Plant Material Research Articles

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in crude oil-contaminated water and soil and their removal using locally available plant materials

ABSTRACT The presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water and soil can be harmful to human life when ingested. PAHs are determined in the water and soil of the B-Dere community of Rivers State, Nigeria. The extent of risk and source identification were carried out. The water samples were treated with garlic and Moringa seed extracts, while the soil samples were treated with garlic and Fenton oxidation reagents. PAHs were extracted before and after treatment. The gas chromatograph mass spectrometer analyses showed 13 PAHs in the water and 10 PAHs in thesoil. The highest concentration in water was recorded for benzo(ghi)perylene, with a mean value of 27.7 ± 0.25 ngL−1, while that of soil was recorded for benz(a)anthracene, with a mean value of 14.4 ± 0.631 ngkg−1. The source of PAHs in water was pyrogenic, while that of soil was petrogenic. Garlic extract removed 100% of benz(a)anthracene and benzo(b)fluorothane from the water, while Moringa removed 100% biphenylene from the water. However, garlic extract removed 2.59% of acenaphthylene, while Fenton reagents removed 100% of anthracene, phenathrene, and chrysene from the soil. Moringa seed and garlic extracts can be used in PAH's polluted water treatment.

Response of mungbean to different level of macro and micronutrient

An experiment was carried out at the Agronomy Farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka during Kharif I season 2024, in order to investigate the effects of zinc and calcium on growth and yield of BARI mug 6. Three levels of zinc (0, 1.5 and 3.0 kg ha-1) and four levels of calcium (0,50,75,100 ppm) were applied for the study. BARI mug 6 was used as plant material. The experiment was set up in randomized complete block design with three replications. Almost all the parameters were significantly influenced by different levels of Zn, Ca and their combinations. Considering interaction of Zn and Ca, the highest plant height (66.29 cm), number of flowers plant-1 (29.00) and number of nodules plant-1 (29.32) were obtained from the treatment combination of Zn3Ca4 where the highest chlorophyll content (Chl-a = 1.03 μg g-1, Chl-b = 1.32 μg g-1 and total = 2.48 μg g-1) were obtained from the treatment combination of Zn3Ca3.The highest dry weight plant-1 (24.70 g), number of pods plant-1 (23.24), number of seeds pod-1 (11.86), number of fertile seeds pod-1 (10.00), pod length (cm) (7.80), weight of 1000 seed (46.49), weight of seeds plant-1 (12.69), seed yield (1257 kg ha-1), stover yield (1566 kg ha-1), biological yield (2923 kg ha-1) and harvest index (43.87%) were achieved from the treatment combination of Zn2Ca3. Res. Agric. Livest. Fish. Vol. 11, No. 2, August 2024: 159-171

Towards more sustainable, nutritious, and affordable plant‐based milk alternatives: A critical review

AbstractThe consumer market has seen a surge in various types of plant‐based milk alternatives (PBMAs), driven by factors such as sustainability, ethics, and the availability of diverse options. However, the global adoption of PBMAs is still hindered by potential nutritional concerns and cost‐ineffectiveness. It is therefore paramount to understand the status and challenges of these alternatives, encompassing production, stabilization strategies, nutrition and health, digestion, and environmental impacts. This review provides a comprehensive examination of these aspects. We begin by scrutinizing the production processes and formulation strategies of PBMAs, followed by an exploration of fundamental stabilization aspects, including homogenization, emulsification, thickening, and quantitative measurements of stabilization. Additionally, we discuss their nutrition facts and potential health benefits, as well as potential differences in the digestion of nutrients from PBMAs. Importantly, their challenges and future directions are discussed individually, highlighting the need for a fundamental understanding and effective food technologies to develop sustainable, nutritious, tasty, and affordable PBMAs. For example, several critical aspects involve maximizing the use of plant materials (e.g., proteins, fibers, and bioactive compounds) and using reliable and unified life cycle analyses to guide the development. This review offers valuable insights for researchers, food technologists, and consumers seeking to navigate and develop the landscape of PBMAs effectively.

