Original Article
Medicinal Plants
Mozhgan Shoghi Jamil; Ali Mehrafarin; Vahid Abdossi; Kambiz Larijani; Raheleh Ebrahimi
Abstract
Purpose: The drying process is an outstanding factor influencing secondary metabolites in medicinal plants. Although the impact of drying techniques has been addressed in some medicinal plants, there is limited data to describe the essential oils (EO) and fatty acids (FA) profiles in aerial parts of ...
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Purpose: The drying process is an outstanding factor influencing secondary metabolites in medicinal plants. Although the impact of drying techniques has been addressed in some medicinal plants, there is limited data to describe the essential oils (EO) and fatty acids (FA) profiles in aerial parts of medicinal plants using traditional and modern drying techniques. Research method: This research compared the EO content and composition, antioxidant capacity, and FA profile of aerial parts of water mint (Mentha aquatica L.) dried using various techniques, including sun, shade, conventional oven and vacuum oven (each of them at 40, 45, and 50 °C), and microwave (200, 400, and 600 W). Findings: The results showed that the minimum antioxidant potential (with maximum IC50: 113 µg mL⁻¹) was reported in sun-exposed samples. At the same time, the highest EO content was found in shade-dried samples, followed by oven at 40 °C and vacuum at 40 °C. The primary EO compounds were 1,8-cineole, menthol-furan, trans-caryophyllene, germacrene D, and viridiflorol. Shade and oven drying resulted in higher monoterpenes, while vacuum and microwave drying led to elevated sesquiterpenes. Vacuum drying at 40 °C produced the highest levels of saturated fatty acids, but microwave drying, specifically at 600 W, had the highest levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids compared to other drying methods. According to agglomerative hierarchy clustering (AHC) results, fresh samples were grouped with shade-drying. Research limitations: There was no limitations. Originality/Value: The current study shows that, after suggesting shade conditions, we may use the oven at low temperature and vacuum to produce water mint products of excellent quality.
Original Article
Medicinal Plants
Tala Nikbin; Fatemeh Nejadhabibvash
Abstract
Purpose: Nowadays, heavy metal pollution of soils has become a serious environmental concern and a potential threat to human health. Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) is a medicinal and aromatic plant belonging to Lamiaceae family that its essential oil is used in different pharmaceutical industries. This ...
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Purpose: Nowadays, heavy metal pollution of soils has become a serious environmental concern and a potential threat to human health. Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) is a medicinal and aromatic plant belonging to Lamiaceae family that its essential oil is used in different pharmaceutical industries. This study focused on the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and different concentrations of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) addition on the growth, absorption of macronutrients, migration and bioaccumulation of cadmium in soil- peppermint system. Research Method: A factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three factors. The first factor was TiO2 NPs (0, 200, and 300 mg/kg), the second factor included Cd-spiked soil (0 and 50 mg/kg soil) and third Trichoderma harzianum. Findings: Our results showed cadmium caused negative effects on the growth of peppermint except for shoot and root length. The concentration of all the nutrients assessed (nitrogen and phosphorus) decreased in the presence of cadmium. Mycorrhization under cadmium stress conditions significantly increased nitrogen concentration in roots and shoots by 15% and 3%, respectively, respect to Cd treatment group. Following mycorrhizal inoculation under cadmium stress conditions, phosphorus concentration significantly increased in roots and shoots by 33% and 12%, respectively, respect to Cd treatment group. Similarly, application of TiO2 nanoparticles at 200 mg/Kg and 300 mg/Kg concentrations alone and in combination with mycorrhizal soil amendments in stress as well as non-stress conditions effectively enhanced nutrient acquisition. With the addition of TiO2 NPs and mycorrhiza to soil, the phytoavailability and uptake of Cd by peppermint roots increased. Research limitations: There was no limitation. Originality/Value: Our research demonstrates that applying AMF and TiO2 NPs could be a sustainable approach to enhancing growth parameters of peppermint plants under Cd stress by improving nutrient acquisition and immobilizing the heavy metal Cd. The results obtained here can provide scientific data for the use of Mentha piperita L. in the remediation of Cd-contaminated soil.
