Search Results (4,635)

Secondary metabolites are bioactive compounds believed to contribute to the pharmacological properties of plants. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules involved in post-transcriptional regulation and are thought to play an important role in regulating secondary metabolism biosynthesis. Nevertheless, the extent of miRNA involvement in secondary metabolism remains minimal. Nigella sativa (black cumin/black seed) is a popular medicinal and culinary plant known for its pharmaceutical properties; however, its genomic information is scarce. In this study, next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology was employed to obtain the miRNA profile of N. sativa, and their involvement in secondary metabolite biosynthesis was explored. A total of 25,139,003 unique reads ranging from 16 to 40 nucleotides were attained, out of which 240 conserved and 34 novel miRNAs were identified. Moreover, 6083 potential target genes were recognized in this study. Several conserved and novel black cumin miRNAs were found to target enzymes involved in the terpenoid, diterpenoid, phenylpropanoid, carotenoid, flavonoid, steroid, and ubiquinone biosynthetic pathways, among others, for example, beta-carotene 3-hydroxylase, gibberellin 3 beta-dioxygenase, trimethyltridecatetraene synthase, carboxylic ester hydrolases, acetyl-CoA C-acetyltransferase, isoprene synthase, peroxidase, shikimate O-hydroxycinnamoyltransferase, etc. Furthermore, sequencing data were validated through qPCR by checking the relative expression of eleven randomly selected conserved and novel miRNAs (nsa-miR164d, nsa-miR166a, nsa-miR167b, nsa-miR171a, nsa-miR390b, nsa-miR396, nsa-miR159a, nsa-miRN1, nsa-miRN29, nsa-miRN32, and nsa-miRN34) and their expression patterns were found to be corroborated with the sequencing data. We anticipate that this work will assist in clarifying the implications of miRNAs in plant secondary metabolism and aid in the generation of artificial miRNA-based strategies to overproduce highly valuable secondary metabolites from N. sativa. Full article

The phenotype of albino tea plants (ATPs) is significantly influenced by temperature regimes and light conditions, which alter certain components of the tea leaves leading to corresponding phenotypic changes. However, the regulatory mechanism of temperature-dependent changes in photosynthetic pigment contents and the resultant leaf colors remain unclear. Here, we examined the chloroplast microstructure, shoot phenotype, photosynthetic pigment content, and the expression of pigment synthesis-related genes in three tea genotypes with different leaf colors under different temperature conditions. The electron microscopy results revealed that all varieties experienced the most severe chloroplast damage at 15 °C, particularly in albino cultivar Baiye 1 (BY), where chloroplast basal lamellae were loosely arranged, and some chloroplasts were even empty. In contrast, the chloroplast basal lamellae at 35 °C and 25 °C were neatly arranged and well-developed, outperforming those observed at 20 °C and 15 °C. Chlorophyll and carotenoid measurements revealed a significant reduction in chlorophyll content under low temperature treatment, peaking at ambient temperature followed by high temperatures. Interestingly, BY showed remarkable tolerance to high temperatures, maintaining relatively high chlorophyll content, indicating its sensitivity primarily to low temperatures. Furthermore, the trends in gene expression related to chlorophyll and carotenoid metabolism were largely consistent with the pigment content. Correlation analysis identified key genes responsible for temperature-induced changes in these pigments, suggesting that changes in their expression likely contribute to temperature-dependent leaf color variations. Full article

Capsicum annuum L. has worldwide distribution, but drought has limited its production. There is a lack of research to better understand how this species copes with drought stress, whether it is reversible, and the effects of mitigating agents such as salicylic acid (SA). Therefore, this study aimed to understand the mechanisms of action of SA and rehydration on the physiology of pepper plants grown under drought conditions. The factorial scheme adopted was 3 × 4, with three water regimes (irrigation, drought, and rehydration) and four SA concentrations, namely: 0 (control), 0.5, 1, and 1.5 mM. This study evaluated leaf water percentage, water potential of shoots, chlorophylls (a and b), carotenoids, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll a fluorescence, and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) concentration at different times of day, water conditions (irrigation, drought, and rehydration), and SA applications (without the addition of a regulator (0) and with the addition of SA at concentrations equal to 0.5, 1, and 1.5 mM). In general, exogenous SA application increased stomatal conductance (gs) responses and modified the fluorescence parameters (ΦPSII, qP, ETR, NPQ, D, and E) of sweet pepper plants subjected to drought followed by rehydration. It was found that the use of SA, especially at concentrations of 1 mM in combination with rehydration, modulates gs, which is reflected in a higher electron transport rate. This, along with the production of photosynthetic pigments, suggests that H₂O₂ did not cause membrane damage, thereby mitigating the water deficit in pepper plants. Plants under drought conditions and rehydration with foliar SA application at concentrations of 1 mM demonstrated protection against damage resulting from water stress. Focusing on sustainable productivity, foliar SA application of 1 mM could be recommended as a technique to overcome the adverse effects of water stress on pepper plants cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions. Full article

