Search Results (54)

This study evaluated the antifungal potential of essential oils (EOs): oregano (Origanum vulgare), rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), clove (Syzygium aromaticum), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), and basil (Ocimum basilicum). These oils were tested against fungi isolated from banana peels (Musa paradisiaca). The fungi tested were identified through macroscopic and microscopic analyses and DNA sequencing, after being isolated in potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium modified with 0.05% chloramphenicol. Subsequently, the antifungal properties of the tested essential oils were evaluated in vitro at concentrations of 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 ppm prepared in a 0.05% Tween 80 solution. Cinnamon EOs showed the highest antifungal activity, significantly inhibiting the growth of pathogens at a concentration of 400 ppm. Other EOs showed moderate effects at higher concentrations: rosemary inhibited fungal growth at 600 ppm, oregano at 800 ppm, and clove at 1000 ppm. These findings highlight the potential of EOs as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic fungicides, contributing to the development of sustainable agricultural practices and the post-harvest management of bananas. It is recommended to conduct future research to assess the economic viability and practical impacts of large-scale applications. 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

Essential oils (EOs) are widely recognized for their antifungal properties, but their efficacy against specific phytopathogenic fungi associated with banana (Musa paradisiaca) rot remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal potential of EOs from Origanum vulgare, Salvia rosmarinus, Syzygium aromaticum, Thymus vulgaris, Cinnamomum verum, and Ocimum basilicum against five fungal species isolated from infected banana peels. Fungal isolates were obtained using PDA medium supplemented with chloramphenicol and were purified by weekly subculturing. Morphological and microscopic characterization was complemented by molecular identification based on ITS sequencing and phylogenetic reconstruction using Neighbor-Joining and UPGMA methods in MEGA v11. In vitro and ex vivo antifungal assays were performed at EO concentrations ranging from 200 to 1000 ppm. Thyme oil exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect, with complete growth suppression at 1000 ppm. Cinnamon and oregano also demonstrated effective inhibition at 600 ppm, while clove, rosemary, and basil were markedly less effective. Statistical analysis confirmed significant effects of EO type and concentration on fungal growth (p < 0.001). Molecular results showed strong phylogenetic support for isolate identification, with bootstrap values above 93% in most clades. These findings support the selective use of specific EOs as sustainable alternatives to synthetic fungicides in the postharvest management of banana diseases and provide a molecularly supported basis for their targeted application in integrated control strategies. Full article

This study explores the ethnobotanical significance of plant species used in the Heet Sip Song (Twelve Monthly Merit-Making) ceremonies in Roi Et Province, Northeastern Thailand. A total of 80 plant species across 73 genera and 42 families were documented. The findings reveal that plants play multifaceted roles in ceremonial life, serving both symbolic and practical purposes rooted in spiritual belief systems and seasonal agricultural cycles. Quantitative analyses using Cultural Significance Index (CSI), Species Use Value (SUV), Genera Use Value (GUV), and Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) highlighted the prominence of key species such as Oryza sativa, Musa acuminata, and Saccharum officinarum in ritual contexts. While staple crops dominate in frequency and cultural value, less commonly cited wild species fulfill specialized functions, reflecting deep local ecological knowledge. The integration of ritual and plant use promotes biodiversity conservation by maintaining plant populations and reinforcing sustainable harvesting practices. These results emphasize the vital role of traditional knowledge in conserving both biological and cultural diversity. As environmental pressures increase, this study underscores the importance of supporting community-led conservation efforts that honor indigenous practices and their contributions to ecological resilience. Full article

SPLs (SQUAMOSA promoter binding protein-like) are pivotal in regulating plant development and stress responses. Although SPL genes have been characterized in a series of plant species, no systematic analysis has been performed on bananas, one of the most consumed tropical fruits with immense economic importance worldwide. Here, 55 putative MaSPL genes were identified in Musa acuminata ssp. malaccensis var. Pahang and classified into seven groups based on phylogenetic analysis. The RNA-seq analysis revealed that the expression of MaSPLs presented distinct spatiotemporal patterns in different tissues at different developmental stages, indicating a potential role in banana growth and development. Furthermore, MaSPL1 was found to be predominantly expressed in banana fruits during the fruit development and the early postharvest stages. Notably, the transient overexpression of MaSPL1 accelerated the fruit ripening in bananas. In conclusion, this study provides comprehensive information for further investigation of the specific roles of SPL genes in banana developmental processes, particularly during fruit development and post-harvest stages, and may implement molecular strategies to regulate maturation and enhance fruit quality in bananas. Full article

