P-hydroxybenzoic Acid Research Articles

Comparative Analysis of the Effects of Crude Metabolic Extracts of Three Biocontrol Bacteria on Microbial Community Structure Provides a New Strategy for the Biological Control of Apple Replant Disease

The crude metabolic extract from plant biocontrol bacteria plays a very important role in sustainable agricultural production. These extracts help maintain healthy plants and have very important application prospects in biotechnology related to alleviating apple replant disease (ARD). In this study, Bacillus velezensis XC1 (T1), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens QSB-6 (T2), and Lactobacillus reuteri LBR (T3) were examined to characterize the ability of their crude metabolic extracts to alleviate ARD. The high-throughput sequencing data of the soil microbial community structure were analyzed in relation to LBR crude metabolic extracts, and an extensive untargeted metabolomic analysis of UHPLC-Qex active components was performed. Active LC-MS/MS revealed that the main secondary metabolites involved in the biological control exerted by L. reuteri included 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde, extracellular polysaccharides (EPS), p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and azelaic acid. These crude metabolic extracts significantly inhibited the growth of soil pathogenic fungi, reduced the abundance of Fusarium, promoted the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Pseudomonas, and optimized the soil microbial community structure. Improved modern extraction and purification technologies will be able to offer additional insights into the mechanism of action of these secondary metabolites and enable them to be used in biological preparations to prevent and control ARD in the future, as well as to allow harmful chemical fumigants to be discontinued.

Development of a model to study browning caused by tyrosinase in grape must

Enzymatic browning caused by polyphenol oxidases, tyrosinase and laccase, continues to be one of the main problems in winemaking. Therefore, wineries are very interested in studying the mechanisms of browning and procedures for decreasing the use sulphur dioxide. This research proposes a model to study tyrosinase activity from grape must using different substrates: one monophenol (p-hydroxybenzoic acid), two diphenols (caftaric acid and (−)-epicatechin) and one triphenol (gallic acid). The kinetic constants of tyrosinase, Vmax and KM, indicate that caftaric acid is the best substrate for tyrosinase, followed in decreasing order by (−)-epicatechin, gallic acid and p-hydroxybenzoic acid. This last acid does not appear to be susceptible to browning by the action of grape must tyrosinase. The influence of pH, temperature and ethanol on grape must tyrosinase were also determined and the results indicate that tyrosinase Vmax increases when pH and temperature are higher and that the presence of ethanol reduces it.

Chemical composition and potential pharmacological applications of Centaurea acaulis L.

Our study aimed to characterize the composition of the ethyl acetate extract obtained from Centaurea acaulis L. and assess its dermatoprotective and antioxidant properties. The secondary metabolite composition was established by high-performance liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. The antioxidant activity was assessed using four different assays, including DPPH, β-carotene, CUPRAC, and reducing power assays. Furthermore, the in vitro photoprotective effect was evaluated by measuring sun protection. The HPLC-TOF/MS analysis identified the presence of 19 bioactive compounds in the ethyl acetate extract. Major components such as rosmarinic acid and 4-hydroxy benzoic acid were detected, along with other compounds including caffeic acid, cichoric acid, gentisic acid, p-coumaric acid, protocatechuic acid, ferulic acid, vanilic acid, gallic acid, apigenin-7-glucoside, catechin, kaempferol, and quercetin. The ethyl acetate extract of Centaurea acaulis L. exhibited strong antioxidant activity in DPPH, β-carotene, CUPRAC, and reducing power assays, outperforming standard antioxidants such as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), tannic acid, and ascorbic acid. Additionally, the extract demonstrated a high ability to absorb UV radiation, with an average sun protection factor of 40.20 ± 0.11. These findings highlight the significant antioxidant and dermatoprotective potential of the ethyl acetate extract from Centaurea acaulis L., suggesting its potential use in cosmetic and dietary additive formulations.

