Content Of Secondary Metabolites Research Articles

Tea and Pleurotus ostreatus intercropping modulates structure of soil and root microbial communities.

Intercropping with Pleurotus ostreatus has been demonstrated to increase the tea yield and alleviate soil acidification in tea gardens. However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, high-throughput sequencing and Biolog Eco analysis were performed to identify changes in the community structure and abundance of soil microorganisms in the P. ostreatus intercropped tea garden at different seasons (April and September). The results showed that the soil microbial diversity of rhizosphere decreased in April, while rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil microbial diversity increased in September in the P. ostreatus intercropped tea garden. The diversity of tea tree root microorganisms increased in both periods. In addition, the number of fungi associated with organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling, such as Penicillium, Trichoderma, and Trechispora, was significantly higher in the intercropped group than in the control group. Intercropping with P. ostreatus increased the levels of total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and available phosphorus (AP) in the soil. It also improved the content of secondary metabolites, such as tea catechins, and polysaccharides in tea buds. Microbial network analysis showed that Unclassified_o__Helotiales, and Devosia were positively correlated with soil TN and pH, while Lactobacillus, Acidothermus, and Monascus were positively correlated with flavone, AE, and catechins in tea trees. In conclusion, intercropping with P. ostreatus can improve the physical and chemical properties of soil and the composition and structure of microbial communities in tea gardens, which has significant potential for application in monoculture tea gardens with acidic soils.

Antioxidant Activity of Ethyl Acetate Extract from Endohytic Bacteria of Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) Roots

Aims: This study aims to obtain isolates of endophytic bacteria found in mangosteen roots, determine information regarding the chemical contents of secondary metabolites from endophytic bacteria, and obtain antioxidant activity data using the DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-2-Picrylhydrazyl) method. Place and Duration of Study: The research was conducted from June to September 2019 at the Microbiology Laboratory of Universitas Perintis and the Higher Education Coordinating Board Region X, West Sumatra, Indonesia. Methodology: Isolation of endophytic bacteria, secondary metabolite production by endophytic bacteria, phytochemical screening, and antioxidant activity testing using the DPPH method. Results: The results of measuring the antioxidant activity of secondary metabolite extracts from endophytic bacteria of mangosteen rootsusing the DPPH method yielded an IC50 of 14,047.912 g/ml and gallic acid solution of 2,498 g/ml. Furthermore, the T-test analysis between the % inhibition of secondary metabolites from endophytic bacteria of mangosteen roots and gallic acid yielded a significant value of 0.013. Conclusion: The antioxidant activity of secondary metabolites from endophytic bacteria of mangosteen roots is considered weak and cannot be an alternative or solution for antioxidant production.

Modulating ‘Xinomavro’ (Vitis vinifera L.) Vine Growth and Berry Composition: A Comparative Analysis of Rootstock Effects

Rootstocks serve as a strategic tool for grapevine adaptation to specific biotic and abiotic conditions and for managing vine growth, grape yield, and berry composition in commercial vineyards. This study investigates the influences of four different rootstock varieties (101-14 MGt, 3309 C, 110 R, and 140 Ru) on the viticultural performance of ‘Xinomavro’ vines, a prominent Greek red winegrape varietal. By conducting a two-year field experiment using various rootstocks, we assessed parameters related to water status, vegetative growth, yield, and berry composition. Our results revealed that rootstock selection has a significant impact on vine development, especially in terms of berry size and the concentrations of secondary metabolites. Principal component analysis confirmed the complex interaction between rootstock vigor and vine productivity. This study underscores the importance of rootstock variety in manipulating grapevine characteristics, particularly for the ‘Xinomavro’ variety, in response to regional climatic conditions.

