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In this study, nitrogen‐doped carbon nanodots (N‐CNDs) were synthesized from Citrus reticulata using microwave‐assisted process and material's genotoxic effects were investigated in Daphnia magna. Morphological size and shape variations of the synthesized N‐CNDs were evaluated by using zetasizer and transmission electron microscope. Acute/chronic toxicity experiments were performed using method by OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) 202–212 guidelines. Daphnia magna was subjected to the N‐CNDs produced from Citrus reticulata at the different concentrations ranging between 0.04 and0.24 mg tangerine equivalent N‐CND/mL for 96 h at 20 °C. After 96 h, the LC50 (lethal concentration‐ at which 50% of cells) value of N‐CNDs was determined to be 0.1 mg equivalent N‐CND/mL using probit analysis. Based on toxicity levels determined by EU‐Directive 93/67/EEC, N‐CNDs are classified in the nontoxic category. The toxicological assessments of sublethal concentrations of N‐CNDs demonstrated that 0.013 mg tangerine equivalent N‐CND/mL dose group exhibited a similar profile to the control group, indicating its safety. Although the DNA damage frequency of the 0.03 and 0.06 mg equivalent N‐CND/mL dose groups was found to be higher than control group, these levels were observed almost 70% lower than the DNA damage frequency found in the mutagenic group/positive group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, there has been significant exploration into the utilization of food by-products as natural reservoirs of bioactive substances, particularly in the creation of functional foods naturally enriched with antioxidants. Citrus peels represent a viable option for formulating enhanced olive oils that contribute to a healthier diet, due to their bioactive compound content. This study aimed to (i) ascertain the compositional characteristics of Citrus reticulata olive oil (CrOO) and (ii) assess its nutraceutical properties in rats with metabolic disorder induced by 3 weeks of feeding with a high-fat diet (HFD). The results showed a peculiar phytochemical composition, thanks to the contribution of citrus peels, which are excellent bio-products. In addition, it demonstrated HFD-induced weight gain (18 ± 2% for HFD vs. 13 ± 0.9% for CrOO) and showed protective effects on fasting blood glucose levels (90.2 ± 3.8 mg/dL for HFD vs. 72.3 ± 2.6 for CrOO). Furthermore, a reduction in cardiovascular risk (total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol = 5.0 ± 0.3 for HFD vs. 3.8 ± 0.3 for CrOO) and an improvement in myocardial tissue function were observed, as well as a significant reduction in inflammatory mediators such as iNOS, COX-2, and mPGES-1 in aortic vessel tissues, thus preserving endothelial function at the vascular level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Immature citruses are an important resource for the pharmaceutical industry due to their high levels of metabolites with health benefits. In this study, we used untargeted liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) metabolomics to investigate the changes associated with fruit size in immature citrus fruits in the first weeks of growth. Three orange cultivars (Citrus sinensis 'Navel', Citrus sinensis 'Valencia', and Citrus sinensis 'Valencia Late') and a mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco 'Fremont') were separated into eight fruit sizes, extracted, and analyzed. Statistical analyses revealed a distinct separation between the mandarin and the oranges based on 56 metabolites, with an additional separation between the 'Navel' orange and the 'Valencia' and 'Valencia Late' oranges based on 21 metabolites. Then, metabolites that evolved significantly with fruit size growth were identified, including 40 up-regulated and 31 down-regulated metabolites. This study provides new insights into the metabolite modifications of immature Citrus sinensis and Citrus reticulata in the first weeks of growth and emphasizes the significance of including early sampled fruits in citrus maturation studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The natural ingredient-based therapy extracted from various plants is assumed more tolerable to cancer patients' bodies than synthetic drugs. To tell successful novel cancer therapy, an indicator is needed to confirm the result. VEGF is a pro-angiogenic factor that leads the cancer cells' invasion to another organ and is associated with high mortality in patients. Hence, the VEGF level is widely used as one of the successful cancer therapy indicators. Purposed of research elucidated the effect of Mandarin orange peel ethanol extract (EEKJM) to improve the reduction of VEGF levels in colon cancer in vitro. This study was an experimental posttest and control group design to analyze different level of VEGF on cancer cells at end of the study. Research began with the preparation of EEKJM followed by a cytotoxic extract test using the MTT assay method. Furthermore, the measurement of VEGF levels by the VEGF ELISA kit protocol. One Way ANOVA was performed to analyze data. Results showed the cytotoxic test of the EEKJM and doxorubicin against WiDr cells was 240 g/ml and 1.59 µg/ml. VEGF levels showed decreasing after being induced with EEKJM and doxorubicin with doses ½ IC50 and ¼ IC50. Conclusion: EEKJM was able to reduce VEGF levels and viability of WiDr colon cancer cells. The advantages are as much as initial evidence of the ability of the orange to treat cancer even though further animal studies or evidence of a pathway of decrease of the VEGF or other signals are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During postharvest cold storage, fruit sustains physical and biochemical changes, which may result in physiological rind disorders that consequently affect the fruit's marketability. Preharvest conditions are known to affect postharvest fruit quality, with the effect of preharvest shade netting being currently unknown. To this end, 'Nadorcott' mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) fruit, grown under shade netting and without it, was harvested during two consecutive seasons from an orchard in Citrusdal, Western Cape, South Africa. The fruit was evaluated prior to, as well as after a 7-day shelf-life period following cold storage at either −0.6 or 4 °C for 14, 27 and 34 days, respectively, for changes in rind and pulp colour, rind carotenoids, soluble solid content (SSC), citric acid content and SSC/citric acid ratio. Weight loss and the incidence of rind physiological disorders (staining) were also recorded. The results showed that shade net did not affect the storage behaviour of the fruit, as no treatment differences were seen. However, a storage duration effect for both treatments was evident in some internal and external quality parameters, viz., weight loss percentage and carotenoid content increased over the storage duration. Inconsistency regarding the storage duration effect on the rind colour, SSC and acid content were evident between seasons, at both temperatures. Staining only occurred in the first season after 34 days at both temperatures. The results indicated that shade netting had no negative effect on the cold-storage behaviour of 'Nadorcott' fruit. However, contrasting findings from this study emphasized that the condition of the fruit at harvest plays a significant role in the postharvest behaviour of the fruit during cold storage, and different growing conditions may also be a contributable factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Fruits play an important role in human life on our planet, since they supply a variety of essential services. One of the paramount crops in Pakistan is Citrus reticulata (Kinnow), which plays a vital role in the country's economy. The citrus crops are confronted with various challenges such as fungi, bacteria, nematodes, and viruses, all of which have adverse effects on the quality and yield of the fruits. Citrus canker, in particular, stands as the most fatal disease, affecting numerous citrus species worldwide, inflicting devastating consequences. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of citrus canker on the morphology, physiology of leaves, and the quality of citrus fruits. The research was conducted in four major citrus-producing tehsils of the Sargodha district. The study found significant differences in morphological and physiological traits between healthy fruits and those infected with citrus canker. Healthy fruits exhibited higher values in fruit weight (FW) of 149.02 g, peel thickness (PT) of 3.76 g, rag weight (RW) of 35.95 g, leaf area (LA) of 22.49 cm2, and juice weight compared to the citrus canker-infected fruits. The significant variations in fruit weight, juice weight, chlorophyll content, vitamin C content were present between healthy and diseased fruits and leaves. A biochemical study revealed that healthy fruits had greater levels of total soluble solids (TSS), TSS-acid ratio, vitamin C, and reducing power (RP), but citrus canker-infected fruits had a higher acidity percentage. The significant decreases in important morphological and physicochemical characteristics, emphasizing the necessity for immediate disease control techniques to safeguard the citrus sector and maintain food security.