Seasonal variation and size distribution of aromatic acids in urban aerosols in Beijing, China

Aromatic acids are an integral component of organic acids in the atmosphere, contributing to the formation of climate-altering brown carbon (BrC). To better understand the sources and formation processes of aromatic acids, we collected size-segregated particulate matter samples in urban Beijing from April 2017 to January 2018, which were analyzed using solvent-extraction followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Phthalic acid (o-PhA) had the greatest average annual concentration, followed by terephthalic acid (p-PhA), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4-OHBA), dehydroabietic acid (DA), syringic acid (SA), 3-hydroxybenzoic acid (3-OHBA), isophthalic acid (m-PhA), and vanillic acid (VA). We identified distinct seasonal variations in aromatic acids, with o-PhA peaking in summer due to photochemical activity, while p-PhA and 4-OHBA elevated in autumn and summer, respectively, influenced by open waste and biomass burning. Wintertime variations in all aromatic acids were driven by complex meteorology and increased anthropogenic emissions, including rural biomass burning for cooking and heating. Particle size distribution of aromatic acids was affected by seasonal agricultural activities and dust storms, multiple emission sources, and formation mechanisms. The o-PhA has predominantly bimodal distribution, with diverse sources and complex formation mechanisms including gas- and aqueous-phase chemistry. The applicability of o-PhA as a tracer for specific secondary organic aerosols has been questioned due to its potential primary sources. The 3-OHBA, 4-OHBA, VA, SA, and DA exhibited bimodal or trimodal patterns during haze and non-haze periods across different particle size ranges. The seasonal variation in VA/SA and VA/4-OHBA ratios demonstrated the complexity of biomass burning types, influenced by season, particle size, meteorological conditions, and combustion sources.

Phytochemical profiling of Ananas comosus fruit via UPLC-MS and its anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities: In Silico, In Vitro and In Vivo Approach

Ananas comosus [L.] is one of the most appreciated sources of metabolites for nutraceuticals and therapeutics. Traditional use of A. comosus fruit as anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic agents warrants scientific validation. A. comosus fruit is well-known for its polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity that pose it good candidate in alleviating arthritis. This study aims to investigate the potential of A. comosus fruit as anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory agent using different approaches in an attempt to reveal the underlying mechanism of action in accordance to its phytoconstituents. Results revealed that total ethanol extract of A. comosus (TEA) has potent in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities. Also, TEA (500 and 1000 mg/kg) manifested promising in vivo anti-arthritic activity by alleviating paw edema to only 20.2 and 16.4% increase, respectively. High dose of TEA showed significant reduction in inflammatory biomarkers reverting IL- 6 to near normal value (46.93 pg/mL). TEA reversed the induced histopathological damage caused by the adjuvant and inhibit inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. UPLC/QTOF-MS-MS was carried out for metabolite profiling with a total of 53 metabolites identified including hydroxycinnamic acids (HCA), their depsides, glycerides and glycosides derivatives together with hydroxybenzoic acid glycosides, and amino acids. In silico studies displayed inhibitory potential against TNF-α for most of studied HCA derivatives especially dicinnamoyl glycerides and methoxylated HCA. This study is considered the first pharmacological validation of pineapple fruit traditional use. These observed results are attributed to TEA metabolite profile that exhibited favorable pharmacokinetics and drug likeness properties, suggesting their potential as lead drugs.

Leveraging conventional and natural solvents: physical extraction of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid

Leveraging conventional and natural solvents: physical extraction of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid

Carvacrol-conjugated 3-Hydroxybenzoic Acids: Design, Synthesis, cardioprotective potential against doxorubicin-induced Cardiotoxicity, and ADMET study

Carvacrol (CA) is a phenolic monoterpene renowned for its diverse pharmacological benefits, particularly its cardioprotective effects. Concurrently, phenolic acids have also demonstrated promise in mitigating drug-induced cardiotoxicity. Focusing on combating doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC), the research aims to synthesize novel cardioprotective agents by combining CA with 3-hydroxybenzoic acid (3HA). Doxorubicin, an anticancer drug, poses cardiovascular risks as its adverse effect, prompting the exploration of hybrid compounds. Various linker molecules, including alkyl and acyl with different carbon lengths, were investigated to understand their impact on bioactivity. In vitro testing on the DOX-induced H9c2 cell death model revealed the effectiveness of a CA conjugate in preserving cardiomyocyte viability. In silico analysis highlighted favorable drug-like properties and low toxicity of the conjugate. This study sheds light on molecular hybridization’s potential in developing cardioprotective agents, emphasizing CA’s pivotal role in combating DIC.

Optimization of High-Pressure Processing for Microbial Inactivation in Pigmented Rice Grass Juice and Quality Impact Assessment during Refrigerated Storage.

