Search Results (598)

Two well-known recessive mutations (a, conditioning white flowers and unpigmented testa; and r, conditioning wrinkled seeds) were found to be major contributors to the loss of germination percentage in garden pea (Pisum sativum L.) when seeds were maintained at cool temperatures (5 °C) for extended periods. After approximately 20 years in storage, seeds homozygous for the unpigmented mutation displayed an average germination rate about 20% lower than wildtype seeds, while wrinkled seeds displayed a rate about 25% less. Seeds homozygous for both the a and r mutations (a combination typical of many commercial cultivars) exhibited a reduction in germination percentage of about 50% over the storage period, indicating that the two mutations have an additive effect on the ageing process. Additional results involving a second mutation (a2) in the phenylpropanoid pathway, as well as information available from the literature that a second, independent mutation in starch synthesis (r_b) also reduces seed longevity, suggest that an intact phenylpropanoid pathway and a normally functioning starch synthesis pathway are necessary for optimal storage life of pea seeds. Full article

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play a central role in plant communication and ecology, acting as a chemical language that mediates interactions with other organisms and responses to environmental stimuli. Analyzing changes in the plant volatilome enables the effective differentiation between biotic and abiotic stresses. Consequently, monitoring VOC emissions offers valuable insights into plant signaling pathways and health status. These insights position this approach as a promising strategy for improving crop protection. Direct infusion (DI) online analytical techniques, such as proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) and adduct ionization mechanism mass spectrometry (AIM-MS), have been developed to detect and characterize VOCs in real time. Here, we evaluated the suitability of PTR-MS and AIM-MS for monitoring VOC emissions in pea plants (Pisum sativum L.). Comparative analysis revealed that AIM-MS, a recently developed technology, detected a higher number of distinct signals than PTR-MS. Annotation of detected and significant AIM-MS signals indicated a predominance toward those that were putative lipids-derived and amino acids-derived, whereas PTR-MS signals were primarily associated with putative phenolic compounds. These findings suggest that the newly developed AIM reactor offers a broader detection range and may enhance our ability to monitor plant VOC emissions. Consequently, AIM-MS emerges as a promising tool for the real-time assessment of pea plant health and stress responses. Further efforts are needed to improve the portability of DI-MS techniques and to integrate them with GC-MS techniques. Overall, these efforts will allow this technology to be exploited for plant protection in compromised environments. Full article

This study aimed to assess the variation, genetic architecture, and genome-enabled prediction of traits with nutritional and health relevance in 156 pea (Pisum sativum L.) accessions of diverse geographic origins. The traits included the total phenolic compounds (TPCs), two saponins (Ssβg, Ss1), sucrose, three raffinose-family oligosaccharides (RFOs), and the in vitro antioxidant activity (AA). An analysis of variance revealed significant effects of regional germplasm pools for all traits. Accessions from West Asia showed the highest TPC and AA levels, while those from the East Balkans and the UK displayed the lowest values. High saponin and RFO concentrations characterized accessions from Germany and the UK. Correlation and PCA analyses highlighted strong associations within compound classes and an overall negative relationship between TPCs/AA and saponins/RFOs. The accessions were clustered into seven metabolically distinct groups, partially reflecting their geographic origin. The linkage disequilibrium decayed rapidly (average of 4.7 kb). A GWAS based on 10,249 SNP markers identified 37 significant SNPs, 35 within annotated genes, associated with the metabolites, indicating a polygenic genetic architecture. Genomic prediction models showed a moderately high predictive ability (>0.40) for all traits except the raffinose content. Our findings can support line selection and the identification of genetic resources with a desired level of secondary metabolites. Full article

