Incorporation of Organic Growth Additives to Enhance In Vitro Tissue Culture for Producing Genetically Stable Plants

The growing demand for native planting material in ecological restoration and rehabilitation for agro-silvo-pastoral ecosystems has resulted in a major global industry in their sourcing, multiplication, and sale. Plant tissue culture is used for producing high-quality, disease-free, and true-to-type plants at a fast rate. Micropropagation can help to meet the increasing demand for planting material and afforestation programs. However, in vitro plant propagation is an expensive technique compared to conventional methods using suckers, seeds, and cuttings. Therefore, adopting measures to lower production costs without compromising plant quality is essential. This can be achieved by improving the culture media composition. Incorporating organic growth additives can stimulate tissue growth and increase the number of shoots, leaves, and roots in culture media. Organic growth supplementation speeds up the formation and development of cultures and yields vigorous plants. Plant regeneration from meristems (shoot tips and axillary buds) is a reliable way to produce true-to-type plants compared with callus and somatic embryogenesis regeneration, but in vitro culture environments can be mutagenic. Therefore, detecting somaclonal variations at an early stage of development is considered crucial in propagating plants. The genetic stability of in vitro regenerated plants needs to be ascertained by using DNA-based molecular markers. This review aims to provide up-to-date research progress on incorporating organic growth additives to enhance in vitro tissue culture protocols and to emphasize the importance of using PCR-based molecular markers such as RAPD, ISSR, SSR, and SCoT. The review was assessed based on the peer-reviewed works published in scientific databases including Science Direct, Scopus, Springer, JSTOR, onlinelibrary, and Google Scholar

Active food packaging films from alginate and date palm pit extract: Physicochemical properties, antioxidant capacity, and stability

Date palm pits are highly available and inexpensive palm date by-products, representing a valuable source of natural antioxidants, particularly phenolic compounds. Date palm pit extract (DPPE) was prepared from these waste products and characterized for its phenolic content and in vitro antioxidant activity. Profiling DPPE by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC/MS) showed the presence of dimers and trimers of (epi)catechin as the main constituents. Alginate-based films with four increasing concentrations of DPPE (10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% w/w) were prepared by the casting method. DPPE incorporation reduced solubility values of alginate films by 37%–64% and their surface wettability by 72%–111%. The incorporation of 10% DPPE improved water vapor barrier properties and increased tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (%E) of alginate films by more than 23%, 50%, and 45%, respectively. The film containing 40% DPPE showed the lowest loss of phenolic content (32%), DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging activity (38%), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) (30%) after storage for 3 months

Phytochemical profile and biological activities of <i>Deverra tortuosa</i> (Desf.)DC.: a desert aromatic shrub widespread in Northern Region of Saudi Arabia

<p>The present study describes the chemical composition of the essential oil of different plant parts of <i>Devrra tortuosa</i>; <i>in vivo</i> and <i>in vitro</i> biological activities of plant extract and essential oils. Apiol was found to be the major component of the oil (between 65.73% and 74.41%). The best antioxidant activities were observed for the oil of flowers (IC50 = 175 μg/ml). The samples of stems and roots exhibit lower antioxidant activity (IC50 = 201 μg/ml and 182 μg/ml, respectively). The values of IC50 showed that the extracts of methanol exhibit the highest antioxidants activities (IC50 = 64.8 102 μg/ml). EOs showed excellent antifungal activity against yeasts with low azole susceptibilities (i.e. <i>Malassezia</i> spp. and <i>Candida krusei</i>). The MIC values of oils varied between 2.85 mg/mL and 27 mg/mL. The obtained results also showed that the plant extracts inhibited the germination and the shoot and root growth of <i>Triticum æstivum</i> seedlings.</p

Genetic variation of Tunisian Myrtus communis L. (Myrtaceae) populations assessed by isozymes and RAPDs