The color of coffee fruits is influenced by several factors, including cultivar, ripening stage, and metabolite composition. However, the metabolic accumulation of pigments and the molecular mechanisms underlying peel coloration during the ripening process of Coffea arabica L. remain relatively understudied. In this study, UPLC-MS/MS-based metabolomics and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq)-based transcriptomics were integrated to investigate the accumulation of anthocyanins and carotenoids in the peel of Coffea arabica at different ripening stages: green peel (GP), green-yellow peel (GYRP), red peel (RP), and red-purple peel (RPP). This integration aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms associated with these changes. A total of ten anthocyanins, six carotenoids, and thirty-five xanthophylls were identified throughout the ripening process. The results demonstrated a gradual decrease in the total carotenoid content in the peel with fruit maturation, while anthocyanin content increased significantly. Notably, the accumulation of specific anthocyanins was closely associated with the transition of peel colors from green to red. Integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses identified the GYRP stage as critical for this color transition. A weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed that enzyme-coding genes such as 3AT, BZ1, and lcyE, along with transcription factors including MYB, NAC, and bHLH, which interact with PHD and SET TR, may regulate the biosynthesis of anthocyanins and carotenoids, thereby influencing peel pigmentation. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the accumulation of anthocyanins and carotenoids in Coffea arabica peel during fruit maturation. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the bioaccessibility and biostability of carotenoids, vitamin E isomers, and individual polyphenolic compounds after the in vitro gastrointestinal digestion of two types of berries (raspberry and blackberry fruits). The results of the polyphenols analysis showed that raspberry fruits contained higher concentrations of hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavanols, and flavonols compared to blackberry fruits, but exhibited the lowest bioaccessibility values for all the studied polyphenol classes. Ellagic acid represented 13.63% and 2.65% of the hydroxybenzoic acids in raspberry and blackberry fruits. The hydroxybenzoic acids exhibited the highest bioaccessibility index in the intestinal phase of both types of berries, and gallic acid emerged as one of the most bioaccessible phenolic compounds. The bioaccessibility of carotenoids ranged between 15.7 and 17.30% for lutein, 5.52 and 7.56% for astaxanthin, and 7.85 and 9.93% for canthaxanthin, with elevated values being observed in raspberry fruits. Although vitamin E and carotenoids follow a similar path for absorption, the bioaccessibility of vitamin E isomers was higher than that of carotenoids, with γ-tocopherol being the most bioaccessible isomer in both raspberries and blackberries. Knowing the bioaccessibility of food constituents during digestion is crucial, as the potential effectiveness of bioactives for human health largely depends on the bioavailability of these molecules. Full article

Allium wallichii is famous for its reddish-purple flowers, which can be utilized as cut flowers and garden landscaping. Flower color is mainly determined by flavonoids, betalains, carotenoids, as well as other pigments. However, there is no research on the color formation mechanism in A. wallichii, which restricts its genetic improvement and development of superior varieties. The flower of A. wallichii was collected for full-length transcriptome sequencing and metabolome analysis using PacBio SMART and UPLC-MS, respectively. A total of 45 anthocyanins were detected in its flower, and 75,778 transcripts of 107,208 non-redundant transcripts were annotated. Then, two AwDFRs were cloned and characterized using bioinformatics tools. Enzyme activity assays revealed that both AwDFR1 and AwDFR2 possessed DFR activity in vitro that only accepted DHQ and DHM as substrates, except for DHK. Finally, physiological results showed that AwDFR1 and AwDFR2 could restore the lacking phenotypes of Arabidopsis tt3 mutant and increase the content of anthoycanin in tobacco petals. The anthocyanins and transcriptome in A. wallichii were firstly reported, and AwDFR1 and AwDFR2 are key enzymes participating in the biosynthesis of anthocyanins. This research provides important guidance for future key gene mining, color improvement, and horticultural breeding in A. wallichii. Full article

