Health Benefits Research Articles

Inter-individual variability in neural response to low doses of LSD

The repeated use of small doses of psychedelics (also referred to as “microdosing”) to facilitate benefits in mental health, cognition, and mood is a trending practice. Placebo-controlled studies however have largely failed to demonstrate strong benefits, possibly because of large inter-individual response variability. The current study tested the hypothesis that effects of low doses of LSD on arousal, attention and memory depend on an individual’s cognitive state at baseline. Healthy participants (N = 53) were randomly assigned to receive repeated doses of LSD (15 mcg) or placebo on 4 occasions divided over 2 weeks. Each treatment condition also consisted of a baseline and a 1-week follow-up visit. Neurophysiological measures of arousal (resting state EEG), pre-attentive processing (auditory oddball task), and perceptual learning and memory (visual long-term potentiation (LTP) paradigm) were assessed at baseline, dosing session 1 and 4, and follow-up. LSD produced stimulatory effects as reflected by a reduction in resting state EEG delta, theta, and alpha power, and enhanced pre-attentive processing during the acute dosing sessions. LSD also blunted the induction of LTP on dosing session 4. Stimulatory effects of LSD were strongest in individuals with low arousal and attention at baseline, while inhibitory effects were strongest in high memory performers at baseline. Decrements in delta EEG power and enhanced pre-attentive processing in the LSD treatment condition were still present during the 1-week follow-up. The current study demonstrates across three cognitive domains, that acute responses to low doses of LSD depend on the baseline state and provides some support for LSD induced neuroadaptations that sustain beyond treatment.

A Study of Awareness and Student's Buying Behaviour towards Probiotic Dairy Products at Anand City, India

Probiotics are essential for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, especially in an era of rising antibiotic resistance among harmful bacteria. A survey conducted among college students revealed that most respondents had a good understanding of probiotics, primarily gaining awareness from books and commercials. The majority of respondents were male (69%), aged 20-25 years and undergraduate students (71%), with about 50% coming from agricultural family backgrounds and a monthly family income of approximately ₹40,000 (37%). Most respondents were from rural areas and were aware of probiotic dairy products. Awareness sources included books, social media, and friends & family. Most respondents consumed probiotic dairy products weekly, favouring products such as lassi, buttermilk, ice cream and dahi, with a preference for the Amul brand. Only around 3% were dissatisfied with probiotic dairy products and 73% purchased them for their health and nutritional benefits. About half perceived these products to be more expensive than regular dairy products and 97% of aware respondents were satisfied and willing to recommend them to family and friends.

The effect of tobacco tax increase on price-minimizing tobacco purchasing behaviours: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Tobacco product excise taxes are a cost-effective method for reducing tobacco consumption, but industry pricing and marketing strategies encourage consumers to engage in price-minimizing behaviours (PMBs). We investigated the relationship between tobacco tax increases and PMBs, measuring whether PMBs intensify following tax increases, whether low-income consumers with higher nicotine dependence are more likely to engage in PMBs and whether PMBs are negatively related to smoking cessation. This was a systematic review with meta-analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies from seven databases up to March 2023, using studies that reported any product- and purchasing-related smoking behaviours post-tobacco tax increase in a general representative population. Sixty-eightstudies were quality-assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. All studies were narratively synthesized, with five studies involving 13 068-26 575 participants providing data for pooled analyses on PMBs [purchasing lower-priced brands, roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco and cartons] pre- and post-tax increases using a random effects meta-analytical model. Fifty-seven studies reported on legal PMBs, and 17 studies reported illicit cigarette purchasing. Meta-analysis showed that consecutive tax increases were positively associated with purchasing RYO [odds ratio (OR) = 1.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.04-2.46], especially in higher tobacco taxing environments, with substantial heterogeneity (I2= 96%). Lower income and higher nicotine dependence were associated with purchasing lower-priced brands and RYO, whereas higher income and nicotine dependence were associated with purchasing cartons, large-sized packs and cross-border sales. Less evidence associated illicit tobacco purchases with tax increases or PMBs with smoking cessation. Tobacco purchasers' PMBs vary widely by state, country and time-period within countries. Both legal and illegal PMBs, potentially influenced by industry pricing tactics, may exacerbate health inequalities and dilute the public health benefits of tobacco tax increases.

