Phenolic Acid Content Research Articles

Preparation of microelectrode based on molecularly imprinted monolith using ionic liquids as functional monomers for specific separation and enrichment of phenolic acids

Efficient and specific isolation and capture of phenolic acids (PAs) in complex samples is challenging due to its high polarity. In this study, combining the merits of porous monolith, ionic liquids, molecularly imprinted polymer and electroenhanced solid-phase microextraction (EE-SPME), a new sample pretreatment method was developed for the selective isolation and extraction of PAs. Using vanillic acid (VA) as template molecule, mixed ionic liquids including 1-allyl-3-methylimidazoliumbis[(trifluoromethy)sulfonyl]imide and N,N,N-trimethyl-1-(4-vinylphenyl)methanaminium chloride were chosen as dual functional monomers, a molecularly imprinted monolith-based microelectrode (MBM) was in-situ fabricated. Under the EE-SPME format, the extraction behaviors and specific recognition performance of MBM towards VA and its structural analogues were investigated in detail. Results revealed that the exertion of electric field during extraction period increased the imprinted factors from 1.57–1.77 to 1.87–2.23. Under the beneficial parameters, a sensitive and reliable approach for the quantification of PAs contents in water and fruit juice samples by the combination of MBM/EE-SPME with HPLC technique was developed. The achieved limits of detection ranging from 0.012 μg/L to 0.11 μg/L and 0.042 μg/L to 0.15 μg/L for waters and juices, respectively, and the recoveries with different spiked concentrations in actual sample were 83.1–110 %. In comparison with the existing approaches, the established method presented some characteristics in the analysis of PAs, such as simplicity, high cost-effectiveness, good anti-interference performance, satisfactory sensitivity and low consumption of solvent.

Active packaging coatings based on pectin modified with phenolic acids and its application in seabass fillet preservation

In this study, three variants of phenolic acids, namely p-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA), p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (PHAA), and p-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid (PHPA), were integrated into pectin through an enzymatic approach to enhance the preservation efficacy of seabass fillets. Structural elucidation revealed that, under lipase catalysis, each phenolic acid variant was successfully grafted onto pectin via esterification, with the corresponding phenolic acid content being 0.719, 0.699, and 0.731 mmol/g in the p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid-modified pectin (Hb-Pe), p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid-modified pectin (Ha-Pe), and p-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid-modified pectin (Hp-Pe), respectively. Regarding antioxidative activity, the modified pectins showcased a more pronounced inhibition of β-carotene bleaching than their original forms, though there was no noticeable variance in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging. Additionally, the enhanced pectin displayed increased antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with the Hp-Pe type presenting the most potent inhibitory effect. Moreover, the application of modified pectin as a coating markedly extended the storage duration of seabass fillets, with the Hp-Pe variant being particularly effective.

Methyl Jasmonate and Zinc Sulfate Induce Secondary Metabolism and Phenolic Acid Biosynthesis in Barley Seedlings.

This study aimed to reveal the impact of MeJA and ZnSO4 treatments on the physiological metabolism of barley seedlings and the content of phenolic acid. The results showed that MeJA (100 μM) and ZnSO4 (4 mM) treatments effectively increased the phenolic acid content by increasing the activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and cinnamate-4-hydroxylase (PAL) and cinnamic acid 4-hydroxylase (C4H) and by up-regulating the expression of genes involved in phenolic acid synthesis. As a result of the MeJA or ZnSO4 treatment, the phenolic acid content increased by 35.3% and 30.9% at four days and by 33.8% and 34.5% at six days, respectively, compared to the control. Furthermore, MeJA and ZnSO4 treatments significantly increased the malondialdehyde content, causing cell membrane damage and decreasing the fresh weight and seedling length. Barley seedlings responded to MeJA- and ZnSO4-induced stress by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes and controlling their gene expression levels. Meanwhile, MeJA and ZnSO4 treatments significantly upregulated calcium-adenosine triphosphate, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-related kinase, and calmodulin-dependent protein genes in barley seedlings. This suggested that Ca2+ may be the signaling molecule that promotes phenolic acid synthesis under MeJA and ZnSO4 treatment. This study deepens the understanding of the phenolic acid enrichment process in barley seedlings under MeJA and ZnSO4 treatments.