The genetic variation of six Tunisian Myrtus communis L. (Myrtaceae) populations was assessed using nine isozymes coding for 17 putative loci and 79 RAPD markers, amplified by five decamer random primers. The analysed populations belonged to three bioclimatic zones (lower humid, sub-humid and upper semi-arid). A high genetic diversity within populations was detected both by isozymes and RAPDs. The level of variation differed according to bioclimate. Populations collected from sub-humid bioclimate showed more polymorphism than those grown in the upper semi-arid zone. For all populations, the genetic diversity revealed by RAPDs was more pronounced than that detected with isozymes. A high differentiation among populations related to bioclimate and geographic distance was revealed by both methods. Population's structure based on RAPD markers was more concordant with bioclimatic zones in comparison with isozymes. Differentiation between ecological groups was higher than that revealed within groups. Conservation programs should take into account the level of genetic diversity within population revealed by the two complementary classes of markers according to bioclimate.Variabilité génétique des populations tunisiennes de Myrtus communis L. (Myrtaceae) estimée par des marqueurs isoenzymatiques et moléculaires (RAPD). La variabilité génétique de six populations tunisiennes de Myrtus communis L. (Myrtaceae) a été estimée à l'aide de neuf systèmes isoenzymatiques contrôlés par 17 loci et 79 marqueurs RAPD amplifiés par cinq amorces. Les populations analysées appartiennent à trois étages bioclimatiques différents : humide inférieur, sub-humide et semi-aride supérieur. Une diversité génétique intrapopulation importante a été détectée. Le niveau de polymorphisme varie selon le bioclimat. Les populations du sub-humide sont plus polymorphes. Pour l'ensemble des populations, la diversité génétique révélée par les RAPDs est plus importante que celle détectée par les isozymes. Une forte différenciation entre les populations, selon le bioclimat et l'éloignement géographique, a été révélée par les deux méthodes. La structuration des populations selon les marqueurs RAPD concorde mieux avec le bioclimat. La différenciation entre les populations appartenant à des groupes écologiques différents est plus importante que celle entre populations d'un même groupe. Les programmes de conservation de l'espèce doivent tenir compte aussi bien du degré de la diversité génétique intrapopulation révélé par les deux types de marqueurs que du bioclimat

Seasonal changes in essential oil composition of Aristolochia longa L. ssp paucinervis Batt. (Aristolochiaceae) roots and its antimicrobial activity

We gratefully acknowledge Professor Genevieve Casanas for her scientific support in Statistical analysis. We also thank Dany Maitre for her excellent help in the identification of volatile constituents.International audienceThe composition of essential oil is known to depend on intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including season harvest and climate condition among others. Experiments were conducted to study the variation in the essential oil composition of Aristolochia longa ssp. paucinervis harvested at different period (August, 2009; September, 2011; March, 2012; and April, 2013). The essential oil composition was assessed by GC-FID and GC MS analyses, which revealed the presence of 103 molecules. Hence, samples collected in April 2013 showed the most complex composition (51 compounds) when compared with those collected in September 2011 (42 compounds), August 2009 (37 compounds) and March 2012 (35 compounds). Further, oxygenated sesquiterpenes (50.2-81.1%) and oxygenated monoterpenes (5.9-28.0%) are the major chemical groups.The antimicrobial properties of essential oils were evaluated against six microorganisms by the disc diffusion method. The highest activity is observed against all the Gram-positive bacteria. Increasingly, the essential oil isolated from roots collected in September (2011), exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus agalactiae and Enterococcus faeciu

Dittrichia viscosa L. Ethanolic Extract Based Ointment with Antiradical, Antioxidant, and Healing Wound Activities

Dittrichia viscosa which belongs to the Asteraceae family is frequently used to treat hematomas and skin disorders in Mediterranean herbal medicine. This study aims to validate its antioxidant effects and its potential on healing wounds. The ethanolic extract of D. viscosa leaves was formulated as 2.5% and 5% (w/w) in ointment bases on the beeswax and sesame oil. During this study, the ethanolic D. viscosa extract, ointments containing 2.5% and 5% of D. viscosa extract, and the vehiculum were assessed for their total phenol content (TPC), caffeoylquinic acid content (CQC), and antioxidant activities using complementary methods (TAC, the DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and the BCB). The effects on wound healing of obtained ointments were evaluated by excision of the wound in a mice model for 12 days. Subsequently, the excised wound areas were measured at the 3rd, 9th, and 12th days. The skin tissues were isolated for histological studies. The ointments containing D. viscosa extract (2.5%, 5%) possessed a considerable TPC, CQC, radical scavenging potential, and antioxidant activities compared to the vehiculum. Treated animals with ointments containing D. viscosa extract at 2.5% and 5% showed almost and totally healed wounds compared to the vehiculum and control groups, evidenced by good skin regeneration and reepithelialization. The present work showed the role of D. viscosa antioxidants exerted by its polyphenolic compounds, in particular, caffeoylquinic acids, in enhancing wound healing