Effect of Biotic Stress Due to Phyllophaga spp. on Antioxidant Compounds during Jicama Root (Pachyrhizus erosus) Development

The levels of different nutraceutical metabolites present in the jicama root were measured when subjecting the plant to induced biotic stress via infestation with Phyllophaga spp. (white grubs). The change in secondary metabolites on the stressed jicama roots (SJ), mostly antioxidants, was followed over 100, 140, and 180 days and compared against the non-infested control jicama (CJ). Our results show that infested (SJ) samples contained higher concentrations of tannins, flavonoids, and total phenols, measured using spectrophotometric methods, peaking at 140 days, and higher overall concentration of saponins. SJ samples showed higher DPPH inhibition, peaking at 100 days. Chlorogenic acid had the highest concentration among the phenolic compounds (7.47 mg g−1), followed by protocatechuic acid, both in SJ, which was possibly related to the lower observed concentrations of caffeic and ferulic acids. As for flavonoids, we observed a high concentration of rutin in CJ and a low concentration of pelargonidin and myricetin in SJ, possibly promoted via the dihydrokaempferol pathway. Taken together, these results show that Phyllophaga spp.-mediated biotic stress affects the concentrations of secondary metabolites in the different maturity stages in jicama, having an effect on its metabolic pathways, which presents an opportunity for the use of material such as agro-industrial waste.

Evaluation of anti-sickling effects of two varieties of Cajanus cajan (L.) Huth on sickle cell beta thalassemia

Ethno-pharmacological relevance: Globally, the prevalence of sickle cell disease is on the rise, with developing countries experiencing particularly alarming mortality rate compared to developed nations. The World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations (UN) have acknowledged sickle cell disease as a significant global public health concern. Unfortunately, a cure for this condition is yet to be discovered, and existing allopathic treatments, while offering relief, come with serious side effects. In recent times, there has been a growing interest in exploring the potential of medicinal plants for treating sickle cell disease due to their content of secondary metabolites that may impact the disease's mechanisms. Cajanus cajan, a crucial grain legume in rain-fed agriculture in semi-arid tropics, has been traditionally used in folk medicine to manage various illnesses and is suggested to possess anti-sickling properties.Aim of the study: The present study investigated two varieties of C. cajan for their effectiveness in treating sickle cell beta thalassemia, a variant of sickle cell disease. Materials and methodsThe study was divided into four groups consisting of the untreated group (group 1), group treated with standard drug (group 2), group treated with white C. cajan (group 3) and group treated with brown C. cajan (group 4). The effects of the two variety of C. cajan were measured by polymerization test, reversibility test, osmotic fragility test, deoxygenation and beta globin synthesis test. ResultThe results revealed that both varieties of C. cajan demonstrated a reduction in polymerization rates, reversed sickled red blood cells, increased the oxygen affinity of Hb-S/β, elevated the Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio, and maintained the membrane stability of red blood cells. Notably, the white variety exhibited superior anti-sickling properties compared to the brown variety. ConclusionThis suggests that this significant leguminous crop could be utilized for the treatment and management of sickling disorders, particularly in low-income countries where conventional treatments may be financially inaccessible to patients.

The influence of drying and storage conditions on the volatilome and cannabinoid content of Cannabis sativa L. inflorescences.

The increasing interest in hemp and cannabis poses new questions about the influence of drying and storage conditions on the overall aroma and cannabinoids profile of these products. Cannabis inflorescences are subjected to drying shortly after harvest and then to storage in different containers. These steps may cause a process of rapid deterioration with consequent changes in precious secondary metabolite content, negatively impacting on the product quality and potency. In this context, in this work, the investigation of the effects of freeze vs tray drying and three storage conditions on the preservation of cannabis compounds has been performed. A multi-trait approach, combining both solid-phase microextraction (SPME) two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (SPME-GC × GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), is presented for the first time. This approach has permitted to obtain the detailed characterisation of the whole cannabis matrix in terms of volatile compounds and cannabinoids. Moreover, multivariate statistical analyses were performed on the obtained data, helping to show that freeze drying conditions is useful to preserve cannabinoid content, preventing decarboxylation of acid cannabinoids, but leads to a loss of volatile compounds which are responsible for the cannabis aroma. Furthermore, among storage conditions, storage in glass bottle seems more beneficial for the retention of the initial VOC profile compared to open to air dry tray and closed high-density polyethylene box. However, the glass bottle storage condition causes formation of neutral cannabinoids at the expenses of the highly priced acid forms. This work will contribute to help define optimal storage conditions useful to produce highly valuable and high-quality products.