Leaf Fermentation Products of Allium sativum L. Can Alleviate Apple Replant Disease (ARD)

Apple replant disease (ARD) is a serious threat to newly replanted apple seedlings. The alleviation of ARD is of great significance for the healthy development of the apple industry. In this study, we investigated the effects of leaf fermentation products (LFP) of Allium sativum L. on the replanted soil environment and Malus hupehensis Rehd. seedlings. The results showed that LFP increased biomass accumulation, changed root architecture, increased root anti-oxidant enzyme activity, and decreased root MDA content under replanted conditions. In addition, the application of LFP increased soil nutrients and soil enzyme activity and reduced phenolic acid content. Furthermore, the LFP enriched the number of beneficial bacteria and reduced the number of harmful fungi, which positively affected the soil microbial community structure. Overall, our results demonstrated that LFP of A. sativum L. could alleviate the occurrence of ARD and provide new insights for the reuse of the leaves of A. sativum L. and the prevention of ARD.

Physicochemical and Volatile Compounds Analysis of Fruit Wines Fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae: FTIR and Microscopy Study with Focus on Anti-Inflammatory Potential.

The growing trend in fruit wine production reflects consumers' interest in novel, diverse drinking experiences and the increasing demand for healthier beverage options. Fruit wines made from kiwi, pomegranates, and persimmons fermented using S. bayanus Lalvin strain EC1118 demonstrate the versatility of winemaking techniques. Kiwifruit, persimmon, and pomegranate wines were analyzed using HPLC and GC-TOFMS analyses to determine their concentrations of phenolic acids and volatile compounds. These results were supported by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to characterize and compare chemical shifts in the polyphenol regions of these wines. The wines' characterization included an anti-inflammatory assay based on NO, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 production in the RAW 264.7 macrophage model. FTIR spectroscopy predicted the antioxidant and phenolic contents in the wines. In terms of polyphenols, predominantly represented by chlorogenic, caffeic, and gallic acids, pomegranate and kiwifruit wines showed greater benefits. However, kiwifruit wines exhibited a highly diverse profile of volatile compounds. Further analysis is necessary, particularly regarding the use of other microorganisms in the fermentation process and non-Saccharomyces strains methods. These wines exhibit high biological antioxidant potential and health properties, providing valuable insights for future endeavors focused on designing healthy functional food products.

Evaluation of Polyphenols Synthesized in Mature Seeds of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Advanced Mutant Lines.

This study aimed to investigate the availability of flavonoids, anthocyanins, and phenolic acids in mutant bean seeds, focusing on M7 mutant lines, and their corresponding initial and local cultivars. HPLC-DAD-MS/MS and HPLC-MS/MS were used to analyze twenty-eight genotypes of common bean. The obtained results suggest that the mutations resulted in four newly synthesized anthocyanins in the mutant bean seeds, namely, delphinidin 3-O-glucoside, cyanidin 3-O-glucoside, pelargonidin 3-O-glucoside, and petunidin 3-O-glucoside, in 20 accessions with colored seed shapes out of the total of 28. Importantly, the initial cultivar with white seeds, as well as the mutant white seeds, did not contain anthocyanins. The mutant lines were classified into groups based on their colors as novel qualitative characteristics. Five phenolic acids were further quantified: ferulic, p-coumaric, caffeic, sinapic, and traces of chlorogenic acids. Flavonoids were represented by epicatechin, quercetin, and luteolin, and their concentrations in the mutant genotypes were several-fold superior compared to those of the initial cultivar. All mutant lines exhibited higher concentrations of phenolic acids and flavonoids. These findings contribute to the understanding of the genetics and biochemistry of phenolic accumulation and anthocyanin production in common bean seeds, which is relevant to health benefits and might have implications for common bean breeding programs and food security efforts.

