Search Results (1,020)

Yellow onion (Allium cepa L.) outer skins are a high-volume agricultural waste that can be converted into commercially valuable bioproducts using various extraction techniques. This research focused on optimizing a green ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) method which allows for the isolation of several phytochemicals valued for their health benefits, such as polyphenols and flavonoids. HPLC/UV analysis of the extracts showed that the main component was quercetin. A one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) design was used to identify the extraction parameters needed in order to maximize the amount of extracted target phytochemicals. The polyphenols, flavonoids and quercetin contents, along with the antioxidant activity of the extracts, were optimized by response surface methodology using a Box–Behnken design. Ultrasound amplitude, ethanol concentration, and time were selected as the most appropriate variables. The final results showed that TPC ranged from 78.16 to 97.16 mg GAE/g DM, TFC ranged from 22.77 to 26.46 mg QE/g DM, while CUPRAC values varied between 145.24 and 163.75 mg TE/g DM. The optimal extraction conditions were determined using a Box–Behnken model as 30% ultrasound amplitude, 53% ethanol concentration, and an extraction time of 13 min. The use of these conditions allowed the TPC, TFC and CUPRAC to show predicted values of 97.8 mg GAE/g DM, 27.2 mg QE/g DM, and 159.8 mg TE/g DM, respectively. These findings indicate that onion skin extracts could represent a green and promising source of antioxidant phytochemicals. Full article

Onion (Allium cepa) belongs to the genus Allium in the family Liliaceae and is widely cultivated worldwide for its nutritional and medicinal value. However, in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China, many onion plants exhibited severe virus-like symptoms, including yellow stripes and leaf distortion. Symptomatic plants were collected, and virus identification was conducted through mechanical inoculation of Nicotiana benthamiana and transmission electron microscopy. Two types of virus particles, rod-shaped and spherical, were observed. Mixed infection of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) was confirmed by high-throughput sequencing and RT-PCR. The detection rates of CMV and CGMMV in the samples were 8/161 and 1/161, respectively. Recombination analysis indicated that no recombination events were detected in the CGMMV, whereas one recombination event was identified in CMV, occurring on RNA1 from nt 59 to 171. The major parent was CMV DSMZ PV-1255 (ON013910) in Greece, and the minor parent was CMV Am (JX993909) in China. This study reports, for the first time, the complete genome sequences of CMV infecting onions in China and CGMMV infecting onions worldwide. Full article

Deposition of three key 4-alkyl branched-chain fatty acids (KBCFA), including 4-methyloctanoic acid (MOA), 4-ethyloctanoic acid (EOA), and 4-methylnonanoic acid (MNA), causes the gamey flavor in sheep meat. This study integrated metagenomics and metabolomics to evaluate how Allium mongolicum Regel (AMR) supplementation (15 g/d) and rumen fluid transplantation (RFT) modulate rumen microbiota and hepatic metabolism to reduce KBCFA in lamb longissimus thoracis muscle. The experiment consisted of two phases. In Phase I, twelve 3-month-old male Dorper × Small Tailed Han sheep (25 ± 1 kg) were selected as the rumen donor group. These sheep were supplemented with 15 g/d/head of AMR powder in their basal diet until the end of the experiment. In Phase II, thirty 3-month-old male Dorper × Small Tailed Han sheep (23 ± 2 kg) were randomly assigned to one of three groups (n = 10 per group): the control group (STG), which was fed the basal diet and received a physiological saline transplant; the AMR group, which was fed the basal diet supplemented with 15 g/d/head of AMR powder and received a physiological saline transplant; and the rumen fluid transplant group (RTG), which was fed the basal diet and received a rumen fluid transplant from the donor group. Compared to the STG, results showed that the MOA, EOA, and MNA in the AMG decreased by 64.51%, 54.72%, and 49.34%, respectively. Similarly, the MOA, EOA, and MNA in the RTG were reduced by 63.13%, 56.17%, and 49.60%, respectively (p < 0.001). For the rumen metagenome, AMR enriched the genus Prevotella, while RFT increased Butyrivibrio. Hepatic metabolomics revealed a distinct shift where AMR elevated amino acid derivatives and RFT enhanced carnitine-related metabolites. These alterations indicate a potential metabolic shift associated with amino acid metabolism and mitochondrial β-oxidation, rather than lipid elongation. We postulate that this coordinated regulation across the rumen–liver–muscle axis may alter the availability of lipogenic precursors for KBCFA synthesis, ultimately contributing to improved meat flavor. Full article

