Plant Origin Research Articles

A Survey of Wild Indigenous Cryptostylis ovata Orchid Populations in Western Australia Reveals Spillover of Exotic Viruses

Cryptostylis ovata is a terrestrial orchid endemic to southwestern Australia. The virus status of C. ovata has not been studied. Eighty-three C. ovata samples from 16 populations were collected, and sequencing was used to identify RNA viruses from them. In one population, all tested plants were co-infected with isolates of the exotic-to-Australia viruses Ornithogalum mosaic virus (OrMV) and bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV). In another population, one plant was infected with BYMV. No viruses were detected in the remaining populations. The OrMV isolate shared 98–99% nucleotide identity with isolates identified from wild indigenous Lachenalia (Iridaceae) plants in South Africa. This suggests that the source of OrMV in C. ovata may be one or more bulbous iridaceous flowering plants of southern African origin that were introduced to Western Australia as ornamentals and that have since become invasive weeds. One BYMV isolate from C. ovata also exhibited 99% nucleotide identity with strains isolated from the exotic leguminous crop Lupinus angustifolius in Western Australia, suggesting possible spillover to indigenous species from this source. This study with C. ovata highlights the probable role of invasive weeds and exotic crops as sources of exotic virus spillovers to indigenous plants.

Spontaneou specie of the semi-arid region in proportions with goat manure in the production of coriander

The use of a mixture of fertilizers of plant and animal origin is important in the vegetable cultivation system, however, identifying the proportion of each fertilizer in the composition will lead to positive results for the crop that will be cultivated, in this sense, the objective was to study spontaneous species from the semi-arid region in proportions with goat manure in the production of coriander. The research was developed at the Rafael Fernandes Experimental Farm, belonging to the Federal Rural University of Semi-Arid (UFERSA). The experimental design used was a randomized complete block design with six treatments and four replicates. The treatments consisted of the proportions of hairy woodrose (Merremia aegyptia L.) in goat manure [0%; 20%; 40%; 60%; 80% and 100% of hairy woodrose on dry basis]. The coriander cultivar sown was Verdão. The characteristics evaluated were: plant height, number of stems, productivity, number of bunches and dry mass of coriander. The maximum agronomic efficiency of the proportion of hairy woodrose (Merremia aegyptia L.) in goat manure was 587.28 g m-2 of coriander with 5.79 units of sauces m-2 with the exclusive use of hairy woodrose (Merremia aegyptia L.) in the dry mass (100%). The efficiency of hairy woodrose in the evaluated characteristics is due to its concentration of chemical elements present in the dry matter (24.0 g kg-1 of nitrogen; 23.3 g kg-1 of potassium and carbon nitrogen ratio of 23/1).

Манкоцеб: медико-санітарні нормативи, контроль харчової безпеки та запобігання технічним бар’єрам у торгівлі

