Search Results (188)

Nitrogen forms and native plant traits jointly regulate the competitive ability of invasive plants. This study investigated the invasive species Amaranthus retroflexus and the native species Portulaca oleracea and Medicago sativa. Using a pot experiment, we analyzed their competitive effects under NO₃⁻-N, NH₄⁺-N, CO(NH₂)₂-N and mixed nitrogen (Mix-N) treatments. The results showed that nitrogen addition had no significant effect on the relative yield of A. retroflexus but significantly increased the relative yield of P. oleracea, thereby weakening the competitive advantage of A. retroflexus. In contrast, nitrogen addition had no significant effect on the relative yield of M. sativa but significantly increased the relative yield of A. retroflexus, thereby enhancing the competitive advantage of A. retroflexus. The effect of NO₃⁻-N treatment varied markedly between the two mixed-culture systems: it strengthened the advantage of A. retroflexus when grown with M. sativa yet weakened the advantage when grown with P. oleracea. Further analysis revealed that the competitive advantage of A. retroflexus was associated with the optimization of its photosynthetic traits and nitrogen absorption efficiency. Specifically, it included greater leaf number, leaf area, SPAD value, and leaf biomass. In summary, the competitive performance of invasive plants is not a fixed attribute but rather a dynamic outcome jointly regulated by the interplay between native plant traits and soil nitrogen forms. This provides new insight into the invasion mechanism of alien plants and aids in formulating targeted control strategies. Full article

The escalating challenge of solid waste disposal necessitates innovative recycling strategies. This study aims to constructed technosols from bulk solid wastes (fly ash, straw and sewage sludge) for the dual purpose of sustainable waste management and the rehabilitation of degraded land. Following a 150-day incubation period, six resulting technosols were systematically evaluated for aggregate stability, bacterial community structure, and biological safety to assess their viability as functional soil materials. All constructed technosols had a pH of 7.44–7.71 and were enriched in soil organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Aggregate stability (R_0.25: 46.6–64.0%) surpassed that of typical Chinese soils. Bacterial analysis revealed a stable consortium of 165 core genera, accounting for 92.93–98.11% of the total relative abundance, and were dominated by six phyla (Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, Planctomycetota, Gemmatimonadota, Firmicutes, Actinobacteriota). The addition of straw modulated phylum structure, elevating Bacteroidota and reducing Proteobacteria. The bacterial communities exhibited clear functional hierarchy at class and order levels, with dominant groups forming a complementary carbon–nitrogen–phosphorus cycling network. Functional prediction further indicated distinct differentiation in carbon and nitrogen metabolic pathways. The technosols were non-phytotoxic and significantly enhanced the growth of Portulaca oleracea, increasing plant height (4.9–86.7%), dry weight per plant (67.3–605.4%), and SPAD values (8.1–15.9%), respectively. This study provides a sustainable strategy for repurposing solid wastes into functional technosols, aligning with circular economy principles and offering a viable solution for the ecological restoration of degraded lands such as mining areas. Full article

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is an important plant species that has been increasingly used in functional gene studies and molecular analyses. However, reference genes that exhibit stable expression across multiple tissues and stress conditions have not been systematically validated in purslane, which limits the accuracy of reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) based gene expression analyses. In this study, ten candidate reference genes from six gene families (Actin, PP2A, CYP, eIF4A, Ubiquitin, and eIF5A) were selected based on transcriptome data. A combination of bioinformatic analyses and experimental validation was employed to comprehensively characterize these candidates, including their physicochemical properties, chromosomal localization, phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, and promoter cis-acting elements. Furthermore, the expression stability of the candidate genes was systematically evaluated across different tissues (seed, root, stem, leaf, and flower) and under multiple stress treatments, including salinity, temperature stress, drought, and hormone treatments. Based on conventional PCR amplification specificity, melting curve analysis, Ct value distribution, and amplification efficiency, ACT-2 and eIF5A-1 were identified as the most stably expressed reference genes under diverse experimental conditions. This study provides reliable reference gene candidates for accurate normalization of gene expression in purslane and establishes a systematic framework for reference gene selection in non-model plant species. Full article

