Fast-Tracking Isolation, Identification and Characterization of New Microalgae for Nutraceutical and Feed Applications

Microalgae contain high-value biochemical compounds including fatty acids (FA), protein and carotenoids, and are promising bioresources to enhance nutrition of food and animal feed. Important requirements for commercial strains are rapid growth and high productivities of desirable compounds. As these traits are believed to be found in aquatic environments with fluctuating conditions, we collected microalgae from marine and freshwater environments that are subjected to eutrophication and/or tidal fluctuations. Using this directed approach, 40 monoalgal cultures were isolated and 25 identified through 18S rDNA sequencing and morphological characterization. Based on their high growth rates (0.28–0.60 day−1) and biomass productivities (0.25–0.44 g L−1day−1) in commercial fertilizer under standardized conditions, six new strains were selected. Scenedesmus sp. GW63 produced quality FA-rich biomass with high omega-3 polyunsaturated FA (28.5% of total FA (TFA)) contents, especially α-linolenic acid (ALA; 20.0% of TFA) with a very low n-6/n-3 ratio (0.4), and high FA productivity (32.6 mg L−1 day−1). A high protein productivity (34.5 mg L−1 day−1) made Desmodesmus sp. UQL1_26 (33.4% of dry weight (DW)) attractive as potential protein-rich feed and nutrition supplement. Monoraphidium convolutum GW5 displayed valuable carotenoid production (0.8% DW) with high carotenoid accumulation capability (0.8 mg L−1 day−1). This research provides a pathway for fast-tracking the selection of high-performing local microalgae from different environments for nutraceuticals, functional foods and animal feed applications.

Investigation of important biochemical compounds from selected freshwater macroalgae and their role in agriculture

Background Freshwater macroalgae possess a number of important secondary metabolites. They are an unexplored source of medicinal compounds. In this study, three freshwater macroalgae—Chara vulgaris, Cladophora glomerata and Spirogyra crassa—were collected from the river Swat and the river Kabul in the Charsadda district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. To assess the role of freshwater macroalgae in agriculture, various experiments were performed on their extracts. Methanolic extract of the three macroalgae were first analyzed through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) for the presence of important medicinal secondary metabolites. The methanol based macroalgae extracts were tested for antibacterial, insecticidal, cytotoxic and phytotoxic activities. Results Initially, the algae were dried, crushed and treated with methanol for the extraction of secondary metabolites. The GC–MS results contained several important long chain fatty acids and other related long-chain hydrocarbons, such as alkanes and alkenes. Several benzene derivatives were also detected during the course of the investigation. Several of these compounds have established roles in the treatment of human ailments and can be supplied to farm animals. For example, phenylephrine is a decongestant, dilates pupils, increases blood pressure and helps in relieving hemorrhoids. Hexahydropseudoionone has uses in perfumes and other cosmetics. Several essential oils were also detected in the methanolic extract of the three macroalgae that can be utilized in various industrial products. Bioassays showed that these algal extracts—especially the Spirogyra sp. extract—contain moderate to maximum bioactivity. Conclusions Macroalgae possess important secondary metabolites with medicinal properties. These secondary metabolites can be used as biopesticides, plant growth enhancers, and remedies for various diseases in farm animals and for the control of weeds. They can be further explored for isolation and purification of useful biochemical compounds. Graphical Abstract

Anatomical and Biochemical Traits Associated with Field Resistance of Onion Cultivars to Onion Thrips and the Effect of Mechanical Injury on the Level of Biochemical Compounds in Onion Leaves

Thrips tabaci Lind. is a global pest and also represents a serious threat to onion production in Poland. In 2 years (2015–2016) of field studies, 8 onion cultivars were evaluated to characterize the resistance to onion thrips and to determine if any biochemical and anatomical features of onion plants are associated with antixenotic and/or antibiotic mechanisms of resistance. Additionally, the influence of mechanical injury on the content of several biochemical compounds in onion leaves was made. The resistance to thrips colonization during the migration period, abundance, and thrips damage throughout the whole vegetation season was determined. We identified two cultivars, Tęcza and Wenta, resistant to thrips colonization and abundance, and one cultivar Wenta resistant to thrips damage. A positive correlation between concentrations of the reducing sugars and thrips abundance and conversely negative relationships between the total phenolic content and thrips damage was confirmed in both years. We suspect that a thinner epidermal layer, a smaller area of epidermal and mesophilic cells, and a lower diameter of vascular bundles may favor the resistance of onion cultivars to thrips. Thrips foraging resulted in a decrease in the content of soluble sugars, sucrose, and plant pigments in the leaves of all onion varieties.

Rubus idaeus L. fruit nutrients are affected by different growing technologies

The biochemical compounds of red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) fruits cultivated with conventional growing technology and on a nutrient substrate were studied during 2019–2020 at the Federal Horticultural Research Center for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery, Moscow, Russia. The antioxidant activity, phenolic compounds, and ash constituents of the fruits and the metabolites of the alcoholic extract of the raspberries were determined. The effect of growing technologies, i.e., conventional vs. nutrient substrate, on the accumulation of macro- and microelements in raspberry fruits was established. In red raspberries grown on nutrient substrate, the antioxidant activity decreased by 25 times (aqueous extract) and 1.5 times (alcoholic extract). The K and Na contents and Se contents of red raspberries grown on nutrient substrate were 1.5 and 3 times higher than those of raspberries of grown with conventional technology. Raspberries grown with conventional technology contained 2 times more Ca, Ni, and Mn and 7.4 times more Fe than raspberries grown on nutrient substrate. The total amount of elements in raspberries grown through soilless cultivation was 5.5% higher than that in berries grown conventionally. A total of 48 compounds were identified in the alcoholic extracts, and only 29 substances were found in berries grown on a nutrient substrate. Sugar and citric acid constituted the largest share of red raspberry components. Fructose and turanose disaccharide synthesis in raspberries grown on nutrient substrate was 20% higher than that in conventionally grown raspberries. A total of 48 organic compounds with different biological activities were identified. They included five substances with antimicrobial activity, three phenolic substances, eight organic acids, four sugar acids, nine amino acids, and 19 sugars and their derivatives. At the same time, 42 compounds were found in raspberries grown with traditional technology, and 21 compounds were identified in raspberry fruits grown on nutrient substrate. Three fatty acids, namely, ɑ-linoleic acid (polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid), palmitic acid, and stearic acid (saturated fatty acid), along with cinnamic acid, shikimic acid, and chrysin were found in berries grown conventionally.