Pigmented rice grass juice (RGJ) is a good source of bioactive compounds, but fresh juice has a relatively short shelf life of only 7 days at 4 °C. The objectives of this study were to determine the optimal growth stage of pigmented rice grass, investigate the optimal condition of high-pressure processing (HPP) for bacterial inactivation in inoculated RGJ using response surface methodology (RSM), and evaluate quality changes in uninoculated HPP-treated juice during storage at 4 °C compared with heat-treated (85 °C/10 min) and untreated samples. Results revealed that the optimal growth stage of rice grass was 9 days with the highest total anthocyanin content of 158.92 mg/L. The optimal condition of HPP was determined to be 612 MPa, 11 min, and 36 °C, and inactivated Escherichia coli K12 and Listeria innocua with 6.43 and 5.02 log reductions, respectively, meeting FDA regulations. The lethality of bacteria after HPP treatment can be explained by damage to the cell membrane and the leakage of intracellular constituents such as protein and nucleic acid. During 12 weeks of storage at 4 °C, total plate counts and yeast and mold counts in uninoculated HPP-treated juice were not detected. Moreover, HPP did not significantly change phytochemical properties (p < 0.05), caused a minor impact on physicochemical properties of RGJ, and maintained the durability of juice samples during storage. Analysis of the phytochemical profile revealed that HPP treatment could preserve most of the phenolic compounds in RGJ and especially increase the contents of protocatechuic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, syringic acid, transcinnamic acid, isorhamnetin-3-o-glucoside, quercetin, and cyanidin-3-glucoside (p < 0.05). Overall, HPP is a potential pasteurization technique for microbial inactivation and nutritional preservation for rice grass juice.

Lignin-derived compounds assisted with Kocuria marina H-2 and Pseudomonas putida B6-2 co-culture enhanced naphthalene biodegradation

The implementation of environmentally friendly and sustainable remediation strategies positively impacts solid waste management. In this study, the Kocuria marina H-2 and Pseudomonas putida B6-2 co-culture system demonstrated enhanced naphthalene biodegradation efficiency compared to single-strain cultures. Under optimal conditions of 35 °C, 200 rpm/min, and a 1:1 ratio of the co-culture system, the naphthalene biodegradation potential was further increased. Notably, the addition of both ethylenediamine-pretreated lignin and p-hydroxybenzoic acid significantly elevated naphthalene degradation rates to 68.5 %. In addition, the oil-liquid surface tension decreased, while cell surface hydrophobicity and colony-forming units increased with the addition of lignin-derived compounds. The modification of naphthalene bioavailability by ethylenediamine-pretreated lignin would accelerate the uptake and transport of hydrocarbons via ABC transporters and flagellar assembly. Importantly, genes related to bacterial chemotaxis and fatty acid biosynthesis were upregulated during the co-metabolism of naphthalene and p-hydroxybenzoic acid, further enhancing naphthalene bioconversion.

Phytochemical Characterization of Bilberries and Their Potential as a Functional Ingredient to Mitigate Ochratoxin A Toxicity in Cereal-Based Products.

Mycotoxin contamination of cereals and cereal-based products is a serious problem for food safety. Antioxidant-rich ingredients such as bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L., VM) may mitigate their harmful effects. Firstly, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and analytical phytochemical composition (hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acids, flavanols, flavonols, and anthocyanins) were assessed in lyophilized wild bilberries from Romania. Secondly, this study evaluated bilberries' effects on reducing ochratoxin A (OTA) bioaccessibility and cytotoxicity. An in vitro digestion model was developed and applied to four different types of bread: Control, VM (2%), OTA (15.89 ± 0.13 mg/kg), and OTA (16.79 ± 0.55 mg/kg)-VM (2%). The results indicated that VM decreased OTA bioaccessibility by 15% at the intestinal level. OTA-VM digests showed improved Caco-2 cell viability in comparison to OTA digests across different exposure times. Regarding the alterations in Jurkat cell line cell cycle phases and apoptosis/necrosis, significant increases in cell death were observed using OTA digests (11%), while VM addition demonstrated a protective effect (1%). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) analysis confirmed these findings, with OTA-VM digests showing significantly lower ROS levels compared to OTA digests, resulting in a 3.7-fold decrease. Thus, bilberries exhibit high potential as a functional ingredient, demonstrating protection in OTA mitigation effects.

