Sorbus Aucuparia Research Articles

Slow and diverse: Upslope expansion of tree species since 1854 in the Bavarian Alps (Germany) detected by citizen science

ABSTRACT We motivated mountain hikers to survey high-altitude occurrences of selected tree and shrub species in the Bavarian Alps in a citizen science portal and compared the observations with historical data collected by the botanist Otto Sendtner at the end of the Little Ice Age. For nine of ten species with sufficient numbers of historical and citizen science observations, currently uppermost outpost occurrences were verified after data curation and subsampling. Tree species of montane (Sorbus aucuparia: 342 m, Abies alba: 324 m, Acer pseudoplatanus: 273 m, Fagus sylvatica: 141 m) and of lower subalpine distribution (Betula pubescens: 278 m, Picea abies: 55 m) climbed significantly, whereas species found at the high subalpine tree line ecotone ascended less (Pinus mugo: 21 m, Larix decidua: 13 m, Alnus alnobetula: 6 m) or even appeared to lose elevation (Pinus cembra: −57 m). We explain the gap between realized and potential upslope shift of ca. 500 m suggested by the thermal elevation gradient by the lack of mature soils at high altitudes and low summit heights in the Bavarian Alps.

Inhibitory Effect of Sorbus aucuparia Extracts on the Fusarium proliferatum and F. culmorum Growth and Mycotoxin Biosynthesis.

Fungal infections are among the most common diseases of crop plants. Various species of the Fusarium spp. are naturally prevalent and globally cause the qualitative and quantitative losses of farming commodities, mainly cereals, fruits, and vegetables. In addition, Fusarium spp. can synthesize toxic secondary metabolites-mycotoxins under high temperature and humidity conditions. Among the strategies against Fusarium spp. incidence and mycotoxins biosynthesis, the application of biological control, specifically natural plant extracts, has proved to be one of the solutions as an alternative to chemical treatments. Notably, rowanberries taken from Sorbus aucuparia are a rich source of phytochemicals, such as vitamins, carotenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, as well as minerals, including iron, potassium, and magnesium, making them promising candidates for biological control strategies. The study aimed to investigate the effect of rowanberry extracts obtained by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) under different conditions on the growth of Fusarium (F. culmorum and F. proliferatum) and mycotoxin biosynthesis. The results showed that various extracts had different effects on Fusarium growth as well as ergosterol content and mycotoxin biosynthesis. These findings suggest that rowanberry extracts obtained by the SFE method could be a natural alternative to synthetic fungicides for eradicating Fusarium pathogens in crops, particularly cereal grains. However, more research is necessary to evaluate their efficacy against other Fusarium species and in vivo applications.

Masting and Efficient Production of Seedlings: Balancing Costs of Variation Through Synchronised Fruiting.

The efficient conversion of tissues into reproductive success is a crucial aspect affecting the evolution of life histories. Masting, the interannually variable and synchronous seed production in perennial plants, is a strategy that can enhance reproductive efficiency by mitigating seed predation and pollen limitation. However, evaluating benefits is insufficient to establish whether efficiency has improved, as such assessments neglect the associated costs of masting, particularly during the critical seed-to-seedling stage. We conducted a parentage analysis of seedlings and adults in a population of 209 Sorbus aucuparia trees, monitored over 23 years, providing pioneering documentation of the effects of masting on the fitness of individual trees beyond the seed stage. Our results show high costs of interannual variation that can be mitigated by high synchrony and reveal the existence of phenotypes that appear to reap the benefits of masting while avoiding its costs through regular reproduction.

Structure of Ground Vegetation and Natural Regeneration of Tree Species in 12- to 15-Year-Old Bilberry Pine Forest-Clear-cut Complex of Middle Taiga Subzone.

