Present study was aimed to develop an efficient microbial consortium for combating Alternaria blight disease in cumin. The research involved isolating biocontrol agents against Alternaria burnsii, characterizing their biocontrol and growth promotion traits, and assessing compatibility. A pot experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2022-2023 to evaluate the bioefficacy of four biocontrol agents (1F, 16B, 31B, and 223B) individually and in consortium, focusing on disease severity, plant growth promotion, and defense responses in cumin challenged with A. burnsii. Microbial isolates 1F, 16B, 31B, and 223B significantly inhibited A. burnsii growth in dual plate assays (~ 86%), displaying promising biocontrol and plant growth promotion activities. They were identified as Trichoderma afroharzianum 1F, Aneurinibacillus aneurinilyticus 16B, Pseudomonas lalkuanensis 31B, and Bacillus licheniformis 223B, respectively. The excellent compatibility was observed among all selected biocontrol agents. Cumin plants treated with consortia of 1F + 16B + 31B + 223B showed least percent disease index (32.47%) and highest percent disease control (64.87%). Consortia of biocontrol agents significantly enhanced production of secondary metabolites (total phenol, flavonoids, antioxidant, and tannin) and activation of antioxidant-defense enzymes (POX, PPOX, CAT, SOD, PAL, and TAL) compared to individual biocontrol treatment and infected control. Moreover, consortium treatments effectively reduced electrolyte leakage over the individual biocontrol agent and infected control treatment. The four-microbe consortium significantly enhanced chlorophyll (154%), carotenoid content (88%), plant height (78.77%), dry weight (72.81%), and seed yield (104%) compared to infected control. Based on these findings, this environmentally friendly four-microbe consortium may be recommended for managing Alternaria blight in cumin.
- MeSH
- Alternaria * growth & development physiology MeSH
- Biological Control Agents MeSH
- Cuminum * microbiology immunology growth & development MeSH
- Microbial Consortia * MeSH
- Plant Diseases * microbiology prevention & control immunology MeSH
- Disease Resistance MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
The objective of our in vitro study was to quantify the biochemical profile where the total polyphenol, flavonoid and phenolic acid content was determined. The antioxidant potential of microgreen extract from Trigonella foenum-graecum L., was measured molybdenum reducing power assay. Specifically, the study assessed parameters such as metabolic activity (AlamarBlueTM assay), membrane integrity (CFDA-AM assay), mitochondrial potential (JC-1 assay), as well as reactive oxygen species generation (NBT assay). In addition, the steroid hormone release in TM3 murine Leydig cells after 12 h and 24 h exposures were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The gained results indicate the highest value in total flavonoid content (182.59+/-2.13 mg QE) determination, supported by a significant (108.25+/-1.27 mg TE) antioxidant activity. The effects on metabolic activity, cell membrane integrity, and mitochondrial membrane potential were found to be both time- and dose-dependent. Notably, a significant suppression in reactive oxygen species generation was confirmed at 150, 200 and 250 microg/ml after 24 h exposure. In addition, progesterone and testosterone release was stimulated up to 250 microg/ml dose of Trigonella, followed by a decline in both steroid production at 300 and 1000 microg/ml. Our results indicate, that Trigonella at lower experimental doses (up to 250 microg/ml) may positively affect majority of monitored cell parameters in TM3 Leydig cells. Overleaf, increasing experimental doses may negatively affect the intracellular parameters already after 12 h of in vitro exposure. Key words Microgreens, Trigonella foenum-graecum L., Fenugreek, Leydig cells, Male reproduction.
- MeSH
- Antioxidants pharmacology MeSH
- Cell Line MeSH
- Phytochemicals pharmacology MeSH
- Leydig Cells * drug effects metabolism MeSH
- Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial drug effects MeSH
- Mice MeSH
- Reactive Oxygen Species metabolism MeSH
- Plant Extracts * pharmacology MeSH
- Testosterone metabolism MeSH
- Trigonella * chemistry MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Male MeSH
- Mice MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Levandule jako rostlina a levandulová silice mají široké spektrum biologických účinků, levandule se v kosmetice a léčivých přípravcích využívá již od dob starého Řecka a Říma. V dnešní době se na trhu vyskytuje nepřeberná škála produktů obsahujících levanduli, ať už jako takovou (levandulový čaj nebo sušenky či jiné pochutiny s květy levandule), případně obsahující levandulovou silici či vodné extrakty levandule (kosmetika, drogerie, potraviny či farmaceutické přípravky). Tato práce se zaměřuje na zjištění obsahu silice, zastoupení těkavých látek a stanovení celkových fenolů a flavonoidů u vzorků levandule lékařské z Levandulového údolí a porovnání výsledků se složením levandulových květů prodávaných jako bylinné čaje v tržní síti České republiky.
