Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Angela Fernandes, Sara Figueiredo, Tiane C. Finimundy, Jose Pinela, Nikolaos Tzortzakis, Marija Ivanov, Marina Sokovie, Isabel C. F. R. Ferreira, Spyridon A. Petropoulos, Lillian Barros
Summary: The study investigated the effects of biostimulant products on common bean pods under different irrigation conditions, revealing varied impacts on nutritional value parameters, organic acids, and phenolic compounds. The biostimulants showed positive effects on the chemical composition and bioactivities of purple beans, depending on the irrigation regime, with sucrose and fructose identified as main sugars, and oxalic, malic, and citric acid as main organic acids.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ya Gao, Haipu Li, Yang Song, Fenglin Zhang, Zhaoguang Yang
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of thiol species on the high cadmium tolerance of spinach and provide information for improving soil utilization. The results showed that as cadmium stress increased, the cadmium concentrations in spinach tissues also increased. Glutathione (GSH) and phytochelatins (PCs) played important roles in response to cadmium stress. Negative correlations were observed between GSH and cadmium concentrations in roots, as well as between changes in PC3 and concentrations of cadmium in leaves. Thiol production can occur in different tissues of spinach, while the shoots mainly serve as a transport tissue for GSH.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Swati Rawat, Keni Cota-Ruiz, Haijie Dou, Venkata L. R. Pullagurala, Nubia Zuverza-Mena, Jason C. White, Genhua Niu, Nilesh Sharma, Jose A. Hernandez-Viezcas, Jose R. Peralta-Videa, Jorge L. Gardea-Torresdey
Summary: The study found that under copper compound exposure, the weathering process significantly deteriorates leaf biomass, root catalase activity, and leaf pigment content in spinach plants.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Hayriye Yildiz Dasgan, Sevda Kacmaz, Bekir Buelent Arpaci, Boran Ikiz, Nazim S. S. Gruda
Summary: The study aims to partially replace intensive mineral fertilizers with bio-fertilizers by supplementing 50% of the mineral fertilizers with Chlorella vulgaris microalgae, beneficial bacteria, and mycorrhiza. The research findings demonstrate that the use of bio-fertilizers significantly improves the quality of hydroponically grown baby spinach and reduces reliance on mineral fertilizers.
Article
Plant Sciences
Zhiyuan Liu, Hongbing She, Zhaosheng Xu, Helong Zhang, Guoliang Li, Shifan Zhang, Wei Qian
Summary: This study conducted QTL mapping of leaf-related traits in spinach and identified five repeatedly detected QTLs for leaf-related traits. The major QTLs of leaf length, petiole length, and the ratio of leaf length to width were mapped on the same loci. Three genes were identified as important candidate genes for leaf width.
Article
Horticulture
O. A. Lara, A. Amoros, M. L. Tapia, V. H. Escalona
Summary: The study showed that baby leaf spinach grown under red shade netting had the highest yield, while leaves under the blue filter had significantly higher dry weight values compared to those under red and gray filters. The phenolic compound contents and antioxidant capacity of baby leaf spinach grown under the red shade netting were significantly higher than those grown under blue, gray, and control filters.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Qing Meng, Zhiyuan Liu, Chunda Feng, Helong Zhang, Zhaosheng Xu, Xiaowu Wang, Jian Wu, Hongbing She, Wei Qian
Summary: In this study, a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) related to early bolting in spinach was identified, and two candidate genes associated with flowering regulatory pathways were proposed. This research provides a basis for understanding the molecular mechanisms of bolting in spinach.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Fanor Casierra-Posada, Ivan David Briceno-Pinzon, Julio Alexander Carreno-Patino
Summary: The study in Tunja, Colombia, found that spinach plants have a moderate tolerance to partial defoliation, showing that the removal of a portion of the leaf area did not significantly affect plant growth and biomass.
Article
Agronomy
Arnau Ribera, Rob van Treuren, Chris Kik, Yuling Bai, Anne-Marie A. Wolters
Summary: The study showed that S. turkestanica is the most likely ancestor of cultivated spinach, and a group of S. oleracea landraces from Eastern and Southern Asia share a strong genetic resemblance with S. turkestanica, suggesting that the domestication of spinach may have occurred more eastwards than generally assumed.