Background/Objectives: The phenylpropanoid pathway in plants plays a pivotal role in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in plants, responding to environmental stresses to enhance protective compounds such as phenolic acids and flavonoids. This study compares the phenolic profiles, vitamins, sugars, and mineral elements of Hypericum perforatum and Portulaca oleracea grown under two contrasting conditions: wild habitats and in vitro cultures on Murashige–Skoog medium supplemented with methyl jasmonate (MeJA, 25–50 µM). Methods: Aerial parts were extracted with 70% ethanol and analyzed for phenolic profiles (rutin, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, quercetin), proximate composition, free sugars, vitamins, and mineral elements (n = 3, ANOVA/Tukey, p < 0.05). In vitro cultures were maintained under MeJA-elicited conditions; however, the present design does not allow for the separation of MeJA-specific effects from general in vitro growth conditions. Results: Wild samples showed higher phenolic contents (e.g., rutin in Hypericum perforatum: 22.224 ± 0.65 mg/g vs. 15.190 ± 0.311 mg/g in vitro; quercetin in Portulaca oleracea: 0.874 ± 0.157 mg/g vs. 0.444 ± 0.157 mg/g), highlighting the stress-induced activation of secondary metabolism in natural environments. Conclusions: Overall, the data indicate that wild-growing plants accumulate higher levels of key phenylpropanoids than MeJA-elicited in vitro cultures, underscoring the complexity of reproducing natural stress-associated metabolic patterns under controlled conditions. Full article

The use of manure as a growing medium for horticultural crop cultivation is a sustainable practice that may allow a reduction in the production costs and the environmental burden of bulky waste management. For this purpose, the current study investigated the partial substitution of peat with manure at various rates (0% (GS1), 100% (GS2), 80% (GS3), 60% (GS4), 40% (GS5), and 20% (GS6)) in pot-cultivated purslane. Our results indicate that the substitution of peat with manure may increase crop yield by 60% to 80%. Moreover, the nutritional value was improved for specific manure rates; for example, the ash and carbohydrate contents in leaves increased at 60% and 20%, respectively, while the fat and carbohydrate contents in shoots increased at 80% and 20%, respectively. P content increased in both leaves and shoots when manure was added to the growing medium, while application at low rates (e.g., 20%) resulted in decreased N and K content. Finally, regarding leaf total phenol and flavonoid contents, as well as antioxidant activity in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays, values increased when manure was added at 40% to 60%; in shoots, increased values were observed for these parameters when manure was applied at 0% or 100%. In conclusion, our results suggest that peat substitution with manure is a viable, sustainable practice in purslane cultivation in pots without compromising the yield and quality parameters of plants. However, more species and different types of manure must be tested to design tailor-made growing media for horticultural crops. Full article

Background and Objectives: Many “food–medicine homologous traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs)” have been shown to delay vascular aging. In this study, we will select “food–medicine homologous TCMs” with the most potential to delay human-origin vascular aging and predict their core targets and mechanisms. Methods: Human-origin vascular-aging-related genes were screened from the NCBI and Aging Atlas databases. Candidate “food–medicine homologous TCMs” were initially filtered by constructing a protein–protein interaction network, followed by Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses. Key targets were validated in the Gene Expression Omnibus database and further screened by least absolute shrinkage and a selection operator. Finally, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations identified core targets. Results: Ten core “food–medicine homologous TCMs” with potential to delay human-derived vascular aging were identified: Crocus Sativus L., Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat., Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge, Sophora japonica L., Hippophae rhamnoides L., Portulaca oleracea L., Lonicera japonica Thunb., Citrus aurantium L. var. amara Engl., and Morus alba L. Further analysis indicated that β-Carotene within these core “food–medicine homologous TCMs” may represent a potential active component targeting matrix metalloproteinase-1, with its action potentially linked to the interleukin-17 signaling pathway. The present study highlights the new hypothesis that immunosenescence (Th17/IL-17) is involved in vascular aging, suggesting that the top ten core “food–medicine homologous TCMs” may delay vascular aging by regulating immune cell function. Conclusions: The top ten “food–medicine homologous TCMs” provide potential candidates for functional products that delay vascular aging and provide computationally predicted mechanistic insights and a scientific basis for novel therapies. Full article

