Protein hydrolysates supplement in the nutrient solution of soilless grown fresh peppermint and spearmint as a tool for improving product quality

7openInternationalInternational coauthor/editorThe present study investigated the potential of fresh peppermint (Mentha × piperita L.) and spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) production on a floating raft system combined with a commercial protein hydrolysate supplement (Amino16®) in a nutrient solution aiming to improve plant product quality. Three levels of the protein hydrolysate solution (0, 0.25 and 0.50%) were added in the nutrient solution, and the plants were harvested after twenty-four days. Plant growth characteristics were recorded, and nutritional, essential oil and polyphenolic composition were determined in fresh tissue. The addition of protein hydrolysates did not affect the fresh or dry weight but reduced plant height. Nitrate content significantly decreased, while total chlorophyll and essential oil content increased in both species. Moreover, the protein hydrolysate solution further increased total antioxidant capacity, total soluble phenol and carotenoid contents in spearmint plants, while it did not affect the essential oil and polyphenolic composition in both species. In conclusion, protein hydrolysates solution may be added in the nutrient solution, to improve the quality of peppermint and spearmint grown in a floating system, without adverse effects on crop yield or the essential oil and polyphenolic profile.openAktsoglou, D.; Kasampalis, D.; Sarrou, E.; Tsouvaltzis, P.; Chatzopoulou, P.; Martens, S.; Siomos, A.Aktsoglou, D.; Kasampalis, D.; Sarrou, E.; Tsouvaltzis, P.; Chatzopoulou, P.; Martens, S.; Siomos, A

Pre- and Post-harvest Melatonin Application Boosted Phenolic Compounds Accumulation and Altered Respiratory Characters in Sweet Cherry Fruit

The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of exogenous melatonin (0. 5 mM) application through pre-harvest foliar spray and postharvest immersion, alone or in combination, on ripening parameters of sweet cherry (cv. Ferrovia) fruit and their relationship with bioactive compounds and gene expression at harvest as well after cold storage (0°C) for 12 days and subsequent room temperature (20°C) exposure for 8 h. Although several ripening traits were not influenced by melatonin, the combining pre- and post-harvest treatments delayed fruit softening at post-cold period. Preharvest spray with melatonin depressed fruit respiration at time of harvest while all applied treatments induced respiratory activity following cold, indicating that this anti-ripening action of melatonin is reversed by cold. Several genes related to the tricarboxylic acid cycle, such as PaFUM, PaOGDH, PaIDH, and PaPDHA1 were upregulated in fruit exposed to melatonin, particularly following combined pre- and post-harvest application. The accumulation of phenolic compounds, such as neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, epicatechin, procyanidin B1, procyanidin B2+B4, cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside along with the expression of several genes involved in phenols biosynthesis, such as PaSK, PaPAL, Pa4CL, PaC4H, and PaFNR were at higher levels in melatonin-treated cherries at harvest and after cold exposure, the highest effects being observed in fruits subjected to both pre- and post-harvest treatments. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of melatonin-responsive ripening framework at different melatonin application conditions and sweet cherry stages, thereby helps to understand the action of this molecule in fruit physiology

Chemical and Biological Characterization of the Anticancer Potency of \u3ci\u3eSalvia fruticosa\u3c/i\u3e in a Model of Human Malignant Melanoma

Malignant melanoma is one of the most aggressive types of skin cancer with an increasing incidence worldwide. Thus, the development of innovative therapeutic approaches is of great importance. Salvia fruticosa (SF) is known for its anticancer properties and in this context, we aimed to investigate its potential anti-melanoma activity in an in vitro model of human malignant melanoma. Cytotoxicity was assessed through a colorimetric-based sulforhodamine-B (SRB) assay in primary malignant melanoma (A375), non-malignant melanoma epidermoid carcinoma (A431) and non-tumorigenic melanocyte neighbouring keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. Among eight (8) different fractions of S. fruticosa extracts (SF1-SF8) tested, SF3 was found to possess significant cytotoxic activity against A375 cells, while A431 and HaCaT cells remained relatively resistant or exerted no cytotoxicity, respectively. In addition, the total phenolic (Folin–Ciocalteu assay) and total flavonoid content of SF extracts was estimated, whereas the antioxidant capacity was measured via the inhibition of tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation levels. Finally, apoptotic cell death was assessed by utilizing a commercially available kit for the activation of caspases - 3, - 8 and - 9. In conclusion, the anti-melanoma properties of SF3 involve the induction of both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathway(s), as evidenced by the increased activity levels of caspases - 8, and - 9, respectively

