson’s disease, urinary incontinence, vertigo, concussions, and more. Clinic in Waterbury. Get evaluated within 48 hours at Rehab ExpressCARE in Berlin. cvmc.org/rehab. (802) 371-4242.
COPLEY REHABILITATION SERVICES Therapies include physical, occupational, hand, speech, aquatic, pediatric, cardiac and pulmonary, work conditioning and other comprehensive rehab services. Clinics in Stowe, Hardwick, and Morrisville (Mansfield Orthopaedics and Copley Hospital). (802) 888-8303, copleyvt.org.
ADAM KUNIN, MD — CARDIOLOGIST
GREEN MOUNTAIN GLAZE
Personalized cardiac care. Board-certified in cardiology, nuclear cardiology, and internal medicine. Providing general cardiology, advanced cardiac tests, and imaging. Morrisville. (802) 888-8372, copleyvt.org.
“Paint-your-own” pottery studio and art gallery. Fun for all ages and perfect for parties or rainy days. Walk-ins welcome. 2595 Mountain Rd., Stowe. (802) 760-6366. greenmountainglaze.com.
PATRICIA JAQUA, MD — GENERAL SURGEON Providing a wide spectrum of inpatient and outpatient surgical care. Care includes, but not limited to: gallbladder, hernia, trauma, biopsies, and minor surgical procedures. Morrisville. (802) 888-8372, copleyvt.org.
THE WOMEN’S CENTER: OB/GYN Board-certified specialists William Ellis, MD, and Anne Stohrer, MD, and certified-nurse midwives, Kipp Bovey, Jackie Bromley, and Marge Kelso. Comprehensive gynecological care. The Women’s Center, (802) 888-8100, copleyvt.org.
PHYSICIANS–Orthopaedics CENTRAL VERMONT ORTHOPAEDICS Dr. Mahlon Bradley: orthopaedics and sports medicine for active patients of all ages. Berlin. (802) 225-3970. Dr. John Braun: specializing in diseases and conditions of the spine. Berlin. (802) 225-3965. cvmc.org/ortho.
GREEN MOUNTAIN ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY Why let an orthopaedic problem keep you from doing what you love? Depend on Green Mountain Orthopaedic Surgery, located in Berlin, Vt., since 2002 to provide you with trusted superior care. (802) 229-2663. greenmountainortho.com.
MANSFIELD ORTHOPAEDICS AT COPLEY Brian Aros, MD; Bryan Huber, MD; John Macy, MD; Joseph McLaughlin, MD; and Saul Trevino, MD. On-site radiology and rehabilitation facility. Morrisville and Waterbury. (802) 888-8405, mansfieldorthopaedics.com.
PICTURE FRAMING VERMONT FRAME GAME The Burlington and Stowe area's premier custom frame shop. Locally owned and operated for over 35 years. Custom framing, ready made frames, laminating, more. 1203 Williston Rd., S. Burlington. (802) 863-3099. vermontframegame.com.
PIZZA BENCH Unique to Stowe, wood-fired comfort food including pizza with a focus on local ingredients in a relaxed, rustic modern Vermont atmosphere. Enjoy après ski or dinner. 28 taps, craft beer, cocktails, and extensive wine list. Daily. 492 Mountain Rd., Stowe. benchvt.com. (802) 253-5100.
PIECASSO PIZZERIA & LOUNGE Traditional, hand-tossed New York style pizza with modern style, eclectic music, and great vibes. A local favorite, voted a “Top 11 Slice in the Country” by travelandleisure.com. Creative entrees, craft beer, gluten-free menu, online ordering, takeout, delivery. (802) 253-4411, piecasso.com.
PORTABLE TOILET RENTALS HARTIGAN COMPANY SEPTIC SERVICE Special events, construction sites, crowd pleasers, commercial, residential. Locally owned and operated since 1956. (802) 253-0376. 800-696-0761. hartigancompany.com.
Stowe and Lamoille County’s leading real-estate company serving Central and Northern Vermont from 3 offices and 24 hours a day at pallspera.com. Exclusive affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate. (802) 253-9771, (802) 253-1806, (802) 888-1102. pallspera.com.
SPRUCE PEAK AT STOWE
BETSY PEREZ, MD — UROLOGIST Board-certified urologist. Specializing in diagnosis and treatment of problems of the male and female urinary tract and the male reproductive organs. Morrisville. (802) 888-8372, copleyvt.org.
PALL SPERA COMPANY REALTORS
PRINTING THE X PRESS Custom business and personal print, copy, and design services. Brochures, letterhead, envelopes, business cards, forms, labels, invitations, banners, specialty products for over 25 years. Office supplies, shipping, scanning/fax service. (802) 253-7883 (fax). Stowe Village, M-F, 8-4:30. (802) 253-9788. thexpressink.com.
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT ALLAIRE CONSTRUCTION Providing personalized care for your home and business needs for 32 years. Professional, reliable, trustworthy, quality workmanship. Eliminate hiring multiple contractors. Security and home checks available. Brent: (802) 793-2675, [email protected].
STOWE COUNTRY HOMES Property management, maintenance, repair, and renovations specialists. Lawn and garden care, landscaping, trash removal, etc. Renovations large and small. Quality work guaranteed—on budget and schedule. . (802) 253-8132, ext. 102, or [email protected]. stowecountryhomes.com/propertymanagement.
STOWE HOME CARE MAINTENANCE INC. Full-service property management. Snow plowing/removal, snow shoveling, roofs, and walkways, lot and driveway sanding. Land clearing, driveway grading, trash pick-up, carpentry, furniture moving, brush hogging, tree removal. (802) 888-7736, [email protected], stowehomecaremaintenance.com.
STOWE RESORT HOMES Personalized management for Stowe’s vacation homes. Home checks, personal shopping, remodeling project management, maintenance coordination, more. We also offer marketing and rental agent services for select vacation homes. (802) 760-1157. stoweresorthomes.com.
REAL ESTATE & RENTALS BECKWITH REAL ESTATE & LUXURY RENTALS Personal service, local knowledge, and expertise combine for the ultimate experience when buying or renting in Stowe. “Stowe’s Luxury Rental Agent.” Buying or selling: we have a pulse on the market. 1069 Mountain Rd. 253-8858. beckwithrealestate.com, beckwithrentals.com.
COLDWELL BANKER CARLSON REAL ESTATE Real estate sales and rentals, representing Stowe and surrounding communities. Our talented team leads the industry in technology, innovation, and passion. 91 Main St., Stowe. In the Ferro building (802) 253-7358. stowevermontrealestate.com.
MOUNTAIN ASSOCIATES REALTORS Bigger is not always better. We have chosen to remain small; allowing us to offer experienced representation, personalized service and a team approach to sales and rentals. (802) 253-8518. mountainassociates.com.
Spruce Peak at Stowe, a year round alpine community that includes world-class skiing, golfing, fine dining, and spa services. Residences from $179,000. (877) 977-7823 or sprucepeak.com.
STOWE COUNTRY HOMES Vacation homes and condos for short- or long-term rental. Professionally and locally managed. Luxury slopeside properties, secluded private homes, affordable condos —we have what you want, meeting all budgets. (802) 253-8132. stowecountryhomes.com.
STOWE REALTY Stowe Realty is the leader in Stowe vacation rentals. By the season or by the weekend, from trailside condos and fine private homes to quaint cabins, we have the best selection and prices for Stowe rentals. 25 Main St., Stowe. (802) 253-8484. stowerealtyrentals.com.
STOWE RED BARN REALTY A small boutique office of four professionals, each with a unique love of Vermont. 17 Towne Farm Lane on the Mountain Road, Stowe. We look forward to helping you fulfill your real estate sales and rental needs. (802) 253-4994. stoweredbarnrealty.com.
STOWE RESORT HOMES Luxury vacation homes for the savvy traveler. Book some of Stowe’s best resort homes—online. Well-appointed, tastefully decorated homes at Topnotch, Spruce Peak, and throughout Stowe. (802) 760-1157. stoweresorthomes.com.
THE VILLAS AT TRAPP FAMILY LODGE Luxurious 3 bedroom villas available for purchase as fractional or whole ownership. Over 2,500 sq. ft. include a “lock-off” master suite, full gourmet kitchen, European-style décor, and use of the lodge amenities. Nightly and weekly rentals also available. (800) 826-7000 or (802) 253-8511.
RECYCLING 1-800-GOT-JUNK Say goodbye to your junk without lifting a finger. Whether it's old furniture, appliances, electronics, or renovation debris, we do all the loading and clean-up. We recycle and re-purpose materials. 1-800-Got-Junk. 1800gotjunk.com.
RESTAURANTS & NIGHTCLUBS BENCH Unique to Stowe, wood-fired comfort food including pizza. Local ingredients in a relaxed, rustic modern Vermont atmosphere. Enjoy après ski or dinner with family and friends. 28 taps, craft beer, cocktails, and extensive wine list. Daily. 492 Mountain Rd., Stowe. benchvt.com. (802) 253-5100.
THE BISTRO AT TEN ACRES imply great, handmade, flavorful food. Craft beers, delicious wines, fresh-pressed cocktails. 1820s Vermont Farmhouse with bar seating, elegant dining rooms, fireside lounge, and beautiful views. Barrows and Luce Hill Roads, Stowe. tenacreslodge.com. (802) 253-6838.
NEW ENGLAND LANDMARK REALTY A unique team approach to real estate marketing, sales, and rentals. Harnessing technology to create innovative strategies to maximize exposure for our clients. Offices in Stowe and Waterbury. (866) 324-2427. (802) 253-4711. nelandmark.com.
BLUE DONKEY The best burgers in town. Wraps, sandwiches, hand-cut fries, Donkey chips, milkshakes, beer, and wine. Just off the rec path on the Mountain Road. Take-out. Closed Tuesdays. 253-3100. More restaurants l
S TOWE-SMUGGLERS’ BUSINESS DIRECTORY RESTAURANTS & NIGHTCLUBS BLUE MOON CAFÉ The best of American fine dining with a distinctly Mediterranean flair, featuring beef tenderloin, lamb, duck, Atlantic fishes, and seasonal produce. New menu every month. 35 School St., Stowe. 253-7006. bluemoonstowe.com.
CACTUS CAFE Chef owned/operated. Fresh authentic Mexican entrées, nightly specials and our famous 16 oz. handmade margaritas. Dinner nightly from 4:30. Aprés ski weekends from 3 p.m. Over 34 different tequilas. 2160 Mountain Rd., Stowe. Reservations accepted. Family friendly. 253-7770.
CHARLIE B’S PUB & RESTAURANT Charlie B’s is a Stowe tradition featuring upscale pub fare, an award-winning wine list, and Vermont craft brews on tap. Enjoy fireside deck dining and live entertainment in season. (802) 760-1096, charliebspub.com.
CLIFF HOUSE RESTAURANT Opening in December, enjoy panoramic views atop Mt. Mansfield (3,625’), award-winning American cuisine with rustic Vermont flair, fresh seasonal, artisanal ingredients. Hand-selected wine list, tantalizing cocktails. Lunch daily, 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Reservations: [email protected]. stowe.com.
CROP BISTRO & BREWERY Bistro and brewery featuring American cuisine utilizing fresh local and regional ingredients, handcrafted ales and lagers made on premise. Innovative cocktails, spirits, wines, and local hard ciders. Mountain Road, Stowe. (802) 253-4765. cropvt.com.
DEPOT ST. MALT SHOP Moderately priced breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Kids’ menu. 1950s soda fountain atmosphere. Thick creamy malts, frappes, sundaes, ice cream sodas, Vermont beef burgers, sandwiches, homemade soups, take-out. Call for hours. Stowe Village. (802) 253-4269.
GOLDEN EAGLE COLONIAL CAFÉ Delicious breakfasts at reasonable prices in cozy country dining room. Start the day with fresh baked muffins, homemade breads, local eggs and pancakes with Vermont maple syrup. Daily 7 a.m., 511 Mountain Rd.. (802) 253-4811. goldeneagleresort.com.
GRACIE’S RESTAURANT Serving black angus steaks and creative seafood. Vermont Boyden Farm burgers and an array of salad favorites. Gracie’s bakery produces all desserts, breads, and pastries. Large children’s menu, reservations recommended, catering available. (802) 253-8741.
GREAT ROOM GRILL AT SPRUCE CAMP Unparalleled chef-orchestrated base lodge dining from four exhibition cooking stations serving breakfast, lunch, après-ski fare. Spruce Camp Bar is the gathering place for après-ski cocktails and live entertainment. 253-4754 or stowe.com.
GREEN GODDESS CAFÉ Breakfast and lunch meals, sandwiches, paninis, wraps, soups—all made from scratch and in house. Famous custom salads with over 40 options. Homemade breads, baked goodies. Open daily. 618 S. Main St., Lower Village, Stowe. (802) 253-5255.
HARRISON’S RESTAURANT & BAR Located in historic Stowe Village. Serving seafood, steaks, burgers, and homemade desserts. Dinner nightly. Experience a local favorite in a cozy atmosphere. Reservations accepted. (802) 253-7773.
HOB KNOB RESTAURANT Specializing in certified Angus steaks, duck, and seafood served in an intimate setting. Family owned and operated. Fireside dining with mountain views. Dinner served Thursday through Saturday. Private parties welcome. Reservations appreciated. (802) 253-8549. hobknobinn.com.
Seasonal American food celebrating the farms of Vermont and the Northeast. Serving dinner 5-9 p.m. Tues.-Sat. 92 Stowe St. Waterbury. (802) 244-7300. henofthewood.com.
Elegant without being stuffy, Solstice features local artisaninspired cuisine made using farm-to-table produce, Vermont cheeses, and all-natural meats. Private wine-tastings and dining room for up to 16 guests are also available. 7604735. solsticevermont.com. Reservations recommended.
STONEGRILL RESTAURANT & PUB MCCARTHY’S RESTAURANT / CATERING Delicious breakfasts and lunches. Soups, daily specials. Kids’ menu, low-calorie, low-carb offerings. Homemade muffins, pies etc. Gluten free bread, cappuccino, milkshakes, smoothies. 6:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Mountain Road, Stowe. (802) 253-8626.
MI CASA KITCHEN & BAR Fresh Mexican fare with a Vermont twist served in a fun, friendly atmosphere at the historic Butler House in the heart of Stowe Village. Vegan and low gluten free options. Bar, lounge, groups. Open daily. 128 Main St. (802) 253-5333. micasastowe.com.
MICHAEL’S ON THE HILL Farm-to-table European cuisine. Swiss chef owned. Restaurateur & Chef of the Year, Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, certified green restaurant, Best Chefs America. Bar, lounge, group facilities, on and offsite catering. 5 minutes from Stowe. Route 100, Waterbury Center. 244-7476. michaelsonthehill.com.
O’GRADY’S GRILL AND BAR Relax and enjoy Irish warmth, fresh, local comfort food, extensive beer/wine selection, convenient Mountain Road location. Kids welcome, large parties easily accommodated, catering. Serving 4-10 p.m. 7 days per week. 504 Mountain Road, Stowe. (802) 253-8233. ogradysgrill.com.
PHOENIX TABLE AND BAR Dinner, lunch, weekend brunch. Seven days a week. Moderate pricing, full bar, vegetarian offerings, full handicap access. (802) 253-2838, phoenixtableandbar.com.
PIECASSO PIZZERIA & LOUNGE Traditional, hand-tossed New York style pizza with modern style, eclectic music and great vibes. A local favorite, voted a “Top 11 Slice in the Country” by travelandleisure.com. Creative entrees, craft beer, gluten-free menu, online ordering, takeout, delivery. 253-4411, piecasso.com.
Try our new heart healthy stone grilled meals or enjoy one of your American favorites. Open daily 6-9 p.m. Live entertainment weekly in our pub. Banquet room with wi-fi. Route 15, Morrisville. (802) 888-4242.
SUSHI YOSHI Experience the best in Chinese and Japanese cuisine. Eclectic menu with something for everyone. Have a great time with the entire family at Sushi Yoshi Chinese Gourmet Hibachi Steakhouse. Open daily. Outdoor seating. Call for free shuttle. 1128 Mountain Rd., Stowe. (802) 253-4135. sushistowe.com.
SWISS FONDUE BY HEINZ A cozy rustic alpine setting serving savory and sweet crepes and fondue. Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. serving crepes and fondue; dinner 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., fondue only. For reservations, call (802) 999-8785, [email protected].
TRAPP FAMILY LODGE — LOUNGE & DINING ROOM Seasonal menus reflecting both Austrian and Vermont traditions. Open daily. Dining room: breakfast 7:30-10:30 a.m.; dinner 5:30-9 p.m. Reservations: (802) 253-5733. Lounge: lunch 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; tea 3:30-4:30 p.m.; dinner 5-9 p.m.; bar nightly until 11 p.m.; (802) 253-5734.
TRATTORIA LA FESTA Old-fashioned full-service family-style Italian restaurant. Wine Spectator best wine list. Great place to meet locals and celebrities, great music. Dinner 5 to close; closed on Sundays except on long weekends. Reservations: (802) 253-8480. [email protected]. trattoriastowe.com.
VERMONT ALE HOUSE Craft beer bar within walking distance from Stowe Village. Hot roast beef, fried chicken, flatbreads, grilled wings, and salads. Hand-crafted cocktails. Fireplace and library. 294 Mountain Rd. (802) 253-6253. vermontalehouse.com.
PLATE Winner of the “Best New Restaurant” Daisies award. California flavor meets Vermont style. 50 seats, full bar, open kitchen. Food ranges from serious meat eaters to healthy vegetarians. Everything is homemade, utilizing many local farms. Dinner Wednesday - Sunday 5-10. 91 Main St. (802) 253-2691. platestowe.com.
WHIP BAR & GRILL Friendly, casual atmosphere with open grill in our newly renovated restaurant and bar. Fresh seafood, hand-cut steaks, vegetarian, homemade soups, salads and desserts, healthy children’s menu. Lunch/dinner daily, Sunday brunch. At the Green Mountain Inn. (802) 253-4400. thewhip.com.
THE PUB AT GREY FOX INN AND RESORT Join us by the fireplace for a drink. Full-service bar, domestic and international bottled beer, local microbrews, wines. Appetizers, soups, salads, burgers, pub fare, dinner entrees, delectable desserts. Wed.-Sat. 5-9 p.m. 990 Mountain Rd., Stowe. (802) 253-8921. greyfoxinn.com.
RIMROCK’S MOUNTAIN TAVERN Dinner daily 4 - 10 p.m. Lunch Thurs.-Sun. Burgers, wings, tacos, sandwiches, more. Craft beer, kids menu, gameroom. Stowe’s best sports venue. DJs Thurs.-Sat. 10 p.m. – close. 394 Mountain Rd. (802) 253-9593. rimrocksmountaintavern.com. See events on Facebook.
THE ROOST & FLANNEL AT TOPNOTCH RESORT Choose from a new lobby bar and restaurant with aweinspiring views and après attitude, or a warm, friendly bistro with open kitchen. Topnotch masterfully fuses contemporary fare and casual vibe into two superb gathering spots. (802) 253-6445. topnotchresort.com.
RUSTY NAIL NIGHTCLUB HEN OF THE WOOD—WATERBURY
Are you ready to rock? Stowe’s favorite nightclub is back. Area’s best bands and internationally known performers. Tasty pub fare, wood-fired pizza, après ski. Host birthdays, weddings, rehearsals, and corporate events. Show schedule/events: rustynailvt.com. (802) 253-NAIL.
RESTAURANTS & SPORTS BARS RIMROCKS Dinner daily 4 - 10 p.m. Lunch Thurs.-Sun. Burgers, wings, tacos, sandwiches, more. Craft beer, full bar, kids menu, game room. DirectTV, HD, large screens. DJs Thurs.-Sat. 10 p.m. – close. 394 Mountain Rd. (802) 253-9593. rimrocksmountaintavern.com. See events on Facebook.
SUNSET GRILLE & TAP ROOM Serving a unique brand of Northern style southern barbecue with a side of sports. Barbecue, seafood, steaks, burgers. 30 TVs, six big screens, satellite system. Just off the beaten path. Cottage Club Road, Stowe. (802) 253-9281. sunsetgrillevt.com.
RETIREMENT COMMUNITY COPLEY WOODLANDS Independent living in a supportive community. Spacious retirement condos with leasing or ownership options available for adults 55+. Copley Woodlands, 125 Thomas Lane, Stowe. (802) 253-7200. copleywoodlands.com.
SKIING – Cross Country
HARTIGAN COMPANY SEPTIC SERVICE
STOWE MOUNTAIN RESORT CROSS COUNTRY CENTER
THE SPA AT STOWEFLAKE
Septic tank pumping, portable toilets, grease trap, and tank pumping. Pump station repair, TV camera inspection, culvert and catch basin cleaning, line jetting, frozen line thawing. (802) 253-0376, (800) 696-0761. hartigancompany.com.
SHOE STORES SHAW'S GENERAL STORE Winter footwear by Ugg, Sorel, The North Face, Kamik, Bos & Co, Bogs, and more. Helping Vermonters survive in style since 1895. 54 Main St., Stowe. 253-4040.
45 km of groomed trails and 30 km of backcountry terrain. Rental shop offers Nordic gear, snowshoes, touring gear, classic and skate skis, backcountry, and telemark. Group clinics and private lessons upon request. (802) 253-3688.
TRAPP FAMILY LODGE OUTDOOR CENTER Over 100 km of groomed and backcountry trails in woodlands and meadows with spectacular mountain views. Private, group instruction, rentals, retail shop. Lunch at the Slayton Pasture Cabin. 253-8511. Snow reports: (802) 253-5720.
WELL HEELED Come see what the buzz is all about. A tempting assortment of designer shoes, boots, handbags, belts, clothing, and jewelry presented in a classic 1840s farmhouse. Open 7 days, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (802) 253-6077. Mountain Road, Stowe. wellheeledstowe.com.
SKI & SNOWBOARD SHOPS – Rentals & Demos AJ’S SKI & SPORTS Largest selection of equipment and ski demo center in Stowe. New K2 rentals skis. Atomic, Volkl, Salomon, Rossignol, K-2, Nordica, Tecnica, Dalbello. Burton snowboard demos. 8-8. Fri., Sat., holidays until 9 p.m. (802) 253-4593. stowesports.com.
SKIER'S EDGE The No. 1 technical ski conditioner in the world is your edge to better skiing. We make beginner skiers good, good skiers great and, great skiers the best. skiersedge.com.
SKI RESORT BOLTON VALLEY SKI RESORT Bolton Valley is the best value in big mountain skiing and riding in Vermont. Enjoy ski-in/ski-out lodging with access to 71 trails and glades. Just 10 minutes from Exit 10 off I89. 1-877-9BOLTON, boltonvalley.com.
JAY PEAK RESORT Jay Peak offers skiing and riding on the most snow in eastern North America, Vermont’s only aerial tramway, championship golf, an indoor ice arena, and pump house— Vermont’s only indoor water park. (800) 451-4449. jaypeakresort.com.
MAD RIVER GLEN America’s only cooperatively owned ski area. A mountain where skiing remains an outdoor adventure in an unspoiled natural setting. Its skier-owners are dedicated to protecting and preserving the unique experience forever. (802) 496-3551, madriverglen.com.
STOWE MOUNTAIN RESORT STOWE TOYS RENTAL & DEMO CENTERS Rent at Mansfield Base Lodge, Stowe Toys Demo Center next to the FourRunner Quad chairlift or Spruce Camp Base Lodge. Rent the latest skis, snowboards, helmets, more. Rentals and tech support where you need it–on the mountain. 253-3000.
With $9.8 million in snowmaking improvements, ski and ride instruction for every level, world-class amenities, exceptional service and legendary terrain on Vermont’s highest peak, Stowe Mountain Resort truly is bigger than a mountain. stowe.com, 253-3500.
SKI TUNING SKI & SNOWBOARD SHOPS – Retail AJ’S SKI & SPORTS Fine ski and snowboard clothing with names like Patagonia, Arc'teryx, Burton, Kjus, Helly Hanson, Mountain Hardwear, more. Kids and adult. 8-8. Fri., Sat., holidays until 9 p.m. (802) 253-4593. stowesports.com.
NORDIC BARN A full-service ski shop specializing in backcountry, alpine, telemark, AT, and Nordic rental equipment for all winter activities. All this in a cozy atmosphere like no other. Mountain Road, Stowe. (802) 253-6433. nordicbarnvt.com.
OUTDOOR GEAR EXCHANGE & GEARX.COM Locally owned since 1995, offering the area’s best prices, service, and selection of gear and clothing for Nordic, telemark, alpine touring, snowshoeing, ice climbing. Open 7 days. Burlington. (802) 860-0190.
STOWE MOUNTAIN RESORT SHOPS Expert staff quickly and efficiently addresses your equipment and clothing needs—slopeside. Best selection, competitive pricing. New First Chair Alpine Co., Spruce Peak Sports, Mansfield Sports, Midway Lodge retail, Gondola Summit Shop, Stowe Toys Demo Center. (802) 253-3000.
STAY TUNED AT STOWE MOUNTAIN RESORT Convenient, slopeside service centers with state-of-the-art tuning and expert technicians. Leave your gear overnight for tomorrow’s first tracks. Mount Mansfield Base Lodge, Spruce Camp Base Lodge, or Stowe Toys Demo Center. 253-3000.
SLEIGH RIDES GENTLE GIANTS SLEIGH RIDES AT TOPNOTCH New England’s favorite scenic and romantic ride. Go back in time through a covered bridge along a rambling brook in the woods. Spectacular mountain views. Daily. Private couple, family, and group rides. Recommended by Yankee Magazine. 253-2216. gentlegiantsrides.com.
World-class spa integrates natural surroundings, luxurious amenities, over 150 treatments. Bingham Hydrotherapy waterfall, Hungarian mineral soaking pool, men’s and women’s private lounges with steam, sauna, hot tub, Jacuzzi, yoga, Pilates, fitness classes available to public. (802) 760-1083, spaatstoweflake.com.
THE SPA & WELLNESS CENTER AT STOWE MOUNTAIN LODGE Enjoy a healing lodge with sauna, herbal steam room, Jacuzzi, and cooling rain shower; full-service salon; 18 treatment rooms; full fitness center with heated outdoor pool and classes. (802) 760-4782. stowemountainlodge.com.
TOPNOTCH SPA Voted Vermont’s #1 spa, with 120 spa and salon services— for body, skin, fitness, beauty, peace. Choose “pathways to wellness” or indivudal treatments and enjoy full-day access to our secluded spa sanctuary, fitness center, his and hers spa lounges, indoor/outdoor pools. (802) 253-6463. topnotchresort.com.
SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS ARBORTREK CANOPY ADVENTURES, LLC Family-friendly, year-round treetop adventures including Vermont’s first “world-class” zipline canopy tour, new treetop obstacle course, and climbing program. Adventures from serene to extreme. Ages 4+, good health, max weight: 250 lbs. Reservations recommended. (802) 644-9300. arbortrek.com.
COLD HOLLOW CIDER MILL Watch our old-fashioned rack-and-cloth press at work during a self-guided tour with free cider samples. Fresh bakery, live observation beehive, Vermont maple products. Manufacturing hours change with seasons. Route 100, Waterbury. (800) 3-APPLES. coldhollow.com.
LITTLE RIVER HOTGLASS STUDIO A nationally recognized art glass studio with glass blowing demonstrations. Adjacent gallery features work of resident artist Michael Trimpol. Call for studio hours. (802) 253-0889. littleriverhotglass.com.
SPRUCE PEAK PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Enjoy “Peak Experiences” in this intimate and acoustically superior arts center with the best in music, dance, comedy, theater, film, and Vermont artists presented each week, year round. (802) 760-4634 or sprucepeakarts.org.
STOWE HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM Preserving Stowe’s rich history. Visit the museum at the West Branch and Bloody Brook Schoolhouses, next to the Stowe Library in the village. Tuesday and Thursday 2 - 5 p.m.; Saturday 12 - 3 p.m. in summer, and when the flags are out. (802) 253-1518. stowehistoricalsociety.org, [email protected].
VERMONT TEDDY BEAR FACTORY TOURS One of the most popular Vermont activities. Come and experience our store, take a factory tour and make your own bear. 6655 Shelburne Rd., just south of Shelburne Village. (802) 985-3001. vermontteddybear.com.
GREEN MOUNTAIN SNOWMOBILE ADVENTURES
Follow a guide on a snowmobile tour through wooded and scenic Vermont trails. Beginner or expert, private or group, we have a tour for you. (802) 644-1438 or visit us online at greenmtnsnowmobile.com.
Stowe’s one-stop gourmet store. Delicious salads, entrées, baked goods and breads—prepared by our own chefs and bakers. Specialty cheeses and meats. Espresso bar. Farm fresh produce. Great wine selection. Daily 7-7 (in season). (802) 253-3800. harvestatstowe.com.
LAKE CHAMPLAIN CHOCOLATES UMIAK OUTDOOR OUTFITTERS Featuring Ben & Jerry’s, fondue dinner, and moonlight cabin snowshoe tours. Guided dogsled tours. Snowshoes, telemark, AT and XC skis, winter clothing. Sales and rentals. Open daily 9-6. (802) 253-2317. umiak.com.
STOWE SNOWMOBILE TOURS Beginner to expert. Enjoy all-scenic tours of Mt. Mansfield State Forest. Singles or doubles on new Polaris snowmobiles. Take guided, safe trips at speeds where everyone will feel comfortable. (802) 253-6221. snowmobilevermont.com.
What the New York Times calls “some of the best chocolate in the country.” Made from Belgian chocolate, Vermont cream, other natural ingredients. Caramels, truffles, creamy fudge, pralines, factory seconds. 9-6 daily. Cabot Annex. (802) 241-4150. lakechamplainchocolates.com.
S TOWE-SMUGGLERS’ BUSINESS DIRECTORY SPORTING GOODS POWER PLAY SPORTS The authentic small town sporting goods store that has everything. Ski and snowboard sales and service, rentals, backcountry, XC, snowshoes, hockey, bikes, lacrosse, and more. Open 7 days. 35 Portland St., Morrisville. (802) 888-6557. powerplaysportsvt.com.
SURVEYORS LITTLE RIVER SURVEY COMPANY Surveying, mapping. Boundary, subdivision and topographic surveys. Site plans, FEMA elevation certificates and LOMA’s. Large document copying, scanning, reducing. (802) 253-8214; littleriversurveyvt.com.
TILE DOWN EAST TILE The biggest little tile shop in New England. Tiles from around the world. Ceramic and stone tile; local artisans; custom natural stone countertops. Decorative tile our specialty. Cork, reclaimed stone flooring. Design services, installation supplies. Sylvan Park Road, Stowe. (802) 253-7001. downeasttile.com.
TOURS & TOUR OPERATORS
SNOWFLAKE TAXI Stowe’s favorite taxi. Safe, clean, reliable service. 24 hour, 365 days a year. 4x4. Check out our new luxury 12-passenger van. Airport shuttle. Local family business. (802) 253-7666. snowflaketaxi.com.
STOWE MOUNTAIN ROAD SHUTTLE GMTA operates Stowe’s Mountain Road shuttle. This free bus service travels along Route 100 to the gondola at Stowe Mountain Resort. Can accommodate ski/snowboard equipment. For more information visit gmtaride.org.
VERMONT CHAUFFEURED TRANSPORTATION Enjoy ease, comfort, and convenience with personalized chauffeured transportation to/from Stowe, Burlington airport, Montreal, throughout Vermont, New England, Northeast. Group excursions, shuttle services, wine/brewery tours, conferences, corporate events, weddings. (802) 760-3838. stoweride.com.
TRAVEL AGENCIES MILNE TRAVEL An independent, family owned, travel management company founded in Barre, Vt., in 1975. We operate eight local storefronts in Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New York with nearly 100 employees. (877) MILNE-4-U. milnetravel.com.
SOJOURN Sojourn specializes in deluxe bicycling vacations in stunning locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Premiere accommodations, fabulous tour leaders, unfailing attention to detail. the good life, by bike™. gosojourn.com.
YAMPU TOURS Experience more with Yampu’s passionate travel professionals who tailor make sightseeing, culinary, safari, family, and adventure itineraries to Latin America, India, Asia, and Africa. (888) 926-7801, yampu.com.
TOYS & GAMES ONCE UPON A TIME TOYS/THE TOY STORE Ever built an R/C dino, then heard it roar? Heard a singing skirt? Vermont’s most exciting toy store for 39 years. Lego/Playmobil, Breyer, music boxes, science/building toys, party/art supplies. Having a birthday? Come in and get your free balloon. 1799 Mountain Rd. (802) 253-8319. stowetoys.com.
TRANSPORTATION & TAXIS BLAZER TRANSPORTATION Stowe’s premier taxi service for 10 years. Now with stateof-the-art GPS, satellite dispatching. Offering the best price in airport transfers. Licensed and insured. Call anytime (802) 253-0013.
PEG’S PICK UP/STOWE TAXI For all your transportation needs. Airport, bus, train. (Burlington, Boston, Montréal, New York). Errands and deliveries. Daily courier runs to Burlington. Full taxi service. (802) 253-9490, (800) 370-9490, (800) 293-PEGS.
WEDDING FACILITIES STOWEFLAKE MOUNTAIN RESORT & SPA Leave the planning to us. The perfect wedding location in the heart of Stowe. Indoor and outdoor spaces for any wedding, reception, or rehearsal. Bridal services at Spa at Stoweflake from hair to makeup on your special day. (802) 760-1130, stoweflake.com.
TRAPP FAMILY LODGE From intimate ceremonies in our lodge to grand receptions under a tent with spectacular mountain views, we tailor to individual tastes and budgets. European-style cuisine, accommodations. (800) 826-7000, (802) 253-8511. trappfamily.com.
WINE & BEER CRAFT BEER CELLAR Extensive beer selection from all over. Eight rotating taps for Growlers, specializing in local breweries. Full-service home brew section. Weekly classes and tastings. Knowledgeable customer service. Waterbury. (802) 882-8034. craftbeercellar.com/waterbury.
FINE WINE CELLARS Fantastic wine selections from around the world. Great prices. From the rare to the exceptional value. Under $10-$100+ we’re nuts about wine. Please see our ad on page 2. (802) 253-2630. finewinecellars.us.
HARVEST MARKET Great wine selection from Cabernet to Viognier, California, Italy, Argentina, Australia, and more. Local Vermont beers. Weekly specials. Daily 7-7 (in season). (802) 253-3800. harvestatstowe.com.
STOWE BEVERAGE Full-service wine, beer, liquor, mixers, snacks. Stowe’s best wine selection. Best price in town on Vermont maple syrup. Cigars. Free local paper with wine purchases. 9-9 Monday through Saturday; Sunday 11-6. (802) 2534525.
WINERIES & SPIRITS BOYDEN VALLEY WINERY & SPIRITS TASTING ROOM Taste our award-winning wines, Vermont ice wines, hard ciders, and cream liqueurs. Opening 2015 at Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Stowe/Waterbury. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday – Sunday. (802) 644-8151. boydenvalley.com or on Facebook.
BOYDEN VALLEY WINERY Taste our award-winning wines, Vermont ice wines, hard ciders, and cream liqueurs. Free tours 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May-December, and Friday to Sunday January-April. Winery: Routes 15 & 104, Cambridge, Vt. (802) 644-8151. boydenvalley.com or Facebook.
FRESH TRACKS FARM VINEYARD & WINERY Award-winning wines from our 14 acres of cold-hardy grapevines. Please check out our website or call for tasting room, directions, and hours. 4373 VT Route 12, Berlin. (802) 223-1151 or freshtracksfarm.com.
SHELBURNE VINEYARD Taste our award-winning wines and enjoy touring our ecofriendly winery to learn about our adventure growing grapes and making wine in Vermont’s northern climate. Open everyday 11-5 (Nov.-April); 11-6 (May-Oct.). (802) 985-8222. shelburnevineyard.com.
SMUGGLERS’ NOTCH DISTILLERY This father/son team creates distinctive spirits in small batches: vodka, rated #1 domestic vodka (Wine Enthusiast), true-distilled blend 802 Gin and Hopped Gin, bourbon barrel-aged rum, bourbon whiskey. Open afternoons daily. 276 Main St., Jeffersonville. (802) 3093077. smugglersnotchdistillery.com.
STOWE WINE AND CHEESE 1,000 wines, imported and local artisanal cheeses and pates, craft beers, custom gift baskets, maple syrup, fresh baguettes, coffee, croissants, and much more. 253-8606. Find us on Facebook or stowewineandcheese.com.
YOGA & PILATES STOWE YOGA CENTER Gentle multi-level classes include guided meditation. Special series: prenatal, mom-baby, senior chair, couples, chakras. Drop-ins $15, private $60. Class cards and mats available. Online schedule. 515 Moscow Rd. (802) 253-8427, stoweyoga.com.
the answer is very simple . . . it works. Summer / Fall 2015 advertising deadline: Friday, March 6 220
Getting married in Vermont? Pick up your copy today.
DISPL AY ADVERTISING
ADULT NOVELTIES GOOD STUFF
COFFEE HOUSES 136
ANTIQUES M. LEWIS ANTIQUES
INTERIOR DESIGN & DECORATING
THE BAGEL BLACK CAP COFFEE HARVEST MARKET
164 166 156
AMBER HODGINS DESIGN GORDON’S WINDOW DECOR SELDOM SCENE INTERIORS INC. STOWE CRAFT DESIGN CENTER
DELICATESSEN ARCHITECTS ANDREW VOLANSKY BROWN & DAVIS DESIGN HARRY HUNT ARCHITECTS J. GRAHAM GOLDSMITH, ARCHITECTS LEE HUNTER ARCHITECT, AIA ROOTS DESIGN STUDIO TEKTONIKA STUDIO ARCHITECTS TRUEXCULLINS ARCHITECTURE & INTERIORS
183 197 206 189 206 194 193 195
DENTISTRY STOWE FAMILY DENTISTRY WATERBURY FAMILY DENTISTRY
EDUCATION & COLLEGE
BENSONWOOD CUSHMAN DESIGN GROUP INC.
COLORADO MOUNTAIN COLLEGE COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF SUN VALLEY JOHNSON STATE COLLEGE KIMBALL UNION ACADEMY
BRYAN MEMORIAL GALLERY GREEN MOUNTAIN FINE ART GALLERY INSIDE OUT GALLERY ROBERT PAUL GALLERIES WEST BRANCH GALLERY & SCULPTURE PARK
116 103 113 105 101
ART SUPPLIES THE STUDIO STORE
BAKERIES EDELWEISS HARVEST MARKET TRAPP FAMILY LODGE—DELIBAKERY
146 156 150
BREWERIES CROP BISTRO & BREWERY MAGIC HAT BREWERY & ARTIFACTORY TRAPP FAMILY LODGE
172 27 199 207 209 195 193 197 193
CATAMOUNT FISHING ADVENTURES
FITNESS EQUIPMENT EARL’S CYCLERY & FITNESS PERSONAL FITNESS INTERIORS
FLOORING FLOORING AMERICA PLANET HARDWOOD
ALLEN KITCHEN & BATHS BARRE TILE BOUCHARD PIERCE
200 194 201
KNITTING & YARN SHOPS KNITTING STUDIO
CYNTHIA KNAUF LANDSCAPE DESIGN WAGNER HODGSON LANDSCAPE ARCH WALPOLE WOODWORKERS
193 191 185
LAWYERS STEVENS LAW OFFICE LEIGHTON C. DETORA ATTORNEY
201 209 113 192 173
GIFT & SPECIALTY SHOPS INSIDE OUT GALLERY RED BARN SHOPS STOWE CRAFT GALLERY STOWE KITCHEN BATH & LINENS STOWE MERCANTILE TRAPP FAMILY LODGE SPORT & GIFTS
LUSH SALON & BOUTIQUE SALON SALON
STOWE FAMILY PRACTICE
113 47 12, 119 104 43 12, 150
MASSAGE & BODYWORK KATE GRAVES, CMT, BHS STOWE VILLAGE MASSAGE TRAPP FAMILY LODGE FITNESS CENTER
57 55 12, 150
NATURAL FOOD COMMODITIES NATURAL MARKET
NURSING HOME MANOR
BERLIN OPTICAL DR. ROBERT C. BAUMAN
PHOTOGRAPHY PAUL ROGERS PHOTOGRAPHY
GREEN MOUNTAIN ORTHOPAEDIC
VERMONT FRAME GAME
INNS & RESORTS BUTLER HOUSE, STOWE 138 COMMODORES INN 146 EDSON HILL MANOR 155 GREEN MOUNTAIN INN 39, 165 HOB KNOB INN & RESTAURANT 142 INN AT THE MOUNTAIN AND CONDOS 13 SMUGGLERS’ NOTCH, VERMONT 67 STOWEFLAKE MOUNTAIN RESORT INSIDE BACK SUNSET MOTOR INN 156 TOPNOTCH RESORT & SPA 35 TRAPP FAMILY LODGE 12, 150 VILLAGE GREEN AT STOWE INSIDE BACK COVER
HOME ENTERTAINMENT & SMART HOMES
STOWE COUNTRY HOMES
THE WOODEN NEEDLE 123 70
HEALTH CLUBS & SPAS SWIMMING HOLE
BARRE ELECTRIC & LIGHTING SUPPLY, INC. CONANT METAL & LIGHT
BISBEE’S HOME STORE HOOKER’S FURNITURE INSIDE OUT GALLERY VERMONT FURNITURE DESIGNS WENDELL’S FURNITURE & VERMONT BED STORE
127 137 125 45 120 107, 135 21 119 9 47, 117
KITCHENS & BATHS
STOWE HARDWARE & DRY GOODS
121 137 47 108 10, 11 121 116 109, 123 111
FERRO JEWELERS 2 GREEN ENVY BOUTIQUE 109, 123 131 GREEN MOUNTAIN COINS & ESTATE JEWELRY 113 INSIDE OUT GALLERY 41 PERRYWINKLE’S STOWE GEMS 3
CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES BOUTIQUE AT STOWE MERCANTILE CREATIVE CONSIGNMENTS DECISIONS DECISIONS ESSEX OUTLETS & CINEMA FIRST CHAIR ALPINE CO. FJÄLLRÄVEN FORGET ME NOT SHOP GREEN ENVY BOUTIQUE IN COMPANY JOHNSON HARDWARE RENTAL, FARM & GARDEN JOHNSON WOOLEN MILLS LENNY’S SHOE AND APPAREL NORTH FACE STORE AT KL SPORT PRET-A-PORTER SHAW’S GENERAL STORE SPORTIVE WELL HEELED WINTERFELL YELLOW TURTLE
FISHING & HUNTING
CAKES & CATERING BEN & JERRY’S
63 120 63 65
BUILDING MATERIALS LOEWEN WINDOW CENTER OF VT & NH PARKER & STEARNS
FURNITURE 151 158 12, 150
BUILDERS & CONTRACTORS BEACON HILL BUILDERS BENSONWOOD GEOBARNS GORDON DIXON CONSTRUCTION, INC. MANSFIELD CUSTOM HOMES SISLER BUILDERS INC. STEEL CONSTRUCTION, INC. TIM MEEHAN BUILDERS VERMONT SUN STRUCTURES
THE BAGEL EDELWEISS
189 207 5 12, 119
PIZZA BENCH PIECASSO PIZZERIA & LOUNGE
POTTERY GREEN MOUNTAIN GLAZE
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT STOWE COUNTRY HOMES STOWE HOME CARE MAINTENANCE INC. STOWE RESORT HOMES
207 210 17
LOCAL CHURCHES REAL ESTATE & RENTALS
205 COLDWELL BANKER CARLSON REAL ESTATE SPRUCE PEAK AT STOWE INSIDE FRONT COVER STOWE COUNTRY HOMES 207 201 STOWE RED BARN REALTY STOWE RESORT HOMES 17 THE VILLAS AT TRAPP FAMILY LODGE 12, 150 WILLIAM RAVEIS STOWE REALTY 7
STOWE MOUNTAIN RESORT SKI SHOPS
RESTAURANT & NIGHTCLUBS 164 THE BAGEL 145 BENCH THE BISTRO AT TEN ACRES 159 BLUE DONKEY 166 153 BLUE MOON CAFE CACTUS CAFÉ 161 CHARLIE B’S PUB & REST INSIDE BACK COVER CLIFF HOUSE RESTAURANT 143 151 CROP BISTRO & BREWERY DEPOT ST. MALT SHOP 165 DUTCH PANCAKE CAFE 163 FLANNEL AT TOPNOTCH RESORT 35 143 GREAT ROOM GRILL AT SPRUCE CAMP GREEN GODDESS CAFÉ 142 169 HARRISON’S RESTAURANT & BAR HEN OF THE WOOD 144 HOB KNOB RESTAURANT 142 MCCARTHY’S RESTAURANT / CATERING 165 MI CASA KITCHEN & BAR 138 MICHAEL’S ON THE HILL 157 O’GRADY’S GRILL AND BAR 161 PHOENIX TABLE & BAR 145 PIECASSO PIZZERIA & LOUNGE 141 PLATE 144 PUB AT GREY FOX INN 163 RIMROCK’S MOUNTAIN TAVERN 147 RUSTY NAIL 149 THE ROOST AT TOPNOTCH RESORT 35 SOLSTICE 15 STONEGRILL RESTAURANT & PUB 163 SUSHI YOSHI 139 SWISS FONDUE BY HEINZ 150 TRAPP FAMILY LODGE — LOUNGE & DINING ROOM 12, 150 TRATTORIA LA FESTA 157 VERMONT ALE HOUSE 163 WHIP BAR & GRILL 153
SNOWMOBILE TOURS GREEN MOUNTAIN SNOWMOBILES STOWE SNOWMOBILE TOURS
SPA THE SPA & WELLNESS CENTER AT STOWE MOUNTAIN LODGE TOPNOTCH SPA
SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS ARBORTREK CANOPY ADVENTURES, LLC COLD HOLLOW CIDER MILL LITTLE RIVER HOTGLASS STUDIO SPRUCE PEAK PERFORMING ARTS CENTER STOWE HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM VERMONT TEDDY BEAR FACTORY TOURS
61 133 131 115 133 61
SHOE STORES SHAW’S GENERAL STORE WELL HEELED
107, 135 119
HARVEST MARKET LAKE CHAMPLAIN CHOCOLATES
TILE DOWN EAST TILE
TOURS & TOUR OPERATORS
AJ’S SKI & SPORTS SKIER’S EDGE STOWE TOYS RENTAL & DEMO CENTERS
SKI & SNOWBOARD SHOPS – RETAIL AJ’S SKI & SPORTS NORDIC BARN OUTDOOR GEAR EXCHANGE & GEARX.COM STOWE MOUNTAIN RESORT SKI SHOPS UMIAK OUTFITTERS
1 33 57 19 50
Cornerstone Four Square Church, Morrisville, 888-5683
Elmore United Methodist Church, First Congregational Church of Christ, Morrisville, 888-2225
Grace Bible Church, Stowe, 253-4731 Holy Cross Catholic Church, Morrisville, 888-3318
Hunger Mountain Christian Assembly, TOYS & GAMES ONCE UPON A TIME TOYS
MOUNTAIN ROAD SHUTTLE SNOWFLAKE TAXI VERMONT CHAUFFEURED TRANSPORTATION
71 135 136
TRAVEL AGENCIES MILNE TRAVEL
WEDDING FACILITIES STOWEFLAKE RESORT TRAPP FAMILY LODGE
INSIDE BACK COVER 12, 150
Morrisville Baptist Church, 888-5276 Mountain Chapel, Stowe, 644-8144 New Beginning Miracle Fellowship, Morrisville, 888-4730
164 2 156 169 47
158 55 22 22
St. John’s in the Mountains Episcopal,
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Cambridge,
Second Congregational Church, Hyde Park, 888-3636; Jeffersonville, 644-5533
Seventh-Day Adventist, Morrisville, 888-7884
WINERIES & SPIRITS BOYDEN VALLEY WINERY AND SPIRITS FRESH TRACKS FARM VINEYARD & WINERY SHELBURNE VINEYARD SMUGGLERS’ NOTCH DISTILLERY
Jeffersonville, 644-5322; Morrisville, 888-5610
Jewish Community of Greater Stowe,
Puffer United Methodist Church,
WINE & BEER CRAFT BEER CELLAR FINE WINE CELLARS HARVEST MARKET STOWE BEVERAGE STOWE WINE & CHEESE
Waterbury Center, 244-5921
TRANSPORTATION & TAXIS
STOWE YOGA CENTER 1 69 19
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Johnson, 635-2009 Church of Jesus Christ, Johnson, 635-2009 Church of the Nazarene, Johnson,
St. John’s the Apostles Church, Johnson, 635-7817
YOGA & PILATES SKI & SNOWBOARD SHOPS – RENTALS & DEMOS
Cambridge United Church, Main St.,
RESTAURANTS & SPORTS BARS RIMROCK’S MOUNTAIN TAVERN SUNSET GRILLE & TAP ROOM
Advent Christian, Morrisville, 888-4633 Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church,
St. Teresa’s Parish Center, Morrisville, 888-2761
Stowe Community Church, 253-7257 Trinity Assembly of God, Hyde Park, 888-7326
Unitarian Universalist Fellowhip, Stowe, 595-0807
SKIING – CROSS COUNTRY STOWE MOUNTAIN RESORT CROSS COUNTRY CENTER TRAPP FAMILY LODGE OUTDOOR CENTER
13 12, 150
SKI RESORT BOLTON VALLEY SKI RESORT JAY PEAK RESORT MAD RIVER GLEN STOWE MOUNTAIN RESORT
United Church of Johnson, 635-7249 Waterbury Alliance Church, 244-6463 Waterbury Center Community Church, 244-6286
61 31 59 13, 53
Waterbury Center Standard Church, 244-6345
Wesley United Methodist Church, Waterbury, 244-6677 223
INDEX 200 1-800-GOT-JUNK 1 AJ’S SKI & SPORTS ALLEN’S KITCHEN & BATH 200 AMBER HODGINS DESIGN 189 ARBORTREK CANOPY ADVENTURES 61 ARISTELLE 49 BAGEL 164 208 BARRE ELECTRIC & LIGHTING SUPPLY 194 BARRE TILE 172 BEACON HILL BUILDERS 171 BEN & JERRY’S 145 BENCH RESTAURANT 27 BENSONWOOD BERLIN OPTICAL EXPRESSIONS 208 BISBEE’S HOME STORE 201 BISTRO AT TEN ACRES 159 BLACK CAP COFFEE 166 166 BLUE DONKEY 153 BLUE MOON CAFE BOLTON VALLEY SKI RESORT 61 201 BOUCHARD PIERCE BOURNE’S ENERGY 187 121 BOUTIQUE AT STOWE MERCANTILE BOYDEN VALLEY WINERY 158 197 BROWN + DAVIS DESIGN 116 BRYAN MEMORIAL GALLERY BUTLER HOUSE 138 CACTUS CAFÉ 161 CATAMOUNT FISHING ADVENTURES 70 CHARLIE B’S PUB & REST INSIDE BACK CLIFF HOUSE RESTAURANT 143 COLD HOLLOW CIDER MILL 133 COLDWELL BANKER CARLSON REAL ESTATE 205 COLORADO MOUNTAIN COLLEGE 63 COMMODITIES NATURAL MARKET 167 COMMODORES INN 146 COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF SUN VALLEY 120 CONANT METAL & LIGHT 192 CRAFT BEER CELLAR 164 CREATIVE CONSIGNMENTS 137 CROP BISTRO & BREWERY 151 CUSHMAN DESIGN GROUP 183 CYNTHIA KNAUF LANDSCAPE DESIGN 193 DECISIONS, DECISIONS 47 DEPOT STREET MALT SHOPPE 165 DR. ROBERT BAUMAN OPTOMETRY 39 DOWN EAST TILE 213 DUTCH PANCAKE CAFÉ 163 EARL’S CYCLERY & FITNESS 45 EDELWEISS MOUNTAIN DELI 146 EDEN DOG SLEDDING 50 EDSON HILL MANOR 155 ESSEX SHOPPES & CINEMA 108 FERRO ESTATE & CUSTOM JEWELERS 2 FINE WINE CELLARS 2 FIRST CHAIR ALPINE CO. 10, 11 FJÄLLRÄVEN 121 FLOORING AMERICA 205 FORGET-ME-NOT-SHOP 116 FRESH TRACKS FARM 55 GEO BARNS 199 GOOD STUFF 136 GORDON DIXON CONSTRUCTION 207 GORDON’S WINDOW DECOR 207 GREAT ROOM GRILL & SPRUCE CAMP 143 GREEN ENVY BOUTIQUE 109, 123
142 GREEN GODDESS CAFÉ 131 GREEN MOUNTAIN COIN & JEWELRY GREEN MOUNTAIN FINE ART GALLERY 103 GREEN MOUNTAIN GLAZE 125 GREEN MOUNTAIN INN 39, 165 GREEN MOUNTAIN ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY 205 GREEN MOUNTAIN SNOWMOBILES 50 169 HARRISON’S RESTAURANT & BAR 206 HARRY HUNT ARCHITECTS 156 HARVEST MARKET 144 HEN OF THE WOOD RESTAURANT 142 HOB KNOB INN & RESTAURANT 209 HOOKER’S FURNITURE IN COMPANY CLOTHING 111 INSIDE OUT GALLERY 113 J. GRAHAM GOLDSMITH ARCHITECTS 189 JAY PEAK VERMONT 31 JOHNSON HARDWARE RENTAL, FARM & GARDEN 127 63 JOHNSON STATE COLLEGE JOHNSON WOOLEN MILLS 137 57 KATHERINE GRAVES CMT BHS KIMBALL UNION ACADEMY 65 104 KNITTING STUDIO LAKE CHAMPLAIN CHOCOLATES 127 206 LEE HUNTER ARCHITECT 50 LEIGHTON C. DETORA, ATTORNEY LENNY’S SHOE & APPAREL 125 LITTLE RIVER HOTGLASS STUDIO & GALLERY 131 LOEWEN WINDOW CENTER OF VT & NH 199 LUSH SALON & BOUTIQUE 123 M. LEWIS ANTIQUES 113 MAD RIVER GLEN SKI AREA 59 MAGIC HAT BREWERY & ARTIFACTORY 158 MANOR NURSING HOME 108 MANSFIELD CUSTOM HOMES 209 MCCARTHY’S RESTAURANT & CATERING 165 MI CASA KITCHEN & BAR 138 MICHAEL’S ON THE HILL 157 MILNE TRAVEL 208 MOUNTAIN ROAD SHUTTLE 71 NORDIC BARN 33 NORTH FACE STORE AT KL MOUNTAIN SHOP 45 O’GRADY’S GRILL & BAR 161 OUTDOOR GEAR EXCHANGE & GEARX.COM 57 PARKER & STEARNS 213 PAUL ROGERS PHOTOGRAPHY 126 PERRYWINKLE’S FINE JEWELRY 41 PERSONAL FITNESS INTERIORS 65 PHOENIX TABLE & BAR 145 PIECASSO PIZZERIA & LOUNGE 141 PLANET HARDWOOD 213 PLATE 144 PRET-A-PORTER 120 PUB AT GREY FOX INN 163 RED BARN SHOPS 47 RIMROCK’S MOUNTAIN TAVERN 147 ROBERT PAUL GALLERIES 105 ROOTS DESIGN STUDIO 194 RUSTY NAIL 149 SALON SALON 70 SELDOM SCENE INTERIORS 5 SHAW’S GENERAL STORE 107, 135 SHELBURNE VINEYARD 22 SISLER BUILDERS 195 SKIER’S EDGE 69 SMUGGLERS’ NOTCH DISTILLERY 22
67 SMUGGLERS’ NOTCH RESORT 135 SNOWFLAKE TAXI SOJOURN BICYCLING & ACTIVE VACATIONS 25 SOLSTICE 15 SPORTIVE 21 SPRUCE PEAK AT STOWE INSIDE FRONT SPRUCE PEAK PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 115 193 STEEL CONSTRUCTION 210 STEVENS LAW OFFICE 163 STONEGRILL RESTAURANT & PUB 169 STOWE BEVERAGE & LIQUOR STORE 207 STOWE COUNTRY HOMES 12, 119 STOWE CRAFT GALLERY & DESIGN CENTER STOWE FAMILY DENTISTRY 185 STOWE FAMILY PRACTICE 191 STOWE GEMS 3 STOWE HARDWARE & DRY GOODS 211 133 STOWE HISTORICAL SOCIETY 210 STOWE HOME CARE MAINTENANCE STOWE KITCHEN BATH & LINENS 104 43 STOWE MERCANTILE STOWE MOUNTAIN LODGE 15 13, 53 STOWE MOUNTAIN RESORT STOWE MOUNTAIN RESORT SKI SHOPS 19 201 STOWE RED BARN REALTY 17 STOWE RESORT HOMES STOWE SNOWMOBILE 139 STOWE VILLAGE MASSAGE 55 STOWE WINE & CHEESE 47 STOWE YOGA CENTER 57 STOWEFLAKE RESORT INSIDE BACK STUDIO STORE 126 SUNSET GRILLE & TAP ROOM 171 SUNSET MOTOR INN 156 SUSHI YOSHI CHINESE GOURMET 139 SWIMMING HOLE 29 SWISS FONDUE BY HEINZ 150 TEKTONIKA STUDIO ARCHITECTS 193 TIM MEEHAN BUILDERS 197 TOPNOTCH RESORT & SPA 35 TOY STORE/ONCE UPON A TIME 47 TRAPP FAMILY LODGE 12, 150 TRATTORIA LA FESTA 157 TRUEX CULLINS ARCHITECTURE 195 UMIAK OUTDOOR OUTFITTERS 50 VERMONT ALE HOUSE 163 VERMONT BED STORE 173 VERMONT CHAUFFEURED TRANSPORTATION 136 VERMONT ELECTRONICS 187 VERMONT FRAME GAME 127 VERMONT FURNITURE DESIGNS 192 VERMONT SUN STRUCTURES 193 VERMONT TEDDY BEAR FACTORY 61 VILLAGE GREEN AT STOWE BACK COVER VTRANS 23 WAGNER HODGSON LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT 191 WALPOLE WOODWORKERS 185 WATERBURY FAMILY DENTISTRY 208 WELL HEELED 119 WENDELL’S FURNITURE 173 WEST BRANCH GALLERY & SCULPTURE PARK 101 WHIP BAR & GRILL 153 WILLIAM RAVEIS STOWE REALTY 7 WINTERFELL 9 WOODEN NEEDLE 120 YELLOW TURTLE 47, 117
THE HEART of Stowe Spa & Wellness Center at Stoweflake
• Vermont’s most awardwinning spa • Over 150 treatments • Aqua Solarium with cascading waterfalls • Full service salon • Private men and women’s sanctuaries • Day access pass available
• 5 fitness studios with daily classes • Indoor and outdoor heated pools • Sauna, steam, jacuzzi • Nine-hole par three golf course • Tennis, squash & racquetball court
Charlie B’s Pub & Restaurant
• Festive, fun atmosphere • Steak & Seafood • Spa cuisine • Vermont farm fresh food • 50 wines by the glass, Vermont Craft Brews on tap.
• Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner • Kid-friendly menu • Fireside dining • Live music in season • Deck dining
Stowe’s upscale, four-season resort featuring luxurious accommodations and 1,2, and 3 bedroom townhouses with spectacular mountain or garden views. Select room amenities include wet bar, fireplaces and Jacuzzis.
800-253-2232 802-253-7355 www.stoweflake.com
THE VILLAGE GREEN AT STOWE A Condominium Resort For All Seasons Offering affordable rentals for 2 nights or more
Our Town Homes Provide
Amenities 2 pools (1 indoor) * whirlpool * sauna * 2 outdoor tennis courts * recreation center * video games * ping pong * pool table
*spacious 2 & 3 bedroom accommodations * fully equipped kitchens * fireplace * cable TV
Other Special Features Include * Majestic views from 40 acres of beautiful property * Direct access to Stowe’s award winning recreation path * Surrounded by the Stowe Country Club & golf course * Discounted rates for midweek, weekly or monthly stays
1003 CAPE COD ROAD, STOWE, VERMONT 05672 802-253-9705 • 800-451-3297 Visit our website at www.vgasstowe.com for more info and rates |
Nicola Kelly (BBC News, 2016) reports that honey is perceived to have healing properties in African countries. Such suggestions may result in companies such as Mavis Venderby adopting strategies to expand overseas. Consider the various options of overseas expansion and the financial returns from such sales (including transactions in a foreign currency).
The modern honey hunters of Kenya
22 December 2016
- From the sectionAfrica
At an upmarket cafe in Nairobi, trendy millennials swipe through their smart phones while sipping glasses of “dawa”, a hot drink made from locally sourced honey, ginger and lemon.
“I drink this every evening before I go to bed,” Immanuel, 26, explains. “It prevents me from getting sick and it calms me down at the end of the day. Honey is like a medicine – it has a lot of healing properties.”
Here in the heart of Kenya’s “Silicon Savannah”, tech-savvy entrepreneurs are beginning to tap into a market that, until recently, was the preserve of smallholder farmers known locally as honey hunters.
For them, the introduction of new hives and modern harvesting methods mark an unwelcome shift away from the traditions passed down through the generations.
But entrepreneur Ernest Simeoni says the honey hunters will need to adapt their practices if they are to make the most of the honey industry, now worth more than $12bn (£10bn) globally.
“Honey has become fashionable in Kenya – it’s like a craze sweeping across the country. Many young people here are starting to realise there’s a lot of money to be made from food.”
Technology meets agriculture
Mr Simeoni believes the rise of the middle class in Kenya, coupled with advances in digital technology, have made honey production accessible to a wider pool of people.
“Farming with apps – this is the future,” he says, pointing to more than 20 icons on his phone.
One of the most popular is the “Swarm Database”, an app that provides real-time information and alerts farmers when their honey is ready to harvest. WhatsApp groups are also helping young Kenyan farmers to share ideas and experiment with new methods of honey production.
But, Mr Simeoni explains, there are still a number of obstacles to overcome. He says that methods of honey production in Kenya need to be modernised.
“Crude methods of extracting the honey from cavities in the trees, keeping it in dirty containers and over-heating it in refinery rooms – this has a damaging effect on the quality, driving down our profits.”
Grace Asiko from the National Beekeeping Institute, an affiliate of the Ministry of Livestock and Agriculture, agrees that more can be done to tap the honey market.
“It’s a goldmine, ready to exploit. What we need are new innovations to capitalise on the different bee species and variety of plants and herbs we have in Kenya.”
Diversifying the ways in which the honey can be used is also an area of potential growth, she says.
“We need people from the pharmaceutical and nutrition sectors to come over and see what we have. Collective effort with innovators will help us to ascertain how the honey can be used to make more products like the face creams, massage bars we have developed recently.”
High up in the Taita Hills of south-east Kenya, nestled among macadamia and pineapple plantations, the picture is very different for Hagai Mwaisaka, a traditional honey hunter.
Hagai is one of nearly two million honey producers in this part of the country.
He points proudly at the log hive – a debarked, hollow tree stump – swaying gently in the breeze in the acacia tree outside his hut.
“This hive was handed down to me by my father and, like him, the honey I produce is a large part of my income. I can say that the bees help me to feed my family.”
Honey hunting is the traditional method of climbing trees, tipping the log hive at an angle and allowing the honey to drip through the combs. It is typically done at night without clothes to ensure that bees do not stick to the fabric and sting the skin beneath.
“At night, the bees are cool. They are not so active, so I can harvest the honey without disrupting them,” Mr Mwaisaka explains.
From this one log hive, 40,000 busy bees will produce 60kg of honey each year. Mr Mwaisaka will be able to sell this honey for $10/kg – enough to sustain his family.
Modernising honey extraction
But this may all be about to change. The new hives being introduced by businessmen in Nairobi mean that honey hunters will soon be required to change their methods, “smoking out” the bees rather than extracting and combing the honey by hand.
For traditional honey hunters like Mr Mwaisaka, the new methods will have a detrimental effect on the quality of the honey.
“The bees travel very far from our log hives to find the best flowers, so the honey is sweet and golden. But with the new methods, the bees get lazy. They produce a lot less and the taste is bitter.”
Unfortunately for Mr Mwaisaka and other farmers in this part of Kenya, there is little that can dampen the spirits of traders and innovators in Nairobi.
Businessman Ernest Simeoni believes the honey industry is the next big money-making venture.
“There is huge potential for the honey industry to grow in Kenya and internationally. We just need to focus on modernising our methods to open up the market. From there, the future looks bright.”
Click here to access the original article. |
We would like to announce that starting on January 21, 2020 the Alamance County Beekeepers will start the 29th consecutive year of offering a Beginning Beekeeping Course. The objective of the course is to create an interest in beekeeping and provide information needed for a person to become a keeper of honey bees, a beekeeper. No prior experience is required to take the course. This is a 24-hour course, 20 hours in the classroom and 4 hours in the field. The structured classes start, as noted above, on January 21, 2020 and will continue each Tuesday evening from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. through April 4th. All class sessions will be held in the auditorium of the Ag Extension Office located at, 209 N. Graham Hopedale Rd, Burlington, NC 27217.
At the completion of the classroom instructions, we will have a Field Day on Saturday, April 4th, depending on weather. During the Field Day, we will spend 4 hours in a bee yard to gain hands-on experience in working with the bees.
It’s best to register in advance to assure you have a seat and course materials. The room can only hold 50 people comfortably, so be sure to register early. The cost of the course is $85.00. This includes $10.00 building usage fee, $25.00 for Local and State dues and hand books. If your spouse or other member of your family wants to take the course and you can share the books, then the cost for the additional person would be $35.00. To register in advance, please send your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address along with your payment to: PO Box 215, Elon, NC 27244 Please make check payable to Alamance County Beekeepers.
If you live in the Burlington area, you most likely won’t need directions to the Ag Building; however, if you are coming from out of town one simple way to get to the Ag Extension Office is to get off I-85/1-40 at exit 145 and head toward downtown Burlington. This street is Maple Avenue. Stay on Maple Avenue through the center of Burlington until you get to Church Street, turn right travel approximately 2.1 miles until you get to Graham Hopedale Road, turn left, travel one block and the Ag Building is the first building on the right.
We would also like to announce that in 2020, the Alamance County Farm Bureau will again be sponsoring a Cost-Share program. This is a program where a number of people are awarded two hives each, along with a package of bees for each hive. Applications for this program will be available on the first evening of the class.
Even though you have registered in advance, we would like for you to come a little early, maybe 6:00 PM, on the first night, January 21st, so that we will have time to issue name tags and handbooks and still be ready to start our class at 6:30 PM.
If you know someone interested in taking this course, we would appreciate you sharing the above information with that person. This course announcement will also be posted on the Alamance County Beekeepers Web Site – <https://alamancebeekeepers.org>
Hope to see you on January 21st
Download the Announcement Here!
Download Course Class Schedule Here! |
Kids at play in Sabre Springs, a block away from the van Dam home
- “We had grapes, for example. Grapes were hauled from here to the railroad station in Lakeside. We had wheat, olives, citrus fruit, barley. Chickens and turkey ranches. Also, John Harbison was a beekeeper and had a big beekeeping operation at the far end of Harbison Canyon.”
- By Abe Opincar, Oct. 19, 2006
Wright's Field could be turned into our Balboa Park.
- Neighborhoods are not good simply because they are not bad, because rape and pillage are not going on at the end of the block and cops are not on permanent patrol. A good neighborhood is rare — clearly exceptional, fine-tuned and running well.
- By Jangchup Phelgyal, Nov. 9, 2000
Kris Wackerli and Iris. We walked up the canyon for 20 minutes, looking at the backs of houses, collecting pebbles, noticing wildflowers. “Now you know why I love it here,” said Wackerli.
Photo by Sandy Huffaker, Jr.
- One portion of Olive, a quiet cul-de-sac in North Park, has just 15 homes — 22 counting those off the alley. Here neighbors jog together, go to the movies in a pack, and check with others on Friday night to see who wants to order take-out. Weekend mornings, someone is sure to have a fresh pot of coffee brewing, and neighbors know they can pop in, pour themselves a hot cup, then go home without the requirement to sit and chat.
- By Jangchup Phelgyal, Nov. 16, 2000
Original trestle bridge over Switzer Canyon, circa 1930s
San Diego Historical Society photo
- “I’d been renting an apartment over on Georgia Street, the sort of border area between North Park and Hillcrest. From one month to the next, they raised my rent by $200. I’m a teacher at City College. I could qualify for only a $145,000 loan. What could I buy for $145,000? Nothing in North Park. Nothing in Hillcrest. So I looked around. Drove around Normal Heights.”
- By Abe Opincar, Nov. 27, 2002
John Hussler: "I walked in the front door, and a woman kicked a chair in front of me. Just to let me know, I guess, that men were basically not welcome."
Photo by Sandy Huffaker, Jr.
- Dad leaves for work. Mom stays home. Kids ride their bikes in the street. Dogs run free across the green lawns. Flowers grow even from the street drains. One homeowner confessed that her biggest problem with Sabre Springs is that kids let their softballs fly into her yard. And everyone knows everyone and everyone waves and says hello to everyone. People are so nice here it makes you question your own perhaps questionable nature.
- By Jill Underwood, Aug. 8, 2002
Westerfield house. “I had a client who wanted to see the Westerfield property, and I wouldn’t show it because of my ties to the van Dams."
As we wait I tend to think of what we’ll do after the haircuts. We could eat at the soda fountain across the street, in what used to be a drugstore but is now the Café des Artistes and a gallery. We could walk another hundred yards and ask the librarian if there are any new books about the Titanic.
By Laura McNeal, Dec. 24, 2003
Fallbrook. Outside the barbershop, the street is usually sunny. Cars stop for the light and move past us, windows down, arms resting on doors. |
If you are certain you have bees (please confirm with binoculars that what you're seeing are not other insects), you can contact The Flippin Lyme Foundation to come out and 'Cut Out' your hives of bees. We have two Bee Vacuums to collect the bees. They become part of our beekeeping operation and may end up in the home of a needy patient.
We do charge for extractions. Set up is $40, Mobilization time is $15/hour plus $1/mile round trip travel. Extraction time is $20/hour for one person. Most extractions take 4 to 10 hours to remove bees. This is for single level, overhead hives. Second level may be additional.
Please email us with photos and video of your bees to [email protected] |
Muturi, Ephantus J; Ramirez, Jose L; Zilkowski, Bruce; Flor-Weiler, Lina B; Rooney, Alejandro P
Abstract We examined the chemical composition of garlic and asafoetida essential oils and their individual and combined toxicity against larvae of Culex pipiens Linnaeus and Culex restuans Theobald (Diptera: Culicidae). The effect of the two essential oils on egg hatch was also examined. Ten and 12 compounds, respectively, were identified in garlic and asafoetida essential oils. Allyl disulfide (49.13%) and diallyl trisulfide (31.08%) were the most abundant compounds in garlic essential oil accounting for 80.2% of the total oil. In contrast, (E)-sec-butyl propenyl disulfide (30.03%), (Z)-sec-butyl propenyl disulfide (24.32%), and disulfide, methyl 1-(methylthio)propyl (21.87%) were the most abundant compounds in asafoetida essential oil. Allyl disulfide accounted for 7.38% of the total oil in asafoetida essential oil and was one of only three compounds found in both oils. For both mosquito species, garlic essential oil was more toxic than asafoetida essential oil with Cx. restuans (LC50: garlic = 2.7 ppm; asafoetida = 10.1 ppm) being more sensitive than Cx. pipiens (LC50: garlic = 7.5 ppm; asafoetida = 13.5 ppm). When combined, the two essential oils had antagonistic effects. The majority of Culex egg rafts exposed to garlic (73.1%) or asafoetida (55.8%) essential oils failed to hatch and larvae of the few that did hatch mostly died as first instars. Allyl disulfide exhibited strong ovicidal and larvicidal activity suggesting its important contribution to the overall toxicity of the two essential oils. Thus, garlic and asafoetida essential oils are potent mosquito ovicides and larvicides but if used jointly, they could undermine vector control programs. PMID:29718505
We examined the chemical composition of garlic and asafoetida essential oils and their individual and combined toxicity against larvae of two West Nile virus vectors, Culex pipiens pipiens and Cx. restuans. The effect of the two essential oils on egg hatch was also examined. Ten and twelve compounds...
Plata-Rueda, Angelica; Martínez, Luis Carlos; Santos, Marcelo Henrique Dos; Fernandes, Flávio Lemes; Wilcken, Carlos Frederico; Soares, Marcus Alvarenga; Serrão, José Eduardo; Zanuncio, José Cola
This study evaluated the insecticidal activity of garlic, Allium sativum Linnaeus (Amaryllidaceae) essential oil and their principal constituents on Tenebrio molitor. Garlic essential oil, diallyl disulfide, and diallyl sulfide oil were used to compare the lethal and repellent effects on larvae, pupae and adults of T. molitor. Six concentrations of garlic essential oil and their principal constituents were topically applied onto larvae, pupae and adults of this insect. Repellent effect and respiration rate of each constituent was evaluated. The chemical composition of garlic essential oil was also determined and primary compounds were dimethyl trisulfide (19.86%), diallyl disulfide (18.62%), diallyl sulfide (12.67%), diallyl tetrasulfide (11.34%), and 3-vinyl-[4H]-1,2-dithiin (10.11%). Garlic essential oil was toxic to T. molitor larva, followed by pupa and adult. In toxic compounds, diallyl disulfide was the most toxic than diallyl sulfide for pupa > larva > adult respectively and showing lethal effects at different time points. Garlic essential oil, diallyl disulfide and diallyl sulfide induced symptoms of intoxication and necrosis in larva, pupa, and adult of T. molitor between 20-40 h after exposure. Garlic essential oil and their compounds caused lethal and sublethal effects on T. molitor and, therefore, have the potential for pest control.
Plata-Rueda, Angelica; Martínez, Luis Carlos; Santos, Marcelo Henrique Dos; Fernandes, Flávio Lemes; Wilcken, Carlos Frederico; Soares, Marcus Alvarenga; Serrão, José Eduardo; Zanuncio, José Cola
This study evaluated the insecticidal activity of garlic, Allium sativum Linnaeus (Amaryllidaceae) essential oil and their principal constituents on Tenebrio molitor. Garlic essential oil, diallyl disulfide, and diallyl sulfide oil were used to compare the lethal and repellent effects on larvae, pupae and adults of T. molitor. Six concentrations of garlic essential oil and their principal constituents were topically applied onto larvae, pupae and adults of this insect. Repellent effect and respiration rate of each constituent was evaluated. The chemical composition of garlic essential oil was also determined and primary compounds were dimethyl trisulfide (19.86%), diallyl disulfide (18.62%), diallyl sulfide (12.67%), diallyl tetrasulfide (11.34%), and 3-vinyl-[4H]-1,2-dithiin (10.11%). Garlic essential oil was toxic to T. molitor larva, followed by pupa and adult. In toxic compounds, diallyl disulfide was the most toxic than diallyl sulfide for pupa > larva > adult respectively and showing lethal effects at different time points. Garlic essential oil, diallyl disulfide and diallyl sulfide induced symptoms of intoxication and necrosis in larva, pupa, and adult of T. molitor between 20–40 h after exposure. Garlic essential oil and their compounds caused lethal and sublethal effects on T. molitor and, therefore, have the potential for pest control. PMID:28425475
Kirkpinar, F; Ünlü, H B; Serdaroğlu, M; Turp, G Y
1. An experiment was conducted to determine the individual and combined effects of two essential oils, oregano and garlic, on carcass characteristics, meat composition, colour, pH and sensory quality of broiler meat. 2. The diets were supplemented with no essential oil (control), oregano essential oil or garlic essential oil at 300 mg/kg and oregano essential oil at 150 mg/kg + garlic essential oil at 150 mg/kg. 3. Dietary oregano and garlic oil supplementation did not affect carcass yields, the relative weight of carcass parts, breast and thigh meat composition, pH or b* value of breast meat. Oregano + garlic oil supplementation significantly decreased the L* value. The a* value of breast meat in birds given a diet supplemented with oregano oil was lower than that in birds given a diet supplemented with garlic oil and oregano oil + garlic oil. The essential oil addition had no positive effect on the oxidative stability. There was no difference between the treatments in breast appearance. 4. The juiciness, flavour, oxidised flavour and acceptability of breast meat samples were affected by treatments.
Park, Il-Kwon; Shin, Sang-Chul
Plant essential oils from 29 plant species were tested for their insecticidal activities against the Japanese termite, Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe, using a fumigation bioassay. Responses varied with plant material, exposure time, and concentration. Good insecticidal activity against the Japanese termite was achived with essential oils of Melaleuca dissitiflora, Melaleuca uncinata, Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus polybractea, Eucalyptus radiata, Eucalyptus dives, Eucalyptus globulus, Orixa japonica, Cinnamomum cassia, Allium cepa, Illicium verum, Evodia officinalis, Schizonepeta tenuifolia, Cacalia roborowskii, Juniperus chinensis var. horizontalis, Juniperus chinensis var. kaizuka, clove bud, and garlic applied at 7.6 microL/L of air. Over 90% mortality after 3 days was achieved with O. japonica essential oil at 3.5 microL/L of air. E. citriodora, C. cassia, A. cepa, I. verum, S. tenuifolia, C. roborowskii, clove bud, and garlic oils at 3.5 microL/L of air were highly toxic 1 day after treatment. At 2.0 microL/L of air concentration, essential oils of I. verum, C. roborowskik, S. tenuifolia, A. cepa, clove bud, and garlic gave 100% mortality within 2 days of treatment. Clove bud and garlic oils showed the most potent antitermitic activity among the plant essential oils. Garlic and clove bud oils produced 100% mortality at 0.5 microL/L of air, but this decreased to 42 and 67% after 3 days of treatment at 0.25 microL/L of air, respectively. Analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry led to the identification of three major compounds from garlic oil and two from clove bud oils. These five compounds from two essential oils were tested individually for their insecticidal activities against Japanese termites. Responses varied with compound and dose. Diallyl trisulfide was the most toxic, followed by diallyl disulfide, eugenol, diallyl sulfide, and beta-caryophyllene. The essential oils described herein merit further study as potential fumigants for termite
Physical properties as well as antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes of allspice, garlic and oregano essential oils (EOs) in tomato puree film forming solutions (TPFFS) formulated into edible films at 0.5-3.0% (w/w) concentrations w...
Dong, Feng; Wang, Xiaolin
The present study was aimed to determine the effects of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)/garlic essential oil (GEO) composite coatings in improving the quality of strawberries stored at 20°C and 35-40% RH. To find the effects of CMC/GEO composite coatings, strawberries were coated with CMC, CMC+GEO (1%), CMC+GEO (2%), CMC+GEO (3%) and stored, while the uncoated strawberries were taken as control during storing. The effectiveness of CMC/GEO composite coatings was evaluated by measuring their weight loss, decay percentage, ascorbic acid, total phenols, anthocyanins, titratable acidity, total soluble solids and sensory evaluation. After 6days of storage, CMC+GEO (2%) composite coatings was found very effective in decreasing the senescence and maintaining the nutritional contents of strawberries. Results of this study confirm that CMC/GEO composite coatings can be used to improve the quality of strawberries. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Fumigant activity of plant essential oils and components from horseradish (Armoracia rusticana), anise (Pimpinella anisum) and garlic (Allium sativum) oils against Lycoriella ingenua (Diptera: Sciaridae).
Park, Ii-Kwon; Choi, Kwang-Sik; Kim, Do-Hyung; Choi, In-Ho; Kim, Lee-Sun; Bak, Won-Chull; Choi, Joon-Weon; Shin, Sang-Chul
Plant essential oils from 40 plant species were tested for their insecticidal activities against larvae of Lycoriella ingénue (Dufour) using a fumigation bioassay. Good insecticidal activity against larvae of L. ingenua was achieved with essential oils of Chenopodium ambrosioides L., Eucalyptus globulus Labill, Eucalyptus smithii RT Baker, horseradish, anise and garlic at 10 and 5 microL L(-1) air. Horseradish, anise and garlic oils showed the most potent insecticidal activities among the plant essential oils. At 1.25 microL L(-1), horseradish, anise and garlic oils caused 100, 93.3 and 13.3% mortality, but at 0.625 microL L(-1) air this decreased to 3.3, 0 and 0% respectively. Analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry led to the identification of one major compound from horseradish, and three each from anise and garlic oils. These seven compounds and m-anisaldehyde and o-anisaldehyde, two positional isomers of p-anisaldehyde, were tested individually for their insecticidal activities against larvae of L. ingenua. Allyl isothiocyanate was the most toxic, followed by trans-anethole, diallyl disulfide and p-anisaldehyde with LC(50) values of 0.15, 0.20, 0.87 and 1.47 microL L(-1) respectively.
Mossa, Abdel-Tawab H; Afia, Sahar I; Mohafrash, Samia M M; Abou-Awad, Badawi A
Green and nanoacaricides including essential oil (EO) nanoemulsions are important compounds to provide new, active, safe acaricides and lead to improvement of avoiding the risk of synthetic acaricides. This study was carried out for the first time on eriophyid mites to develop nanoemulsion of garlic essential oil by ultrasonic emulsification and evaluate its acaricidal activity against the two eriophyid olive mites Aceria oleae Nalepa and Tegolophus hassani (Keifer). Acute toxicity of nanoemulsion was also studied on male rats. Garlic EO was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and the major compounds were diallyl sulfide (8.6%), diallyl disulfide (28.36%), dimethyl tetrasulfide (15.26%), trisulfide,di-2-propenyl (10.41%), and tetrasulfide,di-2-propenyl (9.67%). Garlic oil nanoemulsion with droplet size 93.4 nm was formulated by ultrasonic emulsification for 35 min. Emulsification time and oil and surfactant ratio correlated to the emulsion droplet size and stability. The formulated nanoemulsion showed high acaricidal activity against injurious eriophyid mites with LC 50 298.225 and 309.634 μg/ml, respectively. No signs of nanoemulsion toxicity were noted in treating rats; thus, it may be considered non-toxic to mammals. Stability of garlic oil nanoemulsion, high acaricidal activity, and the absence of organic toxic solvents make the formulation that may be a possible acaricidal product. Results suggest the possibility of developing suitable natural nanoacaricide from garlic oil.
A series of stocker grazing experiments were conducted with the objective to determine the efficacy of supplementing growing calf diets with essential oils from garlic and cinnamon extracts (GCOE) in promoting growth on cool-season annuals in Arkansas (SWREC) and Oklahoma (SPRRS), or native rangelan...
García-Díez, Juan; Alheiro, Joana; Pinto, Ana Luisa; Soares, Luciana; Falco, Virgilio; Fraqueza, Maria João; Patarata, Luis
Utilization of essential oils (EOs) as antimicrobial agents against foodborne disease has gained importance, for their use as natural preservatives. Since potential interactions between EOs and food characteristics may affect their antimicrobial properties, the present work studies the influence of fat, protein, pH, a w and food additives on the antimicrobial effect of oregano and garlic EOs against Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes. Results showed that protein, pH, a w , presence of beef extract, sodium lactate and nitrates did not influence their antimicrobial effect. In contrast, the presence of pork fat had a negative effect against both EOs associated with their dilution of the lipid content. The addition of food phosphates also exerts a negative effect against EOs probably associated with their emulsification properties as observed with the addition of fat. The results may help the food industry to select more appropriate challenges to guarantee the food safety of foodstuffs.