Pulses (edible dry seeds from legumes) are among the most important crops worldwide. These legumes contain a diverse range of carbohydrates, some of which, such as RFOs (raffinose family oligosaccharides), are considered antinutritional factors due to their negative impact on digestion. An analytical method based on high-power ultrasound-assisted extraction and HPLC analysis was developed and validated for the quantitative determination of soluble carbohydrates (verbascose, stachyose, raffinose, sucrose, galactinol, glucose, galactose, fructose, and myo-inositol) in common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and peas (Pisum sativum). The proposed method is fast (extraction time: 1 min), reproducible (RDS: 6.9%), accurate (97.5%), and environmentally sustainable. The method was applied to local collections of P. vulgaris (n = 12) and P. sativum (n = 34), revealing similar qualitative profiles but notable quantitative differences. In P. vulgaris, sucrose and stachyose were predominant, while in P. sativum, verbascose stood out. The total sugar content was higher in peas, especially in commercial varieties, which also showed elevated sucrose levels. Some local varieties combined high sugar content with favorable relative levels between RFOs and other sugars, making them valuable candidates for breeding programs. Linear discriminant analysis enabled classification and prediction of species and varieties, confirming the usefulness of soluble carbohydrates as tools for characterizing these plant materials. Full article

Oxidative stress (OS) is a major cause of defective sperm function. During laboratory handling, gametes are exposed to OS, potentially mitigated by in vitro antioxidant supplementation. This study evaluates the protective role of caffeic acid (CAF) on basal human semen and under induced OS. First, six semen samples from normozoospermic donors were incubated with CAF concentrations ranging from 50 to 500 µM at 37 °C for 2 h. Sperm motility and DNA integrity (acridine orange) were evaluated. Then, ten semen samples were divided into four aliquots and incubated, respectively, with CAF at 100 µM, H₂O₂ at 2 mM, or H₂O₂ at 2 mM + CAF at 100 µM, or untreated. Motility, DNA integrity, acrosome status (Pisum sativum agglutinin), OS quantified by F₂-isoprostanes (ELISA), and expression of Nrf2, Keap1, and HO-1 (qRT-PCR) were assessed. CAF at 100 µM improved progressive motility without damaging DNA and was selected for subsequent experiments. CAF showed protective effects on sperm damage induced by H₂O₂ treatment, restoring motility, DNA integrity, and acrosome status and reducing F₂-isoprostane levels. Nrf2 and HO-1 expression were upregulated by CAF, downregulated by H₂O₂, and restored by the co-treatment. CAF supplementation may protect human spermatozoa during in vitro handling by reducing OS, improving several sperm parameters, with a possible mechanism of action involving the Nrf2 pathway. Full article

The growing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria necessitates the development of alternative antimicrobial strategies. This study investigated the design and evaluation of novel photodynamic agents based on Rose Bengal (RB) conjugated to two plant lectins, Pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA) and Laburnum anagyroides agglutinin (LABA), for targeted photodynamic inactivation of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Both conjugates demonstrated high singlet oxygen quantum yields compared with free RB. Antibacterial efficacy was assessed against methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella paratyphi B under white LED illumination. PSA-RB exhibited superior bactericidal activity against all strains, whereas LABA-RB showed strain-specific efficacy, particularly against Gram-negative species. A binary mixture of PSA-RB and LABA-RB synergistically inactivated both MSSA and MRSA at RB concentrations of 6–10 nM and light doses of 3.1–7.8 J/cm². Complete killing of E. coli and S. paratyphi B was achieved at approximately half the RB concentrations needed for individual conjugates. PSA-RB activity primarily drove the inactivation of P. aeruginosa. Uptake studies revealed significantly enhanced accumulation of lectin-conjugated RB compared to free RB, with synergistic uptake observed for the conjugate mixture. These results suggest that lectin-based RB conjugates are effective antibacterial agents for photodynamic treatment, especially via the dual-targeting method. Full article

