Search Results (21)

Aerobically produced methane (CH₄) from plants is influenced by several environmental factors, but wind velocity has yet to be investigated for its potential role in plant-derived CH₄ emissions. We tested three wind velocities (0, 6, and 12 km h⁻¹) on a wind-susceptible, Raphanus sativus (radish), and a wind-tolerant, Brassica oleracea var. sabellica (kale) plant species to investigate the effects of wind on plant-derived CH₄, and to compare how varying tolerances to wind affect CH₄ emissions. We found that wind exposure resulted in a decrease in leaf surface area, root and total dry mass, and an increase in leaf water potential for radish plants, while kale plants were affected minimally by wind. Radish plants emitted more CH₄ than kale plants, although the effect of wind velocity on CH₄ emissions and several of the measured traits was insignificant. Our study revealed that short-term exposure to lower wind velocities is generally insufficient to induce significant changes in plant growth and functioning. However, we showed that radish plants were more stressed by exposure to wind compared to kale plants, as indicated by lower plant growth and higher CH₄ emissions. Full article

In vitro micropropagation is used to rapidly shorten the breeding process of crops, such as kale, an internationally widespread winter vegetable. The aim of this study is to develop optimised micropropagation protocols for three kale varieties. First, it was determined which seed surface disinfection method resulted in the highest germination rate and the lowest infection rate. Secondly, it was investigated which of several existing Brassica protocols and one modified protocol from the literature provided the highest regeneration efficiency of kale explant types (cotyledons, hypocotyl, root, and intact seedlings as the control) after eight weeks of cultivation. Germination was highest and fastest after disinfection with 10% NaClO for 10 min for “Frostara” and at 5% for 2.5 min for “Schatteburg”. The infection rate and speed were lowest in treatments with 10% NaClO. The regeneration efficiency and number of newly formed leaves, roots, shoots, and stems varied between media, explant type, and kale variety. Most new leaves and shoots were formed when hypocotyls were used as explant type. Roots regenerated mostly more roots than shoots, stems, and leaves. A higher ratio of auxin to cytokinin in the culture medium partially increased leaf regeneration. The addition of AgNO₃ increased shoot regeneration and reduced yellowing and leaf drop. Phenotypic anomalies occurred less frequently in media with lower hormone concentrations. All tested protocols are suitable for kale micropropagation, but regeneration was highly dependent on the medium for different varieties and explant types. Therefore, this study builds a basis for future micropropagation of kale and the development of variety-specific protocols for maximum commercial success. Full article

Kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica), known for its high nutritional value and health benefits, has gained significant popularity. Recently, kale grown in soilless systems has also become increasingly popular, as these systems offer better environmental control and improve overall quality, making them an ideal method for cultivating kale. However, in 2023–2024, several kale plants exhibited severe symptoms of seedling and stem rot leading to losses of over 70% in both quality and yield. In this study, the infectious isolates were obtained from stem rot kale grown in soilless cultivation greenhouses across three provinces in central Thailand. The pathogens were identified through a combination of morphological characteristics and molecular techniques, utilizing nucleotide sequences from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and large subunit ribosomal RNA (LSU rDNA). Pathogenicity tests and Koch’s postulates on 2-month-old kale plants confirmed that the fungus was responsible for causing brown stem lesions and rot. Morphological features and multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) identified the pathogen as Agroathelia delphinii. This research represents the first report of A. delphinii infecting kale in Thailand, offering crucial insights for accurate disease diagnosis and the development of effective management strategies in soilless cultivation systems, which is essential for improving productivity in increasingly variable environments. Full article

