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Nepeta nuda L. shares a typical secondary chemistry with other Nepeta species (fam. Lamiaceae), characterized by the tendency to intensively produce monoterpenoid iridoids, whereas the phenylpropanoid chemistry is steered towards the production of a caffeic acid ester, rosmarinic acid. Combining complementary state-of-the-art analytical techniques, N. nuda metabolome was here comprehensively characterized in the quest for the organ-specific composition of phenolics and terpenoids that possess well-defined functions in plant-biotic interactions as well as therapeutic potential. N. nuda inflorescences showed generally higher constitutive levels of specialized metabolites, as compared to leaves, and the composition of major iridoids and phenolics in reproductive organs was found to be more conserved than in leaves across 13 populations from the Central Balkans. The results suggest that N. nuda plants most likely invest more in constitutive than inducible biosynthesis of functional metabolites in flowers, since they are of essential importance for both pollination and defense against herbivores and pathogens. Conversely, specialized metabolism of leaves is found to be more susceptible to reprograming in response to differential growth conditions. The defense strategy of leaves, primarily functioning in CO2 fixation during photosynthesis, more likely relies on the induction of metabolite levels following plant-environment interplay. Organ-specific biosynthesis of iridoids in N. nuda is found to be tightly regulated at the transcriptional level, and high constitutive levels of these compounds in inflorescences most likely result from the up-regulated expression of several key genes (NnG8H , NnNEPS1 , NnNEPS2 , and NnNEPS3) determining the metabolic flux through the pathway. The organ-specific content of rosmarinic acid and co-expression patterns of the corresponding biosynthetic genes were much less correlated, which suggests independent organ-specific transcriptional regulation of the iridoid and phenolic pathways. Knowledge gathered within the present study can assist growers to select productive genotypes and manipulate phenology of N. nuda towards maximizing yields and facilitating its integration into pest management systems and other applications related to human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to investigate the protective effects of chokeberry fruit products and by-products against cisplatin-induced acute nephrotoxicity in rats. Potential mechanisms involving oxidative stress and inflammatory responses were examined through biochemical and histopathological analyses of kidney tissue. Chokeberry waste, along with the whole fruit extract and juice, was evaluated as a potential raw material for pharmaceutical use. The chemical composition of chokeberry juice and extracts was analyzed using spectrophotometry and HPLC. Rats were treated with chokeberry preparations via intragastric tube for ten days, with a single intraperitoneal dose of cisplatin (8 mg/kg BW) administered on the third day. Post-sacrifice, plasma samples were analyzed for biochemical nephrotoxicity markers, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers. Kidneys were removed for histopathological and biochemical analysis. Cisplatin-induced acute nephrotoxicity was confirmed by elevated plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels. Additionally, lipid peroxidation was significantly elevated, while reduced glutathione and catalase activity were significantly reduced. Pro-inflammatory mediators IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels were significantly increased in the cisplatin group. Treatment with chokeberry extracts and juice significantly mitigated these nephrotoxic effects, as confirmed by histopathological examination and biochemical marker analysis. Notably, the waste extract demonstrated greater efficacy than the whole fruit extract, likely due to its higher concentration of polyphenolic compounds, especially anthocyanins. These results highlight the potential of chokeberry as a therapeutic and preventive agent for kidney protection, emphasizing the value of by-products rich in biologically active compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering that maize (Zea mays L.) is a staple food for a large segment of the population worldwide, many attempts have been made to improve the nutritional value of its grain and at the same time to achieve sustainable cropping systems. The present study aimed to characterize the composition and nutritional value of maize grain as influenced by cropping system, genetic background (variety), and growing year using untargeted NMR metabolomics. The composition of both water- (sugars and polyols, organic acids, and amino acids) and liposoluble metabolites (free and esterified fatty acids, sterols, and lipids) extracted from the maize grain was determined. Multivariate statistical analyses (PCA and ANOVA) pointed to the growing year and the variety as the most important random and fixed factors, respectively, influencing the metabolite profile. The samples were separated along PC1 and PC3 according to the growing year and the variety, respectively. A higher content of citric acid and