Background/Objectives: Codon usage bias affects gene expression and translation efficiency across species. The effective number of codons (ENC) and GC content influence codon preference, often displaying unimodal or bimodal distributions. This study investigates the correlation between ENC and GC rankings across species and how their relationship affects codon usage distributions. Methods: I analyzed nuclear-encoded genes from 17 species representing six kingdoms: one bacteria (Escherichia coli), three fungi (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Neurospora crassa, and Schizosaccharomyces pombe), one archaea (Methanococcus aeolicus), three protists (Rickettsia hoogstraalii, Dictyostelium discoideum, and Plasmodium falciparum),), three plants (Musa acuminata, Oryza sativa, and Arabidopsis thaliana), and six animals (Anopheles gambiae, Apis mellifera, Polistes canadensis, Mus musculus, Homo sapiens, and Takifugu rubripes). Genes in all 17 species were ranked by GC content and ENC, and correlations were assessed. I examined how adding or subtracting these rankings influenced their overall distribution in a new method that I call Two-Rank Order Normalization or TRON. The equation, TRON = SUM(ABS((GC rank₁:GC rank_N) − (ENC rank₁:ENC rank_N))/(N²/3), where (GC rank₁:GC rank_N) is a rank-order series of GC rank, (ENC rank₁:ENC rank_N) is a rank-order series ENC rank, sorted by the rank-order series GC rank. The denominator of TRON, N²/3, is the normalization factor because it is the expected value of the sum of the absolute value of GC rank–ENC rank for all genes if GC rank and ENC rank are not correlated. Results: ENC and GC rankings are positively correlated (i.e., ENC increases as GC increases) in AT-rich species such as honeybees (R² = 0.60, slope = 0.78) and wasps (R² = 0.52, slope = 0.72) and negatively correlated (i.e., ENC decreases as GC increases) in GC-rich species such as humans (R² = 0.38, slope = −0.61) and rice (R² = 0.59, slope = −0.77). Second, the GC rank–ENC rank distributions change from unimodal to bimodal as GC content increases in the 17 species. Third, the GC rank+ENC rank distributions change from bimodal to unimodal as GC content increases in the 17 species. Fourth, the slopes of the correlations (GC versus ENC) in all 17 species are negatively correlated with TRON (R² = 0.98) (see Graphic Abstract). Conclusions: The correlation between ENC rank and GC rank differs among species, shaping codon usage distributions in opposite ways depending on whether a species’ nuclear-encoded genes are AT-rich or GC-rich. Understanding these patterns might provide insights into translation efficiency, epigenetics mediated by CpG DNA methylation, epitranscriptomics of RNA modifications, RNA secondary structures, evolutionary pressures, and potential applications in genetic engineering and biotechnology. Full article

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) has potential for intercropping with banana (Musa spp.) plants, thus contributing to the sustainability of plantations. The study evaluated the growth and yield of ‘Prata Anã’ banana and seasonality, yield and essential oil properties of lemongrass grown in intercropping and the land equivalent ratio. A randomized block design in a split plot arrangement was used, evaluating two cropping systems (sole crop and intercropping) and three harvest seasons during the year for lemongrass and two harvest seasons for banana, separately. The banana can be intercropped with lemongrass without interfering with its growth and production. The biomass production and essential oil yield of lemongrass differed according to cropping system and seasonality. The chemical composition of the essential oil showed stability in the concentration of citral (mixture of neral and geranial), with an average of 94.43%. Seasonal variations were observed in the content of these compounds and other components of the essential oil, emphasizing the importance of the time of harvest in the overall value of the oil. The result demonstrates the viability of intercropping, which not only provides crop yields for both species and produces more per unit area than a sole crop but also optimizes the use of resources and promotes more sustainable farming practices. Full article

Fusarium musae is a pathogen belonging to the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex, isolated from both banana fruits and immunocompromised patients, therefore hypothesized to be a cross-kingdom pathogen. We aimed to characterize F. musae infection in plant and animal hosts to prove its cross-kingdom pathogenicity. Therefore, we developed two infection models, one in banana and one in Galleria mellonella larvae, as a human proxy for the investigation of cross-kingdom pathogenicity of F. musae, along with accurate disease indexes effective to differentiate infection degrees in animal and plant hosts. We tested a worldwide collection of F. musae strains isolated both from banana fruits and human patients, and we provided the first experimental proof of the ability of all strains of F. musae to cause significant disease in banana fruits, as well as in G. mellonella. Thereby, we confirmed that F. musae can be considered a cross-kingdom pathogen. We, thus, provide a solid basis and toolbox for the investigation of the host–pathogen interactions of F. musae with its hosts. Full article