Optimization of crude rotenone oil extraction from birbira plant (Milletia ferruginea) seed by Soxhlet and maceration methods

The extraction of active compounds from plant materials is one of the most critical processes in the commercial development of natural products for pharmaceutical, herbicide or pesticide production. The focus of this study was extraction of crude rotenone oil (CRO) from Birbira plant (Milletia ferruginea) seed. The extraction was done using maceration anda Soxhlet extractor using organic solvents, such as ethanol, hexane, and chloroform. For the efficient extraction of crude rotenone oil from Birbira plant seed the effect of parameters, such as extraction method, solvent type, extraction time and size of crushed Birbira seed were investigated. Based on the experimental results obtained Soxhlet extraction method was more efficient (41.6% CRO yield) compared to the maceration extraction method (25.1 % CRO yield). The extraction results for both Soxhlet and maceration methods indicated that chloroform is more efficient compared to ethanol and hexane solvents. On the other hand, the effects of crashed seed size and extraction time on the % CRO yield were also investigated. The results showed that medium size (0.1–0.35 mm) for both Soxhlet and maceration extraction was the optimum size leading to the highest % CRO yield compared to fine and coarse ground seed size. The highest % CRO yield was obtained during 4 to 5 h of Soxhlet extraction and 25 to 30 h of maceration extraction method. Therefore, the Soxhlet extraction method is the fastest and efficient method for the extraction of CRO from plant materials. The characterization of Birbira seed powder and CRO was done with FTIR and Rheology test equipment. The FTIR result revealed that CRO is composed of aliphatic, olefin, polyphenol and alcohol functional groups, in which polyphenol functional groups are the most essential flavonoid components available in crude rotenone oil.

The Content of Volatile Organic Compounds in Calypogeia suecica (Calypogeiaceae, Marchantiophyta) Confirms Genetic Differentiation of This Liverwort Species into Two Groups.

Calypogeia is a genus of liverworts in the family Calypogeiaceae. The subject of this study was Calypogeia suecica. Samples of the liverwort Calypogeia suecica were collected from various places in southern Poland. A total of 25 samples were collected in 2021, and 25 samples were collected in 2022. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from liverworts were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 107 compounds were detected, of which 38 compounds were identified. The identified compounds were dominated by compounds from the sesquiterpene group (up to 34.77%) and sesquiterpenoids (up to 48.24%). The tested samples of Calypogeia suecica also contained compounds belonging the aromatic classification (up to 5.46%), aliphatic hydrocarbons (up to 1.66%), and small amounts of monoterpenes (up to 0.17%) and monoterpenoids (up to 0.30%). Due to the observed differences in the composition of VOCs, the tested plant material was divided into two groups, in accordance with genetic diversity.

An Efficient Aqua-Based Culture Method for the Propagation of High-Quality Arundo donax Seedlings

Arundo donax (family: Poaceae) is a perennial rhizomatous plant with considerable economic and ecological benefits. The plant is characterized by its fast growth, high yield, wide adaptability, and strong disease resistance. However, widespread cultivation is difficult because A. donax can only be asexually propagated. This study tested the efficacy of an aqua-based culture method with short duration and high rooting rate. The aqua-based culture protocol involved treating cane fragments with the commercial broad-spectrum rooting powder ABT-1 (No. 1 of the ABT series) at 100 mg/L for 24 h, followed by culturing in tap water for 19 days. We found that plant materials sampled from September to February of the following year were more suitable for aqua-based culturing than materials sampled from other months. Nodes on different parts of the cane did not vary significantly in the ability to form seedlings. The rooting percentage reached >95% after only 20 days, while the sprouting percentage was >93%. The seedlings obtained were strong, with high survival rates during cultivation and acclimation. No strict requirements for the growing media were necessary to achieve these results. In conclusion, this study provides an empirical foundation for a technique that could facilitate the factory production of high-quality A. donax seedlings.

Effect of Vermicompost and Vermicompost Tea on Vegetative Growth of Rubber Plants under Nurseries Conditions

Success in rubber growing is linked to the production of vigorous plants in the nursery. However, this cruel stage faces difficulties related to the cost of chemical fertilizer and its availability. This work carried out in 4 localities (Bimbresso, Alépé, Abengourou and Daoukro) in Côte d’Ivoire aimed to improve the production of rubber plant material in nurseries in polyethylene bags using vermicompost and vermicompost tea. The experimental design used is a Fisher block with three treatments and two repetitions. The vermicompost, vermicompost tea and control factors were compared with each other. The addition of vermicompost tea and the control for three months while the addition of vermicompost was done only once. The results indicated that vermicompost tea is the most effective treatment for the vegetative development of plants regardless of the study site. In Bimbresso, the vermicompost tea and vermicompost treatments showed the highest increases with 1.23 and 1.21 mm.month-1, compared to 1.13 mm.month-1 for the control and the highest average values of diameter at the collar. 10.1 mm was obtained with vermicompost tea. Also, the highest rate of graftable plants, grafting success and plants transferable to the field was obtained with vermicompost tea. Likewise, the mortality rate obtained with vermicompost and vermicompost tea was less than 20%. These treatments could be recommended in the production of rubber plant material.