How do superblock interventions influence health? A scoping review

Cities are implementing interventions to radically transform public space and urban transportation networks. While these interventions are urgently needed, many questions remain regarding their impacts on health, and how they can be effectively replicated. In the case of Superblock interventions, it is assumed they have the potential to significantly improve urban environments and health. This study aims to identify the empirical evidence on Superblocks and their effects on health outcomes in different urban settings, in addition, to understand how these interventions are defined in the literature. We conducted a scoping review and identified extremely limited empirical evidence on the health effects, despite a range of literature emphasising the potential of Superblocks to improve health through various mechanisms. Increased access to green spaces within Superblocks is estimated to have significant health benefits, including reduced premature deaths, fewer hospital admissions, and improved mental health. Also, while Superblocks may increase physical activity levels, sustained increases may not be observed among all social groups. Further evaluations are needed to understand the full health effects of Superblocks in different urban settings.

Postbiotics in inflammatory bowel disease: efficacy, mechanism, and therapeutic implications.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is one of the most challenging diseases in the 21st century, and more than 10 million people around the world suffer from IBD. Because of the limitations and adverse effects associated with conventional IBD therapies, there has been increased scientific interest in microbial-derived biomolecules, known as postbiotics. Postbiotics are defined as the preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confer a health benefit on the host, comprising inactivated microbial cells, cell fractions, metabolites, etc. Postbiotics have shown potential in enhancing IBD treatment by reducing inflammation, modulating the immune system, stabilizing intestinal flora and maintaining the integrity of intestinal barriers. Consequently, they are considered promising adjunctive therapies for IBD. Recent studies indicate that postbiotics offer distinctive advantages, including spanning clinical (safe origin), technological (easy for storage and transportation) and economic (reduced production costs) dimensions, rendering them suitable for widespread applications in functional food/pharmaceutical. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the definition, classification and applications of postbiotics, with an emphasis on their biological activity in both the prevention and treatment of IBD. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Occurrence of ochratoxin A in cocoa beans and bean-to-bar chocolates.

The growing health consciousness of consumers has led to an increase in the consumption of artisanal chocolates, mainly due to their recognized health benefits. However, processing steps such as fermentation and drying of cocoa beans can favor the growth of ochratoxigenic fungi. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of ochratoxin A (OTA) in cocoa beans (purchased from e-commerce and post-harvest processing) and bean-to-bar chocolates sold in Brazil. An HPLC-FLD method was validated, with recovery values between 84 and 97% and limits of detection and quantification of 0.04 and 0.01 µg/kg, respectively. OTA was detected in 30% of the cocoa bean samples studied (n = 43), with values ranging from < 0.04 to 1.18 µg/kg. Regarding the bean-to-bar chocolates (n = 62), the OTA concentrations ranged from < 0.04 to 1.11 µg/kg, with a prevalence in semi-sweet and dark chocolates. Despite representing a growing market, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report OTA concentrations in bean-to-bar chocolates and Brazilian cocoa beans used to produce this type of chocolate.

Optimization of Extraction Method of Bioactive Compounds from Elderberries (Sambucus nigra L.) and Testing Extract Stability

Phenolic compounds from elderberries (Sambucus nigra L.) have attracted attention due to their potential health benefits. This paper examines different extraction methods used to obtain phenolic compounds from these fruits and the stability of the extracts. Several extraction techniques (extraction with continuous agitation, ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, maceration, and enzyme-assisted extraction) were tested and compared to evaluate the yield and the quality of the extracts. The stability of the extracts with various storage parameters (time and temperature) and processing conditions (concentration and lyophilization) was also investigated. The results showed that ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) provided the highest yield of total phenolic compounds (74.89 mg GAE/g), of which 71.23% were represented by total anthocyanins and 62.50% by monomeric anthocyanins, with total flavonoids of 8.11–9.41 mg RUE/g. The analysis of individual phenolic compounds reconfirms the efficiency of UAE, obtaining 0.42–0.09 mg/g gallic acid, 0.59–0.01 mg/g chlorogenic acid, 0.17–0.03 mg/g 4-coumaric acid, and 2.43–0.01 mg/g rutin. The optimization of the extraction conditions led to the conclusion that the best solvent is 45% ethanol (v/v), and the optimal parameters are 40 °C for 40 min. It was also found that the stability of the extracts can be high during long periods of time (even after 180 days). These findings contribute to the understanding of the optimization of extraction processes and storage conditions to obtain extracts rich in phenolic compounds from elderberries, with potential uses in pharmaceutical and food applications.

