Phenolic Acid Derivatives Research Articles

Comprehensive Phytochemical Profiling of Ulva lactuca from the Adriatic Sea.

The potential of the green macroalga Ulva lactuca is increasingly recognized, not only for its environmental benefits, but also for its applications in various industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Given this insight, a comprehensive analysis of the chemical profile of U. lactuca from the Adriatic Sea was carried out. The hydrodistillate, rich in (Z,Z,Z)-hexadeca-7,10,13-trienal and hexadecanoic acid, underlines its importance for health-related uses, particularly in lipid metabolism and cellular integrity. Fatty acid analysis showed a predominance of palmitic acid and a favorable n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio, suggesting that U. lactuca can make a valuable contribution to a balanced diet. In addition, essential amino acids, including leucine, valine, and isoleucine, support its use as a functional ingredient for muscle repair and metabolic health. The ethanol extract contained 56 compounds, including derivatives of fatty acids, phenolic acids, pigments, flavonoids, and steroids. Many of them, such as hexadecasphinganine, azelaic acid, 5-sulfosalicylic acid, and pheophytin a, have proven roles or potentials in promoting human health. These results confirm that U. lactuca is a rich source of bioactive compounds, emphasizing its potential in scientific research and its expanding industrial applications in health, nutrition, and cosmetics.

Tissue ontogeny and chemical composition influence bacterial biodiversity in the wood and shoot tip of Populus nigra.

Plant-microbe interactions significantly influence plant growth dynamics and adaptability. This study explores the impact of metabolites on microbial biodiversity in shoot tips and wood of Populus nigra under greenhouse conditions, using high-throughput sequencing and metabolite profiling. Branches from P. nigra were harvested, rooted, and transplanted into pots for growth. After 3 months, tissue samples from shoot tips and wood were collected, and metabolites extracted and analysed using GC-MS and LC-MS. Genomic DNA was extracted and subjected to high-throughput sequencing for bacterial biodiversity profiling. Both datasets were analysed using bioinformatic and statistical pipelines. Metabolite profiling indicated that shoot tips had a higher relative abundance of primary and secondary metabolites, including sugars, fatty acids, organic acids, phenolic acid derivatives and salicinoids, while wood was enriched in flavonoids. Bacterial biodiversity also differed significantly between these tissues, with Clostridiales, Bacteroidales and Bacillales dominating in shoot tips, associated with rapid growth and anaerobic fermentation, while wood tissues were characterized by diazotrophs from Rhizobiales, Sphingomonadales and Frankiales. PCoA clustering confirmed tissue-specific microbial differences. Functional analysis revealed an enrichment of fundamental cellular processes in shoot tips, while wood exhibited pathways related to degradation and mortality. Metabolite profiling revealed significant variations in primary and secondary metabolites, highlighting their influence on microbial biodiversity across plant tissues. The dominance of specific bacterial orders and distinct functional pathways in each tissue suggests a tailored microbial response to the unique environments of shoot tips and wood.

Comprehensive comparison of two colour varieties of Perillae folium by UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS analysis combining with feature-based molecular networking

Perillae Folium (PF), the leaf of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt is extensively used as a culinary vegetable and medicinal herb in many countries. Purple PF (P. frutescens var. arguta) and green PF (P. frutescens var. frutescens) are two of the main varieties. In this study, UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS assisted with feature-based molecular networking (FBMN) was applied for chemical characterization. In total, 82 metabolites, mainly phenolic acid derivatives were identified from PF. With the help of FBMN, five organic acid glucosides together with three N-phenylpropenoyl-L-amino acids (NPAs) were identified in PF for the first time. Multivariate statistical methods were utilized for comprehensive comparison of purple and green PF profiles. 12 compounds with their relative contents varied significantly between purple and green PF were screened out. Overall, the present study offers valuable insights for chemical elucidation of PF which would be helpful for comprehensive utilization of PF resource.

