Search Results (55)

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum G.S. Bunting), which belongs to the Arum family (Araceae Juss.), can be used for medicinal, ornamental, and pollutant-purifying purposes. Due to the usefulness of pothos, the market demand for this species is increasing. Our study attempts to fill in the shortcomings of previous studies on the effect of activated carbon and plant growth regulators on the ability of shoots to take root in vitro, as well as the effect of inexpensive and readily available materials on the transition of seedlings from in vitro to the greenhouse stage. To evaluate the shooting results, Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) was used, which included 6-benzylaminopurine (BA), kinetin (Kn), α-naphthaleneacetic acid (α-NAA), coconut water, activated carbon, and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) in various concentrations and combinations. Our results showed that the MS medium with the addition of 2.5 mg/L BA and 1.0 mg/L Kn was optimal for propagation by shoots. In this variant, 2.86 shoots per explant, 1.87 cm of shoot length, and 1.59 leaves per shoot were obtained. Despite the fact that this treatment provided the highest total cytokinin concentration, it was significantly more effective than only BA (2.5 mg/L) and all combinations of BA+α-NAA or Kn+α-NAA. For rooting, the micro shoots obtained on the above medium were transferred to MS + 0.25 mg/L α-NAA + 0.5 g/L AC, which allowed for rooting by 93.33%, 1.93 roots per explant, and root lengths by 2.37 cm. This is higher than with the IBA-based treatment, which led to a shortening of the roots and a reduction in their branching. Acclimatization in a 1:1 mixture (by volume) of loamy garden soil (pH 6.2, 2.1% organic matter) and coconut coir (particle size 0.5–2 mm) gave 75% survival after 40 days. These results have opened up the prospect of developing an effective method for reproducing pothos species in vitro by organogenesis at the lowest cost. Full article

Anubias (Araceae) is a globally important group of ornamental aquatic plants. However, when temperatures drop to 10 °C, most species suffer obvious frostbite from cold stress, restricting winter cultivation and broader application. This study focused on two Anubias genotypes with distinct cold tolerance, adopting an integrated approach combining phenotypic, physiological, metabolomic, and transcriptomic analyses to reveal the mechanisms underlying their differential cold tolerance. Under 10 °C cold stress, compared with normal temperatures, the leaves of cold-tolerant Anubias sp. ‘Long Leaf’ (Jian) showed no significant frostbite, while cold-sensitive Anubias barteri var. nana ‘Coin Leaf’ (Jin) had clear frost damage. Both genotypes exhibited increased leaf relative electrical conductivity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, soluble sugar content, and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT); “Jian” had more notable rises in SOD/CAT activities and maintained higher levels, whereas “Jin” showed greater increases in conductivity, MDA, and soluble sugar. Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses revealed “Jian” specifically upregulated metabolites in pathways like flavone and flavonol biosynthesis and tryptophan metabolism, as well as genes related to valine, leucine, isoleucine degradation and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways. ERFs, WRKYs, NACs and other transcription factors correlated with these differentially expressed genes, suggesting potential transcriptional regulation. These results provides insights for breeding cold-tolerant Anubias and optimizing low-temperature cultivation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Plant mitogenomes display remarkable variation in size, structure, and gene content, yet their evolutionary causes remain unclear. Araceae, the most significant family within Alismatales, encompasses both aquatic and terrestrial lineages, providing an excellent system for studying how ecological shifts influence mitogenome evolution. Methods: We assembled and annotated four new mitogenomes using both short- and long-read sequencing, including three aquatic taxa (Pistia stratiotes L., Spirodela intermedia W. Koch, Wolffia australiana (Benth.) Hartog & Plas) and one terrestrial species (Amorphophallus konjac K. Koch). Along with five previously published mitogenomes, we performed comparative analyses across nine Araceae species. Results: These mitogenome sizes varied from ~178 kb to ~877 kb, consisting of one to 19 circular molecules, with aquatic species generally having smaller and simpler structures. Plastid-derived sequences (MTPTs) contributed 1.2–10.6% of genome content, peaking in Zantedeschia aethiopica (L.) Spreng. Despite significant structural heterogeneity, all species maintained core respiratory genes under strong purifying selection, while ribosomal protein-coding genes showed lineage-specific loss. RNA editing ranged from 363 to 772 sites per mitogenome, with the number of sites independent of mitogenome size. Conclusions: Overall, this study uncovers the dynamic evolutionary patterns of Araceae mitogenomes and offers a framework for understanding how habitat shifts between aquatic and terrestrial environments influence mitogenome diversity in plants. Full article

