Egyptian Plants Research Articles

The Therapeutic Potential of Two Egyptian Plant Extracts for Mitigating Dexamethasone-Induced Osteoporosis in Rats: Nrf2/HO-1 and RANK/RANKL/OPG Signals.

The prolonged use of exogenous glucocorticoids, such as dexamethasone (Dex), is the most prevalent secondary cause of osteoporosis, known as glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO). The current study examined the preventative and synergistic effect of aqueous chicory extract (ACE) and ethanolic purslane extract (EPE) on GIO compared with Alendronate (ALN). The phytochemical contents, elemental analysis, antioxidant scavenging activity, and ACE and EPE combination index were evaluated. Rats were randomly divided into control, ACE, EPE, and ACE/EPE MIX groups (100 mg/kg orally), Dex group (received 1.5 mg Dex/kg, Sc), and four treated groups received ACE, EPE, ACE/EPE MIX, and ALN with Dex. The bone mineral density and content, bone index, growth, turnover, and oxidative stress were measured. The molecular analysis of RANK/RANKL/OPG and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways were also evaluated. Dex causes osteoporosis by increasing oxidative stress, decreasing antioxidant markers, reducing bone growth markers (OPG and OCN), and increasing bone turnover and resorption markers (NFATc1, RANKL, ACP, ALP, IL-6, and TNF-α). In contrast, ACE, EPE, and ACE/EPE MIX showed a prophylactic effect against Dex-induced osteoporosis by modulating the measured parameters and the histopathological architecture. In conclusion, ACE/EPE MIX exerts a powerful synergistic effect against GIO by a mode of action different from ALN.

Silybum marianum Extract: A green inhibitor for Iron Metal Corrosion and Bacterial Growth in Fresh and Marine Media

Egyptian Silybum marianum ethanolic-hexane crude extract efficiency was investigated as an inhibitor of bacterial growth and iron steel corrosion in fresh water and marine environment media. Iron steel corrosion inhibition rate was quantitatively measured by two methods: one as a concentration of iron released in the medium over time intervals at different inhibitor ratios against the control using Inductive Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), and the second was relative weight loss method. Meanwhile, the development of the adsorption layer of the inhibitor on the surface of the iron steel specimen was monitored qualitatively using scanning electron microscopy. The adsorption of the extract constituents was found to obey Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Bacterial growth inhibition was examined using a well-diffusion method. After three days, the percentage of corrosion inhibition in fresh and marine media was 95% and 91%, respectively at the ratio of 1.5 mg/mL of the crude extract, and a homogeneous adsorption layer was observed on the surface of the iron specimen. The same dose was enough to inhibit bacterial growth in both media. Natural ecofriendly inhibitor extracted from a wild native Egyptian plant was found to be anticorrosion and at the same time antibacterial in both fresh and marine water media.

Predicting the Geographical Distribution of The Leaf-Gall Thrips, Gynaikothrips ficorum (Marchal) and Their Interaction with Host Plants in Egypt

Predicting the Geographical Distribution of The Leaf-Gall Thrips, Gynaikothrips ficorum (Marchal) and Their Interaction with Host Plants in Egypt

Nisin and Organic Acid Salts Improved the Microbial Quality, Extended the Shelf Life, and Maintained the Sensory Attributes of Semidry Beef Luncheon Marketed at Adverse (35-40 °C) Ambient Summer Temperatures.

Semidry beef luncheon may undergo deteriorative changes during storage at ambient temperatures in tropical and subtropical regions including Egypt. This study was conducted in a meat plant in Egypt with the aim of overcoming the economic losses from the returns of spoiled unsold beef luncheon displayed in grocery stores at adverse summer temperatures of 37 °C or more. Ten approaches were applied using different preservatives, comprising sodium nitrite, nisin, potassium sorbate, and organic acid salts (a combination of sodium lactate, sodium acetate, and sodium diacetate). In addition, the product was cooked at different temperatures and was stored for 21 days at 37 °C, during which time the shelf life, microbial quality, pH, and sensory attributes were investigated. By Day 21 of storage, the luncheon contained 50 mg/kg sodium nitrite, 25 mg/kg nisin, and 1000 mg/kg organic acid salts and, when cooked at a final core temperature of 92 °C, exhibited reductions in aerobic plate count, anaerobic plate count, lactic acid bacterial count, and mold and yeast counts by 4.32, 3.54, 3.47, and 1.89 log10 CFU/g, respectively, when compared with the control. The sensory attributes and pH were also maintained in the final products of such treatment, with no product return and the avoidance of economic loss. This study presents a novel approach for solving the major problem of the deteriorative changes that occur in semidry luncheon sausage and similar meat products which require rejection with a huge economic loss, especially in tropical and semitropical areas of the world that have similar problems of high climatic temperatures and a low availability of energy or technological resources.

