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The objectives of the present study are: 1), to determine the concentrations of Zn in Ipomoea aquatica collected from ten distinct sampling sites located in Peninsular Malaysia; and 2) to assess the potential human health risks associated with Zn exposure from the collected Ipomoea aquatica in Peninsular Malaysia, across different age groups of the Malaysian population. It was found that the root of I. aquatica accumulated a significantly higher amount of this element compared to the stem and the leaf. It was also observed that all physiological parts (Leaf, Stem, and Root) of I. aquatica sampled from Market KLIA accumulated a greater amount of Zn compared to the other sites. The THQ (Target Hazard Quotient) values for element Zn in the I. aquatica species collected from 10 different sites in the Negeri Sembilan and Selangor states of Malaysia were consistently below 1.00. This observation suggests that there is no significant risk of non-carcinogenic effects associated with the consumption of water spinach by Malaysian consumers. The consistent Zn accumulation over time suggests that despite economic development in the region, Zn levels remained within safe concentrations, minimizing the risk associated with Zn accumulation in the plant biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

So far, the physiological and molecular mechanisms of the impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) on Cd absorption, transport and detoxification in Ipomoea aquatica (water spinach) are still unclear. In the present study, a pot experiment was performed to investigate the impact of AMF-Glomus versiforme (Gv) on the photosynthetic characteristics, Cd uptake, antioxidative system and transcriptome in water spinach in the soils supplemented with 5 mg Cd kg−1. Gv inoculation improved significantly the photosynthetic characteristics and growth of water spinach. Furthermore, Gv colonization significantly promoted the activities of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and glutathione reductase (GR), contents of glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid (AsA), and the total antioxidant capacity (TCA), but decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content in water spinach. In addition, Gv inoculation significantly increased pH in rhizosphere soils and decreased the Cd concentrations and uptakes in water spinach. Importantly, 2670 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened in water spinach root colonized with Gv in 5 mg Cd kg−1 soil, of which 2008 DEGs were upregulated and 662 DEGs were downregulated. Especially, the expression levels of POD, CAT, GR, dehydroascorbate reductase 2 (DHAR2), glutathione S-transferase U8 (GSTU8) and glutathione synthetase (GSHS) and cytochrome P450 (Cyt P450) genes were significantly up-regulated in water spinach inoculated with Gv. Meanwhile, the plant cadmium resistance protein 2 (PCR2), metal tolerance protein 4 (MTP4), ATP-binding cassette transporter C family member (ABCC), ABC-yeast cadmium factor 1 (ABC-YCF1) and metallothionein (MT) genes were also up-regulated in mycorrhizal water spinach. Our results firstly elucidated the mechanism by which AMF reduced the uptake and phytotoxicity of Cd in water spinach through a transcriptome analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Momordica charantia and Ipomoea aquatica leaves are two green leafy vegetables in Bangladesh that are commonly consumed considering their characteristic taste and abundant availability in nature. The aim of this study was to determine the available bioactive phenolic constituents as well as total flavonoid content (TFC), tannin content (TTC), phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity (TAA) and DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50) of the ethanolic extracts of M. charantia (MCE) and I. aquatica (IAE). HPLC–DAD and UV–visible spectrophotometer were used to determine the phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties, respectively. In this study, TFC, TTC, TPC, TAA and IC50 values were in the order of IAE (40.73 ± 1.0 mg QE/g) > MCE (34.60 ± 0.46 mg QE/g); MCE (40.93 ± 0.70 mg TAE/g) > IAE (31.13 ± 0.42 mg TAE/g); MCE (27.76 ± 0.58 mg GAE/g) > IAE (21.29 ± 0.43 mg GAE/g); MCE (52.03 ± 0.21 mg AAE/g) > IAE (40.77 ± 0.15 mg AAE/g) and MCE (333.22 ± 67.37 µg/mL) > IAE (560.74 ± 10.25 µg/mL). M. charantia ethanolic extracts contained five hydroxycinnamic acid: ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, rosmarinic acid and cinnamic acid; five flavonoids: epicatechin, quercetin, catechin, rutin hydrate and myricetin; two hydroxybenzoic acid: gallic acid and vanillic acid; and one phenolic aldehyde: vanillin. Whereas, I. aquatica extracts possessed four hydroxycinnamic acid: chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, trans-ferulic acid and trans-cinnamic acid; four flavonoids: epicatechin, quercetin, catechin, and rutin hydrate; two hydroxybenzoic acid: gallic acid and vanillic acid; and one phenolic aldehyde:vanillin. These underutilised sources of leafy vegetables may be used to develop functional foods by emphasising their remarkable bioactive components. Graphical Abstract

Biodecomposers are used as an alternative in pest and weed management by utilizing antagonistic microbes. This study aimed to identify the optimal treatment for suppressing weed growth and controlling the main rice pests, promoting environmentally friendly agricultural practices. Observations were made on three phases of rice growth on land that used biodecomposer and did not use biodecomposer. Weed sampling used a quadrant, which represents each treatment. All weeds were analyzed for density and summed dominance ratio. Pests were observed from the sweep net method. Pests were analyzed with the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H’). Ten species of weeds are found; the most common and dominant was Cyperus difformis, while the least were Ipomoea aquatica and Ludwigia octovalvis. There were seven pest species; the most common was Nephothettix virescens, while the least was Valanga nigricornis. Using bio-decomposers combined with a two-row planting system was effective in suppressing the development of weeds and pests with a decreasing trend as the rice growing phase increases. Biodecomposers are environmentally friendly even though the process is slow, and have the potential to reduce weeds and pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Momordica charantia and Ipomoea aquatica leaves are two green leafy vegetables in Bangladesh that are commonly consumed considering their characteristic taste and abundant availability in nature. The aim of this study was to determine the available bioactive phenolic constituents as well as total flavonoid content (TFC), tannin content (TTC), phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity (TAA) and DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50) of the ethanolic extracts of M. charantia (MCE) and I. aquatica (IAE). HPLC–DAD and UV–visible spectrophotometer were used to determine the phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties, respectively. In this study, TFC, TTC, TPC, TAA and IC50 values were in the order of IAE (40.73 ± 1.0 mg QE/g) > MCE (34.60 ± 0.46 mg QE/g); MCE (40.93 ± 0.70 mg TAE/g) > IAE (31.13 ± 0.42 mg TAE/g); MCE (27.76 ± 0.58 mg GAE/g) > IAE (21.29 ± 0.43 mg GAE/g); MCE (52.03 ± 0.21 mg AAE/g) > IAE (40.77 ± 0.15 mg AAE/g) and MCE (333.22 ± 