This study aims to elucidate the impact of biostimulants and fungicides on onion yield and quality, utilizing a combined experimental and molecular modeling approach. The biostimulants (Humiblack^®, Agasi^®, and Tifi^®) and fungicides (mancozeb and metalaxyl) were applied to onion crops, resulting in significant improvements in onion quality and yield. The stability and environmental impact of mancozeb and metalaxyl alone and in conjunction with biostimulants were investigated. The stability of the fungicide mixture was assessed in ultrapure water and rainwater, revealing high resistance to hydrolysis. Solar stability assessments, conducted using a sun simulator to mimic environmental conditions, highlighted differences in stability between mancozeb and metalaxyl in the presence of biostimulants. Metalaxyl showed higher photostability owing to the benzene ring. It was also less susceptible to biostimulant effects and remained stable in solution. Density functional theory descriptors and frontier orbital analysis rationalized the higher photoreactivity of mancozeb (smaller HOMO–LUMO gap and broader orbital delocalization). At the same time, molecular dynamics simulations supported stronger solvation of mancozeb and short-range water structuring, consistent with enhanced aqueous susceptibility. The results link fungicide physicochemical properties with field performance and aqueous stability, supporting the use of the fungicide mixture together with a single biostimulant as a practical approach for balancing crop productivity and environmental persistence. Full article

Food deterioration is largely driven by microbial activity, particularly by fungi producing mycotoxins exhibiting mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. Garlic (Allium sativum L.), valued for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, is widely recognized as a natural food preservative; however, the high moisture content and intense respiration of freshly harvested garlic accelerate enzymatic degradation of its bioactive compounds, making post-harvest processing essential to preserve its functional properties. This study evaluated the preservative potential of convectively dried garlic (50–90 °C) by testing the antifungal activity of its extracts (6.3–0.8%) against Aspergillus parasiticus, while a modeling approach was employed to quantitatively describe this phenomenon. The antioxidant activity and rehydration capacity were also analyzed. The results demonstrated that both drying temperature and extract concentration significantly influenced fungal growth kinetics. The strongest inhibition was observed for extracts from raw garlic and garlic dried at 50 °C, whereas extracts from samples dried at 70–90 °C only partially suppressed the microbial activity. Predictive modeling accurately described fungal growth (MAE = 1.9, R² = 0.995), enabling its application in optimizing food preservation strategies. Antioxidant activity was highest in raw garlic, decreased significantly in garlic dried at 50 °C, and then increased progressively with rising drying temperature. The study highlights the need to maintain a balance in drying conditions that ensures efficient drying kinetics while preserving bioactive, functional, and antifungal properties. Full article

Background/Objectives: The dark green leaf color trait in bunching onion (Allium fistulosum L.) is an important agronomic trait closely associated with market value; however, its genetic basis remains poorly understood. This study aimed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with leaf color using SPAD values as a phenotypic indicator. Methods: An ${\mathrm{F}}_2$ population derived from a cross between the dark green line YSG1go and the light green line Asagikei-KUJYO was used. A linkage map was constructed based on RNA-seq-derived SNP markers, and SPAD values were measured for QTL analysis. Results: The linkage map consisted of eight linkage groups with a total length of 2103.0 cM and 765 mapped markers. SPAD values showed significant differences between the parental lines, with high broad-sense heritability ($H^2$ = 0.76), indicating a strong genetic contribution to this trait. Multiple significant QTLs were detected on chromosomes 4 and 5, each explaining 27.4–38.1% of the phenotypic variance. The direction of allelic effects differed among QTLs, suggesting that favorable alleles are distributed between the parental lines. In addition, genes related to chloroplast protein translation were identified within the QTL regions. Conclusions: SPAD values are a suitable indicator for genetic analysis of leaf color in bunching onion, and the QTLs identified in this study provide valuable information for molecular breeding aimed at improving dark green leaf color. Full article