Phytosociological Survey of Mediterranean Endemic Plants in Egypt

Phytosociological Survey of Mediterranean Endemic Plants in Egypt

Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato and severity of bacterial speck disease on tomato plants in Egypt

Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato and severity of bacterial speck disease on tomato plants in Egypt

Updated Survey for Mycotic Keratitis in Tanta University Ophthalmology Hospital and Antifungal Activity of Some Wild Egyptian Plant Extracts Against the Isolated Fungi.

Updated Survey for Mycotic Keratitis in Tanta University Ophthalmology Hospital and Antifungal Activity of Some Wild Egyptian Plant Extracts Against the Isolated Fungi.

Achillea fragrantissima Essential Oil, Wild Grown in Saudi Arabia and Egypt: Detailed Comparative Chemical Profiling, and Evaluation of Allelopathic, Antioxidant, and Antibacterial Activities

One of the biologically beneficial oils against many ailments is Achillea fragrantissima essential oil (EO). The current study focused on the comprehensive comparative chemical characterization of A. fragrantissima EOs, which were gathered from Saudi Arabia and Egypt, as well as evaluation of their allelopathic, antioxidant, and antibacterial functions. With a respective total oil mass of 96.9% and 96.1%, 40 compounds were found in the EOs from Saudi Arabia (38 compounds) and Egypt (26 compounds). Terpenes represented the main constituents including mono- (52.6% and 75.4% from Saudi Arabia and Egypt, respectively) and sesquiterpenoids (42.1% and 19.7%, respectively). The α-thujone (12.0%), myrcenyl acetate (10.3%), alloaromadendrene oxide-(1) (5.9%), artemisia ketone (4.9%), β-thujone (4.7%), lavandulol (4.2%), and santolina alcohol (4.0%) represented the main components of the overall oil of the Saudi Arabian plant-derived EO. However, the main constituents of the EO of the Egyptian plant were 4-terpineol (17.4%), myrcenyl acetate (9.1%), artemisia ketone (9.0%), α-thujone (8.6%), yomogi alcohol (6.2%), santolina alcohol (6.2%), and β-thujone (5.8%). The chemometric analysis exhibited a strong association between the two EOs from Saudi Arabia and Egypt in addition to the samples collected from Jordan. The Saudi and Egyptian A. fragrantissima’ EOs were found to have significant allelopathic potencies against the weed C. murale. The seed germination, seedling shoot growth, and root growth of C. murale were all reduced by the EO of the Saudi ecospecies by 79.9, 56.7, and 68.6%, respectively, with IC50 values of 66.5, 68.0, and 69.2 µL L−1, respectively. The two oils from Saudi Arabia and Egypt exhibited potent antioxidant activity against the DPPH free radicals, with IC50 values of 30.94 and 28.72 mg/L, respectively. In addition, the two oils from Saudi Arabia and Egypt exhibited strong abilities to scavenge ABTS radicals with respective IC50 values of 39.02 and 37.13 mg/L. Additionally, the two EOs showed a much higher antibacterial activity than the antibiotics tested against all bacterial strains, with the exception of Enterobacter cloacae. The two oils exhibited antibacterial activity against the examined strains, except Bacillus subtilis and Salmonella typhimurium, for which the Egyptian species shown greater inhibition. The results revealed that Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis were more sensitive, while Enterobacter cloacae was more resistant.

AutoGIS processing for site selection for solar pond development as efficient water treatment plants in Egypt