GENETIC RESOURCES AND CROP EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ali Ammarellou, Valiollah Mozaffarian
Summary: This study discusses the traditional medicinal value of wild spinach and the implementation and results of a mass selection plant breeding program. Experimental analysis revealed that the selected medicinal spinach population is rich in iron, with about 3.5-4 times more iron than cultivated spinach.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Arsh E. Noor, Zaib Un Nisa, Salma Sultana, Khalid A. Al-Ghanim, F. Al-Misned, Mian Nadeem Riaz, Z. Ahmed, Shahid Mahboob
Summary: Heavy metal contamination is a serious global environmental issue that harms soil and plant growth. Wastewater has become an essential source of irrigation in developing countries and rural areas due to the scarcity of canal water. This study found that spinach irrigated with sanitary wastewater exceeded the permissible limits of heavy metal concentration, posing potential health risks to humans.
JOURNAL OF KING SAUD UNIVERSITY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Zarreen Badar, Abdallah Shanableh, Ali El-Keblawy, Kareem A. Mosa, Lucy Semerjian, Abdullah Al Mutery, Muhammad Iftikhar Hussain, Sourjya Bhattacharjee, Francois Mitterand Tsombou, Sefeera Sadik Ayyaril, Islam M. Ahmady, Attiat Elnaggar, Muath Mousa, Mohammad H. Semreen
Summary: This study assessed the impact of paracetamol on spinach plants, including its absorption, translocation, accumulation, and degradation. The results showed that different levels of paracetamol had pronounced phytotoxic effects on the plants, affecting their morphological parameters and chlorophyll fluorescence. The drug was taken up and transported by the plants, but degradation occurred after eight days. Additionally, several bacterial strains isolated from the spinach plants showed the potential to biodegrade paracetamol and other organic micro-pollutants.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kangning Han, Jing Zhang, Cheng Wang, Yan Yang, Youlin Chang, Yanqiang Gao, Yang Liu, Jianming Xie
Summary: This study aimed to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of nitrate stress tolerance in spinach. The results showed that high nitrate levels inhibited spinach growth and reduced photosynthetic performance. However, spinach could resist nitrate stress by regulating the synthesis of osmoregulatory substances.
Article
Agronomy
Najm-ul-Seher, Maqshoof Ahmad, Iqra Ahmad, Farheen Nazli, Muhammad Zahid Mumtaz, Muhammad Latif, Mobarak S. Al-Mosallam, Fahad S. Alotaibi, Ahmed Z. Dewidar, Mohamed A. Mattar, Ahmed A. El-Shafei
Summary: The study demonstrates that lead-tolerant bacteria significantly improve both the growth and antioxidant activities of spinach, while also reducing metal concentrations in the plants irrigated with sewage water. This suggests that these strains could be beneficial for promoting spinach growth in wastewater-contaminated fields.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Yuanyuan Li, Feng Lu, Xiao Wang, Xiaosong Hu, Xiaojun Liao, Yan Zhang
Summary: This study investigates the biological transformation of chlorophyll-rich spinach extracts during gastrointestinal digestion and colonic fermentation in a murine model. Chlorophylls undergo pheophytinization and oxidative reactions, leading to the formation of pheophytins and subsequent conversion to pheophorbides by gut microbiota. The presence of pheophytins increases total short-chain fatty acids, including acetic, propionic, and butyric acids, during microbial fermentation.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Patricia Sabino da Silva, Franciele Leila Giopato Viell, Rafael Porto Ineu, Evandro Bona, Maria Ines Dias, Isabel C. F. R. Ferreira, Lillian Barros, Odinei Hess Goncalves, Fernanda Vitoria Leimann, Lucio Cardozo-Filho
Summary: Pressurized liquid extraction with water and ethanol was used to obtain high antioxidant extracts from olive leaves. By using experimental design and optimization methods, the optimal extraction conditions were determined, and 15 phenolic compounds were identified.
BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Mingyue Jiao, Chao Liu, M. A. Prieto, Xiaoming Lu, Wenfu Wu, Jinyue Sun, P. Garcia-Oliveira, Xiaozhen Tang, Jianbo Xiao, Jesus Simal-Gandara, Dagang Hu, Ningyang Li
Summary: Papaya is an important fruit tree cultivated worldwide, and its edible part has high nutritional and sensory value. Papaya by-products contain bioactive compounds with diverse biological properties, which have potential applications in pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries.