Linking the chemical profile with the biological activities of Reaumuria alternifolia from Turkish flora

The chemical composition and in vitro bioactivity of five Reaumuria alternifolia extracts obtained using solvents of different polarities (hexane, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, methanol, and water) were investigated. LC-MSn analysis revealed the presence of phenolic acid derivatives, flavonoids, tannins, and anthocyanins as bioactive molecules in the examined plant material, the majority identified in the methanol extract. Bioactivity was evaluated in vitro through antioxidant, enzyme inhibitor, and cytotoxic assays. Extracts presented a significant biological potential, with the methanol extract being the most effective. The analyzed extracts showed that this readily available raw material is a rich source of phytonutrients, primarily antioxidant compounds. This research raises curiosity about the future perspective of Turkish Reaumuria alternifolia extracts, for the formulation of new products as nutritional supplements or improving the quality of existing products. These potential applications inspire hope for the future of natural product development and its impact on human health.

Phenolic Acids Derivatives from Meehania Fargesii with Anti-inflammation Effects.

Utilizing systematic plant chemistry separation techniques, two previously unreported phenolic acids (1-2) and eighteen (3-20) phenolic acids were isolated from 70% ethanol extract of Meehania fargesii var. radicans (Vaniot) C.Y.Wu. The structures of the unreported compounds were determined using spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR, ECD, and HR-ESI-MS. The activity of all isolated phenolic acids was evaluated for their ability to inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 cells activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Among the isolated compounds, compounds 1 and 19 exhibited significant inhibitory activity against NO production in RAW264.7 cells, with higher concentrations being more active than the indomethacin, without displaying cytotoxicity. This study provides a basis for the application and development of M. fargesii and the discovery of natural anti-inflammatory drugs.

Investigating the Therapeutic Property of Galium verum L. (GV) for MSG induced Audiogenic Epilepsy (AEs) and Neuroprotection through In-Silico and In-Vitro Analysis.

Audiogenic Epilepsy (AEs) is a subtype of epileptic seizure that is generally caused by high-intensity sounds. A large number of traditional medicines has been explored in this lieu where our study chased Galium verum L. (Rubiaceae), an herbal plant which is commonly known as Lady's Bedstraw, that contains a highly rich chemical composition including flavonoids (Hispidulin, Quercetin, and Kaempferol), and phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid, caftaric acid, and gallic acid). G verum is well known for its antioxidant, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory properties. Recently, the unique role of Adhesion G Protein- Coupled Receptor V1 (ADGRV1) protein in the progression of audiogenic epilepsy has been explored. This study aimed to examine the potent phytoconstituents of the hydroalcoholic extract of G. verum L. (HEGV) using analytical techniques. Additionally, our study sought to evaluate the antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory properties, and antiepileptic potency of HEGV by targeting ADGRV1 via in silico and in vitro analyses using SHSY5Y cells. HPLC and LC-MS techniques were employed to identify the flavonoids, iridoids, and phenolic acid derivatives present in HEGV. DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), nitric oxide (NO), and hydroxyl (OH) radical scavenging assays were performed to confirm the antioxidant potential of the extract. Additionally, in silico molecular docking and molecular dynamic studies were performed using AutoDock Vina software to analyze the possible interactions between crucial phytoconstituents of HEGV and ADGRV1, followed by cell line analysis. In the in vitro analysis, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory properties were assessed via cell viability assay, IL, GABA, and glutamate estimation. LC-MS and HPLC analyses revealed high concentrations of hispidulin, a major flavonoid found in HEGV. HEGV exhibited moderate-to-high free radical-scavenging activities comparable to those of ascorbic acid. Docking analysis demonstrated that hispidulin has a stronger binding affinity with ADGRV1 (Vina score = -8.6 kcal/mol) than other compounds. Furthermore, cell line analysis revealed that the MSG exacerbates the neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation, whereas, HEGV and Hispidulin both possess neuroprotective, antioxidant, and antiepileptic activities. HEGV and Hispidulin proved to be promising candidates for treating audiogenic epilepsy by modulating ADGRV1.