Effects of high-intensity interval training on cardiometabolic biomarkers in patients with prostate cancer undergoing active surveillance: a randomized controlled trial.

To report the effects of a 12-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program on cardiometabolic biomarkers in patients with prostate cancer on active surveillance (AS) from the Exercise During Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer (ERASE) Trial. Fifty-two men with prostate cancer on AS were randomized to either an exercise (HIIT; n = 26) or usual care (UC; n = 26) group. The HIIT intervention consisted of progressive, supervised, aerobic HIIT at an intensity of 85 to 95% VO2peak for 28 to 40 min per session performed three times/week for 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected at baseline and postintervention to analyze cardiometabolic biomarkers. Analysis of covariance was used to examine between-group mean differences. Blood data were obtained from 49/52 (94%) participants at postintervention. Participants were aged 63.4 ± 7.1 years and 40% were obese. The HIIT group attended 96% of the planned exercise sessions. No significant between-group changes in weight were observed after the intervention. Compared to UC, HIIT significantly improved total cholesterol (-0.40 mmol/L; 95% confidence interval[CI], -0.70 to -0.10; p = 0.011), non-high-density lipoprotein-c (-0.35 mmol/L; 95% CI, -0.60 to -0.11; p = 0.006), insulin (-13.6 pmol/L; 95% CI, -25.3 to -1.8; p = 0.025), insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 (-15.0 ng/mL; 95% CI, -29.9 to -0.1; p = 0.048), and IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-3 (152.3 ng/mL; 95% CI, 12.6 to 292.1; p = 0.033). No significant differences were observed for fasting glucose, HbA1c, other lipid markers, IGFBP-1, adiponectin, and leptin. The ERASE Trial showed that a 12-week aerobic HIIT program improved several cardiometabolic biomarkers in patients with prostate cancer on AS that may contribute to cardiovascular health benefits and potentially influence signaling pathways in the progression of prostate cancer. Further research is needed to confirm the effects of exercise on cardiometabolic markers in men with prostate cancer on AS and determine if these effects are associated with improved long-term clinical outcomes.

Medical marijuana legalization and parenting behaviors: An analysis of the time use of parents

SummaryCan access to medical marijuana improve parenting? We examine the consequences of state‐level medical marijuana legalization (MML) on parents' time use. Medical marijuana may increase parenting time by improving parents' health but only if parents do not abuse marijuana. We find that MML increases parenting time, with bigger impacts for those less likely to abuse marijuana. The effects correspond to 12.56% of the gap in active childcare and 8.92% of the gap in passive childcare by parents' education level. MML also reduces inactive time and increases sleep, consistent with medical marijuana's health benefits.

Analysis of the Fatty Acid Profile in Cream, Buttermilk Fractions, and Anhydrous Milk Fat: Influence of Physicochemical and Microbiological Parameters on the Fatty Acid Profile

This study analyzes the impact of physicochemical parameters on the microbiological and fatty acid profiles of cream, buttermilk, and anhydrous milk fat. Using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), the fatty acids present in these dairy products were qualitatively determined, highlighting the differences associated with the processing stages. Specifically, the distribution of short-chain, medium-chain, and long-chain fatty acids, such as butyric, caproic, caprylic, capric, lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids, were analyzed, assessing their nutritional implications. The microbiological composition of the samples was also analyzed using MALDI-ToF MS. The presence of lipolytic bacteria, such as Serratia monocytogenes, which can negatively impact the oxidative stability of fats, was detected. The results show that both environmental and processing conditions significantly affect the quantity and quality of fatty acids, thereby influencing the overall dietary value of dairy products. These findings offer insight into developing improved dairy product formulations that may lead to enhancement of their health benefits.