Logging in mature stands where part of the forest is harvested in one or several cuts and part is retained (clearcutting and alternate strip cutting) results in the formation of an ecotone complex (EC), which includes a forest (F) zone, a forest edge (FE) as a transition from the forest to the clear-cut under the canopy, a clear-cut edge (CE) as a transition from the forest to the clear-cut outside of the canopy, and the clear-cut proper (C). The composition and structure of ground vegetation and natural regeneration of woody species (Pinus sylvestris L., Picea abies (L.) H. Karst., Betula sp., Populus tremula L., Sorbus aucuparia L., and Juniperus communis L.) were studied in a bilberry pine forest-clear-cut ecotone complex 12-15 years after stand removal. Specific structural features of ground vegetation and undergrowth (including tree regeneration) were observed in each of the four zones of the ecotone complex formed after logging of the mature forest. Atypical forest habitat (zone F) showed a minimum number of young regeneration of Pinus sylvestris, Picea abies, Betula sp., Populus tremula, and Sorbus aucuparia and the highest abundance of the lingonberry V. vitis-idaea L. and bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus L. with a maximum height and a maximum yield of bilberry plants. The amount of tree regeneration in the FE zone was much the same as in the F zone. The projective cover, maximum shoot height, and yield of bilberry and the maximum shoot height of lingonberry in the FE zone were significantly lower than in the F zone. The transitional zone on the clear-cut side (CE) and the clear-cut proper (C) strikingly differed from the forest (F and FE) zones of the ecotone complex by a greater number of deciduous and pine regeneration and a low abundance of dwarf shrubs. The clear-cut proper (C) differed from the CE zone by a higher abundance of grasses and forbs and an established tree regeneration layer composed of pine, birch, and aspen.

ХИМИЧЕСКИЙ СОСТАВ СОКА И ВЫЖИМОК ПЛОДОВ РЯБИНЫ ОБЫКНОВЕННОЙ (SORBUS AUCUPARIA L.)

The purpose of the study is to determine the chemical composition of the juice and mountain ash fruit pomace. Objectives: to establish the chemical composition of the juice and rowan fruit pomace: mineral, fatty acid, vitamin. The results of determining the composition of the juice and mountain ash fruit pomace (Sorbus aucuparia L.), growing in the vicinity of the city of Krasnoyarsk, are presented. The collection of rowan fruits was carried out during the period of their technological maturity (September 2023). The results obtained showed that the protein content in the juice of rowan fruits was 0.0099 %, sugars - 3.47 %, minerals 3.15 %, including: calcium – 370.40 mg/kg; magnesium – 146.90; sodium – 738.10; potassium – 1617.00; phosphorus – 68.60; iron – 4.342 mg/kg. The protein content in rowan fruit pomace is 5.79 %; fiber – 18.00; fat – 3.56; sugars – 7.60 %; carotene – 204.6 mg/kg; mineral elements – 2.19 %: calcium – 3959.00 mg/kg; magne¬sium – 1107.00; sodium – 3902; potassium – 7191.00 mg/kg; phosphorus – 451.20 mg/100 g; iron – 106.20 mg/kg. The results of a study of the fatty acid composition of rowan fruit pomace showed that the composition contains polyunsaturated essential acids, such as LinoleicC18:2 / linoleic (58.5257 %), alpha-Linoleic (18:3 cis9.12) / alpha-linolenic (2.4116 %). The vitamin composition of the juice and rowan fruit pomace was determined. The content of ascorbic acid in rowan fruit juice was 0.0083 %, in pomace – 0.0100 %, vitamin B5 in rowan fruit juice – 0.0067 g/kg, in pomace – 0.5220 g/kg, carotene in rowan fruit pomace – 204.60 mg/kg.

Surface and composition effects on the biphasic cytotoxicity of nanocomposites synthesized using leaf extracts

The Malus sylvestris L. (LE1), Pinus sylvestris L. (LE2), and Sorbus aucuparia L. (LE3) leaves` extracts were used for the synthesis of silver (Ag) nanocomposites containing different amounts of silver chloride (AgCl), silver metal (Agmet), and silver phosphate (Ag3PO4). These nanocomposites were capped with the organic functional groups in the leaf extract. Notably, the nanocomposites caused biphasic cytotoxic response on cells; first attributed to the inhibition of cell growth and second to cell death. The nanocomposites were biocompatible with normal embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells in the cytotoxic range for cancer cells. ▪ [25(±1) °C synthesis] nanocomposites exhibited the highest cytotoxicity towards HeLa (lethal concentration- LC50 value of 11.4 μg mL−1) and A549 (LC50 value of 14.7 μg mL−1) after 24-h incubation and its efficiency was shown also for the more resistant MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, however, their respective LC50 values were larger. For the HeLa cell line, this designed ▪ nanocomposite exhibited an LC50 value similar to the effective concentration (EC50) value of Cisplatin and about 3 times larger than Doxorubicin. ▪ nanocomposite contained Ag3PO4 in the composite and P on the surface, higher AgCl content, smaller crystallite size of all nanoparticle phases, and carbon-rich oxygen-deficient surface compared to all other nanocomposites.

