Plants from Urban Parks as Valuable Cosmetic Ingredients: Green Extraction, Chemical Composition and Activity

The research on the possibilities of using biowaste from urban green areas is scarce. In this work, four plants, widely distributed in urban parks in Central Europe (Lotus corniculatus, Medicago lupulina, Knautia arvensis and Plantago major) were extracted using eco-friendly solvents based either on aqueous cyclodextrin solutions (hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin or γ-cyclodextrin) or natural deep eutectic solvents based on glycerol, betaine and glucose. Metal content was determined using total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF). The content of selected metabolites was determined using UV-VIS spectrophotometric methods and HPLC. Skin-related bioactivity was assessed using tyrosinase and elastase inhibition assays. The selected plants contained metals beneficial for skin health, such as zinc and calcium, while having a low content of toxic heavy metals. The extracts contained the bioactive phenolics such as quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin and apigenin. L. corniculatus was the most potent tyrosinase inhibitor, while K. arvensis showed the most pronounced elastase inhibitory activity. The employed solvents actively contributed to the observed bioactivity. The results indicate that the biowaste obtained from urban parks represents an ecologically acceptable alternative to conventional cultivation for the preparation of ecologically acceptable, high-value cosmetic products.

Mycorrhiza-Induced Alterations in Metabolome of Medicago lupulina Leaves during Symbiosis Development

The present study is aimed at disclosing metabolic profile alterations in the leaves of the Medicago lupulina MlS-1 line that result from high-efficiency arbuscular mycorrhiza (АМ) symbiosis formed with Rhizophagus irregularis under condition of a low phosphorus level in the substrate. A highly effective AM symbiosis was established in the period from the stooling to the shoot branching initiation stage (the efficiency in stem height exceeded 200%). Mycorrhization led to a more intensive accumulation of phosphates (glycerophosphoglycerol and inorganic phosphate) in M. lupulina leaves. Metabolic spectra were detected with GS-MS analysis. The application of complex mathematical analyses made it possible to identify the clustering of various groups of 320 metabolites and thus demonstrate the central importance of the carbohydrate and carboxylate-amino acid clusters. The results obtained indicate a delay in the metabolic development of mycorrhized plants. Thus, AM not only accelerates the transition between plant developmental stages but delays biochemical “maturation” mainly in the form of a lag of sugar accumulation in comparison with non-mycorrhized plants. Several methods of statistical modeling proved that, at least with respect to determining the metabolic status of host-plant leaves, stages of phenological development have priority over calendar age.

Phytoremediation Potential of Native Herbaceous Plant Species Growing on a Paradigmatic Brownfield Site

Phytomanagement techniques using native species allow the recovery of contaminated soils at low cost and circumvent the ecological risks associated with the use of non-native species. In this context, a paradigmatic brownfield megasite highly contaminated by As and Pb was sampled in order to analyze soil–plant interactions and identify plant species with phytoremediation potential. A survey was first carried out in a 20-ha area to obtain an inventory of species growing spontaneously throughout the site. We then performed another survey in the most polluted sub-area (1 ha) within the site. Pseudototal concentrations of contaminants in the soil, aerial parts of the plants, and roots were measured by ICP-MS. A detailed habitat classification was done, and a specific index of coverage was applied by means of a 1-year quadrat study in various sampling stations. Results converged in the selection of six herbaceous species (Dysphania botrys, Lotus corniculatus, Lotus hispidus, Plantago lanceolata, Trifolium repens, Medicago lupulina). All of these plants are fast-growing, thereby making them suitable for use in phytostabilization strategies. Furthermore, they are all easy to grow and propagate and are generally self-sustaining. All six plants showed accumulation factors below 1, thus revealing them as pseudomethallophytes and excluders. However, L. hispidus and M. lupulina showed translocation capacity and are considered worthy of further study.