Investigation of factors affecting the concentration of antioxidant components and essential oils yield and composition from different citrus species

Essential oils and juice are the most important citrus products due to their pharmaceutical uses and dietary value, respectively. The content of the essential oils and antioxidant compounds of citrus is affected from various biotic and abiotic factors ie. genotype, the maturation stage of the fruits, plant growth regulators (G.R), drought stress and salt stress.The specie and the cultivar-genotype, affect the essential oil content and composition of Citrus fruits. The essential oil content in the peel varies between 0.79-4.25%. From the examined cultivars, Murkott variety of mandarins, Maqvities from oranges, Eureka from lemons and Du Reggio from bergamot, accumulate larger quantities of essential oilsin the peel. Additionally, other kinds of Citrus plants ie.Citron, bitter orange, kumquat and C. volcameriana contain 0.83, 2.66, 1.12 and 0.79% essential oils in the peel of the fruits, respectively.The main components of the essential oils from the peel of the Citrus fruits grown in Greece, is limonene (68.13-94.65%), γ-terpinene (4.83-18.43%) and myrcene (2.40-2.93%) for the mandarin oils, limonene (91.13-94.26%) and myrcene (2.56-3.02%), for the oranges, limonene (44.85-80.44%), γ-terpinene (9.31-15.47%), β-pinene (8.94-12.24%), citral Z (0.34-2.64%) and citral E (0.16-3.48%),for the lemons and limonene (40.79-63.45%), γ-terpinene (8.94%), linalyl acetate (4.34-10.36%) and linalool (4.16-32.60%), for the bergamot. Furthermore, the major constituents of C. volcameriana essential oil from the peel are: limonene (70.49%), γ-terpinene (10.33%), sabinene (5.33%) and myrcene (2.20%), for the bitter orange essential oils: limonene (93.06%) and myrcene (2.79%), for the Citron essential oils: limonene (51.09%), γ-terpinene (20.26%), tr-and cis-β-ocimene (3.70% and 2.80%) and citral E (3.49%),and kumquat essential oils: limonene and myrcene with corresponding concentrations 94.55 and 2.64%. Between different samples of the essential oils have emerged both qualitative and quantitative differences by the effect of the cultivar.The essential oil content, greatly increases in the peel of the bitter orange ripe fruitswith a maximum concentration of 2.17% in September (3rd sampling). In the essential oils from Citrumelo peel 24 compounds identified. The main volatile components from the peel of the bitter orange essential oil are: limonene, linalool, β-pinene, linalyl acetate, myrcene while from the Citrumelo essential oils are: b-myrcene, limonene, caryophyllene, b-germacrene and b-pinene.Under the influence of MEL, salicylic (SA) and gibberellic acid (GA),promoted the leaf essential oil content in the bitter orange seedling. In the leaf essential oils22 compounds identified, with major compounds: limonene (22.62-40.65%), linalool (19.66-40.79%), methyl N-methylanthranilate (22.93%)-13.62, linalyl acetate (3.38-3.06%), geranial (1.09-2.21%) and α-terpineol (1.03-2.24%). In case where the plants irrigated with water equal to 66% of water capacity yielded the higher concentration of essential oils (0.86%). In the treatments of 50 and 100 mM NaCl, the leaf essential oil content seemed to increase proportionately with the level of salinity. Drought stress limits the leaf monoterpene hydrocarbons content and increases the concentration of oxygenated monoterpenes, while salinity increases the concentration of monoterpene hydrocarbons and reduces the content of oxygenated monoterpenes, in the leaf essential oils of bitter orange seedling.