Potential of organic amendments for heavy metal contamination in soil–coriander system: environmental fate and associated ecological risk

Pollution by organic wastes and manures is an important problem in tropical and sub-tropical countries and novel solutions for their proper management and valorization are needed. Waste-derived organic manures may increase metal load in the soil–plant ecosystem and food chain, with potential risks to public health. The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of three manures (poultry waste (PW), press mud (PM), and farmyard manure (FYM)) on heavy metals (HMs) (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe, Mn) toxicity in a soil and coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) system and their environmental impact (bioaccumulation, pollution load) and the consequent risk to human health via consumption. Results demonstrated that HMs in coriander fluctuated from 0.40 to 0.43 for Cd, 1.84 to 3.52 for Co, 0.15 to 0.16 for Cr, 1.32 to 1.40 for Cu, 0.05 to 0.09 for Pb, 1.32 to 2.51 for Fe, 0.10 to 0.32 for Mn, and 2.01 to 8.70 mg/kg for Zn, respectively. Highest pollution load index value was 2.89 for Cd and Mn showed the lowest (0.005). Daily intake of metal was noticed to be higher for Zn (0.049 mg/kg/day) for PW and lower for Mn (0.0005) at FYM treatment. The health risk index value was <1 and in the range of 2.30–2.50 for Cd showing potential carcinogenicity. It was concluded that as the organic amendments have the widest application in vegetables, it should be prudent to avoid their contamination and mobilization in plant–soil ecosystems to protect public health perspectives.King Saud University | Ref. RSP-2021/21

Carbohydrate, flavonoid, anthocyanin,total phenol, chlorophyll and mineral (K+) content development of wax apple fruit as affected by CPPU and NAA using swabbing technology

Abstract The study was conducted to investigate the effect of CPPU(2-Chloro-4-pyridyl-phenylurea) and NAA (Naphthaleneacetic acid) on the pigments, total phenol, flavonoid and mineral (K+) content in wax apple fruit. CPPU concentrations were 10, 15 and 20ppm (Expt.1) and 6, 12, 18ppm NAA were applied coming after swabbing technique (Expt.2). In Expt.1, the lowest fruit weight, fruit size and chlorophyll content was observed in control treatment. However, the highest fruit weight, fruit size and chlorophyll (SPAD) content was found in 15ppm CPPU. The most effective concentration was 15ppm CPPU for the earlier fruit maturity (color development) compared to other concentrations. Moreover, flavonoid, fructose, inverted sugar, total phenol and K+ were higher in 15ppm CPPU than control, 10 and 20ppm CPPU. In addition, anthocyanin was found increasing trend while developing the fruit maturity represented by color development. In Expt.2, chlorophyll was higher in 15ppm CPPU than control, 6, 18ppm NAA. Furthermore, flavonoid, fructose, inverted sugar, total phenol and K+ content were higher in 12ppm NAA than control, 6 and 18ppm NAA. Besides, the maximum anthocyanin was found in 12ppm NAA. Finally it seemed that 15ppm CPPU and 12ppm NAA were the best concentration for fruit growth and biochemical contents development in wax apple

The impact of PEG-induced drought stress on seed germination and seedling growth of different bread wheat genotypes

Wheat is an important crop, used as staple food in numerous countries around the world. However, wheat productivity is low in the developing world due to several biotic and abiotic stresses, particularly drought stress. Non-availability of drought-tolerant wheat genotypes at different growth stages is the major constraint in improving wheat productivity in the developing world. Therefore, screening/developing drought-tolerant genotypes at different growth stages could improve the productivity of wheat. This study assessed seed germination and seedling growth of eight wheat genotypes under polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced stress. Two PEG-induced osmotic potentials (i.e., -0.6 and -1.2 MPa) were included in the study along with control (0 MPa). Wheat genotypes included in the study were ‘KLR-16’, ‘B6’, ‘J10’, ‘716’, ‘A12’, ‘Seher’, ‘KTDH-16’, and ‘J4’. Data relating to seed germination percentage, root and shoot length, fresh and dry weight of roots and shoot, root/shoot length ratio and chlorophyll content were recorded. The studied parameters were significantly altered by individual and interactive effects of genotypes and PEG-induced osmotic potentials. Seed germination and growth parameters were reduced by osmotic potentials; however, huge differences were noted among genotypes. A reduction of 32.83 to 53.50% was recorded in seed germination, 24.611 to 47.75% in root length, 37.83 to 53.72% in shoot length, and 53.35 to 65.16% in root fresh weight. The genotypes, ‘J4’, ‘KLR-16’ and ‘KTDH-16’, particularly ‘J4’ better tolerated increasing osmotic potentials compared to the rest of the genotypes included in the study. Principal component analysis segregated these genotypes from the rest of the genotypes included in the study indicated that these can be used in the future studies to improve the drought tolerance of wheat crop. The genotype ‘J4’ can be used as a breeding material to develop drought resistant wheat genotypes

