Natural Resources of Berry and Medicinal Plants Volume II

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Ecology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (29 February 2024) | Viewed by 26313

Special Issue Editors

Laboratory of Economic Botany, Nature Research Centre, LT-08412 Vilnius, Lithuania
Interests: in situ conservation of crop wild relatives; medicinal and aromatic plant genetic resources; biological diversity of essential oil-bearing plants and berries in forest ecosystems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Nature Research Centre, Vilniaus Universitetas, Vilnius, Lithuania
Interests: natural product chemistry; phytochemicals; antioxidant activity; bioactivity; chromatography; herbal medicine; antibacterial activity; antibacterials; medicinal plants; medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

After the successful completion of Volume I of this Special Issue and the great interest in this research topic, we continue with Volume II.

The ever-growing interest in medicinal, aromatic, and berry plants is based on the uniqueness of the natural biological resources necessary to maintain our lives. Worldwide, thousands of species are not only directly used for medicinal purposes, as spice, food, dietary supplements, and cosmetics, but are also raw materials for the respective industries and trade. Although the naturally occurring genetic, chemotypic, and ecotypic diversity of most of these species is still understudied, it is evident that they present an invaluable potential for our disposal, which, however, requires a sustainable approach to ensure both the needs of future generations and health of natural ecosystems. Globally, more than half of medicinal and aromatic plant resources are being collected from the wild. Forest medicinal plants and berries are especially valued because they are free of pesticides and other kinds of chemicals commonly used in agriculture. At the same time, to satisfy the ever-growing needs of consumers, a lot of introduced plant species, particularly berry cultivars, rich in biologically active compounds, are being successfully cultivated in many countries (and sometimes even found naturalized), which is particularly important for the sustainability of natural biological resources when facing global climate change. Research into the genetic diversity of natural berry and medicinal plant resources may reveal their ability to adapt to changing climate conditions as well as promote their in situ conservation and development of new cultivars. Particular attention should be given to the study of secondary metabolites found in these plants, as they not only present major quality indicators of new cultivars but are also important in chemotaxonomy. Today, the use of modern laboratory tools and applications allow evaluating the contents of secondary metabolites and implementing a more focused breeding of medicinal and berry plants and production of more diverse medicines, functional foods, and other products. This Special Issue will highlight the advances in understanding the genetic, chemotypic, and ecotypic diversity of berry and medicinal plants and will contribute to the sustainable use of their resources.

Dr. Juozas Labokas
Dr. Kristina Ložiené
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • biologically active compounds
  • plant genetic resources
  • genetic diversity
  • natural and seminatural
  • populations
  • in situ and ex situ conservation
  • non-wood forest products
  • medicinal plants
  • aromatic plants
  • berries

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (17 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 1678 KiB  
Article
Correlation between Antimicrobial Activity Values and Total Phenolic Content/Antioxidant Activity in Rubus idaeus L.
by Audrone Ispiryan, Vilma Atkociuniene, Natalija Makstutiene, Antanas Sarkinas, Alvija Salaseviciene, Dalia Urbonaviciene, Jonas Viskelis, Rasa Pakeltiene and Lina Raudone
Plants 2024, 13(4), 504; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13040504 - 11 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1087
Abstract
Plant by-products, which are discarded into the environment, are rich in valuable compounds. The aim of this research was to determine the antibacterial activity of Rubus idaeus L. morphological parts and its correlation with total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The authors also [...] Read more.
Plant by-products, which are discarded into the environment, are rich in valuable compounds. The aim of this research was to determine the antibacterial activity of Rubus idaeus L. morphological parts and its correlation with total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The authors also aimed to evaluate the plant’s potential as added-value products. New aspects were revealed for further use and for making novel and natural products. The study’s results indicated that raspberry leaves, inflorescences, and fruits could effectively combat three Gram-positive bacteria. According to the findings, among the various plant parts, root and seed extracts had the lowest antibacterial activity. Data revealed moderate, weak, or very weak correlation between the antimicrobial activity and phenolic content parameters. These findings underscore the viability of substituting synthetic antimicrobials with natural alternatives. The present study is significant for preparing novel products as antibacterials by appropriate and optimized processing using all raspberry morphological parts, and the research results show promising prospects for future purposeful utilisation of nature-based products. Raspberry plant parts can find applications in emerging fields that generate economic and environmental value. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Resources of Berry and Medicinal Plants Volume II)
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14 pages, 4147 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Ripening Stages on the Accumulation of Polyphenols and Antioxidant Activity of the Fruit Extracts of Solanum Species
by Jūratė Staveckienė, Jurgita Kulaitienė, Dovilė Levickienė, Nijolė Vaitkevičienė and Viktorija Vaštakaitė-Kairienė
Plants 2023, 12(14), 2672; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12142672 - 17 Jul 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 956
Abstract
The aim of the research was to evaluate the influence of the ripening stage on the accumulation of polyphenols and antioxidant activity in fruits of Solanum species. The experiment included two factors: I—four different Solanum species (S. melanocerasum, S. nigrum, [...] Read more.