In vitro antiproliferative activities of some Ghanaian medicinal plants

BackgroundCancer continues to pose a significant threat to human well-being due to the overwhelming rate of morbidity and mortality associated with it. Hence, the quest for newer, effective and safer anticancer agents has become more crucial. Over the years, some medicinal plants have been used to treat abnormal tissue growths (tumours) in Ghana. Even though sufficient literature points out that people found some relief in their use, there is limited scientific evidence of their antiproliferative activities.MethodEthanolic extracts of nine medicinal plant materials from seven plant species, including the stem bark of Terminalia superba, Talbotiella gentii and Ceiba pentandra and the leaves of Morinda lucida, Dracaena arborea, Dioscorea dumetorum, Thaumatococcus danielli, Ceiba pentandra and Talbotiella gentii, were evaluated for antiproliferative activities against four human cancer cell lines (hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal adenocarcinoma, cervical carcinoma, and mammary adenocarcinoma) using an MTT-based assay.ResultsThe extract of C. pentandra leaves, exhibited generally higher antiproliferative activity, which was particularly substantial against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells (IC50 = 16.3 µg/mL) and human colorectal adenocarcinoma (RKO) cells (IC50 = 18.7 µg/mL). All the other plant materials demonstrated weak (IC50: 201–500 µg/mL) to moderate (IC50: 21–200 µg/mL) antiproliferative activities against the four cancer cell lines.ConclusionThe extracts of the plant materials demonstrated varied antiproliferative activities. Extract of C. pentandra leaves exhibited the highest antiproliferative activity. The IC50 values of C. pentandra leaves met the benchmark to be considered effective against HepG2 and RKO cancer cell lines in particular. Therefore, there is the need to further undertake fractionation work on C. pentandra leaves. The antiproliferative effect of extract of C. pentandra leaves against other cancer cell lines and normal cell line could also be explored in the future to ascertain the anticancer potential of this plant material. Generally, findings from this work support the indigenous use of these plant materials in treating abnormal tissue growth in Ghana.

Methanolic Extract of Rhizophora mangle (Rhizophoraceae) Leaves: Phytochemical Characterization and Anthelmintic Evaluation against Schistosoma mansoni.

Rhizophora mangle is commonly used in traditional medicine to treat infections, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. This study aimed to analyze the phytochemical profile of the methanolic extract of R. mangle leaves (MELRm) and evaluate its in vitro schistosomicidal activity against Schistosoma mansoni as well as its cytotoxicity. Plant material was collected in Itamaracá City, Pernambuco, Brazil. The extract was analyzed using UV/Vis spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The motility, mortality, and cell viability of adult worms were assessed in a schistosomicidal assay, while cytotoxicity was evaluated through a colorimetric assay with MTT on RAW 264.7 cells. The primary compounds identified in MELRm were phenolic compounds. In the schistosomicidal assay, all concentrations of MELRs induced changes in the motility of adult worms. At a concentration of 400 μg/mL, MELRs resulted in 56.25% mortality after 72 h of incubation. After 120 h, mortality rates of 75%, 62.5%, and 50% were observed at MELRm concentrations of 400, 200, and 100 μg/mL, respectively. No eggs were detected at any MELRm concentration. MELRs did not show cytotoxicity towards RAW 264.7 cells at the concentrations tested. These results indicate that MELRs demonstrate schistosomicidal activity in vitro, suggesting they are promising candidates for in vivo studies.