Background/Objectives: Pothos chinensis is commonly used as traditional medicine in China and India. Codon usage analysis is a good way to understand plants’ evolution. However, there is no report about the codon usage bias of chloroplast genomes in P. chinensis. Methods: In this study, the chloroplast genome of the medicinal plant P. chinensis was newly obtained. Comparative analyses, DNA barcoding investigation, codon usage bias, and phylogenetic reconstruction were conducted to reveal the chloroplast genome characteristics of P. chinensis. Results: The length of the chloroplast genome of P. chinensis was 165,165 bp. A total of 134 genes were annotated, i.e., 90 protein-coding genes, 36 transfer RNA genes, and eight ribosomal RNA genes. Compared to its sister group Anthurium andraeanum, the length of the large single-copy region (LSC) had been expanded, while the small single-copy region (SSC) had been contracted. Within P. chinensis and P. scandens there were no obvious differences in the length of LSC, SSC, and two inverted repeat regions. Based on Pi values, seven hypervariable regions of whole plastomes were identified. The analysis of codons showed that an average frequency of the 50 candidate genes was 35.30%, and these genes preferred A/U-ending codons. The average effective number of codon (ENC) value was 45.49, which indicated weak codon usage bias. ENCs had a highly significant positive correlation with GC3. Fourteen optimal codons had been identified, 11 of which ended with A/U. The results of the neutrality plot, ENC-plot, and PR2-plot analysis indicated that natural selection might have a significant impact on codon usage patterns. Conclusions: Taken together, our study unraveled the codon usage patterns in P. chinensis and provided valuable genetic information for the genus Pothos. Full article

Unconventional food plants (UFPs) are increasingly valued for their nutritional composition and bioactive potential. This study proposes a comprehensive characterization of the chemical and bioactive properties of Pereskia aculeata Miller (Cactaceae) (PA); Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott (Araceae) (XS); Stachys byzantina K. Koch (Lamiaceae) (SB); and inflorescences from three cultivars of Musa acuminata (Musaceae) var. Dwarf Cavendish, var. BRS Platina, and var. BRS Conquista (MAD, MAP, and MAC), including the assessment of physical, nutritional, phytochemical, and biological parameters. Notably, detailed phenolic profiles were established for these species, many of which are poorly documented in the literature. XS was characterized by a unique abundance of C-glycosylated flavones, especially apigenin and luteolin derivatives, rarely described for this species. SB exhibited high levels of phenylethanoid glycosides, particularly verbascoside and its isomers (up to 21.32 mg/g extract), while PA was rich in O-glycosylated flavonols such as quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin derivatives. Nutritionally, XS had the highest protein content (16.3 g/100 g dw), while SB showed remarkable dietary fiber content (59.8 g/100 g). Banana inflorescences presented high fiber (up to 66.5 g/100 g) and lipid levels (up to 7.35 g/100 g). Regarding bioactivity, PA showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity (95.21%) and SB the highest reducing power in the FRAP assay (4085.90 µM TE/g). Cellular antioxidant activity exceeded 2000% in most samples, except for SB. Cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities were generally low, with only SB showing moderate effects against Caco-2 and AGS cell lines. SB and PA demonstrated the strongest antimicrobial activity, particularly against Yersinia enterocolitica, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Enterococcus faecalis, with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.156 to 0.625 mg/mL. Linear discriminant analysis revealed distinctive chemical patterns among the species, with organic acids (e.g., oxalic up to 7.53 g/100 g) and fatty acids (e.g., linolenic acid up to 52.38%) as key discriminant variables. Overall, the study underscores the nutritional and functional relevance of these underutilized plants and contributes rare quantitative data to the scientific literature regarding their phenolic signatures. Full article