Food application of germinated quinua and enhancement of its nutritional, biological and functional properties: A systematic review

The germination of quinua improves the content of polyphenols, flavonoids, amino acids, dietary fiber, vitamin E, antioxidants and other bioactive compounds, making this pseudocereal a nutritious and healthy source for the preparation of functional foods. The aim of this work was to assess the effect of the germination of quinua on the nutritional, biological and functional properties, in turn to be able to analyze the potential that this golden grain has in the food industry. For the systematic review, the databases (Scopus, Scielo and Science Direct) were used, following the PRISMA guideline and the PIO strategy (Population, Intervention, Outputs), which helped to formulate the search equations and to identify the most relevant articles of the last 5 years. The results of the bibliometric analysis showed that the germination of quinua improves the nutritional properties and the content of secondary metabolites, also represents a potential source for the development of food products with functional and nutraceutical properties. A recent study confirms that after 4 days of germination the total phenolic content of various types of quinua ranges between 39.29 and 782.15 mg/100 g, indicating a powerful ability to eliminate free radicals, turning this pseudocereal into a raw material with the ability to be applied in the formulation of various food products such as bread, cookies, pizzas, beverages, yogurt, cheeses, etc.

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

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

Zinc-Enhanced Regulation of the Ginkgo biloba L. Response and Secondary Metabolites

Ginkgo biloba L. leaves are rich in secondary metabolites with important medicinal values; to increase their contents, foliar spraying of micronutrients is a potential strategy. Zinc, a multifunctional element, has a significant impact on the content of secondary metabolites in other plants, but relevant research into ginkgo is still lacking. In our study, different spraying time and concentration strategies were used to investigate the effects of zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) on physiological indicators and secondary metabolites of 2-year-old ginkgo. The results demonstrated that ZnSO4 could increase the contents of hydrogen peroxide, abscisic acid, and free amino acids in ginkgo leaves. It also enhances the antioxidant enzyme activity of ginkgo leaves, decreases the content of plant auxin, and ultimately facilitates the accumulation of ginkgo terpene lactones (TTL). Spraying ZnSO4 in June resulted in a more significant increase in the contents of TTL and flavonoids compared to spraying in August. After spraying 12 mmol/L ZnSO4 in June, the contents of TTL and flavonoids in ginkgo leaves were significantly elevated by 35.95% and 24.30%, respectively, compared to those in the CK (p < 0.05). The contents of ginkgolide A, B, and C were notably increased by 45.93%, 46.56%, and 74.29%, respectively, compared to those in the CK (p < 0.05). Therefore, our study suggests that the optimal timing for spraying ZnSO4 on ginkgo is in June, with a recommended concentration of 12 mmol/L. Our study provides a theoretical basis for the accumulation of secondary metabolites in ginkgo and guides the production of its leaf-utilization plantations.

Microbial communities of Schisandra sphenanthera Rehd. et Wils. and the correlations between microbial community and the active secondary metabolites.