FOOD REVIEWS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paula Plasencia, Sandrina A. Heleno, Tiane Finimundy, Marcio Carocho, Ricardo C. Calhelha, Mikel Anibarro-Ortega, Maria Jose Alves, Taofiq Oludemi, Nuno Quidiongo, Filomena Barreiro, Pablo A. Garcia, Isabel C. F. R. Ferreira, Lillian Barros
Summary: This study explores the potential of using pruning residues from Vaccinium myrtillus L. to produce high-value raw materials with industrial applications. The extracts from aerial parts of V. myrtillus showed promising antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-tyrosinase effects, which highlight their bioactive potential and the importance of their exploitation as an industrial candidate.
WASTE AND BIOMASS VALORIZATION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luis Saul Esteban, Irene Mediavilla, Virginie Xavier, Joana S. Amaral, Tania C. S. P. Pires, Ricardo C. Calhelha, Cesar Lopez, Lillian Barros
Summary: In this study, plant material from four wild growing locations of Juniperus communis L. in northern Spain was selected to evaluate the quality and production of juniper essential oils. The results showed that the limonene content in three locations was significantly higher than that reported for other European countries. The tested essential oils exhibited antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities, but also had detrimental effects on normal cells. Female shrubs from location 1 (L1F) were selected as the ideal plant material for future juniper crop production.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mihai Babota, Oleg Frumuzachi, Alexandru Nicolescu, Dejan Stojkovic, Marina Sokovic, Gabriele Rocchetti, Leilei Zhang, Luigi Lucini, Gianina Crisan, Andrei Mocan, Oliviu Vostinaru
Summary: This study evaluated the diuretic effect and antimicrobial properties of herbal preparations obtained from Thymus comosus. The results showed that all the extracts exhibited a mild diuretic action, with TCT and OpTC inducing the most intense diuretic effect. In terms of antimicrobial activity, certain bacterial and fungal strains showed sensitivity to the extracts. The composition analysis revealed that the extracts contained significant amounts of phenolic acids, flavonoids, and other phenolics.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Cristina Tamayo-Vives, Patricia Garcia-Herrera, Maria Cortes Sanchez-Mata, Rosa M. M. Camara-Hurtado, Maria Luisa Perez-Rodriguez, Laura Aceituno, Manuel Pardo-de-Santayana, Maria Ines Dias, Lillian Barros, Patricia Morales
Summary: Hawthorn and whitebeam are wild species traditionally used as ethnic foods in the Mediterranean area. This study analyzed the composition and properties of the epidermis of the fruits of these species, specifically focusing on phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity. The results provide new insights into the composition of these wild fruits and confirm their potential as ingredients for the food industry.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Asma Dridi, Filipa S. Reis, Tania C. S. P. Pires, Ricardo C. Calhelha, Carla Pereira, Khalil Zaghdoudi, Isabel C. F. R. Ferreira, Lillian Barros, Joao C. M. Barreira
Summary: This study chemically characterized horse chestnut seeds and evaluated their bioactivity. The results showed that horse chestnut extracts exhibited antioxidant and antibacterial potential without toxicity. This suggests potential applications of horse chestnut seeds in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Article
Horticulture
Antonios Chrysargyris, Stavros Louka, Spyridon A. A. Petropoulos, Nikolaos Tzortzakis
Summary: The potential of using Origanum dubium wastes (ODW) and Sideritis cypria waste (SCW) obtained after essential oil distillation for partial peat substitution in Portulaca oleracea production was evaluated. The results showed that both ODW and SCW increased pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, and mineral content, but negatively affected the total porosity and aeration of the growing media. Plant growth was inhibited, especially at high residue ratios, indicating stress conditions. Despite being rich in minerals, plants could not accumulate them. Low ratios (up to 10%) of ODW and SCW have the potential to be used, with increased antioxidant content in the final product. However, improvements in growing media properties are still needed for sufficient yields.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tatjana Markovic, Natalija Cutovic, Tamara Carevic, Uros Gasic, Dejan Stojkovic, Jingqi Xue, Aleksandra Jovanovic
Summary: This study aimed to determine the chemical composition of Paeonia peregrina Mill. petals and optimize the extraction parameters, medium, and method. The extracted petal extracts showed high content of total polyphenols and total flavonoids, as well as strong antioxidant activity. The extracts also exhibited potential antimicrobial, wound healing, and anti-inflammatory properties, with methanol being the preferred extraction medium. The most promising locality for P. peregrina petals collection was found to be Pancevo in Serbia.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana Margarida Silva, Marco Preto, Clara Grosso, Monica Vieira, Cristina Delerue-Matos, Vitor Vasconcelos, Mariana Reis, Lillian Barros, Rosario Martins
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease that causes a decline in cognitive functions. It is the most common form of dementia and has no well-defined cause. Current treatments only manage to reduce symptoms, and there are only two drugs that can partially halt its progression. Natural compounds from mushrooms have been studied for their potential use in AD treatment due to their beneficial effects on various AD-related mechanisms such as enzyme inhibition, prevention of protein aggregation and neurotoxicity, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. While there have been studies linking mushrooms to neurodegenerative diseases, there is currently no publication summarizing the data specifically focused on AD. This review aims to fill that gap by compiling the potential anti-AD effects of mushroom extracts or compounds that target known AD-related mechanisms.