Phytochemical, In vitro Anti-inflammatory and Antimicrobial Potential of Hugonia mystax L.

Hugonia mystax L., (Linaceae), is commonly distributed in the thorny scrubs and tropical dry evergreen forests of Tamil Nadu, which has been valued for centuries in traditional system of medicine for the treatment of various ailments. In the present study was an attempt to investigate the phytochemical nature and anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial potential by adopting suitable methods. Phytochemical analysis of Hugonia mystax L., plant extracts revealed the presence of various biochemical compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, triterpenoids and saponins etc. Since triterpenoids and flavonoids have remarkable anti-inflammatory activity, so our present work aims at evaluating in vitro anti inflammatory activity of Hugonia mystax L., by HRBC membrane stabilization method. The inhibition of hypotonicity induced HRBC membrane lysis was taken as a measure of the anti-inflammatory activity. The percentage of membrane stabilization for ethanolic extracts and Diclofenac sodium were done at different concentrations. The maximum membrane stabilization of Hugonia mystax L., extracts was found to be 94.97 % at a dose of 2000 μg/ml. Therefore, our studies support the isolation and the use of active constituents from Hugonia mystax L., in treating inflammations.

Sustainable Mulberry (Morus nigra L., Morus alba L. and Morus rubra L.) Production in Eastern Turkey

In this study, a total of 55 wild-grown mulberry landraces belonging to Morus alba L., Morus rubra L., and Morus nigra L. species (Rosales order, Moraceae family, Morus L. genus) were sampled around the Van Lake basin, and some fruit characteristics were determined. All landraces are naturally grown in the Lake Van basin under pesticide-free conditions. As fruit character, phenolic compounds (gallic acid, catechin, quercetin, protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, rutin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and phlorizin) and organic acids (malic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid and ascorbic acid) were determined. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to determine the correlation between mulberry species in terms of biochemical compounds. As a result of PCA-biplot analysis, two variations were sufficient to explain the correlation between phenolic compounds and organic acids. This ratio reveals that mulberry species are separated with sharp boundaries in terms of biochemical compounds. Chlorogenic acid and rutin content were high in all mulberry landraces. The highest chlorogenic acid content was detected in landrace 65VN03 belonging to M. rubra (3.778 mg/g), 65GV12 belonging to M. nigra (3.526 mg/g), 13AD08 belonging to M. rubra (2.461 mg/g), and 13AH02 belonging to M. rubra (6.246 mg/g) landraces. In terms of organic acid content, malic acid was the dominant organic acid for genotypes. The rich bioactive compounds make M. alba, M. rubra, and M. nigra landraces as cultivar candidates for breeding purposes. It is a valuable source of bioactive agents that may have prevented humans from oxidative-stress-related diseases.

An Insight into Phytochemical, Pharmacological, and Nutritional Properties of Arbutus unedo L. from Morocco

Arbutus unedo L. (Ericaceae) is an evergreen shrub widely distributed in the Mediterranean region, particularly through the Moroccan forests. It is an important medicinal plant of great scientific interest due to its nutritional, pharmacological, and chemical properties. The objective of this review is to provide insights into traditional medicinal uses and phytochemical and pharmacological properties of A. unedo from Morocco. In Morocco, the plant has been used as a traditional medicine to treat several pathological conditions. Many phytochemical compounds have been reported in the plant, of which vitamins, carotenoids, flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins, and their derivatives are the most prevalent. Leaves and fruits of A. unedo contain the most significant number of phytochemicals among the species. Furthermore, researchers have demonstrated that A. unedo exhibited antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, antidiabetic, antiaggregant, and antihypertensive activities due to the presence of many biochemical compounds with health-promoting properties. According to different toxicity tests, the use of A. unedo is devoid of any significant side effects and/or toxicity. Despite its nutraceutical and health-promoting properties, Moroccan A. unedo remains underexploited mainly, and most of its traditional uses have not yet undergone scientific evidence-based research; therefore, improved knowledge about the potential value of the plant would allow understanding of its biological activity based on its phytochemical compounds that may contribute to the species preservation and valorization.

PUMPKIN: BIOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF CUCURBITA SPP. ACCESSIONS FROM THE VIR COLLECTION

The catalogue describes 151 accessions of Cucurbita maxima Duch., Cucurbita moschata Duch. ex. Poir., and Cucurbita pepo L. in the context of their most important biochemical indicators assessed on the cultivation site at Pushkin and Pavlovsk Laboratories of VIR (St. Petersburg). The aim of this catalogue is to assist plant breeders and researchers interested in studying the genetic diversity of Cucurbita spp. in their search for source material that could be used for the development of new pumpkin cultivars with higher content of valuable biochemical compounds in order to expand the assortment of food products in functional, medicinal and prophylactic diets.