The by-products of the extraction of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) concentrated juice may represent a functional food ingredient for white chocolate production, as a rich source of bioactive compounds. The effects of six treatments derived from the factorial combination of two types of by-products (with oil or without oil) and three different concentrations (5%, 10%, and 15%), were assessed on rheological, quality, colour, antioxidant, and mineral properties of chocolate. The 15% addition of full powder led to the highest values of max firmness, total shear energy, shear energy, cohesiveness, gummosity, dry matter, and ABTS, compared to the untreated control, but the two highest concentrations of the oil-deprived powder resulted in the protein content increasing. The full powder addition always raised fat levels. Both the ‘L’ and ‘a’ colour component as well as total carotenoids, β-carotene, lycopene, and vitamin C increased with the rise of H. ramnoides powder addition, compared to the untreated control. The opposite trend was shown by the ‘b’ colour component and pH, whereas polyphenols and antioxidant activity attained higher values with the oil-deprived powder. The content of potassium decreased upon the 15% addition of the Hippophae ramnoides by-product powder, compared to the untreated control, whereas calcium and magnesium increased. The 15% H. ramnoides full powder elicited the augmentation of phosphorus content in chocolate, compared to the untreated control, contrary to the effect of the oil-deprived powder on P and Zn. The employment of SBB by-products highlights the great potential for manufacturing innovative functional foods with high nutritional value, such as chocolate. Full article

The quality of minimally processed fruits and vegetables is essential for consumers’ health and effective marketing. This study investigates the effects of UV-C irradiation, applied alone and combined with various natural antioxidants, on the preservation of bioactive compounds and the colour of dehydrated fruits and vegetables. To achieve this, red peppers, yellow peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, eggplants, and melons were subjected to pre-treatments with natural antioxidants and UV-C before processing using low-temperature airflow (50 °C). The drying kinetics showed typical curves of hygroscopic materials, while the drying time was high due to the low temperature applied. The higher drying rate was found for eggplant, due to its porosity, thus allowing a faster moisture removal. The application of antioxidants and UV-C treatments effectively preserved the colour parameters L*, a*, and b*, while in the case of untreated dried vegetables, a significant worsening of colour parameters was noted. However, most applied pre-treatments had positive effects on bioactive compound losses. The best results were obtained using a combination of UV-C with one antioxidant mix that was composed of vanillin, rosemary, and citrus extracts, and combined with a mixture of olive, onion, garlic, and citric acid extracts, which was highly effective in preserving the colour and bioactive compounds of most dried vegetables. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of paprika extract supplementation on egg storage and blood biochemical parameters in 63-week-old Rhode Island Red (RIR) and Silky Fowl (SF) hens. The hens were divided into three groups: a control group with a basal diet and two groups receiving the basal diet with paprika extract. The trial lasted 28 days, with egg quality (yolk color and albumen pH) assessed after storing eggs at 25 °C for 21 days. A total of 144 eggs were used in 42 treatments (two breeds, three diets, and seven storage periods) with three eggs examined each (four eggs were used on day 0 and five eggs on day 21). Additionally, the yolk carotenoid content, yolk color, and pH of eggs stored at 4 °C and 25 °C were compared. Results showed that yolk color fan score (YCFS) decreased with storage, and SF had a higher albumen pH than RIR, with both breeds exhibiting an increase in pH over time. HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and the HDL-C to total cholesterol ratio were significantly influenced by breed, diet, and their interaction. The HDL-C level in SF was affected linearly and quadratically by diet, while no such trend was observed in RIR. The study concluded that paprika extract affects egg quality and blood lipid profiles differently in different breeds, highlighting breed-specific responses to dietary supplementation. Full article

