Search Results (11,756)

Exposure of the plant cell wall to biotic and abiotic stresses results in structural and chemical changes. Russian wheat aphid (RWA) infestation severely damages wheat plants, releasing cell wall-degrading enzymes that compromise cell wall integrity. This study aims to elucidate the cell wall modifications in resistant wheat cultivars during RWA infestation. Three wheat cultivars with distinct resistance phenotypes to the RWA South African biotype 2 (RWASA2) were grown in the glasshouse. At the three-leaf stage, the seedlings were infested with RWASA 2 for 14 days. The leaf samples harvested at 2, 7, and 14 days post-infestation (dpi) were used to study cell wall modifications in the RWASA 2-infested cultivars, focusing on cellulose, hemicellulose, callose, and lignin contents. The results showed that post-RWASA2 infestation, the resistant Tugela-Dn5 significantly increased the hemicellulose content by 2.8- and 1.3-folds at 2 and 14 dpi, respectively, while the Tugela and Tugela-Dn1 significantly decreased the hemicellulose content at 2, 7, and 14 dpi. Tugela-Dn5 also increased the cellulose content by 1.4-fold and 2.2-fold at 7 and 14 dpi, respectively. The acid-soluble lignin content significantly increased in the infested Tugela-Dn5 compared to uninfested at 2 and 14 dpi, while it significantly decreased in Tugela and Tugela-Dn1. Callose levels also increased in all cultivars at 2 dpi, but only the infested Tugela-Dn5 exhibited an increase in callose content compared to the uninfested at 14 dpi. The extracted contents of the increased cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin in Tugela-Dn5 were corroborated by FTIR analysis, which showed broad peaks at 3300 cm⁻¹ representing the OH functional group and inter- and intra-hydrogen bonds within the increased cellulose in Tugela-Dn5. No significant reduction of lignin peaks at 1600 to 1578. 99 cm⁻¹ assigned to the phenolic groups was observed in Tugela-Dn5. These findings place cell wall modifications at the centre of the wheat’s physiological resistance response to aphid infestation, particularly the reinforcement of the cell wall that persists for 14 dpi. Full article

Plasma-activated water (PAW) is an eco-friendly technology with potential to improve seed germination and nutritional quality in microgreens. This study investigated the effects of PAW on three cultivars of kangkong (Ipomoea aquatica Forssk.). PAW activated for 10 min (PAW10) significantly enhanced seed germination and vigor, with effects comparable to those of a 15-min treatment. PAW10 treatment not only improved the accumulation of bioactive compounds—including total phenolics, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, chlorophylls, and carotenoids—but also enhanced antioxidant activity. These improvements were accompanied by elevated hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) levels and increased enzymatic activities, specifically catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Principal component analysis revealed cultivar-specific responses to PAW10. The Senafore 20 (SF) cultivar showed the most pronounced increases in antioxidant and antiglycation activities, as well as key bioactive compounds. The Phai-ngern (PN) cultivar exhibited elevated SOD activity and fiber content, while the Senee 20 (SN) cultivar showed minimal changes. These findings suggest that PAW10 effectively promotes germination and antioxidant-related biochemical responses in kangkong microgreens, with varying responses depending on cultivar. This study highlights PAW treatment as a promising approach to improve microgreen production and antioxidant capacity, supporting sustainable agriculture. Full article