Fruits play an important role in human life on our planet, since they supply a variety of essential services. One of the paramount crops in Pakistan is Citrus reticulata (Kinnow), which plays a vital role in the country's economy. The citrus crops are confronted with various challenges such as fungi, bacteria, nematodes, and viruses, all of which have adverse effects on the quality and yield of the fruits. Citrus canker, in particular, stands as the most fatal disease, affecting numerous citrus species worldwide, inflicting devastating consequences. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of citrus canker on the morphology, physiology of leaves, and the quality of citrus fruits. The research was conducted in four major citrus-producing tehsils of the Sargodha district. The study found significant differences in morphological and physiological traits between healthy fruits and those infected with citrus canker. Healthy fruits exhibited higher values in fruit weight (FW) of 149.02 g, peel thickness (PT) of 3.76 g, rag weight (RW) of 35.95 g, leaf area (LA) of 22.49 cm2, and juice weight compared to the citrus canker-infected fruits. The significant variations in fruit weight, juice weight, chlorophyll content, vitamin C content were present between healthy and diseased fruits and leaves. A biochemical study revealed that healthy fruits had greater levels of total soluble solids (TSS), TSS-acid ratio, vitamin C, and reducing power (RP), but citrus canker-infected fruits had a higher acidity percentage. The significant decreases in important morphological and physicochemical characteristics, emphasizing the necessity for immediate disease control techniques to safeguard the citrus sector and maintain food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is heavily altering plant distributions, posing significant challenges to conventional agricultural practices and ecological balance. Meanwhile, mixed species planting emerges as a potent strategy to enhance agricultural resilience, counteract climate change, preserve ecological balance, and provide a solution to economic instability. The MaxEnt model was used to predict the suitable area of Citrus reticulata under five climate scenarios and to explore affecting environmental factors. Litchi chinensis, Punica granatum, and Lycium chinense were selected as mixed species to analyze the spatial distribution and centroid migration trend of potentially suitable areas. The research results show the following: (1) The primary environmental factors impacting C. reticulata distribution are annual precipitation (1000–4000 mm), precipitation of driest quarter over 100 mm, and mean temperature of coldest quarter (12–28 °C). Crucially, the mixed species exhibited similar environmental sensitivities, indicating mutual mixing suitability. (2) Currently, the C. reticulata suitable area is of 240.21 × 104 km2, primarily in South, East, Central, and Southwest China, with potential for expansion to 265.41 × 104 km2 under the 2090s SSP1-2.6 scenario. (3) The geometric center of the moderately-to-highly suitable areas for C. reticulata is located in Hunan Province. Future scenarios show the C. reticulata's centroid migrating northwest, with distances of less than 110 km. Mixed planting trends toward higher latitudes, fluctuating from 6 km to 210 km. (4) Mixed planting area planning: C. reticulata and L. chinensis are suitable for mixed planting in South China. C. reticulata and P. granatum, C. reticulata and L. chinense are suitable for mixed planting in most areas of Central, East, Southwest, and South China. This research presents a new perspective on using mixed design principles for ecological adaptation and the sustainable mixed planting of C. reticulata, in response to China's changing climate. This approach is expected to help the economic fruit tree industry enhance ecological resilience and economic stability in the face of future climate change challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study has been aimed to synthesise the self-assembled, flower-shaped zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NFs) by using a green synthesis method using the aqueous extract from the peels of Citrus reticulata. Both HR-TEM and Fe-SEM analyses have confirmed the flower-like morphology for the synthesised nanoparticles. The observed zeta potential value of −48.0 mV further indicated its highly stable structure. The X-ray diffractogram of the ZnO NFs showed the characteristic diffraction peaks for the crystalline ZnO without any impurity peak, indicating the complete reduction into nanoparticles and thereby, the formation of pure crystalline ZnO NFs. The antibacterial activity of ZnO NFs was then studied using the standard well diffusion method and demonstrated significant bactericidal effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.048 mg mL−1. Additionally, the ZnO NFs were evaluated for their potential to enhance the shelf life of Gerbera jamesonii flowers when treated with different concentrations in a chitosan-based solution. The ZnO NFs supplemented solution here was found to preserve the freshness of the cut flowers for up to 9.3 ± 0.3 days compared to the 3-day shelf life of the control group. These findings suggest ZnO NFs to have significant antibacterial properties and can effectively extend the shelf life of cut flowers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mandarin fruits are the most widely grown citrus fruits in the world, particularly in the eastern Himalayas of India, which is the primary center of citrus diversity. Diagnosing potential nutritional imbalances using leaf tissue analysis is a mandatory practice for a higher yield. Regarding the nutritional diagnosis of Khasi mandarin plants, particularly in the acidic soil of the hilly ecology of the Eastern Himalayas, India, there is currently no information available. Therefore, the present study was conducted to identify nutrient constraints, establish leaf-based diagnostic recommended and integrated system (DRIS) norms, and determine nutrients' relationship with fruit yields in 144 orchards. The result showed that the DRIS indices predicted a nutritional optimum value for Khasi mandarin: 2.26–2.83% N, 0.11–0.16% P, 1.86–2.07% K, 1.85–2.12% Ca, 0.33–0.48% Mg, 170.10–225.10 mg kg−1 Fe, 74.03–83.43 mg kg−1 Mn, 1.24–2.45 mg kg−1 Cu, and 19.84–21.28 mg kg−1 Zn. The DRIS norms identified the nutrients Zn, P, Ca, K, N, and Mg as deficient to low levels (14.15→2.14), while Fe, Mn, and Cu were at high to excessive levels (5.50→18.25). The nutritional balance index had a significantly negative relationship with the fruit yield. Leaf nutrient concentrations of N (0.909**), P (0.827**), K (0.867**), Zn (0.833**), Ca (0.827**), and Mg (0.592**) had a significant positive correlation with fruit yield. The finding will facilitate the correct interpretation of leaf nutrient analysis, and the norms developed will enable a precise intervention through nutrient management for higher yields in mandarin citrus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus reticulata dropped fruits are generally discarded as waste, causing environmental pollution and losses to farmers. In the present study, column chromatography has been used to isolate quinic acid (1,3,4,5-tetrahydroxycyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid) from the ethyl acetate fraction of a methanol extract of citrus fruits dropped in April. Quinic acid is a ubiquitous plant metabolite found in various plants and microorganisms. It is an important precursor in the biosynthesis of aromatic natural compounds. It was further derivatized into 3,4-o-isopropylidenequinic acid 1,5-lactone (QA1), 1,3,4,5-tetraacetoxycyclohexylaceticanhydride (QA2), and cyclohexane-1,2,3,5- tetraone (QA3). These compounds were further tested for their antibacterial potential against the foodborne pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus spp., Yersinia enterocolitica, and Escherichia coli. QA[sub 1] exhibited maximum antibacterial potential (minimum inhibitory