Introduction. Mancozeb is a widely used synthetic fungicide from the group of dithiocarbamates. Numerous mancozeb preparations are used to protect many agricultural crops and obtain a significant number of products from them for consumption in Ukraine, as well as for export to other countries of the world. In accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2009, a decision was made concerning the «approval of the active substance mancozeb is not renewed». Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the parameters of the permissible exposure of mancozeb residues to its limit of quantification (LOQ), which is 0.01 mg/kg, and food products with higher levels of this substance have become non-compliant and, starting from January 2022, cannot be placed on the EU market. Purpose. To determine the limits of controlled values of mancozeb content in agricultural products of plant origin in accordance with EU requirements, considering the parameters of permissible exposure on human health and control over the use of mancozeb for plant protection in Ukraine. Materials and Methods. Preparations with the active substance (a.s.) mancozeb (from 302 to 800 g a.s./kg) in the form of wettable powder (WP) or water-soluble granules (WG) were used during state trials in Ukraine on grapes, potatoes, and tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, sugar beets and grain bread crops with the general rates of mancozeb consumption from 2.4 to 14.4 kg per year/ha. The content dynamics of residual amounts of mancozeb and its metabolite – ethylenethiourea (ETU) were studied by the methods of vapor phase gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively. Evaluation of results and medical-sanitary standardization of mancozeb and ETU residues were performed in accordance with national and international documents. Results. Within the established waiting periods before harvesting of agricultural products the residual amounts of mancozeb/ETU were less than the LOQs of 0.05/0.005-0.05 mg/kg, respectively. The LOQs of mancozeb according to the official methods in force in Ukraine corresponded to the LOQs of the methods used in the EU until January 2022, but do not ensure control of mancozeb at the level of 0.01 mg/kg in accordance with the current requirements for placing products on the EU market, except for SSTU (State Standards of Ukraine) EN 12396-2:2003. The parameters of acceptable exposure to mancozeb and its metabolite ETU in Ukraine provided for a higher level of human health protection than the regulations adopted in the EU until January 2022. Conclusions. Adherence to the researched and approved application rates and waiting periods before harvesting in Ukraine ensures the absence of residual mancozeb amounts and ETU in plant origin agricultural products at the level of the LOQ and its compliance with the national parameters of permissible exposure on human health. If the EU requirements for the content of mancozeb in food products do not exceed the proposed LOQ of 0.01 mg/kg, domestic agricultural products of plant origin can be placed on the EU market. To prevent the appearance of technical barriers related to the reduction of LOQs of active substances of plant protection products (PPPs) in food raw materials and food products, residues determination methods should provide for LOQs of controlled substances not exceeding 0.01 mg/kg. Keywords: mancozeb, agricultural products, limit of quantification of residues, food safety, technical barriers.

Discovery and mechanistic exploration of promiscuous xylosyltransferase based on protein engineering.

Glycosylation is an effective means to alter the structure and properties of plant compounds, influencing the pharmacological activity of natural products (NPs) to obtain highly active NPs. In nature, glucosides are the most widely distributed, while other glycosides such as xylosides are less common and present in lower quantities. This is due to the scarcity of xylosyltransferases with substrate promiscuity in nature, and the modification of their catalytic function is also quite challenging. In this study, we first performed a phylogenetic analysis of reported UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) of plant and microbiological origin and identified a unique motif region from the UGTs of the Bacillus genus, which may be responsible for the broad sugar donor catalytic activity of the UGTs in the Bacillus genus. Then, utilizing protein engineering techniques, we have evolved a xylosyltransferase M3-2, which exhibited high substrate promiscuity, sugar donor promiscuity, and site selectivity, enabling the synthesis of a variety of O-glycosides. In addition, another mutant M3-1 has been engineered to alter the sugar donor specificity of the UGT, enabling the switch from UDP-Glc donor to UDP-Xyl. The improved enzymatic activity is likely attributed to stable hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding interactions between the enzyme and the substrate. In order to synthesize xylosylated products more economically and efficiently, an in vitro synthetic pathway that utilizes NPs and inexpensive glucuronic acid as starting materials was designed. Through this pathway, we successfully synthesized a variety of unnatural xylosylated products belonging to O-glycosides, one of which 10a possesses excellent anti-inflammatory activity. We anticipate that this work will contribute to the future discovery and industrial production of unnatural glycosides.

Stenotrophomonas sp. SI-NJAU-1 and Its Mutant Strain with Excretion-Ammonium Capability Promote Plant Growth through Biological Nitrogen Fixation.

Legumes are well-known for symbiotic nitrogen fixation, whereas associative nitrogen fixation for nonlegume plants needs more attention. Most associative nitrogen-fixing bacteria are applied in their original plant species and need further study for broad adaptation. Additionally, if isolated nitrogen-fixing bacteria could function under fertilizer conditions, it is often ignored. Here, among 21 nitrogen-fixing bacteria isolated from barrenness-tolerance Jerusalem artichoke (JA), Stenotrophomonas sp. SI-NJAU-1 excelled in nitrogen fixation and boosted the growth of JA, wheat, barley, and rice. Additionally, SI-NJAU-1 was proven to decrease the application of compound fertilizers by 30%. To further promote plant growth, Gln K and gln B of SI-NJAU-1, which are crucial for bacterial ammonium assimilation, were mutated. Deletion of gln K but not gln B in SI-NJAU-1 reduced the activity of glutamine synthetase (GS) and the unadenylylated GS and the content of glutamine, which led to ammonium secretion outside and significantly increased the biomass of barley. This work expands the scope of associative nitrogen-fixing endophytes, affirming their potential for plant growth promotion.