The Antimicrobial Effect of Cornus mas L. and Sorbus aucuparia L. Fruit Extracts against Resistant Uropathogens in Correlation with the Prevalence of Urinary Tract Infections in Companion Animals.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a widespread condition in pets, with many antibiotics being prescribed, contributing to the rise in antimicrobial resistance, which is a worldwide threat. This study's main objective was to analyze the in vitro antimicrobial activity of Cornus mas and Sorbus aucuparia fruit hydro-ethanolic extracts towards bacteria identified in the urine of companion animals experiencing UTIs. Urine samples were collected from dogs and cats (n = 83; 47 negative, 36 positive); several bacterial strains were identified (n = 49) belonging to the Escherichia, Enterococcus, Staphylococcus, Proteus, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Leclercia, and Kocuria genera. Bacterial susceptibility was tested using the disk diffusion method, with the majority being resistant to several beta-lactams, quinolones, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and nitrofurantoin. Subsequently, 13 resistant isolates were selected to evaluate the fruits extracts' antimicrobial potential using the agar well diffusion and broth microdilution methods. Cornus mas exhibited the greatest activity against Gram-negatives (primarily Pseudomonas luteola), while Sorbus aucuparia showed maximum effects towards Gram-positives (particularly Enterococcus faecalis). The MIC was 0.01 μg/μL for both extracts; the MBC was 0.08 μg/μL for Cornus mas and 0.05 μg/μL for Sorbus aucuparia. However, Cornus mas showed a stronger bactericidal effect. This is the first study to investigate these fruit extracts in UTI isolates of companion animals, and these extracts might be used as substitutes or adjuvants for antibiotics, thus contributing to a reduction in antimicrobial resistance.

Перша знахідка Choragus sheppardi Kirby, 1818 (Coleoptera, Anthribidae) у Волинській обл.

Choragus cheppardi inhabits western Palearctic. In Ukraine, this species was found only in the southern and eastern parts (Crimea in 1980 and 2003, Kharkiv region in 1998, Donetsk, Lugansk regions in 2000). Lives in nemoral and mixed forests on deciduous trees (Fagus sylvatica, Hedera helix, Malus domestica, Crataegus monogyna, Ulmus glabra, Sorbus aucuparia, Quercus spp., Alnus glutinosa, Salix spp.). Larvae start their development in summer in the pycnidia of the Diatrype stigma (crust fungi, Diatrypaceae). Adults occur in IV–VIII (IX by our original data). Emerged adults overwintering and start new generation in spring, mostly in April. The collection of material was carried out by counting animals on six test plots from 05.07.2022 to 09.25.2022. Three Barber traps were placed in each trial area. The traps were located at a distance of 50 m from each other. New find of Ch. cheppardi was registered in the Kivertsi National Park "Tsumanska Pushcha". 1 male was collected in a birch forest mixed with alder. Current find of this species confirm previously published data on its occurrence in the in nemoral and mixed forests. It can be expected that Ch. cheppardi can be found in other places of Ukraine.

First report of rust caused by Gymnosporangium in Iceland.