The Effect of a Grammatical Educational Program Based on Contemporary Standards of Curricula in Developing Grammatical Structures Among Students of the Department of Arabic Language at Aal Al- Bayt University أثر برنامج تعليمي نحوي قائم على المعايير المعاصرة للمناهج في تنمية التراكيب النحويّة لدى طلبة قسم اللغة العربيّة في جامعة آل البيت

Abstract: This study aimed at exploring the effect of a grammatical educational program based on contemporary standards of the curricula in developing grammatical structures among students of the department of Arabic language at aal al- Bayt University. To achieve this aim, the educational program has been prepared and a test of grammatical structures. The study group members were students enrolled in the Arabic grammar course (2), all of whom were included in one division chosen intentionally. They studied for nine weeks according to the educational program, and the grammer test was applied to them before and after the experiment. After analyzing the data, the results showed that there were significant differences between the performances of the study group in the pre and post applications of the study test, in favor of the post application, it is attributed to the effect of the grammar educational program. The results did not show significant differences in grammatical structures due to sex variable. In light of these results, the study presented some recommendations and suggestions. ملخص: هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى الكشف عن أثر برنامج تعليمي نحوي قائم على المعايير المعاصرة للمناهج في تنمية التراكيب النحويّة لدى طلبة قسم اللغة العربيّة في جامعة آل البيت. ولتحقيق هذا الهدف, أُعدّ البرنامج التعليمي, واختبار في التراكيب النحويّة. تكوّن أفراد مجموعة الدراسة من الطلبة المسجّلين في مساق النحو العربي (2) جميعهم , وقد كانوا مدرجين في شعبة واحدة اختيرت قصديّاً, وقد درسوا مدّة تسعة أسابيع وفق البرنامج التعليمي, وطُبّق اختبار التراكيب النحويّة عليهم قبل التجربة وبعدها. وبعد تحليل البيانات, أظهرت النتائج وجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائيّة بين أداء أفراد مجموعة الدّراسة في التطبيقين القبلي والبعدي لاختبار الدّراسة, ولصالح التطبيق البعدي, تُعزى إلى أثر البرنامج التعليمي النحوي. ولم تظهر النتائج فروقًا دالّة إحصائيّاً في التراكيب النحوية تعزى إلى الجنس. وفي ضوء هذه النتائج, قدّمت الدراسة بعض التوصيات والمقترحات

Screening and Estimation of Bioactive Compounds of <i>Azanza garckeana</i> (Jakjak) Fruit Using GC-MS, UV–Visible Spectroscopy, and HPLC Analysis

Azanza garckeana (F. Hoffm). Exell and Hillc. is an important food and medicinal plant that has been used in tropical Africa. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the nutritional value of jakjak fruit using different analytical techniques. The obtained results have demonstrated that jakjak fruit is very rich in total soluble sugar, constituting about 48% of the dry weight. Moreover, the chromatographic analysis revealed that jakjak fruit contained a high amount of glucose, fructose, maltose, and ascorbic acid. Further, GC-MS analysis detected four compounds related to secondary metabolites. Some of these detected constituents have medicinal value. For example, phenol, 2,4-bis (1,1-dimethylethyl) has been reported to have many functions such as antioxidant activity, anticancer, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Furthermore, the antioxidant potential of different concentrations of deionized water and methanolic extracts was estimated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The results showed that the scavenging activity of the DPPH radical was found to be raised with increasing concentrations of fruit extracts. The concentration (50%) of both methanol and deionized water gave the best inhibition percentage (91.7 and 84.4%), respectively. In contrast, the methanolic extract has shown significant results compared to deionized water. This study concluded that jakjak fruit is very rich in total soluble sugar and phenolic compounds, which can be used as a source of polysaccharides and antioxidants for the human diet as well as raw materials for downstream industries