The aim of the research was to evaluate the influence of the ripening stage on the accumulation of polyphenols and antioxidant activity in fruits of Solanum species. The experiment included two factors: I—four different Solanum species (S. melanocerasum, S. nigrum, S. villosum, and S. retroflexum) and II—three ripening stages. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to analyze the individual phenolic compounds (flavonoids and phenolic acids), and the spectrophotometric method was applied to determine antioxidant activity. The results revealed that the accumulation of polyphenols and antioxidant activity in fruits of Solanum species depends on the stage of ripening and species. All studied Solanum species fruits had the highest content of total phenolic acid at ripening stage III and the greatest antioxidant activity at ripening stage I. Fully ripe fruits of S. melanocerasum contained significantly more total flavonoids, whereas S. nigrum contained significantly more total phenolic acids than other investigated Solanum species fruits. The significantly highest antioxidant activity was found in S. melanocerasum fruits at ripening stage I. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Resources of Berry and Medicinal Plants Volume II)
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16 pages, 459 KiB  
Article
Quality Changes of Cold-Pressed Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.), Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), and Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum L.) Seed Oils during Storage
by Živilė Tarasevičienė, Valdas Laukagalis, Aurelija Paulauskienė, Aldona Baltušnikienė and Edita Meškinytė
Plants 2023, 12(6), 1351; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12061351 - 17 Mar 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1598
Abstract
Oils derived from non-traditional seeds, such as safflower, milk thistle, and black cumin seeds, have recently grown in popularity. Seed oil is in high demand due to consumer interest in illness prevention and health promotion through healthier diets that include a high concentration [...] Read more.
Oils derived from non-traditional seeds, such as safflower, milk thistle, and black cumin seeds, have recently grown in popularity. Seed oil is in high demand due to consumer interest in illness prevention and health promotion through healthier diets that include a high concentration of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidant phenolic components. This study assessed the quality characteristics of cold-pressed seed oil at three unique storage times: at the beginning of the trial (i.e., before storage), after 2 months, and after 4 months. The results of the performed analyses indicate that the acidity of extracted black cumin, safflower, and milk thistle seed oil fluctuates considerably over time. The highest acidity level change was detected for black cumin seed oil, from 10.26% after the extraction to 16.96% after 4 months of storage at 4 °C. Consequently, changes between pre- and post-storage peroxide concentrations were discernible after four months. Peroxide value in milk thistle and safflower seed oils increased by 0.92 meq/kg and 2.00 meq/kg, respectively, during the assessed storage time, while that of black cumin was very high and fluctuated. The storage period substantially affects oxidative changes and the oxidation stability of the oil. Major changes were observed in the polyunsaturated fatty acids in seed oil during storage. The essential changes were detected in the black cumin seed oil odor profile after 4 storage months. Their quality and stability, as well as the nature of the changes that occur during the storage of oil, require extensive investigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Resources of Berry and Medicinal Plants Volume II)
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12 pages, 1374 KiB  
Article
Chemical Composition of Essential Oils and Local Knowledge of Myrica gale in Lithuania
by Kristina Ložienė, Viktorija Maskolaitytė, Juozas Labokas, Jurga Būdienė and Vaida Vaičiulytė
Plants 2023, 12(5), 1050; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12051050 - 26 Feb 2023
Viewed by 1548
Abstract
Myrica gale L. (Myricaceae) is an essential oil-bearing plant that is rare in Lithuania and naturally grows only in the western part of the country. The aim of this study was to analyze the composition of essential oils of Myrica gale in different [...] Read more.
