Essential Compounds Research Articles

Metabolomics and network pharmacology-based identification of phenolic acids in Polygonatum kingianum var. grandifolium rhizomes as anti-cancer/Tumor active ingredients.

Broadly targeted metabolomics techniques were used to identify phenolic acid compounds in Polygonatum kingianum var. grandifolium (PKVG) rhizomes and retrieve anti-cancer/tumor active substance bases from them. We identified potential drug targets by constructing Venn diagrams of compound and disease targets. Further, KEGG pathway analysis was performed to reveal the relevant pathways for anti-cancer/tumor activity of PKVG. Finally, we performed molecular docking to determine whether the identified proteins were targets of phenolic acid compounds from PKVG rhizome parts. The study's results revealed 71 phenolic acid compounds in PKVG rhizomes. Among them, three active ingredients and 42 corresponding targets were closely related to the anticancer/tumor activities of PKVG rhizome site phenolic acids. We identified two essential compounds and eight important targets by constructing the compound-target pathway network. 2 essential compounds were androsin and chlorogenic acid; 8 key targets were MAPK1, EGFR, PRKCA, MAPK10, GSK3B, CASP3, CASP8, and MMP9. The analysis of the KEGG pathway identified 42 anti-cancer/tumor-related pathways. In order of degree, we performed molecular docking on two essential compounds and the top 4 targets, MAPK1, EGFR, PRKCA, and MAPK10, to further validate the network pharmacology screening results. The molecular docking results were consistent with the network pharmacology results. Therefore, we suggest that the phenolic acids in PKVG rhizomes may exert anti-cancer/tumor activity through a multi-component, multi-target, and multi-channel mechanism of action.

Effect of Different Drying Methods and Distillation Times on Essential Oil Composition and Antioxidant Content of Rosemary

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of different drying methods and distillation times on the antioxidant and essential oil contents of rosemary. The essential oil content of rosemary extracts was determined using hydrodistillation and its composition by GC-FID/MS. The antioxidant content of deoiled materials was quantified on the LC-MS/MS. Carnosol and carnosic acid contents (LC/MS-MS) and essential oil compositions (GC-MS) were determined after each treatment. The highest essential oil (2.34%), carnosol (0.62%), and carnosic acid (0.85%) contents of dried samples were determined at 45C. Some variations were also observed in the essential oil composition of dried samples. These quality parameters showed significant variations over different distillation times. And, the distillation time of 120 min was determined more appropriate to obtain essential oils and antioxidant compounds at a high yield. To produce rosemary extracts with a high content of essential oils and antioxidant compounds, it is highly recommended that the fresh plants should be first dried at 45C, and then dried samples should be processed into essential oils by hydrodistillation for 120 min. The remnants of plant materials from the production of rosemary essential oil could be used to produce carnosol and carnosic acid. Eventually, essential oils and antioxidant compounds should be extracted from rosemary in an integrated manner.

Revealing Activity of Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Ag2O‐MOx (M = Cu, Fe, Zn) Catalysts via DFT Calculations for Direct Propylene Epoxidation

AbstractDirect propylene epoxidation (DPE) with molecular oxygen is an effective process of conversion of propylene into propylene oxide (PO), which is an essential intermediate compound for many petrochemical products such as propylene glycol, propylene carbonate, polyurethane foams, etc. The modification of Ag‐based catalysts which prevents overoxidation and improves catalytic activity for PO production is studied by simulating Ag2O and mixed metal oxides of Ag2O‐CuO (Ag2CuO2), Ag2O‐ZnO (Ag2ZnO2) and Ag2O‐Fe2O3 (Ag2Fe2O4) catalysts using density functional theory (DFT). Instantaneous adsorption of propylene was observed over Ag2ZnO2 and Ag2CuO2. DPE with oxygen via the Mars‐Van Krevelen mechanism (MVKM) was investigated considering propylene and oxygen as alternatively adsorbed species and molecular species. DPE with molecular oxygen and adsorbed propylene required 1.7 times more activation energy than DPE with molecular propylene and adsorbed oxygen. DPE with oxygen via the Lagmuir‐Hinshelwood mechanism (LHM) required 3–4 times more activation energy than MVKM for Ag2O and Ag2CuO2, whereas it is comparable for Ag2ZnO2. This showed that both mechanisms are followed for DPE over Ag2ZnO2. Ag2ZnO2 was found to be the optimum catalyst for DPE with instantaneous adsorption of propylene and instantaneous desorption of PO.

