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The growing awareness of the depletion of fossil fuels and numerous environmental issues have led to increased interest in finding natural components that can be used to produce various types of fuels. In this study, composts made from the organic fraction of agri-food waste (i.e., two composts produced in a bioreactor and one obtained from a Municipal Waste Disposal Facility) were evaluated for the first time as potential sources of additives for fuel production. The presence of fatty acid methyl esters was determined using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS/SIM), while the calorific value and heat of combustion of the samples were measured in accordance with the PN-EN ISO 1928:2002 standard using a calorimeter. Chromatographic studies identified the presence of 33 compounds, predominantly unsaturated esters. The highest ester content was noted in the compost obtained from the company, while the lowest content was found in the compost containing grass, buckwheat husk, and apple pomace. Of the studied raw materials, the highest calorific value and heat of combustion on a dry matter basis were observed for the compost containing grass, buckwheat husk, and apple pomace, while the lowest values were recorded for the compost obtained from the company. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that composts could serve as biocomponents of fuels.

Global warming has adversely affected Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. forests in Europe, prompting the need for innovative forest-breeding strategies. Somatic embryogenesis (SE) offers promise but requires protocol refinement. Understanding the molecular mechanisms governing somatic embryo development is essential, as oxidative stress plays a crucial role in SE regulation. Ascorbic acid (ASA), is a vital antioxidant that can potentially control oxidative stress. In the present study, we normalized ASA concentrations in induction and proliferation media to enhance embryogenic tissue (ET) regeneration and proliferation capacity of mature explants. The media were supplemented with ASA at 0 mg l−1, 25 mg l−1, 50 mg l−1, 100 mg l−1, and 200 mg l−1. The accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and endogenous phytohormones, including auxins, cytokinins, brassinosteroids, abscisic acid, and gibberellin, was measured in non-embryonic calli and ET. Subsequently, their impact on ET induction and multiplication was analyzed. Our results demonstrate that application of ASA at concentrations of 25 mg l−1 and 200 mg l−1 led to increased H2O2 levels, potentially inducing oxidative stress while simultaneously reducing the levels of all endohormone groups. Notably, the highest ET induction frequency (approximately 70%) was observed for ASA at 50 mg l−1. These findings will enhance SE induction procedures, particularly in more resistant explants, underscoring the significance of ASA application to culture media.

Grass collected as part of roadside maintenance is conventionally subjected to composting, which has the disadvantage of generating significant CO2 emissions. Thus, it is crucial to find an alternative method for the utilisation of grass waste. The aim of this study was to determine the specific biogas yield (SBY) from the anaerobic mono-digestion of grass from road verges and to assess the content of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAMEs) in grass in relation to the time of cutting and the preservation method of the studied material. The biochemical biogas potential (BBP) test and the FAMEs content were performed on fresh and ensiled grass collected in spring, summer, and autumn. The highest biogas production was obtained from fresh grass cut in spring (715.05 ± 26.43 NL kgVS−1), while the minimum SBY was observed for fresh grass cut in summer (540.19 ± 24.32 NL kgVS−1). The methane (CH4) content in the biogas ranged between 55.0 ± 2.0% and 60.0 ± 1.0%. The contents of ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) in biogas remained below the threshold values for these inhibitors. The highest level of total FAMEs was determined in fresh grass cut in autumn (98.08 ± 19.25 mg gDM−1), while the lowest level was detected in fresh grass cut in spring (56.37 ± 7.03 mg gDM−1). C16:0 and C18:0, which are ideal for biofuel production, were present in the largest amount (66.87 ± 15.56 mg gDM−1) in fresh grass cut in autumn. The ensiling process significantly impacted the content of total FAMEs in spring grass, leading to a reduction in total saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and an increase in total unsaturated fatty acids (USFAs). We conclude that grass biomass collected during the maintenance of road verges is a valuable feedstock for the production of both liquid and gaseous biofuels; however, generating energy from biogas appears to be more efficient than producing biodiesel.

