Search Results (220)

Pruning residues from medicinal and aromatic plant cultivations represent an under-exploited biomass rich in bioactive metabolites. In this study, pruning by-products from Lavandula angustifolia Mill. ‘Essence Purple’ and Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G.Don were investigated as sources of essential oils (EOs) within a circular economy perspective. Micromorphological analyses confirmed the presence of secretory glandular trichomes in the residual biomass. EOs were obtained by steam distillation (0.33% and 0.15% yield for lavender and helichrysum, respectively) and chemically characterized by GC-FID and GC-MS. A total of 51 and 55 compounds were identified, accounting for 99.68% and 99.57% of the total composition. The main constituents were τ-cadinol (23.09%) and linalyl acetate (14.07%) in lavender EO and γ-curcumene (15.47%) and eudesm-4(14)-en-11-ol (10.71%) in helichrysum EO. Pruning-derived EOs showed a higher sesquiterpene content than those from conventional plant organs, indicating a compositional shift. Phytotoxic assays on Hordeum vulgare, Raphanus sativus, Lolium multiflorum, and Sinapis alba revealed concentration-dependent effects, with a stronger inhibition of radicle elongation than seed germination. These concentrations should be interpreted as indicative of intrinsic phytotoxic potential under controlled conditions. Ecotoxicological tests showed no significant reduction in viability in Artemia salina, whereas concentration- and time-dependent immobilization was observed in Daphnia magna, highlighting species-specific sensitivity, likely related to differences in the uptake and membrane interactions of lipophilic compounds. These findings highlight pruning residues as a promising biomass for the recovery of bioactive phytocomplexes with potential applications in sustainable weed management, although further studies under agronomically relevant conditions and comprehensive environmental assessments are required to validate their practical applicability. Full article

Background: Guanine-rich DNA regions can fold into G-quadruplex (G4) structures, which are prevalent in telomeres and oncogene promoters, making them attractive targets for anticancer therapeutics. Small molecules capable of selectively stabilizing G4 DNA can disrupt telomerase activity and oncogene expression, offering a promising strategy for cancer intervention. Methods: A rationally designed series of DPPZ–anhydride-conjugated ligands (1 and 2) and their corresponding quaternized derivatives (1-q and 2-q) were synthesized to investigate the combined effects of π-extension, bromine substitution, and cationic modification on DNA recognition. The synthetic strategy relied on the incorporation of a highly planar DPPZ–anhydride scaffold to enhance π-surface area, followed by selective quaternization to introduce permanent positive charge and reinforce electrostatic interactions with the DNA backbone. All compounds were fully characterized by NMR and spectroscopic methods. The DNA-binding properties of the ligands were systematically evaluated toward duplex (ds-DNA) and G-quadruplex (G4-DNA) structures using UV–Vis absorption titration, fluorescence intercalator displacement (FID) assays, and competitive dialysis experiments. Quaternization markedly enhanced intrinsic binding constants and significantly reduced DC₅₀ values, particularly for G4-DNA. While bromine substitution increased overall binding affinity, it did not substantially improve topology selectivity. Among the series, compound 1-q exhibited the most favorable balance between affinity and G4 selectivity. Results: The interaction of the compounds with BSA was quantified using Stern–Volmer quenching constants, which demonstrated a clear trend of enhanced quenching efficiency upon modification. The binding strength followed a descending order of 1-q > 2-q > 1 > 2, highlighting the superior performance of the first series over the second. These findings indicate that the structural features of 1-q facilitate a more robust interaction within the hydrophobic pockets of the protein. Conclusions: Overall, the results demonstrate that strategic π-conjugation combined with electrostatic reinforcement provides an effective approach for the development of topology-selective DNA-binding ligands. Full article