Verbascum gimgimense an Endemic Turkish Plant: Evaluation of In Vitro Anticancer, Antioxidant, Enzyme Inhibitory Activities, and Phytochemical Profile.

The Verbascum genus has gained significant attention in the pharmaceutical field, particularly in recent years, due to its valuable medicinal properties, which are well-recognized in complementary and alternative medicine. Certain species within this genus contain essential compounds and exhibit a wide range of therapeutic activities. In this study, the ethanolic extract of Verbascum gimgimense (VG) was analyzed for its cytotoxic, apoptotic, antioxidant, and enzyme inhibitory properties, as well as its phenolic and lipophilic compounds. The phenolic compounds in the extract were identified using Exactive Plus Orbitrap HPLC-HRMS, while the lipophilic components were characterized by GC-MS analysis. The Neutral Red Uptake (NRU) cell viability assay and colony formation assay were performed to assess the antiproliferative and anti-colony survival effects of VG on the A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cell line. Additionally, a wound healing assay measured cell migration, and the apoptotic process was evaluated using Caspase-3 ELISA and acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining. Protein expression levels were determined by western blot analysis. DPPH, ABTS FRAP, and CUPRAC assays were used to determine free radical scavenging, reducing power, and metal chelating activities, respectively. VG was rich in dominant phenolic components, including benzoic acid (6.809 mg/g extract), phloretic acid (1.279 mg/g extract), luteolin 7-rutinoside (2.799 mg/g extract), luteoloside (3.300 mg/g extract), kuromanine (3.456 mg/g extract), and rutin hydrate (2.015 mg/g extract). Major fatty acids identified in VG included palmitic acid (17.3%), stearic acid (2.99%), linoleic acid (9.44%), and α-linolenic acid (26.48%). VG treatment significantly reduced colony formation ability, decreased wound closure, and increased both apoptotic cell count and caspase-3 activity compared to the control group. Protein levels of c-PARP, p53, and p21 were substantially elevated compared to controls. In addition to its strong free radical scavenging, reducing power and metal chelating activity, VG exhibited strong inhibitory effects on α-amylase, α-glucosidase, AChE, BChE, and tyrosinase. Our study demonstrates that VG possesses antiproliferative, apoptotic, antioxidant, and enzyme-inhibitory properties. V. gimgimense emerges as a promising natural antioxidant source with potentially significant regulatory effects on key enzymes and proteins, which could contribute to managing various human diseases and inspire the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

High efficient synthesis of benzyl lactate through waste PLA alcoholysis by protic ionic salt

Benzyl lactate (BL) is a critical reagent in pharmaceutical and chemical synthesis due to its versatility. Traditional synthesis of BL was constrained by the high cost and low yield, thereby hindering the feasibility of large-scale production. Here, we reported a novel synthesis strategy for BL by utilizing the alcoholysis of waste polylactic acid (PLA) by benzyl alcohol with the protic ionic salt, HTBD-OAc, as the catalyst. The gram-scale experiments achieved a 94.9 % yield, and the robustness of this reaction was evidenced by the yield maintaining 92.5 % across six recycling experiments. More impressively, kilogram-scale synthesis facilitated a complete conversion of PLA to BL, achieving an unprecedented yield of 98.7 % at 180 °C within two hours. The exceptional catalytic efficiency of this reaction is attributed to the synergistic functions between the HTBD+ cation and OAc− anion in the catalyst HTBD-OAc. This study heralds a significant stride towards the sustainable and scalable production of high-purity benzyl lactate, paving the way for extended industrial applicability for this essential compound.

Integrating Metabolomic Analysis, Network Pharmacology, and Molecular Docking to Underlying Pharmacological Mechanism and Ethnobotanical Rationalization for Diabetes Mellitus: Study on Medicinal Plant Fibraurea tinctoria Lour.