concentration; 80-120 µg/mL). QA1 revealed synergistic behavior with streptomycin against all the tested bacterial strains having a fractional inhibitory concentration index ranging from 0.29 to 0.37. It also caused a significant increase in cell constituent release in all the tested bacteria compared to the control, along with prominent biofilm reduction. The results obtained were further checked with computational studies that revealed the best docking score of QA1 (-6.30 kcal/ mol, -5.8 kcal/mol, and -4.70 kcal/mol) against β-lactamase, DNA gyrase, and transpeptidase, respectively. The absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) analysis revealed that the drug-like properties of QA1 had an ideal toxicity profile, making it a suitable candidate for the development of antimicrobial drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus fruits are one of the most widely used fruits around the world and are used as raw fruits, but are also processed into products such as beverages, and large amounts of by-products and waste are generated in this process. Globally, disposal of citrus waste (CW) through simple landfilling or ocean dumping can result in soil and groundwater contamination, which can negatively impact ecosystem health. The case of Korea is not much different in that these wastes are simply buried or recycled wastes are used as livestock feed additives. However, there are many reports that CW, which is a waste, has high potential to produce a variety of products that can minimize environmental load and increase added value through appropriate waste management. In this study, we aim to explore the latest developments in the evaluation and valorization of the growing CW green technologies in an effort to efficiently and environmentally transform these CW for resource recovery, sustainability, and economic benefits. Recent research strategies on integrated biorefinery approaches have confirmed that CW can be converted into various bioproducts such as enzymes, biofuels and biopolymers, further contributing to energy security. It was found that more efforts are needed to scale up green recovery technologies and achieve diverse product profiling to achieve zero waste levels and industrial viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chuan chenpi is obtained by aging the peel of Citrus reticulata cv. 'Dahongpao', a traditional Chinese citrus variety. Chenpi has been used in traditional Chinese medicine since ancient times. It is believed that the longer the ripening period, the better the health properties. The composition of the metabolome of Chuan chenpi and how different aging periods affect it are not known. Current analysis was performed using Chuan chenpi aged for one (CR1), five (CR5) and ten (CR10) years. Initially, the total flavonoid and phenolic content were quantified, and then the global metabolomic profiles of CR1, CR5 and CR10 were studied. The total flavonoid and phenolic content increased significantly in CR5 compared to CR1 and then decreased in CR10. The metabolomic analyses led to the identification of 781 compounds belonging to more than 19 classes. Flavonoids and phenolic acids accounted for almost half (~48%) of the Chuan chenpi metabolome. Other major classes included amino acids (~8%), alkaloids (7.17%), organic acids (~7%), sugars (5.5%), nucleotides and derivatives (~5%), free fatty acids (3.33%) and other classes. The metabolite diversity of glycerol esters, terpenoids and stilbenes was constant during the three storage periods, whereas those of lignans, vitamins, coumarins, lipids and free fatty acids showed slight variations. The subclass distribution of phenylpropanoids, quinones, sphingolipids, and organic acids showed a decrease in diversity from CR1 to CR5, with CR10 showing a further decrease or remaining constant. Amino acids and derivatives, phenolic acids and flavonoids showed an increasing trend in the number of metabolites over the storage period. Compared to CR5, CR10 showed a higher number of differentially accumulated metabolites; in particular, flavonoids, phenolic acids and organic acids showed increased accumulation in CR10. In conclusion, the metabolome of Chuan chenpi is rich in flavonoids and phenols. Aging significantly affects the metabolome composition. Both CR5 and CR10 may be useful materials for health studies depending on the objectives of pharmacological use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a major pathophysiologic event that presents a high risk for prostate cancer (the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in men). The prognosis of conventional therapy for BPH remains poor due to treatment failures. Thus, natural remedies such as botanical drugs remain a promising alternative therapy to be explored for the treatment of BPH and prostate cancer. Citrus fruits, specifically fruit peels of Citrus reticulata (CRE) contain bioactive compounds that exhibit anti-inflammatory properties and have been used in crude form in traditional settings to manage benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer, however, scientific scrutiny of this ethnobotanical claim remains incomplete. This study assessed the protective effect of CRE in testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia-like phenotypes in rats. Male Wistar rats (n = 30, 150-200 g) were randomly assigned into six groups (n = 5), and treated for 28 days as follows: control group (normal saline, 5 mg/kg s.c.), model group (testosterone,5 mg/kg, i.p.), the finasteride (1 mg/kg, p.o.), and CRE (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) groups received testosterone (5 mg/kg, i.p.) in the morning and their respective treatments (either finasteride or CRE). All rats were given chow and water ad libitum. On the 28th day, the rats were sacrificed following deep anesthesia. Blood and the prostate gland were collected. Full blood count, serum levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), testosterone, C-reactive protein (CRP), and histology of the prostate gland were assessed. Compared to the model, treatment with C. reticulata peel extracts markedly reduced prostate weight, attenuated atresia of the prostatic glands, stromal fibrosis, and mast cell infiltration, and increased glandular secretion. Additionally, serum levels of testosterone, CRP, PSA, and white blood count were reduced in the high-dose C. reticulata peel extract-treated group. Fruit peels of C. reticulata exhibited a protective effect against BPH partly by attenuating inflammatory activity. Thus, this finding provides a rationale for further exploration of CRE for novel anti-BPH molecules that could be used to develop therapeutics against prostate cancer.

Recently, there has been significant exploration into the utilization of food by-products as natural reservoirs of bioactive substances, particularly in the creation of functional foods naturally enriched with antioxidants. Citrus peels represent a viable option for formulating enhanced olive oils that contribute to a healthier diet, due to their bioactive compound content. This study aimed to (i) ascertain the compositional characteristics of Citrus reticulata olive oil (CrOO) and (ii) assess its nutraceutical properties in rats with metabolic disorder induced by 3 weeks of feeding with a high-fat diet (HFD). The results showed a peculiar phytochemical composition, thanks to the contribution of citrus peels, which are excellent bio-products. In addition, it demonstrated HFD-induced weight gain (18 ± 2% for HFD vs. 13 ± 0.9% for CrOO) and showed protective effects on fasting blood glucose levels (90.2 ± 3.8 mg/dL for HFD vs. 72.3 ± 2.6 for CrOO). Furthermore, a reduction in cardiovascular risk (total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol = 5.0 ± 0.3 for HFD vs. 3.8 ± 0.3 for CrOO) and an improvement in myocardial tissue function were observed, as well as a significant reduction in inflammatory mediators such as iNOS, COX-2, and mPGES-1 in aortic vessel tissues, thus preserving endothelial function at the vascular level.