State of the art on biodegradability of bio-based plastics containing polylactic acid

Bio-based plastics represent an opportunity to reduce the impact of petroleum-based plastics on the environment, leading to harmful effects on both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Nevertheless, the plant origin of bio-based plastics does not necessarily imply better management of their end of life. However, when recycling is impossible, the biological degradation of bio-based plastics would be an effective method to reduce their environmental impact. Polylactic acid (PLA) is one of the most produced biopolymers currently among the bio-based plastics already developed for several years. Thus, the objective of this article is to provide a state of the art on the biodegradation of bio-based plastics based on PLA. In particular, the microorganisms catalyzing the different biochemical reactions and the main biodegradation mechanisms are reviewed according to aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Moreover, different microorganisms involved in the degradation of PLA are summarized. Furthermore, a special attention is paid to the analytical methods to evaluate the biodegradation of polylactic acid and to the different existing biodegradation test methods, because this subject has rarely been reviewed in the literature. In the end, several promising topics for the future research are proposed, such as enzyme engineering technology as a recently emerging method for PLA degradation and a new common testing method to collect as much data as possible on the biodegradability to compare different studies.

Neurotoxicological Effects of Some Mycotoxins on Humans Health and Methods of Neuroprotection

Food contamination with mycotoxin-producing fungi increases the risk of many diseases, including neurological diseases closely related to the neurotoxicity of these toxins. Based on the latest literature data, we presented the association of common Fusarium mycotoxins with neurological diseases. Articles from 2001 to 2024 were analyzed. The mechanisms underlying the neurotoxicity of the described mycotoxins were presented. They are mainly related to the increase in oxidative stress in neuronal cells, which leads to higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines as IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, enzymatic activity as GST, GPx, CAT and SOD and neurotransmitter dysfunction (5-HT, serotonin, dopamine and GABA). At the end of the article, based on the literature data, we attempted to present ways to mitigate mycotoxin neurotoxicity using mainly natural substances of plant origin. The data in this review focus on the Fusarium mycotoxins most frequently found in food and will be useful as comparative information for future studies. It is important to conduct further studies to mitigate the neurotoxic effects of Fusarium mycotoxins in order to reduce the development of diseases of the nervous system.