Phytochemical contents and bioactivity of four endemic Salvia seeds from Turkey: a comparative study to chia seed

AbstractRecently, the importance of medicinal plants such as Salvia species has been increasing both in medicine and in industrial branches, which includes food, feed, and cosmetic raw materials. On the other hand, chia seed is a functional food that has recently increased industrial importance due to its superior nutritional value, phytochemical components, and therapeutic effects. In our study, the antioxidant activity of methanol extracts from the seeds of endemic Salvia cadmica Boiss var. cadmica, and Salvia caespitosa Montbret & Aucher ex Benth., Salvia pisidica Boiss. & Heldr. ex Benth., and Salvia potentillifolia Boiss. & Heldr. ex Benth. collected from Burdur-Antalya/Turkey were determined via 1,1-diphenyl,2-picryl hydrazyl radical scavenging activity, cupric (II) reducing antioxidant capacity, b-carotene/linoleic acid bleaching and total phenolic, and total flavonoid content tests and compared with that of chia seed. Antimicrobial activity was determined according to minimum inhibitory concentration values, on S. aureus, E. coli, S. enterica, L. monocytogenes, C. albicans strains, but it was found negligible. Phenolic and fatty acid contents of the seed extracts were also determined by HPLC and GC–MS, respectively. S. pisidica and S. potentillifolia were found to be highly active. The major fatty acid composition of the chia seed was linolenic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid while the others were linoleic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids. Despite fatty acid ratios of chia seed being more favorable; 1,1-diphenyl,2-picryl hydrazyl radical scavenging activity, cupric (II) reducing antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content, and antimicrobial activity of S. pisidica seed extracts and total flavonoid content and inhibition of β-carotene bleaching of S. potentillifolia seed extracts was higher than that of chia seed. These findings suggest seed extracts of these Salvia species are richer in phytochemicals and they are more active as antioxidants when compared to chia seed.

Exploring In Vitro Immunomodulatory Properties of Moss Atrichum undulatum Extracts.

Bryophytes are rich sources of diverse secondary metabolites with a wide range of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antitumor and antimicrobial effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical composition of extracts from two different genotypes (Serbian and Hungarian) of the axenic moss Atrichum undulatum and evaluate the immunomodulatory potential of the prepared extracts in vitro. Both genotypes of moss samples were cultivated in vitro and subsequently extracted in a Soxhlet apparatus with methanol or ethyl acetate. The highest concentration of total phenolic compounds was found in the methanolic extract of the Serbian genotype (54.25 mg GAE/g extract), while the ethyl acetate extract of the Hungarian genotype showed the highest concentration of phenolic acids (163.20 mg CAE/extract), flavonoids (35.57 mg QE/extract), and flavonols (2.25 mg QE/extract). The extracts showed anti-neuroinflammatory properties by reducing the production of reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, and tumor necrosis factor alpha by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated microglial cells. Moreover, they mitigated the cytotoxic effects of the pro-inflammatory mediators produced by activated microglia on neurons. The data obtained suggest that extracts from A. undulatum moss have promising anti-neuroinflammatory and neuroprotective properties, making them interesting candidates for further research to combat neuroinflammation.

Comparative Analysis of Enzyme-, Ultrasound-, Mechanical-, and Chemical-Assisted Extraction of Biflavonoids from Ginkgo Leaves

The biflavonoid extraction from ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.) leaves using solvent-based extraction with 70% ethanol, alone and in combination with enzyme-assisted, ultrasound-assisted, mechanical-assisted, and chemically assisted methods was investigated and the influence of extraction duration was explored. The total content of polyphenols, flavonoids, and phenolic acids in the extracts was determined spectrophotometrically, while individual biflavonoids were identified and quantified using HPLC-DAD. Amentoflavone, bilobetin, ginkgetin, isoginkgetin, and sciadopitysin were identified in all our extracts. Among these, sciadopitysin emerged as the most prevalent biflavonoid with an amount above 1 mg g−1 dw, followed by isoginkgetin. Comparative analysis of the extraction methods revealed that, except for chemically assisted extraction, similar levels of compounds were obtained after 45 min of extraction. However, enzymatic (EAE) and mechanical-assisted extraction (MAE) exhibited significantly higher individual (EAE: 19–41% higher; MAE: 22–67% higher) and total biflavonoid (EAE: 29% higher; MAE 50% higher) levels after just 5 min, suggesting their potential to abbreviate extraction duration and facilitate the efficient retrieval of target compounds. However, as extraction efficiency varies between individual biflavonoids, our findings also underscore the importance of considering specific compounds and extraction kinetics in the optimization of ginkgo leaf extraction processes.