Immature citruses are an important resource for the pharmaceutical industry due to their high levels of metabolites with health benefits. In this study, we used untargeted liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) metabolomics to investigate the changes associated with fruit size in immature citrus fruits in the first weeks of growth. Three orange cultivars (Citrus sinensis ‘Navel’, Citrus sinensis ‘Valencia’, and Citrus sinensis ‘Valencia Late’) and a mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco ‘Fremont’) were separated into eight fruit sizes, extracted, and analyzed. Statistical analyses revealed a distinct separation between the mandarin and the oranges based on 56 metabolites, with an additional separation between the ‘Navel’ orange and the ‘Valencia’ and ‘Valencia Late’ oranges based on 21 metabolites. Then, metabolites that evolved significantly with fruit size growth were identified, including 40 up-regulated and 31 down-regulated metabolites. This study provides new insights into the metabolite modifications of immature Citrus sinensis and Citrus reticulata in the first weeks of growth and emphasizes the significance of including early sampled fruits in citrus maturation studies.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a major pathophysiologic event that presents a high risk for prostate cancer (the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in men). The prognosis of conventional therapy for BPH remains poor due to treatment failures. Thus, natural remedies such as botanical drugs remain a promising alternative therapy to be explored for the treatment of BPH and prostate cancer. Citrus fruits, specifically fruit peels of Citrus reticulata (CRE) contain bioactive compounds that exhibit anti-inflammatory properties and have been used in crude form in traditional settings to manage benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer, however, scientific scrutiny of this ethnobotanical claim remains incomplete. This study assessed the protective effect of CRE in testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia-like phenotypes in rats. Male Wistar rats (n = 30, 150-200 g) were randomly assigned into six groups (n = 5), and treated for 28 days as follows: control group (normal saline, 5 mg/kg s.c.), model group (testosterone, 5 mg/kg, i.p.), the finasteride (1 mg/kg, p.o.), and CRE (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) groups received testosterone (5 mg/kg, i.p.) in the morning and their respective treatments (either finasteride or CRE). All rats were given chow and water ad libitum. On the 28th day, the rats were sacrificed following deep anesthesia. Blood and the prostate gland were collected. Full blood count, serum levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), testosterone, C-reactive protein (CRP), and histology of the prostate gland were assessed. Compared to the model, treatment with C. reticulata peel extracts markedly reduced prostate weight, attenuated atresia of the prostatic glands, stromal fibrosis, and mast cell infiltration, and increased glandular secretion. Additionally, serum levels of testosterone, CRP, PSA, and white blood count were reduced in the high-dose C. reticulata peel extract-treated group. Fruit peels of C. reticulata exhibited a protective effect against BPH partly by attenuating inflammatory activity. Thus, this finding provides a rationale for further exploration of CRE for novel anti-BPH molecules that could be used to develop therapeutics against prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to investigate the phytochemical and the antioxidant activities of fruits, peels and leaves extracts of Citrus reticulata. The total alkaloids, saponin, phenolic acid and flavonoids were determined spectrophotometrically while antioxidant potentials were evaluated with 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) protocols. The fruit extract shows the highest phenolic acid content of 33.94 mg/GAE/g. Flavonoids content was highest in the peels extract 14.30 mg/QE/g. All the extracts showed significant antioxidant activities H2O2, DPPH along a concentration gradient. Antioxidant capacity is also high in the test plant suggesting its biomedicinal value to human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Snakebite envenomation has been one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality around the world. Though intravenous administration of commercial anti-venom systemically neutralizes the toxicity, adverse effects are commonly seen in the post-treatment period. Plant metabolites and their derivatives have been shown to exhibit a wide range of antiophidian properties. In this study, we have investigated the Bungaruscaeruleus venom neutralization potential of Citrus aurantium and Citrus reticulata Blanco peels in terms of phospholipase and hemolytic inhibition. Methanolic extract of C. reticulata exhibited the highest inhibition (93%) of PLA2 activity. However, the extracts of both these Citrus species significantly inhibited the hemolytic activity of the venom (54-82%). Molecular docking indicated the binding of the citrus metabolites to catalytic site residues (TRP19, GLY30, TYR31, GLY32, and HIS48) of PLA2. In vivo studies using Swiss Albino mice confirmed the neutralising capacity of the citrus peel extract, as reflected by the increase in survival time. Therefore, the study reveals that these metabolites in the methanolic extract of the citrus peel can be used as supplements for the management of snake bites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During postharvest cold storage, fruit sustains physical and biochemical changes, which may result in physiological rind disorders that consequently affect the fruit’s marketability. Preharvest conditions are known to affect postharvest fruit quality, with the effect of preharvest shade netting being currently unknown. To this end, ‘Nadorcott’ mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) fruit, grown under shade netting and without it, was harvested during two consecutive seasons from an orchard in Citrusdal, Western Cape, South Africa. The fruit was evaluated prior to, as well as after a 7-day shelf-life period following cold storage at either −0.6 or 4 °C for 14, 27 and 34 days, respectively, for changes in rind and pulp colour, rind carotenoids, soluble solid content (SSC), citric acid content and SSC/citric acid ratio. Weight loss and the incidence of rind physiological disorders (staining) were also recorded. The results showed that shade net did not affect the storage behaviour of the fruit, as no treatment differences were seen. However, a storage duration effect for both treatments was evident in some internal and external quality parameters, viz., weight loss percentage and carotenoid content increased over the storage duration. Inconsistency regarding the storage duration effect on the rind colour, SSC and acid content were evident between seasons, at both temperatures. Staining only occurred in the first season after 34 days at both temperatures. The results indicated that shade netting had no negative effect on the cold-storage behaviour of ‘Nadorcott’ fruit. However, contrasting findings from this study emphasized that the condition of the fruit at harvest plays a significant role in the postharvest behaviour of the fruit during cold storage, and different growing conditions may also be a contributable factor.

Climate change is heavily altering plant distributions, posing significant challenges to conventional agricultural practices and ecological balance. Meanwhile, mixed species planting emerges as a potent strategy to enhance agricultural resilience, counteract climate change, preserve ecological balance, and provide a solution to economic instability. The MaxEnt model was used to predict the suitable area of Citrus reticulata under five climate scenarios and to explore affecting environmental factors. Litchi chinensis, Punica granatum, and Lycium chinense were selected as mixed species to analyze the spatial distribution and centroid migration trend of potentially suitable areas. The research results show the following: (1) The primary environmental factors impacting C. reticulata distribution are annual precipitation (1000–4000 mm), precipitation of driest quarter over 100 mm, and mean temperature of coldest quarter (12–28 °C). Crucially, the mixed species exhibited similar environmental sensitivities, indicating mutual mixing suitability. (2) Currently, the C. reticulata suitable area is of 240.21 × 104 km2, primarily in South, East, Central, and Southwest China, with potential for expansion to 265.41 × 104 km2 under the 2090s SSP1-2.6 scenario. (3) The geometric center of the moderately-to-highly suitable areas for C. reticulata is located in Hunan Province. Future scenarios show the C. reticulata’s centroid migrating northwest, with distances of less than 110 km. Mixed planting trends toward higher latitudes, fluctuating from 6 km to 210 km. (4) Mixed planting area planning: C. reticulata and L. chinensis are suitable for mixed planting in South China. C. reticulata and P. granatum, C. reticulata and L. chinense are suitable for mixed planting in most areas of Central, East, Southwest, and South China. This research presents a new perspective on using mixed design principles for ecological adaptation and the sustainable mixed planting of C. reticulata, in response to China’s changing climate. This approach is expected to help the economic fruit tree industry enhance ecological resilience and economic stability in the face of future climate change challenges.