Thomas, Ann; Thakur, Sneha; Mhambrey, Sanjana
A number of natural mouth rinse formulations are being proposed as an alternative to the widely used chemical mouth rinses. To evaluate and compare the antimicrobial efficacy of chlorhexidine (0.2%), sodium fluoride (0.05%), fluoride with essential oils (0.05%), alum (0.02 M), green tea, and garlic with lime mouth rinses against Streptococcus mutans, lactobacilli, and Candida albicans. The three microbes were isolated from the saliva samples collected from children with severe early childhood caries. The zone of minimum inhibition was assessed using agar diffusion method. The data were statistically analyzed using SPSS software. Against S. mutans and lactobacilli, chlorhexidine mouth rinse was found to be the most effective as compared to sodium fluoride (P < 0.001, P < 0.001), fluoride with essential oils (P < 0.001, P < 0.001), alum (P < 0.001, P < 0.001), green tea (P < 0.001, P < 0.001), and garlic with lime (P < 0.001, P < 0.001) mouth rinses, respectively. But against C. albicans, garlic with lime mouth rinse was found to be the most effective as compared to chlorhexidine (P < 0.001), sodium fluoride (P < 0.001), fluoride with essential oils (P < 0.001), alum (P < 0.001), and green tea (P < 0.001) mouth rinses. Against S. mutans and lactobacilli, after chlorhexidine mouth rinse, garlic with lime mouth rinse was found to be significantly more effective than sodium fluoride (P = 0.053, P = 0.001), fluoride with essential oils (P < 0.001, P < 0.001), alum (P < 0.001, P < 0.001), and green tea (P < 0.001, P < 0.001) mouth rinses. As a natural mouth rinse, garlic with lime mouth rinse was found to be the most promising. However, further studies are needed in this field.
Satyal, Prabodh; Craft, Jonathan D.; Dosoky, Noura S.; Setzer, William N.
Garlic, Allium sativum, is broadly used around the world for its numerous culinary and medicinal uses. Wild garlic, Allium vineale, has been used as a substitute for garlic, both in food as well as in herbal medicine. The present study investigated the chemical compositions of A. sativum and A. vineale essential oils. The essential oils from the bulbs of A. sativum, cultivated in Spain, were obtained by three different methods: laboratory hydrodistillation, industrial hydrodistillation, and industrial steam distillation. The essential oils of wild-growing A. vineale from north Alabama were obtained by hydrodistillation. The resulting essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Both A. sativum and A. vineale oils were dominated by allyl polysulfides. There were minor quantitative differences between the A. sativum oils owing to the distillation methods employed, as well as differences from previously reported garlic oils from other geographical locations. Allium vineale oil showed a qualitative similarity to Allium ursinum essential oil. The compositions of garlic and wild garlic are consistent with their use as flavoring agents in foods as well as their uses as herbal medicines. However, quantitative differences are likely to affect the flavor and bioactivity profiles of these Allium species. PMID:28783070
Satyal, Prabodh; Craft, Jonathan D; Dosoky, Noura S; Setzer, William N
Garlic, Allium sativum , is broadly used around the world for its numerous culinary and medicinal uses. Wild garlic, Allium vineale , has been used as a substitute for garlic, both in food as well as in herbal medicine. The present study investigated the chemical compositions of A. sativum and A. vineale essential oils. The essential oils from the bulbs of A. sativum , cultivated in Spain, were obtained by three different methods: laboratory hydrodistillation, industrial hydrodistillation, and industrial steam distillation. The essential oils of wild-growing A. vineale from north Alabama were obtained by hydrodistillation. The resulting essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Both A. sativum and A. vineale oils were dominated by allyl polysulfides. There were minor quantitative differences between the A. sativum oils owing to the distillation methods employed, as well as differences from previously reported garlic oils from other geographical locations. Allium vineale oil showed a qualitative similarity to Allium ursinum essential oil. The compositions of garlic and wild garlic are consistent with their use as flavoring agents in foods as well as their uses as herbal medicines. However, quantitative differences are likely to affect the flavor and bioactivity profiles of these Allium species.
Araújo, Monyque Kais; Gumiela, Aline Marzaleck; Bordin, Keliani; Luciano, Fernando Bittencourt; Macedo, Renata Ernlund Freitas de
The effects of natural antimicrobial compounds (garlic essential oil [GO], allyl isothiocyanate [AITC], and nisin Z [NI]) on microbiological, physicochemical and sensory characteristics of fresh sausage were assessed. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and the minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) towards Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Lactobacillus plantarum were determined in vitro. Sausages inoculated with E. coli O157:H7, were treated with different combinations of antimicrobials and assessed for microbiological and physicochemical parameters during storage (6C for 20 d). Treatments that presented the greatest antimicrobial effects were subjected to sensory evaluation. Combinations of 20 mg/kg NI + 125 μL/kg GO + 62.5 μL/kg AITC or 20 mg/kg NI + 62.5 μL/kg GO + 125 μL/kg AITC were effective in reducing E. coli O157H7 and spoilage lactic acid bacteria, and maintained the physicochemical characteristics of fresh sausage. Combinations of NI, GO and AITC were effective to improve the safety and the shelf life of fresh sausage, with no impact on its sensory acceptance. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Lai, Yi-Syuan; Chen, Wei-Cheng; Ho, Chi-Tang; Lu, Kuan-Hung; Lin, Shih-Hang; Tseng, Hui-Chun; Lin, Shuw-Yuan; Sheen, Lee-Yan
This study investigated the protective properties of garlic essential oil (GEO) and its major organosulfur component (diallyl disulfide, DADS) against the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal or high-fat diet (HFD) with/without GEO (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) or DADS (10 and 20 mg/kg) for 12 weeks. GEO and DADS dose-dependently exerted antiobesity and antihyperlipidemic effects by reducing HFD-induced body weight gain, adipose tissue weight, and serum biochemical parameters. Administration of 50 and 100 mg/kg GEO and 20 mg/kg DADS significantly decreased the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in liver, accompanied by elevated antioxidant capacity via inhibition of cytochrome P450 2E1 expression during NAFLD development. The anti-NAFLD effects of GEO and DADS were mediated through down-regulation of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, as well as stimulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1. These results demonstrate that GEO and DADS dose-dependently protected obese mice with long-term HFD-induced NAFLD from lipid accumulation, inflammation, and oxidative damage by ameliorating lipid metabolic disorders and oxidative stress. The dose of 20 mg/kg DADS was equally as effective in preventing NAFLD as 50 mg/kg GEO containing the same amount of DADS, which demonstrates that DADS may be the main bioactive component in GEO.
Kocić-Tanackov, Sunčica; Dimić, Gordana; Lević, Jelena; Tanackov, Ilija; Tepić, Aleksandra; Vujičić, Biserka; Gvozdanović-Varga, Jelica
In the present study the effects of individual and combined essential oils (EOs) extracted from onion (Allium cepa L.) bulb and garlic (Allium sativum L.) clove on the growth of Aspergillus versicolor and sterigmatocystin (STC) production were investigated. The EOs obtained by hydrodistillation were analyzed by GC/MS. Twenty one compounds were identified in onion EO. The major components were: dimethyl-trisulfide (16.64%), methyl-propyl-trisulfide (14.21%), dietil-1,2,4-tritiolan (3R,5S-, 3S,5S- and 3R,5R- isomers) (13.71%), methyl-(1-propenyl)-disulfide (13.14%), and methyl-(1-propenyl)-trisulfide (13.02%). The major components of garlic EO were diallyl-trisulfide (33.55%), and diallyl-disulfide (28.05%). The mycelial growth and the STC production were recorded after 7, 14, and 21 d of the A. versicolor growth in Yeast extract sucrose (YES) broth containing different EOs concentrations. Compared to the garlic EO, the onion EO showed a stronger inhibitory effect on the A. versicolor mycelial growth and STC production. After a 21-d incubation of fungi 0.05 and 0.11 μg/mL of onion EO and 0.11 μg/mL of garlic EO completely inhibited the A. versicolor mycelial growth and mycotoxins biosynthesis. The combination of EOs of onion (75%) and garlic (25%) had a synergistic effect on growth inhibition of A. versicolor and STC production. © 2012 Institute of Food Technologists®
Zhao, Na Na; Zhang, Hang; Zhang, Xue Chang; Luan, Xiao Bing; Zhou, Cheng; Liu, Qi Zhi; Shi, Wang Peng; Liu, Zhi Long
In our screening program for insecticidal activity of the essential oils/extracts derived from some Chinese medicinal herbs and spices, garlic (Allium sativum L.) essential oil was found to possess strong insecticidal activity against overwintering adults of Cacopsylla chinensis Yang et Li (Hemiptera: Psyllidae). The commercial essential oil of A. sativum was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Sixteen compounds, accounting for 97.44% of the total oil, were identified, and the main components of the essential oil of A. sativum were diallyl trisulfide (50.43%), diallyl disulfide (25.30%), diallyl sulfide (6.25%), diallyl tetrasulfide (4.03%), 1,2-dithiolane (3.12%), allyl methyl disulfide (3.07%), 1,3-dithiane (2.12%), and allyl methyl trisulfide (2.08%). The essential oil of A. sativum possessed contact toxicity against overwintering C. chinensis, with an LC50 value of 1.42 microg per adult. The two main constituent compounds, diallyl trisulfide and diallyl disulfide, exhibited strong acute toxicity against the overwintering C. chinensis, with LC50 values of 0.64 and 11.04 /g per adult, respectively.
Casella, Sergio; Leonardi, Michele; Melai, Bernardo; Fratini, Filippo; Pistelli, Luisa
The in vitro antibacterial activity of essential oils (EOs) obtained from fresh bulbs of garlic, Allium sativum L., and leek, Allium porrum L. ( Alliaceae), was studied. A. sativum (garlic) EO showed a good antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (inhibition zone 14.8 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (inhibition zone 21.1 mm), and Escherichia coli (inhibition zone 11.0 mm), whereas the EO of A. porrum (leek) had no antimicrobial activity. The main constituents of the garlic EO were diallyl monosulfide, diallyl disulfide (DADS), diallyl trisulfide, and diallyl tetrasulfide. The EO of A. porrum was characterized by the presence of dipropyl disulfide (DPDS), dipropyl trisulfide, and dipropyl tetrasulfide. The antimicrobial activities of the DADS and DPDS were also studied. The results obtained suggest that the presence of the allyl group is fundamental for the antimicrobial activity of these sulfide derivatives when they are present in Allium or in other species (DADS inhibition zone on S. aureus 15.9 mm, P. aeruginosa 21.9 mm, E. coli 11.4 mm). Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Yang, W Z; Benchaar, C; Ametaj, B N; Chaves, A V; He, M L; McAllister, T A
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding essential oils from garlic (GAR) and juniper berry (JUN), or monensin (MO) on feed intake, ruminal fermentation, the site and extent of digestion, microbial protein synthesis, milk production, and immune status in dairy cows. Four midlactating Holstein cows fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design with 21-d periods and 4 treatments: control (no additive), MO (330 mg/cow per d), GAR (5 g/cow per d), and JUN (2 g/cow per d). Cows were fed ad libitum a TMR consisting of 40% forage and 60% barley-based concentrate. Dry matter intake averaged 20.4 kg/d and was not affected by dietary additives. Total tract digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, fiber, and starch were not affected by experimental treatments. However, ruminal digestibilities of dry matter and organic matter were higher (+13%) for GAR and JUN than for the control diet, mainly because of increased crude protein digestion in the rumen. Feeding GAR and JUN increased ruminal digestion of dietary protein by 11% as compared with the control. In contrast, ruminal digestion of dietary protein was reduced by 11% with MO as compared with the control. Milk fat content was lower for MO (2.68%) than for the GAR (3.46%), JUN (3.40%), and control (3.14%) diets. No effects of GAR, JUN, or MO were observed on milk production, ruminal microbial protein synthesis, ruminal pH, and ruminal concentrations of volatile fatty acids and ammonia N. The total and differential numbers of white blood cells as well as serum amyloid A and haptoglobin were not affected by the treatments, suggesting that additives had no effect on the immune status of cows. Results of this study indicate that supplementing dairy cows with GAR (5 g/d) and JUN (2 g/d) essential oils improved feed digestibility in the rumen, but possibly at the expense of a reduction in the flow of bypass protein to the small intestine. Feeding monensin could
... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Garlic and its derivatives. 184.1317 Section 184... Listing of Specific Substances Affirmed as GRAS § 184.1317 Garlic and its derivatives. (a) Garlic is the... derivatives include essential oils, oleo-resins, and natural extractives obtained from garlic. (b) Garlic oil...
Bravi, Elisabetta; Perretti, Giuseppe; Falconi, Caterina; Marconi, Ombretta; Fantozzi, Paolo
Lipid oxidation causes changes in quality attributes of vegetable oils. Synthetic antioxidants have been used to preserve oils; however, there is interest in replacing them with natural ones. Garlic and its thiosulfinate compound allicin are known for their antioxidant activities. This study assesses a novel formulation, the supercritical fluid extract of garlic, on sunflower oil oxidation during an accelerated shelf-life test. Three quality parameters (free acidity, peroxide values, and p-anisidine values) were evaluated in each of the six oil samples. The samples included sunflower oil alone, sunflower oil supplemented with BHT, the undiluted supercritical fluid extract of garlic, and sunflower oils supplemented with three levels of garlic extract. The oils were also investigated for their antioxidant properties using the DPPH and the FRAP assays. The results were compared with the effect of the synthetic BHT. Our results underlined that the highest level of garlic extract may be superior, or at least comparable, with BHT in preserving sunflower oil. The oxidative degradation of oily samples can be limited by using supercritical fluid extract of garlic as it is a safe and an effective natural antioxidant formulation. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
Edible films containing plant essential oils are gaining importance as potential antibacterial formulations to extend product shelf-life and reduce risk of pathogen growth on food surfaces. An evaluation of both antimicrobial and physicochemical properties of edible films is important for applicati...
Edible films containing plant essential oils arc gaining importance as potential antibacterial formulations to extend product shelf life and reduce risk of pathogen growth on food surfaces. An evaluation of both antimicrobial and physicochemical properties of edible films is important for applicatio...
Genshuan, Wei; Guanghui, Wang; Ruipu, Yang; Jilan, Wu
A study of the effects of γ-radiation on garlic oil content in garlic bulbs and on the radiolysis of allyl trisulfide and disulfide was carried out. The content of garlic oil in fresh garlic bulbs treated by gamma ray keeps nearly constant when stored for 10 months. The main components of garlic oil are allyl trisulfide (about 60%) and allyl disulfide (about 30%). The G values of radiolysis products of allyl disulfide and trisulfide in ethanol system were determined. The results show that allyl trisulfide is a very effective solvated electron scavenger and can oxidize CH 3CHOH radical into acetaldehyde, which means that the formation of 2,3-butanediol is extensively inhibited.
... obtained from Allium sativum, a genus of the lily family. Its derivatives include essential oils, oleo-resins, and natural extractives obtained from garlic. (b) Garlic oil meets the specifications of the...
Kiralan, Mustafa; Bayrak, Ali; Abdulaziz, Omar Fawzi; Ozbucak, Tuğba
This study examined the antiradical activity and chemical composition of essential oils of some plants grown in Mosul, Iraq. The essential oils of myrtle and parsley seed contained α-pinene (36.08% and 22.89%, respectively) as main constituents. Trans-Anethole was the major compound found in fennel and aniseed oils (66.98% and 93.51%, respectively). The dominant constituent of celery seed oil was limonene (76.63%). Diallyl disulphide was identified as the major component in garlic oil (36.51%). Antiradical activity was higher in garlic oil (76.63%) and lower in myrtle oil (39.23%). The results may suggest that some essential oils from Iraq possess compounds with antiradical activity, and these oils can be used as natural antioxidants in food applications.
... impact of dietary changes and dietary supplements on lipid profile. Canadian Journal of Cardiology. 2011;27(4): ... CM, et al. The impact of garlic on lipid parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis . Nutrition ...
Morse, D L; Pickard, L K; Guzewich, J J; Devine, B D; Shayegani, M
In February 1989, three cases of botulism occurred in persons who consumed garlic bread made from a garlic-in-oil product. Testing of leftover garlic-in-oil showed it to have a pH of 5.7 and to contain high concentrations of Clostridium botulinum organisms and toxin. This was the second episode of botulism associated with a low acid garlic-in-oil product which needs constant refrigeration. In response, the Food and Drug Administration has taken steps to prevent a recurrence by requiring that microbial inhibitors or acidifying agents be added to such products. PMID:2240308
Ross, Z. M.; O'Gara, E. A.; Hill, D. J.; Sleightholme, H. V.; Maslin, D. J.
The antimicrobial effects of aqueous garlic extracts are well established but those of garlic oil (GO) are little known. Methodologies for estimating the antimicrobial activity of GO were assessed and GO, GO sulfide constituents, and garlic powder (GP) were compared in tests against human enteric bacteria. Test methodologies were identified as capable of producing underestimates of GO activity. Antimicrobial activity was greater in media lacking tryptone or cysteine, suggesting that, as for allicin, GO effects may involve sulfhydryl reactivity. All bacteria tested, which included both gram-negative and -positive bacteria and pathogenic forms, were susceptible to garlic materials. On a weight-of-product basis, 24 h MICs for GO (0.02 to 5.5 mg/ml, 62 enteric isolates) and dimethyl trisulfide (0.02 to 0.31 mg/ml, 6 enteric isolates) were lower than those for a mixture of diallyl sulfides (0.63 to 25 mg/ml, 6 enteric isolates) and for GP, which also exhibited a smaller MIC range (6.25 to 12.5 mg/ml, 29 enteric isolates). Viability time studies of GO and GP against Enterobacter aerogenes showed time- and dose-dependent effects. Based upon its thiosulfinate content, GP was more active than GO against most bacteria, although some properties of GO are identified as offering greater therapeutic potential. Further exploration of the potential of GP and GO in enteric disease control appears warranted. PMID:11133485
de Groot, Anton C; Schmidt, Erich
Essential oils are widely used in the flavor, food, fragrance, and cosmetic industries in many applications. Contact allergy to them is well known and has been described for 80 essential oils. The relevance of positive patch test reactions often remains unknown. Knowledge of the chemical composition of essential oils among dermatologists is suspected to be limited, as such data are published in journals not read by the dermatological community. Therefore, the authors have fully reviewed and published the literature on contact allergy to and chemical composition of essential oils. Selected topics from this publication will be presented in abbreviated form in Dermatitis starting with this issue, including I. Introduction; II. General aspects; III. Chemistry; IV. General aspects of contact allergy; V. Peppermint oil, lavender oil and lemongrass oil; VI: Sandalwood oil, ylang-ylang oil, and jasmine absolute.
Wu, Fayin; Zhou, Hefeng; Fan, Zhiying; Zhu, Yawen; Li, Yongye; Yao, Yukun; Ran, Dan
To observe the effect of garlic oil combined with 5-FU induced apoptosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma cell line ACC-M. Human salivary in adenoid cystic carcinoma cell line AC-M was cultured, divided into the experimental group (5-FU group, garlic oil group, garlic oil + 5-FU group) and the control group, to observe the growth activity of tumor cells by MTT methods; to analyse the changes of cell cycle and apoptosis rate by flow cytometry. MTT experiments showed that 5-FU, garlic oil, garlic oil and 5-FU on ACC-M cells have inhibition in different concentration, with the increase of concentration and action time of the rise; Cell cycle analysis showed significant changes in flow cytometry. With the increase of concentration and the acting time, the G0/G1, phase of the cell ratio increased, S had no significant change, but G2/M phase cells decreased. Apoptosis rate display showed garlic oil combined with 5-FU induced apoptosis of ACC-M cells was significantly stronger than single group. Garlic oil can effectively induce the apoptosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma cell line ACC-M. The effect of garlic oil combined with 5-FU on ACC-M cells was stronger than the garlic oil, 5-FU used alone.
Coppola, Raffaele; De Feo, Vincenzo
Since ancient times, folk medicine and agro-food science have benefitted from the use of plant derivatives, such as essential oils, to combat different diseases, as well as to preserve food. In Nature, essential oils play a fundamental role in protecting the plant from biotic and abiotic attacks to which it may be subjected. Many researchers have analyzed in detail the modes of action of essential oils and most of their components. The purpose of this brief review is to describe the properties of essential oils, principally as antifungal agents, and their role in blocking cell communication mechanisms, fungal biofilm formation, and mycotoxin production. PMID:29099084
Li, Wen-Ru; Shi, Qing-Shan; Dai, Huan-Qin; Liang, Qing; Xie, Xiao-Bao; Huang, Xiao-Mo; Zhao, Guang-Ze; Zhang, Li-Xin
The antifungal activity, kinetics, and molecular mechanism of action of garlic oil against Candida albicans were investigated in this study using multiple methods. Using the poisoned food technique, we determined that the minimum inhibitory concentration of garlic oil was 0.35 μg/mL. Observation by transmission electron microscopy indicated that garlic oil could penetrate the cellular membrane of C. albicans as well as the membranes of organelles such as the mitochondria, resulting in organelle destruction and ultimately cell death. RNA sequencing analysis showed that garlic oil induced differential expression of critical genes including those involved in oxidation-reduction processes, pathogenesis, and cellular response to drugs and starvation. Moreover, the differentially expressed genes were mainly clustered in 19 KEGG pathways, representing vital cellular processes such as oxidative phosphorylation, the spliceosome, the cell cycle, and protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum. In addition, four upregulated proteins selected after two-dimensional fluorescence difference in gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) analysis were identified with high probability by mass spectrometry as putative cytoplasmic adenylate kinase, pyruvate decarboxylase, hexokinase, and heat shock proteins. This is suggestive of a C. albicans stress responses to garlic oil treatment. On the other hand, a large number of proteins were downregulated, leading to significant disruption of the normal metabolism and physical functions of C. albicans. PMID:26948845
DeLeon, Eric R.; Gao, Yan; Huang, Evelyn
The health benefits of garlic and other organosulfur-containing foods are well recognized and have been attributed to both prooxidant and antioxidant activities. The effects of garlic are surprisingly similar to those of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), which is also known to be released from garlic under certain conditions. However, recent evidence suggests that polysulfides, not H2S, may be the actual mediator of physiological signaling. In this study, we monitored formation of H2S and polysulfides from garlic oil in buffer and in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells with fluorescent dyes, 7-azido-4-methylcoumarin and SSP4, respectively and redox activity with two redox indicators redox-sensitive green fluorescent protein (roGFP) and DCF. Our results show that H2S release from garlic oil in buffer requires other low-molecular-weight thiols, such as cysteine (Cys) or glutathione (GSH), whereas polysulfides are readily detected in garlic oil alone. Administration of garlic oil to cells rapidly increases intracellular polysulfide but has minimal effects on H2S unless Cys or GSH are also present in the extracellular medium. We also observed that garlic oil and diallyltrisulfide (DATS) potently oxidized roGFP in buffer but did not affect DCF. This appears to be a direct polysulfide-mediated oxidation that does not require a reactive oxygen species intermediate. Conversely, when applied to cells, garlic oil became a significant intracellular reductant independent of extracellular Cys or GSH. This suggests that intracellular metabolism and further processing of the sulfur moieties are necessary to confer antioxidant properties to garlic oil in vivo. PMID:27101293
DeLeon, Eric R; Gao, Yan; Huang, Evelyn; Olson, Kenneth R
The health benefits of garlic and other organosulfur-containing foods are well recognized and have been attributed to both prooxidant and antioxidant activities. The effects of garlic are surprisingly similar to those of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), which is also known to be released from garlic under certain conditions. However, recent evidence suggests that polysulfides, not H2S, may be the actual mediator of physiological signaling. In this study, we monitored formation of H2S and polysulfides from garlic oil in buffer and in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells with fluorescent dyes, 7-azido-4-methylcoumarin and SSP4, respectively and redox activity with two redox indicators redox-sensitive green fluorescent protein (roGFP) and DCF. Our results show that H2S release from garlic oil in buffer requires other low-molecular-weight thiols, such as cysteine (Cys) or glutathione (GSH), whereas polysulfides are readily detected in garlic oil alone. Administration of garlic oil to cells rapidly increases intracellular polysulfide but has minimal effects on H2S unless Cys or GSH are also present in the extracellular medium. We also observed that garlic oil and diallyltrisulfide (DATS) potently oxidized roGFP in buffer but did not affect DCF. This appears to be a direct polysulfide-mediated oxidation that does not require a reactive oxygen species intermediate. Conversely, when applied to cells, garlic oil became a significant intracellular reductant independent of extracellular Cys or GSH. This suggests that intracellular metabolism and further processing of the sulfur moieties are necessary to confer antioxidant properties to garlic oil in vivo. Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.
An estimated 76 million cases of foodborne disease occur each year in the United States. Foodborne illness result from consumption of food contaminated with pathogens and its toxins. Essential oils such as cinnamon, garlic, oregano are known to possess antimicrobial properties. Stable aqueous star...
Mosquitoes carry diseases than can lead to serious illness and death. According to the World Health Organization, mosquitoes infect over 300 million people a year with Malaria and Dengue Fever, two life threatening diseases vectored by mosquitoes. Although insecticides are the most effective way to control mosquitoes, they are not always environmentally friendly. Therefore, alternative tactics should be considered. In this study, we looked at the repellency of various essential oils on female Aedes aegypti through a series of laboratory assays.
Lohse, Nicolai; Kraghede, Poul G; Mølbak, Kåre
Botulism is a rare but potentially fatal disease caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum. We report a case of botulism in a 38-year-old man after eating canned "garlic in chilli-oil". The patient was treated with antiserum. The diagnosis was confirmed by detection of botulinum B toxin by a bio-assay and growth of Clostridium botulinum from the food left-overs.
Zeng, Tao; Li, Yang; Zhang, Cui-Li; Yu, Li-Hua; Zhu, Zhen-Ping; Zhao, Xiu-Lan; Xie, Ke-Qin
Although the anticancer effects of garlic and its products have been demonstrated by a variety of studies; however, few studies were conducted to investigate the effects of garlic on the adverse effects of chemo/radiotherapy. In order to clarify the above question and make a more comprehensive understanding of the anticancer effects of garlic, tumor xenograft mice model was established by subcutaneous injection of H22 tumor cells, and was used for the investigation of effects of garlic oil (GO) on the chemo/radiotherapy. In the chemotherapy test, tumor-bearing mice were treated with cyclophosphamide (CTX) or CTX plus GO (25 or 50 mg/kg bw) for 14 d, while the mice received a single 5 Gy total body radiation or radiation plus GO (25 or 50 mg/kg bw) in radiotherapy test. The results showed that GO did not increase the tumor inhibitory rate of CTX/radiation, which indicated that GO could not enhance the chemo/radiosensitivity of cancer cells. However, the decrease of the peripheral total white blood cells (WBCs) count induced by CTX/radiation was significantly suppressed by GO cotreatment. Furthermore, GO cotreatment significantly inhibited the decrease of the DNA contents and the micronuclei ratio of the bone marrow. Lastly, the reduction of the endogenous spleen colonies induced by CTX/radiation was significantly suppressed by GO cotreatment. These findings support the idea that GO consumption may benefit for the cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy. © 2013 Institute of Food Technologists®
Zheng, Hua Ming; Li, Hou Bin; Wang, Da Wei; Liu, Dun
Garlic oil is considered as a natural broad-spectrum antibiotic because of its well-known antimicrobial activity. However, the characteristics of easy volatility and poor aqueous solubility limit the application of garlic oil in industry. The purpose of the present work is to develop and evaluate an oil-free microemulsion by loading garlic oil in microemulsion system. Microemulsions were prepared with ethoxylated hydrogenated castor (Cremophor RH40) as surfactant, n-butanol (or ethanol) as cosurfactant, oleic acid-containing garlic oil as oil phase, and ultrapure water as water phase. The effects of the ratio of surfactant to cosurfactant and different oil concentration on the area of oil-in-water (O/W) microemulsion region in pseudoternary phase diagrams were investigated. The particle size and garlic oil encapsulation efficiency of the formed microemulsions with different formulations were also investigated. In addition, the antimicrobial activity in vitro against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was assessed. The experimental results show that a stable microemulsion region can be obtained when the mass ratio of surfactant to cosurfactant is, respectively, 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1. Especially, when the mixture surfactants of RH40/n-butanol 2/1 (w/w) is used in the microemulsion formulation, the area of O/W microemulsion region is 0.089 with the particle size 13.29 to 13.85 nm and garlic oil encapsulation efficiency 99.5%. The prepared microemulsion solution exhibits remarkable antibacterial activity against S. aureus. © 2013 Institute of Food Technologists®
El Asbahani, A; Miladi, K; Badri, W; Sala, M; Aït Addi, E H; Casabianca, H; El Mousadik, A; Hartmann, D; Jilale, A; Renaud, F N R; Elaissari, A
Essential oils are natural products which have many interesting applications. Extraction of essential oils from plants is performed by classical and innovative methods. Numerous encapsulation processes have been developed and reported in the literature in order to encapsulate biomolecules, active molecules, nanocrystals, oils and also essential oils for various applications such as in vitro diagnosis, therapy, cosmetic, textile, food etc. Essential oils encapsulation led to numerous new formulations with new applications. This insures the protection of the fragile oil and controlled release. The most commonly prepared carriers are polymer particles, liposomes and solid lipid nanoparticles. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Schelz, Zsuzsanna; Molnar, Joseph; Hohmann, Judit
The antimicrobial and antiplasmid activities of essential oils (orange oil, eucalyptus oil, fennel oil, geranium oil, juniper oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, purified turpentine oil, thyme oil, Australian tea tree oil) and of menthol, the main component of peppermint oil, were investigated. The antimicrobial activities were determined on the Gram (+) Staphylococcus epidermidis and the Gram (-) Escherichia coli F'lac K12 LE140, and on two yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae 0425 delta/1 and 0425 52C strains. The antiplasmid activities were investigated on E. coli F'lac bacterial strain. Each of the oils exhibited antimicrobial activity and three of them antiplasmid action. The interaction of peppermint oil and menthol with the antibiotics was studied on the same bacterial strain with the checkerboard method. Peppermint oil and menthol displayed additive synergy with oxytetracycline. A new mechanism of plasmid curing was established for one of the oil components.
Abouziena, H F; El-Saeid, Hamed M
Balady cultivar and six Chinese lines were planted to study their developmental growth, yield and essential oil variations. Bulb of Balady cultivar had more two folds of cloves number per bulb than the Chinese lines. On the contrary Balady cv had the lowest clove weight compared to all Chinese lines. Chinese lines significantly surppassed the Balady cultivar in the bulb yield ha(-1). The bulb yield ha(-1) could be arrangement in descending order as follow Line B > Line F > Line D > Line C > Line A > Line E > Balady cv. Line B significantly surpassed the other tested lines in oil yield and had 7 folds oil yield plant(-1) than the local cultivar. The main compound in the bulb was found to be methylallay disulfide in both Chinese lines and Balady cultivar. Some components which found in the garlic bulbs at the age 150 days disappeared at the maturity time. Chinese Line B recorded the highest bulb yield and volatile oil content comparing with other lines.
Zhang, Gui-li; Zeng, Tao; Wang, Qing-shan; Zhao, Xiu-lan; Song, Fu-yong; Xie, Ke-qin
To observe and compare the protective effect of garlic oil against carbon tetrachloride (CCL)-induced acute liver injury. The experiments include 4 preventive groups and 2 therapeutic groups. In every preventive and therapeutic group, the mice were randomized into 6 groups with 15 each, including one negative control group, one solvent control group, one CCl4 model group and 3 garlic oil groups (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg body weight). Before given a single gavage of CCl4 (80 mg/kg), the mice were pretreated with garlic oil by gavage in preventive group 1 (30 days, once daily), preventive group 2 (5 days, once daily), preventive group 3 (ahead of 2 h, once), preventive group 4 (immediately, once) or the vehicle (corn oil, 10 ml/kg) in solvent control group. In therapeutic groups, the mice were gavaged garlic oil 2 h (once, in therapeutic 1) or for 5 days (once daily, in therapeutic 2) after administration CCl. After 24 h of the last administration, blood was collected and centrifuged at 2500 r/min at 4 degrees C for 10 min, and serum was removed to measure ALT and AST activities. The liver was dissected, weighed to calculate the liver coefficient (relative liver weight). At the same time, the liver samples were studied by histological examinations. Compared with negative group, the liver coefficient and the activities of ALT and AST in serum of model group were increased remarkably (P < 0.01). Compared with CCl model group, the liver coefficient and the activities of ALT and AST in serum were decreased significantly (P < 0.01) by garlic oil dose-dependently in each preventive group. Simultaneously, histological assessment showed that garlic oil effectively alleviated hepatocyte injuries induced by CCl4. Comparing the preventive effects of garlic oil in every group, it was better in preventive group 3 than others. However, all indexes and histological examinations in therapeutic group 1 did not show the difference with those of CCl4 model group. In therapeutic group 2
Hugar, Shivayogi; Nagmoti, Jyoti; Uppin, Chaitanya; Mistry, Laresh; Dhariwal, Neha
Aim To comparatively evaluate the efficacy of disinfecting ability of garlic oil, neem oil, clove oil, and tulsi oil with autoclaving on endodontic K files tested against Enterococcus faecalis. Materials and methods Fifty endodontic K files were exposed to the test micro-organism and checked for its disinfecting ability using three different methods. Result Garlic oil, clove oil, tulsi oil and autoclave showed considerable effectiveness against E. faecalis except neem oil. Conclusion Garlic oil, clove oil and tulsi oil are an effective disinfectant and can be used as an alternative to autoclaving against the test micro-organism. Clinical Significance Herbs and herbal extracts are a natural and harmless way of controlling infection. These products are readily available and comparable to gold standard, thus can have its applications in rural India. How to cite this article Hugar S, Patel PM, Nagmoti J, Uppin C, Mistry L, Dhariwal N. An in vitro Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy of Disinfecting Ability of Garlic Oil, Neem Oil, Clove Oil, and Tulsi Oil with autoclaving on Endodontic K Files tested against Enterococcus faecalis. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2017;10(3):283-288. PMID:29104390
Hugar, Shivayogi; M Patel, Punit; Nagmoti, Jyoti; Uppin, Chaitanya; Mistry, Laresh; Dhariwal, Neha
To comparatively evaluate the efficacy of disinfecting ability of garlic oil, neem oil, clove oil, and tulsi oil with autoclaving on endodontic K files tested against Enterococcus faecalis. Fifty endodontic K files were exposed to the test micro-organism and checked for its disinfecting ability using three different methods. Garlic oil, clove oil, tulsi oil and autoclave showed considerable effectiveness against E. faecalis except neem oil. Garlic oil, clove oil and tulsi oil are an effective disinfectant and can be used as an alternative to autoclaving against the test micro-organism. Herbs and herbal extracts are a natural and harmless way of controlling infection. These products are readily available and comparable to gold standard, thus can have its applications in rural India. Hugar S, Patel PM, Nagmoti J, Uppin C, Mistry L, Dhariwal N. An in vitro Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy of Disinfecting Ability of Garlic Oil, Neem Oil, Clove Oil, and Tulsi Oil with autoclaving on Endodontic K Files tested against Enterococcus faecalis. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2017;10(3):283-288.
Ragavan, Gokulakannan; Muralidaran, Yuvashree; Sridharan, Badrinathan; Nachiappa Ganesh, Rajesh; Viswanathan, Pragasam
Garlic oil nanoemulsion was formulated using ultrasonic emulsification and the optimized garlic oil nanoemulsion ratio (1:2) of oil: surfactant showed spherical, with tiny droplet size 24.9 ± 1.11 nm. It was observed that the prepared nanoemulsion has the zeta potential of -42.63 ± 1.58 mV and a low polydispersity index of 0.2 ± 0.09 with excellent stability. The formulation was subjected to in vivo acute and sub-acute toxicity. In acute toxicity study, single oral administration of 18.63 ml of garlic oil nanoemulsion/kg resulted in immediate mortality. However, garlic oil nanoemulsion (0.46 ml/kg) and tween 80 (0.5 ml/kg) administered rats did not exhibit any toxicity and showed no changes in hematological and histological parameters. Further, both preventive and curative studies of garlic oil nanoemulsion were evaluated in high-fat diet fed dyslipidemic Wistar rats. Garlic oil nanoemulsion administered groups showed a significant effect in reducing the levels of lipid profiles (p < 0.001) compared to atorvastatin and garlic oil. Evaluation of lipid deposits in hepatic tissues was analyzed by Oil Red O staining, which revealed that garlic oil nanoemulsion administered rats markedly reduced the fat depots. Our findings suggest that garlic oil nano-emulsified form reduced toxicity and improved efficacy in preventing and treating dyslipidemia. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Borrego, Sofía; Valdés, Oderlaise; Vivar, Isbel; Lavin, Paola; Guiamet, Patricia; Battistoni, Patricia; Gómez de Saravia, Sandra; Borges, Pedro
Natural products obtained from plants with biocidal activity represent an alternative and useful source in the control of biodeterioration of documentary heritage, without negative environmental and human impacts. In this work, we studied the antimicrobial activity of seven essential oils against microorganisms associated with the biodeterioration of documentary heritage. The essential oils were obtained by steam distillation. The antimicrobial activity was analyzed using the agar diffusion method against 4 strains of fungi and 6 bacterial strains isolated from repositories air and documents of the National Archive of the Republic of Cuba and the Historical Archive of the Museum of La Plata, Argentina. Anise and garlic oils showed the best antifungal activity at all concentrations studied, while oregano oil not only was effective against fungi tested but also prevented sporulation of them all. Orange sweet and laurel oils were ineffective against fungi. Clove, garlic, and oregano oils showed the highest antibacterial activity at 25% against Enterobacter agglomerans and Streptomyces sp., while only clove and oregano oils were effective against Bacillus sp. at all concentrations studied. This study has an important implication for the possible use of the natural products from plants in the control of biodeterioration of documentary heritage.
Borrego, Sofía; Valdés, Oderlaise; Vivar, Isbel; Lavin, Paola; Guiamet, Patricia; Battistoni, Patricia; Gómez de Saravia, Sandra; Borges, Pedro
Natural products obtained from plants with biocidal activity represent an alternative and useful source in the control of biodeterioration of documentary heritage, without negative environmental and human impacts. In this work, we studied the antimicrobial activity of seven essential oils against microorganisms associated with the biodeterioration of documentary heritage. The essential oils were obtained by steam distillation. The antimicrobial activity was analyzed using the agar diffusion method against 4 strains of fungi and 6 bacterial strains isolated from repositories air and documents of the National Archive of the Republic of Cuba and the Historical Archive of the Museum of La Plata, Argentina. Anise and garlic oils showed the best antifungal activity at all concentrations studied, while oregano oil not only was effective against fungi tested but also prevented sporulation of them all. Orange sweet and laurel oils were ineffective against fungi. Clove, garlic, and oregano oils showed the highest antibacterial activity at 25% against Enterobacter agglomerans and Streptomyces sp., while only clove and oregano oils were effective against Bacillus sp. at all concentrations studied. This study has an important implication for the possible use of the natural products from plants in the control of biodeterioration of documentary heritage. PMID:23762760
Tadtong, Sarin; Suppawat, Supatcha; Tintawee, Anchalee; Saramas, Phanida; Jareonvong, Suchada; Hongratanaworakit, Tapanee
Antimicrobial activities of two blended essential oil preparations comprising lavender oil, petigrain oil, clary sage oil, ylang ylang oil and jasmine oil were evaluated against various pathogenic microorganisms. Both preparations showed antimicrobial activity in the agar disc diffusion assay against the Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC6538 and S. epidermidis isolated strain, the fungus, Candida albicans ATCC10231, and the Gram-negative bacterium, Escherichia coli ATCC25922, but showed no activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC9027. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of these preparations was evaluated. By the broth microdilution assay, preparation 1, comprising lavender oil, clary sage oil, and ylang ylang oil (volume ratio 3:4:3), exhibited stronger antimicrobial activity than preparation 2, which was composed of petigrain oil, clary sage oil, and jasmine oil (volume ratio 3:4:3). Moreover, the sum of the fractional inhibitory concentrations (Sigma fic) of preparation 1 expressed a synergistic antimicrobial effect against the tested microorganisms (Sigma fic
Patra, Amlan K.; Yu, Zhongtang
This study investigated the effects of garlic oil (0.25 g/L), nitrate (5 mM), and quillaja saponin (0.6 g/L), alone and in binary or ternary combinations, on methanogenesis, rumen fermentation, and abundances of select microbial populations using in vitro rumen cultures. Potential adaptation to these compounds was also examined by repeated transfers of the cultures on alternate days until day 18. All treatments except saponin alone significantly decreased methanogenesis. Ternary combinations of garlic oil, nitrate, and saponin additively/synergistically suppressed methane production by 65% at day 2 and by 40% at day 18. Feed digestion was not adversely affected by any of the treatments at day 2, but was decreased by the combinations (binary and ternary) of garlic oil with the other inhibitors at days 10 and 18. Saponin, alone or in combinations, and garlic oil alone lowered ammonia concentration at day 2, while nitrate increased ammonia concentration at days 10 and 18. Total volatile fatty acid concentration was decreased by garlic oil alone or garlic oil-saponin combination. Molar proportions of acetate and propionate were affected to different extents by the different treatments. The abundances of methanogens were similar among treatments at day 2; however, garlic oil and its combination with saponin and/or nitrate at day 10 and all treatments except saponin at day 18 significantly decreased the abundances of methanogens. All the inhibitors, either alone or in combinations, did not adversely affect the abundances of total bacteria or Ruminococcus flavefaciens. However, at day 18 the abundances of Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus albus were lowered in the presence of garlic oil and saponin, respectively. The results suggest that garlic oil-nitrate-saponin combination (at the doses used in this study) can effectively decreases methanogenesis in the rumen, but its efficacy may decrease while inhibition to feed digestion can increase over time. PMID:26733975
de Groot, Anton C; Schmidt, Erich
Nearly 80 essential oils (including 2 jasmine absolutes) have caused contact allergy. Fifty-five of these have been tested in consecutive patients suspected of contact dermatitis, and nine (laurel, turpentine, orange, tea tree, citronella, ylang-ylang, sandalwood, clove, and costus root) showed greater than 2% positive patch test reactions. Relevance data are generally missing or inadequate. Most reactions are caused by application of pure oils or high-concentration products. The clinical picture depends on the responsible product. Occupational contact dermatitis may occur in professionals performing massages. The (possible) allergens in essential oils are discussed. Several test allergens are available, but patients should preferably be tested with their own products. Co-reactivity with other essential oils and the fragrance mix is frequent, which may partly be explained by common ingredients. Patch test concentrations for essential oils are suggested.
Busquet, M; Calsamiglia, S; Ferret, A; Carro, M D; Kamel, C
Different concentrations (3, 30, 300, and 3000 mg/L of culture fluid) of garlic oil (GAR), diallyl sulfide (DAS), diallyl disulfide (DAD), allicin (ALL), and allyl mercaptan (ALM) were incubated for 24 h in diluted ruminal fluid with a 50:50 forage:concentrate diet (17.7% crude protein; 30.7% neutral detergent fiber) to evaluate their effects on rumen microbial fermentation. Garlic oil (30 and 300 mg/L), DAD (30 and 300 mg/L), and ALM (300 mg/L) resulted in lower molar proportion of acetate and higher proportions of propionate and butyrate. In contrast, at 300 mg/L, DAS only increased the proportion of butyrate, and ALL had no effects on volatile fatty acid proportions. In a dual-flow continuous culture of rumen fluid fed the same 50:50 forage:concentrate diet, addition of GAR (312 mg/L), DAD (31.2 and 312 mg/L), and ALM (31.2 and 312 mg/L) resulted in similar changes to those observed in batch culture, with the exception of the lack of effect of DAD on the proportion of propionate. In a third in vitro study, the potential of GAR (300 mg/L), DAD (300 mg/L), and ALM (300 mg/L) to decrease methane production was evaluated. Treatments GAR, DAD, and ALM resulted in a decrease in methane production of 73.6, 68.5, and 19.5%, respectively, compared with the control. These results confirm the ability of GAR, DAD, and ALM to decrease methane production, which may help to improve the efficiency of energy use in the rumen.
de Almeida, Igor; Alviano, Daniela Sales; Vieira, Danielle Pereira; Alves, Péricles Barreto; Blank, Arie Fitzgerald; Lopes, Angela Hampshire C S; Alviano, Celuta Sales; Rosa, Maria do Socorro S
In this study, we investigated the effects of Ocimum basilicum essential oil on Giardia lamblia and on the modulation of the interaction of these parasites by peritoneal mouse macrophage. The essential oil (2 mg/ml) and its purified substances demonstrated antigiardial activity. Linalool (300 microg/ml), however, was able to kill 100% parasites after 1 h of incubation, which demonstrates its high antigiardial potential. Pretreatment of peritoneal mouse macrophages with 2 mg/ml essential oil dilution reduced in 79% the association index between these macrophages and G. lamblia, with a concomitant increase by 153% on nitric oxide production by the G. lamblia-ingested macrophages. The protein profiles and proteolitic activity of these parasite trophozoites, previously treated or not with 2 mg/ml essential oil or with the purified fractions, were also determined. After 1 and 2 h of incubation, proteins of lysates and culture supernatants revealed significant differences in bands patterns when compared to controls. Besides, the proteolitic activity, mainly of cysteine proteases, was clearly inhibited by the essential oil (2 mg/ml) and the purified linalool (300 microg/ml). These results suggest that, with G. lamblia, the essential oil from O. basilicum and its purified compounds, specially linalool, have a potent antimicrobial activity.
Nerio, Luz Stella; Olivero-Verbel, Jesus; Stashenko, Elena
Currently, the use of synthetic chemicals to control insects and arthropods raises several concerns related to environment and human health. An alternative is to use natural products that possess good efficacy and are environmentally friendly. Among those chemicals, essential oils from plants belonging to several species have been extensively tested to assess their repellent properties as a valuable natural resource. The essential oils whose repellent activities have been demonstrated, as well as the importance of the synergistic effects among their components are the main focus of this review. Essential oils are volatile mixtures of hydrocarbons with a diversity of functional groups, and their repellent activity has been linked to the presence of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. However, in some cases, these chemicals can work synergistically, improving their effectiveness. In addition, the use of other natural products in the mixture, such as vanillin, could increase the protection time, potentiating the repellent effect of some essential oils. Among the plant families with promising essential oils used as repellents, Cymbopogon spp., Ocimum spp. and Eucalyptus spp. are the most cited. Individual compounds present in these mixtures with high repellent activity include alpha-pinene, limonene, citronellol, citronellal, camphor and thymol. Finally, although from an economical point of view synthetic chemicals are still more frequently used as repellents than essential oils, these natural products have the potential to provide efficient, and safer repellents for humans and the environment.
Trattner, Akiva; David, Michael; Lazarov, Aneta
Allergic contact dermatitis induced by the occupational use of products containing essential oils has not been studied comprehensively. The aim of the present report was to describe the characteristics, diagnosis, and outcome of 5 patients with occupational contact dermatitis because of essential oils attending our outpatient dermatology clinics over a 2-year period. These patients are added to the 11 cases reported thus far in the literature. The research shows that for proper diagnosis, patch tests with the standard series and the fragrance series should be performed, in addition to tests with the specific oils to which the patients were exposed. Patients should be instructed to avoid the allergens identified. Sensitization to essential oils has important implications for the occupational future of affected individuals.
Calsamiglia, S; Busquet, M; Cardozo, P W; Castillejos, L; Ferret, A
Microorganisms in the rumen degrade nutrients to produce volatile fatty acids and synthesize microbial protein as an energy and protein supply for the ruminant, respectively. However, this fermentation process has energy (losses of methane) and protein (losses of ammonia N) inefficiencies that may limit production performance and contribute to the release of pollutants to the environment. Antibiotic ionophores have been very successful in reducing these energy and protein losses in the rumen, but the use of antibiotics in animal feeds is facing reduced social acceptance, and their use has been banned in the European Union since January 2006. For this reason, scientists have become interested in evaluating other alternatives to control specific microbial populations to modulate rumen fermentation. Essential oils can interact with microbial cell membranes and inhibit the growth of some gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. As a result of such inhibition, the addition of some plant extracts to the rumen results in an inhibition of deamination and methanogenesis, resulting in lower ammonia N, methane, and acetate, and in higher propionate and butyrate concentrations. Results have indicated that garlic oil, cinnamaldehyde (the main active component of cinnamon oil), eugenol (the main active component of the clove bud), capsaicin (the active component of hot peppers), and anise oil, among others, may increase propionate production, reduce acetate or methane production, and modify proteolysis, peptidolysis, or deamination in the rumen. However, the effects of some of these essential oils are pH and diet dependent, and their use may be beneficial only under specific conditions and production systems. For example, capsaicin appears to have small effects in high-forage diets, whereas the changes observed in high-concentrate diets (increases in dry matter intake and total VFA, and reduction in the acetateto-propionate ratio and ammonia N concentration) may be beneficial
Vina W. Yang; Carol A. Clausen
When wood and wood products are exposed to moisture during storage, construction or while in-service, mold growth can occur in 24 to 48 hours. Mold growth could be suppressed or prevented if wood was treated with an effective mold inhibitor. The objective of this study was to evaluate the mold inhibiting properties of natural plant extracts such as essential oils....
Starliper, Clifford E.; Ketola, H. George; Noyes, Andrew D.; Schill, William B.; Henson, Fred G.; Chalupnicki, Marc; Dittman, Dawn E.
Diseases of fishes caused by Aeromonas spp. are common, have broad host ranges and may cause high mortality. Treatments of captive-reared populations using antimicrobials are limited with concerns for bacterial resistance development and environmental dissemination. This study was done to determine whether selected plant-derived essential oils were bactericidal to Aeromonas spp. Initially, twelve essential oils were evaluated using a disk diffusion assay to an isolate of A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida, cause of fish furunculosis. The greatest zones of inhibition were obtained with oils of cinnamon Cinnamomum cassia, oregano Origanum vulgare, lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus and thyme Thymus vulgaris. Minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC’s) were determined for these four oils, Allimed® (garlic extract, Allium sativum) and colloidal silver to sixty-nine isolates representing nine Aeromonas spp. The lowest mean MBCs (0.02–0.04%) were obtained with three different sources of cinnamon oil. MBCs for three sources of oregano and lemongrass oils ranged from 0.14% to 0.30% and 0.10% to 0.65%, respectively, and for two thyme oils were 2.11% and 2.22%. The highest concentration (5%) of Allimed® tested resulted in MBCs to twelve isolates. A concentration of silver greater than 15 mg/L would be required to determine MBCs for all but one isolate.
Starliper, Clifford E.; Ketolab, Henry G.; Noyes, Andrew D.; Schill, William B.; Henson, Fred G.; Chalupnicki, Marc A.; Dittman, Dawn E.
Diseases of fishes caused by Aeromonas spp. are common, have broad host ranges and may cause high mortality. Treatments for captive-reared populations using antimicrobials are limited with concerns for bacterial resistance development and environmental dissemination. This study was done to determine if selected plant-derived essential oils were bactericidal to Aeromonas spp. Initially, twelve essential oils were evaluated using a disk diffusion assay to an isolate of A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida, cause of fish furunculosis. The greatest zones of inhibition were obtained with oils of cinnamon Cinnamomum cassia, oregano Origanum vulgare, lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus and thyme Thymus vulgaris. Minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC’s) were determined for these four oils, Allimed® (garlic extract, Allium sativum) and colloidal silver to sixty-nine isolates representing nine Aeromonas spp. The lowest mean MBC’s (0.02 to 0.04%) were obtained with three different sources of cinnamon oil. MBC’s for three sources of oregano and lemongrass oils ranged from 0.14 to 0.30% and 0.10 to 0.65%, respectively, and for two thyme oils were 2.11 and 2.22%. The highest concentration (5%) of Allimed® tested resulted in MBC’s to twelve isolates. A concentration of silver greater than 15 mg/L would be required to determine MBC’s for all but one isolate
Starliper, Clifford E.; Ketola, Henry G.; Noyes, Andrew D.; Schill, William B.; Henson, Fred G.; Chalupnicki, Marc A.; Dittman, Dawn E.
Diseases of fishes caused by Aeromonas spp. are common, have broad host ranges and may cause high mortality. Treatments of captive-reared populations using antimicrobials are limited with concerns for bacterial resistance development and environmental dissemination. This study was done to determine whether selected plant-derived essential oils were bactericidal to Aeromonas spp. Initially, twelve essential oils were evaluated using a disk diffusion assay to an isolate of A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida, cause of fish furunculosis. The greatest zones of inhibition were obtained with oils of cinnamon Cinnamomum cassia, oregano Origanum vulgare, lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus and thyme Thymus vulgaris. Minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC’s) were determined for these four oils, Allimed® (garlic extract, Allium sativum) and colloidal silver to sixty-nine isolates representing nine Aeromonas spp. The lowest mean MBCs (0.02–0.04%) were obtained with three different sources of cinnamon oil. MBCs for three sources of oregano and lemongrass oils ranged from 0.14% to 0.30% and 0.10% to 0.65%, respectively, and for two thyme oils were 2.11% and 2.22%. The highest concentration (5%) of Allimed® tested resulted in MBCs to twelve isolates. A concentration of silver greater than 15 mg/L would be required to determine MBCs for all but one isolate. PMID:25685547
Chaudhari, Lalit Kumar D; Jawale, Bhushan Arun; Sharma, Sheeba; Sharma, Hemant; Kumar, C D Mounesh; Kulkarni, Pooja Adwait
Many essential oils have been advocated for use in complementary medicine for bacterial and fungal infections. However, few of the many claims of therapeutic efficacy have been validated adequately by either in vitro testing or in vivo clinical trials. To study the antibacterial activity of nine commercially available essential oils against Streptococcus mutans in vitro and to compare the antibacterial activity between each material. Nine pure essential oils; wintergreen oil, lime oil, cinnamon oil, spearmint oil, peppermint oil, lemongrass oil, cedarwood oil, clove oil and eucalyptus oil were selected for the study. Streptococcus mutans was inoculated at 37ºC and seeded on blood agar medium. Agar well diffusion assay was used to measure antibacterial activity. Zone of inhibition was measured around the filter paper in millimeters with vernier caliper. Cinnamon oil showed highest activity against Streptococcus mutans followed by lemongrass oil and cedarwood oil. Wintergreen oil, lime oil, peppermint oil and spearmint oil showed no antibacterial activity. Cinnamon oil, lemongrass oil, cedarwood oil, clove oil and eucalyptus oil exhibit antibacterial property against S. mutans. The use of these essential oils against S. mutans can be a viable alternative to other antibacterial agents as these are an effective module used in the control of both bacteria and yeasts responsible for oral infections.
de Groot, Anton C; Schmidt, Erich
In this article, some aspects of sandalwood oil, ylang-ylang oil, and jasmine absolute are discussed including their botanical origin, uses of the plants and the oils and absolute, chemical composition, contact allergy to and allergic contact dermatitis from these essential oils and absolute, and their causative allergenic ingredients.
Bhatia, B.; Ahujarai, P. L.
Male Wistar rats weighing 150 200 g maintained under standard laboratory conditions and given Hindustan Lever Pellets and water ad libitum were exposed to -20°C for determination of the rate of fall of rectal temperature and survival time. The rate of fall of body temperature was significantly increased and the survival time was reduced, when animals were given an intraperitoneal injection of 1 ml/kg BW of CCl4 24 h but not 2 h earlier. Pre-treatment of the animals with 0.006 ml of garlic oil in a 2% solution of arachis oil for 3 days gave a significant protection to the animals against the CCl4-induced fall in cold tolerance. Administration of glucose orally 300 mg in 2 ml of saline eliminated the CCl4-induced fall in cold tolerance. The animals displayed a hypoglycemia 24 h, but not 2 h after injection of CCl4. CCl4-induced hypoglycemia was reduced by pre-treatment with garlic oil. The results indicate that the CCl4-induced reduction in cold tolerance is secondary to hypoglycemia and not due to the direct effect of CCl4 on the thermoregulatory mechanism in the CNS. The critical level of blood glucose below which the cold tolerance is reduced was found to be 76 mg/100 ml of blood.
Busquet, M; Calsamiglia, S; Ferret, A; Cardozo, P W; Kamel, C
Eight continuous culture fermentors inoculated with ruminal liquor from heifers fed a 50:50 alfalfa hay:concentrate diet (17.6% crude protein, 28.0% neutral detergent fiber) were used in 3 replicated periods to study the effects of cinnamaldehyde (CIN) and garlic oil (GAR) on rumen microbial fermentation. Treatments were no additive (negative control); 1.25 mg/L (MON) and 12.5 mg/L (MON10) of the ionophore antibiotic monensin (positive control); 31.2 mg/L CIN (CIN) and 312 mg/L (CIN10) of CIN; and 31.2 mg/L GAR (GAR) and 312 mg/L (GAR10) of GAR (Allium sativa). The MON10 caused expected changes in microbial fermentation patterns (a decrease in fiber digestion, ammonia N concentration, and proportions of acetate and butyrate; an increase in the proportion of propionate; and a trend to increase small peptide plus AA N concentration). The CIN decreased the proportion of acetate and branch-chained volatile fatty acids (VFA) and increased the proportion of propionate; CIN10 decreased the proportion of acetate and increased the proportion of butyrate compared with the control. The GAR10 increased the proportion of propionate and butyrate and decreased the proportion of acetate and branch-chained VFA compared with the control. The GAR10 also increased the small peptide plus amino acid N concentration, although no effects were observed on large peptides or ammonia N concentrations. The CIN and GAR10 resulted in similar effects as monensin, with the exception of the effects on the molar proportion of butyrate, which suggests that they might have a different mode of action in affecting in vitro microbial fermentation.
Aromatherapy with the use of essential oils has been studied in cancer patients to help with symptom relief. Read about how aromatherapy massage or inhalation of essential oils have reduced symptoms in cancer patients in this expert-reviewed summary.
Reis, Debra; Jones, Tisha
Essential oils can be a great adjunct to cancer care, aiding in the management of side effects, such as insomnia and nausea. Healthcare professionals should be knowledgeable about the quality and safety of essential oils when using them for clinical purposes. Using lesser quality essential oils and not understanding safety guidelines can negatively affect clinical outcomes. This article provides an overview of how nurses can help patients with cancer safely use essential oils as a supportive therapy.
Alighiri, D.; Eden, W. T.; Supardi, K. I.; Masturi; Purwinarko, A.
Indonesia is the source of raw essential oil in the world. Essential oils are used in various types of industries such as food and beverage, flavour, fragrance, perfumery, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. However, the development of Indonesian essential oil industry has not been encouraging for the production of essential oils, further it is unable to meet global demand. Besides that, the quality of volatile oil resulted cannot meet the international market standards. Based on the facts, the potential of Indonesian essential oils needs to be developed to provide added value, through increased production, improved quality and product diversification. One part of Indonesia having abundant of raw essential oil source is Central Java. Central Java has the quite large potential production of essential oils. Some essential oils produced from refining industry owned by the government, private and community sectors include cananga oils (Boyolali district), clove oils (Semarang district), patchouli oils (Brebes district, Pemalang district, and Klaten district). The main problem in the development of plants industries that producing essential oil in Central Java is low crops production, farming properties, quality of essential oils are diverse, providing poor-quality products and volatile oil price fluctuations. Marketing constraints of Central Java essential oils are quite complex supply chain. In general, marketing constraints of essential oils due to three factors, namely the low quality due to type of essential oil business that generally shaped small businesses with different capital and technology, domestic marketing is still a buyer-market (price determined by the buyer) because of weak bargaining position processors businessman, and prices fluctuate (domestic and foreign) due to uncontrolled domestic production and inter-country competition among manufacturers.
Chiang, Y.-H.; Jen, L.-N.; Su, H.-Y.
Garlic and its active components are known to possess antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects. The present study investigated the effects of garlic oil and its organosulfur compounds on endotoxin-induced intestinal mucosal damage. Wistar rats received by gavage 50 or 200 mg/kg body weight garlic oil (GO), 0.5 mmol/kg body weight diallyl disulfide or diallyl trisulfide, or the vehicle (corn oil; 2 ml/kg body weight) every other day for 2 weeks before being injected with endotoxin (i.p., 5 mg/kg body weight). Control rats were administered with corn oil and were injected with sterile saline. Samples for the measurement of proinflammatory cytokines weremore » collected 3 h after injection, and all other samples were collected 18 h after injection. The low dose of GO suppressed endotoxin-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity, ulceration, and apoptosis in the intestinal mucosa (P < 0.05). The high dose of GO significantly lowered the peripheral level of nitrate/nitrite and endotoxin-induced iNOS activity in the intestinal mucosa (P < 0.05) but worsened intestinal mucosal damage accompanied by elevated peripheral proinflammatory cytokines. Diallyl trisulfide but not diallyl disulfide showed similar toxic effect as that of high-dose GO. These results suggest the preventive effect and possible toxicity of garlic oil and its organosulfur compounds in endotoxin-induced systemic inflammation and intestinal damage.« less
Hovijitra, Ray S; Choonharuangdej, Suwan; Srithavaj, Theerathavaj
Although medicinal herbs with fungicidal effects have been ubiquitously employed in traditional medicine, such effects of culinary herbs and spices still have to be elucidated. Therefore, it is noteworthy to determine the antifungal efficacy of some edible herbs used in Thai cuisine against sessile Candida albicans cultures, and to inquire if they can be further utilized as naturally-derived antifungals. Fourteen essential oils extracted from Thai culinary herbs and spices were tested for their antifungal activity against C. albicans using the agar disk diffusion method followed by broth micro-dilution method for the determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration. The oils with potent antifungal effects against planktonic fungi were then assessed for their effect against sessile fungus (adherent organisms and established biofilm culture). MIC of the oils against sessile C. albicans was evaluated by 2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide reduction assay. All selected culinary herbs and spices, except galangal, garlic, and turmeric, exhibited inhibitory effects on planktonic yeast cells. Cinnamon bark and sweet basil leaf essential oils exhibited potent fungicidal effect on planktonic and sessile fungus. Sessile MICs were 8-16 times higher than planktonic MICs. Consequently, both cinnamon bark and sweet basil leaf herbal oils seem to be highly effective anti-Candida choices. (J Oral Sci 58, 365-371, 2016).
We tested the efficacy of attractive toxic sugar bait (ATSB) with garlic oil microencapsulated in beta-cyclodextrin as active ingredient against Aedes albopictus in suburban Haifa, Israel. Two three-acre gardens with high numbers of Ae. albopictus were chosen for perimeter spray treatment with ATSB ...
Tongnuanchan, Phakawat; Benjakul, Soottawat
Essential oils are concentrated liquids of complex mixtures of volatile compounds and can be extracted from several plant organs. Essential oils are a good source of several bioactive compounds, which possess antioxidative and antimicrobial properties. In addition, some essential oils have been used as medicine. Furthermore, the uses of essential oils have received increasing attention as the natural additives for the shelf-life extension of food products, due to the risk in using synthetic preservatives. Essential oils can be incorporated into packaging, in which they can provide multifunctions termed "active or smart packaging." Those essential oils are able to modify the matrix of packaging materials, thereby rendering the improved properties. This review covers up-to-date literatures on essential oils including sources, chemical composition, extraction methods, bioactivities, and their applications, particularly with the emphasis on preservation and the shelf-life extension of food products. © 2014 Institute of Food Technologists®
Vázquez-Sánchez, Daniel; Cabo, Marta L; Rodríguez-Herrera, Juan J
The present study was aimed to evaluate the potential of essential oils to remove the foodborne pathogen Staphylococcus aureus from food-processing facilities. The effectiveness of 19 essential oils against planktonic cells of S. aureus was firstly assessed by minimal inhibitory concentration. Planktonic cells showed a wide variability in resistance to essential oils, with thyme oil as the most effective, followed by lemongrass oil and then vetiver oil. The eight essential oils most effective against planktonic cells were subsequently tested against 48-h-old biofilms formed on stainless steel. All essential oils reduced significantly (p < 0.01) the number of viable biofilm cells, but none of them could remove biofilms completely. Thyme and patchouli oils were the most effective, but high concentrations were needed to achieve logarithmic reductions over 4 log CFU/cm(2) after 30 min exposure. Alternatively, the use of sub-lethal doses of thyme oil allowed to slow down biofilm formation and to enhance the efficiency of thyme oil and benzalkonium chloride against biofilms. However, some cellular adaptation to thyme oil was detected. Therefore, essential oil-based treatments should be based on the rotation and combination of different essential oils or with other biocides to prevent the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant strains. © The Author(s) 2014.
Grzesiak, Barbara; Kołodziej, Barbara; Głowacka, Anna; Krukowski, Henryk
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of essential oils obtained from Thymus vulgaris L., Origanum vulgare L., Origanum majerana L., Mentha × piperita L. and Allium ursinum L. against Prototheca zopfii strains that cause inflammation of the udder (mastitis) in cows. The study was conducted on ten strains derived from milk samples. The microdilution method was used to determine the sensitivity of P. zopfii strains to the studied essential oils, and the disk diffusion method was used to determine the sensitivity to antifungal chemotherapeutics. The plates were incubated for 48 h at 37 °C under aerobic conditions. All strains of algae were sensitive to the essential oils marjoram, thyme and oregano and resistant to mint and garlic oils. MIC values ranged from 0.25 to 1 μl/ml. Marjoram oil demonstrated the greatest activity, and oregano oil the weakest. Among the antifungal agents tested, 90% of strains showed sensitivity to nystatin. One of the tested strains (71/IV) was resistant to all investigated antifungal agents. The tested essential oils are known to have anti-algae activity and can be used as natural agents for prophylaxis in animals, particularly in mastitis-affected cows.
Vieira, Silvia Cristina Heredia; de Paulo, Luis Fernando; Svidzinski, Terezinha Inez Estivaleti; Dias Filho, Benedito Prado; Nakamura, Celso Vataru; de Souza, Amanda; Young, Maria Cláudia Marx; Cortez, Diógenes Aparício Garcia
In vitro activity of the essential oil from Piper diospyrifolium leaves was tested using disk diffusion techniques. The antifungal assay showed significant potencial antifungal activity: the oil was effective against several clinical fungal strains. The majority compounds in the essential oil were identified as sesquiterpenoids by GC-MS and GC-FID techniques. PMID:24031717
Ozogul, Yesim; Kuley, Esmeray; Ucar, Yilmaz; Ozogul, Fatih
The antimicrobial activity of twelve essential oil (pine oil, eucalyptus, thyme, sage tea, lavender, orange, laurel, lemon, myrtle, lemon, rosemary and juniper) was tested by a disc diffusion method against food borne pathogens (Escherichia coli, Salmonella paratyphi A, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Yersinia enterocolitica, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aeromonas hydrophila, Campylobacter jejuni, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus). The major components in essential oils were monoterpenes hydrocarbons, α-pinene, limonene; monoterpene phenol, carvacrol and oxygenated monoterpenes, camphor, 1,8-cineole, eucalyptol, linalool and linalyl acetate. Although the antimicrobial effect of essential oils varied depending on the chemical composition of the essential oils and specific microorganism tested, majority of the oils exhibited antibacterial activity against one or more strains. The essential oil with the lowest inhibition zones was juniper with the values varied from 1.5 to 6 mm. However, the components of essential oil of thyme and pine oil are highly active against food borne pathogen, generating the largest inhibition zones for both gram negative and positive bacteria (5.25-28.25 mm vs. 12.5-30 mm inhibition zones). These results indicate the possible use of the essential oils on food system as antimicrobial agents against food-borne pathogen. The article also offers some promising patents on applications of essential oils on food industry as antimicrobial agent.
Soil is one of the important sources of preharvest contamination of produce with pathogens. Demand for natural pesticides such as essential oils for organic farming practices has increased. Antimicrobial activity of essential oils in vitro has been documented. The antimicrobial activity of essential...
... essential oils subcategory. 454.50 Section 454.50 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY... CATEGORY Essential Oils Subcategory § 454.50 Applicability; description of the essential oils subcategory... essential oils. ...
... essential oils subcategory. 454.50 Section 454.50 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY... CATEGORY Essential Oils Subcategory § 454.50 Applicability; description of the essential oils subcategory... essential oils. ...
... essential oils subcategory. 454.50 Section 454.50 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY... CATEGORY Essential Oils Subcategory § 454.50 Applicability; description of the essential oils subcategory... essential oils. ...
Moazeni, Mohammad; Saharkhiz, Mohammad Jamal; Hoseini, Ali Akbar; Alavi, Amir Mootabi
Objective To investigate the scolicidal effect of the Satureja khuzistanica (S. khuzistanica)essential oil from aerial parts of this herbal plant. Methods The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation method. Gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were employed to determine the chemical composition of the essential oil. Protoscolices were collected aseptically from sheep livers containing hydatid cyst. Protoscolices were exposed to various concentrations of the oil (3, 5 and 10 mg/mL) for 10, 20, 30, and 60 min. Viability of protoscolices was confirmed by 0.1% eosin staining. Results : A total of 19 compounds representing 97.6% of the total oil, were identified. Carvacrol (94.9%) was found to be the major essential oil constituent. Scolicidal activity of S. khuzistanica essential oil at concentration of 3 mg/mL was 28.58, 32.71, 37.20 and 42.02%, respectively. This essential oil at concentration of 5 mg/mL killed 51.33, 66.68, 81.12, and 100% of protoscolices after 10, 20, 30 and 60 min, respectively. One hundred scolicidal effect was observed with S. khuzistanica essential oil at the concentration of 10 mg/mL after 10 min (comparing with 7.19% for control group). Conclusions The essential oil of S. khuzistanica is rich in carvacrol and may be used as a natural scolicidal agent. PMID:23569981
Görnemann, T; Nayal, R; Pertz, H H; Melzig, M F
To investigate the essential oil of Lippia dulcis Trev. (Verbenaceae) that is traditionally used in the treatment of cough, colds, bronchitis, asthma, and colic in Middle America for antispasmodic activity. We used a porcine bronchial bioassay to study contractile responses to carbachol and histamine in the absence or presence of the essential oil. The essential oil showed anti-histaminergic and anti-cholinergic activities at 100 microg/ml. The anti-histaminergic and anti-cholinergic activities of the essential oil of Lippia dulcis support the rational use of the plant or plant extracts to treat bronchospasm.
Lee, Min Ho; Kim, Young Mi; Kim, Sang Geon
To investigate the hepatoprotective effect, safety and tolerability of oral preparation comprising dimethyl-4,4'-dimethoxy-5,6,5',6'-dimethylene dioxybiphenyl-2,2'-dicarboxylate (DDB) plus garlic oil (GO) in chronic hepatitis patients. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted for 6 weeks with 1-week follow-up, a total of 88 patients with histologically confirmed chronic hepatitis and persistently elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of 4 treatment groups: placebo (Group A) and 3 escalating dose groups (2, 3, or 6 study drug capsules a day) (Groups B - D). Each study drug capsule contains 25 mg DDB plus 50 mg GO. Efficacy was assessed by monitoring changes in the circulating activities of ALT and AST as surrogate markers for liver injury. Safety and tolerability were assessed based on the evaluation of clinically adverse events and laboratory test results. Of 88 patients, 83 took at least one dose of study drug and 79 completed the study without any protocol violation. The majority of patients (81/83, 98%) had been infected with HBV. The proportions of patients whose ALT levels returned to normal ranges at Week 6, a primary outcome, were significantly different among 4 groups: 16% (3/19), 41% (9/22), 52% (11/21), and 88% (15/17) in Groups A, B, C, and D, respectively (p < 0.001). The proportions were significantly higher in Groups C (p = 0.022) and D (p < 0.001) but not in Group B compared to Group A. Interestingly, the proportion of Group D was higher than that of Group C (p = 0.034), suggesting a dose-response effect of DDB plus GO on the decrease of ALT levels. The mean ALT levels started to decrease from Week 1 in patients treated with DDB plus GO, whereas no decrease was seen in placebo group. The mean AST levels had a decreasing trend in all doses of DDB plus GO groups. Notably, patients treated with 6 capsules of DDB plus GO daily exhibited
Yan, Jie; Yin, Hong-yin; Liu, Zhong; Chi, De-feng; Li, Yang; Fu, Qiang-qiang; Xie, Ke-qin
To investigate effects of garlic oil (GO), age and sex on n-hexane metabolism in rats. The Wistar rats were used as experimental animals. (1) Intragastric administration: n-hexane group (3000 mg/kg n-hexane), GO treated group (80 mg/kg GO ig. an hour earlier than 3000 mg/kg n-hexane), then blood was taken from tails of rats at 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32 h points after n-hexane administration. (2) Intraperitoneal injection: n-hexane group (1000 mg/kg n-hexane), GO treated group (80 mg/kg GO ig. an hour earlier than 1000 mg/kg n-hexane), then took blood was taken from tails of rats at 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28 h points after n-hexane injection. (3) 7 rats each group of 6, 8, 10 weeks age were administrated by 3000 mg/kg n-hexane intragastrically, then were taken blood from tails at 16, 20, 24 h points after administration. (4) 7 male and 7 female rats of 8 weeks age were administrated by 3000 mg/kg n-hexane intragastrically, then were taken blood from tails at 16, 20, 24, 28 h points after administration. The gas chromatography was used to determine the metabolite 2, 5-hexanedione concentration of n-hexane in serum and 2, 5-hexanedione concentration was compared between GO and no GO treated rats, different ages and different sexes. (1) Intragastric administration: 2, 5-hexanedione concentrations in serum of n-hexane group and GO treated group had the peak 19.2 and 12.3 µg/ml at 20h and 24 h points. Compared with n-hexane group, the serum 2, 5-hexanedione concentration of GO treated group was lower at time points prior to peak and 2, 5-hexanedione eliminating process was slower after peak. (2) Intraperitoneal injection: effects of GO on the serum 2, 5-hexanedione concentrations was very similar to intragastric administration, 2, 5-hexanedione concentrations in serum of n-hexane group and GO treated group had the peak 15.0 and 6.7 µg/ml at 12 h and 16 h points. (3) Comparison of the serum 2, 5-hexanedione concentrations of different weeks age rats: The serum 2, 5
Sonboli, Ali; Mirzania, Foroogh; Gholipour, Abbas
Dracocephalum kotschyi is one of the medicinal and fragrant herbs that can be found in natural locations of mountainous areas. In this investigation the hydrodistilled essential oils obtained from aerial parts of two populations of D. kotschyi collected from Siahbisheh and Baladeh were analysed by capillary GC-FID and GC-MS. Essential oil analysis led to the identification of 48 compounds that represented 85.9 and 90.0% of the total oil compositions, respectively. As the major group of compounds, oxygenated monoterpens comprised 45.5 and 57.4% in the essential oils of compounds as the main group in the essential oils of Siahbisheh and Baladeh samples, respectively. Disagreement in the major contents of the essential oils of these two samples may be ascribed to differences in the ecological, climatic and genetically factors.
Perczak, Adam; Juś, Krzysztof; Marchwińska, Katarzyna; Gwiazdowska, Daniela; Waśkiewicz, Agnieszka; Goliński, Piotr
Essential oils are volatile compounds, extracted from plants, which have a strong odor. These compounds are known for their antibacterial and antifungal properties. However, data concerning degradation of mycotoxins by these metabolites are very limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of essential oils (cedarwood, cinnamon leaf, cinnamon bark, white grapefruit, pink grapefruit, lemon, eucalyptus, palmarosa, mint, thymic, and rosemary) on zearalenone (ZEA) reduction under various in vitro conditions, including the influence of temperature, pH, incubation time and mycotoxin and essential oil concentrations. The degree of ZEA reduction was determined by HPLC method. It was found that the kind of essential oil influences the effectiveness of toxin level reduction, the highest being observed for lemon, grapefruit, eucalyptus and palmarosa oils, while lavender, thymic and rosemary oils did not degrade the toxin. In addition, the decrease in ZEA content was temperature, pH as well as toxin and essential oil concentration dependent. Generally, higher reduction was observed at higher temperature in a wide range of pH, with clear evidence that the degradation rate increased gradually with time. In some combinations (e.g., palmarosa oil at pH 6 and 4 or 20°C) a toxin degradation rate higher than 99% was observed. It was concluded that some of the tested essential oils may be effective in detoxification of ZEA. We suggested that essential oils should be recognized as an interesting and effective means of ZEA decontamination and/or detoxification. PMID:27563298
Bagetta, Giacinto; Morrone, Luigi Antonio; Rombolà, Laura; Amantea, Diana; Russo, Rossella; Berliocchi, Laura; Sakurada, Shinobu; Sakurada, Tsukasa; Rotiroti, Domenicantonio; Corasaniti, Maria Tiziana
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia, Risso) is a fruit most knowledgeable for its essential oil (BEO) used in aromatherapy to minimize symptoms of stress-induced anxiety and mild mood disorders and cancer pain though the rational basis for such applications awaits to be discovered. The behavioural and EEG spectrum power effects of BEO correlate well with its exocytotic and carrier-mediated release of discrete amino acids endowed with neurotransmitter function in the mammalian hippocampus supporting the deduction that BEO is able to interfere with normal and pathological synaptic plasticity. The observed neuroprotection in the course of experimental brain ischemia and pain does support this view. In conclusion, the data yielded so far contribute to our understanding of the mode of action of this phytocomplex on nerve tissue under normal and pathological experimental conditions and provide a rational basis for the practical use of BEO in complementary medicine. The opening of a wide venue for future research and translation into clinical settings is also envisaged. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Argentieri, Maria Pia; De Lucia, Barbara; Cristiano, Giuseppe; Avatoa Pinarosa
The genus Lavandula includes about thirty species plus a number of intraspecific taxa and hybrids, which are distributed in the Mediterranean area. The traditional use of lavender both as perfume or medicinal plant is known since antiquity. Nowadays several species are extensively cultivated for the extraction of their essential oils (EOs) which are used in manufactured products like cosmetics and perfumes or in phytotherapy. Lavandula pinnata L. f. (syn L. pinnata Lundmark) is a rare species native to the Canary Islands used in folk medicine as relaxant and also a valuable remedy against bites. To the best of our knowledge, EOs from L. pinnata have been very little studied. The present paper reports on the quali- and quantitative compositional profile of the EOs distilled (by a Spring type apparatus) from the aerial parts (flowers and leaves) of this species cultivated in soilless conditions. Chemical analyses by means of GC and GC-MS techniques have indicated that oxygenated monoterpenes are the main constituents of both the flowers (68.30%) and the leaves (83.65%). Carvacrol is the main compound which characterizes the EOs of this species. In addition, discrete amounts of spathulenol (12.22%) and caryophyllene oxide (14.62%) have been detected in flowers EOs, while leaves EOs contained small amounts of carvacrol methyl ether (2.52%).
Miguel, Maria Graça; Cruz, Cláudia; Faleiro, Leonor; Simões, Mariana T F; Figueiredo, Ana Cristina; Barroso, José G; Pedro, Luis G
The essential oils from Foeniculum vulgare commercial aerial parts and fruits were isolated by hydrodistillation, with different distillation times (30 min, 1 h, 2 h and 3 h), and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The antioxidant ability was estimated using four distinct methods. Antibacterial activity was determined by the agar diffusion method. Remarkable differences, and worrying from the quality and safety point of view, were detected in the essential oils. trans-Anethole (31-36%), alpha-pinene (14-20%) and limonene (11-13%) were the main components of the essentials oil isolated from F. vulgare dried aerial parts, whereas methyl chavicol (= estragole) (79-88%) was dominant in the fruit oils. With the DPPH method the plant oils showed better antioxidant activity than the fruits oils. With the TBARS method and at higher concentrations, fennel essential oils showed a pro-oxidant activity. None of the oils showed a hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity > 50%, but they showed an ability to inhibit 5-lipoxygenase. The essential oils showed a very low antimicrobial activity. In general, the essential oils isolated during 2 h were as effective, from the biological activity point of view, as those isolated during 3 h.
Ahmed, Jasim; Hiremath, Nikhil; Jacob, Harsha
Polylactide (PLA) is the most mature biobased and biodegradable polymer. Due to its inherent brittleness, the polymer cannot be used as a packaging material without plasticizer. An attempt was made to develop antimicrobial plasticized PLA film by incorporating polyethylene glycol (PEG) and 3 essential oils (EO), namely cinnamon, garlic, and clove by solvent casting method. Physical, thermal, and rheological properties of those films were evaluated for practical applications whereas the antimicrobial properties were tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Campylobacter jejuni-pathogens related to poultry industry. Both PEG and EOs led to the formation of flexible PLA/PEG/EO films with significant drop in the glass transition temperature (Tg ), and mechanical property. Time-temperature superposition (TTS) principle was employed to melt rheology of EO-based films at selected temperature, and rheological moduli superimposed well in an extended frequency range. Among EOs, cinnamon and clove oil-based films (PLA/PEG/CIN and PLA/PEG/CLO) exhibited a complete zone of inhibition against C. jejuni at the maximum concentration (1.6 mL per 2 g PLA/PEG blend) whereas the garlic oil-based film (PLA/PEG/GAR) had the lowest activity. © 2016 Institute of Food Technologists®
M, Canales-Martinez; C R, Rivera-Yañez; J, Salas-Oropeza; H R, Lopez; M, Jimenez-Estrada; R, Rosas-Lopez; D A, Duran; C, Flores; L B, Hernandez; M A, Rodriguez-Monroy
Bursera morelensis , known as "Aceitillo", is an endemic tree of Mexico. Infusions made from the bark of this species have been used for the treatment of skin infections and for their wound healing properties. In this work, we present the results of a phytochemical and antimicrobial investigation of the essential oil of B. morelensis . The essential oil was obtained by a steam distillation method and analyzed using GC-MS. The antibacterial and antifungal activities were evaluated. GC-MS of the essential oil demonstrated the presence of 28 compounds. The principal compound of the essential oil was a-Phellandrene (32.69%). The essential oil had antibacterial activity against Gram positive and negative strains. The most sensitive strains were S. pneumoniae , V. cholerae (cc) and E. coli (MIC 0.125 mg/mL, MBC 0.25 mg/mL). The essential oil was bactericidal for V. cholera (cc). The essential oil inhibited all the filamentous fungi. F. monilifome (IC 50 = 2.27 mg/mL) was the most sensitive fungal strain. This work provides evidence that confirms the antimicrobial activity of the B. morelensis essential oil and this is a scientific support about of traditional uses of this species.
Yusoff, Nor Hanis Aifaa; Abdullah, Siti Aisyah; Othman, Zaulia; Zainal, Zamri
The efficacy of Citrus hystrix, Azadirachta indica and Cymbopogon citratus essential oils were evaluated for controlling the growth of mycelia and spore germination of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. In order to determine the best essential oil (EO) and suitable concentration of essential oil, in vitro experiment was conducted by preparing a pure culture of antrachnose on Potato Dextrose Agar containing EOs of C. hystrix, A. indica and C. citratus with different concentrations (0.2%, 0.6%, 1% and 1.4% (v/v)). The result shows that C. hystrix essential oil at a concentration of 1.4% (v/v) reduced of mycelia growth of C. gloeosporioides by 29.49%. A second experiment was conducted, but at higher concentration of each essential oils (1.8%, 2.2%, 2.6% and 2.8% (v/v)). Significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) inhibition of mycelia growth was obtained in all treatments except the control. The antifungal index values of essential oils were proportionally increased with concentration of essential oil applied in each treatment. It is concluded that essential oil from C. hystrix are efficient in inhibiting C. gloeosporioides.
In Petri dish assays, fumigation of a pyrethroid-susceptible strain of bed bugs Cimex lectularius L. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) with various essential oils resulted in mortality that approached or equaled 100%, after 5 days. However, when bed bugs were exposed to the same essential oils in sealed, comme...