diunsaturated fatty acids and a lower content of tyrosine, trigonelline, and monounsaturated fatty acids was observed in the organic with respect to the conventional variety. The effect of the cropping system was overwhelmed by the random effect of the growing year. The results provide novel knowledge on the influence of agronomic practices on maize micronutrient contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Plants respond to water stress with a variety of physiological and biochemical changes, but their response varies among species, varieties and cultivars. Waterlogging in tomato reduces plant growth, degrade chlorophyll and increase concentration of oxidative parameters. Priming can alleviate stress in plants caused by waterlogging enabling plants to be more tolerant to an additional stress in the current or even subsequent generation. The aim of this study was to evaluate tomato genotypes for their sensitivity to waterlogging stress applied during early vegetative growth and at full flowering stage. Materials and methods: The study included two local genotypes, Trebinjski sitni (GB1126) and Žuti (GB1129), and the reference variety Novosadski jabučar (NJ), which is the variety most commonly used in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The activity of class III peroxidase (POX), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were measured spectrophotometrically, and for quantification of individual phenolic compounds, targeted approach was adopted, using UHPLC/DAD/(-)HESI-MS² instrument (Dionex UltiMate 3000 UHPLC system with a DAD detector, configured with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer TSQ Quantum Access Max (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Germany)). Results and discussion: Oxidative parameters (H2O2 and MDA) exhibited an increase in content in leaves of tomato plants that underwent waterlogging stress compared to control plants. Moreover, oxidative parameters showed positive correlation with proteins and phenolics content. The obtained correlations can indicate that one of the response strategies of tomato plants to waterlogging is the increased synthesis of proteins and phenolic compounds. The POX activity was not correlated with other parameters except with the polyphenols. A positive correlation was shown between POX activity and the content of phenolic compounds, indicating their independent roles in the removal of ROS. Changes in the phenolic profiles after the exposure of plants to waterlogging stress are recorded, and these changes were more severe in leaves and fruits of GB1129 and NJ genotypes than in GB1126. Thus, genotype GB1126 is the most efficient in maintaining the phenolic profiles of leaves and fruits, and therefore of the nutritive and organoleptic qualities of fruits following the exposure to waterlogging. Also, genotype GB1126 exhibited the ability to maintain the content of oxidative parameters during waterlogging at certain growth stages, implying certain waterlogging tolerance. Conclusion: Waterlogging triggered stress memory but not at all growth stages. The most pronounced stress memory was obtained in fruit samples in the phase of full fruit maturity on the 1st truss. This study shed light on the defense mechanisms of tomato plants to repeated waterlogging stress from the perspectives of the changes in the composition of major phenolics, and pointed to the 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid and rutin as the chemical markers of the waterlogging stress tolerance in tomato. However, it remains to be determined whether this modulation has a positive or negative effect on the overall plant metabolism. Further investigations are needed to fully elucidate the benefits of waterlogging pretreatment in this context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a spray drying process of yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) liquid extracts was optimized by using the response surface methodology. The study aimed to determine the influence of temperature (120-195°C), liquid flow rate (3-16.5 cm3 min-1) and dry matter content in the liquid extract (0.3-1.5 %) on the yield of the drying process, the total polyphenols content and the antioxidant activity of the dry powder. Under the tested conditions the yield varied dramatically and ranged from 8 to 75%, while the effects on the polyphenol content and antioxidant activity were lower. The optimized conditions for the maximum antioxidant activity and maximal yield of the dried extract were as follows: temperature of 130°C, liquid flow rate of 7.5 cm3 min-1 and dry matter content of 1.2%. Under the optimal conditions, the yield was 66 %, while there was a slight decrease in the polyphenol content in the dried extract as compared to that in the liquid extract (145 mg of gallic acid equivalents [GAE] per g of the total dry matter vs. 152 mg GAE g-1, respectively). Consequently, antioxidant activity of the dry powder was only slightly reduced as compared to that of the liquid extract (DPPH neutralization was 58 vs. 64 %, respectively). The dried yarrow powder preserved its antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (MIC value of 10 mg cm-3) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC value of 20 mg cm-3).