CURRENT STATUS AND PERSPECTIVES OF THE USE OF SPECIES OF THE GENUS MELAMPYRUM IN MEDICINE AND PHARMACY

The dynamics of development in the world market of medicinal products based on raw materials of plant origin demonstrates the increased demand for medicinal raw materials, which are a component of pharmaceutical production products. A huge number of scientific works are devoted to the issue of the study of medicinal plants, and in particular the biologically active substances they contain. Medicinal plant raw materials, which contain various classes of active substances, attract the special attention of modern scientists. Due to the content of biologically active substances, plants of the genus Melampyrum show a wide range of pharmacological effects. Information about such effects is reflected in the works of foreign researchers.The purpose of our work: to conduct an analysis of scientific primary sources regarding the chemical composition and use of species of the genus Melampyrum, to establish the possibility of creating medicines based on biologically active substances of medicinal raw materials.In research, we used such methods as retrospective, historical, bibliographic.We have analyzed the use of plants of the genus Melampyrum in official medicine and we can draw conclusions that today they are not used in official medicine, but are widespread in the territory of Ukraine and contain various groups of biologically active substances such as carbohydrates (dulcite (melampyrite), glucose, maltose, sucrose, starch, hemicellulose, pectin, mucilage), iridoids (aucubin, catalpol, isocatalpol, aukuboside, agnuside, 8-epiloganin, melampiroside, musainoside, monomelitoside, globularifolin), flavonoids (rutin, luteolin, luteolin glycosides, apigenin and quercetin), carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, violaxanthin, lutein, eloxanthin, flaoxanthin), anthocyanins, coumarins (umbelliferone), cardenolides, steroid saponins, alkaloids (cinnaroside, seneciphyllin I, senecionin II), oxycinnamic acids (caffeic, chlorogenic, ferulic), fatty acids (palmitic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic), ascorbic acid, nitrogen-containing compounds (indican, choline), free amino acids (L-glutamic acid, L-proline and tyrosine), tannins, phenolic compounds (lunularin), which accounts for a wide range of their medicinal properties.Melampyrum arvense L., Melampyrum nemorosum L., Melampyrum cristatum L. and Melampyrum pratense L. exhibit wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, sedative, anticonvulsant, hypotensive effects. Their decoctions are used for hypertension, dizziness, heart disease, neuralgia, epilepsy, diseases of the stomach and gastrointestinal tract. Externally, it is used in the form of baths, washes, poultices for such diseases as skin tuberculosis, scrofulosis, diathesis, eczema, itching, rash, rheumatism, diseases of the chest organs, as a wound-healing agent. Aqueous extracts have an anticonvulsant and sedative effect, promote blood clotting. Teas and infusions from plant leaves are used both internally and externally.Species of the Melampyrum genus have long been used in folk medicine for various diseases. They are also studied by scientists from many countries around the world. In Ukraine, the plants of the genus Melampyrum have practically not been researched, so the data on their use in medicine indicate the prospects for further pharmacognostic research of various types of Melampyrum with the aim of creating and introducing into practical medicine and pharmacy new medicinal products of domestic production.

Soil improvement in the Santo Domingo canton in the San Gabriel del Baba sector on the property of Captain Ruben Recalde with organic fertilizers

Introduction: organic fertilizers are essential for sustainable agriculture. These materials, of plant or animal origin, decompose and release nutrients to the soil gradually.Objective: to determine the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil on Captain Rubén Recalde's property before and after the application of organic fertilizers.Method: an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out related to the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil on Captain Rubén Recalde's property before and after the application of organic fertilizers. The sample will consist of 32 people from said territory selected by a non-probabilistic convenience samplingResults: 38 % of the population surveyed says that they have been involved in agriculture for less than 5 years. 72 % of people say that they do use chemical fertilizers, 84 % of the population considers that organic fertilizer is the best. 44 % tell us that they use fertilizers on their crops every 3 months. 94 % say they would recommend the use of organic fertilizers to others, 60 % say that organic fertilizers release nutrients more slowly and steadilyConclusions: organic fertilizers are a natural form of fertilizer produced from organic materials of plant or animal origin. Fertilizers are intended to nourish the soil and improve fertility, which in turn provides favorable conditions for plant growth and development.

Electrospun hydrophilic PAN/CO/TA composite nanofibrous membrane for adsorbing Cu(II) in water

In this paper, a novel polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/collagen (CO)/tannic acid (TA) composite nanofiber membrane for the adsorption of Cu(II) in water was prepared. The nanofibrous membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric (TG), and water contact angle (WCA) techniques, and their adsorption performance on Cu(II) in water was tested. The results showed that incorporating CO improved the hydrophilic performance of the membranes, and the contact angle of PAN/CO decreased from 60.57° to 39.16° with the increase of CO content, which exhibited good hydrophilicity. Moreover, CO effectively crosslinked TA, so that TA was well fixed on the surface of the fiber membrane, and the resulting PAN/CO/TA composite nanofiber membrane had good fiber morphology, uniform fiber diameter distribution, with an average diameter of 292.22 nm, and good adsorption performance for Cu(II), up to 133.26 mg/g. The adsorption kinetics fitting showed that the adsorption mechanism was mainly electrostatic adsorption and chelation of Cu(II) by phenoxy anion. PAN/CO/TA and PAN/CO/TA/Cu nanofiber membranes showed bacteriostatic effects on E. coli and S. aureus, with PAN/CO/TA/Cu nanofiber membranes being particularly effective, with the average inhibition bands for E. coli and S. aureus being 7.50 mm and 10.05 mm, respectively. The distribution of the electric field during the spinning process was also simulated by finite element analysis in this study. Since TA is a natural polymer of plant origin and CO is of animal origin, it provides an environmentally friendly and cost-effective method to remove Cu(II) from water.