Garlic (Allium sativum) has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. However, only the cloves are used from the bulb; the peels or husks are waste material with limited utility that nevertheless retain properties that can be exploited in other materials such as edible films or coatings. Chitosan is a widely used biopolymer, due its interesting properties. The same is true for alginate and pectin, which are polysaccharides that have interesting application areas; among the most common are film or coating materials in the food industry. Therefore, in this research, comprising the elaboration of films based on Chitosan-Pectin-Alginate (Q-P-A) reinforced with garlic husk (GH) particles, the films were characterized by Brookfield viscosity (the biopolymers solutions), Fourier Transform infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and thermogravimetry (TGA). According to the results, the addition of GH caused a significant decrease in viscosity without altering the pseudoplasticity behavior and also generating physical interactions with the matrices; no chemical reaction byproducts were identified by FTIR. An increase in the reinforcing effect was identified in Q-GH films, whereas the opposite effect was observed in Q-P-A-GH films. In addition, no significant changes in the thermal stability were observed. Full article

The intensive use of agricultural inputs and the increasing incorporation of nano-materials into crop management practices raise concerns about their ecotoxicological interactions in plant systems. This study evaluated phytotoxicity, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity in Allium cepa L. under experimental nano-agrochemical exposure scenarios combining two conventional nitrogen fertilizers—ammonium sulfate (AS) and urea—with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Biological responses were assessed across fertilizer concentrations (0.03–0.5 g/L), applied individually, simultaneously, and sequentially, to identify modulatory effects of AgNPs on plant proliferative activity and genomic stability. Results showed the relative stability of morphophysiological indicators associated with root growth, whereas cytogenetic biomarkers exhibited selective alterations under specific conditions. Significant increases in genetic damage markers were detected at intermediate ammonium sulfate concentrations, suggesting sublethal phytotoxicity windows not reflected by macroscopic growth parameters. In addition, modulation of the mitotic index and absence of generalized genotoxic effects in most combined or sequential treatments indicate that AgNPs primarily acted as modulators of proliferative responses rather than direct cytotoxic agents. Overall, these findings highlight the dynamic and non-linear nature of nano-agrochemical interactions in plant systems and underscore the importance of multibiomarker approaches for the early detection of genomic instability. The results provide experimental evidence relevant to the environmental risk assessment of nano-enabled fertilization strategies under realistic mixed-exposure scenarios. This study contributes to advancing the ecotoxicological understanding of emerging agricultural technologies and supports the need for further mechanistic research and field-based evaluations to guide the safe and sustainable use of nanomaterials in crop production. Full article

Background/Objectives: Following prior in vitro and in vivo investigations on the bone health benefits of green onions and oats, we aimed to assess the effects of WCO31, Allium fistulosum L. (green onion) root and Avena sativa L. (oat) mixtures, on height growth and safety. Methods: This multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study included 150 children aged 6–8 years (75 males and 75 females) who fell between the 3rd and 50th percentiles of the Korean National Growth Charts but had not yet developed secondary sexual characteristics. They were randomly assigned to receive daily oral administration of WCO31 (1.2 g/day) or a placebo for 24 weeks. For efficacy analysis, height, growth rate, growth rate standard deviation score (SDS), height SDS, and growth-related parameters were measured. To evaluate the safety of the intervention, several safety parameters (including the incidence of adverse events, laboratory tests, and vital signs) were monitored. Results: The WCO31 group demonstrated significantly superior outcomes, including height, growth rate, growth rate SDS, height SDS, and height-for-age Z-score, than the placebo group (all p < 0.001). Moreover, no safety-related concerns were identified. Conclusions: WCO31 positively influences height growth and demonstrates a favorable safety profile, with no observable adverse effects. This study provides the first clinical evidence supporting growth enhancement using natural extracts, suggesting that WCO31 could serve as a cost-effective, safe, and accessible complementary strategy for promoting child growth. Full article

During fieldwork in the western Tian Shan Mountain range, somewhat different forms of Allium fetisowii s.l. were observed in its eastern and western parts. A detailed morphological study using principal component analysis (PCA) revealed the presence of two well-separated taxa within A. fetisowii s.l. A molecular study based on nrITS and four plastid markers (trnL–trnF, rpl32–trnL, trnQ–rps16 spacers, and the rps16 intron) confirmed their status at the species level. Allium fetisowii Regel s. str. occurs in the eastern part, whereas the name A. simile Regel applies to the plants growing in the western part. Together with A. chychkanense, these species constitute section Longibidentata, which is supported by molecular data. The nomenclatural history of these three species is explained. A taxonomic conspectus is provided, the distribution is mapped, and an identification key is presented. Full article