Bioactive compounds from Hypericum humifusum and Hypericum perfoliatum: inhibition potential of polyphenols with acetylcholinesterase and key enzymes linked to type-2 diabetes

Context: Natural products are reported to have a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-cholinesterase. The genus Hypericum (Hypericaceae) is a source of a variety of molecules with different biological activities, notably hypericin and various phenolics. Objectives: The goals of the present work were the determination of total phenolic and flavonoid content, hypericin and hyperforin concentration as well as the evaluation of biological of Hypericum humifusum L. (Hhu) and Hypericum perfoliatum L. (Hper). Materials and methods: The various extracts of aerial parts were powdered, and then extracted with methanol. Antibacterial activity was performed according to minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal (MBC) methods against four Gram-positive bacteria, four Gram-negative bacteria and yeast. Results: The results revealed that H. humifusum, bear the highest total phenolic and flavonoid content (48–113 mg GAE/g and 8–41 mg RE/g, respectively) as well as hypericin (60–90 mg/g) and hyperforin (8–30 mg/g) concentration. Both species showed significant antioxidant activity as revealed by DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, and metal chelating assays. H. humifusum exhibited a strong acetylcholinesterase (3.86–4.57 mg GALAEs/g), α-glucosidase (0.73–2.55 mmol ACEs/g) and α-amylase (3–8 mmol ACEs/g) inhibitory activity. The extract of H. humifusum exhibited strong antibacterial activity mainly against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococus aureus, and Enterococcus faecium (MIC values ranging from 200 to 250 μg/mL). The highest antifungal activity was showed for H. perfoliatum extract (MIC value = 250 μg/mL). Conclusion: The data suggest that H. humifusum could be used as valuable new natural agents with functional properties for pharmacology industries

Chemical Composition, Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of Crude Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter Leaf Extracts

The small amount of data regarding the antifungal activity of Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter against dermatophytes, Malassezia spp. and Aspergillus spp., associated with the few comparative studies on the antimicrobial activity of methanolic, ethanolic, and butanolic extracts underpins the study herein presented. The total condensed tannin (TCT), phenol (TPC), flavonoid (TFC), and caffeoylquinic acid (CQC) content of methanol, butanol, and ethanol (80% and 100%) extracts of D. viscosa were assessed and their bactericidal and fungicidal activities were evaluated. The antibacterial, anti-Candida and anti-Malassezia activities were evaluated by using the disk diffusion method, whereas the anti-Microsporum canis and anti-Aspergillus fumigatus activities were assessed by studying the toxicity effect of the extracts on vegetative growth, sporulation and germination. The methanolic extract contained the highest TPC and CQC content. It contains several phytochemicals mainly caffeoylquinic acid derivatives as determined by liquid chromatography with photodiode array and electrospray ionisation mass spectrometric detection (LC/PDA/ESI-MS) analysis. All extracts showed an excellent inhibitory effect against bacteria and Candida spp., whereas methanolic extract exhibited the highest antifungal activities against Malassezia spp., M. canis and A. fumigatus strains. The results clearly showed that all extracts, in particular the methanolic extract, might be excellent antimicrobial drugs for treating infections that are life threatening (i.e., Malassezia) or infections that require mandatory treatments (i.e., M. canis or A. fumigatus)

Fatty Acids Composition and Antibacterial Activity of <i>Aristolochia longa</i> L. and <i>Bryonia dioïca</i> Jacq. Growing Wild in Tunisia

International audienceThe composition of the fatty acids of the roots and aerial parts of Aritolochia longa (Aristolacheae) and Bryonia dioica (Cucurbutaceae) was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The oils extracted from the aerial parts of both species were rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids with the essential linolenic and linoleic acids being the most prominent compounds. Oleic and linoleic acids were the majors fatty acids in the roots of both species. Whatever the plant part analyzed and the species, the saturated fatty acids were predominantly composed of palmitic and stearic acids. The antibacterial activity, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the lipid extracts were determined against a panel of five bacterial strains. The results showed that the sensitivity to the lipid extracts was different for the test bacterial strains, and the susceptibility of gram positive bacteria was found to be greater than gram negative bacteria. The antibacterial activity of the root lipid extracts was particularly important against Enterococcus feacium (CMI value of 125 mu g/mL; CMB values > 250 mu g/mL) and Streptococcus agalactiae (CMI value of 125 mu g/mL; CMB values 250 mu g/mL for A. longa roots). These results indicate that A. longa and B. dioica could be considered as good sources of essential fatty acids which can act as natural antibacterial agents