Schisandra sphenanthera Rehd. et Wils. is a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, great differences exist in the content of active secondary metabolites in various parts of S. sphenanthera. Do microorganisms critically influence the accumulation of active components in different parts of S. sphenanthera? In this study, 16S/ITS amplicon sequencing analysis was applied to unravel microbial communities in rhizospheric soil and different parts of wild S. sphenanthera. At the same time, the active secondary metabolites in different parts were detected, and the correlation between the secondary metabolites and microorganisms was analyzed. The major components identified in the essential oils were sesquiterpene and oxygenated sesquiterpenes. The contents of essential oil components in fruit were much higher than that in stem and leaf, and the dominant essential oil components were different in these parts. The dominant components of the three parts were γ-muurolene, δ-cadinol, and trans farnesol (stem); α-cadinol and neoisolongifolene-8-ol (leaf); isosapathulenol, α-santalol, cedrenol, and longiverbenone (fruit). The microbial amplicon sequences were taxonomically grouped into eight (bacteria) and seven (fungi) different phyla. Community diversity and composition analyses showed that different parts of S. sphenanthera had similar and unique microbial communities, and functional prediction analysis showed that the main functions of microorganisms were related to metabolism. Moreover, the accumulation of secondary metabolites in S. sphenanthera was closely related to the microbial community composition, especially bacteria. In endophytic bacteria, Staphylococcus and Hypomicrobium had negative effects on five secondary metabolites, among which γ-muurolene and trans farnesol were the dominant components in the stem. That is, the dominant components in stems were greatly affected by microorganisms. Our results provided a new opportunity to further understand the effects of microorganisms on the active secondary metabolites and provided a basis for further research on the sustainable utilization of S. sphenanthera.

Time maters: Exploring the dynamics of bioactive compounds content, bioaccessibility and antioxidant activity during Lupinus angustifolius germination

Germination is a process that enhances the content of health-promoting secondary metabolites. However, the bioaccessibility of these compounds depends on their stability and solubility throughout the gastrointestinal tract. The study aimed to explore how germination time influences the content and bioaccessibility of γ-aminobutyric acid and polyphenols and antioxidant capacity of lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) sprouts during simulated gastrointestinal digestion. Gamma-aminobutyric acid showed a decrease following gastrointestinal digestion (GID) whereas phenolic acids and flavonoids exhibited bioaccessibilities of up to 82.56 and 114.20%, respectively. Although the digestion process affected the profile of phenolic acids and flavonoids, certain isoflavonoids identified in 7-day sprouts (G7) showed resistance to GID. Germination not only favored antioxidant activity but also resulted in germinated samples exhibiting greater antioxidant properties than ungerminated counter parts after GID. Intestinal digests from G7 did not show cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 macrophages, and notably, they showed an outstanding ability to inhibit the production of reactive oxygen species. This suggests potential benefit in mitigating oxidative stress. These findings contribute to understand the dynamic interplay between bioprocessing and digestion in modulating the bioaccessibility of bioactive compounds in lupin, thereby impacting health.

Insights into the effects of saline forage on the meat quality of Tibetan sheep by metabolome and multivariate analysis

This work aimed to investigate how two different types of forage (saline and alkaline) impact the meat quality and muscle metabolism of Tibetan sheep. An integrative multi-omics analysis of meat quality and different metabolites was performed using untargeted and targeted metabolomics approaches. The research results indicated that GG grass (saline and alkaline forage) possessed superior characteristics in terms of apparent quality and secondary metabolite content compared with HG grass (Non saline alkali forage), regardless of the targeted metabolites or non-targeted ones. Simultaneously, under stress conditions, the carbohydrates-rich salt-alkali grass play a significant role in slowing down the decline in pH, increasing the unsaturated fatty acid content and reducing the thawing loss in Tibetan sheep. This study provides an understanding of the impact of different salt-alkali grass on the quality of Tibetan sheep meat, while providing a scientific basis for the future development of salt-alkali livestock industry.

Investigation of metabolic processes of alcohol yeast during the fermentation of buckwheat-corn wort