Xanthomonas phaseoli pv. dieffenbachiae (Xpd), the causal agent of bacterial blight in Anthurium within the Araceae family, is listed as an EPPO A2 quarantine organism. Although the whole genome of Xpd has been sequenced, the molecular mechanisms underlying anthurium bacterial blight (ABB) remain unknown. Selecting an optimal reference gene is crucial for obtaining accurate and reliable gene expression profiles during the initial interactions between Xpd and Anthurium. The stability of four reference genes was evaluated by applying three statistical methods—BestKeeper, geNorm, and delta Ct (ΔCt)—using reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) data. The rpoD and gyrB genes exhibited the most consistent gene expression profiles, whereas atpD and thyA were less stable at four time points (0, 0.5, 1, and 2 h) during the interactions between Xpd and susceptible A. andreanum cultivar ‘Marian Seefurth.’ The suitability of these reference gene candidates was validated by normalizing the gene expression levels of four pathogenicity-related genes. The highly upregulated expression of gumD, which encodes xanthan biosynthesis glycosyltransferase, observed after 1 h of interaction, suggests it may be a key virulence determinant in the Xpd–Anthurium pathosystem. The stable reference genes identified here will facilitate more accurate and comprehensive gene expression studies in the Xpd–Anthurium pathosystem going forward. Full article

The genus Xanthomonas (family Xanthomonadaceae) comprises 39 validly published species and is associated with a broad host range, infecting hundreds of monocot and dicot plants worldwide. While many Xanthomonas species are notorious for causing leaf spot and blight diseases in major agricultural crops, less attention has been given to their impact on ornamental plants. In Hawaii and other key production regions, xanthomonads have posed persistent threats to popular ornamentals in the Araceae and Araliaceae families. This review synthesizes the evolving phylogenetic and taxonomic framework of Xanthomonas strains isolated from Araceae and Araliaceae, highlighting recent advances enabled by multilocus sequence analysis and whole genome sequencing. We discuss the reclassification of key pathovars, unresolved phylogenetic placements, and the challenges of pathovar delineation within these plant families. Additionally, we examine current knowledge of molecular determinants of pathogenicity, including gene clusters involved in exopolysaccharide and lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis, flagellar assembly, cell-wall-degrading enzymes, and secretion systems (types II, III, and VI). Comparative genomics and functional studies reveal that significant gaps remain in our understanding of the genetic basis of host adaptation and virulence in these xanthomonads. Addressing these knowledge gaps will be crucial for developing effective diagnostics and management strategies for bacterial diseases in ornamental crops. Full article

All parts of Alocasia × amazonica (A. amazonica, Araceae) pose a toxicological risk due to oxalate production. Ingestion of the plant extract may cause multi-organ damage and fatal outcomes. Given the rarity of poisoning cases, its toxicological profile and systemic effects remain insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to investigate and report an appropriate approach to managing a patient intoxicated with A. amazonica (Araceae). A case of intentional self-poisoning with A. amazonica is presented. The patient, a 63-year-old woman, ingested approximately 200–300 mL of liquid prepared from the grated root of the plant. The initial clinical presentation involved localized injuries to the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract, including severe pain, hoarseness, aphonia, dysphagia, mucosal erosions, and necrosis. Additional symptoms included hematinic vomiting, hemorrhagic diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort. These superficial and mucosal lesions resolved without the development of adhesions. Systemic effects comprised impaired consciousness indicative of encephalopathy, early metabolic acidosis, pulmonary edema with acute respiratory insufficiency, mild liver dysfunction, and hematuria. The therapeutic protocol for oral poisoning management was appropriate, leading to the patient’s discharge after 20 days of hospitalization. Full article

The Araceae family exhibits remarkable morphological and ecological diversity, playing a significant role in horticulture, agriculture, and traditional practices. Despite Thailand’s rich aroid diversity, Kalasin Province remains underexplored in terms of species distribution, ecology, and local utilization. This research aimed to document the diversity, habitat preferences, and local uses of Araceae in Kalasin Province. Field surveys, herbarium studies, and interviews with local communities were conducted to record species occurrences and assess their applications. A total of 51 species, representing 24 genera and 5 subfamilies, were identified, with 13 species found in the wild and 43 in cultivation. Wild species demonstrated pronounced ecological specialization, thriving in natural habitats, while cultivated species dominated across all districts, reflecting socio-economic and cultural influences. All recorded species were utilized in at least one category, including food, medicine, ornamental purposes, and cultural practices. Notably, Alocasia macrorrhizos and Colocasia esculenta were the most extensively used, contributing to multiple utilization categories. This study also proposed preliminary conservation status of wild species, with several species proposed as Vulnerable due to habitat degradation and limited distribution. These findings contribute to a better understanding of Kalasin’s aroid flora and emphasize the importance of conservation efforts in the face of agricultural expansion and habitat alteration. This study provides a foundation for the sustainable management and preservation of Araceae biodiversity in northeastern Thailand. Full article