Integrated Membrane Process in Organic Media: Combining Organic Solvent Ultrafiltration, Nanofiltration, and Reverse Osmosis to Purify and Concentrate the Phenolic Compounds from Wet Olive Pomace.

Phenolic compounds from a hydroalcoholic extract of wet olive pomace were purified and concentrated by an integrated membrane process in organic media. First, UF010104 (Solsep BV) and UP005 (Microdyn Nadir) membranes were tested to be implemented in the ultrafiltration stage, with the aim of purifying the extract and obtaining a permeate enriched in phenolic compounds. Despite the high flux observed with the UF010104 membrane (20.4 ± 0.7 L·h-1·m-2, at 2 bar), the UP005 membrane was selected because of a more suitable selectivity. Even though some secoiridoids were rejected, the permeate stream obtained with this membrane contained high concentrations of valuable simple phenols and phenolic acids, whereas sugars and macromolecules were retained. Then, the ultrafiltration permeate was subjected to a nanofiltration step employing an NF270 membrane (DuPont) for a further purification and fractionation of the phenolic compounds. The permeate flux was 50.2 ± 0.2 L·h-1·m-2, working at 15 bar. Hydroxytyrosol and some phenolic acids (such as vanillic acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid) were recovered in the permeate, which was later concentrated by reverse osmosis employing an NF90 membrane. The permeate flux obtained with this membrane was 15.3 ± 0.3 L·h-1·m-2. The concentrated phenolic mixture that was obtained may have important applications as a powerful antioxidant and for the prevention of diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases.

Identification, structure elucidation, and isomer differentiation of phenolic compounds of Chinese pepper cultivars by UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS and their antioxidant activity.

A total of 43 compounds, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, lignans, and diterpene, were identified and characterized using UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS coupled with UNIFI software. The identified flavonoids were mostly isomers of luteolin, apigenin, and quercetin, which were elucidated and distinguished for the first time in pepper cultivars. The use of multivariate data analytics for sample discrimination revealed that luteolin derivatives played the most important role in differentiating pepper cultivars. The content of phenolic acids and flavonoids in immature green peppers was generally higher than that of mature red peppers. The pepper extracts possessed significant antioxidant activities, and the antioxidant activities correlated well with phenolic contents and their molecular structure. In conclusion, the findings expand our understanding of the phytochemical components of the Chinese pepper genotype at two maturity stages. Moreover, a UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS in negative ionization mode rapid methods for characterization and isomers differentiation was described.

Maintaining postharvest quality and enhancing shelf-life of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) using brassinosteroids: A novel approach

Bell pepper is a major vegetable crop of global commercial interest, but the postharvest quality is constrained by faster deterioration and senescence. Brassinosteroids (BRs), are an emerging and novel biomolecule that delay ripening and senescence in various vegetables. Freshly harvested bell pepper fruit were immersed in an aqueous solution of BRs concentrations (0, 2, 5, 7 and 10 μM) for 20 min and subsequently stored for 20 d at 10 ± 1°C, 85–90% RH. The bell pepper treated with 10 μM BRs significantly reduced respiration rate (∼2.3 fold), delayed weight loss (∼2.2 fold), and retained higher firmness (∼2.5 fold), total phenolic (∼1.7 fold), flavonoid (∼1.7 fold), proline (∼2 fold) and ascorbic acid content (∼2 fold) over the control fruit at the end of cold storage. Also, it retained higher DPPH radical scavenging (∼1.8 fold) and antioxidant enzyme activity (∼1.5 fold) over the control at the end of cold storage. Moreover, BRs treated bell pepper exhibited reduced malondialdehyde accumulation and delayed capsaicin, and chlorophyll degradation. Remarkably, 10 μM BRs treatment prolonged the shelf-life of bell pepper up to 20 d (10 d extra over control) without compromising quality and sensory acceptability.