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of three dehydration/rehydration cycles on the vegetative growth and shoot dry matter of citrus seedlings, as well as seedling acclimatization to this environmental stress. The five following water regimes were evaluated: WR1 (control), WR2, and WR3, with plants kept at 100, 75, and 50% of pot capacity during the three cycles, respectively; and WR4 and WR5, with plants kept at 75, 100, and 75% and 50, 100, and 50% of pot capacity during the first, second, and third cycles, respectively. Relative water content, plant height, length and diameter of the main and secondary branches, angle of leaf insertion in the branch, specific leaf area, leaf chlorophyll content, and dry matter were evaluated. Rehydration after a cycle with 50% of pot capacity did not improve plant growth or dry matter accumulation in relation to the well-hydrated plants of the control. However, after a cycle with 75% of pot capacity, rehydration restores water content, the diameter of the secondary branches, and the angle of leaf insertion. The exposure to successive events of dehydration/rehydration makes the citrus seedlings more resistant to future exposures to water stress.

We studied 20-bacterial isolates for their ability to produce chitinase, from these 8 were selected and 3 (B1, B5, and D2) had the highest levels of chitinase activity. Based on the activity of chitinase [which generates N-acetylglucosamine units (U)], isolate B1 had the highest enzyme activity (3.905), followed by isolates B5 (3.52) and D2 (1.35). These 3-test bacterial isolates (B1, B5 and D2) with maximum chitinase activity were evaluated for their potential as biocontrol agent against thrips of citrus (kinnow: Citrus reticulata Blanco) under field conditions. C. reticulata trees were sprayed with these 3-bacterial isolates (106 cfu/ml), dimethoate phosphamide and nimbicide (at 1.5 ml/L, 2 ml/L doses respectively). The B1 isolate had the maximum biocontrol efficiency of thrips (79.66 %), against the control, which caused reduction of 37.70 %. In B1 isolate, infestation was 20 % than control (36 %). In B1 the mean population density was 0.4 compared to control (0.96). The identification of isolate B1 by 16s rDNA gene sequence confirmed that it was Achromobacter xylosoxidans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus is a source of nutritional and medicinal advantages, cultivated worldwide with major groups of sweet oranges, mandarins, grapefruits, kumquats, lemons and limes. Pakistan produces all major citrus groups with mandarin (Citrus reticulata) being the prominent group that includes local commercial cultivars Feutral’s Early, Dancy, Honey, and Kinnow. The present study designed to understand the genetic architecture of this unique variety of Citrus reticulata ‘Kinnow.’ The whole-genome resequencing and variant calling was performed to map the genomic variability that might be responsible for its particular characteristics like taste, seedlessness, juice content, thickness of peel, and shelf-life. A total of 139,436,350 raw sequence reads were generated with 20.9 Gb data in Fastq format having 98% effectiveness and 0.2% base call error rate. Overall, 3,503,033 SNPs, 176,949 MNPs, 323,287 INS, and 333,083 DEL were identified using the GATK4 variant calling pipeline against Citrus clementina. Furthermore, g:Profiler was applied for annotating the newly found variants, harbor genes/transcripts and their involved pathways. A total of 73,864 transcripts harbors 4,336,352 variants, most of the observed variants were predicted in non-coding regions and 1009 transcripts were found well annotated by different databases. Out of total aforementioned transcripts, 588 involved in biological processes, 234 in molecular functions and 167 transcripts in cellular components. In a nutshell, 18,153 high impact variants and 216 genic variants found in the current study, which may be used after its functional validation for marker-assisted breeding programs of “Kinnow” to propagate its valued traits for the improvement of contemporary citrus varieties in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chuan chenpi is obtained by aging the peel of Citrus reticulata cv. ‘Dahongpao’, a traditional Chinese citrus variety. Chenpi has been used in traditional Chinese medicine since ancient times. It is believed that the longer the ripening period, the better the health properties. The composition of the metabolome of Chuan chenpi and how different aging periods affect it are not known. Current analysis was performed using Chuan chenpi aged for one (CR1), five (CR5) and ten (CR10) years. Initially, the total flavonoid and phenolic content were quantified, and then the global metabolomic profiles of CR1, CR5 and CR10 were studied. The total flavonoid and phenolic content increased significantly in CR5 compared to CR1 and then decreased in CR10. The metabolomic analyses led to the identification of 781 compounds belonging to more than 19 classes. Flavonoids and phenolic acids accounted for almost half (~48%) of the Chuan chenpi metabolome. Other major classes included amino acids (~8%), alkaloids (7.17%), organic acids (~7%), sugars (5.5%), nucleotides and derivatives (~5%), free fatty acids (3.33%) and other classes. The metabolite diversity of glycerol esters, terpenoids and stilbenes was constant during the three storage periods, whereas those of lignans, vitamins, coumarins, lipids and free fatty acids showed slight variations. The subclass distribution of phenylpropanoids, quinones, sphingolipids, and organic acids showed a decrease in diversity from CR1 to CR5, with CR10 showing a further decrease or remaining constant. Amino acids and derivatives, phenolic acids and flavonoids showed an increasing trend in the number of metabolites over the storage period. Compared to CR5, CR10 showed a higher number of differentially accumulated metabolites; in particular, flavonoids, phenolic acids and organic acids showed increased accumulation in CR10. In conclusion, the metabolome of Chuan chenpi is rich in flavonoids and phenols. Aging significantly affects the metabolome composition. Both CR5 and CR10 may be useful materials for health studies depending on the objectives of pharmacological use.

Citrus fruits are one of the most widely used fruits around the world and are used as raw fruits, but are also processed into products such as beverages, and large amounts of by-products and waste are generated in this process. Globally, disposal of citrus waste (CW) through simple landfilling or ocean dumping can result in soil and groundwater contamination, which can negatively impact ecosystem health. The case of Korea is not much different in that these wastes are simply buried or recycled wastes are used as livestock feed additives. However, there are many reports that CW, which is a waste, has high potential to produce a variety of products that can minimize environmental load and increase added value through appropriate waste management. In this study, we aim to explore the latest developments in the evaluation and valorization of the growing CW green technologies in an effort to efficiently and environmentally transform these CW for resource recovery, sustainability, and economic benefits. Recent research strategies on integrated biorefinery approaches have confirmed that CW can be converted into various bioproducts such as enzymes, biofuels and biopolymers, further contributing to energy security. It was found that more efforts are needed to scale up green recovery technologies and achieve diverse product profiling to achieve zero waste levels and industrial viability.