Hong, Eui-Ju; Na, Ki-Jeung; Choi, In-Gyu; Choi, Kyung-Chul; Jeung, Eui-Bae
Essential oils have potential biological effects, i.e., antibiotic, anticarcinogenic, and sedative effects during stress. In the present study, we investigated the antibacterial and antifungal effects of essential oils extracted from the coniferous species Pinus densiflora, Pinus koraiensis, and Chamaecyparis obtusa, because their biological activities have not been yet elucidated. The essential oils were quantified using gas chromatography and identified in gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis. Simultaneously, antibacterial and antifungal assays were performed using the essential oils distilled from the needles of coniferous trees. The major components and the percentage of each essential oil were: 19.33% beta-thujene in P. densiflora; 10.49% alpha-pinene in P. koraiensis; 10.88% bornyl acetate in C. obtusa. The essential oils from P. densiflora and C. obtusa have antibacterial effects, whereas essential oils from P. koraiensis and C. obtusa have antifungal effects. These results indicate that the essential oils from the three coniferous trees, which have mild antimicrobial properties, can inhibit the growth of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and fungi.
Nuñez, L.; Aquino, M. D’
Clove essential oil, used as an antiseptic in oral infections, inhibits Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria as well as yeast. The influence of clove essential oil concentration, temperature and organic matter, in the antimicrobial activity of clove essential oil, was studied in this paper, through the determination of bacterial death kinetics. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the microorganisms selected for a biological test. To determine the temperature effect, they were assayed at 21° and 37° C. The concentration coefficient was determined with 0.4%, and 0.2% of essential oil. The influence of the presence of organic matter was determined with 0.4% of essential oil. The results obtained demonstrated that Escherichia coli were more sensitive even though the essential oil exerted a satisfactory action in three cases. In the three microbial species, 0.4% of essential oil at 21° C have reduced the bacterial population in 5 logarithmic orders. Organic matter reduces the antibacterial activity even though the bactericide efficacy was not lost. Clove essential oil can be considered as a potential antimicrobial agent for external use PMID:24031950
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) is one of the most widely grown essential oil crops in the world. Commercial extraction of lavender oil is done using steam distillation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the length of the distillation time (DT) on lavender essential o...
Bomfim, Larissa M; Menezes, Leociley R A; Rodrigues, Ana Carolina B C; Dias, Rosane B; Rocha, Clarissa A Gurgel; Soares, Milena B P; Neto, Albertino F S; Nascimento, Magaly P; Campos, Adriana F; Silva, Lidércia C R C E; Costa, Emmanoel V; Bezerra, Daniel P
Annona vepretorum Mart. (Annonaceae), popularly known as 'bruteira', has nutritional and medicinal uses. This study investigated the chemical composition and antitumour potential of the essential oil of A. vepretorum leaf alone and complexed with β-cyclodextrin in a microencapsulation. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus and analysed using GC-MS and GC-FID. In vitro cytotoxicity of the essential oil and some of its major constituents in tumour cell lines from different histotypes was evaluated using the alamar blue assay. Furthermore, the in vivo efficacy of essential oil was demonstrated in mice inoculated with B16-F10 mouse melanoma. The essential oil included bicyclogermacrene (35.71%), spathulenol (18.89%), (E)-β-ocimene (12.46%), α-phellandrene (8.08%), o-cymene (6.24%), germacrene D (3.27%) and α-pinene (2.18%) as major constituents. The essential oil and spathulenol exhibited promising cytotoxicity. In vivo tumour growth was inhibited by the treatment with the essential oil (inhibition of 34.46%). Importantly, microencapsulation of the essential oil increased in vivo tumour growth inhibition (inhibition of 62.66%). © 2015 Nordic Association for the Publication of BCPT (former Nordic Pharmacological Society).
Erler, F; Ulug, I; Yalcinkaya, B
Essential oils extracted from the seeds of anise (Pimpinella anisum), dried fruits of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), dried foliage of mint (Mentha piperita) and basil (Ocimum basilicum) and fresh foliage of laurel (Laurus nobilis) were tested for their repellency against the adult females of Culex pipiens. All essential oils showed repellency in varying degrees, eucalyptus, basil and anise being the most active.
Soil is one of the most important sources of preharvest contamination of produce with pathogens. Demand for natural pesticides such as essential oils for organic farming practices has increased. Antimicrobial activity of essential oils in vitro has been documented. The antimicrobial activity of esse...
Ganjewala, Deepak; Luthra, Rajesh
Essential oils distilled from Cymbopogon species are of immense commercial value as flavors and fragrances in the perfumery, cosmetics, soaps, and detergents and in pharmaceutical industries. Two major constituents of the essential oil, geraniol and citral, due to their specific rose and lemon like aromas are widely used as flavors, fragrances and cosmetics. Citral is also used for the synthesis of vitamin A and ionones (for example, beta-ionone, methyl ionone). Moreover, Cymbopogon essential oils and constituents possess many useful biological activities including cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Despite the immense commercial and biological significance of the Cymbopogon essential oils, little is known about their biosynthesis and regulatory mechanisms. So far it is known that essential oils are biosynthesized via the classical acetate-MVA route and existence of a newly discovered MEP pathway in Cymbopogon remains as a topic for investigation. The aim of the present review is to discuss the biosynthesis and regulation of essential oils in the genus Cymbopogon with given emphasis to two elite members, lemongrass (C. flexuosus Nees ex Steud) and palmarosa (C. martinii Roxb.). This article highlights the work done so far towards understanding of essential oil biosynthesis and regulation in the genus Cymbopogon. Also, based on our experiences with Cymbopogon species, we would like to propose C. flexuosus as a model system for the study of essential oil metabolism beyond the much studied plant family Lamiaceae.
M., Canales-Martinez; C.R., Rivera-Yañez; J., Salas-Oropeza; H.R., Lopez; M., Jimenez-Estrada; R., Rosas-Lopez; D.A., Duran; C., Flores; L.B., Hernandez; M.A., Rodriguez-Monroy
Background: Bursera morelensis, known as “Aceitillo”, is an endemic tree of Mexico. Infusions made from the bark of this species have been used for the treatment of skin infections and for their wound healing properties. In this work, we present the results of a phytochemical and antimicrobial investigation of the essential oil of B. morelensis. Materials and Methods: The essential oil was obtained by a steam distillation method and analyzed using GC-MS. The antibacterial and antifungal activities were evaluated. Results: GC-MS of the essential oil demonstrated the presence of 28 compounds. The principal compound of the essential oil was a-Phellandrene (32.69%). The essential oil had antibacterial activity against Gram positive and negative strains. The most sensitive strains were S. pneumoniae, V. cholerae (cc) and E. coli (MIC 0.125 mg/mL, MBC 0.25 mg/mL). The essential oil was bactericidal for V. cholera (cc). The essential oil inhibited all the filamentous fungi. F. monilifome (IC50 = 2.27 mg/mL) was the most sensitive fungal strain. Conclusions: This work provides evidence that confirms the antimicrobial activity of the B. morelensis essential oil and this is a scientific support about of traditional uses of this species. PMID:28480418
Dunkić, Valerija; Mikrut, Antonija; Bezić, Nada
The essential oil of Satureja cuneifolia Ten. was characterized by a high concentration of the phenolic compounds carvacrol (21.3%) and thymol (9.2%). The in vitro activity of the essential oil against Legionela pneumophila serogroups (SG) I and 2-15 and Legionella spp. from different sources, using microdilution, showed that L. pneumofila is sensitive to the oil, with MICs ranging from 0.12 to 0.5%, v/v, and a MBC at 0.5 to 1%, v/v. The essential oil of S. cuneifolia was effective in the reduction of Legionellosis infections.
Chen, Xiao-Kai; Ge, Fa-Huan
To analyze the chemical compositions of Pandanus amaryllifolius leaves essential oil extracted by steam distillation. The essential oil of Pandanus amaryllifolius leaves was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrum, and the relative content of each component was determined by area normalization method. 128 peaks were separated and 95 compounds were identified, which weighed 97.75%. The main chemical components of the essential oil were phytol (42.15%), squalene (16.81%), what's more pentadecanal (6.17%), pentadecanoic acid (4.49%), 3, 7, 11, 15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol (3.83%), phytone (2.05%) and the other 74 chemical compositions were firstly identified from the essential oil of Pandanus amaryllifolius leaves. The chemical compositions of Pandanu samaryllifolius leaves essential oil was systematically, deeply isolated and identified for the first time. This experiment has provided scientific foundation for further utilization of Pandanus amaryllifolius leaves.
Woronuk, Grant; Demissie, Zerihun; Rheault, Mark; Mahmoud, Soheil
Lavenders and their essential oils have been used in alternative medicine for several centuries. The volatile compounds that comprise lavender essential oils, including linalool and linalyl acetate, have demonstrative therapeutic properties, and the relative abundance of these metabolites is greatly influenced by the genetics and environment of the developing plants. With the rapid progress of molecular biology and the genomic sciences, our understanding of essential oil biosynthesis has greatly improved over the past few decades. At the same time, there is a recent surge of interest in the use of natural remedies, including lavender essential oils, in alternative medicine and aromatherapy. This article provides a review of recent developments related to the biosynthesis and medicinal properties of lavender essential oils. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.
In the present review the physiological and/or pharmacological properties of essential oils and of single fragrance compounds are discussed. Essential oils are known and have been used since ancient times as natural medicines. As natural products essential oils are dependent on climate and their composition varies according to conditions of soil, to solar irradiation, to harvest time, to production methods, to storage conditions and similar facts which are discussed in chapter 2 of this review. The next chapters deal with the therapeutic use of essential oils in treating diseases, disorders or ailments of the nervous system, against cancer and as penetration enhancers. For space-saving reasons, however, the manifold antimicrobial and antifungal properties of these natural products have been left out. In the last chapter, the pros and cons in the use of essential oils in therapy are also discussed.
Miladinović, Dragoljub L; Ilić, Budimir S; Kocić, Branislava D; Miladinović, Ljiljana C; Marković, Marija S
The chemical composition and antibacterial activity of Peucedanum officinale L. (Apiaceae) essential oil were examined, as well as the association between it and antibiotics: tetracycline, streptomycin and chloramphenicol. The interactions of the essential oil with antibiotics were evaluated using the microdilution checkerboard assay. Monoterpene hydrocarbons, with α-phellandrene as the dominant constituent, were the most abundant compound class of the essential oil of P. officinale. The researched essential oil exhibited slight antibacterial activity against the tested bacterial strains in vitro. On the contrary, essential oil of P. officinale possesses a great synergistic potential with chloramphenicol and tetracycline. Their combinations reduced the minimum effective dose of the antibiotic and, consequently, minimised its adverse side effects. In addition, investigated interactions are especially successful against Gram-negative bacteria, the pharmacological treatment of which is very difficult nowadays.
A. sieberi essential oil has been used for treatment of hardly curable infectious ulcers in Middle East Medicine and has been famous due to its wormicide effects. In this review, we evaluated the potency of A. sieberi essential oil in treatment of fungal infections. We searched in PubMed Central, Science direct, Wiley, Springer, SID, and accessible books, reports, thesis. There is a lot of mixed information on chemical compositions of A. sieberi essential oil, but most articles reported α, β-thujones as the main components of essential oils. In vitro studies confirmed the antifungal activity of A. sieberi essential oil against saprophytes fungi, dermatophytes, Malassezia sp. and Candida sp. and these results were confirmed in six clinical studies. The clinical studies confirmed the superiority of A. sieberi essential oil (5%) lotion in improvement of clinical signs of fungal superficial diseases, and mycological laboratory examinations of dermatophytosis and pityriasis versicolor diseases than clotrimazole (1%) topical treatment. The recurrence rate of superficial fungal infections with dermatophytosis and pityriasis versicolor was statistically lower in A. sieberi essential oil (5%) lotion than clotrimazole. There are no adverse effects due to the application of A. sieberi essential oil in clinical studies. Despite, the efficacy of A. sieberi essential oil against Candida sp., there is no clinical study about their related infections. Investigation about the effects of A. sieberi essential oil on fungal virulence factors in order to identifying the exact mechanism of antifungal activity and clinical trials on Candida related diseases are recommended. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
Tolba, H; Moghrani, H; Benelmouffok, A; Kellou, D; Maachi, R
Essential oil of Eucalyptus citriodora is a natural product which has been attributed for various medicinal uses. In the present investigation, E. citriodora essential oil was used to evaluate its antifungal effect against medically important dermatophytes. Essential oil from the Algerian E. citriodora leaves was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The antifungal effect of E. citriodora essential oil was evaluated against four dermatophytes: Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum using disc diffusion method, disc volatilization method, and agar dilution method. The chemical composition of the oil revealed the presence of 22 compounds accounting for 95.27% of the oil. The dominant compounds were citronellal (69.77%), citronellol (10.63%) and isopulegol (4.66%). The disc diffusion method, MIC and MFC determination, indicated that E. citriodora essential oil had a higher antifungal potential against the tested strains with inhibition zone diameter which varied from (12 to 90mm) and MIC and MFC values ranged from (0.6 to 5μL/mL and 1.25 to 5μL/mL) respectively. The M. gypseum was the most resistant to the oil. The results of the present study indicated that E. citriodora essential oil may be used as a new antifungal agent recommended by the pharmaceutical industries. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
Karakaya, Sibel; El, Sedef Nehir; Karagozlu, Nural; Sahin, Serpil; Sumnu, Gulum; Bayramoglu, Beste
Effects of microwave assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD) and conventional hydrodistillation (HD) methods on yield, composition, specific gravity, refractive index, and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of essential oil of Rosmarinus officinalis L were studied. The main aroma compounds of rosemary essential oil were found as 1,8-cineole and camphor. Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) values for essential oils extracted by MAHD and HD were 1.52 mM/ml oil and 1.95 mM/ml oil, respectively. DPPH radical scavenging activity of the oils obtained by MAHD and HD were found as 60.55% and 51.04% respectively. Inhibitory effects of essential oils obtained by two methods on linoleic acid peroxidation were almost the same. Essential oils obtained by two methods inhibited growth of Esherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella typhimurium NRRLE 4463 and Listeria monocytogenes Scott A with the same degree. However, inhibitory activity of essential oil obtained by MAHD on Staphylococcus aureus 6538P was stronger than that of obtained by HD (p < 0.05).
Pandey, Abhay K.; Kumar, Pradeep; Singh, Pooja; Tripathi, Nijendra N.; Bajpai, Vivek K.
Aromatic and medicinal plants produce essential oils in the form of secondary metabolites. These essential oils can be used in diverse applications in food, perfume, and cosmetic industries. The use of essential oils as antimicrobials and food preservative agents is of concern because of several reported side effects of synthetic oils. Essential oils have the potential to be used as a food preservative for cereals, grains, pulses, fruits, and vegetables. In this review, we briefly describe the results in relevant literature and summarize the uses of essential oils with special emphasis on their antibacterial, bactericidal, antifungal, fungicidal, and food preservative properties. Essential oils have pronounced antimicrobial and food preservative properties because they consist of a variety of active constituents (e.g., terpenes, terpenoids, carotenoids, coumarins, curcumins) that have great significance in the food industry. Thus, the various properties of essential oils offer the possibility of using natural, safe, eco-friendly, cost-effective, renewable, and easily biodegradable antimicrobials for food commodity preservation in the near future. PMID:28138324
George, D R; Sparagano, O A E; Port, G; Okello, E; Shiel, R S; Guy, J H
Seven essential oils with potential as acaricides for use against the poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer) (Acari: Dermanyssidae), were selected for study. These products (essential oils of manuka, cade, pennyroyal, thyme, garlic, clove bud and cinnamon bark) were deployed against different life stages of D. gallinae in laboratory tests at the (lethal concentration) LC(50) level for adult mites. For all essential oils tested, toxicity to D. gallinae juveniles was as high as toxicity to adults, if not higher. However, at the LC(50) level determined for adults, some oils were ineffective in preventing hatching of D. gallinae eggs. The essential oils were also tested under laboratory conditions at their LC(90) levels for D. gallinae adults on two model non-target species, the brine shrimp, Artemia salina (L.), and the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor (L.). Results showed that not all essential oils were as toxic to A. salina and T. molitor as they were to D. gallinae, suggesting that it may be possible to select certain oils for development as acaricides against D. gallinae that would have minimal impact on non-target organisms. However, the level of toxicity to A. salina and T. molitor was not consistent across the selected essential oils.
Jirovetz, Leopold; Buchbauer, Gerhard; Stoilova, Ivanka; Stoyanova, Albena; Krastanov, Albert; Schmidt, Erich
The antioxidant activity of a commercial rectified clove leaf essential oil (Eugenia caryophyllus) and its main constituent eugenol was tested. This essential oil comprises in total 23 identified constituents, among them eugenol (76.8%), followed by beta-caryophyllene (17.4%), alpha-humulene (2.1%), and eugenyl acetate (1.2%) as the main components. The essential oil from clove demonstrated scavenging activity against the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydracyl (DPPH) radical at concentrations lower than the concentrations of eugenol, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). This essential oil also showed a significant inhibitory effect against hydroxyl radicals and acted as an iron chelator. With respect to the lipid peroxidation, the inhibitory activity of clove oil determined using a linoleic acid emulsion system indicated a higher antioxidant activity than the standard BHT.
Wilkinson, Jenny M; Cavanagh, Heather M A
To date, of the Australian essential oils, only tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) and Eucalyptus spp. have undergone extensive investigation. In this study a range of Australian essential oils, including those from Anethole anisata, Callistris glaucophyllia, Melaleuca spp. and Thyptomine calycina, were assayed for in vitro antibacterial activity. M. alternifolia was also included for comparison purposes. Activity was determined using standard disc diffusion assays with each oil assayed at 100%, 10% and 1% against five bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Alcaligenes faecalis) and the yeast, Candida albicans. All bacteria, with the exception of Ps. aeruginosa, were susceptible to one or more of the essential oils at 100%, with only Eremophilia mitchelli inhibiting the growth of any bacteria at 1% (inhibition of Sal. typhimurium). Where multiple samples of a single oil variety were tested variability in activity profiles were noted. This suggests that different methods of preparation of essential oils, together with variability in plant chemical profiles has an impact on whether or not the essential oil is of use as an antimicrobial agent. These results show that essential oils from Australian plants may be valuable antimicrobial agents for use alone or incorporated into cosmetics, cleaning agents and pharmaceutical products.
Herbs and spices have been used since ancient times to improve the sensory characteristics of food, to act as preservatives and for their nutritional and healthy properties. Herbs and spices are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and are excellent substitutes for chemical additives. Essential oils are mixtures of volatile compounds obtained, mainly by steam distillation, from medicinal and aromatic plants. They are an alternative to synthetic additives for the food industry, and they have gained attention as potential sources for natural food preservatives due to the growing interest in the development of safe, effective, natural food preservation. Lamiaceae is one of the most important families in the production of essential oils with antioxidants and antimicrobial properties. Aromatic plants are rich in essential oils and are mainly found in the Mediterranean region, where the production of such oils is a profitable source of ecological and economic development. The use of essential oils with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties to increase the shelf life of food is a promising technology, and the essential oils of the Lamiaceae family, such as rosemary, thyme, and sage, have been extensively studied with respect to their use as food preservatives. Regarding the new applications of essential oils, this review gives an overview of the current knowledge and recent trends in the use of these oils from aromatic plants as antimicrobials and antioxidants in foods, as well as their biological activities, future potential, and challenges. PMID:28930277
Essential oils are one of the most notorious natural products used for medical purposes. Combined with their popular use in dermatology, their availability, and the development of antimicrobial resistance, commercial essential oils are often an option for therapy. At least 90 essential oils can be identified as being recommended for dermatological use, with at least 1500 combinations. This review explores the fundamental knowledge available on the antimicrobial properties against pathogens responsible for dermatological infections and compares the scientific evidence to what is recommended for use in common layman's literature. Also included is a review of combinations with other essential oils and antimicrobials. The minimum inhibitory concentration dilution method is the preferred means of determining antimicrobial activity. While dermatological skin pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus have been well studied, other pathogens such as Streptococcus pyogenes, Propionibacterium acnes, Haemophilus influenzae, and Brevibacterium species have been sorely neglected. Combination studies incorporating oil blends, as well as interactions with conventional antimicrobials, have shown that mostly synergy is reported. Very few viral studies of relevance to the skin have been made. Encouragement is made for further research into essential oil combinations with other essential oils, antimicrobials, and carrier oils. PMID:28546822
Cui, Haiying; Zhang, Xuejing; Zhou, Hui; Zhao, Chengting; Lin, Lin
Nowadays, essential oils are recognized as safe substances and can be used as antibacterial additives. Salvia sclarea is one of the most important aromatic plants cultivated world-wide as a source of essential oils. In addition to being flavoring foods, Salvia sclarea essential oil can also act as antimicrobials and preservatives against food spoilage. Understanding more about the antibacterial performance and possible mechanism of Salvia sclarea essential oil will be helpful for its application in the future. But so far few related researches have been reported. In our study, Salvia sclarea oil showed obvious antibacterial activity against all tested bacterial strains. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericide concentration (MBC) of seven pathogens were 0.05 and 0.1 % respectively. In addition, Salvia sclarea oil also exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) and meats. After treated with Salvia sclarea oil, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images can clearly see the damage of cell membrane; the intracellular ATP concentrations of E. coli and S. aureus reduced 98.27 and 69.61 % respectively, compared to the control groups; the nuclear DNA content of E. coli and S. aureus was significantly reduced to 48.32 and 50.77 % respectively. In addition, there was massive leakage of cellular material when E. coli and S. aureus were exposed to Salvia sclarea oil. Salvia sclarea essential oil damaged the cell membrane and changed the cell membrane permeability, leading to the release of some cytoplasm such as macromolecular substances, ATP and DNA. In general, the antimicrobial action of Salvia sclarea essential oil is not only attributable to a unique pathway, but also involves a series of events both on the cell surface and within the cytoplasm. Therefore, more experiments need to be done to fully understand the antimicrobial mechanism of Salvia sclarea essential oil.
Camurça-Vasconcelos, A L F; Bevilaqua, C M L; Morais, S M; Maciel, M V; Costa, C T C; Macedo, I T F; Oliveira, L M B; Braga, R R; Silva, R A; Vieira, L S
Because of the development of anthelmintic resistant populations, the search for new drugs is essential to maintain the productivity of small ruminants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of Croton zehntneri and Lippia sidoides essential oils and their major constituents, anethole and thymol. The effects of these oils and their constituents were determined by in vitro assays with the eggs and larvae of the sheep gastrointestinal nematode Haemonchus contortus. The two essential oils were evaluated on intestinal nematodes of mice at 800 mg kg(-1) dose. In the last experiment, the mice were treated with larger doses of L. sidoides, 1200 and 1600 mg kg(-1). The essential oils and their constituents prevented more than 98% of the H. contortus eggs from hatching at a concentration of 1.25 mg ml(-1) and inhibited more than 90% of H. contortus larval development at a concentration of 10 mg ml(-1). At a concentration of 800 mg kg(-1), the two essential oils were 46.3% and 11.64% effective against Syphacia obvelata and Aspiculuris tetraptera. At 1200 and 1600 mg kg(-1), L. sidoides essential oil's efficacy on the mouse worm burden was 57.6% and 68.9%, respectively. The fact that L. sidoides essential oil was almost 70% effective against mouse intestinal nematodes indicates it should be evaluated against gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep and goats.
Mahboubi, M; HeidaryTabar, R; Mahdizadeh, E
Dermtophytes are a group of pathogenic fungi and the major cause of dermatophytosis in humans and animals. Fighting dermatophytes by natural essential oils is one important issue in new researches. In this investigation, we evaluated the anti-dermatophyte activities of three samples of Z. multiflora essential oils against dermatophytes along with analysis of chemical compositions of the essential oils and their anti-elastase activities on elastase production in dermatophytes. Carvacrol (1.5-34.4%), thymol (25.8-41.2%), carvacrol methyl ether (1.9-28.3%) and p-cymene (2.3-8.3%) were the main components of Z. multiflora essential oils. Z. multiflora essential oils (100ppm) inhibited the mycelium growth of dermatophytes (6±1.7-47.0±1.4%) and had the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) values of 0.03-0.25μl/ml against dermatophytes. Essential oils inhibited elastase produced in dermatophytes and pure porcine elastase. Z. multiflora essential oils can be used as natural anti-dermatophyte agent for fighting dermatophytes in further preclinical and clinical studies. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
Linde, G A; Gazim, Z C; Cardoso, B K; Jorge, L F; Tešević, V; Glamoćlija, J; Soković, M; Colauto, N B
Parsley [Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss] is regarded as an aromatic, culinary, and medicinal plant and is used in the cosmetic, food, and pharmaceutical industries. However, few studies with conflicting results have been conducted on the antimicrobial activity of parsley essential oil. In addition, there have been no reports of essential oil obtained from parsley aerial parts, except seeds, as an alternative natural antimicrobial agent. Also, microorganism resistance is still a challenge for health and food production. Based on the demand for natural products to control microorganisms, and the re-evaluation of potential medicinal plants for controlling diseases, the objective of this study was to determine the chemical composition and antibacterial and antifungal activities of parsley essential oil against foodborne diseases and opportunistic pathogens. Seven bacteria and eight fungi were tested. The essential oil major compounds were apiol, myristicin, and b-phellandrene. Parsley essential oil had bacteriostatic activity against all tested bacteria, mainly Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella enterica, at similar or lower concentrations than at least one of the controls, and bactericidal activity against all tested bacteria, mainly S. aureus, at similar or lower concentrations than at least one of the controls. This essential oil also had fungistatic activity against all tested fungi, mainly, Penicillium ochrochloron and Trichoderma viride, at lower concentrations than the ketoconazole control and fungicidal activity against all tested fungi at higher concentrations than the controls. Parsley is used in cooking and medicine, and its essential oil is an effective antimicrobial agent.
Tadtong, Sarin; Kamkaen, Narisa; Watthanachaiyingcharoen, Rith; Ruangrungsi, Nijsiri
This study focused on characterization of the chemical components of an aromatherapy recipe. The formulation consisted of four blended essential oils; rosemary oil, eucalyptus oil, pine oil and lime oil (volume ratio 6 : 2 : 1 : 1). The single and combination essential oils were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The analysis of GC-MS data revealed that several components exist in the mixture. The five most important components of the blended essential oils were 1,8-cineole (35.6 %), α-pinene (11.1%), limonene (9.6%), camphor (8.4%), and camphene (6.6%). The main components of rosemary oil were 1,8-cineole (37.3%), α-pinene (19.3%), camphor (14.7%), camphene (8.8%), and β-pinene (5.5%); of eucalyptus oil 1,8-cineole (82.6%) followed by limonene (7.4%), o-cymene (4.3%), γ-terpinene (2.7%), and α-pinene (1.5%); of pine oil terpinolene (26.7%), α-terpineol (20.50%), 1-terpineol (10.8%), α-pinene (6.0%), and γ-terpineol (5.3%); and of lime oil limonene (62.9%), γ-terpinene (11.5%), α-terpineol (7.6%), terpinolene (6.0%), and α-terpinene (2.8%). The present study provided a theoretical basis for the potential application of blended essential oils to be used as an aromatherapy essential oil recipe. GC-MS serves as a suitable and reliable method for the quality control of the chemical markers.
Bag, Anwesa; Chattopadhyay, Rabi Ranjan
The present study was carried out to evaluate the possible synergistic interactions on antibacterial and antioxidant efficacy of essential oils of some selected spices and herbs [bay leaf, black pepper, coriander (seed and leaf), cumin, garlic, ginger, mustard, onion and turmeric] in combination. Antibacterial combination effect was evaluated against six important food-borne bacteria (Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium) using microbroth dilution, checkerboard titration and time-kill methods. Antioxidant combination effect was assessed by DPPH free radical scavenging method. Total phenolic content was measured by Folin-Ciocalteu method. Bioactivity –guided fractionation of active essential oils for isolation of bioactive compounds was done using TLC-bioautography assay and chemical characterization (qualitative and quantitative) of bioactive compounds was performed using DART-MS and HPLC analyses. Cytotoxic potential was evaluated by brine shrimp lethality assay as well as MTT assay using human normal colon cell line. Results showed that among the possible combinations tested only coriander/cumin seed oil combination showed synergistic interactions both in antibacterial (FICI : 0.25-0.50) and antioxidant (CI : 0.79) activities. A high positive correlation between total phenolic content and antibacterial activity against most of the studied bacteria (R2 = 0.688 – 0.917) as well as antioxidant capacity (R2 = 0.828) was also observed. TLC-bioautography-guided screening and subsequent combination studies revealed that two compounds corresponding to Rf values 0.35 from coriander seed oil and 0.53 from cumin seed oil exhibited both synergistic antibacterial and antioxidant activities. The bioactive compound corresponding to Rf 0.35 from coriander seed oil was identified as linalool (68.69%) and the bioactive compound corresponding to Rf 0.53 from cumin seed oil was identified
Bi, Ye; Chen, Jing-Jing; Yan, Jie; Zeng, Tao; Fu, Qiang-Qiang; Zhong, Zhi-Xia; Xie, Ke-Qin
To study the protective effects of garlic oil (GO) on the peripheral nerve injuries induced by n-hexane. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (10 rats in each group): the control, the n-hexane treatment (2000 mg/kg), the low dose GO, and the high dose GO groups. The rats in the low and high doses of GO groups were pretreated with GO (40 and 80 mg/kg) before exposure to n-hexane (2000 mg/ kg), while the animals of the n-hexane treatment group were given normal saline and then 2000 mg/ kg n-hexane. The rats were exposed to GO and n-hexane 6 times a week for 10 weeks. The gait scores and staying time on the rotating rod for all rats were detected every two weeks. The rats were sacrificed at the end of ten weeks, then the levels of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), maleic dialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px), total antioxidation capacity(T-AOC) and the ability of inhibition of *OH in livers were examined. The gait scores increased significantly and the time staying on the rotating rod obviously decreased in rats of n-hexane treatment group, as compared with control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). In the hepatic tissues of n-hexane group, the levels of MDA and ADH significantly increased, the activities of GSH-Px, T-AOC and the ability of inhibition of *OH obviously decreased, as compared to control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). In 2 GO groups, the gait scores and the staying time on the rotating rod were significantly improved, the levels of MDA and ADH significantly decreased, the activities of GSH-Px, T-AOC and the ability of inhibition of *OH obviously increased, as compared with n-hexane group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01 ). ADH could play an important role in the protective effects induced by garlic oil on the peripheral nerve injuries produced by n-hexane.
Bi, Ye; Chen, Jing-jing; Li, Yang; Fu, Qiang-qiang; Zeng, Tao; Xie, Ke-qin
To study the role of CYP2E1 in the protective effects and mechanism of garlic oil (GO) on the peripheral nerve injuries induced by n-hexane. Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 10): the control, the GO (80 mg/kg) control, the n-hexane (2000 mg/kg) model, the low dose GO (40 mg/kg) plus n-hexane, and the high dose GO (80 mg/kg) plus n-hexane groups. All rats were treated by intragastric administration 6 times a week for 10 weeks. The gait scores were determined every two weeks for monitoring the peripheral neurotrosis. All rats were sacrificed in 10 weeks, the activities and expression levels of hepatic CYP2E1 and 2, 5-HD in serum were examined. As compared with control group, the content and activity of hepatic CYP2E1 in GO control group reduced by 83.1% and 48.3% respectively (P < 0.01), the content and activity of hepatic CYP2E1 in model group increased by 112.5% and 72.2% respectively (P < 0.01). As compared with model group, the contents of hepatic CYP2E1 in low dose and high dose GO groups reduced by 32.9% and 39.1% respectively, the activities of hepatic CYP2E1 in low dose and high dose GO groups reduced by 27.4% and 44.5% respectively (P < 0.01); the contents of serum 2,5-HD in low dose and high dose GO groups reduced by 47.7% and 78.7% respectively (P < 0.01). The gait scores in model, low dose and high dose GO groups were significantly lower than that in control group, but the gait scores in low dose and high dose GO groups were significantly lower than that in model group (P < 0.05). Garlic oil can effectively reduce the peripheral neurotrosis induced by n-hexane due to the decreased content and activity of hepatic CYP2E1, resulting in the reduced formation of 2, 5-HD from n-hexane.
Homa, Mónika; Fekete, Ildikó Pálma; Böszörményi, Andrea; Singh, Yendrembam Randhir Babu; Selvam, Kanesan Panneer; Shobana, Coimbatore Subramanian; Manikandan, Palanisamy; Kredics, László; Vágvölgyi, Csaba; Galgóczy, László
The present study was carried out to investigate the antifungal effects of Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Citrus limon, Juniperus communis, Eucalyptus citriodora, Gaultheria procumbens, Melaleuca alternifolia, Origanum majorana, Salvia sclarea, and Thymus vulgaris essential oils against Fusarium species, the most common etiologic agents of filamentous fungal keratitis in South India. C. zeylanicum essential oil showed strong anti-Fusarium activity, whereas all the other tested essential oils proved to be less effective. The main component of C. zeylanicum essential oil, trans-cinnamaldehyde, was also tested and showed a similar effect as the oil. The in vitro interaction between trans-cinnamaldehyde and natamycin, the first-line therapeutic agent of Fusarium keratitis, was also investigated; an enhanced fungal growth inhibition was observed when these agents were applied in combination. Light and fluorescent microscopic observations revealed that C. zeylanicum essential oil/trans-cinnamaldehyde reduces the cellular metabolism and inhibits the conidia germination. Furthermore, necrotic events were significantly more frequent in the presence of these two compounds. According to our results, C. zeylanicum essential oil/trans-cinnamaldehyde provides a promising basis to develop a novel strategy for the treatment of Fusarium keratitis. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.
Golfakhrabadi, Fereshteh; Khanavi, Mahnaz; Ostad, Seyed Nasser; Saeidnia, Soodabeh; Vatandoost, Hassan; Abai, Mohammad Reza; Hafizi, Mitra; Yousefbeyk, Fatemeh; Rad, Yaghoob Razzaghi; Baghenegadian, Ameneh; Ardekani, Mohammad Reza Shams
Background: Ferulago carduchorum Boiss and Hausskn belongs to the Apiaceae family. This plant grows in west part of Iran that local people added it to dairy and oil ghee to delay expiration date and give them a pleasant taste. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant, antimicrobial, acetyl cholinesterase inhibition, cytotoxic, larvicidal activities and composition of essential oil of F. carduchorum. Methods: Acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory, larvicidal activities and chemical composition of essential oil of F. carduchorum were investigated. Besides, antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of essential oil were tested using DPPH, microdilution method and MTT assay, respectively. Results: The major components of essential oil were (z)-β-ocimene (43.3%), α-pinene (18.23%) and bornyl acetate (3.98%). Among 43 identified components, monoterpenes were the most compounds (84.63%). The essential oil had noticeable efficiency against Candida albicans (MIC= 2340 μg ml−1) and it was effective against Anopheles stephensi with LC50 and LC90 values of 12.78 and 47.43 ppm, respectively. The essential oil could inhibit AChE (IC50= 23.6 μl ml−1). The essential oil showed high cytotoxicity on T47D, HEP-G2 and HT-29 cell lines (IC50< 2 μg ml−1). Conclusion: The essential oil of F. carduchorum collected from west of Iran had anti-Candida, larvicidal and cytotoxicity effects and should be further investigated in others in vitro and in vivo experimental models. PMID:26114148
Zheljazkov, Valtcho D; Astatkie, Tess; Schlegel, Vicki
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) is a major essential oil crop grown throughout the world. Coriander essential oil is extracted from coriander fruits via hydrodistillation, with the industry using 180-240 min of distillation time (DT), but the optimum DT for maximizing essential oil yield, composition of constituents, and antioxidant activities are not known. This research was conducted to determine the effect of DT on coriander oil yield, composition, and bioactivity. The results show that essential oil yield at the shorter DT was low and generally increased with increasing DT with the maximum yields achieved at DT between 40 and 160 min. The concentrations of the low-boiling point essential oil constituents: α-pinene, camphene, β-pinene, myrcene, para-cymene, limonene, and γ-terpinene were higher at shorter DT (< 2.5 min) and decreased with increasing DT; but the trend reversed for the high-boiling point constituents: geraniol and geranyl-acetate. The concentration of the major essential oil constituent, linalool, was 51% at DT 1.15 min, and increased steadily to 68% with increasing DT. In conclusion, 40 min DT is sufficient to maximize yield of essential oil; and different DT can be used to obtain essential oil with differential composition. Its antioxidant capacity was affected by the DT, with 20 and 240 min DT showing higher antioxidant activity. Comparisons of coriander essential oil composition must consider the length of the DT.
Abd El-Aziz, Abeer R. M.; Mahmoud, Mohamed A.; Al-Othman, Monira R.; Al-Gahtani, Munirah F.
Aspergillus spp. associated with cashew from the regions of Riyadh, Dammam, and Abha were isolated and three different culture media were used to qualitatively measure aflatoxin production by Aspergillus via UV light (365 nm), which was expressed as positive or negative. The obtained data showed that six isolates of A. flavus and four isolates of A. parasiticus were positive for aflatoxin production, while all isolates of A. niger were negative. Five commercially essential oils (thyme, garlic, cinnamon, mint, and rosemary) were tested to determine their influence on growth and aflatoxin production in A. flavus and A. parasiticus by performing high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that the tested essential oils caused highly significant inhibition of fungal growth and aflatoxin production in A. flavus and A. parasiticus. The extent of the inhibition of fungal growth and aflatoxin production was dependent on the type and concentration of essential oils applied. The results indicate that cinnamon and thyme oils show strong antimicrobial potential. PCR was used with four sets of primer pairs for nor-1, omt-1, ver-1, and aflR genes, enclosed in the aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway. The interpretation of the results revealed that PCR is a rapid and sensitive method. PMID:25705718
Abd El-Aziz, Abeer R M; Mahmoud, Mohamed A; Al-Othman, Monira R; Al-Gahtani, Munirah F
Aspergillus spp. associated with cashew from the regions of Riyadh, Dammam, and Abha were isolated and three different culture media were used to qualitatively measure aflatoxin production by Aspergillus via UV light (365 nm), which was expressed as positive or negative. The obtained data showed that six isolates of A. flavus and four isolates of A. parasiticus were positive for aflatoxin production, while all isolates of A. niger were negative. Five commercially essential oils (thyme, garlic, cinnamon, mint, and rosemary) were tested to determine their influence on growth and aflatoxin production in A. flavus and A. parasiticus by performing high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that the tested essential oils caused highly significant inhibition of fungal growth and aflatoxin production in A. flavus and A. parasiticus. The extent of the inhibition of fungal growth and aflatoxin production was dependent on the type and concentration of essential oils applied. The results indicate that cinnamon and thyme oils show strong antimicrobial potential. PCR was used with four sets of primer pairs for nor-1, omt-1, ver-1, and aflR genes, enclosed in the aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway. The interpretation of the results revealed that PCR is a rapid and sensitive method.
Aromatherapy research with cancer patients has studied the effect of essential oils on anxiety, nausea, vomiting, and other health conditions. Learn more about aromatherapy use as a complementary therapy in this expert-reviewed summary.
Pan, J G; Xu, Z L; Ji, L
The constituents of the essential oils obtained from the leaves of Artemisia argyi, A. argyi cv.qiai, A. lavandulaefolia, A. mongolica, A. princeps and A. argyi var. gracilis were analysed by GC-MS. 96 compounds including alpha-thujene, 1,8-cineole, camphor and artemisia alcohol, etc. were identified. Their percentages in the oils were given.
The essential oil present in the aerial parts of the plant Nepeta manchuriensis was prepared by steam distillation using clevenger apparatus. The chemical composition of the oil was studied by GCMS. Sabinene, elemol, selinene, 4-terpineol, menthatriene and neoisothujol are the major components and r...
Satyal, Prabodh; Murray, Brittney L.; McFeeters, Robert L.; Setzer, William N.
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) is a commonly used flavoring agent and medicinal herb. Several chemotypes of thyme, based on essential oil compositions, have been established, including (1) linalool; (2) borneol; (3) geraniol; (4) sabinene hydrate; (5) thymol; (6) carvacrol, as well as a number of multiple-component chemotypes. In this work, two different T. vulgaris essential oils were obtained from France and two were obtained from Serbia. The chemical compositions were determined using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. In addition, chiral gas chromatography was used to determine the enantiomeric compositions of several monoterpenoid components. The T. vulgaris oil from Nyons, France was of the linalool chemotype (linalool, 76.2%; linalyl acetate, 14.3%); the oil sample from Jablanicki, Serbia was of the geraniol chemotype (geraniol, 59.8%; geranyl acetate, 16.7%); the sample from Pomoravje District, Serbia was of the sabinene hydrate chemotype (cis-sabinene hydrate, 30.8%; trans-sabinene hydrate, 5.0%); and the essential oil from Richerenches, France was of the thymol chemotype (thymol, 47.1%; p-cymene, 20.1%). A cluster analysis based on the compositions of these essential oils as well as 81 additional T. vulgaris essential oils reported in the literature revealed 20 different chemotypes. This work represents the first chiral analysis of T. vulgaris monoterpenoids and a comprehensive description of the different chemotypes of T. vulgaris. PMID:28231164
Astani, Akram; Reichling, Jürgen; Schnitzler, Paul
Essential oil of star anise as well as phenylpropanoids and sesquiterpenes, for example, trans-anethole, eugenol, β-eudesmol, farnesol, β-caryophyllene and β-caryophyllene oxide, which are present in many essential oils, were examined for their antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in vitro. Antiviral activity was analyzed by plaque reduction assays and mode of antiviral action was determined by addition of the drugs to uninfected cells, to the virus prior to infection or to herpesvirus-infected cells. Star anise oil reduced viral infectivity by >99%, phenylpropanoids inhibited HSV infectivity by about 60–80% and sesquiterpenes suppressed herpes virus infection by 40–98%. Both, star anise essential oil and all isolated compounds exhibited anti-HSV-1 activity by direct inactivation of free virus particles in viral suspension assays. All tested drugs interacted in a dose-dependent manner with herpesvirus particles, thereby inactivating viral infectivity. Star anise oil, rich in trans-anethole, revealed a high selectivity index of 160 against HSV, whereas among the isolated compounds only β-caryophyllene displayed a high selectivity index of 140. The presence of β-caryophyllene in many essential oils might contribute strongly to their antiviral ability. These results indicate that phenylpropanoids and sesquiterpenes present in essential oils contribute to their antiviral activity against HSV. PMID:20008902
Alizadeh, Alireza; Zamani, Elham; Sharaifi, Rohollah; Javan-Nikkhah, Mohammad; Nazari, Somayeh
Increasing attentions have been paid on the application of essential oils and plant extracts for control of postharvest pathogens due to their natural origin and less appearance of resistance in fungi pathogens. Some Aspergillus species are toxigenic and responsible for many cases of food and feed contamination. Some Toxins that produce with some Aspergillus species are known to be potent hepatocarcinogens in animals and humans. The present work evaluated the parameters of antifungal activity of the essential oils of Zataria multiflora, Thymus migricus, Satureja hortensis, Foeniculum vulgare, Carum capticum and thiabendazol fungicide on survival and growth of different species of Aspergillus. Aerial part and seeds of plant species were collected then dried and its essential oils isolated by means of hydrodistillation. Antifungal activity was evaluated in vitro by poisonous medium technique with PDA medium at six concentrations. Results showed that all essential oils could inhibit the growth of Aspergillus species. The essential oil with the best effect and lowest EC50 and MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) was Z. multiflora (223 microl/l and 650 microl/l, respectively). The chemical composition of the Z. multiflora essential oil was analyzed by GC-MS.
Samadi, N; Sharifan, A; Emam-Djomeh, Z; Sormaghi, M H Salehi
Hamburgers with high nutrient supply and a loosely-packed structure present favourable conditions for microbial growth. In this study, the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Zataria multiflora and its potential application as a natural preservative in reducing the indigenous microbial population of hamburgers were investigated. Carvacrol, thymol and linalool were found to be the most abundant constituents of the essential oil using GC-MS analysis. The essential oil exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Addition of Z. multiflora essential oil in concentrations higher than MIC values influenced the microbial population of hamburgers stored at 25°C, 4°C and -12°C. The significant results of this study are our observations that the use of Z. multiflora essential oil at 0.05% v/w increases the time needed for the natural microflora of hamburgers to reach concentrations able to produce a perceivable spoilage at refrigerator and room temperatures without any inverse effect on their sensory attributes. Freezing of essential oil-treated hamburgers may also reduce the risk of diseases associated with consumption of under-cooked hamburgers through significant microbial reduction by more than 3 log.
Irkin, Reyhan; Korukluoglu, Mihriban
Food safety is a fundamental concern of both consumers and the food industry. The increasing incidence of foodborne diseases increases the demand of using antimicrobials in foods. Spices and plants are rich in essential oils and show inhibition activity against microorganisms, which are composed of many compounds. In this research, effects of garlic, bay, black pepper, origanum, orange, thyme, tea tree, mint, clove, and cumin essential oils on Listeria monocytogenes AUFE 39237, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Salmonella enteritidis ATCC 13076, Proteus mirabilis AUFE 43566, Bacillus cereus AUFE 81154, Saccharomyces uvarum UUFE 16732, Kloeckera apiculata UUFE 10628, Candida albicans ATCC 10231, Candida oleophila UUPP 94365, and Metschnikowia fructicola UUPP 23067 and effects of thyme oil at a concentration of 0.5% on L. monocytogenes and C. albicans in apple-carrot juice during +4 degrees C storage (first to fifth day) were investigated. Strong antibacterial and antifungal activities of some essential oils were found. Thyme, origanum, clove, and orange essential oils were the most inhibitory against bacteria and yeasts. Cumin, tea tree, and mint oils inhibited the yeasts actively. It is concluded that some essential oils could be used as potential biopreservatives capable of controlling foodborne pathogens and food spoilage yeasts.
Fang, Fang; Candy, Kerdalidec; Melloul, Elise; Bernigaud, Charlotte; Chai, Ling; Darmon, Céline; Durand, Rémy; Botterel, Françoise; Chosidow, Olivier; Izri, Arezki; Huang, Weiyi; Guillot, Jacques
The development of alternative approaches in ectoparasite management is currently required. Essential oils have been demonstrated to exhibit fumigant and topical toxicity to a number of arthropods. The aim of the present study was to assess the potential efficacy of ten essential oils against Sarcoptes scabiei. The major chemical components of the oils were identified by GC-MS analysis. Contact and fumigation bioassays were performed on Sarcoptes mites collected from experimentally infected pigs. For contact bioassays, essential oils were diluted with paraffin to get concentrations at 10, 5, and even 1% for the most efficient ones. The mites were inspected under a stereomicroscope 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180min after contact. For fumigation bioassay, a filter paper was treated with 100 μL of the pure essential oil. The mites were inspected under a stereomicroscope for the first 5min, and then every 5min until 1h. Using contact bioassays, 1% clove and palmarosa oil killed all the mites within 20 and 50min, respectively. The oils efficacy order was: clove > palmarosa > geranium > tea tree > lavender > manuka > bitter orange > eucalyptus > Japanese cedar. In fumigation bioassays, the efficacy order was: tea tree > clove > eucalyptus > lavender > palmarosa > geranium > Japanese cedar > bitter orange > manuka. In both bioassays, cade oil showed no activity. Essential oils, especially tea tree, clove, palmarosa, and eucalyptus oils, are potential complementary or alternative products to treat S. scabiei infections in humans or animals, as well as to control the mites in the environment.
Zheljazkov, Valtcho D; Cantrell, Charles L; Astatkie, Tess; Jeliazkova, Ekaterina
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) is one of the most widely grown essential oil crops in the world. Commercial extraction of lavender oil is done using steam distillation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the length of the distillation time (DT) on lavender essential oil yield and composition when extracted from dried flowers. Therefore, the following distillation times (DT) were tested in this experiment: 1.5 min, 3 min, 3.75 min, 7.5 min, 15 min, 30 min, 60 min, 90 min, 120 min, 150 min, 180 min, and 240 min. The essential oil yield (range 0.5-6.8%) reached a maximum at 60 min DT. The concentrations of cineole (range 6.4-35%) and fenchol (range 1.7-2.9%) were highest at the 1.5 min DT and decreased with increasing length of the DT. The concentration of camphor (range 6.6-9.2%) reached a maximum at 7.5-15 min DT, while the concentration of linalool acetate (range 15-38%) reached a maximum at 30 min DT. Results suggest that lavender essential oil yield may not increase after 60 min DT. The change in essential oil yield, and the concentrations of cineole, fenchol and linalool acetate as DT changes were modeled very well by the asymptotic nonlinear regression model. DT may be used to modify the chemical profile of lavender oil and to obtain oils with differential chemical profiles from the same lavender flowers. DT must be taken into consideration when citing or comparing reports on lavender essential oil yield and composition.
Yin, Ailing; Han, Zhifeng; Shen, Jie; Guo, Liwei; Cao, Guiping
To study on the separation from essential oil-in-water emulsion of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride by ultrafiltration and acetoacetate extraction methods respectively, and the comparison of the oil yields and chemical compositions. Essential oil-in-water emulsion of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride was separated by ultrafiltration and acetoacetate extraction methods respectively, and the chemical compositions were analyzed and compared by GC-MS. Ultrafiltration method could enrich essential oil more and its chemical compositions were more similar to the essential oil prepared by steam distillation method. Ultrafiltration method is a good medium to separate essential oil from essential oil-in-water emulsion of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium Viride.
de Almeida, Macia C. S.; Souza, Luciana G. S.; Ferreira, Daniele A.; Monte, Francisco J. Q.; Braz-Filho, Raimundo; de Lemos, Telma L. G.
Background: Bauhinia pentandrais popularly known as “mororó” and inhabits the Caatinga and Savannah biomes. Objective: This paper reports the chemical composition of the essential and fatty oils of the leaves from B. pentandra. Materials and Methods: The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and the fixed oil by extraction with hexane, followed by saponification with KOH/MeOH, and methylation using MeOH/HCl. The constituents were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: The major constituent of the essential oil was the phytol (58.78% ±8.51%), and of the fatty oil were palmitic (29.03%), stearic (28.58%) and linolenic (10.53%) acids. Conclusion: Of the compounds identified in the essential oil, three are first reported in this species, and this is the first record of the chemical composition of the fixed oil. PMID:26664026
de Almeida, Macia C S; Souza, Luciana G S; Ferreira, Daniele A; Monte, Francisco J Q; Braz-Filho, Raimundo; de Lemos, Telma L G
Bauhinia pentandrais popularly known as "mororó" and inhabits the Caatinga and Savannah biomes. This paper reports the chemical composition of the essential and fatty oils of the leaves from B. pentandra. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and the fixed oil by extraction with hexane, followed by saponification with KOH/MeOH, and methylation using MeOH/HCl. The constituents were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major constituent of the essential oil was the phytol (58.78% ±8.51%), and of the fatty oil were palmitic (29.03%), stearic (28.58%) and linolenic (10.53%) acids. Of the compounds identified in the essential oil, three are first reported in this species, and this is the first record of the chemical composition of the fixed oil.
Petrelli, Riccardo; Orsomando, Giuseppe; Sorci, Leonardo; Maggi, Filippo; Ranjbarian, Farahnaz; Biapa Nya, Prosper C; Petrelli, Dezemona; Vitali, Luca A; Lupidi, Giulio; Quassinti, Luana; Bramucci, Massimo; Hofer, Anders; Cappellacci, Loredana
Erigeron floribundus (Asteraceae) is an herbaceous plant widely used in Cameroonian traditional medicine to treat various diseases of microbial and non-microbial origin. In the present study, we evaluated the in vitro biological activities displayed by the essential oil obtained from the aerial parts of E. floribundus, namely the antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiproliferative activities. Moreover, we investigated the inhibitory effects of E. floribundus essential oil on nicotinate mononucleotide adenylyltransferase (NadD), a promising new target for developing novel antibiotics, and Trypanosoma brucei, the protozoan parasite responsible for Human African trypanosomiasis. The essential oil composition was dominated by spathulenol (12.2%), caryophyllene oxide (12.4%) and limonene (8.8%). The E. floribundus oil showed a good activity against Staphylococcus aureus (inhibition zone diameter, IZD of 14 mm, minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC of 512 µg/mL). Interestingly, it inhibited the NadD enzyme from S. aureus (IC50 of 98 µg/mL), with no effects on mammalian orthologue enzymes. In addition, T. brucei proliferation was inhibited with IC50 values of 33.5 µg/mL with the essential oil and 5.6 µg/mL with the active component limonene. The essential oil exhibited strong cytotoxicity on HCT 116 colon carcinoma cells with an IC50 value of 14.89 µg/mL, and remarkable ferric reducing antioxidant power (tocopherol-equivalent antioxidant capacity, TEAC = 411.9 μmol·TE/g).
Filoche, S K; Soma, K; Sissons, C H
The aim of the present study was to compare antimicrobial effects of essential oils alone and in combination with chlorhexidine digluconate against planktonic and biofilm cultures of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus plantarum. The essential oils included cinnamon, tea-tree (Melaleuca alternifola), manuka (Leptospermum scoparium), Leptospermum morrisonii, arnica, eucalyptus, grapefruit, the essential oil mouthrinse Cool Mint Listerine and two of its components, menthol and thymol. Cinnamon exhibited the greatest antimicrobial potency (1.25-2.5 mg/ml). Manuka, L. morrisonii, tea-tree oils, and thymol also showed antimicrobial potency but to a lesser extent. The combination effect of the essential oil-chlorhexidine was greater against biofilm cultures of both S. mutans and L. plantarum than against planktonic cultures. The amount of chlorhexidine required to achieve an equivalent growth inhibition against the biofilm cultures was reduced 4-10-fold in combination with cinnamon, manuka, L. morrisonii, thymol, and Listerine. We conclude that there may be a role for essential oils in the development of novel anticaries treatments.
Harder, J; Heyen, U; Probian, C; Foss, S
Plant volatile organic compounds are a major carbon source in nature. We studied the degradability of these substances by anaerobic microorganisms in enrichment cultures with representative essential oils as organic substrates and nitrate as electron acceptor. Lemon and pine needle oil supported microbial growth in the presence of pure oil, whereas parsley seed, camphor, sage, fennel, and mint oil supported growth only when the essential oils were dissolved in an overlying phase of 2,2,4,4,6,8,8-heptamethylnonane. Thyme oil did not support denitrification. Analyses of the microbially degraded oils revealed the disappearance of monoterpenes, of several monoterpenoids, and of methoxy-propenyl-benzenes, including apiole and myristicin. Most-probable-number determinations for denitrifying communities in sewage sludge and forest soil yielded 10(6) to 10(7) monoterpene-utilizing cells ml(-1), representing 0.7 to 100% of the total cultivable nitrate-reducing microorganisms. The utilization of essential oils together with the common occurrence of this metabolic trait are indications for an environmentally important, but currently unexplored anaerobic turnover of plant volatile organic compounds in soil.
Lindeman, Zachary; Waggoner, Molly; Batdorff, Audra; Humphreys, Tricia L
Haemophilus ducreyi is the bacterium responsible for the genital ulcer disease chancroid, a cofactor for the transmission of HIV, and it is resistant to many antibiotics. With the goal of exploring possible alternative treatments, we tested essential oils (EOs) for their efficacy as antimicrobial agents against H. ducreyi. We determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Cinnamomum verum (cinnamon), Eugenia caryophyllus (clove) and Thymus satureioides (thyme) oil against 9 strains of H. ducreyi using the agar dilution method. We also determined the minimum lethal concentration for each oil by subculturing from the MIC plates onto fresh agar without essential oil. For both tests, we used a 2-way ANOVA to evaluate whether antibiotic-resistant strains had a different sensitivity to the oils relative to non-resistant strains. All 3 oils demonstrated excellent activity against H. ducreyi, with MICs of 0.05 to 0.52 mg/mL and MLCs of 0.1-0.5 mg/mL. Antibiotic-resistant strains of H. ducreyi were equally susceptible to these 3 essential oils relative to non-resistant strains (p=0.409). E. caryophyllus, C. verum and T. satureioides oils are promising alternatives to antibiotic treatment for chancroid.
Lee, Kwang-Hee; Kim, Beom-Su; Keum, Ki-Suk; Yu, Hyeon-Hee; Kim, Young-Hoi; Chang, Byoung-Soo; Ra, Ji-Young; Moon, Hae-Dalma; Seo, Bo-Ra; Choi, Na-Young; You, Yong-Ouk
Curcuma longa (C. longa) has been used as a spice in foods and as an antimicrobial in Oriental medicine. In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory effects of an essential oil isolated from C. longa on the cariogenic properties of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), which is an important bacterium in dental plaque and dental caries formation. First, the inhibitory effects of C. longa essential oil on the growth and acid production of S. mutans were tested. Next, the effect of C. longa essential oil on adhesion to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite beads (S-HAs) was investigated. C. longa essential oil inhibited the growth and acid production of S. mutans at concentrations from 0.5 to 4 mg/mL. The essential oil also exhibited significant inhibition of S. mutans adherence to S-HAs at concentrations higher than 0.5 mg/mL. S. mutans biofilm formation was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and safranin staining. The essential oil of C. longa inhibited the formation of S. mutans biofilms at concentrations higher than 0.5 mg/mL. The components of C. longa essential oil were then analyzed by GC and GC-MS, and the major components were α-turmerone (35.59%), germacrone (19.02%), α-zingiberene (8.74%), αr-turmerone (6.31%), trans-β-elemenone (5.65%), curlone (5.45%), and β-sesquiphellandrene (4.73%). These results suggest that C. longa may inhibit the cariogenic properties of S. mutans. © 2011 Institute of Food Technologists®
Al-Maskri, Ahmed Yahya; Hanif, Muhammad Asif; Al-Maskari, Masoud Yahya; Abraham, Alfie Susan; Al-sabahi, Jamal Nasser; Al-Mantheri, Omar
The focus of the present study was on the influence of season on yield, chemical composition, antioxidant and antifungal activities of Omani basil (Ocimum basilicum) oil. The present study involved only one of the eight Omani basil varieties. The hydro-distilled essential oil yields were computed to be 0.1%, 0.3% and 0.1% in the winter, spring and summer seasons, respectively. The major components identified were L- linalool (26.5-56.3%), geraniol (12.1-16.5%), 1,8-cineole (2.5-15.1%), p-allylanisole (0.2-13.8%) and DL-limonene (0.2-10.4%). A noteworthy extra component was beta- farnesene, which was exclusively detected in the oil extracted during winter and spring at 6.3% and 5.8%, respectively. The essential oil composition over the different seasons was quite idiosyncratic, in which the principal components of one season were either trivial or totally absent in another. The essential oil extracted in spring exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (except DPPH scavenging ability) in comparison with the oils from other seasons. The basil oil was tested against pathogenic fungi viz. Aspergillus niger, A. fumigatus, Penicillium italicum and Rhizopus stolonifer using a disc diffusion method, and by determination of minimum inhibitory concentration. Surprisingly high antifungal values were found highlighting the potential of Omani basil as a preservative in the food and medical industries.
Furtado, Fabiana Barcelos; Borges, Bruna Cristina; Teixeira, Thaise Lara; de Almeida Junior, Luiz Domingues; Alves, Fernanda Cristina Bérgamo; da Silva, Claudio Vieira
Natural products represent a source of biologically active molecules that have an important role in drug discovery. The aromatic plant Blepharocalyx salicifolius has a diverse chemical constitution but the biological activities of its essential oils have not been thoroughly investigated. The aims of this paper were to evaluate in vitro cytotoxic, antifungal and antibacterial activities of an essential oil from leaves of B. salicifolius and to identify its main chemical constituents. The essential oil was extracted by steam distillation, chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and biological activities were performed by a microdilution broth method. The yield of essential oil was 0.86% (w/w), and the main constituents identified were bicyclogermacrene (17.50%), globulol (14.13%), viridiflorol (8.83%), γ-eudesmol (7.89%) and α-eudesmol (6.88%). The essential oil was cytotoxic against the MDA-MB-231 (46.60 μg·mL−1) breast cancer cell line, being more selective for this cell type compared to the normal breast cell line MCF-10A (314.44 μg·mL−1). Flow cytometry and cytotoxicity results showed that this oil does not act by inducing cell death, but rather by impairment of cellular metabolism specifically of the cancer cells. Furthermore, it presented antifungal activity against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (156.25 μg·mL−1) but was inactive against other fungi and bacteria. Essential oil from B. salicifolius showed promising biological activities and is therefore a source of molecules to be exploited in medicine or by the pharmaceutical industry. PMID:29300307
Sajid, Arfaa; Manzoor, Qaisar; Iqbal, Munawar; Tyagi, Amit Kumar; Sarfraz, Raja Adil; Sajid, Anam
The present study was conducted to appraise the anticancer activity of Pinus roxburghii essential oil along with chemical composition evaluation. MTT assay revealed cytotoxicity induction in colon, leukemia, multiple myeloma, pancreatic, head and neck and lung cancer cells exposed to essential oil. Cancer cell death was also observed through live/dead cell viability assay and FACS analysis. Apoptosis induced by essential oil was confirmed by cleavage of PARP and caspase-3 that suppressed the colony-forming ability of tumor cells and 50 % inhibition occurred at a dose of 25 μg/mL. Moreover, essential oil inhibited the activation of inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB and inhibited expression of NF-κB regulated gene products linked to cell survival (survivin, c-FLIP, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, c-Myc, c-IAP2), proliferation (Cyclin D1) and metastasis (MMP-9). P. roxburghii essential oil has considerable anticancer activity and could be used as anticancer agent, which needs further investigation to identify and purify the bioactive compounds followed by in vivo studies. PMID:29743861
Zhao, Xiuhong; Xin, Guang; Zhao, Lichun; Xiao, Zhigang; Xue, Bai
This study demonstrated the chemical constituents of the essential oil of Aristolochia manshurientsis Kom and improved the essential oil efficiency by the enzyme-assisted extraction followed by hydrodistillation. The essential oils of Aristolochia manshurientsis Kom acquired by hydrodistillation after the solvent extraction with and without the assistance of cellulase have been investigated by gas chromatography/Mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The predominant constituents of both types of essential oils are camphene, 1,7,7-trimethyl-bicyclo [2.2.1] hept-2-yl acetate, 1,6-dimethyl-4-(1-methylethyl) naphthalene, caryophyllene oxide, borneol, and (-)-Spathulenol. The enzyme-assisted extraction not only increased extracting efficiency of the essential oil from 4.93% to 9.36%, but also facilitated the extraction of additional eight compounds such as 2-methano(-6,6-dimethyl) bicycle [3.1.1] hept-2-ene, (+)--terpineol and 1-propyl-3-(propen-1-yl) adamantane, which were not identified from the non-enzyme extraction sample.
Sajid, Arfaa; Manzoor, Qaisar; Iqbal, Munawar; Tyagi, Amit Kumar; Sarfraz, Raja Adil; Sajid, Anam
The present study was conducted to appraise the anticancer activity of Pinus roxburghii essential oil along with chemical composition evaluation. MTT assay revealed cytotoxicity induction in colon, leukemia, multiple myeloma, pancreatic, head and neck and lung cancer cells exposed to essential oil. Cancer cell death was also observed through live/dead cell viability assay and FACS analysis. Apoptosis induced by essential oil was confirmed by cleavage of PARP and caspase-3 that suppressed the colony-forming ability of tumor cells and 50 % inhibition occurred at a dose of 25 μg/mL. Moreover, essential oil inhibited the activation of inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB and inhibited expression of NF-κB regulated gene products linked to cell survival (survivin, c-FLIP, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, c-Myc, c-IAP2), proliferation (Cyclin D1) and metastasis (MMP-9). P. roxburghii essential oil has considerable anticancer activity and could be used as anticancer agent, which needs further investigation to identify and purify the bioactive compounds followed by in vivo studies.
Vergis, Jess; Gokulakrishnan, P; Agarwal, R K; Kumar, Ashok
Food-borne illnesses pose a real scourge in the present scenario as the consumerism of packaged food has increased to a great extend. Pathogens entering the packaged foods may survive longer, which needs a check. Antimicrobial agents either alone or in combination are added to the food or packaging materials for this purpose. Exploiting the antimicrobial property, essential oils are considered as a "natural" remedy to this problem other than its flavoring property instead of using synthetic agents. The essential oils are well known for its antibacterial, antiviral, antimycotic, antiparasitic, and antioxidant properties due to the presence of phenolic functional group. Gram-positive organisms are found more susceptible to the action of the essential oils. Essential oils improve the shelf-life of packaged products, control the microbial growth, and unriddle the consumer concerns regarding the use of chemical preservatives. This review is intended to provide an overview of the essential oils and their role as natural antimicrobial agents in the food industry.
Raimundo, Keila Fernanda; Bortolucci, Wanessa de Campos; Glamočlija, Jasmina; Soković, Marina; Gonçalves, José Eduardo; Linde, Giani Andrea; Colauto, Nelson Barros; Gazim, Zilda Cristiani
Gallesia integrifolia (Phytolaccaceae) is native to Brazil and has a strong alliaceous odor. The objective of this study was to identify the chemical composition of G. integrifolia fruit essential oil and evaluate fungicidal activity against the main food-borne diseases and food spoilage fungi. The essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation and identified by GC-MS. From 35 identified compounds, 68% belonged to the organosulfur class. The major compounds were dimethyl trisulfide (15.49%), 2,8-dithianonane (52.63%) and lenthionine (14.69%). The utilized fungi were Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus versicolor, Penicillium funiculosum, Penicillium ochrochloron, Penicillium verrucosum var. cyclopium, and Trichoderma viride. Minimal fungicidal concentration for the essential oil varied from 0.02 to 0.18mg/mL and bifonazole and ketoconazole controls ranged from 0.20 to 3.50mg/mL. The lower concentration of the essential oil was able to control P. ochrochloron, A. fumigatus, A. versicolor, A. ochraceus and T. viride. This study shows a high fungicidal activity of G. integrifolia fruit essential oil and can support future applications by reducing the use of synthetic fungicides. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda.
Costa, Emmanoel V; Menezes, Leociley R A; Rocha, Suellen L A; Baliza, Ingrid R S; Dias, Rosane B; Rocha, Clarissa A Gurgel; Soares, Milena B P; Bezerra, Daniel P
Zornia brasiliensis, popularly known as "urinária", "urinana", and "carrapicho", is a medicinal plant used in Brazilian northeast folk medicine as a diuretic and against venereal diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical composition and antitumor potential of the leaf essential oil of Z. brasiliensis. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus and analyzed by GC-MS and GC-FID. Its composition was characterized by the presence of trans-nerolidol, germacrene D, trans-caryophyllene, α-humulene, and farnesene as major constituents. In vitro cytotoxicity of the essential oil and some of its major constituents (trans-nerolidol, trans-caryophyllene, and α-humulene) was evaluated for tumor cell lines from different histotypes using the Alamar blue assay. The essential oil, but not the constituents tested, presented promising cytotoxicity. Furthermore, mice inoculated with B16-F10 mouse melanoma were used to confirm its in vivo effectiveness. An in vivo antitumor study showed tumor growth inhibition rates of 1.68-38.61 % (50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively). In conclusion, the leaf essential oil of Z. brasiliensis presents trans-nerolidol, germacrene D, trans-caryophyllene, α-humulene, and farnesene as major constituents and is able to inhibit cell proliferation in cultures as well as in tumor growth in mice. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.
Meng, Jiang; Dong, Xiao-ping; Zhou, Yi-sheng; Jiang, Zhi-hong; Leung, Kelvin Sze-Yin; Zhao, Zhong-zhen
To optimize the extraction procedure of essential oil from H. cordata using the SFE-CO2 and analyze the chemical composition of the essential oil. The extraction procedure of essential oil from fresh H. cordata was optimized with the orthogonal experiment. Essential oil of fresh H. cordata was analysed by GC-MS. The optimize preparative procedure was as follow: essential oil of H. cordata was extracted at a temperature of 35 degrees C, pressure of 15,000 kPa for 20 min. 38 chemical components were identified and the relative contents were quantified. The optimum preparative procedure is reliable and can guarantee the quality of essential oil.
Anderson, C; Lis-Balchin, M; Kirk-Smith, M
Childhood atopic eczema is an increasingly common condition in young children. As well as being irritating to the child, it causes sleepless nights for both the child and the family and leads to difficulties in parental relationships and can have severe effects on employment. A group of eight children, born to professional working mothers were studied to test the hypothesis that massage with essential oils (aromatherapy) used as a complementary therapy in conjunction with normal medical treatment, would help to alleviate the symptoms of childhood atopic eczema. The children were randomly allocated to the massage with essential oils group and both counselled and massaged with a mixture of essential oils by the therapist once a week and the mother every day over a period of 8 weeks. The preferred essential oils, chosen by the mothers for their child, from 36 commonly used aromatherapy oils, were: sweet marjoram, frankinsence, German chamomile, myrrh, thyme, benzoin, spike lavender and Litsea cubeba. A control group of children received the counselling and massage without essential oils. The treatments were evaluated by means of daily day-time irritation scores and night time disturbance scores, determined by the mother before and during the treatment, both over an 8 week period; finally general improvement scores were allocated 2 weeks after the treatment by the therapist, the general practitioner and the mother. The study employed a single case experimental design across subjects, such that there were both a within-subject control and between-subjects control, through the interventions being introduced at different times. The results showed a significant improvement in the eczema in the two groups of children following therapy, but there was no significant difference in improvement shown between the aromatherapy massage and massage only group. Thus there is evidence that tactile contact between mother and child benefits the symptoms of atopic eczema but there is no
Sadeghi, Ehsan; Mahtabani, Aidin; Etminan, Alireza; Karami, Farahnaz
This study has been considered effect of Ferulago angulata essential oil on stabilizing soybean oil during accelerated storage. The essential oil was extracted by Clevenger-type apparatus. For analysis of the essential oil, GC/MS was used. Main components of the essential oil were monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. The essential oil of F. angulata at four concentrations, i.e. 125 (SBO-125), 250 (SBO-250), 500 (SBO-500) and SBO-Mixture (60 ppm TBHQ +60 ppm essential oil) were added to preheated refined soybean oil. TBHQ was used at 120 ppm as standard besides the control. Antioxidant activity index (AAI), free fatty acid (FFA) content, peroxide value (PV) and p-anisidine value (p-AnV) were served for appreciation of efficacy of F. angulata in stabilization of soybean oil. Results from different tests showed that SBO-mixture had highest effect and followed by SBO-TBHQ, SBO-250, SBO-125, SBO-500 and Ctrl. These results reveal F. angulata is a strong antioxidant and can be used instead of synthetic antioxidant.
Martins, A P; Salgueiro, L R; Gonçalves, M J; Proença da Cunha, A; Vila, R; Cañigueral, S
The composition and the antimicrobial activity of the bark oil of Santiria trimera (Oliv.) Aubrév., a plant widely used by the traditional healers in S. Tomé and Príncipe, especially for wound healing, are reported for the first time. The analysis of the essential oil was carried out by GC and GC-MS. The oil contains a high content of monoterpenes, alpha-pinene (66.6 %) being the major constituent, followed by beta-pinene (20.0 %). The essential oil was active against both bacteria and fungi strains, except Staphylococcus epidermidis and Aspergillus niger. It exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against Proteus vulgaris and Cryptococcus neoformans with MICs values of 1.11 microl/ml and lower than 0.71 microl/ml, respectively.
de Oliveira, Erick F; Paula, Haroldo C B; de Paula, Regina C M
Alginate/cashew gum nanoparticles were prepared via spray-drying, aiming at the development of a biopolymer blend for encapsulation of an essential oil. Nanoparticles were characterized regarding to their hydrodynamic volume, surface charge, Lippia sidoides essential oil content and release profile, in addition to being analyzed by infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermal analysis (TGA/DSC) and X-ray diffractometry. Nanoparticles in solution were found to have averaged sizes in the range 223-399 nm, and zeta potential values ranging from -30 to -36 mV. Encapsulated oil levels varied from 1.9 to 4.4% with an encapsulation efficiency of up to 55%. The in vitro release profile showed that between 45 and 95% of oil was released within 30-50h. Kinetic studies revealed that release pattern follow a Korsmeyer-Peppas mechanism. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Navarra, Michele; Mannucci, Carmen; Delbò, Marisa; Calapai, Gioacchino
Citrus bergamia Risso et Poiteau, also known as "Bergamot," is a plant belonging to the Rutaceae family, defined as a hybrid of bitter orange and lemon. It is an endemic plant of the Calabria region (Italy). Bergamot fruit is primarily used for the extraction of its essential oil (bergamot essential oil: BEO), employed in perfume, cosmetics, food, and confections. The aim of this review was to collect recent data from the literature on C. bergamia essential oil and, through a critical analysis, focus on safety and the beneficial effects on human health. Clinical studies on the therapeutic applications of BEO exclusively focus on the field of aromatherapy, suggesting that its use can be useful for reducing anxiety and stress.
Navarra, Michele; Mannucci, Carmen; Delbò, Marisa; Calapai, Gioacchino
Citrus bergamia Risso et Poiteau, also known as “Bergamot,” is a plant belonging to the Rutaceae family, defined as a hybrid of bitter orange and lemon. It is an endemic plant of the Calabria region (Italy). Bergamot fruit is primarily used for the extraction of its essential oil (bergamot essential oil: BEO), employed in perfume, cosmetics, food, and confections. The aim of this review was to collect recent data from the literature on C. bergamia essential oil and, through a critical analysis, focus on safety and the beneficial effects on human health. Clinical studies on the therapeutic applications of BEO exclusively focus on the field of aromatherapy, suggesting that its use can be useful for reducing anxiety and stress. PMID:25784877
Saab, Antoine M; Gambari, Roberto; Sacchetti, Gianni; Guerrini, Alessandra; Lampronti, Ilaria; Tacchini, Massimo; El Samrani, Antoine; Medawar, Samir; Makhlouf, Hassane; Tannoury, Mona; Abboud, Jihad; Diab-Assaf, Mona; Kijjoa, Anake; Tundis, Rosa; Aoun, Jawad; Efferth, Thomas
Natural products frequently exert pharmacological activities. The present review gives an overview of the ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology of the Cedrus genus, e.g. cytotoxic, spasmolytic immunomodulatory, antiallergic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Cancer patients frequently seek remedies from traditional medicinal plants that are believed to exert less side effects than conventional therapy with synthetic drugs. A long-lasting goal of anti-cancer and anti-microbial therapy research is to find compounds with reduced side effects compared to currently approved drugs. In this respect, Cedrus species might be of interest. The essential oil isolated from Cedrus libani leaves may bear potential for drug development due to its high concentrations of germacrene D and β-caryophyllene. The essential oils from Cedrus species also show bioactivity against bacteria and viruses. More preclinical analyses (e.g. in vivo experiments) as well as clinical trials are required to evaluate the potential of essential oils from Cedrus species for drug development.
Zhao, Hong-Zheng; Luo, Jiao-Yang; Liu, Qiu-Tao; Lv, Ze-Liang; Yang, Shi-Hai; Yang, Mei-Hua
Mosquitoes are seriously harmful to human health for transmitting some mortal diseases. Among the methods of mosquito control, synthetical insecticides are the most popular. However, as a result of longterm use of these insecticides, high resistant mosquitos and heavy environmental pollution appear. Thus, eco-friendly prevention measures are taken into the agenda. Essential oils extracted from medicinal plants have repellent and smoked killing effects on mosquitoes. With abundant medical plants resources and low toxicity, they have the potential of being developed as a new type of mosquito and insect repellent agent. The recent application advances of essential oils of medicinal plants in insect repellent and its application limitations are overviewed. This review will provide references for the future development and in-depth study of essential oils. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.
Chahed, Thouraya; Dhifi, Wissal; Hamrouni, Ibtissem; Msaada, Kamel; Bellila, Amor; Kchouk, Mohamed E; Marzouk, Brahim
Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) fruit is well known for its oleaginous and edible seed. Less information is available about the hull constituted by the epicarp and the mesocarp. This part of the fruit contains an essential oil that can be valorized. Tunisia is one of the countries cultivating pistachio trees. This work presents essential oil composition of pistachio hulls (Mateur variety) from different geographical localities: Grombalia (North-East), Kairouan (Middle) and Sfax (Middle-East). Yields were more important in Sfax samples (0.53% on a dry weight basis). Alpha-terpinolene was the major compound for Grombalia fruits (35.7%), whereas Kairouan and Sfax samples where characterized by alpha-pinene (42.5 and 43.8% respectively). For all samples, monoterpene hydrocarbons predominated (more than 79.8% of the essential oil).
Fleischer, T C; Mensah, M L K; Mensah, A Y; Komlaga, G; Gbedema, S Y; Skaltsa, H
Xylopia aethiopica is a medicinal plant of great repute in West Africa which produces a variety of complex chemical compounds. The fresh and dried fruits, leaf, stem bark and root bark essential oils showed various degrees of activity against the gram positive bacteria, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, the gram negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the yeast-like fungus Candida albicans, using the cup plate method. However, none of the oils showed activity against Escherichia coli.
Wei, Alfreda; Shibamoto, Takayuki
Thirteen essential oils were examined for their antioxidant activity using three different assay systems. Jasmine, parsley seed, rose, and ylang-ylang oils inhibited hexanal oxidation by over 95% after 40 days at a level of 500 microg/mL in the aldehyde/carboxylic acid assay. Scavenging abilities of the oils for the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical ranged from 39% for angelica seed oil to 90% for jasmine oil at a level of 200 microg/mL. The greatest inhibitory activity toward malonaldehyde (MA) formation from squalene upon UV-irradiation was obtained from parsley seed oil (inhibitory effect, 67%), followed by rose oil (46%), and celery seed oil (23%) at the level of 500 microg/mL. The main compounds of oils showing high antioxidant activity were limonene (composition, 74.6%) in celery seed, benzyl acetate (22.9%) in jasmine, alpha-pinene (33.7%) in juniper berry, myristicin (44%) in parsley seed, patchouli alcohol (28.8%) in patchouli, citronellol (34.2%) in rose, and germacrene (19.1%) in ylang-ylang.
Novy, Pavel; Davidova, Hana; Serrano-Rojero, Cecilia Suqued; Rondevaldova, Johana; Pulkrabek, Josef
Eyebright, Euphrasia rostkoviana Hayne (Scrophulariaceae), is a medicinal plant traditionally used in Europe for the treatment of various health disorders, especially as eyewash to treat eye ailments such as conjunctivitis and blepharitis that can be associated with bacterial infections. Some Euphrasia species have been previously reported to contain essential oil. However, the composition and bioactivity of E. rostkoviana oil are unknown. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the eyebright essential oil against some organisms associated with eye infections: Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. GC-MS analysis revealed more than 70 constituents, with n-hexadecanoic acid (18.47%) as the main constituent followed by thymol (7.97%), myristic acid (4.71%), linalool (4.65%), and anethole (4.09%). The essential oil showed antimicrobial effect against all organisms tested with the exception of P. aeruginosa. The best activity was observed against all Gram-positive bacteria tested with the minimum inhibitory concentrations of 512 µg/mL. This is the first report on the chemical composition of E. rostkoviana essential oil and its antimicrobial activity. PMID:26000025
Novy, Pavel; Davidova, Hana; Serrano-Rojero, Cecilia Suqued; Rondevaldova, Johana; Pulkrabek, Josef; Kokoska, Ladislav
Eyebright, Euphrasia rostkoviana Hayne (Scrophulariaceae), is a medicinal plant traditionally used in Europe for the treatment of various health disorders, especially as eyewash to treat eye ailments such as conjunctivitis and blepharitis that can be associated with bacterial infections. Some Euphrasia species have been previously reported to contain essential oil. However, the composition and bioactivity of E. rostkoviana oil are unknown. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the eyebright essential oil against some organisms associated with eye infections: Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. GC-MS analysis revealed more than 70 constituents, with n-hexadecanoic acid (18.47%) as the main constituent followed by thymol (7.97%), myristic acid (4.71%), linalool (4.65%), and anethole (4.09%). The essential oil showed antimicrobial effect against all organisms tested with the exception of P. aeruginosa. The best activity was observed against all Gram-positive bacteria tested with the minimum inhibitory concentrations of 512 µg/mL. This is the first report on the chemical composition of E. rostkoviana essential oil and its antimicrobial activity.
Chiang, Hsiu-Mei; Chiu, Hua-Hsien; Lai, Yen-Ming; Chen, Ching-Yen; Chiang, Hung-Lung
Carbonyls emitted from essential oils can affect the air quality when they are used in indoors, especially under poor ventilation conditions. Lavender, lemon, rose, rosemary, and tea tree oils were selected as typical and popular essential oils to investigate in terms of composition, thermal characteristics and fifteen carbonyl constituents. Based on thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, the activation energy was 7.6-8.3 kcal mol -1, the reaction order was in the range of 0.6-0.7 and the frequency factor was 360-2838 min -1. Formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, and propionaldehyde were the dominant carbonyl compounds, and their concentrations were 0.034-0.170 ppm. The emission factors of carbonyl compounds were 2.10-3.70 mg g -1, and acetone, propionaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and formaldehyde accounted for a high portion of the emission factor of carbonyl compounds in essential oil exhaust. Some unhealthy carbonyl species such as formaldehyde and valeraldehyde, were measured at low-temperature during the vaporization of essential oils, indicating a potential effect on indoor air quality and human health.
The essential oil from the fresh leaves of Schinus molle isolated by hydrodistillation was tested for antibacterial activity using the hole plate diffusion method and for antifungal activity using the mycelium or single cell growth inhibition method. Results obtained showed that the volatile oil exhibited significant activity against the following bacterial species: Klebsiella pneumoniae, Alcaligenes faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Leuconostoc cremoris, Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus vulgaris, Clostridium sporogenes, Acinetobacter calcoacetica, Escherichia coli, Beneckea natriegens, Citrobacter freundii, Serratia marcescens, Bacillus subtilis and Brochothrix thermosphacata. The fungal species Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus parasiticus, Fusarium culmorum and Alternaria alternata exhibited significant sensitivity to the volatile oil.
Uehara, Ayaka; Tommis, Basma; Belhassen, Emilie; Satrani, Badr; Ghanmi, Mohamed; Baldovini, Nicolas
The main odorant constituents of Cedrus atlantica essential oil were characterized by GC-Olfactometry (GC-O), using the Aroma Extract Dilution Analysis (AEDA) methodology with 12 panelists. The two most potent odor-active constituents were vestitenone and 4-acetyl-1-methylcyclohexene. The identification of the odorants was realized by a detailed fractionation of the essential oil by liquid-liquid basic extraction, distillation and column chromatography, followed by the GC-MS and GC-O analyses of some fractions, and the synthesis of some non-commercial reference constituents. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
... essential oils subcategory. 454.50 Section 454.50 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY... Essential Oils Subcategory § 454.50 Applicability; description of the essential oils subcategory. The provisions of this subpart are applicable to discharges resulting from the manufacture of essential oils. ...
... essential oils subcategory. 454.50 Section 454.50 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY... Essential Oils Subcategory § 454.50 Applicability; description of the essential oils subcategory. The provisions of this subpart are applicable to discharges resulting from the manufacture of essential oils. ...