Acute toxicity assessment of bioactive constituents from Salvia algeriensis (Desf.) extracts: a promising natural agent against clinical bacterial isolates and pathogenic fungi

Salvia species are emerging as promising therapeutic agents due to their diverse bioactivity against various pathologies. This study was conducted to investigate the phytochemical profile, antimicrobial activity, and acute Toxicity of hydromethanolic extracts from Salvia algeriensis (Desf.) leaves, flowers, and roots. Chemical reaction tests and chromatographic analysis were employed to determine the chemical composition, while microdilution was used to determine the tested microorganisms' minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The acute Toxicity of the leaf extract was carried out following the rules and guidelines of OECD 425. Toxicity parameters in Swiss albino mice were evaluated after a single dose of 500 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg. According to the preliminary phytochemical screening results, terpenoids and polyphenols (flavonoids and tannins) were found in all plant parts, but coumarins were only found in the root extract. The HPLC-DAD analysis revealed the presence of 16 phenolic compounds in varying amounts across the three extracts, of which rosmarinic acid, quercetin, caffeic acid, and 3-hydroxybenzoic acid were the most abundant. Selective antimicrobial activity was noticed, with the root extract demonstrating the most substantial effect against the two fungal strains tested. MIC values ranged from 0.3 to 10 mg/mL, and Gram-positive bacteria generally showedgreater susceptibility compared to Gram-negative bacteria. The LD50 was found to be greater than 2000 mg/kg. There were no overt clinical symptoms of Toxicity. Body weights, organ weights, and temperatures were not significantly altered, and hematological analysis showed no significant differences. Salvia algeriensis (Desf.) extracts emerge as potential candidates for natural, non-toxic antimicrobial agents. Keywords: Acute Toxicity; antimicrobial; HPLC-DAD; polyphenols; Salvia

Developing water quality and land use surrogates to predict endocrine-disrupting chemical profiles in a highly urbanized river basin

This study investigated geospatial distributions of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the waters of the Dongjiang River and their associations with anthropogenic activities. Fifteen EDCs, with total concentrations in the river water of 149–2525 ng/L were detected, with bisphenol-A, 4-nonylphenol, 4-tert-octylphenol, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and methylparaben being the five predominant EDCs. The total estrogen concentration was high downstream and significantly correlated with the spatial distribution of urban land use, wastewater discharge, population, and gross domestic product, indicating human activities have increased estrogen levels and threatened ecological health. The total risk quotient indicated a high ecological risk of estrogens to fish and a moderate to high ecological risk of personal care products to algae. Estrone, triclosan, bisphenol-A, 4-nonylphenol, and 4-tert-octylphenol were categorized as priority pollutants, which required special concern. Triclosan and triclocarban can serve as reliable chemical indicators for predicting EDC levels based on correlation analysis. The crucial factors affecting EDC levels were identified through the Mantel test and predictor importance was quantified using a multiple regression model, which can help predict occurrences and geospatial distributions of EDCs. Total phosphorus and electrical conductivity were the major predictors of EDC levels, providing promising indicators for monitoring EDCs in river water. Urban land proportion significantly affected phenolic environmental estrogens, natural estrogens, and disinfectants. In the main stream, urban population, urbanization rate, and gross domestic product influenced phenolic environmental estrogen levels. A mini-review of the global distribution of EDCs in river water revealed that income and population differences among countries affect their occurrence, suggesting socioeconomic factors should be considered to mitigate EDC pollution.

Synthesis and properties of low dielectric thermotropic liquid crystal polyarylates

In this study, a series of low dielectric liquid crystal polyarylates were designed and synthesized through the acetylation of hydroxyl-containing monomers followed by melt polycondensation with 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA), 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (HNA), bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol AF (BPAF), terephthalic acid (TA) acid and 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoroterephthalic acid (TFTA). The molar ratio of HBA to HNA was controlled at 7:3. The structures of the acetylated monomers and polyarylates were characterized using FTIR and NMR spectroscopy, while the elemental composition of the polyarylates was analysed via XPS. WAXD and POM analyses revealed that the prepared polyarylates exhibit a single crystalline form and are capable of forming liquid crystals. DSC and TGA analyses indicated that the incorporation of bisphenol-type monomers (BPA or BPAF) disrupted the regularity of the main chain, leading to a decrease in both the melting point and thermal stability. Finally, the incorporation of bulky monomers (BPA or BPAF) and fluorinated monomers (BPAF and TFTA) into polyarylates increases free volume and decreases polarization, leading to a significant reduction in the dielectric constant.