Chemical characterization and biotechnological potential of Salvia rosmarinus Spenn essential oil nanoemulsions

This study aimed to determine the total phenolic compounds, evaluate the antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities of nanoemulsions (O/W) and essential oils (EOs) from Salvia rosmarinus (rosemary). The plant material was obtained in the city of São Luís (MA). The EO was obtained by the hydrodistillation technique in a modified Clevenger extractor, and the NOE’s by phase inversion. The chemical constituents of EO were determined by GC-MS. The determination of total phenolic compounds (TPC) was performed by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The anti-inflammatory activity was performed by the method of protein denaturation, and the antioxidant activity was performed by the spectrophotometric method of scavenging hydroxyl radicals. The GC-MS allowed quantifying 1,8-cineol (30.22%), α-pinene (22.14%), camphor (18.33%), and camphene (10.36%) as major components of the EO. The TPC of the EO was quantified at 26.74 mg EAT g-1 and the refractive index at 1.466 nD 25°. In the antioxidant activity test, an EC50 of 80.33 mgL-1 was obtained for the EO and from 19.56 to 408.85 mg L-1 for the nanoemulsions. In the anti-inflammatory activity assay, an EC50 of 62.46 mgL-1 was obtained for EO and 64.96 to 4220.25 mg L-1 for NOE’s. Finally, the pharmacological activities tested showed efficient values for EC50, therefore being considered active. This activity is attributed to the chemical compounds present, thus encouraging studies with this species aiming at its potential application in a formulated bioproduct.

From Leaves to Reproductive Organs: Chemodiversity and Chemophenetics of Essential Oils as Important Tools to Evaluate Piper mollicomum Kunth Chemical Ecology Relevance in the Neotropics.

Piper mollicomum Kunth (Piperaceae) plays a vital role in the preservation of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest by contributing to the regeneration of deforested areas. Recent scientific investigations have analyzed the chemical constituents and seasonal dynamics of essential oils (EO) from various Piper L. species, highlighting the need to elucidate their chemical-ecological interactions. This study aims to expand the chemical-ecological knowledge of this important taxon in neotropical forests, using P. mollicomum as a model. The methodologies employed include the collection of plant material, EO extraction by hydrodistillation, analysis of EO by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID), recording the frequency of visits by potential pollinators and microclimatic variables, and by conducting calculations of chemodiversity and chemophenetic indices. Chemical analyses indicated that the diversity of EO and environmental factors are linked to the activities of potential pollinators. In the Tijuca Forest, P. mollicomum revealed significant interactions between its volatile constituents and microclimatic variables, showing that the chemodiversity of the leaves and reproductive organs correlates with pollinator visitation. Additionally, a notable difference in chemical evenness was observed between these vegetative structures. The chemophenetic indices by Ramos and Moreira also revealed correlations with chemical diversity.

DNA BARCODING ANALYSIS OF THE ASTERACEAE SPECIES FROM KAZAKHSTAN

Asteraceae is the largest family of flowering plants in the world, containing more than 1.900 genera and more than 32.000 individual species. Many members of the Asteraceae family are important for medicinal, ornamental, and economic purposes. In Kazakhstan, the family is represented by 146 genera and 883 species. Many species of Asteraceae are currently being used for medicinal purposes in Kazakhstan. The species of this family including Artemisia dracunculus, Pentanema caspicum, Achillea nobilis, Leuzea altaica, Klasea cardunculus, and their derivatives are effective in the treatment of diseases, possess anti-fatigue, and anti-inflammatory properties. They also have immunomodulatory properties that can to reduce inflammation, speed up wound healing, and boost the immune system in response to bacterial or viral infection. Commercially important plants of the Asteraceae family include food crops, aside from consumption, the seeds, roots, etc. can be used to produce cooking oil and spices. Other commercially important species of the Asteraceae family are members of the Tanacetum genera, which have insecticidal properties. Given the many valuable members of the Asteraceae described above, a method to authenticate an Asteraceae species is essential to ensure drug and food safety. DNA barcoding is a method that uses a short piece of DNA sequence from a standard locus as a tool for species identification. In our study DNA was extracted from plant material using the CTAB method, followed by the selection of universal barcode primers (ITS, matK, rbcL) based on established literature. The result of PCR products were purified and subjected to Sanger sequencing. The assembled sequences were compared with existing DNA sequences using BLAST function of the National Center for Biotechnology (NCBI), with outgroup sequences (Acicarpha tribuloides, Alseuosmia macrophylla) and were analyzed in MEGA 11. Maximum Likelihood analysis was conducted using 24 different nucleotide substitution models including ITS (K2+G), matK (GTR+G), rbcL (K2+G). Basic indicators of genetic diversity were evaluated, including nucleotide divergence (Pi), the proportion of conservative (C), polymorphic, and segregating (S) regions. The ITS regions showed the highest divergence (Pi = 0.127), with conservative regions accounting for 68.7% and polymorphic regions varying within 29.6%. The rbcL regions showed higher conservatism (Pi = 0.02), with 94.6% conservative regions and only 5.4% variable regions. The matK regions exhibited intermediate values (Pi = 0.052), with 87.5% conservative and 12.5% variable regions. The G+C content of the aligned sequences ranged from 34.9% to 55.0%. The effectiveness of the BLAST tool in identifying identical sequences in the NCBI database was limited at the species level for the chloroplast DNA markers rbcL and matK. However, using the ITS DNA marker, the search within the NCBI database successfully identified only the species Achillea millefolium and Achillea nobilis with 100% accuracy. Intra-specific discrepancies were observed for other species such as Psephellus sibiricus (99.37%), Scorzonera parviflora (99.37%), Klasea cardunculus (99.79%). All investigated DNA barcodes were tested successfully identified species at the genus level with 100% accuracy.