γ-Polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) is a biodegradable and non-toxic biopolymer with numerous potential applications in agriculture, food, and health sciences due to its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. This study evaluated the cytotoxic and antioxidant properties of kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica) and lupine (Lupinus luteus) sprouts supplemented with different concentrations of γ-PGA. The sprouts were cultivated for various durations (6–10 days), and their bioactive compound profiles were analyzed using HPLC with a PDA 100 UV-VIS detector. Antioxidant activity was assessed via DPPH and FRAP assays, while cytotoxicity was tested against cancer and normal colon cell lines. Results demonstrated that kale sprouts had significantly higher antioxidant activity compared to lupine, with the highest levels observed in kale sprouts supplemented with 0.01% γ-PGA on day 8 (DPPH: 63.6 ± 0.4 μM TEAC/g dw; FRAP: 181.8 ± 2.1 μM/Fe²⁺/g dw). In contrast, supplementation of lupine sprouts with γ-PGA showed mixed effects, with antioxidant activity depending on concentration and cultivation duration (DPPH in the range 6.5 ± 0.2 ÷ 12.4 ± 0.2 μM TEAC/g dw; FRAP in the range 14.3 ± 0.4 ÷ 25.2 ± 0.9 μM/Fe²⁺/g dw). Cytotoxicity assays revealed that neither kale nor lupine extracts were toxic to normal colon cells (approx. 100% of alive cells), suggesting selectivity in their action, but fortification with γ-PGA resulted in a weaker or even unfavorable effect on the cytotoxic activity of the examined sprouts. The findings highlight the potential of γ-PGA to enhance the bioactive properties of sprouts, although its effects are influenced by species and cultivation conditions. These results provide a foundation for developing functional foods and sustainable agricultural practices. Full article

Iodine is a key micronutrient essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormone, which regulates metabolic processes and maintains overall health. Despite its importance, iodine deficiency is a global health issue, leading to disorders such as goiter, hypothyroidism, and developmental abnormalities. Biofortification of crops with iodine is a promising strategy to enhance the dietary iodine intake, providing an alternative to iodized salt. Curly kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica) is a nutrient-rich vegetable high in vitamins A, C, K; minerals; fiber; and bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifying properties. This study evaluates the effects of diets containing iodine-biofortified curly kale (‘Oldenbor F₁’ and ‘Redbor F₁’) on iodine content, tissue iodine levels, and various biochemical parameters in laboratory rats. The biofortified curly kale was enriched with 5,7-diiodo-8-quinolinol. The iodine content in the AIN-93G (control) diet and the non-biofortified curly kale diets did not differ significantly. However, diets with 5,7-diiodo-8-quinolinol biofortified kale showed significantly higher iodine levels compared with the control diets. Tissue analysis revealed the highest iodine concentrations in the liver and kidneys of rats fed diets with biofortified curly kale, indicating better iodine bioavailability. Biochemical analysis showed that rats fed the biofortified kale diet had lower total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels compared with rats fed the control diet. Additionally, the biofortified diet improved the liver function markers (ALAT, ASAT) and reduced oxidative stress markers (TBARS). The study also investigated the expression of thyroid-related genes (Slc5A5, Tpo, Dio1, Dio2) in response to diets containing biofortified kale. The results demonstrated significant changes in gene expression, indicating adaptive mechanisms to dietary iodine levels and the presence of bioactive compounds in the biofortified kale. The study also observed variations in uric acid levels, with lower concentrations in rats fed a diet with biofortified curly kale. Biofortified curly kale supports thyroid function and improves liver and kidney health by reducing oxidative stress and modulating key biochemical and genetic markers. These findings suggest that biofortified curly kale can effectively increase dietary iodine intake as a nutritional intervention to address iodine deficiency and promote overall health. Full article

Background: Iodine is one of the essential trace elements for human life. The main objective of the biofortification of plants with iodine is to obtain food with a higher content of this element compared to conventional food. Biofortification of plants with iodine can increase the intake of this trace element by different populations. In addition, it may reduce the risk of iodine deficiency diseases. Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of kale biofortified with 8-hydroxy-7-iodo-5-quinolinesulfonic acid (8-OH-7-I-5QSA) on iodine bioavailability and biochemical effects in Wistar rats. Methods: Kale biofortified with (8-OH-7-I-5QSA) was tested for iodine levels in urine, feces, and selected tissues using the ICP-MS/MS technique. The feeding experiment was designed to investigate potential changes in selected thyroid-regulated biochemical parameters in blood serum of Wistar rats. Results: The dietary intake of Wistar rats fed kale biofortified with (8-OH-7-I-5QSA) from both the “Oldenbor F₁” and “Redbor F₁” cultivars for 8 weeks resulted in significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher iodine concentrations in the urine and kidneys of rats, which proves iodine bioavailability. Rats’ diets with “Oldenbor F₁” and “Redbor F₁” kale non- and -biofortified with 8-OH-7-I-5QSA had a significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower or a tendency for lower concentration of TSH, triglyceride, total and direct bilirubin, TBARs, uric acid, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentrations in serum. Dietary intake of “Oldenbor F₁” and “Redbor F₁” kale biofortified with 8-OH-7-I-5QSA significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased the total antioxidant status (TAS). Conclusions: Our study confirms that kale biofortified with iodine in organic form iodoquinoline 8-OH-7-I-5QSA is bioavailable and well absorbed by the Wistar rat and has a positive effect on selected biochemical parameters. The results obtained in this study may be highly predictive for further studies in humans. Full article

