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Flower color not only determines the quality and commercial value of ornamental plants, but it also plays a vital role in ecological processes such as pollinator attraction. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between flower color and the cellular physicochemical factors of Bletilla striata. The color space values of 21 samples were initially determined, followed by a selection of five samples with significant color differences for testing cell shape, total flavonoid content (ranging from 1.86 to 5.42 mg/g), total anthocyanin content (ranging from 0.52 to 292.62 (A530 − 0.25 ∗ A657)/g), cell pH (varying between 5.03 and 5.74), and metal ion content (including Al3+, Ca2+, Fe3+, K+, Mg2+, Na+, P5+, Zn2+, Mo6+, Cu2+, and Mn2+). The flowers of Bletilla were predominantly purple, pink, and yellow; and distributed in quadrants I, II, and IV on the a* and b* rectangular coordinate. The a* value was identified as the primary color indicator for this species. Total anthocyanin content and Zn2+ showed a significant positive correlation with a*, while Al3+, Ca2+, Fe3+, Mg2+, Na+, and Mn2+ demonstrated negative correlations. Cell shape, flavonoid content, and pH had nonsignificant correlations with a*. In conclusion, the total anthocyanin content and metal ions play crucial roles in determining the flower color of B. striata, which can have implications for pollinator attraction. Future research should focus on understanding the complex interactions between these factors to develop novel ornamental plant varieties with desirable flower colors and enhanced ecological functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a highly infectious bacterium and the major cause of pneumonia especially in school‐going children. Mycoplasma pneumoniae affects the respiratory tract, and 25% of patients experience health‐related problems. It is important to have a suitable method to detect M. pneumoniae, and gold nanoparticle (GNP)‐based colorimetric biosensing was used in this study to identify the specific target DNA for M. pneumoniae. The color of GNPs changes due to negatively charged GNPs in the presence of positively charged monovalent (Na+) ions from NaCl. This condition is reversed in the presence of a single‐stranded oligonucleotide, as it attracts GNPs but not in the presence of double‐stranded DNA. Single standard capture DNA was mixed with optimal target DNA that cannot be adsorbed by GNPs; under this condition, GNPs are not stabilized and aggregate at high ionic strength (from 100 mM). Without capture DNA, the GNPs that were stabilized by capture DNA (from 1 μM) became more stable under high ionic conditions and retaining their red color. The GNPs turned blue in the presence of target DNA at concentrations of 1 pM, and the GNPs retained a red color when there was no target in the solution. This method is useful for the simple, easy, and accurate identification of M. pneumoniae target DNA at higher discrimination and without involving sophisticated equipment, and this method provides a diagnostic for M. pneumoniae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semen coicis is not only a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), but also a typical food in China, with significant medical and healthcare value. Because semen coicis is rich in starch and oil, it can be easily contaminated with Aspergillus flavus and its aflatoxins (AFs). Preventing and controlling the contamination of semen coicis with Aspergillus flavus and its aflatoxins is vital to ensuring its safety as a drug and as a food. In this study, the endosphere bacteria Pseudomonas palleroniana strain B-BH16-1 produced volatiles that strongly inhibited the mycelial growth and spore formation activity of A. flavus. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry profiling revealed three volatiles emitted from B-BH16-1, of which 1-undecene was the most abundant. We obtained authentic reference standards for these three volatiles; these significantly reduced mycelial growth and sporulation in Aspergillus, with dimethyl disulfide showing the most robust inhibitory activity. Strain B-BH16-1 was able to completely inhibit the biosynthesis of aflatoxins in semen coicis samples during storage by emitting volatile bioactive components. The microscope revealed severely damaged mycelia and a complete lack of sporulation. This newly identified plant endophyte bacterium was able to strongly inhibit the sporulation and growth of Aspergillus and the synthesis of associated mycotoxins, thus not only providing valuable information regarding an efficient potential strategy for the prevention of A. flavus contamination in TCM and food, but potentially also serving as a reference in the control of toxic fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a non-specific inflammatory disease characterized by long duration and easy relapse. Dolichos lablab L. (DLL) belongs to the family Fabaceae, was listed in a famous Chinese medical classic, Compendium of Materia Medic, and described as possessing features that invigorate the spleen, alleviate dampness, provide diarrhea relief, and other effects. The DLL-dried white mature seeds (DS) and dried flower (DF), which hold significant medicinal value in China, were used in clinical prescriptions to prevent and treat UC. DS and DF have appeared in different editions of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China from 1977 to 2020. However, their chemical composition, pharmacological effects, and mechanism of treating UC are unclear. This study aimed to characterize the chemical composition of different parts of DLL (seeds and flowers), further explore their pharmacological effects, and elaborate its underlying mechanism of treating UC. The chemical composition of DS and DF crude polysaccharides (DSP and DFP) and ethanolic extracts (DSE and DFE) were characterized by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC), ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Then, based on the acute UC mice model, the pharmacodynamic effects were investigated by Western blotting, ELISA, and other methods. Finally, the 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metabonomic analysis were used to explore the regulatory effects of DS and DF on intestinal microbiota and host metabolism. DSE and DFE inhibited the oxidative stress response, reducing proinflammatory factor production and maintaining intestinal barrier integrity in UC mice. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metabonomic analysis revealed that DS and DF treated UC by regulating the intestinal microbiota structure and reversing the abnormal metabolism of the host. This study suggested that different parts of DLL (flowers and seeds) may be potential medicines for treating UC, which exert their therapeutic effects through various active ingredients and might contribute significantly to reducing the economic pressures and challenges of UC treatment worldwide. [Display omitted] • Dolichos lablab L. (DLL) seeds (DS) and flowers (DF) have some similarities in chemical composition. • The ethanolic extracts of DS and DF showed better anti-UC effects. • DS and DF can maintain intestinal barrier integrity in UC mice. • The anti-UC effect of DS and DF is related to regulate intestinal microbiota structure and restore host metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]