Synthesis, crystal structures, characterizations and antibacterial activities for four lithium(I)-based metal organic frameworks

Lithium(I)-based compounds are extensively utilized across various domains, however, their structural characteristics remain inadequately explored, which has hindered further development and application of their functionalities. Thus, the exploration of their structural intricacies is crucial for unlocking their full potential and paving the way for innovative applications in diverse fields. In this study, four Li(I)-based metal organic frameworks (MOFs), namely, [Li4(BNZ)4(H2O)4]n (1), [Li(HBNZ)]n (2), [Li(BNZ)(DPRO)]n (3), [Li2(MBNZ)2(DPRO)2]n (4), are synthesized through hydrothermal method, and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction, and IR, where BNZ, HBNZ, MBNZ and DPRO are benzoic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 3-methoxybenzoic acid and d-proline, respectively. Crystallographic analysis reveals that all these complexes are two-dimensional layered architectures, of which 3 and 4 display a similar wave-like square grids network. The crystal structures of the complexes 1–4 are stabilized by one or more kinds of NH···O, CH···O, OH···O, CH···π, π-π interactions, and the intermolecular interactions and thermal stabilities of these complexes were also analyzed by Hirshfeld surface and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. Moreover, these complexes show the great photoluminescence properties and antibacterial activities, exhibiting remarkable potential applications in both material and pharmaceutical science, and the necessity for continued research to promise a paradigm shift in the design and application of advanced materials.

Phenolic Compounds, Fatty Acid Contents, and Antibacterial Properties of Ozonated and Non-Ozonated Tobacco Seed Oils

ABSTRACT In this study, the fatty acid content, phenolic compounds, and antimicrobial activity of seed oils from Ege Özbaş (EO), Sarıbağlar 407 (S407) and Akhisar 98 (A98) tobacco plants grown in the Aegean region were investigated. The ozonation process altered fatty acid and phenolic compound compositions and affected antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in the oils. Tobacco seed oils (TSOs) were extracted via cold pressing (CP) and Soxhlet extraction (SE). Fatty acids and phenolic compounds were analyzed using GC-FID and LC-MS/MS, respectively. Non-ozonated oils averaged 73% linoleic acid, 13% oleic acid, 9% palmitic acid, and 3% stearic acid, while ozonated oils contained 41% linoleic acid, 18% oleic acid, 22% palmitic acid, and 11% stearic acid. The presence of 33 phenolic compounds was investigated and 22 common phenolic compounds were detected in both ozonated and non-ozonated TSOs, including gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid, (-)-epicatechin, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, verbascoside, luteolin-7-glucoside, hesperidin, and rosmarinic acid. The increased antimicrobial activity of fatty acids and phenolic compounds following ozonation suggests the potential for developing creams to treat skin diseases and wounds caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens, and to reduce the effects of aging skin wrinkles.

Profiling metabolites and exploring metabolism of parabens in human urine using non-target screening and molecular networking

Parabens are widely used as preservatives in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics due to their excellent antimicrobial activities, cost-effectiveness, and stability. Previous studies have demonstrated their harmful potential and ubiquity in the environment and human tissues. This study revealed profiles of parabens and their metabolites in urine samples from a general population of different ages in China using non-target screening. Metabolism of parabens in human bodies was further explored through the identified metabolites in combination of molecular networking. A total of 34 paraben compounds were screened in the urine samples. In addition to 3 identified confidence level 1 (CL1) parent parabens, 3 CL2 compounds were also identified, namely 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and ethylparaben sulfate. Furthermore, 6 CL3 compounds were tentatively identified, five of which were sulfonated and sulfated metabolites of parabens. The remaining 22 were CL4 features without certain chemical structures. Hazardousness assessment suggested toxic potential of the identified metabolites. Distribution of the parabens and metabolites in the urines showed age-dependent differences. Sulfonation and sulfation were potentially significant metabolic pathways of the parabens in human bodies. This study provides a new insight into understanding metabolism of parabens in human bodies and potential risks of human exposure to parabens.

Synthesis, characterization and anticorrosion performance of a new corrosion inhibitor based on cobalt- phenanthroline- p-hydroxybenzoic acid ternary complex

In this paper, a new corrosion inhibitor based on cobalt- phenanthroline- p-hydroxybenzoic acid ternary complex was synthesized. Its anti-corrosion effects on carbon steel in 0.5 M HCl were investigated by weight-loss measurements, electrochemical tests, surface analyses, and quantum chemical calculations. The results indicated that the Co-phen-phba ternary complex exhibits excellent anti-corrosion efficiencies of ∼97 % at 298 K and ∼86 % at 328 K. The excellent anti-corrosion performance of Co-phen-phba ternary complex could be attributed to the combination of inorganic and organic corrosion inhibitors. Theoretical calculations established the correlation between the structure and the anti-corrosion effect of corrosion inhibitor.