Original Article
Tropical Fruits
Xuan Phong Huynh; Ngoc Thanh Nguyen; Minh Chau Luu; Thi Ngoc Bich Bui; Hoang Dang Long Bui; Bach Long Tran; Thi Kim Ngan Tran
Abstract
Purpose: King orange (Citrus reticulata × sinensis) is a fruit spices native to tropical and subtropical regions that holds significant economic and nutritional value and is widely consumed in daily life. The primary chemical constituents of king orange include flavonoids (such as hesperidin and ...
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Purpose: King orange (Citrus reticulata × sinensis) is a fruit spices native to tropical and subtropical regions that holds significant economic and nutritional value and is widely consumed in daily life. The primary chemical constituents of king orange include flavonoids (such as hesperidin and naringin), organic acids, vitamin C, and phenolic compounds. Due to its unique biological properties, nutritional benefits, and divers pharmacological effects, king orange is not only a widely consumed fruit but also a promising ingredient for developing natural functional foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. This study investigated the distribution of bioactive compounds and the antioxidant capacity in different tissues of king orange cultivated in four provinces of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Research Method: Physical characteristics of the fruit were analyzed, and phytochemical screening was performed identify secondary metabolites. Flavonoid and phenolic contents were quantified, and antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH assay. Findings: The fruits had thick, juicy flesh (42.4-51.2% w/w) and thin peel (27.2-35.2% w/w). Alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, and saponins were detected in both juice and peel extracts, while terpenoids were found only in the peel. The juice had the highest flavonoid and phenolic content, followed by flavedo and albedo extracts. Antioxidant activity was highest in the juice from "Can Tho" and in the peel extracts from "Vinh Long". Research limitations: No limitations were encountered. Originality/Value: Orange juice and peel are rich in bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties, highlighting their potential for health-promoting applications. Citrus reticulata is not only a widely consumed fruit but also a promising raw material for the development of natural functional food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic products.
Original Article
Plant Nutrition
Farnaz Kargar; Abbas Mirsoleimani; Mahdi Najafi-Ghiri
Abstract
Purpose: Nitrogen (N) plays a crucial role in citrus growth, but its deficiency or excess can disrupt nutrient balance and physiological functions in plant. This study investigated how varying N levels (2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 mM) affect growth, photosynthesis, root morphology and nutrient interactions in ...
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Purpose: Nitrogen (N) plays a crucial role in citrus growth, but its deficiency or excess can disrupt nutrient balance and physiological functions in plant. This study investigated how varying N levels (2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 mM) affect growth, photosynthesis, root morphology and nutrient interactions in sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) seedlings. Research Method: Seedlings were grown in nutrient solutions with different N concentrations. Biomass, photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm, PI), chlorophyll content, nutrient uptake, and nitrate reductase activity were analyzed. Findings: Maximum and significant plant dry weight (4.95 g), root length (51.5 cm), chlorophyll content (8.6 mg g⁻¹ FW), and photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm = 0.73; PI = 4.2) occurred at 16 mM N compared to 2 mM N. In contrast, N deficiency (2–8 mM) reduced growth and photosynthetic performance, while N toxicity (32 mM) decreased plant biomass by 50%, impaired chlorophyll synthesis, and disrupted photosystem II efficiency (Fv/Fm = 0.55). Excessive N (32 mM) altered nutrient homeostasis, increasing root Ca and K concentration by 0.82% and 2.49% respectively but reducing their translocation to shoots, elevating the Ca/K ratio a key indicator of K deficiency risk in calcareous soils. Nitrate reductase activity declined under toxicity, reflecting suppressed N assimilation. Root N/Ca ratio decreased with increasing in N concentration and Ca/K ratio of root in N16 and N32 treatments was higher than that in other N treatments. Phenolic compounds accumulated in roots under high N, suggesting oxidative stress mitigation. Research limitations: No limitations were found. Originality/Value: Excessive N disrupts nutrient balance, photosynthetic inhibition, and growth suppression while 16 mM N optimizes sour orange growth.