Τα αιθέρια έλαια και ο χυμός είναι από τα σημαντικότερα προϊόντα που παράγονται από τα εσπεριδοειδή, εξαιτίας της χρήσης στη φαρμακοβιομηχανία και κοσμετολογία και της διαιτητικής τους αξίας, αντίστοιχα. Η συγκέντρωσή των αιθερίων ελαίων και των αντιοξειδωτικών συστατικών των εσπεριδοειδών εξαρτάται από διάφορους παράγοντες, τόσο ενδογενείς όσο και περιβαλλοντικούς. Για το λόγο αυτό στην παρούσα διατριβή μελετήθηκαν μερικοί από τους παράγοντες όπως είναι ο γενότυπος, το στάδιο ωρίμανσης, το είδος του ιστού, οι ρυθμιστές αύξησης και οι καταπονήσεις λόγω έλλειψης νερού και αλατότητας NaCl, που μπορεί να επηρεάζουν τη συγκέντρωση των αντιοξειδωτικών συστατικών και το περιεχόμενο και τη σύσταση των αιθερίων ελαίων στα εσπεριδοειδή.Το είδος και η ποικιλία-γενότυπος, επιδρούν στη σύσταση των αιθερίων ελαίων των εσπεριδοειδών. Η περιεκτικότητα του αιθερίου ελαίου στο φλοιό των καρπών κυμαίνεται μεταξύ 0.79-4.25%. Από τις ποικιλίες που μελετήθηκαν, η Murkott από τα μανταρίνια, η Maqvities από τα πορτοκάλια, η Eureka από τα λεμόνια και η Du Reggio από το περγαμόντο συσσωρεύουν τις μεγαλύτερες ποσότητες αιθερίου ελαίου στο flavedo των καρπών. Επιπλέον τα είδη κιτριά, νεραντζιά, κουμκουάτ και C. volcameriana περιέχουν 0.83, 2.66, 1.12 και 0.79% αιθέρια έλαια στο φλοιό των καρπών, αντίστοιχα.Τα κύρια συστατικά των αιθερίων ελαίων από το φλοιό των καρπών εσπεριδοειδών που καλλιεργούνται στην Ελλάδα, είναι το limonene (68.13-94.65%), το γ-terpinene (4.83-18.43%) και το myrcene (2.40-2.93%) για τα μανταρίνια, το limonene (91.13-94.26%) και το myrcene (2.56-3.02%) για τα πορτοκάλια, το limonene (44.85-80.44%), το γ-terpinene (9.31-15.47%), το β-pinene (7.74-12.24%), η citral Z (0.34-2.64%) και η citral E (0.16-3.48%) για τα λεμόνια και το limonene (40.79-63.45%), το γ-terpinene (8.94%),το linalyl acetate (4.34-10.36%)και η linalool (4.16-32.60%) για το περγαμόντο. Κύρια συστατικά του αιθερίου ελαίου των καρπών C. volcameriana είναι το limonene (70.49%), το γ-terpinene (10.33%), το sabinene (5.33%) και το myrcene (2.20%), των καρπών νεραντζιάς, το limonene (93.06%) και το myrcene, (2.79%), της κιτριάς, τα limonene (51.09%), γ-terpinene (20.26%), tr-και cis-β-ocimene (3.70% και 2.80%) και citral E (3.49%) και του κουμκουάτ τα limonene και myrcene με αντίστοιχες συγκεντρώσεις 94.55 και 2.64%. Μεταξύ των δειγμάτων αιθερίων ελαίων προέκυψαν τόσο ποσοτικές όσο και ποιοτικές διαφορές, υπό την επίδραση διαφορετικών γενοτύπων από διάφορα είδη εσπεριδοειδών.Στους καρπούς νεραντζιάς η συγκέντρωση των αιθερίων ελαίων αυξάνει σημαντικά καθώς ωριμάζουν οι καρποί δίνοντας τη μέγιστη απόδοση 2.17% τον Σεπτέμβριο (3η δειγματοληψία). Στα δείγματα των αιθερίων ελαίων Citrumelo ταυτοποιήθηκαν 24 ενώσεις. Τα κύρια πτητικά συστατικά που χαρακτηρίζουν το αιθέριο έλαιο των καρπών νεραντζιάς είναι τα: limonene, linalool, β-pinene, myrcene και linalyl acetate, ενώ των καρπών Citrumelo τα: β-caryophyllene, myrcene, limonene, β-germacrene και β-pinene.Υπό την επίδραση της ΜΕΛ, του σαλικυλικού και του γιββερελλικού οξέος αυξήθηκε το περιεχόμενο αιθέριο έλαιο στα φύλλα των σποροφύτων νεραντζιάς. Στα δείγματα των αιθερίων ελαίων ταυτοποιήθηκαν 22 ενώσεις, μεταξύ των οποίων τα κύρια συστατικά είναι: το limonene (22.62-40.65%), η linalool (19.66-40.79%), το methyl N-methylanthranilate (13.62-22.93%), linalyl acetate (3.38-6.29%), η geranial (1.09-2.21%) και η α-terpineol (1.03-2.24).Στην περίπτωση όπου τα φυτά αρδεύτηκαν με νερό ίσο με το 66% της υδατοϊκανότητας απέδωσαν τη μεγαλύτερη συγκέντρωση αιθερίου ελαίου (0.86%). Στις μεταχειρίσεις των 50 και 100 mM NaCl το συνολικό περιεχόμενο των φύλλων σε αιθέρια έλαια φάνηκε να αυξάνεται αναλογικά με το επίπεδο της αλατότητας. Υπό την επίδραση της υδατικής καταπόνησης περιορίζεται το περιεχόμενο των μονοτερπενίων υδατανθράκων και αυξάνεται η συγκέντρωση των οξυγονούχων μονοτερπενίων, ενώ υπό την επίδραση της αλατότητας αυξάνεται η συγκέντρωση των μονοτερπενίων υδατανθράκων και μειώνεται το περιεχόμενο των οξυγονούχων μονοτερπενίων στα αιθέρια έλαια των φύλλων σποροφύτων νεραντζιάς