Fibraurea tinctoria Lour. has long been used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes mellitus (DM). However, a comprehensive scientific understanding of its potential active compounds and underlying pharmacological mechanisms still needs to be unveiled. This study, therefore, presents a novel approach by integrating metabolomic profiling, pharmacological network, and molecular docking analysis to investigate the potential of F. tinctoria as antidiabetes mellitus. Active compounds were obtained through analysis using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-orbital ion trap-high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS) and screening of active compounds using Lipinski rule of five and ADMET parameters. Potential targets of F. tinctoria compounds and DM-related targets were retrieved from public databases, such as DisGeNET, GeneCards, OMIM, PharmaGKB, and TTD. The targets' gene ontology (GO) was created using DAVID and protein-protein interactions using STRING. The plant-organ-compound-target-disease network was constructed using Cytoscape. Then, molecular docking analysis predicted and verified the interactions of essential bioactive compounds of F. tinctoria and DM core targets. The network pharmacology approach identified 35 active compounds, 565 compound-related targets, and 17,289 DM-related targets. EGFR, HSP90AA1, ESR1, HSP90AB1, and GSK3B were the core targets, whereas isolariciresinol, cubebin, corypalmine, (-)-8-oxocanadine, and (+)-N-methylcoclaurine were the most active compounds of F. tinctoria with DM potential. GO functional enrichment analysis revealed 483 biological processes, 485 cellular components, and 463 molecular functions. REACTOME pathway enrichment analysis yielded 463 significantly enriched signaling pathways. Of these pathways, the cytokine signaling in the immune system pathway may play a key role in treating DM. The results of molecular docking analysis showed that the core targets of DM, such as 5gnk, 3o0i, 6psj, 5ucj, and 1q5k, bind stably to the analyzed bioactive compounds of F. tinctoria. This study provides significant insights into the potential mechanism of F. tinctoria in treating DM. The main active compounds of F. tinctoria were found to interact with the core targets (EGFR, HSP90AA1, ESR1, HSP90AB1, and GSK3B) through the cytokine signaling pathway in the immune system, suggesting a potential therapeutic pathway for DM. However, it is essential to note that these findings are preliminary, and further research is necessary to validate them. Those research studies could involve invitro and invivo studies to confirm the bioactivity of the identified compounds and their interactions with the core targets. When the findings are confirmed, they could have significant clinical implications, potentially leading to developing new therapeutic strategies for DM.

Exploring the Medicinal Potential of Hyptis suaveolens (Lamiaceae): A Comprehensive Review of Phytochemicals, Pharmacological Properties, and Drug Development Prospects

Hyptis suaveolens is a widely well-known species of the Lamiaceae family. This plant is regarded as noxious exotic invasive weeds. It has medicinal and insecticidal properties and is used in traditional medicine to treat various illnesses. This review examines the potential utility of the understudied plant species H. suaveolens for future drug development and design, the existence of medicinally significant secondary metabolites, and their potential pharmacological and pharmacognostic importance . Search engines such as Science Direct, Google Scholar, Springer Link, PubMed, and Scopus were used to find data and information to write this paper. Alkaloids, essential oils, terpenoids, sterols, tannins, saponins, and flavonoids are only a few of the phytochemicals abundant in H. suaveolens that have therapeutic value . These bioactive compounds possess diaphoretic, analgesic, gastroprotective, antiviral, antimicrobial, anticancer, antispasmodic, antirheumatic, antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antiulcer properties. Among the polyphenolic substances found in high concentration in H. suaveolens are methyl rosamarinate, p-coumaric acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, prodelphinidins, syringic acid, profisetinidins, protocatechuic acid, gentisic acid, caffeic acid, rosamarinic acid, and proanthocyanidins. In H. suaveolens, some terpenoid bioactive compounds such as ursolic acid, methyl suaveolate, suaveolic acid, beta-sitosterol, and suaveolol are available in different parts of the plant. Some essential compounds, such as Linoleic acid, Palmitic acid, and Oleic acid, are found in the seed oils of H. suaveolens. Pentacyclic triterpenoid and ursolic acid from H. suaveolens have been reported to have effective antiviral response s. The plant extract is used to prepare silver and copper nanoparticles for different biological activities. Due to these characteristics, the plant may be able to treat resistant and recently discovered bacterial and viral infections instead of conventional medications.