Angiosperms are the largest group of land plants with ~375,000 species, which are classified into ~416 families and ~13,000 genera; they exhibit tremendous morphological and physiological diversities and are important members of diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Angiosperms have attracted continuous efforts to describe and understand these diversities in a framework of interrelationships—the phylogeny, which provides strong support for angiosperm classifications and relies on morphological, anatomical, and increasing molecular markers. Today, great advances in sequencing technology have led to the generation of tens of thousands of gene sequences for individual species, facilitating angiosperm phylogenetic reconstruction with high resolution at both deep and shallow levels. In this review, we present recent insights into angiosperm phylogeny based on relatively large numbers of nuclear genes, encompassing the ordinal scale of early-divergent and backbone branches, eudicots and their major subclades, asterids and rosids, as well as monocots. We further delve into intra-order cases such as Caryophyllales (Eudicots) and Alismatales (Monocots), along with intra-family relationships for some of the largest families (e.g., Asteraceae, Orchidaceae, Fabaceae, and Poaceae) and those with economic importance (such as Brassicaceae, Solanaceae, Cucurbitaceae, and Rosaceae). Furthermore, we briefly highlight the importance of nuclear phylogeny in addressing key evolutionary questions, including the origin and divergence of angiosperms, the evolution of morphological and other characters, gene duplication and other aspects of gene family evolution. Finally, we discuss possible future trends of angiosperm phylogenomics. Full article

This study introduces the concept of the plant developmental unit (PDU) and validates its application using Wolffia Horkel ex Schleid (Araceae) as a model system for exploring fundamental processes in plant morphogenesis. Revisiting long-standing contradictions in plant biology, the author proposes viewing plants as coral-like colonies composed of multiple developmental units rather than as unitary-animal-like organisms. Utilizing the “Plant-on-Chip” culture platform, the research demonstrates Wolffia’s minimalist structure as a powerful model for investigating core regulatory mechanisms of plant development. The study emphasizes the pivotal role of “induction” in morphogenetic processes and highlights Wolffia’s potential to facilitate a paradigm shift in plant developmental biology while unlocking its applications in a second agricultural revolution. This work underscores Wolffia’s value in bridging fundamental research and innovative agricultural solutions. Full article

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the world we live in, because of the rapid global population growth and climate change (drought, extreme temperature fluctuations). People in developing countries need more sustainable protein sources instead of the traditional, less sustainable meat, fish, egg, and dairy products. Alternative sources (plant-based, such as grains (wheat, rice sorghum), seeds (chia, hemp), nuts (almond, walnut), pulses (beans, lentil, pea, lupins), and leaves (duckweed), as well as mycoproteins, microalgae, and insects) can compensate for the increased demand for animal protein. In this context, our attention has been specifically focused on duckweed—which is the third most important aquatic plant after the microalgae Chlorella and Spirulina—to explore its potential for use in a variety of areas, particularly in the food industry. Duckweed has special properties: It is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world (in freshwater), multiplying its mass in two days, so it can cover a water surface quickly even in filtered sunlight (doubling its biomass in 96 hours). During this time, it converts a lot of carbon dioxide into oxygen. It is sustainable, environmentally friendly (without any pesticides), and fast growing; can be grown in indoor vertical farms and aquaculture, so it does not require land; is easy to harvest; and has a good specific protein yield. Duckweed belongs to the family Araceae, subfamily Lemnoideae, and has five genera (Lemna, Spirodela, Wolffia, Wolffiella, Landolita) containing a total of approximately 36–38 recognised species. Duckweed is gaining attention in nutrition and food sciences due to its potential as a sustainable source of protein, vitamins, minerals, and other bioactive compounds. However, there are several gaps in research specifically focused on nutrition and the bioaccessibility of its components. While some studies have analysed the variability in the nutritional composition of different duckweed species, there is a need for comprehensive research on the variability in nutrient contents across species, growth conditions, harvesting times, and geographic locations. There has been limited research on the digestibility, bioaccessibility (the proportion of nutrients that are released from the food matrix during digestion), and bioavailability (the proportion that is absorbed and utilised by the body) of nutrients in duckweed. Furthermore, more studies are needed to understand how food processing (milling, fermentation, cooking, etc.), preparation methods, and digestive physiology affect the nutritional value and bioavailability of the essential bioactive components in duckweed and in food matrices supplemented with duckweed. This could help to optimise the use of duckweed in human diets (e.g., hamburgers or pastas supplemented with duckweed) or animal feed. More research is needed on how to effectively incorporate duckweed into diverse cuisines and dietary patterns. Studies focusing on recipe development, consumer acceptance, palatability, and odour are critical. Addressing these gaps could provide valuable insights into the nutritional potential of duckweed and support its promotion as a sustainable food source, thereby contributing to food security and improved nutrition. In summary, this article covers the general knowledge of duckweed, its important nutritional values, factors that may affect their biological value, and risk factors for the human diet, while looking for technological solutions (covering traditional and novel technologies) that can be used to increase the release of the useful, health-promoting components of duckweed and, thus, their bioavailability. This article, identifying gaps in recent research, could serve as a helpful basis for related research in the future. Duckweed species with good properties could be selected by these research studies and then included in the human diet after they have been tested for food safety. Full article

