EDTA and nitric acid responses on nickel uptake, translocation factor and pigments on Spinacia oleracea L. replanted seedlings in hydroponic solution

The effects of Na2EDTA and HNO3 on Ni2+ uptake by Spinacia oleracea seedlings replanted inhydroponic culture in a greenhouse was investigated. Eight week old seedlings, were exposed to various doses of Ni2+ (0, 1000, 2000, and 4000 mg/L) as NiSO4, at (0, 500 and 3000 mg/L) Na2EDTA and ( 0, 500 and 3000 mg /L) HNO3 in different combinations. There was a substantial increase in nickel uptake in chelated treatments (p < 0.05) compared to unchelated treatments of same concentrations of Ni2+. So, chelation enhanced Ni2+ uptake in S. oleracea. During the exposure, antioxidant defense system helped the plant to protect itself from the damage. Due to increasing nickel uptake by the plant, the photosynthetic pigments (i.e chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and Caretenoids) gradually declined. In this study, Spinacia oleracea Seedlings and contents of the photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and Caretenoids) of both chelated and unchelated hydroponic treatments were investigated. Changes in photosynthetic pigments was significant (p < 0.05) with respect to addition of EDTA and HNO3 at different concentration to different concentrations of Ni2+ compared to unchelated treatments of same concentrations of Ni2+. The Ni2+ induced translocation factor was also determined which increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing Ni2+ concentrations.

Influence of Nutrient Concentration on Growth, Yield And Quality of Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) in Hydroponic System

The present experiment entitled “Influence of nutrient concentration on Growth, Yield and Quality of Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) in Hydroponic system” was carried out in Shade net, Research Field, Department of Horticulture, SHUATS, Prayagraj during March- April,2020.. The experiment was laid out in complete randomized design (CRD), with eight treatments, replicated thrice with nutrient field technique hydroponics system and variety Mulayam of Spinach, the treatments were T1 (NPK 6.25 ml/plant), T2 (NPK 8.33 ml/plant), T3 (NPK 10.41 ml/plant), T4 (NPK 12.5 ml/plant), T5 (NPK 14.58 ml/plant), T6 (NPK 16.66 ml/plant), T7 (NPK 18.75 ml/plant) and T0 (NPK 0 ml/plant). From the present experimental findings, it is found that structure with treatment T4 was found best in terms of Growth and yield parameters of spinach in NFT hydroponic system followed by structure with T3 and T1 due to appropriate supply of plant nutrients and the water treated plants had the lowest values. Maximum gross return (1871.30Rs) and net return (746.30 Rs) and maximum benefit cost ratio (1.66) was also observed in treatment T4. As seen from the experiment, it was observed that the treatment T4 was ideal nutrient for Spinach good growth and yield. Therefore, an ideal nutrient concentration helps the plants in good growth and yield.

A 12-Week Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial, Evaluating the Effect of Supplementation with a Spinach Extract on Skeletal Muscle Fitness in Adults Older Than 50 Years of Age

The aim of a 12-week randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study was to assess the effect of daily supplementation with a natural extract of Spinacia oleracea L. (4 × 500 mg capsules/day; total 2 g per day) combined with a moderate-intensity training program (1 h session/3 times a week) on skeletal muscle fitness in adults over 50 years of age. Muscle strength assessed by isokinetic and isometric dynamometry improved significantly in the experimental (n = 23) and the placebo (n = 22) groups, but the magnitude of improvement was higher in the experimental group, with between-group differences in almost all variables, including isokinetic at 60° s−1 in knee extension, peak torque (p < 0.007); total work per repetition maximum (p < 0.009); isokinetic at 180°s−1 in knee extension, peak torque (p < 0.002); total work (p < 0.007); total work per repetition maximum (p < 0.005); average power (p < 0.027); isometric in knee extension, peak torque (p < 0.005); and average peak torque (p < 0.002). Similar findings were observed for muscle quality. Changes in quality of life (SF-36) were not found, except for improvements in the role physical (p < 0.023) and role emotional (p < 0.001) domains, likely as a result of the physical training sessions. A nutritional survey did not revealed changes in dietary habits. No adverse events were recorded. In subjects over 50 years of age, moderate-intensity strength training combined with daily supplementation for 12 weeks with a natural extract of Spinacia oleracea L. improved muscle-related variables and muscle quality. Maintaining muscle health is a key component of healthy aging.

Cultural Practices and Mechanical Weed Control for the Management of a Low-Diversity Weed Community in Spinach

Low-diversity weed communities are dominated by few species that are highly competitive to crops. The management of such weed communities should rely upon sustainable cultural and non-chemical practices, especially in crops such as spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), where very few herbicides are available. A two-year field trial (2020 and 2021) was conducted to evaluate different fertilization practices (broadcast and banded), intra-row spacings (15 cm, 11 cm, 7 cm), and mechanical weed control treatments (untreated, one treatment, two treatments) for the management of a low-diversity weed community in spinach. Weed competition severely affected spinach commercial biomass (R2 = 0.845). Compared to broadcast fertilization, banded fertilization reduced weed biomass and improved spinach yield and nitrogen use efficiency. Narrow intra-row spacing (7-cm) reduced weed biomass by 28 and 45% compared to intra-row spacings of 11-cm and 15-cm, respectively. Two mechanical weed control treatments resulted in 49% lower weed biomass compared to a single treatment. Commercial biomass increased with decreasing intra-row spacing (R2 = 0.881) and increasing the number of mechanical treatments (R2 = 0.911). More cultural and non-chemical practices should be evaluated for weed management in spinach, especially at sites infested with low-diversity weed communities.