Considerations on the authenticity and nutritional aspects of green coffee products consumed in Brazil

Several benefits have been attributed to the consumption of green coffee, in the form of capsules or teas, mainly due to its high content of phenolic acids, which allegedly show antioxidant, antimutagenic, and anticarcinogenic activities in vitro. Chlorogenic acid is the phenolic compound present in greater proportion in coffee and the consumption of green coffee extract has been associated with health and loss of weight. However, beyond these bioactive compounds with a healthy appeal, other compounds which can have deleterious health effects should be considered in the consumption of these extracts, such as the presence of contaminants (ochratoxin A and its producing fungi), phytates, and tannins, which exhibit anti-nutritional characteristics. In that sense, this manuscript seeks to assess the composition of commercial green coffee extracts, analyzing their authenticity, nutritional and anti-nutritional aspects, to provide technical information for a qualified discussion about the effective healthiness of the consumption of commercial green coffee extracts. Nine samples of green coffee food supplements were selected and a product was prepared to serve as a standard. It was possible to identify coffee DNA in six of the commercial samples of food supplements. The products had antioxidant activity between 33 and 2408 µmol of Trolox/g. It was possible to identify chlorogenic acid in all samples with concentrations ranging from 0.023 - 20 mg / g of coffee. Six samples presented positive values for ochratoxin A, despite being within the limits of the coffee roasted legislation, there is a certain concern about the safety of these supplements.

Content of secondary metabolites and antioxidant activities of Lonicera japonica flowers at different developmental stages from Shandong province

This study established an ultrasound-assisted extraction-high performance liquid chromatography method for simulta-neously determinining the content of 11 bioactive compounds including iridoids, phenolic acids, and flavonoids in Lonicera japonica flowers. The flowers at six stages from the rice bud stage(ML) to the golden flower stage(JH) of L. japonica varieties 'Sijuhua' and 'Beihua No.1' in two planting bases in Shandong province were collected. The established method was employed to determine the content of 11 target compounds, on the basis of which the dynamics of active components in L. japonica sampels during different development stages was investigated. The correlation analysis was carried out to reveal the correlations of the content of iridoids, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. Furthermore, the antioxidant activities of samples at different developmental stages were determined, and the relationship between antioxidant activity and chemical components was analyzed by the correlation analysis. The results showed that the total content of the 11 components in 'Sijihua' changed in a "W" pattern from the ML to JH, being the highest at the ML and the second at the slight white stage(EB). The total content of 11 compounds in 'Beihua No.1' was the highest at the ML and decreased gra-dually from the ML to JH. The samples of 'Sijihua' had higher content of iridoids and lower content of phenolic acids than those of 'Beihua No.1'. The content of flavonoids and phenolic acids showed a positive correlation(R~2=0.90, P<0.05) in 'Sijihua' but no obvious correlation in 'Beihua No.1'. The antioxidant activity and phenolic acid content showed positive correlations, with the determination coefficients(R~2) of 0.84(P<0.05) in 'Beihua No.1' and 0.73(P<0.05) in 'Sijihua'. The antioxidant activity of both varieties was the strongest at the ML and the second at the EB. This study revealed that the content dynamics of iridoids, phenolic acids, and flavonoids in 'Sijihua' and 'Beihua No.1' cultivated in Shandong province during different developmental stages. The results indicated that the antioxidant activity of L. japonica flowers was significantly correlated with the content of phenolic acids at different deve-lopmental stages, which provided a basis for determining the optimum harvest time of L. japonica flowers.

Impact of temperature and humidity conditions as abiotic stressors on the phytochemical fingerprint of oat (Avena sativa L.) sprouts

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of temperature (20, 25, and 30 °C) and relative humidity (RH, 50, 55, and 60 %) as abiotic stressors during oat (Avena sativa L.) germination using a 2-level factorial design with central point. UPLC-QToF-MSE identified eighty polyphenols, nine avenanthramides, twelve lignans, and five phytosterols Notably, 100 % germination was achieved at 25 °C/60 % RH from day 3, yielding the longest radicle size. The highest content of most phenolic acids, avenanthramides, and lignans occurred at 30 °C/65 % RH, where 100 % germination was attained by day 5, but with a shorter radicle size. The best flavonoid and phytosterol profle was obtained at 20 °C/55 % RH, achieving only a 67 % germination rate. Therefore, while these conditions enhance the bioactive compound profile, the associate decrease in germination metrics suggests potential distress effects. Consideration of both photochemical outcomes and germination yield is crucial for comprehensive assessments in future applications.