Sorbus is a genus of trees and shrubs in the Rosaceae commonly known as rowan and mountain-ash. They are usually found in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere and cultivated as ornamental trees for parks and gardens. In September 2023, infection by a rust was observed on a single Sorbus aucuparia tree in Sólbrekkuskógur, Reykjanesbær (64.046645, -22.707276; ~13 m) in Iceland. Infected leaves were collected from this single cultivated tree at an outdoor recreation area in a natural wooded location, with a 2% disease severity. Sori were infrequent, scattered, embedded within circular yellow lesions on leaf margins. On average, one sorus was observed per leaf and only 2% of leaves were infected. Spermogonia epiphyllous, punctate and aggregated, pale yellow to black. Hypophyllous aecia roestelioid with cornute peridium rupturing at apex with peridial cells rhomboidal, aeciospores yellowish brown globoid 17.67-25.17 x 17.20-21.94 µm, walls 1.22-2.28 µm thick (n = 20). The features of this rust and dimensions of spores are consistent with descriptions of Gymnosporangium cornutum (Arthur 1909, Kern 1911). To confirm the identity (specimen MCA9732), a ~620 bp region of the 28S subunit of the ribosomal DNA repeat was sequenced using primers Rust2inv and LR6 following published protocols (Aime 2006). The sequence (GenBank PP413765) shared 100% (649/649 bp) identity with a sequence deposited as Gymnosporangium cornutum (KY764066, BPI910184; J. E. Demers, M. K. Romberg, and L. A. Castlebury, unpublished data) from S. americana and 100% (620/620 bp) identity with G. cornutum (PURN11049) on Sorbus sp. from Canada when blasted against the RustHUBB database (Kaishian et al. 2024). The specimen has been deposited in the Arthur Fungarium at Purdue University as PURN24233. Disease on Sorbus sp. caused by G. cornutum has been reported in various countries in Africa, Asia, North America, and Europe (Kern 1911). To our knowledge, this is the first report of the occurrence of this genus in Iceland from any host. Gymnosporangium cornutum alternates on Juniperus species. In Iceland, J. communis (sect. Oxycedrus) seems to be the only naturally occurring Juniperus species but it is an alternate host for G. cornutum. The presence of the primary and alternative hosts in Iceland and the ability of Gymnosporangium spp. to produce systemic infections in Juniperus spp., represents the potential for reinfection of Sorbus every year, resulting in potential impacts on both host species. With J. communis being the only Juniperus spp. in natural habitats in Iceland, the presence of this rust represents a potential ecological disruption, as repeated infections may reduce host vitality and predispose the host to winter injury and attack from opportunistic pathogens or insects.

Оценка экосистемных услуг зеленых насаждений г. Йошкар-Олы

In many parts of the world, urban green spaces are being explored as a source of ecosystem services. Their role in the provision of regulation of and, support of ecosystem services and even in the provision of cultural services is considered. At the same time, species assessment of the composition and vital condition of trees that provide ecosystem benefits in an urbanized environment is becoming increasingly relevant. The purpose of this study was to assess the contribution of the most common species of woody plants in urban greening to the provision of ecosystem services. The research was carried out in Yoshkar-Ola, in different functional areas of the city: residential, recreational and industrial, where the assortment of trees was studied and their vital condition was assessed. For the most common tree species, the potential supply of providing ecosystem services was determined on a ten-point scale, taking into account adverse effects (so-called «ecosystem disservices»). It was established that Betula pendula, Tilia cordata, Sorbus aucuparia were the predominant species in the landscaping of the city, their share in the studied plantings reached 36–64%. Of the introduced species, Acer negundo, Picea pungens, and Thuja occidentalis are the most common in the landscaping of the city. Most of the trees of different functional zones belonged to the 1st and 2nd categories of life condition (healthy and with signs of slight oppression). Strongly weakened trees accounted for no more than 12% of the total number, and dying plants were rare. Betula pendula makes a significant contribution to the provision of ecosystem services in Yoshkar-Ola. Tilia cordata, Picea pungens and Sorbus aucuparia – do so mainly due to their high carbon storage capacity, phytoncide and aesthetic value. Acer negundo is considered to be a dangerous urban explerent and, despite its regulating and maintaining ecosystem services, its distribution in the urban environment should be limited.

CHROMATOMASS SPECTROMETRIC STUDY OF LEAVES OF RUBUS IDAEUS L. AND SORBUS AUCUPARIA L. SOUTH OF THE TOMSK REGION

The features of the distribution of fat-soluble organic compounds in the leaves of deciduous shrubs Rubus idaeus and Sorbus aucuparia growing in identical weather conditions in mixed and pine forests of the southern taiga of Western Siberia are shown. The composition of n-alkanes, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, n-aldehydes, n-alkane-2-ones, n-alkanols, acyclic isoprenoids, steroids and pentacyclic triterpenoids was studied by chromatomass spectrometry. It was found that the microclimate of pine forest and mixed forest influences the composition of organic compounds in the leaves of single-species plants. In a mixed forest, among acyclic compounds, the total proportion of n-alkanes and the relative content of high-molecular homologues of n-alkanes, n-aldehydes and n-alkane-2-ones in rowan and raspberry leaves were increased. The composition of steroids is dominated by sitosterol, while in the bushes of mixed forest, unlike pine forest, there is a higher proportion of keto-substituted stigmast-4-en-3-one and the hydrocarbon stigmast-3,5-diene. Pine raspberries are distinguished by the presence of cholesterol, lanosterol and lanost-8-en-3-one, an increased content of cycloartenol. The leaves of ash among the pentacyclic triterpenoids identified a- and β-amerins, and the leaves of the raspberry a-, β- and d-amerins, among which in the pine forest increased the proportion a- amerin, and in the mixed forest – d-amerin. Raspberry leaves are dominated by neolup-12-en-3-ol, whereas in the leaves of mountain ash of mixed forest – lupeol, and pine forest – presumably 28-norneogop-18-en-3-ol. It is shown that the distribution of fat-soluble compounds depends not only on the type of plant, but also on the conditions of its growth, which must be taken into account when planning the practical use of plant raw materials.