Sharma, Abhishek; Rajendran, Sasireka; Srivastava, Ankit; Sharma, Satyawati; Kundu, Bishwajit
The antifungal effects of four essential oils viz., clove (Syzygium aromaticum), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), mint (Mentha × piperita) and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) were evaluated against wilt causing fungus, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici 1322. The inhibitory effect of oils showed dose-dependent activity on the tested fungus. Most active being the clove oil, exhibiting complete inhibition of mycelial growth and spore germination at 125 ppm with IC 50 value of 18.2 and 0.3 ppm, respectively. Essential oils of lemongrass, mint and eucalyptus were inhibitory at relatively higher concentrations. The Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of clove oil was 31.25 ppm by broth microdilution method. Thirty one different compounds of clove oil, constituting approximately ≥99% of the oil, were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis. The major components were eugenol (75.41%), E-caryophyllene (15.11%), α-humulene (3.78%) and caryophyllene oxide (1.13%). Effect of clove oil on surface morphology of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici 1322 was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). SEM observation revealed shrivelled hyphae while AFM observation showed shrunken and disrupted spores in clove oil treated samples. In pots, 5% aqueous emulsion of clove oil controlled F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici 1322 infection on tomato plants. This study demonstrated clove oil as potent antifungal agent that could be used as biofungicide for the control of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici in both preventive and therapeutic manner. Copyright © 2016 The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Markó, Gábor; Gyuricza, Veronika; Bernáth, Jeno; Altbacker, Vilmos
The impact of browsing on vegetation depends on the relative density and species composition of browsers. Herbivore density and plant damage can be either site-specific or change seasonally and spatially. For juniper (Juniperus communis) forests of a sand dune region in Hungary, it has been assumed that plant damage investigated at different temporal and spatial scales would reflect selective herbivory. The level of juniper damage was tested for a possible correlation with the concentration of plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) in plants and seasonal changes in browsing pressure. Heavily browsed and nonbrowsed junipers were also assumed to differ in their chemical composition, and the spatial distribution of browsing damage within each forest was analyzed to reveal the main browser. Long-term differences in local browsing pressure were also expected and would be reflected in site-specific age distributions of distant juniper populations. The concentrations of PSMs (essential oils) varied significantly among junipers and seasons. Heavily browsed shrubs contained the lowest oil yield; essential oils were highest in shrubs bearing no damage, indicating that PSMs might contribute to reduce browsing in undamaged shrubs. There was a seasonal fluctuation in the yield of essential oil that was lower in the summer period than in other seasons. Gas chromatography (GC) revealed differences in some essential oil components, suggesting that certain chemicals could have contributed to reduced consumption. The consequential long-term changes were reflected in differences in age distribution between distant juniper forests. These results confirm that both the concentration of PSMs and specific compounds of the essential oil may play a role in selective browsing damage by local herbivores.
Khosravi, A R; Shokri, H; Fahimirad, S
The purposes of this study were to evaluate the distribution pattern and population size of Malassezia species in dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD) and the inhibitory efficacy of Zataria multiflora, Thymus kotschyanus, Mentha spicata, Artemisia sieberi, Rosmarinus officinalis and Heracleum persicum essential oils against pathogenic Malassezia isolates. The samples were collected from 5 different anatomical sites of 33 atopic dogs and cultured onto modified Dixon agar (MDA) and Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) media. The essential oil extraction was performed by steam distillation using Clevenger system. Anti-Malassezia efficacy of medicinal essential oils and standard drugs was evaluated using broth microdilution method. A total of 103 yeast colonies were isolated from dogs with AD. Eight different Malassezia species were identified as follows: Malassezia pachydermatis (81.4%), M. globosa (7.8%), M. restricta (3.9%), M. sloofiae (2.9%), M. furfur (1%), M. nana (1%), M. obtusa (1%) and M. sympodialis (1%). The most and least infected sites were: anal (21.2%) and ear (10.6%) respectively. M. pachydermatis was the most frequent Malassezia species isolated from both skin and mucosa of dogs with AD. Antifungal susceptibility test revealed the inhibitory efficacy of essential oils on pathogenic Malassezia isolates with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC(90)) values ranging from 30 to 850 μg/mL. Among the tested oils, Z. multiflora and T. kotschyanus exhibited the highest inhibitory effects (P<0.05). The essential oils of Z. multiflora and T. kotschyanus showed strong antifungal activity against pathogenic Malassezia species tested. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
Su, Huey-Jen; Chao, Chung-Jen; Chang, Ho-Yuan; Wu, Pei-Chih
Essential oils, predominantly comprised of a group of aromatic chemicals, have attracted increasing attention as they are introduced into indoor environments through various forms of consumer products via different venues. Our study aimed to characterize the profiles and concentrations of emitted volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when evaporating essential oils indoors. Three popular essential oils in the market, lavender, eucalyptus, and tea tree, based on a nation-wide questionnaire survey, were tested. Specific aromatic compounds of interest were sampled during evaporating the essential oils, and analyzed by GC-MS. Indoor carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO 2), total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), and particulate matters (PM 10) were measured by real-time, continuous monitors, and duplicate samples for airborne fungi and bacteria were collected in different periods of the evaporation. Indoor CO (average concentration 1.48 vs. 0.47 ppm at test vs. background), CO 2 (543.21 vs. 435.47 ppm), and TVOCs (0.74 vs. 0.48 ppm) levels have increased significantly after evaporating essential oils, but not the PM 10 (2.45 vs. 2.42 ppm). The anti-microbial activity on airborne microbes, an effect claimed by the use of many essential oils, could only be found at the first 30-60 min after the evaporation began as the highest levels of volatile components in these essential oils appeared to emit into the air, especially in the case of tea tree oil. High emissions of linalool (0.092-0.787 mg m -3), eucalyptol (0.007-0.856 mg m -3), D-limonene (0.004-0.153 mg m -3), ρ-cymene (0.019-0.141 mg m -3), and terpinene-4-ol-1 (0.029-0.978 mg m -3), all from the family of terpenes, were observed, and warranted for further examination for their health implications, especially for their potential contribution to the increasing indoor levels of secondary pollutants such as formaldehyde and secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) in the presence of ozone.
Mohamed, Essam Hassan; Baiomy, Ahmed Abdel-Aziz; Ibrahim, Zein Shaban; Soliman, Mohamed Mohamed
Levamisole (LEVA) and garlic are prevalent immunomodulators in humans and animals. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the immunomodulatory effects of LEVA and garlic oil (GO) alone or in combination on the immune response of Wistar rats. A total of 24 male Wistar rats were allocated into four equal groups: Control group, which was given ad libitum access to food and water; and groups 2‑4, which were orally administered LEVA [2.5 mg/kg body weight (BW) every 2 days], GO, (5 ml/kg BW daily), or LEVA plus GO, respectively for 4 consecutive weeks. Serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM levels were measured using a radial immunodiffusion assay. Serum cytokine levels, including interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-5 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, were measured using enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay kits. Total blood counts were measured automatically using a cell counter. Serum lysozyme enzymatic activity was determined by measuring the diameters of the zones of clearance relative to lysozyme. Immunohistochemical detection of CD4 and CD8 was carried out using the streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase method. Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of IL‑4, IL‑5 and IL‑12 were measured in the leukocytes and thymus gland by semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The results revealed that LEVA increased serum levels of IFN‑γ, IL‑5 and TNF‑α cytokines, whereas co‑administration of LEVA and GO decreased the stimulatory action of LEVA alone. LEVA and GO alone increased the serum levels of IgG, IgM and total blood cell counts, and co‑administration of GO and LEVA inhibited the effects of LEVA. At the cellular level, in the spleen, LEVA increased immunoreactivity of CD4 and CD8, whereas co‑administration of GO with LEVA decreased this strong expression. At the molecular level, in leukocytes, LEVA upregulated the mRNA expression levels of IL‑2, IL‑4 and IL‑5, whereas GO alone downregulated mRNA expression. Co‑administration of
Uniyal, Veena; Saxena, Seema; Bhatt, R P
White Piedra is a superficial mycoses characterized by nodules on the hair shaft, caused by the basidiomycetous yeast Trichosporon species. In this study 25 essential oils were extracted and screened against two Trichosporon species i.e. Trichosporon asahii and Trichosporon cutaneum. Both these fungi procured from MTCC Chandigarh were maintained on yeast malt agar plates and tubes at 25 degrees C. Two screening methods viz., agar well diffusion assay and minimum inhibitory concentration were adopted for the study. The results showed that the maximum anti-yeast activity against T. asahii and T. cutaneum was demonstrated by oil of Mentha piperita showing full inhibition of both the fungi, Melaleuca alternifolia with an inhibition zone of 45 and 40 mm, Cymbopogon winterians with inhibition zone of 45 and 45 mm and Cymbopogon flexuosus with 35 and 30 mm inhibition zones. The oil of Trachyspermum ammi exhibited 10 and 20 mm, Abelmoschus moschatus exhibited 30 and 20 mm, Salvia sclarea showed 20 and 18 mm and Jasminum officinale exhibited 25 and 15 mm inhibition zones showing moderate activity. The oil of Cyperus scariosus, Pogostemon patchouli and Rosa damascene showed no inhibition zone against both the fungi while Vetiveria zizanoides exhibited no inhibition in case of T. asahii and inhibition zone of 10 mm in case of T. cutaneum demonstrating comparatively low activity against both the fungi. These results support that the essential oils can be used to cure superficial mycoses and these oils may have significant role as pharmaceuticals and preservatives.
A series of experiments were conducted with apple (Malus xdomestica) and peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] from 2003-2008 to evaluate the flower thinning efficacy of eugenol and a eugenol-based essential oil. Flower thinning effects by hand defoliation and alternative chemical agents were compared...
Free radical scavenging, bactericidal and bitting deterrent properties of Alpinia nigra essential oils (EOs) were investigated in the present study. Chemical composition of the EOs were analyzed using GC-MS/GC-FID which revealed the presence of 63 constituents including ß-caryophyllene as major comp...
Wang, Z; Hong, X
The GC-fingerprint spectra of essential oils in imported sandalwood are established by the new technique of GC-relative retention value fingerprint spectrum (GC-FPS). According to the GC-FPS of samples, their chromatographic peaks, overlap ratio of peaks and eight strong peaks are studied comparatively.
Ilmberger, J; Heuberger, E; Mahrhofer, C; Dessovic, H; Kowarik, D; Buchbauer, G
Scientific research on the effects of essential oils on human behavior lags behind the promises made by popular aromatherapy. Nearly all aspects of human behavior are closely linked to processes of attention, the basic level being that of alertness, which ranges from sleep to wakefulness. In our study we measured the influence of essential oils and components of essential oils [peppermint, jasmine, ylang-ylang, 1,8-cineole (in two different dosages) and menthol] on this core attentional function, which can be experimentally defined as speed of information processing. Substances were administered by inhalation; levels of alertness were assessed by measuring motor and reaction times in a reaction time paradigm. The performances of the six experimental groups receiving substances (n = 20 in four groups, n = 30 in two groups) were compared with those of corresponding control groups receiving water. Between-group analysis, i.e. comparisons between experimental groups and their respective control groups, mainly did not reach statistical significance. However, within-group analysis showed complex correlations between subjective evaluations of substances and objective performance, indicating that effects of essentials oils or their components on basic forms of attentional behavior are mainly psychological.
Ghazouani, Nessrine; Sifaoui, Ines; Bachrouch, Olfa; Abderrabba, Manef; E Pinero, José; Lorenzo-Morales, Jacob
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from the aerial parts of T. ramosissimum by hydrodistillation and to investigate their anti-Acanthamoeba activity. Identification and quantification were realized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography with flame ionization detection by (GC-FID). Sixty-eight compounds representing 97.78% of the essential oil were identified, of which δ-cadinene (18.63%), δ-cadinol (18.70%), β-eudesmol (12.13%), γ-gurjunene (4.34%) and 8-cedrene (3.99%) were the main compounds. This essential oil contained a complex mixture consisting mainly on sesquiterpenes (80.62%) and monoterpene fractions (14.34%). The findings of the anti-Acanthamoeba assay indicate that T. ramosissimum essential oil have a good activity with an IC 50 = 25.73 ± 0.75 μg/mL. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Liverwort and moss are economically significant weeds across a range of US container production sites, including forest seedling greenhouse culture in the Pacific Northwest. We have demonstrated the effectiveness of essential oils, or distilled plant extracts, in controlling liverwort and moss container weeds over three seasons of trials. When applied at the...
Carol A. Clausen; Vina W. Yang
Purified primary metabolites from essential oils were previously shown to be bioactive inhibitors of mold fungi on unleached Southern pine sapwood, either alone or in synergy with a second metabolite. This study evaluated the leachability of these compounds in Southern pine that was either dip- or vacuum-treated. Following laboratory leach tests, specimens were...
Carol A. Clausen; Vina W. Yang
Subterranean termite infestations occur in every state in the contiguous United States and are responsible for damage to wooden structures in excess of two billion dollars (U.S.) annually. Essential oils have historically been used to repel insects. They have relatively low toxicity and some of them are exempt from regulation by the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and...
Maghsoodlou, Malek Taher; Kazemipoor, Nasrin; Valizadeh, Jafar; Falak Nezhad Seifi, Mohsen; Rahneshan, Nahid
Eucalyptus (Fam. Myrtaceae) is a medicinal plant and various Eucalyptus species possess potent pharmacological actions against diabetes, hepatotoxicity, and inflammation. This study aims to investigate essential oil composition from leaves and flowers of E. microtheca and E. viminalis leaves growing in the Southeast of Iran. The aerial parts of these plants were collected from Zahedan, Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iran in 2013. After drying the plant materials in the shade, the chemical composition of the essential oils was obtained by hydro-distillation method using a Clevenger-type apparatus and analyzed by GC/MS. In the essential oil of E. microtheca leaves, 101 compounds representing 100%, were identified. Among them, α-phellandrene (16.487%), aromadendrene (12.773%), α-pinene (6.752%), globulol (5.997%), ledene (5.665%), P-cymen (5.251%), and β-pinene (5.006%) were the major constituents. In the oil of E. microtheca flowers, 88 compounds representing 100%, were identified in which α-pinene (16.246%), O-cymen (13.522%), β-pinene (11.082%), aromadendrene (7.444%), α-phellandrene (7.006%), globulol (5.419%), and 9-octadecenamide (5.414%) were the major components. Sixty six compounds representing 100% were identified in the oil of E. viminalis leaves. The major compounds were 1, 8-cineole (57.757%), α-pinene (13.379%), limonene (5.443%), and globulol (3.054%). The results showed the essential oils from the aerial parts of Eucalyptus species are a cheap source for the commercial isolation of α-phellandrene, α-pinene, and 1, 8-cineole compounds to be used in medicinal and food products. Furthermore, these plants could be an alternative source of insecticide agents.
Schaller, M; Korting, H C
Contact allergy to various essential oils used in aromatherapy was demonstrated on patch testing in a 53-year-old patient suffering from relapsing eczema resistant to therapy on various uncovered parts of the skin, in particular the scalp, neck and hands. Sensitization was due to previous exposure to lavender, jasmine and rosewood. Laurel, eucalyptus and pomerance also produced positive tests, although there was no hint of previous exposure. A diagnosis of allergic airborne contact dermatitis was thus established. On topical and systemic glucocorticoid treatment (peroral methylprednisolone at an initial dose of 60 mg/day) the skin lesions eventually resolved. Due to persistence of the volatile essential oils in the patient's home after a year-long use of aroma lamps, complete renewal of the interior of the patient's flat was considered essential. Due to changing self-medication habits, with increasing orientation to 'natural' modes of treatment, increasing numbers of such sensitizations might be on the horizon.
Keshvari, Mahtab; Asgary, Sedigheh; Jafarian-dehkordi, Abbas; Najafi, Somayeh; Ghoreyshi-Yazdi, Seyed Mojtaba
BACKGROUND Lipid oxidation is the main deterioration process that occurs in vegetable oils. This process was effectively prevented by natural antioxidants. Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Cinnamon) is rich with antioxidants. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of cinnamon on malondialdehyde (MDA) rate production in two high consumption oils in Iranian market. METHODS Chemical composition of cinnamon essential oil was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). 200 µl each oil, 50 µl tween 20, and 2 ml of 40 Mm AAPH solutions were mixed and the prepared solution was divided into four glass vials. Respectively, 50 µl of 500, 1000 and 2000 ppm of cinnamon essential oil were added to three glass vials separately and one of the glass vials was used as the control. All of the glass vials were incubated at 37° C water bath. Rate of MDA production was measured by thiobarbituric acid (TBA) test at the baseline and after the 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 5 hours. RESULTS Compounds of cinnamon essential oil by GC-MS analysis such as cinnamaldehyde (96.8%), alpha-capaene (0.2%), alpha-murolene (0.11%), para-methoxycinnamaldehyde (0.6%) and delta-cadinen (0.4%) were found to be the major compounds. For both oils, maximum rate of MDA production was achieved in 5th hours of heating. Every three concentrations of cinnamon essential oil significantly decreased MDA production (P < 0.05) in comparison with the control. CONCLUSION Essential oil of cinnamon considerably inhibited MDA production in studied oils and can be used with fresh and heated oils for reduction of lipid peroxidation and adverse free radicals effects on body. PMID:24302936
Zha, Chen; Wang, Changlu; Li, Andrew
The common bed bug [Cimex lectularius L. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)] and tropical bed bug [Cimex hemipterus F. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)] resurged in the United States and many other countries over the past decades. The need for safe and effective bed bug control products propelled the development of numerous 'green insecticides', mostly with essential oils listed as active ingredients. Various inorganic and organic oils also were used for bed bug management. However, there are no published studies on their toxicities against bed bugs. In this study, we screened 18 essential oils, three silicone oils, and paraffin oil (C5-20 paraffins) for their toxicities against bed bugs. All the oils exhibited insecticidal activity in topical assays. Their toxicities varied significantly; all of the evaluated essential oils were less effective than silicone oils and paraffin oil. The LD50 values of the most effective essential oil (blood orange), paraffin oil, and the most effective silicone oil (dodecamethylpentasiloxane) are 0.184 ± 0.018, 0.069 ± 0.012, and 0.036 ± 0.005 mg per bug, respectively. Direct spray of 1% water solution of 3-[hydroxy (polyethyleneoxy) propyl] heptamethyltrisiloxane, the only silicone oil that mixes well with water, resulted in 92% bed bug mortality after 1 d. Results of this study indicate silicone oils and paraffin oil have the potential to be used as safer alternative bed bug control materials. © The Author(s) 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: [email protected].
Osho, A; Adetunji, T; Fayemi, S O; Moronkola, D O
The need for a reduction in drug resistance led to the investigation of Argemone Mexicana L. as an agent against Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Candida stellatoidea and Candida torulopsis, using well diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentrations methods. The sensitivity of Bacillus Subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus to the essential oils of both the aerial and root parts were determined. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was resistant to the essential oil from both the aerial and root part of the plant. C. torulopsis, C. stellatoidea and C. albicans were susceptible to the essential oils from the aerial and root part of the plant. The minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging between 3.75 mg/ml and 4.0 mg/ml were recorded for Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae by the aerial and the root extracts, but P. aeruginosa and S. aureus were not susceptible to the aerial and root extracts. The observed inhibition of selected bacteria and fungi by oils of Physalis angulata makes it a promising antimicrobial agent. This study justifies its uses for treatment of sores, cuts, intestinal and digestive problems and some skin-diseases often reported in folkloric medicine.
Zuzarte, M; Gonçalves, M J; Cruz, M T; Cavaleiro, C; Canhoto, J; Vaz, S; Pinto, E; Salgueiro, L
This work reports the antifungal activity of Lavandula luisieri essential oils against yeast, dermatophyte and Aspergillus strains responsible for human infections and food contamination. The oil's cytotoxicity and its effect on the yeast-mycelium transition in Candida albicans, an important virulence factor, were also evaluated. Analyses by GC and GC/MS showed a peculiar composition of irregular monoterpenes. Significant differences between the samples occurred in the amounts of 1,8-cineole, fenchone and trans-α-necrodyl acetate. The oil with higher amounts of irregular monoterpenes was the most effective. The influence of the oils on the dimorphic transition in C. albicans was also studied through the germ tube inhibition assay. Filamentation was completely inhibited at concentrations sixteen times lower than the minimal inhibitory concentration. The results support the use of L. luiseiri essential oils in the development of new phytopharmaceuticals and food preservatives and emphasise its antifungal properties at concentrations not cytotoxic or with very low detrimental effects on mammalian cells. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Buiarelli, Francesca; Cartoni, Giampaolo; Coccioli, Franco; Jasionowska, Renata; Mazzarino, Monica
This work examines the distilled essential oils of limette and bergamot in order to assess the presence of low volatile substances such as coumarins (bergapten) which, being toxic, must be eliminated before using these oils in the food industry. The quantitative determination of coumarins was carried out by spectrofluorimetric detection. The substances present in the chromatograms, obtained by HPLC with UV detection at 254 nm, were then identified. Moreover, a new coumarin that is present in small quantities was identified using HPLC-MS.
Rath, C. C.; Devi, S.; Dash, S. K.; Mishra, R. K.
The antibacterial activity of Jasmine (Jasminum sambac L.) flower hydro steam distilled essential oil, synthetic blends and six major individual components was assessed against Escherichia coli (MTCC-443) strain. The activity was bactericidal. Minimum inhibitory concentration was determined by tube dilution technique, and the Minimum inhibitory concentration ranged between 1.9-31.25 μl/ml. Phenolcoefficient of the oil, synthetic blends and components varied between 0.6-1.7. The activity of the chemicals was possibly due to the inhibition of cell membrane synthesis. PMID:20046722
Rath, C C; Devi, S; Dash, S K; Mishra, R K
The antibacterial activity of Jasmine (Jasminum sambac L.) flower hydro steam distilled essential oil, synthetic blends and six major individual components was assessed against Escherichia coli (MTCC-443) strain. The activity was bactericidal. Minimum inhibitory concentration was determined by tube dilution technique, and the Minimum inhibitory concentration ranged between 1.9-31.25 mul/ml. Phenolcoefficient of the oil, synthetic blends and components varied between 0.6-1.7. The activity of the chemicals was possibly due to the inhibition of cell membrane synthesis.
Septiyanti, Melati; Meliana, Yenny; Agustian, Egi
The emulsion system consists of water, oil and surfactant. In order to create stable emulsion system, the composition and formulation between water phase, surfactant and oil phase are very important. Essential oil such as citronella oil has been known as active ingredient which has ability as insect repellent. This research studied the effect of citronella oil and its fraction as oil phase on emulsion stability. The cycle stability test was conducted to check the emulsion stability and it was monitored by pH, density, viscosity, particle size, refractive index, zeta potential, physical appearance and FTIR for 4 weeks. Citronellal fraction has better stability compared to citronella oil and rhodinol fraction with slight change of physical and chemical properties before and after the cycle stability test. However, it is need further study to enhance the stability of the emulsion stability for this formulation.
Abreu, Flávia O M S; Oliveira, Erick F; Paula, Haroldo C B; de Paula, Regina C M
Nanogels based on chitosan and cashew gum were prepared and loaded with Lippia sidoides oil. Several parameters such as cashew gum concentration and relative oil content in the matrix had their influence on nanogel properties investigated. Nanogels were characterized regarding their morphologies, particle size distributions, zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and essential oil contents. The release profile was investigated by UV/vis spectroscopy and its efficacy was determined through bioassays. Results showed that samples designed using relative ratios matrix:oil 10:2, gum:chitosan 1:1 and 5% gum concentration showed high loading (11.8%) and encapsulation efficiency (70%). Nanogels were found to exhibit average sizes in the range 335-558 nm. In vitro release profiles showed that nanoparticles presented slower and sustained release. Bioassays showed that larval mortality was related mainly to oil loading, with samples presenting more effective larvicide efficacies than the pure L. sidoides oil. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Singh, G; Kapoor, I P S; Pandey, S K; Singh, U K; Singh, R K
The essential oils extracted from the seeds of seven spices, Anethum graveolens, Carum capticum, Coriandrum sativum, Cuminum cyminum, Foeniculum vulgare, Pimpinella anisum and Seseli indicum have been studied for antibacterial activity against eight pathogenic bacteria, causing infections in the human body. It has been found that the oil of C. capticum is very effective against all tested bacteria. The oil of C. cyminum and A. graveolens also gave similar results. These oils are equally or more effective when compared with standard antibiotics, at a very low concentration. Copyright 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cautela, Domenico; Vella, Filomena Monica; Castaldo, Domenico; Laratta, Bruna
Fennel crop has been traditionally used as spice in cooking and fragrances, and in folk medicine for its spectrum of useful properties. Mediterranean is the elective natural cultivation area for this plant with Italy being a leader producer. A limit of this production is due to the high amount of wastes derived still rich of phytochemicals, which are usually underused. Hence, the extraction and characterization of essential oil from residues of fennel horticultural market was investigated to understand the potential profit of their recycling. Forty-eight compounds resulted for fennel oil waste, analysed by GC-FID-MS, with the most abundant among components was anethole. Other constituents contributing to fennel flavour were the monoterpenes limonene and nerol. The exploitation of this oil as a good source of bioactive compounds was assessed by means of its antioxidant power measured with DPPH test.
de Cássia da Silveira e Sá, Rita; Lima, Tamires Cardoso; da Nóbrega, Flávio Rogério; de Brito, Anna Emmanuela Medeiros
The constituents of essential oils are widely found in foods and aromatic plants giving characteristic odor and flavor. However, pharmacological studies evidence its therapeutic potential for the treatment of several diseases and promising use as compounds with analgesic-like action. Considering that pain affects a significant part of the world population and the need for the development of new analgesics, this review reports on the current studies of essential oils’ chemical constituents with analgesic-like activity, including a description of their mechanisms of action and chemical aspects. PMID:29232831
Liakos, Ioannis L; Abdellatif, Mohamed H; Innocenti, Claudia; Scarpellini, Alice; Carzino, Riccardo; Brunetti, Virgilio; Marras, Sergio; Brescia, Rosaria; Drago, Filippo; Pompa, Pier Paolo
Cellulose acetate (CA) nanoparticles were combined with two antimicrobial agents, namely lemongrass (LG) essential oil and Cu-ferrite nanoparticles. The preparation method of CA nanocapsules (NCs), with the two antimicrobial agents, was based on the nanoprecipitation method using the solvent/anti-solvent technique. Several physical and chemical analyses were performed to characterize the resulting NCs and to study their formation mechanism. The size of the combined antimicrobial NCs was found to be ca. 220 nm. The presence of Cu-ferrites enhanced the attachment of LG essential oil into the CA matrix. The magnetic properties of the combined construct were weak, due to the shielding of Cu-ferrites from the polymeric matrix, making them available for drug delivery applications where spontaneous magnetization effects should be avoided. The antimicrobial properties of the NCs were significantly enhanced with respect to CA/LG only. This work opens novel routes for the development of organic/inorganic nanoparticles with exceptional antimicrobial activities.
Rombolà, Laura; Tridico, Laura; Scuteri, Damiana; Sakurada, Tsukasa; Sakurada, Shinobu; Mizoguchi, Hirokazu; Avato, Pinarosa; Corasaniti, Maria Tiziana; Bagetta, Giacinto; Morrone, Luigi Antonio
Preclinical studies have recently highlighted that bergamot essential oil (BEO) is endowed with remarkable neurobiolological effects. BEO can affect synaptic transmission, modulate electroencephalographic activity and it showed neuroprotective and analgesic properties. The phytocomplex, along with other essential oils, is also widely used in aromatherapy to minimize symptoms of stress-induced anxiety and mild mood disorders. However, only limited preclinical evidences are actually available. This study examined the anxiolytic/sedative-like effects of BEO using an open field task (OFT), an elevated plus-maze task (EPM), and a forced swimming task (FST) in rats. This study further compared behavioural effects of BEO to those of the benzodiazepine diazepam. Analysis of data suggests that BEO induces anxiolytic-like/relaxant effects in animal behavioural tasks not superimposable to those of the DZP. The present observations provide further insight to the pharmacological profile of BEO and support its rational use in aromatherapy.
Sobral, Marianna Vieira; Xavier, Aline Lira; Lima, Tamires Cardoso; de Sousa, Damião Pergentino
Cancer is a complex genetic disease that is a major public health problem worldwide, accounting for about 7 million deaths each year. Many anticancer drugs currently used clinically have been isolated from plant species or are based on such substances. Accumulating data has revealed anticancer activity in plant-derived monoterpenes. In this review the antitumor activity of 37 monoterpenes found in essential oils is discussed. Chemical structures, experimental models, and mechanisms of action for bioactive substances are presented. PMID:25401162
Oliveira, R M; Dutra, T S; Simionatto, E; Ré, N; Kassuya, C A L; Cardoso, C A L
Mangifera indica is widely found in Brazil, and its leaves are used as an anti-inflammatory agent in folk medicine. The aim of this study is to perform composition analysis of essential oils from the M. indica varieties, espada (EOMIL1) and coração de boi (EOMIL2), and confirm their anti-inflammatory properties. Twenty-three volatile compounds were identified via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in two essential oils from the leaves. Paw edema and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were evaluated using the carrageenan-induced paw model, while leukocyte migration was analyzed using the pleurisy model. At oral doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg, the essential oils significantly reduced edema formation and the increase in MPO activity induced by carrageenan in rat paws. For a dose of 300 mg/kg EOMIL1, 62 ± 8% inhibition of edema was observed, while EOMIL2 led to 51 ± 7% inhibition of edema. At a dose of 100 mg/kg, the inhibition was 54 ± 9% for EOMIL1 and 37 ± 7% for EOMIL2. EOMIL1 and EOMIL2 significantly reduced MPO activity at doses of 100 mg/kg (47 ± 5 and 23 ± 8%, respectively) and 300 mg/kg (50 ± 9 and 31 ± 7%, respectively). In the pleurisy model, inhibitions were also observed for EOMIL1 and EOMIL2 in the leukocyte migration test. The results of the present study show that essential oils from M. indica differ in chemical composition and anti-inflammatory activity in rats.
Ćavar, Sanja; Maksimović, Milka; Vidic, Danijela; Šolić, Marija Edita
Stachys menthifolia Vis. (Lamiaceae) is an endemic species from the Balkan Peninsula spread throughout Albania, Greece, Montenegro, and Croatia. This article presents the first investigation of the essential oil composition of this species from Croatia. Aerial parts of the plant were collected from three different natural habitats in the region of Biokovo Mountain. The studied populations showed similarity in qualitative, but not in quantitative, composition of their essential oils. Hydrodistilled volatile oil obtained from the plant material of S. menthifolia was subjected to gas chromatographic analysis coupled to mass spectrometry. More than 100 compounds were identified in the three samples, representing 86.8-90.8% of the total oil. The terpene profile of S. menthifolia is characterized by a high content of oxygenated sesquiterpenes (48.4-58.9%) and diterpene hydrocarbons (3.5-25.2%), with 8-alpha-acetoxyelemol (6.9-21.3%), abietatriene (3.5-21.1%), and 4'-methoxyacetophenone (4.5-17.0%) as the main constituents.
Heuberger, Eva; Ilmberger, Josef
Olfactory stimuli are used in aromatherapy to enhance mood, well-being and work efficiency. Nevertheless, the impact of fragrances on cognitive performance in humans is not well understood. The present investigation aimed to evaluate the effects of 1,8-cineol, jasmine absolute ether, linalyl acetate and peppermint essential oil on human vigilance performance. The odorants were administered by means of inhalation and, except for peppermint essential oil, were tested at 2 different dosages. Performance in a standard visual vigilance task was measured in terms of speed and accuracy and subjective ratings of the odorants were assessed in terms of pleasantness, intensity, arousal and stress. We hypothesized that 1,8-cineol, jasmine absolute ether and peppermint essential oil would improve vigilance performance, whereas linalyl acetate would impair such performance. Comparison of the performances of the seven independent experimental groups with that of a control group did not show any of the expected effects. In contrast, inhalation of linalyl acetate decreased reaction times. Within-group analyses, however, revealed significant interactions between subjective ratings of the odorants and task performance. The results of the present investigation emphasize the high impact of subjective factors on the modulation of attentional functions by olfactory stimuli in humans.
Gourine, Nadhir; Bombarda, Isabelle; Yousfi, Mohamed; Gaydou, Emile M
The essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of Pistacia atlantica Desf. leaves collected from different regions of Algeria were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The essential oil was rich in monoterpenes and oxygenated sesquiterpenes. The major components were alpha-pinene (0.0-67%), delta-3-carene (0.0-56%), spathulenol (0.5-22%), camphene (0.0-21%), terpinen-4-ol (0.0-16%) and beta-pinene (0.0-13%). Among the various components identified, twenty were used for statistical analyses. The result of principal component analysis (PCA) showed the occurrence of three chemotypes: a delta-3-carene chemotype (16.4-56.2%), a terpinen-4-ol chemotype (10.8-16.0%) and an alpha-pinene/camphene chemotype (10.9-66.6%/3.8-20.9%). It was found that the essential oil from female plants (delta-3-carene chemotype) could be easily differentiated from the two other chemotypes corresponding to male trees.
Lukas, Brigitte; Schmiderer, Corinna; Novak, Johannes
This investigation focused on the qualitative and quantitative composition of essential oil compounds of European Origanum vulgare. Extracts of 502 individual O. vulgare plants from 17 countries and 51 populations were analyzed via GC. Extracts of 49 plants of 5 populations of Israeli Origanum syriacum and 30 plants from 3 populations of Turkish Origanum onites were included to exemplify essential oil characteristics of 'high-quality' oregano. The content of essential oil compounds of European O. vulgare ranged between 0.03% and 4.6%. The monoterpenes were primarily made up of sabinene, myrcene, p-cymene, 1,8-cineole, β-ocimene, γ-terpinene, sabinene hydrate, linalool, α-terpineol, carvacrol methyl ether, linalyl acetate, thymol and carvacrol. Among the sesquiterpenes β-caryophyllene, germacrene D, germacrene D-4-ol, spathulenol, caryophyllene oxide and oplopanone were often present in higher amounts. According to the proportions of cymyl-compounds, sabinyl-compounds and the acyclic linalool/linalyl acetate three different main monoterpene chemotypes were defined. The cymyl- and the acyclic pathway were usually active in plants from the Mediterranean climate whereas an active sabinyl-pathway was a characteristic of plants from the Continental climate. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Sebaaly, Carine; Jraij, Alia; Fessi, Hatem; Charcosset, Catherine; Greige-Gerges, Hélène
In this study, suitable formulations of natural soybean phospholipid vesicles were developed to improve the stability of clove essential oil and its main component, eugenol. Using an ethanol injection method, saturated (Phospholipon 80H, Phospholipon 90H) and unsaturated soybean (Lipoid S100) phospholipids, in combination with cholesterol, were used to prepare liposomes at various eugenol and clove essential oil concentrations. Liposomal batches were characterized and compared for their size, polydispersity index, Zeta potential, loading rate, encapsulation efficiency and morphology. The liposomes were tested for their stability after storing them for 2 months at 4°C by monitoring changes in their mean size, polydispersity index and encapsulation efficiency (EE) values. It was found that liposomes exhibited nanometric oligolamellar and spherical shaped vesicles and protected eugenol from degradation induced by UV exposure; they also maintained the DPPH-scavenging activity of free eugenol. Liposomes constitute a suitable system for encapsulation of volatile unstable essential oil constituents. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Differential effects of selective frankincense (Ru Xiang) essential oil versus non-selective sandalwood (Tan Xiang) essential oil on cultured bladder cancer cells: a microarray and bioinformatics study.
Dozmorov, Mikhail G; Yang, Qing; Wu, Weijuan; Wren, Jonathan; Suhail, Mahmoud M; Woolley, Cole L; Young, D Gary; Fung, Kar-Ming; Lin, Hsueh-Kung
Frankincense (Boswellia carterii, known as Ru Xiang in Chinese) and sandalwood (Santalum album, known as Tan Xiang in Chinese) are cancer preventive and therapeutic agents in Chinese medicine. Their biologically active ingredients are usually extracted from frankincense by hydrodistillation and sandalwood by distillation. This study aims to investigate the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities of frankincense and sandalwood essential oils in cultured human bladder cancer cells. The effects of frankincense (1,400-600 dilutions) (v/v) and sandalwood (16,000-7,000 dilutions) (v/v) essential oils on cell viability were studied in established human bladder cancer J82 cells and immortalized normal human bladder urothelial UROtsa cells using a colorimetric XTT cell viability assay. Genes that responded to essential oil treatments in human bladder cancer J82 cells were identified using the Illumina Expression BeadChip platform and analyzed for enriched functions and pathways. The chemical compositions of the essential oils were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Human bladder cancer J82 cells were more sensitive to the pro-apoptotic effects of frankincense essential oil than the immortalized normal bladder UROtsa cells. In contrast, sandalwood essential oil exhibited a similar potency in suppressing the viability of both J82 and UROtsa cells. Although frankincense and sandalwood essential oils activated common pathways such as inflammatory interleukins (IL-6 signaling), each essential oil had a unique molecular action on the bladder cancer cells. Heat shock proteins and histone core proteins were activated by frankincense essential oil, whereas negative regulation of protein kinase activity and G protein-coupled receptors were activated by sandalwood essential oil treatment. The effects of frankincense and sandalwood essential oils on J82 cells and UROtsa cells involved different mechanisms leading to cancer cell death. While frankincense
Liakos, Ioannis L.; Grumezescu, Alexandru Mihai; Holban, Alina Maria; Florin, Iordache; D’Autilia, Francesca; Carzino, Riccardo; Bianchini, Paolo; Athanassiou, Athanassia
Polylactic acid was combined with lemongrass essential oil (EO) to produce functional nanocapsules (NCs). The obtained polylactic acid nanoparticles showed antimicrobial activity both with and without the presence of lemongrass oil; however, the presence of EO improved the activity of the NCs. The presence of lemongrass assisted the formation of well-separated NCs and also provided enhanced antimicrobial properties, since lemongrass is known for its antimicrobial character. Fluorescence microscopy was used to optically observe the nanoparticles and NCs and revealed the attachment of lemongrass oil with the polylactic acid NCs. Dynamic light scattering was used to determine their size. UV absorption was used to determine the exact amount of lemongrass oil found in the polylactic acid—lemongrass oil NCs, which was important for understanding the minimum inhibitory concentration for the antimicrobial experiments. A series of clinically important microbial species were used in the study and the obtained NCs proved to have very good antimicrobial properties against all tested strains. Such NCs can be used for the design of ecological strategies, based on natural alternatives, which may be efficient against severe infections, including those that involve resistant pathogens and biofilms or those with difficult to reach localization. PMID:27399724
Liakos, Ioannis L; Grumezescu, Alexandru Mihai; Holban, Alina Maria; Florin, Iordache; D'Autilia, Francesca; Carzino, Riccardo; Bianchini, Paolo; Athanassiou, Athanassia
Polylactic acid was combined with lemongrass essential oil (EO) to produce functional nanocapsules (NCs). The obtained polylactic acid nanoparticles showed antimicrobial activity both with and without the presence of lemongrass oil; however, the presence of EO improved the activity of the NCs. The presence of lemongrass assisted the formation of well-separated NCs and also provided enhanced antimicrobial properties, since lemongrass is known for its antimicrobial character. Fluorescence microscopy was used to optically observe the nanoparticles and NCs and revealed the attachment of lemongrass oil with the polylactic acid NCs. Dynamic light scattering was used to determine their size. UV absorption was used to determine the exact amount of lemongrass oil found in the polylactic acid-lemongrass oil NCs, which was important for understanding the minimum inhibitory concentration for the antimicrobial experiments. A series of clinically important microbial species were used in the study and the obtained NCs proved to have very good antimicrobial properties against all tested strains. Such NCs can be used for the design of ecological strategies, based on natural alternatives, which may be efficient against severe infections, including those that involve resistant pathogens and biofilms or those with difficult to reach localization.
Saporito, Francesca; Sandri, Giuseppina; Bonferoni, Maria Cristina; Rossi, Silvia; Boselli, Cinzia; Icaro Cornaglia, Antonia; Mannucci, Barbara; Grisoli, Pietro; Vigani, Barbara; Ferrari, Franca
Chronic wounds and severe burns are diseases responsible for severe morbidity and even death. Wound repair is a crucial process and tissue regeneration enhancement and infection prevention are key factors to minimize pain, discomfort, and scar formation. The aim of this work was the development of lipid nanoparticles (solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers [NLC]), to be loaded with eucalyptus or rosemary essential oils and to be used, as medical devices, to enhance healing of skin wounds. Lipid nanoparticles were based on natural lipids: cocoa butter, as solid lipid, and olive oil or sesame oil, as liquid lipids. Lecithin was chosen as surfactant to stabilize nanoparticles and to prevent their aggregation. The systems were prepared by high shear homogenization followed by ultrasound application. Nanoparticles were characterized for physical-chemical properties, bioadhesion, cytocompatibility, in vitro proliferation enhancement, and wound healing properties toward normal human dermal fibroblasts. Antimicrobial activity of nanoparticles was evaluated against two reference microbial strains, one of Staphylococcus aureus , the other of Streptococcus pyogenes . Finally, the capability of nanoparticles to promote wound healing in vivo was evaluated on a rat burn model. NLC based on olive oil and loaded with eucalyptus oil showed appropriate physical-chemical properties, good bioadhesion, cytocompatibility, in vitro proliferation enhancement, and wound healing properties toward fibroblasts, associated to antimicrobial properties. Moreover, the in vivo results evidenced the capability of these NLC to enhance the healing process. Olive oil, which is characterized by a high content of oleic acid, proved to exert a synergic effect with eucalyptus oil with respect to antimicrobial activity and wound repair promotion.
Saporito, Francesca; Sandri, Giuseppina; Bonferoni, Maria Cristina; Rossi, Silvia; Boselli, Cinzia; Icaro Cornaglia, Antonia; Mannucci, Barbara; Grisoli, Pietro; Vigani, Barbara; Ferrari, Franca
Chronic wounds and severe burns are diseases responsible for severe morbidity and even death. Wound repair is a crucial process and tissue regeneration enhancement and infection prevention are key factors to minimize pain, discomfort, and scar formation. The aim of this work was the development of lipid nanoparticles (solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers [NLC]), to be loaded with eucalyptus or rosemary essential oils and to be used, as medical devices, to enhance healing of skin wounds. Lipid nanoparticles were based on natural lipids: cocoa butter, as solid lipid, and olive oil or sesame oil, as liquid lipids. Lecithin was chosen as surfactant to stabilize nanoparticles and to prevent their aggregation. The systems were prepared by high shear homogenization followed by ultrasound application. Nanoparticles were characterized for physical–chemical properties, bioadhesion, cytocompatibility, in vitro proliferation enhancement, and wound healing properties toward normal human dermal fibroblasts. Antimicrobial activity of nanoparticles was evaluated against two reference microbial strains, one of Staphylococcus aureus, the other of Streptococcus pyogenes. Finally, the capability of nanoparticles to promote wound healing in vivo was evaluated on a rat burn model. NLC based on olive oil and loaded with eucalyptus oil showed appropriate physical–chemical properties, good bioadhesion, cytocompatibility, in vitro proliferation enhancement, and wound healing properties toward fibroblasts, associated to antimicrobial properties. Moreover, the in vivo results evidenced the capability of these NLC to enhance the healing process. Olive oil, which is characterized by a high content of oleic acid, proved to exert a synergic effect with eucalyptus oil with respect to antimicrobial activity and wound repair promotion. PMID:29343956
Sritabutra, Duangkamon; Soonwera, Mayura
Objective To determine the mosquito repellent activity of herbal essential oils against female Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. Methods On a volunteer's forearm, 0.1 mL of each essential oil was applied to 3 cm×10 cm of exposed skin. The protection time was recorded for 3 min after every 30 min. Results Essential oil from clove oil in olive oil and in coconut oil gave the longest lasting period of 76.50 min and 96.00 min respectively against Aedes aegypti. The citronella grass oil in olive oil, citronella grass oil in coconut oil and lemongrass oil in coconut oil exhibited protection against Culex quinquefasciatus at 165.00, 105.00, and 112.50 min respectively. Conclusions The results clearly indicated that clove, citronella and lemongrass oil were the most promising for repellency against mosquito species. These oils could be used to develop a new formulation to control mosquitoes.
Turchi, Barbara; Mancini, Simone; Pistelli, Luisa; Najar, Basma; Cerri, Domenico; Fratini, Filippo
Fourteen wild strains of Staphylococcus aureus positive for gene sea were tested for enterotoxins production and the minimum inhibitory concentration of Leptospermum scoparium, Origanum majorana, Origanum vulgare, Satureja montana and Thymus vulgaris essential oils (EOs) were determined. After this trial, bacteria stressed with sub-inhibitory concentration of each EO were tested for enterotoxins production by an immunoenzymatic assay and resistance to the same EO. Oregano oil exhibited the highest antibacterial activity followed by manuka and thyme oils. After the exposure to a sub-inhibitory concentration of EOs, strains displayed an increased sensitivity in more than 95% of the cases. After treatment with oregano and marjoram EOs, few strains showed a modified enterotoxins production, while 43% of the strains were no longer able to produce enterotoxins after treatment with manuka EO. The results obtained in this study highlight that exposure to sub-inhibitory concentration of EO modifies strains enterotoxins production and EOs susceptibility profile.
Essential oils from Rhanterium epapposum Oliv. (Asteraceae) was investigated for its repellent, antimicrobial and acetyl- and butyrylcholine esterase inhibitory activities. The oil showed good repellent activity while oils demonstrated weak in antimicrobial and cholinesterase inhibitions. Terpenoids...
Effects of garlic oil, nitrate, saponin and their combinations supplemented to different substrates on in vitro fermentation, ruminal methanogenesis, and abundance and diversity of microbial populations.
Patra, A K; Yu, Z
To investigate the effect of garlic oil (G), nitrate (N), saponin (S) and their combinations supplemented to different forage to concentrate substrates on methanogenesis, fermentation, diversity and abundances of bacteria and Archaea in vitro. The study was conducted in an 8 × 2 factorial design with eight treatments and two substrates using mixed ruminal batch cultures obtained. Quillaja S (0·6 g l(-1) ), N (5 mmol l(-1) ) and G (0·27 g l(-1) ) were used separately or in binary and tertiary combinations. The two substrates contained grass hay and a dairy concentrate mixture at a 70 : 30 (high-forage substrate) ratio or a 30 : 70 (high-concentrate substrate) ratio. Ruminal fermentation and cellulolytic bacterial populations were affected by interaction between substrate and anti-methanogenic compounds. The inhibitor combinations decreased the methane production additively regardless of substrate. For the high-concentrate substrate, S decreased methane production to a greater extent, so did G and N individually for the high-forage substrate. Feed degradability and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were not decreased by any of the treatments. Fibre degradability was actually improved by N+S for the high-forage substrate. VFA concentrations and profiles were affected differently by different anti-methanogenic inhibitors and their combinations. All treatments inhibited the growth of Archaea, but the effect on Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus albus and Ruminococcus flavefaciens varied. The results suggest that substrate influences the efficacy of these inhibitors when they are used separately, but in combinations, they can lower methanogenesis additively without much influence from the substrate. The presented research provided evidence that binary and tertiary combination of garlic oil, nitrate and saponin can lower the methane production additively without adversely impacting rumen fermentation and degradability, and forage to concentrate ratio
Junnila, Amy; Revay, Edita E.; Müller, Gunter C.; Kravchenko, Vasiliy; Qualls, Whitney A.; Xue, Rui-de; Allen, Sandra A.; Beier, John C.; Schlein, Yosef
We tested the efficacy of attractive toxic sugar bait (ATSB) with garlic oil microencapsulated in beta-cyclodextrin as active ingredient against Aedes albopictus in suburban Haifa, Israel. Two three-acre gardens with high numbers of Ae. albopictus were selected for perimeter spray treatment with ATSB and ASB (bait containing no active ingredient). Baits were colored with food dye to verify feeding of the mosquitoes. The mosquito population was monitored by human landing catches and sweep net catches in the surrounding vegetation. Experiments lasted for 44 days. Treatment occurred on day 13. The mosquito population collapsed about 4 days after treatment and continued to drop steadily for 27 days until the end of the study. At the experimental site the average pre-treatment landing rate was 17.2 per 5 mins. Two days post-treatment, the landing rate dropped to 11.4, and continued to drop to an average of 2.6 during the following 26 days. During the same period, the control population was stable. Few sugar fed females (8–10%) approached a human bait and anthrone tests showed relatively small amounts of sugar within their crop/gut. Around 60–70 % of males caught near our human bait were sugar positive which may indicate that the males were feeding on sugar for mating related behavior. From the vegetation treated with the toxic bait, we recovered significantly fewer (about 10–14%) males and females stained by ATSB than at the ASB-treated control. This may indicate that the toxic baits alter the resting behavior of the poisoned mosquitoes within the vegetation. Almost no Ae. albopictus females (5.2 ± 1.4) approached human bait after treatment with ATSB. It therefore appears that microencapsulated garlic oil is an effective pesticide against Ae. albopictus when used in an ATSB system. PMID:26403337
Chee, Hee Youn; Lee, Min Hee
Antifungal activities of clove essential oil and its volatile vapour against dermatophytic fungi including Candida albicans, Epidermophyton floccosum. Microsporum audouinii, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Trichophyton rubrum were investigated. Both clove essential oil and its volatile vapour strongly inhibit spore germination and mycelial growth of the dermatophytic fungi tested. The volatile vapour of clove essential oil showed fungistatic activity whereas direct application of clove essential oil showed fungicidal activity.
Burger, Pauline; Landreau, Anne; Watson, Marie; Janci, Laurent; Cassisa, Viviane; Kempf, Marie; Azoulay, Stéphane; Fernandez, Xavier
Background: Vetiver is a key ingredient for the perfume industry nowadays. However, with the constant and rapid changes of personal tastes, this appeal could vanish and this sector could decline quite quickly. New dissemination paths need to be found to tap this valuable resource. Methods: In this way, its potential use in cosmetics either as an active ingredient per se (with cosmeceutical significance or presenting antimicrobial activity) has hence been explored in vitro. Results: In this contribution, we demonstrated that vetiver essential oil displays no particularly significant and innovative cosmetic potential value in formulations apart from its scent already largely exploited. However, evaluated against twenty bacterial strains and two Candida species using the in vitro microbroth dilution method, vetiver oil demonstrated notably some outstanding activities against Gram-positive strains and against one Candida glabrata strain. Conclusions: Based on these findings, vetiver essential oil appears to be an appropriate aspirant for the development of an antimicrobial agent for medicinal purposes and for the development of a cosmetic ingredient used for its scent and displaying antimicrobial activity as an added value. PMID:28930256
Kimbaris, Athanasios C; Siatis, Nikolaos G; Daferera, Dimitra J; Tarantilis, Petros A; Pappas, Christos S; Polissiou, Moschos G
A comparative study of traditional simultaneous distillation extraction (SDE), microwave assisted hydrodistillation extraction (MWHD) and ultrasound-assisted extraction (USE) is presented, for the extraction of essential oils from fresh garlic (Allium sativum) cloves. Each method is evaluated in terms of qualitative and quantitative composition of the isolated essential oil. The highly reactive sulfur molecules of the garlic volatile fraction show variable response to the different isolation methods. The application of ultrasound for the extraction of the essential oil is considered to cause a lesser damage of thermal-sensitive molecules, thus, providing a better approach of the compounds primarily responsible for the characteristic odor and taste of freshly chopped garlic. All heat-involving isolation procedures have been shown to differentiate the volatile-fraction profile as analyzed by GC-MS. Especially when grouping the compounds into cyclic and acyclic, the percentage concentrations drop from 77.4% to 8.7% for the acyclic while that of the cyclic compounds increase from 4.7% to 70.8%. The observed fact may be attributed to the effect of the heat applied, which changes from harsh thermal treatment (SDE) to short time thermal (MWHD) and room-temperature isolation (USE). The use of USE proves to be crucial in order to provide reliable insight into garlic's chemistry.
Krause, Andre; Wu, Yu; Tian, Runtao; van Beek, Teris A
High-field NMR is an expensive and important quality control technique. In recent years, cheaper and simpler low-field NMR has become available as a new quality control technique. In this study, 60 MHz 1 H-NMR was compared with GC-MS and refractometry for the detection of adulteration of essential oils, taking patchouli essential oil as a test case. Patchouli essential oil is frequently adulterated, even today. In total, 75 genuine patchouli essential oils, 10 commercial patchouli essential oils, 10 other essential oils, 17 adulterants, and 1 patchouli essential oil, spiked at 20% with those adulterants, were measured. Visual inspection of the NMR spectra allowed for easy detection of 14 adulterants, while gurjun and copaiba balsams proved difficult and one adulterant could not be detected. NMR spectra of 10 random essential oils differed not only strongly from patchouli essential oil but also from one another, suggesting that fingerprinting by low-field NMR is not limited to patchouli essential oil. Automated chemometric evaluation of NMR spectra was possible by similarity analysis (Mahalanobis distance) based on the integration from 0.1 - 8.1 ppm in 0.01 ppm increments. Good quality patchouli essential oils were recognised as well as 15 of 17 deliberate adulterations. Visual qualitative inspection by GC-MS allowed for the detection of all volatile adulterants. Nonvolatile adulterants, and all but one volatile adulterant, could be detected by semiquantitation. Different chemometric approaches showed satisfactory results. Similarity analyses were difficult with nonvolatile adulterants. Refractive index measurements could detect only 8 of 17 adulterants. Due to advantages such as simplicity, rapidity, reproducibility, and ability to detect nonvolatile adulterants, 60 MHz 1 H-NMR is complimentary to GC-MS for quality control of essential oils. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.
Verallo-Rowell, Vermén M; Katalbas, Stephanie S; Pangasinan, Julia P
Natural oils include mineral oil with emollient, occlusive, and humectant properties and the plant-derived essential, coconut, and other vegetable oils, composed of triglycerides that microbiota lipases hydrolyze into glycerin, a potent humectant, and fatty acids (FAs) with varying physico-chemical properties. Unsaturated FAs have high linoleic acid used for synthesis of ceramide-I linoleate, a barrier lipid, but more pro-inflammatory omega-6:-3 ratios above 10:1, and their double bonds form less occlusive palisades. VCO FAs have a low linoleic acid content but shorter and saturated FAs that form a more compact palisade, more anti-inflammatory omega-6:-3 ratio of 2:1, close to 7:1 of olive oil, which disrupts the skin barrier, otherwise useful as a penetration enhancer. Updates on the stratum corneum illustrate how this review on the contrasting actions of NOs provide information on which to avoid and which to select for barrier repair and to lower inflammation in contact dermatitis genesis.
Boschi, F; Fontanella, M; Calderan, L; Sbarbati, A
Essential oils are currently of great importance to pharmaceutical companies, cosmetics producers and manufacturers of veterinary products. They are found in perfumes, creams, bath products, and household cleaning substances, and are used for flavouring food and drinks. It is well known that some of them act on the respiratory apparatus. The increasing interest in optical imaging techniques and the development of related technologies have made possible the investigation of the optical properties of several compounds. Luminescent properties of essential oils have not been extensively investigated. We evaluated the luminescent and fluorescent emissions of several essential oils, in order to detect them in living organisms by exploiting their optical properties. Some fluorescent emission data were high enough to be detected in dermal treatments. Consequently, we demonstrated how the fluorescent signal can be monitored for at least three hours on the skin of living mice treated with wild chamomile oil. The results encourage development of this technique to investigate the properties of drugs and cosmetics containing essential oils.
Boschi, F.; Fontanella, M.; Calderan, L.; Sbarbati, A.
Essential oils are currently of great importance to pharmaceutical companies, cosmetics producers and manufacturers of veterinary products. They are found in perfumes, creams, bath products, and household cleaning substances, and are used for flavouring food and drinks. It is well known that some of them act on the respiratory apparatus. The increasing interest in optical imaging techniques and the development of related technologies have made possible the investigation of the optical properties of several compounds. Luminescent properties of essential oils have not been extensively investigated. We evaluated the luminescent and fluorescent emissions of several essential oils, in order to detect them in living organisms by exploiting their optical properties. Some fluorescent emission data were high enough to be detected in dermal treatments. Consequently, we demonstrated how the fluorescent signal can be monitored for at least three hours on the skin of living mice treated with wild chamomile oil. The results encourage development of this technique to investigate the properties of drugs and cosmetics containing essential oils. PMID:22193298
... GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AS SAFE General Provisions § 182.50 Certain other spices, seasonings, essential oils, oleoresins, and natural extracts. Certain other spices, seasonings, essential oils, oleoresins, and natural... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Certain other spices, seasonings, essential oils...
... GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AS SAFE General Provisions § 582.50 Certain other spices, seasonings, essential oils, oleoresins, and natural extracts. Certain other spices, seasonings, essential oils, oleoresins, and natural... 21 Food and Drugs 6 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Certain other spices, seasonings, essential oils...
... GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AS SAFE General Provisions § 582.50 Certain other spices, seasonings, essential oils, oleoresins, and natural extracts. Certain other spices, seasonings, essential oils, oleoresins, and natural... 21 Food and Drugs 6 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Certain other spices, seasonings, essential oils...
... GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AS SAFE General Provisions § 182.50 Certain other spices, seasonings, essential oils, oleoresins, and natural extracts. Certain other spices, seasonings, essential oils, oleoresins, and natural... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Certain other spices, seasonings, essential oils...
... GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AS SAFE General Provisions § 582.50 Certain other spices, seasonings, essential oils, oleoresins, and natural extracts. Certain other spices, seasonings, essential oils, oleoresins, and natural... 21 Food and Drugs 6 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Certain other spices, seasonings, essential oils...
... Provisions § 182.50 Certain other spices, seasonings, essential oils, oleoresins, and natural extracts. Certain other spices, seasonings, essential oils, oleoresins, and natural extracts that are generally... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Certain other spices, seasonings, essential oils...
... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2010-04-01 2009-04-01 true Certain other spices, seasonings, essential oils... GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AS SAFE General Provisions § 182.50 Certain other spices, seasonings, essential oils, oleoresins, and natural extracts. Certain other spices, seasonings, essential oils, oleoresins, and natural...
... 21 Food and Drugs 6 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Certain other spices, seasonings, essential oils... GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AS SAFE General Provisions § 582.50 Certain other spices, seasonings, essential oils, oleoresins, and natural extracts. Certain other spices, seasonings, essential oils, oleoresins, and natural...
Misharina, T A; Alinkina, E S; Terenina, M B; Krikunova, N I; Kiseleva, V I; Medvedeva, I B; Semenova, M G
Clove bud essential oil, extracts from ginger, pimento and black pepper, or ascorbyl palmytate were studied as natural antioxidants for the inhibition of autooxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in linseed oil. Different methods were used to estimate antioxidant efficiency. These methods are based on the following parameters: peroxide values; peroxide concentration; content of degradation products of unsaturated fatty acid peroxides, which acted with thiobarbituric acid; diene conjugate content; the content of volatile compounds that formed as products of unsaturated fatty acid peroxide degradation; and the composition of methyl esters of fatty acids in samples of oxidized linseed oil.
Chiu, Hua-Hsien; Chiang, Hsiu-Mei; Lo, Cho-Ching; Chen, Ching-Yen; Chiang, Hung-Lung
Essential oils containing aromatic compounds can affect air quality when used indoors. Five typical and popular essential oils—rose, lemon, rosemary, tea tree and lavender—were investigated in terms of composition, thermal characteristics, volatile organic compound (VOC) constituents, and emission factors. The activation energy was 6.3-8.6 kcal mol -1, the reaction order was in the range of 0.6-0.8, and the frequency factor was 0.01-0.24 min -1. Toluene, 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, n-undecane, p-diethylbenzene and m-diethylbenzene were the predominant VOCs of evaporating gas of essential oils at 40 °C. In addition, n-undecane, p-diethylbenzene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, m-diethylbenzene, and 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene revealed high emission factors during the thermogravimetric (TG) analysis procedures. The sequence of the emission factors of 52 VOCs (137-173 mg g -1) was rose ≈ rosemary > tea tree ≈ lemon ≈ lavender. The VOC group fraction of the emission factor of aromatics was 62-78%, paraffins were 21-37% and olefins were less than 1.5% during the TG process. Some unhealthy VOCs such as benzene and toluene were measured at low temperature; they reveal the potential effect on indoor air quality and human health.
Mohiti-Asli, M; Ghanaatparast-Rashti, M
An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of oregano essential oil on growth performance and coccidiosis prevention in mild challenged broilers. A total of 250 1-d-old chicks were used in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments and 5 replicates with 10 birds in each replication. Experimental treatments included: (1) negative control (NC; unchallenged), (2) positive control (PC; challenged with sporulated oocysts of Eimeria), (3) PC fed 200 ppm Diclazuril in diet, (4) PC fed 300 ppm oregano oil in diet, and (5) PC fed 500 ppm oregano oil in diet. At 22 d of age, all the experimental groups except for NC were challenged with 50-fold dose of Livacox T as a trivalent live attenuated coccidiosis vaccine. On d 28, two birds were slaughtered and intestinal coccidiosis lesions were scored 0-4. Moreover, dropping was scored in the scale of 0-3, and oocysts per gram feces (OPG) were measured. Oregano oil at either supplementation rate increased body weight gain (P=0.039) and improved feed conversion ratio (P=0.010) from d 22 to 28, when compared with PC group. Using 500 ppm oregano oil in challenged broilers diet increased European efficiency factor than PC group (P=0.020). Moreover, challenged broilers fed 500 ppm oregano oil or Diclazuril in diets displayed lower coccidiosis lesions scores in upper (P=0.003) and middle (P=0.018) regions of intestine than PC group, with the effect being similar to unchallenged birds. In general, challenged birds fed 500 ppm oregano oil or Diclazuril in diets had lower OPG (P=0.001), dropping scores (P=0.001), litter scores (P=0.001), and pH of litter (P=0.001) than PC group. It could be concluded that supplementation of oregano oil at the dose of 500 ppm in diet may have beneficial effect on prevention of coccidiosis in broilers. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Sakkas, Hercules; Papadopoulou, Chrissanthy
For centuries, plants have been used for a wide variety of purposes, from treating infectious diseases to food preservation and perfume production. Presently, the increasing resistance of microorganisms to currently used antimicrobials in combination with the appearance of emerging diseases requires the urgent development of new, more effective drugs. Plants, due to the large biological and structural diversity of their components, constitute a unique and renewable source for the discovery of new antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic compounds. In the present paper, the history, composition, and antimicrobial activities of the basil, oregano, and thyme essential oils are reviewed.
Pande, Chitra; Tewari, Geeta; Singh, Charu; Singh, Shalini; Padalia, R C
The essential oil composition of Feronia elephantum Correa (family: Rutaceae) was examined by capillary gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The analysis revealed the presence of 24 constituents, of which 18 constituents were identified. Trans-anethole (57.73%) and methyl chavicol (37.48%) were the major compounds, while cis-anethole, p-anisaldehyde, (E)-jasmone, methyl eugenol, β-caryophyllene, linalool and (E)-methyl isoeugenol were also present as the minor constituents.
Babushok, V. I.; Linstrom, P. J.; Zenkevich, I. G.
Gas chromatographic retention indices were evaluated for 505 frequently reported plant essential oil components using a large retention index database. Retention data are presented for three types of commonly used stationary phases: dimethyl silicone (nonpolar), dimethyl silicone with 5% phenyl groups (slightly polar), and polyethylene glycol (polar) stationary phases. The evaluations are based on the treatment of multiple measurements with the number of data records ranging from about 5 to 800 per compound. Data analysis was limited to temperature programmed conditions. The data reported include the average and median values of retention index with standard deviations and confidence intervals.
Marčetić, Mirjana; Kovačević, Nada; Lakušić, Dmitar; Lakušić, Branislava
Plant specialised metabolites like essential oils are highly variable depending on genetic and various ecological factors. The aim of the present work was to characterise essential oils of the species Seseli rigidum Waldst. & Kit. (Apiaceae) in various organs on the individual and populational levels. Geographical variability and the impact of climate and soil type on essential oil composition were also investigated. Individually sampled essential oils of roots, aerial parts and fruits of plants from seven populations were analysed by GC-FID and GC-MS. The investigated populations showed high interpopulational and especially intrapopulational variability of essential oil composition. In regard to the variability of essential oils, different chemotypes were defined. The essential oils of S. rigidum roots represented a falcarinol chemotype, oils of aerial parts constituted an α-pinene or α-pinene/sabinene chemotype and fruit essential oils can be characterised as belonging to a complex sabinene/α-pinene/β-phellandrene/falcarinol/germacrene B chemotype. At the species level, analysis of variance (ANOVA), principal component analysis (PCA) and canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) showed that the plant part exerted the strongest influence on the composition of essential oils. Climate had a high impact on composition of the essential oils of roots, aerial parts and fruits, while influence of the substrate was less pronounced. The variations in main compounds of essential oils based on climate or substrate were complex and specific to the plant part. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Muturi, Ephantus J; Ramirez, Jose L; Doll, Kenneth M; Bowman, Michael J
Essential oils are potential alternatives to synthetic insecticides because they have low mammalian toxicity, degrade rapidly in the environment, and possess complex mixtures of bioactive constituents with multi-modal activity against the target insect populations. Twenty-one essential oils were initially screened for their toxicity against Aedes aegypti (L.) larvae and three out of the seven most toxic essential oils (Manuka, oregano, and clove bud essential oils) were examined for their chemical composition and combined toxicity against Ae. aegypti larvae. Manuka essential oil interacted synergistically with oregano essential oil and antagonistically with clove bud essential oil. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 21 components in Manuka essential oil and three components each in oregano and clove bud essential oils. Eugenol (84.9%) and eugenol acetate (9.6%) were the principal constituents in clove bud essential oil while carvacrol (75.8%) and m-isopropyltoluene (15.5%) were the major constituents in oregano essential oil. The major constituents in Manuka essential oil were calamenene (20%) and 3-dodecyl-furandione (11.4%). Manuka essential oil interacted synergistically with eugenol acetate and antagonistically with eugenol, suggesting that eugenol was a major contributor to the antagonistic interaction between Manuka and clove bud essential oils. In addition, Manuka interacted synergistically with carvacrol suggesting its contribution to the synergistic interaction between Manuka and oregano essential oils. These findings provide novel insights that can be used to develop new and safer alternatives to synthetic insecticides. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America 2017. This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US.
Asensio, Claudia M; Nepote, Valeria; Grosso, Nelson R
Four commercial varieties of oregano are farmed in Argentina: "Compacto,"Cordobes,"Criollo," y "Mendocino." Oregano essential oil is known for antioxidant properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in the intensities of positive and negative attributes in extra virgin olive oil with addition of essential oil obtained from the 4 Argentinean oregano types. Oregano essential oil was added into olive oil at 0.05% w/w. The samples were stored in darkness and light exposure during 126 d at room temperature. The intensity ratings of fruity, pungency, bitterness, oregano flavor, and rancid flavor were evaluated every 21 d by a trained sensory panel. In general, samples with addition of oregano essential oil in olive oil exhibited higher and lower intensity ratings of positive and negative attributes, respectively, during storage compared with the control samples. The first 2 principal components explained 72.3% of the variability in the olive oil samples. In general, positive attributes of olive oil were highly associated with the addition of oregano essential oil in darkness, whereas rancid flavor was negatively associated with them. Olive oil with oregano "Cordobes" essential oil was oppositely associated with light exposure treatments and negative attribute (rancid flavor) suggesting better performance as natural antioxidant of this essential oil in olive oil. The result of this study showed that the presence of oregano essential oil, specially "Cordobes" type, preserve sensory quality of extra virgin olive oil prolonging the shelf life of this product. Extra virgin olive oil is highly appreciated for its health benefits, taste, and aroma. These properties are an important aspect in this product quality and need to be preserved. The addition of natural additives instead of synthetic ones covers the present trend in food technology. This research showed that the addition of oregano essential oil preserved the intensity ratings of positive attributes
Koch, C; Reichling, J; Schneele, J; Schnitzler, P
Essential oils from anise, hyssop, thyme, ginger, camomile and sandalwood were screened for their inhibitory effect against herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in vitro on RC-37 cells using a plaque reduction assay. Genital herpes is a chronic, persistent infection spreading efficiently and silently as sexually transmitted disease through the population. Antiviral agents currently applied for the treatment of herpesvirus infections include acyclovir and its derivatives. The inhibitory concentrations (IC50) were determined at 0.016%, 0.0075%, 0.007%, 0.004%, 0.003% and 0.0015% for anise oil, hyssop oil, thyme oil, ginger oil, camomile oil and sandalwood oil, respectively. A clearly dose-dependent virucidal activity against HSV-2 could be demonstrated for all essential oils tested. In order to determine the mode of the inhibitory effect, essential oils were added at different stages during the viral infection cycle. At maximum noncytotoxic concentrations of the essential oils, plaque formation was significantly reduced by more than 90% when HSV-2 was preincubated with hyssop oil, thyme oil or ginger oil. However, no inhibitory effect could be observed when the essential oils were added to the cells prior to infection with HSV-2 or after the adsorption period. These results indicate that essential oils affected HSV-2 mainly before adsorption probably by interacting with the viral envelope. Camomile oil exhibited a high selectivity index and seems to be a promising candidate for topical therapeutic application as virucidal agents for treatment of herpes genitalis.
Umpiérrez, María Laura; Santos, Estela; Mendoza, Yamandú; Altesor, Paula; Rossini, Carmen
Beekeeping has experienced a great expansion worldwide. Nowadays, several conventional pesticides, some organic acids, and essential oil components are the main means of chemical control used against Varroa destructor, an ectoparasite that may contribute to the colony collapse disorders. Varroa resistance against conventional pesticides has already been reported; therefore it is imperative to look for alternative control agents to be included in integrated pest management programs. A good alternative seems to be the use of plant essential oils (EOs) which, as natural products, are less toxic and leave fewer residues. Within this context, a bioprospecting program of the local flora searching for botanical pesticides to be used as varroacides was launched. A primary screening (driven by laboratory assays testing for anti-Varroa activity, and safety to bees) led us to select the EOs from Eupatorium buniifolium (Asteraceae) for follow up studies. We have chemical characterized EOs from twigs and leaves collected at different times. The three E. buniifolium EOs tested were active against Varroa in laboratory assays; however, there are differences that might be attributable to chemical differences also found. The foliage EO was selected for a preliminary field trial (on an experimental apiary with 40 hives) that demonstrated acaricidal activity when applied to the hives. Although activity was less than that for oxalic acid (the positive control), this EO was less toxic to bees than the control, encouraging further studies.
Imtara, Hamada; Elamine, Youssef
The appearance of new bacterial strains which cause pathogenic diseases and which are resistant to the most used antibiotics requires probing new antibacterial agents sources. Therefore, the main aim of the present work was to follow the antibacterial activity of honey samples from Palestine and Morocco, after the combination with Origanum vulgare L. essential oil, and figure out whether the honey physicochemical parameters and geographic origin influence the final activity. The results of this study showed good geographical discrimination between the Palestinians and Moroccan honey samples. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activities showed a significant correlation with honey color, melanoidins, and phenolic and flavonoids contents. Furthermore, the possible effect of honey physicochemical parameters on the gained antimicrobial activities was assessed using the principal component analysis (PCA). Some parameters showed a promising effect and seem to be important in the process of honey samples selection. Namely, melanoidins content, phenolic content, electrical conductivity, and mineral content were shown to be positively influencing the gained antibacterial activity after the combination with essential oil against the tested strains, although a significant negative correlation was seen with the FIC only in the case of Escherichia coli (ATB: 57). PMID:29736180
Imtara, Hamada; Elamine, Youssef; Lyoussi, Badiâa
The appearance of new bacterial strains which cause pathogenic diseases and which are resistant to the most used antibiotics requires probing new antibacterial agents sources. Therefore, the main aim of the present work was to follow the antibacterial activity of honey samples from Palestine and Morocco, after the combination with Origanum vulgare L. essential oil, and figure out whether the honey physicochemical parameters and geographic origin influence the final activity. The results of this study showed good geographical discrimination between the Palestinians and Moroccan honey samples. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activities showed a significant correlation with honey color, melanoidins, and phenolic and flavonoids contents. Furthermore, the possible effect of honey physicochemical parameters on the gained antimicrobial activities was assessed using the principal component analysis (PCA). Some parameters showed a promising effect and seem to be important in the process of honey samples selection. Namely, melanoidins content, phenolic content, electrical conductivity, and mineral content were shown to be positively influencing the gained antibacterial activity after the combination with essential oil against the tested strains, although a significant negative correlation was seen with the FIC only in the case of Escherichia coli (ATB: 57).
Vilas, Vidya; Philip, Daizy; Mathew, Joseph
There are numerous reports on phytosynthesis of silver nanoparticles and various phytochemicals are involved in the reduction and stabilization. Pure explicit phytosynthetic protocol for catalytically and biologically active silver nanoparticles is of importance as it is an environmentally benign green method. This paper reports the use of essential oil of Myristica fragrans enriched in terpenes and phenyl propenes in the reduction and stabilization. FTIR spectra of the essential oil and the synthesized biogenic silver nanoparticles are in accordance with the GC-MS spectral analysis reports. Nanosilver is initially characterized by an intense SPR band around 420 nm, followed by XRD and TEM analysis revealing the formation of 12-26 nm sized, highly pure, crystalline silver nanoparticles. Excellent catalytic and bioactive potential of the silver nanoparticles is due to the surface modification. The chemocatalytic potential of nanosilver is exhibited by the rapid reduction of the organic pollutant, para nitro phenol and by the degradation of the thiazine dye, methylene blue. Significant antibacterial activity of the silver colloid against Gram positive, Staphylococcus aureus (inhibition zone - 12 mm) and Gram negative, Escherichia coli (inhibition zone - 14 mm) is demonstrated by Agar-well diffusion method. Strong antioxidant activity of the biogenic silver nanoparticles is depicted through NO scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, reducing power, DPPH and total antioxidant activity assays.
Lawson, L D; Wang, Z J; Hughes, B G
The content of dialk(en)yl thiosulfinates, including allicin, and their degradation products has been determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), using the respective determined extinction coefficients, for a number of commercially available garlic products. Quantitation has been achieved for the thiosulfinates; diallyl, methyl allyl, and diethyl mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, and hexasulfides; the vinyldithiins; and (E)- and (Z)-ajoene. The thiosulfinates were found to be released only from garlic cloves and garlic powder products. The vinyldithiins and ajoenes were found only in products containing garlic macerated in vegetable oil. The diallyl, methyl allyl, and dimethyl sulfide series were the exclusive constituents found in products containing the oil of steam-distilled garlic. Typical steam-distilled garlic oil products contained about the same amount of total sulfur compounds as total thiosulfinates released from freshly homogenized garlic cloves; however, oil-macerated products contained only 20% of that amount, while garlic powder products varied from 0 to 100%. Products containing garlic powder suspended in a a gel or garlic aged in aqueous alcohol did not contain detectable amounts of these non-ionic sulfur compounds. A comparison of several brands of each type of garlic product revealed a large range in content (4-fold for oil-macerates and 33-fold for steam-distilled garlic oils), indicating the importance of analysis before garlic products are used for clinical investigations or commercial distribution.
Jurevičiūtė, Rūta; Ložienė, Kristina; Bruno, Maurizio; Maggio, Antonella; Rosselli, Sergio
Distillation time can both to optimise the production and to engineer the composition of essential oil in essential oil bearing plants. Purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of duration of hydrodistillation on composition of essential oil of Thymus × citriodorus, the natural source of commercially important geraniol and citral, a component with valuable biological properties. Essential oils were isolated by hydrodistillation at different distillation times and analysed by GC/MS analytical methods. Increase in percentage of essential oil during all hydrodistillation time gradient was uneven. Elongation of hydrodistillation time decreased percentages of monoterpenes but increased percentages of sesquiterpenes in essential oil. Results showed that the hydrodistillation of essential oil from lemon thyme longer than 60 min is useless.
Tsubura, Airo; Lai, Yen-Chang; Kuwata, Maki; Uehara, Norihisa; Yoshizawa, Katsuhiko
Garlic and garlic-derived compounds reduce the development of mammary cancer in animals and suppress the growth of human breast cancer cells in culture. Oil-soluble compounds derived from garlic, such as diallyl disulfide (DADS), are more effective than water-soluble compounds in suppressing breast cancer. Mechanisms of action include the activation of metabolizing enzymes that detoxify carcinogens, the suppression of DNA adduct formation, the inhibition of the production of reactive oxygen species, the regulation of cell-cycle arrest and the induction of apoptosis. Selenium-enriched garlic or organoselenium compounds provide more potent protection against mammary carcinogenesis in rats and greater inhibition of breast cancer cells in culture than natural garlic or the respective organosulfur analogues. DADS synergizes the effect of eicosapentaenoic acid, a breast cancer suppressor, and antagonizes the effect of linoleic acid, a breast cancer enhancer. Moreover, garlic extract reduces the side effects caused by anti-cancer agents. Thus, garlic and garlic-derived compounds are promising candidates for breast cancer control.
Chaftar, Naouel; Girardot, Marion; Labanowski, Jérôme; Ghrairi, Tawfik; Hani, Khaled; Frère, Jacques; Imbert, Christine
In our research on natural compounds efficient against human pathogen or opportunist microorganisms contracted by food or water, the antimicrobial activity of 19 essential oils (EOs) was investigated against 11 bacterial species (6 Gram positive, 5 Gram negative) and 7 fungal species (2 dermatophytes, 1 mould, 4 yeasts) using microdilution assays. Five essential oils were obtained from Tunisian plants (EOtun): Artemisia herba-alba Asso, Juniperus phoenicea L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Ruta graveolens L. and Thymus vulgaris L., whereas others were commercial products (EOcom). Overall, T. vulgaris EOtun was the most efficient EO against both bacteria (Gram negative: MIC ≤ 0.34 mg/mL; Gram positive: MIC ≤ 0.70 mg/mL) and fungi (yeasts: MIC ≤ 0.55 mg/mL; mould: MIC = 0.30 mg/mL; dermatophytes: MIC ≤ 0.07 mg/mL). Two EOcom displayed both acceptable antibacterial and antifungal potency, although weaker than T. vulgaris EOtun activity: Origanum vulgare EOcom (bacteria: MIC ≤ 1.13 mg/mL, fungi: MIC ≤ 1.80 mg/mL), and Cymbopogon martinii var. motia EOcom (bacteria: MIC ≤ 1.00 mg/mL, fungi: MIC ≤ 0.80 mg/mL). Bacillus megaterium, Legionella pneumophila, Listeria monocytogenes and Trichophyton spp. were the most sensitive species to both EOcom and EOtun. This study demonstrated the noteworthy antimicrobial activity of two commercial EOs and points out the remarkable efficiency of T. vulgaris EOtun on all tested bacterial and fungal species, certainly associated with its high content in carvacrol (85 %). These three oils could thus represent promising candidates for applications in water and food protections.
Irkin, Reyhan; Abay, Secil; Aydin, Fuat
We investigated the inhibitory activity of commercially marketed essential oils of mint, rosemary, orange, sage, cinnamon, bay, clove, and cumin against Arcobacter butzleri and Arcobacter skirrowii and the effects of the essential oil of rosemary against A. butzleri in a cooked minced beef system. Using the disc diffusion method to determine the inhibitory activities of these plant essential oils against strains of Arcobacter, we found that those of rosemary, bay, cinnamon, and clove had strong inhibitory activity against these organisms, whereas the essential oils of cumin, mint, and sage failed to show inhibitory activity against most of the Arcobacter strains tested. The 0.5% (vol/wt) essential oil of rosemary was completely inhibitory against A. butzleri in the cooked minced beef system at 4°C. These essential oils may be further investigated as a natural solution to the food industry by creating an additional barrier (hurdle technology) to inhibit the growth of Arcobacter strains.
Anwer, Md Khalid; Jamil, Shahid; Ibnouf, Elmutasim Osman; Shakeel, Faiyaz
The aim of present study was to develop and evaluate nanoemulsion formulations of clove essential oil (CEO) for its antibacterial effects in comparison with pure CEO and standard amikacin antibiotic (positive control). Different nanoemulsions of CEO were developed by aqueous phase titration method via construction of pseudo-ternary phase diagrams and investigated for thermodynamic stability and self-nanoemulsification tests. Selected formulations (F1-F5) were characterized for droplet size distribution, viscosity, zeta potential, transmittance and surface morphology. Based on lowest droplet size (29.1 nm), lowest PI (0.026), lowest viscosity (34.6 cp), optimal zeta potential (-31.4 mV), highest transmittance (99.4 %) and lowest concentration of Triacetin (8 % w/w), CEO nanoemulsion F1 (containing 1 % w/w of CEO, 8 % w/w of Triacetin, 15 % w/w of Tween-80, 15 % w/w of Labrasol and 61 % w/w of water) was subjected to antibacterial studies in comparison with pure oil and standard amikacin. The antibacterial effects of F1 were found to be superior over pure oil against all bacterial strains investigated. However, the antibacterial effects of F1 were highly comparable with standard amikacin against all bacterial strains. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of F1 were observed in the range of 0.075-0.300 % w/w as compared to pure oil (MICs 0.130-0.500 % w/w) and standard amikacin (MICs 2-16 μg/ml). These results indicated the potential of nanoemulsions for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of natural bioactive ingredients such as CEO.
Ao, Yoko; Satoh, Kazue; Shibano, Katsushige; Kawahito, Yukari; Shioda, Seiji
Since we have been exposed to excessive amounts of stressors, aromatherapy for the relaxation has recently become very popular recently. However, there is a problem which responds to light with the essential oil used by aromatherapy. It is generally believed that singlet oxygen is implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases such as light-induced skin disorders and inflammatory responses. Here we studied whether essential oils can effectively scavenge singlet oxygen upon irradiation, using the electron spin resonance (ESR) method. Green light was used to irradiate twelve essential oils from rutaceae. Among these twelve essential oils, eight were prepared by the expression (or the compression) method (referred to as E oil), and four samples were prepared by the steam distillation method (referred to as SD oil). Five E oils enhanced singlet oxygen production. As these essential oils may be phototoxic, it should be used for their use whit light. Two E oils and three SD oils showed singlet oxygen scavenging activity. These results may suggest that the antioxidant activity of essential oils are judged from their radical scavenging activity. Essential oils, which enhance the singlet oxygen production and show higher cytotoxicity, may contain much of limonene. These results suggest that limonene is involved not only in the enhancement of singlet oxygen production but also in the expression of cytotoxic activity, and that attention has to be necessary for use of blended essential oils. PMID:18648659
Neher, Andreas; Gstöttner, Michaela; Thaurer, Michael; Augustijns, Patrick; Reinelt, Monika; Schobersberger, Wolfgang
In alternative and complementary medicine, the use of essential and fatty oils has become more and more popular. In addition to conventional medical therapies, self-medication is showing increasing popularity, using agents with unclear compounds and poorly controlled dosages. Among other disorders, these alternative treatments are used in bronchitis and rhinitis, including some topical applications. Thus, the influence on ciliated epithelia should be evaluated, because a disturbance of the ciliary function can lead to recurrent sinusitis and chronic rhinosinusitis. The aim of this study was to test the influence of fatty and essential oils on the ciliary beat frequency (CBF) of nasal mucosa in vivo. The influence of sesame oil, soy oil, peanut oil, Miglyol 840, thyme oil, lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, and menthol on the ciliary activity of nasal brushings was evaluated by digital high-speed imaging. The presence of most fatty oils resulted in an increase in CBF, the effect being highest for peanut oil. Miglyol 840 had no significant influence on CBF. The essential oils were tested at a concentration of 0.2 and 2%. Thyme oil did not affect CBF, whereas the presence of all other essentials oils resulted in an increase in CBF; the effect was higher at 0.2% than at 2%. Except thyme oil and Miglyol 840, all tested oils caused an increase in CBF. Interestingly, the 0.2% concentrations of essential oils resulted in stronger effects when compared with the 2% concentrations.