Algae, both micro- and macroalgae, are recognized for their rich repository of bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic applications. These marine organisms produce a variety of secondary metabolites that exhibit significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, offering promising avenues for the development of new drugs and nutraceuticals. Algae-derived compounds, including polyphenols, carotenoids, lipids, and polysaccharides, have demonstrated efficacy in modulating key inflammatory pathways, reducing oxidative stress, and inhibiting microbial growth. At the molecular level, these compounds influence macrophage activity, suppress the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and regulate apoptotic processes. Studies have shown that algae extracts can inhibit inflammatory signaling pathways such as NF-κB and MAPK, reduce oxidative damage by activating Nrf2, and offer an alternative to traditional antibiotics by combatting bacterial infections. Furthermore, algae’s therapeutic potential extends to addressing diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, neurodegenerative conditions, and cancer, with ongoing research exploring their efficacy in preclinical animal models. The pig model, due to its physiological similarities to humans, is highlighted as particularly suitable for validating the bioactivities of algal compounds in vivo. This review underscores the need for further investigation into the specific mechanisms of action and clinical applications of algae-derived biomolecules. Full article

Marine macroalgae, which typically colonize coastal areas, are simple plant organisms. They live on rocks in coastal regions and are classified into red, brown, and green macroalgae. These algae are an important natural resource in agriculture due to their ability to enhance the structural, chemical, and biological properties of soil. Marine macroalgae can be used to produce various biocidal molecules that are effective in controlling plant pathogens. Much of the literature on marine macroalgae and their derivatives focuses primarily on the pharmaceutical field, while their use in agriculture is still considered secondary. However, various studies and experiments have demonstrated their potential to play a significant role in crop protection and enhancement. This review aims to highlight the various applications of macroalgae in plant production. It also emphasizes the biotechnological importance of marine macroalgae derivatives as biofertilizers, molecules for controlling insects and microorganisms, and as plant growth conditioners. Compounds from macroalgae, such as fatty acids, carotenoids, polyphenols, and carbohydrates, are being investigated for their fungicidal, antimicrobial, and antiviral effects against various plant pathogens. Beyond enhancing crop production, macroalgae can also be considered multifunctional bioinoculants suitable for use in organic farming. Full article

Arthospira platensis and Spirulina platensis microalgae are a rich source of pro-health metabolites (% d.m.): proteins (50.0–71.3/46.0–63.0), carbohydrates (16.0–20.0/12.0–17.0), fats (0.9–14.2/6.4–14.3), polyphenolic compounds and phenols (7.3–33.2/7.8–44.5 and 4.2/0.3 mg GAE/g), and flavonoids (1.9/0.2 QUE/g) used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations. This review summarises the research on the chemical profile, therapeutic effects in dermatological problems, application of Arthrospira and Spirulina microalgae, and contraindications to their use. The pro-health properties of these microalgae were analysed based on the relevant literature from 2019 to 2024. The antiviral mechanism of microalgal activity involves the inhibition of viral replication and enhancement of immunity. The anti-acne activity is attributed to alkaloids, alkanes, phenols, alkenes, phycocyanins, phthalates, tannins, carboxylic and phthalic acids, saponins, and steroids. The antibacterial activity generally depends on the components and structure of the bacterial cell wall. Their healing effect results from the inhibition of inflammatory and apoptotic processes, reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, stimulation of angiogenesis, and proliferation of fibroblasts and keratinocytes. The photoprotective action is regulated by amino acids, phlorotannins, carotenoids, mycosporins, and polyphenols inhibiting the production of tyrosinase, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and free oxygen radicals in fibroblasts and the stimulation of collagen production. Microalgae are promising molecular ingredients in innovative formulations of parapharmaceuticals and cosmetics used in the prophylaxis and therapy of dermatological problems. This review shows the application of spirulina-based commercial skin-care products as well as the safety and contraindications of spirulina use. Furthermore, the main directions for future studies of the pro-health suitability of microalgae exerting multidirectional effects on human skin are presented. Full article