Computed Tomography (CT) is a widely used imaging modality that employs X-rays and computational reconstruction to visualize internal anatomy. Although higher radiation doses produce higher-quality images, they also increase long-term cancer risk, motivating the use of low-dose protocols. However, low-dose CT data inherently suffer from elevated Poisson–Gaussian noise, necessitating effective denoising strategies. In myocardial CT perfusion (CTP) imaging, this challenge is compounded by residual cardiac motion, which misaligns consecutive time points and impairs accurate estimation of perfusion maps for diagnosing coronary artery disease. Traditional approaches typically treat these two problems, noise and motion, separately, denoising the reconstructed images first or applying the registration first. Such serial pipelines often degrade clinically significant features; e.g., denoising may destroy structural details essential for registration, while motion correction can distort subtle intensity cues needed for noise modelling. To overcome these limitations, we propose a unified deep learning framework that performs noise suppression and motion correction jointly for low-dose myocardial CTP. The method integrates two complementary components through a parallel ensemble strategy: (i) a modified Fast and Flexible Denoising Network (FFDNet) that incorporates noise-level maps to mitigate blended noise effectively, and (ii) a CNN-based registration model, extended with Time Enhancement Curve (TEC) correction and 4D physiological consistency constraints to estimate temporally coherent and anatomically plausible motion fields. By combining their outputs without iterative dependencies, the proposed framework produces motion-corrected and denoised CTP sequences in a single unified processing step, thereby better preserving myocardial structure and perfusion dynamics than conventional serial pipelines. The model has been evaluated using both reference-based (MSE, PSNR, SSIM, PCC, Noise Variance, TRE) and no-reference (NIQE, FID, KID, AUC) image quality metrics, supplemented by expert human assessment. Results demonstrate that jointly learning noise characteristics and motion patterns enables restoration of low-dose CTP images while minimizing feature corruption, thereby advancing the clinical utility of low-dose myocardial CTP imaging. Full article

The quality of beef fat depends on both intramuscular fat (IMF) content and fatty acid (FA) composition, which can be modulated by finishing diets. This study evaluated the effects of silage type and feeding intensity on IMF deposition, FA profile, desaturase indices, and lipid quality indices in finishing Holstein–Friesian bulls. Thirty-two bulls were assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial design (n = 8/group) and fed total mixed rations for 120 days based on grass silage or maize silage, under intensive (≈50:50 forage:concentrate, DM basis) or semi-intensive feeding (≈70:30). FA composition of longissimus lumborum lipids was determined by GC-FID, and lipid quality indices were calculated, including the atherogenic index (AI), thrombogenic index (TI), and the hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio (h/H). Feeding intensity increased IMF content (p = 0.001) and the absolute amounts of major FA classes (g/100 g meat). Silage type primarily affected FA composition by increasing n-3 PUFA and lowering the n-6/n-3 ratio in grass silage diets (p = 0.042). Several FAs showed silage type × feeding intensity interactions (p < 0.05), indicating that the response to dietary energy supply depended on the forage base. Overall, feeding intensity mainly regulated lipid deposition, whereas silage type modulated the nutritional profile of intramuscular fat. Full article

Growing interest in natural therapies has increased the demand for essential oils; however, the complex interactions within their mixtures that dictate their final efficacy remain poorly understood. This study aimed to optimize a blend of ginger, cinnamon, tea tree, and geranium essential oils to develop an active ingredient, with synergistic multifunctional bioactivities, that was relevant to cutaneous healing. Initially, the composition and cytotoxicity for individual oils were determined; subsequently, a D-optimal mixture design was employed to evaluate three biological responses related to skin recovery: ultraviolet B radiation absorption, red blood cell lysis inhibition, and catalase enzyme activity. GC-FID analysis revealed the following major components (% w/w): cinnamon (cinnamaldehyde, 77.56%), ginger (α-zingiberene, 33.77%), geranium (citronellol, 33.6%), and tea tree (terpinen-4-ol, 38.38%). Dose–response data from essential oils tested against Detroit ATCC 551 skin fibroblasts revealed a clear cytotoxic hierarchy (IC₅₀ µg/mL): cinnamon (21.03) > ginger (25.3) > tea tree (41.67) > geranium (92.51). Cinnamaldehyde content was the primary contributor to photoprotective capacity, with a maximum sun protection factor (SPF) of 4.5. Inhibition against erythrocyte membrane lysis was not attributable to a single component; maximum protection (98.4%) was achieved through synergy between oxygenated monoterpenoids (geranium and tea tree), sesquiterpenes (ginger), and aromatic aldehydes (cinnamon). Highest catalase activity (160.86 kU/g Hb) was reached in mixtures with high cinnamaldehyde and eugenol contents, whereas an antagonistic effect was observed between tea tree and geranium oils. Finally, an optimal formulation (desirability = 0.927) was identified (% w/w): 31.7% ginger, 39.1% cinnamon, 14.5% tea tree, and 14.7% geranium. Experimental validation confirmed no significant difference compared with developed predictive models. This optimized mixture constitutes a bioactive natural component with potential for use in products aimed at promoting skin health, warranting further investigation into direct models of skin healing. Full article