Changes in physio-biochemical metabolism, phenolics and antioxidant capacity during germination of different wheat varieties

Changes in physio-biochemical metabolism, phenolics and antioxidant capacity during germination were studied in eight different wheat varieties. Results showed that germination enhanced sprout growth, and caused oxidative damage, but enhanced phenolics accumulation. Ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid were the main phenolic acids in wheat sprouts, and dihydroquercetin, quercetin and vitexin were the main flavonoids. The phenolic acid content of Jimai 44 was the highest on the 2th and 4th day of germination, and that of Bainong 307 was the highest on the 6th day. The flavonoid content of Hei jingang was the highest during whole germination. The enzymes activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), cinnamic acid 4-hydroxylase (C4H) and 4-coumarate coenzyme A ligase (4CL) were up-regulated. The activities of catalase, polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase were also activated. Antioxidant capacity of wheat sprouts was enhanced. The results provided new ideas for the production of naturally sourced phenolic rich foods.

Altitudinal variation of dragon fruit metabolite profiles as revealed by UPLC-MS/MS-based widely targeted metabolomics analysis

BackgroundGeographical factors affect the nutritional, therapeutic and commercial values of fruits. Dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp) is a popular fruit in Asia and a potential functional food with diverse pharmacological attributes. Although it is produced in various localities, the information related to the altitudinal variation of dragon fruit nutrients and active compounds is scarce. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the variations in metabolite profiles of H. polyrhizus (variety Jindu1) fruit pulps from three different altitudes of China, including Wangmo (WM, 650 m), Luodian (LD, 420 m), and Zhenning (ZN, 356 m). Jindu1 is the main cultivated pitaya variety in Guizhou province, China.ResultsThe LC-MS (liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy)-based widely targeted metabolic profiling identified 645 metabolites, of which flavonoids (22.64%), lipids (13.80%), phenolic acids (12.40%), amino acids and derivatives (10.39%), alkaloids (8.84%), and organic acids (8.37%) were dominant. Multivariate analyses unveiled that the metabolite profiles of the fruit differed regarding the altitude. Fruits from WM (highest altitude) were prime in quality, with higher levels of flavonoids, alkaloids, nucleotides and derivatives, amino acids and derivatives, and vitamins. Fruits from LD and ZN had the highest relative content of phenolic acids and terpenoids, respectively. We identified 69 significantly differentially accumulated metabolites across the pulps of the fruits from the three locations. KEGG analysis revealed that flavone and flavonol biosynthesis and isoflavonoid biosynthesis were the most differentially regulated. It was noteworthy that most active flavonoid compounds exhibited an increasing accumulation pattern along with the increase in altitude. Vitexin and isovitexin were the major differentially accumulated flavonoids. Furthermore, we identified two potential metabolic biomarkers (vitexin and kaempferol 3-O-[2-O-β-D-galactose-6-O-a-L-rhamnose]-β-D-glucoside) to discriminate between dragon fruits from different geographical origins.ConclusionOur findings provide insights into metabolic changes in dragon fruits grown at different altitudes. Furthermore, they show that growing pitaya at high altitudes can produce fruit with higher levels of bioactive compounds, particularly flavonoids.