Assessment of nutritional, anti-nutritional and functional properties of marketed biofortified sweet potato cultivars

Sweet potatoes, a nutrient-dense crop are recognized as a potential functional food to mitigate an array of nutritional disorders. In India, sweet potato is considered a secondary staple crop due to its unique nutritional properties. Owing to its high consumption, food interventions like biofortification have been made to enrich the essential bioactive compounds (carotenoids and anthocyanins). The current study highlighted the nutritional, anti-nutritional and mineral analysis of farmer-grown biofortified sweet potatoes i.e., Bhusona and Bhu-Krishna varieties and compares them with officially available data. High antioxidant activity was observed in Bhu-Krishna with 40 mg followed by Bhu-Sona and white flesh (unfortified variety) (19.3 and 18.7 mg/100 g dry basis). The total carotenoid content ranged from 0.9 to 12.6 mg/100 g dry weight, with the highest content in BhuSona. The anti-nutritional content like phytates and tannins in sweet potato cultivars ranged between 57.35 and 60.82%. However, the antinutrient content was comparatively high in selected biofortified varieties, establishing research prospects concerning human health. These results provide insights into the suitability of biofortified varieties for inclusion in diets that are nutritionally adequate and have sufficient nutritional information for policymakers to promote these varieties to the vulnerable.

Comparative study of different commercial enzymes on release of glycosylated volatile compounds in white grapes using SPE/GC–MS

Glycosides represent a large source of potential flavor in grape must. Commercial preparations enzymes with glycosidase activity are commonly employed to enhance wine aroma. In this study, we conducted an evaluation of twelve commercial enzymes to assess their effectiveness in releasing volatile compounds from their conjugated forms in a white grape must under laboratory conditions by solid-liquid extraction (SPE) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). In this laboratory-level experiment, regardless of the enzymes used, the total concentration of volatile compounds was not statistically affected by the treatments. While the total concentration of volatile compounds remained largely unchanged, four specific volatile groups were significantly affected by the enzyme treatments: acids, alcohols, C13-norisoprenoids, and terpenes. The results also revealed a significant effect of commercial enzymes on individual compounds, which led to a notable increase in the concentration of twenty-one aroma compounds, mainly terpenes. Rapidase Revelation Aroma and Enozym Extra Aroma emerged as the most powerful ones on the must's volatile composition with important ability to release higher concentrations of essential varietal aroma compounds, particularly terpenes and C13-norisoprenoids.

Recent Advances in the Health Benefits of Phenolic Acids in Whole Grains and the Impact of Processing Techniques on Phenolic Acids: A Comprehensive Review.

Phenolic acids, essential compounds in whole grains, are renowned for their health-enhancing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Variations in concentration, particularly of hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic acids, are observed among grain types. Their antiobesity and antidiabetes effects are linked to their modulation of key signaling pathways like AMPK and PI3K, crucial for metabolic regulation and the body's response to inflammation and oxidative stress. Processing methods significantly influence phenolic acid content and bioavailability in whole grains. Thermal techniques like boiling, baking, or roasting can degrade these compounds, with loss influenced by processing conditions. Nonthermal methods such as germination, fermentation, or their combination, can protect or enhance phenolic acid content under ideal conditions. Novel nonthermal approaches like ultrahigh pressure (UHP), irradiation, and pulsed electric fields (PEF) show promise in preserving these compounds. Further research is needed to fully comprehend the impact mechanisms of these innovative methods on the nutritional and sensory attributes of cereals.