Harraz, Fathalla M; Hammoda, Hala M; El Ghazouly, Maged G; Farag, Mohamed A; El-Aswad, Ahmed F; Bassam, Samar M
Two essential oil-containing plants growing wildly in Egypt: Conyza linifolia (Willd.) Täckh. (Asteraceae) and Chenopodium ambrosioides L. (Chenopodiaceae) were subjected to essential oil analysis and biological investigation. The essential oils from both plants were prepared by hydrodistillation, and GC/MS was employed for volatiles profiling. This study is the first to perform GC/MS analysis of C. linifolia essential oil growing in Egypt. C. linifolia essential oil contained mainly sesquiterpenes, while that of C. ambrosioides was rich in monoterpenes. Ascaridole, previously identified as the major component of the latter, was found at much lower levels. In addition, the oils were investigated for their antimicrobial activity against two Gram positive and two Gram negative bacteria, and one fungus. The insecticidal activities of both oils, including mosquitocidal and pesticidal potentials, were also evaluated. The results of biological activities encourage further investigation of the two oils as antimicrobial and insecticidal agents of natural origin.
Vetvicka, Vaclav; Vetvickova, Jana
Thymus species are popular spices and contain volatile oils as main chemical constituents. Recently, plant-derived essential oils are gaining significant attention due to their significant biological activities. Seven different thymus-derived essential oils were compared in our study. First, we focused on their chemical composition, which was followed up by testing their effects on phagocytosis, cytokine production, chemotaxis, edema inhibition, and liver protection. We found limited biological activities among tested oils, with no correlation between composition and biological effects. Similarly, no oils were effective in every reaction. Based on our data, the tested biological use of these essential oils is questionable.
Kromer, Krystyna; Kreitschitz, Agnieszka; Kleinteich, Thomas; Gorb, Stanislav N; Szumny, Antoni
Arnica, a genus including the medicinal species A. montana, in its Arbo variety, and A. chamissonis, is among the plants richest in essential oils used as pharmaceutical materials. Despite its extensive use, the role of anatomy and histochemistry in the internal secretory system producing the essential oil is poorly understood. Anatomical sections allowed differentiation between two forms of secretory structures which differ according to their distribution in plants. The first axial type is connected to the vascular system of all vegetative organs and forms canals lined with epithelial cells. The second cortical type is represented by elongated intercellular spaces filled with oil formed only between the cortex cells of roots and rhizomes at maturity, with canals lacking an epithelial layer.Only in A. montana rhizomes do secretory structures form huge characteristic reservoirs. Computed tomography illustrates their spatial distribution and fusiform shape. The axial type of root secretory canals is formed at the interface between the endodermis and cortex parenchyma, while, in the stem, they are located in direct contact with veinal parenchyma. The peripheral phloem parenchyma cells are arranged in strands around sieve tube elements which possess a unique ability to accumulate large amounts of oil bodies. The cells of phloem parenchyma give rise to the aforementioned secretory structures while the lipid components (triacylglycerols) stored there support the biosynthesis of essential oils by later becoming a medium in which these oils are dissolved. The results indicate the integrity of axial secretory structures forming a continuous system in vegetative plant organs. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Japanese Society of Plant Physiologists. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: [email protected].
George, David R; Masic, Dino; Sparagano, Olivier A E; Guy, Jonathan H
The results of this study suggest that certain eucalyptus essential oils may be of use as an alternative to synthetic acaricides in the management of the poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae. At a level of 0.21 mg/cm(2), the essential oil from Eucalyptus citriodora achieved 85% mortality in D. gallinae over a 24 h exposure period in contact toxicity tests. A further two essential oils from different eucalyptus species, namely E. globulus and E. radiata, provided significantly (P < 0.05) lower mite mortality (11 and 19%, respectively). Notable differences were found between the eucalyptus essential oils regarding their chemical compositions. There appeared to be a trend whereby the essential oils that were composed of the fewer chemical components were the least lethal to D. gallinae. It may therefore be the case that the complexity of an essential oil's chemical make up plays an important role in dictating the toxicity of that oil to pests such as D. gallinae.
Melo, Antonio Diego Brandão; Amaral, Amanda Figueiredo; Schaefer, Gustavo; Luciano, Fernando Bittencourt; de Andrade, Carla; Costa, Leandro Batista; Rostagno, Marcos Horácio
The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity and determine the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the essential oils derived from Origanum vulgare (oregano), Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree), Cinnamomum cassia (cassia), and Thymus vulgaris (white thyme) against Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Enteritidis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. The study also investigated the ability of these different bacterial strains to develop adaptation after repetitive exposure to sub-lethal concentrations of these essential oils. The MBC of the essential oils studied was determined by disc diffusion and broth dilution methods. All essential oils showed antimicrobial effect against all bacterial strains. In general, the development of adaptation varied according to the bacterial strain and the essential oil (tea tree > white thyme > oregano). Therefore, it is important to use essential oils at efficient bactericidal doses in animal feed, food, and sanitizers, since bacteria can rapidly develop adaptation when exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of these oils.
Melo, Antonio Diego Brandão; Amaral, Amanda Figueiredo; Schaefer, Gustavo; Luciano, Fernando Bittencourt; de Andrade, Carla; Costa, Leandro Batista; Rostagno, Marcos Horácio
The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity and determine the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the essential oils derived from Origanum vulgare (oregano), Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree), Cinnamomum cassia (cassia), and Thymus vulgaris (white thyme) against Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Enteritidis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. The study also investigated the ability of these different bacterial strains to develop adaptation after repetitive exposure to sub-lethal concentrations of these essential oils. The MBC of the essential oils studied was determined by disc diffusion and broth dilution methods. All essential oils showed antimicrobial effect against all bacterial strains. In general, the development of adaptation varied according to the bacterial strain and the essential oil (tea tree > white thyme > oregano). Therefore, it is important to use essential oils at efficient bactericidal doses in animal feed, food, and sanitizers, since bacteria can rapidly develop adaptation when exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of these oils. PMID:26424908
The essential oil obtained from the aerial parts of Cladanthus arabicus (L.) Cass was studied for its chemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial and insecticidal activities. The essential oil (EO) was analyzed by GC-MS. Sixty seven compounds representing 94.2% of the oil were identified. The m...
Dill (Anethum graveolens L.) essential oil is widely used by the food and pharmaceutical industries. We hypothesized that the chemical constituents of dill seed essential oil are eluted at different times during the hydrodistillation process, resulting in oils with different composition and bioactiv...
Differential effects of selective frankincense (Ru Xiang) essential oil versus non-selective sandalwood (Tan Xiang) essential oil on cultured bladder cancer cells: a microarray and bioinformatics study
Background Frankincense (Boswellia carterii, known as Ru Xiang in Chinese) and sandalwood (Santalum album, known as Tan Xiang in Chinese) are cancer preventive and therapeutic agents in Chinese medicine. Their biologically active ingredients are usually extracted from frankincense by hydrodistillation and sandalwood by distillation. This study aims to investigate the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities of frankincense and sandalwood essential oils in cultured human bladder cancer cells. Methods The effects of frankincense (1,400–600 dilutions) (v/v) and sandalwood (16,000–7,000 dilutions) (v/v) essential oils on cell viability were studied in established human bladder cancer J82 cells and immortalized normal human bladder urothelial UROtsa cells using a colorimetric XTT cell viability assay. Genes that responded to essential oil treatments in human bladder cancer J82 cells were identified using the Illumina Expression BeadChip platform and analyzed for enriched functions and pathways. The chemical compositions of the essential oils were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Results Human bladder cancer J82 cells were more sensitive to the pro-apoptotic effects of frankincense essential oil than the immortalized normal bladder UROtsa cells. In contrast, sandalwood essential oil exhibited a similar potency in suppressing the viability of both J82 and UROtsa cells. Although frankincense and sandalwood essential oils activated common pathways such as inflammatory interleukins (IL-6 signaling), each essential oil had a unique molecular action on the bladder cancer cells. Heat shock proteins and histone core proteins were activated by frankincense essential oil, whereas negative regulation of protein kinase activity and G protein-coupled receptors were activated by sandalwood essential oil treatment. Conclusion The effects of frankincense and sandalwood essential oils on J82 cells and UROtsa cells involved different mechanisms leading to
de Rapper, Stephanie; Kamatou, Guy; Viljoen, Alvaro
The antimicrobial activity of Lavandula angustifolia essential oil was assessed in combination with 45 other oils to establish possible interactive properties. The composition of the selected essential oils was confirmed using GC-MS with a flame ionization detector. The microdilution minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay was undertaken, whereby the fractional inhibitory concentration (ΣFIC) was calculated for the oil combinations. When lavender oil was assayed in 1 : 1 ratios with other oils, synergistic (26.7%), additive (48.9%), non-interactive (23.7%), and antagonistic (0.7%) interactions were observed. When investigating different ratios of the two oils in combination, the most favourable interactions were when L. angustifolia was combined with Cinnamomum zeylanicum or with Citrus sinensis, against C. albicans and S. aureus, respectively. In 1 : 1 ratios, 75.6% of the essential oils investigated showed either synergistic or additive results, lending in vitro credibility to the use of essential oil blends in aroma-therapeutic practices. Within the field of aromatherapy, essential oils are commonly employed in mixtures for the treatment of infectious diseases; however, very little evidence exists to support the use in combination. This study lends some credence to the concomitant use of essential oils blended with lavender. PMID:23737850
Van Hung, Pham; Chi, Pham Thi Lan; Phi, Nguyen Thi Lan
Citrus essential oils (EOs) are volatile compounds from citrus peels and widely used in perfumes, cosmetics, soaps and aromatherapy. In this study, inhibition of citrus EOs extracted from Vietnamese orange (Citrus sinensis), mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco), pomelo (Citrus grandis Osbeck) and lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle) on the growth of plant pathogenic fungi, Mucor hiemalis, Penicillium expansum and Fusarium proliferatum was investigated. The EOs of the citrus peels were obtained by cold-pressing method and the antifungal activity of EOs was evaluated using the agar dilution method. The results show that the EOs had significant antifungal activity. Lime EO was the best inhibitor of M. hiemalis and F. proliferatum while pomelo EO was the most effective against P. expansum. These results indicate that citrus EOs can be used as antifungal natural products in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
Santana, Omar; Fe Andrés, Maria; Sanz, Jesús; Errahmani, Naima; Abdeslam, Lamiri; González-Coloma, Azucena
The chemical composition and biological activity of cultivated and wild medicinal and aromatic plants from Morocco (Artemisia herba-alba, Lippia citriodora, Mentha pulegium, M. spicata, Myrtus communis, Rosmarinus officinalis, and Thymus satureioides) are described. The essential oils (EOs) of these species have been analyzed by GC-MS. The antifeedant, nematicidal and phytotoxic activities of the EOs were tested on insect pests (Spodoptera littoralis, Myzus persicae and Rhopalosiphum padi), root-knot nematodes (Meloydogine javanica) and plants (Lactuca sativa, Lolium perenne and Lycopersicum esculentum). EOs from A. herba-alba, M. pulegium and R. officinalis were strong antifeedants against S. littoralis, M. persicae and R. padi. EOs from L. citriodora, M. spicata and T. satureioides showed high nematicidal activity. These biological effects are explained by the activity of the major EO components and/or synergistic effects.
Chang, Ching-Wen; Chang, Wei-Lung; Chang, Shang-Tzen; Cheng, Sen-Sung
The objective of this study was to determine the antimicrobial activity of essential oils (EOs) extracted from Cinnamomum osmophloeum leaves and different tissues of Cryptomeria japonica against pathogenic Legionella pneumophila at 42 degrees C. Ten kinds of EOs were extracted by water distillation and their chemical constituents were quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The results showed that cinnamon leaf EO possessed stronger anti-L. pneumophila activity than C. japonica EO. In particular, the highest bactericidal effect was noted in contact with C. osmophloeum leaf EO of cinnamaldehyde type (characterized by its major constituent of cinnamaldehyde accounting for 91.3% of EO), regardless of contacted cell concentration (2 and 4 log CFU ml(-1)) or exposure time (10 and 60 min). Cinnamaldehyde is responsible for anti-L. pneumophila activity based on the results of antimicrobial testing and statistical analysis. Stepwise regression analyses show that EO concentration is the most significant factor affecting the bioactivity of EO. It is concluded that C. osmophloeum leaf oil of cinnamaldehyde type and its major constituent, cinnamaldehyde, possess strong anti-L. pneumophila activities, and have the great potential to be used as an antibacterial agent to control legionellosis associated with hot tubs and spa facilities widely used in homes and resorts.
Nematicidal activity of plant essential oils and components from coriander (Coriandrum sativum), Oriental sweetgum (Liquidambar orientalis), and valerian (Valeriana wallichii) essential oils against pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus).
Kim, Junheon; Seo, Sun-Mi; Lee, Sang-Gil; Shin, Sang-Chul; Park, Il-Kwon
Commercial essential oils from 28 plant species were tested for their nematicidal activities against the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. Good nematicidal activity against B. xylophilus was achieved with essential oils of coriander (Coriandrum sativum), Oriental sweetgum (Liquidambar orientalis), and valerian (Valeriana wallichii). Analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry led to the identification of 26, 11, and 4 major compounds from coriander (Coriandrum sativum), Oriental sweetgum (Liquidambar orientalis), and valerian (Valeriana wallichii) oils, respectively. Compounds from each plant essential oil were tested individually for their nematicidal activities against the pine wood nematode. Among the compounds, benzaldehyde, trans-cinnamyl alcohol, cis-asarone, octanal, nonanal, decanal, trans-2-decenal, undecanal, dodecanal, decanol, and trans-2-decen-1-ol showed strong nematicidal activity. The essential oils described herein merit further study as potential nematicides against the pine wood nematode.
The common bed bug (Cimex lectularius L.) resurged in the U.S. and many other countries over the past decade. The need for safe and effective bed bug control products propelled the development of numerous “green pesticides”, mostly with essential oils listed as active ingredients. Various inorganic ...
Lemberkovics, Eva; Kakasy, András Zoltán; Héthelyi, B Eva; Simándi, Béla; Böszörményi, Andrea; Balázs, Andrea; Szoke, Eva
In this work the essential oil composition of some less known Dracocephalum species was studied and compared the effectiveness, selectivity and influence of different extraction methods (hydrodistillation, Soxhlet extraction with organic solvents and supercritical fluid extraction) on essential oils. For investigations in Hungary and Transylvania cultivated plant material was used. The analysis of essential oils was carried out by GC and GC-MS methods. The components were identified by standard addition, retention factors and mass spectra. The percentile evaluation of each volatile constituents was made on basis of GC-FID chromatograms. The accuracy of measurements was characterized by relative standard deviation. In the essential oil of D. renati Emb. (studied firstly by us) 18.3% of limonene was measured and carvone, citrals and linalyl acetate monoterpenes, methyl chavicol and some sesquiterpene (e.g. bicyclovetivenol) determined in lower quantities. We established that more than 50% of essential oil of D. grandiflorum L. was formed by sesquiterpenes (beta-caryophyllene and- oxide, beta-bourbonene, beta-cubebene, aromadendrene) and the essential oil of D. ruyschiana L. contained pinocamphone isomers in more than 60%. The oxygenated acyclic monoterpenes, the characteristic constituents of Moldavian dragonhead were present in some tenth percent only in D. renati oil. We found significant differences in the composition of the SFE extract and traditional essential oil of D. moldavica L. The supercritical fractions collected at the beginning of the extraction process were richer in valuable ester component (geranyl acetate) than the essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation. The fractions collected at the end of supercritical were poor in oxygenated monoterpenes but rich in minor compounds of traditional oil, e.g. palmitic acid.
Ayala-Zavala, J Fernando; González-Aguilar, Gustavo A; del-Toro-Sánchez, L
Microbial and aroma attributes are within the most decisive factors limiting safety and sensory appealing of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. Alternatively, several plant essential oils (EOs) are constituted of several volatile active compounds and most of them present antimicrobial potential and had different aroma profile. Considering these premises, this hypothesis article states that safety and aroma appealing of fresh-cut produce could be improved with EO treatment. EOs could prevent fresh-cut fruit decay; however, their volatile constituents could be sorbed by the produce, and according to the aroma notes of the antimicrobial oil, sensorial appealing of odor, and flavor of the treated produce might be affected positively or negatively. Specifically, garlic oil is a natural antimicrobial constituted by sulfur compounds, which are responsible for its odor and antimicrobial properties. Besides, fresh-cut tomato is a highly perishable product that needs antimicrobial agents to preserve its quality and safety for a longer period of time. From the sensorial point of view, aroma combination of garlic and tomato is a common seasoning practice in Europe and America and well accepted by consumers. Once the right combination of flavors between the EOs and the fresh-cut produce has been selected, safety and quality of the treated fruit could be improved by adding antimicrobial protection and extra aroma. Therefore, other combinations between EOs and fresh-cut produce are discussed. This approximation could reinforce the trends of natural food preservation, accomplishing the demands of the increasing sector of consumers demanding tasty and convenient fresh-cut produce, containing only natural ingredients.
Rabbani, Mohammed; Sajjadi, Seyed Ebrahim; Vaezi, Arefeh
Ocimum basilicum belongs to Lamiaceae family and has been used for the treatment of wide range of diseases in traditional medicine in Iranian folk medicine. Due to the progressive need to anti-anxiety medications and because of the similarity between O. basilicum and Salvia officinalis, which has anti-anxiety effects, we decided to investigate the anxiolytic and sedative activity of hydroalcoholic extract and essential oil of O. basilicum in mice by utilizing an elevated plus maze and locomotor activity meter. The chemical composition of the plant essential oil was also determined. The essential oil and hydroalcoholic extract of this plant were administered intraperitoneally to male Syrian mice at various doses (100, 150 and 200 mg/kg of hydroalcoholic extract and 200 mg/kg of essential oil) 30 min before starting the experiment. The amount of hydroalcoholic extract was 18.6% w/w and the essential oil was 0.34% v/w. The major components of the essential oil were methyl chavicol (42.8%), geranial (13.0%), neral (12.2%) and β-caryophyllene (7.2%). HE at 150 and 200 mg/kg and EO at 200 mg/kg significantly increased the time passed in open arms in comparison to control group. This finding was not significant for the dose of 100 mg/kg of the extract. None of the dosages had significant effect on the number of entrance to the open arms. Moreover, both the hydroalcoholic extract and the essential oil decreased the locomotion of mice in comparison to the control group. This study shows the anxiolytic and sedative effect of hydroalcoholic extract and essential oil of O. basilicum. The anti-anxiety and sedative effect of essential oil was higher than the hydroalcoholic extract with the same doses. These effects could be due to the phenol components of O. basilicum.
Rabbani, Mohammed; Sajjadi, Seyed Ebrahim; Vaezi, Arefeh
Ocimum basilicum belongs to Lamiaceae family and has been used for the treatment of wide range of diseases in traditional medicine in Iranian folk medicine. Due to the progressive need to anti-anxiety medications and because of the similarity between O. basilicum and Salvia officinalis, which has anti-anxiety effects, we decided to investigate the anxiolytic and sedative activity of hydroalcoholic extract and essential oil of O. basilicum in mice by utilizing an elevated plus maze and locomotor activity meter. The chemical composition of the plant essential oil was also determined. The essential oil and hydroalcoholic extract of this plant were administered intraperitoneally to male Syrian mice at various doses (100, 150 and 200 mg/kg of hydroalcoholic extract and 200 mg/kg of essential oil) 30 min before starting the experiment. The amount of hydroalcoholic extract was 18.6% w/w and the essential oil was 0.34% v/w. The major components of the essential oil were methyl chavicol (42.8%), geranial (13.0%), neral (12.2%) and β-caryophyllene (7.2%). HE at 150 and 200 mg/kg and EO at 200 mg/kg significantly increased the time passed in open arms in comparison to control group. This finding was not significant for the dose of 100 mg/kg of the extract. None of the dosages had significant effect on the number of entrance to the open arms. Moreover, both the hydroalcoholic extract and the essential oil decreased the locomotion of mice in comparison to the control group. This study shows the anxiolytic and sedative effect of hydroalcoholic extract and essential oil of O. basilicum. The anti-anxiety and sedative effect of essential oil was higher than the hydroalcoholic extract with the same doses. These effects could be due to the phenol components of O. basilicum. PMID:26779273
Kumar, Peeyush; Mishra, Sapna; Kumar, Atul; Sharma, Amit Kumar
The control potential of seven plant essential oils was evaluated against Fusarium proliferatum (Matsushima) Nirenberg and Fusarium verticillioides Sheldon. The fungicidal activity was assessed through microtiter plate assay to determine the minimum inhibitory and fungicidal concentration of essential oils. The essential oil of Mentha arvensis was adjudged as best for inhibiting the fungal growth, while oil of Thymus vulgaris and Anethum graveolens showed high efficacy in terms of fungicidal activity. The oil of M. arvensis and T. vulgaris also showed good inhibition activity in agar disc diffusion assay. M. arvensis essential oil was analysed for its composition using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry revealing menthol (63.18 %), menthone (15.08 %), isomenthyl acetate (5.50 %) and limonene (4.31 %) as major components. Significant activity of M. arvensis essential oil against F. proliferatum and F. verticillioides isolates obtained, pave the way for its use as antifungal control agents.
Brunel, Marion; Vitrac, Caroline; Costa, Jean; Mzali, Fatima; Vitrac, Xavier; Muselli, Alain
The chemical composition of Phagnalon sordidum (L.) essential oil was investigated for the first time using gas chromatography and chromatography-mass spectrometry. Seventy-six compounds, which accounted for 87.9% of the total amount, were identified in a collective essential oil of P. sordidum from Corsica. The main essential oil components were (E)-β-caryophyllene (14.4%), β-pinene (11.0%), thymol (9.0%), and hexadecanoic acid (5.3%). The chemical compositions of essential oils from 19 Corsican locations were investigated. The study of the chemical variability using statistical analysis allowed identifying direct correlation between the three populations of P. sordidum widespread in Corsica and the essential oil compositions they produce. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of P. sordidum essential oil was evaluated and exhibited a notable activity on a large panel of clinically significant microorganisms. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Brunel, Marion; Vitrac, Caroline; Costa, Jean; Mzali, Fatima; Vitrac, Xavier; Muselli, Alain
The chemical composition of Phagnalon sordidum (L.) essential oil was investigated for the first time using gas chromatography and chromatography/mass spectrometry. Seventy-six compounds, which accounted for 87.9% of the total amount, were identified in a collective essential oil of P. sordidum from Corsica. The main essential oil components were (E)-β-caryophyllene (14.4%), β-pinene (11.0%), thymol (9.0%), and hexadecanoic acid (5.3%). The chemical compositions of essential oils from 19 Corsican locations were investigated. The study of the chemical variability using statistical analysis allowed identifying direct correlation between the three populations of P. sordidum widespread in Corsica and the essential oil compositions they produce. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of P. sordidum essential oil was evaluated and it exhibited a notable activity on a large panel of clinically significant microorganisms. © 2016 Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta AG, Zürich.
Misharina, T A; Samusenko, A L
Antioxidant properties of individual essential oils from lemon (Citrus limon L.), pink grapefruit (Citrus paradise L.), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), and clove (Caryophyllus aromaticus L.) buds and their mixtures were studied by capillary gas-liquid chromatography. Antioxidant activity was assessed by oxidation of the aliphatic aldehyde hexanal to the carboxylic acid. The lowest and highest antioxidant activities were exhibited by grapefruit and clove bud essential oils, respectively. Mixtures containing clove bud essential oil also strongly inhibited oxidation of hexanal. Changes in the composition of essential oils and their mixtures in the course of long-term storage in the light were studied. The stability of components of lemon and coriander essential oils in mixtures increased compared to individual essential oils.
Soetjipto, H.; Martono, Y.
The main purposes of this study are to compile antibacterial activity data of essential oils from Indonesian’s plants in order which can be used as a natural antibiotic in “jamu” to increase potential Indonesian medicinal herb. By using Agar Diffusing method, Bioautography and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrum, respectively, antibacterial activity and chemical compounds of 12 plants essential oils were studied in the Natural Product Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Satya Wacana Christian University, Salatiga since 2007 until 2015. The results of this studies showed that all of the essential oils have a medium to a strong antibacterial activity which are in the range of 30 - 2,500 μg and 80-5,000 μg. Further on, the essential oils analyzed by GCMS showed that each essential oils have different dominant compounds. These data can be used as basic doses in the usage of essential oils as natural antibiotics.
Misharina, T A; Alinkina, E S; Medvedeva, I B
The antiradical properties of essential oils and extracts from the clove bud (Eugenia caryophyllata Thumb.) and berries of tree (Pimenta dioica (L.) Meriff) were studied and compared with the properties of synthetic antioxidant ionol (2,6-ditret-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene, BHT) in model reactions with the stable free 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. The essential oils of clove bud and pimento had qualitatively close composition of the main components but differed by their quantitative content. In the studied samples, eugenol was the main compound with high antiradical activity. The reaction rates of essential oils and extracts with the DPPH radical were practically the same for essential oils and twice the reaction rate of BHT. The values of antiradical efficiency (AE) were also close for essential oils and were twice that for extracts and ionol. A synergetic action of components in the essential oil and extract of pimento on antiradical efficiency values was found.
armigera) than had the extracts of other plant species . The essential oil of E. buniifolium was evaluated against Varroa mite (Varroa...however by hours 3, 4 and 5, mortality increased to about 95% (Fig. 1). Many of more potent essential oil compounds such as Neem oil can inflict...did kill greater than 95% of adult bugs at 1% concentration after 3h exposure. This was nearly as many bugs that were killed by 100% neem oil and
Khan, M S A; Zahin, M; Hasan, S; Husain, F M; Ahmad, I
To evaluate quorum sensing (QS) inhibitory activity of plant essential oils using strains of Chromobacterium violaceum (CV12472 and CVO26) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1). Inhibition of QS-controlled violacein production in C. violaceum was assayed using disc diffusion and agar well diffusion method. Of the 21 essential oils, four oils showed varying levels of anti-QS activity. Syzygium aromaticum (Clove) oil showed promising anti-QS activity on both wild and mutant strains with zones of pigment inhibition 19 and 17 mm, respectively, followed by activity in cinnamon, lavender and peppermint oils. The effect of clove oil on the extent of violacein production was estimated photometrically and found to be concentration dependent. At sub-MICs of clove oil, 78.4% reduction in violacein production over control and up to 78% reduction in swarming motility in PAO1 over control were recorded. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of clove oil indicated presence of many phytocompounds. Eugenol, the major constituent of clove oil could not exhibit anti-QS activity. Presence of anti-QS activity in clove oil and other essential oils has indicated new anti-infective activity. The identification of anti-QS phytoconstituents is needed to assess the mechanism of action against both C. violaceum and Ps. aeruginosa. Essential oils having new antipathogenic drugs principle because of its anti-QS activity might be important in reducing virulence and pathogenicity of drug-resistant bacteria in vivo.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) is one of the most widely spread and used medicinal and essential oil crop in the world. Chamomile essential oil is extracted via steam distillation of the inflorescences (flowers). In this study, distillation time (DT) was found to be a crucial determinant of yi...
Han, Zhifeng; Shen, Jie; Guo, Liwei; Fan, Wenlin
To separate essential oil of Caryophyllix flos from oil-in-water emulsion, and to enrich the essential oil by microfiltration (MF). Using membrane flux and removal rate of COD as the indicatrixes, the membrane material as well as the operating conditions containing pressure, surface speed, temperature were optimized. The results showed that QWLM membrane of hydrophilic is the proper membrane, and the best operating conditions was at 0.06 MPa, 60 degrees C, and 150 r min(-1) stir speed. It can be concluded that MF is a reasonable way to enrich essential oil of C. flox.
Schicchi, Rosario; Geraci, Anna; Rosselli, Sergio; Maggio, Antonella; Bruno, Maurizio
Abies nebrodensis (Lojac.) Mattei (Pinaceae) is a species occurring in a very small population only in a restricted area of Sicily. Its taxonomic classification as different species has been object of discussion. In this work the chemical composition of the essential oil from the leaves is presented for the first time and compared to the essential oils from other euroasiatic species reported in literature. Peculiar characteristics of the essential oil of A. nebrodensis are highlighted. © 2017 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.
Liang, Rui; Peng, Qi-Jun
To analyze the constituents of essential oil from the skin of water caltrop. Water steam distillation and GC-MS were used. 58 componds were separated respectively. 56 componds being identified which were 96. 5% of the totle essential oil. Diethyl phthalate, acetamide, N-acetyl-N, N'-1,2-ethanediylbis-, isopropyl palmitate, hexadecanoic acid, Z-11 and octadecanoic acid are the main component of essential oil from the skin of water caltrop.
Rosato, Antonio; Vitali, Cesare; Gallo, Daniela; Balenzano, Luca; Mallamaci, Rosanna
In this work we highlight a possible synergistic anti-Candida effect between Melaleuca alternifolia, Origanum vulgare and Pelargonium graveolens essential oils and the antifungal compound Amphotericin B. The antifungal activity was assessed using the agar dilution method in eleven Candida strains. The results obtained indicate the occurrence of a synergistic interaction between the essential oils under study and Amphotericin B. P. graveolens essential oil appeared to be the most effective, inhibiting all the Candida species evaluated by this study.
Vyry Wouatsa, N A; Misra, Laxminarain; Venkatesh Kumar, R
The essential oils of 2 Cameroonian spices, namely, Xylopia aethiopica and Ocimum canum, were chemically investigated and screened for their antibacterial activity. The essential oils were analyzed by means of GC, GC/MS, and NMR. X. aethiopica oil contained myrtenol (12%), a monoterpenoid in highest concentration. The essential oil of O. canum belonged to the known linalool (44%) rich chemotype. The results of the antibacterial screening against the food spoiling bacteria revealed a significant and broad spectrum of activity for these essential oils. The present material of X. aethiopica, which is having myrtenol in relatively higher concentration, has shown moderate antibacterial activity. The bioassay-guided fractionation of Ocimum canum oil through flash chromatography showed that minor compounds, namely, α-terpineol, chavicol, chavibetol, and trans-p-mentha-2,8-dien-ol, significantly contributed for the overall activity observed. Hence, these results evidenced the possible potential of the essential oil of O. canum as a suitable antibacterial for controlling food-borne pathogens whereas the X. aethiopica oil has moderate possibility. There is a strong global demand for the microbe-free, safe, and healthy foods. In this study, we showed that the essential oil of O. canum (wild basil) can be used as antibacterial for food items. Also, we showed that a value addition in the antibacterial potential of O. canum oil can be done by processing the essential oil through flash chromatographic separations. © 2014 Institute of Food Technologists®
Miller, Andrew B; Cates, Rex G; Lawrence, Michael; Soria, J Alfonso Fuentes; Espinoza, Luis V; Martinez, Jose Vicente; Arbizú, Dany A
Essential oils are prevalent in many medicinal plants used for oral hygiene and treatment of diseases. Medicinal plant species were extracted to determine the essential oil content. Those producing sufficient oil were screened for activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Candida albicans. Plant samples were collected, frozen, and essential oils were extracted by steam distillation. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined using a tube dilution assay for those species yielding sufficient oil. Fifty-nine of the 141 plant species produced sufficient oil for collection and 12 species not previously reported to produce essential oils were identified. Essential oil extracts from 32 species exhibited activity against one or more microbes. Oils from eight species were highly inhibitory to S. mutans, four species were highly inhibitory to C. albicans, and 19 species yielded MIC values less than the reference drugs. RESULTS suggest that 11 species were highly inhibitory to the microbes tested and merit further investigation. Oils from Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume (Lauraceae), Citrus aurantiifolia (Christm.) Swingle (Rutaceae), Lippia graveolens Kunth (Verbenaceae), and Origanum vulgare L. (Lamiaceae) yielded highly significant or moderate activity against all microbes and have potential as antimicrobial agents. Teas prepared by decoction or infusion are known methods for extracting essential oils. Oils from 11 species were highly active against the microbes tested and merit investigation as to their potential for addressing health-related issues and in oral hygiene.
Gursoy, Ulvi Kahraman; Gursoy, Mervi; Gursoy, Orhan Vedat; Cakmakci, Lutfu; Könönen, Eija; Uitto, Veli-Jukka
Essential oils of several plants are widely used in ethnomedicine for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. However, very limited data exist on their use in connection to periodontal diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the bacterial growth inhibiting and anti-biofilm effects of Satureja hortensis L. (summer savory), Salvia fruticosa M. (sage), Lavandula stoechas L. (lavender), Myrtus communis L., and Juniperus communis L. (juniper) essential oils. Chemical compositions of the essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, minimum inhibitor concentrations (MICs) with the agar dilution method, and anti-biofilm effects by the microplate biofilm assay. The toxicity of each essential oil was tested on cultured keratinocytes. Of the 5 essential oils, S. hortensis L. essential oil had the strongest growth inhibition effect. Subinhibitory dose of S. hortensis L. essential oil had anti-biofilm effects only against Prevotella nigrescens. Essential oils did not inhibit keratinocyte viability at the concentrations of 1 and 5 microl/ml, however at the concentration of 5 microl/ml epithelial cells detached from the culture well bottom. The present findings suggest that S. hortensis L. essential oil inhibits the growth of periodontal bacteria in the concentration that is safe on keratinocytes, however, in the subinhibitory concentration its anti-biofilm effect is limited.
Kringel, Dianini Hüttner; Antunes, Mariana Dias; Klein, Bruna; Crizel, Rosane Lopes; Wagner, Roger; de Oliveira, Roberto Pedroso; Dias, Alvaro Renato Guerra; Zavareze, Elessandra da Rosa
The aim of this study was to produce and characterize inclusion complexes (IC) between β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and orange essential oil (OEO) or eucalyptus essential oil (EEO), and to compare these with their pure compounds and physical mixtures. The samples were evaluated by chemical composition, morphology, thermal stability, and volatile compounds by static headspace-gas chromatography (SH-GC). Comparing the free essential oil and physical mixture with the inclusion complex, of both essential oils (OEO and EEO), it was observed differences occurred in the chemical composition, thermal stability, and morphology. These differences show that there was the formation of the inclusion complex and demonstrate the necessity of the precipitation method used to guarantee the interaction between β-CD and essential oils. The slow loss of the volatile compounds from both essential oils, when complexed with β-CD, showed a higher stability when compared with their physical mixtures and free essential oils. Therefore, the results showed that the chemical composition, molecular size, and structure of the essential oils influence the characteristics of the inclusion complexes. The application of the β-CD in the formation of inclusion complexes with essential oils can expand the potential applications in foods. © 2017 Institute of Food Technologists®.
Oriani, Vivian Boesso; Molina, Gustavo; Chiumarelli, Marcela; Pastore, Gláucia Maria; Hubinger, Miriam Dupas
Edible coatings were produced using cassava starch (2% and 3% w/v) containing cinnamon bark (0.05% to 0.30% v/v) or fennel (0.05% to 0.30% v/v) essential oils. Edible cassava starch coating at 2% and 3% (w/v) containing or not containing 0.30% (v/v) of each essential oils conferred increased in water vapor resistance and decreased in the respiration rates of coated apple slices when compared with uncoated fruit. Cassava starch coatings (2% w/v) added 0.10% or 0.30% (v/v) fennel or cinnamon bark essential oils showed antioxidant capacity, and the addition of 0.30% (v/v) of each essential oil demonstrated antimicrobial properties. The coating containing cinnamon bark essential oil showed a significant antioxidant capacity, comparing to fennel essential oil. Antimicrobial tests showed that the addition of 0.30% (v/v) cinnamon bark essential oil to the edible coating inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella choleraesuis, and 0.30% fennel essential oil inhibited just S. aureus. Treatment with 2% (w/v) of cassava starch containing 0.30% (v/v) of the cinnamon bark essential oil showed barrier properties, an antioxidant capacity and microbial inhibition. © 2014 Institute of Food Technologists®
Dawidowicz, Andrzej L; Rado, Ewelina; Wianowska, Dorota
Superheated water extraction (SWE) performed in both static and dynamic condition (S-SWE and D-SWE, respectively) was applied for the extraction of essential oil from Thymus vulgaris L. The influence of extraction pressure, temperature, time, and flow rate on the total yield of essential oil and the influence of extraction temperature on the extraction of some chosen components are discussed in the paper. The SWE extracts are related to PLE extracts with n-hexane and essential oil obtained by steam distillation. The superheated water extraction in dynamic condition seems to be a feasible option for the extraction of essential oil components from T. vulgaris L.
Fabeiro, Concepcion; Andres, Manuela; Wic, Consuelo
One of the most important limitations of garlic cultivation is the presence of various soil pathogens. Fusarium proliferatum and Sclerotinium cepivorum and nematode Ditilenchus dipsaci cause such problems that prevent the repetition of the crop in the same field for at least 5 -8 years or soil disinfection is necessary. Chemical disinfection treatments have an uncertain future, in the European Union are reviewing their use, due to the effect on the non-pathogenic soil fauna. This situation causes a itinerant cultivation to avoid the limitations imposed by soil diseases, thereby increasing production costs. The Santa Monica Cooperative (Albacete, Spain) requested advice on possible alternative techniques, solarization and biosolarization. For which a trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness on the riverside area of the municipality. This place has recently authorized irrigation, which would allow the repeated cultivation of garlic if the incidence of soil diseases and the consequent soil fatigue could be avoided. Additionally, this work will serve to promote the cultivation of organic garlic. Last, but not least, the biosolarization technique allows to use waste from wineries, oil mills and mushroom crops. (Bello et al. 2003). The essay should serve as demonstrative proof for farmers' cooperative members. The specific objective for this first year is to assess, the effect on the global soil biota, on the final garlic production and quality and the effect of biosolarization to control soil pathogens. The trial is set on a cooperative's plot previously cultivated with corn. 5 treatments were set, defined by different amounts of organic matter applied, 7.5, 5, 2.5 kg m -2, a solarized with no organic matter, and a control without any treatment. The plot has inground sprinkler for full coverage with four sprinkler lines demarcating the five bands of differential treatment, randomly arranged. Organic matter was incorporated the August 14, 2013, then thoroughly
Goodarzi, Saeid; Hadjiakhoondi, Abbas; Yassa, Narguess; Khanavi, Mahnaz; Tofighi, Zahra
Astrodaucus persicus, Apiaceae, is used as vegetable or food additive in some parts of Iran. The essential oils of different parts of Astrodaucus persicus from Kordestan province were analyzed for the first time and compared with other regions. In this study, antioxidant activities and total phenols determination of aerial parts essential oils and root fractions of A. persicus were investigated. The essential oils were obtained by hydro-distillation from flowers/fruits, leaves/stems, ripe fruits and roots of plant and analyzed by GC-MS. Crude root extract was fractionated with hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. Antioxidant activities by DPPH and FRAP methods and total phenols by Folin-ciocalteu assay were measured. The abundant compounds of flowers/fruits blue essential oil were α-thujene, β-pinene and α-pinene. The predominant components of blue leaves/stems essential oil were α-thujene, α-pinene and α-fenchene. The major volatiles of ripe fruits blue essential oil were β-pinene, α-thujene and α-pinene. The chief compounds of root yellow essential oil were trans-caryophyllene, bicycogermacrene and germacrene-D. Total root extract and ethyl acetate fraction showed potent antioxidant activities and high amount of total phenols in comparison to other samples. Among volatile oils, the flowers/fruits essential oil showed potent reducing capacity. The major compounds of aerial parts essential oils were hydrocarbon monoterpenes while the chief percentage of roots essential oil constituents were hydrocarbon sesquiterpenes. α-Eudesmol and β-eudesmol were identified as responsible for creation of blue color in aerial parts essential oils. A. persicus was known as a potent antioxidant among Apiaceae.
Zhang, Qian; Zhu, Hua-Xu; Tang, Zhi-Shu; Pan, Yong-Lan; Li, Bo; Fu, Ting-Ming; Yao, Wei-Wei; Liu, Hong-Bo; Pan, Lin-Mei
To investigate the feasibility of vapor permeation membrane technology in separating essential oil from oil-water extract by taking the Forsythia suspensa as an example. The polydimethylsiloxane/polyvinylidene fluoride (PDMS/PVDF) composite flat membrane and a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) flat membrane was collected as the membrane material respectively. Two kinds of membrane osmotic liquids were collected by self-made vapor permeation device. The yield of essential oil separated and enriched from two kinds of membrane materials was calculated, and the microscopic changes of membrane materials were analyzed and compared. Meanwhile, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to compare and analyze the differences in chemical compositions of essential oil between traditional steam distillation, PVDF membrane enriched method and PDMS/PVDF membrane enriched method. The results showed that the yield of essential oil enriched by PVDF membrane was significantly higher than that of PDMS/PVDF membrane, and the GC-MS spectrum showed that the content of main compositions was higher than that of PDMS/PVDF membrane; The GC-MS spectra showed that the components of essential oil enriched by PVDF membrane were basically the same as those obtained by traditional steam distillation. The above results showed that vapor permeation membrane separation technology shall be feasible for the separation of Forsythia essential oil-bearing water body, and PVDF membrane was more suitable for separation and enrichment of Forsythia essential oil than PDMS/PVDF membrane. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.
Dawidowicz, Andrzej L; Olszowy, Małgorzata
This study discusses the similarities and differences between the antioxidant activities of some essential oils: thyme (Thymus vulgaris), basil (Ocimum basilicum), peppermint (Mentha piperita), clove (Caryophyllus aromaticus), summer savory (Satureja hortensis), sage (Salvia hispanica) and lemon (Citrus limon (L.) Burm.) and of their main components (thymol or estragole or menthol or eugenol or carvacrol or camphor or limonene) estimated by using 2,2'-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt and β-carotene bleaching assays. The obtained data show that the antioxidant properties of essential oil do not always depend on the antioxidant activity of its main component, and that they can be modulated by their other components. The conclusions concerning the interaction of essential oil components depend on the type of method applied for assessing the antioxidant activity. When comparing the antioxidant properties of essential oils and their main components, the concepts of synergism, antagonism and additivity are very relevant.
Shahat, Abdelaaty A; Ibrahim, Abeer Y; Hendawy, Saber F; Omer, Elsayed A; Hammouda, Faiza M; Abdel-Rahman, Fawzia H; Saleh, Mahmoud A
Essential oils of the fruits of three organically grown cultivars of Egyptian fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum, Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce and Foeniculum vulgare var. vulgare) were examined for their chemical constituents, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of the essential oils revealed the presence of 18 major monoterpenoids in all three cultivars but their percentage in each oil were greatly different. trans-Anethole, estragole, fenchone and limonene were highly abundant in all of the examined oils. Antioxidant activities of the essential oils were evaluated using the DPPH radical scavenging, lipid peroxidation and metal chelating assays. Essential oils from the azoricum and dulce cultivars were more effective antioxidants than that from the vulgare cultivar. Antimicrobial activities of each oil were measured against two species of fungi, two species of Gram negative and two species of Gram positive bacteria. All three cultivars showed similar antimicrobial activity.
Russo, Alessandra; Cardile, Venera; Graziano, Adriana C E; Formisano, Carmen; Rigano, Daniela; Canzoneri, Marisa; Bruno, Maurizio; Senatore, Felice
The objectives of our research were to study the chemical composition and the in vitro anticancer effect of the essential oil of Salvia verbenaca growing in natural sites in comparison with those of cultivated (Sc) plants. The oil from wild (Sw) S. verbenaca presented hexadecanoic acid (23.1%) as the main constituent, while the oil from Sc plants contained high quantities of hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (9.7%), scarce in the natural oil (0.7%). The growth-inhibitory and proapoptotic effects of the essential oils from Sw and Sc S. verbenaca were evaluated in the human melanoma cell line M14, testing cell vitality, cell membrane integrity, genomic DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activity. Both the essential oils were able to inhibit the growth of the cancer cells examined inducing also apoptotic cell death, but the essential oil from cultivated samples exhibited the major effects.
de Sousa, Damião Pergentino; de Almeida Soares Hocayen, Palloma; Andrade, Luciana Nalone; Andreatini, Roberto
The clinical efficacy of standardized essential oils (such as Lavender officinalis), in treating anxiety disorders strongly suggests that these natural products are an important candidate source for new anxiolytic drugs. A systematic review of essential oils, their bioactive constituents, and anxiolytic-like activity is conducted. The essential oil with the best profile is Lavendula angustifolia, which has already been tested in controlled clinical trials with positive results. Citrus aurantium using different routes of administration also showed significant effects in several animal models, and was corroborated by different research groups. Other promising essential oils are Citrus sinensis and bergamot oil, which showed certain clinical anxiolytic actions; along with Achillea wilhemsii, Alpinia zerumbet, Citrus aurantium, and Spiranthera odoratissima, which, like Lavendula angustifolia, appear to exert anxiolytic-like effects without GABA/benzodiazepine activity, thus differing in their mechanisms of action from the benzodiazepines. The anxiolytic activity of 25 compounds commonly found in essential oils is also discussed.
Mahboubi, M; Kazempour, N
Background and Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Satureja hortensis and Trachyspermum copticum essential oils against different kinds of microorganisms in vitro. Material and Methods The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by micro broth dilution assay and the chemical composition of essential oils was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Results Thymol, p-cymene, γ-terpinene and carvacrol were the main components of S. hortensis oil while thymol, γ-terpinene, and o-cymene were the major components of T. copticum oil. Two essential oils exhibited strong antimicrobial activity but the antimicrobial activity of T. copticum oil was higher than that of S. hortensis oil. Conclusion Thymol as a main component of oils plays an important role in antimicrobial activity. PMID:22530088
Avetisyan, Arpi; Markosian, Anahit; Petrosyan, Margarit; Sahakyan, Naira; Babayan, Anush; Aloyan, Samvel; Trchounian, Armen
The plants belonging to the Ocimum genus of the Lamiaceae family are considered to be a rich source of essential oils which have expressed biological activity and use in different area of human activity. There is a great variety of chemotypes within the same basil species. Essential oils from three different cultivars of basil, O. basilicum var. purpureum, O. basilicum var. thyrsiflora, and O. citriodorum Vis. were the subjects of our investigations. The oils were obtained by steam distillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus. The gas chromatography mass selective analysis was used to determine their chemical composition. The antioxidant activities of these essential oils were measured using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assays; the tyrosinase inhibition abilities of the given group of oils were also assessed spectophotometrically, and the antimicrobial activity of the essential oils was determined by the agar diffusion method, minimal inhibitory concentrations were expressed. According to the results, the qualitative and quantitative composition of essential oils was quite different: O. basilicum var. purpureum essential oil contained 57.3% methyl-chavicol (estragol); O. basilicum var. thyrsiflora oil had 68.0% linalool. The main constituents of O. citriodorum oil were nerol (23.0%) and citral (20.7%). The highest antioxidant activity was demonstrated by O. basilicum var. thyrsiflora essential oil. This oil has also exhibited the highest tyrosinase inhibition level, whereas the oil from O. citriodorum cultivar demonstrated the highest antimicrobial activity. The results obtained indicate that these essential oils have antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal activity and can be used as natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agents in medicine, food industry and cosmetics.
Medbouhi, Ali; Merad, Nadjiya; Khadir, Abdelmounaim; Bendahou, Mourad; Djabou, Nassim; Costa, Jean; Muselli, Alain
The chemical composition, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the essential oil obtained from Eryngium triquetrum from Algeria were studied. The chemical composition of sample oils from 25 locations was investigated using GC-FID and GC/MS. Twenty-four components representing always more than 87% were identified in essential oils from total aerial parts of plants, stems, flowers and roots. Falcarinol is highly dominant in the essential oil from the roots (95.5%). The relative abundance of falcarinol in the aerial parts correlates with the phenological stages of the plant. Aerial parts of E. triquetrum produce an essential oil dominated by falcarinol during the early flowering stage, and then there is a decrease in falcarinol and rebalancing of octanal during the flowering stage. To our knowledge, the present study is the first report of the chemical composition of E. triquetrum essential oil. Evaluation of the antibacterial activity by means of the paper disc diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration assays, showed a moderate efficiency of E. triquetrum essential oil. Using the DPPH method, the interesting antioxidant activity of E. triquetrum essential oil was established. These activities could be attributed to the dominance of falcarinol. The outcome of our literature search on the occurrence of falcarinol in essential oils suggests that E. triquetrum from Algeria could be considered as a possible source of natural falcarinol. © 2018 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.
Hernandes, C; Pina, E S; Taleb-Contini, S H; Bertoni, B W; Cestari, I M; Espanha, L G; Varanda, E A; Camilo, K F B; Martinez, E Z; França, S C; Pereira, A M S
The aim of this work was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Lippia origanoides essential oil as a preservative in industrial products. The composition, antimicrobial activity, mutagenic and toxic potential of L. origanoides were determined. Then, the effect of essential oil as a preservative in food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products was evaluated. The essential oil of L. origanoides consisted mainly of oxygenated monoterpenes (38·13%); 26·28% corresponded to the compound carvacrol. At concentrations ranging from 0·312 to 1·25 μl ml -1 and in association with polysorbate 80, the essential oil of L. origanoides inhibited the growth of all the tested micro-organisms. The medium lethal dose in mice was 3·5 g kg -1 , which categorizes it as nontoxic according to the European Union criteria, and negative results in the Ames test indicated that this oil was not mutagenic. In combination with polysorbate 80, the essential oil exerted preservative action on orange juice, cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions, especially in the case of aqueous-based products. Lippia origanoides essential oil is an effective and safe preservative for orange juice, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. This study allowed for the complete understanding of the antimicrobial action and toxicological potential of L. origanoides essential oil. These results facilitate the development of a preservative system based on L. origanoides essential oil. © 2017 The Society for Applied Microbiology.
Bona, E; Cantamessa, S; Pavan, M; Novello, G; Massa, N; Rocchetti, A; Berta, G; Gamalero, E
Candida albicans is an important opportunistic pathogen, responsible for the majority of yeast infections in humans. Essential oils, extracted from aromatic plants, are well-known antimicrobial agents, characterized by a broad spectrum of activities, including antifungal properties. The aim of this work was to assess the sensitivity of 30 different vaginal isolated strains of C. albicans to 12 essential oils, compared to the three main used drugs (clotrimazole, fluconazole and itraconazole). Thirty strains of C. albicans were isolated from vaginal swab on CHROMagar ™ Candida. The agar disc diffusion method was employed to determine the sensitivity to the essential oils. The antifungal activity of the essential oils and antifungal drugs (clotrimazole, itraconazole and fluconazole) were investigated using a microdilution method. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy analyses were performed to get a deep inside on cellular damages. Mint, basil, lavender, tea tree oil, winter savory and oregano essential oils inhibited both the growth and the activity of C. albicans more efficiently than clotrimazole. Damages induced by essential oils at the cellular level were stronger than those caused by clotrimazole. Candida albicans is more sensitive to different essential oils compared to the main used drugs. Moreover, the essential oil affected mainly the cell wall and the membranes of the yeast. The results of this work support the research for new alternatives or complementary therapies against vaginal candidiasis. © 2016 The Society for Applied Microbiology.
Background Mesembryanthemum edule is a medicinal plant which has been indicated by Xhosa traditional healers in the treatment HIV associated diseases such as tuberculosis, dysentery, diabetic mellitus, laryngitis, mouth infections, ringworm eczema and vaginal infections. The investigation of the essential oil of this plant could help to verify the rationale behind the use of the plant as a cure for these illnesses. Methods The essential oil from M. edule was analysed by GC/MS. Concentration ranging from 0.005 - 5 mg/ml of the hydro-distilled essential oil was tested against some fungal strains, using micro-dilution method. The plant minimum inhibitory activity on the fungal strains was determined. Result GC/MS analysis of the essential oil resulted in the identification of 28 compounds representing 99.99% of the total essential oil. A total amount of 10.6 and 36.61% constituents were obtained as monoterpenes and oxygenated monoterpenes. The amount of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (3.58%) was low compared to the oxygenated sesquiterpenes with pick area of 9.28%. Total oil content of diterpenes and oxygenated diterpenes detected from the essential oil were 1.43% and 19.24%. The fatty acids and their methyl esters content present in the essential oil extract were found to be 19.25%. Antifungal activity of the essential oil extract tested against the pathogenic fungal, inhibited C. albican, C. krusei, C. rugosa, C. glabrata and C. neoformans with MICs range of 0.02-0.31 mg/ml. the activity of the essential oil was found competing with nystatin and amphotericin B used as control. Conclusion Having accounted the profile chemical constituent found in M. edule oil and its important antifungal properties, we consider that its essential oil might be useful in pharmaceutical and food industry as natural antibiotic and food preservative. PMID:24885234
Omoruyi, Beauty E; Afolayan, Anthony J; Bradley, Graeme
Mesembryanthemum edule is a medicinal plant which has been indicated by Xhosa traditional healers in the treatment HIV associated diseases such as tuberculosis, dysentery, diabetic mellitus, laryngitis, mouth infections, ringworm eczema and vaginal infections. The investigation of the essential oil of this plant could help to verify the rationale behind the use of the plant as a cure for these illnesses. The essential oil from M. edule was analysed by GC/MS. Concentration ranging from 0.005-5 mg/ml of the hydro-distilled essential oil was tested against some fungal strains, using micro-dilution method. The plant minimum inhibitory activity on the fungal strains was determined. GC/MS analysis of the essential oil resulted in the identification of 28 compounds representing 99.99% of the total essential oil. A total amount of 10.6 and 36.61% constituents were obtained as monoterpenes and oxygenated monoterpenes. The amount of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (3.58%) was low compared to the oxygenated sesquiterpenes with pick area of 9.28%. Total oil content of diterpenes and oxygenated diterpenes detected from the essential oil were 1.43% and 19.24%. The fatty acids and their methyl esters content present in the essential oil extract were found to be 19.25%. Antifungal activity of the essential oil extract tested against the pathogenic fungal, inhibited C. albican, C. krusei, C. rugosa, C. glabrata and C. neoformans with MICs range of 0.02-0.31 mg/ml. the activity of the essential oil was found competing with nystatin and amphotericin B used as control. Having accounted the profile chemical constituent found in M. edule oil and its important antifungal properties, we consider that its essential oil might be useful in pharmaceutical and food industry as natural antibiotic and food preservative.
Grassmann, Johanna; Hippeli, Susanne; Vollmann, Renate; Elstner, Erich F
The essential oil from Pinus mugo (PMEO) was tested on its antioxidative capacity. For this purpose, several biochemical test systems were chosen (e.g., the Fenton System, the xanthine oxidase assay, or the copper-induced oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL)). The results show that there is moderate or weak antioxidative activity when tested in aqueous environments, like in the Fenton system, xanthine oxidase induced superoxide radical formation, or in the HOCl driven fragmentation of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC). In contrast, when tested in more lipophilic environments (e.g., the ACC-cleavage by activated neutrophils in whole blood) the PMEO exhibits good antioxidative activity. PMEO does also show good antioxidative capacity in another lipophilic test system (i.e., the copper induced oxidation of LDL). Some components of PMEO (i.e., Delta(3)-carene, camphene, alpha-pinene, (+)-limonene and terpinolene) were also tested. As the PMEO, they showed weak or no antioxidant activity in aqueous environments, but some of them were effective antioxidants regarding ACC-cleavage by activated neutrophils in whole blood or copper-induced LDL-oxidation. Terpinolene, a minor component of PMEO, exhibited remarkable protection against LDL-oxidation.
da Trindade, Rafaela; Alves, Nayara Sabrina; Figueiredo, Pablo Luís; Maia, José Guilherme S.; Setzer, William N.
The Piper genus is the most representative of the Piperaceae reaching around 2000 species distributed in the pantropical region. In the Neotropics, its species are represented by herbs, shrubs, and lianas, which are used in traditional medicine to prepare teas and infusions. Its essential oils (EOs) present high yield and are chemically constituted by complex mixtures or the predominance of main volatile constituents. The chemical composition of Piper EOs displays interspecific or intraspecific variations, according to the site of collection or seasonality. The main volatile compounds identified in Piper EOs are monoterpenes hydrocarbons, oxygenated monoterpenoids, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, oxygenated sesquiterpenoids and large amounts of phenylpropanoids. In this review, we are reporting the biological potential of Piper EOs from the Neotropical region. There are many reports of Piper EOs as antimicrobial agents (fungi and bacteria), antiprotozoal (Leishmania spp., Plasmodium spp., and Trypanosoma spp.), acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activity against different tumor cells lines (breast, leukemia, melanoma, gastric, among others). These studies can contribute to the rational and economic exploration of Piper species, once they have been identified as potent natural and alternative sources to treat human diseases. PMID:29240662
Ju, Jian; Xie, Yunfei; Guo, Yahui; Cheng, Yuliang; Qian, He; Yao, Weirong
Compared with other types of packaging, edible coatings are becoming more and more popular because of their more environmentally friendly properties and active ingredients carrying ability. The edible coating can reduce the influence of essential oils (EOs) on the flavor of the product and also can prolong the action time of EOs through the slow-release effect, which effectively promote the application of EOs in food. Understanding the different combinations of edible coatings and EOs as well as their antimicrobial effects on different microorganisms will be more powerful and targeted to promote the application of EOs in real food systems. The review focus on the contribution of the combination of EOs and edible coatings (EO-edible coatings) to prolong the shelf life of food products, (1) specifically addressing the main materials used in the preparation of EO-edible coatings and the application of EO-edible coatings in the product, (2) systematically summarizing the main production method of EO-edible coatings, (3) discussing the antiseptic activity of EO-edible coatings on different microorganisms in food.
Brochot, Amandine; Guilbot, Angèle; Haddioui, Laïla; Roques, Christine
New agents that are effective against common pathogens are needed particularly for those resistant to conventional antimicrobial agents. Essential oils (EOs) are known for their antimicrobial activity. Using the broth microdilution method, we showed that (1) two unique blends of Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Daucus carota, Eucalyptus globulus and Rosmarinus officinalis EOs (AB1 and AB2; cinnamon EOs from two different suppliers) were active against the fourteen Gram-positive and -negative bacteria strains tested, including some antibiotic-resistant strains. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranged from 0.01% to 3% v/v with minimal bactericidal concentrations from <0.01% to 6.00% v/v; (2) a blend of Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Daucus carota, Syzygium aromaticum, Origanum vulgare EOs was antifungal to the six Candida strains tested, with MICs ranging from 0.01% to 0.05% v/v with minimal fungicidal concentrations from 0.02% to 0.05% v/v. Blend AB1 was also effective against H1N1 and HSV1 viruses. With this dual activity, against H1N1 and against S. aureus and S. pneumoniae notably, AB1 may be interesting to treat influenza and postinfluenza bacterial pneumonia infections. These blends could be very useful in clinical practice to combat common infections including those caused by microorganisms resistant to antimicrobial drugs. © 2017 The Authors. MicrobiologyOpen published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
López, Molkary Andrea; Stashenko, Elena E.; Fuentes, Jorge Luis
The present work evaluated the chemical composition and the DNA protective effect of the essential oils (EOs) from Lippia alba against bleomycin-induced genotoxicity. EO constituents were determined by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis. The major compounds encountered being citral (33% geranial and 25% neral), geraniol (7%) and trans-β-caryophyllene (7%) for L. alba specimen COL512077, and carvone (38%), limonene (33%) and bicyclosesquiphellandrene (8%) for the other, COL512078. The genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity of EO and the compounds citral, carvone and limonene, were assayed using the SOS Chromotest in Escherichia coli. The EOs were not genotoxic in the SOS chromotest, but one of the major compound (limonene) showed genotoxicity at doses between 97 and 1549 mM. Both EOs protected bacterial cells against bleomycin-induced genotoxicity. Antigenotoxicity in the two L. alba chemotypes was related to the major compounds, citral and carvone, respectively. The results were discussed in relation to the chemopreventive potential of L. alba EOs and its major compounds. PMID:21931523
López, Molkary Andrea; Stashenko, Elena E; Fuentes, Jorge Luis
The present work evaluated the chemical composition and the DNA protective effect of the essential oils (EOs) from Lippia alba against bleomycin-induced genotoxicity. EO constituents were determined by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis. The major compounds encountered being citral (33% geranial and 25% neral), geraniol (7%) and trans-β-caryophyllene (7%) for L. alba specimen COL512077, and carvone (38%), limonene (33%) and bicyclosesquiphellandrene (8%) for the other, COL512078. The genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity of EO and the compounds citral, carvone and limonene, were assayed using the SOS Chromotest in Escherichia coli. The EOs were not genotoxic in the SOS chromotest, but one of the major compound (limonene) showed genotoxicity at doses between 97 and 1549 mM. Both EOs protected bacterial cells against bleomycin-induced genotoxicity. Antigenotoxicity in the two L. alba chemotypes was related to the major compounds, citral and carvone, respectively. The results were discussed in relation to the chemopreventive potential of L. alba EOs and its major compounds.
Houël, Emeline; Gonzalez, German; Bessière, Jean-Marie; Odonne, Guillaume; Eparvier, Véronique; Deharo, Eric; Stien, Didier
This study examined whether the antidermatophytic activity of essential oils (EOs) can be used as an indicator for the discovery of active natural products against Leishmania amazonensis. The aerial parts of seven plants were hydrodistilled. Using broth microdilution techniques, the obtained EOs were tested against three strains of dermatophytes (Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum gypseum and Microsporum canis). To compare the EOs antifungal and antiparasitic effects, the EOs activities against axenic amastigotes of L. amazonensis were concurrently evaluated. For the most promising EOs, their antileishmanial activities against parasites infecting peritoneal macrophages of BALB/c mice were measured. The most interesting antifungal candidates were the EOs from Cymbopogon citratus, Otacanthus azureus and Protium heptaphyllum, whereas O. azureus, Piper hispidum and P. heptaphyllum EOs exhibited the lowest 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values against axenic amastigotes, thus revealing a certain correspondence between both activities. The P. hispidum EO was identified as the most promising product in the results from the infected macrophages model (IC50: 4.7 µg/mL, safety index: 8). The most abundant compounds found in this EO were sesquiterpenes, notably curzerene and furanodiene. Eventually, the evaluation of the antidermatophytic activity of EOs appears to be an efficient method for identifying new potential drugs for the treatment of L. amazonensis. PMID:25742270
Sessa, Rosa; Di Pietro, Marisa; De Santis, Fiorenzo; Filardo, Simone; Ragno, Rino; Angiolella, Letizia
Chlamydia trachomatis, the most common cause of sexually transmitted bacterial infection worldwide, has a unique biphasic developmental cycle alternating between the infectious elementary body and the replicative reticulate body. C. trachomatis is responsible for severe reproductive complications including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and obstructive infertility. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether Mentha suaveolens essential oil (EOMS) can be considered as a promising candidate for preventing C. trachomatis infection. Specifically, we investigated the in vitro effects of EOMS towards C. trachomatis analysing the different phases of chlamydial developmental cycle. Our results demonstrated that EOMS was effective towards C. trachomatis, whereby it not only inactivated infectious elementary bodies but also inhibited chlamydial replication. Our study also revealed the effectiveness of EOMS, in combination with erythromycin, towards C. trachomatis with a substantial reduction in the minimum effect dose of antibiotic. In conclusion, EOMS treatment may represent a preventative strategy since it may reduce C. trachomatis transmission in the population and, thereby, reduce the number of new chlamydial infections and risk of developing of severe sequelae. PMID:25685793
Barbosa, Luiz Claudio Almeida; Filomeno, Claudinei Andrade; Teixeira, Robson Ricardo
Many plant species produce mixtures of odorous and volatile compounds known as essential oils (EOs). These mixtures play important roles in Nature and have been utilized by mankind for different purposes, such as pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, aromatherapy, and food flavorants. There are more than 3000 EOs reported in the literature, with approximately 300 in commercial use, including the EOs from Eucalyptus species. Most EOs from Eucalyptus species are rich in monoterpenes and many have found applications in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, food flavorants, and perfumes. Such applications are related to their diverse biological and organoleptic properties. In this study, we review the latest information concerning the chemical composition and biological activities of EOs from different species of Eucalyptus . Among the 900 species and subspecies of the Eucalyptus genus, we examined 68 species. The studies associated with these species were conducted in 27 countries. We have focused on the antimicrobial, acaricidal, insecticidal and herbicidal activities, hoping that such information will contribute to the development of research in this field. It is also intended that the information described in this study can be useful in the rationalization of the use of Eucalyptus EOs as components for pharmaceutical and agrochemical applications as well as food preservatives and flavorants.
Todorović, Biljana; Potočnik, Ivana; Rekanović, Emil; Stepanović, Miloš; Kostić, Miroslav; Ristić, Mihajlo; Milijašević-Marčić, Svetlana
ASBTRACT Toxicity of twenty-two essential oils to three bacterial pathogens in different horticultural systems: Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli (causing blight of bean), Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (bacterial wilt and canker of tomato), and Pseudomonas tolaasii (causal agent of bacterial brown blotch on cultivated mushrooms) was tested. Control of bacterial diseases is very difficult due to antibiotic resistance and ineffectiveness of chemical products, to that essential oils offer a promising alternative. Minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations are determined by applying a single drop of oil onto the inner side of each plate cover in macrodilution assays. Among all tested substances, the strongest and broadest activity was shown by the oils of wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), oregano (Origanum vulgare), and lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus. Carvacrol (64.0-75.8%) was the dominant component of oregano oils, while geranial (40.7%) and neral (26.7%) were the major constituents of lemongrass oil. Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli was the most sensitive to plant essential oils, being susceptible to 19 oils, while 11 oils were bactericidal to the pathogen. Sixteen oils inhibited the growth of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis and seven oils showed bactericidal effects to the pathogen. The least sensitive species was Pseudomonas tolaasii as five oils inhibited bacterial growth and two oils were bactericidal. Wintergreen, oregano, and lemongrass oils should be formulated as potential biochemical bactericides against different horticultural pathogens.
Strzemski, Maciej; Wójciak-Kosior, Magdalena; Sowa, Ireneusz; Agacka-Mołdoch, Monika; Drączkowski, Piotr; Matosiuk, Dariusz; Kurach, Łukasz; Kocjan, Ryszard; Dresler, Sławomir
Carlina genus plants e.g. Carlina acanthifolia subsp. utzka have been still used in folk medicine of many European countries and its biological activity is mostly associated with root essential oils. In the present paper, Raman spectroscopy (RS) was applied for the first time for evaluation of essential oil distribution in root of C. acnthifolia subsp. utzka and identification of root structures containing the essential oil. Furthermore, RS technique was applied to assess chemical stability of oil during drying of plant material or distillation process. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of the essential oil. The identity of compounds was confirmed using Raman, ATR-IR and NMR spectroscopy. Carlina oxide was found to be the main component of the oil (98.96% ± 0.15). The spectroscopic study showed the high stability of essential oil and Raman distribution analysis indicated that the oil reservoirs were localized mostly in the structures of outer layer of the root while the inner part showed nearly no signal assigned to the oil. Raman spectroscopy technique enabled rapid, non-destructive direct analysis of plant material with minimal sample preparation and allowed straightforward, unambiguous identification of the essential oil in the sample. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Rasooli, Iraj; Rezaei, Mohammad Bagher; Allameh, Abdolamir
Listeria monocytogenes has gained increasing attention as a pathogen of public health importance owing to large numbers of food-borne outbreaks of listeriosis. Because of negative consumer perception of chemical preservatives, attention is shifting towards natural alternatives. Particular interest has been focused on the potential application of plant essential oils. The objective of the present study was to determine ultrastructural changes brought about by essential oils from two types of thyme, Thymus eriocalyx and Thymus x-porlock, on Listeria monocytogenes. Minimal inhibitory (MIC) and minimal bactericidal (MBC) concentrations and bactericidal kinetics of the oils were determined. Listeria monocytogenes were treated with essential oils from two thyme species and observed under a transmission electron microscope. The oils from the above plants were found to be strongly antimicrobial. Analysis of the oils by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry lead to the identification of 18 and 19 components in T. eriocalyx and T. x-porlock oils, respectively. Listeria monocytogenes treated with essential oils from the two thyme species exhibited a thickened or disrupted cell wall with increased roughness and lack of cytoplasm. The antilisterial effects of thyme oil are stronger than the action of electric shocks in combination with nisin reported in the literature. It is concluded that essential oils such as thyme oil, which inhibited the growth of L. monocytogenes at low concentrations, could be considered as preservative materials for some kinds of foods; they could find an application as additives to foodstuffs in storage to protect them from listerial contamination.
Pazyar, Nader; Feily, Amir
Garlic (Allium sativum L. fam. Alliaceae) is one of the best-researched, best-selling herbal remedies and is also commonly used for treating various health problems. Garlic is widely known for its biological properties and plays an important role as an antioxidant. The purpose of this review is to gather and summarize all dermatologic-oriented in vitro and in-vivo experiments and clinical trials on garlic preparations. Extensive literatures search was carried out and twenty three studies were included. The results suggest that oral administration of garlic is effective on immunologic properties, cutaneous microcirculation, protection against UVB and cancer treatment. Additionally, topical application of garlic extract can potentially be effective on psoriasis, alopecia areata, keloid scar, wound healing, cutaneous corn, viral and fungal infection, leishmaniasis, skin aging and rejuvenation. Clinical effectiveness of oral and topical garlic extract is not sufficiently and meticulously explored as so far. PMID:25386259
Hong, Jeum Kyu; Yang, Hye Ji; Jung, Heesoo; Yoon, Dong June; Sang, Mee Kyung; Jeun, Yong-Chull
Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides has been destructive during pepper fruit production in outdoor fields in Korea. In vitro antifungal activities of 15 different plant essential oils or its components were evaluated during conidial germination and mycelial growth of C. gloeosporioides. In vitro conidial germination was most drastically inhibited by vapour treatments with carvacrol, cinnamon oil, trans-cinnamaldehyde, citral, p-cymene and linalool. Inhibition of the mycelial growth by indirect vapour treatment with essential oils was also demonstrated compared with untreated control. Carvacrol, cinnamon oil, trans-cinnamaldehyde, citral and eugenol were among the most inhibitory plant essential oils by the indirect antifungal efficacies. Plant protection efficacies of the plant essential oils were demonstrated by reduced lesion diameter on the C. gloeosporioides-inoculated immature green pepper fruits compared to the inoculated control fruits without any plant essential oil treatment. In planta test showed that all plant essential oils tested in this study demonstrated plant protection efficacies against pepper fruit anthracnose with similar levels. Thus, application of different plant essential oils can be used for eco-friendly disease management of anthracnose during pepper fruit production. PMID:26361475
Hong, Jeum Kyu; Yang, Hye Ji; Jung, Heesoo; Yoon, Dong June; Sang, Mee Kyung; Jeun, Yong-Chull
Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides has been destructive during pepper fruit production in outdoor fields in Korea. In vitro antifungal activities of 15 different plant essential oils or its components were evaluated during conidial germination and mycelial growth of C. gloeosporioides. In vitro conidial germination was most drastically inhibited by vapour treatments with carvacrol, cinnamon oil, trans-cinnamaldehyde, citral, p-cymene and linalool. Inhibition of the mycelial growth by indirect vapour treatment with essential oils was also demonstrated compared with untreated control. Carvacrol, cinnamon oil, trans-cinnamaldehyde, citral and eugenol were among the most inhibitory plant essential oils by the indirect antifungal efficacies. Plant protection efficacies of the plant essential oils were demonstrated by reduced lesion diameter on the C. gloeosporioides-inoculated immature green pepper fruits compared to the inoculated control fruits without any plant essential oil treatment. In planta test showed that all plant essential oils tested in this study demonstrated plant protection efficacies against pepper fruit anthracnose with similar levels. Thus, application of different plant essential oils can be used for eco-friendly disease management of anthracnose during pepper fruit production.
Whiley, Harriet; Gaskin, Sharyn; Schroder, Tiffany; Ross, Kirstin
Concerns regarding indoor air quality, particularly the presence of fungi and moulds, are increasing. The potential for essential oils to reduce, control or remove fungi, is gaining interest as they are seen as a "natural" alternative to synthetic chemical fungicides. This review examines published research on essential oils as a method of fungal control in indoor environments. It was difficult to compare the relative performances of essential oils due to differences in research methods and reporting languages. In addition, there are limited studies that scale up laboratory results and assess the efficacy of essential oils within building environments. However, generally, there appears to be some evidence to support the essential oils clove oil, tea tree oil, oregano, thyme and lemon as potential antifungal agents. Essential oils from heartwood, marjoram, cinnamon, lemon basil, caraway, bay tree, fir, peppermint, pine, cedar leaf and manuka were identified in at least one study as having antifungal potential. Future studies should focus on comparing the effectiveness of these essential oils against a large number of fungal isolates from indoor environments. Studies will then need to focus on translating these results into realistic application methods, in actual buildings, and assess the potential for long-term antifungal persistence.
A water-distilled essential oil from the aerial parts of Pimpinella cypria Boiss. (Apiaceae), an endemic species in northern Cyprus, was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Forty-five compounds were identified in the oil and these comprised 81.7% of the total composition. The compound classes in the oil were ...
Zhu, Junwei; Zeng, Xiaopeng; Yanma; Liu, Ting; Qian, Kuen; Han, Yuhua; Xue, Suqin; Tucker, Brad; Schultz, Gretchen; Coats, Joel; Rowley, Wayne; Zhang, Aijun
The larvicidal activity and repellency of 5 plant essential oils--thyme oil, catnip oil, amyris oil, eucalyptus oil, and cinnamon oil--were tested against 3 mosquito species: Aedes albopictus, Ae. aegypti, and Culex pipiens pallens. Larvicidal activity of these essentials oils was evaluated in the laboratory against 4th instars of each of the 3 mosquito species, and amyris oil demonstrated the greatest inhibitory effect with LC50 values in 24 h of 58 microg/ml (LC90 = 72 microg/ml) for Ae. aegypti, 78 microg/ml (LC90 = 130 microg/ml) for Ae. albopictus, and 77 microg/ml (LC90 = 123 microg/ml) for Cx. p. pallens. The topical repellency of these selected essential oils and deet against laboratory-reared female blood-starved Ae. albopictus was examined. Catnip oil seemed to be the most effective and provided 6-h protection at both concentrations tested (23 and 468 microg/ cm2). Thyme oil had the highest effectiveness in repelling this species, but the repellency duration was only 2 h. The applications using these natural product essential oils in mosquito control are discussed.
The essential oil of Haplophyllum tuberculatum was prepared by hydrodistillation of the fresh flowering aerial parts of the plant collected from Saudi Arabia. The oil was subsequently analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Thirty seven compounds, accounting for 96.4 % of the oil composition were identified. The ...
Yield and composition of essential oils were compared in foliage of Douglas-fir. Five clones with different susceptibilities to deer browsing were used; foliage was collected during the dormant season. There were no qualitative differences among the oils of the different clones, but the oils differed quantitatively in all variables measured. Eight variables appeared...
Field and laboratory experiments were conducted to model the length of the steam distillation time (DT) on essential oil yield and oil composition of peppermint, lemongrass, and palmarosa oils. The DTs tested were 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 min for peppermint, and 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40...
Xu, Fenghao; Uebaba, Kazuo; Ogawa, Hiroko; Tatsuse, Takeshi; Wang, Bing-Hong; Hisajima, Tatsuya; Venkatraman, Sonia
Ayurvedic oil-dripping treatment, Shirodhara, involves the use of medicated herbal sesame oils. In our previous reports, we found that Shirodhara with plain sesame oil induced anxiolysis and an altered state of consciousness (ASC) in healthy subjects. We studied the pharmaco-physio-psychologic effect of Shirodhara with medicated sesame oil including an essential oil from Lavendula angustifolia (lavender) in the present study. Sixteen (16) healthy females (38 +/- 8 years old) were assigned at random to three treatments applied by a robotic oil-dripping system: plain sesame oil (plain Shirodhara), medicated sesame oil with a 0.3 volume % of lavender essential oil (lavender Shirodhara), or the control supine position. Psychophysiologic parameters including the heart rate, skin temperature of the dorsum of hands and feet, as well as anxiety and ASC were monitored, and the rates of change of these items were calculated to assess the psychophysiologic changes brought about by Shirodhara. Lavender Shirodhara showed potent anxiolytic and ASC-inducing or promoting effects, and induced the largest increase in foot skin temperature. The correlation between anxiolysis and ASC, as well as the correlation between these psychologic effects and the elevated foot skin temperature were larger in the lavender Shirodhara than in the other two conditions. It was speculated that the psycho-physiologic effects of lavender Shirodhara would be brought about by three mechanisms: (1) the well-known relaxing action of essential oils from L. angustifolia mediated by olfactory nerves, (2) the pharmacologic action of substances absorbed through the skin or mucosa in the sesame oil or lavender essential oil, and (3) the physiologic effect of sesame oil dripped on the forehead induced by the somato-autonomic reflex through thermosensors or pressure sensors in the skin or hair follicles via the trigeminal cranial nerve. The complicated pharmaco-physio-psychologic action of Ayurvedic oil treatment
Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Juniper Berry (Juniperus communis L.) Essential Oil. Action of the Essential Oil on the Antioxidant Protection of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Model Organism
Höferl, Martina; Stoilova, Ivanka; Schmidt, Erich; Wanner, Jürgen; Jirovetz, Leopold; Trifonova, Dora; Krastev, Lutsian; Krastanov, Albert
The essential oil of juniper berries (Juniperus communis L., Cupressaceae) is traditionally used for medicinal and flavoring purposes. As elucidated by gas chromatography/flame ionization detector (GC/FID) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS methods), the juniper berry oil from Bulgaria is largely comprised of monoterpene hydrocarbons such as α-pinene (51.4%), myrcene (8.3%), sabinene (5.8%), limonene (5.1%) and β-pinene (5.0%). The antioxidant capacity of the essential oil was evaluated in vitro by 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging, 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6 sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical cation scavenging, hydroxyl radical (ОН•) scavenging and chelating capacity, superoxide radical (•O2−) scavenging and xanthine oxidase inhibitory effects, hydrogen peroxide scavenging. The antioxidant activity of the oil attributable to electron transfer made juniper berry essential oil a strong antioxidant, whereas the antioxidant activity attributable to hydrogen atom transfer was lower. Lipid peroxidation inhibition by the essential oil in both stages, i.e., hydroperoxide formation and malondialdehyde formation, was less efficient than the inhibition by butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). In vivo studies confirmed these effects of the oil which created the possibility of blocking the oxidation processes in yeast cells by increasing activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). PMID:26784665
Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Juniper Berry (Juniperus communis L.) Essential Oil. Action of the Essential Oil on the Antioxidant Protection of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Model Organism.
Höferl, Martina; Stoilova, Ivanka; Schmidt, Erich; Wanner, Jürgen; Jirovetz, Leopold; Trifonova, Dora; Krastev, Lutsian; Krastanov, Albert
The essential oil of juniper berries (Juniperus communis L., Cupressaceae) is traditionally used for medicinal and flavoring purposes. As elucidated by gas chromatography/flame ionization detector (GC/FID) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS methods), the juniper berry oil from Bulgaria is largely comprised of monoterpene hydrocarbons such as α-pinene (51.4%), myrcene (8.3%), sabinene (5.8%), limonene (5.1%) and β-pinene (5.0%). The antioxidant capacity of the essential oil was evaluated in vitro by 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging, 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6 sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical cation scavenging, hydroxyl radical (ОН(•)) scavenging and chelating capacity, superoxide radical ((•)O₂(-)) scavenging and xanthine oxidase inhibitory effects, hydrogen peroxide scavenging. The antioxidant activity of the oil attributable to electron transfer made juniper berry essential oil a strong antioxidant, whereas the antioxidant activity attributable to hydrogen atom transfer was lower. Lipid peroxidation inhibition by the essential oil in both stages, i.e., hydroperoxide formation and malondialdehyde formation, was less efficient than the inhibition by butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). In vivo studies confirmed these effects of the oil which created the possibility of blocking the oxidation processes in yeast cells by increasing activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx).
Technical Abstract: The aim was designed to study the biological activity and chemical composition of essential oil of Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith. The essential oil extracted from the rhizome of the plant was analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy and its major components amounting t...
Haiyan, Gong; Lijuan, He; Shaoyu, Li; Chen, Zhang; Ashraf, Muhammad Aqeel
In the study, we evaluated chemical composition and antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and antitumor activities of essential oils from dried leaf essential oil of leaf and flower of Agastache rugosa for the first time. Essential oil of leaf and flower was evaluated with GC and GC-MS methods, and the essential oil of flower revealed the presence of 21 components, whose major compounds were pulegone (34.1%), estragole (29.5%), and p-Menthan-3-one (19.2%). 26 components from essential oil of leaf were identified, the major compounds were p-Menthan-3-one (48.8%) and estragole (20.8%). At the same time, essential oil of leaf, there is a very effective antimicrobial activity with MIC ranging from 9.4 to 42 μg ml(-1) and potential antibiofilm, antitumor activities for essential oils of flower and leaf essential oil of leaf. The study highlighted the diversity in two different parts of A. rugosa grown in Xinjiang region and other places, which have different active constituents. Our results showed that this native plant may be a good candidate for further biological and pharmacological investigations.
Fratianni, Florinda; De Martino, Laura; Melone, Antonio; De Feo, Vincenzo; Coppola, Raffaele; Nazzaro, Filomena
The present study evaluated the effects of thyme and balm essential oils on the 3-wk storage of fresh chicken breast meat at 4 °C. Thyme and, to a lesser extent, balm essential oils reduced DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical formation in the meat (25% to 30% and 20%, respectively). Treatment with the 2 essential oils also limited lipid peroxidation and the deterioration of sarcoplasmic proteins, helping to preserve the meat even after 2 wk of storage. Thyme and balm essential oils decreased the natural microflora present in the meat; total microbial content decreased down to 50% in comparison to the control samples. In addition, a clear effect on lactic acid bacterial growth was recorded. Balm essential oil significantly limited the growth of Salmonella sp., whereas thyme essential oil effectively inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli. Our data demonstrate that these 2 essential oils effectively reduced deteriorative processes in chicken meat and extended the shelf life of this fresh product. Practical Application: The essential oils of thyme and balm can protect the chicken meat from decomposition during the storage time.
Ben Jemaa, Mariem; Falleh, Hanen; Neves, Marcos A; Isoda, Hiroko; Nakajima, Mitsutoshi; Ksouri, Riadh
The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of either a solution of Thymus capitatus essential oil or its nanoemulsion on the quality of milk contaminated by bacteria. After 24h of S. aureus inoculation, bacterial growth reached 202×10(3)CFU/ml in the presence of the essential oil while it was limited to 132×10(3)CFU/ml when treated with nanoemulsion. The reduction of antioxidant capacity of milk treated with essential oil was higher when treated with nanoemulsion. Moreover, free essential oil was more efficient in protecting proteins from degradation than the nanoemulsion. For instance, after 24h of E. hirae contamination, 26% of the total proteins were consumed in the presence of nano-encapsulated essential oil, while only 14% of the initial content was consumed when free essential oil was added. Concerning milk acidity increase and the inhibition of peroxide production, no statistical differences have been recorded between the use of free essential oil or its nano-emulsion. In conclusion, bulk or nano-encapsulated T. capitatus essential oil preserve milk quality and can extend its shelf life. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Polymer films made from cellulose esters are useful for embedding plant essential oils, either for food packaging or air freshener applications. Studies and testing were done on the physical and mechanical properties of cellulose ester-based films incorporating essential oils (EO) from lemongrass (C...
This study evaluated 47 commercial plant-derived essential oils individually or as blends for their potential as adult Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica Newman) repellents during 2003 to 2007. A bioassay procedure used traps to evaluate whether essential oils could repel beetles from Japanese beet...