67.37 µg/mL) > IAE (560.74 ± 10.25 µg/mL). M. charantia ethanolic extracts contained five hydroxycinnamic acid: ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, rosmarinic acid and cinnamic acid; five flavonoids: epicatechin, quercetin, catechin, rutin hydrate and myricetin; two hydroxybenzoic acid: gallic acid and vanillic acid; and one phenolic aldehyde: vanillin. Whereas, I. aquatica extracts possessed four hydroxycinnamic acid: chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, trans-ferulic acid and trans-cinnamic acid; four flavonoids: epicatechin, quercetin, catechin, and rutin hydrate; two hydroxybenzoic acid: gallic acid and vanillic acid; and one phenolic aldehyde:vanillin. These underutilised sources of leafy vegetables may be used to develop functional foods by emphasising their remarkable bioactive components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses root exudates and radial oxygen loss (ROL) produced by plants to increase the amount of power produced by sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) and improve copper removal. Among the three plants tested, which are commonly found in wetlands, Ipomoea aquatica produces the highest yield of root exudates and ROL, with respective values of 8.54 mg/(g‧d) and 2.1 μmol/(g‧h) at 50-mg/L Cu inhibition. The maximum power density of an SMFC with 450 mg/kg of copper-containing sediment and Ipomoea aquatica planted at the anode is 58.4 mW/m3, which is three times greater than that of an SMFC with Ipomoea aquatica planted at the cathode. This demonstrates that plant root exudates provide anodic microorganisms with easily decomposed organic matter, which increases the amount of power. The presence of a bioelectrochemical process is demonstrated by the presence of Cu(II) reduction deposits on the cathode surface. According to the findings, planting Ipomoea aquatica at the anode produces more electricity and removes slightly less copper than planting it at the cathode. It is concluded that planting Ipomoea aquatica at the anode is more effective than planting it at the cathode. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal fly ash-bottom ash (FABA) is still possible to be used directly as a mixture of soil with other growing media in small-scale agriculture. This study aimed to determine and identify the level of safety for the consumption of vegetable crops related to the adsorption of heavy metals due to the use of mixed FABA growing media. In this study, the proportion mixture of 6% FABA, 8,6% compost, and 8.6% fine coal (lignite) was applied. The proportion ratio between FABA and soil was 1:15. The FABA media application was prepared for chili, water spinach, spinach, caisim mustard, and moringa vegetables. The study was conducted without any control treatment without FABA on the same soil type. As an alternative control, vegetables from local farmers, local markets, and supermarkets surrounding the study site were taken. The experimental results showed that the application of FABA did not increase heavy metals content in vegetables. It can be concluded that vegetables grown on FABA media were safe and suitable for consumption in terms of acceptable daily intake of various heavy metals, except for As intake in water spinach and caisim mustard, which were recommended to be confirmed in further determination research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc and copper pollution in agricultural lands due to anthropogenic activities has become a major environmental problem. While these metals are essential for plant growth, their excessive presence can lead to plant toxicity. This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of different concentrations of zinc and copper (0, 100, 200, and 300 ppm) in soil on the morphological and biochemical properties of I. aquatica, commonly known as water spinach. The morphological properties, including plant height, number of leaves, and stem diameter, were assessed, along with soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC). Biochemical properties, specifically the Total Phenolic Content (TPC) and Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) in plant tissues, were measured using colorimetric assays. The results revealed significant morphological changes in plant height, stem diameter, and number of leaves at 200 ppm zinc treatment compared to the control. Additionally, the number of leaves significantly increased at the 100 ppm copper treatment, while the stem diameter decreased significantly at 300 ppm. Both zinc and copper treatments slightly reduced soil pH and increased soil EC. At the 300 ppm treatment, substantial changes in phenolic and flavonoid contents were observed in the stems and leaves of I. aquatica. Copper treatment at 200 ppm increased the TPC of leaves, while 100 ppm copper treatment increased the TFC of stems. Furthermore, the 300 ppm zinc treatment significantly increased the TPC and TFC in stems and leaves. These findings indicate that zinc and copper concentrations have notable effects on the morphological and biochemical properties of I. aquatica. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain an appropriate balance of these metal elements to cultivate plants that are morphologically and physiologically resilient.

Ipomea aquatica, also known as water spinach, is an aquatic non-conventional leafy vegetable and is considered a healthy and seasonal delicacy in ethnic food culture. The study revealed the presence of rich chemical and biochemical composition in I. aquatica and antioxidant activities. Moreover, the plant extracts demonstrated significant DNA damage prevention activity against UV/H2O2-induced oxidative damage. High-resolution mass spectrometric analysis by UPLC-qTOF-MS/MS resulted in the identification of over 65 different compounds and 36 important secondary metabolites. Most of the compounds identified represented polyphenolic compounds, viz. polyphenol glycosides and phenolic acids, followed by alkaloids and terpenoids. A UPLC-DAD method was developed and quantified for 10 different polyphenolic compounds. Out of all the metabolites examined, a significant number of compounds were reported to have various bioactive properties, including antibacterial, antiviral, antitumor, hepatoprotection, and anti-depressant effects. The plant extracts were found to contain various compounds, including euphornin, lucidenic acid, and myricitin glycosides, which possess significant medicinal value. Metabolite analysis utilizing GC–MS revealed the presence of various fatty acids, amino acids, sugars, and organic acids. The analysis revealed the presence of essential unsaturated fatty acids such as α-linolenic acid as well as beneficial substances such as squalene., The evaluation of glycemic control activity was carried out by comprehending the inhibitory potential of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, outlining the kinetics of the inhibition process. The inhibitory activities were compared to those of acarbose and revealed stronger inhibition of α-glucosidase as compared to α-amylase. Furthermore, the mechanism of inhibition was determined using in silico analysis, which involved molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation of the identified IA phytochemicals complexed with the hydrolase enzymes. The study generates convincing evidence that dietary intake of I. aquatica provides a positive influence on glycemic control along with various health-protective and health-promoting benefits.