Myrica gale L. (Myricaceae) is an essential oil-bearing plant that is rare in Lithuania and naturally grows only in the western part of the country. The aim of this study was to analyze the composition of essential oils of Myrica gale in different habitats in Lithuania and in different parts of the plant, as well as evaluate the local knowledge about M. gale as a medicinal and aromatic plant. Samples of fruits and leaves (from one and three M. gale populations, respectively) were studied separately. Essential oils were isolated from dried fruits and leaves by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC/FID and GC/MS methods. Results showed that M. gale fruits accumulated 4.03 ± 2.13% essential oils, meanwhile leaves—up to 19 times less. A total of 85 compounds were identified in the essential oils of the M. gale. Monoterpene hydrocarbons accounted for about half of the total essential oil content; meanwhile, either monoterpene hydrocarbons or sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (depending on habitat) dominated in leaves. The main compounds (depending on habitat) in essential oils of fruits and leaves were α-pinene, 1,8-cineole, limonene, δ-cadinene, and (E)-nerolidol. The high variation in the composition of M. gale essential oils suggests the presence of different chemotypes within the studied habitats of this plant. Evaluation of local knowledge of M. gale through the survey of 74 residents of 15 villages in western Lithuania showed that only 7% of respondents knew this plant. Poor knowledge of M. gale could be related to the narrow range of the natural species’ distribution in Lithuania. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Resources of Berry and Medicinal Plants Volume II)
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12 pages, 591 KiB  
Communication
On the Prospects of In Situ Conservation of Medicinal- and Aromatic-Plant Genetic Resources at Ancient-Hillfort Sites: A Case Study from Lithuania
by Juozas Labokas and Birutė Karpavičienė
Plants 2023, 12(4), 861; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12040861 - 14 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1103
Abstract
Twenty-three ancient-hillfort sites were investigated to evaluate the potential for the in situ conservation of medicinal- and aromatic-plant populations. An evaluation of the site’s suitability was carried out by employing three major groups of criteria: species-specific, site-specific, and threat assessment. The species-specific criteria [...] Read more.
Twenty-three ancient-hillfort sites were investigated to evaluate the potential for the in situ conservation of medicinal- and aromatic-plant populations. An evaluation of the site’s suitability was carried out by employing three major groups of criteria: species-specific, site-specific, and threat assessment. The species-specific criteria included the total species number, target species number, the cover-abundance of the target species estimated by mean Braun–Blanquet score, and, as an additional criterion, the number and cover-abundance of crop wild relatives. The site-specific criteria included site evaluation with respect to climatic region, the area size of a site, the habitat type, and the site’s protection status. The threat assessment was focused on anthropogenic activities, such as recreational, agricultural, and others. The total number of vascular plant species inventoried was 264, including 82 species of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP). There was a strong and highly significant correlation between the total and the MAP species numbers (rs = 0.77, p < 0.001), and the two most species-rich sites, Žuklijai and Pamiškė, contained the highest total and MAP species numbers. The investigated hillfort sites covered the populations of 49 species, or about 33% of the priority species list, with 5 or more populations. The most frequent species, Hypericum perforatum, occurred at 21 sites. The twenty-three hillfort sites represent three of the four climatic regions and six of the ten climatic subregions of Lithuania. Although these hillfort sites are quite small (1.24 ± 0.75 ha on average, without buffer zone), they are scattered across the country and are state-protected as archaeological objects, which makes them suitable for the in situ conservation of MAP genetic resources. In addition, seven hillfort sites (30.4% of the investigated ones) belong to the European network of special areas of conservation of habitats (Natura 2000), thus increasing their international importance. The threat assessment showed that anthropogenic activities (recreational, agricultural, etc.) are among the major factors affecting target-species populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Resources of Berry and Medicinal Plants Volume II)
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16 pages, 2248 KiB  
Article
Trends in Phenolic Profiles of Achillea millefolium from Different Geographical Gradients
by Jolita Radušienė, Birutė Karpavičienė, Lina Raudone, Gabriele Vilkickyte, Cüneyt Çırak, Fatih Seyis, Fatih Yayla, Mindaugas Marksa, Laura Rimkienė and Liudas Ivanauskas
Plants 2023, 12(4), 746; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12040746 - 07 Feb 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1025
Abstract
The traditional widely used raw material of Achillea millefolium is currently mainly derived from wild populations, leading to diversification and uncertainty in its quality. The aim of the study was to determine the accumulation differences of phenolic compounds between geographically distant populations of [...] Read more.