Investigation of the Effects of Silymarin on Ovarian Ischemia Reperfusion via Nrf-2/HO-1/NQO1, Ki-67 and Wnt Signaling Pathways.

Ovarian ischemia is a pathological condition that usually occurs due to ovarian torsion, resulting in the interruption of blood supply to the ovaries and oxygen deficiency. Silymarin (SLM) is a flavonoid complex of plant origin with pharmacological properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects. In this study, we investigated the effects of SLM through different pathways in rats subjected to experimental ovarian ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Female Wistar rats were divided into five groups: Control, SLM (50 mg/kg), I/R, I/R + SLM25 (25 mg/kg), and I/R + SLM50 (50 mg/kg). SLM was given orally for 7 days, followed by ischemia (2 h) and reperfusion (2 h) on day 8. Biochemical (MDA, GSH, SOD, CAT, GPx) and histological (H&E, Ki-67 IHC) analyses were performed. Also, molecular (qRT-PCR) analyses were performed to evaluate oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and Wnt signaling. I/R increased MDA and NO levels in ovarian tissue while decreasing SOD, CAT, GPx, and GSH. Antioxidant defense genes (Nrf-2, HO-1, NQO1) were suppressed, and inflammation markers (NF-ĸB, IL-1β, TNF-α) along with apoptotic markers (Bax, Caspase-3) were elevated, while Bcl-2 decreased. The Wnt signaling pathway was inhibited, particularly at Wnt-3A, LRP5, Dvl-2, and Cyclin-1, reducing Ki-67 protein levels and IHC positivity. Silymarin has shown a therapeutic effect on ovarian ischemia reperfusion injury with its antioxidant, antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects and cell cycle regulatory activity.

MGB probe-based multiplex droplet digital PCR for the interspecific identification of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix in herbal materials and preparations.

Owing to high sensitivity and ability for absolute quantification, the droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) is widely used for viral and bacterial detection. However, few studies have been conducted on the application of ddPCR to identify the original plant species used in traditional Chinese medicine and Chinese patent medicine. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of using ddPCR to differentiate between Notopterygium incisum and N. franchetii to establish a sensitive and quantitative method for quality control of herbal materials and preparations. Specific minor groove binding (MGB) probes and primers were designed based on stable single nucleotide polymorphisms. The ddPCR experimental conditions were designed and optimised according to the results of multiplex PCR and qPCR, which ultimately confirmed the limits of detection and quantification (LOD and LOQ, respectively) of the method for Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix. Additionally, the original plant species of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix in Jiuwei Qianghuo pills circulating in the market were identified. The results of the multiplex PCR and qPCR indicated that the probes and primers were specific. Furthermore, a Qsep analyser and Sanger sequencing were used to confirm that the specific amplification products of N. incisum and N. franchetii were 283 and 206 bp, respectively. The optimised ddPCR system was employed to determine the LOD to be 0.000816 ng/µl, and LOQ of N. incisum and N. franchetii to be 0.00408 and 0.003312 ng/µl, respectively. In addition, Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix in four Jiuwei Qianghuo pills was amplified and successfully identified using ddPCR assays. This study established a multiplex ddPCR method using MGB probes to identify Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix, providing a foundation for the identification and quantification of multi-source Chinese herbal medicines.