Traditionally, Lasiocephalus ovatus Schltdl. (Asteraceae) has been used as an aromatic medicinal plant, particularly in the treatment of kidney-related ailments. However, scientific evidence validating its chemical composition and bioactivity remains limited. According to our literature search, there are no previous studies on the in vitro antibacterial, antioxidant, or anti-inflammatory activities of the essential oil from the aerial parts of Lasiocephalus ovatus; therefore, this study provides the first experimental evidence of these biological activities for this species. An essential oil (EO) was steam-distilled from the aerial parts of L. ovatus, grown at 4410 m above sea level in the paramos of Chimborazo Province (Ecuador), and subsequently analyzed. The distillation yield was 0.21% (w/w) based on dry plant material. Gas chromatography was employed for qualitative (GC-MS) and quantitative (GC-FID) analyses, using two different capillary columns, coated with 5% phenyl methyl polysiloxane (non-polar) and polyethylene glycol (polar) stationary phases. Dual stationary phases were required to provide complementary selectivity, which reinforced the identification and quantification of compounds. The major components of the EO were silphinene (3.4–3.5%), δ-selinene (3.6–3.1%), β-cyclogermacrene (18.7–18.1%), kessane (4.5–4.2%), spathulenol (13.3–13.3%), viridiflorol (3.1–3.0%) and neophytadiene (4.8–4.4%), values referred to the non-polar and polar phase respectively. The enantioselective analysis revealed that (1S,5S)-(−)-α-pinene, (1S,5S)-(+)-β-pinene and (R)-(−)-α-phellandrene were enantiomerically pure, whereas germacrene D was present as a scalemic mixture. The essential oil of L. ovatus exhibited a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 250 µg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus and 500 µg/mL against Escherichia coli. Its antibacterial activity is likely associated with the presence of bioactive sesquiterpenes such as silphinene, δ-selinene, and spathulenol, which are known for their membrane-disruptive properties. Regarding its antioxidant potential, the observed moderate radical scavenging activity (SC₅₀ = of 375.7 µg/mL) can be attributed to its complex mixture, particularly to oxygenated terpenoids like viridiflorol and spathulenol, which are recognized for their radical-neutralizing capacity. In the anti-inflammatory assay, the EO’s moderate potency (IC₅₀ = 165.29 ± 4.75 μg/mL) is also consistent with the anti-inflammatory profile reported for several of its major constituents, including spathulenol and viridiflorol. While significantly lower than that of aspirin (28.85 ± 7.66 μg/mL), this bioactivity is considerable within the context of a plant extract. Overall, the antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects are consistent with the EO’s terpene-rich composition, particularly oxygenated sesquiterpenes, while the enantiomeric distribution of chiral monoterpenes may further modulate bioactivity; consequently, future studies should include enantioselective quantification, broader antioxidant assays (e.g., ABTS, FRAP, ORAC, CUPRAC), cytotoxicity at active concentrations, and mechanistic and in vivo validation. Full article

In the present study, the yield, chemical composition, and biological activities of Lavandula angustifolia flower essential oil (LAFEO) and leaves (LALEO) under different shade nets (pearl, red, blue) with 40% shading index compared with non-shading (control-open field) plants were investigated. The essential oil (EO) was isolated using a Clevenger-type hydrodistillation and the chemical composition of isolated EO was determined by GC/MS and GC/FID analyses. The antioxidant activity was determined using the DPPH and FRAP assay. The highest EO yield was recorded in flowers from plants grown under pearl shade nets (4.62 mL/100 g p.m.) and in leaves under red nets (0.99 mL/100 g p.m.). The lowest EO content occurred in plant leaves (0.50 mL/100 g p.m.) and flowers (3.17 mL/100 g p.m.) from non-shaded (control) plants. The composition of lavender EO depended on both plant part and light conditions. Among the 47–59 identified compounds in LAFEO, the major constituents were 1,8-cineole (27.4–32.2%), linalool (24.7–27.3%), borneol (18.0–21.9%), and camphor (7.5–8.6%). In LALEO, 55–65 compounds were identified, with 1,8-cineole (30.4–39.8%), borneol (21.9–26.5%), camphor (11.3–13.9%), and linalool (6.0–8.6%) as the dominant constituents. Flower samples from non-shaded (control) plants showed moderate antioxidant activity, with EC₅₀ values decreasing over time, indicating the highest activity among treatments tested. Conversely, plant leaves under pearl nets showed the lowest activity among samples, with an EC₅₀ value of 42.40 mg/mL at 120 min, still within the moderate antioxidant activity range. LALEO showed higher FRAP values than flower oils, confirming a stronger reducing capacity. The highest activity was found in plant leaves under red nets (0.72 mg EFe²⁺/g) and in non-shaded plants (0.68 mg EFe²⁺/g), while the lowest occurred in flower samples from red (0.28 mg EFe²⁺/g) and pearl nets (0.33 mg EFe²⁺/g). Unlike the FRAP results, the DPPH assay showed relatively higher activity in flowers compared to leaves, though all samples exhibited moderate antioxidant capacity. Shading significantly increased essential oil yield; however, the effects of different color nets on essential oil quality require further investigation, although preliminary results indicate a potential reduction in undesirable constituents. Full article