Impact of targeted UPLC-MS/MS metabolomics on chemical and biochemical characterisation of MAPs

Analysis of natural product pattern (metabolites; metabolomics) and its formation (pathway; biosynthesis) in plants, especially in non-model or crop plants such as medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), is a research field with significant potential for breeders, growers and consumers. There is an increasing importance for constant and sustainable quality of MAPs final products. Polyphenols are one of the most important compounds for the antioxidant properties of MAPs and are often, if not identified as active principle, used as lead compounds in quality assessment of herbal drugs and related preparation (herbal tea, alcoholic extracts etc.). Therefore, offering an efficient, robust and reliable fast tool to determine these quality features of MAPs will guarantee the growers, industrial users and the consumers from possible frauds

Evaluation of agronomical and qualitative characteristics of Greek Oregano (Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum) germplasm for breeding purposes.

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is one of the most commercially valued species with remarkable biological properties, while its world trade and consumption is steadily increased. In order to identify a standardized plant material of Greek Oregano (Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum), sixteen native populations collected from different regions of Greece, were evaluated for their essential oil yield and composition. A breeding program was initiated for the most effective populations, concerning the most desirable biochemical, agronomic and morphological characteristics, using pedigree method and honeycomb design for plant selection

Volatile Constituents and Antioxidant Activity of Peel, Flowers and Leaf Oils of Citrus aurantium L. Growing in Greece

The volatile constituents of the essential oils of the peel, flower (neroli) and leaves (petitgrain) of bitter orange (Citrus aurantium L.) growing in Greece were studied by GC-MS. The analytical procedures enabled the quantitative determination of 31 components. More specifically, the components of the essential oils identified were: twelve in the peel, twenty-six in the flowers, and twenty and sixteen in old and young leaves, respectively. The major constituents of the different parts of Citrus aurantium L. essential oils were: β-pinene (0.62%–19.08%), limonene (0.53%–94.67%), trans-β-ocimene (3.11%–6.06%), linalool (0.76%–58.21%), and α-terpineol (0.13%–12.89%). The DPPH test demonstrated that the essential oils in the old leaves had the maximum antioxidant activity, followed by the flowers, young leaves and the peel in that order. This study updates the data in the literature on the essential oils of bitter orange, and provides information on the composition of the oils for a further evaluation of this product