Many disorders are a result of an inadequate supply of macronutrients and micronutrients in the diet. One such element is iodine. This study used curly kale (Brassica oleracea var. Sabellica L.) biofortified with the 5,7-diiodo-8-quinolinol iodine compound. The effect of the heat treatment on the chemical composition of the curly kale was studied. In addition, iodine bioavailability was evaluated in in vivo studies. Our investigation showed that iodine loss depends on the type of heat treatment as well as on the variety of kale. Curly kale biofortified with iodoquinoline had significantly higher iodine levels after thermal processing (steaming, blanching, boiling) than the vegetable biofortified with KIO₃. Generally, steaming was the best thermal processing method, as it contributed to the lowest iodine loss in curly kale. The red variety of kale, ‘Redbor F₁’, showed a better iodine stability during the heat treatment than the green variety, ‘Oldenbor F₁’. The thermal treatment also significantly affected the dry matter content and the basic chemical composition of the tested varieties of the 5,7-diI-8-Q biofortified kale. The steaming process caused a significant increase in total carbohydrates, fiber, protein and crude fat content (‘Oldenbor F₁’, ‘Redbor F₁’), and antioxidant activity (‘Oldenbor F₁’). On the other hand, boiling caused a significant decrease, while steaming caused a significant increase, in protein and dry matter content (‘Oldenbor F₁’, ‘Redbor F₁’). The blanching process caused the smallest significant decrease in ash compared to the other thermal processes used (‘Oldenbor F₁’). A feeding experiment using Wistar rats showed that iodine from the 5,7-diI-8-Q biofortified kale has a higher bioavailability than that from the AIN-93G diet. A number of promising results have been obtained, which could form the basis for further research. Full article

This article presents the results of studies investigating the effect of red kale (Brassica oleracea L. ssp. acephala L. var. sabellica) extract on cancer cells (HT-29). The cytotoxicity of the red kale extract was assessed using MTT and LDH assays, while qRT-PCR was employed to analyze the expression of genes associated with the p53 signaling pathway to elucidate the effect of the extract on cancer cells. Furthermore, HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS was applied to identify bioactive compounds present in red kale. The obtained results indicated that red kale extract reduced the viability and suppressed the proliferation of HT-29 cells (the IC₅₀ value of 60.8 µg/mL). Additionally, mRNA expression analysis revealed significant upregulation of several genes, i.e., casp9, mapk10, mapk11, fas, kat2 b, and ubd, suggesting the induction of cell apoptosis through the caspase-dependent pathway. Interestingly, the study revealed a decrease in the expression of genes including cdk2 and cdk4 encoding cell cycle-related proteins, which may lead to cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, the study identified certain bioactive compounds, such as sinigrin, spirostanol, hesperetin and usambarensine, which could potentially contribute to the apoptotic effect of red kale extracts. However, further investigations are necessary to elucidate the specific role of these individual compounds in the anti-cancer process. Full article

Curly kale (Brassica oleracea L. convar. acephala var. sabellica), the most common type of edible kale, characterized by providing rich nutrition and health care functions, is sought after and has been listed as top of the healthiest vegetables in recent trends, and has aroused the interest of breeders in cultivating new varieties. However, it usually takes more than six years to obtain a homozygous kale inbred line for commercial seed production through conventional breeding procedures due to its long growth and development period. The isolated microspore culture (IMC) technique could be a time-saving alternative method for producing doubled haploid (DH) lines that are genetically homozygous. In this study, we successfully utilize the efficient cytokinin thidiazuron (TDZ) to promote microspore embryogenesis and plant regeneration in two curly kale cultivars (‘Winterbor F₂’ and ‘Starbor F₂’). Compared with the control (0 mg/L TDZ), all tested TDZ concentrations (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 mg/L) had no adverse effects on embryogenesis, and 0.2 mg/L TDZ had an optimal effect on embryo survival and plant regeneration of the two genotypes. For ‘Starbor F₂’, 0.2 mg/L TDZ treatment achieved the highest embryogenesis rate (1.83-fold higher than the control group) and direct seeding rate (1.61-fold increase), and the lowest mortality rate. Likewise, 0.2 mg/L TDZ increased the embryogenesis rate of ‘Winterbor F₂’ by 1.62 times, the direct seeding rate by 1.61 times, and the mortality rate fell to the lowest. A 1/2 Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 0.2 mg/L 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) can significantly promote the rooting of the regenerated seedlings. These results provide new insights into the practical application of the IMC technique in shortening the breeding cycle of kale. Full article