Macauba (Acrocomia aculeata) is a promising source of vegetable oils with distinct applications for its pulp and seed fractions. This study presents the first comprehensive quantitative analysis of eleven commercial macauba oils available in the Brazilian market, using validated methods of GC-FID and LC-HRMS. The analysis revealed significant variability among samples. Control pulp oils (PCCs) were characterized by the predominance of oleic acid (C18:1) and palmitic acid (C16:0) methyl esters, and TG 54:3 was the major lipid species, reaching up to 12.11 g 100 g oil⁻¹. For control seed oils (SCCs), the profile was dominated by lauric acid (C12:0) and oleic acid methyl ester; TG 36:0 was the most abundant lipid, which reached concentrations of 49.20 g 100 g oil⁻¹. Among commercial samples, PC3 followed the expected pulp oil profile, whereas PC4 showed deviations. Others commercial samples (PC2, PC5, SC3, SC4, SC5) deviated significantly from expected profiles, showing high levels of linoleic acid (C18:2), and predominance of TG 54:6, with concentrations reaching 61.74 g 100 g oil⁻¹. The integrated GC-FID and LC-HRMS approach provides robust, sensitive, and discriminative analysis of FAMEs and lipid composition of macauba oil samples. These methodologies are essential for quality control in the food and bioproduct sectors, ensuring the chemical integrity of macauba commercial oils. Full article

Marine by-products represent an important source of bioactive lipids with potential applications in nutraceuticals and functional foods. This study provides a biochemical and lipidomic characterization of oils derived from sardine, monkfish, grey mullet roe, squid, and anchovy by-products, assessing how the extraction method influences their lipid and antioxidant profiles. Fatty acids were quantified by GC-FID, antioxidant compounds by HPLC-DAD, and untargeted lipidomics by TIMS-HRMS. A total of 228 lipid species were identified, predominantly triglycerides (TGs) and diglycerides (DGs), accounting for approximately 69% of the annotated lipidome. Grey mullet roe oils exhibited the highest levels of long-chain PUFAs (EPA, DHA) and antioxidants (α-tocopherol 205–469 mg/Kg, lutein 10–125 mg/Kg, and squalene 1004–6049 mg/Kg), whereas squid oils showed high n-3/n-6 proportions. The extraction method strongly affected lipid integrity. Supercritical CO₂ extraction with ethanol (SFE–SE) preserved the greatest proportion of PUFA-rich TGs, yielding ~27–28 g EPA + DHA per 100 g oil, while wet reduction and mechanical pressing produced lower PUFA levels (~22 g/100 g) and increased hydrolysis/oxidation-associated lipids. PCA and PLS-DA revealed clear clustering driven by species and extraction class, with PUFA-containing TGs and DGs identified as major discriminating lipids. These results highlight the critical role of extraction conditions in determining the nutritional and functional value of marine oils and support the valorization of marine by-products in high-value applications. Full article

Astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant, has attracted growing interest for its applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. This study aims to optimize the green extraction of astaxanthin from shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) by-products using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) with extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) as a sustainable solvent, and explore its application in trahana fortification, a traditional Greek fermented cereal-based product. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize astaxanthin extraction conditions (extraction time, liquid-to-solid (L/S) ratio, and ultrasound amplitude). Fatty acid analysis was performed with gas chromatography (GC-FID), and sensory analysis was conducted using a 7-point hedonic scale for sensory attributes. The optimal UAE conditions for astaxanthin, determined by RSM, were 228 min extraction time, a 65:1 liquid-to-solid ratio, and 41% ultrasound amplitude, predicting 83.50 μg astaxanthin/g by-product. At the optimal conditions, the experimentally obtained yield of 76.75 ± 1.17 μg astaxanthin/g by-product fell within the 95% confidence interval of the predicted value. The enriched trahanas retained nutritionally relevant levels after cooking (46.35 ± 0.60 μg astaxanthin per 60 g serving). Accelerated storage testing at 65 °C for six days was used to assess the thermal stability of astaxanthin in enriched trahanas. Based on first-order degradation kinetics and Arrhenius-based extrapolation of literature-derived activation energy values, astaxanthin retention above 80% at 25 °C was estimated to be maintained for approximately 27–51 days. Thereafter, progressive degradation is expected, with the estimated half-life ranging from 85 to 159 days. GC-FID analysis revealed favorable incorporation of bioactive lipids, including omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA). Sensory evaluation demonstrated enhanced consumer acceptability, with enriched samples scoring significantly higher in appearance, aroma, and overall acceptance compared to traditional trahanas. These findings highlight UAE as an efficient and environmentally friendly strategy for recovering astaxanthin from seafood by-products and for developing functional cereal-based foods that align with sustainability. This work demonstrates the effective use of extra virgin olive oil as a green extraction solvent that also serves as a nutritional carrier, enabling the enrichment of trahanas with astaxanthin. The approach ensures both nutritional stability and consumer acceptability, providing a practical pathway for the development of sustainable, functional cereal-based foods. Full article

Alcohols and esters are core flavor-active constituents of Qingxiangxing Baijiu (QXB), yet ethanol concentration’s regulatory role in their thresholds and interactions remains unclear. Physicochemical analysis showed reduced-alcohol QXB (L-QX, 42%, v/v) had higher total acid (1.48 g/L) but lower total ester (1.52 g/L) than high-alcohol QXB (H-QX, 53%, v/v; 1.20 g/L total acid, 2.05 g/L total ester). Sensory evaluation (0–5 scale) revealed H-QX had higher fruity (3.6 vs. 2.0), grassy (3.2 vs. 1.8), and grainy (3.0 vs. 1.9) aroma scores, while L-QX showed higher sour (2.1 vs. 1.5) and lees (1.7 vs. 1.1) notes (p < 0.05). The quantification of gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) determined the concentrations of eight alcohols and esters in H-QX samples and identified that most flavor compounds had higher concentrations than L-QX samples. Three alternative forced-choice tests showed 53% ethanol elevated olfactory thresholds (OTs) of five compounds, with ethyl lactate (1.53-fold) and isopentanol (1.89-fold) vs. 42%. For 16 alcohol–ester binary mixtures, 12 pairs had OT ratios (53% vs. 42%) < 1, especially 3 pairs (e.g., n-propanol-ethyl acetate) < 0.5. OAV/S curve analyses indicated all 16 mixtures had masking effects, with 11 pairs stronger at 42%. Verification validated 53% ethanol mitigated masking, enhancing fruity/grassy aromas by 38.1%/25.0%. This study provides support for QXB dealcoholization flavor regulation. Full article

Monitoring the freshness of perishable foods remains a challenge due to the lack of simple and reliable indicators that can visually reflect chemical and microbial changes. In this study, a colorimetric freshness indicator was developed using bromocresol green (BCG) and bromocresol purple (BCP), two pH-sensitive dyes with complementary transition ranges, to provide a visible and quantitative response corresponding to beef quality during cold storage. Cellulose acetate (CA) films were prepared by incorporating the dyes with different plasticizers—glycerol and polyethylene glycol (PEG 200 and PEG 400)—at varying ratios, resulting in 24 formulations. Based on color stability and sensitivity to trimethylamine (TMA) vapor, two optimized indicators were selected for further packaging tests with beef samples stored at 4 °C. Beef freshness was evaluated by total bacterial count (TBC), total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), and pH, while volatile amines in the headspace were quantified using solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatography–flame ionization detection (SPME–GC–FID). The color difference (ΔE) of the indicators showed strong correlations with TBC and TVB-N, and a threshold of ΔE ≈ 12 provided a practical visual cue corresponding to the microbiological safety limit. The two indicators exhibited complementary functions, with G100-1 acting as an early-warning sensor and G100-2 maintaining contrast at later stages. These findings demonstrate the potential of this dual-indicator system as a simple, non-destructive tool for intelligent packaging applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Gastrointestinal cancers, including gastric and colon cancers, constitute a serious threat to global health due to their high incidence and limited treatment outcomes. Thus, natural products are becoming increasingly popular as potential chemopreventive agents. Coleus aromaticus Benth. is mainly used as a tasty addition to dishes and juices due to its aromatic and nutritional properties. The plant has many biological and pharmacological effects that require deeper evaluation. In this study, anticancer, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of ethanol, ethanol/water extracts, and juice from C. aromaticus leaves were evaluated. Methods: (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) MTT assay, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate)), molybdenum reducing power assay, and broth microdilution technique were used, respectively. Additionally, total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) with basic phytochemical composition of volatile compounds by GC-MS and GC-FID were assessed. Results: The results indicate that the strongest anticancer activity was provided by the ethanol extract with IC₅₀ values of 4.94 ± 0.48 and 24.99 ± 1.80 µg/mL on human gastric AGS cells and human colorectal HCT 116 cells, respectively. The antioxidant potential was also the highest for the ethanol extract with IC₅₀ values of 13.34 ± 0.11 (ABTS), 22.90 ± 1.30 (DPPH), and 290.17 ± 4.23 µg/mL (molybdenum reducing power). Antimicrobial experiments revealed that ethanol and ethanol/water extracts were the most potent on Clostridium perfringens (MIC value was <0.02 mg/mL). Phytochemical analysis showed a significant content of phenolic and flavonoid compounds in the ethanol extract (75.87 ± 0.96 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry extract and 176.01 ± 3.58 mg quercetin equivalent/g dry extract, respectively). Furthermore, all the extracts contained carvacrol (49.09, 28.15, and 25.68% of volatile fraction in ethanol, ethanol/water extracts and juice, respectively). Camphor and oleamide were also detected in large quantity. Conclusions: C. aromaticus can be considered as a potential agent in the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal cancers, especially the ethanol extract from the plant leaves due to its strong anticancer and antioxidant properties. Full article

