Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the biopesticidal potential of Mentha pulegium L. (pennyroyal) against phytopathogenic microorganisms that cause significant agricultural losses. Their in vitro antimicrobial effects against selected plant pathogens were evaluated, and to support this aim, the total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of the extracts were determined. Materials and Methods: The dried aerial parts of M. pulegium were extracted with methanol and hexane. The total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method
and the DPPH radical scavenging method, respectively. The phytochemical profile of the sample was characterized by GC-MS. Antimicrobial activity was tested by the disk diffusion method at three different concentrations. Findings: The total phenolic compound content of the methanol extract was measured as 1458 μg GAE/ mL at a concentration of 5 mg/mL. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of the same extract increased with concentration, reaching 86.31% at the highest concentration. GC-MS analysis identified a total of 50 compounds in the extracts; the prominent compounds included dihydrocarvyl acetate (9.66%), piperitone (4.84%), p-menthone (3.57%), limonene (3.43%), dihydrocarveol (3.34%), and menthol (3.18%). In antimicrobial tests, the methanol extract showed a significant effect on C. michiganensis (20
mm inhibition zone) and F. oxysporum (19 mm), while the hexane extract produced a lower inhibition under the same conditions. Both extracts showed similar levels of activity against Pestalotiopsis sp. (approximately 10–12 mm).
Conclusion: M. pulegium extracts have high phenolic content and strong antioxidant capacity. In particular, the fact that the methanol extract exhibits significant antimicrobial activity against both fungal and bacterial phytopathogens indicates the potential of the M. pulegium plant to be used as an environmentally friendly biopesticide. There is limited information regarding the evaluation of solventbased extracts of M. pulegium against agricultural phytopathogens. The present study contributes to addressing this gap and offers new insights into its potential applications.
Aim: The aim of this study is to identify herbal products known for their analgesic effects and to evaluate the contents of these products sold through pharmacies and herbalists in Istanbul. Materials and methods: Initially, medicinal plants with pain-relieving properties were identified through a literature review, followed by a field study examining the sales forms, contents, and label information of these products. The findings revealed that herbal analgesic products are widely used among the public; however, there are significant differences between pharmacies and herbalists in terms of
product content, packaging, and dosage information. Results: In total, seven herbal drugs used for analgesic purposes were examined. The regulation of these products and public awareness play a critical role in protecting public health. The
research showed that herbal drugs obtained from herbalists often lack standard packaging and labelling, are not prepared according to a specific formulation, are stored in unhygienic conditions, and the information provided by herbalists does not match the actual product contents. In contrast, herbal drugs obtained from pharmacies are typically presented in labelled, sealed packages, with clear information on the label regarding the product’s composition and the specific plant parts used. Conclusion: It was found that there were significant discrepancies between the verbal information
provided by herbalists and the actual product contents. While the product information provided by many herbalists was either insufficient or misleading, products obtained from pharmacies exhibited higher levels of information consistency and standardization of ingredients. This finding highlights the importance of the point of sale in terms of product reliability.
Goji berry is a perennial plant species with broad ecological tolerance and the ability to propagate both vegetatively and
generatively. It has been used for centuries in its native regions of East Asia as both a food source and in traditional supportive treatments. Although relatively new to Türkiye, it has been cultivated in small areas across various provinces since the 2010s. This study, based on secondary data, examines the plant’s ecological characteristics; seed and sapling propagation; soil preparation; and planting, maintenance, and harvesting practices. The potential for adaptation under diverse climatic and edaphic conditions in Türkiye is evaluated, and existing knowledge gaps are identified. Given its promising potential as a functional food, nutritional source, medicinal and pharmaceutical ingredient, cosmetic material, erosion control species, and ornamental plant, goji berry cultivation should be supported through regionally appropriate plantation trials and further promoted according to its intended uses.