(1) Background: This study used Qingjian No. 1 forage pea (Pisum sativum L.) as a plant material to study its metabolic mechanisms in response to different stresses, given that saline–alkali stress and drought stress often occur simultaneously in natural environments and severely affect the growth and yield of forage pea, while the regulatory network underlying the adaptation of forage pea to combined stress remains poorly elucidated. (2) Methods: The metabolic mechanisms of forage pea in response to different stresses were elucidated by integrating phenotypic, physiological, and metabolomic analyses. (3) Results: The results show that compared to the control, all stress treatments significantly inhibited seed germination and seedling growth, with the combined saline–alkali and drought stress exhibiting the strongest inhibitory effect. In terms of physiological and biochemical responses, peroxidase (POD) activity increased with the complexity of the stress, with the highest POD activity observed under combined saline–alkali and drought stress, showing a 61.71% increase compared to the control (p < 0.05). Non-targeted metabolomic analysis revealed that isoflavone biosynthesis, nucleotide metabolism, and cutin–suberin–wax biosynthesis are the core responsive pathways. Correlation analysis revealed that isocorydine and phosphatidylinositol phosphate showed strong positive correlations with the vigor index, main root length, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and glycerophospholipid metabolites were positively correlated with ferric ion-reducing antioxidant capacity. (4) This study deepens understanding of the stress resistance mechanisms in forage peas and provides a theoretical basis for stress-resistant forage pea breeding. Full article

The growing demand for sustainable protein sources has intensified the need for efficient valorisation of legume by-products. This study investigated the application of moderate intensity pulsed electric fields (MIPEF; 5 kV/cm, 4 μs, 500 pulses) as a green technology for assisting the co-extraction of proteins, pigments, and polyphenols from industrial substandard peas (Pisum sativum L.). Aqueous pea dispersions (20 g/100 g) were subjected to alkalinization (pH 9–12), and MIPEF applied either before or after the pH adjustment. The highest protein recovery was achieved when MIPEF was applied after alkalinization at pH 9.0, due to the increased conductivity and energy input enhancing electroporation-driven protein release. Although higher pH levels increased energy delivery, they did not significantly improve protein extraction. Conversely, MIPEF application decreased total polyphenol and pigment concentrations in the extract, likely due to aggregation phenomena. Overall, these preliminary results indicate that combining mild alkalinization with MIPEF might represent a promising and energy-efficient approach for protein recovery from legume side-streams. Further optimization is required to improve protein recovery while preserving the stability of co-extracted bioactive compounds. Full article

Climate change exacerbates soil moisture deficits, necessitating efficient water retention strategies. Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) offer a potential solution to enhance water availability for crops during dry periods. Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.) were selected as model legumes due to their high nutritional value, agricultural importance in temperate regions, and sensitivity to drought stress This study evaluated the effects of different SAP application rates on the yield and physiological performance of two legume species: faba bean (cv. Granit) and pea (cv. Batuta). The two-year (2017–2018) field experiments employed a randomized block design with four replicates. Treatments included three SAP doses: 0 (control, SAP0), 20 (SAP20) and 30 (SAP30) kg·ha⁻¹. The study was conducted over two years with contrasting weather: 2017 was wetter but had uneven rainfall distribution, while 2018 was drier and characterized by moisture deficits during critical growth stages. SAP application significantly increased seed yield in faba bean and pea, with the most favorable effect observed at 20 kg ha (average yield increase of 23.6% and 17.3%, respectively). SAP did not affect yield components in faba bean. However, in peas, an increase in pod number and seed number per plant was observed with the SAP30 dose compared to the SAP20 dose. Application of superabsorbent at a dose of 20 kg ha⁻¹ significantly increased photosynthesis rate in faba bean, the Fv/Fm index in the tested species, and the PI in peas compared to the control. However, the superabsorbent did not affect transpiration rate or the WUE coefficient in the tested legume species. Significantly higher yields in faba bean and pea and all tested plant structure parameters in pea were recorded in 2018 compared to 2017. The tested parameters of gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence were higher in pea in 2018 (except for transpiration intensity) and in faba bean in 2017. The findings suggest that SAPs can be a useful tool to mitigate water stress effects in legumes, although their effectiveness depends on environmental conditions. Therefore, SAP application may be a promising agronomic strategy in regions prone to irregular rainfall or moderate drought. Full article