Reyes-Jurado, Fatima; López-Malo, Aurelio; Palou, Enrique
The antimicrobial activities of essential oils from Mexican oregano (Lippia berlandieri Schauer), mustard (Brassica nigra), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) were evaluated alone and in binary combinations against Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, or Salmonella Enteritidis. Chemical compositions of the essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The MICs of the evaluated essential oils ranged from 0.05 to 0.50% (vol/vol). Mustard essential oil was the most effective, likely due to the presence of allyl isothiocyanate, identified as its major component. Furthermore, mustard essential oil exhibited synergistic effects when combined with either Mexican oregano or thyme essential oils (fractional inhibitory concentration indices of 0.75); an additive effect was obtained by combining thyme and Mexican oregano essential oils (fractional inhibitory concentration index = 1.00). These results suggest the potential of studied essential oil mixtures to inhibit microbial growth and preserve foods; however, their effect on sensory quality in selected foods compatible with their flavor needs to be assessed.
Gaire, Sudip; O'Connell, Mary; Holguin, Francisco O; Amatya, Anup; Bundy, Scott; Romero, Alvaro
The Turkestan cockroach, Blatta lateralis (Walker), has become the most important peridomestic species in urban areas of the Southwestern United States. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of botanical compounds to control this urban pest. We tested the acute toxicity and repellency of six botanical constituents and three essential oils on Turkestan cockroach nymphs. Chemical composition of the essential oils was also determined. Topical and fumigant assays with nymphs showed that thymol was the most toxic essential oil constituent, with a LD50 of 0.34 mg/nymph and a LC50 of 27.6 mg/liter air, respectively. Contact toxicity was also observed in assays with trans-Cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, geraniol, methyl eugenol, and p-Cymene. Methyl eugenol and geraniol had limited fumigant toxicity. The essential oils from red thyme, clove bud, and Java citronella exhibited toxicity against nymphs. Cockroaches avoided fresh dry residues of thymol and essential oils. Chemical analysis of the essential oils confirmed high contents of effective essential oil constituents. Our results demonstrated that essential oils and some of their constituents have potential as eco-friendly insecticides for the management of Turkestan cockroaches. © The Authors 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: [email protected].
Date palm, Phoenix dactylifera L. (Arecaceae), grows commonly in the Arabian Peninsula and is traditionally used to treat various diseases. The aim of the present study was to identify chemical composition of the essential oil and to investigate the repellent activity. The essential oil of P. dacty...
Gazim, Zilda Cristiane; Rezende, Claudia Moraes; Fraga, Sandra Regina; Svidzinski, Terezinha Inez Estivaleti; Cortez, Diógenes Aparicio Garcia
This study tested in vitro activity of the essential oil from flowers of Calendula officinalis using disk-diffusion techniques. The antifungal assay results showed for the first time that the essential oil has good potential antifungal activity: it was effective against all 23 clinical fungi strains tested. PMID:24031180
Gazim, Zilda Cristiane; Rezende, Claudia Moraes; Fraga, Sandra Regina; Svidzinski, Terezinha Inez Estivaleti; Cortez, Diógenes Aparicio Garcia
This study tested in vitro activity of the essential oil from flowers of Calendula officinalis using disk-diffusion techniques. The antifungal assay results showed for the first time that the essential oil has good potential antifungal activity: it was effective against all 23 clinical fungi strains tested.
In this study, plants (14) and essential oils (EO; 88) from plants that are naturalized to, or can be successfully grown in North America were evaluated in a batch culture in vitro screening experiments with ruminal fluid as potential anti-methanogenic additives for ruminant diets. Essential oils we...
Natural plant extracts often contain compounds that are useful in pest management applications. The essential oil of Eupatorium capillifolium (dog-fennel) was investigated for antifungal and insecticidal activities. Essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation of aerial parts was analyzed by gas chro...
The essential oil (EO) of Lantana montevidensis (Spreng.) Briq. (L. sellowiana Link & Otto) was investigated for its chemical composition and mosquito repellent activity. The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation of aerial plant parts was analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. The major constituents we...
Łysakowska, Monika E; Sienkiewicz, Monika; Banaszek, Katarzyna; Sokołowski, Jerzy
Enterococci are able to survive endodontic procedures and contribute to the failure of endodontic therapy. Thus, it is essential to identify novel ways of eradicating them from infected root canals. One such approach may be the use of antimicrobials such as plant essential oils. Enterococcal strains were isolated from endodontically treated teeth by standard microbiological methods. Susceptibility to antibiotics was evaluated by the disc-diffusion method. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of geranium essential oil was investigated by microdilution in 96-well microplates in Mueller Hinton Broth II. Biofilm eradication concentrations were checked in dentin tests. Geranium essential oil inhibited enterococcal strains at concentrations ranging from 1.8-4.5 mg/mL. No correlation was shown between resistance to antibiotics and the MICs of the test antimicrobials. The MICs of the test oil were lower than those found to show cytotoxic effects on the HMEC-1 cell line. Geranium essential oil eradicated enterococcal biofilm at concentrations of 150 mg/mL. Geranium essential oil inhibits the growth of endodontic enterococcal species at lower concentrations than those required to reach IC50 against the HMEC-1 cell line, and is effective against bacteria protected in biofilm at higher concentrations. In addition, bacteria do not develop resistance to essential oils. Hence, geranium essential oil represents a possible alternative to other antimicrobials during endodontic procedures.
C.J. Peterson; J. Ems-Wilson
The essential oil of catnip, Nepeta cataria (Lamiacae) was evaluated for behavioral effects on two populations of subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) and R. virginicus (Banks) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). The catnip essential oil contained =36: 64 E,Z-nepetalactone and Z,E-nepetalactone,...
Mahboubi, Mohaddese; Mahdizadeh, Elaheh; Heidary Tabar, Rezvan
The purpose of our study was to compare the chemical compositions and antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Pycnocycla spinosa and Pycnocycla flabellifolia essential oils. cis-Asarone (62.5%) and widdra-2,4(14)-diene (9%) were the main components of P. spinosa aerial part essential oil, while elemicin (60.1%) and caryophyllene oxide (9.8%) were the main components of P. spinosa seed essential oil. α-Phellandrene (25.5%), p-cymene (15.3%), and limonene (13.3%) were found in P. flabellifolia essential oil. The inhibition zone diameters for P. flabellifolia essential oil were significantly higher than for the two other essential oils from P. spinosa (p<0.05). In broth dilution assay (µL/mL), the sensitive microorganism to Pycnocycla sp. (P. spinosa, P. flabellifolia) was Aspergillus niger, followed by Candida albicans. In 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) system, P. spinosa aerial parts essential oil (IC50=548 µg/mL) had higher antioxidant activity than that of two other essential oils.
Essential oils are potential alternatives to synthetic insecticides because they have low mammalian toxicity, degrade rapidly in the environment, and possess complex mixtures of bioactive constituents with multi-modal activity against the target insect populations. Twenty one essential oils were ini...
Cayuela Sánchez, José Antonio; Elamrani, Abdelaziz
The use of essential oils as industrial food additives is notorious, like their medicinal properties. However, their use in household food spicing is for now limited. In this work, we have made a review to reveal the nutrigenomic actions exerted by their bioactive components, to promote awareness of their modulating gene expression ability and the potential that this implies. Also considered is how essential oils can be used as flavoring and seasoning after cooking and before consumption, such as diet components which can improve human health. Genetic mechanisms involved in the medicinal properties of essential oils for food use are identified from literature. These genetic mechanisms reveal nutrigenomic actions. Reviews on the medicinal properties of essential oils have been particularly considered. A wide diversity of nutrigenomic effects from essential oils useful potentially for food spicing is reviewed. General ideas are discussed about essential oils and their properties, such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, immunomodulatory, anticancer, hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, bone-reparation, anti-depressant and mitigatory for Alzheimer's disease. The essential oils for food use are potentially promoting health agents, and, therefore, worth using as flavoring and condiments. Becoming aware of the modulating gene expression actions from essential oils is important for understanding their potential for use in household dishes as spices to improve health.
... 21 Food and Drugs 6 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Certain other spices, seasonings, essential oils, oleoresins, and natural extracts. 582.50 Section 582.50 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION..., oleoresins, and natural extracts. Certain other spices, seasonings, essential oils, oleoresins, and natural...
... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Certain other spices, seasonings, essential oils, oleoresins, and natural extracts. 182.50 Section 182.50 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION..., oleoresins, and natural extracts. Certain other spices, seasonings, essential oils, oleoresins, and natural...
Plant essential oils have a number of roles in insect pest management. For male Ceratitis capitata, these roles include male-targeted attractants for traps and aromatherapy exposure for increased mating success. Essential oils that affect C. capitata behavior may be from either host or non-host pl...
Secondary metabolites emitted from plants and natural essential oils are suspected to attract males of the Mediterranean fruit fly to their calling sites. We investigated the differential attractiveness of six essential oils that have either been shown to have aromatherapy effects and/or that differ...
Borges, Andrezza Raposo; Aires, Juliana Ramos de Albuquerque; Higino, Taciana Mirely Maciel; de Medeiros, Maria das Graças Freire; Citó, Antonia Maria das Graças Lopes; Lopes, José Arimatéia Dantas; de Figueiredo, Regina Celia Bressan Queiroz
Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in Latin America. There are no vaccines available, the chemotherapy used to treat this illness has serious side effects and its efficacy on the chronic phase of disease is still a matter of debate. In a search for alternative treatment for Chagas disease, essential oils extracted from traditional medicinal plants Lippia sidoides, Lippia origanoides, Chenopodium ambrosioides, Ocimum gratissimum, Justicia pectorales and Vitex agnus-castus were investigated in vitro for trypanocidal and cytotoxic activities. Essential Oils were extracted by hydrodistillation and submitted to chemical analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The concentration of essential oils necessary to inhibit 50% of the epimastigotes or amastigotes growth (IC(50)) and to kill 50% of trypomastigote forms (LC(50)) was estimated. The most prevalent chemical constituents of these essential oils were monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. All essential oils tested demonstrated an inhibitory effect on the parasite growth and survival. L. sidoides and L. origanoides essential oils were the most effective against trypomastigote and amastigote forms respectively. No significant cytotoxic effects were observed in mouse peritoneal macrophages incubated with essential oils which were more selective against the parasites than mammalian cells. Taken together, our results point towards the use of these essential oils as potential chemotherapeutic agent against T. cruzi. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
The enantiomeric composition of linalool was determined in 42 essential oils using chiral columns. Essential oils were analyzed by multidimentional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using a non-chiral and chiral FSC column combination with modified '-cyclodextrine (Lipodex E) as the chiral statio...
Tuttolomondo, Teresa; Dugo, Giacomo; Ruberto, Giuseppe; Leto, Claudio; Napoli, Edoardo M; Cicero, Nicola; Gervasi, Teresa; Virga, Giuseppe; Leone, Raffaele; Licata, Mario; La Bella, Salvatore
In this study the chemical characterisation of 10 Sicilian Rosmarinus officinalis L. biotypes essential oils is reported. The main goal of this work was to analyse the relationship between the essential oils yield and the geographical distribution of the species plants. The essential oils were analysed by GC-FID and GC-MS. Hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis statistical methods were used to cluster biotypes according to the essential oils chemical composition. The essential oil yield ranged from 0.8 to 2.3 (v/w). In total 82 compounds have been identified, these represent 96.7-99.9% of the essential oil. The most represented compounds in the essential oils were 1.8-cineole, linalool, α-terpineol, verbenone, α-pinene, limonene, bornyl acetate and terpinolene. The results show that the essential oil yield of the 10 biotypes is affected by the environmental characteristics of the sampling sites while the chemical composition is linked to the genetic characteristics of different biotypes.
Soil can be a significant source of preharvest contamination of produce by pathogens. Demand for natural pesticides such as essential oils for organic farming continues to increase. Antimicrobial activity of essential oils in vitro has been well documented, but there is no information about their ef...
Soil can be a significant source of preharvest contamination of produce by pathogens. Demand for natural pesticides such as essential oils for organic farming continues to increase. Antimicrobial activity of essential oils in vitro has been well documented, but there is no information about their ef...
De Feo, Vincenzo; Bruno, Maurizio; Tahiri, Bochra; Napolitano, Francesco; Senatore, Felice
The chemical composition of essential oils from aerial parts of Thymus spinulosus Ten. (Lamiaceae) is reported. Four oils from plants growing in different environmental conditions were characterized by GC and GC-MS methods; the oils seem to indicate a new chemotype in the genus Thymus. Influences of soil and altitude characteristics on the essential oil composition are discussed. The oils showed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus cereus) and Gram-negative (Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimuium Ty2, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria.
Gül, Süleyman; Demirci, Betül; Başer, Kemal Hüsnü Can; Akpulat, H Aşkin; Aksu, Pinar
The aim of this study was to determine the chemical composition of Urtica dioica essential oil, and to evaluate its cytotoxic and genotoxic effects, using cytogenetic tests such as the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay and chromosomal aberration analysis in human lymphocyte cultures in vitro. GC-MS analysis of U. dioica essential oil identified 43 compounds, representing 95.8% of the oil. GC and GC-MS analysis of the essential oil of U. dioica revealed that carvacrol (38.2%), carvone (9.0%), naphthalene (8.9%), (E)-anethol (4.7%), hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (3.0%), (E)-geranyl acetone (2.9%), (E)-β-ionone (2.8%) and phytol (2.7%) are the main components, comprising 72.2% of the oil. A significant correlation was found between the concentration of essential oil and the following: chromosomal aberrations, micronuclei frequency, apoptotic cells, necrotic cells, and binucleated cells.
Busatta, C; Vidal, R S; Popiolski, A S; Mossi, A J; Dariva, C; Rodrigues, M R A; Corazza, F C; Corazza, M L; Vladimir Oliveira, J; Cansian, R L
This work reports on the antimicrobial activity in fresh sausage of marjoram (Origanum majorana L.) essential oil against several species of bacteria. The in vitro minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for 10 selected aerobic heterotrophic bacterial species. The antimicrobial activity of distinct concentrations of the essential oil based on the highest MIC value was tested in a food system comprising fresh sausage. Batch food samples were also inoculated with a fixed concentration of Escherichia coli and the time course of the product was evaluated with respect to the action of the different concentrations of essential oil. Results showed that addition of marjoram essential oil to fresh sausage exerted a bacteriostatic effect at oil concentrations lower than the MIC, while a bactericidal effect was observed at higher oil concentrations which also caused alterations in the taste of the product.
Chopa, Carolina Sánchez; Descamps, Lilian R
Natural pesticides based on plant essential oils may represent alternative crop protectants. This study analysed the chemical constituents and bioactivities of essential oils from Schinus areira L., Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Tagetes terniflora Kunth against winged and wingless adults of Metopolophium dirhodum (Walk.). The major component of S. areira was α-phellandrene, that of R. officinalis was 1,8-cineole and that of T. terniflora was cis-ocimene. Rosemary essential oil was more effective than the others in immersion method tests. In contact toxicity, the rosemary oil was the most toxic to wingless adults and the S. areira leaf oil was the most toxic to winged adults. All the EOs produced some degrees of repellency in adults and effects on the reproduction and demographic parameters. These results showed that the essential oils from S. areira, R. officinalis and T. terniflora could be used as an alternative in the management of M. dirhodum. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry.
Garlic-based oils and extract formulations have been used as insecticides against various insects on numerous crops, but there are contradictions in the findings on the insecticidal or repellent properties of garlic-based products. To assess garlic, Allium sativum L., extract efficacy against pests...
Chen, Zhifen; He, Daohang; Deng, Jingdan; Zhu, Jiaying; Mao, Qiuping
The essential oil of fresh leaves from Agathis dammara (Lamb.) Rich was extracted using hydro-distillation, and GC-FID and GC-MS were used to analyse the essential oil. Nineteen compounds were identified, among which the major components were limonene (36.81%), β-bisabolene (33.43%) and β-myrcene (25.48%). In the antibacterial test, disc diffusion method and micro-well dilution assay proved that the essential oil had significant antibacterial activities. The inhibition zones against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were 23.7 and 23 mm, respectively, which demonstrated that the inhibition effects were greater than positive control (10 μg/disc streptomycin). And the lowest MIC value of the essential oil was found against S. aureus (1.25 mg/mL) and Bacillus subtilis (1.25 mg/mL). This is the first report on the antibacterial activities of A. dammara essential oil.
Suzuki, Érika Yoko; Baptista, Edilene Bolutari; Resende Do Carmo, Antônio Márcio; Miranda Chaves, Maria Das Graças Afonso; Chicourel, Elizabeth Lemos; Barbosa Raposo, Nádia Rezende
This study evaluated the effectiveness of the essential oil of Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus in inhibiting the growth of the main bacteria responsible for bad perspiration odor (Staphylococcus epidermidis, Proteus hauseri, Micrococcus yunnanensis and Corynebacterium xerosis). The chemical profile of the essential oil was evaluated by high-resolution gas chromatography (HR-GC) and four constituents were identified, eugenol being the major component (88.6%). The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by means of the turbidimetric method, using the microdilution assay. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the essential oil ranged from 500 to 1,000 μg mL⁻¹. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations confirmed the physical damage and morphological alteration of the test bacteria treated with the essential oil, reference drugs and eugenol. The findings of the study demonstrated that this essential oil can be used in the formulation of personal care products.
Görmez, Arzu; Yanmiş, Derya; Bozari, Sedat; Gürkök, Sumeyra
The antibiotic resistance of pathogenic microorganisms has become a worldwide concern to public health. To overcome the current resistance problem, new antimicrobial agents are extremely needed. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Satureja hortensis essential oils against seven clinical pathogens. Chemical compositions of hydro distillated essential oils from S. hortensis were analyzed by GS-MS. The antibacterial activity was investigated against Corynebacterium diphtheria, Salmonella typhimurium, Serratia plymuthica Yersinia enterocolitica, Y. frederiksenii, Y. pseudotuberculosis and Vibrio cholerae by the use of disc diffusion method and broth micro dilution method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of essential oils were found as low as 7.81 µg/mL. Notably, essential oils of S. hortensis exhibited remarkable antimicrobial activities against the tested clinical pathogens. The results indicate that these essential oils can be used in treatment of different infectious diseases.
Chen, Mi-Yu; Lin, Yan-Ni; Wu, Guo-Xin; Wu, Cui-Ping
To study the chemical components of the essential oil of the Semen Sinapis with the different processing methods. The essential oils of the crude Semen Sinapis and the roasted Semen Sinapis were extracted by steam distillation. The chemical components were analyzed by means of GC-MS-DS. The relative content of each component was calculated by area normalization. The main chemical components of the essential oil of the crude Semen Sinapis and the roasted Semen Sinapis were similar. The main chemical components were allyl isothiocyanate and 4-isothio-cyanato-1-butene. The chemical components of the essential oil of the crude Semen Sinapis were more than that of the roasted Semen Sinapis. The effect of different processing methods on the chemical components of the essential oil of Semen Sinapis was significant. Certain chemical components such as isothiocyanato-containing substances, were found in the crude Semen Sinapis.
de Rapper, Stephanie; Viljoen, Alvaro
The paper focuses on the in vitro antimicrobial activity of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. (lavender) essential oil in combination with four commercial antimicrobial agents. Stock solutions of chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, nystatin, and fusidic acid were tested in combination with L. angustifolia essential oil. The antimicrobial activities of the combinations were investigated against the Gram-positive bacterial strain Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27858) and Candida albicans (ATCC 10231) was selected to represent the yeasts. The antimicrobial effect was performed using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) microdilution assay. Isobolograms were constructed for varying ratios. The most prominent interaction was noted when L. angustifolia essential oil was combined with chloramphenicol and tested against the pathogen P. aeruginosa (ΣFIC of 0.29). Lavendula angustifolia essential oil was shown in most cases to interact synergistically with conventional antimicrobials when combined in ratios where higher volumes of L. angustifolia essential oil were incorporated into the combination. PMID:27891157
Machado, Daniela; Gaspar, Carlos; Palmeira-de-Oliveira, Ana; Cavaleiro, Carlos; Salgueiro, Lígia; Martinez-de-Oliveira, José; Cerca, Nuno
To evaluate the antibacterial activity of Thymbra capitata essential oil and its main compound, carvacrol, against Gardnerella vaginalis grown planktonically and as biofilms, and its effect of vaginal lactobacilli. Minimal inhibitory concentration, minimal lethal concentration determination and flow cytometry analysis were used to assess the antibacterial effect against planktonic cells. Antibiofilm activity was measured through quantification of biomass and visualization of biofilm structure by confocal laser scanning microscopy. T. capitata essential oil and carvacrol exhibited a potent antibacterial activity against G. vaginalis cells. Antibiofilm activity was more evident with the essential oil than carvacrol. Furthermore, vaginal lactobacilli were significantly more tolerant to the essential oil. T. capitata essential oil stands up as a promising therapeutic agent against G. vaginalis biofilm-related infections.
Aelenei, Petruta; Miron, Anca; Trifan, Adriana; Bujor, Alexandra; Gille, Elvira; Aprotosoaie, Ana Clara
Gram-negative bacteria cause infections that are difficult to treat due to the emergence of multidrug resistance. This review summarizes the current status of the studies investigating the capacity of essential oils and their components to modulate antibiotic activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Synergistic interactions are particularly discussed with reference to possible mechanisms by which essential oil constituents interact with antibiotics. Special emphasis is given to essential oils and volatile compounds that inhibit efflux pumps, thus reversing drug resistance in Gram-negative bacteria. In addition, indifference and antagonism between essential oils/volatile compounds and conventional antibiotics have also been reported. Overall, this literature review reveals that essential oils and their purified components enhance the efficacy of antibiotics against Gram-negative bacteria, being promising candidates for the development of new effective formulations against Gram-negative bacteria. PMID:28930130
Jokić, Goran; Blažić, Tanja; Đurović-Pejčev, Rada; Đorđević, Tijana; Đedović, Suzana; Vukša, Marina
Strong-smelling plant extracts, such as essential oils, have a variety of feeding effects on mammals. Considering current concerns over long-term health issues and environmental effects of chemicals, plant-based products with repellent or antifungal activities may represent good solutions for improvement of rodent pest control programs. The present study was therefore focused on examining the effects of bergamot, lavender, and thyme essential oils as additional bait components on daily intakes of cereal-based baits by wild house mice. Lavender essential oil, containing linalool and linalyl acetate as main components, and thyme essential oil with a prevailing thymol component had no effects on house mice diet. Bergamot essential oil, whose main components were linalool, limonene, and linalyl acetate, showed a repellent effect on house mouse diet.
Sanchez-Suarez, Jf; Riveros, I; Delgado, G
The leishmanicidal and cytotoxic activity of ten essential oils obtained from ten plant specimens were evaluated. Essential oils were obtained by the steam distillation of plant leaves without any prior processing. Cytotoxicity was tested on J774 macrophages and leishmanicidal activity was assessed against four species of Leishmania associated with cutaneous leishmaniasis. Seven essential oils exhibited activity against Leishmania parasites, five of which were toxic against J774 macrophages. Selectivity indices of >6 and 13 were calculated for the essential oils of Ocimum basilicum and Origanum vulgare, respectively. The essential oil of Ocimum basilicum was active against promastigotes of Leishmania and innocuous to J774 macrophages at concentrations up to 1600 µg/mL and should be further investigated for leishmanicidal activity in others in vitro and in vivo experimental models.
Sanchez-Suarez, JF; Riveros, I; Delgado, G
Background The leishmanicidal and cytotoxic activity of ten essential oils obtained from ten plant specimens were evaluated. Methods Essential oils were obtained by the steam distillation of plant leaves without any prior processing. Cytotoxicity was tested on J774 macrophages and leishmanicidal activity was assessed against four species of Leishmania associated with cutaneous leishmaniasis. Results Seven essential oils exhibited activity against Leishmania parasites, five of which were toxic against J774 macrophages. Selectivity indices of >6 and 13 were calculated for the essential oils of Ocimum basilicum and Origanum vulgare, respectively. Conclusion The essential oil of Ocimum basilicum was active against promastigotes of Leishmania and innocuous to J774 macrophages at concentrations up to 1600 µg/mL and should be further investigated for leishmanicidal activity in others in vitro and in vivo experimental models. PMID:23682270
Li, Xiao-Dong; Yang, Li; Xu, Shi-Qian; Li, Jian-Guo; Cheng, Zhi-Hui; Dang, Jian-Zhang
To extract the essential oils from the Seedlings, the Aseptic Seedlings and the Tissue Culture Seedlings of Thymus vulgaris and analyze their chemical components and the relative contents. The essential oils were extracted by steam distillation, the chemical components and the relative contents were identified and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and peak area normalization method. The main chemical components of essential oil in these three samples had no significant difference, they all contained the main components of essential oil in Thymus vulgaris: Thymol, Carvacrol, o-Cymene, gamma-Terpinene, Caryophyllene et al. and only had a slight difference in the relative content. This study provides important theoretical foundation and data reference for further study on production of essential oil in thyme by tissue culture technology.
Karamaouna, Filitsa; Kimbaris, Athanasios; Michaelakis, Alphantonios; Papachristos, Dimitrios; Polissiou, Moschos; Papatsakona, Panagiota; Tsora, Eleanna
The vine mealybug, Planococcus ficus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is a pest in grape vine growing areas worldwide. The essential oils from the following aromatic plants were tested for their insecticidal activity against P. ficus: peppermint, Mentha piperita L. (Lamiales: Lamiaceae), thyme-leaved savory, Satureja thymbra L., lavender, Lavandula angustifolia Mill, and basil, Ocimum basilicum L. Essential oils from peels of the following fruits were also tested: lemon, Citrus limon L. (Sapindales: Rutaceae), and orange, C. sinensis L. The reference product was paraffin oil. Bioassays were conducted in the laboratory by using spray applications on grape leaves bearing clusters of P. ficus of one size class, which mainly represented either 3rd instar nymphs or pre-ovipositing adult females. The LC50 values for each essential oil varied depending on the P. ficus life stage but did not significantly differ between 3(rd) instar nymphs and adult females. The LC50 values of the citrus, peppermint, and thyme-leaved savory essential oils ranged from 2.7 to 8.1 mg/mL, and the LC50 values of lavender and basil oil ranged from 19.8 to 22.5 and 44.1 to 46.8 mg/mL, respectively. The essential oils from citrus, peppermint and thymeleaved savory were more or equally toxic compared to the reference product, whereas the lavender and basil essential oils were less toxic than the paraffin oil. No phytotoxic symptoms were observed on grape leaves treated with the citrus essential oils, and low phytotoxicity was caused by the essential oils of lavender, thyme-leaved savory, and mint, whereas the highest phytotoxicity was observed when basil oil was used.
Karamaouna, Filitsa; Kimbaris, Athanasios; Michaelakis, Αntonios; Papachristos, Dimitrios; Polissiou, Moschos
The vine mealybug, Planococcus ficus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is a pest in grape vine growing areas worldwide. The essential oils from the following aromatic plants were tested for their insecticidal activity against P. ficus: peppermint, Mentha piperita L. (Lamiales: Lamiaceae), thyme-leaved savory, Satureja thymbra L., lavender, Lavandula angustifolia Mill, and basil, Ocimum basilicum L. Essential oils from peels of the following fruits were also tested: lemon, Citrus limon L. (Sapindales: Rutaceae), and orange, C. sinensis L. The reference product was paraffin oil. Bioassays were conducted in the laboratory by using spray applications on grape leaves bearing clusters of P. ficus of one size class, which mainly represented either 3rd instar nymphs or pre-ovipositing adult females. The LC50 values for each essential oil varied depending on the P. ficus life stage but did not significantly differ between 3rd instar nymphs and adult females. The LC50 values of the citrus, peppermint, and thyme-leaved savory essential oils ranged from 2.7 to 8.1 mg/mL, and the LC50 values of lavender and basil oil ranged from 19.8 to 22.5 and 44.1 to 46.8 mg/mL, respectively. The essential oils from citrus, peppermint and thymeleaved savory were more or equally toxic compared to the reference product, whereas the lavender and basil essential oils were less toxic than the paraffin oil. No phytotoxic symptoms were observed on grape leaves treated with the citrus essential oils, and low phytotoxicity was caused by the essential oils of lavender, thyme-leaved savory, and mint, whereas the highest phytotoxicity was observed when basil oil was used. PMID:24766523
Quijano-Celis, Clara E; Gaviria, Mauricio; Consuelo, Vanegas-López; Ontiveros, Ina; Echeverri, Leonardo; Morales, Gustavo; Pino, Jorge A
The essential oil from fruits of Retrophyllum rospigliosii (Pilger) C.N. Page grown in Colombia was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Ninety-one compounds were identified, of which the most prominent were limonene (37.7%) and alpha-pinene (16.3%). The in vitro antibacterial activity of the essential oil was studied against seven bacterial strains using the disc diffusion method. The strongest activity of the oil was against the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus cereus.
Kumari, Sangita; Pundhir, Sachin; Priya, Piyush; Jeena, Ganga; Punetha, Ankita; Chawla, Konika; Firdos Jafaree, Zohra; Mondal, Subhasish; Yadav, Gitanjali
Plant essential oils are complex mixtures of volatile organic compounds, which play indispensable roles in the environment, for the plant itself, as well as for humans. The potential biological information stored in essential oil composition data can provide an insight into the silent language of plants, and the roles of these chemical emissions in defense, communication and pollinator attraction. In order to decipher volatile profile patterns from a global perspective, we have developed the ESSential OIL DataBase (EssOilDB), a continually updated, freely available electronic database designed to provide knowledge resource for plant essential oils, that enables one to address a multitude of queries on volatile profiles of native, invasive, normal or stressed plants, across taxonomic clades, geographical locations and several other biotic and abiotic influences. To our knowledge, EssOilDB is the only database in the public domain providing an opportunity for context based scientific research on volatile patterns in plants. EssOilDB presently contains 123 041 essential oil records spanning a century of published reports on volatile profiles, with data from 92 plant taxonomic families, spread across diverse geographical locations all over the globe. We hope that this huge repository of VOCs will facilitate unraveling of the true significance of volatiles in plants, along with creating potential avenues for industrial applications of essential oils. We also illustrate the use of this database in terpene biology and show how EssOilDB can be used to complement data from computational genomics to gain insights into the diversity and variability of terpenoids in the plant kingdom. EssOilDB would serve as a valuable information resource, for students and researchers in plant biology, in the design and discovery of new odor profiles, as well as for entrepreneurs—the potential for generating consumer specific scents being one of the most attractive and interesting topics
Esper, Renata H.; Gonçalez, Edlayne; Marques, Marcia O. M.; Felicio, Roberto C.; Felicio, Joana D.
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a highly toxic and carcinogenic metabolite produced by Aspergillus species on food and agricultural commodities. Inhibitory effects of essential oils of Ageratum conyzoides (mentrasto) and Origanum vulgare (oregano) on the mycelial growth and aflatoxin B1 production by Aspergillus flavus have been studied previously in culture medium. The aim of this study was to evaluate aflatoxin B1 production by Aspergillus flavus in real food systems (corn and soybean) treated with Ageratum conyzoides (mentrasto) and Origanum vulgare (oregano) essential oils. Samples with 60 g of the grains were treated with different volumes of essential oils, 200, 100, 50, and 10 μL for oregano and 50, 30, 15, and 10 μL for mentrasto. Fungal growth was evaluated by disk diffusion method. Aflatoxin B1 production was evaluated inoculating suspensions of A. flavus containing 1.3 × 105 spores/mL in 60 g of grains (corn and soybeans) after adjusting the water activity at 0.94. Aflatoxin was quantified by photodensitometry. Fungal growth and aflatoxin production were inhibited by essential oils, but the mentrasto oil was more effective in soybeans than that of oregano. On the other hand, in corn samples, the oregano essential oil was more effective than that of mentrasto. Chemical compositions of the essential oils were also investigated. The GC/MS oils analysis showed that the main component of mentrasto essential oil is precocene I and of the main component of oregano essential oil is 4-terpineol. The results indicate that both essential oils can become an alternative for the control of aflatoxins in corn and soybeans. PMID:24926289
Castro, Micheli R; Victoria, Francine N; Oliveira, Daniela H; Jacob, Raquel G; Savegnago, Lucielli; Alves, Diego
Psidium cattleianum Sabine (Myrtacea) is rich in vitamin C and phenolic compounds, including epicatechin and gallic acid as the main components. To evaluate the antifungal and antioxidant capacity in vitro of the essential oil of araçá (EOA). The acute toxicity of the EOA also was evaluated in mice. The leaves of the P. cattleianum were extracted by steam distillation. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated by in vitro tests [1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS), ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), linoleic acid oxidation, thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS)], and ex vivo analysis [TBARS, δ-aminulevunilate dehydratase (δ-Ala-D) and catalase activity, non-protein thiols (NPSH), and ascorbic acid levels]. The toxicity was studied in mice by a single oral administration of EOA; and the antifungal activity was performed with five strains of fungi. The EOA exhibited antioxidant activity in the FRAP assay and reduced lipid peroxidation in the cortex (Imax = 32.90 ± 2.62%), hippocampus (IC50 = 48.00 ± 3.00 µg/ml and Imax = 32.90 ± 2.62%), and cerebellum (Imax = 45.40 ± 14.04%) of mice. Acute administration of the EOA by the oral route did not cause toxicological effects in mice (LD50 > 500 µg/ml). The EOA also showed antifungal activity through of the determination minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 41.67 ± 18.04 to 166.70 ± 72.17 µg/ml for tested strains. The results of present study indicate that EOA possess antioxidant properties, antifungal and not cause toxicity at tested doses.
Barbosa, Lidiane Nunes; Probst, Isabella Silva; Murbach Teles Andrade, Bruna Fernanda; Bérgamo Alves, Fernanda Cristina; Albano, Mariana; Mores Rall, Vera Lucia; Júnior, Ary Fernandes
Consumption of chicken meat and its products, especially sausage, have increased in recent years. However, this product is susceptible to microbial contamination during manufacturing, which compromises its shelf life. The flavoring and preservative activities of essential oils (EO) have been recognized and the application of these antimicrobial agents as natural active compounds in food preservation has shown promise. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Ocimum basilicum and Origanum vulgare EO on Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Enteritidis strains in artificially inoculated samples of fresh chicken sausage. First, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of EO in vitro was determined. The sausage was prepared and kept at ± 4°C; then, the inoculation of individual bacteria was carried out. EO were added at 0.3%, 1.0% and 1.5%v/w. After 0, 5, and 24 hours, the most probable number method (MPN) was performed. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to view the damage caused by these EO on bacterial morphology and/or structure. Only the 1.5% concentration was effective in reducing L. monocytogenes. 0.3% of O. vulgare EO was able to reduce the MPN/g of Salmonella Enteritidis (2 log) after 5 hours trials. O. basilicum EO showed no effect on Salmonella after 5 hours, but decreased by 2 log after 24 hours. O. vulgare EO at 1% gave a greater reduction of S. Enteritidis at 5 hours, increasing or maintaining this effect after 24 hours. The results confirmed the potential benefits of use EO in control of foodborne pathogens.
Odimegwu, Joy I; Odukoya, Olukemi; Yadav, Ritesh K; Chanotiya, C S; Ogbonnia, Steve; Sangwan, Neelam S
Dioscorea species is a very important food and drug plant. The tubers of the plant are extensively used in food and drug purposes owing to the presence of steroidal constituent's diosgenin in the tubers. In the present study, we report for the first time that the leaves of Dioscorea composita and Dioscorea floribunda grown under the field conditions exhibited the presence of multicellular oil glands on the epidermal layers of the plants using stereomicroscopy (SM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Essential oil was also isolated from the otherwise not useful herbage of the plant, and gas chromatographic-mass spectroscopy analysis revealed confirmation of the essential oil constituents. Out of the 76 compounds detected in D. floribunda and 37 from D. composita essential oil, major terpenoids which are detected and reported for Dioscorea leaf essential oil are α -terpinene, nerolidol, citronellyl acetate, farnesol, elemol, α -farnesene, valerenyl acetate, and so forth. Elemol was detected as the major constituent of both the Dioscorea species occupying 41% and 22% of D. Floribunda and D. composita essential oils, respectively. In this paper, we report for the first time Dioscorea as a possible novel bioresource for the essential oil besides its well-known importance for yielding diosgenin.
Yanwong, S.; Threepopnatkul, P.
Fish skin gelatin films incorporated with peppermint and citronella essential oils at difference concentrations (10, 20 and 30% w/w) were prepared by solution casting. Addition of peppermint oil contributed to a significant decrease of tensile strength and Young's modulus, while the percent elongation at break showed an obvious increase except at 30% w/w. On the other hand, addition of citronella oils promoted a great increase of tensile strength and young's modulus, but an intense decrease of the percent elongation at break. At the predetermined content, the film incorporated with citronella oils outperformed the one with peppermint oils in term of water vapor transmission and solubility in water. Thermal properties of gelatin films with citronella oils exhibited an enhancement in heat stability, while the one with peppermint oils showed slight decrease in heat stability. The additions with both of essential oils exhibited excellent antibacterial properties against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.
Sadraei, H; Asghari, G; Kasiri, F
Dracocephalum kotschyi is an essential oil containing plant found in Iran. In Iranian traditional medicine, D. kotschyi has been used as antispasmodic and analgesic but so far there is no pharmacological report about its antispasmodic activity. Therefore, the objective of this research was to study antispasmodic activity of the essential oil of D. kotschyi and two of its constituents namely limonene and α-terpineol. The essential oil was obtained from aerial parts of D. kotschyi using hydrodistillation method. The main components found in the essential oil were α-pinene (10%), neral (11%), geraniol (10%), α-citral (12%), limonene (9%) and α-terpineol (1.1%). For antispasmodic studies, a portion of rat ileum was suspended under 1 g tension in Tyrode's solution at 37 °C and gassed with O2. Effect of the D. kotschyi essential oil, limonene and α-terpineol were studied on ileum contractions induced by KCl (80 mM), acetylcholine (ACh, 500 nM) and electrical field stimulation (EFS). The essential oil, in a concentration dependent manner inhibited the response to KCl (IC50=51 ± 8.7 nl/ml), ACh (IC50=19 ± 2.7 nl/ml) and EFS (IC50=15 ± 0.5 nl/ml). Limonene and α-terpineol showed same pattern of inhibitory effect on ileum contraction. Their inhibitory effects were also concentration dependent. However, limonene was more potent than the essential oil while the α-terpineol was less potent than either limonene or the essential oil. From this experiment it was concluded that D. kotschyi essential oil has inhibitory effect on ileum contractions. Limonene contribute a major role in inhibitory effect of the essential oil while α-terpineol has weak antispasmodic activity.
Jones, Andrew Maxwell P; Shukla, Mukund R; Sherif, Sherif M; Brown, Paula B; Saxena, Praveen K
Essential oils have growth regulating properties comparable to the well-documented methyl jasmonate and may be involved in localized and/or airborne plant communication. Aromatic plants employ large amounts of resources to produce essential oils. Some essential oils are known to contain compounds with plant growth regulating activities. However, the potential capacity of essential oils as airborne molecules able to modulate plant growth/development has remained uninvestigated. Here, we demonstrate that essential oils from eight taxonomically diverse plants applied in their airborne state inhibited auxin-induced elongation of Pisum sativum hypocotyls and Avena sativa coleoptiles. This response was also observed using five monoterpenes commonly found in essential oils as well as isoprene, the basic building block of terpenes. Upon transfer to ambient conditions, A. sativa coleoptiles resumed elongation, demonstrating an antagonistic relationship rather than toxicity. Inclusion of essential oils, monoterpenes, or isoprene into the headspace of culture vessels induced abnormal cellular growth along hypocotyls of Arabidopsis thaliana. These responses were also elicited by methyl jasmonate (MeJA); however, where methyl jasmonate inhibited root growth essential oils did not. Gene expression studies in A. thaliana also demonstrated differences between the MeJA and isoprenoid responses. This series of experiments clearly demonstrate that essential oils and their isoprenoid components interact with endogenous plant growth regulators when applied directly or as volatile components in the headspace. The similarities between isoprenoid and MeJA responses suggest that they may act in plant defence signalling. While further studies are needed to determine the ecological and evolutionary significance, the results of this study and the specialized anatomy associated with aromatic plants suggest that essential oils may act as airborne signalling molecules.
Sadraei, H.; Asghari, G.; Kasiri, F.
Dracocephalum kotschyi is an essential oil containing plant found in Iran. In Iranian traditional medicine, D. kotschyi has been used as antispasmodic and analgesic but so far there is no pharmacological report about its antispasmodic activity. Therefore, the objective of this research was to study antispasmodic activity of the essential oil of D. kotschyi and two of its constituents namely limonene and α-terpineol. The essential oil was obtained from aerial parts of D. kotschyi using hydrodistillation method. The main components found in the essential oil were α-pinene (10%), neral (11%), geraniol (10%), α-citral (12%), limonene (9%) and α-terpineol (1.1%). For antispasmodic studies, a portion of rat ileum was suspended under 1 g tension in Tyrode's solution at 37 °C and gassed with O2. Effect of the D. kotschyi essential oil, limonene and α-terpineol were studied on ileum contractions induced by KCl (80 mM), acetylcholine (ACh, 500 nM) and electrical field stimulation (EFS). The essential oil, in a concentration dependent manner inhibited the response to KCl (IC50=51 ± 8.7 nl/ml), ACh (IC50=19 ± 2.7 nl/ml) and EFS (IC50=15 ± 0.5 nl/ml). Limonene and α-terpineol showed same pattern of inhibitory effect on ileum contraction. Their inhibitory effects were also concentration dependent. However, limonene was more potent than the essential oil while the α-terpineol was less potent than either limonene or the essential oil. From this experiment it was concluded that D. kotschyi essential oil has inhibitory effect on ileum contractions. Limonene contribute a major role in inhibitory effect of the essential oil while α-terpineol has weak antispasmodic activity. PMID:26487887
Ocazionez, Raquel Elvira; Meneses, Rocio; Torres, Flor Angela; Stashenko, Elena
The inhibitory effect of Lippia alba and Lippia citriodora essential oils on dengue virus serotypes replication in vitro was investigated. The cytotoxicity (CC50) was evaluated by the MTT assay and the mode of viral inhibitory effect was investigated with a plaque reduction assay. The virus was treated with the essential oil for 2 h at 37 masculineC before cell adsorption and experiments were conducted to evaluate inhibition of untreated-virus replication in the presence of oil. Antiviral activity was defined as the concentration of essential oil that caused 50% reduction of the virus plaque number (IC50). L. alba oil resulted in less cytotoxicity than L. citriodora oil (CC50: 139.5 vs. 57.6 microg/mL). Virus plaque reduction for all four dengue serotypes was observed by treatment of the virus before adsorption on cell. The IC50 values for L. alba oil were between 0.4-32.6 microg/mL and between 1.9-33.7 microg/mL for L. citriodora oil. No viral inhibitory effect was observed by addition of the essential oil after virus adsorption. The inhibitory effect of the essential oil seems to cause direct virus inactivation before adsorption on host cell.
Shokrzadeh, Mohammad; Habibi, Emran; Modanloo, Mona
Aim Rosa damascene Mill. belongs to the family of Roseaceae and its essential oil is produced in large amounts in Iran. The wide application of rose oil has raised questions about potential adverse health effects. We have investigated cytotoxic activity and genotoxic effects of Rosa oil from Kashan, Iran. Methods The cytotoxic effect and IC50 of the essential oil on the cell lines was studied followed by MTT assay. In this assay mitochondrial oxidoreductase enzymes with reducing the tetrazolium dye MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) reflect the number of viable cells. Genotoxic effect of the oil was evaluated by micronucleus assay by evaluating produced micronuclei due to cytogenetic damage in binucleated lymphocytes. Results The results showed that essential oil significantly had cytotoxic and genotoxic effects at doses over 10µg/mL (p<0.05). Also, essential oil of Rose showed lower IC50 in cancer cell line (A549) in comparison with the normal cell line (NIH3T3). Conclusion Cytotoxic and genotoxic properties of essential oil of Rose in Kashan, Iran, are safe at a dose of 10µg/mL. Also, a good cytotoxic effect was shown and could be introduced as an anticancer compound. Further studies are needed with regard to anti-cancer effects of Rose essential oil. Copyright© by the Medical Assotiation of Zenica-Doboj Canton.
Uniyal, Ashish; Tikar, Sachin N; Mendki, Murlidhar J; Singh, Ram; Shukla, Shakti V; Agrawal, Om P; Veer, Vijay; Sukumaran, Devanathan
Background: Aedes aegypti mosquito is responsible for transmitting human diseases like dengue and chikungunya. Personal or space protection with insect repellents is a practical approach to reducing human mosquito contact, thereby minimizing disease transmission. Essential oils are natural volatile substances from plants used as protective measure against blood-sucking mosquitoes. Methods: Twenty-three essential oils were evaluated for their repellent effect against Ae. aegypti female mosquito in laboratory conditions using Y-tube olfactometer. Results: The essential oils exhibited varying degree of repellency. Litsea oil showed 50.31%, 60.2 %, and 77.26% effective mean repellency at 1 ppm, 10 ppm and 100 ppm respectively, while DEET exhibited 59.63%, 68.63%, 85.48% and DEPA showed 57.97%, 65.43%, and 80.62% repellency at respective above concentrations. Statistical analysis revealed that among the tested essential oils, litsea oil had effective repellency in comparison with DEET and DEPA against Ae. aegypti mosquito at all concentration. Essential oils, DEET and DEPA showed significant repellence against Ae. aegypti (P< 0.05) at all 3 concentration tested. Conclusion: Litsea oil exhibited effective percentage repellency similar to DEET and DEPA. The essential oils are natural plant products that may be useful for developing safer and newer herbal based effective mosquito repellents. PMID:27308295
Fu, Yujie; Zu, Yuangang; Chen, Liyan; Shi, Xiaoguang; Wang, Zhe; Sun, Su; Efferth, Thomas
In the present study, the antimicrobial activity of the essential oils from clove (Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. et Perry) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) was tested alone and in combination. The compositions of the oils were analysed by GC/MS. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against three Gram-positive bacteria, three Gram-negative bacteria and two fungi were determined for the essential oils and their mixtures. Furthermore, time-kill dynamic processes of clove and rosemary essential oils against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans were tested. Both essential oils possessed significant antimicrobial effects against all microorganisms tested. The MICs of clove oil ranged from 0.062% to 0.500% (v/v), while the MICs of rosemary oil ranged from 0.125% to 1.000% (v/v). The antimicrobial activity of combinations of the two essential oils indicated their additive, synergistic or antagonistic effects against individual microorganism tests. The time-kill curves of clove and rosemary essential oils towards three strains showed clearly bactericidal and fungicidal processes of (1)/(2) x MIC, MIC, MBC and 2 x MIC.
Shahsavari, Neda; Barzegar, Mohsen; Sahari, Mohammad Ali; Naghdibadi, Hasanali
The search for natural antioxidants, especially of plant origin, has notably increased in recent years. Bunium persicum Boiss. is an economically important medicinal plant growing wild in the dry temperature regions in Iran. In this study, chemical constituents of the essential oil of the seed from Bunium persicum Boiss. have been studied by GC/MS technique. The major components were caryophyllene (27.81%), gamma-terpinene (15.19%), cuminyl acetate (14.67%). Individual antioxidant assays such as, DPPH* scavenging activity and beta-carotene bleaching have been carried out. In DPPH* system, the EC(50) value of essential oil was determined as 0.88 mg/mL. In beta-carotene bleaching antioxidant activity of essential oil (0.45%) was almost equal to BHT at 0.01%. In addition, the antioxidant activity of the essential oil was evaluated in crude soybean oil by monitoring peroxide and thiobarbituric acid values of the oil substrate. The results showed that the Bunium persicum essential oil (BPEO) was able to reduce the oxidation rate of the soybean oil in the accelerated condition at 60 degrees C (oven test). The essential oil at 0.06% showed the same effect of BHA at 0.02%. Hence, BPEO could be used as an additive in food after screening.
Poma, Paola; Labbozzetta, Manuela; Notarbartolo, Monica; Bruno, Maurizio; Maggio, Antonella; Rosselli, Sergio; Sajeva, Maurizio; Zito, Pietro
The biological properties of essential oils have been demonstrated in the treatment of several diseases and to enhance the bioavailability of other drugs. In natural habitats the essential oils compounds may play important roles in the protection of the plants as antibacterials, antivirals, antifungals, insecticides and also against herbivores by reducing their appetite for such plants or by repelling undesirable others. We analyzed by gas-chromatography mass spectrometry the chemical composition of the essential oil of aerial parts of Glandora rosmarinifolia (Ten.) D.C. Thomas obtained by hydrodistillation and verified some biological activities on a panel of hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (HA22T/VGH, HepG2, Hep3B) and triple negative breast cancer cell lines (SUM 149, MDA-MB-231). In the essential oil we detected 35 compounds. The results of the biological assays indicate that essential oil of G. rosmarinifolia induces cell growth inhibition at concentration-dependent way in all cell line models. This oil does not seem to possess antioxidant activity, while the cytotoxicity of G. rosmarinifolia essential oil appeared to involve, at least in part, a pro-oxidant mechanism. Our results show for the first time the antitumoral and pro-oxidant activities of G. rosmarinifolia essential oil and suggest that it may represent a resource of pharmacologically active compounds.
Singh, Gurdip; Kapoor, I P S; Singh, Pratibha; de Heluani, Carola S; de Lampasona, Marina P; Catalan, Cesar A N
The essential oil and oleoresins (ethanol, methanol, CCl(4) and isooctane) of Zingiber officinale were extracted respectively by hydrodistillation and Soxhlet methods and subjected to GC-MS analysis. Geranial (25.9%) was the major component in essential oil; eugenol (49.8%) in ethanol oleoresin, while in the other three oleoresins, zingerone was the major component (33.6%, 33.3% and 30.5% for, methanol, CCl(4) and isooctane oleoresins, respectively). The antioxidant activity of essential oil and oleoresins were evaluated against mustard oil by peroxide, anisidine, thiobarbituric acid (TBA), ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging methods. They were found to be better antioxidants than butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). The antimicrobial properties were also studied using various food-borne pathogenic fungal and bacterial species. The essential oil and CCl(4) oleoresin showed 100% zone inhibition against Fusarium moniliforme. For other tested fungi and bacteriae, the essential oil and all oleoresins showed good to moderate inhibitory effects. Though, both essential oil and oleoresins were found to be effective, essential oil was found to be better than the oleoresins.
Misharina, T A; Alinkina, E S; Vorobjeva, A K; Terenina, M B; Krikunova, N I
The essential oils from 16 various spice plants were studied as natural antioxidants for the inhibition of autooxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids methyl esters isolated from linseed oil. The content of methyl oleate, methyl linoleate, and methyl linolenoate after 1, 2, and 4 months of autooxidation were used as criteria to estimate the antioxidant efficiencies of essential oils. In 4 months, 92% of the methyl linolenoate and 79% of the methyl linoleate were oxidized in a control sample of a model system. It was found that the most effective antioxidants were essential oils from clove bud, cinnamon leaves, and oregano. They inhibited autooxidation of methyl linolenoate by 76–85%. The antioxidant properties of these essential oils were due to phenols— eugenol, carvacrol, and thymol. Essential oil from coriander did not contain phenols, but it inhibited methyl linolenoate oxidation by 38%. Essential oils from thyme, savory, mace, lemon, and tea tree inhibited methyl linolenoate oxidation by 17–24%. The other essential oils had no antioxidant properties.
Choi, Won-Il; Lee, Sang-Geui; Park, Hyung-Man; Ahn, Young-Joon
Fifty-three plant essential oils were tested for their toxicity against eggs and adults of Tetranychus urticae Koch as well as adults of Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, by using a filter paper diffusion bioassay without allowing direct contact. Responses varied according to oil type and dose, and mite species. In a plastic container (4.5 by 9.5 cm) bioassay at 14 x 10(-3) microl/ml air, caraway seed, citronella java, lemon eucalyptus, pennyroyal, and peppermint oils gave > 90% mortality against adult T. urticae, whereas 82 and 81% mortality was observed with sage and spearmint oils, respectively. With the exception of sage oil, the other six essential oils were highly effective against T. urticae eggs at 9.3 x 10(-3) microl/ml air. Against adult P. persimilis, these six test oils caused > 90% mortality at 7.1 x 10(-3) microl/ml air. Particularly peppermint oil at 4.7 x 10(-3) microl/ml air was highly toxic. In an acrylic cage (30 by 30 by 40 cm ) test, lemon eucalyptus, pennyroyal, peppermint, and spearmint oils were highly effective against adult T. urticae at 1.4 x 10(-3) microl/ml air. These results indicate that the mode of delivery of these essential oils was largely a result of action in the vapor phase via the respiratory system. The essential oils described herein merit further study as potential fumigants for T. urticae control.
Ye, D; Karnati, S K R; Wagner, B; Firkins, J L; Eastridge, M L; Aldrich, J M
The interaction of monensin and essential oil was hypothesized to suppress protozoa and methane production while maintaining normal rumen function. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of feeding monensin (MON) and CinnaGar (CIN, a commercial blend of cinnamaldehyde and garlic oil; Provimi North America, Brookville, OH) on ruminal fermentation characteristics. Continuous culture fermentors (n = 4) were maintained in 4 experimental periods in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Four dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial: (1) control diet, 37 g/d of dry matter (40 g/d at ∼92.5% dry matter) of a 50:50 forage:concentrate diet containing no additive; (2) MON at 11 g/909 kg of dry matter; (3) CIN at 0.0043% of dry matter; and (4) a combination of MON and CIN at the levels in (2) and (3). Treatment had no effects on protozoal populations, concentration of NH 3 N, total N flow of effluent, production of total volatile fatty acids, or flows of conjugated linoleic acid and total C18 fatty acids. The MON decreased acetate:propionate ratio and biohydrogenation of both total C18 and 18:1 cis-9 but increased protozoal generation time, concentration of peptide, and flow of 18:1 trans-11. The MON tended to decrease protozoal counts in effluent and flow of 18:0 but tended to increase propionate production. The CIN decreased true organic matter digestibility and protozoal N flow of effluent but increased nonammonia, nonmicrobial N flow. The CIN tended to decrease protozoal counts, microbial N flow, and neutral detergent fiber digestibility but tended to increase biohydrogenation of total C18, 18:2, and 18:3. The CIN tended to increase isovalerate production. The MON and CIN tended to interact for increased methane production and bacterial N flow. A second experiment was conducted to determine the effects of MON and CIN on protozoal nitrogen and cell volume in vitro. Four treatments included (1) control (feed only), (2) feed + 0.0043% dry matter CIN
Hammer, K A; Carson, C F; Riley, T V
The in-vitro activity of a range of essential oils, including tea tree oil, against the yeast candida was examined. Of the 24 essential oils tested by the agar dilution method against Candida albicans ATCC 10231, three did not inhibit C. albicans at the highest concentration tested, which was 2.0% (v/v) oil. Sandalwood oil had the lowest MIC, inhibiting C. albicans at 0.06%. Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil was investigated for activity against 81 C. albicans isolates and 33 non-albicans Candida isolates. By the broth microdilution method, the minimum concentration of oil inhibiting 90% of isolates for both C. albicans and non-albicans Candida species was 0.25% (v/v). The minimum concentration of oil killing 90% of isolates was 0.25% for C. albicans and 0.5% for non-albicans Candida species. Fifty-seven Candida isolates were tested for sensitivity to tea tree oil by the agar dilution method; the minimum concentration of oil inhibiting 90% of isolates was 0.5%. Tests on three intra-vaginal tea tree oil products showed these products to have MICs and minimum fungicidal concentrations comparable to those of non-formulated tea tree oil, indicating that the tea tree oil contained in these products has retained its anticandidal activity. These data indicate that some essential oils are active against Candida spp., suggesting that they may be useful in the topical treatment of superficial candida infections.
Zarai, Zied; Ben Chobba, Ines; Ben Mansour, Riadh; Békir, Ahmed; Gharsallah, Néji; Kadri, Adel
The aim of the present study was to appraise the antimicrobial activity of Ricinus communis L. essential oil against different pathogenic microorganisms and the cytotoxic activity against HeLa cell lines. The agar disk diffusion method was used to study the antibacterial activity of Ricinus communis L. essential oil against 12 bacterial and 4 fungi strains. The disc diameters of zone of inhibition (DD), the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and the concentration inhibiting 50% (IC50) were investigated to characterize the antimicrobial activities of this essential oil. The in vitro cytotoxicity of Ricinus communis L. essential oil was examined using a modified MTT assay; the viability and the IC50 were used to evaluate this test. The essential oil from the leaves of Ricinus communis L. was analyzed by GC-MS and bioassays were carried out. Five constituents of the oil were identified by GC-MS. The antimicrobial activity of the oil was investigated in order to evaluate its efficacy against twelve bacteria and four fungi species, using disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration methods. The essential oil showed strong antimicrobial activity against all microorganisms tested with higher sensitivity for Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterobacter cloacae. The cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of the essential oil on HeLa cell lines were examined by MTT assay. The cytotoxicity of the oil was quite strong with IC50 values less than 2.63 mg/ml for both cell lines. The present study showed the potential antimicrobial and anticarcinogenic properties of the essential oil of Ricinus communis L., indicating the possibilities of its potential use in the formula of natural remedies for the topical treatment of infections.
Piaru, Suthagar Pillai; Mahmud, Roziahanim; Abdul Majid, Amin Malik Shah; Mahmoud Nassar, Zeyad Daoud
Toinvestigate the anti-angiogenic activity and antioxidant properties of Myristica fragrans (M. fragrans) (nutmeg) and Morinda citrifolia (M. citrifolia)(mengkudu) oils. The nutmeg and megkudu essential oils were obtained by steam distillation. The antioxidant activities of both essential oils were determined by beta-carotene/linoleic acid bleaching assay and reducing power while the anti-angiogenic activity was investigated using rat aortic ring assay using various concentrations. The results showed that nutmeg oil has higher antioxidant activity than mengkudu oil. The nutmeg oil effectively inhibited the oxidation of linoleic acid with (88.68±0.1)% while the inhibition percentage of oxidation of linoleic acid of the mengkudu oil is (69.44±0.4)%. The nutmeg oil and mengkudu oil showed reducing power with an EC(50) value of 181.4 μg/mL and 3 043.0 μg/mL, respectively. The antiangiogenic activity of nutmeg oil showed significant antiangiogenic activity with IC(50) of 77.64 μg/mL comparing to mengkudu oil which exhibits IC(50) of 109.30 μg/mL. Bioactive compound(s) will be isolated from the nutmeg essential oil to be developed as antiangiogenic drugs. Copyright © 2012 Hainan Medical College. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Kanat, Mehmet; Alma, M Hakki
Along with sulfate turpentine, the essential oils obtained by steam distillation from nine plant species naturally grown in Turkish forests were tested at three different concentrations to evaluate their effectiveness against the larvae of pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa Schiff). The results indicated that the essential oils from the nine species and sulfate turpentine were effective against the larvae of T pityocampa. The most effective essential oil in the control of the larvae was steam-distilled wood turpentine, followed by thyme herb oil, juniper berry oil, laurel leaf oil, lavender flower oil, eucalyptus leaf oil, lavender leaf oil, cypress berry oil, essential oil of styrax and sulfate turpentine, respectively, in terms of mean mortality time. It is therefore feasible to use these essential oils as environment-friendly insecticides in the control of T pityocampa.
Bedrossian, A.; Beauchamp, P.E.; Dev, Vasu; Kwan, S.; Munevar-Mendoza, Elsa; Okoreeh, E.K.; Moore, P.E.
The stem and leaf as well as the fruit oils of Lomatium torreyi show myrcene, ??-phellandrene, (Z)-??-ocimene, (E)-??-ocimene and (Z)-ligustilide to be the major components. The root oil is primarily composed of R-(-)-falcarinol (88.0%).
Salmonella populations in soil were reduced by up to 5 log CFU/ml after 28 days of incubation using vinegar or eugenol. The bactericidal effect of Cinnamanaldehyde was not evident. S. negev was sensitive to oils resulting in significant reduction of this bacterium. Increase in oil concentration resu...
Tongnuanchan, Phakawat; Benjakul, Soottawat; Prodpran, Thummanoon
Properties of protein-based film from fish skin gelatin incorporated with different citrus essential oils, including bergamot, kaffir lime, lemon and lime (50% based on protein) in the presence of 20% and 30% glycerol were investigated. Films containing 20% glycerol had higher tensile strength (TS) but lower elongation at break (EAB), compared with those prepared with 30% glycerol, regardless of essential oils incorporated (p<0.05). Films incorporated with essential oils, especially from lime, at both glycerol levels showed the lower TS but higher EAB than the control films (without incorporated essential oil) (p<0.05). Water vapour permeability (WVP) of films containing essential oils was lower than that of control films for both glycerol levels (p<0.05). Films with essential oils had varying ΔE(*) (total colour difference), where the highest value was observed in that added with bergamot essential oil (p<0.05). Higher glycerol content increased EAB and WVP but decreased TS of films. Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectra indicated that films added with essential oils exhibited higher hydrophobicity with higher amplitude at wavenumber of 2874-2926 cm(-1) and 1731-1742 cm(-1) than control film. Film incorporated with essential oils exhibited slightly lower thermal degradation resistance, compared to the control film. Varying effect of essential oil on thermal degradation temperature and weight loss was noticeable, but all films prepared using 20% glycerol had higher thermal degradation temperature with lower weight loss, compared with those containing 30% glycerol. Films added with all types of essential oils had rough cross-section, compared with control films, irrespective of glycerol levels. However, smooth surface was observed in all film samples. Film incorporated with lemon essential oil showed the highest ABTS radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) (p<0.05), while the other films had lower activity. Thus, the
Barkatullah; Ibrar, Muhammad; Muhammad, Naveed; De Feo, Vincenzo
The composition of the essential oil from leaves of Skimmia laureola was determined by GC and GC-MS. Twenty-eight components were identified, accounting for 93.9% of the total oil. The oil is mainly composed of monoterpenes (93.5%), of which monoterpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated monoterpenes represent 11.0% and 82.5%, respectively. Sesquiterpenes constitute only 0.3% of the total oil. Linalyl acetate is the main component (50.5%), with linalool (13.1%), geranyl acetate (8.5%) and cis-p-menth-2-en-1-ol (6.2%) as other principal constituents. The essential oil showed a significant antispasmodic activity, in a dose range of 0.03-10 mg/mL. The essential oil also possesses antibacterial and antifungal activities against some pathogenic strains. The phytotoxic and cytotoxic activities were also assessed.
Temraz, Abeer; Cioni, Pier Luigi; Flamini, Guido; Braca, Alessandra
The essential oil obtained from the leaves and flowers of Jasminum pubescens (Retz.) Willd. (Oleaceae) has been analyzed by GC/MS. Sixty-three and sixty-four components of the essential oils, representing 95.0% of the total oil for the leaves and 91.9% for the flowers, were identified, respectively. Both the oils were mainly constituted by non-terpene derivatives (58.2% and 50.8%, respectively), among which aldehydes (44.7%) characterized the essential oil from the leaves. Besides aldehydes (14.3%) and other carbonylic compounds (acids, esters, and ketones, 38.1%) were the main non-terpene compounds of the oil from the flowers.
Dhakad, Ashok K; Pandey, Vijay V; Beg, Sobia; Rawat, Janhvi M; Singh, Avtar
The genus Eucalyptus L'Heritier comprises about 900 species, of which more than 300 species contain volatile essential oil in their leaves. About 20 species, within these, have a high content of 1,8-cineole (more than 70%), commercially used for the production of essential oils in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. However, Eucalyptus is extensively planted for pulp, plywood and solid wood production, but its leaf aromatic oil has astounding widespread biological activities, including antimicrobial, antiseptic, antioxidant, chemotherapeutic, respiratory and gastrointestinal disorder treatment, wound healing, and insecticidal/insect repellent, herbicidal, acaricidal, nematicidal, and perfumes, soap making and grease remover. In the present review, we have made an attempt to congregate the biological ingredients of leaf essential oil, leaf oil as a natural medicine, and pharmacological and toxicological values of the leaf oil of different Eucalyptus species worldwide. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
Pandini, J A; Pinto, F G S; Scur, M C; Santana, C B; Costa, W F; Temponi, L G
The essential oils are extracted from plant compounds and can present activities antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. The goals of the present study were: (a) to determine the chemical composition of the essential oil of Guarea kunthiana A. Juss using the method of gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS); (b) to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of this oil using the broth microdilution method against different microorganisms: five Gram-negative bacteria, four Gram-positive bacteria and a yeast and (c) to determine the antioxidant activity of the oil using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical assay. The GC-MS analyses allowed identifying 13 constituents, representing 96.52% of the essencial oil composition. The main compounds identified were α-zingiberene (34.48%), β-sesquiphellandrene (22.90%), and α-curcumene (16.17%). With respect to the antimicrobial activity, the essential oil was effective against all the microorganisms tested, except for the bacteria E. coli and K. pneumoniae, which were resistant to the action of the oil. From a general point of view, Gram-positive bacteria were more susceptible to the action of the essential oil than Gram-negative bacteria. The essential oil exhibited antioxidant potential.
Han, Fei; Ma, Guang-Qiang; Yang, Ming; Yan, Li; Xiong, Wei; Shu, Ji-Cheng; Zhao, Zhi-Dong; Xu, Han-Lin
This research was undertaken in order to characterize the chemical compositions and evaluate the antioxidant activities of essential oils obtained from different parts of the Origanum vulgare L. It is a medicinal plant used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of heat stroke, fever, vomiting, acute gastroenteritis, and respiratory disorders. The chemical compositions of the three essential oils from different parts of the oregano (leaves-flowers, stems, and roots) were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antioxidant activity of each essential oil was assessed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay and reducing the power test. Among the essential oils from different parts of the oregano, the leaf-flower oils have the best antioxidant activities, whereas the stem oils are the worst. The results of the DPPH free radical scavenging assay showed that the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) values of the essential oils were (0.332±0.040) mg/ml (leaves-flowers), (0.357±0.031) mg/ml (roots), and (0.501±0.029) mg/ml (stems), respectively. Interestingly, the results of reducing the power test also revealed that when the concentration exceeded 1.25 mg/ml, the leaf-flower oils had the highest reducing power; however, the stem oils were the lowest.
Han, Fei; Ma, Guang-qiang; Yang, Ming; Yan, Li; Xiong, Wei; Shu, Ji-cheng; Zhao, Zhi-dong; Xu, Han-lin
This research was undertaken in order to characterize the chemical compositions and evaluate the antioxidant activities of essential oils obtained from different parts of the Origanum vulgare L. It is a medicinal plant used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of heat stroke, fever, vomiting, acute gastroenteritis, and respiratory disorders. The chemical compositions of the three essential oils from different parts of the oregano (leaves-flowers, stems, and roots) were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antioxidant activity of each essential oil was assessed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay and reducing the power test. Among the essential oils from different parts of the oregano, the leaf-flower oils have the best antioxidant activities, whereas the stem oils are the worst. The results of the DPPH free radical scavenging assay showed that the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of the essential oils were (0.332±0.040) mg/ml (leaves-flowers), (0.357±0.031) mg/ml (roots), and (0.501±0.029) mg/ml (stems), respectively. Interestingly, the results of reducing the power test also revealed that when the concentration exceeded 1.25 mg/ml, the leaf-flower oils had the highest reducing power; however, the stem oils were the lowest. PMID:28071000
Di Napoli, Michela; Varcamonti, Mario; Basile, Adriana; Bruno, Maurizio; Maggi, Filippo; Zanfardino, Anna
Conium maculatum is a nitrophilous weed belonging to the Apiaceae family and occurring in hedgerows, pastures, waste ground, along rivers and roadsides. Little is known on the chemistry and bioactivity of other secondary metabolites occurring in the plant. In the present work, we have analysed the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils hydrodistilled from leaves and inflorescenes of C. maculatum growing in Sicily, Italy. The composition of essential oils was achieved by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, whereas the inhibitory effects on the growth of two Gram negative strains, namely Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were assessed by two different analysis. The essential oils exhibited different chemical profiles (1-butylpiperidine and myrcene in the inflorescenes), (mostly (E)-caryophyllene in the leaves). The latter oil was particularly active in inhibiting the growth of P. aeruginosa. These results shed light on the possible application of hemlock essential oils as antimicrobial agents.
Chen, Yulong; Wu, Jijun; Xu, Yujuan; Fu, Manqing; Xiao, Gengsheng
A second cooling was added to the oil collectors of an improved Clevenger-type apparatus (ICT) to investigate the thermal reaction of essential oils from orange peel compared to a traditional Clevenger-type apparatus (CT). The results demonstrated the yield rate of essential oil from ICT was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that from CT. The major components of the essential oils consisted of monoterpenes, such as d-limonene, β-myrcene, β-pinene, γ-terpinene, α-pinene. Interestingly, ICT prevented the thermal reaction-the transformation of β-myrcene to β-thujene-and reduced the oxidation on α-pinene and β-pinene of the essential oil in comparison to CT. In addition, the yield rate of γ-terpinene can also be improved via ICT compared to CT. Thus, ICT is an effective improvement to traditional CT.
Quan, Meirong; Liu, Qi Zhi; Liu, Zhi Long
The essential oil of Stachys riederi var. japonica (Family: Lamiaceae) was extracted by hydrodistillation and determined by GC and GC-MS. A total of 40 components were identified, representing 96.01% of the total oil composition. The major compounds in the essential oil were acetanisole (15.43%), anisole (9.43%), 1,8-cineole (8.07%), geraniol (7.89%), eugenol (4.54%), caryophyllene oxide (4.47%), caryophyllene (4.21%) and linalool (4.07%). Five active constituents (acetanisole, anisole, 1,8-cineole, eugenol and geraniol) were identified by bioactivity-directed fractionation. The essential oil possessed fumigant toxicity against maize weevils ( Sitophilus zeamais ) and booklice ( Liposcelis bostrychophila ), with LC 50 values of 15.0 mg/L and 0.7 mg/L, respectively. Eugenol and anisole exhibited stronger fumigant toxicity than the oil against booklice. 1,8-Cineole showed stronger toxicity, and anisole as well as eugenol exhibited the same level of fumigant toxicity as the essential oil against maize weevils. The essential oil also exhibited contact toxicity against S. zeamais adults and L. bostrychophila , with LC 50 values of 21.8 µg/adult and 287.0 µg/cm², respectively. The results indicated that the essential oil of S. riederi var. japonica and its isolates show potential as fumigants, and for their contact toxicity against grain storage insects.
Ayvaz, Abdurrahman; Sagdic, Osman; Karaborklu, Salih; Ozturk, Ismet
This study was conducted to determine the insecticidal activity of essential oils from oregano, Origanum onites L. (Lamiales: Lamiaceae), savory, Satureja thymbra L. (Lamiales: Lamiaceae), and myrtle, Myrtus communis L. (Rosales: Myrtaceae) against three stored-product insects. Essential oils from three species of plants were obtained by Clevenger-type water distillation. The major compounds in these essential oils were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and their insecticidal activity was tested against adults of the Mediterranean flour moth Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), the Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella Hübner (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and the bean weevil Acanthoscelides obtectus Say (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). While the major compound found in oregano and savory was carvacrol, the main constituent of the myrtle was linalool. Among the tested insects, A. obtectus was the most tolerant species against the essential oils. However, the insecticidal activity of the myrtle oil was more pronounced than other oils tested against A. obtectus adults. The essential oils of oregano and savory were highly effective against P. interpunctella and E. kuehniella, with 100% mortality obtained after 24 h at 9 and 25 microl/l air for P. interpunctella and E. kuehniella, respectively. LC(50) and LC(99) values of each essential oil were estimated for each insect species.
Ayvaz, Abdurrahman; Sagdic, Osman; Karaborklu, Salih; Ozturk, Ismet
This study was conducted to determine the insecticidal activity of essential oils from oregano, Origanum onites L. (Lamiales: Lamiaceae), savory, Satureja thymbra L. (Lamiales: Lamiaceae), and myrtle, Myrtus communis L. (Rosales: Myrtaceae) against three stored-product insects. Essential oils from three species of plants were obtained by Clevenger-type water distillation. The major compounds in these essential oils were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and their insecticidal activity was tested against adults of the Mediterranean flour moth Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), the Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella Hübner (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and the bean weevil Acanthoscelides obtectus Say (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). While the major compound found in oregano and savory was carvacrol, the main constituent of the myrtle was linalool. Among the tested insects, A. obtectus was the most tolerant species against the essential oils. However, the insecticidal activity of the myrtle oil was more pronounced than other oils tested against A. obtectus adults. The essential oils of oregano and savory were highly effective against P. interpunctella and E. kuehniella, with 100% mortality obtained after 24 h at 9 and 25 µl/l air for P. interpunctella and E. kuehniella, respectively. LC50 and LC99 values of each essential oil were estimated for each insect species. PMID:20578885
Muñoz, G. A. López; González, R. F. López; López, J. A. Balderas; Martínez-Pérez, L.
Photoacoustic methodology in the transmission configuration (PMTC) was used to study the thermophysical properties and their relation with the composition in Mexican citrus essential oils providing the viability of using photothermal techniques for quality control and for authentication of oils and their adulteration. Linear relations for the amplitude (on a semi-log scale) and phase, as functions of the sample's thickness, for the PMTC was obtained through a theoretical model fit to the experimental data for thermal-diffusivity measurements in Mexican orange, pink grapefruit, mandarin, lime type A, centrifuged essential oils, and Mexican distilled lime essential oil. Gas chromatography for distilled lime essential oil and centrifuged lime essential oil type A is reported to complement the study. Experimental results showed close thermal-diffusivity values between Mexican citrus essential oils obtained by centrifugation, but a significant difference of this physical property for distilled lime oil and the corresponding value obtained by centrifugation, which is due to their different chemical compositions involved with the extraction processes.
Cosentino, Sofia; Barra, Andrea; Pisano, Barbara; Cabizza, Maddalena; Pirisi, Filippo Maria; Palmas, Francesca
In this work, the chemical compositions and antimicrobial properties of Juniperus essential oils and of their main components were determined. Five berry essential oils obtained from different species of Juniperus growing wild in Sardinia were analyzed. The components of the essential oils were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The antimicrobial activities of the oils and their components against food spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms were determined by a broth microdilution method. The GC-MS analysis showed a certain variability in the concentrations of the main constituents of the oils. Alpha-pinene was largely predominant in the oils of the species J. phoenicea subsp. turbinata and J. oxycedrus. Alpha-pinene and myrcene constituted the bulk (67.56%) of the essential oil of J. communis. Significant quantitative differences were observed for myrcene, delta-3-carene, and D-germacrene. The results of the antimicrobial assay show that the oils of J. communis and J. oxycedrus failed to inhibit any of the microorganisms at the highest concentrations tested (MLC > or = 900 microg/ml), while the oils extracted from J. turbinata specimens were active against fungi, particularly against a strain of Aspergillus flavus (an aflatoxin B1 producer). Of the single compounds tested, delta-3-carene was found to possess the broadest spectrum of activity and appeared to contribute significantly to the antifungal activity observed for J. turbinata oils. This activity may be helpful in the prevention of aflatoxin contamination for many foods.
Barbour, Elie K; Dankar, Samar K; Shaib, Houssam A; Kumosani, Taha; Azhar, Esam; Masaudi, Saad; Iyer, Archana; Harakeh, Steve
The role of Origanum ehrenberjii against bacteria that cause enteric diseases is well known. Salmonella and Enterococcus cause high rates of enteric infections around the world. The aim of this study was to extract essential oils from cultivated and naturally growing O. ehrenberjii, compare the chemical profiles of the extracts and estimate their antimicrobial efficacy against enteric pathogens. Sixteen compounds were recovered consistently from essential oils extracted from O. ehrenberjii of wild and cultivated origin. The chemical profiles were determined using GC-MS. Safety of the essential oils was determined by observing mortality of chicks after intramuscular administration of the oils. The antimicrobial efficacy of the oils against the enteric pathogens was determined by the Kirby-Bauer Single Disk Diffusion assay. The levels of thymol, carvacrol, para cymene and γ-terpinene were significantly different in the two oils. A significant difference in in vitro antimicrobial activity of the two oils against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium was observed. Intramuscular administration of the two oils in one day-old chicks resulted in significant differences in mortality of 60% vs. 5% (p < 0.05) for wild and cultivated herbs respectively, reflecting the higher safety of the cultivated herb due to the differences in the levels of certain active ingredients. The chemical profile of essential oil of wild vs. cultivated O. ehrenberjii differ significantly at compound level, suggesting the reason for their significant difference in efficacy against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, and also significant differences in the toxicity of the two oils.
de Lima, Ewelyne Miranda; Cazelli, Didley Sâmia Paiva; Pinto, Fernanda Endringer; Mazuco, Renata Alves; Kalil, Ieda Carneiro; Lenz, Dominik; Scherer, Rodrigo; de Andrade, Tadeu Uggere; Endringer, Denise Coutinho
Protium heptaphyllum (Aubl.) March is popularly used as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent. This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition of P. heptaphyllum essential oil, its cytotoxicity in a breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), antimicrobial activity, and its antimutagenicity in vivo. The chemical composition of the essential oil collected in three 3 years was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The cytotoxicity was evaluated using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Annexin V conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate, caspase-3, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) assays were performed to evaluate apoptosis and inflammatory events. The antimutagenic activity at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg was determined using a micronucleus test in murine bone marrow. The essential oil showed a predominance of monoterpene compounds, being the terpinolene, p-cymene-8-ol, and p-cymene, present in the essential oil extracted in the 3 years. The essential oil showed a protection against cyclophosphamide-induced genotoxicity, and the cytotoxicity index polychromatic erythrocytes/normochromatic erythrocytes ratio in animals treated with oil at all doses (1.34 ± 0.33; 1.15 ± 0.1; 1.11 ± 0.13) did not differ from the negative control animal (1.31 ± 0.33), but from the cyclophosphamide group (0.61 ± 0.12). Cytotoxicity, at a concentration of 40.0 μg/mL, and antimicrobial activity were not observed for the essential oil (minimum inhibitory concentration ≥0.5 mg/mL). The essential oil did not change the levels of caspase-3 in the TNF-α level. The essential oil showed antimutagenic activity due to its chemical composition. Terpinolene, p-cymene-8-ol, and p-cymene are the main constituents of the essential oil of P. heptaphyllum collected within 3-yearsThe essential oil of P. heptaphyllum did not show antimicrobial activity (MIC >0.5 mg/mL) against E. coli, S. aureus, E. faecalis, and C. albicansThe essential oil
Moore, Nathan T.; Deming, John C.
The garlic problem presented in this article develops several themes related to dimensional analysis and also introduces students to a few basic statistical ideas. This garlic problem was used in a university preparatory chemistry class, designed for students with no chemistry background. However, this course is unique because one of the primary…
USDA Forest Service
Garlic mustard was used as an edible green in Europe and may have been brought to North America by European settlers. The coarsely toothed leaves give off a garlic-like odor when crushed, accounting for its common name and use in cooking. It is a member of the mustard family.
Glamočlija, Jasmina; Soković, Marina; Tešević, Vele; Linde, Giani Andrea; Colauto, Nelson Barros
The essential oil of Lippia alba is reported as an antifungal against human pathogenic microorganisms but few articles report its use as an alternative to synthetic fungicides on green mould control. The objective of this study was to determine chemical characteristics of L. alba essential oil and its antifungal activity against green molds as an alternative to synthetic fungicides. Essential oil was extracted by Clevenger hydrodistillation, characterized by GC-MS analysis, and the structure of the main compounds confirmed by 1H and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. Microdilution assays evaluated the essential oil minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC). Commercial fungicides Ketoconazole and Bifonazole were used as control. Essential oil yield is of 0.15% and the major components are neral (33.32%) and geranial (50.94%). The L. alba essential oil has MIC of 0.300–1.250 mg/mL and MFC of 0.600–1.250 mg/mL. Ketoconazole and Bifonazole show MIC ranging from 0.025–0.500 to 0.100–0.200 mg/mL, and MFC ranging from 0.250–0.100 to 0.200–0.250 mg/mL, respectively. L. alba essential oil is classified as citral type and the results indicate that it is a potential alternative to synthetic fungicides. PMID:24031788
Iwamatsu, Takuma; Miyamoto, Daisuke; Mitsuno, Hidefumi; Yoshioka, Yoshiaki; Fujii, Takeshi; Sakurai, Takeshi; Ishikawa, Yukio; Kanzaki, Ryohei
The control of body lice is an important issue for human health and welfare because lice act as vectors of disease such as typhus, relapsing fever, and trench fever. Body lice exhibit avoidance behavior to some essential oils, including clove essential oil. Therefore, odorants containing clove essential oil components may potentially be useful in the development of repellents to body lice. However, such odorants that induce avoidance behavior in body lice have not yet been identified from clove essential oil. Here, we established an analysis method to evaluate the avoidance behavior of body lice to specific odorants. The behavioral analysis of the body lice in response to clove essential oil and its constituents revealed that eugenol, a major component of clove essential oil, has strong repellent effect on body lice, whereas the other components failed to induce obvious avoidance behavior. A comparison of the repellent effects of eugenol with those of other structurally related odorants revealed possible moieties that are important for the avoidance effects to body lice. The repellent effect of eugenol to body lice was enhanced by combining it with the other major component of clove essential oil, β-caryophyllene. We conclude that a synthetic blend of eugenol and β-caryophyllene is the most effective repellent to body lice. This finding will be valuable as the potential use of eugenol as body lice repellent.
Scur, M C; Pinto, F G S; Pandini, J A; Costa, W F; Leite, C W; Temponi, L G
The goals of the study were to determinethe antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of essential oil and plant extracts aqueous and ethanolic of Psidium cattleianum Sabine; the chemical composition of the essential oil of P. cattleianum; and the phytochemical screening of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the same plant. Regarding the antimicrobial activity, the ethanolic extract exhibited moderate antimicrobial activity with respect to bacteria K. pneumoniae and S. epidermidis, whereas, regarding other microorganisms, it showed activity considered weak. The aqueous extract and the essential oil showed activity considered weak, although they inhibited the growth of microorganisms. About the antioxidant potential, the ethanolic and aqueous extracts exhibited a scavenging index exceeding 90%, while the essential oil didn´t show significant antioxidant activity. Regarding the phytochemical composition, the largest class of volatile compounds identified in the essential oil of P. cattleianum included the following terpenic hydrocarbons: α-copaene (22%); eucalyptol (15%), δ-cadinene (9.63%) and α-selinene (6.5%). The phytochemical screening of extracts showed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, and triterpenoids for aqueous and ethanolic extracts. The extracts and essential oils inhibit the growth of microrganisms and plant extracts showed significant antioxidant activity. Also, the phytochemical characterization of the essential oil showed the presence of compounds interest commercial, as well as extracts showed the presence of important classes and compounds with biological activities.
Pensel, P. E.; Maggiore, M. A.; Gende, L. B.; Eguaras, M. J.; Denegri, M. G.; Elissondo, M. C.