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Leaf spot symptoms were observed in water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) plants growing in fields in Ansan and Hongseong, Korea, during disease surveys in 2019 and 2020. The symptoms appeared as brown to dark brown circular or irregular spots on the leaves of the plants. The disease incidence on the plant leaves in the fields investigated at the two locations ranged from 1% to 20%. Five single-spore isolates of Phoma sp. were obtained from lesions of the diseased leaves. All the isolates were identified as Ectophoma multirostrata based on their cultural and morphological characteristics, as well as molecular analysis. Two isolates of E. multirostrata were tested for pathogenicity on water spinach leaves using artificial inoculation. The tested isolates caused leaf spot symptoms in the inoculated plants. These symptoms were similar to those observed in plants from the investigated fields. To our knowledge, this is the first report of E. multirostrata causing leaf spot in water spinach.

The development of aquaculture in An Giang province posed a risk of lowering the surface water quality of the Mekong River. This study assessed the pollution level of surface water affected by aquaculture areas in the province and the efficiency of the floating raft of native aquatic plants on aquaculture wastewater quality improvement. Water samples were analyzed for SS, COD, BOD5, N-NH4+, Total N, and Total P. The Water Quality Index was calculated according to the Vietnamese technical guidelines (VN_WQI). The quadrat method was applied to determine the density of aquatic plants. The result showed that surface water quality affected by aquaculture areas in An Giang province did not meet national standards, and the WQI ranged from heavy to good pollution. Experimental results showed that when using the treatment tank, including floating rafts of Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), Morning glory plants (Ipomoea aquatica), and Climbing dayflower (Commelina diffusa), the removal percentages of SS, COD, BOD5, N-NH4+, Total N, and Total P were 92.6%, 89.6%, 93.9%, 93.4%, 64.3%, and 94.6%, respectively, in the first three months of the farming season. The removal percentages of SS, COD, BOD5, N-NH4+, Total N, and Total P were 92.7%, 89.9%, 91.5%, 93.6%, 67.8%, and 94%, respectively, in the fourth month until fish harvest in the treatment tank. Therefore, floating rafts of native aquatic plants could absorb nutrients and quickly remove pollutants. The quality of aquaculture wastewater after treatment was significantly improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the primary and secondary metabolites of water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled with Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (HILIC-Orbitrap-HRMS). Certified samples from two cultivars, Green stem water spinach (G) and White stem water spinach (W) cultivated using organic and conventional farming methods, were collected from the Hong Kong market. Multivariate analysis was used to differentiate water spinach of different cultivars and farming methods. We identified 12 metabolites to distinguish between G and W, 26 metabolites to identify G from organic farming and 8 metabolites to identify W from organic farming. Then, two metabolites, isorhamnetin and jasmonic acid, have been proposed to serve as biomarkers for organic farming (in both G and W). Our foodomics findings provide useful tools for improving the crop performance of water spinach under abiotic/biotic stressesand authentication of organic produce. [Display omitted] • Effect of organic farming on 2 water spinach cultivars was studied using metabolomics • Two water spinach cultivars showed distinct metabolic profiles • The influence of organic farming is cultivar-dependence • Isorhamnetin and jasmonic acid identify the organic origin of the two cultivars [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a coreid bug Acanthocoris scabrator (Heteropera: Coreidae) is reported as a pest of Capsicum annuum, C. frutescens, Ipomoea aquatica, I. batatas and Solanum melongena from Kerala, India. No acute symptoms such as drying up or wilting was observed either on Solanum melongena or Capsicum spp.; however, on I. aquatica and I. batatas, water-soaked lesions were observed around the feeding punctures on the tender stem. This is a new record of this pest from Andaman and Nicobar Islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of biochar for remediating heavy metal-polluted soils is still partial. Various methods of controlling soil pollution are currently being implemented by combining several methods. One of which is coating the biochar with humic acid to increase the effectiveness of nutrient uptake by plants. This study aimed to elucidate the effect of humic acid-coated biochar (HCB) on reducing Pb and Cu in the soil to improve plant growth. Treatments tested were combinations of two factors. The first factor was the dose of HCB, namely D0 = control (without HCB), D1 = 15 t HCB ha-1, D2 = 30 t HCB ha-1, and D3 = 45 t HCB ha-1. The second factor was the type of plants, namely spinach (P1), water spinach (P2) and mustard green (P3). Twelve treatments were arranged in a randomized block design with three replications. The parameters observed were plant height, plant leaf area, plant stem diameter, and plant fresh weight. The results showed that the best plant growth was achieved at a dose of 30 t HCB ha-1. The mustard green had the highest Pb uptake (0.025 g pot-1), and the lowest Pb uptake (0.014 g pot-1) was observed for water spinach. The highest Cu uptake (0.443 g pot-1) was observed in water spinach, followed by spinach (0.282 g pot-1) and mustard green (0.143 g pot-1). In general, the amount of Pb reduced by plants ranged from 40.04 to 87.28%, and the amount of Cu by plants ranged from 8.63 to 40.23%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein is the most important component of any fish feed for its role in growth, especially during the larval stages, and its high cost. Fish meal continues to be a major source of protein in fish feed production. But its supply cannot keep pace with everexpanding aquaculture production, leading to its high cost. Plants are being considered as potential replacements in the search for new alternatives to fish meals. But their application depends significantly on their digestibility in target species. The present study aims to determine the protein content of four locally available plants Moringa oleifera, Ipomoea aquatica, Lemna minor and Salvinia natans, and test their digestibility in vitro by using the pH drop method in two important food fish Anabas testudineus and Channa punctata, of Assam, India. The crude protein in all plants ranged from 19-29%, and the highest crude protein was observed in Lemna minor (29.9 ± 2.34%). The in vitro digestibility was estimated by calculating the RPD% (relative protein digestibility) using casein as a standard reference. Digestibility of the plant proteins exhibited species-specific variations. The RPD% ranged from 50.39% to 75.39% in A. testudineus, and 41.38% to 54.02% in C. punctata compared to that of casein (100%). The highest RPD% was observed in I. aquatica (75.39%) for A. testudineus, and the lowest (50.39%) in