Ecological, morphological, and anatomical investigation of Sorbus L. (Rosaceae) taxa distribution in Rize province (Türkiye)

This research was carried out to determine the Sorbus L. species distributed within the borders of Rize province between 2011-2013 and to reveal the differences (morphological, anatomical, and ecological) between them. It was determined that four taxa belong to the genus Sorbus L. in the research area, which is located in the A8 square according to the grid system. Identified taxa, Sorbus aucuparia L., Sorbus subfusca (Ledeb) Boiss, Sorbus caucasica (Zinserl) var. Yaltırikii, Gökşin and Sorbus umbellata. var. cretica (Lindl) Schneidear. The morphological, anatomical, and ecological characteristics of these taxa, which are naturally distributed in the flora of the research area, were comparatively examined. Localities of Sorbus L. taxa distributed in the region, habitat characteristics, and species identification keys were identified. The localities of the taxa that naturally spread in the region were determined, and their maps were processed according to the GPS coordinate data.

The main biogenic elements’ content in Lobaria pulmonaria cephalolichen thalli in different ontogenetic stages in the boreal forests of Karelia (Paanajärvi National Park)

ABSTRACT The analysis of the main biogenic elements in the thalli of the epiphytic cephalolichen Lobaria pulmonaria of different ontogenetic stages was conducted. Thallus for research was collected in the spruce forests of the Paanajärvi National Park, which disturbance age varied from 190 to 270 years from the tree trunks (living and dead) of Populus tremula, Salix caprea, Sorbus aucuparia, Betula spp. Chemical analysis of thalli samples showed that N content increased (r = 0.43, p = 0.0039) and K content decreased (r = −0.42, p = 0.0046) in the ontogenetic stages from virginal 1 to senile. We revealed different elements were accumulated in lichen thalli, depending on the elements’ content in the substrate: C, K, Mn – in the young thalli, Ca, Cu, Zn – in old ones, Fe – in both groups. The results indicated the necessity to consider the ontogenetic stages of lichen thalli when analysing the element content, because the ignoring of this parameter can lead to results that did not reflect reality.

Study of the chemical components of CO2 extracts from the fruits of Sorbus aucuparia L.

The article presents the results of the study of the chemical composition of Sorbus aucuparia L. СО2 subcritical extract. For the first time in Kazakhstan, 20 grams of brown Sorbus aucuparia L. extract were collected using subcritical carbon dioxide extraction. The current study was directed mainly to the chemical compositions of subcritical Sorbus aucuparia L. СО2 subcritical extract. The Sorbus aucuparia L. extract's chemical compositions were determined using gas chromatography/mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS). The extract included the following main compounds: 5-Methyl-2(3H)-furanone (30.18 %), 5-(3-Ethoxy-4,5-dihydro-isoxazol-5-yl)-5-methyl-imidazolidine-2,4-dione (3.20 %), 4H-Pyran-4-one, 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl (2.53 %). Determined fatty acid profile and the moisture content of raw vegetable ingredients of Sorbus substance. Quantitative determination of fatty acids of ethanol extract was carried out. The results of the analysis for fatty acids in the study showed that linoleic (37.7 %) and oleic (50.5 %) were the most prominent fatty acids. The aim of this study is to determine the component composition by using the GC-MS method and fatty acid to study the Sorbus aucuparia L. extract obtained by CO2 extraction, which grows in Kazakhstan. Materials and methods. To determine the possibility of using Sorbus aucuparia L., we carried out the composition and fatty acid of the extract obtained by CO2 extraction in subcritical conditions of Sorbus aucuparia L. by a certain GC-MS method. Results. The raw materials of the plant were collected in accordance with GACP requirements. Conducted subcritical CO2 extraction of plant raw materials showed a 20 g extraction yield. Chemical compounds were discovered, bioactive components were identified, such as 5-Methyl-2(3H)-furanone (30.18 %), 5-(3-Ethoxy-4,5-dihydro-isoxazol-5-yl)-5-methyl-imidazolidine-2,4-dione (3.20 %), 4H-Pyran-4-one, 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl (2.53 %). Conclusions. The possibility of using the obtained CO2 extract of Sorbus aucuparia L. in the field of pharmaceutical products as a substance and a drug

Coordinated hydraulic traits influence the two phases of time to hydraulic failure in five temperate tree species differing in stomatal stringency.