To expand the range of competitive alcoholic beverages with original organoleptic properties, it is promising to study the use of new types of plant raw materials in grain distillate technologies. The purpose of this work was to establish the influence of the characteristics of the composition of grain wort prepared with the joint use of an alternative raw material source — buck- wheat and corn, which is widely used in alcohol production, on the metabolic processes of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae 985-T and alcoholic fermentation. The objects of the study were buckwheat and corn; enzyme preparations — sources of amylases, xylanases, β-glucanases and proteases; samples of grain wort, mash and mash distillates. The prospects of introducing mixed grain media prepared using non-traditional buckwheat raw materials into the technology of original alcoholic bever- ages are substantiated. It was shown that the use of buckwheat as a source of biocomplete protein, essential amino acids and minerals together with corn containing a high level of starch and a low level of non-starch polysaccharides contributed both to an increase in the yield of alcohol and a change in the quantitative content of secondary metabolites in the composition of volatile impurities. It was found that an increase in the concentration of soluble carbohydrates in the wort and a decrease in its viscosity by 15.5–40.3% occurred due to the inclusion of corn in the composition of the grain mixture, and the enrichment of the wort with nitrogen assimilated by yeast by 19.0–41.8% — as a result adding buckwheat. The optimal ratio of corn and buckwheat in the composition of the grain mixture (7:3) was selected, which made it possible to improve the biochemical and technological parameters of grain must, increase the efficiency of the vital processes of yeast and alcoholic fermentation, ensure an increase in the yield of alcohol by 1.8%, reduce the formation of side metabolites, especially higher alcohols, and change their composition in the direction of increasing the proportion of aldehydes and esters, which can have a positive effect on the organoleptic characteristics of the distillate.

CTAB Protocol for Obtaining High-Quality Total RNA from Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and Other Related Plants of the Family Malvaceae.

Malvaceae family, also known as the Mallow family, is a family of flowering plants containing Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and other plants of high medicinal value. This study focuses on the challenges associated with high-quality RNA extraction from Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and its related plants characterized by high levels of mucilage and phenolic compounds in their tissues. High mucilage and secondary metabolite content pose obstacles in obtaining high-quality RNA, negatively impacting downstream applications, such as gene expression analysis. Our research aimed to develop an efficient RNA extraction method tailored to the unique characteristics of Malvaceae family plants especially Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. Through the substitution of NaCl with KCl, a crucial component of the CTAB buffer, our methodology successfully addressed the challenges posed by high mucilage and phenolic compound levels. This modification led to a significant reduction in sample viscosity, which is because of the high mucilage in these plants. Our modified CTAB extraction method yielded significantly more RNA with higher purity than the conventional CTAB methods alone. The extracted RNA was largely intact, as indicated by 28S/18S ratios and RIN values, yielding high-quality RNA with improved purity suggested by the 260/280 and 260/230 ratios. The proposed approach not only serves as a solution to the specific challenges encountered in Hibiscus rosa-sinensis but also holds promise for broader applications across different plants within the family.

Multivariate Analysis of Biochemical Properties Reveals Diversity among Yardlong Beans of Different Origins.

This study analyzed the nutrient levels, secondary metabolite contents, and antioxidant activities of 35 yardlong bean accessions from China, Korea, Myanmar, and Thailand, along with their key agronomic traits. Significant variations were found in all the parameters analyzed (p < 0.05). The crude fiber (CFC), dietary fiber (DFC), total protein, and total fat contents varied from 4.10 to 6.51%, 16.71 to 23.49%, 22.45 to 28.11%, and 0.59 to 2.00%, respectively. HPLC analysis showed more than a 10-fold difference in vitamin C level (0.23 to 3.04 mg/g), whereas GC-FID analysis revealed the dominance of palmitic acid and linoleic acid. All accessions had high levels of total unsaturated fatty acids, which could help in preventing cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, total phenolic, tannin, and saponin contents ranged between 3.78 and 9.13 mg GAE/g, 31.20 and 778.34 mg CE/g, and 25.79 and 82.55 mg DE/g, respectively. Antioxidant activities like DPPH• scavenging, ABTS•+ scavenging, and reducing power (RP) ranged between 1.63 and 9.95 mg AAE/g, 6.51 and 21.21 mg TE/g, and 2.02, and 15.58 mg AAE/g, respectively. Days to flowering, total fat, palmitic acid, oleic acid, and TPC were significantly influenced by origin and genotype differences, while seeds per pod, one-hundred seeds weight, CFC, DFC, vitamin C, RP, and TSC were not affected by these factors. Multivariate analysis categorized the accessions into four clusters showing significant variations in most of the analyzed parameters. Correlation analysis also revealed significant relationships between several noteworthy parameters. Overall, this comprehensive analysis of biochemical factors revealed diversity among the different yardlong bean varieties. These findings could have practical applications in industries, breeding programs, and conservation efforts.