Changes in secondary metabolites contents and stress responses in Salvia miltiorrhiza via ScWRKY35 overexpression: Insights from a wild relative Salvia castanea

Salvia castanea Diels, a close wild relative to the medicinal plant, Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, primarily grows in high-altitude regions. While the two species share similar active compounds, their content varies significantly. WRKY transcription factors are key proteins, which regulate plant growth, stress response, and secondary metabolism. We identified 46 ScWRKY genes in S. castanea and found that ScWRKY35 was a highly expressed gene associated with secondary metabolites accumulation. This study aimed to explore the role of ScWRKY35 gene in regulating the accumulation of secondary metabolites and its response to UV and cadmium (Cd) exposure in S. miltiorrhiza. It was found that transgenic S. miltiorrhiza hairy roots overexpressing ScWRKY35 displayed upregulated expression of genes related to phenolic acid synthesis, resulting in increased salvianolic acid B (SAB) and rosmarinic acid (RA) contents. Conversely, tanshinone pathway gene expression decreased, leading to lower tanshinone levels. Further, overexpression of ScWRKY35 upregulated Cd transport protein HMA3 in root tissues inducing Cd sequestration. In contrast, the Cd uptake gene NRAMP1 was downregulated, reducing Cd absorption. In response to UV radiation, ScWRKY35 overexpression led to an increase in the accumulation of phenolic acid and tanshinone contents, including upregulation of genes associated with salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) synthesis. Altogether, these findings highlight the role of ScWRKY35 in enhancing secondary metabolites accumulation, as well as in Cd and UV stress modulation in S. miltiorrhiza, which offers a novel insight into its phytochemistry and provides a new option for the genetic improvement of the plants.

Comprehensive Analysis of Antioxidant and Phenolic Profiles of Thai Medicinal Plants for Functional Food and Pharmaceutical Development.

Medicinal plants, are resources of traditional medicines, have played a significant role in human culture throughout history. The connect of traditional knowledge with contemporary scientific findings, display the potential of these plants for nutritional and pharmaceutical applications. This study aimed to investigates the antioxidant activity and phenolic compositions of seven medicinal plants (Kaempferia parviflora, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Phyllanthus emblica, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica, Gynostemma pentaphyllum, and Stevia rebaudiana) from Kalasin Province, Thailand. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays were used to evaluate the the antioxidant activities. The qualitative method was used for the phytochemical screening. Additionally, reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) analysis reveals their phenolic compositions. Results revealed that phenols, flavonoids, and terpenoids were found in all medicinal plants studied, with flavonoids and phenols most predominant. Notably, P. emblica and T. bellirica show significant antioxidant properties and high levels of phenolics and flavonoids. P. emblica had the highest phenolic acid concentrations, with ρ-coumaric (79.43µg/g), chlorogenic (45.22µg/g), and ferulic acid (29.58µg/g) being dominant. The research emphasizes the value of these plants in developing functional foods and pharmaceuticals, underlining the importance of conserving biodiversity and traditional knowledge for future health product innovation.

Phenolic profile and evaluation of antimicrobial and anticancer activities of Calendula officinalis L. using exogenous polyamines application

Polyamines (PAs) are active natural substances with multiple amino groups that are essential for numerous physiological and developmental functions in plants. This study aimed to examine the effects of foliar spraying of PAs on profiles of phenolic compounds (PCs), antimicrobial activity against clinical pathogens, and cytotoxic activity of aqueous and methanolic extracts (AEs and MEs) of pot marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) (CoL). Three different quantities of the chemicals putrescine (PUT), spermidine (SPD), and spermine (SPM) were sprayed on the plants during their four or five completely expanded leaf stages.This experiment was carried out over the course of three months, using a randomized complete design with four replications. According to evaluations of various physiochemical characteristics, the treatments significantly increased the amount of glycosylated flavonols. The study also revealed noteworthy differences in the total phenolic acid and flavonoid content. The foliar spraying with 1 mM SPD had the most significant effect compared to other PAs. Additionally, the primary flavonols, including isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside (narcissin) and isorhamnetin-3-O-rhamnosylrutinoside (typhaneoside), were observed in the 1 mM SPD treatment. The antimicrobial activity (MIC µg/mL) of CoL AEs and MEs towards the six pathogen strains was significantly enhanced when exogenous application of PAs was introduced. On the other hand, the findings demonstrated that the application of PAs, particularly SPD, led to significant cytotoxic activity against five tumor cell lines in the CoL MEs and AEs. These results indicate that foliar spraying of PAs may have numerous possible uses in the pharmaceutical industry as a result of their influence on antimicrobial and anticancer capacities, as well as phenolic and flavonoid compounds.