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the addition of fresh kale and processing conditions on extruded pellet antioxidant activity and selected physicochemical properties. The results of the applied DPPH, FRAP, and TPC methods indicated that, for both 60 and 100 rpm screw speeds, snack pellet antioxidant activity and phenolic content were strongly linked to the fresh kale content, and these properties increased with the addition of this plant. The amount of fresh kale and the applied processing variables (extruder screw speed and the moisture content of the raw material blends) were also found to significantly affect the water absorption index, water solubility index, fat absorption index, fatty acid profile, and basic chemical composition of the obtained extrudates. The sample with the highest phenolic content (72.8 μg GAE/g d.w.), the most advantageous chemical composition (protein, ash, fat, carbohydrates, and fiber content), and high antioxidant properties was produced at a fresh kale content of 30%, a 36% moisture content, and a 100 rpm screw speed. The following phenolic acids were identified in this sample: protocatechuic, 4-OH-benzoic, vanillic, syringic, salicylic, caffeic, coumaric, ferulic, and sinapic. Sinapic acid was the prevailing phenolic acid. Full article

To explore the effect of different nutrient-solution depths on the growth and phytochemicals accumulation of kale, three different nutrient-solution depth treatments (De-1: 1 cm, De-2: 2 cm, and De-3: 3 cm) were applied in the plant factory with artificial lighting. The maximum levels of plant height, stem diameter, total leaf area, total root length, and root surface area as well as fresh and dry weight of the shoot and root were all noted in De-2 at 24 days after treatment. Low nutrient-solution depth treatments (De-1 and De-2) were beneficial for total chlorophyll accumulation and nutrient ions uptake (N, P, K, Ca, S, and Zn). However, there were no obvious differences in DPPH and FRAP as well as contents of total polyphenols and flavonoids. In high nutrient-solution depth treatment (De-3), the contents of carotenoid, soluble sugars, and vitamin C were higher than those in De-1 and De-2. The contents of total glucosinolates (GLs), aliphatic GLs, and indole GLs significantly increased in kale under De-3. Higher contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), oxalate oxidase (OXO), and proline were observed in kale roots under De-2 and De-3. Overall, 2 cm of nutrient-solution depth could be used to promote kale growth, and 3 cm may represent a potential approach for improving kale quality in a plant factory. Full article

In this study, the effect of replacing 5 or 10% of wheat flour with lyophilized kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. sabellica) on the rheology of dough and bread characteristics (physical and textural properties, sensory acceptability, staling tendency) was evaluated. The farinographic analysis showed an increase in the development time, index of tolerance to mixing, and water absorption. The share of lyophilized kale in the dough affected changes in its rheological properties, e.g., increased the values of storage and loss moduli with a decrease in the value of the phase shift angle (tan δ) from 0.36 to 0.31 at 1 rad/s. A significant decrease in the values of instantaneous and viscoelastic compliance was also observed, and an increase in the value of zero shear viscosity. The incorporation of lyophilized kale into the dough caused a noticeable decrease in bread volume by about 10%, and porosity, by about 8%, despite the lack of statistical significance. Statistically significant changes were found in pore size and the presence of large pores > 5 mm² in the crumb, while pores density increased. The enrichment of bread with lyophilized kale influenced a decrease in the brightness of the crumb from 73.7 to 49.5 while increasing the proportion of yellow and green color as a result of a considerable increase in the content of chlorophyll pigments and carotenoids. Bread enriched with lyophilized kale had lower acceptability than the control bread. The enrichment of the bread with powdered kale also caused changes in the texture of the crumb, e.g., the hardness on the first day of the study was 2.14 N in the control bread, while in the bread with 10% kale content it was 6.46 N. In addition, the enriched bread showed a decrease in springiness, cohesiveness, and resilience. Full article