Gastric cancer remains a highly heterogeneous malignancy in which chemotherapy response is limited by intrinsic and acquired resistance, cumulative toxicity, and the restricted predictive value of conventional preclinical models. This review critically synthesizes evidence on selected medicinal plants and their bioactive phytocompounds as adjuncts to standard chemotherapy for gastric cancer, with an emphasis on mechanistic plausibility, preclinical synergy, and translational barriers. Across the reviewed literature, phytocompounds from Curcuma longa, Scutellaria baicalensis, Camellia sinensis, Syzygium aromaticum, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Allium sativum, Marsdenia tenacissima, and Rhus verniciflua showed anticancer or chemopreventive activity through multitarget effects on apoptosis, proliferation, invasion, inflammation, oxidative stress, and resistance-associated signaling. The most convincing chemosensitizing evidence involved curcumin, wogonin, baicalein, EGCG, which enhanced the activity of fluoropyrimidines, platinum agents, paclitaxel, doxorubicin, or related antitumor regimens in selected gastric cancer models. However, the evidence base remains heterogeneous and is constrained by variable extract standardization, incomplete dose reporting, poor bioavailability, insufficient pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic integration, and underuse of clinically relevant model systems. Overall, medicinal plant bioactives remain promising adjunct candidates in gastric cancer. Still, meaningful translation will require chemically defined interventions, rigorous synergy analysis, interaction-aware study design, and validation in advanced preclinical and clinical settings. Full article

Galeruca daurica (Joannis) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is an oligophagous pest in which both adults and larvae prefer to feed on Allium forage grasses of the Liliaceae family. In this study, we identified gustatory receptor (GR) genes based on the transcriptome data of G. daurica; analyzed the expression profiles of these GR genes across different larval instars and various tissues of male and female adults using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR); detected the electrophysiological responses of the mouthparts of male and female G. daurica adults to flavonoids and carbohydrates using single sensillum recording (SSR); and recorded the changes in food consumption of G. daurica adults after feeding on six host plant-derived metabolites. A total of 26 GR genes were identified from the transcriptome data of adult and larval of G. daurica. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to screen candidate functional gustatory receptor genes, including four sugar receptors (GdauGR7, GdauGR10, GdauGR14 and GdauGR28), seven bitter receptors (GdauGR11, GdauGR16~17, GdauGR22, GdauGR25~26 and GdauGR30), and two CO₂ receptors (GdauGR15 and GdauGR20). Larval expression profiling of GdauGRs in G. daurica revealed that the relative expression levels of 17 genes exhibited dynamic changes during larval growth and development. GdauGRs were expressed to varying degrees in the antennae, mouthparts, brain, gut, and forelegs of adult G. daurica, with sex-specific differences. Notably, the expression levels of GdauGR4, GdauGR9 and GdauGR16 in the gut were extremely significantly higher than those in other tissues. In the SSR test, the six tested flavonoids and one carbohydrate were able to induce robust electrophysiological responses in the gustatory sensilla on the antennae and mouthparts of adult G. daurica at specific concentrations. In addition, the supplementation of several host-derived metabolites altered the food consumption of adult G. daurica. These findings lay a solid foundation for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying gustatory recognition and host adaptation in G. daurica. Full article

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are toxic air pollutants mainly released through vehicular emissions and can accumulate on edible plants, posing health risks to humans. This study aimed to isolate and identify endophytic fungi from Allium ampeloprasum and Brassica oleracea var. capitata, which are widely cultivated along roadside areas in the upcountry region of Sri Lanka. Sampling sites included Nuwara Eliya town, Nanu Oya, St. Clair’s, and Meepilimana (control), where above-ground parts of the selected vegetables were collected in six replicates. Fungal isolates were obtained through surface sterilization, and their ability to degrade PAHs (naphthalene, phenanthrene, anthracene, and pyrene) was evaluated using plate assays, spectrophotometric analysis, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Phyllosphere PAH concentrations were also measured using HPLC. It revealed significantly higher concentrations of all four PAHs in the phyllosphere of both vegetables at polluted sites, with the highest levels recorded in A. ampeloprasum from Nuwara Eliya town: naphthalene (145.92 ng/g), phenanthrene (97.67 ng/g), anthracene (88.71 ng/g), and pyrene (63.82 ng/g). Most endophytic fungal strains isolated from both vegetables were able to grow on Bacto Bushnell–Haas (BBH) medium supplemented with PAHs, producing colonies exceeding 20 mm in diameter. Spectrophotometric analysis showed that Fusarium liriodendri SP2 (PV400499.1) and Trichoderma atroviride SP1 (PV400486.1) achieved approximately 75% degradation of selected PAHs. Furthermore, HPLC analysis confirmed that these isolates effectively degraded all tested PAHs, with degradation rates of approximately 70%. F. liriodendri was the most efficient degrader, achieving degradation rates of 68.50 ± 2.34% for naphthalene, 65.26 ± 1.21% for phenanthrene, 69.21 ± 1.45% for pyrene, and 66.89 ± 1.98% for anthracene. The PAH degradation byproducts of the selected fungal isolates were non-toxic to Artemia salina, confirming their environmental safety. These results highlight the bioremediation potential of endophytic fungi isolated from A. ampeloprasum and B. oleracea var. capitata in PAH-contaminated environments. Full article