Integrating histology and phytohormone/metabolite profiling to understand rooting in yellow camellia cuttings

Vegetative propagation through cutting is a widely used clonal approach for maintaining desired genotypes. However, some woody species have difficulty forming adventitious roots (ARs) with this approach, including yellow camellia (YC) C. nitidissima. Yellow camellias, prized for their ornamental value and potential health benefits in tea, remain difficult to propagate clonally due to this rooting recalcitrance. As part of the efforts to understand YC cuttings’ recalcitrance, we conducted a detailed investigation into AR formation in yellow camellia cuttings via histology and endogenous phytohormone dynamics during this process. We also compared YC endogenous phytohormone and metabolite phytohormone profiles with those of easy-to-root poplar and willow cuttings. Our results indicate that the induction of ARs in YC cuttings is achievable through auxin treatment, and YC ARs are initiated from cambial derivatives and develop a vascular system connected with that of the stem. During AR induction, endogenous hormones showed a dynamic profile, with IAA continuing to increase starting 9 days after auxin induction. JA, JA-Ile, and OPDA showed a similar trend as IAA but decreased by the 45th day. Cytokinin first decreased to its lowest level by the 18th day and then increased. SA largely exhibited an increasing trend with a drop on the 36th day, while ABA first increased to its peak level by the 18th day and then decreased. Compared to poplar, YC cuttings had a low level of IAA, IAA-Asp, and OPDA, and a high level of cytokinin and SA. Metabolite profiling highlighted significant down-accumulation of compounds associated with AR formation in yellow camellias, such as citric and ascorbic acid, fructose, sucrose, flavonoids, and phenolic acid derivatives. Our study reveals the unfavorable endogenous hormone and metabolite profiles underlying the rooting recalcitrance of YC cuttings, providing valuable knowledge for addressing this challenge in clonal propagation.

Chemical Constituents of the Fruits of Cornus Officinalis and Evaluation of their Neuroprotective Activity.

The phytochemical investigation of the fruits of Cornus officinalis yielded a new phenolic acid derivative, neophenolic acid A (1), and a novel flavonoid glycoside, (2R)-naringenin-7-O-β-(6''-galloyl-glucopyranoside) (2 a), along with six known flavonoid glycosides (2 b-7). Their structures were determined by 1D, 2D NMR and HRESIMS data. The absolute configuration of 1 was established by ECD analysis. Compounds 1- 7 were evaluated for their neuroprotective activities against corticosterone (CORT)-induced injury in PC-12 cells. Compounds 1, 2 a, 2 b, 5, and 6 exhibited neuroprotective activities against CORT-induced neurotoxicity in PC-12 cells. The underlying mechanism study suggested that compounds 1, 2 a, 2 b, 5, and 6 were able to attenuate CORT-induced apoptosis and damage, increase the levels of MMP and decrease Ca2+ inward flow in PC-12 cells.

Improvement of Bioactive Polyphenol Accumulation in Callus of Salvia atropatana Bunge.

Callus cultures of the Iranian medicinal plant Salvia atropatana were initiated from three-week-old seedlings on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and various cytokinins. Although all tested hormonal variants of the medium and explant enabled callus induction, the most promising growth was noted for N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N'-phenylurea (CPPU)-induced calli. Three lines obtained on this medium (cotyledon line-CL, hypocotyl line-HL, and root line-RL) were preselected for further studies. Phenolic compounds in the callus tissues were identified using UPLC-MS (ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry) and quantified with HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography). All lines exhibited intensive growth and contained twelve phenolic acid derivatives, with rosmarinic acid predominating. The cotyledon-derived callus line displayed the highest growth index values and polyphenol content; this was exposed to different light-emitting diodes (LED) for improving biomass accumulation and secondary metabolite yield. Under LED treatments, all callus lines exhibited enhanced RA and total phenolic content compared to fluorescent light, with the highest levels observed for white (48.5-50.2 mg/g dry weight) and blue (51.4-53.9 mg/g dry weight) LEDs. The selected callus demonstrated strong antioxidant potential in vitro based on the 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) tests. Our findings confirm that the S. atropatana callus system is suitable for enhanced rosmarinic acid production; the selected optimized culture provide high-quality plant-derived products.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF PLANTAGO MAJOR LEAF EXTRACTS IN VITRO ON EPITHELIAL CELLS OF THE ORAL CAVITY