Phytohormones, particularly cytokinin trans-zeatin (tZ), were studied for their impact on the green alga Desmodesmus armatus under cadmium (Cd) stress, focusing on growth, metal accumulation, and stress response mechanisms. Using atomic absorption spectroscopy for the Cd level and high-performance liquid chromatography for photosynthetic pigments and phytochelatins, along with spectrophotometry for antioxidants and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry for phytohormones, we found that tZ enhances Cd uptake in D. armatus, potentially improving phycoremediation of aquatic environments. Cytokinin mitigates Cd toxicity by regulating internal phytohormone levels and activating metal tolerance pathways, increasing phytochelatin synthase activity and phytochelatin accumulation essential for Cd sequestration. Treatment with tZ and Cd also resulted in increased cell proliferation, photosynthetic pigment and antioxidant levels, and antioxidant enzyme activities, reducing oxidative stress. This suggests that cytokinin-mediated mechanisms in D. armatus enhance its capacity for Cd uptake and tolerance, offering promising avenues for more effective aquatic phycoremediation techniques.

The growing awareness of the depletion of fossil fuels and numerous environmental issues have led to increased interest in finding natural components that can be used to produce various types of fuels. In this study, composts made from the organic fraction of agri-food waste (i.e., two composts produced in a bioreactor and one obtained from a Municipal Waste Disposal Facility) were evaluated for the first time as potential sources of additives for fuel production. The presence of fatty acid methyl esters was determined using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS/SIM), while the calorific value and heat of combustion of the samples were measured in accordance with the PN-EN ISO 1928:2002 standard using a calorimeter. Chromatographic studies identified the presence of 33 compounds, predominantly unsaturated esters. The highest ester content was noted in the compost obtained from the company, while the lowest content was found in the compost containing grass, buckwheat husk, and apple pomace. Of the studied raw materials, the highest calorific value and heat of combustion on a dry matter basis were observed for the compost containing grass, buckwheat husk, and apple pomace, while the lowest values were recorded for the compost obtained from the company. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that composts could serve as biocomponents of fuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytohormones exhibit a wide range of chemical structures, though they primarily originate from three key metabolic precursors: amino acids, isoprenoids, and lipids. Specific amino acids, such as tryptophan, methionine, phenylalanine, and arginine, contribute to the production of various phytohormones, including auxins, melatonin, ethylene, salicylic acid, and polyamines. Isoprenoids are the foundation of five phytohormone categories: cytokinins, brassinosteroids, gibberellins, abscisic acid, and strigolactones. Furthermore, lipids, i.e., α-linolenic acid, function as a precursor for jasmonic acid. The biosynthesis routes of these different plant hormones are intricately complex. Understanding of these processes can greatly enhance our knowledge of how these hormones regulate plant growth, development, and physiology. This review focuses on detailing the biosynthetic pathways of phytohormones.

Early‐stage responses of Brassica juncea, B. napus and B. oleracea during black spot disease and the development of Alternaria brassicicola were evaluated. Infection of plant cells by the fungus occurred mainly through direct penetration or by appressoria and, rarely, stomata in B. juncea and B. oleracea; in B. napus, penetration was mostly direct. The process of conidial germination, germ tubes and appressoria formation on a leaf surface was correlated with the post‐inoculation time and host species (p < 0.05). Changes in the leaf surface were observed at successful infection sites as bright, wax‐deprived areas. Significant differences in progression of infection between Brassica species were observed, with B. oleracea being the most susceptible and B. napus the least. Accumulation of superoxide anion radicals and hydrogen peroxide was not only observed in plant cells, but also in A. brassicicola germ tubes and appressoria at 8 and 12 h post‐inoculation (hpi). Enhanced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation during infection triggered diverse patterns of enzymatic and non‐enzymatic antioxidant activities and phenolic compound contents in response to A. brassicicola. In each Brassica species, a different antioxidant was the most active. With their antioxidant properties, phenolic compounds also played an essential role in these interactions. This phenomenon could be related to the disparate levels of susceptibility of the Brassica species to A. brassicicola; for example, the most susceptible, B. oleracea, showed high ROS accumulation with decreasing tendency during disease progression, unchanged phenolics content, and the highest catalase activity, differentiating it from B. juncea and B. napus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to identify biologically active secondary metabolites from the rare plant species, Pulsatilla patens subsp. patens and the cultivated P. vulgaris subsp. vulgaris. Chromatographic fractionation of the ethanolic extract of the roots of P. patens subsp. patens resulted in the isolation of two oleanane-type glycosides identified as hederagenin 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (2.7 mg) and hederagenin 3-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranoside (3.3 mg, patensin). HPLC analysis of the methanolic extract of the crude root of P. patens subsp. patens and P. vulgaris subsp. vulgaris revealed the presence of Pulsatilla saponin D (hederagenin 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)-[β-d-glucopyranosyl(1→4)]-α-l-arabinopyranoside). Chromatographic analysis using GC-MS of the silylated methanolic extracts from the leaves and roots of these species identified the presence of carboxylic acids, such as benzoic, caffeic, malic, and succinic acids. The extracts from Pulsatilla species were tested for their antifungal, antimicrobial, and antimalarial activities, and cytotoxicity to mammalian cell lines. Both P. patens subsp. patens and P. vulgaris subsp. vulgaris were active against the fungus Candida glabrata with the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 9.37 µg/mL and 11 µg/mL, respectively. The IC50 values for cytotoxicity evaluation were in the range of 32–38 μg/mL for P. patens subsp. patens and 35–57 μg/mL for P. vulgaris subsp. vulgaris for each cell line, indicating general cytotoxic activity throughout the panel of evaluated cancer and noncancer cells.