The traditional widely used raw material of Achillea millefolium is currently mainly derived from wild populations, leading to diversification and uncertainty in its quality. The aim of the study was to determine the accumulation differences of phenolic compounds between geographically distant populations of Achillea millefolium from northern and southern gradients. Plant material was collected from Gaziantep and Nevşehir provinces in Turkey and from wild populations in Lithuania. A complex of nine hydroxycinnamic acids and eleven flavonoids was identified and quantified in the methanolic extracts of inflorescences, leaves, and stems using the HPLC-PDA method. Caffeoylquinic acids predominated in leaves, while inflorescences tended to prevail in flavonoids. The PCA score plot model represented the quantitative distribution pattern of phenolic compounds along a geographical gradient of populations. The content of phenolic compounds in plant materials from northern latitudes was more than twice that of plants from southern latitudes. A significant correlation of individual phenolic compounds with latitude/longitude corresponded to their differences between two countries. Differences in accumulation of caffeoylquinic acids and flavonoids revealed several intraspecific groups within A. millefolium. Our findings suggest that spatial geographical data on the distribution of phenolic compounds in A. millefolium populations could be used as a tool to find potential collection sites for high-quality raw materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Resources of Berry and Medicinal Plants Volume II)
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19 pages, 4464 KiB  
Article
Natural Bioactive Substances in Fruits of Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott Exposed to Combined Light-Type, Chitosan Oligosaccharide, and Spent Mushroom Residue Treatments
by Yadong Duan, Xin Wei, Wenbo Zhao, Jinxia Li, Guang Yang, Shuang Zhou, Chunwei Zhou, Lei Zhang, Pengju Li, Shuai Hou, Deshan Shi, Cheng Liu and Baitao Guo
Plants 2023, 12(3), 604; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12030604 - 30 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1330
Abstract
Greenhouse culture is a practical approach to obtain non-wood forest products from berry fruit at a higher efficacy than resource silviculture in natural understory. In this study, three-year old black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott 1821) seedlings were transplanted to a greenhouse [...] Read more.
Greenhouse culture is a practical approach to obtain non-wood forest products from berry fruit at a higher efficacy than resource silviculture in natural understory. In this study, three-year old black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott 1821) seedlings were transplanted to a greenhouse where sunlight was complemented by red- (69.4% red, 30.2% green, 0.4% blue) and blue-color (15.3% red, 64.9% green, 19.8% blue) light-emitting diode (LED) illuminations. Half of the planting soils were amended by spent mushroom residue (SMR) (not amendment as the control) and half the seedlings were sprayed by chitosan oligosaccharide (CO) on leaves. All treatments can increase seedling height, but only blue light reinforces the basal diameter growth. Compared to sunlight, exposure to blue light can promote leaf nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations, superoxide dismutase activity, and fruit proanthocyanidin content. The combination with CO addition will further increase chlorophyl a content, acid phosphatase activity, and total phenolics in fruit. SMR amended can induce the steady state uptake of nutrients but failed to impact fruit quality. Overall, we recommend the combination of blue light LED illumination plus CO addition to culture black chokeberry for the purpose to gain natural bioactive compounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Resources of Berry and Medicinal Plants Volume II)
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12 pages, 913 KiB  
Article
Variations in Yield, Essential Oil, and Salicylates of Filipendula ulmaria Inflorescences at Different Blooming Stages
by Kristina Ložienė, Jurga Būdienė, Urtė Vaitiekūnaitė and Izolda Pašakinskienė
Plants 2023, 12(2), 300; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12020300 - 08 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1172
Abstract
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) is an essential oil-bearing, pharmacologically valuable medicinal plant growing wild in floodlands that are either not usually used for agriculture or have low economic value. The aim of this work was to understand the relationship between the yield [...] Read more.
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) is an essential oil-bearing, pharmacologically valuable medicinal plant growing wild in floodlands that are either not usually used for agriculture or have low economic value. The aim of this work was to understand the relationship between the yield of F. ulmaria inflorescences and the qualitative and quantitative composition of the essential oil during flowering stages in different habitats. Five different habitats of F. ulmaria were investigated for evaluation of inflorescence characteristics (length and weight) and the quantitative and qualitative composition of essential oils in early and late blooming stages (growing stage BBCH 62–63 and BBCH 65–67/72–73, respectively). The results showed significant (p < 0.05) positive correlations between the length and weight of inflorescences both in early and in late blooming stages (r = 0.73 and r = 0.72, respectively). The early blooming stage was observed to have 1.2–2 times greater quantity of volatile oils in comparison with the late blooming stage. Salicylaldehyde and methylsalicylate were the main salicylates in both blooming stages. Spearman’s correlation showed statistically significant relationship between percentages of salicylaldehyde and methylsalicylate (r = −0.94, p < 0.05). An increase in salicylaldehyde was accompanied by a decrease in methylsalicylate in essential oils. Statistically significant relations between the investigated parameters of plant and the parameters of habitat were not detected. The dried raw material yield of F. ulmaria in 1 ha in the late blooming stage was 18–56% higher than in the early blooming stage; however, the yield of essential oil in the early flowering stage was 1.5–1.6 times higher than in the late flowering stage. The obtained research data suggest that the low economic value of floodlands—the habitats of F. ulmaria—can be increased by using these areas as natural industrial plots. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Resources of Berry and Medicinal Plants Volume II)
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12 pages, 3744 KiB  
Article
Changes in Fatty Acid Content in Solanum spp. Fruits during Ripening
by Jūratė Staveckienė, Jurgita Kulaitienė, Dovilė Levickienė and Nijolė Vaitkevičienė
Plants 2023, 12(2), 268; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12020268 - 06 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1265
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the effects of the ripening stage and species on the contents of saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids in Solanum spp. fruits. A two-factor field experiment with four different Solanum spp. species (S. nigrum [...] Read more.