Lavender as a herb and the lavender essential oil have a wide range of biological effects. They have been used in cosmetics and medicinal products since the times of ancient Greece and Rome. Nowadays, there is a wide range of products containing lavender on the market, either as such (lavender tea or biscuits or other snacks with lavender flowers) or containing lavender essential oil or aqueous solutions of lavender (cosmetics, drugstore goods, food or pharmaceutical preparations). This work focuses on the determination of the essential oil content, the representation of volatile substances and the determination of total phenols and flavonoids in samples of medicinal lavender from the Levandulové údolí and bought in the Czech shops.
Plants are subjected to a variety of abiotic stressors, including drought stress, that are fatal to their growth and ability to produce under natural conditions. Therefore, the present study was intended to investigate the drought tolerance potential of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) plants under the co-application of biochar and rhizobacteria, Cellulomonas pakistanensis (National Culture Collection of Pakistan (NCCP)11) and Sphingobacterium pakistanensis (NCCP246). The experiment was initiated by sowing the inoculated seeds with the aforementioned rhizobacterial strains in earthen pots filled with 3 kg of sand-mixed soil and 5% biochar. The morphology of biochar was observed with highly porous nature, along with the detection of various essential elements. The biochemical and physiological data showed that phenolic compounds and osmolytes were adversely affected by the induction of drought stress. However, the application of biochar and rhizobacteria boosted the level of flavonoids on average by 52.03%, total phenols by 50.67%, soluble sugar by 82.85%, proline by 76.81%, glycine betaine by 107.25%, and total protein contents by 89.18% in all co-treatments of biochar and rhizobacteria. In addition, stress indicator compounds, including malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and H2O2, were remarkably alleviated by 54.21% and 47.03%, respectively. Similarly, the amplitude of antioxidant enzymes including catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and guaiacol peroxidase was also enhanced by 63.80%, 80.95%, 37.87%, and 58.20%, respectively, in all co-treatments of rhizobacteria and biochar. Conclusively, biochar and rhizobacteria have a magnificent role in enhancing the drought tolerance potential of crop plants by boosting the physio-biochemical traits and enhancing the level of antioxidant enzymes.
- MeSH
- Antioxidants metabolism MeSH
- Charcoal * chemistry MeSH
- Phenols metabolism MeSH
- Flavonoids metabolism analysis MeSH
- Stress, Physiological * MeSH
- Plant Roots microbiology growth & development MeSH
- Malondialdehyde metabolism MeSH
- Droughts * MeSH
- Soil Microbiology MeSH
- Vicia faba * microbiology growth & development MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Background: The research is aimed at exploring the potential of marigold petal tea (MPT), rich in polyphenol contents, against oxidative stress and obesity in a rat model following a high-fat-sugar diet (HFSD). Methods: The MPT was prepared through the customary method of decoction and was subjected to analysis for its polyphenol composition using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Two specific doses of MPT, namely, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight (BW), were chosen for the study-referred to as MPT-250 and MPT-500, respectively. Result: The main phenolic acids and flavonoids identified in MPT, with concentrations exceeding 10 mg/100 mL of tea, included catechin, rutin, salicylic acid, gallic acid, sinapic acid, chlorogenic acid, cinnamic acid, and ellagic acid. The total phenolic (TP) and total flavonoid (TF) contents in MPT were measured to be 5.53 and 7.73 mg/g, respectively. Additionally, MPT demonstrated a 57.2% scavenging capacity with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical. Notably, the administration of a higher dose (MPT-500) showed a significant reduction in body mass index (BMI) and a 51.24% reduction in the rate of increase in BW compared to the HFSD group. The findings indicated that all the treatment groups, that is, orlistat treatment (OT), MPT-250, and MPT-500 groups, experienced reduced levels of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and markers of lipoproteins in contrast to the HFSD group. Moreover, MPT helped restore the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione (GSH), thereby demonstrating its potential in combating oxidative stress. The MPT-500 group also displayed decreased liver and kidney weights and an improved atherogenic index when compared to the HFSD group. Conclusion: The results clearly indicate that a high dosage of MPT showed antiobesity activity which was comparable to the same effects produced by the conventional drug orlistat.