Volatile Constituents and Antioxidant Activity of Peel, Flowers and Leaf Oils of Citrus aurantium L. Growing in Greece

The volatile constituents of the essential oils of the peel, flower (neroli) and leaves (petitgrain) of bitter orange (Citrus aurantium L.) growing in Greece were studied by GC-MS. The analytical procedures enabled the quantitative determination of 31 components. More specifically, the components of the essential oils identified were: twelve in the peel, twenty-six in the flowers, and twenty and sixteen in old and young leaves, respectively. The major constituents of the different parts of Citrus aurantium L. essential oils were: β-pinene (0.62%–19.08%), limonene (0.53%–94.67%), trans-β-ocimene (3.11%–6.06%), linalool (0.76%–58.21%), and α-terpineol (0.13%–12.89%). The DPPH test demonstrated that the essential oils in the old leaves had the maximum antioxidant activity, followed by the flowers, young leaves and the peel in that order. This study updates the data in the literature on the essential oils of bitter orange, and provides information on the composition of the oils for a further evaluation of this product

Micropropagation of guava (Psidium guajava) seedlings, a plant with interest in cool subtropics, using an innovative BB culture medium

AbstractPsidium guajava is a new crop cultivated in Greece, with a potential pharmaceutical and ornamental uses. An efficient and reliable protocol for in vitro clonal propagation of P. guajava from seeds was used. Five different media were examined. Shoot proliferation succeeded on a new basal medium (BB) supplemented with a modified vitamin solution (vit BB), without plant growth regulators. In addition, shoots on media supplemented with BB vitamin solution performed better than in Murashige and Scoog (MS) and Woody Plant (WP) media. When BB medium was used, the greatest shoot number resulted in 4 mg L−1 6-benzyladenine (BA) with a score of 2.8. Regenerated single shoots were rooted in the BB medium, supplemented with 0.1 ΝΑΑ (mg L−1) and producing 2.2 roots of 4.6 cm, along with 3.1 cm of adventitious shoots. Acclimatization was accomplished in three phases, using peat-moss, vermiculite and perlite (1:1:1), with a total survival of 83.3%. To examine the genetic diversity of the plant material, Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) and Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) molecular markers were used. The results indicated a low diversity, along with high percentage of polymorphism for both ISSR and SCoT analyzes

Towards Functional Insect Feeds: Agri-Food By-Products Enriched with Post-Distillation Residues of Medicinal Aromatic Plants in Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) Breeding

Sustainability, circular economy and alternative production systems are urgent imperatives for humanity and animal husbandry. Unless wasted, agri-food by-products can offer a promising source of high value. We evaluated the effect of rice bran (RB), corncob (CC), potato peels (PP), solid biogas residues (BR), and olive-oil processing residuals (OR), as alternative substrates to wheat bran (WB as control), on the growth and nutritional value of Tenebrio molitor during its breeding for animal feeds and/or human consumption. Innovation-wise, we further investigated the substrate supplementation (0, 10, 20%) with post-distillation residues of Mediterranean aromatic-medicinal plants (MAPs: lavender, Greek oregano, rosemary, olive; 1:1:1:1 ratio). Tenebrio molitor larvae (TML) were reared in all the studied substrates, and TML and diets’ proximate and fatty acid compositions as well as total phenol and flavonoid content and antioxidant potential were assessed using standard procedures. After statistical analysis of correlations, we observed that CC promoted oviposition and progeny survival; larval weight and dry matter were positively affected mainly by dietary energy and fat content; number of TML and/or larval weight increased using 10% MAPs inclusion in WB, RB and OR or RB, OR, BR and PP, respectively, which did not affect protein content; TML fatty acid composition decreased the content of saturated ones and increased that of mono-unsaturated ones; MAPs residues had an apparent favorable impact on total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of each substrate, with RB displaying the highest capacity and content. These findings indicate that alternative substrates can be exploited and their enrichment with natural phenolics is able to influence T. molitor growth, offering highly beneficial and nutritional value