Larvicidal potential of Trachyspermum ammi essential oil and Delphinium speciosum extract against malaria, dengue, and filariasis mosquito vectors

Mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue, and Zika, pose major public health challenges globally, affecting millions of people. The growing resistance of mosquito populations to synthetic insecticides underscores the critical need for effective and environmentally friendly larvicides. Although chemical pesticides can initially be effective, they often lead to negative environmental consequences and health hazards for non-target species, including humans. This study aimed to evaluate the larvicidal effects of Trachyspermum ammi essential oil and Delphinium speciosum extract on the larvae of three major mosquito species: Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi, and Culex quinquefasciatus. Mosquito larvae of Ae. aegypti, An. stephensi, and Cx. quinquefasciatus were reared under controlled laboratory conditions. The larvicidal activity of T. ammi essential oil and D. speciosum extract was evaluated through standard bioassays, using various concentrations of essential oils (10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 ppm) and extracts (160, 320, 640, 1280, and 2560 ppm) to determine the lethal concentration (LC50) values after 24 h of exposure. Fresh plant materials were collected, with the essential oil extracted via hydro-distillation, and the extract prepared using methanol solvent extraction. The chemical composition of T. ammi essential oil was examined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Additionally, the preliminary analysis of the chemical compounds in D. speciosum extract was carried out using thin layer chromatography (TLC) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) techniques. The results indicated that the essential oil of T. ammi exhibited more effective larvicidal activity compared to the D. speciosum extract. Specifically, the essential oil demonstrated LC50 values of 18 ppm for Cx. quinquefasciatus and 19 ppm for Ae. aegypti. In contrast, the D. speciosum extract showed the strongest larvicidal effect against An. stephensi, with an LC50 of 517 ppm. Concentrations of 40 ppm of the essential oil and 1280 ppm of the extract resulted in 100% mortality across all three species. Both the essential oil of T. ammi and the D. speciosum extract exhibited concentration-dependent larvicidal activity, and these results were statistically significant (p < 0.001) compared to the no-treatment group. GC-MS analysis revealed thymol (88.95%), o-cymen-5-ol (4.11%), and γ-terpinene (2.10%) as the major constituents of the T. ammi essential oil. Additionally, TLC verified the presence of alkaloids in both chloroform and methanolic extracts. Proton NMR identified a diterpene structure for these alkaloids. These findings suggest that T. ammi essential oil is a promising candidate for natural mosquito control strategies. Given its efficacy, further research is warranted to explore its potential in integrated vector management programs.

Tissue Culture in Banana Cultivation: A Review of its Impact on Disease Management, Yield Improvement, and Sustainable Production

In several tropical and subtropical areas, bananas (Musa spp.) are an important food source and commercial crop. Disease transmission and production uncertainty are common problems with traditional propagation techniques such as suckers. By supplying consistent, high-quality, and disease-free planting material, tissue culture, known as micro propagation, represents a potential alternative. The application of tissue culture has greatly enhanced disease management in banana cultivation. Reducing the incidence of ailments like Fusarium wilt, bacterial wilt, and Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV), pathogen-free plantlets are grown in controlled conditions. This strategy lessens the demand for artificial fertilizers while also promoting healthier crops and lessening the impact on the environment. Micropropagated banana plants demonstrated consistent growth, early fruiting, and increased yield in contrast to conventionally propagated plants. Tissue-cultured plants exhibit strong development and genetic uniformity, which contribute to these advantages and more consistent and dependable harvests. By promoting efficient land use and reducing the need for chemical inputs, tissue culture enhances sustainability in the production of bananas. The growing demand for bananas may be met without requiring the increase of agricultural land thanks to tissue culture techniques, which enable the large-scale production of enhanced banana cultivars at a quick rate. Furthermore, using planting material free of disease lowers input costs and crop losses, supporting more environmentally friendly farming methods.