The increasing demand for renewable and environmentally friendly energy sources is a top priority for many countries around the world. It is obvious that renewable solar energy will help to meet most of the energy demand in the coming years. A solar pond is a huge Salt artificial Lake that serves as a solar energy collection system. However, site selection is a critical factor that affects the effectiveness and lifetime of a solar pond. Here, we present an innovative methodology for site selection based on three environmental factors, including direct solar irradiance (DNI), temperature, and wind speed. Our approach uses Python programming and clustering analysis with several libraries, including Pandas, Geopandas, Rasterio, Osgeo, and Sklearn, to analyse and process data collected over a 30-year period from NASA power. This method was applied to the geographic boundaries of Egypt, but the methods can be applied to any spatial context if the same dataset is available. The results show that Egypt has a potential land area of 500 km2 suitable for solar ponds construction along the border with Sudan throughout the year, including 2000 km2 in winter (between January and March), 800 km2 in spring (between April and June), 900 km2 in summer (between July and September), and the largest area of 3700 km2 (between October and December), most of which is located in the south of the Eastern Desert and around the Nile River. Notably, the northwestern region, close to the Mediterranean Sea on the border with Libya, exhibits suitability for solar pond development, with consistent performance throughout the year. Our results provide an efficient way for GIS and data processing and could be useful for implementing new software to find the best location for solar ponds development. This could be beneficial for those interested in investing in renewable energy and using solar ponds as an efficient water treatment plant.

The impact of maize irrigation intervals and potassium fertiliser rates on mealybug populations, vegetative growth, and resulting yield

The mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae), is one of the main pests attacking maize plants in Egypt. Field trials were carried out in the maize field to assess the influence of irrigation periods and potassium fertiliser rates on the mealybug ( P. solenopsis) population estimates, vegetative growth, resulting yield, and its components for the maize cultivar (‘Single-Hybrid 168 Yellow’) in the Luxor Governorate, Egypt. Results revealed that unfertilised plants irrigated every seven days had higher pest population densities than other treatments over the two seasons. The fertilised treatments at 114 kg K 2O∙ha –1 that received water every 10 days had the smallest population of P. solenopsis in every season. Data during the two seasons (2021 and 2022) revealed that the maize to which potassium fertiliser was added by 114 kg K 2O∙ha –1 and irrigated every 10 days had vegetative growth (plant height, diameter, and number of green leaves per plant), yield and its components (average ear length, ear weight, number of grains per ear, weight of 1000 grains, and grain yield) significantly increased as compared to those of the plants that were irrigated every 7 days and without adding fertiliser. A higher dose of potassium fertiliser reduces the infestation of P. solenopsis but causes an increment of maize vegetative growth. This affects the final yield. This information aids farmers in comprehending the good agronomic techniques of maize plants to decrease the infestation of mealybugs and increase the yield.

The link of socioeconomic importance to the conservation status of the Mediterranean endemic plants in Egypt

Abstract. Shaltout K, Bedair H, El-Khalafy MM, Keshta A, Halmy MWA. 2023. The link of socioeconomic importance to the conservation status of the Mediterranean endemic plants in Egypt. Nusantara Bioscience 15: 189-211. Mediterranean Basin is the second world's richest hotspot and one of the most critical spots on the planet for endemic species. Therefore, the present study aimed at screening the Mediterranean endemics and evaluating the uses of recorded taxa quantitively through developing new indices and updating the existing ones. Indeed, Semi-structured interviews were used with 43 informants. Relative Cultural Importance (RCI), Species Conservation Importance (SCI), and Relative Medicinal Importance (RMI) indices were applied to determine the most valuable taxa. A preliminary list of 65 Mediterranean endemic species belonging to 49 genera and 22 families in Egypt was compiled from the available literature. Fifty-seven (87.7%) species have at least one aspect of the potential or actual economic value. The most represented use category was the medicinal value (39 taxa: 69.6%). Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav. was mentioned in the highest use categories (NU: 5). Veronica syriaca Roem. & Schult. attained the maximum ethnobotanical Relative Importance (RI) index value. It is crucial to shed light on the cultural value of Mediterranean endemics to guide future management planning to support the conservation and sustainable use of these critical species.

The impact of insecticides on the cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis (Tinsley): Efficacy on potato, a new record of host plant in Egypt

The impact of insecticides on the cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis (Tinsley): Efficacy on potato, a new record of host plant in Egypt

Antiviral Activity of Chitosan Nanoparticles and Chitosan Silver Nanocomposites against Alfalfa Mosaic Virus.