Adaptogenic Properties of a Phytoecdysteroid-Rich Extract from the Leaves of Spinacia oleracea L.

Increasing the ability of the human body to adapt in conditions of physical or emotional stress is promising from the standpoint of the use of preventive nutrition containing functional food ingredients (FFI) with proven effectiveness in complex physiological in vivo studies. In this work, we developed FFI from spinach leaves (Spinacia oleracea L.) with a high content of polyphenols and adaptogens—phytoecdysteroids. Using in vivo models of increased physical activity and immobilization-induced emotional stress, we evaluated the nonspecific resistance of rats in response to the addition of the developed FFI to the diet. In the acute toxicity experiment, we found no signs of FFI toxicity up to 5000 mg/kg body weight. As a result of the daily 26-day consumption of FFI, we observed an anxiolytic effect in physiological studies. FFI prevented an increase in the content of biogenic amines in the blood, the main markers of the stress system, and had a positive effect on the lipid metabolism of the rats. The obtained results demonstrate a “smoothing” effect on the body’s reaction in response to induced stress conditions.

The first report of iron-rich population of adapted medicinal spinach (Blitum virgatum L.) compared with cultivated spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

Folk medicine such as herbal and natural products have been used for centuries in every culture throughout the world. The Chenopodiaceae family with more than 1500 species is dispersed worldwide. The Iranian wild spinach (Blitum virgatum L.) is an important traditional medicinal plant used for antiviral diseases such as pneumonia and other respiratory track infections. This plant is a mountainous herb and is growing upper than 3000 m. We performed a mass selection plant breeding program on wild populations of this Iranian wild spinach during 2013–2020. Based on experimental and field characteristics this plant was identified as B. virgatum, |abbaricum|, and related characteristics were prepared with reference to the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV). Mass selection program resulted from an adapted population named as medicinal spinach (MSP) population. To compare the mineral content of the mass-selected population with cultivated spinach (Spinacia oleracea L. |Varamin 88|), both plants were planted in pots and fields under similar conditions. In five leaves stage, plant samples were taken from both leaf and crown sections and used for experimental analysis. Atomic absorption spectroscopy was used to determine the mineral content including iron (Fe), zinc (Z), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu). Our results showed the selected medicinal spinach population (MSP) with about 509 ppm iron was an important iron-rich population with about 3.5–4 times more than the amount of iron in cultivated spinach in the same conditions. Because iron is an important essential element for blood production, respiration process, energy metabolisms, synthesis of collagen, and some neurotransmitters are needed for proper immune function, so the supply of absorbable adequate iron is very important. The reasons such as the prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic, which affects the amount of exchangeable oxygen in the lungs and historical local evidences of the use of this plant (MSP) for pneumonia, could open new horizons for focusing on studies related to the use of ancestral human experiences in addition to scientifically modern research.

An Anti-radical, Cytoprotective, Anti-proliferative, Anti-inflammatory and Toxicological Assessment of Metallo-porphyrins Isolated from Fresh Leaves of Spinacia oleracea L.

Aim: Synthetic lead molecules are associated with host of adverse effects while medicinal molecules isolated from natural sources are blessed with both safety as well as efficacy. The ancient doctrine of Ayurveda ardently advocates the therapeutic virtues contained in green leaves of Spinacia oleracea L. The principal constituent of the leaves is the class of metalloporphyrin chlorophyll, which is also the floral counterpart of faunal heme. Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and chlorophyll-b (Chl-b) are the cardinal members of the chlorophyll family. Study design: Herein, we have explored the anti-radical, cytoprotective, anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative efficacy of Chl-a and Chl-b in reference to standard drug and crude extract of Spinacia leaves. The current study is aimed to establish, naturally mined metaloporphyrins as safe and efficacious replacement of synthetic leads that are associated with a wide range of toxicological issues. Methodology: Using a combination of Silica Gel-G column chromatography and preparative thin layer chromatography, the two principal green metallo-porphyrins (Chl-a and Chl-b) were sequentially extracted and isolated from crude extract of Spinacia oleracea L leaves. Antiradical efficacy, of the isolated green porphyrins was quantified by DPPH and Hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging assay. Cytoprotective efficacy was evaluated using ex-vivo hemolysis assay and anti-inflammatory potency was attested employing carrageenan induced paw edema bioassay. To enumerate on the anti-proliferative potency, MTT assay was employed, while toxicology of the isolates was evaluated employing OECD 420 acute toxicity guidelines. Findings: The study confirmed that isolated green porphyrins Chl-a and Chl-b as well as crude extract all exerts significant anti-radical, cytoprotective, anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative efficacy however while potency of Chl-a was at par with that of reference standard and superior to the crude extract, Chl-b clocked in a value inferior to both. Furthermore, acute toxicity study indicated that even at p.o. dose of 2000mg/Kg b.w, no toxicity was manifested in either of the metalloporpyrin treated groups thus ascertaining the safe nature of the naturally mined metalloporphyrin entities. Also naturally mined Chl-a is not only a safer alternative to synthetic medicine but it is more potent and safe than its parent extract popularly used in herbal medicine. Conclusion: The results of the study indicates that Chl-a having a more profound structural resemblance to heme than Chl-b can be further modulated as a cost-effective and safe anti-radical alternative to synthetic leads in inhibiting inflammation and untoward cell proliferative while extending cyto-protection from pathological ROS generated in diseased states.