The aim of the present work was to determine the in vitro effect of T. vulgaris and O. vulgare essential oils against E. granulosus protoscoleces and cysts. Essential oils were added to the medium resulting in thymol final concentrations of 10 μg/mL. The essential oils had a time-dependent effect provoking the complete loss of protoscolex viability after 72 days of postincubation. The results were confirmed at the ultrastructure level. Loss of infectivity in protoscoleces incubated with O. vulgare after 60 days was observed. On the other hand, the weight of cysts recorded in mice inoculated with T. vulgaris treated protoscoleces was significantly lower than that obtained in control group. Gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase activity was readily detected in the culture supernatant of protoscoleces treated either with the essential oils or thymol. T. vulgaris and O. vulgare essential oils and thymol can induce cell apoptosis of protoscoleces after short incubation times. The efficacy of T. vulgaris and O. vulgare essential oils was also demonstrated in vitro on E. granulosus murine cysts. Our data suggest that essential oils of T. vulgaris and O. vulgare have anthelmintic effect against protoscoleces and cysts of E. granulosus. PMID:25180033
Guo, Shanshan; Zhang, Wenjuan; Liang, Junyu; You, Chunxue; Geng, Zhufeng; Wang, Chengfang; Du, Shushan
The chemical composition of the essential oil from Juniperus formosana leaves and its contact and repellent activities against Tribolium castaneum and Liposcelis bostrychophila adults were investigated. The essential oil of J. formosana leaves was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-MS. A total of 28 components were identified and the main compounds in the essential oil were α-pinene (21.66%), 4-terpineol (11.25%), limonene (11.00%) and β-phellandrene (6.63%). The constituents α-pinene, 4-terpineol and d-limonene were isolated from the essential oil. It was found that the essential oil exhibited contact activity against T. castaneum and L. bostrychophila adults (LD50 = 29.14 μg/adult and 81.50 µg/cm², respectively). The compound 4-terpineol exhibited the strongest contact activity (LD50 = 7.65 μg/adult). In addition, data showed that at 78.63 nL/cm², the essential oil and the three isolated compounds strongly repelled T. castaneum adults. The compounds α-pinene and d-limonene reached the same level (Class V) of repellency as DEET (p = 0.396 and 0.664) against L. bostrychophila at 63.17 nL/cm² after 2 h treatment. The results indicate that the essential oil and the isolated compounds have potential to be developed into natural insecticides and repellents to control insects in stored products.
Fontenelle, R O S; Morais, S M; Brito, E H S; Brilhante, R S N; Cordeiro, R A; Nascimento, N R F; Kerntopf, M R; Sidrim, J J C; Rocha, M F G
To find new antifungal agents among essential oils from Brazilian Croton species. Plant leaves were steam distilled and the obtained essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. The main constituents were estragole and anethole for Croton zehntneri, methyl-eugenol and bicyclogermacrene for Croton nepetaefolius and spathulenol and bicyclogermacrene for Croton argyrophylloides. The antifungal activity of essential oils was evaluated against Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis and Microsporum canis by the agar-well diffusion method and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) by the broth microdilution method. Essential oils of Croton species demonstrated better activity against M. canis. Among the three plants C. argyrophylloides showed the best results, with MIC ranging from 9 to 19 microg ml(-1). The acute administration of the essential oil up to 3 g kg(-1) by the oral route to mice was devoid of overt toxicity. The studied essential oils are active in vitro against the dermatophyte M. canis and present relative lack of acute toxicity in vivo. Because of its antifungal activity and low toxicity, the essential oils of studied Croton species are promising sources for new phytotherapeutic agents to treat dermatophytosis.
de Souza, Thamiris de A.; Lopes, Marcio B. P.; Ferreira, José Luiz P.; Queiroz, Margareth M. C.; Araújo, Kátia G. de Lima
Species of the genus Alpinia are widely used by the population and have many described biological activities, including activity against insects. In this paper, we describe the bioactivity of the essential oil of two species of Alpinia genus, A. zerumbet and A. vittata, against Rhodnius nasutus, a vector of Chagas disease. The essential oils of these two species were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-MS. The main constituent of A. zerumbet essential oil (OLALPZER) was terpinen-4-ol, which represented 19.7% of the total components identified. In the essential oil of A. vittata (OLALPVIT) the monoterpene β-pinene (35.3%) was the main constituent. The essential oils and their main constituents were topically applied on R. nasutus fifth-instar nymphs. In the first 10 min of application, OLALPVIT and OLALPZER at 125 μg/mL provoked 73.3% and 83.3% of mortality, respectively. Terpinen-4-ol at 25 μg/mL and β-pinene at 44 μg/mL provoked 100% of mortality. The monitoring of resistant insects showed that both essential oils exhibited antifeedant activity. These results suggest the potential use of A. zerumbet and A. vittata essential oils and their major constituents to control R. nasutus population. PMID:29643755
Santamarina, M P; Ibáñez, M D; Marqués, M; Roselló, J; Giménez, S; Blázquez, M A
Commercial thyme and lavender essential oils were analysed by GC/MS. Sixty-six compounds accounting for 98.6-99.6% of total essential oil were identified. Thymol (52.14 ± 0.21%), followed by p-cymene (32.24 ± 0.16%), carvacrol (3.71 ± 0.01%) and γ-terpinene (3.34 ± 0.02%), were the main compounds in thyme essential oil, while large amounts of oxygenated monoterpenes linalool acetate (37.07 ± 0.24%) and linalool (30.16 ± 0.06%) were found in lavender one. In vitro antifungal activity of the essential oils was evaluated at 200 and 300 μg/mL against 10 phytopathogenic and post-harvest fungi, which significantly affect agriculture. Micelial growth inhibition was calculated for each tested fungus and dose. Thyme essential oil showed satisfactory results with 90-100% growth inhibition in almost all the assayed fungi at 300 μg/mL, while lavender essential oil showed no noteworthy inhibition data at either dose, and its growth was even enhanced. Thyme essential oil represents a natural alternative to control harvest and post-harvest fungi, and to extend the shelf-life of agriculture products.
Özcan, Gülçin; Demirel Zorba, Nükhet Nilüfer
Salads prepared from contaminated fresh produce have a high risk of causing food-borne illnesses. Essential oils obtained from plants have antimicrobial activity and may provide a natural approach to reduce the pathogens on fresh produce. Additionally, ultrasound treatments have been shown to reduce the microbial counts on different foods. The objective of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activities of cinnamon and lemon essential oils in vitro and in food applications. Mixtures of lettuce, parsley and dill were inoculated with Listeria monocytogenes and then dip-treated for 5 min in one of the following treatments: sterile tap water, chlorinated water, 1% lemon essential oil, 2% cinnamon essential oil or 2% cinnamon essential oil + ultrasound. The samples were stored at 4 ℃ and collected at d 0, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 post inoculation. The 1% lemon (4 log) and 2% cinnamon (2 log) essential oil washes provided partial inhibition against L. monocytogenes by d 1. The combined application of 2% cinnamon oil and ultrasound resulted in only 0.85 log inhibition by d 1; however, the number of L. monocytogenes increased during storage and became nearly equal to the control at d 9. Therefore, different combinations of essential oils with other antimicrobials or novel technologies are required. © The Author(s) 2015.
Soni, Rajgovind; Sharma, Gaurav; Jasuja, Nakuleshwar Dut
Two Indian spices, Trachyspermum ammi and Myristica fragrans, were studied for their essential oil (EO) yielding pattern, insecticidal activity, antibacterial activity, and composition. The essential oils (EOs) of T. ammi (1.94 ± 30 mL/100 gm) and M. fragrans (5.93 ± 90 mL/100 gm) were extracted using hydrodistillation method. In Gas Chromatography analysis, the beta-pinene, alpha-pinene, alpha-p-menth-1-en-4-ol, Limonene, and elemicin were found as major constituents of T. ammi essential oil whereas M. fragrans essential oil mostly contains Gamma-Terpinolene, p-Cymene, Thymol, and beta-pinene. The insecticidal activities of EO were demonstrated using LC50 values against Plodia interpunctella and EO of T. ammi was found comparatively more effective than EO of M. fragrans. Further, individual EO and combination of essential oil were examined for antibacterial activity against three Gram (-) bacterial strains (E. coli-MTCC 443, P. vulgaris-MTCC 1771, and K. pneumoniae-MTCC number 7028) and three Gram (+) bacterial strains (S. aureus-MTCC 3381, B. subtilis-MTCC 10619, and B. megaterium-MTCC 2412) by well agar diffusion method. The essential oil in combination (CEO) exhibited higher antibacterial activity as compared with individual essential oils.
Tsai, Mei-Lin; Lin, Chih-Chien; Lin, Wei-Chao; Yang, Chao-Hsun
Eucalyptus bridgesiana, Cymbopogon martinii, Thymus vulgaris, Lindernia anagallis, and Pelargonium fragrans are five species of herbs used in Asia. Their essential oils were analyzed by GC-MS, and a total of 36 components were detected. The results of our study indicated that, except for the essential oil of P. fragrans, all of the essential oils demonstrated obvious antimicrobial activity against a broad range of microorganisms. The C. martinii essential oil, which is rich in geraniol, was the most effective antimicrobial additive. All of the essential oils demonstrated antioxidant activities on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay, β-carotene/linoleic acid assay, and nitric oxide radical scavenging assay. Furthermore, the T. vulgaris essential oil, which possesses plentiful thymol, exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. For P. acnes-induced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, the essential oils of P. aeruginosa, C. martinii, and T. vulgaris reduced the TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-8 secretion levels of THP-1 cells.
Bluma, R; Amaiden, M R; Daghero, J; Etcheverry, M
The antifungal effect of Pimpinella anisum (anise), Pëumus boldus (boldus), Mentha piperita (peppermint), Origanum vulgare (oregano) and Minthosthachys verticillata (peperina) essential oils against Aspergillus section Flavi (two isolates of Aspergillus parasiticus and two isolates of Aspergillus flavus) was evaluated in maize meal extract agar at 0.982 and 0.955 water activities, at 25 degrees C. The percentage of germination, germ-tube elongation rate, growth rate and aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) accumulation at different essential oils concentrations were evaluated. Anise and boldus essential oils were the most inhibitory at 500 mg kg(-1) to all growth parameters of the fungus. These essential oils inhibited the percentage of germination, germ-tube elongation rate and fungal growth. AFB(1) accumulation was completely inhibited by anise, boldus and oregano essential oils. Peperina and peppermint essential oils inhibited AFB(1) production by 85-90% in all concentrations assayed. Anise and boldus essential oils could be considered as effective fungitoxicans for Aspergillus section flavi. Our results suggest that these phytochemical compounds could be used alone or in conjunction with other substances to control the presence of aflatoxigenic fungi in stored maize.
Das, N G; Dhiman, Sunil; Talukdar, P K; Rabha, Bipul; Goswami, Diganta; Veer, Vijay
Mosquito repellents play an important role in preventing man-mosquito contact. In the present study, we evaluated the synergistic mosquito-repellent activity of Curcuma longa, Pogostemon heyneanus and Zanthoxylum limonella essential oils. The mosquito repellent efficacies of three essential oils were evaluated separately and in combination under laboratory and field conditions. N,N-Diethylphenylacetamide (DEPA) and dimethylphthalate (DMP) were used for comparison of the protection time of the mixture of essential oils. At an optimum concentration of 20%, the essential oils of C. longa, Z. limonella and P. heyneanus provided complete protection times (CPTs) of 96.2, 91.4 and 123.4 min, respectively, against Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in the laboratory. The 1:1:2 mixture of the essential oils provided 329.4 and 391.0 min of CPT in the laboratory and field trials, respectively. The percent increases in CPTs for the essential oil mixture were 30 for DMP and 55 for N,N-diethylphenylacetamide (DEPA). The synergistic repellent activity of the essential oils used in the present study might be useful for developing safer alternatives to synthetic repellents for personal protection against mosquitoes. Copyright © 2015 King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Du, Yong-Hua; Feng, Rui-Zhang; Li, Qun; Wei, Qin; Yin, Zhong-Qiong; Zhou, Li-Jun; Tao, Cui; Jia, Ren-Yong
The anti-inflammatory activity of the essential oil from C. longepaniculatum was evaluated by three experimental models including the dimethyl benzene-induced ear edema in mice, the carrageenan-induced paw edema in rat and the acetic acid-induced vascular permeability in mice. The influence of the essential oil on histological changes and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) production associated with carrageenan-induced rat paw edema was also investigated. The essential oil (0.5, 0.25, 0.13 ml/kg b.w.) showed significantly inhibition of inflammation along with a dose-dependent manner in the three experimental models. The anti-inflammatory activity of essential oil was occurred both in early and late phase and peaked at 4 h after carrageenan injection. The essential oil resulted in a dose dependent reduction of the paw thickness, connective tissue injury and the infiltration of inflammatory cell. The essential oil also significantly reduced the production of PGE2, histamine and 5-HT in the exudates of edema paw induced by carrageenan. Both the essential oil and indomethacin resulted relative lower percentage inhibition of histamine and 5-HT than that of PGE2 at 4 h after carrageenan injection.
Vanin, Adriana B; Orlando, Tainara; Piazza, Suelen P; Puton, Bruna M S; Cansian, Rogério L; Oliveira, Debora; Paroul, Natalia
This work reports the maximization of eugenyl acetate production by esterification of essential oil of clove in a solvent-free system using Novozym 435 as catalyst. The antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of clove essential oil and eugenyl acetate produced were determined. The conditions that maximized eugenyl acetate production were 60 °C, essential oil of clove to acetic anhydride ratio of 1:5, 150 rpm, and 10 wt% of enzyme, with a conversion of 99.87 %. A kinetic study was performed to assess the influence of substrates' molar ratio, enzyme concentration, and temperature on product yield. Results show that an excess of anhydride, enzyme concentration of 5.5 wt%, 50 °C, and essential oil of clove to acetic anhydride ratio of 1:5 afforded nearly a complete conversion after 2 h of reaction. Comparing the antibacterial activity of the essential oil of clove before and after esterification, we observed a decrease in the antimicrobial activity of eugenyl acetate, particularly with regard to minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Both eugenyl acetate and clove essential oil were most effective to the gram-negative than gram-positive bacteria group. The results showed a high antioxidant potential for essential oil before and particularly after the esterification reaction thus becoming an option for the formulation of new antioxidant products.
Shen, Chun-Yan; Zhang, Tian-Tian; Zhang, Wen-Li; Jiang, Jian-Guo
Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn., belonging to the family of Malvaceae, is considered to be a plant with health care applications in China. The main purpose of this study was to analyze the composition of its essential oil and assess its potential therapeutic effect on anti-inflammatory activity. A water steam distillation method was used to extract the essential oil from H. Sabdariffa. The essential oil components were determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and a total of 18 volatile constituents were identified, the majority of which were fatty acids and ester compounds. Biological activity showed that the essential oil extracted from H. Sabdariffa exhibited excellent anti-inflammatory activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. The nitric oxide (NO) inhibition rate reached 67.46% when the concentration of the essential oil was 200 μg mL -1 . Further analysis showed that the anti-inflammatory activity of the essential oil extracted from H. Sabdariffa might be exerted through inhibiting the activation of NF-κB and MAPK (JNK and ERK1/2) signaling pathways to decrease NO and pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, COX-2, and iNOS) production. Thus, the essential oil extracted from H. Sabdariffa is a good source of a natural product with a beneficial effect against inflammation, and it may be applied as a food supplement and/or functional ingredient.
Santamarina, M Pilar; Roselló, Josefa; Sempere, Francisca; Giménez, Silvia; Blázquez, M Amparo
Chemical composition of commercial Origanum compactum and Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oils and the antifungal activity against pathogenic fungi isolated from Mediterranean rice grains have been investigated. Sixty-one compounds accounting for more than 99.5% of the total essential oil were identified by using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Carvacrol (43.26%), thymol (21.64%) and their biogenetic precursors p-cymene (13.95%) and γ-terpinene (11.28%) were the main compounds in oregano essential oil, while the phenylpropanoids, eugenol (62.75%), eugenol acetate (16.36%) and (E)-cinnamyl acetate (6.65%) were found in cinnamon essential oil. Both essential oils at 300 μg/mL showed antifungal activity against all tested strains. O. compactum essential oil showed the best antifungal activity towards Fusarium species and Bipolaris oryzae with a total inhibition of the mycelial growth. In inoculated rice grains at lower doses (100 and 200 μg/mL) significantly reduced the fungal infection, so O. compactum essential oil could be used as ecofriendly preservative for field and stored Valencia rice.
Fujisaki, Ryuichi; Kamei, Kiyoko; Yamamura, Mariko; Nishiya, Hajime; Inouye, Shigeharu; Takahashi, Miki; Abe, Shigeru
Abstract. The anti-plasmodial activity of 47 essential oils and 10 of their constituents were screened for in vitro activity against Plasmodium falciparum. Five of these essential oils (sandalwood, caraway, monarda, nutmeg, and Thujopsis dolabrata var. hondai) and 2 constituents (thymoquinone and hinokitiol) were found to be active against P. falciparum in vitro, with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values equal to or less than 1.0 microg/ml. Furthermore, in vivo analysis using a rodent model confirmed the anti-plasmodial potential of subcutaneously administered sandalwood oil, and percutaneously administered hinokitiol and caraway oil against rodent P. berghei. Notably, these oils showed no efficacy when administered orally, intraperitoneally or intravenously. Caraway oil and hinokitiol dissolved in carrier oil, applied to the skin of hairless mice caused high levels in the blood, with concentrations exceeding their IC50 values.
Fabian, Dusan; Dusan, Fabian; Sabol, Marián; Marián, Sabol; Domaracká, Katarína; Katarína, Domaracká; Bujnáková, Dobroslava; Dobroslava, Bujnáková
Essential oils are known to possess antimicrobial activity against a wide spectrum of bacteria. The main objective of this study was to evaluate possible harmful effects of four commonly used essential oils and their major components on intestinal cells. Antimicrobial activity of selected plant extracts against enteroinvasive Escherichia coli was dose dependent. However, doses of essential oils with the ability to completely inhibit bacterial growth (0.05%) showed also relatively high cytotoxicity to intestinal-like cells cultured in vitro. Lower doses of essential oils (0.01%) had only partial antimicrobial activity and their damaging effect on Caco-2 cells was only modest. Cell death assessment based on morphological and viability staining followed by fluorescence microscopy showed that essential oils of cinnamon and clove and their major component eugenol had almost no cytotoxic effect at lower doses. Although essential oil of oregano and its component carvacrol slightly increased the incidence of apoptotic cell death, they showed extensive antimicrobial activity even at lower concentrations. Relatively high cytotoxicity was demonstrated by thyme oil, which increased both apoptotic and necrotic cell death incidence. In contrast, its component thymol showed no cytotoxic effect as well as greatly-reduced ability to inhibit visible growth of the chosen pathogen in the doses used. On the other hand, the addition of all essential oils and their components at lower doses, with the exception of thyme oil, to bacterial suspension significantly reduced the cytotoxic effect of E. coli on Caco-2 cells after 1h culture. In conclusion, it is possible to find appropriate doses of essential oils showing both antimicrobial activity and very low detrimental effect on intestinal cells.
Although blended essential oils are increasingly being used for the improvement of the quality of life and for the relief of various symptoms in patients, the scientific evaluation of the aroma-therapeutic effects of blended essential oils in humans is rather scarce. In this study, we hypothesized that applying blended essential oil would provide a synergistic effect that would have a chance for success in treating depression or anxiety. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the blended essential oil on autonomic parameters and on emotional responses in humans following transdermal absorption. The blended essential oil consisted of lavender and bergamot oils. Human autonomic parameters, i.e. blood pressure, pulse rate, breathing rate, and skin temperature, were recorded as indicators of the arousal level of the autonomic nervous system. In addition, subjects had to rate their emotional condition in terms of relaxation, vigor, calmness, attentiveness, mood, and alertness in order to assess subjective behavioral arousal. Forty healthy volunteers participated in the experiments. Blended essential oil was applied topically to the skin of the abdomen of each subject. Compared with placebo, blended essential oil caused significant decreases of pulse rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, which indicated a decrease of autonomic arousal. At the emotional level, subjects in the blended essential oil group rated themselves as 'more calm' and 'more relaxed' than subjects in the control group. This finding suggests a decrease of subjective behavioral arousal. In conclusion, our investigation demonstrates the relaxing effect of a mixture of lavender and bergamot oils. This synergistic blend provides evidence for its use in medicine for treating depression or anxiety in humans.
Candy, Kerdalidec; Nicolas, Patrick; Andriantsoanirina, Valérie; Izri, Arezki; Durand, Rémy
Treatment of head lice has relied mainly on the use of topical insecticides. Today, conventional topical pediculicides have suffered considerable loss of activity worldwide. There is increasing interest in the use of natural products such as essential oils for head louse control, and many of them are now incorporated into various over-the-counter products presented as pediculicides, often without proper evaluation. The aim of the present study was to assess the in vitro efficacy of five essential oils against adults of Pediculus humanus capitis using a contact filter paper toxicity bioassay. The chemical composition of the essential oils from wild bergamot, clove, lavender, tea tree, and Yunnan verbena was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. All treatments and controls were replicated three times on separate occasions over a period of 11 months. In all, 1239 living lice were collected from the scalp of 51 subjects, aged from 1 to 69 years. Clove oil, diluted either in coco oil or sunflower oil, demonstrated the best adulticidal activity, reaching > 90% mortality within 2 h in lice submitted to a 30-min contact. Yunnan verbena oil diluted in coco oil showed also a significant efficacy. Other essential oils showed a lower efficacy. The oil's major component(s) differed according to the tested oils and appeared chemically diverse. In the case of clove oil, the eugenol appeared as the main component. This study confirmed the potential interest of some of the essential oils tested, but not all, as products to include possibly in a pediculicidal formulation.
Shiva Kumar, Arumugasamy; Jeyaprakash, Karnan; Chellappan, David Raj; Murugan, Ramar
Pogostemon elsholtzioides Benth. (Lamiaceae) is an aromatic shrub, endemic to eastern Himalaya region. The leaves are used for treating goiter and high blood pressure (BP) by indigenous people in Arunachal Pradesh, India. Young leaves are used as vegetable and leaf decoction is also used for cough, cold and headache by some indigenous communities in Northeast India. This species is used for treating hypertension and the genus Pogostemon is rich in essential oil. Therefore, the present study was aimed at investigation of the chemical constituents, vasorelaxant and cardiovascular effects of the essential oil of P. elsholtzioides. P. elsholtzioides was collected from Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh, India and essential oil was extracted from shade dried leaves. Essential oil was analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS and the volatile constituents were identified. Vasorelaxant and cardiovascular properties of the essential oil were studied against phenylephrine induced contraction in isolated endothelium intact aortic preparations and by measuring systolic and diastolic BP, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) after carotid artery cannulation in Wistar rats. The essential oil was rich in sesquiterpenes and curzerene, benzophenone, α-cadinol and germacrone were major constituents. The essential oil exhibited significant vasodilation effect in phenylephrine induced contracted aortic rings. Vasorelaxant effect of the essential oil was also observed both in the presence and absence of Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester against phenylephrine-contracted aortic rings. It also induced reduction of systolic and diastolic BP, MAP and HR. Essential oil of P. elsholtzioides exhibited significant vasorelaxant effect against endothelium intact aortic preparation mediated through nitric oxide dependent pathway and also reduced BP. However, further study is needed to screen the role of calcium ions in both intracellular and extracellular pathway. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All
Zeidán-Chuliá, Fares; Rybarczyk-Filho, José L; Gursoy, Mervi; Könönen, Eija; Uitto, Veli-Jukka; Gursoy, Orhan V; Cakmakci, Lutfu; Moreira, José C F; Gursoy, Ulvi K
Essential oils carry diverse antimicrobial and anti-enzymatic properties. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibition characteristics of Salvia fruticosa Miller (Labiatae), Myrtus communis Linnaeus (Myrtaceae), Juniperus communis Linnaeus (Cupressaceae), and Lavandula stoechas Linnaeus (Labiatae) essential oils were evaluated. Chemical compositions of the essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Bioinformatical database analysis was performed by STRING 9.0 and STITCH 2.0 databases, and ViaComplex software. Antibacterial activity of essential oils against periodontopathogens was tested by the disc diffusion assay and the agar dilution method. Cellular proliferation and cytotoxicity were determined by commercial kits. MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities were measured by zymography. Bioinformatical database analyses, under a score of 0.4 (medium) and a prior correction of 0.0, gave rise to a model of protein (MMPs and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases) vs. chemical (essential oil components) interaction network; where MMPs and essential oil components interconnected through interaction with hydroxyl radicals, molecular oxygen, and hydrogen peroxide. Components from L. stoechas potentially displayed a higher grade of interaction with MMP-2 and -9. Although antibacterial and growth inhibitory effects of essential oils on the tested periodontopathogens were limited, all of them inhibited MMP-2 in vitro at concentrations of 1 and 5 µL/mL. Moreover, same concentrations of M. communis and L. stoechas also inhibited MMP-9. MMP-inhibiting concentrations of essential oils were not cytotoxic against keratinocytes. We propose essential oils of being useful therapeutic agents as MMP inhibitors through a mechanism possibly based on their antioxidant potential.
Uzair, Bushra; Niaz, Naheed; Bano, Asma; Khan, Barkat Ali; Zafar, Naheed; Iqbal, Muhammad; Tahira, Riffat; Fasim, Fehmida
This study was planned in order to investigate effective essential oils to inhibit in-vitro growth of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In this study using disc diffusion method anti MRSA activity of ten diverse essential oils extracted from traditional plants namely Thymus vulgaris L, Mentha pulegium, Ocimum sanctum, Mentha piperita, Cymbopogon citratus, Rosmarinus officinalis L., Cortex cinnamom, Citrus nobilis x Citrus deliciosa, Origanum vulgare and Mentha sp. was examined. All the essential oils inhibited growth of S. aureus to different extent, by exhibiting moderate to elevated zones of inhibitions. Essential oils of cinnamon (Cortex cinnamomi) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L) were observed to be the most powerful against MRSA strains used in this study. At lowest concentration of 25μl/ml essential oils comprehensible zone of inhibition was found 9±0.085mm and 8±0.051mm respectively, and at elevated concentrations there was a total decline in growth of MRSA and a very clear zone of inhibition was observed. A synergistic effect of essential oils in amalgamation with amoxicillin a Penicillin group of antibiotic was also examined. Interestingly a strong synergism was observed with oregano (Origanum vulgare) and pennyroyal mint (Mentha pulegium) essential oils, which were not so effective alone driven out to be important synergistic candidate. Our results demonstrated that essential oils of cinnamon and thyme can be used as potential antimicrobial agent against the Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections and Amoxicillin antibacterial activity can be enhanced using active constituents present in oregano and pennyroyal mint essential oils.
Hyldgaard, Morten; Mygind, Tina; Meyer, Rikke Louise
Essential oils are aromatic and volatile liquids extracted from plants. The chemicals in essential oils are secondary metabolites, which play an important role in plant defense as they often possess antimicrobial properties. The interest in essential oils and their application in food preservation has been amplified in recent years by an increasingly negative consumer perception of synthetic preservatives. Furthermore, food-borne diseases are a growing public health problem worldwide, calling for more effective preservation strategies. The antibacterial properties of essential oils and their constituents have been documented extensively. Pioneering work has also elucidated the mode of action of a few essential oil constituents, but detailed knowledge about most of the compounds' mode of action is still lacking. This knowledge is particularly important to predict their effect on different microorganisms, how they interact with food matrix components, and how they work in combination with other antimicrobial compounds. The main obstacle for using essential oil constituents as food preservatives is that they are most often not potent enough as single components, and they cause negative organoleptic effects when added in sufficient amounts to provide an antimicrobial effect. Exploiting synergies between several compounds has been suggested as a solution to this problem. However, little is known about which interactions lead to synergistic, additive, or antagonistic effects. Such knowledge could contribute to design of new and more potent antimicrobial blends, and to understand the interplay between the constituents of crude essential oils. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of current knowledge about the antibacterial properties and antibacterial mode of action of essential oils and their constituents, and to identify research avenues that can facilitate implementation of essential oils as natural preservatives in foods.
Hyldgaard, Morten; Mygind, Tina; Meyer, Rikke Louise
Essential oils are aromatic and volatile liquids extracted from plants. The chemicals in essential oils are secondary metabolites, which play an important role in plant defense as they often possess antimicrobial properties. The interest in essential oils and their application in food preservation has been amplified in recent years by an increasingly negative consumer perception of synthetic preservatives. Furthermore, food-borne diseases are a growing public health problem worldwide, calling for more effective preservation strategies. The antibacterial properties of essential oils and their constituents have been documented extensively. Pioneering work has also elucidated the mode of action of a few essential oil constituents, but detailed knowledge about most of the compounds’ mode of action is still lacking. This knowledge is particularly important to predict their effect on different microorganisms, how they interact with food matrix components, and how they work in combination with other antimicrobial compounds. The main obstacle for using essential oil constituents as food preservatives is that they are most often not potent enough as single components, and they cause negative organoleptic effects when added in sufficient amounts to provide an antimicrobial effect. Exploiting synergies between several compounds has been suggested as a solution to this problem. However, little is known about which interactions lead to synergistic, additive, or antagonistic effects. Such knowledge could contribute to design of new and more potent antimicrobial blends, and to understand the interplay between the constituents of crude essential oils. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of current knowledge about the antibacterial properties and antibacterial mode of action of essential oils and their constituents, and to identify research avenues that can facilitate implementation of essential oils as natural preservatives in foods. PMID:22291693
Liu, Xin Chao; Zhou, Li Gang; Liu, Zhi Long; Du, Shu Shan
The aim of this research was to determine the chemical composition of the essential oil of Acorus calamus rhizomes, its insecticidal activity against the booklouse, (Liposcelis bostrychophila) and to isolate any insecticidal constituents from the essential oil. The essential oil of A. calamus rhizomes was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. A total of 32 components of the essential oil of A. calamus rhizomes was identified and the principal compounds in the essential oil were determined to be α-asarone (50.09%), (E)-methylisoeugenol (14.01%), and methyleugenol (8.59%), followed by β-asarone (3.51%), α-cedrene (3.09%) and camphor (2.42%). Based on bioactivity-guided fractionation, the three active constituents were isolated from the essential oil and identified as methyleugenol, (E)-methylisoeugenol and α-asarone. The essential oil exhibited contact toxicity against L. bostrychophila with an LD50 value of 100.21 µg/cm2 while three constituent compounds, α-asarone, methyleugenol, and (E)-methylisoeugenol had LD50 values of 125.73 µg/cm2, 103.22 µg/cm2 and 55.32 µg/cm2, respectively. Methyleugenol and (E)-methylisoeugenol possessed fumigant toxicity against L. bostrychophila adults with LC50 values of 92.21 μg/L air and 143.43 μg/L air, respectively, while the crude essential oil showed an LC50 value of 392.13 μg/L air. The results indicate that the essential oil of A. calamus rhizomes and its constituent compounds have potential for development into natural fumigants/insecticides for control of the booklice.
Mihajilov-Krstev, Tatjana; Jovanović, Boris; Jović, Jovana; Ilić, Budimir; Miladinović, Dragoljub; Matejić, Jelena; Rajković, Jelena; Dorđević, Ljubiša; Cvetković, Vladimir; Zlatković, Bojan
In this paper, the chemical composition and biological activity of the essential oil of Artemisia absinthium was studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of ethnopharmacological uses of this plant species in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases and wounds, and as an insect repellent. The aerial part of the plant was hydrodistilled, and the chemical composition of the essential oil was analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Forty-seven compounds, corresponding to 94.65 % of the total oil, were identified, with the main constituents being sabinene (24.49 %), sabinyl acetate (13.64 %), and α-phellandrene (10.29 %). The oil yield was 0.23 % (v/w). The antimicrobial activity of the oil was investigated against ten bacterial isolates (from patients wounds and stools) and seven American Type Culture Collection strains using a microwell dilution assay. The minimal inhibitory/bactericidal concentration of the oil ranged from < 0.08 to 2.43 mg/mL and from 0.08 to 38.80 mg/mL, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the essential oil was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical-scavenging methods and assessed as significant. Skin irritation potential and acute toxicity of the oil were also investigated. Results of the skin irritant reaction showed that none of the 30 volunteers developed a positive skin irritant reaction to undiluted A. absinthium essential oil. Acute oral exposure to the essential oil did not cause mortality in the treated mice, but it did cause neurological, muscle, and gastrointestinal problems. A subchronic toxicity test on Drosophila melanogaster showed that the essential oil of A. absinthium is toxic for developing insect larvae. Starting with the concentration of 0.38 % of essential oil in medium, significant mortality of larvae exposed to the oil was noted when compared to the control. Probit
Chalchat, J C; Ozcan, M M
The chemical compositions of the essential oil obtained from the aerial parts of Helichrysum chasmolycicum were analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. From the 57 identified constituents, representing 66.55% of the oil, the main constituents of the oil were beta-caryophyllene (27.6%), beta-selinene (8.9%), alpha-selinene (8.4%), caryophyllene oxide (7.3%), and carvacrol (2.4%). The essential oil was almost totally characterized by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons such as beta-caryophyllene and alpha- and beta-selinene.
Mimica-Dukić, N; Kujundzić, S; Soković, M; Couladis, M
The influence of different hydrodistillation conditions was evaluated from the standpoint of essential oil yield, chemical composition and antifungal activity from seeds of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Three hydrodistillation conditions were considered. The main constituents of the oils were: (E)-anethole (72.27%-74.18%), fenchone (11.32%-16.35%) and methyl chavicol (3.78%-5.29%). The method of distillation significantly effected the essential oil yield and quantitative composition, although the antifungal activity of the oils against some fungi was only slightly altered. Copyright 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Wajs-Bonikowska, Anna; Szoka, Łukasz; Karna, Ewa; Wiktorowska-Owczarek, Anna; Sienkiewicz, Monika
The increasing consumption of natural products lead us to discover and study new plant materials, such as conifer seeds and cones, which could be easily available from the forest industry as a waste material, for their potential uses. The chemical composition of the essential oils of Picea pungens and Picea orientalis was fully characterized by GC and GC/MS methods. Seed and cone oils of both tree species were composed mainly of monoterpene hydrocarbons, among which limonene, α- and β-pinene were the major, but in different proportions in the examined conifer essential oils. The levorotary form of chiral monoterpene molecules was predominant over the dextrorotary form. The composition of oils from P. pungens seeds and cones was similar, while the hydrodistilled oils of P. orientalis seeds and cones differed from each other, mainly by a higher amount of oxygenated derivatives of monoterpenes and by other higher molar mass terpenes in seed oil. The essential oils showed mild antimicrobial action, however P. orientalis cone oil exhibited stronger antimicrobial properties against tested bacterial species than those of P. pungens. Effects of the tested cone essential oils on human skin fibroblasts and microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) were similar: in a concentration of 0 - 0.075 μl/ml the oils were rather safe for human skin fibroblasts and 0 - 0.005 μl/ml for HMEC-1 cells. IC 50 value of Picea pungens oils was 0.115 μl/ml, while that of Picea orientalis was 0.105 μl/ml. The value of IC 50 of both oils were 0.035 μl/ml for HMEC-1 cells. The strongest effect on cell viability had the oil from Picea orientalis cones, while on DNA synthesis the oil from Picea pungens cones. © 2017 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.
Liu, Xiong; Yang, Dongliang; Liu, Jiajia; Ren, Na
In this study, essential oils from Voacanga africana seeds at different extraction stages were investigated. In the chemical composition analysis, 27 compounds representing 86.69-95.03% of the total essential oils were identified and quantified. The main constituents in essential oils were terpenoids, alcohols and fatty acids accounting for 15.03-24.36%, 21.57-34.43% and 33.06-57.37%, respectively. Moreover, the analysis also revealed that essential oils from different extraction stages possessed different chemical compositions. In the antioxidant evaluation, all analysed oils showed similar antioxidant behaviours, and the concentrations of essential oils providing 50% inhibition of DPPH-scavenging activity (IC50) were about 25 mg/mL. In the antimicrobial experiments, essential oils from different extraction stages exhibited different antimicrobial activities. The antimicrobial activity of oils was affected by extraction stages. By controlling extraction stages, it is promising to obtain essential oils with desired antimicrobial activities.
Hérent, Marie-France; De Bie, Véronique; Tilquin, Bernard
The classical methods of chromatographic identification of compounds were based on calculation of retention indices by using different stationary phases. The aim of the work was to differentiate essential oils extracted from different plant species by identification of some of their major compounds. The method of identification was based on the calculation of new retention indices of essential oils compounds fractionated on a polar chromatographic column with temperature programming system. Similar chromatograms have been obtained on the same column for one plant family with two different temperature gradients allowing the rapid identification of essential oils of different species, sub-species or chemotypes of Citrus, Mentha and Thymus.
Mitropoulou, Gregoria; Fitsiou, Eleni; Stavropoulou, Elisavet; Papavassilopoulou, Eleni; Vamvakias, Manolis; Pappa, Aglaia; Oreopoulou, Antigoni; Kourkoutas, Yiannis
Background Nowadays, there has been an increased interest in essential oils from various plant origins as potential antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiproliferative agents. This trend can be mainly attributed to the rising number and severity of food poisoning outbreaks worldwide along with the recent negative consumer perception against artificial food additives and the demand for novel functional foods with possible health benefits. Origanum dictamnus (dittany) is an aromatic, tender perennial plant that only grows wild on the mountainsides and gorges of the island of Crete in Greece. Objective The aim of the present study was to investigate the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiproliferative properties of O. dictamnus essential oil and its main components and assess its commercial potential in the food industry. Design O. dictamnus essential oil was initially analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) to determine semi-quantitative chemical composition of the essential oils. Subsequently, the antimicrobial properties were assayed and the minimum inhibitory and non-inhibitory concentration values were determined. The antioxidant activity and cytotoxic action against the hepatoma adenocarcinoma cell line HepG2 of the essential oil and its main components were further evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and by the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, respectively. Results The main constituents of O. dictamnus essential oil identified by GC–MS analysis were carvacrol (52.2%), γ-terpinene (8.4%), p-cymene (6.1%), linalool (1.4%), and caryophyllene (1.3%). O. dictamnus essential oil and its main components were effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Enteritidis, Salmonella typhimurium, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Aspergillus niger. In addition, the estimated IC50 value for the DPPH radical scavenging activity for O. dictamnus essential oil was
Russo, Rossella; Corasaniti, Maria Tiziana; Bagetta, Giacinto; Morrone, Luigi Antonio
Essential oils are complex mixtures of several components endowed with a wide range of biological activities, including antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic, sedative, analgesic, and anesthetic properties. A growing body of scientific reports has recently focused on the potential of essential oils as anticancer treatment in the attempt to overcome the development of multidrug resistance and important side effects associated with the antitumor drugs currently used. In this review we discuss the literature on the effects of essential oils in in vitro and in vivo models of cancer, focusing on the studies performed with the whole phytocomplex rather than single constituents. PMID:25722735
Mitropoulou, Gregoria; Fitsiou, Eleni; Stavropoulou, Elisavet; Papavassilopoulou, Eleni; Vamvakias, Manolis; Pappa, Aglaia; Oreopoulou, Antigoni; Kourkoutas, Yiannis
Nowadays, there has been an increased interest in essential oils from various plant origins as potential antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiproliferative agents. This trend can be mainly attributed to the rising number and severity of food poisoning outbreaks worldwide along with the recent negative consumer perception against artificial food additives and the demand for novel functional foods with possible health benefits. Origanum dictamnus (dittany) is an aromatic, tender perennial plant that only grows wild on the mountainsides and gorges of the island of Crete in Greece. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiproliferative properties of O. dictamnus essential oil and its main components and assess its commercial potential in the food industry. O. dictamnus essential oil was initially analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine semi-quantitative chemical composition of the essential oils. Subsequently, the antimicrobial properties were assayed and the minimum inhibitory and non-inhibitory concentration values were determined. The antioxidant activity and cytotoxic action against the hepatoma adenocarcinoma cell line HepG2 of the essential oil and its main components were further evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and by the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, respectively. The main constituents of O. dictamnus essential oil identified by GC-MS analysis were carvacrol (52.2%), γ-terpinene (8.4%), p-cymene (6.1%), linalool (1.4%), and caryophyllene (1.3%). O. dictamnus essential oil and its main components were effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Enteritidis, Salmonella typhimurium, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Aspergillus niger. In addition, the estimated IC50 value for the DPPH radical scavenging activity for O. dictamnus essential oil was 0.045±0.0042% (v/v) and was mainly
de Mendonça Rocha, Pedro M; Rodilla, Jesus M; Díez, David; Elder, Heriberto; Guala, Maria Silvia; Silva, Lúcia A; Pombo, Eunice Baltazar
Schinus molle L. (aguaribay, aroeira-falsa, "molle", family Anacardiaceae), a native of South America, produces an active antibacterial essential oil extracted from the leaves and fruits. This work reports a complete study of its chemical composition and determines the antibacterial activity of Schinus molle L. essential oil and its main components. The results showed that the crude extract essential oil has a potent antibacterial effect on Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, a strong/moderate effect on Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and moderate/weak one on Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853.
Bayala, Bagora; Bassole, Imaël HN; Scifo, Riccardo; Gnoula, Charlemagne; Morel, Laurent; Lobaccaro, Jean-Marc A; Simpore, Jacques
Essential oils are widely used in pharmaceutical, sanitary, cosmetic, agriculture and food industries for their bactericidal, virucidal, fungicidal, antiparasitical and insecticidal properties. Their anticancer activity is well documented. Over a hundred essential oils from more than twenty plant families have been tested on more than twenty types of cancers in last past ten years. This review is focused on the activity of essential oils and their components on various types of cancers. For some of them the mechanisms involved in their anticancer activities have been carried out. PMID:25520854
da Silva-Alves, Kerly Shamyra; Ferreira-da-Silva, Francisco Walber; Coelho-de-Souza, Andrelina Noronha; Albuquerque, Aline Alice Cavalcante; do Vale, Otoni Cardoso; Leal-Cardoso, José Henrique
Croton zehntneri is an aromatic plant native to Northeast Brazil and employed by local people to treat various diseases. The leaves of this plant have a rich content of essential oil. The essential oil of C. zehntneri samples, with anethole as the major constituent and anethole itself, have been reported to have several pharmacological activities such as antispasmodic, cardiovascular, and gastroprotective effects and inducing the blockade of neuromuscular transmission and antinociception. Since several works have demonstrated that essential oils and their constituents block cell excitability and in view of the multiple effects of C. zehntneri essential oil and anethole on biological tissues, we undertook this investigation aiming to characterize and compare the effects of this essential oil and its major constituent on nerve excitability. Sciatic nerves of Wistar rats were used. They were mounted in a moist chamber, and evoked compound action potentials were recorded. Nerves were exposed in vitro to the essential oil of C. zehntneri and anethole (0.1-1 mg/mL) up to 180 min, and alterations in excitability (rheobase and chronaxie) and conductibility (peak-to-peak amplitude and conduction velocity) parameters of the compound action potentials were evaluated. The essential oil of C. zehntneri and anethole blocked, in a concentration-dependent manner with similar pharmacological potencies (IC50: 0.32 ± 0.07 and 0.22 ± 0.11 mg/mL, respectively), rat sciatic nerve compound action potentials. Strength-duration curves for both agents were shifted upward and to the right compared to the control curve, and the rheobase and chronaxie were increased following essential oil and anethole exposure. The time courses of the essential oil of C. zehntneri and anethole effects on peak-to-peak amplitude of compound action potentials followed an exponential decay and reached a steady state. The essential oil of C. zehntneri and anethole caused a similar reduction in
Reis Simas, Daniel Luiz; Mérida-Reyes, Max Samuel; Muñoz-Wug, Manuel Alejandro; Cordeiro, Millena Santos; Giorno, Thais Biondino Sardella; Taracena, Edwin Adolfo; Oliva-Hernández, Bessie Evelyn; Martínez-Arévalo, José Vicente; Fernandes, Patricia Dias; Pérez-Sabino, Juan Francisco; Jorge Ribeiro da Silva, Antonio
The composition and the antinociceptive activity of the essential oil of Stevia serrata Cav. from a population located in the west highlands of Guatemala were evaluated. A yield of 0.2% (w/w) of essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation of the dried aerial parts of the plant. The essential oil analysed by GC-FID and GC-MS showed a high content of sesquiterpenoids, with chamazulene (60.1%) as the major component and 91.5% of the essential oil composition was identified. To evaluate antinociceptive activity in mice, the essential oil of S. serrata Cav. was administered as gavage, using three different doses. In the formalin test, the animals were pre-treated with oral doses of the essential oil before the administration of formalin. Oral administration of S. serrata Cav. essential oil produced a marked antinociceptive activity. Therefore, the plant could be domesticated as a source of essential oil rich in chamazulene for developing medicinal products.
dos Santos, Nara O.; Pascon, Renata C.; Vallim, Marcelo A.; Figueiredo, Carlos R.; Soares, Marisi G.; Lago, João Henrique G.; Sartorelli, Patricia
Backgroud: Lippia alba (Verbenaceae) is a plant widely used in folk medicine to treat various diseases. The present work deals with the chemical composition of the crude essential oil extracted from leaves of L. alba and evaluation of its antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. Methods: Leaves of L. alba were extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) as well as by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities of crude essential oil were evaluated in vitro using MTT and broth microdilution assays, respectively. Results: Chemical analysis afforded the identification of 39 substances corresponding to 99.45% of the total oil composition. Concerning the main compounds, monoterpenes nerol/geraniol and citral correspond to approximately 50% of crude oil. The cytotoxic activity of obtained essential oil against several tumor cell lines showed IC50 values ranging from 45 to 64 µg/mL for B16F10Nex2 (murine melanoma) and A549 (human lung adenocarcinoma). In the antimicrobial assay, was observed that all tested yeast strains, except C. albicans, were sensitive to crude essential oil. MIC values were two to four-folds lower than those determined to bacterial strains. Conclusion: Analysis of chemical composition of essential oils from leaves of L. alba suggested a new chemotype nerol/geraniol and citral. Based in biological evidences, a possible application for studied oil as an antifungal in medicine, as well as in agriculture, is described. PMID:28930132
Marino, M; Bersani, C; Comi, G
The essential oils obtained from Thymus vulgaris L. harvested at four ontogenetic stages were evaluated for their biological activity and chemical composition. The thyme essential oils were tested for their inhibitory effects against nine strains of gram-negative bacteria and six strains of gram-positive bacteria. The bioimpedance method was chosen for studying the antibacterial activity of the essential oils and the parameter chosen for defining and quantifying the antibacterial activity of the essential oils was the detection time. The plate counting technique was used to study the inhibitory effect by direct contact. All the thyme essential oils examined had a significant bacteriostatic activity against the microorganisms tested. This activity was more marked against the gram-positive bacteria. The oil from thyme in full flower was the most effective at stopping the growth of the microbial species examined. The oils tested were also shown to have good antibacterial activity by direct contact, which appeared to be more marked against the gram-negative bacteria. Only a few of the species were capable of recovering at least 50% of their metabolic function after contact with the inhibitor, while most of the strains were shown to have been inactivated almost completely. Escherichia coli O157:H7 was the most sensitive species, given that after contact with even the lowest concentration of oil cells could not be recovered.
Santos, Nara O Dos; Pascon, Renata C; Vallim, Marcelo A; Figueiredo, Carlos R; Soares, Marisi G; Lago, João Henrique G; Sartorelli, Patricia
Backgroud: Lippia alba (Verbenaceae) is a plant widely used in folk medicine to treat various diseases. The present work deals with the chemical composition of the crude essential oil extracted from leaves of L. alba and evaluation of its antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. Methods: Leaves of L. alba were extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) as well as by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities of crude essential oil were evaluated in vitro using MTT and broth microdilution assays, respectively. Results: Chemical analysis afforded the identification of 39 substances corresponding to 99.45% of the total oil composition. Concerning the main compounds, monoterpenes nerol/geraniol and citral correspond to approximately 50% of crude oil. The cytotoxic activity of obtained essential oil against several tumor cell lines showed IC 50 values ranging from 45 to 64 µg/mL for B16F10Nex2 (murine melanoma) and A549 (human lung adenocarcinoma). In the antimicrobial assay, was observed that all tested yeast strains, except C. albicans , were sensitive to crude essential oil. MIC values were two to four-folds lower than those determined to bacterial strains. Conclusion: Analysis of chemical composition of essential oils from leaves of L. alba suggested a new chemotype nerol/geraniol and citral. Based in biological evidences, a possible application for studied oil as an antifungal in medicine, as well as in agriculture, is described.
Dai, Jiali; Zhu, Liang; Yang, Li; Qiu, Jun
The following study deals with the chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of essential oils of Wedelia prostrata and their main constituents in vitro. A total of 70 components representing 99.26 % of the total oil were identified. The main compounds in the oil were limonene (11.38 %) and α-pinene (10.74 %). Antioxidant assays (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, superoxide anion radical, and reducing power test) demonstrate moderate activities for the essential oil and its main components (limonene and α-pinene). The essential oil (1000 μg/disc) exhibited promising antimicrobial activity against 10 strains of test microorganisms as a diameter of zones of inhibition (20.8 to 22.2 mm) and MIC values (125 to 250 µg/ml). The activities of limonene and α-pinene were also determined as main components of the oil. α-Pinene showed higher antimicrobial activity than the essential oil with a diameter of zones of inhibition (20.7 to 22.3 mm) and MIC values (62.5 to 125 µg/ml). The antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the essential oil may be attributed to the synergistic effects of its diverse major and minor components. PMID:26648809
Lee, Jeong-Ho; Yang, Hye-Young; Lee, Hong-Sub; Hong, Soon-Kwang
The essential oil from the cones of Pinus koraiensis was prepared after removing the seeds, and its chemical composition analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Hydrodistillation of the P. koraiensis cones yielded 1.07% (v/w) of essential oil, which was almost three times the amount of essential oil extracted from the needles of the same plant. Moreover, the antimicrobial activities of the oil against the growth of Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi were evaluated using the agar disc diffusion method and broth microdilution method. Eighty-seven components, comprising about 96.8% of the total oil, were identified. The most abundant oil components were limonene (27.90%), alpha-pinene (23.89%), beta-pinene (12.02%), 3-carene (4.95%), beta-myrcene (4.53%), isolongifolene (3.35%), (-)-bornyl acetate (2.02%), caryophyllene (1.71%), and camphene (1.54%). The essential oil was confirmed to have significant antimicrobial activities, especially against pathogenic fungal strains such as Candida glabrata YFCC 062 and Cryptococcus neoformans B 42419. Therefore, the present results indicate that the essential oil from the cones of Pinus koraiensis can be used in various ways as a nontoxic and environmentally friendly disinfectant.
Pinto, Zeneida Teixeira; Sánchez, Félix Fernández; dos Santos, Arith Ramos; Amaral, Ana Claudia Fernandes; Ferreira, José Luiz Pinto; Escalona-Arranz, Julio César; Queiroz, Margareth Maria de Carvalho
Essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus collected from Brazil and Cuba was tested to a chemical characterization and then was tested on the post-embryonic development of Musca domestica. The chemical composition analysis by GC-MS of the oils from Brazil/Cuba allowed the identification of 13 and 12 major constituents respectively; nine of them common to both. In the both oils, the main components were the isomers geranial and neral, which together form the compound citral. This corresponds to a total of 97.92%/Brazil and 97.69%/Cuba of the compounds identified. The monoterpene myrcene, observed only in the sample of Cuba, presented a large relative abundance (6.52%). The essential oil of C. citratus (Brazil/Cuba) was dissolved in DMSO and tested at concentrations of 5, 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100% and citral was prepared by mixing 16.8 mg with 960 µL DMSO. Both essential oils and monoterpene citral were applied topically to newly-hatched larvae (1µL/larva). The results showed a lethal concentration (LC50) of 4.25 and 3.24% for the Brazilian and Cuban essential oils, respectively. Mortalities of larval and newly-hatched larvae to adult periods were dose-dependent for the two both oils as for monoterpene citral, reaching 90%. Both essential oils and citral caused morphological changes in adult specimens.
Díaz, Cecilia; Quesada, Silvia; Brenes, Oscar; Aguilar, Gilda; Cicció, José F
The leaf essential oil hydrodistilled from Schinus molle grown in Costa Rica was characterised in terms of its chemical composition, antioxidant activity, ability to induce cytotoxicity and the mechanism of cell death involved in the process. As a result, 42 constituents, accounting for 97.2% of the total oil, were identified. The major constituents of the oil were beta-pinene and alpha-pinene. The antioxidant activity showed an IC(50) of 36.3 microg mL(-1). The essential oil was cytotoxic in several cell lines, showing that it is more effective on breast carcinoma and leukemic cell lines. The LD(50) for cytotoxicity at 48 h in K562 corresponded to 78.7 microg mL(-1), which was very similar to the LD(50) obtained when apoptosis was measured. The essential oil did not induce significant necrosis up to 200 microg mL(-1), which together with the former results indicate that apoptosis is the main mechanism of toxicity induced by S. molle essential oil in this cell line. In conclusion, the essential oil tested was weak antioxidant and induced cytotoxicity in different cell types by a mechanism related to apoptosis. It would be interesting to elucidate the role that different components of the oil play in the effect observed here, since some of them could have potential anti-tumoural effects, either alone or in combination.
George, D R; Sparagano, O A E; Port, G; Okello, E; Shiel, R S; Guy, J H
The toxicity of a range of plant essential oils to the poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer) (Acari: Dermanyssidae), a serious ectoparasitic pest of laying hens throughout Europe and elsewhere, was assessed in the laboratory. Dermanyssus gallinae may cause losses in egg production, anaemia and, in extreme cases, death of hens. With changes in legislation and consumer demand, alternatives to synthetic acaricides are needed to manage this pest. Fifty plant essential oils were selected for their toxicity to arthropods reported in the literature. Twenty-four of these essential oils were found to kill > 75% of adult D. gallinae in contact toxicity tests over a 24-h period at a rate of 0.21 mg/cm(2). Subsequent testing at lower rates showed that the essential oils of cade, manuka and thyme were especially toxic to adult D. gallinae. The toxicity of the seven most acaricidal essent |
NEW LOOK, SAME GREAT HONEY! Pictured above are the old and new packaging of Seebees Honeycomb and Acacia Honey. We will be sending out the old label first, then when our inventory is depleted, we will be sending the new, updated packaging.
Before the invention of the honey extractor almost all honey produced was in the form of comb honey. Today, most honey is produced for extraction but comb honey remains popular among consumers both for eating 'as is' and for combining with extracted honey to make Chunk Honey. Hobbyists and sideliners can best develop their beekeeping skills by producing comb honey.
A difficult to find product, this is Serbia's most popular acacia honey with a chunk of honeycomb dipped in for good measure. The comb, itself, is completely edible and non-toxic. In fact, its buttery texture is great to use instead of butter over waffles and pancakes.
Size: 400g (14.1oz) |
We are thinking of offering a reward for information about our lost cat. I have not seen one offered on any "lost pet" posters in the area. Is it not done?
I just got a great job offer in Brussels and am considering relocating.
Would anyone know of any animal shelters here in Brussels for cats & dogs as I would like to do some Volunteer/community work? Thanks !
Hi - a friend of mine in Germany has found out that her dog is pregnant (surprise!).
14 years ago we were hugely lucky to find a puppy through expats. Sadly she died recently and we realise that we have a huge hole in our lives.
I need to fill in my fish pond but have a number of Koi in it which I need to ‘re-home’. Don’t know exactly how many as yet. How do I do that? Does anyone want them?
We are moving from Belgium and cannot take our rabbit with us. Snowflake is a 3 year old female, white. We will give her cage with her which is a wooden cage with two floors.
Does anyone know of a pet relocation agency? I am taking my dog from Brussels to Geneva.
Thank you for your help
Hello. I have wanted to get into beekeeping for some time now and am taking distance learning courses. |
In this extra podcast, Matt O'Neal discusses a recent change to the Iowa bee rule with Betsy Buffington. Betsy works for The Pesticide Applicator Training Program at Iowa State University. She has created a publication about the bee rule, which can be found at the Iowa State University Extension publication office as PAT 47. Visit https://www.extension.iastate.edu/store/ for more information.
We are getting close to the end of the season and soybean aphids have exceeded the threshold level in northern Iowa. Erin has come back from spraying research plots to share with us updates on timing, product choice and assessing the need for an insecticide during this aphid outbreak.
Also, Matt is going to be interviewed by WHO-TV this Friday. Look for a segment either Friday nite or during the weekend (23-25 Aug) about conserving bees.And finally, this episode is dedicated to Robert Pettis, our #1 fan.
In this episode, Matt and Erin interview the 2016 Gunderson Memorial Seminar speaker, Dr. Ric Bessin. Ric is a professor and extension entomologist at the University of Kentucky. His areas of extension and research interests range from row crops to specialty crops, and has a focus on IPM. Their conversation starts off talking about agriculture in Kentucky compared to Iowa.
He also shares observations about early season pests, like wireworms, and moves to brown marmorated stink bug, an invasive species causing havoc in Kentucky. Ric was also a Peace Corps volunteer before graduate school, and where he spent time beekeeping. He shares an interesting story about using bees to help with pain management. |
Roman Ralph 1945-2014
Vita is very sad to report the passing of Dr Roman Leon Ralph, Business Manager at the company from 1997 to 2009.
Roman was born in Lincoln to a Polish father, a World War II RAF pilot, and an English mother, a Royal Navy Wren. When he was two and a half years old, the family moved to Poland where he was educated and learned to dance, play the piano, learn to fly a glider and was by family accounts « a little tearaway climbing roofs and roaming the streets of Katowice ». The family say that he just managed to scrape through school, but when it came to the final exams he had such high marks that the tutors couldn’t believe it was the same boy!
Roman went on to study agriculture at the University of Olsztyn where he won a scholarship and became a very popular student, a key organiser of the student rag week and President of the Students’ Union. It was at University that he met Mira who was later to become his wife.
After university, Roman moved back to England, found his biological mother (who had left Poland some years before) and took a job as an Industrial Microbiologist. In 1971 he was joined by Mira, they married and moved to Cambridge where Roman studied for a doctorate at Wolfson College. During this time their two sons were born.
Roman held several posts including Crop Research manager at Imperical Chemical Industries and in 1992 joined Sandoz as Country Manager for Poland going on to work in logistics at Sandoz Agro. It was at this time that he met Jeremy Owen and Max Watkins.
Max Watkins remembers a long association with Roman: « Both Jeremy and I had known and worked with Roman in our previous employ at Sandoz/Novartis Animal Health in Camberley. Roman joined us as Business Manager when we formed Vita in Basingstoke in 1997. By then we had known each other for several years. He was always affable, always willing to help and he was extremely well-liked by everyone who had contact with him – and there were very many, over the years. He found the world of bees and beekeeping fascinating, so he was happy and authoritative when chatting with beekeepers and other customers alike. On occasion we wondered if Roman needed a telephone at all, as his booming voice could often be heard from long distances. »
Jeremy Owen recalls Roman’s work: « Roman was meticulous in all that he did and, as the business grew, he developed his own complex logistics programme that tracked all components and products in and out. Without doubt it was Roman that kept the Vita products flowing and ensured that Vita complied with the export regulations that became more stringent as the years went past. »
In 2007, Roman was diagnosed with cancer but defied his prognosis of surviving for three years and refused to let the illness dominate his life. He continued to work at Vita until he retired in 2009.
Always with a sense of humour, Roman was asked on his hospital bed how he felt and replied: « according to my age ».
Roman is survived by his wife Mira, two sons, Adam and Richard, and two grandchildren.
Roman’s family requests that if anyone would like to make a donation in memory of Roman, it be made to Macmillan Cancer Support.
Dr Roman Leon Ralph (Roman Leon Rafalski)
12 December 1945 – 1 September 2014
Vita is grateful to Roman’s family for permission to use excerpts from Roman’s Memorial Service about his life. |
Today we’re going to take a closer look at Facebook Messenger Ads — a little-explored type of Facebook ad that’s basically better than other ads.
I know. Bold claim.
But you don’t have to take my word for it. There’s Facebook Messenger Ads case studies to prove it.
Why do you care?
Facebook advertisers have to keep up with more competitors jumping into the ring than a WWE match and more changes to audience targeting categories than to Beyonce’s Super Bowl halftime show wardrobe.
Not to mention new Facebook ad formats, objectives and rules being added all. the. time.
Someone please remind me — why do we marketers wrestle with Facebook Ads?
Something to do with the 6.8 BILLION collective monthly active users across the Facebook family of apps?
Yep. Let’s go with that.
But I have exciting news for Facebook advertisers.
At MobileMonkey we’ve been experimenting with Facebook tools and Messenger Ads have the power to change how you approach advertising.
In this article we’re going to take a good look at Facebook Messenger ads, what they are, and how businesses like yours are using Facebook Messenger ads to increase lead volume, automatically qualify leads, and cut cost per lead with revolutionary new martech.
- What are Facebook Messenger Ads?
- Facebook Messenger Ad Benefit #1: Instant Lead Capture
- Facebook Messenger Ad Benefit #2: They Are the Ultimate in Mobile Optimized
- Facebook Messenger Ad Benefit #3: 24/7 Automated Lead Qualification & Follow-up
- Facebook Messenger Ad Benefit #4: They Can Get Really Personal
- Facebook Messenger Ad Benefit #5: They’ve Been Shown to Outperform Other Ads 2X-10X
- How to Make a Facebook Messenger Ad
Jump to the sections above or read on.
What are Facebook Messenger Ads?
Facebook Messenger ads start a conversation with your business’s target audience in Facebook Messenger — the messaging app with 1.3 Billion users worldwide.
The Facebook Messenger ad comes in a couple flavors: An ad viewed on any Facebook property that directs traffic to Messenger; or sponsored content native in Messenger.
That’s right, a Facebook Messenger ad experience can start on many of the platforms across the Facebook family of apps. This includes:
- Facebook news feed
- Instagram feed
- Facebook and Instagram Story feeds
- Facebook Marketplace
- Audience Network
- And yes, Facebook Messenger
But Facebook Messenger ads have this in common: They always lead to a conversation between a business and a prospect (aka future customers) in Messenger.
Here’s a typical Facebook Messenger ad viewed in the Instagram feed:
Click on that ad’s call-to-action “Send Message” button and here’s what you’ll see. (← Link opens in Messenger.)
Why are there ads on Messenger?
There are three key answers to this question:
- Messenger is where conversations happen, and nothing beats a conversation for closing sales.
- Consumers would rather chat in real-time with businesses than talk on the phone or email.
- Businesses can scale conversations in Messenger thanks to chatbot automation.
With 20 billion conversations a month exchanged between businesses and users on Messenger, you can start to see why a business may want to start a conversation with prospects in Messenger.
Now, this doesn’t exactly support the claim that Facebook Messenger ads are better than other ads.
But don’t worry, I’m not about to phone it in.
Why are Facebook Messenger ads “better” than other ads?
Here are five ways Facebook Messenger ads offer outstanding advantages unlike any other ads, and the steps to fire up your own Messenger ads in five minutes or less.
Facebook Messenger Ad Benefit #1: Instant Lead Capture
I’m not going to bury the lede here.
The MacDaddy of reasons why advertisers need to jump on the Facebook Messenger ad band wagon comes down to 3 words:
Instant lead capture.
Say it with me:
Instant. Lead. Capture.
When you send your Messenger ad traffic to an automation platform like MobileMonkey, your business automatically receives a bucket of contact info for everyone who strikes up a conversation.
Facebook’s lead contact data your business receives by default:
- First and last name
- Locale (country and language)
- Profile photo
Now on the one hand, you could use a lead gen ad or a traffic objective ad to send Facebook ad traffic to a form where they fill out details like the above.
Or, you could just automatically get it, without even asking, from anyone who starts chatting.
Which would you rather?
Facebook Messenger Ad Benefit #2: They Are the Ultimate in Mobile Optimized
Does this sound familiar?
Will my landing page look and act right on the 43 most common screen resolutions?
When Messenger is the post-click experience for your Facebook mobile ad, you can sleep well knowing that the experience is 1000% mobile optimized.
After clicking the “Send Message” call-to-action button in the ad, they’re dropped right into their Facebook Messenger mobile app or desktop browser Messenger inbox.
From here, they see the conversation starter you designed for your ad audience.
You’ll never have to worry about a form or landing page malfunctioning because of responsive design failings again.
Facebook Messenger Ad Instant Lead Capture Case Study: Car Loans Canada
MobileMonkey customer Car Loans Canada changed from sending Facebook ad traffic to a webpage form to collecting car loan applications directly with a Messenger bot.
Because Messenger ads automatically capture basic lead info like name and location, users didn’t have to answer as many questions. And the conversational chatbot made it easier for people to answer questions in chat or return to the chat later to complete their application.
As a result, Car Lans Canada cut their lead acquisition costs over 40 percent and increased their captured lead conversion rate 75 percent.
Facebook Messenger Ad Benefit #3: 24/7 Automated Lead Qualification & Follow-up
One of the advantages of chatting with customers is also a drawback.
One-on-one chat is an effective avenue for persuasive sales conversations.
But one-one-conversations are costly to scale.
I’ve talked to more than one MobileMonkey customer using Messenger for lead generation, but the number of conversations a sales person can have in a day is limited by — well, hours in the day.
… Unless you can automate the initial lead qualification questions and lead nurture follow-up.
This is where another unique benefit of Facebook Messenger Ads comes in: the Facebook Messenger chatbot.
Facebook Messenger Ad Lead Qualification Case Study: Sacred Movements
MobileMonkey customer Sacred Movements cut the cost of sales by automating lead qualification with a Messenger ad bot.
Sacred Movements sent ad traffic to Facebook Messenger where they automated the initial conversation, answering questions from prospects with a bot, and ultimately increasing their meditation class sizes by 50 percent.
Facebook Messenger Ad Benefit #4: They Can Get Really Personal
The sweetest word a person can hear is their own name. We go wild for it.
Remember, using Facebook Messenger automation, you can personalize any conversation with default Facebook contact info like name and location, and take a step further by sending leads through a conversation flow designed for what they need or are looking for.
Personalizing a conversation is easy using a smart chatbot builder that funnels users to different conversation dialogues depending on what they select.
The result is more relevant offers and more closed deals.
Facebook Messenger Ad Personalization Case Study: Summit Academy OIC
MobileMonkey customer Summit Academy OIC used Facebook Messenger ads to connect to new prospective students.
By asking a few simple automated questions in Messenger, like what type of courses they are interested in, they sent follow-up information about upcoming class enrollment that was relevant to their interests.
As a result, Summit OIC increased their prospective student count by 30 percent, at a CPA 10X lower than other Facebook ad campaigns.
Facebook Messenger Ad Benefit #5: They’ve Been Shown to Outperform Other Ads 2X-10X
At the end of the day, every ad is going to be judged a success or flop by key metrics: lead volume, cost per lead, and sales.
All the bells and whistles don’t mean anything if the ad doesn’t add up on paper.
So here’s where Facebook Messenger ads win the title of the best ad out there.
The unique benefits of Facebook Messenger ads:
- Instant lead capture
- Automated qualification and follow-up
- Highly personalized and relevant
… add up to increased performance.
Facebook Messenger Ad Performance Case Study: Technosetbee
MobileMonkey customer Technosetbee increased brand awareness of its beekeeping technology by running a contest through click-to-Messenger ads.
Then they remarketed to new contacts with a special discount offer on their products.
The result is priceless:
- 97% decrease in CPA compared to other ads
- 211% increase in average order value by these customers
- And a whopping +6000% increase in bottom-line revenue
Facebook Messenger Ad Performance Case Study: MobileMonkey
At MobileMonkey, we’ve tested click-to-Messenger ads for lead gen compared to Facebook traffic ads and gotten a 97% better CPA from Messenger ads.
With traffic ads we spend about $3 to $5 per click. And our average website traffic conversion rate is 2%.
Do the math and we’re looking at $300 to $500 for 100 visitors.
Since we convert 2 out of 100 visitors, the cost per acquisition is $150 to $250 per lead.
With our new Facebook Messenger ads playbook we cut the cost to $5 a lead:
- Switched to the Facebook ad campaign objective optimized for messages.
- Send users to a Facebook Messenger chatbot.
- Save leads to the contact database in the MobileMonkey Facebook Messenger marketing platform.
After executing Facebook click-to-Messenger ad chatbot marketing campaigns, here’s what our latest click-to-Messenger campaign reports look like:
Instead of $4 per result for anonymous website traffic that converts at 2%, our CPA is between $3 and $6 for a lead with a name and direct line of contact.
There are some monumental benefits of send-to-messaging Facebook ads:
- Epic reduction of cost per lead at an average of 30-50X.
- Turns every interaction into a named contact.
- Drives users to a mobile-friendly and ultra-engaging conversion funnel experience.
How to Make a Facebook Messenger Ad That Boasts These Unique Benefits
If you’re ready to get a piece of the Messenger ad action, by now you’re wondering:
How do you put ads on Messenger?
You can build and run a Facebook Messenger ad campaign through Facebook Ads Manager.
But that won’t get you the unique benefits we talked about like instant lead capture in a contact database and automated follow-up for lead nurturing.
For that you need MobileMonkey’s Facebook advertising tools.
I’m going to show you how to make your own Facebook Messenger ads in five minutes flat using MobileMonkey’s Facebook ad builder.
Here’s how to create a Facebook Messenger ad with instant lead capture and automated lead nurture:
- Step 1: Connect your Facebook Page to a Free Forever MobileMonkey account then upgrade to a PRO account to get Facebook ad features.
- Step 2: In MobileMonkey, go to Facebook tools > Click-to-Messenger Ads > Create New Ad.
- Step 3: Set up your ad campaign target audience, budget and schedule.
- Step 4: Create the ad by cloning an existing ad’s creative and text, or by uploading an image or video and text from scratch.
- Step 5: Write the conversation flow to greet and qualify leads automatically. Hit “Send” to activate the ad.
Leads from Facebook Messenger ads are saved in your MobileMonkey contact database where you can view and segment audiences based on default Facebook contact info and previous chat history.
Facebook Messenger Ads Final Analysis
Facebook Messenger ads are a unicorn in the sea of digital ads with unique advantages over other ads.
You can reach people in Messenger and automatically capture valuable lead info without even asking for it.
The post-click ad experience is optimized for mobile and happens in chat, where customers would rather connect with businesses.
Lead qualification and follow-up is automated around the clock, saving your business on the cost of live sales and support agents.
The post-click experience is highly personalized and learns more about your prospects instead of making assumptions.
And all these benefits add up to a huge performance boost in lead volume and cost per lead acquisition.
Thanks for joining me on this epic journey of Facebook Messenger ads, my new favorite way to advertise on Facebook.
Important Next Steps
- Create a free Facebook Messenger bot today with the new Free Forever MobileMonkey Stay Connected special edition.
- Talk and learn about chatbots with other enthusiasts. Join MobileMonkey Island, a Facebook group of over 35k marketers and entrepreneurs that are ready to support you.
- Advance your marketing performance with Chatbot University, a free chatbot tutorial and training area for chat marketers. |
Airbnb is bringing furry cuddles to you. Airbnb Animal Experiences is a brand new category of Airbnb Experiences that allow people to better understand animals through caring, expert hosts and set a new standard for animal tourism. With 1,000 Experiences co-hosted by over 300 species and their human advocates, guests can now paddleboard with corgis (OMG!), kayak with conservationists, and learn alongside urban beekeepers or skateboard with a world record winning bulldog (damn son!).
Airbnb Animal Experiences offers a fresh new way to connect with animals near and far, so that even busy urbanites can reconnect with the natural world through hiking with rescue dogs, chilling out with alpacas or just cuddling cows. Guests will meet animals in places that allow for gentle observation and bring a sense of connection far beyond animal selfies or performances. For those seeking more adventure, guests can discover arctic foxes or even help rescue puppies lost within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.
Joining more than 40,000 Airbnb Experiences available across 1,000 cities worldwide,
Airbnb Animal Experiences are underpinned by a new, industry-leading animal welfare policy, created in collaboration with World Animal Protection.
Around Asia, here are five standout Airbnb Animal Experiences for travelers and locals alike, including some in Malaysia:
A guided tour of a dairy goat farm – Penang, Malaysia
Join a guided tour of a dairy goat farm, where guests will get a chance to feed and pat goats while observing their behaviour as part of a dairy farmer’s daily routine. Observe how milking is done by machine, pasteurize the milk in the traditional way and learn how goat’s milk can be naturally preserved. Guests will even get to enjoy a taste of handcrafted dairy goat products before going home.
Explore the realm of the wild Malayan Tigers – Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
Protect the wild tigers, other endangered wildlife and forests at the Yu River Tiger Corridor. On this social impact experience, guests will have a chance to record wildlife signs such as footprints and scratch marks, accompanied by the sounds of gibbons howling and calls from cicadas and birds. Help check a camera-trap, which was set up to monitor presence of wildlife and download the data. The jungle trek covers a distance of less than 10km, through wet terrain typical of a tropical rainforest, including crossing a knee-deep river. End the day by planting water tree saplings as part of efforts towards reforesting the degraded areas.
Save gibbons and forests – Phuket, Thailand
The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project succeeded in reintroducing gibbons back into the wild after they were poached to extinction some 40 years ago. Guests will step into the shoes of a gibbon research assistant, finding out more about the Project’s mission, research work and the gibbons under their care, before learning how to prepare a special nutrition ball, a supplement food wrapped in banana leaves that is then put into a long-distance feeding system. Lucky guests will also see other beautiful wildlife, trekking through the last remaining rainforest in Phuket.
Tokyo Cat Tour for Cat Lovers – Tokyo,Japan
It’s all about cats! On this Tokyo Cat Tour, cat lovers will visit one of the most famous traditional shrines in Tokyo, known as the birthplace of the maneki-neko – a cat figurine believed to bring happiness into lives by holding up a paw and bringing luck. Visit a cat cafe to enjoy a relaxing teatime surrounded by rescued cats, while learning to create an original maneki-neko to take home.
Learn Honey Beekeeping in the Himalayas – Nainital, India
Along the river Kalsa in the Himalayas, a hands-on experience at the beehive awaits, including suiting up in a beekeeping suit and learning how to care for bees. Guests will be involved in planting pollinator- friendly plants for bees, disease control, helping with colony mention and more.
You can experience additional animal experiences here too:
- Tea with Naughty Sheep (Loch Lomond, United Kingdom)
- Meet the Dogs of Chernobyl (Slavutych, Ukraine)
- Discover Arctic Foxes (Sudavik, Iceland)
- New Zealand Getaway and Horseplay (Auckland, New Zealand)
- Meet Life-Saving Animals (Siem Reap, Cambodia)
- Hike Runyon Canyon with a Rescue Dog (Los Angeles, CA)
Beyond helping people get to better understand animals and meet them in a new way, over 100 Airbnb Animal Experiences are Social Impact Experiences, cementing our commitment to animals in the long-term by directing all proceeds from bookings to nonprofits. Supporting causes such as conservation, animal rescue, and veterinary care, these Experiences help scale impact, foster empathy and include caring for rescued horses, seeing released macaws and spending a day with donkeys. |
It has been too long since I've posted so I think I had better make several posts so they don't get too big. This one is all about the bees. Not just honey bees but other pollinators as well.
The first photo is of a swarm of honey bees getting ready to land in a tree. They are flying around in what appears to be controlled chaos. It took about ten minutes or so for them to fly up out of the beehive and over to this tree near our driveway - about 40 feet away. They make a really loud buzzing sound and fly in a swooping circular pattern. They all move together as a group and settle onto something - usually a tree branch. This particular swarm actually decided to go back to the hive. I guess they decided conditions weren't right to move house at that time. We had never seen that before so I took a photo of them all crowding back into the hive. My honey man then went in and split the bees into two hives to prevent them from swarming again. When a hive swarms the old queen goes with them and a new queen is left behind with lots of bees and all the larvae to hatch out. They swarm because the hive is really strong and it's getting too crowded. It's good to catch the swarm so you have another hive but it's not always possible. Sometimes we catch them and they decide to leave again anyway. 'You never can tell with bees.' A.A. Milne
This photo of a bee being eaten by a spider is just because. This is the second time I've seen this recently. I wonder if bees taste like honey?
I left a patch of wild motherwort growing in my garden because we use it in our herbal tea, Femininitea which is for PMS and menstrual cramps. Motherwort is a natural sedative which is safe for women to use when pregnant or nursing. It has a bitter taste so we blend it with bee balm as well as cramp bark, bayberry bark, and raspberry leaves in our Femininitea which gives it a flavour similar to earl gray tea. This is a bumble bee on the motherwort flower.
Here is a honey bee collecting pollen from a gorgeous pink climbing rose. I posted a similar picture last year too but I can't resist.
Here is a very strange looking long legged bee or some kind of insect on a purple bachelor's button. I haven't figured out what it is yet but it is new to me. Anyone know what it's called?
I've been making bouquets for the farmers' markets again for several weeks now. This picture is from the Evergreen Brickworks Market. We also sell the bouquets at The Stop's Green Barns market. I use a combination of wild flowers like daisies and bladder campion, herbs like mint and oregano and garden flowers like bachelor's buttons and spurge and leaves like hostas. The varieties change over the season but I always mix them all together. 'Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them.' A.A. Milne
We have discovered these amazing organic beekeeping podcasts. I especially enjoy the fat bee man. |
The honeybee is an amazingly popular topic of conversation among the general public these days—even starring on the cover of Time magazine in 2013. No one is more acutely aware of this than beekeepers like myself. In any given audience, all I have to do is mention I’m a beekeeper, and I’m pretty much guaranteed to launch into at least a 10-minute conversation about honeybees.
“Do you make your own honey?”
“How do bees live through the winter?”
“Is it possible to handle bees without smoke?”
These are just a few of the questions the public is fascinated, even mesmerized, to learn more about. And then, of course, there’s always this request:
“Tell me about the Queen!”
Okay, since you asked (wink, wink).
It’s common knowledge that a honeybee colony is made up of mostly worker bees (the girls), maybe 5–15 percent drones (the boys, only present during the warm season), and a single queen.
A queen starts as a female egg, which, to humans, seems indistinguishable from every other female egg. On the third day, when the egg hatches, the nurse bees begin to feed the larva royal jelly. In fact, every honeybee larva—male and female, worker and queen—is fed this same royal jelly diet on days four, five, and six. But on day seven, an important change takes place. If the egg is destined to become a worker, the diet changes from royal jelly to a mixture of bee bread and honey. If the egg is destined to become a queen, the royal jelly feedings continue for days seven, eight, and nine. It’s during this time that the queen is distinguished from a worker.
The queen larva is raised in a wax comb cell that’s much larger than a worker cell, about the shape and size of a small peanut. On the ninth day, the queen cell is capped. At this point the larva is completely enclosed in the cell. It then begins the process of spinning a cocoon and transforming into a queen pupa.
By day 16, the pupa has completed the transformation and is ready to emerge as a new virgin queen.
Now that the new queen is free from her enclosure, she begins searching the combs for other competitor queens, her sisters. When she finds them not fully developed and still enclosed in their cell, she stings and kills them right there. When she finds them emerged and walking around on the comb, a fight to the death is imminent. The survivor will then assume the queen’s duties.
Think of the virgin queen as an adolescent at this stage. She needs to mature for about one week before she’s ready to fly—and then it’s time for mating. The queen has about two weeks to complete her mating flights. Within that time she needs about four sunny, warm days without a lot of wind. On such a day, she will find a Drone Congregation Area (DCA) about 60 feet in the air. This is where the drones wait for their chance to pass on their genes to the next generation. Before she’s finished, the queen will mate with 10 to 20 drones. The phallus is torn away from the drone’s body upon mating with the queen, and this usually falls away later in her flight. Sometimes, however, it remains lodged in her body, and she must fly home to get help from the workers to remove it before she can fly again.
The queen’s short period of mating prepares her for laying for her entire life. As C.P. Dadant notes in First Lessons in Beekeeping, first published in 1934, there is no “next mating period” for honeybee queens; they lose their desire to mate after the first three weeks of life.
After her mating flights are complete, the queen is ready to begin laying. Though queens sometimes delay for a few days, they must begin fairly soon to keep the colony—a superorganism—alive and healthy. Once she does begin, she won’t fly again. She will gain weight, and her abdomen will become extended and fat. These are the visual signs of a healthy queen. According to Dadant, a prolific queen is capable of laying as many as 3,000 eggs in a single day. She lays regularly from February to October, depending on the climate. Her laying will be more copious when food (nectar and pollen) is plentiful.
Although her name implies royalty, a queen’s condition is closer to that of a serf. She’s not the boss of anything. She is, in fact, completely subject to the will of the hive mind. The workers tell her when and where to lay eggs, and feed her and remove her waste. They also know how to replace the queen, if necessary. They monitor her performance and will eliminate her if she fails. She never leaves the hive. Eating and laying eggs are her main functions in life. The pampering and relatively light workload may lead to a potentially multiyear lifespan (much longer than workers and drones), but a longer life as a slave is still a slave’s life.
There may be one exception to “she never leaves the hive,” and that is if the hive mind chooses to swarm. The word swarm frequently invokes the idea of fear in our society. This is sad in the case of honeybees because nothing could be further from truth. A honeybee swarm is the birth of a new colony. They are not angry, they simply seek a new home. In fact, this is their most docile state. A honeybee’s instinct to sting is all about defending their home. During the swarm event, they have no home to defend. Therefore, they are very unlikely to sting. Unlikely doesn’t mean “they will not sting,” but fear about stinging with respect to swarms is mostly unfounded.
As the bees prepare to swarm, the queen is forcibly run around and around the frames to make her lose weight. Workers also withhold food until the queen achieves the desired weight. This is all to prepare her to fly, which she has not done since her mating flights.
When swarming day comes, it’s the old queen that gets “the boot.” She will fly with a large portion of the bees in the colony, perhaps 50 percent. Her companions will be mostly young worker bees. Young bees have wax glands ready to create new wax comb, which is the first order of business when they arrive at their new home.
They leave behind new queens developing in capped queen cells. Frequently, the swarm launches on the day new queen cells are capped.
And so begins the cycle again. The new queen, when she emerges, inherits the old hive previously occupied by her mother.
Now that you know about honeybee queens, maybe it’s time to learn about drones and workers. Maybe you’re inspired to learn more. Maybe you’re now on your way to becoming a beekeeper. It could happen—maybe even today. |
North Americans are missing a great canvas. The beehive. Solid, often white and publicly visible, it should be used by artists more often. I’ve been lucky enough to work hives in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and South America. Surprisingly, the most decorated colonies are in one of the most traditional cultures. Slovenia – a tiny country wedged between Italy, Austria, and Croatia – is known for its somber, hard-working folks. Slovenians honour seriousness. They tend towards understatement and practical good sense in their homes, architecture, and businesses. One might think them dour but they sure have some funky beehives. Like the one to your left. Hideous, isn’t it? It shows a woman – the village gossip – with her tongue against the sharpening stone, held in place by devils. The hive panel, called a panjske končnice, is nailed to the front of the hive, near the hive entrance. It helps the bees find their home. Slovenian hives are sometimes stacked atop each other, sometimes squeezed onto semi-permanent trailers, sometimes lined up tightly on the porch near the kitchen door. Without colourful markers, bees could easily flounder. The entrance panels serve a dual purpose – they keep both bees and souls from being lost. Traditional thought remains strong in Slovenia. These message boards are still pretty common, as are their moral messages.
In Chile, my friend Francisco Rey stocks queen-mating nucs like the ones in the next picture. He told me that he turns his helpers loose with paints and brushes, telling them, “Divertirse!” And they do have fun. The only instruction is to be creative. The Chilean paint job serves the same function as the Slovenian entrance board – to help bees find their way home. This, as you likely know, is particularly important when young queens are on their nuptial flights. It would be too easy to end up in the wrong nuc if the boxes looked like houses in Smallville, Indiana. And residents would be like so many party girls coming home late on a weekend night, not quite sure where they belong. (For that, the Slovenians also have an appropriate hive panel.)
Meanwhile, in North America, we aren’t much into hive art. I think that’s a legacy of our puritanic heritage. Functional and practical and white are preferred. I am just as guilty as most beekeepers here, as you can see in the picture below, from an incredibly dull bee yard we have in Vulcan County, Alberta, Canada. The bees might make more honey if their boxes had eccentric colours and if the hives were aligned less straightly. But don’t they look great?