L. minor whereas, in C. punctata, the highest RPD% was observed in L. minor (54.02%) and the lowest in I. aquatica (41.38%). The digestibility of all plant proteins was comparatively higher in A. testudineus than in C. punctata. Our results indicate that I. aquatica and L. minor may be a suitable replacement for animal protein in the diet of A. testudineus and C. punctata, respectively, because of their good protein content and high digestibility. Moringa may be considered for utilization in the fish feed as it recorded good protein and digestibility. This information may be useful in developing a cost-effective, plant-based protein diet for the two fish species for their mass production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Ipomoea aquatica belongs to convulvulaceae family and finds use in various ailments including anticancer activity. A secondary metabolite merromoside (a resin glycoside) isolated from this plant is evaluated for anti-breast cancer activity through in vivo studies. Methods: The Extract of the whole plant has been prepared by maceration method using 50%v/v ethanol in distilled water to get a hydroalcoholic extract. The phytochemical evaluation reveals that the active secondary metabolite was isolated by using column chromatographic technique. The isolated compound was evaluated for its anticancer properties through invivo method using 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene induced mice models. Results: The isolated compound (W04) from the plant extract was found to have a significant enzymatic antioxidant effects and percentage reduction of tumour cells of DMBA induced breast tissue of Sprague dawley rats. Conclusion: The isolated compound merromoside from hydroalcoholic extract of Ipomoea aquatica has been evaluated for anti-breast cancer properties. The down regulation of inflammatory cytokines, P-gp efflux & ROS species will prevent reverse signalling and angiogenesis. This indicates that merromoside isolated from Ipomoea aquatica will overcome MDR (multi-drug resistance) in breast cancer especially DOX-resistant (Doxorubicin) and also it will be further used to develop drug formulations in order to overcome world challenges in cancer treatment

Currently, the problem of increasingly limited land availability has led to increasingly limited cultivation activities. The decreasing number of large cultivation locations requires people to be more creative in utilizing narrow locations and in saving water. Fish farming in buckets is a potential solution for aquaculture in a narrow area with more efficient use of water, easy for the community to do in their respective homes with relatively small capital, and finally able to meet the nutritional needs of the community. The purpose of this study was to determine the growth of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) kept in buckets using water spinach plants (Ipomoea aquatica). This research used two treatments, namely P0: control (fish farming in buckets without using plants) and P1: fish farming in buckets using plants. Parameters observed were absolute weight growth, absolute length growth, feed efficiency, and survival. The results showed that the P1 treatment resulted in an absolute weight growth of 3.44 g, an absolute length growth of 1.12 cm, feed efficiency of 93.08%, and survival of 100%. While the P0 treatment resulted in absolute weight growth of 3.92 g, absolute length growth of 1.21 cm, feed efficiency of 81.75 %, and survival of 82.5%. Rearing tilapia in buckets without water spinach plants got better results than using water spinach plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efforts to increase the production of kale with a hydroponic cultivation system, the addition of nutrients is absolutely necessary for both macro and micronutrients. In addition to using AB mix nutrients, the use of other alternative fertilizers in hydroponic cultivation needs to be a big concern so that it can suppress the use of inorganic fertilizers. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of giving various types of nutrient compositions AB mix and cow urine on the growth and yield of water spinach plants with the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) hydroponic system. The design used in this study was a single factor randomized block design (RAK) with 4 levels of treatment of various types of hydroponic nutrients consisting of N 1 (100% AB mix), N 2 (75% AB mix + 25% Cow Urine), N 3 (50% AB mix + 50% Cow Urine), and N 4 (25% AB mix + 75% Cow Urine). The results of this study showed that the provision of various nutritional compositions significantly affected the growth and productivity of kale except for the variable number of books. Plant water spinach given nutritional composition N 4 (25% AB mix + 75% of cow urine) showed a markedly lower in all the observed variables, while the growth and productivity of water spinach best shown in the nutritional composition of 100% AB mix but not significantly different the nutritional composition treatment was 75% AB mix + 25% cow urine and 50% AB mix + 50% cow urine. The results of this study also show that the use of cow urine has not been able to replace the use of AB mix nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) is an important heat-resistant leafy vegetable that can survive under long-time heat stress condition. However, the physiological characteristics and molecular changes in its response to heat stress are poorly understood. Results In this study the selected water spinach cultivars with different thermo resistance and their physiological response to heat stress were examined. Under prolonged heat stress, plant growth was inhibited in all tested cultivars. This inhibition was accompanied by the reduction of photosynthetic performance. The reactive oxygen species system in terms of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide contents, as well as antioxidant polyphenols, were evaluated. The results showed that prolonged heat stress caused reduced antioxidant capacity, but the role of antioxidant capacity in a prolonged thermotolerance was not predominant. Transcriptomic analysis of the water spinach subjected to heat stress revealed that 4145 transcripts were specifically expressed with 2420 up-regulated and 1725 down-regulated in heat-sensitive and heat-tolerant cultivars treated with 42 °C for 15 days. Enrichment analysis of these differentially expressed genes showed that the main metabolic differences between heat-sensitive and heat-tolerant cultivars were the carbohydrate metabolism and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. The results of carbohydrate profiles and RT-qPCR also suggested that heat stress altered carbohydrate metabolism and associated changes in transcriptional level of genes involved in sugar transport and metabolic transition. Conclusions The prolonged heat stress resulted in a reduced antioxidant capacity while the role of antioxidant capacity in a prolonged thermotolerance of water spinach was not predominant. Transcriptome analysis and the measurement of carbohydrates as well as the gene expression evaluation indicated that the response of the metabolic pathway such as carbohydrate and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis to heat stress may be a key player in thermo resistance.