Probiotics like Lactobacillus sp. are extensively studied for their beneficial host interactions, including the gut–brain axis, anti-inflammatory effects, immune system interactions, restoration of gut dysbiosis, and anti-aging effects. In the current study, pearl millet was fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum strains DHCU 70 and MCC 5231, which enhanced the nutritional, bioactive, and functional properties of derived probiotic beverages. Compared to unfermented controls, fermented beverages exhibited increased protein content and vitamins B₁, B_2, and B₃, with decreased carbohydrate and dietary fiber levels. The probiotics have maintained viability exceeding 12 log CFU/mL and showed resistance to harsh gastrointestinal conditions. Fermentation increased total phenolic content from 13.38 ± 0.40 mg GAE/100 g to 42.10 ± 2.65 mg GAE/100 g (LPDB) and 47.76 ± 1.37 mg GAE/100 g (LPMB) and total flavonoid content from 13.01 ± 1.18 mg QE/100 g to 23.12 ± 2.73 mg QE/100 g and 24.21 ± 0.98 mg QE/100 g, respectively. Antioxidant assays showed DPPH radical scavenging improved by 37%, ferrous ion chelation rose from 71.69 ± 0.09 mg TE/100 g to 91.45 ± 0.006 mg TE/100 g, ABTS scavenging increased from 71.62 mg TE/100 g to 82.51 ± 0.04 mg TE/100 g (LPDB) and 89.74 ± 0.04 mg TE/100 g (LPMB) and superoxide radical inhibition rose from 51.40 ± 0.98% to 81.77 ± 0.03% (LPDB) and 79.92 ± 0.02% (LPMB). In the in vivo model, Caenorhabditis elegans, fermented beverage treatments significantly improved health-span parameters like head-swing frequency (13.51% increase), body bend frequency (8.41% increase), pharyngeal pumping (8.15% increase) with reduced lipofuscin accumulation and intracellular reactive oxygen species while median lifespan extended beyond 24 days versus 14–16 days in controls (p < 0.05). Gompertz mortality modeling revealed a significant decrease in the aging rate parameter, indicating systemic mitigation of stress-induced physiological decline. These combined nutritional, bioactive, and in vivo longevity results underscore the potential of L. plantarum-fermented pearl millet beverages as functional nutraceuticals that target oxidative stress and promote healthy aging. Full article

Phenolic compounds are key contributors to the bioactivity and antioxidant potential of honey, yet reliable indicators for rapid quality assessment remain limited. This study characterized phenolic profiles in 44 mono-floral and poly-floral honey samples from 11 Albanian regions using LC–MS/MS method. Total phenolic content ranged from 29.8 to 171 mg·kg⁻¹, with flavonoids accounting for 6.1–56.4% of total phenolics. Gallic acid was the dominant phenolic compound (5.5–127 mg·kg⁻¹), which is strongly correlated with the total content of polyphenols (r = 0.863, p < 0.001). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirmed significant differences in phenolic and flavonoid levels across geographic zones and floral types, with mono-floral honeys consistently exhibiting higher bioactive parameters. These findings demonstrate that gallic acid may serve as a practical biochemical marker for estimating antioxidant potential in honey. This insight has implications for authenticity verification and quality control, particularly in regions like Albania where diverse floral sources contribute to honey variability. By linking phenolic composition to antioxidant potential, this study supports the broader application of phenolic markers for the standardization and valorization of honey as a functional food. Full article

Myrobalan plum is a widespread but underutilized fruit, rich in dietary fiber, organic acids and bioactive compounds. The present research was carried out to develop myrobalan plum leathers using different levels of sugar addition, and to improve their functionality by adding blackcurrant (BCP) and bilberry (BBP) pomace powders. The resulting fruit leathers were analyzed for color, titratable acidity, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, organic acid profile, phenolic profile and sensory properties. Five samples were manufactured with different fruit pulp/sugar ratios of 100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30 and 60:40, respectively. The myrobalan leathers prepared with 90% pulp and 10% sugar showed the highest sensory scores and physicochemical properties. BCP and BBP were added at 1% and 2% to the leather formulation manufactured at a myrobalan puree/sugar ratio of 90:10. Total phenolic content increased 2 and 3.5 times as a result of 1% and 2% BBP addition and only 1.15 and 1.29 times as a result of 1% and 2% BCP addition, respectively. Among the quantified phenolic compounds, epicatechin dominated in control myrobalan fruit leather, followed by catechin hydrate and chlorogenic acid. This research highlights the potential of processing myrobalan plums into fruit leathers, a nutritious and functional snack food, and of enhancing the product’s functional profile and sensory appeal by adding blackcurrant and bilberry pomace powders, thus contributing to the sustainable use of these by-products. Full article

