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The Euphorbia genus is the third-largest group of blooming plants, features a rich morphological variability, has a near-cosmopolitan distribution, and diverse medicinal uses. Nonetheless, phytochemical information about Euphorbia serrata L. extracts is not available. The objective of this research was to examine the constituents of the hydromethanolic extract of its aerial parts and propose valorization pathways. The results of gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC−MS) demonstrated that 3-methylbutyl formate, quinic acid, N1-(4-hydroxybutyl)-N3-methylguanidine acetate, and 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one were the main phytocompounds, which have antimicrobial activity. Such activity was assayed against Pseudomonas cichorii, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, four of the most destructive diseases of borage (Borago officinalis L.) crops, obtaining minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 750 and 1000 μg·mL−1 against the bacterium and the three fungal taxa, respectively, in in vitro tests. Conjugation of the extract with chitosan oligomers (COS) enhanced this activity, leading to MIC values of 187.5, 750, 500, and 500 μg·mL−1 for P. cichorii, B. cinerea, F. oxysporum, and S. sclerotiorum, respectively. Additional in vivo assays against two of the pathogens confirmed the protective action of the COS–E. serrata extract conjugate complexes on artificially inoculated plants at a dose of 375 and 1000 μg·mL−1 for P. cichorii and F. oxysporum, respectively. These findings suggest that this plant species can be a rich source of biorationals for prospective use in crop protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Euphorbia genus is the third-largest group of blooming plants, features a rich morphological variability, has a near-cosmopolitan distribution, and diverse medicinal uses. Nonetheless, phytochemical information about Euphorbia serrata L. extracts is not available. The objective of this research was to examine the constituents of the hydromethanolic extract of its aerial parts and propose valorization pathways. The results of gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC−MS) demonstrated that 3-methylbutyl formate, quinic acid, N1-(4-hydroxybutyl)-N3-methylguanidine acetate, and 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one were the main phytocompounds, which have antimicrobial activity. Such activity was assayed against Pseudomonas cichorii, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, four of the most destructive diseases of borage (Borago officinalis L.) crops, obtaining minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 750 and 1000 μg·mL−1 against the bacterium and the three fungal taxa, respectively, in in vitro tests. Conjugation of the extract with chitosan oligomers (COS) enhanced this activity, leading to MIC values of 187.5, 750, 500, and 500 μg·mL−1 for P. cichorii, B. cinerea, F. oxysporum, and S. sclerotiorum, respectively. Additional in vivo assays against two of the pathogens confirmed the protective action of the COS–E. serrata extract conjugate complexes on artificially inoculated plants at a dose of 375 and 1000 μg·mL−1 for P. cichorii and F. oxysporum, respectively. These findings suggest that this plant species can be a rich source of biorationals for prospective use in crop protection.

Neglected and underutilized species (NUS) offer largely unexplored opportunities for providing nutritious plant food, while making agro-ecosystems more diverse and resilient to climate change. The aim of this work was to explore the potential of two typical Mediterranean underutilized species, purslane and borage, as novel vegetable product (microgreens). Micro-scale production of edible plants is spreading due to the simplicity of their management, rapid cycle, harvest index, and phytochemical value of the edible product. Microgreens, therefore, represent an opportunity to link NUS, nutrition, and agricultural and dietary diversification. By analyzing yield, antioxidants activities, mineral composition, and main phenolic acids and flavonoids, our work indicated that the two species provide interesting results when compared with those reported for crops and horticultural species. Specifically, purslane should be considered highly nutritional due to the amount of phenolic compounds and ascorbic acid, and to potential good fi-carotene bioavailability. Borage microgreens have a very high fresh yield and a more composite and balanced phenolic profile. In conclusion, our work provided evidence for implementing new ways to expand the NUS market-chains and for developing added-value food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Borage (Borago officinalis L.) is a wild vegetable appreciated as a folk medicine and for culinary preparations. The introduction of borage as a specialized cultivation would allow for the diversification of vegetable crops and would widen the offerings of raw and minimally processed leafy vegetables. Thus, the aim of the research was to evaluate the quality and shelf-life of fresh-cut borage stored at different temperatures. Borage plants were grown during the autumn−winter season and immediately minimally processed after harvest. Fresh-cut borage leaves packed in sealed bags were stored at 2 or 6 °C for 21 d. Weight loss, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), ascorbic acid, nitrates, leaf color characteristics and overall quality were determined through the storage period. Borage plants were deemed suitable for minimal processing. Storage temperature significantly influenced the rate of quality loss. Borage leaves had an initial nitrate content of 329.3 mg kg−1 FW that was not affected by temperature or storage. TSS and TA were higher in leaves stored at 6 °C. TSS, TA and ascorbic acid content increased during storage. Minimally processed borage leaves stored at 2 °C had lower weight loss and leaf color modifications during storage and a longer shelf life than those stored at 6 °C, so were still marketable after 21 d of storage.