- MeSH
- Antioxidants * pharmacology MeSH
- Biomarkers * blood MeSH
- Diet, High-Fat * MeSH
- Weight Loss drug effects MeSH
- Liver drug effects metabolism MeSH
- Rats MeSH
- Anti-Obesity Agents * pharmacology MeSH
- Disease Models, Animal * MeSH
- Obesity * drug therapy metabolism MeSH
- Oxidative Stress * drug effects MeSH
- Polyphenols * pharmacology MeSH
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley MeSH
- Plant Extracts pharmacology isolation & purification MeSH
- Diet, Carbohydrate Loading adverse effects MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Rats MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
AIM: This study aimed to investigate the phenolic composition, antioxidant capacity, and toxicity of aqueous extracts of Calamintha nepeta L. leaves and their potential vasorelaxant effects. METHODS: Aqueous extracts of Calamintha nepeta L. were prepared by three extraction methods: decoction, infusion, and maceration. The total phenolic contents of the extracts and their antioxidant properties were investigated. The toxicity was evaluated by Artemia salina lethality bioassay. The decoction extract was analyzed by HPLC for its chemical profile and was also used to evaluate the vasorelaxant effect on thoracic aortic rings isolated from healthy Sprague Dawley rats. Pre-contraction was induced by phenylephrine, followed by cumulative doses of the extract (0.001 up to 250 μg/ml). RESULTS: Aqueous extracts of Calamintha nepeta L. showed noticeable radical scavenging and chelating activities. However, the decoction extract exhibited the most powerful antioxidant capacity. No toxicity was recorded for the extracts obtained by decoction and infusion. Caffeic acid, quercetin, and rosmarinic acid were the main identified compounds. Notably, the aqueous extract obtained by decoction induced significant relaxation in endothelium-intact aortic rings at lower concentrations, and at higher concentrations in denuded aortic rings. CONCLUSION: This study reveals that Calamintha nepeta L. extracted with a decoction method possesses potent antioxidant capacity and has an endothelium-dependent vasorelaxant effect.
- MeSH
- Antioxidants * pharmacology chemistry isolation & purification MeSH
- Aorta, Thoracic drug effects MeSH
- Artemia drug effects MeSH
- Phenols pharmacology isolation & purification chemistry MeSH
- Rats MeSH
- Plant Leaves chemistry MeSH
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley * MeSH
- Plant Extracts * pharmacology chemistry MeSH
- Vasodilator Agents * pharmacology chemistry MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Rats MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Ethanol extracts obtained from 13 poplar propolis samples originating from various European countries by traditional maceration were tested for total polyphenols, flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity. Moreover, the content of 18 polyphenolic compounds (from the group of phenolic acids and flavonoids) was determined using the HPLC method. The inhibitory effect of six selected extracts with the highest activity was assessed by well-diffusion method against five strains (Bifidobacterium spp., L. rhamnosus, L. acidophilus, E. coli, and Bacteroides spp.) of intestinal bacteria self-isolated from the faeces of obese probands with the use of selective media. It was found that the antioxidant activity of propolis varied depending on geographical origin and even among samples from the same region, which indicates that some other factors also influence propolis quality. The samples of different geographical origin varied mainly in the share of individual phenolic compounds, and it was not possible to find a characteristic marker of origin, excluding the galangin present in the Polish samples only. Assessing the inhibitory activity of propolis (in the range of 70 mg to 10 μg per mL) indicated that the concentration of 100 μg/mL was found as being safe for tested fecal bacteria (Bifidobacterium spp., L. rhamnosus, L. acidophilus, E. coli, and Bacteroides spp.). As no negative effect of low doses of propolis on the intestinal microflora was found, it can be suggested that its use in recommended doses brings only beneficial effects to the body.