Effects of appropriate low-temperature treatment on the yield and quality of pigmented potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers

Temperature is one of the important environmental factors affecting plant growth, yield and quality. Moreover, appropriately low temperature is also beneficial for tuber coloration. The red potato variety Jianchuanhong, whose tuber color is susceptible to temperature, and the purple potato variety Huaxinyangyu, whose tuber color is stable, were used as experimental materials and subjected to 20 °C (control check), 15 °C and 10 °C treatments during the whole growth period. The effects of temperature treatment on the phenotype, the expression levels of structural genes related to anthocyanins and the correlations of each indicator were analyzed. The results showed that treatment at 10 °C significantly inhibited the potato plant height, and the chlorophyll content and photosynthetic parameters in the leaves were reduced, and the enzyme activities of SOD and POD were significantly increased, all indicating that the leaves were damaged. Treatment at 10 °C also affected the tuberization of Huaxinyangyu and reduced the tuberization and coloring of Jianchuanhong, while treatment at 15 °C significantly increased the stem diameter, root-to-shoot ratio, yield and content of secondary metabolites, especially anthocyanins. Similarly, the expression of structural genes were enhanced in two pigmented potatoes under low-temperature treatment conditions. In short, proper low temperature can not only increase yield but also enhance secondary metabolites production. Previous studies have not focused on the effects of appropriate low-temperature treatment during the whole growth period of potato on the changes in metabolites during tuber growth and development, these results can provide a theoretical basis and technical guidance for the selection of pigmented potatoes with better nutritional quality planting environment and the formulation of cultivation measures.

Analysis of light recipe, seeding density, and fertilization effects on secondary metabolite accumulation and growth-defense responses in Brassicaceae microgreens

Although there have been large improvements to crop yield over time, this has not been accompanied by an increase in human nutritional wellbeing. In fact, there are worsening health crises associated with over- and under-consumption of particular food groups, resulting in negative human health outcomes. One solution to this is to utilize controlled environment agriculture to produce microgreens that have a high density of valuable Secondary Metabolites (SMs) such as antioxidants, phenolics, or pigment molecules that are associated with positive human health outcomes. However, optimal growth recipes to produce microgreens and their valuable nutritional compounds are not well known due to much species-specific variation, as well as biological tradeoffs between biomass and SM production. This is known as the growth defense hypothesis which describes how plants have a finite carbon budget from which to allocate to growth, or defensive, processes. To further research in this regard, this project used climate chambers to grow three species of Brassicaceae microgreens (kohlrabi, mustard, and radish) in highly controlled environmental conditions, where we used five Light Recipes, two fertilization levels, and two seeding density treatments. Our results showed that there were significant differences in SM production of these microgreens due to changes in incident light, as well as significant interactions between Fertilizer and Light Recipe for all SMs except Anthocyanins. For example, for all three species, the High Far-Red Light Recipe had the significantly highest Phenolic concentration, but with lower values of the other four SMs. The low-intensity 24-V high efficiency LEDs had the significantly highest Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC) concentrations, while the High Red recipe had the highest Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) and Flavonoid concentrations. For Anthocyanins, there were less clear patterns, with the No Green or High Red recipes having generally higher concentrations, but not always significantly. We did find some evidence supporting the growth-defense hypothesis, where our higher biomass values were negatively correlated with SM concentrations. We also found significant differences between the concentrations of SMs in leaves and stems for kohlrabi and mustard microgreens. Finally, we found some significant relationships between increasing Fertilizer dosage and SMs, for instance that Flavonoids and FRAP concentrations increased with Fertilizer application, while Anthocyanin decreased, and Phenolic and TEAC had little effect. In conclusion, we found that there were significant relationships for Light Recipe and Fertilizer, and oftentimes their interaction, for the accumulation of SMs in Brassicaceae microgreens, which can inform microgreen production environments.

Combined metabolome and transcriptome analyses reveal that growing under Red shade affects secondary metabolite content in Huangjinya green tea.