Ipomoea aquatica (IA) with antioxidant properties is used in therapeutic trends. An organophosphate, dichlorvos (Dich), is a common insecticide with various side effects on living tissues. This study examines the role of IA on Dich-induced hepatotoxicity in male rats. Sixty-four male rats were divided into eight groups including sham, Dich (4 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally), IA 1, 2, and 3 (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg/day, respectively, orally), and Dich + IA 1, 2, and 3. All treatments were applied daily for 60 days. At the end of the treatment, the animals were sacrificed. The histopathological changes, leukocyte infiltration, and apoptosis were assessed by light and fluorescent microscopy. The serum levels of hepatic enzymes, nitrite oxide (NO), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were evaluated biochemically. Dich statistically significantly increased the NO level, hepatic enzyme activity, apoptosis, leukocyte infiltration, the mean diameter of hepatocytes (DHs), and central hepatic vein diameter (CHVD) and also decreased the TAC, mean weight of liver, and the total weight of rats compared to the sham group (P < 0.01). In all IA and Dich + IA groups, a statistically significant decrease was detected in apoptosis, leukocyte infiltration, hepatic enzyme activity, NO level, mean DH, and CHVD, whereas an increase in TAC level, mean liver weight, and total weight was detected compared to the Dich group (P < 0.01). IA, due to the antioxidant property, recovers the Dich-related catastrophic changes in liver.

Ipomoea aquatica, commonly known as water spinach, is an edible annual vegetable in the genus Ipomoea,. In this study, the complete plastome of Ipomoea aquatica was determined using the Illumina sequencing platform. The plastome size was 162,663 bp. It consists of four regions, including a large single-copy region (88,166 bp), a small single-copy region (12,069 bp), and a pair of inverted repeat regions (31,214 bp). This plastome encodes 114 unique genes, including 80 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 30 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), and 4 ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs). The GC content was 39.1%. Phylogenomic analysis based on 19 complete plastomes revealed that I. aquatica was closely related to I. diamantinensis.

In order to investigate the effects of the partial substitution of chemical fertilizer with bio-organic fertilizer on the growth, yield and economic benefit of Ipomoea aquatica T Ipomoea aquatica was used as the experimental material and non-fertilization (CK) and conventional fertilization (CF) were taken as the control group, the effects of bioorganic fertilizer+80% conventional fertilization (Tl) and organic material without functional microorganisms + 80% conventional fertilization (T2) on the number of leaves, plant height, stem diameterT leaf length, leaf width, yield and economic benefit of Ipomoea aquatica were analyzed. The results showed that the plant height, stem diameter, leaf length, leaf width, yield and economic benefit of Ipomoea aquatica in Tl treatment group were the largest, which were increased by 9. 97%, 14.69%, 12.27%, 19.86%, 15. 39 % and 10. 26 % » respectively, compared with CF, with significant differences. There were no significant differences in the plant height, stem diameter, leaf length, leaf width, yield and economic benefit between T2 treatment group and CF. The results showed that bio-organic fertilizer could promote the growth of Ipomoea aquatica and improve the yield and economic benefit of Ipomoea aquatica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ipomoea aquatica—an aquatic macrophyte—could remove chromium and manganese from their mixtures after 96 h exposure at a maximum rate of 82.8% and 93.9%, respectively, in microcosms. The removal rates were higher (90.4% and 94.5%, respectively) after 96 h exposure in mesocosms with gravel beds and vertical subsurface flow. The higher removal rates in mesocosm were probably due to a wide range of partitioned micro‐environments close to the root boundaries, and within the biofilms on both root and gravel surfaces. The Cr and Mn removal efficiencies of I. aquatica increased with increasing Cr or Mn concentrations in the medium. The study reveals the potential of I. aquatica—a fast‐growing species that can proliferate by fragmentation—to effectively remove Cr and Mn within a relatively short period of time, thereby raising the prospect of its use in phytoremediation of wastewater contaminated with these metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been reported that host plants are able to mediate the interactions between insect herbivores and entomoviruses, but how plants affect growth, development, detoxifying enzymes and metabolic enzymes of herbivores infected by entomoviruses has only rarely been studied so far. We compared growth, development duration, activity of a detoxifying enzyme (carboxylesterase) and a metabolic enzyme (acetylcholinesterase) of a caterpillar (Spodoptera exigua) infected with an entomovirus (SeMNPV) or left non‐infected that were fed one of four plants (Ipomoea aquatica, Brassica oleracea, Glycine max or Zea mays). Developmental duration was shorter but growth (length, mass) and enzyme activities were higher in NPV‐infected caterpillars fed I. aquatica or B. oleracea than those fed G. max or Z. mays. This study suggests that host plants influence the growth impacts of entomoviruses on herbivores by affecting the enzymes of herbivores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glyphosate, widely used herbicide, is considered harmful to the environment and human health. Its effects on growth rate and genotoxicity of Ipomoea aquatica were assessed in this work. The plants were grown in the soil which supplemented with glyphosate at 1- to 3-fold the recommended dose. After 30 days, lengths and dry weights of the roots and shoots were found to decrease in a concentration-dependent manner. The same was found for genotoxicity assessed via random amplified polymorphic DNA with genomic template stability tests, confirming the effects of glyphosate on the growth rate inhibition and DNA damage. The usefulness of the random amplified polymorphic DNA assay as ecotoxicological tool for assessing genotoxic effects in plants is demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ipomoea aquatica Forsk., commonly called water spinach ('kalmi' in Bengali) is an underexploited local green leafy vegetable having enormous scope as a cheap antioxidant source. The study explores the ameliorative effect of aqueous I. aquatica extract (IAE) in acephate and carbofuran treated Wistar male rats. Aqueous IAE (@ 20 mg/kg body wt.), administered to rats treated with organophosphate acephate (@ 30 mg/kg body wt.) and carbamate carbofuran (@ 0.1 mg/kg body wt.), attenuated the cholinesterase activity in brain, liver and cellular blood and reformed the histological perturbations in the brain cortex as well as the kidney anomalies, to a good extent. The IAE also upregulated the NF-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf-2) and MnSOD gene expression against pesticide