Vacuolar H⁺-ATPases play crucial roles in plant ion homeostasis and stress adaptation, yet the functional characterization of their subunit genes in purslane remains limited. In this study, PoVHA-a3, encoding a tonoplast-localized V-ATPase a3 subunit, was identified as a key salt-responsive gene through transcriptomic analysis. Integrated bioinformatic analysis and molecular docking simulations predicted specific binding of NAC3, MYB1, and bHLH62 to the PoVHA-a3 promoter, suggesting their synergistic role in regulating PoVHA-a3 expression. Under salt stress, PoVHA-a3 transgenic Arabidopsis lines exhibited elevated endogenous abscisic acid levels and upregulation of signaling genes (AtNCED3, AtRD29A, AtCOR15A), while the brassinosteroid signaling pathway was suppressed, as indicated by the reduced expression of AtBZR1 and AtEXPA8. Meanwhile, the transgenic lines demonstrated enhanced ATP levels, respiratory rate, and V-ATPase activity. In addition, PoVHA-a3 expression led to greater accumulation of osmoprotectants (proline, soluble sugars and proteins), higher activities of antioxidant enzymes, and reduced levels of oxidative stress indices. Furthermore, a significantly lower shoot Na⁺/K⁺ ratio was observed in transgenic plants, indicating improved ion homeostasis. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that PoVHA-a3 acts as a pivotal positive regulator of salt tolerance in purslane, providing a valuable genetic resource for enhancing salt tolerance in crops through genetic engineering. Full article

This study presents a sensor-integrated framework for evaluating purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) stalk flour as a functional ingredient in butter biscuits. A Design of Experiments (DoEs) approach was applied using multisensor probes (electrical conductivity, pH, TDS, ORP) and digital imaging sensors (visible reflectance spectra) for real-time, non-destructive quality assessment. Multivariate analysis with Repeated Relief Feature Selection (RReliefF) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) reduced 54 initial measurements to 19 informative features, with the first two principal components explaining over 96% of the variance related to flour concentration. Regression modeling combined with linear programming identified an optimal substitution level of 9.62%. Biscuits at this level showed improved texture, enhanced elemental composition (Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn), stable color, and maintained sensory acceptability. The methodology demonstrates a reliable, low-cost sensing and chemometric approach for data-driven, non-destructive quality monitoring and product optimization in food manufacturing. Full article

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PEVs) have emerged as a promising area of research in biotechnology with enormous potential in drug delivery, skincare, and functional foods. Currently, PEVs are obtained primarily from fresh and dried materials through soaking and extraction; however, little is known about the differences in their contents. Using Portulaca oleracea L. as the research object, this study firstly employed a method that combined differential and ultracentrifugation with membrane filtration to separate and purify exosome-like nanoparticles from dried material (D-PELNs) and fresh material (F-PELNs). Then, multi-omics analysis compared the small-molecule metabolites, lipid profiles, and protein expression patterns. Both D-PELNs and F-PELNs showed typical cup-shaped morphology, with mean particle sizes of 139 nm and 186 nm, and mean zeta potentials of −16.015 ± 0.335 mV and −6.29 ± 0.19 mV, respectively. Both types contained diverse small-molecule metabolites. Among them, terpenoids (e.g., caesaldekarin e) were more abundant in F-PELNs, whereas carboxylic acids and their derivatives (e.g., citric acid) were predominantly found in D-PELNs. Both types had abundant lipids. D-PELNs exhibited greater lipid diversity than F-PELNs, with notable enrichment in phosphatidylcholine (18.48%) and ceramide (17.02%). F-PELNs mainly consisted of functional neutral lipids, such as monoglycerides and triglycerides. Proteins involved in plant morphogenesis and secondary-metabolite biosynthesis were also identified. Proteins from both Portulaca oleracea L.-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PELNs) were localized to intracellular structures, including the cytoplasm and mitochondria of the cells. D-PELNs had a higher protein content related to carbon metabolism, whereas F-PELNs were more enriched in proteins related to secondary metabolite synthesis. In summary, D-PELNs and F-PELNs were successfully isolated and characterized, and their compositions were analyzed and compared using multi-omics approaches. These findings identify the specific chemical components of PELNs and offer new insights for comparing the compositional differences between exosome-like nanoparticles derived from dried and fresh plant states. Full article