This study aimed to determine the effects of the ripening stage and species on the contents of saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids in Solanum spp. fruits. A two-factor field experiment with four different Solanum spp. species (S. nigrum, S. melanocerasum, S. retroflexum, and S. villosum) and three ripening stages was conducted over two growing seasons (2020–2021). The fatty acid composition of the Solanum fruits was characterized using gas chromatography with a flame ionization detection. The results show that PUFAs are the dominant type of fatty acid in Solanum fruits, followed by MUFAs and SFAs. Overall, the highest PUFA contents were observed in S. nigrum fruits in the ripening stage I, and the highest MUFA and SFA contents were observed in S. melanocerasum fruits during ripening stages I and II, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Resources of Berry and Medicinal Plants Volume II)
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19 pages, 4461 KiB  
Article
Changes in the Composition of Biologically Active Compounds during the Ripening Period in Fruit of Different Large Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton) Cultivars Grown in the Lithuanian Collection
by Rima Šedbarė, Izolda Pašakinskienė and Valdimaras Janulis
Plants 2023, 12(1), 202; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12010202 - 03 Jan 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1689
Abstract
In our investigation, we evaluated the content of chlorogenic acid, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, flavonols, triterpenoids, and phytosterols in cranberry fruit extracts of the cultivars ‘Baifay’, ‘Early Black’, ‘Howes’, ‘Pilgrim’, ‘Red Star’, and ‘Stevens’ grown in Lithuania, as well as changes in the antioxidant activity [...] Read more.
In our investigation, we evaluated the content of chlorogenic acid, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, flavonols, triterpenoids, and phytosterols in cranberry fruit extracts of the cultivars ‘Baifay’, ‘Early Black’, ‘Howes’, ‘Pilgrim’, ‘Red Star’, and ‘Stevens’ grown in Lithuania, as well as changes in the antioxidant activity in extracts of fruit samples of these cultivars during the period of berry maturation. The highest amount of proanthocyanidins (8.87 ± 0.57 mg EE/g EE) and flavonols (3688.52 ± 22.85 µg/g) was determined in cranberries of the cultivar ‘Howes’ harvested on 12 August. Remarkably, the highest anthocyanins content (9628.62 ± 266 µg/g) was determined in cranberries of the cultivar ‘Howes’ harvested on 22 October. The study showed that the content of phytochemical compounds in cranberries varied between 12 August and 22 October; the content of proanthocyanidins decreased by a factor of about 2, the content of chlorogenic acid decreased by a factor of about 1.3, the content of flavonols decreased by a factor of about 2, and the content of anthocyanins increased by 27 to 450 times. A strong correlation was found between the total proanthocyanidin content of cranberry fruit extracts and their in vitro antiradical and reducing activity (r = 0.781 and 0.726, respectively, p < 0.001). The data of our study detail the accumulation of the phytochemical composition of biologically active compounds in cranberry samples during the stages of maturity, therefore these data are significant for the assessment of harvest time of cranberry and can be applied to select cranberry cultivars for further cultivation in Lithuanian climatic conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Resources of Berry and Medicinal Plants Volume II)
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10 pages, 473 KiB  
Article
Effect of Solid-State Fermentation on Vitamin C, Photosynthetic Pigments and Sugars in Willow Herb (Chamerion angustifolium (L.) Holub) Leaves
by Nijole Vaitkeviciene, Elvyra Jariene, Jurgita Kulaitiene, Marius Lasinskas, Ausra Blinstrubiene and Ewelina Hallmann
Plants 2022, 11(23), 3300; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11233300 - 29 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1080
Abstract
The goal of this investigation was to establish the impact of solid-state fermentation of different durations on the quantitative changes of vitamin C, sugars and photosynthetic pigments in the leaves of willow herbs. The tested leaves were fermented using two solid-state fermentation methods [...] Read more.