Bio synthesis of chitosan from shrimp shell chitin using Streptomyces griseoincarnatus RB7AG:Characterization and application as coating material to enhance shelf life of tomatoes (var. Ruby pusa) in post-harvest storgae condition

In this investigation, chitosan was successfully obtained from shrimp shell chitin through microbial degradation by Streptomyces griseoincarnatus RB7AG. The resulting chitosan showcased remarkable characteristics, including high solubility, a high degree of deacetylation, a well-defined crystalline structure, and a rough surface with minimal pores. The application of chitosan as a coating material for tomatoes demonstrated significant preservation benefits compared to commercially available chitosan. The chitosan coating proved effective in minimizing weight loss, reducing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and preserving essential compounds such as anthocyanin content and antioxidant enzymes in tomatoes. Firstly, the chitosan coating served as a physical barrier, preventing moisture loss and maintaining the tomatoes' structural integrity. Secondly, the antimicrobial properties of chitosan hindered the growth of spoilage-causing microorganisms, extending the shelf life of the tomatoes. Additionally, the chitosan coating exhibited antioxidant properties, scavenging ROS and preserving the natural antioxidants in tomatoes. Furthermore, the chitosan coating facilitated controlled gas exchange, allowing optimal levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide to maintain the freshness of the tomatoes without accelerating the ripening process. With the help of the above-mentioned mechanisms, the potential of the microbially synthesized chitosan to enhance the shelf life of the tomatoes can be explained which was found better than the commercially synthesized chitosan coating. This research underscores the potential of microbially synthesized chitosan as an effective coating material but also provides insights into the intricate mechanisms involved in preserving tomatoes. The findings pave the way for innovative applications of chitosan-based coatings in the food industry, ensuring prolonged freshness and nutritional quality of perishable fruits and vegetables.

IMPROVEMENT OF TRADITIONAL BALINESE "ONG" TEA-MAKING PROCESS TO EXTEND SHELF LIFE TO SUPPORT ECOTOURISM IN BANJAR LANTANGIDUNG, GIANYAR, BALI

“Ong” tea contains vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, folic acid, and vitamin C, in addition to several essential amino acids, organic acids, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and active polyphenol compounds, and various important enzymes that have many benefits for the body. “Ong” tea is a type of probiotic drink produced from the tea fermentation process. The bacteria contained in SCOBY (Symbiotic Consortium of Bacteria and Yeast) are Acetobacter xylinum bacteria. The purpose of implementing the activities proposed in the training to improve the process of making “Ong” tea through PKM activities is to ensure that the people of Br. Lantangidung, Batuan, Sukawati have the skills and insight to manage local natural resources and have an entrepreneurial spirit so that they can open up business opportunities related to the conditions of the Batuan Village area. Improving product quality, expanding marketing reach, and using more hygienic and modern packaging techniques are also important. Thus, it is hoped that Balinese “ong” tea can become a superior product that can improve the community's economy and support the development of ecotourism in Banjar Lantangidung

Modeling the critical causal factors of postharvest losses in the vegetable supply chain in eThekwini metropolitan municipality: The log-linear regression model

Vegetables, rich in essential bioactive compounds, are crucial for human health and vital to the global food system. However, the supply chain for vegetables is intricate, marked by product seasonality, demand variability, and limited shelf life. These factors contribute to significant losses, with 44 % of global vegetable production wasted at various stages in the food chain. Postharvest losses (PHLs) are a considerable issue, posing risks to food security and economic sustainability. Despite numerous interventions aimed at reducing PHLs, a comprehensive understanding of the primary causes remains insufficient, preventing the implementation of practical solutions. The study investigates the factors causing PHLs in the vegetable supply chain. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from 238 farmers. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design and a multi-stratified random sampling method. Descriptive statistics and log-linear regression were used to analyze the data. The results revealed that 56 % of the farmers were women, with an average age of 45 and a household size of five. Most farmers had completed 12 years of education, with 76 % being unemployed and 78 % depending on farming as their primary source of income. The regression analysis showed that age, distance to markets, and lack of transportation were significant factors at the 1 % level. In contrast, education, farming experience, market access, and weather conditions were significant at the 5 % level. The study recommends policies promoting innovative postharvest technologies alongside investment in infrastructure to mitigate these losses.

Deciphering cleaner and sustainable frontiers in scientific cow waste valorization: a review.