Changes in active commuting and changes in work ability and recovery from work in 16,778 Finnish public sector employees

BackgroundPromotion of active commuting by walking and cycling presents a feasible strategy to increase physical activity levels and improve employee health and wellbeing. Increasing evidence on the health benefits of active commuting exists, but little is known about longitudinal associations between active commuting and work ability, and recovery from work. MethodsWe conducted an observational cohort study of 16,778 public sector employees who responded to the Finnish Public Sector study surveys in 2020 and 2022. Within- and between-individual associations of changes in active commuting with changes in work ability and recovery from work were examined using hybrid modelling. Analyses were adjusted for sex and age at T1 (time-invariant confounders in the between-individual part of the analyses) and socio-economic factors, body mass index, health behaviours, and job strain (time-varying confounders in both parts). ResultsAfter adjustments, an increase in active commuting equivalent to 10 km per week was associated with small within-individual (unstandardized beta (B) = 0.016, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.004–0.028) and between-individual (B = 0.028, 95% CI 0.019–0.038) improvements in work ability. In sex-stratified analyses, the positive within-individual effect on work ability was observed only among women (B = 0.026, 95% CI 0.001–0.040). With recovery from work, only between-individual positive association was observed (B = 0.032, 95% CI = 0.018–0.045). ConclusionsIt may be possible to improve work ability by increasing active commuting. However, it appears that a change corresponding to tens of weekly kilometres of active commuting is required to achieve a small improvement in work ability. No conclusive evidence supporting that an increase in active commuting enhances recovery from work was found.

Musculoskeletal injuries and pain in children involved in sports: A literature review

BACKGROUND: In children, sports aims to obtain positive emotions and improve health and personal development. Sports injuries are associated with various risk factors, such as sex, age, previous injuries, and early specialization. AIM: This study aimed to analyze published data on the epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, and diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries and associated pain in children engaged in sports. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The literature regarding the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of pain in children involved in sports was explored. The literature search garnered 64 publications, including original articles, reviews, and normative documents. RESULTS: For most athletes, pain commonly occurs during training and competition. Injuries are an inherent risk when playing sports. However, coaches and parents can minimize the risk of injury by ensuring that they choose the right sports activities, use appropriate equipment, follow the rules, use safe practice, and provide adequate supervision. The negative consequences of sports injuries must be balanced with the social, psychological, and health benefits of sports participation. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of injuries and analgesia must be implemented effectively to prevent pain from becoming chronic and reduce psychological burden on the young athletes.

A Comprehensive Review on Harnessing Soy Proteins in the Manufacture of Healthy Foods through Extrusion

The global development of livestock production systems, accelerated by the growing demand for animal products, has greatly contributed to land-use change, greenhouse gas emissions, and pollution of the local environment. Further, excessive consumption of animal products has been linked with cardiovascular diseases, digestive system diseases, diabetes, and cancer. On the other hand, snacks, pasta, and bread available on the market are made from wheat, fat, salt, and sugar, which contribute to the risk of cardiovascular diseases. To counter these issues, a range of plant protein-based food products have been developed using different processing techniques, such as extrusion. Given the easy scalability, low cost of extrusion technology, and health benefits of soy proteins, this review focuses on the extrusion of soy protein and the potential application of soy protein-based extrudates in the manufacture of healthy, nutritious, and sustainable meat analogs, snacks, pasta products, and breakfast cereals. This review discusses the addition of soy protein to reformulate hypercaloric foods through extrusion technology. It also explores physical and chemical changes of soy proteins/soy protein blends during low and high moisture extrusion. Hydrogen bonds, disulfide bonds, and hydrophobic interactions influence the properties of the extrudates. Adding soy protein to snacks, pasta, breakfast cereals, and meat analogs affects their nutritional value, physicochemical properties, and sensory characteristics. The use of soy proteins in the production of low-calorie food could be an excellent opportunity for the future development of the soybean processing industry.

Protective Effects of Velvet Antler Methanol Extracts on Hypoxia-Induced Damage in Caenorhabditis elegans through HIF-1 and ECH-8 Mediated Lipid Accumulation

Velvet antler, a traditional tonic widely used in East Asia for its health benefits, is explored in this study for its protective effects against hypoxia-induced damage using Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) as a model. Hypoxia, characterized by low oxygen availability, induces significant physiological stress and potential tissue damage. Our research demonstrates that methanol extracts from velvet antler (MEs) enhance the survival of C. elegans under hypoxic conditions. This enhancement is achieved through the stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) and the promotion of lipid accumulation, both of which are crucial for mitigating cellular damage. Specifically, MEs improve mitochondrial function, increase ATP production, and aid in the recovery of physical activity in C. elegans post-hypoxia or following hypoxia–reoxygenation (HR). The pivotal role of HIF-1 is underscored by the loss of these protective effects when HIF-1 function is inhibited. Additionally, our findings reveal that the gene related to lipid metabolism, ech-8, significantly contributes to the lipid accumulation that enhances resilience to hypoxia in C. elegans treated with MEs. These results not only highlight the therapeutic potential of velvet antler in modern medical applications, particularly for conditions involving hypoxic stress, but also provide insights into the molecular mechanisms by which MEs confer protection against hypoxic damage.