This study evaluated the agronomic performance and phytochemical stability of the ‘Comet’ hop (Humulus lupulus L.) under contrasting photoperiod management regimes (with and without supplemental lighting) in subtropical conditions over two consecutive crop cycles (2024–2025). The experiment, conducted at the School of Agricultural Sciences (FCA/UNESP, Botucatu, Brazil), followed a split-plot factorial design with ten replications. Supplemental lighting (50 W, 6500 K LED floodlights) extended the photoperiod to 17 h during the vegetative stage. Morphometric, phenological, and phytochemical parameters were analyzed, including α- and β-acid contents and essential oil composition by GC–MS and GC-FID. Supplemental lighting significantly increased plant height (590.9 cm), number of lateral branches (70.1), cone length (3.49 cm), and dry cone mass (374.6 g plant⁻¹) while reducing the insertion height of the first cone (99.0 cm). α-Acid content increased from 9.35% to 11.92%, and essential oil content from 1.34% to 1.90%, while β-acid levels showed no significant variation. Chemical analysis identified 31 compounds, predominantly β-myrcene (65–74%) and sesquiterpenes such as (E)-caryophyllene, α-selinene, and β-selinene, exhibiting remarkable compositional stability across years and treatments. Photoperiod extension delayed floral induction, promoted biomass accumulation, and increased cone yield without altering the characteristic herbaceous–resinous aromatic profile. These findings validate supplemental lighting as a decisive strategy to optimize hop production in subtropical regions, ensuring phenological regularity, higher yield, and consistent chemical quality, thereby strengthening the viability of domestic hop cultivation in Brazil. Full article

Brazil is recognized for its rich biodiversity, including aromatic species of economic importance, among which Baccharis dracunculifolia De Candole (1836) stands out. The essential oil distilled from this species exhibits biological and therapeutic activities. Despite its relevance, studies addressing the chemodiversity of this species on a broad scale remain scarce. This study aimed to map and characterize the chemical and physicochemical profiles of B. dracunculifolia essential oils from different regions of the state of Rio de Janeiro, considering the influence of geographic factors and plant sex. Fifty georeferenced accessions of B. dracunculifolia were collected in 2023 and 2025, and dried leaves were subjected to hydrodistillation. The essential oils were characterized through physicochemical analyses and chemically analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. Essential oil yields ranged from 0.34 to 2.17%, relative density from 0.89 to 0.96 g/cm³, refractive index from 1.485 to 1.497 n^D, and specific optical rotation from −12.56° to +6.80°. Sixty-two compounds were identified, predominantly oxygenated sesquiterpenes, with E-nerolidol (16.8–51.0%), spathulenol, bicyclogermacrene, and germacrene D as the main compounds. Multivariate analysis revealed five chemical profiles, all containing E-nerolidol as the major compound, indicating moderate to low chemical diversity. No significant differences were observed between the essential oils from female and male plants. However, variation in the chemical profile of the essential oil was observed as a function of year and altitude. Full article