Review
Agronomy
Georgios Thalassinos, Spyridon A. Petropoulos, Aspasia Grammenou, Vasileios Antoniadis
Summary: The presence of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) can cause toxicity and growth inhibition in plants. These elements can accumulate and increase in concentration in the food chain due to their stability and resistance to degradation. The availability and movement of PTEs in soil depend on specific physicochemical processes. This study discusses the important soil processes that affect the uptake of PTEs by plants and the physiological mechanisms that plants use to mitigate PTE toxicity.
Article
Horticulture
Maria G. Leichtweis, Adriana K. Molina, Maria Ines Dias, Ricardo C. Calhelha, Tania C. S. P. Pires, Ourania Pavli, M. Beatriz P. P. Oliveira, Spyridon A. Petropoulos, Lillian Barros, Carla Pereira
Summary: The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical profile and yield parameters of Greek pumpkin genotypes. The results showed high variability in yield, chemical composition, and bioactive properties among the different genotypes. Some genotypes exhibited high fruit yield, high sugar content, and good taste, as well as antimicrobial activity. These findings are of great importance for selecting elite genotypes with high yield and quality fruit, and for the conservation of valuable genetic material.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Izamara de Oliveira, Antonios Chrysargyris, Tiane C. Finimundy, Marcio Carocho, Celestino Santos-Buelga, Ricardo C. Calhelha, Nikolaos Tzortzakis, Lillian Barros, Sandrina A. Heleno
Summary: In this study, pansy and viola edible flowers were grown hydroponically with varying levels of Mg and Mn. The effects of nutrient levels on plant growth and nutritional composition were investigated, and the chemical compounds and activities in the flowers were analyzed. The results showed that Mg enrichment had a negative impact on plant growth and mineral accumulation, but improved photosynthetic performance. The edible flowers contained significant amounts of protein, low levels of fat, and various sugar contents, and exhibited antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and anti-inflammatory properties. This research not only expands our understanding of Mg and Mn interaction, but also accelerates important advancements in sustainable agriculture and food health, promoting a healthier and more conscious future.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Erika N. Vega, Maria Ciudad-Mulero, Virginia Fernandez-Ruiz, Lillian Barros, Patricia Morales
Summary: In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the demand for healthier food products and products made with natural ingredients. This is due to the awareness of the impact of food on human health and the evidence of side effects caused by certain additives. Researchers have focused on obtaining colorants from natural sources that are safe for consumption and exhibit biological activity. This review summarizes research on various natural sources of colorant compounds published in the past 15 years, including their extraction, identification, efforts to improve stability, and incorporation into different food matrices. The review showcases the promising development of natural colorants as alternatives to artificial ones.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jonata M. Ueda, Karoline Ribeiro Griebler, Tiane C. Finimundy, Daniele B. Rodrigues, Lavinia Verissimo, Tania C. S. P. Pires, Joao Goncalves, Isabel P. Fernandes, Eliana Pereira, Lillian Barros, Sandrina A. Heleno, Ricardo C. Calhelha
Summary: This study investigated the polyphenol composition and bioactivities of different extracts obtained from grape marc and seeds. The extracts showed high concentrations of phenolic compounds and exhibited antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Traditional maceration and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) methods provided extracts with the highest bioactivities.