Exploring the spatial trade-off effects of green space on older people’s physical inactivity: Evidence from Shanghai

Given that green space patterns and population density often show opposing trends over space, this could lead to trade-off (distance/population decay) relationships. Consequently, this paper utilized the Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE) data from Shanghai, China, to investigate whether there is a spatial trade-off in the health effects of green spaces on people’s inactivity. Our findings confirmed the trade-off effects of green spaces in reducing sedentary time, using interaction terms to highlight how the health impacts of green spaces vary across different population densities and may thus lead to inconsistent relationships between green space and health outcomes. Generally, the ability of green spaces to affect sedentary time decreased as population density increases, particularly regarding park proximity and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Our research also revealed that the trade-off in health benefits from green spaces was influenced by the type of green space. For instance, park proximity, park area, and NDVI showed trade-off effects, with higher population densities enhancing the impact of NDVI on increasing sedentary time (β = 133.871), despite NDVI itself decreasing with a rise in population density (r = -0.68). Conversely, the Green Vegetation Index (GVI) did not demonstrate such an effect. The unequal spatial distribution and composition of green space may further exacerbate health inequities. Therefore, this paper recommends that future provisioning of green spaces should take into account the local urban spatial structure.

Olive Oil Consumption, Risk Factors, and Diseases: An Umbrella Review.

Olive oil is a vegetable oil that provides health benefits, including a reduction in free radicals and total cholesterol and prevention of chronic diseases. The escalating incidence of chronic diseases presents a substantial challenge to public health, prompting numerous studies to assess these health-related effects. Despite several systematic reviews and meta-analyses summarizing the association between olive oil consumption and specific health outcomes, there is no summary of the accumulated evidence from these reviews. This umbrella review summarizes the evidence on olive oil consumption or intervention in adults and its association with multiple risk factors and diseases. We retrieved systematic reviews of randomized trials or observational studies on oral interventions or the consumption of olive oil. The systematic search encompassed databases including MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, and CENTRAL from inception to February 6, 2023. Two independent reviewers conducted data extraction and assessed methodological quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool. Overall, 17 systematic reviews of randomized trials and observational studies, covering outcomes such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, type 2 diabetes, glucose metabolism, inflammatory and oxidative markers, and all-cause mortality, were included. The evidence suggests a beneficial association between olive oil consumption and cardiovascular diseases, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and all-cause mortality. However, the evidence was less definitive for inflammatory markers, oxidative stress, glucose metabolism, and blood lipid outcomes. Several meta-analyses revealed high heterogeneity and wide confidence intervals, along with a limited number of randomized clinical trials. Given the high heterogeneity and low quality of evidence, further studies involving randomized trials are imperative. Prioritizing an in-depth analysis of specific olive oil components and using a control group with distinct characteristics and different effects is strongly recommended. PROSPERO registration no. CRD42022357290.

Quantifying the Wild: Public Acceptance and Challenges of Urban Wildscapes in Chiba, Japan

People’s reduced connection with nature has led to many health problems. In the NBS framework, urban wildscapes (UWSs) are considered an important solution. They can contribute to improving the health of residents and ecosystems within the city. However, overly wild green spaces may also be offensive to residents. It is necessary to understand the public’s acceptance of UWSs. Current studies on the acceptance of UWSs have used vague terms to generalize the “wildness degree”. In this study, we attempted to quantify the degree of wildness using plant height and plant abundance in Japan and analyzed the results through mediated effect analysis. We discovered the following: 1. Japanese residents have low acceptance of UWSs in vacant lots. 2. The use of “height” and “abundance” may be a more objective way to quantify wildness. 3. The negative effects of abundance can be minimized. The negative effect of height cannot be controlled. This study addresses a gap in the study of Asian cities and proposes a novel approach to quantifying “wildness.” It improves the health benefits of UWSs. Furthermore, it can offer guidance on the management and construction of urban green spaces.