The supplementary feeding of bee colonies under conditions of limited natural food sources is essential for maintaining their health and productivity. Pollen is a major source of protein for bees, collected during plant flowering. Its absence negatively affects the secretory activity of the hypopharyngeal glands (HPGs) in young nurse bees. This study aimed to assess the effect of different protein sources provided during the spring period on the development of HPGs in worker bees. An experiment was conducted with 28 bee colonies divided into seven groups of four colonies each—one control and six experimental. The colonies were fed soy isolate (Glycine max), brewer’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), spirulina (Arthrospira platensis), pea protein (Pisum sativum), and bee pollen (a mixture of pollens from various plant species). The results confirmed the critical role of pollen, as 40% of bees in the pollen-fed group exhibited HPGs at grade 4. The group supplemented with spirulina showed similar results (35.8%), indicating its potential as an alternative protein source. These findings highlight the importance of proper protein supplementation and suggest that spirulina could serve as a promising substitute for pollen in early spring feeding to support colony development. Full article

Plants are naturally exposed to various biotic stresses, including pathogen attacks and insect herbivory, which activate distinct signaling pathways as part of their defense responses. Inoculation with beneficial microorganisms, such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), can trigger induced systemic resistance (ISR) in plants, a defense response that resembles the one activated by herbivore attack in terms of signaling pathways and physiological effects. However, these interactions have typically been studied independently, limiting our understanding of their combined effects. In this study, we examined the effects of aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) herbivory on Ocimum basilicum plants and assessed how these responses are modulated when the plants are inoculated with the PGPR strain Bacillus amyloliquefaciens GB03, with a particular focus on biochemical and structural defense mechanisms. Aphid herbivory significantly increased total essential oil (EO) content and volatile organic compound (VOC) emission and induced a greater density of glandular trichomes while also modifying the phytohormone profile. In contrast, total phenolic content remained unchanged. When aphid herbivory occurred on GB03-inoculated plants, the effects on defense-related parameters became more pronounced. EO and eugenol contents were further increased compared with inoculated controls, jasmonates remained comparable to levels induced by either factor alone, and SA levels nearly doubled relative to aphid-infested plants. Feeding assays revealed that aphids preferred inoculated plants over controls, a response that may be explained by the increased emission of eugenol in inoculated basil. These results demonstrate that GB03 inoculation modifies several defenses-related responses in O. basilicum upon aphid herbivory, including by hormonal signaling, specialized metabolites accumulation, and structural barriers such as glandular trichomes. These findings suggest that PGPR may contribute to modulating plant responses to herbivory under certain conditions, highlighting their context-dependent influence within plant–microbe–insect interactions. Full article

Protein phosphatase 2Cs (PP2Cs) constitute a widespread family of signaling regulators in plants and play central roles in abscisic acid (ABA)-mediated stress signaling; however, the PP2C gene family has not yet been systematically identified and characterized in pea (Pisum sativum), a salt-sensitive legume crop. In this study, we identified 89 PsPP2C genes based on domain features and sequence homology. These genes are unevenly distributed across seven chromosomes and classified into ten subfamilies, providing a comparative framework for evaluating structural and regulatory diversification within the PsPP2C family. The encoded proteins vary substantially in length, physicochemical properties, and predicted subcellular localization, while most members contain the conserved PP2Cc catalytic domain. Intra- and interspecies homology analyses identified 19 duplicated gene pairs in pea and numerous orthologous relationships with several model plants; all reliable gene pairs exhibited Ka/Ks < 1, indicating pervasive purifying selection. PsPP2C genes also showed broad variation in exon number and intron phase, and their promoter regions contained diverse light-, hormone-, and stress-related cis-elements with heterogeneous positional patterns. Expression profiling across 11 tissues revealed pronounced tissue-specific differences, with generally higher transcript abundance in roots and seeds than in other tissues. Under salt treatment, approximately 20% of PsPP2C genes displayed concentration- or time-dependent transcriptional changes. Among them, PsPP2C67 and PsPP2C82—both belonging to the clade A PP2C subfamily—exhibited the most pronounced induction under high salinity and at early stress stages. Functional annotation indicated that these two genes are involved in ABA-related processes, including regulation of abscisic acid-activated signaling pathway, plant hormone signal transduction, and MAPK signaling pathway-plant. Collectively, this study provides a systematic characterization of the PsPP2C gene family, including its structural features, evolutionary patterns, and transcriptional responses to salt stress, thereby establishing a foundation for future functional investigations. Full article