Fumagina (Capnodium sp.) is a disease that occurs in citrus and limits plant development by reducing photosynthetic activity and gas exchange. The effect of four treatments CALSU10: 10 % sulfocalcic broth, Pruning: maintenance pruning, calsu10 + Pruning: 10 % sulfocalcic broth and maintenance pruning, and Control: no application of sulfocalcic broth or pruning, on the control of fumagina on mandarin leaves (Citrus reticulata) was evaluated. The results obtained showed that the incidence of fumagina was similar in all treatments at 14, 28 and 42 days after the application of treatments, and at 56 days it was higher in the Control and lower for CALSU10 + Pruning. This same treatment showed significant differences (p<0.05) with respect to the other treatments at 56 days, for the scale of very severe damage and healthy leaves. Finally, it is concluded that, in mandarin, the severity and incidence of fumagina can be reduced by 28 and 42 %, respectively, when four applications of 10 % sulfocalcic are made together with pruning at the phenological stage of vegetative rest of the tree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Arrayana' mandarin is one of the most cultivated citrus species in Colombia, but this fruit has a short postharvest life and is sensitive to chilling injury (CI) during cold storage. Generating strategies that decrease CI to mandarin can reduce quantitative and qualitative losses postharvest. Brassinosteroids (BR) have been used as a sustainable technology to alleviate CI in fruits and improve postharvest quality. This study evaluated the effect of applying the 24-epibrasinolide analogue (EBR), at doses of 5 mg L−1; DI-31 analogue, at 5 and 10 mg L−1; and control, on the main physical and biochemical characteristics of 'Arrayana' mandarin stored at 4 °C for 40 days and, subsequently, 7 days at room temperature (shelf life). The application of EBR and DI-31 analogues reduced the appearance of CI in the exocarp of 'Arrayana' mandarin fruits by reducing electrolyte leakage, maintaining membrane integrity, and increasing antioxidant activity and phenol content at the end of cold storage and shelf life. This was especially pronounced with 5 mg L−1 of EBR. Similarly, the BR maintained the postharvest quality of mandarins by reducing weight loss, respiratory intensity, and chlorophyll degradation; increasing β-carotene; and maintaining titratable acidity and soluble solids. Our research reports, for the first time, CI tolerance in Arrayana mandarin using natural (EBR) and spirostanic (DI-31) analogues and illustrates the tolerance functionality of the DI-31 analogue on CI in the fruit postharvest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternaria brown spot (ABS) is a disease caused by the fungus A. alternata f. sp. citri, which results in lesions on the fruits, leaves, and branches of several mandarin varieties and their hybrids. Due to the high cost of fungicide application, alternative methods for controlling ABS need to be studied. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the use of essential oils (EOs) from different mandarin varieties to mitigate the effects of ABS. The inhibitory effect of different concentrations (1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 μL·mL−1) of the EOs of Fremont IAC 543 mandarin, IAC 2019Maria mandarin, Murcott IAC 221 tangor, and Late IAC 855 willowleaf on the in vitro mycelial growth of the fungus A. alternata was evaluated. Additionally, the curative and preventive effects of these EOs on the ABS symptoms in detached leaves of Murcott IAC 221 tangor were also assessed. The EO of IAC 2019 Maria mandarin induced less mycelial growth, and consequently, a greater inhibition of the growth of the fungus A. alternata at a concentration of 16 μL·mL−1. This EO was more effective for control than the other oils tested. In the detached leaf experiment, both the curative and preventive treatments at a concentration of 16 μL·mL−1 showed lower values of disease severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WRKY proteins are an important group of transcription factors (TFs) gene family and were identified primarily in plants. WRKY TFs play vital roles in modulating gene expression when plants face detrimental effects due to the environment. In the current study, we focused on using the mandarin citrus (Citrus reticulata) genome to understand the impact of the WRKY gene family on the extraction of alleles mining in mandarins. The mining of the C. reticulata genome identified 46 CrWRKY genes that were classified into three main groups (G1, G2, and G3) further with five subclasses (IIa, IIb, IIc, Iid, and IIe) in the G2 group, and all were presented on 29 scaffolds representing numerous segmental duplications of 100% events established. Multiple sequence analysis predicted the presence of the "WRKYGQK" domain and metal-chelating zinc-finger motif C2H2 in 45 genes, while the "WRKYGQK" domain was replaced with "WRKYGKK" only in CrWRKY20. The comparative relationship of CrWRKY with other plant species using dual synteny analysis revealed that the divergence between C. reticulata and C. grandis occurred after the evolutionary divergence of C. clementine, C. sinensis, C. medica, and C. ichangensis. The possible functions of the CrWRKY genes in mitigating environmental effects were predicted using cis-regulatory elements analysis and in silico RNAseq analysis, for the development of plants. These results provide a robust platform and absence of knowledge for the functional identification from key genes of CrWRKY genes in the mandarin for the possible use to improve key desirable agronomic and consumer-driven fruit quality traits in mandarins and related species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study sought to investigate the internal cycling of phosphorus (P) in Clementine mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco “Clementine”). The biomass formation, P concentration, P uptake and accumulation of different organs (bud, flower, fruit, leaf and branches) identified as active organs and found on 1-year-old shoots on fruit trees of bearing age were periodically examined for 2 years. The biomass value was similar between both production seasons. At the beginning of shoot activity, the biomass of annual shoots had a very low rate in the total biomass (0.4%). The biomass increased from 9.7 kg/tree at the beginning of the production season to 62.8 kg/tree at harvest. The P concentrations were in the ranges of 0.11–0.22% in the branches of