Comparative Study on Genome Size and Phytochemical Profile of Three Potential Species of Acacia: Threatened and Endemic to Saudi Arabia

Acacias are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world and have both economic as well as medicinal value. The estimation of genome size is very important as it changes due to the change in noncoding DNA sequence as well as genome duplication among organisms for their evolutionary aspects. Three potential species of the genus Acacia including Acacia etbaica, Acacia johnwoodii and Acacia origena, which are threatened and nearly endemic to Saudi Arabia, were collected. The present study was carried out to determine the genome size (2C DNA contents), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid (TFC) and some bioactive compounds in these species for their comparison. The genome size ranged from 1.91 pg (A. etbaica) to 2.45 pg/2C (A. origena) among the Acacia species, which correspond to genome sizes 1843.15&ndash;2364.25 Mbp, respectively. The variation was observed in genome size within Acacia species as nuclei were extracted using different extraction buffers except for GB and MB01 buffers. The FTIR analysis revealed the presence of various functional groups in compounds that might be responsible for different types of phytochemicals in these Acacia species. Total flavonoid content (TFC) ranged from 0.647 (A. origena) to 1.084 mg QE/g DW (A. etbaica), whereas the total phenolic f content (TPC) ranged between 15.322 (A. origena) to 28.849 (A. johnwoodii) mg/g DW of GAE. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of quercetin 3-&beta;-D-glucoside and luteolin 7-rutinoside in the leaves of all three Acacia species in considerable amounts, and these might have good health-promoting effects. This is our first study on genome size (2C DNA content) using flow cytometry and phytochemical profiling on these Acacias. Thus, estimated genome size and phytochemical study of these species could help to understand the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites under various genes and the evolutionary relationships among them

Identification of Genomic Regions Controlling Chalkiness and Grain Characteristics in a Recombinant Inbred Line Rice Population Based on High-Throughput SNP Markers

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the primary food for half of the global population. Recently, there has been increasing concern in the rice industry regarding the eating and milling quality of rice. This study was conducted to identify genetic information for grain characteristics using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population from a japonica/indica cross based on high-throughput SNP markers and to provide a strategy for improving rice quality. The RIL population used was derived from a cross of “Kaybonnet (KBNT lpa)” and “ZHE733” named the K/Z RIL population, consisting of 198 lines. A total of 4133 SNP markers were used to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) with higher resolution and to identify more accurate candidate genes. The characteristics measured included grain length (GL), grain width (GW), grain length to width ratio (RGLW), hundred grain weight (HGW), and percent chalkiness (PC). QTL analysis was performed using QTL IciMapping software. Continuous distributions and transgressive segregations of all the traits were observed, suggesting that the traits were quantitatively inherited. A total of twenty-eight QTLs and ninety-two candidate genes related to rice grain characteristics were identified. This genetic information is important to develop rice varieties of high quality

Comparative Study on Genome Size and Phytochemical Profile of Three Potential Species of <i>Acacia</i>: Threatened and Endemic to Saudi Arabia