The goal of this investigation was to establish the impact of solid-state fermentation of different durations on the quantitative changes of vitamin C, sugars and photosynthetic pigments in the leaves of willow herbs. The tested leaves were fermented using two solid-state fermentation methods (aerobic and anaerobic) for different time periods (unfermented and fermented for 24, 48 and 72 h). The quantitative and qualitative composition of chlorophylls, carotenoids, sugars and vitamin C were determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detectors. Results indicated that aerobic and anaerobic solid-state fermentation significantly decreased the contents of vitamin C, dehydroascorbic and L-ascorbic acids in leaves compared with the unfermented leaves. The contents of total chlorophyll and chlorophyll a were the highest in unfermented leaves and after 24 h of aerobic solid-state fermentation. The maximum content of total carotenoids in leaves were after 48 and 72 h of aerobic solid-state fermentation (149.31 mg 100 g−1 and 151.51 mg 100 g−1, respectively). The application of anaerobic solid-state fermentation resulted in significant increase in the content of total sugars, fructose and glucose in investigated samples. In conclusion, optimization of fermentation parameters allows increasing the content of sugars and photosynthetic pigments in leaves of willow herbs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Resources of Berry and Medicinal Plants Volume II)
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21 pages, 1581 KiB  
Article
Impact of Foliar Application of Amino Acids on Essential Oil Content, Odor Profile, and Flavonoid Content of Different Mint Varieties in Field Conditions
by Aloyzas Velička, Živilė Tarasevičienė, Ewelina Hallmann and Anna Kieltyka-Dadasiewicz
Plants 2022, 11(21), 2938; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11212938 - 01 Nov 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1847
Abstract
Mint is an industrial plant that is a good source of essential oil and many phenolic compounds that have several positive benefits to human health and can be used to prevent the development of many diseases. The aim of this research was to [...] Read more.
Mint is an industrial plant that is a good source of essential oil and many phenolic compounds that have several positive benefits to human health and can be used to prevent the development of many diseases. The aim of this research was to investigate the possibility of increasing essential oil and flavonoid content, changing the chemical composition of these compounds in different mint cultivars under foliar application with precursors (phenylalanine, tryptophan, and tyrosine) at two concentrations, 100 and 200 mg L−1, to enable the possibilities for wider use of these plants when they are grown in field conditions. Spraying with phenylalanine at 100 mg L−1 concentration increased essential oil content in Mentha piperita ‘Granada’ plants by 0.53 percentage units. Foliar application with tyrosine solutions at 100 mg L−1 concentration most effectively influenced the essential oil odor profile Mentha spicata ‘Crispa’. The highest number of total flavonoids was in Mentha piperita ‘Swiss’ sprayed with tyrosine at 100 mg L−1 concentration. The flavonoid content depended on the mint cultivar, amino acids, and their concentration. The results showed that the effect of amino acid solutions on different secondary metabolites’ quantitative and qualitative composition differed depending on the mint cultivar; therefore, amino acids and their concentrations must be selected based on the cultivar they are targeting. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Resources of Berry and Medicinal Plants Volume II)
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15 pages, 6739 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of the Phytochemical Composition of Phenolic and Triterpene Compounds in Fruit of Large Cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton) Grown in Latvia
by Rima Šedbarė, Dace Siliņa and Valdimaras Janulis
Plants 2022, 11(20), 2725; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11202725 - 15 Oct 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1218
Abstract
We carried out a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the phytochemical composition of the fruits of large cranberry cultivars ‘Ben Lear’, ‘Bergman’, ‘Kalnciema agra’, ‘Lemunyon’, ‘Pilgrim’, ‘Stevens’, and ‘Tina’ grown in Latvian climatic conditions. The following predominant compounds were found in cranberry fruit [...] Read more.