The large plantain has been widely used since ancient times to treat many diseases, including constipation, cough and ulcers. The purpose of this study is to review the traditional use, botanical characteristics, pharmacological activity, phytochemical effects and toxicity of Plantago major. Some o f its traditional properties, including wound healing, antipyretic, antitussive, anti-infective, anti-hemorrhagic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, laxative, astringent and hemostatic, have been confirmed by recent studies. Phytochemical studies have shown that Plantago major contains volatile compounds, triterpenoids, phenolic acids and flavonoids. Current pharmacological studies have proven some of the traditional uses of Plantago major. However, additional studies of this plant are needed, since it can be used for the production of various natural preparations.The healing properties of the great plantain have been recognized all over the world for hundreds of years. This plant contains a number of effective chemical components, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolic acid derivatives, iridoid glycosides, fatty acids, polysaccharides and vitamins, which contribute to its specific therapeutic effect. Accordingly, studies have shown that the large plantain is effective as a wound healing agent, as well as as an anti-cancer, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antibacterial and antiviral agent. It also fights fatigue and cancer, is an antioxidant and neutralizes free radicals.

Extraction, analysis of antioxidant activities and structural characteristics of flavonoids in fruits of Diospyros lotus L.

Flavonoid compounds are considered important components of new sources of natural antioxidants. This study was performed to optimize the ultrasound-assisted extraction processes of flavonoids from date plum persimmon (DPP) fruits, along with the in vitro antioxidant capacities and identities of those components. First, the effects of liquid/solid ratio, ethanol concentration, extraction time, and extraction temperature on flavonoid yields were investigated by independent variables analysis. Then the response surface methodology was used to optimize the extraction process, and the maximum flavonoid content was 3.05 ± 0.03 mg/g DW under the conditions of liquid/solid ratio 27:1 (mL/g), 74 mL ethanol/100 mL, extraction time 27 min, and extraction temperature 80 °C. Moreover, by DPPH and ABTS assays, the crude extracts of flavonoids in DPP fruits exhibited robust scavenging capacities with IC50 values of 1.76 and 0.82 μg/mL, respectively. In addition, 17 bioactive compounds of DPP were isolated and identified by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS, among which two were phenolic acid derivatives, two were flavanones, eight were flavones, four were pentacyclic triterpenoids and one was xanthone. This study provided information regarding the phytochemical composition and functional properties of DPP fruits, supporting future research to facilitate the development and utilization of DPP as a functional food.

Characterization of Secondary Metabolites of Leaf Buds from Some Species and Hybrids of Populus by Gas Chromatography Coupled with Mass Detection and Two-Dimensional High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography Methods with Assessment of Their Antioxidant Activity.

Poplars provide medicinal raw plant materials used in pharmacy. Leaf buds are one of the herbal medicinal products collected from poplars, having anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, but there are no quality standards for their production and there is a need to determine their botanical sources. Therefore, the chemical compositions of the leaf buds from four species and varieties of poplars, Populus balsamifera, P. × berolinensis, P. × canadensis 'Marilandica', and P. wilsonii were investigated and compared using gas chromatography coupled with mass detection (GC-MS) and two-dimensional high-performance thin-layer chromatography (2D-HPTLC) in order to search for taxa characterized by a high content of biologically active compounds and with a diverse chemical composition that determines their therapeutic effects. The presence of 163 compounds belonging to the groups of flavonoids, phenolic acids derivatives, glycerides, and sesquiterpenes was revealed. Moreover, the conditions for the separation and identification of biologically active compounds occurring in analyzed leaf buds using 2D-HPTLC were optimized and used for metabolomic profiling of the studied poplars, enabling their fast and simple botanical identification. The total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid (TFC) contents of examined extracts were determined and their antioxidant capacities were estimated by spectrophotometric DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. Based on the analysis of phytochemicals and antioxidant activity, P. × berolinensis buds were selected as the raw plant material for medicinal purposes with the highest content of active compounds and the strongest antioxidant activity.

Plant-derived biostimulant as priming agents enhanced antioxidant and nutritive properties in brassicaceous microgreens.