The forecasted global population growthis poised to create a greater exigency for livestock-derived food production,leading to a significant wastegeneration from the industrial-scalelivestockoperations, which necessitates to develop sustainable waste management solutions. The heightened demand for livestock and dairy products has driven a surge in cow waste (CW) production. While CW is typically used as organic fertilizer or solid fuel, improper disposal poses potential environmental hazards. Anaerobic digestion and composting transform CW into valuable products, such as biofuels and organic fertilizers, with the potential for electricity and heat generation, biochar production, and advanced friction materials. The CW contains essential inorganic and organic compounds vital for plant functions, including lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, nitrogen, and minerals such as potassium, sulfur, iron, magnesium, copper, cobalt, and manganese. Additionally, the rich microbial diversity in cow dung drives the production of bioenergy carriers like biomethane and biohydrogen, promoting cost-effective energy generation and environmental sustainability. This review employs bibliometric analysis to explore the latest trends in CW applications, with a particular focus on innovative applications such as cellulose extraction, biochar production, microbial fuel cells, and nanoparticle synthesis. Itfurther evaluates the environmental impacts of these technologies and assesses their potential to advance sustainable and cleaner frontiers in the valorizationof CW.

Aerobic adaptation and metabolic dynamics of Propionibacterium freudenreichii DSM 20271: insights from comparative transcriptomics and surfaceome analysis.

The study of the response of Propionibacterium freudenreichii to aerobic growth is crucial for understanding how this bacterium adapts to different environments and produces essential compounds like vitamin B12. By investigating its physiological changes under aerobic conditions, we can gain insights into its metabolic adjustments and potential for enhanced growth. These findings not only deepen our understanding of P. freudenreichii's responses to oxygen availability but also offer valuable information for optimizing its growth in industrial applications. This research sheds light on the adaptive mechanisms of this bacterium, providing a foundation for further exploration and potential applications in various fields.

Functionalized MXene (Ti3C2TX) Loaded with Ag Nanoparticles as a Raman Scattering Substrate for Rapid Furfural Detection in Baijiu.

Furfural is an essential compound that contributes to the distinctive flavor of sauce-flavored Baijiu. However, traditional detection methods are hindered by lengthy and complex sample preparation procedures, as well as the need for expensive equipment. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a new approach that allows rapid detection. In this study, we developed a novel surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate by constructing MXene (Ti3C2TX) @Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) through an electrostatic attraction method. The MXene (Ti3C2TX) @Ag NPs were successfully fabricated, with adsorbed NaCl-treated Ag NPs uniformly absorbed on the surface of MXene (Ti3C2TX), creating high-density distributed SERS "hot spots". The prepared substrate demonstrated excellent sensitivity, uniformity, repeatability, and long-term stability, with a low detectable concentration of 10-9 M for R6G (Rhodamine 6G) and an enhancement factor of up to 7.08 × 105. When applied for the in situ SERS detection of furfural in Baijiu, the detection limit was as low as 0.5 mg/L. Overall, the proposed method offers rapid, low-cost, and sensitive quantitative analysis, which is significant not only for detecting furfural in Baijiu but also for identifying hazardous substances and distinguishing between authentic and counterfeit Baijiu products.

Novel Essential Oil-Based Thiosemicarbazone Compounds as Potential Fungicides in Controlling Postharvest Diseases of Citrus Fruit.

To develop novel fungicides for controlling postharvest fungal diseases in citrus fruits, 12 essential oil (EO)-based thiosemicarbazones compounds, termed hydrazine-carbothioamide, were prepared according to the condensation method. In vitro assays showed that compound 13j exhibited the strongest antifungal activity (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] = minimum fungicidal concentration [MFC] = 0.0125 mg/mL) against Penicillium digitatum. An in vivo study revealed that 5 × MFC of compound 13j can effectively mitigate the green mold incidence of citrus fruit inoculated with P. digitatum, as well as fruit rot during natural storage, at a level comparable to that of the chemical fungicide prochloraz. Throughout this process, fruit quality was maintained. The hemolysis assay showed that these thiosemicarbazone compounds have good biocompatibility and that their safety is comparable to that of prochloraz. The antifungal activity of compound 13j was attributed to membrane damage, as confirmed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Calcofluor white (CFW) staining, propidium iodide (PI) staining, Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, optical density (OD)260, and relative conductivity assays. Collectively, our results indicate that compound 13j can be used as an antifungal agent to control the postharvest decay of citrus fruits.