Original Article
Olericulture
Elnaz Soleimanyfard; Kambiz Mashayekhi; Seyed Javad Mousavizadeh; Mehdi Zarei
Abstract
Purpose: A study was carried out to investigate the influence of different fruit development stages on the physicochemical attributes, total phenolics, and antioxidant activity of two Iranian melon varieties for optimal harvest time. Research method: The research was conducted two times i.e. in 2023 ...
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Purpose: A study was carried out to investigate the influence of different fruit development stages on the physicochemical attributes, total phenolics, and antioxidant activity of two Iranian melon varieties for optimal harvest time. Research method: The research was conducted two times i.e. in 2023 and in 2024. It was a factorial experiment in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four replications. The factors were developmental stage harvest (three stages, viz., 30, 40, and 50 days after fruit set) and variety (two varieties, viz., ‘Chaghercheh’ and ‘Zamcheh’). Findings: There were significant differences among the different harvest times in all parameters evaluated for both varieties. The fresh weight and related dimensions, and thickness and percentage of pulp of the fruits increased throughout the developmental stages, while fruit firmness, peel thickness, percentages of peel and seed showed a descending trend in the same period. At 50 days after fruit set, both melon varieties exhibited high levels of total soluble solids and pH, but low titratable acidity, resulting in high maturity index. As the fruits developed and matured, levels of ascorbic acid, total phenolics, and antioxidant activity reduced dramatically in both varieties. Also, statistically significant differences were detected between the two melon varieties in all factors measured. The antioxidant activity positively correlated with total phenolics (r = 0.910) and ascorbic acid (r = 0.891). Research limitations: No limitations were found. Originality/Value: Overall, the data of this research revealed that the degree of maturity and the variety are main parameters controlling the physicochemical characteristics, total phenolics, and antioxidant activity of melon. Also, the study provides basis for optimal harvest time for ‘Chaghercheh’ and ‘Zamcheh’ melon varieties.
Original Article
Plant Stress
Masoomeh Amerian; Gholamreza Gohari; Saeid Jalali-Honarmand; Sima Panahirad; Georgia Ntatsi
Abstract
Purpose: Salinity stress is one of the most important limiting factors affecting all plant processes, from seed germination to seedling development and plant growth. Seed priming is the most promising seed technique which quickens the germination process and enhances stand establishment. Therefore, seed ...
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Purpose: Salinity stress is one of the most important limiting factors affecting all plant processes, from seed germination to seedling development and plant growth. Seed priming is the most promising seed technique which quickens the germination process and enhances stand establishment. Therefore, seed priming with allantoin and serotonin was performed to investigate their effects on germination and growth of bitter melon seeds under salt. Research method: The experiment was conducted as a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications. The first factor consisted of three concentrations of salinity (0, 50 and 100 mM NaCl) and the second factor included seed priming (48 h) with modulators: control (distilled water), allantoin (1000 μM), serotonin (100 µM) and allantoin + serotonin. After 48 h of applying the priming treatments, the seeds were dried and placed in 9 cm diameter petri dishes lined with filter paper, moistened with the prepared salt solutions, and allowed to germinate at 25 °C. Germination percentage, seed vigor and selected growth characteristics including length, fresh and dry weight of seedling, shoot and root of bitter melon were evaluated. Findings: The results revealed that seed germination and seedling growth of bitter melon decreased in line with increasing salt concentrations: on the other hand, seed priming with allantoin (1000 μM) and serotonin (100 µM) alleviated this negative effect of salt stress. It was concluded that allantoin and serotonin, as seed priming agents, positively influenced bitter melon germination under salt stress. These findings may also be applicable to other plants and probably the observed stress tolerance might occur throughout the plant growth period. Research limitations: No limitations were identified. Originality/Value: Given the medicinal value of bitter melon, solving its germination problem, especially under salt stress conditions, will be of great help to those interested in cultivating this plant.