Tumbling pigeons are prone to oxidative stress and disruption of gut microbiota balance during long-term exercise training and competitions. Considering that Portulaca oleracea (P. oleracea), as a natural plant feed additive, has natural antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and gut function improvement effects. This study investigates the effects of adding P. oleracea into health care sand on nutrient digestion and metabolism, serum parameters, and excreta microbiota metabolism in tumbler pigeons. Ninety 12-month-old tumbler pigeons were randomly assigned to three groups, with ten cages with three birds each. The CON Group received a basal diet added with 4 g of health care sand; Group TRT1 received a basal diet added with 4 g of health care sand containing 0.75% P. oleracea; and Group TRT2 received a basal diet added with 4 g of health care sand containing 1.00% Portulaca oleracea. The adaptation period lasted for 7 days, followed by a formal testing phase of 45 days. All tumbler pigeons received 1 h of flight training daily. The CON and TRT2 groups showed significantly increased dry matter (DM) apparent digestibility by 11.68% (p < 0.01) and 8.50% (p < 0.05), respectively, compared to the TRT1 group. The TRT2 group also demonstrated higher organic matter (OM) apparent digestibility (increase of 4.25%, p < 0.05) and markedly improved crude protein (CP) digestibility (16.72% higher than CON, p < 0.05; 27.12% higher than TRT1, p < 0.01). Both gross energy (GE) and metabolizable energy (ME) digestibility were significantly elevated in CON and TRT2 groups compared to TRT1 (p < 0.01). Compared to the CON group, the TRT2 group showed a 19.86% decrease in lactate (LAC) level (p < 0.05) alongside a 38.91% increase in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity (p < 0.05). Serum uric acid (UA) levels increased by 33.65–36.14% in both treatment groups (p < 0.05). Antioxidant capacity markedly improved, with malondialdehyde (MDA) decreasing by up to 27.75% (p < 0.01) and key antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) showing dose-dependent enhancements of up to 25.23% (p < 0.01). Other serum biochemical parameters showed no significant differences (p > 0.05). Microbial analysis demonstrated that Actinobacteriota, Acidothermaceae, and Nitrosotaleaceae were enriched in the TRT1 and TRT2 groups, while the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Chitinophagaceae decreased (p > 0.05). Metabolomic analysis revealed a significant increase in beneficial metabolites, including agmatine, pyropheophorbide-a, and N-acetylmuramate (p < 0.01). In conclusion, the addition of 1.00% Portulaca oleracea in health care sand effectively enhanced apparent nutrient digestibility, improved antioxidant capacity, and modulated the intestinal microbiota and metabolic profile of tumbler. Full article

Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (MAPKs) play crucial roles in plant stress signaling, but the mechanisms of MAPK genes in Portulaca oleracea remain functionally uncharacterized. In this study, transcriptomic screening of P. oleracea under salt stress identified PoMPK3 as a candidate gene, showing significant root-specific upregulation. Phylogenetic analysis classified it as a Group A MAPK protein, and subcellular localization confirmed its membrane association. Heterologous expression of PoMPK3 in Arabidopsis thaliana significantly enhanced salt tolerance, as evidenced by improved seed germination rates, longer primary roots, increased biomass, and reduced stress symptoms. Mechanistically, PoMPK3 expression activated ABA signaling, leading to increased ABA levels and upregulation of AtNCED3, AtPYR1, and AtABF3. Furthermore, it strengthened the antioxidant defense, as evidenced by elevated antioxidant enzyme activity, leading to a reduction in oxidative stress. The transgenic lines also demonstrated enhanced osmotic adjustment through osmolytes accumulation and ionic homeostasis, evidenced by tissue-specific Na⁺/K⁺ ratios (low in shoots, high in roots) resulting from the concerted upregulation of AtSOS1, AtNHX1, and AtHKT1. In addition, gene co-expression network analysis and molecular docking predicted phosphorylation of WRKY transcription factors, suggesting a novel mechanism for transcriptome reprogramming. Collectively, our findings not only advance the understanding of salt tolerance mechanisms in purslane but also identify PoMPK3 as a key genetic determinant, thereby laying the foundation for its use in breeding programs aimed at enhancing salt stress resilience in crops. Full article

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) has been regaining its reputation as a valuable food and source of nutrients and biologically active compounds, but a high content of oxalates reduces mineral bioavailability and poses nutritional limitations. This study evaluated the influence of culinary processing on oxalate content in purslane and the potential of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for non-destructive assessment of total oxalates, ascorbic acid, and total organic acid. The ascorbic acid and total organic acid in fresh samples, and the total oxalate content of fresh, blanched, and pickled samples were determined. Culinary treatments (blanching and pickling) reduced oxalate content. The highest oxalate content was observed in fresh samples (33.38–61.84 g/100 g), lower in blanched samples (19.07–34.36 g/100 g), and the lowest content in pickling samples (10.48–18.31 g/100 g). NIR spectra (900–1700 nm) of the analyzed samples were measured, and PLS regression was used for the determination of tested components. The NIR spectroscopy achieved high predictive accuracy for ascorbic acid, total organic acid, and oxalate content. Rcval > 0.98 and SECV values between 0.02 and 0.38 g/100 g for oxalate content. NIR spectroscopy provides a rapid, accurate, and non-destructive alternative to conventional methods for oxalate determination in fresh, blanched, and pickled plant tissues, ascorbic acid and organic acid in fresh samples. Full article