Three-dimensional spectrochromatographic determination of chlorogenic acid in Melampyrum stenophyllum Boiss. extracts by parallel factor analysis.

Co-elution is a common challenge in phytochemical chromatography. Full chromatographic separation often requires extensive optimization, long analysis times, and excessive solvent use. A viable alternative could be mathematical elution of analytes using three-dimensional decomposition. This study aimed to develop a method to determine chlorogenic acid in Melampyrum stenophyllum Boiss. extracts without complete chromatographic separation, to validate the method, and to cross-validate assay results against a classical ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) method. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array (UPLC-PDA) spectrochromatograms were arranged into a three-way data cube with dimensions of time, wavelength, and sample and then decomposed using parallel factor analysis to reveal chromatographic, spectral, and concentration profiles. The chromatographic and spectral profiles were used to identify chlorogenic acid in overlapping signals. The relative concentration profile was used to quantify it in the plant extract. The assay results were statistically compared with those from an in-house classical UPLC method. Chlorogenic acid was co-eluted at 1.45 min and quantified as 16.11 mg per gram dry weight of Melampyrum stenophyllum extracts (SD = 0.28), despite significant interference in a 4-min runtime. The analytical validity was confirmed by recovery calculations from standard solutions and standard addition samples (RSD < 2%), and the t-test resulted in a p-value of 0.09 (α = 0.05), indicating no significant difference between the results obtained from mathematical elution and chromatographic separation. Chlorogenic acid was quantified from plant material accurately despite the co-elution. Validation and cross-validation results support the method's applicability.

Hop leaves: From waste to a valuable source of bioactive compounds – A multidisciplinary approach to investigating potential applications

After harvesting of cones used for beer production, the remaining hop vegetative biomass requires disposal. The hop plant contains bioactive compounds in all its parts—cones, leaves, and roots—exhibiting interesting antioxidant, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. In this work, extracts obtained from hop leaves, a plant material often neglected in the hop cultivation, have been investigated; the qualitative UHPLC-MS/MS and GC-TOF-MS characterization revealed the presence of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, α- and β-acids and terpenes are present. The extract retained antioxidant activity, as verified by Folin-Ciocalteu, DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays, and demonstrated some antimicrobial activity when combined with antibiotics, particularly against Gram-positive bacterial strains. Additionally, the extracts showed an ability to interact with proteins as human insulin, amyloid beta peptide, mucin and bovine serum albumin (BSA), has been detected, indicating their potential to counteract inflammatory processes and protect against Alzheimer's disease. These findings suggest that hop vegetative biomass, typically considered waste, can be potentially transformed into a valuable resource with applications in various fields, from nutraceuticals to pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, aligning with a circular economy perspective.

A Review of Discrete Element Method Applications in Soil–Plant Interactions: Challenges and Opportunities

The discrete-element method (DEM) has become a pivotal tool for investigating soil–plant interactions in agricultural and environmental engineering. This review examines recent advancements in DEM applications, focusing on both the challenges and opportunities that shape future research in this field. This paper first explores the effectiveness of DEM in simulating soil and plant materials, including seeds, roots, and residues, highlighting its role in understanding interactions that affect agricultural practices. Challenges such as long computation times and the complexity of determining accurate contact parameters are discussed, alongside emerging methods like machine learning that offer potential solutions. Notable advancements include the integration of machine learning algorithms for contact parameter estimation, the use of expanded particle models for dynamic processes, and the development of new techniques for detailed post-processing of DEM simulations. The review also identifies key future research directions, including the incorporation of environmental factors such as air and water, and the exploration of residue management for carbon storage and erosion prevention. By addressing these challenges and seizing these opportunities, future research can enhance the accuracy and applicability of DEM models, advancing our understanding of soil–plant interactions and contributing to more sustainable agricultural and environmental practices.

