Role of synthetic plant extracts on the production of silver-derived nanoparticles

The main antioxidants present in plant extracts—quercetin, β-carotene, gallic acid, ascorbic acid, hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, catechin and scopoletin—are able to synthesize silver nanoparticles when reacting with a Ag NO3 solution. The UV-visible absorption spectrum recorded with most of the antioxidants shows the characteristic surface plasmon resonance band of silver nanoparticles. Nanoparticles synthesised with ascorbic, hydroxybenzoic, caffeic, and gallic acids and scopoletin are spherical. Nanoparticles synthesised with quercetin are grouped together to form micellar structures. Nanoparticles synthesised by β-carotene, were triangular and polyhedral forms with truncated corners. Pentagonal nanoparticles were synthesized with catechin. We used Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy to check that the biomolecules coat the synthesised silver nanoparticles. X-ray powder diffractograms showed the presence of silver, AgO, Ag2O, Ag3O4 and Ag2O3 . Rod-like structures were obtained with quercetin and gallic acid and cookie-like structures in the nanoparticles obtained with scopoletin, as a consequence of their reactivity with cyanide. This analysis explained the role played by the various agents responsible for the bio-reduction triggered by nanoparticle synthesis in their shape, size and activity. This will facilitate targeted synthesis and the application of biotechnological techniques to optimise the green synthesis of nanoparticles

FIVELAB: Laboratorio virtual de Fisiología Vegetal a través de la plataforma MOODLE

FiVeLab es un proyecto de innovación docente que incorpora el laboratorio virtual como herramienta básica para el aprendizaje online. Se propone la virtualización de las prácticas de Fisiología Vegetal en Moodle mediante vídeos, códigos QR y gamificación con Socrative. El objetivo fundamental de FiVeLab se enmarca en la modernización de las técnicas pedagógicas y adquisición de competencias digitales por parte del profesorado universitario de la unidad docente de Fisiología Vegetal y supone la consolidación de los recursos educativos virtuales en la metodología de enseñanza de un laboratorio de Fisiología Vegetal dentro de los estudios de Grado de la Facultad de Biología de la UCM. La plataforma virtual utilizada es el entorno Moodle que ofrece herramientas que nos permitirán virtualizar las prácticas de laboratorio de Fisiología Vegetal mediante la edición de vídeos, manuales y guion de prácticas con códigos QR que permiten redirigir al alumno a los distintos vídeos elaborados y cuestionarios de autoevaluación referidos a estas prácticas

Antifungal effects of phenolic extract from industrial residues of Aloe vera

This research is concerned with the fungicidal properties of the phenolic extract from industrial residues of Aloe vera used for antifungal treatment of various plant pathogens (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici, Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, Phaeoacremonium aleophilum, and Sporisorium scitamineum). Six phenolic compounds were identified in this extract from A. vera cortex: aloesin, α-barbaloin, chromone X, isoaloeresin D, β- barbaloin and aloeresin E. Phenolic extract was added to PDA medium at 20 concentrations from 0.32% to 10% and the growth of four different plant pathogenic fungi was tested. Fungal inhibition was calculated in order to evaluate the antifungal efficacy of phenolic extract against pathogens. Inhibition of Sporisorium scitamineum hyphal growth was observed after treatment with the phenolic extract at concentrations higher than 2.5% and a fungistatic effect with a 58.2% mycelia growth inhibition was detected at 3% extract concentration. Inhibition of P. chlamydospora and P. aleophilum hyphal growth was observed at concentrations higher than 4% and 3% respectively. A fungistatic effect with a 71.65% and a 19.87% mycelia growth inhibition was detected at 4.5% and 3.5% extract concentration respectively. About F. oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici, inhibition of hyphal growth was observed at concentrations higher than 2.5% and a fungistatic effect with a 32.07% mycelia growth inhibition was detected at 3% extract concentration. The results indicate that the tested extract possess antifungal activities against these pathogens at various concentration levels and could be used as a potential natural fungicide in order to control fungi pathogens providing a new use for the A. vera industrial residues