Background: A significant concern today is the dependence on low-quality water sources, such as saline water, in hydroponic systems, especially due to the scarcity of freshwater. Halophytes and salt-tolerant species have emerged as viable candidates for cultivation in saline hydroponics. However, their agronomic performance and physiological responses within hydroponic systems require further investigation. Objectives: This research aims to explore the potential of edible halophytes grown in saline nutrient solutions within hydroponic systems within salt-tolerant ranges, focusing on their metabolic profiles and mineral accumulation. Methods: Plantago coronopus (L.), Portulaca oleracea (L.), and Salsola komarovii (Iljin) were grown in walk-in controlled environment chambers in deep water culture hydroponic systems, at 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mM·L⁻¹ NaCl salinity; 16h, 250 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹, and wide LED spectrum lighting was maintained. Results: A significant decrease in organic acids, and fresh and dry weight under high saltinity was observed in Plantago coronopus and Portulaca oleracea, but not in Salsola komarovii. An increase in hexoses, particularly glucose, violaxanthin and β-carotene, P⁺ and Zn²⁺, along with a decrease in lutein, K⁺ and Ca²⁺ levels across salinity levels from 0 to 200 mM NaCl was observed in all treated halophytes. Increased salinity did not significantly affect total protein accumulation. Conclusions: These findings reveal that different shifts in osmolytes, mineral elements, and biomass accumulation in tested halophytes indicate species-dependent osmotic adjustment to increased salinity and may be attributed to the morphological differences among halophytic grasses, dicot halophytes, and those with succulent leaves or stems. The PCA score scatterplot results excluded the response of Plantago coronopus from other tested halophytes; also, it demonstrated that Portulaca oleracea was more sensitive to the hydroponic solution salinity compared to Salsola komarovii and Plantago coronopus. Full article

Honey is a valuable carrier for phytochemicals, yet data on halophyte-based fortification remain scarce. This study evaluated the impact of Portulaca oleracea and Salicornia perennans, applied as powders 1.5–4.5% or ethanol extracts 1.2–1.8%, on the antioxidant and functional properties of rapeseed and multifloral honeys. Antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS), total phenolic (TPC), and flavonoid contents (TFC) increased significantly in a concentration-dependent manner, with powders consistently outperforming extracts. The strongest effects were obtained with 4.5% powders, yielding up to 77.83% DPPH, 99.11% ABTS, 14.85 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per 100 g TPC, and 44.15 mg QE/100 g TFC-values surpassing controls and synthetic standards. Colorimetric and oxidative stability assays confirmed that enriched honeys exhibited slower browning and reduced peroxide/TBARS accumulation during storage. Sensory analysis further indicated improved color, aroma, taste, and overall acceptability. Between species, Salicornia showed slightly stronger effects than Portulaca, while multifloral honey provided greater synergy than rapeseed. These results demonstrate that halophyte powders are effective natural enhancers of honey’s antioxidant, technological, and sensory qualities, supporting their use in functional food development. Full article

Three Australian populations of Portulaca oleracea—Common Purslane, Omega Gold and Omega Red—were grown under identical conditions, separated into portions—leaf, bud, stem and root—and their extracts tested for total phenolic content (TPC), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), ferric-reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP), and for antioxidant activity against hydroperoxides and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in a linoleic acid emulsion. Highest TPC was found in Omega Gold and Omega Red roots, with 31.1 and 36.5 mg gallic acid equivalents per gram dry weight (mg GAE/g DW), respectively, being ten times higher than for Common Purslane roots (3.1 mg GAE/g DW). Other plant portions were generally higher for Omega Gold and Omega Red, though with much less difference, i.e., <2-fold variation. Results from other antioxidant tests paralleled those of TPC. Online monitoring of antioxidant activity via post-column reaction with [2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] (ABTS^●+), revealed a peak with significant activity. Purification of the compound responsible yielded oleracein australis 1, and 1D and 2D NMR data are presented for the first time. The results of this study show that Australian populations of P. oleracea are high in bioactivity and may be superior to the internationally recognised medicinal plant, Common Purslane. Full article