Plants of the genus Salacia (Celastraceae) have long been used in traditional medical systems of South and Southeast Asia for the management of diabetes and related metabolic disorders. Modern phytochemical and pharmacological studies have confirmed the antidiabetic potential of several Salacia species, leading to the identification of a distinctive group of sulfur-containing sugars as their principal bioactive constituents. Salacinol, neosalacinol, kotalanol, neokotalanol, and related analogues represent a novel class of thiosugar sulfonium compounds that act as potent and selective α-glucosidase inhibitors, providing a clear mechanistic basis for their glucose-lowering effects. Simpler thiosugars, such as 5-thiomannose, further contribute to the overall metabolic activity of Salacia extracts and may serve as biosynthetic or functional precursors. Beyond Salacia, sulfur-containing natural products are widespread in nature and perform diverse biological roles. In particular, the genus Allium is well known for producing organosulfur compounds, including thioethers and polysulfides, which exhibit antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and cardioprotective activities. In a different context, sulfur-containing hopanes have been identified in sediments and petroleum as products of early diagenetic sulfurization of bacterial hopanoids. Although these compounds have been studied primarily as geochemical biomarkers, recent QSAR/PASS analyses suggest that sulfur hopanes may also possess biologically relevant activities, particularly related to metabolic and cardiovascular regulation. Recent PASS-based QSAR evaluations of Salacia-derived thiosugars and sulfur hopanes predict significant antidiabetic activity, including potential type 2 diabetes-related pharmacological effects, supported by predicted α-glucosidase inhibitory, hypoglycemic, hepatic, and gastrointestinal activities. Collectively, these findings highlight sulfur-containing natural products from both plant and sedimentary sources as chemically diverse yet functionally convergent scaffolds with promising potential for the development of functional foods and therapeutic agents targeting metabolic disorders. Full article

Blood metabolism in dairy cows is crucial for milk quality, functioning primarily through the “blood–milk” metabolic axis. Allium mongolicum Regel (AMR), a functional Allium herb, has been shown to regulate on ruminant lipid metabolism. This study investigated the impact of AMR ethanol extract (AME) on lactation performance, blood lipid parameters, and blood–milk metabolomes. Twelve mid-lactation Holsteins (606 ± 11 kg; milk yield 33.14 ± 2.08 kg/d) of parity 2–3 were assigned to either a basal diet (CON) or a diet supplemented with 54 g/d of AME (AEE). Results indicated that AME significantly decreased plasma triglycerides (TG), C15:0, C16:1, C18:1 n-9 c, C18:3 n-6, monounsaturated fatty acids (p < 0.05) and significantly increased C18:2 n-6 c, polyunsaturated fatty acids (p < 0.05). Lactation performance, including the average daily dry matter intake, daily yields of milk fat, protein and lactose, remained unaffected by the AME addition (p > 0.05). Metabolomic profiling revealed that AME significantly enriched the glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway in plasma, upregulating key phospholipid precursors such as L-serine and Sphinganine. Concurrently, milk metabolomics showed an upregulation of short-chain Acylcarnitines. Plasma TG correlated negatively with both plasma L-serine and milk Acylcarnitines, whereas low-density lipoprotein correlated positively with these energy-driven milk metabolites. These findings suggest that AME may contribute to remodeling the plasma lipid metabolic profile in a manner that could facilitate plasma-to-milk lipid flux. This appears to occur through enhanced hepatic lipid processing and increased mammary lipid utilization, offering preliminary insights into potential nutritional strategies for supporting lipid metabolism in dairy cows. Full article