The prospect of overcoming antibiotic resistance using plant agro-wastes – systematic review

The article summarizes the latest data on the possibilities of using agricultural waste for the development of effective means of combating microorganisms. A comprehensive search was carried out using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases. The methods of preparation of solutions from raw plant materials are detailed, and their biochemical composition is given. Microorganisms that have aroused the scientific and practical interest of researchers from different countries of the world are also indicated. For ease of understanding, the primary material indicating the sensitivity of microorganisms to plant extracts is presented in the form of a table. It should be noted that the concept of “agro-waste” is different in different countries, but everywhere it is planted, raw material is not subject to further processing, human consumption, or animal feeding. Since such raw materials are abundant and cheap, they should be considered as a potential source of biochemically active substances for use in various spheres of human life. Natural biochemical substances are of indisputable importance in the fight against microorganisms – pathogens of humans (animals), which, through specific mutational mechanisms, have developed resistance to widely used antimicrobial agents. Resistant strains are potentially dangerous biologically and “economically” due to the difficulty of fighting them and attracting significant financial resources to this fight. The current situation prompts scientists to search for cheap, easy-to-prepare (use) and effective means. Based on the materials of the article, raw materials of plant origin – agricultural waste – have the potential to overcome the problem of antibiotic resistance, but further, more in-depth study of their properties is required.

ПЕРСПЕКТИВЫ МЕДИЦИНСКОГО ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ АДАПТОГЕНОВ РАСТИТЕЛЬНОГО ПРОИСХОЖДЕНИЯ

Relevance. Currently, scientists are paying increasing attention to the search and in-depth study of the pharmacological activity of representatives of the adaptogen class. At the same time, special preference is given to substances obtained from medicinal plant raw materials. They are, from the point of view of economic and therapeutic effectiveness, sometimes very profitable. The advantages of medicinal plants are their relatively low toxicity, rare side effects and, accordingly, the possibility of long-term use. In addition, one should not forget about the natural, natural origin of the raw material base, which, even with special cultivation, still requires less material and financial costs than in chemical production. Phytoadaptogens are a unique group of drugs. It is characterized by multifaceted pharmacodynamic effects. Thanks to such properties, wide prospects for their practical application in various fields of medicine open up. But, of course, the key direction of the biological action of phytoadaptogens is their stress-protective and geroprotective activity. Over the last century, the mechanisms of action of adaptogens have been very actively studied. Knowing them opens even wider possibilities for using them. The article analyzes modern scientific publications characterizing the pharmacodynamics of phytoadaptogens. More than 1000 publications have been analyzed, of which the most significant ones have been identified. Special attention is paid to important aspects of the combined use of adaptogens of plant origin with other classes (using the example of antidepressants) in the aspect of drug interaction. So, despite the numerous positive qualities, adaptogens can provoke undesirable phenomena in a certain number of cases. An attempt to reveal the mechanism of action of phytoadaptogens, a description of the organ effects of this class, opens real prospects for non-trivial approaches to the medical use of adaptogens of plant origin.

Comparative plastomic analysis of cultivated Dioscorea polystachya and its close relatives provides insights on the inter- and intraspecific phylogenies and potential wild origins of domestication

BackgroundDioscorea polystachya and its closely related species are original plants of the tuber crop “yam”, which had been intensively use for medicinal and food purposes and widely cultivated in northern China and its surrounding areas with a long history. Many cultivars of these species are often confused with one another because of similar tuber morphology, however, conventional DNA barcoding faces practical limitations restricting the method to effectively identify closely related species. In addition, phylogenetic relationships among various cultivar groups of Chinese yam (D. polystachya) remains unclear. To solve these problems, genomic DNAs of 15 Dioscorea samples were sequenced to assemble and annotate chloroplast genomes, which were used for analyzing their structural characteristics and identifying phylogenetic relationships at the inter- and intraspecific levels.ResultsThe size of chloroplast genomes of the tested samples is about 153 kb, and 79 protein-coding genes, 29 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes are annotated. Phylogenetic analysis showed that D. polystachya were sister to Dioscorea japonica, and for Huaishan yams, Dioscorea persimilis did not cluster with Dioscorea alata and Dioscorea fordii. Four cultivar groups of Chinese yam were determined, namely Tiegun group, Anping group, Foshou group and Taihang complex group. Among these cultivar groups, Foshou and Taihang complex are clustered with different wild yams, respectively. Amino acid preferences are similar at the inter- and intraspecific levels, while synonymous codon usage reflects distinct patterns in the majority of cultivars of D. polystachya. There are distinct SSR variations among species, as well as four cultivar groups. Collinearity and SNP analyses show that nucleotide hypervariable regions among Dioscorea species are mainly concentrated in trnK–atpA, rps16–trnQ, atpA–atpH, rpoB–psbD, atpH–atpI, trnV–ndhC in the LSC region, and ccsA–ndhF in the SSC region, while intraspecific variation of Chinese yam is enriched in the intergenic spacers of rpoB–psbC, ndhD–ndhF, and trnQ-trnS, as well as the gene ycf1.ConclusionPhylogenetic analysis supports that Huaishan yams are not of monophyletic origin and the cultivated Chinese yam has at least two wild origins of domestication, which is consistent with the historical records of these wild yams from Mt. Dabie and Mt. Taihang. The identification efficiency of the newly developed barcodes for cultivar groups based on chloroplast genome SNP screening is significantly better than those of conventional barcodes. This approach to generate viable candidate markers based on the comparison from interspecific and intraspecific hypervariable regions of chloroplast genomes can be applied to conduct phylogenetic relationships of more important crop species and their close relatives, which are difficult to identify, as well as their wild origins of domestication.