Worldwide, forests are increasingly exposed to extreme droughts causing tree mortality. Because of the complex nature of the mechanisms involved, various traits have been linked to tree drought responses with contrasting results. This may be due to species-specific strategies in regulating water potential, a process that unfolds in two distinct phases: a first phase until stomatal closure, and a second phase until reaching lethal xylem hydraulic thresholds. We conducted dry-down experiments with five broadleaved temperate tree species differing in their degree of isohydry to estimate the time to stomatal closure (tsc) and subsequent time to critical hydraulic failure (tcrit). We measured various traits linked to tree drought responses, such as the water potentials at turgor loss point (Ptlp), stomatal closure (Pgs90), and 12%, 50% and 88% loss of xylem hydraulic conductance (P12, P50, P88), hydraulic capacitance (C), minimum leaf conductance (gmin), hydroscape area (HSA) and hydraulic safety margins (HSM). We found that Pgs90 followed previously recorded patterns of isohydry and was associated with HSA. Species ranked from more to less isohydric in the sequence Acer pseudoplatanus<Betula pendula<Tilia cordata<Sorbus aucuparia<Fagus sylvatica. Their degree of isohydry was associated with leaf safety (Ptlp and gmin), drought avoidance (C) and tsc, but decoupled from xylem safety (HSM and P88) and tcrit. Regardless of their stomatal stringency, species with wider HSM and lower P88 reached critical hydraulic failure later. We conclude that the duration of the first phase is determined by stomatal regulation, while the duration of the second phase is associated with xylem safety. Isohydry is thus linked to water use rather than to drought survival strategies, confirming the proposed use of HSA as a complement to HSM for describing plant drought responses before and after stomatal closure.

Relatives reproduce in synchrony: kinship and individual condition shape intraspecific variation in masting phenotype.

Masting (synchronous and interannually variable seed production) is frequently called a reproductive strategy; yet it is unclear whether the reproductive behaviour of individuals has a heritable component. To address this, we used 22 years of annual fruit production data from 110 Sorbus aucuparia L. trees to examine the contributions of genetic factors to the reproductive phenotype of individuals, while controlling for environmental variation. Trees sharing close genetic relationships and experiencing similar habitat conditions exhibited similar levels of reproductive synchrony. Trees of comparable sizes displayed similar levels of year-to-year variation in fruiting, with relatedness contributing to this variation. External factors, such as shading, influenced the time intervals between years with abundant fruit production. The effects of genetic relatedness on the synchrony of reproduction among trees and on interannual variation provide long-awaited evidence that the masting phenotype is heritable, and can respond to natural selection.

The Antioxidant, Antibacterial and Cell-Protective Properties of Bioactive Compounds Extracted from Rowanberry (Sorbus aucuparia L.) Fruits In Vitro.

Considering that Sorbus aucuparia fruits have been underutilized despite their tremendous potential, this study aimed to correlate the in vitro antioxidant, antibacterial and cell-protective abilities of fruit extracts derived from Sorbus aucuparia Romanian cultivars with their phytochemical composition. Therefore, following the preparation of ethanolic and carotenoid extracts, phytochemical screening was performed using UV-Vis and HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS methods. The antioxidant activity was analyzed using DPPH and FRAP tests. As the results revealed high contents of bioactive compounds (polyphenols 1.11 mg GAE/g DM, flavonoids 430.06 µg QE/g DM and carotenoids 95.68 µg/g DM) and an important antiradical action (DPPH 24.51 mg/mL and FRAP 0.016 µM TE/mL), we chose to further examine the fruits' biological properties. The antibacterial capacity was assessed employing agar well diffusion and broth microdilution techniques, with fruits displaying an intense activity against MSSA, MRSA and Enterococcus faecalis, but also E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The cell-protective activity was analyzed on gentamicin-stressed renal cells, through MTT and Annexin V-FITC assays. Importantly, a significant increase in viability was registered on stressed cells following extract administration in low doses; nevertheless, viability was noticed to decline when exposed to elevated concentrations, potentially due to the cumulative actions of the extract and gentamicin. These findings offer novel light on the antibacterial activity of Sorbus aucuparia Romanian cultivars, as well as their cell-protective ability in renal cell injury.