Development of Healthy and Clean-Label Crackers Incorporating Apple and Carrot Pomace Flours

The valorization of fruit and vegetable side-streams from the juice industry is an important contribution to the optimization of food resources and is an environmentally friendly practice in line with the concepts of circular economy and sustainability. The aim of this work is to incorporate them back into the food value chain by adding them as ingredients in staple foods like crackers. This is also important in terms of food fortification, as they are rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds. Crackers are popular snacks with a huge global market value, enjoyed by consumers of all ages. The current study aims to integrate flour from dried apple and carrot pomaces, resulting from juice processing, as natural ingredients with potential health benefits. The incorporation levels ranged from 20 to 40% dry weight in crackers, and their impact on physicochemical and mechanical properties was evaluated, as well as bioactivity (potential impact on health) and sensory acceptance. The addition of pomaces resulted in significant changes in texture and color, as well as enhancing the antioxidant activity of the crackers. Crackers containing pomace flours, except for the cracker with 40% carrot pomace, showed a high overall sensory acceptability and good intentions to buy.

Alternative green extraction techniques to enhance recovery of antioxidant compounds from red peel prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L. Miller)

Prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L. Miller) is a natural source of antioxidant compounds that have gained significant attention due to their potential health benefits. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE), combined with water–ethanol mixtures from 0 to 60%, at moderate temperatures between 50 °C to 70 °C to improve the recovery of antioxidant compounds from red peel prickly pear. The recovery of these compounds was affected by solvent composition and temperature for both extraction techniques. Interestingly, the use of pure water at 70 °C during the PLE process allowed the recovery of high concentrations of antioxidant compounds (12.96 mg GAE/g dw, IC5O: 2.03 mg/mL, ORAC: 625 µmol TE/g dw). On the contrary, when the UAE process was combined with 30% ethanol at 50 °C, the extractability of these compounds (10.52 mg GAE/g dw, IC5O: 3.09 mg/mL, ORAC: 561.26 µmol TE/g dw) was improved. In addition, different solvent compositions were identified to improve the recovery of specific polyphenols. For PLE, pure water at 70 °C was effective in recovering phenolic acids, flavanols, and flavonols, while the highest concentrations of stilbenes were obtained with 60% ethanol at 70 °C. For UAE, the use of 30% ethanol at 50 °C was more effective in extracting phenolic acids and stilbenes, whereas pure water at 50 °C provided high concentrations of flavanols and flavonols. These results contribute to the development of sustainable and efficient extraction strategies for obtaining antioxidant-rich extracts from prickly pear peel with important applications in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceutical industries.

Variation in the Photosynthetic Leaf Pigments of Different Basil (Ocimum spp.) Genotypes under Varying Conditions at the Flowering Stage

Basil is a culinary herb in high demand all year round, either fresh, dried, or frozen. Field basil crops are commercially predominant, while greenhouse crops can cover the demand for fresh basil during the off-season. The leaf aspect of basil has great importance for the food industry, and a great diversity of genotypes has been created. The aim of this research was to conduct a comparative characterization of 12 basil genotypes (green and purple leaf) that present interest for breeding programs from a national germplasm collection. The study examines the accumulation of photosynthetic pigments in basil cultivated in field versus greenhouse conditions as indicators of plant performance and herb quality from the perspective of ensuring fresh plant material all year round. The experimental median indicated that photosynthetic leaf pigments accumulated in higher concentrations in the field relative to the greenhouse conditions, in descending order: β-carotene, lutein, chlorophyll a, and chlorophyll b. The trend was not as consistent for chlorophyll b, since four out of twelve genotypes presented higher levels in the greenhouse than in the field, while the overall values were not much lower in the greenhouse than the field (16.82%). All genotypes accumulated much higher carotenoid contents in field conditions relative to greenhouse conditions (&gt;200%) and could also provide better nutritional advantages given their demonstrated health benefits. The differences in photosynthetic leaf pigments have both nutritional (the carotenoids), shelf-life, and processing relevance (chlorophylls) and serve as quality markers.