Biological value of berry polyphenols and prospects for supercritical extraction application for their isolation: A review

Plant polyphenols are known for their numerous health-promoting properties. This article reviews the current state of research in two related fields, namely beneficial effects of flavonoids for human health, e.g., gut microbiome, and supercritical fluid extraction applied to flavonoids of plant origin. The review covered research articles registered in eLIBRARY.RU, PubMed, and Science Direct in 2005–2025. Polyphenolic compounds obtained from various berries were reported to have a positive impact on gut microbiota, e.g., they stimulated the growth of lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, and other beneficial microorganisms, as well as improved the adhesion of probiotic and pathogenic microbes to intestinal epithelial cells. The review revealed some promising application areas for berry extracts in the functional food industry. Polyphenols can be part of meat formulations due to their strong antioxidant activity. Their antimicrobial effect against a wide range of contaminants renders them good prospects in protecting food products from microbial spoilage. Supercritical extraction is a promising method that isolates biologically active substances from plant materials. The review summarizes its advantages and limitations, as well as the range of prospective co-solvents. Ultrasonication, pulse electric field, and enzymic pretreatment make supercritical extraction more efficient. In general, this extraction method proved to be an excellent means of isolating flavonoids and related compounds from various plants and their parts.

First Report on the Emergence of Neopestalotiopsis rosae as a Severe Economic Threat to Strawberry Production in Germany

Strawberries hold significant economic importance in both German and global agriculture. However, their yield is often adversely affected by fungal diseases. This study describes Neopestalotiopsis rosae as a newly emerging pathogen responsible for leaf blight and fruit rot in strawberries in Germany. Infected plants were observed in Hohenheim, Germany. A combination of morphological and molecular analyses, along with pathogenicity tests, confirmed the identity of N. rosae as the causal agent. Morphological examination of conidia and mycelium revealed key characteristics including the presence of versicolorous median cells, conidial appendages, black spherical conidiomata formation as well as changing colony color and fluffy texture. These properties align with the established descriptions for the species. Molecular analysis, particularly the sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer and β-tubulin regions allowed the precise identification of the pathogen. Artificial inoculation of healthy strawberry plants with conidial suspension derived from the isolated strain resulted in the development of characteristic symptoms, including necrotic leaf spots and water-soaked fruit lesions, similar to those observed on the original infected plants. To our knowledge, this study presents the first documented occurrence of N. rosae in Germany, highlighting its emergence as a significant threat to strawberry production in Europe.

The association between animal protein, plant protein, and their substitution with bladder cancer risk: a pooled analysis of 10 cohort studies.

