Search

Healthy foods and green processing are currently in the focus of scientific attention. Flax is considered a superfood that includes numerous beneficial ingredients. Its oil is a great source of polyunsaturated fatty acids. However, the heat-sensitive futures of the polyunsaturated fatty acids require low-temperature methods. Screw pressing can produce oils at lower temperatures, but a lower oil capacity makes it less advantageous. Pre-treatment of seeds as a crucial pre-processing stage affects the quality and quantity of oil. This research featured the effect of moisture content in flax seeds on the quantity and quality flax seed oil. The study involved local flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) from the Qashqadaryo Region, Uzbekistan. Standard methods were used to define the quality parameters of oil, i.e., acid value, free fatty acids content, peroxide value, oil recovery, and sediment content. Regression equations were obtained using the method of regression analysis. The highest oil recovery of 40.99% was observed at the moisture content of 9.56%. At 7.55%, the oil recovery dropped by 3.17%. The sediment content in the oil increased at lower moisture contents in the flax seeds (14.62–5.55%). The acid value, peroxide value, and free fatty acid content demonstrated both downward and upward trends when the moisture content increased. The moisture content in flax seeds affected the quality and quantity profile of screw-pressed oil. The optimal parameters of oil processing can yield health-beneficial and highly nutritional oil.

Previously, from the tannic sumac plant (Rhus coriaria), we developed the Rutan 25 mg oral drug tablets with antiviral activity against influenza A and B viruses, adenoviruses, paramyxoviruses, herpes virus, and cytomegalovirus. Here, our re-purposing study demonstrated that Rutan at 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg provided a very effective and safe treatment for COVID-19 infection, simultaneously inhibiting two vital enzyme systems of the SARS-CoV-2 virus: 3C-like proteinase (3CLpro) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). There was no drug accumulation in experimental animals’ organs and tissues. A clinical study demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in the C-reactive protein and a reduction of the viremia period. In patients receiving Rutan 25 mg (children) and 100 mg (adults), the frequency of post-COVID-19 manifestations was significantly less than in the control groups not treated with Rutan tablets. Rutan, having antiviral activity, can provide safe treatment and prevention of COVID-19 in adults and children.Clinical Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov, ID NCT05862883.

RNA interference (RNAi), is a powerful new technology in the discovery of genetic sequence functions, and has become a valuable tool for functional genomics of cotton (Gossypium ssp.). The rapid adoption of RNAi has replaced previous antisense technology. RNAi has aided in the discovery of function and biological roles of many key cotton genes involved in fiber development, fertility and somatic embryogenesis, resistance to important biotic and abiotic stresses, and oil and seed quality improvements as well as the key agronomic traits including yield and maturity. Here, we have comparatively reviewed seminal research efforts in previously used antisense approaches and currently applied breakthrough RNAi studies in cotton, analyzing developed RNAi methodologies, achievements, limitations, and future needs in functional characterizations of cotton genes. We also highlighted needed efforts in the development of RNAi-based cotton cultivars, and their safety and risk assessment, small and large-scale field trials, and commercialisation.