Microwave technology has wide applications, including extraction of active compounds in biomass and compost for agricultural use. A study was carried out to determine the effects of microwave power level from 0 (control) to 1000 W on the properties and active microbial groups in vermicast, and how it may impact the photosynthesis, plant growth, and yield of kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica) ‘Red Russian’. Heat accumulation in the vermicast increased rapidly to a peak of 86 °C at 400 W before declining to 68 °C at 1000 W. Vermicast water loss increased exponentially up to 800 W before declining. The C:N ratio of the vermicast was reduced at ≥600 W while the pH remained the same. In a 2D-principal component analysis biplot, vermicast treated at 600, 800 and 1000 W were associated with Gram-positive (G+), GGram-negative (G−), G + G− bacteria, protozoa, and fungi groups while the 0, 200, and 400 W treated vermicast were associated with eukaryotes. However, the trend for total microbial mass was 200 W = 400 W > 0 W > 600 W = 800 W = 1000 W. Kale leaf anthocyanin, chlorophylls, and carotenoids were significantly (p = 0.001) increased by the 400 W or 600 W treatment compared to the other treatments. Stomatal conductance, transpiration, and photosynthesis rates were increased by the 400 W followed by the 600 W. As a result, yield of kale grown in the 400 W microwaved vermicast was the highest. Future studies will explain the functions of specific microbial populations and elemental composition in microwaved vermicast. Full article

This study is a brief report on the proteolytic activity of curly kale leaf extract against casein. Casein degradation products and an in silico analysis of the biological activity of the peptides obtained was performed. The efficiency of casein hydrolysis by curly kale extract was determined using SDS–PAGE and by peptide concentration determination. The pattern of the enzymatic activity was determined by MALDI–TOF MS analysis. The results showed that α- and β-casein were more resistant to curly kale extract hydrolysis, whereas κ-casein was absent in the protein profile after 8 h of proteolysis, and all casein fractions were completely hydrolyzed after 24 h of incubation. Based on sequence analysis, seven peptides were identified, with molecular mass in the range of 1151–3024 Da. All the peptides were products of β-casein hydrolysis. The identified amino acid sequences were analyzed in BIOPEP, MBPDB, and FeptideDB databases in order to detect the potential activities of the peptides. In silico analysis suggests that the β-casein-derived peptides possess sequences of peptides with ACE inhibitory, antioxidant, dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitory, antithrombotic, immunomodulatory, and antiamnesic bioactivity. Our study was first to evaluate the possibility of applying curly kale leaf extract to generate biopeptides through β-casein hydrolysis. Full article

The interactions between nanoparticles and plant cells are still not sufficiently understood, and studies related to this subject are of scientific and practical importance. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are one of the most commonly produced and used nanomaterials. This study aimed to investigate the influence of AgNPs applied at the concentrations of 0, 50, and 100 mg·L⁻¹ during the process of in vitro germination as well as the biometric and biochemical parameters of developed seedlings in three vegetable species: Solanum lycopersicum L. ‘Poranek’, Raphanus sativus L. var. sativus ‘Ramona’, and Brassica oleracea var. sabellica ‘Nero di Toscana’. The application of AgNPs did not affect the germination efficiency; however, diverse results were reported for the growth and biochemical activity of the seedlings, depending on the species tested and the AgNPs concentration. Tomato seedlings treated with nanoparticles, particularly at 100 mg·L⁻¹, had shorter shoots with lower fresh and dry weights and produced roots with lower fresh weight. Simultaneously, at the biochemical level, a decrease in the content of chlorophylls and carotenoids and an increase in the anthocyanins content and guaiacol peroxidase (GPOX) activity were reported. AgNPs-treated radish plants had shorter shoots of higher fresh and dry weight and longer roots with lower fresh weight. Treatment with 50 mg·L⁻¹ and 100 mg·L⁻¹ resulted in the highest and lowest accumulation of chlorophylls and carotenoids in the leaves, respectively; however, seedlings treated with 100 mg·L⁻¹ produced less anthocyanins and polyphenols and exhibited lower GPOX activity. In kale, AgNPs-derived seedlings had a lower content of chlorophylls, carotenoids, and anthocyanins but higher GPOX activity of and were characterized by higher fresh and dry shoot weights and higher heterogeneous biometric parameters of the roots. The results of these experiments may be of great significance for broadening the scope of knowledge on the influence of AgNPs on plant cells and the micropropagation of the vegetable species. Future studies should be aimed at testing lower or even higher concentrations of AgNPs and other NPs and to evaluate the genetic stability of NPs-treated vegetable crops and their yielding efficiency. Full article