Although total dietary protein intake has been associated with bladder cancer (BC) risk, the effect of the origin (plant or animal) and the substitutions remain to be understood. This study aimed to investigate the effect of total dietary protein, animal-based protein, plant-based protein, and their substitutions with each other on the risk of BC using a pooled analysis of 10 cohort studies. The study was conducted within the "BLadder cancer Epidemiology and Nutritional Determinants" (BLEND) study, including 10 prospective cohort studies from several European countries, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Individual data from 10 prospective cohorts containing 434,412 participants (overall male/female ratio was almost 3:1) with a total of 4,224,643.8 person-years of follow-up was analyzed. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for BC risk for animal and plant-based protein substitutions of 30gram (g) per day (g/day) were estimated by multivariable adjusted HRs using Cox proportional hazards models. During 11.4 years of follow-up, among 434,412 participants (73.28% female), 1,440 new cases of BC were identified. After multivariable adjustment, no association was observed between the intake of total, animal-based protein, and plant-based protein and BC risk. Replacement of every 30g/day of animal-based protein intake by the same amount of plant-based protein intake or vice versa was not associated with the risk of BC. In conclusion, our study found no association between protein intake-whether from animal or plant sources-and the risk of BC. Substituting animal-based protein with plant-based protein, or the reverse, did not influence BC risk. Future studies are required to provide information on the link between animal- and plant-based proteins and BC risk.

Efficacy of The Essential Oil of Coriandrum sativum against Sitophylus oryzae (Coleoptera:Curculionidae)

Recently, there has been a great interest in the use of natural products of plant origin due to the side effects of synthetic substances. Since synthetic chemicals used in the agricultural field a great threat to the environment and public health, many studies are carried out on the use of natural products from production to storage. Given the environmental and public health risks associated with synthetic chemicals commonly used in agriculture, extensive research efforts are focused on exploring the utilization of natural products throughout the entire agricultural process, from production to storage. The effiecy of Coriandrum sativum L. seed essential oil (Cs-EO) was evaluated in the laboratory condions against the rice weevil-Sitophylus oryzae L. adults. The Cs-EO essential oils were applied at four different dose rates (3%, 6%, 9% and 12%) on wheat and fumigant toxicity assay was recorded dead adults after 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11th days. In the 12%, the highest mortality 87.86 % and the lowest mortality at concentration of 3%, 23.28% and of the eleven days. In this study, GC-MS analysis of C. sativum was also determined at the same time. Cs essential oil was generated by steam distillation and compounds were identified by GC-MS analysis. GC-MS analysis of EOs from Cs seeds showed it to be reach linalool 79.12%. This study suggest that essential oil of Cs (Cs- EOs) can be used as alternatives to pesticides for management of stored pest control.

Enhancing Rats’ Diet with Ethyl Esters Derived from Linseed Oil and Examining the Resulting Changes in Their Blood Fatty Acid Profile

Omega-3 fatty acids are an important factor contributing to the prevention and cure of numerous diseases, and therefore their supplementation with diet is a significant issue. There are numerous supplements on the market containing omega-3 acids, of both plant and animal origin. In our study, we compared an effect of linseed oil, ethyl esters of linseed oil and fish oil supplementation to rats’ diet on their blood serum and erythrocyte fatty acid profile. The animals were divided into nine groups, three groups did not receive supplements and differed in dietary fat content, three were fed a high-fat diet for the whole experiment and supplemented, three were fed a high-fat diet and then the control one together with supplements. The experiment lasted 12 weeks. Significant changes in the profile of omega-3 fatty acids, as well as the ration of omega-6 to omega-3, were found in supplemented groups compared to the controls, the changes were more beneficial in groups supplemented with ethyl esters of linseed oil. The results were also more beneficial in groups where in addition to supplementation, there was also a dietary change from high fat to control during the supplementation period. In the case of the erythrocytes, the alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) content in ethyl ester-supplemented groups increased (p < 0.05) by about 60–120%, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) by 80%, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) by 41–60% compared to the control. In turn, in the blood serum, this increase (p < 0.05) was about 70–125%, 26–40%, and 38–54%, respectively. In the case of ethyl esters, except for an increase in EPA and DHA acids, higher values of ALA were found, which can be further used in the process of conversion to longer-chain omega-3.