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient for human health, yet its dietary intake is insufficient in many populations worldwide. Agronomic biofortification represents an effective strategy to enrich crops with Se, and Totally Controlled Environment Agriculture (TCEA) provides a reliable platform to evaluate cultivar-specific responses under standardized conditions. This study evaluated the effects of foliar sodium selenate doses of 0, 5, 10, and 15 µM on two basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) cultivars, ‘Fine Verde’ (FV) and ‘Red Rubin’ (RR), in a micro-TCEA system. The yield was not significantly different at 5–10 µM but declined by 21% at 15 µM, particularly for FV. RR out-yielded FV (+14%), whereas FV produced taller shoots. The 5 µM Se concentration did not affect the total chlorophyll content and quantum yield of photosystem II under control conditions. The highest Se dose (15 µM) decreased the chlorophyll content and electron transport rate by 18% and 12%, respectively, while increasing the stomatal conductance (50%) and transpiration rate (120%). The total phenolics content in RR was double that in FV and increased with Se, whereas the NO₃⁻ concentration in RR decreased by 9% at 10 µM. Principal component analysis separated treatments by Se dose (PC1 = 44.5%) and cultivar (PC2 = 42.7%), showing RR’s stronger connection of RR to biomass and antioxidant accumulation under moderate Se. Overall, a single foliar application of 5 µM sodium selenate appears optimal to achieve effective Se enrichment while maintaining productivity and quality. These findings support basil as a promising candidate for Se biofortification in TCEA systems, with potential contributions to dietary Se intake. Full article

Growing consumer awareness of the link between diet and health has increased interest in functional foods, including fermented juices. Grapefruit juice has potential health-promoting properties, but its bitter taste limits its acceptance by consumers. This study aimed to develop a fermentation process for debittering grapefruit juice at natural pH using Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus and naringinase. Grapefruit juice was fermented with Lactic. rhamnosus using free naringinase and naringinase immobilized on carob gum and chitosan supports at 30 ± 0.2 °C for 72 h. Naringin concentration, bacterial cell count, total phenol content, organic acids, carbohydrates, antioxidant activity, and pH were analyzed. Naringinase immobilized on carob gum demonstrated the highest efficiency, hydrolyzing over 42% of naringin after 24 h (from 418.20 to 241.19 μg/mL). The free enzyme reduced the naringin concentration to 155.28 μg/mL after 48 h. The highest Lactic. rhamnosus cell count (2.05 × 10⁹ CFU/mL) was achieved with the free enzyme. Total phenol content decreased from 42.24 to 16.58 mg GAE/100 mL when using naringinase immobilized on chitosan. The combined use of naringinase and Lactic. rhamnosus enables the development of an integrated process that improves consumer acceptance with potential applications in the functional beverage industry. Full article

Malolactic fermentation (MLF), a key enological process for wine deacidification and aroma and flavor development, is predominantly mediated by lactic acid bacteria. This study characterized 342 indigenous Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) isolates, a potential starter species underexploited for MLF, from China’s Jiaodong Peninsula wine regions through polyphasic analysis. Thirty strains with high tolerance to wine stress conditions and efficient malate metabolism were selected. Among these, two high-performance strains, P101 and J43, exhibited superior MLF kinetics. Their applications had almost no effect on the wine’s basic physicochemical parameters, color parameters, and individual phenolic contents. Solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) analysis revealed that these strains significantly enhance key aroma compound contents in wines, including ethyl acetate, ethyl lactate, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, and nerol, contributing more floral and fruity aroma characteristics. These indigenous L. plantarum strains, novel microbial starter cultures, demonstrate dual functionality in enhancing wine quality through controlled fermentation while supporting microbial biodiversity through the development of region-specific strain resources. Full article

The aim of this study was to present a comprehensive analysis of honey varieties from different botanical origins, focusing on their phenolic compounds’ composition, volatile profiles, and antioxidant activity. We simultaneously identified and quantified 37 bioactive compounds, including anthocyanins, flavonols, flavones, flavan-3-ols, proanthocyanidins, and phenolic acids, across various honey samples by HPLC-MS/MS. Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity (AOA) were determined using UV-Vis spectrophotometric analysis. The content of phenolic compounds quantified by HPLC-MS/MS ranged from 19.56 to 243.94 mg·kg⁻¹, highlighting a high presence of these antioxidant compounds (mainly phenolic acids), confirmed also by the positive correlation between TPC and DPPH values. Among volatiles compounds, analyzed by HS-SPME-GC-MS, benzene acetaldehyde and furfural resulted specific for two types of honey samples (H-7 and H-9), highlighting the possibility of searching for chemical markers to characterize honeys of different specie/origin. This study enhances our understanding of the bioactive potential of honey from different botanical origins and provides a foundation for future research on its health benefits. Full article

