Novel Methodology for Delivering Putrescine into the Apple Explants Using Hormone Anchored Nanotube

Multi wall carbon nanotubes have been successfully exploited as growth regulator for manipulation of plant development. Also, nanoparticles are gradually involved in target delivery systems as the carrier of hormones. Polyamines and their derivations play crucial roles in plant growth and development. Take the mentioned subjects into consideration, putrescine anchored carbon nanotube which had been labeled with fluorescein was synthetized in this study. A set of physiological and morphological parameters were assessed in an attempt to examine the usage potential of de novo synthetized nanotube in terms of plant in-vitro culture. For this purpose, the nanotube was applied onto the in-vitro plantlets of Malus niedzwetzkyana in three concentrations (0, 50 and 100 mg/l). Localization of the nanotube in the plantlets was accomplished using fluorescence microscopy. Bio-imaging of tissues indicated the existence of nanotube in nearly all studied organs. Application of the nanotube at both concentrations (50 and 100 mg/l) increased the rate of leaf formation and speeding up the plastochron. Also, proliferation of the plantlets was enhanced using the nanotube. The levels of the photosynthetic pigments, including chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids increased following application of the nanotube. Glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly affected by the nanotube. However, polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase were not influenced by the nanotube. Stomatal density was increased by treatment of the plantlets with the nanotube. Representing geometrical transformation of shape as a thin plate spline revealed that the nanotube effectively increased longitudinally of stomata and changes their aspect ratio.

Plant in vitro Culture Technologies; A Promise Into Factories of Secondary Metabolites Against COVID-19

The current pandemic has caused chaos throughout the world. While there are few vaccines available now, there is the need for better treatment alternatives in line with preventive measures against COVID-19. Along with synthetic chemical compounds, phytochemicals cannot be overlooked as candidates for drugs against severe respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The important role of secondary metabolites or phytochemical compounds against coronaviruses has been confirmed by studies that reported the anti-coronavirus role of glycyrrhizin from the roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra. The study demonstrated that glycyrrhizin is a very promising phytochemical against SARS-CoV, which caused an outbreak in 2002–2003. Similarly, many phytochemical compounds (apigenin, betulonic acid, reserpine, emodin, etc.) were isolated from different plants such as Isatis indigotica, Lindera aggregate, and Artemisia annua and were employed against SARS-CoV. However, owing to the geographical and seasonal variation, the quality of standard medicinal compounds isolated from plants varies. Furthermore, many of the important medicinal plants are either threatened or on the verge of endangerment because of overharvesting for medicinal purposes. Therefore, plant biotechnology provides a better alternative in the form of in vitro culture technology, including plant cell cultures, adventitious roots cultures, and organ and tissue cultures. In vitro cultures can serve as factories of secondary metabolites/phytochemicals that can be produced in bulk and of uniform quality in the fight against COVID-19, once tested. Similarly, environmental and molecular manipulation of these in vitro cultures could provide engineered drug candidates for testing against COVID-19. The in vitro culture-based phytochemicals have an additional benefit of consistency in terms of yield as well as quality. Nonetheless, as the traditional plant-based compounds might prove toxic in some cases, engineered production of promising phytochemicals can bypass this barrier. Our article focuses on reviewing the potential of the different in vitro plant cultures to produce medicinally important secondary metabolites that could ultimately be helpful in the fight against COVID-19.

Combining Medicinal Plant In Vitro Culture with Machine Learning Technologies for Maximizing the Production of Phenolic Compounds

We combined machine learning and plant in vitro culture methodologies as a novel approach for unraveling the phytochemical potential of unexploited medicinal plants. In order to induce phenolic compound biosynthesis, the in vitro culture of three different species of Bryophyllum under nutritional stress was established. To optimize phenolic extraction, four solvents with different MeOH proportions were used, and total phenolic content (TPC), flavonoid content (FC) and radical-scavenging activity (RSA) were determined. All results were subjected to data modeling with the application of artificial neural networks to provide insight into the significant factors that influence such multifactorial processes. Our findings suggest that aerial parts accumulate a higher proportion of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in comparison to roots. TPC was increased under ammonium concentrations below 15 mM, and their extraction was maximum when using solvents with intermediate methanol proportions (55–85%). The same behavior was reported for RSA, and, conversely, FC was independent of culture media composition, and their extraction was enhanced using solvents with high methanol proportions (>85%). These findings confer a wide perspective about the relationship between abiotic stress and secondary metabolism and could serve as the starting point for the optimization of bioactive compound production at a biotechnological scale.