Acacias are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world and have both economic as well as medicinal value. The estimation of genome size is very important as it changes due to the change in noncoding DNA sequence as well as genome duplication among organisms for their evolutionary aspects. Three potential species of the genus Acacia including Acacia etbaica, Acacia johnwoodii and Acacia origena, which are threatened and nearly endemic to Saudi Arabia, were collected. The present study was carried out to determine the genome size (2C DNA contents), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid (TFC) and some bioactive compounds in these species for their comparison. The genome size ranged from 1.91 pg (A. etbaica) to 2.45 pg/2C (A. origena) among the Acacia species, which correspond to genome sizes 1843.15–2364.25 Mbp, respectively. The variation was observed in genome size within Acacia species as nuclei were extracted using different extraction buffers except for GB and MB01 buffers. The FTIR analysis revealed the presence of various functional groups in compounds that might be responsible for different types of phytochemicals in these Acacia species. Total flavonoid content (TFC) ranged from 0.647 (A. origena) to 1.084 mg QE/g DW (A. etbaica), whereas the total phenolic f content (TPC) ranged between 15.322 (A. origena) to 28.849 (A. johnwoodii) mg/g DW of GAE. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of quercetin 3-β-D-glucoside and luteolin 7-rutinoside in the leaves of all three Acacia species in considerable amounts, and these might have good health-promoting effects. This is our first study on genome size (2C DNA content) using flow cytometry and phytochemical profiling on these Acacias. Thus, estimated genome size and phytochemical study of these species could help to understand the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites under various genes and the evolutionary relationships among them

Withaferin A: From Ancient Remedy to Potential Drug Candidate

Withaferin A (WA) is a pivotal withanolide that has conquered a conspicuous place in research, owning to its multidimensional biological properties. It is an abundant constituent in Withania somnifera Dunal. (Ashwagandha, WS) that is one of the prehistoric pivotal remedies in Ayurveda. This article reviews the literature about the pharmacological profile of WA with special emphasis on its anticancer aspect. We reviewed research publications concerning WA through four databases and provided a descriptive analysis of literature without statistical or qualitative analysis. WA has been found as an effective remedy with multifaceted mechanisms and a broad spectrum of pharmacological profiles. It has anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiherpetic, antifibrotic, antiplatelet, profibrinolytic, immunosuppressive, antipigmentation, antileishmanial, and healing potentials. Evidence for wide pharmacological actions of WA has been established by both in vivo and in vitro studies. Further, the scientific literature accentuates the role of WA harboring a variable therapeutic spectrum for integrative cancer chemoprevention and cure. WA is a modern drug from traditional medicine that is necessary to be advanced to clinical trials for advocating its utility as a commercial drug

Improving the Production of Secondary Metabolites via the Application of Biogenic Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in the Calli of <i>Delonix elata</i>: A Potential Medicinal Plant

The implementation of nanotechnology in the field of plant tissue culture has demonstrated an interesting impact on in vitro plant growth and development. Furthermore, the plant tissue culture accompanying nanoparticles has been showed to be a reliable alternative for the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Herein, the effectiveness of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) on the growth of Delonix elata calli, as well as their phytochemical profiles, were investigated. Delonix elata seeds were collected and germinated, and then the plant species was determined based on the PCR product sequence of ITS1 and ITS4 primers. Afterward, the calli derived from Delonix elata seedlings were subjected to 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mg/L of ZnONPs. The ZnONPs were biologically synthesized using the Ricinus communis aqueous leaf extract, which acts as a capping and reducing agent, and zinc nitrate solution. The nanostructures of the biogenic ZnONPs were confirmed using different techniques like UV–visible spectroscopy (UV), zeta potential measurement, Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Adding 30 mg/L of ZnONPs to the MS media (containing 2.5 µM 2,4-D and 1 µM BAP) resulted in the highest callus fresh weight (5.65 g) compared to the control and other ZnONP treatments. Similarly, more phenolic accumulation (358.85 µg/g DW) and flavonoid (112.88 µg/g DW) contents were achieved at 30 mg/L. Furthermore, the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed significant increments in gallic acid, quercetin, hesperidin, and rutin in all treated ZnONP calli compared to the control. On the other hand, the gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis of the calli extracts revealed that nine phytochemical compounds were common among all extracts. Moreover, the most predominant compound found in calli treated with 20, 30, 40, and 50 mg/L of ZnONPs was bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, with percentage areas of 27.33, 38.68, 22.66, and 17.98%, respectively. The predominant compounds in the control and in calli treated with 10 mg/L of ZnONPs were octadecanoic acid, 2-propenyl ester and heptanoic acid. In conclusion, in this study, green ZnONPs exerted beneficial effects on Delonix elata calli and improved their production of bioactive compounds, especially at a dose of 30 mg/L