The search for developing materials of natural origin has become imperative due to the resistance shown by phytopathogenic microorganisms to traditional antimicrobial agents. Natural polymers such as chitosan offer a new alternative to fungal infections because, in most cases, these polymers are biocompatible, nontoxic, and natural. This study aimed to synthesize nanochitosan using ultrasonication and evaluate its antifungal activity on Colletotrichum chrysophillum and Colletotrichum musae. Nanochitosan of 302.4 ± 92.3 nm and a zeta potential of +35.9 ± 2.3 Mv, amorphous in shape, and a rough surface, was obtained. Nanochitosan reduced the radial growth 21%, for C. chrysophillum while C. musae showed a maximum inhibition of 26% at a concentration of 1.5 mg mL⁻¹ of nanochitosan. C. musae was the species most affected, with a 38% increase in hyphal diameter to 12 h. Also, nanochitosan affected the integrity of the fungi cell walls, plasma membrane, and generated low oxidative stress level. Our findings indicate that nanochitosan induces notable changes in the intracellular structures of the tested phytopathogens. Nevertheless, additional investigations are required to clarify the mechanisms underlying adaptability or resistance in fungal strains that exhibit reduced sensitivity to this biopolymer. Full article

For this article, we evaluated whether wounds would affect the pathogenicity and virulence of Colletotrichum sp. isolates on Musa spp. banana cultivars. We further assessed the potential of cross-colonization with other fruit species and investigated the molecular and phylogenetic characterization of the most virulent isolates. Firstly, we collected dwarf bananas showing anthracnose symptoms from commercial markets in the city of Gurupi, Tocantins State, Brazil, and isolated Colletotrichum sp. under controlled conditions prior to identification. The virulence was assessed on wounded and unwounded banana fruits, identifying the most virulent isolate by exposure tests on fruits of the “prata”, “maçã”, “marmelo”, and “terra” banana cultivars. We also subjected specimens of mango (Mangifera indica), papaya (Carica papaya), and apple (Malus domestica) fruits to the exposure tests. Our results indicated that pathogenicity varies with the isolate (with C2, C8, and C10 as the most virulent), fruit condition (wounded fruits are the most susceptible), and cultivars (terra, marmela, and maça are the most susceptible). All isolates were more virulent on wounded bananas, while those on unwounded ones showed lower virulence. Among the banana cultivars, “prata” fruits were the most susceptible, regardless of wounding. Additionally, Colletotrichum isolates from dwarf bananas were pathogenic to mango, papaya, and apple fruits. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that the most virulent isolates belong to the species C. musae. Collectively, our findings reinforce the relevance of minimizing post-harvest wounds on banana fruits and highlight the risks of cross-infection when storing bananas alongside other fruit species. Full article

The Canary Islands lead banana (Musa acuminata) production in the EU. Different fungal pathogens affect this crop in subtropical areas, with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense subtropical race 4 (Foc-STR4) being the most important in the Canary Islands. With the aim of developing environmentally sustainable techniques for disease control, this study presents the results of the evaluation of the antifungal capacity of a native Trichoderma collection (12 species, 109 isolates) obtained from banana soils. The results demonstrate the diversity of biocontrol genes and the in vitro antagonistic potential of different native Trichoderma species/isolates against two Foc-STR4 strains obtained from plants with Panama disease symptoms. Trichoderma virens (TF18), a dominant species in banana soils in the Canary Islands, showed a high capacity to inhibit the growth of Foc-STR4 in different in vitro assays. Trichoderma atrobrunneum (TF01) showed mycoparasitism capacity through the spiral coil around the hyphae of the pathogen. In addition, the genome analysis of T. atrobrunneum (TF03) showed 69 putative biosynthetic gene clusters, with the notable presence of the trichothecene tri5 gene. Finally, our work demonstrates that the soils of the Canary Islands banana crops are a potential source of environmentally adapted biological control agents to control or reduce the incidence of Foc-STR4. Full article

The utilization of agroindustrial residues, such as avocado peel, as a source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties has garnered significant attention. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant potential using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) methods, along with the antimicrobial activity of phenolic compounds extracted from Hass avocado peel. These soluble polyphenols were quantified and identified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The research focused on their effects against three fungal pathogens, Verticillium theobromae, Colletotrichum musae, and Aspergillus niger, which significantly impact banana crops, an essential agricultural commodity in Ecuador. The results have revealed that the application of 80% ethanol as an organic solvent led to increased soluble polyphenol content compared to 96% ethanol. Extraction time significantly influenced the phenolic content, with the highest values obtained at 90 min. Interestingly, despite substantial mycelial growth observed across all extract concentrations, the antifungal effect varied among the pathogens. Specifically, V. theobromae exhibited the highest sensitivity, while C. musae and A. niger were less affected. These results underscore the importance of considering both antioxidant and antimicrobial properties when evaluating natural extracts for potential applications in plant disease management. Full article

