Diploid vs. tetraploid Centaurium erythraea Rafn: a comparative study of regenerative in vitro potential and biosynthetic capacity

The impact of ploidy level on both the regenerative potential under in vitro conditions and the production of major bioactive specialized metabolites, such are iridoids and xanthones, was examined in Centaurium erythraea Rafn. Shoot regeneration frequency was genotype dependent, but not affected by explant ploidy level. In most cases, the regenerated shoots of autotetraploid (4x) genotypes were more robust than diploid (2x) ones. Regeneration efficiency of root explants declined from the apical to the basal root segment. Shoot and root biomass production of two month-old shoots was not significantly different between 2x and 4x genotypes. Both 4x and 2x genotypes were characterized by the predominance of secoiridoid glucoside gentiopicrin in shoots and roots, which is followed by sweroside and swertiamarin. Loganic acid, loganin and secologanin were much less abundant. Methylbellidifolin was the major xanthone in both shoots and roots. Diploid plants showed higher biosynthetic capacity for the production of secoiridoids and xanthones in both shoots and roots. Results highlight a higher potential of diploid C. erythraea genotypes for biotechnology-based sustainable production of secoiridoids in comparison to tetraploid genotypes

Water soluble biomolecules from Nepeta nuda regulate microbial growth: A case study of apple juice preservation

The following study was designed to explore antimicrobial properties of the by-product obtained in a hydro-distillation process of essential oil from Nepeta nuda L. Based on the obtained decoction of N. nuda and apple juice, we strived to develop a novel drink that would have antimicrobial self-preserving properties. By using 96-well plate microdilution assay it was shown that the N. nuda decoction has antimicrobial potential towards 8 bacterial and 6 fungal species, with the range of minimal inhibitory concentrations 10 mg/mL - 300 mg/mL. By using actual food system, such as apple juice, in combination with and without short thermal treatment, we have shown that the decoction of N. nuda can inhibit the growth of food contaminant fungus Penicillium aurantiogriseum. It was determined that 3 volumes of decoction (500 mg/mL) and 22 volumes of apple juice should be mixed in order to obtain self-preserving drink resistant to P. aurantiogriseum contamination. Likewise, when thermal treatment (80 °C for 10s) is included, self-preserving mixture of decoction and apple juice should be made in volume ratios 3:47, respectively. The designed product maintained the pleasant taste as determined by panelists during the sensorial evaluation. Chemical investigations (UHPLC–Orbitrap MS analysis) of N. nuda decoction showed that the most abundant compound was 1,5,9-epideoxyloganic acid (0.410 mg/g of dried decoction). Since N. nuda is traditionally used as a tea, we presented the novel formulation of the antimicrobial self-preserving drink based on the N. nuda decoction and apple juice

Fungi an source with huge potential for “mushroom pharmaceuticals”

 Mushrooms for ages have been used by humans, not only as a source of food, but medicinal resources as well. They were used as a part of traditional medicine, first of all in the civilizations of the East and recentlly in Western civilizations. The mushrooms constitute 16,000 species worldwide with more than 2000 species identified as safe. Among these mushrooms, 1000 are edible, while others have been used as a source of biofuel, in medicinal formulation, as biochemicals, and for other purposes. Mushrooms have also huge potential, such as a “mushroom pharmaceuticals” wuth 130 medicinal  functions. Therefore, they have been considered as potential source of antioxidant, antitumor, antiviral, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory agents. This review focuses on the antimicrobial and analgetic activities of some medicinal mushrooms

Poly(ADP-Ribose)Polymerase Activity Controls Plant Growth by Promoting Leaf Cell Number

A changing global environment, rising population and increasing demand for biofuels are challenging agriculture and creating a need for technologies to increase biomass production. Here we demonstrate that the inhibition of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase activity is a promising technology to achieve this under non-stress conditions. Furthermore, we investigate the basis of this growth enhancement via leaf series and kinematic cell analysis as well as single leaf transcriptomics and plant metabolomics under non-stress conditions. These data indicate a regulatory function of PARP within cell growth and potentially development. PARP inhibition enhances growth of Arabidopsis thaliana by enhancing the cell number. Time course single leaf transcriptomics shows that PARP inhibition regulates a small subset of genes which are related to growth promotion, cell cycle and the control of metabolism. This is supported by metabolite analysis showing overall changes in primary and particularly secondary metabolism. Taken together the results indicate a versatile function of PARP beyond its previously reported roles in controlling plant stress tolerance and thus can be a useful target for enhancing biomass production

Heterosis for capsacinoids accumulation in chili pepper hybrids is dependent on parent-of-origin effect

Heterosis for agronomic traits is a widespread phenomenon that underpins hybrid crop breeding. However, heterosis at the level of cellular metabolites has not yet been fully explored. Some metabolites are highly sought after, like capsaicinoids found in peppers of the Capsicum genus, which confer the characteristic pungent (‘hot’) flavour of the fruits. We analysed the metabolic profile of the fruit placenta and pericarp of inter- and intra-specific hybrids of two species of Capsicum peppers, C. chinense (cv. Habanero and cv. Biquinho) and C. annuum var. annuum (cv. Jalapeño and cv. Cascadura Ikeda) in complete diallel crosses with reciprocals. The parents and hybrids were grown in a glasshouse and the profile of primary metabolites (sugars, amino acids and organic acids) and capsaicinoids was generated via gas chromatography–time of flight-mass spectrometry (GC–TOF-MS) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS), respectively. We found considerable heterotic effects specifically for capsaicinoids accumulation in the fruit placenta of the hybrids, including those derived from non-pungent parents. Furthermore, a large fraction of fruit primary metabolism was influenced by the specific cross combination, with marked parent-of-origin effects, i.e. whether a specific genotype was used as the pistillate or pollen parent. The differences in metabolite levels between the hybrids and their parents provide a snapshot of heterosis for primary and secondary metabolites and may contribute to explain the manifestation of whole-plant heterotic phenotypes