Susceptibility Analysis of Klebsiella Pneumoniae Strains to Team Essential Oil Emulsion and Surface Active Compounds

Susceptibility Analysis of Klebsiella Pneumoniae Strains to Team Essential Oil Emulsion and Surface Active Compounds

Application of iron oxide nanoparticles improves growth and phytochemical constituents of in vitro cultured Carum copticum L.

Iron oxide nanoparticles (FeONPs) are widely used in various applications, such as biomedicine, environmental remediation, and agriculture. Moreover, FeONPs can affect the production of secondary metabolites in plants, which are compounds that have various biological and pharmacological activities. Therefore, in this study, the ajwain (Carum copticum L.) seeds were grown in MS medium containing different levels of FeONPs (0, 100, 200, and 400 mg l−1). After four weeks, the effects of FeONPs on growth, photosynthesis pigments, total phenolic, and anthocyanin content, activities of some antioxidant enzyme and secondary metabolites of ajwain) were investigated. The results showed that low levels of FeONPs (especially 200 mg l−1) increased fresh weight (231 %), total chlorophyll (49 %), total phenolics (259 %), anthocyanin content (110 %), as well as thymol (8 %) and γ-terpinene (16 %) content. Conversely, 400 mg l−1 FeONPs reduced root length (60 %) and fresh weight (64 %) was associated with a reduction in CAT activity, phenol (55 %), thymol (22 %), and γ-terpinene (18 %) content compared to ajwain treated with 200 mg l−1 FeONPs. This reduction was probably due to the increase in ROS caused by the low catalase enzyme activity and important essential oils compounds such as thymol and γ-terpinene. Thus, our results indicate that FeONPs at certain levels can be used as a new way for in vitro production of valuable essential oils and antioxidant compounds in ajwain.

Genotype by environment interaction effect and fresh root yield stability of cassava genotypes under contrasting nitrogen regimes

Nitrogen (N) is an important nutrient element needed by cassava for optimum yield and it is a vital component of nucleotides (nucleic acids), enzymes, amino acids (proteins), chlorophyll molecules and hormones, among other essential compounds required for growth and development of cassava. Nitrogen stress is a major cassava production constraint, the study aimed to examine genotype by environment interaction (GEI) effects and fresh root yield stability of 203 diverse cassava clones to identify genotypes with stable performance under low and optimum nitrogen regimes across environments using AMMI and GGE biplot analysis. Experiments were conducted using an augmented block design with three replications for two years in three locations in Nigeria. There were significant differences (p < 0.001) in the genotype’s mean performances as well as significant differences (p < 0.001) in the environment’s mean performances for all the traits measured in both nitrogen regimes. The AMMI analysis of variance showed significant effects (p < 0.001) for genotypes, environments and the interactions for fresh root yield in both nitrogen regimes. The biplot analysis showed that for fresh root yield in the optimum nitrogen regime, the principal component accounted for 81.54% of the G + GE (Genotype plus and Genotype by Environment) variation. The G + GE for fresh root yield in the low nitrogen regime accounted for a total of 71.64% of the variation. Ten genotypes were identified as the best genotypes under the optimum nitrogen regime, while eleven genotypes were the best under the low nitrogen regime. Three genotypes under optimum nitrogen regimes were high-yielding. Still, they were unstable in their fresh root yield performance across the environments and can be recommended as specifically adapted to the environments they performed best. Three other genotypes were high-yielding genotypes under low nitrogen but were highly unstable in their fresh root yield mean performance across the environments. The environments Otobi_YR1, Igbariam_YR2, and Umudike_YR1 were identified as the most discriminatory among the test environments. The environments Umudike_YR2 and Igbariam_YR1 were identified as the most representative of the test environments and can represent a mega-environment. The best 21 genotypes that performed above the grand mean for fresh root yield in both nitrogen regimes can be further evaluated on the farmer’s field for possible advancement.