We carried out a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the phytochemical composition of the fruits of large cranberry cultivars ‘Ben Lear’, ‘Bergman’, ‘Kalnciema agra’, ‘Lemunyon’, ‘Pilgrim’, ‘Stevens’, and ‘Tina’ grown in Latvian climatic conditions. The following predominant compounds were found in cranberry fruit samples: peonidin-3-O-galactoside, peonidin-3-O-arabinoside, cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, cyanidin-3-O-arabinoside, myricetin-3-galactoside, quercetin-3-galactoside, quercetin-3-α-L-arabinofuranoside, quercetin 3-rhamnoside, ursolic acid, and oleanolic acid. During the berry ripening period (from 16 August until 15 September), a trend of decreasing amounts of compounds was found in the fruit samples of the studied cranberry cultivars: the total amount of proanthocyanidins decreased by 1.3 times, the total amount of the identified flavonols decreased by 1.3 times, the total amount of triterpenoids decreased by 1.2 times, and the total amount of chlorogenic acid decreased by 1.7 times. During the period from 16 August until 15 September, the total amount of anthocyanins in the cranberry fruit samples increased by 2.6 to 17 times. The highest total amount of anthocyanins (5305.80 ± 27 µg/g) was detected in fruit samples of the cranberry cultivar ‘Kalnciema agra’ collected on 15 September. The amount of biologically active compounds in cranberry fruit samples varies during berry ripening. Thus, the choice of the picking time is one of the factors that determines the phytochemical composition of raw cranberry material. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Resources of Berry and Medicinal Plants Volume II)
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24 pages, 1859 KiB  
Article
Impact of Edaphic and Climatic Factors on Thymus pulegioides Essential Oil Composition and Potential Prevalence of Chemotypes
by Vaida Vaičiulytė, Kristina Ložienė and Ričardas Taraškevičius
Plants 2022, 11(19), 2536; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11192536 - 27 Sep 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1113
Abstract
Intraspecific chemical polymorphism is characteristic of essential oil bearing Thymus pulegioides (Lamiaceae). Soil chemical composition and climatic conditions can influence not only quantitative and qualitative composition of essential oils, but also on prevalence of different chemotypes in space. The purpose of study was [...] Read more.
Intraspecific chemical polymorphism is characteristic of essential oil bearing Thymus pulegioides (Lamiaceae). Soil chemical composition and climatic conditions can influence not only quantitative and qualitative composition of essential oils, but also on prevalence of different chemotypes in space. The purpose of study was to determine the impact of edaphic and climatic factors on T. pulegioides essential oil composition and potential chemotypes prevalence. It were investigated 131 habitats of T. pulegioides in all ten climatic sub-districts of Lithuania. Essential oils were isolated by hydrodistillation and analysed by GC-FID and GC-MS. The content of humus was estimated by oxidation method, the content of mobile potassium (K2O) and mobile phosphorus (P2O5)—flame photometry using 0.2 M HCl solution, the soil pH—electrometrically and 15 elements of soil—by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence. The meteorological data (temperature, rainfall, photosynthetically active solar radiation and sunshine duration) were obtained from the meteorological bulletins. Results showed that humus in soil positively, manganese and cobalt—negatively influenced on the essential oil accumulation in T. pulegioides. Carvacrol was the most common compound in the essential oil of T. pulegioides; higher amounts of sulphur and mobile phosphorus, lower amounts of sodium in soil, higher rainfall in blooming period are favourable for this compound and for potential prevalence of carvacrol chemotype. Geraniol was frequent in the eastern and the central part of Lithuania, where the temperature in vegetation season is higher, and in soils characterised by higher and lower amounts of sodium and chlorine, respectively. Thymol, linalool and α-terpinyl acetate were rare. Edaphic and climatic conditions can differently influence on essential oil yield and chemical composition of species as well as on potential prevalence of different chemotypes of same species in space. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Resources of Berry and Medicinal Plants Volume II)
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18 pages, 688 KiB  
Article
Traditional Uses of Medicinal Plants in South-Western Part of Lithuania
by Birutė Karpavičienė
Plants 2022, 11(16), 2093; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11162093 - 11 Aug 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1695
Abstract
Changes in people’s dependence on the resources of the immediate natural environment and in the ways in which information is transmitted may result in the loss of some of the traditional knowledge of plants and their uses. In order to investigate and preserve [...] Read more.