Plant viruses are a global concern for sustainable crop production. Among the currently available antiviral approaches, nanotechnology has been overwhelmingly playing an effective role in circumventing plant viruses. Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) was isolated and identified from symptomatic pepper plants in Egypt using symptomatology, serological tests using the direct ELISA technique, differential hosts and electron microscopy. The virus was biologically purified from a single local lesion that developed on Chenopodium amaranticolor. The AMV infection was further confirmed using an AMV coat protein-specific primer RT-PCR. We further evaluated the antiviral potential of chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NPs) and chitosan silver nanocomposites (CS-Ag NC) in different concentrations against AMV infections in pepper plants. All tested concentrations of CS-NPs and CS-Ag NC induced the inhibition of AMV systemically infected pepper plants when applied 24 h after virus inoculation. The foliar application of 400 ppm CS-NPs or 200 ppm CS-Ag NC produced the highest AMV inhibitory effect (90 and 91%) when applied 24 h after virus inoculation. Treatment with CS-NPs and CS-Ag NC considerably increased the phenol, proline and capsaicin contents compared to the infected plants. Moreover, the agronomic metrics (plant height, fresh and dry pod weights and number of pods per plant) were also significantly improved. According to our results, the potential applications of CS-NPs and CS-Ag NC may provide an effective therapeutic measure for better AMV and other related plant virus management.

Identification of a Cucumber Mosaic Virus from Cucurbita pepo on New Reclamation Land in Egypt and the Changes Induced in Pumpkin Plants

In 2020, the leaves and fruit of 50 pumpkin plants with suspected cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) symptoms of leaf mosaic, vein yellowing, and mild leaf curling were collected from Sharq El-Owainat (Al Wadi El-Gaded governorate), a new reclamation land in Egypt. This study was aimed at deciphering and characterizing the causal agent of the leaf yellowing disease associated with pumpkin plants in Egypt. The causal agent was identified by serological, cytological, and molecular means. The serological identification by DAS–ELISA confirmed the presence of CMV in 20% of the plants. The cytological identification by electron microscopy revealed typical cucumovirus isometric particles of 28–30 nm diameter in the cytoplasm of the leaf parenchyma, epidermal cells, the integument, and the nucleus. Molecular characterization by one-step reverse transcriptase-PCR yielded the required size of amplicon (678 bp) for CMV. Additionally, mechanical sap inoculation was used to determine the host range and symptomatology of the isolated CMV in seventeen different plant species belonging to six different plant families. CMV replicated, moved systemically, and induced a range of symptoms in sixteen plant species. The isolated CMV was transmitted to pumpkin plants at a 16.4% rate by seeds. CMV-infected pumpkin plant leaves were characterized by a substantially low concentration of photosynthetic pigments, a high level of reducing sugars, relatively low protein levels, and a significant increase in total phenol contents, implying their potential role as antiviral agents. Ultrathin sections of infected cells revealed histological changes and cytological abnormalities in comparison to healthy plants. This is the first identification of CMV on new reclamation land in Egypt, pinpointing its swift spread, which could pose a major constraint to pumpkin production in Egypt.

Towards nearly zero emissions natural gas-fired power plants using cryogenic carbon dioxide capture technology

Cryogenic carbon capture (CCC) is one of the most recent and promising technologies for reducing carbon dioxide emissions, hence mitigating the global warming. The present research aims at exploring the feasibility of integrating it into existing thermal power plants in Egypt that are commonly operated by natural gas.A simulation model is developed using Aspen Plus Dynamics software to accurately predict the behavior of the thermal power plant after applying such integration. The model incorporates the CCC cycle established by Sustainable Energy Solutions into a natural gas power plant of Abu Qir, Egypt. The integral plant is benchmarked at various part loads scenarios. The study investigates the ability of capturing up to 99% of the emitted CO2 and determines the consequent penalties in the generated power and the overall thermal efficiency.The results demonstrated successful integration of the thermal power plant and the CCC revealing smooth operation and safe transition between different part loads. By capturing 99% of the emitted CO2, both the generated power and the overall efficiency dropped maximally by 10.73%. The integration led to a maximum energy penalty of 0.840 MJe/kgCO2 which is much smaller than other conventional carbon capture techniques.Applying this technology to all thermal power plants in Egypt, about 89 M tonnes of CO2 emissions will be captured annually. Further integrations of CCC-ECL into other chemical and industrial facilities would significantly lead to a cleaner environment.