Traffic congestion is defined as mutual obstruction of traffic by vehicles due to the existing relation between the speed of vehicles and the flow in conditions of exceeding the capacity of the infrastructure. The paper presents an analysis of local experts survey on the role of non-motorized and motorized ways of travel to reduce congestion, as well as a comparison with the assessments given by foreign experts. The performance and the impact of different modes of transport (motorized and non-motorized) on congestion in urban conditions were assessed. The impact of the mode of transport on congestion was assessed using measures that are usually implemented in cities. Possibilities for improving multimodal mobility with an emphasis on walking and cycling have also been identified, as the most perspective ways due to the relatively low costs of implementation and the potential to affect the modal distribution.

Background/Aim. The fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Miller, Apiaceae) has a long history of use as traditional herb medicine due to its carminative properties. The study was aimed to investigate the effects of aqueous and methanol fennel stem extracts on intestinal activity. Methods. Relaxant activity of aqueous and methanol fennel stem extracts was evaluated in vitro in three experimental models: spontaneous contraction, acetylcholine and potassium chloride (KCl)-induced contraction of an isolated rat ileum. The composition of aqueous and methanol fennel stem extracts was qualitatively analyzed using the high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis. Results. In the presence of an aqueous fennel stem extract at a concentration of 3 mg/mL, the inhibition of the spontaneous contractions of isolated rat ileum was 35.05% ± 3.57%. In presence of a methanol fennel stem extract at the same concentration, the maximum reduction of the spontaneous contractions was 48.91% ± 6.31%. The extracts in a concentration- dependent manner significantly inhibited the acetylcholine and KCl induced contractions of the isolated rat ileum (p < 0.01). The following components were identified in fennel methanol stem extract: 3-caffeoylquinic acid, chlorogenic acid, 4-caffeoylquinic acid, 1,3-dicaffeoylquinic acid, rutin, miquelianin, quercetin heterosides, 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 1,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid, apigenin and rosmarinic acid. In an aqueous extract, their presence is found in trace amounts. Conclusion. The results of this study showed that the aqueous and methanol fennel stem extracts have spasmolytic effects on the intestinal smooth muscle and may be used for the control of intestinal motility. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. III 46013 and Grant no. III 41018]

Mixed medicinal plant waste was composted with addition of novel bacterial strains belonging to the genera Streptomyces, Paenybacillus, Bacillus and Hymenobacter. The composting was followed by assessment of chemical and biological parameters including C/N ratio, loss of organic matter, phosphorous and potassium content as well as CO2 generation and dehydrogenase activity during 164 days. The selected mesophilic bacterial starters had a potential to significantly reduce the period of mixed herb waste decomposition, from about 6 months to about 2.5 months. Based on the seed germination index of four plants (Fagopirum esculentum, Thymus vulgaris, Cynara scolimus and Lavandula officinalis) the germination and radial root growth of the investigated plants was improved by the inoculated compost. The germination index of all tested species on the mature inoculated composts was in average 60% higher compared to the control compost. The research indicates that the mesophilic starter addition into the herbs waste can contribute to the speed of waste decomposition and lead to the improvement of biofertilization effect of the obtained compost. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. TR 31035]

This paper has demonstrated the valorization of inexpensive and readily available restaurant waste containing most consumed food and beverage residues as adsorbents for methylene blue dye. Coffee, tea, lettuce and citrus waste have been utilized without any pre-treatment, thus the adsorption capacities and dye removal efficiency were determined. Coffee waste showed highest adsorbent capacity, followed by tea, lettuce and citrus waste. The dye removal was more effective as dye concentration increases from 5 up to 60 mg/L. The favorable results obtained for lettuce waste have been especially encouraged, as this material has not been commonly employed for sorption purposes. Equilibrium data fitted very well in a Freundlich isotherm model, whereas pseudo-second-order kinetic model describes the process behavior. Restaurant waste performed rapid dye removal at no cost, so it can be adopted and widely used in industries for contaminated water treatment.