Dominant associations of Ensifer medicae-Medicage polymorpha and Ensifer meliloti-Medicago lupulina in farmland and natural ecosystem

Aims The nitrogen-fixing rhizobia associated with Medicago polymorpha and M. lupulina in Yunnan, China have been poorly documented. This study aims to analyze the diversity of rhizobia isolated from these two Medicago species and investigate the impact of abiotic (soil properties) and biotic (plant hosts) factors on Medicago-associated rhizobia in this region. Methods 91 rhizobial isolates were characterized by RFLP of 16S rDNA and 16S–23S IGS, BOX-PCR fingerprinting, nodulation assays and phylogeny analyses based on housekeeping and symbiosis genes. The genetic diversity of the rhizobial isolates was assessed by the BOX AIR pattern and Shannon index. Additionally, the correlation of soil properties and rhizobial distribution was determined by the constrained analysis of principle coordinates (CAP) based on Bray-Curtis distance of presence/absence (PA) transformed species data. Results All the tested strains fell in the genus Ensifer and divided into two species, E. medicae and E. meliloti. Both host plants and soil properties contributed to the rhizobial diversity. For either E. meliloti or E. medicae, isolates from native host plants tended to be more genetically diverse than those of the same species from non-native hosts. The soil edaphic factor analysis elucidated that nitrogen, organic matter as well as Ca2+ and Na+ are the key factors to shape the biogeographical distribution of rhizobia. Conclusions This study evidenced the microsymbiont preference of M. polymorpha to E. medicae and M. lupulina to E. meliloti, but also revealed the considerable impacts of both plant hosts and soil factors on the rhizobial diversity and biodistribution.

Morphological and anatomical structure of Medicago Lupulina L. flowers

The genus Alfalfa of the legume family (Fabaceae) includes about 60 species of herbaceous plants. One of the most widespread representatives in Russia and Kazakhstan is Medicago lupulina L. In the scientific medicine of Russia and Kazakhstan Medicago lupulina L. is currently not used. There is no approved pharmacopoeial article for this plant. However, this species has long been used in traditional medicine for a variety of diseases. For introduction into scientific medicine, it is necessary to develop authenticity indicators and conduct a study of morphological and anatomical signs of the structure of Medicago lupulina L. flowers. Objective: to conduct a macro-and microscopic study of the structure of the alfalfa hop flowers; to identify and characterize the signs that are of differential importance in the diagnosis of raw materials. Materials and methods. The study of morphological and anatomical features of Medicago lupulina L. was carried out in accordance with the articles of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation of the XIV edition and the State Pharmacopoeia of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Freshly harvested, dried and fixed raw materials were used for the study. Results. For the first time, macro- and microdiagnostic signs of flowers of Medicago lupulina L. were described. Conclusion. For the first time macroscopic and microscopic features of flowers of Medicago lupulina L. were identified and described, which can be used to determine the authenticity of raw materials, as well as to develop the sections «External signs» and «Microscopic signs» of modern regulatory documentation.

Effect of Seed Coating and PEG-Induced Drought on the Germination Capacity of Five Clover Crops

The effect of coating the seed of clover crops by water absorbing seed process (WASP) technology pelletization on its germination capacity was studied in conditions of diverse drought intensities simulated by different concentrations of polyethylenglycol (PEG) 8000 solution. Drought resistance was monitored in the seed of five fodder clover species: Anthyllis vulneraria L., Medicago lupulina L., Trifolium repens L., Melilotus albus Medik. and Onobrychis viciifolia Scop. In the seed of given plant species, germination capacity was determined along with the share of dead and hard seeds. Although the coating significantly (p < 0.05) affected the drought resistance of seeds, the germination capacity increased only in conditions of milder drought (simulation with PEG: 0.1–0.3 mol). With the increasing intensity of drought induced by higher PEG concentrations (0.4–0.7 mol) the number of germinable seeds demonstrably decreased and the number of dead seeds increased in the coated seed as compared with the uncoated seed. The coated seed can be appropriate for use in M. lupulina, M. albus and T. repens, while the uncoated seed can be used in A. vulneraria and O. viciifolia.