Microgreens constitute dietary sources of bioactive compounds imparting numerous health benefits and enhancing sensory experience. They can be successfully cultivated in soilless systems where biostimulants can be easily integrated as seed-priming and post-germination agents improving the sustainability of a crop's final production. Compared to an untreated control, three priming agents (a commercial legume-derived protein hydrolysate (A250), a novel protein hydrolysate derived from peanut biomass (H250) and hydropriming (H2O)) were applied to Komatsuna and Mibuna seeds grown as microgreens and compared for their effects on yield parameters, mineral composition, ABTS and FRAP antioxidant capacity, carotenoid concentration and phenolic compounds. Significant effects of the main experimental factors and their interactions were identified on antioxidant capacity. Compared to the control and hydropriming, the highest ABTS and FRAP values were observed in Mibuna with the A250 and H250 treatments, respectively. Additionally, the H250 treatment increased the total concentrations of phenolic acid derivatives and flavonoid derivatives in Mibuna and Komatsuna, in tune with the levels of total flavonoids. Concerning mineral composition, the highest concentrations in both species were those of phosphorus and nitrate. These results highlight the potential of select plant-based biostimulants as priming agents to enhance the antioxidant capacity, nutrient content and bioactive compound content, thus further increasing their functional and nutritive quality. In the light of this, the possibility of reducing the application of fertilizers by promoting a green transition for the intensive production of microgreens could subsequently be evaluated. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Phenolic Compounds in Berries of Winter-Resistant Actinidia arguta Miq. and Actinidia kolomikta Maxim.: Evidence of Antioxidative Activity.

Variations between fruit cultivars can significantly impact their biochemical composition. The present research examined the variability in the qualitative and quantitative content of phenolic compounds in berry extracts of Actinidia kolomikta and Actinidia arguta cultivars. Additionally, antioxidant activities of berry extracts were evaluated. The total phenolic, flavonoid, proanthocyanidin contents and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives were determined using the appropriate methodologies. The average amount of phenolic compounds in A. kolomikta berries (177.80 mg/g) was three times higher than that of A. arguta (54.45 mg/g). Our findings revealed that berries of A. kolomikta and A. arguta accumulated, on average, 1.58 RE/g DW (rutin equivalent/g dry weight) and 0.615 mg RE/g DW of total flavonoids, 1439.31 mg EE/g DW (epicatechin equivalent/g dry weight) and 439.97 mg EE/g DW of proanthocyanidins, and 23.51 mg CAE/g DW (chlorogenic acid equivalent/g dry weight) and 5.65 mg CAE/g DW of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, respectively. The cultivars of both species were characterized by higher antioxidant activity of total phenolic compounds determined using CUPRAC and FRAP methods compared to the ABTS•+ method. The variability in phenolic compounds' qualitative and quantitative content in tested berry extracts was evaluated by applying ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled to mass spectrometry in tandem with electrospray ionization. Significant intraspecific differences in the amounts of total phenolic compounds, total flavonoid compounds, proanthocyanidins, and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives were determined among cultivars. Four phenolic acids, eight flavonols, two flavones, and five flavon-3-ols were identified in the berry extracts.

Ethnomedicinal, Chemical, and Biological Aspects of Lannea Species-A Review.

Lannea L. genus belongs to the Anacardiaceae botanical family and has long been used in traditional medicinal systems of many countries to manage several health conditions, but no studies have been conducted regarding its usefulness as a source of herbal medicine for human use. A literature review was conducted on scientific papers indexed on B-On, Pubmed, and Web of Science databases. Our results showed that medicinal plants from this botanical genus, mostly constituted by bark and leaf, are often used to approach a wide variety of disease symptoms, like fever, inflammatory states, pain, and gastrointestinal disorders. Phytochemical profiles of Lannea species revealed that phenolic acid derivatives including hydroquinones, phenolic acids, flavonoids, condensed tannins, and triterpenoids are the main classes of secondary metabolites present. Among the total of 165 identified compounds, 57 (34.5%) are flavonoids, mostly quercetin- and myricetin-derived flavonols and catechin and epicatechin flavan-3-ol derivatives also containing a galloyl group. In vitro and in vivo studies allowed the identification of 12 different biological activities, amongst which antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities were the most frequently cited and observed in in vitro essays. Our review contributes useful information for the scientifical validation of the use of Lannea species in traditional medicinal systems and shows that more research needs to be conducted to better understand the concrete utility of these as herbal medicines.