Dental caries is the most common biofilm‐dependent oral disease. Streptococcus mutans is among the main microorganisms responsible for the development of dental caries. Nano‐suspension of Citrus reticulata (tangerine) peel essential oil in 0.5% (v/v) concentration was prepared and its antibacterial effect on S. mutans in planktonic and biofilm forms as well as its cytotoxic and antioxidant effects were assessed and compared with chlorhexidine (CHX). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of free essential oil, nano‐encapsulated essential oil, and CHX was 5.6% (v/v), 0.0005% (v/v), and 0.0002% (w/v), respectively. The percentage of biofilm inhibition by the free essential oil, nano‐encapsulated essential oil, and CHX at half‐MIC was 67.3%, 24%, and 90.6%, respectively. The nano‐encapsulated essential oil had no cytotoxicity and showed significant antioxidant effects in different concentrations. Nano‐encapsulation of tangerine peel essential oil significantly enhanced its biological activities in much lower concentrations than the free essential oil (11,000 times diluted). It also showed lower cytotoxicity and higher antibiofilm effects in sub‐MICs compared with CHX, indicating the optimal potential of tangerine nano‐encapsulated essential oil for incorporation in the composition of organic antibacterial and antioxidant mouth rinses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The citrus red mite, Panonychus citri (McGregor, 1916), is considered a very important pest in most citrusgrowing countries. The developmental periods, reproduction rates, and population growth parameters of P. citri were evaluated using the fruit peel under experimental conditions (25 ± 1 °C, 50 ± 5% RH and 14:10 h photoperiod) on five Citrus species: Mexican lime (C. xaurantiifolia (Christm.) Swingle), grapefruit (C. xparadisi Macfad.), sweet orange (C. xsinensis (L.) Osbeck), mandarin (C. reticulata Blanco), and tangelo fruit (C. xtangelo J.W. Ingram & H.E. Moore). The developmental period of the immature stages of P. citri averaged 26.64, 25.93 and 25.75 d for sweet orange, mandarin, and tangelo fruit, respectively. The adult stage was not achieved in Mexican lime and grapefruit. Immature survival was less than 50% in mandarin and tangelo fruit, in contrast, in sweet orange it was 57%. On average, oviposition was 3.55, 4.95 and 5.00 eggs female-1, on sweet orange, mandarin, and tangelo fruit, respectively. The intrinsic natural growth rate (rm), net reproduction rate (R0), generation time (T), and finite growth rate (λ) of P. citri showed significant differences among the tested species (p < 0.05). The rm and R0 values were 0.005 and 1.209 for sweet orange, 0.026 and 2.474 for mandarin and 0.020 and 2.000 for tangelo fruit. The results indicated that mandarin was the most suitable species for the P. citri population growth, whereas sweet orange was less suitable to proliferate. These differences are important in the integrated management of P. citri on citrus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Repellents are effective personal protective means against outdoor biting mosquitoes. Repellent formulations composed of EOs are finding increased popularity among consumers. In this study, after an initial screening of 11 essential oils (EOs) at the concentration of 33 μg/cm2, five of the most repellent EOs, Perovskia atriplicifolia, Citrus reticulata (fruit peels), C. reticulata (leaves), Mentha longifolia, and Dysphania ambrosioides were further investigated for repellent activity against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in time span bioassays. When tested at the concentrations of 33 μg/cm2, 165 μg/cm2 and 330 μg/cm2, the EO of P. atriplicifolia showed the longest repellent effect up to 75, 90 and 135 min, respectively, which was followed by C. reticulata (peels) for 60, 90 and 120 min, M. longifolia for 45, 60 and 90 min, and C. reticulata (leaves) for 30, 45 and 75 min. Notably, the EO of P. atriplicifolia tested at the dose of 330 μg/cm2 showed complete protection for 60 min which was similar to the commercial mosquito repellent DEET. Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analyses of the EOs revealed camphor (19.7%), limonene (92.7%), sabinene (24.9%), carvone (82.6%), and trans-ascaridole (38.8%) as the major constituents of P. atriplicifolia, C. reticulata (peels), C. reticulata (leaves), M. longifolia, and D. ambrosioides, respectively. The results of the present study could help develop plant-based commercial repellents to protect humans from dengue mosquitoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starch is a biodegradable polymeric carbohydrate that can easily form films and coatings and can readily be obtained from some food industry by-products and wastes, which may contribute to the circular bioeconomy. In this work, we studied the potential of two edible coating emulsions based on pregelatinized potato starch (PPS) and glyceryl monostearate (GMS) alone (F6 and F10) or formulated with the food additive sodium benzoate (SB, 2%) (F6/SB and F10/SB) to control sour rot, an important citrus postharvest disease caused by the fungus Geotrichum citri-aurantii, and maintain postharvest quality of cold-stored 'Orri' mandarins. The PPS-GMS coating application was compared to dipping in water (uncoated controls) and dipping in a 2% SB (w/v) aqueous solution. The results showed that the coating F10/SB was the most promising treatment to control sour rot on mandarins, with reductions in disease incidence with respect to the uncoated control samples of 94, 69, and 55% after 2, 4, and 6 weeks of storage at 5 °C, respectively. Coatings formulated without SB were ineffective. Regarding fruit quality, the coating F10 was the most effective to reduce weight loss, maintain firmness, and provide gloss on mandarins stored at 5 °C for up to 6 weeks followed by a shelf-life period of 1 week at 20 °C. The addition of SB to the PPS-GMS coatings adversely affected these coating properties, but the coating F10/SB still reduced weight loss compared to uncoated controls without negatively affecting the fruit physicochemical (juice titratable acidity, soluble solids content, and volatiles content) and sensory quality (overall flavor, off-flavors, external aspect). Overall, the coating F10/SB showed the greatest potential for commercial use as an efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional fungicides and waxes for sour rot control and quality preservation of cold-stored mandarins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fusarium rot is a newly introduced, devastating disease of citrus fruits. The current investigation was undertaken to characterize the microbes responsible for fruit rot in Citrus reticulata. Methods: Pathogens were isolated from infected citrus fruits using morphological and molecular approaches. For confirmation of the isolated fungi, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and internal transcribed spacer gene sequencing techniques were used. Results: The isolated fungus was grown on potato dextrose agar for three days and it produced clamydospores, hyphae and macroconidia. PCR amplification of isolated fungal DNA gave a 650 bp product. The sequence obtained from isolated fungi had 99.42% similarity with the reference Fusarium concentricum sequence in NCBI GenBank. The obtained sequence was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. MT856371). Two isolates showed virulence capability on fresh guava, sweet orange and tomato fruits, which confirmed species identification and Koch’s postulates. Artificially inoculated fungal species grown on tested fruits showed typical Fusarium species symptoms. Conclusions: Outcomes of the present study are beneficial for the detection of this detrimental disease in postharvest Citrus reticulata fruits. Further research is needed for the control of this economically important disease. This is the first study of fruit rot in Citrus reticulata caused by Fusarium in Bangladesh.