Changes in people’s dependence on the resources of the immediate natural environment and in the ways in which information is transmitted may result in the loss of some of the traditional knowledge of plants and their uses. In order to investigate and preserve this knowledge, a comprehensive ethnobotanical study was carried out in a little-studied ethnographic region. Knowledge about the plants used for treatment was collected through open-ended and semi-structured interviews in villages and small rural settlements in southwestern Lithuania. In total, 30 informants reported 103 plant and 1 lichen species. Although the survey was carried out in a small area, up to five local names per species were recorded. The most frequently used species were Matricaria chamomilla, Tilia cordata, Artemisia absinthium and Plantago major. The largest number of plant species was used to treat digestive and respiratory system disorders. Wild plants were mentioned in 71.0% of all use reports, while a relatively higher proportion of cultivated plants was recorded among the new uses. Decoction and infusion were the most commonly used, while some unusual preparations have been recorded in past uses. Research showed that the diversity of plant species used for healing has declined over the last 20 years and that part of traditional ethnobotanical knowledge is disappearing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Resources of Berry and Medicinal Plants Volume II)
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19 pages, 689 KiB  
Article
Distribution Patterns of Essential Oil Terpenes in Native and Invasive Solidago Species and Their Comparative Assessment
by Jolita Radušienė, Birutė Karpavičienė, Mindaugas Marksa, Liudas Ivanauskas and Lina Raudonė
Plants 2022, 11(9), 1159; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11091159 - 25 Apr 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1699
Abstract
The importance of invasive Solidago L. species to the environment creates a new approach to controlling their spread through the use of potentially high value raw materials. The aim of this study was to assess the distribution patterns of volatile compounds in the [...] Read more.
The importance of invasive Solidago L. species to the environment creates a new approach to controlling their spread through the use of potentially high value raw materials. The aim of this study was to assess the distribution patterns of volatile compounds in the four Solidago spp., by identifying common and species-specific compounds with their potentials, and to confirm the origin of the spontaneous hybrid Solidago × niederederi on the basis of comparative assessment of essential oil (EO) profiles. Plant material in the flowering phase was collected in mixed populations from six different sites. The EOs were isolated separately from the leaf and the inflorescence samples by hydrodistillation for 3 h. The chemical analysis was performed by gas chromatography—mass spectrometry. Multivariate data analysis was employed to explain the interspecies relationships among Solidago spp. The results revealed the similarity among Solidago spp. EO profiles, which were dominated by monoterpenes and oxygenated compound fractions. Solidago spp. differed in species distinctive terpenes and their distribution between accessions and plant parts. Volatile compound patterns confirmed the origin of Solidago × niederederi between Solidago canadensis and Solidago virgaurea, with the higher contribution of alien species than native ones. Correct taxonomic identification of species is highly essential for the targeted collection of raw material from the wild for different applications. Solidago spp. can be considered to be underutilized sources of bioactive secondary metabolites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Resources of Berry and Medicinal Plants Volume II)
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16 pages, 2996 KiB  
Article
Eucalyptus globulus and Salvia officinalis Extracts Mediated Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and Their Application as an Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Agent
by Aistė Balčiūnaitienė, Mindaugas Liaudanskas, Viktorija Puzerytė, Jonas Viškelis, Valdimaras Janulis, Pranas Viškelis, Egidijus Griškonis and Virginija Jankauskaitė
Plants 2022, 11(8), 1085; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11081085 - 15 Apr 2022
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 3378
Abstract
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) biosynthesized using plant extracts as reducing and capping agents show multiple possibilities for solving various biological problems. The aim of this study was to expand the boundaries of AgNPs using a novel low toxicity and production cost phytochemical method for [...] Read more.
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) biosynthesized using plant extracts as reducing and capping agents show multiple possibilities for solving various biological problems. The aim of this study was to expand the boundaries of AgNPs using a novel low toxicity and production cost phytochemical method for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles from Eucalyptus globulus and Salvia officinalis aqueous leaf extracts. Biosynthesized AgNPs were characterized by various methods (ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy with horizontal attenuated total reflectance (HART), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS)). The determined antioxidative and antimicrobial activity of plant extracts was compared with the activity of the AgNPs. The UV-vis spectral analysis demonstrated the absorption peaks at 408 and 438 nm, which confirmed the synthesis of stable AgNPs from E. globulus and S. officinalis, respectively. FTIR-HART results suggested strong capping of phytochemicals on AgNPs. TEM results show mainly spherical-shaped AgNPs, whose size distribution depends on the plant leaf extract type; the smaller AgNPs were obtained with E. globulus extract (with size range of 17.5 ± 5.89 nm compared to 34.3 ± 7.76 nm from S. officinalis AgNPs). The in vitro antioxidant activity evaluated by radical scavenging assays and the reduction activity method clearly demonstrated that both the plant extracts and AgNPs showed prominent antioxidant properties. In addition, AgNPs show much stronger antimicrobial activity against broad spectrum of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria strains than the plant extracts used for their synthesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Resources of Berry and Medicinal Plants Volume II)
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