Spirulina (Arthospira platensis) is known for its rich content of natural compounds like phycocyanin, chlorophylls, carotenoids, and high protein levels, making it a nutrient-dense food. Over the past decade, research has aimed to optimize the extraction, separation, and purification of these valuable metabolites, focusing on technologies such as high-pressure processing, ultrasound-assisted extraction, and microwave-assisted extraction as well as enzymatic treatments, chromatographic precipitation, and membrane separation. In this study, various extraction methods (conventional vs. ultrasound-assisted), solvents (water vs. phosphate buffer), solvent-to-biomass ratios (1:5 vs. 1:10), and ultrafiltration (PES membrane of MWCO 3 kDa, 2 bar) were evaluated. The quantities of total protein, phycocyanin (PC), chlorophyll a (Cla), and total carotenoids (TCC) were measured. The results showed that ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) with phosphate buffer at a 1:10 ratio yielded a metabolite-rich retentate (MRR) with 37.0 ± 1.9 mg/g of PC, 617 ± 15 mg/g of protein, 0.4 ± 0.2 mg/g of Cla, and 0.15 ± 0.14 mg/g of TCC. Water extraction in the concentration process achieved the highest concentrations in MRR, with approximately 76% PC, 92% total protein, 62% Cla, and 41% TCC. These findings highlight the effective extraction and concentration processes to obtain a metabolite-rich retentate from Spirulina biomass, reducing the volume tenfold and showing potential as a functional ingredient for the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Full article

Water scarcity leads to significant ecological challenges for global farming production. Sustainable agriculture depends on developing strategies to overcome the impacts of drought on important crops, including soybean. In this present study, seven promising soybean genotypes were evaluated for their drought tolerance potential by exposing them to water deficit conditions. The control group was maintained at 100% field capacity (FC), while the drought-treated group was maintained at 50% FC on a volume/weight basis. This treatment was applied at the second trifoliate leaf stage and continued until maturity. Our results demonstrated that water shortage exerted negative impacts on soybean phenotypic traits, physiological and biochemical mechanisms, and yield output in comparison with normal conditions. Our results showed that genotype G00001 exhibited the highest leaf area plant⁻¹ (483.70 cm²), photosynthetic attributes like stomatal conductance (gs) (0.15 mol H₂O m⁻² s⁻¹) and photosynthetic rate (Pn) (13.73 μmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹), and xylem exudation rate (0.25 g h⁻¹) under drought conditions. The G00001 genotype showed greater leaf greenness by preserving photosynthetic pigments (total chlorophylls (Chls) and carotenoids; 4.23 and 7.34 mg g⁻¹ FW, respectively) in response to drought conditions. Soybean plants accumulated high levels of stress indicators like proline and malondialdehyde when subjected to drought stress. However, genotype G00001 displayed lower levels of proline (4.49 μg g⁻¹ FW) and malondialdehyde (3.70 μmol g⁻¹ FW), indicating that this genotype suffered from less oxidative stress induced by drought stress compared to the other investigated soybean genotypes. Eventually, the G00001 genotype had a greater yield in terms of seeds pod⁻¹ (SP) (1.90) and 100-seed weight (HSW) (14.60 g) under drought conditions. On the other hand, BD2333 exhibited the largest decrease in plant height (37.10%), pod number plant⁻¹ (85.90%), SP (56.20%), HSW (54.20%), gs (90.50%), Pn (71.00%), transpiration rate (59.40%), relative water content (34.40%), Chl a (79.50%), total Chls (72.70%), and carotenoids (56.70%), along with the maximum increase in water saturation deficit (290.40%) and malondialdehyde content (280.30%) under drought compared to control conditions, indicating its higher sensitivity to drought stress. Our findings suggest that G00001 is a promising candidate to consider for field trials and further evaluation of its molecular signature may help breeding other elite cultivars to develop drought-tolerant, high-yielding soybean varieties. Full article

This study investigated the impact of culture medium salinity (5–50 PSU) on the growth and maximum photochemical yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) and the composition of carotenoids, fatty acids, and bioactive substances in three marine microalgae (Chrysochromulina rotalis, Amphidinium carterae, and Heterosigma akashiwo). The microalgae were photoautotrophically cultured in discontinuous mode in a single stage (S1) and a two-stage culture with salt shock (S2). A growth model was developed to link biomass productivity with salinity for each species. C. rotalis achieved a maximum biomass productivity (Pmax) of 15.85 ± 0.32 mg·L⁻¹·day⁻¹ in S1 and 16.12 ± 0.13 mg·L⁻¹·day⁻¹ in S2. The salt shock in S2 notably enhanced carotenoid production, particularly in C. rotalis and H. akashiwo, where fucoxanthin was the main carotenoid, while peridinin dominated in A. carterae. H. akashiwo also exhibited increased fatty acid productivity in S2. Salinity changes affected the proportions of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids in all three species. Additionally, hyposaline conditions boosted the production of haemolytic substances in A. carterae and C. rotalis. Full article