Background: Xi Junecry (Pinellia ternata), a perennial herb of the Araceae family, is indigenous to Xinxian County, Henan Province, China, and is regarded as a premium variety among similar medicinal materials. However, the lack of comprehensive genetic information on Xi Junecry germplasm resources has constrained the cultivation and identification of high-quality varieties. Methods: In this study, six chloroplast genomes of Xi Junecry were assembled and annotated using high-throughput sequencing. Subsequently, comparative analyses were conducted, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed. Results: The six Xi Junecry chloroplast genome lengths ranged from 157,456 to 158,406 bp, and the GC content was between 36.0% and 36.2%. A total of 265 single nucleotide polymorphism sites were identified across the six genomes, with a whole-genome nucleotide diversity (Pi) value of 0.00084. Among the four genomic regions, the small single-copy region exhibited the highest Pi, followed by the large single-copy region, while the inverted repeat region showed the lowest. Nucleotide polymorphism in coding regions was significantly lower than in non-coding regions. Nine hypervariable regions were identified, as follows: ndhE-ndhG, trnN-GUU-ndhF, trnS-GCU-trnG-UCC, atpB-rbcL, psaI, accD-ycf4, psbE-petL, psaC-ndhE, and psbI-trnG-UCC. Positive selection sites were detected in the accD and rbcL genes. Phylogenetic analysis clustered the six Xi Junecry samples into a distinct clade, separating them from other regional Pinellia samples. Conclusions: These findings elucidate the genetic variation levels in Xi Junecry and provide high-variability loci for population history inference, genetic diversity assessment, species domestication studies, and new cultivar development. Full article

In the complex dynamics of plant–insect interactions, the specialized galling of reproductive structures presents unique evolutionary adaptations. This study investigates the parasitic relationship between Arastichus gallicola (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae), an ovary-galling wasp, and the inflorescences of Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum (Araceae). We employed field experiments and histological analyses to investigate the mechanisms driving this interaction. We reveal that ovule fertilization is not required for gall formation; however, pollination substantially enhances gall retention by reducing inflorescence abscission. Inflorescences exposed solely to galling presented a 64% abscission rate, whereas those with both galling and pollination experienced 33% abscission, underscoring pollination’s role in mitigating inflorescence loss. Detailed observations of A. gallicola oviposition and larval development reveal the intricate gall formation process characterized by progressive tissue hypertrophy surrounding the larva. Galling and seed development were mutually exclusive, with only 9% of fruits containing both. This mutual exclusivity suggests a competitive interaction for developmental resources within the ovary. Our findings underscore the specialized larval biology of galling chalcid wasps, illustrating how interactions between gall formation and host reproductive strategies shape the evolution of gall induction in floral tissues. Our study advances the understanding of ovary-galling adaptations and the selective pressures shaping antagonistic and mutualistic interactions in plant reproductive structures. Full article

Seven new alkaloids [1, (±)-2, (±)-3, 4, and 5] and one new natural product (6), along with eight known analogues, were isolated from the tubers of Pinellia pedatisecta Schott. Their structures were determined by a comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data, including HRESIMS, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD). In addition, the results of the bioactivity evaluation showed that compounds (±)-3, 6, and 9 exhibited significantly protective effects against Aβ_25-35-induced PC-12 cell injury and ameliorated cell viabilities by decreasing the levels of the reactive oxidative species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Full article