Antioxidant and Antifungal Activities and Characterization of Phenolic Compounds Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS) in Empetrum rubrum Vahl ex Willd.

In searching for compounds with antioxidant and antifungal activity, our study focused on the subshrub species Empetrum rubrum Vahl ex Willd. (Ericaceae). We measured the antioxidant activity of its methanolic extract (MEE) obtained from the aerial parts (leaves and stems) and of its methanolic extract (MEF) obtained from the lyophilized fruits. The antioxidant activity of the MEE and MEF was evaluated in vitro via a 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical and 2,2'-Azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) cationic radical. The results were expressed in gallic acid and Trolox equivalents for the DPPH and ABTS assays, respectively. The antioxidant activities, for the DPPH and ABTS assays, were also evaluated by considering the IC50 values. Concerning the antioxidant activity, the total phenolic content (TPC) in the MEE and MEF was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Polyphenols contained in the leaves, stems, and fruits of E. rubrum were determined qualitatively by employing high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) analysis. The antifungal activity of the MEE obtained from the aerial parts of E. rubrum was tested against Rhizoctonia solani. The results of IC50 values measured by the DPPH and ABTS methods with MEE were 0.4145 ± 0.0068 mg mL-1 and 0.1088 ± 0.0023 mg mL-1, respectively, and the IC50 values for MEF were 6.4768 ± 0.0218 mg mL-1 and 0.7666 ± 0.0089 mg mL-1 measured by the DPPH and ABTS methods, respectively. The HPLC-MS analysis revealed the presence of anthocyanins, phenolic acids derivatives, and flavonols. In vitro, mycelial growth of this fungus was reduced from 90% to nearly 100% in the presence of MEE. The observed antifungal effect is related to the presence of the abovementioned phenols, detected in the MEE.

Influence of the Encapsulating Agent on the Bioaccessibility of Phenolic Compounds from Microencapsulated Propolis Extract during In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion

The aim of this work is to develop different encapsulated propolis ingredients by spray-drying and to evaluate their bioaccessibility using simulated in vitro digestion. To achieve these goals, first, microparticles of a propolis extract with inulin as the coating polymer were prepared under the optimal conditions previously determined. Then, a fraction of inulin was replaced with other encapsulating agents, namely sodium alginate, pectin, and chitosan, to obtain different ingredients with controlled release properties in the gastrointestinal tract. The analysis of the phenolic profile in the propolis extract and microparticles showed 58 compounds tentatively identified, belonging mainly to phenolic acid derivatives and flavonoids. Then, the behavior of the free extract and the formulated microparticles under gastrointestinal conditions was studied through an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion process using the INFOGEST protocol. Digestion of the free extract resulted in the degradation of most compounds, which was minimized in the encapsulated formulations. Thus, all developed microparticles could be promising strategies for improving the stability of this bioactive extract under gastrointestinal conditions, thereby enhancing its beneficial effect.

Nematocidal Potential of Phenolic Acids: A Phytochemical Seed-Coating Approach to Soybean Cyst Nematode Management.

Soybeans, one of the most valuable crops worldwide, are annually decimated by the soybean cyst nematode (SCN), Heterodera glycines, resulting in massive losses in soybean yields and economic revenue. Conventional agricultural pesticides are generally effective in the short term; however, they pose growing threats to human and environmental health; therefore, alternative SCN management strategies are urgently needed. Preliminary findings show that phenolic acids are significantly induced during SCN infection and exhibit effective nematocidal activities in vitro. However, it is unclear whether these effects occur in planta or elicit any negative effects on plant growth traits. Here, we employed a phytochemical-based seed coating application on soybean seeds using phenolic acid derivatives (4HBD; 2,3DHBA) at variable concentrations and examined SCN inhibition against two SCN types. Moreover, we also examined plant growth traits under non-infected or SCN infected conditions. Notably, 2,3DHBA significantly inhibited SCN abundance in Race 2-infected plants with increasingly higher chemical doses. Interestingly, neither compound negatively affected soybean growth traits in control or SCN-infected plants. Our findings suggest that a phytochemical-based approach could offer an effective, more environmentally friendly solution to facilitate current SCN management strategies and fast-track the development of biopesticides to sustainably manage devastating pests such as SCN.