Egg sacs protect spider eggs and the spiderlings inside them from external factors (e.g. physical conditions, pathogens and predators), providing a form of passive maternal care for the offspring. This protection is based on the structure of the egg sac, and the structural properties of silk and chemical compounds, the latter being especially interesting in the context of antimicrobial activity. We summarized data regarding the fatty acid (FA) profile in spider silk, and studied these lipids in overwintering egg sacs and their contents, in both Ero sp. (eggs) and Argiope bruennichi (spiderlings). Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the egg sacs of both species revealed 33 FAs containing from 10 to 24 carbon atoms. Egg sac silk included saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), and polyunsaturated (PUFA) FAs, which are known for a wide spectrum of antibacterial and antifungal properties. This could be especially important in the case of spider egg sacs, which are left in the environment for many months with offspring inside them.

Due to thegrowing awareness of fossil fuel depletion and environmental issues, biodiesel alternative fuel is currently of substantial interest. This research assessed herbal industry wastes as a potential resource for biodiesel production for the first time. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), obtained in the transesterification reaction, were extracted from the herbal samples by ultrasound-assisted extraction and identified withgas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the selected ion monitoring mode. The presence of at least 20 (e.g., in chamomile and chicory) FAMEs, up to 31 in nettle and senna, was reported. The unsaturated FAMEs were found in higher amounts than saturated. Linoleic acidwas the major polyunsaturated FAME in herbal wastes, while palmitic acid was the major saturated FAME. The highest content of FAMEs was identified in rye bran, Figure tea, and chicory. According to the cetane number prediction, BS EN 14214:2012+A2:2019, and hierarchical clustering on principal components (HCPC)wastes from, e.g., nettle, sage, and senna, are the most suitable in biodiesel production with fuel properties acceptable by the EuropeanStandards.Principal component analysis and HCPC allowed to classify and groupsimilar plants according to their FAMEs content; however, additional studies of herbal biofuel properties are needed.

Due to the increasing awareness of the depletion of fossil fuel resources and environmental issues, biodiesel as alternative fuel has become more and more attractive in the recent years. In this research, the characterization of herbal industry wastes as a potential feedstock for biodiesel production was carried out. There results of analytical identification of the fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) obtained in the transesterification reaction are presented. The reaction conditions were optimized, considering hexane ratio and catalyst concentration (methanol and KOH) for both steps. The FAME were extracted from the herbal samples by ultrasound-assisted extraction and subsequently were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) using single ion monitoring (SIM) method. Additionally, the selected properties of some bioesters were analyzed. This study determined the compounds which are ideal for fuel production. The unsaturated fatty acids were found in higher amounts than saturated fatty acids. Linoleic acid (C18:2n6c) was the major unsaturated fatty acid in herbal wastes, while palmitic acid (16:0) was the major saturated fatty acid. The application of the optimized method also revealed differences in the physical and chemical properties of isolated FAME mixtures compared to conventional diesel fuel. In this research work, for the first time, the possibilities of using the herbal industry wastes as a potential feedstock for biodiesel production are assessed.