Shading treatments impact the tea (Camellia sinensis L.) quality. The sunlight sensitive varieties can be grown under shading nets for better growth and secondary metabolite content. Here, we studied the responses of a sunlight sensitive green tea variety "Huangjinya" by growing under colored shading nets (red, yellow, blue, and black (75% and 95%) shading rates) to find out the most suitable color of the shading net. Red shading was the most promising treatment as it positively affected the weight and length of 100 one-bud-three leaves and reduced the degree and rate of new shoots burn compared to control (natural sunlight). We then explored the comparative metabolomic changes in response to red shading by using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS system. The amino acids and derivatives, flavonoids, and alkaloids were downaccumulated whereas lipids, organic acids, and lignans were upaccumulated in Red shade grown tea samples. The red shading nets caused a decreased catechin, epicatechin, dopamine, and L-tyramine contents but increased caffeine content. We then employed transcriptome sequencing to find key changes in expressions of related genes and pathways. Notably, key genes associated with the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways exhibited complex regulation. These expression changes suggested a potential trend of polymerization or condensation of simple molecules like catechin or pelargonidin into larger molecules like glucoside or proanthocyanidins. Here, Red shading net triggered higher expression of genes enriched in lipid biosynthesis and jasmonic acid biosynthesis, suggesting an interplay of fatty acids and JA in improving tea performance. These findings contribute to the metabolic responses of Huangjinya tea to red shading nets which might have implications for flavor and health benefits. Our data provide a foundation for further exploration and optimization of cultivation practices for this unique tea variety.

Impact of Dry Processing on Secondary Metabolites in the Petals of Marigold (Tagetes spp.) Cultivar

The edible flowers of marigold (Tagetes spp.) are cultivated for their aesthetic appeal and high utility as functional health food ingredients. Carotenoid and flavonoid contents in marigold petals highlight the importance of selecting the appropriate cultivar and its processing methods for their industrial applications. The comparative understanding of the effects of dry processing on functional components across different marigold cultivars is still lacking. Therefore, this study investigated functional compound changes in the dry processing effect on four marigold cultivars with distinct flower shapes (Durango, Inca) and colors (yellow, orange). The petals in hot air drying (HAD) with 30, 60, and 90 °C applications were analyzed for the measurement of their individual secondary metabolite contents, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant activities. In freeze drying (FD), the lutein content varied significantly based on flower color, exhibiting higher levels in cultivars with orange petals. Otherwise, the levels of quercetin derivatives displayed distinct differences based on varieties other than color, with Inca cultivars demonstrating higher levels of quercetin 7-O-glucoside (Q7G) than Durango cultivars. In HAD, the lutein levels show a tendency to increase above 60 °C regardless of the cultivar. The content of quercetin glycosides decreased, while the aglycone increased in HAD treatments, regardless of the temperatures. Correlation and PCA results highlighted the impact of phenol compounds on antioxidant activity. Overall, these findings underscore the significance of variety and color in determining the chemical composition and antioxidant properties of marigold flowers.

Antibacterial Activity Of Clay Mask From Houttuynia Cordata Leaves Extract Against Staphylococcus Aureus

Facial skin that often looks dull and not glowing can be caused by the accumulation of dead skin cells. The solution to this problem is to exfoliate using a scrub. The content of secondary metabolites in Amis-amisan leaves (Houttuynia cordata Thunb) has antibacterial activity. This study aimed to determine the antibacterial activity of the face scrub ethanol extract of amis-amisan leaves against Staphylococcus aureus. The extract was obtained using the remaceration method using 96% ethanol. Concentrations of face scrub are 10%, 20%, and 30%. Antibacterial activity using the pour plate method. The results antibacterial activity of face scrub with concentrations of 10%, 20%, and 30% are 1.127 cm, 1.282 cm and 1.460 cm, respectively. The best antibacterial activity is a 30% concentration face scrub. The physical characteristics of the organoleptic, homogeneity, pH, spreadability, adhesion, and irritation tests of the face scrub meet the specified requirements.