Plant Maturity Affects Flowering Ability and Flower Quality in Phalaenopsis, Focusing on Their Relationship to Carbon-to-nitrogen Ratio

In the commercial production of phalaenopsis orchids, the cultivation time after deflasking is used to describe the plant age and maturity. Carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio is often used as an indicator of plant growth and flowering potential. High C/N ratios are considered to promote reproductive growth, and low C/N ratios are associated with the early vegetative growth or even inhibiting flowering. This study investigated how plant age and maturity affected flowering ability and flower quality of phalaenopsis and their relationship to C/N ratio. The plant materials of various ages were the purple, small-flowered Phalaenopsis Sogo Lotte ‘F2510’ and white, large-flowered P. Sogo Yukidian ‘V3’, which were 2 to 7 months and 10 to 20 months after deflasking, respectively. Plants were placed under 25/20 °C for 4 months to force flowering and investigate the flowering-related parameters. The leaf C/N ratio of both varieties increased in general with the increase of plant age. The spiking (flower-stalk emergence) rate of P. Sogo Lotte ‘F2510’ 2 months after deflasking was only 42%, which indicates that these plants were not completely out of their juvenile phase, whereas that of those 3 to 7 months after deflasking was 100%, indicating that plants had acquired full flowering ability. No linear correlation was found between the C/N ratio and days to spiking, to first visible bud, to first flower open, and to 90% flower opening in the white, large-flowered P. Sogo Yukidian ‘V3’. However, there was a positive correlation between the C/N ratio and inflorescence length, flower-stalk diameter, first flower diameter, and flower count. Thus, the C/N ratio is feasible to be used as an indicator for assessing the flowering quality in phalaenopsis.

Evaluation of potential antidiabetic activity of abelmoschus esculentus and evidence of possible pharmacokinetic interaction with metformin

The study is aimed at the evaluation of potential activity of and possible interaction with metformin in animal Models of Diabetes Mellitus. Study objectives include study the anti-diabetic effect of for Diabetes Mellitus in animal models and also to study the effect of Abelmoschus esculentus with metformin and explore any interaction. Plant material was collected () followed by extraction of plant materials () Exudate collection of and activity test study was done (acute toxicity study, according to standard OECD guidelines) Experimental animals were divided into groups. Dosing was done for 28 days. Biochemical parameters were studied. Histopathology studies are done. Results showed that in this study administrations of Abelmoschus esculentus extract (2000mg/kg body weight) Metformin with extract (5mg/kg b.w. and 2000mg/kg body weight and Metformin 5mg/kg body weight decreased elevated blood glucose levels significantly from first to fourth week compared to diabetic control rats and showed minimal safety concerns.

Comparative Study of the Characterisation and Extraction Techniques of Polyphenolic Compounds from Acacia seyal gum

Abstract Acacia seyal gum is an abundant source of natural polyphenolic compounds (NPPCs) and antioxidant activity with numerous benefits and is often used in cancer treatment. The type of extraction technique can significantly impact the yield and isolation of NPPCs from Acacia seyal gum (ASG). The traditional use of maceration extraction reportedly yields fewer NPPCs. Objectives This study investigates five extraction techniques for NPPCs and ASG antioxidant activity, namely: homogenisation, shaking, ultrasonication, magnetic stirring, and maceration. Materials and Methods The evaluation of the antioxidant activity (AoA) of the extracted NPPCs from ASG used five assays, namely: Total Flavonoids Content (TFC), Folin-Ciocalteu index (FCI), 2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (DPPH), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), and Cupric Reducing Antioxidant Capacity (CUPRAC). Results To minimise the dataset dimensionality requires Principal Component Analysis. The ultrasonic and maceration techniques were the best techniques to extract NPPCs and examine the AoA of ASG, with a high correlation between the NPPCs and AoA. However, the maceration process was slow (12 h) compared to ultrasonication (1 h). Slow extraction can result in a decline of the NPPCs due to polyphenol oxidase-enzyme and impact productivity. Conclusions These findings provide an essential guide for the choice of extraction techniques for the effective extraction of NPPCs from ASG and other plant materials.

ВИЗНАЧЕННЯ ГІГІЄНІЧНИХ ВЛАСТИВОСТЕЙ ВКЛАДНИХ ІНДИВІДУАЛЬНИХ ЗАСОБІВ З ВСТАВКАМИ РОСЛИННОЇ СИРОВИНИ У ВЗУТТЯ

Purpose: To conduct experimental studies of embedded hygienic installed insoles with tableted plant inserts in footwearMethodology. The properties of embedded hygienic insoles have been studied for vapor permeability and moisture content according to the methods of GOST 22900-78. The solid inserts were ground and extracted with distilled water for a week to obtain aqueous extracts for microbiological studies. Determination of antimicrobial activity was performed using a culture of S.aureus ATCC 25923 in microtiter 96-well plates in liquid nutrient medium NB spectrophotometrically by optical density (Hipo MPP-96, Biosan, λ = 620 nm, control medium – by the location of a non-sterile sample with (30 × 30 mm) on the surface of sterile NA medium.Findings. To improve the hygienic characteristics of the inner space of the shoe, the research presents embedded hygienic products with solid inserts in the form of tablets from the plant raw materials of medicinal thyme and sage. The technological characteristics of tableted inserts from vegetable raw materials are given. The results of vapor permeability and moisture content in the studied samples are obtained, which correspond to the normative values according to GOST 940-81 and are safe for human feet.Originality. Determination of indicators of vapor permeability and moisture content of embedded hygienic installed insoles with tableted plant inserts and establishing their compliance with regulatory requirements. Determined the regularities of inhibitory effect of aqueous extracts of thyme on the growth of biomass of gram-negative bacteria in planktonic culture.Practical value. Another advantage of custom-made shoes is the ability to consider the customer's preferences regarding shoe care products during the operation. At the same time, an important task is to ensure the hygiene of the inner space of the shoe through the use of insoles containing elements obtained from medicinal plant materials.