EVALUATION OF TRAIT VARIABILITY IN VARIOUS COLLECTION SAMPLES OF ALFALFA

The research was carried out in the field at the Central Experimental Base of the Federal Williams Research Center of Forage Production and Agroecology. The object of research was 41 samples of alfalfa. The samples were sown according to the scheme of a standard collection nursery. All studies and observations were carried out on the herbage of the second and third years of life. Statistical processing of the research results showed a generally high level of variation in the characteristics. We identified the 4 best samples for a set of features. Several significant positive and negative correlations have been identified, which can be used as indirect signs in the evaluation and selection of promising forms. This method allowed us to identify 3 genetically different groups (clusters) of samples that differ in the nature of the formation of traits. The first cluster includes samples 49, 54, 66, ... and 193 belonging to various studied species. But mostly they represent the species Medicago sativa L. The samples differ little in the content of crude fiber and crude protein. The second cluster includes samples 454, 605, 583, ... and 598, which had average values for most indicators. The third group of samples includes 192, 646 and 355 (Medicago lupulina L. and Medicago glutinosa M.B.) with a maximum content of crude protein. The analysis of the distance and kinship between the samples revealed the presence of three clusters that can be used in breeding for combinational ability and consolidation of breeding-valuable traits.

FORMATION OF BICARPIC POPULATIONS OF BLACK MEDIC

15 populations of black medic (Medicago lupulina L.) of various ecological and geo-graphical origin were studied by the type of ontogenesis. It was found that 1 population is represented entirely by monocarp forms of plants, 7 populations have 20–60% of mono-carps. Wild alfalfa from the Moscow region and mutant forms created on its basis consist of 100% bicarpic plants. Bicarpic plants of varieties Georgia, Nordol, Rinata and selection number LH19-3, whose average dry matter productivity was 40.8–48.0 g/plant, are valuable as a source material for breeding of black medic. As sources of high seed prod-uctivity (10.0 and 10.3 g/plant), you can use bicarpic plants of the selection number VIK 256 and Georgia varieties, and high leafed (52.4 and 55.3%) — selection numbers DS-1 and VIK 61/94.

Floristic findings in the Maya River basin (Khabarovsk Territory)

The article provides an information about floristic findings in the Maya Aldanskaya River basin. As a result of expeditionary researches, new locations of 25 species and 1 subspecies of vascular plants were revealed, including for the Aldan floristic region – 9 species: Bupleurum scorzonerifolium, Cardamine prorepens, C. macrophylla, Gentiana macrophylla, Linum komarovii, Medicago lupulina, Packera heterophylla, Triglochin maritima, Valeriana alternifolia; for the Maya River valley – 9 species and 1 subspecies: Campanula punctata, Iris laevigata, Leontopodium conglobatum, Linaria acutiloba, Lysimachia thyrsiflora, Micranthes staminosa, Polemonium boreale, Rhodiola rosea, Saxifraga cernua, Hypericum ascyron subsp. gebleri; in the Red Data Books of the Regions and the Russian Federation – 7 species: Aconogonon amgense, Alyssum obovatum, Anemone tamarae, Borodinia macrophylla, Ephedra monosperma, Hedysarum dasycarpum, Saxifraga lactea.

Optimization of Two Eco-Friendly Extractions of Black Medick (Medicago lupulina L.) Phenols and Their Antioxidant, Cosmeceutical, α-Glucosidase and α-Amylase Inhibitory Properties

Medicago lupulina is an ancient edible plant from the Fabaceae family. In this work, two eco-friendly methods for extraction of bioactive phenolics from M. lupulina were developed using mixtures of water with two non-toxic, skin- and environmentally-friendly polyol solvents: glycerol and polypropylene glycol. Ultrasound-assisted extractions were optimized using a Box–Behnken design. The independent variables were the concentration of organic solvent in water (X1), extraction temperature (X2) and time (X3), while the response was phenolic content. The optimum conditions for extraction of polyphenols were (X1, X2, X3): (45%, 70 °C, 60 min) and (10%, 80 °C, 60 min) for glycerol and polypropylene glycol extraction, respectively. The extracts prepared at optimum conditions were rich in phenolic compounds, mainly derivatives of apigenin, kaempferol, luteolin, quercetin, caffeic and ferulic acid, as well as coumestrol. Their cosmeceutical and antidiabetic activity was tested. Both extracts demonstrated notable antioxidant, anti-lipoxygenase and anti-α-amylase activity. In addition to those activities, the glycerol extract efficiently inhibited protein coagulation, elastase and α-glucosidase activity. Glycerol present in the extract displayed enzyme-inhibiting activity in several assays and supported the action of the bioactive constituents. Thus, the optimized glycerol extract is a desirable candidate for direct incorporation in antidiabetic food supplements and cosmeceutical products.