The effect of varying sodium alginate (SA) concentrations (1%, 2%, and 3%; SA1–SA3) on the encapsulation of tangerine (Citrus reticulata Blanco ‘Cho Khun’) peel extract (TPE, 0.5% w/v) into hydrogel beads was evaluated. Overall, the results showed that increasing SA concentration significantly altered bead characteristics: lightness (L*) decreased from 56.35 to 45.57, red-green axis (a*) shifted negatively from −1.32 to −6.87, and yellow-blue axis (b*) increased from −17.81 to 6.41. Moisture content (97.85% to 93.16%) and water activity (0.96 to 0.93) declined with higher SA, while hardness increased (4.12 to 5.17 g). ζ-potential values shifted from −29.10 mV (SA1) to −39.10 mV (SA3), confirming enhanced electrostatic stabilization. FTIR spectra revealed characteristic alginate functional groups, and morphological analysis showed smoother, denser beads at higher SA concentrations. Phenolic (47.86–48.51 mg GAE g⁻¹ DW) and flavonoid (34.02–36.68 mg QE g⁻¹ DW) contents were well-retained, supporting antioxidant activities (DPPH 70.34–72.54%; ABTS 65.66–66.91%). Antimicrobial tests demonstrated > 4-log reductions against E. coli and P. aeruginosa. Sensory evaluation revealed that higher SA concentrations improved texture and taste. Overall, SA encapsulation, particularly at 3%, effectively stabilized TPE, preserving its functional properties for potential food and nutraceutical applications. Full article

Corn is one of the most widely cultivated cereal crops and is rich in antioxidant compounds, especially phenolics. However, many of these are bound to cell wall components, requiring pre-treatment for release. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) with Rhizopus oryzae has been used to enhance antioxidant capacity in grains and legumes, though its application in pigmented corn (PC) has not been reported. This study evaluated R. oryzae growth on PC via SSF and its effect on phenolic compound release and antioxidant capacity (AC). Variables such as temperature, pH, inoculum, and medium salts were tested for their influence on phenolic release and AC. Nutrient changes in PC due to SSF were also examined. HPLC-MS was used to analyze the phenolic compounds’ profile. R. oryzae grew effectively on PC, increasing total phenolic content (TPC) and AC by 131 and 50%, respectively. The pH was found to negatively impact phenolic release. The SSF also raised protein content by 10% and reduced carbohydrates and fiber by 3 and 8%. Thirteen phenolic compounds were identified, including Feruloyl tartaric acid ester and p-Coumaroyl tartaric acid glycosidic ester, with known anti-inflammatory properties. This process offers a sustainable method for enhancing the functional properties of pigmented corn. Full article

Almond hulls and shells, the byproducts of the almond industry, were analyzed to assess their potential valorization pathways. Shells showed a higher content in lignin and polysaccharides, but very low levels of extractives and inorganics. Hull’s high polar extractives fraction showed poor phenolic preponderance and antioxidant activity, but high sugar and mineral contents, and its lipophilic extracts were highly enriched in triterpenes (from 73.5% to 91.3%), while shells presented more fatty acids (27.4% to 34.2%) and sterols (17.4% to 29.1%). Shells exhibited much higher S/G ratio (syringyl to guaiacyl units) in their lignin polymer (1.0 to 1.4), compared to hulls (0.5 to 0.6). After mineral analyses, hulls showed high amounts of potassium (3.7–4.9%). Fixed carbon content was similar for both materials, but shells showed a higher energetic content, ~20 MJ/kg. Finally, both hulls and pellets increased the water holding capacity (WHC) of the soil by 50%, when added in weight percentages of 6.25% (hulls) and 25% (pellets). With these results, the range of possibilities for these waste materials is exciting: shells could be used to obtain hemicellulose oligosaccharides, while hulls could be used in sugar extraction for biotransformation or as a soil amendment. Full article