Exciting beehives are rare on this continent. It is so uncommon, in fact, that painted hives make the news. At least, beekeeping news. American Bee Journal featured artist Jill Sanders‘ great hive art on their June, 2014, magazine cover. And out at UCLA Davis, Diane Ullman’s half-acre bee garden, the Haagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven, has a whole bunch of interestingly painted beehives. In this case, too, the painted bee boxes are cool enough to be written about, as you will see if you follow this link. I like the colourful hives, they certainly help bees find their homes, but we North Americans mostly employ drab monotonous unaesthetic hives, rarely straying from “white” as a fashion statement. |
2 edition of Experiments with bees found in the catalog.
Experiments with bees
by Amateur Entomologists" Society
Written in English
|Statement||by W. Hamilton.|
The bees will arrive, pack mud into the tubes, and begin pollinating all the plants in your backyard. Twenty experiments and activities reveal even more about bees--how to smell like a bee, understand the role of flowers and pollen, learn how bees communicate with each other through "dance," and more. This series is designed for those who are currently learning the reading street stories. They can be played whilst your child reads along. This will .
Save the Bees. December 4, Mason bees are perfect for observation and experiments. These fact- and fun-filled book includes tons of simple, kid-tested science experiments, many of which can be done with items found around the house, and require little-to-no supervision! Bees are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, known for their role in pollination and, in the case of the best-known bee species, the western honey bee, for producing honey and are a monophyletic lineage within the superfamily are presently considered a clade, called are o known species of bees in seven recognized biological Class: Insecta.
A recent experiment published in the journal Science, for instance, suggested that bees have their own version of optimism, as The Washington . Get this from a library! Turn this book into a beehive: and 19 other experiments and activities that explore the amazing world of bees. [Lynn Brunelle; Anna-Maria Jung] -- "What a promise! Actually, promises. First, here's a book that teaches kids all about the fascinating world of bees. Second, fun exercises, activities, and illustrations engage the imagination and.
Overseas markets for Oregon and Washington dried prunes
Health for the asking
The twenty-one balloons
Open Learning in Action (Open Learning Guide)
Farm population of the United States
Textbook of the English conflict of laws:( private international law).
Letters to a young Iowan
The child rights in Islam
Annual Summary of Investigations Relating to Reading
Catalogue of the Arabic mauscripts in the collection of the Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal
To be greatest in Christs kingdom, a necessary qualification in gospel ministers
pictorial book of anecdotes and incidents of the war of the rebellion, civil, military, naval and domestic ... from the time of the memorable toast of Andrew Jackson--The federal union; it must be preserved! ... to the assassination of President Lincoln, and the end of the war.
Pioneer days of Angels Camp
The bees will arrive, pack mud into the tubes, and begin pollinating all the plants in your backyard. Twenty experiments and activities reveal even more about bees—how to smell like a bee, understand the role of flowers and pollen, learn how bees communicate with each other through “dance,” and more/5(28).
Experiments with Bees on *FREE* shipping on qualifying : Paperback. Bees also recognize man-made patterns; sometimes beekeepers put a symbol on a new hive so their bees can remember which is the right one.
Do this experiment to test how well bees recognize patterns – and see if you can fool them. You’ll need about a week to do this project, with time to check your homemade bee feeder every day.
What You Need. Bees are studied globally for their importance in pollination and food security, as indicators of their environments, and for some species' intelligent and social communities.
Culturally, humans have been fascinated by honey and bees since ancient times, and beekeeping as a hobby and profession is practiced around the world.
Jul 9, - Explore fivekidsbooks's board "Childrens' Books about Bees" Experiments with bees book Pinterest. See more ideas about Childrens books, Bee book and Books pins. Fun Science Experiments- Pollination Experiment.
Fun science experiments that show kids how things happen in nature like pollination help children build an understanding of how nature works. This FREE pollen mini book will help your students as they learn about flowers, pollinators, or bees.
Bees, numbered for a study, dance, beep and butt heads to swap information. For 40 years he has come up with experiments that have allowed him to decipher the rules honeybees use for their. 9 thoughts on “ Honey Bees: Science Activities for Kids Experiments with bees book Pingback: The Buzz on Bees Susan Wallace J at am.
Thank you for all the wonderful, smart ideas to help the honey bees. I am currently researching projects to get my young granddaughters to appreciate what is happening to honey bees, and how THEY can help. If you like this experiment, here are a number of science experiments for kids on my Early Learning- Science Pinterest Board I hope you will check them out.
Here are some wonderful books about bees: In the Trees, Honey Bees. – This beautiful book shares the life of. The bees will arrive, pack mud into the tubes, and begin pollinating all the plants in your backyard.
Twenty experiments and activities reveal even more about bees—how to smell like a bee, understand the role of flowers and pollen, learn how bees communicate with each other through “dance,” and more. During this project you will perform some experiments and do some research about bees and finally prepare a report and display.
Details of this project More details of this project are available in the members section of web site. Since research on this subject has a long history, you might also be able to find good books.
The Real Buzz on Bees What a promise. Actually, promises. First, here’s a book that teaches kids all about the fascinating world of bees. Second, fun exercises, activities, and illustrations engage the imagination and offer a deeper understanding of bee life and bee behavior.
Third, by following a few simple steps including removing the book’s cover and taping it together, readers can.
Mason bees are all around us, don't sting, and are vital helpers to gardens. This book is full of fun experiments, fascinating info and did I mention you get to make a bee hive. Using the cover and paper supplies in the back the bee hive is simple and easy to make and the bees will come to.
Determine whether bees and wasps can be trained to detect quagga mussels attached to water recreational vehicles at lakeside checkpoints thus providing an economical on-site investigative method for park rangers to prevent cross contamination of waterways.
Insect Science Fair Projects & Experiments. Useful Links. R=Resource. Science Fair. This Life Cycle of a Bee Layer Book is a great way to get started learning about bees with your children. This printable is a simple layer book all about the life cycle of bees.
Each page includes an image and notebooking lines for your child to write down facts about bees. In her experiments, bees were shown various pairs of black and white patterns on a horizontal surface, and were rewarded for going to one of these patterns.
Then the reward was removed and either the pattern to which the bee was trained, or the unrewarded pattern was exchanged for a pattern of similar but not identical : Howard C Howland. This book is brilliant. It is delightfully illustrated and filled with fun facts about bees and why they are important, as well as lots of amazing and easy experiments for young minds to try.
As if that wasn't enough, the entire book becomes a beehive for mason bees - so your child can be crafty while participating in saving the planet. Karl Ritter von Frisch, ForMemRS (20 November – 12 June ) was an Austrian ethologist who received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine inalong with Nikolaas Tinbergen and Konrad Lorenz.
His work centered on investigations of the sensory perceptions of the honey bee and he was one of the first to translate the meaning of the waggle : 20 NovemberVienna, Austria-Hungary. The best thing to come out of reading this book is finding the following: The Bees is really about a beehive where the bees have been anthropomorphized and talk and shit.
Amazing that that bit of info seems to be a spoiler for some. Heck, that was the whole reason I wanted to read it - an unusual premise is a quick sell for me/5. Turn This Book Into a Beehive and 19 Other Experiments and Activities That Explore the This is a kid's hands-on guide to understanding the world of bees, in a book that turns into a working beehive to house a colony of friendly, efficient—and non-stinging!—mason bees/5.
Dead bees found on the ground around your hive are fine. We need controls from rural, forest and surburban habitats in addition to urban bees. Send the (dead) bees to: The Georgia Tech Urban Honey Bee Project c/o Jennifer Leavey, 4th St.
NW, Atlanta, GA, A Book About the Grassland Ecosystem - perfect for older kids, this book shows how all living things depend on each other and what can happen if bees were to disappear. Jump into Science: Honeybees - a great early science book about bees! The Honey Makers - a great nonfiction book by Gail Gibbons gives the reader an inside look at the life of bees.Here's some activities and quizzes you may like to do with your child based on the Usborne book Why do we need bees?
Download or view online Find more experiments and science in these books. |
When considering continual monitoring of the occasion, a place or folk the manpower that may be mandated is amazingly pricey. The use of drones for monitoring uses is obviously a move while in the best course. Drone monitoring solutions of assorted kinds are now readily available just where support companies provide you with continuous monitoring of whatever you might be choosing them for.
Similar to amazon drones with camera, Sooner or later an entrepreneur offered the chalkboard presentation you will be about to scan to 7 buyers, amongst them acted over the important information and retired wealthy in underneath an individual yr. He went on to write worldwide optimum sellers books that were translated into dozens of languages. The opposite six people today spent the remainder of their life as employee bees and are either dead or dead broke!
Should you inquire anyone what they feel of as you say ‘drone’ they can routinely head straight to the armed forces when believe it or not, the business drones marketplace is alot more lucrative. The business drones field is escalating by just about 20% each individual solitary year additionally, the community has expanded as the consequence. The introduction of high-quality cameras and efficient GPS coupled with sleek pattern has meant that a little more people today use quadcopters for recreational use than ever in advance of. This can be linked to amazon drones with camera.
From Operating Drone to Practitioner to Specialist to Authority; just about every business presents you with a positioning continuum. The place does one find yourself without delay? And does one dread the next level?
If you’re opening a drone or UAV firm you then preferably should examine this article. It features the goals which may assist you create a flourishing home business.
Drones are one in all the newest things that are likely to impact the world inside a premier way on the coming decades. The highest quality facet of drones is they will generate careers for thousands of people simply because since the use of drones expand, so will the need for experienced unmanned motor vehicle pilots will strengthen radically.
To some RC drone fanatics, folks who like to do FPV taking pictures could perhaps favor the high-resolution FPV cameras. At this content, I’ll reveal you a whole new Hd FPV digital camera Runcam Eagle. This a particular also boasts a awesome appearance pattern plus a tricky physique framework.
There seems to get quite a lot of flak greater than our unmanned aerial drone software, plus much more and a lot more men and women are deciding the lethal usage of weaponry from drones is inhumane. Yet, I question is it any far more humane for an aircraft with a pilot to fire off a rocket or simply a strategic clever bomb on a concentrate on? It seems to me that aircraft dropping a bomb is inhumane due to the fact that it primarily just isn’t acknowledged in which it should land, except if it can be among the current working day practical bombs.
Determine all in regards to the domestication of honey bees and exactly how honey is cultivated over time. All kinds of useful tid bits about whatever you really want for ones awfully private beekeeping set up. Discover whatever you ought to know and wish to get for the individual Comfortable Nourishing Hive!
Okay so, we know drones are flying near in other nations thanks to our armed service, and CIA surveillance, but did you know they’re also flying drones all around below within the US in addition? In fact, a dozen or so agencies are flying these important things, too as defense contractors carrying out the testing for the army. Often times though, it appears no an individual seems for being aware of who or what agencies are traveling them available currently?
Get ready for take off with an airplane theme party. Your toddlers will enjoy high-flying fun in first class style, as you taxi down the runway, celebrating one more year of life of your little pilot! |
Events happening today
07 July 2020 06:00 AM 08:00 AM
This event repeats every week on Tuesday forever
Spring has sprung, and my phone is ringing daily with enquiries from people wanting to learn about beekeeping, so it must be time to run our annual beginners course again.
Run over six weeks commencing 26 September, Tuesday evenings, 7-9pm, and we'll also fit in at least one apiary visit on a weekend as weather allows.
We'll cover everything you need to know to keep a beehive happy and healthy throughout the year, including hive style options, health and disease management, legalities, honey production and much more.
Whether you've already got a hive and just want to beef up or are just thinking about taking the plunge, come along and have some fun.
All hive types and methodologies/philosophies covered.... Theoretical, legal and practical.
Contact me (Deanna) to register - phone home evenings (06) 876 8852.
Cost: $50 per person/family.
Community Calendar 0 Comments |
Activities & Information for the Next Generation of Beekeepers
The mission of the Kids and Bees program is to educate the next generation of Americans on the importance of honey bees and inspire them to take part in the preservation of honey bees.
Kids and Bees is thankful for generous support from the Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees. To support our work, please consider making a donation today at: www.preservationofhoneybees.org
This program was developed by the "Bee Lady" Kim Lehman in the early 1990s. Kim is a storyteller, beekeeper, artist and brilliant educator. She was able to develop curriculum that brought beekeeping and bee love across the country, many times over, during her nearly twenty years of facilitating the program.
In 2012, the Bee Lady transitioned the program to the "Bee Girl" Sarah Red-Laird. Sarah is the executive director of the Bee Girl organization which runs six programs focused on beekeeping education and honey bee conservation. Sarah's passion and enthusiasm for teaching kids about bees has helped the program grow to feature events for kids not only at the American Beekeeping Federation Conference & Tradeshow but also at the Western and Eastern Apicultural Societies' conferences. She is also working to develop curriculum to share with beekeepers interested in teaching kids about bees and to create connections between bee education, sustainable agriculture and planting for pollinators.
To stay connected with the Kids and Bees program and to be in the know about our upcoming events and programs, follow us on Twitter @kidsandbees and Facebook.
Questions or comments about the Kids and Bees program?
Contact Kids and Bees Program Director Sarah Red-Laird at [email protected].
Local and visiting elementary-aged kids are welcomed to join us at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel to participate in the Kids and Bees program. This no-charge, educational program has been a featured event during the ABF Conference & Tradeshow for over 20 years and is a don’t-miss opportunity for school groups, home-schooled kids, scouts and clubs.
Date: Friday, January 10, 2020
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
View the event details on the Kids and Bees Facebook page!
Kids and their teachers or parents can expect a room full of hands-on exhibits under the themes “The Art of Beekeeping,” “The Science of Beekeeping,” “The World of Beekeeping” and “The Future of Bees: It’s Up to You!” Learn about the art and science behind beeswax, honey, pollination, ultraviolet bee vision and so much more! Students will make their way through each station, engaging with beekeepers from around the United States in activities that will harness their senses and imaginations.
Are you a beekeeper local to Illinois? Are you a beekeeper attending the ABF Conference & Tradeshow? We’re looking for about 30 volunteers to help teach kids all about bees during the event. For more information on volunteering or to sign up, contact us at [email protected] or 541-709-1127.
Click here to register for Kids and Bees Schaumburg!
Bee Girl’s Favorite Bee Books for Kids
Flight of the Honey Bee by Raymond Huber
Follow the flight of a honey bee as she searches for nectar to sustain her hive and, along the way, pollinates flowers to produce seeds and fruits. A tiny honey bee emerges from the hive for the first time. Using sunlight, landmarks, and scents to remember the path, she goes in search of pollen and nectar to share with the thousands of other bees in her hive. She uses her powerful sense of smell to locate the flowers that sustain her, avoids birds that might eat her, and returns home to share her finds with her many sisters. Nature lovers and scientists-to-be are invited to explore the fascinating life of a honey bee. Back matter includes information about protecting bees and an index. $6.99, Amazon.com
Are You a Bee? by Judy Allen
Backyard Books: Are You a Bee? by Judy Allen with illustrations by Tudor Humphries shows that--from the perspective of a honeybee--the backyard is a busy place. A young bee faces many challenges as it takes its place in the hive and joins in the work of the bee community. $6.25, Amazon.com
The Beeman by Laurie Krebs
Note: Dr. Dewey Caron consulted on this book.
Told from the viewpoint of a child whose Grandpa is a beekeeper, this rhyming text offers an accessible and engaging introduction to the behavior of bees. You will learn where they live, how honey is made, what a beekeeper does, and more. Now in paperback! $8.99, Amazon.com
In the Trees, Honey Bees! by Lori Mortensen
Here is the ideal introduction for preschoolers and early elementary children to insects that are not only amazing but also critically important to humans. Inside-the-hive views of a wild colony of honey bees offer close-ups of the queen, the cells, even bee eggs. Simple verse will engage a young child, while sidebars with fascinating information satisfy the somewhat older child. Parents, teachers, and interested children will enjoy much more information about both wild and domestic hives in the back of the book. The detailed art shimmers with life, highlighting each hair or grain of pollen on the bees. A wild hive in a tree in her own backyard served as a model for the artist! $7.50, Amazon.com
This page will guide you to the last few years of "Kids and Bees" columns by Sara Red-Laird, filled with information on books for kids about bees, kids with bees safety and more!
More Amazing Resources
Click the titles below to check out some great resources for kids of all ages!
Sweet Virginia's "Hive Alive" Curriculum
Sweet Virginia's lesson plans help you lead your students to experience the wonder of the honey bee. You'll find five lessons that can be used as we have presented them, in any order, or individually. The lesson pages include high-level summaries and activities and may be used by teachers and students; the full lesson PDFs include more background for teachers, readings and resources, and step-by-step instructions for lesson delivery.
Edible Schoolyard node 5505
In this lesson, students discuss bees and the importance of pollinators. They then catch and observe bees in the garden. You'll find that stand-aligned objectives, assessments, and procedures are already written for you to a middle school level. A great resource for helping kids understand the connections between bees and their own garden!
Vitamin Bee delivers huge doses of fun and much more with his curious facts about foods and the life of a bee, kid-friendly recipes and tips, all wrapped up in his love of music, art, and silly antics, that will inspire kids to make healthy choices, one episode at a time. Vitamin Bee also encourages kids, families, and schools to learn and work together in order to build the support needed to create a long-lasting healthy environment.
Phineas and Ferb Waggle Dance
A fun, musical introduction to the waggle dance explained by well-recognized Phineas and Ferb characters. It's a catchy song that the kids are bound to be singing for days!
PBS SciGirls "Bee Haven" Episode
An episode where the SciGirls use math, mapping and data visualization to help a colony of bees thrive in a downtown Phoenix neighborhood. Learn the basics of setting up a happy healthy honey bee hive in the city. This episode also teaches kids about mathematical survey techniques that can be used to quantify the number and diversity of plants in a neighborhood. Great for encouraging young girls to get excited about science and bees!
Pollinator Partnership Bee Smart Kit
A kit available for purchase that includes 10 lesson plans with pre- and post-tests, worksheets, relevant materials to each lesson. Lesson are geared towards children grade 3 to 6 and can be approached a few different ways: using school land to create/augment a garden habitat, using other demonstration areas to create/visit garden habitat, or using only in-classroom lessons and on-line experiences without a garden.
Montana Pollinator Education Project
A wide range of resources including: bulletin board illustration/information cards, lesson plans for grades 2 to 8, recommended reading for students and teachers, and link to additional resources for teachers and students. This website covers all forms of pollinators, not just bees! A wide range of materials and approaches here—excellent!
USFWS Pollinator Study
A blog post from U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Pacific Region about the importance and diversity of pollinators. The post discusses an ongoing study inventorying the bee species present on wildlife refuges and the implications of the results. It also discusses pollinator decline.
USFWS Pollinator Program
A U.S. Fish & Wildlife page dedicated to pollinator education. This site has everything from educational video links to explanations of how you can help pollinators in your daily life. It also included in-depth definitions of pollinators and pollination, as well as links to pollinator trails near you. A great resource for those looking to educate themselves and those around them.
The Great Sunflower Project
People all over the country are collecting data on pollinators in their yards, gardens, schools and parks. This project takes counts of the number and types of pollinators visiting plants (especially sunflowers). They have been gathering information on pollinator service since 2008, and now have the largest single body of information about bee pollinator service in North America. Utilizing their thousands of observers, they can determine where pollinator service is strong or weak compared to averages.
National Geographic Kids
An entertaining description of honey bee relating to their lifestyles and importance. It includes a few fun facts like how large they are and how fast they fly.
NASA's Climate Kids: A Bee is More Than a Bug
An awesome description of how to make a clay bee and bee hive! The website also includes some information on topics such as threats to bees and bee life cycle.
Today in Louisiana Agriculture "Sweet Knowledge" Video
A short video to find inspiration for your own "World Honey Bee Day!"
The Honey Files: A Bee's Life - A Teaching Guide, Grade Levels 4-6
An extensive resource for teachers that includes 13 different activities, accompanying worksheets, and an educator’s overview on each topic. The overviews are a great resource for those who want to teach about bees but may not know a whole lot themselves!
"Wings of Life" Movie
From Disneynature, the studio that brought you "Earth," "Oceans," "African Cats," and "Chimpanzee," comes "Wings of Life" – a stunning adventure full of intrigue, drama and mesmerizing beauty. Narrated by Meryl Streep, this intimate and unprecedented look at butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, bats and flowers is a celebration of life, as a third of the world’s food supply depends on these incredible – and increasingly threatened – creatures.
The Story of Bees! Game
Enter the fascinating world of honey bees with this imaginative and educational game! Children will delight as they become part of a swarm in search of a new nesting site. Each child assumes the role of a worker bee with special job assignments to help their colony grow. As they act out their jobs, a compelling tale unfolds: The Story of Bees! Children will buzz, run, sing and dance their way through colony life all while learning real, factual information about bees. They will face threats, make sacrifices and overcome it together, illustrating the benefits of teamwork. The Story of Bees! is flexible and can be played in a variety of settings with mixed ages and with a large range of group sizes. |
“There really isn’t a beginning or an end in distilling,” says Maggie Campbell. “What I make today is intended for years in the future, and what I am tasting now is from years in the past. The experience leaves you unstuck in time, like the movie Arrival.”
Sharp observations like these come easily to Campbell, president and head distiller of Privateer Rum in Ipswich, Massachusetts, so it’s not that surprising to learn that she was a Philosophy major at the University of Colorado. Distilling didn’t come into her professional purview until later, after a job at a spice house helped the Los Angeles native realize she had a natural predilection for aromas and flavors.
She made whiskey and brandy in Colorado and California before landing at Privateer, an award-winning rum-making operation, in 2012. “I love that rum is so global and varied,” says Campbell of what separates this spirit from others. But she still finds time to mess around with non-cane side projects, like the single cask of whiskey Privateer plans to release early next year.
Campbell strives to help others in the business—she’s passionate about collaborating with other industry leaders to improve and increase industry job opportunities for women, people of color and members of the queer community. But she hasn’t stopped investing in improving her own perspective, either. Campbell hopes to be the first distiller to pass the infamous Masters of Wine Examination, an accomplishment most frequently associated with the world’s top-ranking sommeliers.
So what does Campbell do when she’s not distilling rum? Here, she takes a stab at our Lookbook Questionnaire to share her love of Joni Mitchell and Genesis P-Orridge of Throbbing Gristle, as well as the most horrible thing she’s ever had to drink. – Zachary Sussman
President, Head Distiller at Privateer Rum
What do you want to be when you grow up?
In my marriage and life I’ve been inspired by Genesis P-Orridge [artist, member of bands Throbbing Gristle, Psychic TV]. On the obvious surface I live my life very differently than them, but the fact that they and Lady Jaye turned their life and love into a piece of living performance art really spoke to me—it was the first time marriage really made sense to me in a real way. I don’t think my husband and I will surgically alter our bodies to become one entity or anything, but in my career and life, some elements really speak to me and keep me grounded in the chaos.
Best thing you ever drank:
I had a large-format 1977 vintage port with Paul Symington of Oporto on my birthday. After dinner, we went on a short walk where he showed me the house he was born in. It was pure magic.
Worst thing you ever drank:
A “Daiquiri” with no ice or citrus. It tasted like stomach acid.
First time you ever got drunk:
Not until I was 22 or 23. I wasn’t a very trusting person, so I kept my wits about me for a long time.
If you had to listen to one album on loop, for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Joni Mitchell, Blue. I couldn’t live without it. It’s a totally different album based on what phase of life I am in.
What’s the weirdest hobby you currently have or have had?
Oh my, I sadly have a lot of these. I did glass-blowing to make money during college. I also worked as a farrier assistant holding horses as they got their shoes put on. Beekeeping isn’t weird, but it is the most restoring and stress-relieving hobby I have ever found. All other thoughts leave my mind, and I’m just there buzzing along with my ladies. I also love honey, so that part is a nice bonus.
What do you know now that you wish you’d known five years ago?
I wish I had known better and more effective ways to approach the Masters of Wine. I was fortunate to pass theory first try, but I feel I could be much further toward passing tasting had I been studying more effectively my first year. As of this writing, I am waiting for my results on my second attempt for tasting. Everything about the Masters of Wine informs my distilling work. We bottle our single-cask rums very much like the en rama style in sherry (direct from cask, no filter, no proofing). The MW perspective changes how I taste and look at how our rum is enjoyed.
Weirdest cocktail experiment you’ve ever attempted:
About five years ago, I went to a dinner where the chef paired the meal’s course to Purple Rain. I wanted to make a purple daiquiri. I used a touch of blue curacao and homemade pomegranate grenadine and let the pH of the lime juice alter it to an electric purple hue. It tasted pretty okay and looked great.
What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not eating, drinking or drink-making?
My husband and I live on a colonial-era farm that we are constantly working on. This year was all about the heritage and heirloom apples. We did grafting seminars and scion exchanges all spring. Next season I am putting in a series of pollinator beds that I am planning now — lots of buckwheat, radishes that will be left to bolt, and mustard.
Weirdest drink request you’ve ever gotten:
I have a lot of sober friends, so I have made a number of non-alcoholic cocktails I never thought possible by their request. Recently I was inspired by a Columbia Room cocktail made by J.P. Fetherston that was called ‘This is Not a Rosé,” made with our silver rum, cucumber water, and some other ingredients, served ice-cold in a wine glass. It looked and smelled just like rosé! I tried to see if I could do the same non-alcoholic with grapefruit juice, clarified cucumber water, and a bit of garrigue herb-infused distilled water … I’m still working on it.
Your favorite bar, and why:
We have three favorite spots in rotation: Sarma and Bar Mezzana in Boston, as well as The Baldwin Bar in Woburn. We call these our “home bars” because we can really be ourselves. It’s nice to go out and not have it become work. I travel to London six to eight times a year and I never miss a chance to go to Coupette.
Best meal you’ve ever had:
An orange I ate in Portugal. My hands smelled like blossoms for the rest of the day.
What’s your go-to drink in a cocktail bar?
Rum Boulevardier. One of my local places calls this order a “Killjoy” after me. It’s a long story.
A lean and mineral Chablis.
In a dive bar?
A bottle of beer. Mostly I hate the taste of dirty lines.
Your preferred hangover recovery regime:
I rarely drink to excess and think I have had two, maybe three hangovers in my life. I stay in bed, really pamper myself with junk TV or movies, and drink an ice-cold Coke.
The one thing you wish would disappear from drink lists forever:
Eh, let the people do their thing. I’m not the drinks police.
The last text message you sent:
“Candy, Carhartts and kittens at the Pennyworths!” followed by many nonsense Emojis, mostly mermaids. |
Obituary of Andrew Dutka
Andrew J. Dutka, 95 of Glastonbury passed away at home on Thursday June 6. Andrew was born March 16, 1924 in Griswold CT, son of the late Andrew & Mary Dutka. Andrew served his country in the 101st Airborne Division of the Army as a paratrooper from 1943-1945 and participated in the Battle of the Bulge and the Battle Market Garden. Upon returning from his service in the war, he attended Indiana Institute of Technology in Fort Wayne, IN and earned degrees in Mechanical and Civil Engineering. He was employed for 37 years at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford retiring in 1987 and spent many years in retirement gardening, beekeeping, and tinkering. A resident of Glastonbury for 53 years, Andrew was a member of St Paul Roman Catholic Church.
Andrew is survived by his loving wife of 62 years Lorraine (Desrocher) and his 4 children Lynn Boudreau and husband JC of Richmond, NH, James Dutka of New York City, Thomas Dutka and his wife Lynne of Marlborough, CT and Nancy Stetson of Glastonbury, CT. In addition, he had 4 beloved grandchildren Nicole Boudreau and her husband Adam Abelson, Joseph Boudreau and his wife Shayna, Hannah Stetson and Lauren Stetson and 2 great grandchildren Edythe Boudreau and Drew Boudreau. He also leaves his sister Mary F. Dutka of Griswold, CT and was predeceased by his siblings Joseph, Anna, Helen, Matthew and Angeline.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday June 10th at 10:00am at The Community of Ss. Isidore and Maria at St. Paul Church, 2577 Main St., Glastonbury. Burial with military honors will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery on Hebron Avenue, Glastonbury. Friends may call on Sunday June 9th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Mulryan Funeral Home, 725 Hebron Ave., Glastonbury. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517 |
We offer 2-hour tours of our bee farm. This includes hands-on experience and learning. We call it a party tour because it sounds more fun but, simply put, it’s an opportunity to explore the world of beekeeping without too much technical jargon.
This is perfect for any age and skill level and is a fun experience for all ages. Since we’re working with live bees, every experience is different so we have many people who come to these tours time and time again. Bring a friend or come solo, either way, you’ll have a blast!
What to expect at your farm tour class?
This is a more generalized class to appeal to all levels of beekeepers and bee friendlies. Our goal in providing these tours is to raise awareness of pollinators as well as to meet our local community, beekeepers, and keep an open dialogue about beekeeping. It’s a fulfilling hobby and career. |
Crowdfunding Campaigns That Need Your Support During COVID-19
Note: This page will be continually updated as we receive updates from enterprises.
The impact of COVID-19 on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) has been immediate, and the financial losses are likely to be felt for a long time. Crowdfunding is one way businesses are staying afloat during these difficult times, to mitigate their COVID-related financial losses and hopefully bounce back stronger.
Below is a list of campaigns launched by enterprises. These campaigns aim to provide financial and non-financial support to health facilities and people in vulnerable conditions. We invite you to support these if you can!
COVID-Related Crowdfunding Campaigns & Funding Requests
Tamul Plates Marketing Pvt. Ltd. (“Tamul”) produces biodegradable disposable dinnerware, through community-owned micro-enterprises spread across Assam. The loss of income during the recent India-wide lockdown months has made the communities involved in Tamul’s value chain, highly dependent on Tamul to provide them with additional support to overcome this crisis. They are not only losing their immediate livelihood opportunities but also their annual agri-product sale opportunities.
Tamul is supporting women and youth from poor tribal families with extra cash during this crisis so that they can meet their essential needs.
Contribute to their campaign and see their latest updates here.
Stonesoup is distributing reusable menstrual hygiene kits to migrant workers and poor people who do not have the money to buy menstrual supplies during COVID-19. Unlike disposable pads, their products leave no waste behind, making this an ideal choice during these troubled times.
Support their initiative to help women and girls and find out more here.
India & Nepal: Pollinate Group’s COVID-19 100 day response
The Pollinate Group has always fought to address poverty, gender inequality and energy access, but COVID-19 is increasing these issues, and progress is being undone. The crisis demands that they magnify their impact.
They are currently raising funds to ensure women living in extreme poverty in India and Nepal can regain income earning opportunities. They work with local communities to provide affordable access to the products people are telling them they need, to rebuild their lives.
Here is an infographic that shows their 100-day response, including actions and outcomes in their first 30 days.
Donations can be gifted here.
Kenya: COVID-19 Rapid Response Support for Marginalised Communities
The Golden Eagles Network Foundation is working to provide marginalised semi-arid communities with food, essential hygiene kits, access to clean water, vital public health information, as well as learning materials and support to keep families and children safe. The vast majority of people in these communities are illiterate and lack access to information, so the Golden Eagles Network Foundation have no option other than door to door sensitisation. During these home visits, their trained teams wear face masks, gloves and carry each 50ml hand sanitiser.
They are currently looking for funding to provide face masks to rural communities, and families who live in crowded conditions where self-isolation is not an option such as refugee camps and slum villages. As well as providing meals to elderly neighbours, supporting those without access to soap and running water and launching digital mental health campaigns to support the youth who are feeling isolated.
When it comes to COVID-19, the residents of Dzaleka Refugee Camp are especially vulnerable to the threat.
The lack of running water combined with overcrowding, make infection prevention a near-impossible task. A hand-to-mouth existence also makes bulk food shopping difficult and life in lockdown unbearable for the residents, as UN food distributions only cover enough for 12 meals a month.
Dzaleka refugees need your help. The goal is to reach 1,500 households by raising $153,750. This will enable Kibebe to supply food packs, soap and face masks.
$10 buys twenty-eight bars of soap, $50 buys sixteen face masks, and $100 provides a family of five with food for a month.
Support the Dzaleka refugees by donating here.
Malawi: The Mobile Msika Wathu Project - A Mobile-based Marketing Platform for Agricultural Products to Reduce the Mobility of People and Help Fight COVID-19
The Mobile Msika Wathu Project aims at bridging the gap between the buyer and the seller of agricultural products in Malawi through the use of Short Message Services (SMS) in order to minimise the mobility of people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
They are seeking financial resources to implement their initiative.
Malawi: Enhancing Preventive Measures for Coronavirus Awareness Campaign
The Project aims to stop the spread of the coronavirus amongst residents living in the tourist areas of Salima and Mangochi in Malawi. They are in direct or indirect contact with tourists from high-risk areas for COVID-19 infection. The awareness campaign organised by Charity Hand Organisation (CHO) is aimed at educating Salima and Mangochi residents on the preventive measures they need to put in place in their day to day activities so that they can protect themselves and others and help stop the spread of COVID-19.
The proposed budget for the project: $ 37,820.67
Malawi: COVID-19 Sensitization Campaign by the Youth in Machinga District, Traditional Authority Liwonde
The youth in Machinga District, Traditional Authority Liwonde have organized a COVID-19 sensitization campaign to the people around Nayuchi Border which borders Malawi and Mozambique. The campaign is focused on teaching COVID-19 preventive measures and distributing face masks, soap and hand sanitisers to vulnerable people for free.
Their target is to reach 20,000 elderly people and orphans. They plan to make homemade sanitisers that will be distributed to vulnerable people (orphans & women) and teach the youth how to make hand sanitiser and face masks.
They are requesting financial support and the proposed budget for the project is $30,000.
MeCAHT is raising money to make face masks to support the victims of human trafficking who are already vulnerable as most of them have compromised immune systems.
MeCAHT also works to prevent more cases of trafficking from occurring. Through their reintegration centre, they provide an opportunity for women to gain work experience, develop skills, pay bills and access counselling.
Donate and find out more here.
To slow the spread of the coronavirus, health workers, health facilities and people living in Masindi, Uganda are in urgent need of face masks, sanitisers and handwashing cans. Safeplan Uganda will provide 200 handwashing cans, 1,000 litres of liquid soap and 500 litres of sanitisers. Sanitisers will be prioritised for health facilities while hand washing and liquid soap will be supplied to both health facilities, market places and individual families unable to afford washing soap.
Contribute to their campaign here.
Kisoro district in southwestern Uganda has experienced a series of floods and landslides over the past two months when the world was still in lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was indeed a double tragedy as the most affected people were the very poor people who even needed food during that crisis.
Forest Peoples Safaris, a climate change action group, renders an indispensable service to the affected communities of giving psychosocial support and climate change awareness-raising campaigns. However, they lack a mobile shuttle van to effectively carry out their operations into these communities some of which are hard to reach.
Contribute to their campaign and find out more here.
Kukula Solar will distribute 2,000 clean cookstoves to rural women in Eastern Province who are at risk of COVID-19 due to the continual use of polluting fuels which emit a lot of harmful smoke and increases people’s vulnerability to COIVD-19.
The microproject will improve livelihoods, protect the environment, preserve health, create jobs, and empower women during the COVID-19.
Contribute to their initiative and find out more here.
Other Fundraising Campaigns & Requests
The milling machine will enable Ecovon to crush coconut waste into smaller particles and this will enable Ecovon to speed up their production of eco-boards.
You can contribute to their campaign here.
Budongo Women Bee Enterprises (BUWOBE) trains women and youth in Masindi, Uganda with limited economic opportunities in eco-friendly beekeeping. They aim to support 1,000 young mothers to increase their income by up to 60% from honey and honey byproducts. So that they have more access to healthcare and social services, nutritional food, and educational opportunities.
Help them raise money and find out more about their project here. |
Find Your Ambrosia
Massachusetts Brick & Mortar: Enter a location to search for MA stores that carry our meads.
Online: Green River Ambrosia mead is available online with shipping to 34 states.
Great mead starts with great honey
Our goal is to support sustainable beekeeping by purchasing raw, high-quality honey, primarily from local bee keepers, and fermenting it into exquisite mead that honors the nuanced flavor of great honey. |
Expert honey producers say folks should stop wasting their hard earned money on costly how to start beekeeping classes in Brookdale California reason being they can get cheaper training through online information plus ebooks which cost far less than beekeeping classes.
The first lesson in keeping bees is to discover all you can, from any resource you find. To be a beekeeper that is successful that you’ll need to be learning, learning, learning. So what’s the best place to locate your first lessons in beekeeping
Beekeeping lessons are the best way to start out for anyone thinking about keeping bees. There are number of places to locate beekeeping lessons of various kinds.
The most cost-effective lessons are offered on the web. Are these lessons able to be instantly downloaded but they are fraction of the expense of practical lessons that are offline.
When you first become interested in keeping bees you’ve no way of knowing, what’s truly required to be a successful beekeeper and what equipment is needed. It can working out where to start learning.
Online lessons make it simple to get going, presenting what you need certainly to know to get going and describing common beekeeping jargon, in a logical way. Beekeeping is the sort of hobby or business where there is always more to learn and not all of it can be learned through books and courses.
Beekeeping is dependant on science but it is also an artwork. There’s absolutely no teacher like genuine expertise, which could only be obtained over time through really working with the bees. Every season differs, no two summers are equally. Challenges that are distinct arrive at beekeeper and the hive that’s part of what makes beekeeping fascinating.
We are still learning better methods to handle our environment and the bees, despite the fact that bees have now been framed for many countless years. The surroundings has changed, much of it though our intervention. Beekeepers that are successful learn as much as they can from any resource they discover.
A beekeeper desires keen powers of observation in managing the bees and to use all their senses. The most significant asset for a beekeeper, is a mind open to learning new things.
Some individuals find that they can confidently begin beekeeping after the lessons that are online, others like to first extend their learning with practical classes. It is better to do the on-line class as you will go into the considerably more pricey practical classes with a great understanding of what you already understanding the beekeeping terms and are seeing.
Once you have had some practical experience with your own bees you may even like to pursue more schooling, there are college classes and certifications in beekeeping available.
How far you want to opt for beekeeping lessons is actually up to you I’d strongly advocate a web-based beekeeping class, before going to the expense of practical lessons and undoubtedly before you get any bees. |
Are you searching for how to start beekeeping in Line Lexington Pennsylvania? A lot of individuals say beekeeping classes in PA can be costly and there are alternative ways to learn honey bee farming without spending lots of money in training.
Beekeeping is a business that depends on having whole passion. You can’t begin a company such as this should you not like dealing with creatures that are live. Working with bees is like working with any kind of fowl or animals; it wants knowledge and care to keep bees healthy and productive. In order that it does not create any problem for the business in the foreseeable future, you should take complete care of every single small thing.
– Selecting the correct tools
Starting beekeeping without selecting the correct tools is like entering the conflict with swimming costumes. Before you begin your company you should be prepared or it will be a total loss for money and your time.
Ask your self several questions before you choose your acceptable hives. This depends a lot on which is the goal from beginning beekeeping. If you’re willing to invest time and some cash in a bee keeping business then you definitely might want to understand will you take good care of your hives. Do you want to purchase a pricey hive if it is best alternative for you?
These kind of questions will be asked to you once you see an expert bee keeper to consult with him about the best hive to buy. Every hive has its specifications, care and honey production quantity.
– New technology and processes
In case you are considering bee keeping as a company then you must examine a lot about the latest technologies, their nature and bees that emerged in this livelihood to be able to keep all your information up so far. Your bees are once they begin creating honey the machines of your factory that will generate cash for you all the time, so keeping your thoughts focused on them and your mind open for what’s new in the industry will get you on top of the hobby. |
Books for settlers
As the numbers of European settlers increased from 1840 they provided an audience for publications – either polemical pamphlets on religious or political topics, or practical manuals and advice books. New Zealand publishing was always connected to a wider world: general guides for immigrants were similar for other colonies and published by London firms. But settlers needed specifically New Zealand guides to sheep farming, beekeeping and gardening, and directories, almanacs, maps and gazetteers.
Only fit for the colonies?
In 1889 Julius Vogel’s Anno domini 2000, or, Woman’s destiny was published in London by Hutchinson and Company and was also published in the same year as a colonial edition for distribution in New Zealand. In his 1909 bibliography of New Zealand literature, T. M. Hocken described it as, ‘A poorly written novel, sketching the condition of affairs in the far future, with woman at the helm. The scenes are apparently laid in New Zealand.’
Most were produced by printers in the main towns, such as Lyon and Blair in Wellington or Mills, Dick and Company in Dunedin; or by newspaper proprietors such as Creighton and Scales in Auckland. George Chapman, an Auckland bookseller, produced the first publishing list in the early 1860s full of such books. H. Wise and Company published its first directory of Dunedin in 1865 and in 1872 produced a national directory, which appeared annually until the 1950s. A rival Dunedin publisher, Stone, Son, and Company, produced provincial directories over the same period. Henry Brett, owner of the Auckland Evening Star, was an ambitious and successful publisher of useful volumes, especially Brett’s colonists’ guide (1883).
Māori were a prime subject of interest to colonials. During his first term as governor (1845–53) George Grey undertook to record their traditions in book form. He believed that learning about Māori could assist him in governing the country. He also wanted to record a culture widely thought to be doomed and which he respected for the literary qualities of its songs, stories and sayings.
Grey’s first collection, Ko nga moteatea, me nga hakirara o nga Maori (1853), was in Māori and was printed in Wellington by Robert Stokes of the New Zealand Spectator. Grey compiled three other important books of oral traditions in Māori, two of which were published in Cape Town (South Africa) after Grey had left New Zealand.
Another Pākehā recorder of Māori oral tradition was John White, who, after a long career as an official interpreter and land agent, was in 1879 appointed by the government to prepare an official history of Māori. Six bilingual volumes appeared from the Government Printer in 1887–89.
These publications were problematic. White and Grey intervened in ways that distorted the oral texts, they obscured tribal differences in legends and traditions, and style and purpose were often lost. Some iwi were uncomfortable with yielding their songs and stories to a form controlled by Pākehā. Though purportedly directed at Māori, these books often reappeared swiftly in London with independent publishers. Ko nga moteatea was quickly followed by Polynesian mythology, an English selection of 23 of the 31 stories published by John Murray in 1855.
Most substantial books on New Zealand topics were published elsewhere, or were, like Frederick Maning’s Old New Zealand (1863), published simultaneously or soon after in London. Lady (Mary Anne) Barker’s Station life in New Zealand was published by Macmillan in 1870 and several editions later was the first in Macmillan’s Colonial Library (books published for the colonial market). Several British publishers produced popular books in cheaper editions for the colonial market, thus asserting their prior claims. Travellers’ tales had long been published in Britain. |
Wholesale Bee Products & Eco-Friendly Gifts for Retailers
Partner with Made By Bees
Made By Bees offers exceptional bee products and eco-friendly gifts at wholesale prices for retailers. Your customers will fall in love with our sweet-smelling candles, beeswax wraps, raw honey, honeycombs, beauty products, and more.
Why feature Made By Bees wholesale honey & bee products?
- We offer high-quality, artisan-made products in a in a world full of mass-produced commodities. Our products support our honey bees, are all-natural, sustainable, and just feel better to own, knowing you’re doing your part for the environment.
How quickly will I receive my order?
- We offer exceptional service, too. Orders are typically shipped within 1-2 weeks.
Are your products guaranteed?
- At Made By Bees, we guarantee our products will arrive in pristine condition. Should you have any concerns, we will be happy to offer replacement or return, whichever you choose.
For retailers, Made By Bees is pleased to offer a unique point-of-sale display in two sizes to suit your requirements. The Made By Bees display is ideal for the countertop or table. We also include rack cards that tell Priscilla’s bee-keeping story and describes our beekeeping advocacy work. Our products are beautifully packaged, all-natural, eco-friendly, and practical to use. This makes it ideal for placement near point of sale.
Wholesale bee products offered:
- Raw honey
- Infused honey
- Beeswax candles
- Beeswax wraps
- Pollinator seeds
- Wood and leather conditioner
- Plastic-free artisan soaps and shampoos and conditioner
- All-purpose body balm
Wholesale pricing for our bee products
Made By Bees works with a wide variety of retail stores across Canada and is present at major craft shows and sales such as Toronto’s One Of A Kind Show. Our products are proven successful sellers in hardware stores (such as Home Hardware), gift shops, spas, craft markets, natural foods stores, physiotherapy clinics, and cafes and restaurants.
Get in touch with us to open a wholesale account and receive wholesale pricing on our bee products.
Bee Advocacy, Bee Talks and Demonstrations
At Made By Bees, we advocate ‘taking small steps together’ to save our bees, the planet, and your food. Learn about how we care for our bees and how you can, too. We can come to your store and talk to your customers and clients about our work in the community and how we make our products.
Learn more on our Bee Advocacy page. |
Finding purpose in life may be hard, but never impossible.
If you’re like most people, you’ve asked yourself questions like these many times over: What should I do with my life? What’s my purpose? Why am I here? Is this as good as it’s going to get?
These are important questions we’re asking because this is our one chance at life to get it right and figure out why we were placed in this world. No one wants to waste this opportunity. No one sets out to spend their life caught up in the constant search for answers to these questions. Most of us just want to figure it out so we can get on living this great life we’re all capable of living.
Some find their answers early on. I know people who are musicians who knew from the time they began to walk that music moved their soul. Nothing else in life will ever give them the same kind of joy as living out their dream playing music and entertaining others. They just knew, I’m a musician and this gives my life purpose. It makes me feel happy, and it makes other people feel happy.
I know others who knew in middle school that they loved working on mechanical devices. These kids grew up around old cars, tinkering with them, restoring them and watching with pride as those same old cars transformed into working pieces of art that rolled smoothly down the street. They knew that fixing cars was in their blood and nothing on this Earth would make them feel as alive as sticking their head under the roof of a car and working their magic. This brings them joy, and brings others joy when they can fix their problems and get them on their way.
Then there are others who naturally fell into their roles as teachers or coaches because it’s who they are down to the very core of existence. They were born nurturers and light up their classrooms with their passion. They lead students down enriching paths, giving them a leg up in this chaotic world. They derive pleasure and joy from knowing they are helping their students to learn and grow.
There is a pattern here. Do you see it?
When I think of those people in my life who live a life full of purpose, the ones who come to mind are those who put a high degree of value on enriching others. Musicians, mechanics, teachers and coaches all thrive on helping others in their respective capacities. They understand that they were placed here for more than just paying bills and dying. They are here to do something beyond themselves. They know the very fact that because they were born into this world, this world will never be the same without them.
Talk about finding purpose.
For those who don’t have a clue why they’re here, I wonder if it’s because you are not happy with your job, and you believe purpose should connect to it? To this I ask, what if your purpose existed outside of your working environment? What if career pays the living expenses, and purpose is where true wealth exists? (And I’m not talking monetary wealth).
I think a lot of people confuse their job as their sole place for finding purpose in this world. I do believe we need to find a deeper meaning to the daily work we do. But this is just one layer of purpose. You see, purpose isn’t one single element. It’s not one singular thing we do in life. It’s a culmination of things that build momentum on each other and bring us to higher levels of fulfillment.
I work in marketing at a university. For the most part, I find my position pleasing. I have wonderful access to technology and intelligent people who are on the cutting-edge of their industries. I work in a safe environment that is brimming with energy. I get to have my hands in many different types of projects on any given day. Is it my purpose to market graduate programs to incoming students? Is this the one single thing I do with my life that makes me feel whole?
Not exactly. It’s part of it.
When I’m at work, I focus on serving others through the skills I’ve grown over the years as a marketing professional. When I serve others in any capacity, I feel engaged and purposeful. But, I have other parts of my life that give me purpose. I find purpose through my dog, my spouse, my friends, and the work I do as a novelist by bringing awareness to issues that need attention.
The common thread in finding purpose, and this is just my humble opinion, is finding ways to create meaning and joy for others through our actions. We’re not going to find purpose by sitting home and dumping on ourselves that we don’t have it yet. We’re going to find it by getting our butts off the couch and out of the comfort zone and exploring new actions.
Purpose has many forms, and it changes.
What we find purpose in now we might not in the future because we’ve transformed. This is natural. Free yourself to constantly look for ways to help others, while at the same time embracing change as it comes into your life. You will meet up with purpose when you let go of searching for it. It will find you so long as you are moving forward and taking action on things that feel right and important to you. Maybe it’s signing up for a new activity like dance class, martial arts, gardening, beekeeping, fishing, a college class, or a book club.
Questions to ask yourself as you ponder purpose:
- What can I do with my day that will bring value to someone?
- What activity makes me forget to look up at the clock?
- What is a problem about which I care deeply?
- If I had one year left to live, what would I do with this time?
- What are three things that are most important to me?
- What have been my top five most memorable moments in life?
A bit of truth:
- Until you do something, you have no clue how it will make you feel. You might love it. You might hate it. Or you just might find purpose in it.
- When we find something bigger than ourselves that adds value to those around us, we’ve aligned ourselves with purpose.
- At the core of purpose is the creation of meaning.
- Purpose changes as we evolve and enter different journeys. Don’t fear the change. Fear the stagnation because in staying put, we might just miss our date with destiny.
Purpose happens without force. It is the invisible band that connects us to the root of meaning. These roots extend far and wide, flexible to the diversity of change and flow. We grow mighty in both reach and capacity because we are strengthened by the dynamic nature of our potential. When we are in alignment with purpose, we become that radiant source of possibility for others. As we focus on helping others to grow alongside us, we form an upward pattern of inspiration where new ideas and even greater rewards branch outward, reaching toward the air that gives sustenance. Our gift in return is the pleasure of sharing this sustenance back with the world. For purpose comes to fruition and multiplies in the presence of a selfless devotion to something greater than ourselves.
Now over to you: Do you have a suggestion to finding purpose you can share?
Wishing you the very best,
Suzie Carr, novelist |
I’ve written this week’s cover story for the magazine, on the growing threat to honeybees. You can read it (with a subscription) over here. The short version: beginning nearly a decade ago, honeybees started dying off at unusually and mysteriously high rates—this past winter, nearly one-third of U.S. honeybee colonies died or disappeared. At first this appeared due to something called colony collapse disorder (CCD); hives would be abandoned without warning, with bees seemingly leaving honey and intact wax behind. The apocalyptic nature of CCD—some people really thought the disappearance of the bees indicated that the Rapture was nigh—grabbed the public’s attention. More recently, beekeepers have been seeing fewer cases of CCD proper, but honeybees keep dying and bees keep collapsing. That’s bad for our food system—bees add at least $15 billion in crop value through pollination in the U.S. alone, and if colony losses keep up, those pollination demands may not be met and valuable crops like almonds could wither.
More than the bottom line for grocery stores, though, the honeybee’s plight alarms us because a species that we have tended and depended on for thousands of years is dying—and we don’t really know why. Tom Theobald, a beekeeper and blogger who has raised the alarm about CCD, put that fear this way: “The bees are just the beginning.”
But while we don’t now we exactly what causes CCD or why honeybees are dying in larger numbers, we do know the suspects: pesticides, including the newer class of neonicotinoids that seem to affect bees even at very low levels; biological threats like the vampiric Varroa mite; and the lack of nutrition thanks to monocultures of commodity crops like wheat and corn, which offer honeybees little in the way of the pollen they need to survive. Most likely, bee deaths are due to a mix of all of those menaces acting together—pesticides and lack of food might weaken honeybees, and pests like Varroa could finish them off, spreading diseases the bees don’t have the strength to resist. Unfortunately, that means there’s no simple way to save the honeybees either. Simply banning, say, neonicotinoids might take some of the pressure off honeybees, but most scientists agree it wouldn’t solve the problem. (And getting rid of neonicotinoids would have unpredictable consequences for agriculture—the pesticides were adopted in part because they are considered safer for mammals, including human beings.) Honeybees are suffering because we’ve created a world that is increasingly inhospitable to them.
Still, for all the alarm, honeybees are likely to pull through. As I point out in the magazine piece, beekeepers have mostly managed to replace lost colonies, though at a cost high enough that some long-time beekeepers are getting out of the business altogether. Beekeepers are buying new queens and splitting their hives, which cuts into productivity and honey production, but keeps their colony numbers high enough to so far meet pollination demands. They’re adding supplemental feed—often sugar or corn syrup—to compensate for the lack of wild forage. The scientific and agricultural community is engaged—see Monsanto’s recent honeybee summit, and the company’s work on a genetic weapon against the Varroa mite. Randy Oliver, a beekeeper and independent researcher, told me that he could see honeybees becoming a feedlot animal like pigs or chickens, bred and kept for one purpose and having their food brought to them, rather than foraging in the semi-wild way they live now. That sounds alarming—and it’s not something anyone in the beekeeping industry would like to see—but it’s also important to remember that honeybees themselves aren’t exactly natural, especially in North America, where they were imported by European settlers in the 17th century. As Hannah Nordhaus, the author of the great book A Beekeeper’s Lament, has written, honeybees have always been much more dependent on human beings than the other way around.
(WATCH: Are Robotic Bees the Future?)
The reality is that honeybees are very useful to human beings, and species that are very useful to us—think domesticated animals and pets—tend to do OK in the increasingly human-dominated world we call the Anthropocene. But other wild species aren’t so lucky—and that includes the thousands of species of wild bees and other non-domesticated pollinators. Bumblebees have experienced recent and rapid population loss in the U.S., punctuated by a mass pesticide poisoning in Oregon this past June that led to the deaths of some 50,000 bumblebees. A 2006 report by the National Academies of Science concluded that the populations of many other wild pollinators—especially wild bees—was trending “demonstrably downward.” The threats are much the same ones faced by managed honeybees: pesticides, lack of wild forage, parasites and disease. The difference is that there are thousands of human beings who make it their business to care for and prop up the populations of honeybees. No one is doing the same thing for wild bees. The supposed beepocalypse is on the cover of TIME magazine, but “you don’t hear about the decline of hundreds of species of wild bees,” says Jennifer Sass, a senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council.
That’s meant almost literally—we don’t hear them anymore. The plight of the bees illustrates our outsized influence on the this planet as we reshape it—consciously and not—to meet our immediate needs. But just because we have this power doesn’t mean we fully understand it, or our impact on our own world. We are a species that increasingly has omnipotence without omniscience. That’s a dangerous combination for the animals and plants that share this planet with us. And eventually, it will be dangerous for us, too. |
On occasion, you may need to move a honeybee
colony. The move may be small, such as to another
location in your apiary. Or it may cover a greater
distance, such as to another apiary location, perhaps
to take advantage of a particular nectar flow.
To Move a Colony a Short Distance
Two methods may be used. The simplest method
is to move the colony in small increments, about
one yard each day. If a colony is moved more than
a yard per day, returning foragers will be confused
and you will lose some of the field bees. The second
method involves removing the colony to a site several
miles away for several days to allow foraging bees to “forget” the old location. Then return the colony
to the new site in the original apiary where they will
“learn,” and become oriented to, the new location.
Secure the Colony before Moving
Locking straps can be used to secure the
colony for moving. A strap should be placed around
an entire individual colony and tightened firmly.
Additional strapping to secure the colonies within
the transporting vehicle or trailer will be necessary to
prevent movement or shifting during the move. For
ease of use, strapping is the preferred method.
Stapling is another method of securing colonies
for transport. All the outside parts of a beehive are
stapled together with 2 3/4-inch hive staples. Drive
the staples in at the four corners, fastening each part
to the part above and below. This can be done during
the day in preparation for moving in the evening after
dark. Using staples, however, will damage hive bodies,
promote wood decay and agitate the bees during
Before moving a hive, remove the surplus supers
of honey down to the brood chamber(s) and one empty
super. Excess honey supers increase weight and make
strapping more difficult.
Ventilate the Bees for the Move
Remove the inner cover and nail a screened
cooling board over the top to close and ventilate the
top of the hive. A cooling board is a plywood panel the
size of an inner cover with a large, centrally located,
screened window. An inner cover with the center hole
screened can be used for a short distance move. In
cool weather, a cooling board may not be necessary.
To screen the entrance for a short-distance move,
plastic window screen may be stapled across the
entrance. For longer distances, an entrance screen can
be made by constructing a frame with 11⁄2-inch by 1⁄2-
inch pieces of wood that will fit between the bottom
board cleats, against the front of the hive body to
cover the entrance. The bottom of the frame is made
with a 3/4-inch piece to cover without blocking the
entrance. The frame is covered with metal window
screen wire. The screened frame encloses a screened
porch on the front of the hive. Air will circulate
through the entrance and out the top to keep the bees
cool in transit.
When to Move a Colony
Moving at nighttime is best, because all the
field bees should be in the colony. A daytime move,
especially a long-distance one, would result in the loss
of foraging bees returning to the old location. The
bees will return to the hive at dusk or a little later.
Have everything in place except the entrance screen.
Attach the entrance screen with two wood screws
through the two end bars and load the colony for
moving to a new location.
Place the colony on a base at the new location.
Smoke the entrance and remove the screen. Place the
inner and outer covers on the hive.
Skinner, Parkman, Studer, and Williams. 2004. Beekeeping in Tennessee. University of Tennessee Extension PB1745. 43p. |
As a child, Erika Thompson was fascinated with insects and spent her nights in her backyard collecting every bug she could find. After taking a beekeeping class, she became enamored with bees and started her first hive in her backyard. She started Texas Beeworks in 2014, and after years of doing bee work on nights, weekends, and even lunch breaks, she quit her office job in 2019 to become a full-time beekeeper.
The Queen of Bees
Her work with honeybees and her advocacy efforts to protect pollinators has been featured on every local news station in Austin, the Austin American Statesman, and Austin Monthly Magazine. She was even asked by Jeopardy to help them create an entire clue category about bees which they filmed as video clues at the Texas Beeworks headquarters in Austin.
Telling Her Story with a Brand Video
Texas Beeworks goal is to help bees and beekeepers thrive. They focus on the health and wellness of the hive, and they manage every Texas Beeworks colony with the mission of maintaining a healthy honeybee population. They want to increase the bee population by placing and maintaining hives across Texas and by raising awareness about honeybees through education, advocacy, and public outreach.
Learn more about Texas Beeworks on their website.
Google Review for Kulture Digital
Working with Kulture Digital to produce videos for my beekeeping company has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for my business. Their entire team is super talented, full of integrity, and dedicated to capturing and creating incredible video content… even when that means spending long days outside in the Texas heat shooting in bee suits. Jeremy is a world-class cinematographer. His artistic vision and the way he gives direction makes the entire shooting and video production process easy and fun. From start to finish, Kulture Digital exceeds expectations every single time! |
So … you’ve just completed a Beekeeping for beginners course with a local association over the winter. You’ve built your flat-packed hive, you’ve bludgeoned the ends of your fingers building frames and you’ve bought a quality beesuit from one of the suppliers at the Spring Convention. Not necessarily in that order. You’re now ready to start keeping bees.
Theoretically … yes.
In reality … probably not.
Theory and practice
Beekeeping is essentially a practical occupation. The theory is important, but nothing like as important as the observation, the interpretation and the implementation of the practical aspects of the pastime. These practical aspects cannot be learned on a cold winter evening watching two dozen Powerpoint slides with a break for a cuppa and a chocolate digestive. They also can’t be acquired from a book (or a website … but don’t go yet). Instead, they’re acquired by accumulated hours spent bent over a hive – or better – hives, coupled with good record keeping and observation of what happens next. You can achieve this alone, but it can be a dispiriting process as “learning from your mistakes” can involve the loss of the honey crop for that year, or even the loss of the colony.
Most beekeepers involved in training know this, and local associations generally appreciate that their winter courses only really lay the groundwork for the practical skills to be acquired during the following season(s). To help achieve this many offer sessions in the association apiary, where experienced beekeepers inspect colonies with small groups of beginners. More important still is the mentoring many offer – the appointment of a more experienced beekeeper to a beginner so that the latter has, at a minimum, a contact for help and support as the season progresses.
‘Mentoring’ covers a range of levels of interaction, but it’s rarely defined what’s expected of mentors, either by the association or the beginner. I’m sure there are examples of good and bad practice out there. I think it could be argued that better mentoring might significantly increase the success rates of new beekeepers … where ‘success rate’ is measured as the proportion of people who take a beginners course that are still keeping bees three years later, or the proportion of colonies managed by beginners that are overwintered successfully. I’d even suggest that better mentoring is more important than the winter theory course, but these are an important source of income for beekeeping associations and do provide the necessary background information.
The first year is critical
Beginners desperate to start beekeeping might buy an imported nuc in early Spring, watch in awe – and perhaps apprehensively – as it develops at breakneck speed during May, lose half the bees as it swarms in June, struggle to get it requeened in an unseasonably wet and cold July, spend August trying to prevent it being robbed out and then lose it in the winter due to poorly timed Varroa treatment or insufficient feeding. Twelve months on they’re back to square one, on the waiting list for another nuc and trying to work out why everything went wrong the first time round. There are better ways to start.
Of course, you might be lucky, the weather might be kind, the bees unswarmy and the honey crop weighty. The sort of ‘perfect storm’ of a season described in the paragraph above is unusual, but certainly not unheard of. Large numbers of beginners start beekeeping each year, a proportion decide it’s not for them and never acquire bees, others start and relatively quickly – perhaps within 1 to 3 years – give up, and a few become lifelong beekeepers. Of the middle group, some stop because they decide it’s not a hobby they want to pursue (which is fine, it’s certainly not for everyone). However, others abandon it because they struggle to acquire the practical skills and experience that make beekeeping both relatively easy and very enjoyable. After the first or second or third bad season, after struggling with swarms, unmated and invisible queens, Varroa and disease, bad tempered bees and other problems, they abandon any hope of being a successful beekeeper … and abandon their bees.
It’s this last group – those that abandon something they wanted to do and have trained for because of the problems that they encounter – that this post is really about. Are there ways more people that want to become beekeepers can become successful beekeepers? Are there ways to get beginners faster from the winter theory classes to a good enough level of competence? Are there ways to reduce the high levels of losses that many new beekeepers experience in their first year or two? Might better mentoring improve the success of beginners in their first year(s)?
Watch and learn
I have no doubt that the best way to learn beekeeping is to watch someone more experienced at work. Observation, combined with a willingness to ask questions and an ability to listen to the answers (I’m assuming the more experienced beekeeper has a willingness to provide the answers), provides a quick and relatively painless way to acquire the practical knowledge necessary. Note that the ‘more experienced beekeeper’ doesn’t have to be an expert … in fact, it might be better if they aren’t. Perhaps the ideal would be someone with at least two or three successful seasons behind them, able to provide a pragmatic mix of enthusiasm, reality and advice, but before they become totally set in their ways, inflexible and – whisper it – out of date. Not that there’s anyone like this in your local association 😉
Although many beekeeping associations offer ‘mentoring’ for new beekeepers, the ‘mentoring’ is often poorly defined. What does your association offer? It might be anything from season-long one-to-one support and advice, in person, to a mobile phone number and instructions to “call here if you need help”. Frankly, the latter is probably not a whole lot of use. Firstly, it’s often difficult to describe what’s happening in the hive particularly when you’ve not seen it before and when you’ve relatively little experience of what should be happening in the hive. Secondly, you can be sure that when help is needed the mentor will be at the end of a dodgy mobile phone signal in their out apiary. Typically this is the late May inspection when the new beekeeper has carefully destroyed all those pesky queen cells only to realise, far too late, that there’s no queen in the colony (they’ve swarmed) … and now no larvae young enough to raise as new queens.
I think there are ways to combine improved practical training, the desire of new beekeepers to start inspecting bees early in the season and to reduce the demand for imported nucleus colonies (something I’ve already touched on in Supply and demand). Imagine a scenario in which the beginner acquires a mentor before the practical beekeeping season starts and the mentor provides some practical advice on the equipment required. Since the plan I’m outlining involves the beginner acquiring his/her nucleus colony from the mentor mid-season (once their practical skills are improved), equipment compatibility will be important.
Once inspections start the beginner visits the mentors’ apiary and attends the standard weekly inspections. Initially this might be just as an observer. Colonies are small, just starting the spring build up. As the mentor has a reasonable amount of experience it’s likely there’s more than one colony in the apiary. Therefore the beginner gets to see the importance of being able to compare colony development, and gains through the simple repetition of the practicalities of inspections. In later visits the beginner should – under supervision – go through a colony. Together – though largely taking a lead from the mentor – they select a suitable colony that is building up fast and that will require ‘cooling off’ (by splitting off a nuc) to delay swarming. Alternatively, some sort of vertical split or artificial swarm is conducted, with the part of the colony that generates a new queen being destined as the beginners first colony. By whatever route – even making up a new nuc from one or more colonies and adding in a queen cell – the beginner acquires their first colony.
By this time the danger of swarming has largely passed, the beginner has acquired a significant amount of practical ‘bee handling’ experience. The mentor has provided – and, if necessary, been paid for (I’ll return to this point in a later post as this is quite long enough already) – the nucleus colony. A decision will have to be made as to whether to move the nuc to the beginners own apiary. It might be best to delay this until it’s clear that the nuc is building up well, perhaps waiting until it is moved into a full hive. At the same time, the beginner will have observed his/her mentor dealing with many of the other types of ‘events’ that occur every season … queenlessness, aggressive colonies, adding supers, uniting, swarm control, swarm collection, bait hives and possibly even queen rearing or other more advanced activities.
The final activities of the season are the critical stages in winter preparation – Varroa treatment and feeding – at the very least the beginner and the mentor will have had ample opportunity to discuss this in detail. Certainly the usual seasonal IPM activities and monitoring of mite levels will be familiar to the beginner. Ideally the mentor will be involved with preparations for the winter at a practical level as these are important in successfully getting the colony through to the following Spring.
As described, this is more of an apprenticeship than mentoring … it’s a heck of a lot more than “call this number if there are problems” 😉
Benefits for all involved
I’ve been a mentor and involved in training. I’ve also been mentored. I’ve enjoyed, and still enjoy, learning from others. I think the scenario outlined above offers benefits for both the mentor and mentee:
The beginner …
- is discouraged from meddling with colonies early in the season, delaying build up or possibly resulting in the loss of the queen through clumsiness (been there, done that 😉 )
- conducts inspections on suitable days (weather-wise) rather than the hit and miss visits to association apiaries in the changeable conditions we get early in the season
- acquires practical skills as colony strength develops
- (probably) experiences more than one colony, allowing important comparisons in development to be made
- experiences a far greater range of activities and events than would be the case in a single season with only one colony
- gets all-important swarm prevention and control experience without (too much) panic from someone who has been through it all before
- acquires a good quality colony of local bees from a known and trusted source
The mentor …
- doesn’t need to make extra visits to the beginners’ apiary but conducts all training in his/her own familiar apiary where equipment is available (don’t underestimate this … if you’ve spent hours sweating in a beesuit on a hot afternoon it’s a bit of a pain having to visit one more apiary with a single colony in it … far more tempting to go and grab a beer)
- is familiar with the colonies that he/she is showing the beginner
- arranges inspections to suit the weather
- should get far fewer panicky calls with garbled descriptions of things that are going wrong in a colony they might never have seen over a flaky mobile phone connection
- guaranteed ‘sale’ of a nuc without the hassle of getting equipment returned
Sustainable nuc production for sale to beginners
I’m going to deal with this subject in more detail at a later date. Suffice to say that there is a shortfall in homegrown nuc production for sale to the large numbers of beginner beekeepers each year. In Scotland we know that this shortfall is about 20% (it was surveyed in winter 2015). Going by the number of nucs imported for resale (some even as ‘local bees’ – it’s time some of those involved in this were ‘named and shamed’), or queens imported to drop into made up nucs for early season sales, the shortfall in the UK is probably several thousand colonies. One way in which this might be addressed is to encourage beginners to acquire their nucs from their mentor in mid-season, rather than buying something in mid-April. This post is already too long so I’ll return to this in the future … but the bottom line will be overwinter more nucs and encourage beginners to acquire bees in mid-season, not in April.
Here in the east of Scotland the season is just properly starting … my spare time will soon be taken up with practical beekeeping rather than writing about it, so posts might get less regular, less frequent, less illustrated or less long. They probably couldn’t use less good written English. However, next week’s is already written and will automagically appear at the end of the month. |
At the start of this week’s parasha, Ki Tavo, the Torah reminds us that God gave us the land of Israel, “a land flowing with milk and honey” (Deut. 26:9). When the Torah says honey, it likely does not mean honey from bees, but rather “honey” from fruit trees, particularly date honey and fig honey. This is illustrated by a well-known story from the Talmud (Ketubot 111b):
Rami ben Ezekiel once paid a visit to Bnei Brak where he saw goats grazing under fig trees while honey was flowing from the figs, and milk ran from them, and these mingled with each other. “This is indeed,” he remarked, “[a land] flowing with milk and honey.”
If the Torah does not speak of bee honey, while clearly stating that bees are not kosher for consumption, why is bee honey kosher? This is especially problematic in light of the Mishnaic principle that “whatever goes forth from the unclean is unclean, and whatever goes forth from the clean is clean”.
Yet, from other places in Scripture we see that bee honey is absolutely kosher. For example, we read in Judges 14:5-9 about Samson’s famous brawl with a lion on his way to Timnah. Samson killed the lion and later, on his way back home, saw that bees had strangely built a nest inside the lion carcass, at which point Samson took some of their honey and ate it, and even brought some to his parents.
Amazingly, in 2010 archaeologists discovered the earliest known beekeeping and honey-making apparatus in the world, dating back three thousand years—in Israel! Bee honey was clearly as popular among ancient Israelites as it is among modern-day Jews. How is it kosher?
Excretions of Flying Insects
The Talmud (Bechorot 7b) comments on the above Mishnah and discusses the nature of bee honey:
“Whatever goes forth from the unclean is unclean, and whatever goes forth from the clean is clean”… an objection was raised: Why did [the Sages] say that honey from bees is permitted? Because the bees store it up in their bodies but do not drain it from their bodies… The Divine Law expressly permitted honey, for it was taught: R. Jacob says, “Yet these may you eat of all the winged swarming things…” [Leviticus 11:21] This you may eat, but you are forbidden to eat an unclean winged swarming thing. But is not an unclean winged swarming thing expressly mentioned in the Scripture [as forbidden]? Rather we must explain [thus]: An unclean flying thing that swarms you must not eat, but you may eat what an unclean flying thing casts forth from its body. And what is this? This is bees’ honey.
This passage follows a long discussion which analyzes different excretions of non-kosher animals; whether they are thick or thin, and whether they come out like they came in, or if the animal had processed the substance in its body and transformed it. The Talmud suggests that bees take up the nectar and collect it in their sacs, but do not actually digest and “excrete” it. This is true, as we know that nectar is collected into a special sac, the “honey stomach”, where it is mixed with enzymes and transformed into honey, before being regurgitated into the honeycomb. (More specifically, the bees actually regurgitate the pre-honey substance into the mouths of other bees, multiple times, before the substance is put into the comb, then exposed to air currents from the bees’ beating wings in order to evaporate out the water and produce that final, thick and sweet product.)
Nonetheless, there is no doubt that one who eats honey is not just consuming flower nectar, but also ingesting compounds from the bee itself. The Talmud knows this, which is probably why it goes on to prove that honey is still kosher by creatively interpreting the Torah’s verses. It concludes that while flying insects themselves are not kosher to eat (except several species of locust, as explicitly stated in the Torah), the excretions of such flying insects are kosher. Interestingly, this relates to another special flying insect, whose excretions have been identified with none other than manna!
Manna from Heaven or Manna from Lice?
The Sinai Peninsula is home to a species of lice called Trabutina mannipara. This lice infests the Tamarisk trees that grow in the Sinai, sucking the tree’s sap, and in turn, excreting a white, honey-like substance. This edible substance is very sweet, and also very light and flakey, which means that it doesn’t last long before the sun dries it all up. Sounds familiar?
The Torah tells us that the Israelites consumed sweet, white manna in the wilderness, which was like frost and had to be harvested in the morning just as the dew ascended (Exodus 16:14, Numbers 11:7-8). Not surprisingly, the Trabutina mannipara lice has been nicknamed the “manna mealybug”, and its excretions are called mann by the Sinai Bedouins who still harvest and eat it.
Based on the Talmudic principle of the excretions of flying insects being permissible for consumption, the lice manna, like bee honey, is kosher. In fact, the Talmud (Berakhot 57b) overtly connects the two substances, stating that “honey is one-sixtieth of manna”.
Of course, the Torah states that manna was miraculously sent from Heaven, and the Talmud (Chagigah 12b) notes precisely where in the Heavens it was “ground up”. Besides, only about 500 pounds of “Sinai manna” is produced annually by the lice—not nearly enough to feed an entire nation of people subsisting off of manna almost exclusively.
Still, the existence of Sinai manna is no coincidence. A well-known Jewish dictum is that all things in the material world are only a reflection of spiritual entities above. Perhaps the lice manna is that physical counterpart of the Israelites’ Heavenly manna.
Honey, too, must have a spiritual counterpart. Rabbi Avraham Schorr points out that the gematria of dvash (דבש), “honey”, is 306, equal to the difference between guf (גוף), “body”, and neshamah (נשמה), “soul”. Honey is symbolic of that spiritual substance that “glues” the soul to the body. In just two weeks’ time, we will be dipping various foods in honey during the Rosh Hashanah meal, in part symbolizing our hope to be inscribed in the Book of Life, thus keeping the soul glued to its body for one more sweet new year. |
Friday night I got a call that my nephew, Zane was in the hospital with an altered mental status. The doctors ran tox-screens, checked his spinal fluid, and ran a battery of other test. However, in the end they concluded that he had acute dehydration. He spent two days in the hospital but thankfully has now recovered.
Can you imagine that? A fit 13 year old boy getting that hot? Well we have had Heat Warnings issued across the country all last week and there is no relief on the 10 day forecast. I’m not nearly as fit as my nephew, so I am planning my beekeeping work accordingly.
By the way, did you know that heat index is a real thing? When sweat evaporates off of you skin it removes heat from your body but when the humidity is high, the sweat won’t evaporate quickly enough causing the body to react to the environment as if it were hotter than the thermostat indicates. So 90°F at 88% humidity will make your body feel like it is 113°F. So Beekeepers, heed the heat index!
I had planned to start honey harvesting this past week but I’ve been too busy to get out there and, with the heat index, it’s just as well. Besides, it wasn’t as if I didn’t have other project that I could work on. So I will postpone the harvest for one more week in hopes of less hellish weather.
Stop Reading Here
Now the rest of this blog has nothing to do with beekeeping (so if you are a beekeeper, you may want to stop reading now). However, if you are so overwhelmed with DIY projects that you feel like you are drowning, then read on and maybe my hellish to-do list will make you feel better about your life decisions.
My To Do List
- My Day Job
- My Night Job
- Cook, Clean, and Family Time
- The hot water tank is making a noise
- Hives splitting
- Honey harvesting
- build more hives
- three hive removals
- mom’s car is making a noise
- Mow the lawn
- fix leak at my daughters house
- roof my house
- my son’s car is making a noise
- level my foundation
- remodel the kitchen
- build my daughter a set of Corn Holes
- build a new chicken house
- my truck is making a noise
- work on my invention
- finish writing my novel
- finish my B.S. degree in Safety
- my back is now making a noise…
The list is totally true and absolutely dynamic as the order changes by what needs the most attention. Right now, while my bees need attention, the small leak in my daughter’s ceiling due to condensation on the A/C duct (A problem I thought I had fixed) made the ceiling fall down and that noise in my mom’s car was the rear trailing arm that has now broken and turned her car into a large lawn-ornament. So those two things just got moved up on the list.
Someone asked me the other day, why didn’t I just hire someone to do all of the work? That list would cost a $100K if I hired someone whereas I can DIY it for about $10K. Besides it’s all about priorities.
I’m not cheap. Last week I blew $400 dollars to find out the my dog was just a filthy little faker! I thought she was dying but it turned out she had quit eating for 4 days because she was having a really bad heat. As soon as she got home from the vet she was miraculously healed – she and I are still not speaking.
Anyway back to the ceiling repairs. It turned out that there was a one foot section of duct in the attic that need to be insulated better – that has now been done. Noah and I spent the rest of the weekend patching the ceiling. A task that took 3 hours longer due to the fact I had bought 5/8″ sheet-rock and had to drive back to Lowe’s (an hour away) to get the 1/2″ stuff.
I’m a decent carpenter but I’m no professional so everything takes me three times as long as it should. However, I am pleased to say we did a very nice job fixing the ceiling. It still needs a couple of more thin coats of mud to smooth out the joints but it already looks better than the builder’s grade ceiling throughout the rest of the house.
In a few years, I plan to build my dream home. I’ve already designed what I feel is the perfect house. Designing homes is a passion for me and I have a degree in Architectural Design and Construction Technology.
My wife and I own three houses (don’t be impressed, they all need work). However, this presents an opportunity to improve my building skills for our next home and try out a few colors and styles before we commit to them.
So this ceiling patching project is not just a chance to do some home renovations but a chance to improve my plastering skills. Because of that, I want the job done as close to perfect as I am capable of doing.
Over the next year, home renovations will be included in my weekly blogs and I’ll let you know what I learn along the way and some of the things we try out..
This project required us to cut out all the bad sheet-rock and replace it. We cut the whole much larger so that we could make the whole as square as possible. The less joints the better.
One unconventional thing I did – that may be totally stupid – was to use a sheet of green-board sheet-rock (normally used for bathrooms to prevent mildew). I put the sheet-rock with the green side in to prevent any future mildew. I’ve never heard of anyone doing this but it made sense to me.
After we fitted the new sheet-rock in place, we taped it off and put a skim coat over everything. By the way, in this case the tape we are referring to is for plaster work and does not have any sort of adhesive on it. Instead you put a thin coat of plaster one the backside and then smooth it into place.
After the plaster dried, we gave it a very light sanding and then put on a second thin coat of plaster. I am sure a better craftsman could have done this in just two coats but I plan to do at least two more coats to be sure it is smooth.
One interesting thing that we found during the demolition was the that under the sheet-rock was a solid wooden ceiling. At first I thought this was just overkill but then we noticed the fabric between the layers and realized that the house was so old that it had originally been constructed with a wood ceiling covered in a fine wallpaper. That was when houses were built to last and not just to save money.
When we finished with the ceiling (and was waiting for it to dry) I thought it would be a good time to cut my yard – given it has gotten so out of hand that explorers are planning an expedition to find origin of my sprinkler system.
Alas, the lawnmower wouldn’t start and so began a three hour back and forth to the shops to find the right fuel filter and spark plugs ending in no-joy as the parts all have to be ordered. Well that looks like next weeks project – and the to-do list gets shuffled again.
I think I may take a couple of vacation days from work and try to catch up on some of these projects… it’s all about priorities.
Since I was so busy this weekend, my wonderfully longsuffering wife baked a Honey Apple Cake with a Honey Sauce to go over it for this week’s Friday Recipe… so hit the follow button below to see that. |
HAPPENIN’ OTSEGO for SATURDAY, AUGUST 24
FAMILY FARM DAY – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Explore local farms throughout Schoharie, Otsego, and Delaware Counties. Tour, try products, learn about farming from fish farming to beekeeping, more. Pick up your farm guide from participating, farms, farmer’s markets, libraries, more in the 3 counties. Call 607-547-2536 or download guide from www.familyfarmday.org
LAWN SALE DAY – 7:30 a.m. Find 50+ lawn sales, shows, special events with food available all day from pancake breakfast (7:30 – 11 Fly Creek Fire Hall), lunch (11 FCAHS Grange Hall), & bake sale (Fly Creek Methodist Church). Fly Creek.
SIDEWALK DAY – 9 a.m. Visit over 5 vendors, live music, cruise-in car show, traveling petting zoo, more at Afton Sidewalk Day. Main St. Afton. 607-765-6507 or find schedule at aftonsidewalkday.weebly.com
BOOK SALE – 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Pick up your next read for $1/book at Franklin Free Library, 334 Main St., Franklin. 607-829-2941 or visit www.franklinfreelibrary.org
COMMUNITY CELEBRATION – 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Celebrate Franklin with pie sale, book sale, vendors, food, arts, crafts, live music, more. Institute St. & Main St., Franklin. 607-287-4986 franklinny.org/new-old-franklin-day-2019/
GARLIC FEST – 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Find delicious, biodynamic garlic, seed stock, growing tips, food samples, more at Dancing Veggie Farm, 246 Ainslie Rd., Richfield Springs. 315-858-1095.
ANTIQUE ENGINES – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. 26th annual show features single cylinder gas engines (manufactured by Hercules, Economy, Jaeger, McCormick, orthers) running early agricultural machinery, more. Rain or Shine. Fly Creek Cider Mill, 288 Goose St., Fly Creek. 607-547-9692 or visit www.flycreekcidermill.com
OFFICE HOURS – 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Meet staff from Rep. Delgado’s office to have questions answered, get help with everything from farm grants to senior SS benefits. Richfield Springs Farmers’ Market, Spring Park, St. Rt. 20, Richfield Springs. 607-376-0091 or visit delgado.house.gov/media/press-releases/delgado-announces-mobile-office-hours-local-farmers-markets-ny-19
CELEBRATION – Noon – 2 p.m. Help SQSPCA and sponsor NBT celebrate groundbreaking of new building for the Animal Shelter. Includes unveiling of shelter plans & exterior, interactive photo booths, refreshments, more. Free, open to public. Susquehanna SPCA New Site, 5088 St. Hwy. 28, Cooperstown. 607-547-8111 or visit sqspca.org/groundbreaking-reception/
CORN FEST – Noon – 5 p.m. Enjoy afternoon of vendors selling everything corn flavored, crafts and games for kids, cornhole tournaments, competitions, duck race, more. Klumpp Park, 88 Park St., Windsor. 607-655-3399 or visit www.facebook.com/Windsor-NY-Partnership-143668335665484/
PAWSITIVE PAWSIBILITIES – Noon – 2 p.m. Meet adoptable pets from Susquehanna SPCA. Front Lobby, Oneonta YMCA, 20-26 Ford Ave., Oneonta. 607-547-8111 or visit www.facebook.com/SQSPCA/
LOCAL GRAINS – 2 – 5 p.m. Farmers learn about growing market for local grain from oats to heirloom corn to flax also value added processes, equipment needed. Entrance fee, $15/person. Earth’s Harvest Farm, 2835 St. Rt. 51, Morris. 607-433-2545 or visit www.facebook.com/cadefarms/
THEATER – 3 & 7:30 p.m. Performance “Billy Bishop Goes To War.” Set in 1914, follows journey of underachieving Billy Bishop on his journey to become a great fighter pilot. Explores complexities of heroism, cost of war, Britain’s colonial past. Free admission. Franklin Stage Company, 25 Institute St., Franklin. 607-829-3700 or visit franklinstagecompany.org/events/billy-bishop-goes-to-war/
FILM – 6:30 p.m. Presenting “The Secret Life Of Pets 2.” Cost, $3/person. Red Dragon Theater, SUNY Oneonta.
FILM – 6:30 p.m. Visit Herb Ritts exhibit then enjoy film, starting at 7, connected to exhibit with introduction. This week “Madonna: Truth or Dare” Documentary chronicling the life of Madonna during her 1990 Blond Ambition World Tour. (1991, R) with live commentary by tour manager John Draper. Fenimore Museum, Cooperstown. 607-547-1400 or visit www.fenimoreartmuseum.org
COFFEE HOUSE –7-9 p.m. Music in range of genres by amateur local performers; light refreshments; all welcome. Schuyler Lake United Methodist Church. Church Rd., Schuyler Lake.
MAGIC SHOW – 9 p.m. Enjoy the show by widely traveled magician, Ben Seidman. Cost, $3/person. Hunt College Union Ballroom, SUNY Oneonta. |