The economics of total quality management and continuous improvement of fish processing plants in Egypt

The economics of total quality management and continuous improvement of fish processing plants in Egypt

Cultural Importance Indices of the Endemic Plants in Egypt

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Perennial shrubs in Egypt: current status and updated red data list

The present study aims at: 1) Preparing a checklist of the perennial shrubs (of height ≥ 50 cm) in the Egyptian flora; 2) Determining the species that are considered alien; 3) Determining the endemic or near-endemic species; 4) Analysing the checklist in terms of taxonomic diversity, geographical distribution, abundance, rarity forms, goods and services, threats, and physical defense; 5) Evaluating the IUCN Red List Categories of species; and 6) Determining the in situ and ex situ conservation actions taken towards these plants in Egypt. In the present study, 171 taxa belonging to 99 genera and 37 families were recorded. They inhabit ten natural and four anthropogenic habitats. SNN (Small geographic range — narrow habitat — non abundant plants) are the most represented rarity form (132 taxa). Sinai is the most diverse region in terms of shrubs (96 taxa). The North African-Indian Desert chorotype has the highest occurrence of shrubs (130 taxa), followed by the Sudanese Park Steppe (75 taxa). Medicinal plants (126 taxa) were the most offered goods, while sand accumulation (79 taxa) was the most represented service. Over-collecting and over-cutting are the most important threats. Four taxa are evaluated as Extinct, another two are Extinct in the Wild, while 70 taxa are threatened with extinction (15 taxa are Critically Endangered, 35 taxa are Endangered, and 20 taxa are Vulnerable). In addition, some 89 species are being conserved (59 taxa are under in situ conservation in the protected areas, 15 taxa are included in botanic gardens, while 85 taxa are kept in the herbaria as dry specimens, and five taxa in gene banks as seed samples).

Techno-economic assessment and optimization of the performance of solar power tower plant in Egypt's climate conditions

Egypt is a sunbelt nation with plenty of solar resources and significant wasteland areas, particularly in its southern and western regions. Concentrating solar power technologies are tried-and-true renewable energy systems that use solar radiation to produce electricity in nearby nations. These technologies have the potential to reduce costs in the future. Comprehensive techno-economic research has not been conducted to assess the potential for the solar power tower technique in Egypt; instead, solar photovoltaic and parabolic trough systems are given the majority of the attention. The major goal of this article is to persuade the Egyptian government to pursue solar power tower technology and meet the accompanying difficulties. Using system advisor model software, six distinct locations were used to simulate a 100 MW plant for solar power tower technology. Based on a thorough technical solar power tower site evaluation research, these zones were examined. To achieve the lowest levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), thermal energy storage and solar field size optimization are carried out. The Benban location, with outputs of 521,228.8 MWh and 0.1130 $/kWh, respectively, has the greatest produced energy and the lowest levelized cost of electricity, according to the findings. The ideal design for the solar power tower plant was shown by the results to be a solar multiple of 2.8 with a thermal energy storage of 8 h. The solar power tower plant's lowest levelized cost of electricity might then be reduced, in accordance with the optimum configurations, to 0.1057 $/kWh.

Methylene blue removal from aqueous solutions using a biochar/gellan gum hydrogel composite: Effect of agitation mode on sorption kinetics

Hydrogel membranes are prepared by casting a mixture of gellan gum (associated with PVA) and biochar produced from a local Egyptian plant. The mesoporous material is characterized by a specific surface area close to 134 m2 g−1, a residue of 28 % (at 800 °C), and a pHPZC close to 6.43. After grinding, the material is tested for Methylene Blue sorption at pH 10.5: sorption capacity reaches 1.70 mmol MB g−1 (synergistic effect of the precursors). The sorption isotherms are fitted by both Langmuir and Sips eqs. MB sorption increases with temperature: the sorption is endothermic (∆H°: 12.9 kJ mol−1), with positive entropy (∆S°: 125 J mol−1 K−1). Uptake kinetics are controlled by agitation speed (optimum ≈200 rpm) and resistance to intraparticle diffusion. The profiles are strongly affected by the mode of agitation: the equilibrium time (≈180 min) is reduced to 20–30 min under sonication (especially at frequency: 80 kHz). The mode of agitation controls the best fitting equation: pseudo-first order rate agitation for mechanical agitation contrary to pseudo-second order rate under sonication. The sorption of MB is poorly affected by ionic strength (loss <6 % in 45 g L−1 NaCl solution). Desorption (faster than sorption) is completely achieved using 0.7 M HCl solution. At the sixth recycling, the loss in sorption is close to 5 % (≈ decrease in desorption efficiency). The process is successfully applied for the treatment of MB-spiked industrial solution: the color index decreases by >97 % with a sorbent dose close to 1 g L−1; a higher dose is required for maximum reduction of the COD (60 % at 3 g L−1).