Cold stress during early growth can severely impact nodulation, growth, and yield in legumes. This study evaluated cold plasma (CP) seed treatment as a strategy to enhance growth and symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) in field pea (Pisum sativum L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) under cold stress during early growth. CP-treated and non-treated seeds were grown at 8 °C (cold) or 15 °C (control) for 5 weeks, after which half of the plants were harvested for nodulation and growth assessments. The remainder were transferred to greenhouse conditions until maturity. The cold stress suppressed nodulation and reduced biomass in both legumes. Soybean recovered under greenhouse conditions; however, pea yield remained suppressed. At maturity, SNF traits in both legumes were not significantly affected by early cold stress. CP seed treatment showed little effect under severe cold (8 °C) but at 15 °C, improved root growth in pea and enhanced root and shoot biomass and pod and seed yield in soybean. These findings suggest that CP seed treatment can improve legume performance under moderate cold. However, the current CP seed treatment conditions did not improve the stress resistance of both crops under severe cold stress. Full article

Genome modification of legumes, peas in particular, is accompanied by significant challenges. Establishing a reliable reporter system to identify tissue that expresses foreign DNA may help to optimize and develop transformation protocols for these species. The RUBY system, based on the synthesis of red betalain from tyrosine, offers a convenient solution for monitoring the efficiency of transgene introduction. To evaluate the effectiveness of RUBY application in pea tissue culture, we combined agrobacterial transformation with an in vitro cultivation system, inducing callus development. Transformed explants demonstrated RUBY pigmentation, but it disappeared during cultivation. We hypothesized that this issue is caused by tyrosine depletion. To check this suggestion, we tested whether tyrosine supplementation could maintain RUBY coloring. In the later stages, pigmentation still could not be preserved. However, our modified conditions increased the percent of colored shoot apex explants during the early cultivation stages. Thus, it is likely that some explants transformed with the RUBY cassette do not synthesize a sufficient amount of betalain due to the deficit of endogenous tyrosine. In this case, adding exogenous tyrosine would enhance betalain production and improve the detectability of tissues containing the RUBY cassette. These data can be used for the optimization of RUBY application conditions for peas and other species. Full article

Pea protein isolates (PPIs) from Pisum sativum have emerged as strategic ingredients at the interface of nutrition, sustainability, and functional food design. This review synthesizes advances linking isolation procedures with molecular structure and techno-functional performance. We compare alkaline extraction–isoelectric precipitation with wet and dry fractionation, as well as green/fermentation-assisted methods, highlighting the purity–functionality trade-offs driven by denaturation, aggregation, and the removal of anti-nutritional factors. We relate globulin composition (vicilin/legumin ratio), secondary/tertiary structure, and disulfide chemistry to interfacial activity, solubility, gelation thresholds, and long-term emulsion stability. Structure-guided engineering strategies are critically evaluated, including enzymatic hydrolysis, deamidation, transglutaminase cross-linking, ultrasound, high-pressure homogenization, pH shifting, cold plasma, and selected chemical/glycation approaches. Application case studies cover high-moisture texturization for meat analogues, emulsion and Pickering systems, fermented dairy alternatives, edible films, and bioactive peptide-oriented nutraceuticals. We identify bottlenecks—weak native gel networks, off-flavors, acidic pH performance, and batch variability—and outline process controls and synergistic modifications that close functionality gaps relative to animal proteins. Finally, we discuss sustainability and biorefinery opportunities that valorize soluble peptide streams alongside globulin-rich isolates. By integrating extraction, structure, and function, the review provides a roadmap for designing PPI with predictable, application-specific performance. Full article