Plant-Derived Antioxidants: Significance in Skin Health and the Ageing Process

Natural substances have traditionally been used in skin care for centuries. There is now an ongoing search for new natural bioactives that not only promote skin health but also protect the skin against various harmful factors, including ultraviolet radiation and free radicals. Free radicals, by disrupting defence and restoration mechanisms, significantly contribute to skin damage and accelerate ageing. Natural compounds present in plants exhibit antioxidant properties and the ability to scavenge free radicals. The increased interest in plant chemistry is linked to the growing interest in plant materials as natural antioxidants. This review focuses on aromatic and medicinal plants as a source of antioxidant substances, such as polyphenols, tocopherols, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, and macromolecules (including polysaccharides and peptides) as well as components of essential oils, and their role in skin health and the ageing process.

Raw Biogas as Feedstock for the OCM Process

The paper presents the research results obtained in the process of oxidative coupling of methane, in which unpurified biogas was used as the feedstock. Biogas obtained from two kinds of biomass materials, i.e., plant materials (potato and beet pulp, Corn-Cob-Mix—biogas 1) and animal waste (waste from fish filleting—biogas 2) was considered. The influence of temperature, the ratio of methane/oxygen and total flows of feedstock on the catalytic performance in oxidative coupling of methane process was investigated. Comparative tests were carried out using pure methane and a mixture of methane-carbon dioxide to simulate the composition of biogas 2. The process was carried out in the presence of an Mn-Na2WO4/SiO2 catalyst. Fresh and used catalysts were characterised by means of powder X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption techniques. In oxidative coupling of methane, the type of raw material used as the source of methane has a small effect on methane conversion (the differences in methane conversion are below 3%), but a significant effect on the selectivity to C2. Depending on the type of raw material, the differences in selectivity to C2 reach as high as 9%. However, the Mn-Na2WO4/SiO2 catalyst operated steadily in the tested period of time at any feedstock composition. Moreover, it was found that CO2, which is the second main component of biogas in addition to methane, has an effect on catalytic performance. Comparative results of catalytic tests indicate that the CO2 effect varies with temperature. Below 1073 K, CO2 exerts a small poisoning effect on methane conversion, while above this temperature the negative effect of CO2 disappears. In the case of selectivity to C2+, the negative effect of CO2 was observed only at 1023 K. At higher temperatures, CO2 enhances selectivity to C2+. The effect of CO2 was established by correlating the catalytic results with the temperature programmed desorption of CO2 investigation. The poisoning effect of CO2 was connected with the formation of surface Na2CO3, whose concentration depends on temperature.

Challenges in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants DNA Barcoding—Lessons from the Lamiaceae

The potential value of DNA barcoding for the identification of medicinal plants and authentication of traded plant materials has been widely recognized; however, a number of challenges remain before DNA methods are fully accepted as an essential quality control method by industry and regulatory authorities. The successes and limitations of conventional DNA barcoding are considered in relation to important members of the Lamiaceae. The mint family (Lamiaceae) contains over one thousand species recorded as having a medicinal use, with many more exploited in food and cosmetics for their aromatic properties. The family is characterized by a diversity of secondary products, most notably the essential oils (EOs) produced in external glandular structures on the aerial parts of the plant that typify well-known plants of the basil (Ocimum), lavender (Lavandula), mint (Mentha), thyme (Thymus), sage (Salvia) and related genera. This complex, species-rich family includes widely cultivated commercial hybrids and endangered wild-harvested traditional medicines, and examples of potential toxic adulterants within the family are explored in detail. The opportunities provided by next generation sequencing technologies to whole plastome barcoding and nuclear genome sequencing are also discussed with relevant examples.

Some Common Medicinal Plants with Antidiabetic Activity, Known and Available in Europe (A Mini-Review)

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that affected 9.3% of adults worldwide in 2019. Its co-occurrence is suspected to increase mortality from COVID-19. The treatment of diabetes is mainly based on the long-term use of pharmacological agents, often expensive and causing unpleasant side effects. There is an alarming increase in the number of pharmaceuticals taken in Europe. The aim of this paper is to concisely collect information concerning the few antidiabetic or hypoglycaemic raw plant materials that are present in the consciousness of Europeans and relatively easily accessible to them on the market and sometimes even grown on European plantations. The following raw materials are discussed in this mini-review: Morus alba L., Cinnamomum zeylanicum J.Presl, Trigonella foenum-graecum L., Phaseolus vulgaris L., Zingiber officinale Rosc., and Panax ginseng C.A.Meyer in terms of scientifically tested antidiabetic activity and the presence of characteristic biologically active compounds and their specific properties, including antioxidant properties. The characteristics of these raw materials are based on in vitro as well as in vivo studies: on animals and in clinical studies. In addition, for each plant, the possibility to use certain morphological elements in the light of EFSA legislation is given.