Phytochemical Profiles and Biological Activities of Plant Extracts from Aromatic Plants Cultivated in Cyprus.

Medicinal and aromatic plants' properties, still an interesting research area, are attributed to the presence of various specialized products that possess important pharmacological activities. In the present study, six medicinal/aromatic plants (Sideritis cypria, Origanum dubium, Melissa officinalis, Mentha piperita, Thymus capitatus, and Salvia fruticosa) were evaluated for their phytochemical and nutritive composition, as well as their biological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic properties. The results obtained indicate that M. piperita was rich in proteins and minerals such as N and Mg, while S. cypria accumulated more K, Na, P, and Ca. The highest content of phenols and flavonoids was observed in M. piperita, followed by O. dubium and T. capitatus, which eventually influenced their high antioxidant capacity. NMR screening revealed the presence of (i) triterpenoids and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives in M. officinalis; (ii) terpenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic acid derivatives in S. fruticosa; (iii) flavonoids and phenolic acid derivatives in M. piperita; (iv) phenolic monoterpenes in O. dubium and T. capitatus; and (v) terpenoids, flavones, and phenylethanoid glycosides in S. cypria. The results of the antimicrobial activity showed that the tested samples overall had quite good antimicrobial potential. High antibacterial activity was found in O. dubium and T. capitatus, while O. dubium and S. cypria exhibited great antifungal activities. The studied species also had an important effect on the viability of female-derived and colon cancer cells. In particular, in colon cancer cells, the extracts from T. capitatus, M. officinalis, M. piperita, and S. fruticosa exhibited a stronger effect on cell viability in the more metastatic cell line at significantly lower concentrations, indicating an important therapeutic potential in targeting highly metastatic tumors. This finding is worth further investigation. The present study unveiled interesting phytochemical profiles and biological properties of the six medicinal/aromatic plants, which should be further explored, contributing to green chemistry and the possible creation of natural health products for humans' health/nutrition and additives in cosmetics.

Isolation and determination of phenolic acids in rowanberry fruits (Sorbus L.) by gas chromatography

Species of the genus Sorbus L. (rowan) are woody plants growing in the Northern Hemisphere; they are of interest as decorative, food and medicinal plants. Rowan fruits contain a unique complex of macro- and microelements, as well as biologically active substances, including phenolic compounds. Complexity of the composition of plant samples requires the development of highly selective and sensitive methods for determining the content of organic components of different classes. A method for determining phenolic acids in rowan fruits is proposed. The method is based on two-stage chemical modification of the acids, and involves preparing methyl esters under acidic methanolysis conditions, liquid extraction with toluene, intermediate re-extraction into an aqueous alkaline solution, subsequent silylation with N, O-bis-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) and gas chromatographic determination of the obtained derivatives using a flame ionization or mass spectrometric detector. Conditions for extraction of phenolic acids from rowan fruits were studied according to the following parameters: type of extractant, sample to the extractant mass ratio, and duration of extraction (mechanical stirring). The stage of gas chromatographic determination of obtained phenolic acid derivatives was optimized, and their chromatographic characteristics established. The possibility of achieving practically complete separation of aliphatic acids and other accompanying components of a non-acidic nature from phenolic compounds in the course of sample preparation was demonstrated; which significantly increased both the selectivity and sensitivity of the determination of analytes. The range of determined content of phenolic acids (4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 2-hydroxybenzoic acid, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzoic acid, 4-hydroxycinnamic acid, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-cinnamic acid) in rowan fruits was 0.005–0.5 mg/g, the limit of detection was 0.001–0.002 mg/g, the relative error was 10–15%, the sample weight was 0.5 g, the total duration of the analysis was 4 hours.