Multi-omics revealed molecular mechanism of biphenyl phytoalexin formation in response to yeast extract-induced oxidative stress in Sorbus aucuparia suspension cells.

Yeast extract-induced oxidative stress in Sorbus aucuparia suspension cells leads to the biosynthesis of various hormones, which activates specific signaling pathways that augments biphenyl phytoalexin production. Pathogen incursions pose a significant threat to crop yield and can have a pronounced effect on agricultural productivity and food security. Biphenyl phytoalexins are a specialized group of secondary metabolites that are mainly biosynthesized by Pyrinae plants as a defense mechanism against various pathogens. Despite previous research demonstrating that biphenyl phytoalexin production increased dramatically in Sorbus aucuparia suspension cells (SASCs) treated with yeast extract (YE), the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. To address this gap, we conducted an in-depth, multi-omics analysis of transcriptome, proteome, and metabolite (including biphenyl phytoalexins and phytohormones) dynamics in SASCs exposed to YE. Our results indicated that exposure to YE-induced oxidative stress in SASCs, leading to the biosynthesis of a range of hormones, including jasmonic acid (JA), jasmonic acid isoleucine (JA-ILE), gibberellin A4 (GA4), indole-3-carboxylic acid (ICA), and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). These hormones activated specific signaling pathways that promoted phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and augmented biphenyl phytoalexin production. Moreover, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during this process also acted as signaling molecules, amplifying the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis cascade through activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Key genes involved in these signaling pathways included SaBIS1, SaBIS2, SaBIS3, SaPAL, SaB4H, SaOMT, SaUGT1, SaLOX2, SaPR1, SaCHIB1, SaCHIB2 and SaCHIB3. Collectively, this study provided intensive insights into biphenyl phytoalexin accumulation in YE-treated SASCs, which would inform the development of more efficient disease-resistance strategies in economically significant cultivars.

Facultative migration in two thrush species (Fieldfare and Redwing): Rowanberry abundance is more important than winter weather

Facultative migration is thought to be influenced by food and weather, with birds remaining in northern areas if food is abundant and weather conditions are benign, but migrating south when food is scarce and weather is harsh. However, the relative importance of these two factors has rarely been tested with long-term data, and effects of weather are poorly documented. Here, I assess whether winter numbers of the Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) and the Redwing (T. iliacus) in southern Norway during the period 1980–2020 varied in relation to the abundance of an important source of winter food (rowanberries, Sorbus aucuparia) and indices of winter harshness (North Atlantic Oscillation index, temperature, duration of snow cover). Two regions with contrasting winter harshness (western Norway with a maritime climate, eastern Norway with a continental climate) were compared. Winter numbers of Fieldfare in both regions, and Redwing in eastern Norway, were highest in years with high rowanberry abundance. Weather had mixed influence on thrush winter numbers, but interacted with rowanberry abundance in several cases so that small numbers of thrushes occurred with the combination of low rowanberry abundance and harsh weather. Such interactions occurred both in eastern and western Norway, and for both species, including for the Redwing in western Norway. In conclusion, facultative migration was strongly related to food availability with large numbers wintering in years with large rowanberry crops, and with additional effects of harsh weather working in concert with low rowanberry abundance to reduce wintering numbers to low levels in some years.

Fruits of Wild-Grown Shrubs for Health Nutrition.

Cultivated fruits and berries, such as raspberries, strawberries, black currants, cherries, blueberries, are generally recognized sources of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other substances beneficial to human health and well-being. However, there are also wild berries and fruits that are of undoubted interest as food products having valuable medicinal properties due to the presence of phenolic compounds, antioxidants, and vitamins. These fruits have a great potential to be used in functional food making. The present review is dedicated to fruits of wild-grown shrubs Bird cherry (Prunus padus L.), Rowan berry (Sorbus aucuparia L.), Guelder rose (Viburnum opulus L.), Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.), and Barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.) The chemical compositions of these wild berries are described as well as their effects on the improvement of human health proved by clinical trials and epidemiological studies. The possibilities of using the fruits of wild-grown shrubs in the preparation of functional foods and examples of their implementation for the manufacturing of dairy, bakery and meat products are considered.