Antifungal effects of phenolic extract from industrial residues of Aloe vera

This research is concerned with the fungicidal properties of the phenolic extract from industrial residues of Aloe vera used for antifungal treatment of various plant pathogens (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici, Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, Phaeoacremonium aleophilum, and Sporisorium scitamineum). Six phenolic compounds were identified in this extract from A. vera cortex: aloesin, α-barbaloin, chromone X, isoaloeresin D, β- barbaloin and aloeresin E. Phenolic extract was added to PDA medium at 20 concentrations from 0.32% to 10% and the growth of four different plant pathogenic fungi was tested. Fungal inhibition was calculated in order to evaluate the antifungal efficacy of phenolic extract against pathogens. Inhibition of Sporisorium scitamineum hyphal growth was observed after treatment with the phenolic extract at concentrations higher than 2.5% and a fungistatic effect with a 58.2% mycelia growth inhibition was detected at 3% extract concentration. Inhibition of P. chlamydospora and P. aleophilum hyphal growth was observed at concentrations higher than 4% and 3% respectively. A fungistatic effect with a 71.65% and a 19.87% mycelia growth inhibition was detected at 4.5% and 3.5% extract concentration respectively. About F. oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici, inhibition of hyphal growth was observed at concentrations higher than 2.5% and a fungistatic effect with a 32.07% mycelia growth inhibition was detected at 3% extract concentration. The results indicate that the tested extract possess antifungal activities against these pathogens at various concentration levels and could be used as a potential natural fungicide in order to control fungi pathogens providing a new use for the A. vera industrial residues

Plant Defence Induction by <i>Meyerozyma guilliermondii</i> in <i>Vitis vinifera</i> L.

This article emphasizes the crucial importance of yeast Meyerozyma guilliermondii (Patent CECT13190) as a biological control agent (BCA) in eliciting defensive responses in vine plants, and is supported by comprehensive physiological, proteomic, and transcriptomic analyses. The results demonstrate that the BCA M. guilliermondii can induce enhanced defensive responses, as reflected in the regulation of key proteins. Notably, the upregulated expression of calmodulin and pathogenesis-related protein 10 (PR-10) are indicative of a complex interplay between calcium signalling, salicylic acid accumulation, and the elicitation of plant defence responses against pathogens. Furthermore, changes in microtubule dynamics and proteins related to protein synthesis and folding are observed, confirming the elicitation of defence responses. The correspondence between proteomic and transcriptomic analyses for genes codifying pathogenesis-related proteins, such as Vcgns1, VviTL1, and Vcchit1b, reinforces the empirical robustness of our findings. Collectively, our research explores the modulation of plant defences by the BCA, opening promising avenues for innovative agricultural strategies that enhance crop resilience and productivity

Plant Defence Induction by Meyerozyma guilliermondii in Vitis vinifera L.

This article emphasizes the crucial importance of yeast Meyerozyma guilliermondii (Patent CECT13190) as a biological control agent (BCA) in eliciting defensive responses in vine plants, and is supported by comprehensive physiological, proteomic, and transcriptomic analyses. The results demonstrate that the BCA M. guilliermondii can induce enhanced defensive responses, as reflected in the regulation of key proteins. Notably, the upregulated expression of calmodulin and pathogenesis-related protein 10 (PR-10) are indicative of a complex interplay between calcium signalling, salicylic acid accumulation, and the elicitation of plant defence responses against pathogens. Furthermore, changes in microtubule dynamics and proteins related to protein synthesis and folding are observed, confirming the elicitation of defence responses. The correspondence between proteomic and transcriptomic analyses for genes codifying pathogenesis-related proteins, such as Vcgns1, VviTL1, and Vcchit1b, reinforces the empirical robustness of our findings. Collectively, our research explores the modulation of plant defences by the BCA, opening promising avenues for innovative agricultural strategies that enhance crop resilience and productivity

BIORECYCLE

BIORECICLA se presenta como proyecto de Aprendizaje-Servicio a la convocatoria UCM 2022-2023 con el objetivo de desarrollar actividades científicas con proyección agroalimentaria, ambiental y social con los estudiantes del Máster en Biología Vegetal Aplicada por la Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Estas actividades, conforme a la Agenda 2030 y a los Objetivos del Desarrollo Sostenible, se centran en el aprovechamiento de residuos agroalimentarios que constituyen un material de alto valor con el que dar respuesta a problemas agroalimentarios, ambientales, sociales y económicos actuales absolutamente determinantes del futuro de las sociedades, las personas y el planeta. Así, a partir de residuos agroalimentarios se pueden obtener numerosos productos con importantes aplicaciones agrarias, alimentarias y ambientales. La formación de estudiantes de Máster, muy próximos a su actividad profesional, puede ser completada y mejorada con el Aprendizaje-Servicio por cuanto vincula ambos procesos para responder a los retos actuales con profesionalidad y responsabilidad social. BIORECICLA tiene como objetivo fundamental vincular la actividad docente del Máster en BVA-UCM y el ApS utilizando como modelo la reducción del impacto sobre el medioambiente de los residuos orgánicos gracias a su revalorización en productos de utilidad agrícola.UCMDepto. de Genética, Fisiología y MicrobiologíaFac. de Ciencias BiológicasTRUEunpu