Xylose, glucose and acetate as feedstock for three microalgal species cultivated in heterotrophy

Microalgae are known as good producers of high-added value bioproducts useful in many applications such as pharmaceuticals, nutrition or biofuel production. In contrast to phototrophy, heterotrophy emerges as a promising strategy for algal biomass production due to high cell densities, controlled conditions and reduced space requirement. Hemicellulose is the second most abundant material in land plants. Its hydrolysis liberates xylose, glucose, acetate. Our study focuses on three microalgal species, Galdieria sulphuraria, Euglena gracilis, and Auxenochlorella protothecoides, cultivated under heterotrophy with the above-mentioned carbon sources, supplemented alone or in combination. Growth parameters and biomass analysis revealed distinctive characteristics. G. sulphuraria, despite a modest fatty acid content (5–15 % w/w), displayed potential for hemicellulose valorization, demonstrating high biomass yield using xylose as a sole carbon source (approx. 0.5 gDW gxylose−1) and high saturated fatty acid (SFA) content (45–63 %). In our cultivation conditions, E. gracilis only assimilated acetate with low fatty acid content (approx. 6 % w/w), but high SFA content (60–77 %) and high paramylon content (47 % w/w), convertible to wax-esters under anaerobiosis. A. protothecoides exhibited biomass yields of 0.42–0.54 gDW gsubstrate−1 depending on the carbon substrate supplied but maintained constant fatty acid content (16–18 % w/w) in the presence of all substrates except xylose. Surprisingly, despite an inability to grow with xylose alone, sugar depletion analysis indicated decreasing xylose concentration when other carbon sources were present in the cultivation medium for this alga. This comparative study discusses the strengths and weaknesses of each strain, providing insights into their potential when grown on hemicellulose carbon sources.

Barley as a production platform for oral vaccines in sustainable fish aquaculture

Vaccination is the most effective measure to prevent disease outbreaks in fish aquaculture, with oral vaccine administration emerging as the most practical approach. However, oral vaccines face a notable limitation due to insufficient stimulation of the complex gut-associated lymphoid tissue caused by factors such as vaccine degradation, poor absorption, and recognition by the immune cells. An innovative solution to these limitations lies in the plant-based production of recombinant vaccines. Plant cells enable the production and targeted storage of recombinant vaccines in specific cell organelles which ensure superior protection from degradation and contain natural compounds acting as adjuvants. Our study explores the potential of barley (Hordeum vulgare), a globally significant cereal crop, for producing orally administered subunit vaccines against viral infections affecting economically important fish species in the Salmonidae and Cyprinidae families. Through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of immature barley embryos, we have generated homozygous T2 generation of transgenic barley expressing recombinant antigens of spring viremia of carp virus and infectious salmon anaemia virus. The expression of these plant-based recombinant vaccines was confirmed by immunodetection, which was supported by fluorescence observation, specifically in the seed endosperm. The antigenicity of transgenic plant material containing recombinant antigens was evaluated using an intubation model of common carp (Cyprinus carpio), revealing a substantial upregulation of the immunoglobulin transcripts in both systemic and mucosal tissues over a period of 28 days following a single dose of transgenic antigens. Collectively, these results underscore the potential of barley-based recombinant vaccines for disease prevention in fish aquaculture.

Exploring Trachyspermum ammi and Foeniculum vulgare in Hydroponic System and Compare its Chemical Constituents with Soil-Based Method: A Prospective in Agriculture.

The forthcoming problems will be of food, and soil due to environmental alteration, growing populations, pollution, and exhaustion of natural resources among other factors. Hydroponic farming has the capacity to alleviate the intimidation of these con-cerned issues in the agricultural system. Hydroponics is recommended as an alternative way to enhance product yield compared to conventional agriculture. The present study aimed to determine the different growth parameters and constituents of soil-grown and hydroponically grown Trachyspermum ammi and Foeniculum vulgare for the first time, which could be a patentable in future. In this study, extraction was carried out by maceration method using methanol as a solvent whereas, growth parameters were performed by the leaves number, plant height, and leaf area. Chlorophyll content was also performed in both sources. Further, a comparison of chemical constituents from different sources was analyzed by GC-MS. The bioactive components in hydroponically grown T. ammi were found more as compared to soil-grown T. ammi. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of various compounds in the methanolic extract of plant materials. Hence, hydroponics could be an alternative in agriculture and this system is now accepted globally. This method provides diverse perspectives for farmers to harvest high-yield, better quality, and enhanced bioactive compounds.