Sustainable agricultural practices need to be continuously sought after so that a greater number of producers can adopt them, taking into account, above all, the food security scenario, land use efficiency, and climate change. Intercropping—a cultivation system in which two or more species are grown in close proximity in the same field—is one strategy to increase diversity in the agroecosystem. However, for intercropping systems to be adopted, their productive and economic advantages over monoculture must be clearly demonstrated. Banana (Musa sp.) growers are interested in crop diversification as a potential strategy to increase production yields and, consequently, economic income. The management of banana crops can be facilitated by intercropping, as this system plays an important role in increasing biodiversity and reducing the need for weed control in the crop rows, promoting better land use efficiency. However, this system should be evaluated alongside other indicators. Banana intercropping has significant potential and many benefits, but success depends on the interaction between the component species, appropriate management practices, and favorable environmental conditions. This review aims to provide an overview of recent studies on banana intercropping systems, focusing on the contextualization of land use, monoculture and intercropping, and evaluating intercropping indicators, as well as the benefits, risks, and disadvantages discussed in the literature, and the main outcomes of banana-based intercropping systems. The main findings relate to the possibility of using intercrops with aromatic species and the preliminary reports on the contributions of intercrops to the suppression of Fusarium wilt disease. Full article

Essential oils (EOs) are natural products widely used in sustainable agrochemistry, not only because they are biodegradable and safe but also because they are regarded as alternatives to chemical fungicides against fungal species that attack crops. Allelopathy, another field of study, falls within the most recent and sustainable strategies applied to weed suppression to replace synthetic herbicides. Therefore, this study reports the chemical composition and allelopathic and antifungal effects of the EOs extracted from Calyptranthes concinna dried leaves (Cc-EO) and its pure major constituent elemicin. Their antifungal activities were evaluated by the disk diffusion method (DDM) at doses between 0.05 mg/mL and 0.4 mg/mL of Cc-EO and elemicin. The allelopathic effect was evaluated by studying the inhibition of germination and the growth of Lactuca sativa seeds. The chemical composition of Cc-EO was determined by GC-MS and GC-FID analyses. The major constituents of Cc-EO were elemicin (60.5%), α-cadinol (9.0%) and caryophyllene oxide (8.3%). Cc-EO and elemicin were assayed in vitro against 17 fungi of agronomic interest (Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, A. nomius, Penicillium digitatum, P. expansum, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, S. rolfsii, S. minor, Fusarium graminearum, Myrothecium verrucaria, Corynespora cassiicola, Erwinia psidii, Colletotrichum musae, Alternaria carthami, Rhizoctonia solani, Rhizopus stolonifer and Macrophomina phaseolina). The concentration of Cc-EO (0.4 mg/mL) inhibited 100% of the mycelium growth of seven strains, equal to the fungicide fluazinam, which was used as a positive control. Elemicin showed antifungal activity against all fungi at all concentrations under investigation (above 50%). A strong allelopathic effect was recorded for Cc-EO and elemicin at the dose of 0.28 mg/mL, with the almost total inhibition of germination. This study revealed, for the first time, the strong and remarkable fungicidal and allelopathic effects of Cc-EO and elemicin, an important finding for the agrochemical field. Full article

The aim of this study is to evaluate the anti-HPV potential of a Moringa olifera Lam seed, Nigella sativa L. seed, and Musa Acuminata peel herbal mixture in the form of polymer film-forming systems. A clinical trial conducted in outpatient clinics showed that the most significant outcome was wart size and quantity. Compared to the placebo group, the intervention group’s size and number of warts were considerably better according to the results. Chemical profiling assisted by LC-HRMS led to the dereplication of 49 metabolites. Furthermore, network pharmacology was established for the mixture of three plants; each plant was studied separately to find out the annotated target genes, and then, we combined all annotated genes of all plants and filtered the genes to specify the genes related to human papilloma virus. In a backward step, the 24 configured genes related to HPV were used to specify only 30 compounds involved in HPV infection based on target genes. CA2 and EGFR were the top identified genes with 16 and 12 edges followed by PTGS2, CA9, and MMP9 genes with 11 edges each. A molecular docking study for the top active identified compounds of each species was conducted in the top target HPV genes, CA2 and EGFR, to investigate the mode of interaction between these compounds and the targets’ active sites. Full article