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
In the past few decades, the pressure of higher food production to satisfy the demand of ever rising population has inevitably increased the use synthetic agrochemicals which have deterioration effects. Biostimulants containing beneficial microbes (single inoculants and microbial consortium) were found as an ideal substitute of synthetic chemical fertilizers. In recent years, microbial consortium is known as a better bioinoculant in comparison to single inoculant bioformulation because of multifarious plant growth-promoting advantages. Looking at the advantageous effect of consortium, in present investigation, different bacteria were isolated from rhizospheric soil and plant samples collected from the Himalayan mountains on the green slopes of the Shivaliks, Himachal Pradesh. The isolated bacteria were screened for nitrogen (N) fixation, phosphorus (P) solubilization and potassium (K) solubilization plant growth promoting attributes, and efficient strains were identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing and BLASTn analysis. The bacteria showing a positive effect in NPK uptake were developed as bacterial consortium for the growth promotion of eggplant crop. A total of 188 rhizospheric and endophytic bacteria were sorted out, among which 13 were exhibiting nitrogenase activity, whereas 43 and 31 were exhibiting P and K solubilization traits, respectively. The selected three efficient and potential bacterial strains were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing as Enterobacter ludwigii EU-BEN-22 (N-fixer; 35.68 ± 00.9 nmol C2H4 per mg protein per h), Micrococcus indicus EU-BRP-6 (P-solubilizer; 201 ± 0.004 mg/L), and Pseudomonas gessardii EU-BRK-55 (K-solubilizer; 51.3 ± 1.7 mg/mL), and they were used to develop a bacterial consortium. The bacterial consortium evaluation on eggplant resulted in the improvement of growth (root/shoot length and biomass) and physiological parameters (chlorophyll, carotenoids, total soluble sugar, and phenolic content) of the plants with respect to single culture inoculation, chemical fertilizer, and untreated control. A bacterial consortium having potential to promote plant growth could be used as bioinoculant for horticulture crops growing in hilly regions.
- MeSH
- Bacteria * genetics classification metabolism isolation & purification growth & development MeSH
- Potassium metabolism MeSH
- Nitrogen metabolism MeSH
- Nitrogen Fixation * MeSH
- Phosphorus * metabolism MeSH
- Phylogeny MeSH
- Plant Roots microbiology MeSH
- Microbial Consortia * MeSH
- Soil Microbiology * MeSH
- Rhizosphere MeSH
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S * genetics MeSH
- Solanum melongena * microbiology MeSH
- Plant Development MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Phoenix sylvestris Roxb. (Arecaceae) seeds are used in the treatment of diabetes in the traditional system of medicine. The present study evaluated antihyperglycemic and antioxidant activities as well as the total phenolic and flavonoid content of the methanol extract of P. sylvestris seeds (MEPS). The constituents of the extract were identified by GC-MS analysis. MEPS demonstrated strong antioxidant activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (IC50 = 162.70 ± 14.99 μg) and nitric oxide (NO) (IC50 = 101.56 ± 9.46 μg/ml) free radicals. It also possesses a substantial amount of phenolics and flavonoids. It significantly (p < .05) reduced blood glucose levels in glucose-loaded and alloxan-induced diabetic mice at the doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg b.w., respectively. A total of 46 compounds were detected and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis, among which 8-methylisoquinoline N-oxide (32.82%) was predominant. The phytochemical study by GC-MS revealed that the MEPS possesses compounds which could be related to its antidiabetic and antioxidant activities. To recapitulate, P. sylvestris seeds can be a very good option for antidiabetic and antioxidant activity though further studies are still recommended to figure out the responsible phytochemicals and establish their exact mechanism of action.
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Three basil plant varieties (Ocimum basilicum var. Genovese, Ocimum × citriodorum, and Ocimum basilicum var. purpurascens) were grown under moderate light (about 300 μmol photons m-2 s-1) in a glasshouse or growth chamber and then either transferred to an open field (average daily dose: 29.2 kJ m-2 d-1) or additionally exposed to UV-B irradiation in a growth chamber (29.16 kJ m-2 d-1), to reveal the variety-specific and light-specific acclimation responses. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), phenolic profile, ascorbate content, and class III peroxidase (POD) activity were used to determine the antioxidant status of leaves under all four light regimes. Exposure to high solar irradiation at the open field resulted in an increase in TAC, total hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs, especially caffeic acid), flavonoids, and epidermal UV-absorbing substances in all three varieties, as well as a two-fold increase in the leaf dry/fresh weight ratio. The supplemental UV-B irradiation induced preferential accumulation of HCAs (rosmarinic acid) over flavonoids, increased TAC and POD activity, but decreased the ascorbate content in the leaves, and inhibited the accumulation of epidermal flavonoids in all basil varieties. Furthermore, characteristic leaf curling and UV-B-induced inhibition of plant growth were observed in all basil varieties, while a pro-oxidant effect of UV-B was indicated with H2O2 accumulation in the leaves and spotty leaf browning. The extent of these morphological changes, and oxidative damage depended on the basil cultivar, implies a genotype-specific tolerance mechanism to high doses of UV-B irradiation.
- MeSH
- Antioxidants * pharmacology MeSH
- Ocimum basilicum * MeSH
- Flavonoids MeSH
- Ascorbic Acid MeSH
- Plant Leaves MeSH
- Hydrogen Peroxide MeSH
- Sunlight MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