Assessment of antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial properties of hybrid mushroom strains derived through intergeneric hybridization between Pleurotus sajor-caju and Calocybe indica

Our present study aims to evaluate the biological activities of the six hybrid mushrooms (APS) obtained through the protoplast fusion technique between two mushrooms Calocybe indica and Pleurotus sajor-caju, in our previous study. Antioxidant activity of hybridized mushroom samples was determined by the free radical scavenging method, using DPPH radical, Superoxide radical, and Hydroxyl radical. Additionally, all the mushroom extract has shown a good amount of total phenolic content, and total flavonoid content and also has potent Ferric reducing antioxidant power. The Total phenolic content, Total flavonoid content, and Ferric reducing antioxidant power were estimated. Six constituents: gallic acid, catechin, protocatechuic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, p-coumaric acid, and cinnamic acid were identified by UHPLC. The MIC values, zone of inhibition, growth kinetic, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed to establish the antimicrobial efficacy. The tested samples exhibited antimicrobial activity against selected microorganisms Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A clear morphological change was observed under SEM when Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were treated with APS-4 and APS-3 mushroom extracts. The ability to inhibit carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes such as α-amylase and α-galactosidase has also been studied to explore antidiabetic properties. The inhibitory activity of α-glucosidase was APS-4 reflected a very prominent result with the lowest IC50 value i.e.,118.058 ± 1.515, APS-2 and APS-6 showed almost similar IC50 values. α – galactosidase inhibitory activity of APS-4 and APS-6 exhibit better results than other strains.

Metabolic profiling and antioxidant activity of fenugreek seeds cultivars ‘Giza 2’ and ‘Giza 30’ compared to other geographically-related seeds

This study addresses a comparative comprehensive metabolic profiling of two Egyptian cultivars of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) seeds ‘Giza 2’ and ‘Giza 30’ via RP-HPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS and MS/MS. Briefly, 126 metabolites were detected in the samples under investigation, being classified into hydroxybenzoic acids (8), hydroxycinnamic acids (7), flavonoids (49 with a predominancy of flavones in particular apigenin derivatives), coumarins (1), furostanol saponins (17), alkaloids (2), amino acids (11), peptides (2), jasmonates (6), nucleosides (30), organic acids (16), terpenoids (1), and sugars (3). In addition, the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were determined and compared with other geographically related seeds (chickpea Giza-1, sesame Giza-32, and linseed, Giza-10), showing slight differences among them but higher values than the other geographically related seeds that were segregated from them upon chemometric analysis. This is the first comprehensive metabolic profiling of these cultivars, presenting an initial account of some metabolites found in Fabaceae, such as apigenin di C pentoside, with a significant occurrence of biologically active furostanol saponins. It gives a prospect of fenugreeks richness of bioactive metabolites as an essential functional food that could add value to the food and nutraceutical industries' sustainability.

Carbon flow from roots to rhizobacterial networks: Grafting effects

Plants recruit microorganisms from bulk soil by secreting easily available organic carbon into the rhizosphere. Grafting often increases the disease resistance of agricultural plants by modifying this carbon flow from roots into rhizosphere and by recruiting active microorganisms that suppress pathogens. Here, we continuously labeled grafted and ungrafted watermelon plants in a 13CO2 atmosphere to identify the active microorganisms assimilating root exudates. Multi-omics associated technologies (amplicon sequencing, metagenomics and metabolomics) combined with 13C tracing were used to examine the carbon flows, microbial utilization and transformation in the rhizosphere. The number of potentially active bacterial species recruited in the rhizosphere of grafted plants and utilizing root exudates was four times more than in ungrafted plants. These potentially active species matched to metagenome-assembled-genomes (MAGs) mainly belonging to Sphingomonas in the rhizosphere of ungrafted plants, and to Sphingomonas, Chitinophaga, Dyadobacter and Pseudoxanthomonas in the rhizosphere of grafted plants. Sphingomonas possesses the functional potential to metabolize a plant self-toxic substance, namely 4-hydroxybenzoic acid. Furthermore, grafting shaped the complex metabolic interactions and changed the original metabolic dependence between the potentially active bacterial species. Grafting plants diversified belowground carbon flows, activating a greater number of beneficial microbes.