toxicity. Hence, results of the present study intervenes into a new approach of justifying the deleterious side effects of pesticides that are commonly used, and how green leafy vegetables can help ameliorate those harmful effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) is an important heat-resistant leafy vegetable that can survive under long-time heat stress condition. However, the physiological characteristics and molecular changes in its response to heat stress are poorly understood. Results: In this study the selected water spinach cultivars with different thermo resistance and their physiological response to heat stress were examined. Under prolonged heat stress, plant growth was inhibited in all tested cultivars. This inhibition was accompanied by the reduction of photosynthetic performance. The reactive oxygen species system in terms of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide contents, as well as antioxidant polyphenols, were evaluated. The results showed that prolonged heat stress caused reduced antioxidant capacity, but the role of antioxidant capacity in a prolonged thermotolerance was not predominant. Transcriptomic analysis of the water spinach subjected to heat stress revealed that 4145 transcripts were specifically expressed with 2420 up-regulated and 1725 down-regulated in heat-sensitive and heat-tolerant cultivars treated with 42 °C for 15 days. Enrichment analysis of these differentially expressed genes showed that the main metabolic differences between heat-sensitive and heat-tolerant cultivars were the carbohydrate metabolism and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. The results of carbohydrate profiles and RT-qPCR also suggested that heat stress altered carbohydrate metabolism and associated changes in transcriptional level of genes involved in sugar transport and metabolic transition. Conclusions: The prolonged heat stress resulted in a reduced antioxidant capacity while the role of antioxidant capacity in a prolonged thermotolerance of water spinach was not predominant. Transcriptome analysis and the measurement of carbohydrates as well as the gene expression evaluation indicated that the response of the metabolic pathway such as carbohydrate and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis to heat stress may be a key player in thermo resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals accumulation from industrial wastewater even at low concentrations can cause long term cumulative health effects. To overcome this problem, phytoremediation is an alternative method to treat industrial wastewater. In this study, Ipomoea aquatica and Centella asiatica were used as phytoremediation plants for removing aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) from industrial wastewater. The results showed that the regression value (R2) for all metal concentrations (mg/L) over treatment day is positive and similar to R2 = 1. This result indicated that the metal concentration exhibits a good relationship for reflecting the decrease in the metal concentration with the proportion of treatment day. It was found that I. aquatica accumulates higher Al and Fe contents than C. asiatica. The translocation factor of both plants was found to be greater than 1, implying that both plants can accumulate and extract heavy metals from industrial wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ipomoea aquatica (water spinach), a popular local vegetable, was investigated for its remediation ability as a newly reported adsorbent to remove Auramine O dye from simulated aqueous solution. The adsorbent-adsorbate system reached equilibrium within a short period of 30 min. Adsorption was found to be exothermic, spontaneous and favourable. Modelling of the adsorption isotherm data with five isotherm models indicated that the Sips model was the most appropriate, giving a maximum adsorption capacity of 303.8 mg g-1. Time-dependent experiments indicated that adsorption followed the pseudo-second order kinetics with a rate constant of 36.32 g mmol-1 min-1. No prominent reduction of dye removal was observed at different pH, showing the adsorbent's resilience to changes in medium pH. Results from this study clearly showed the potential of Ipomoea aquatica waste being utilized as a new low-cost adsorbent, given its high adsorption capacity when compared with many adsorbents, fast adsorption time and its ability to retain high adsorption capacity for many consecutive cycles when regenerated with base. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The massive growth of aquatic plants can contribute to the problem of biological pollution; however, these plants can be utilized to solve other environmental issues. There are plants noted to have a contribution to the adsorption of heavy metals. This study investigated the biosorption capacity of selected aquatic plants. The biosorption of Pb2+ was tested using pulverized water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes (L.)), water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), and water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica). The increase in biosorbent doses under laboratory conditions at 24 h of contact time has a moderate influence on the pH of the aqueous solution. Metal ion adsorptions were strongly dependent on pH, with an optimum pH of 4-5. The maximum adsorption capacity (qe) of Pb2+ was 3.62, 2.31, and 3.52 mg g-1 using water lettuce, water hyacinth, and water spinach. The biosorption efficiency of the aquatic plants is moderately influenced by the biosorbent doses, with a maximum efficiency of 99.99 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study details the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles utilizing the aqueous leaf extract of Ipomoea aquatica. A straightforward, economically viable, and consistent green synthesis technique was devised for producing these nanoparticles. The resulting Zinc oxide nanoparticles underwent comprehensive characterization through XRD, FESEM, EDS, FT-IR, TGA, and DSC analyses. Additionally, the study encompassed In- vitro and In- vivo assessments, including examinations of anti-microbial effects, hemocompatibility, anti-inflammatory responses, oral toxicity in mice, and fish toxicity using the Danio rerio model. The toxicological evaluations were done using the Danio rerio model (fish toxicity) and oral toxicity studies on mice. The particle size and zeta potential were verified using a DLS study, while EDS analyses validated the elemental composition of the nanoparticles. The crystalline nature of the nanoparticles was confirmed through distinctive peaks in the XRD pattern. The HR-TEM results confirmed the particle size range obtained by the Light scattering technique. Encouraging results were observed across the range of pharmacological activities conducted, demonstrating positive outcomes in terms of anti-microbial, hemocompatibility, anti-inflammatory attributes, In-vitro cytotoxicity, oral toxicity, and fish toxicity. This study not only showcased an eco-friendly and cost-efficient method for synthesizing Zinc oxide nanoparticles but also highlighted their potential implications. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ipomea aquatica, also known as water spinach, is an aquatic non-conventional leafy vegetable and is considered a healthy and seasonal delicacy in ethnic food culture. The study revealed the presence of rich chemical and biochemical composition in I. aquatica and antioxidant activities. Moreover, the plant extracts demonstrated significant DNA damage prevention activity against UV/H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative damage. High-resolution mass spectrometric analysis by UPLC-qTOF-MS/MS resulted in the identification of over 65 different compounds and 36 important secondary metabolites. Most of the compounds identified represented polyphenolic compounds, viz. polyphenol glycosides and phenolic acids, followed by alkaloids and terpenoids. A UPLC-DAD method was developed and quantified for 10 different polyphenolic compounds. Out of all the metabolites examined, a significant number of compounds were reported to have various bioactive properties, including antibacterial, antiviral, antitumor, hepatoprotection, and anti-depressant effects. The plant extracts were found to contain various compounds, including euphornin, lucidenic acid, and myricitin glycosides, which possess significant medicinal value. Metabolite analysis utilizing GC-MS revealed the presence of various fatty acids, amino acids, sugars, and organic acids. The analysis revealed the presence of essential unsaturated fatty acids such as α-linolenic acid as well as beneficial substances such as squalene., The evaluation of glycemic control activity was carried out by comprehending the inhibitory potential of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, outlining the kinetics of the inhibition process. The inhibitory activities were compared to those of acarbose and revealed stronger inhibition of α-glucosidase as compared to α-amylase. Furthermore, the mechanism of inhibition was determined using in silico analysis, which involved molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation of the identified IA phytochemicals complexed with the hydrolase enzymes. The study generates convincing evidence that dietary intake of I. aquatica provides a positive influence on glycemic control along with various health-protective and health-promoting benefits., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Saikia, Dey, Hazarika, Handique, Thakur and Handique.)

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Purpose: Water spinach (WS) (Ipomoea aquatica) is a popular leafy vegetable. However, WS is highly prone to bioaccumulation of toxic heavy metals. Sweet potato (SP) (Ipomoea batatas) is primarily a root tuber crop with fast growing shoots that can be used to replace WS to safe guard the human and livestock health. However, SP is an under-utilized leafy vegetable and no studies have been conducted to assess the consumer preference and food safety except photochemical assessments to profile its high nutritious value. Therefore, in the present study, we assessed the heavy metal content, consumer preference and phytochemical contents to test the applicability of using shoot-tops of SP to replace bioaccumulation prone WS if grown in polluted sites. We also conducted a DNA barcoding analysis to discriminate SP from WS. Research Method: We obtained three greenhouse grwon shoot-top samples from WS (WS1, WS2 and WS3) and two greenhouse grown SP samples (SP1 and SP2) for all the analyses and two additional WS collected from the market (WSC) and a polluted site (WSP) a for XRF analysis. To assess the consumer preference we carried out a taste panel with 30 human subjects. For qualitative detection of the phytochemical contents, we performed routine laboratory tests. Finally, we carried out molecular based analyses using agarose gel electrophoresis and DNA barcoding using the markers rbcL and ITS. Findings: The sensory analysis revealed that human subjects equally preferred both WS and SP dishes. According to phytochemical assessment, SP contained higher amounts of anthocyanin, fl avonoids, phlobatannins, reducing sugars, tannins and terpenoids. The XRF analysis revealed that SP shoot-tops did not accumulate toxic heavy metals while WS shoot-tops grown in the same garden soil accumulated toxic heavy metals in trace amounts. Commercially available WS in Sri Lanka contained Hg (4500 mg/Kg), Cd (1056 mg/Kg), As (598 mg/Kg) and Cr (74 mg/Kg). WSP contained Hg (1820 mg/Kg), Cd (228 mg/Kg), As (126 mg/Kg), Cr (138 mg/Kg), Sb (114 mg/Kg), Sn (464 mg/Kg) and Pb (2100 mg/Kg) and the highest amount of Fe (6894 mg/Kg). Research Limitation: It is imperative to study the heavy metal profiles of WS samples grown in diverse locations of Sri Lanka in collaboration with state consumer protection agencies to profile the food safety levels. Originality/Value: It is apparent from the present study that the consumption of WS is unsafe to human and animal health. DNA barcoding assays can be successfully employed by the consumer protection agencies to confirm the identity of SP. Out of the two tested markers, ITS is more straight forward in exhibiting the length polymorphism. The sequence data confirms band sizes detected using agarose gels and ITS is more informative in studying the genus Ipomoea than rbcL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinel magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (MNPs) were successfully synthesized from the reduction of stoichiometric ratio of aqueous solutions of Fe2+ and Fe3+ with NaOH solution. Then naturally available Ipomoea aquatica leaf aqueous extract (IA extract) was used for the surface modification of MNPs where biomolecules of leaf extract were acted as stabilizer. Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS), Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), and energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analyses evidence the proper incorporation of the biomolecules of leaf extract in MNPs. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) confirms the synthesis of MNPs where the uniform size distribution with spherical shape was approved by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses. Thermal analysis was performed using differential scanning caloremetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and a phase transition from Fe3O4 to maghemite (γ‐Fe2O3) was detected at 650 °C. The superparamagnetic nature of the studied materials at room temperature was confirmed by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) study and the correlation among saturation magnetization (Ms), crystallite size (D), particle size (d), dislocation density (δ), and microstrain (ϵ) were described. The antibacterial activity of the synthesized MNPs was confirmed by investigating the zones of inhibition which were 19 mm for Gram‐negative bacteria Escherichia coli and 14 mm for Gram‐positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advancements in the design and technology of constructed wetlands for efficient removal of wastewater contaminants are ever in progress to develop situation-based economical systems. Here, we entrenched two horizontal sub-surface flow constructed wetlands (HSFCW) with either chemical, viz. limestone (HSFCW-LS) or organic, viz. sawdust (HSFCW-SD) substrates, and compared them with biological method, viz. growing of water spinach in floating-bed-constructed wetland (FBCW-WS) to enhance the performance of CWs. Same sewage wastewater was used as influent in each fortified CW replicated thrice. Sewage was replaced weekly, for a total of 12 weeks of experimentation. Sampling of raw sewage from influent was undertaken at the inlet in the beginning, and that of treated effluent from the outlet after a week of treatments. Quality of raw sewage used weekly during experimentation remained almost uniform and near to the wastewater standards. Cumulative data of treated wastewater depicted that the FBCW-WS achieved the highest performance in the removal of total nitrogen (TN), NH 4 + –N, and total phosphorus (TP) with average removal efficiencies of 75.9, 90.5, and 94.3%, respectively. Whereas, HSFCW-SD performed better for N O 3 - –N, FC, and TSS with corresponding removal efficiency of 77.5, 64.3, and 74.2% while HSFCW-LS showed average performance. This study concludes that performance of biological method of macrophyte cultivation (FBCW-WS) is significantly superior to chemical and organic substrates, so it could be more effective, economical, and sustainable approach for sewage treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Muscle quality and the physiological condition of fish are affected greatly by the culture environment. In aquaculture ponds, a bio-floating bed planted with vegetation is often used to improve water quality. This study investigated the growth and muscle quality of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) cultured in ponds equipped with bio-floating beds. Fish were cultured in two replicated pond groups from May to November. Fish in the first group were cultured in experimental ponds equipped with a bio-floating bed planted with Ipomoea aquatica , whereas fish in the other group were reared in control ponds without a bio-floating bed. Compared with control ponds, the experimental ponds had better water quality with significantly lower concentrations of nitrite and ammonia. Grass carp in the experimental group had greater muscle weight gain, a significantly higher content of crude protein, and a significantly lower crude fat level than fish in the control group. The levels of pH, water-holding capacity, and antioxidant capacity of muscle decreased significantly in the control group compared to the experimental group. Texture profile analysis revealed higher values of hardness, springiness, gumminess, and chewiness and lower values of cohesiveness and resilience of white muscle in the experimental group compared to the control group. The filets of fish in the experimental group also received higher grades in the sensory evaluation of springiness, overall acceptability, aroma, and palatability. These results indicate that growth performance and muscle quality of grass carp were improved by the presence of bio-floating beds in the culture ponds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • An internode length and shoot height of cv. WT were promoted by 50 mM NaCl salt elicitor. • Water spinach cv. WT was more tolerate to NaCl than cv. CT indicating by total leaf area. • Total anthocyanin, α-tocopherol and calcium content in the leaves of "WT" variety was significantly increased by 25 mM NaCl. Abstract Anthocyanins, a member of flavonoids are abundantly found in fruits, flowers, stem, leaves and seeds of many plant species. They play a vital role as an antioxidant by preventing the oxidative stress in human. Abiotic elicitors i.e. low temperature, salinity, drought, UV and nutrient deficiency have been reported as alternative channels for anthocyanin enrichment. The aim of this investigation was to elevate the content of anthocyanin, α-tocopherol and calcium ions in the leaves and stems of two varieties, "Chia Tai" (CT; green stem) and "wild type" (WT; red stem) of water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) using NaCl elicitors without having any retardatory effect on growth parameters. Six-week-old seedlings of water spinach were treated with 0, 25, and 50 mM NaCl for 3 weeks under greenhouse conditions. Growth performances in terms of fresh weight of upper part and number of leaves in the treated plants of both the varieties were unchanged when compared to the control. Interestingly, the internode length and shoot height of cv. WT under 50 mM NaCl salt elicitor were promoted. Total leaf area in CT under 50 mM NaCl was significantly declined by 23.57% over control, whereas it was maintained in cv. WT. Na+ in the leaf and root tissues of both CT and WT was increased depending on the degree of NaCl treatment. Calcium content in the leaves of water spinach under 25 and/or 50 mM NaCl was increased in both the cultivars. Total anthocyanin content in leaves of "WT" variety grown under 25 mM NaCl was significantly increased by 35.87 folds over control condition (0 mM NaCl), whereas it was undetected in "CT" variety. α-Tocopherol in the leaf and stem tissues of "WT" under 25 mM NaCl was significantly increased by 11.28 and 2.62 folds over the "CT" cultivar. Net photosynthetic rate of "WT" variety was significantly decreased, depending on the strength of NaCl treatment. In summary, the total anthocyanin and calcium content in "WT" variety of water spinach were increased by the treatment of 50 mM NaCl elicitor without any sign of growth retardation in the treated plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eco-ditches (ecological ditches) not only drain water from rice paddies, but also facilitate the removal of nitrogen (N). We established an experiment with both static and flowing water in 2017 to observe N removal from rice paddy drainage by eco-ditches containing three different types of monoculture vegetation: Zizania aquatica, Canna indica L., and Pontederia cordata. Results showed that ammonia volatilization and plant uptake contributed little to N removal. Harvest of Z. aquatica from the eco-ditch during the late growing season had an appreciable effect on N removal. However, harvest of C. indica L. and P. cordata had negligible effects. During static test, the concentration of total N (TN) and ammonium N (NH4+-N) and the pH all decreased from the surface to the bottom of water. The concentration of nitrate N (NO3−-N) did not exhibit stratification. In a flowing water experiment, ditches with Z. aquatica, C. indica L., and P. cordata had the following average removal rates: TN 15.8%, 11.6%, and 27.9%; NO3−-N 4.2%, 8.4%, and 17.8%; NH4+-N 22.8%, 16.4%, and 37.5%, respectively. The removal rates of TN and NH4+-N decreased with the increase of water level, while that of NO3−-N increased significantly. Nitrogen removal rates decreased with the increase of influent TN concentration or flow rate. Nitrogen removal rate of P. cordata ditch was highly dependent on the influent TN concentration, but the flow rate was not as important due to the great drag caused by its large density. While the contrary was observed in the C. indica L. ditch. For Z. aquatica ditch, both the flow rate and the TN concentration had a strong negative correlation with the N removal rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]