Shanlan rice, a unique drought-resistant rice germplasm resource in Hainan Province, China, holds significant potential for rice genetic improvement and breeding innovation. However, its genetic diversity and significance in rice breeding remain inadequately explored. This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of phenolic acid profiles and antioxidant properties in the brown rice of 84 Shanlan rice accessions. It was revealed that colored Shanlan rice accessions exhibited significantly higher total phenolic content (249.00–2408.33 mg gallic acid equivalents per 100 g of rice flour (mg GAE/100 g)) and antioxidant capacity (DPPH: 680.39–809.63 micromoles of Trolox equivalent per 100 g (μmol TE/100 g); ABTS: 529.93–1917.77 μmol TE/100 g) compared to white-grained varieties. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis identified eight phenolic acids in the bound fractions, among which the sinapic acid (55.08 μg/g) and vanillic acid (11.72 μg/g) were predominant, accounting for over 60% of total bound phenolic acid content. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified 84 significant loci associated with these phenolic-related traits. A major quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 7 for free phenolic content, total phenolic content, flavonoids, and DPPH activity was co-located at the Rc gene locus, a key regulator of red pericarp pigmentation and proanthocyanidin biosynthesis. Haplotype analysis identified ten haplotypes in Rc, with the haplotype H002 showing the highest antioxidant capacity. Another QTL on chromosome 11 was associated with p-coumaric, vanillic, and sinapic acids, although no significant difference was observed in haplotype analysis. These results highlight Rc as a key genetic factor underlying antioxidant properties in rice, while other loci require further validation. This research provides a foundation for breeding health-benefit, drought-tolerant rice cultivars using Hainan’s unique germplasm. Full article

Lepidium meyenii Walp. (black maca, BM) is a traditional Andean crop increasingly studied for its bioactive potential. This work characterized the phytochemical profile and evaluated the antioxidant, antinociceptive, and neuroprotective properties of a lyophilized aqueous extract of BM hypocotyls. UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS identified twelve major compounds, including macamides, imidazole alkaloids, sterols, and fatty acid amides. BM showed a moderate total phenolic content but strong electron transfer-based antioxidant activity in CUPRAC and FRAP assays, together with moderate radical scavenging capacity in ABTS and DPPH systems. In ovariectomized rats, BM significantly reduced brain malondialdehyde levels, mitigated oxidative stress, and improved spatial learning during acquisition in the Morris water maze, confirming its neuroprotective effect. Antinociceptive assays (hot plate, cold plate, and tail immersion) further revealed a rapid but transient increase in nociceptive thresholds. This study provides experimental evidence supporting the analgesic effect of black maca. Molecular docking highlighted lepidiline B and campesterol as key metabolites with strong interactions with redox enzymes, the μ-opioid receptor, and the FAAH enzyme, supporting their role in the observed bioactivities. ADMET predictions indicated favorable oral bioavailability, CNS penetration, systemic clearance, and acceptable safety profiles. These results substantiate the role of black maca as a neuroprotective nutraceutical and highlight its promise as a novel source of rapidly acting natural analgesic compounds. Full article

A rapid targeted screening method for 22 compounds, including flavonoids, glycosides, and phenolics, in Dendrobium officinale was developed using UHPLC–MS/MS, demonstrating good linear correlation coefficients, precision, repeatability, and stability. D. officinale from the Guangnan and Maguan regions can be effectively classified into two distinct categories using PCA. In addition, OPLS-DA discriminant analysis enables clear separation between groups, with samples forming well-defined clusters. The 22 chemical components provide valuable origin-related information for D. officinale. The compounds with VIP values of >1 included eriodictyol, vanillic acid, protocatechuic acid, gentisic acid, and naringenin. The difference in naringenin content between D. officinale from the two production areas was minimal. By contrast, eriodictyol and vanillic acid were relatively abundant in D. officinale from Guangnan, while gentisic acid and protocatechuic acid were more prevalent in D. officinale from Maguan. The pathways with higher Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment were primarily associated with lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. These findings suggest that D. officinale exhibits promising lipid-balancing properties and potential cardiovascular health benefits. Seven machine learning algorithms—Random Forest, XGBoost, Support Vector Machine, k-Nearest Neighbor, Backpropagation Neural Network, Random Tree, and CatBoost—demonstrated superior accuracy and precision in distinguishing D. officinale from the Guangnan and Maguan regions. The key compounds with higher weights—vanillic acid, chrysoeriol, trigonelline, isoquercitrin, gallic acid, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, eriodictyol, sweroside, apigenin, and homoeriodictyol—play a crucial role in model construction and the identification of D. officinale from the Guangnan and Maguan regions. The quantification of 22 compounds using UHPLC–MS/MS, combined with PCA, OPLS-DA, and machine learning, enables effective discrimination of D. officinale from these two Yunnan production areas. Full article