The mandarin is an important fruit crop worldwide, and 'Xinyu mandarin'—a local Citrus reticulata variety—is widely cultivated in Jiangxi Province, in China. Autopolyploidy has frequently been used for the improvement of crop varieties. In a previous study, we identified a tetraploid (4X) material of 'Xinyu mandarin' generated from its diploid (2X) mother seedling via a spontaneous mutation. However, the physiological and metabolic variations after polyploidy are not clear enough, which is not conducive to the early screening. In the present study, we analyzed the morphological, physiological, and metabolic differences between the tetraploid and diploid plants. The tetraploids had larger and thicker leaves, and the activities of key enzymes in photosynthesis, the total chlorophyll, phenolic, and proline contents, were all higher in tetraploids. In the non-targeted metabolomic profile, a total of 522 metabolites were identified, of which 61 were significantly different between diploids and tetraploids. The differential metabolites included similar proportions of primary and secondary metabolites, and most of these were up-regulated in tetraploids, especially stress-related metabolites such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, alkaloids, and so on, indicating that tetraploids may possess better stress tolerance ability and vigor. Therefore, the tetraploids of 'Xinyu mandarin' may serve as an excellent female parent for the improvement of citrus varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huanglongbing (HLB) caused by 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' (CLas) is the most costly disease for the global citrus industry. Currently, no effective tools have been found to control HLB. Most commercial citrus varieties are susceptible to HLB, though some citrus hybrid cultivars have reduced sensitivity to the disease. Citrus breeding populations contain a large diversity of germplasm, with thousands of unique genotypes exhibiting a broad range of phenotypes. Understanding phenotypic variation and genetic inheritance in HLB-affected mandarin hybrid populations are crucial for breeding tolerant citrus varieties. In this study, we assessed 448 diverse mandarin hybrids coming from 30 crosses, and 45 additional accessions. For HLB tolerance, we measured HLB severity visual score and CLas titers by qPCR. We also measured seven morphophysiological traits indirectly related to HLB tolerance with leaf area index (LAI), leaf area (LA), leaf mass per area (LMA), photosystem II parameters (Fv/Fo, Fv/Fm), and photochemical performance index (PIabs). By estimating the genetic variation in five half-sib families, we estimated the heritability of phenotypic traits and found a significant genetic effect on HLB visual score and photosynthesis parameters, which indicates opportunities for the genetic improvement of HLB tolerance. In addition, although it is easy to identify infected trees based on HLB symptomatic leaves, visually phenotyping whole trees can be difficult and inconsistent due to the interpersonal subjectivity of characterization. We investigated their relationships and found that LAI was highly correlated with HLB score, with correlation coefficients of r = 0.70 and r = 0.77 for the whole population and five half-sib families, respectively. Photochemical parameters showed significant correlation with HLB severity and responded differentially with the side of the canopy. Our study suggests that LAI and photochemical parameters could be used as a rapid and cost-effective method to evaluate HLB tolerance and inheritance in citrus breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aims to valorize the waste of Citrus reticulata fruit (aqueous extract of peels and leaves of Mandarin fruit) by investigating them as novel environmentally friendly inhibitors for scales formed by deposits from Bounouara hard ground water. To carry out this study, the physico-chemical quality of Bounouara water was investigated, and the scaling power of Bounouara raw water and the anti-scaling effect of Citrus reticulata waste were analyzed by chronoamperometry measurements. The formed tartar layers on the stainless steel (SS) electrode surface were characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-rays diffraction analyses. The Chronoamperometric study proved that the raw water of Bounouara is classified as a very scaling water, whereas the (SS) electrode surface was totally covered by CaCO3, CaSO4, and CaPO3 (OH) crystals. The anti-scaling properties study of Citrus reticulata waste showed that the effect of bio-inhibitors starts at very low concentrations, and a complete scaling inhibition was obtained with a concentration of 50 ppm of peels aqueous extract (CRP) and with 75 ppm of leaves aqueous extract (CRL) at 20 °C. However, 25 ppm of peels or leaves aqueous extract were sufficient to inhibit the scaling deposits and prevent the calcite and gypsum growth for Bounouara water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The green, sustainable, and inexpensive creation of novel materials, primarily nanoparticles, with effective energy-storing properties, is key to addressing both the rising demand for energy storage and the mounting environmental concerns throughout the world. Here, an orange peel extract is used to make cobalt oxide nanoparticles from cobalt nitrate hexahydrate. The orange peel extract has Citrus reticulata, which is a key biological component that acts as a ligand and a reducing agent during the formation of nanoparticles. Additionally, the same nanoparticles were also obtained from various precursors for phase and electrochemical behavior comparisons. The prepared Co-nanoparticles were also sulfurized and phosphorized to enhance the electrochemical properties. The synthesized samples were characterized using scanning electron microscopic and X-ray diffraction techniques. The cobalt oxide nanoparticle showed a specific capacitance of 90 F/g at 1 A/g, whereas the cobalt sulfide and phosphide samples delivered an improved specific capacitance of 98 F/g and 185 F/g at 1 A/g. The phosphide-based nanoparticles offer more than 85% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles. This study offers a green strategy to prepare nanostructured materials for energy applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mass-based metabolomic approach was implemented using GC-MS coupled with chemometric analysis to discriminate between the essential oil compositions of six cultivars of Citrus reticulata. The antiaging capability of the essential oils were investigated through measurement of their ability to inhibit the major enzymes hyaluronidase, collagenase, and amylase involved in aging. GC-MS analysis resulted in the identification of thirty-nine compounds including β-pinene, d-limonene, γ-terpinene, linalool, and dimethyl anthranilate as the main components. Multivariate analysis using principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchal cluster analysis (HCA) successfully discriminated the cultivars into five main groups. In vitro antiaging activity showed that Kishu mandarin (Km) (2.19 ± 0.10, 465.9 ± 23.7, 0.31 ± 0.01 µg/mL), Cara mandarin (Cm) (3.22 ± 0.14, 592.1 ± 30.1, 0.66 ± 0.03 µg/mL), and Wm (8.43 ± 0.38, 695.2 ± 35.4, 0.79 ± 0.04%) had the highest inhibitory activity against hyaluronidase, collagenase, and amylase, respectively. Molecular docking studies on the major compounds validated the activities of the essential oils and suggested their possible mechanisms of action. Based on our result, certain cultivars of Citrus reticulata can be proposed as a promising candidate in antiaging skin care products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The naturally dropped immature fruits of Citrus reticulata Blanco are generally discarded as waste but they have enormous potential to be used as nutraceuticals. This work was planned to evaluate the proximate, mineral composition, total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of dropped fruits of C. reticulata Blanco. Proximate analysis showed them as a good source of carbohydrates and proteins. Mineral analysis revealed the presence of K, Mg, P, Ca and Na as macronutrients and Fe, B, Mn and Ni as micronutrients. The total phenolic and flavonoid content of methanol extract and its fractions ranged between 2.47 and 51.36 mg gallic acid equivalent g−1 DW and 11.47–86.50 mg quercetin equivalent g−1 DW respectively. The antioxidant potential of dropped Citrus fruits was determined by two in vitro (DPPH and ABTS) assays and various enzymatic antioxidant assays. Maximum antioxidant potential was shown by ethyl acetate fraction having the least IC50 value of 21.20 and 78.5 mg/g in DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays respectively. In the antioxidant enzymatic assay, catalase exhibited maximum activity with 18.46 U min−1 g−1 FW followed by superoxide dismutase (12.87 U min−1 g−1 FW), ascorbate peroxidase (3.82 U min−1 g−1 FW) and peroxidase (0.2112.87 U min−1 g−1 FW). Maximum antibacterial activity was shown by methanol extract having the least MIC values against Escherichia coli (186 μg ml−1), Yersinia enterocolitica (190.5 μg ml−1), Staphylococcus aureus (135.5 μg ml−1) and Bacillus sp. (85 μg ml−1). GC–MS analysis of the methanolic extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, fatty acid derivatives, phenols, terpenoids, steroids, organic acid and amino acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aphids are serious pests of a wide range of agricultural crops, including pomegranates and grapevines. In addition, due to the negative environmental impacts of chemical insecticides, these pests are developing important resistance against aphicides. Therefore, one alternative method to control aphids is the use of essential oils (EO). The present study aimed to evaluate the insecticidal activity of Citrus aurantium and C. reticulata peel EO at different concentrations and with different exposure periods to pomegranate and grapevine aphids, Aphis punicae and A. illinoisensis via the topical application method under laboratory conditions. The results reveal that C. aurantium L. EO had greater toxicity against pomegranate and grapevine aphids, with LC50 of 0.37 and 0.82 μL/mL, respectively, at 48 h after application. The highest repellence effect was estimated for C. aurantium EO, at 2.5 μL/cm2, on A. punicae, with a value of 100% after an exposure time of 3 h, in contrast to the 88% repellence estimated for A. illinoisensis. The GC-MS investigation of both essential oils identified limonene, 3-carene, pinene, and p-cymene as active substances that could be attributed to the effects observed. Overall, our results offer a potential tool to control the two aphid species and could help in the development of integrated insect management in pomegranate and grapevine fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]