Search Results (7)

The ex situ conservation and sustainable exploitation of neglected or underutilized plant species (NUPs) is an urgent and vital endeavor. To this end, we focused on Petromarula pinnata (Campanulaceae), a vulnerable local plant endemic to Crete (Greece) that has been garnering interest for its agro-alimentary, medicinal, and ornamental value. A GIS ecological profile was established herein based on the natural distribution of this species in Crete. This profile contains detailed information on the climatic conditions (minimum, maximum, and mean temperatures; precipitation), as well as information on 19 bioclimatic variables that shape its natural adaptations. This profiling contributed to a better understanding of the species’ ecological requirements and facilitated germination trials employing stored seeds from four distinct populations (two from lowlands and two from semi-mountainous areas) at four temperatures (10, 15, 20, and 25 °C) and two light conditions. The results presented here show that both incubation temperature and population of origin, as well as the interaction between these variables, significantly affected seed germination rates. Incubation temperatures of 10 and 15 °C were the most appropriate for the successful germination of this species (>81.25% for both temperatures in three out of four populations), with light conditions having no effect on seed germination (86% in light and 80% in darkness). The establishment of a protocol for the successful germination of P. pinnata seeds opens avenues for further sustainable exploitation of this valuable yet vulnerable NUP as a new Greek native crop. Full article

Primula veris (cowslip) is an important medicinal–aromatic plant used traditionally for its expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as a valuable horticultural plant with ornamental value and agroalimentary interest (edible flowers and leaves). With extensive illegal harvesting across northern Greece to date, the long-term survival of Greek cowslip wild-growing populations seems compromised. With the aim to characterize the phytochemical content of locally adapted native genotypes of P. veris subsp. veris, we examined samples from 13 wild-growing populations sourced from 8 mountain areas along a longitudinal gradient of northern Greece. Flowers, leaves, and roots were separately evaluated with HPLC-PDA-MS for their chemical content to select the genotypes associated with the best phytochemical traits. The flowers were found to contain mainly flavonoids, isorhamnetin, quercetin, and kaempferol triglycosides, with varied population contents, generally higher in northwestern population samples with a colder and more humid climate; however, all in line with the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) reports. The leaves were characterized by the prevalence of kaempferol and quercetin triglycosides, being generally higher than that of the flowers. In the roots, saponins were detected in relatively low percentages, and the phenolic glycosides were found up to nearly 2%. The results of this study suggest a potential specificity of the marginal Greek genotypes being at the edge of the species’ native distribution range in Europe and Asia. The phytochemical characterization herein supports the domestication process of Greek native cowslip genotypes. In turn, this may alleviate the overharvesting pressure in wild populations, thus contributing to species conservation and offering an incentive for farmers to sustainably cultivate at local scales well-adapted indigenous genotypes of high value. Full article

This study was designed to bridge extant research gaps regarding the vulnerable and protected local endemic Campanula pelviformis, a wild edible green traditionally consumed in Crete (Greece) with agro-alimentary and medicinal interest as well as ornamental value. The C. pelviformis ecological profile was generated using the climate and temperature conditions prevailing in its wild habitats through mapping of natural distribution linked with online bioclimatic databases in geographical information systems. We tested the germination of seeds from five wild-growing populations at four different temperatures (10, 15, 20 and 25 °C) and under different light conditions (light/dark and darkness), and we performed fertilization trails [integrated nutrient management (INF), chemical fertilization (ChFe), control] examining morphological and physiological characteristics, above- and below-ground macro- and micronutrients and phenol contents, as well as their antioxidant capacity. We found population and temperature effects on seed germination with their interaction being statistically significant. Campanula pelviformis germinated better at 10 and 15 °C (>85% for all populations) with no preference on light conditions (98.75% and 95% in light and dark conditions). The INF application increased root dry mass, chlorophyll content index and chlorophyll fluorescence compared to other treatments and was beneficial for macro- and micronutrient concentrations in above-ground parts compared to previously studied wild-growing material, while below-ground parts were positively impacted by both fertilization types. Total phenols and antioxidant capacity were both increased by ChFe fertilization. The data furnished herein permitted the re-evaluation and upgrade of its sustainable exploitation potential in different economic sectors. Full article

This manuscript aimed to optimise the encapsulation of Thymus capitatus essential oil into nanoemulsion. Response Surface Methodology results were best fitted into polynomial models with regression coefficient values of more than 0.95. The optimal nanoemulsion showed nanometer-sized droplets (380 nm), a polydispersity index less than 0.5, and a suitable Zeta potential (−10.3 mV). Stability results showed that nanoemulsions stored at 4 °C were stable with the lowest d_3,2, PolyDispersity Index (PDI), and pH (day 11). Significant ameliorations in the capacity to neutralise DPPH radical after the encapsulation of the antimicrobial efficacy of thyme essential oil were recorded. S. typhimurium growth inhibition generated by nanoencapsulated thyme essential oil was 17 times higher than by bulk essential oil. The sensory analysis highlighted that the encapsulation of thyme essential oil improved enriched milk’s sensory appreciation. Indeed, 20% of the total population attributed a score of 4 and 5 on the scale used for milk enriched with nanoemulsion. In comparison, only 11% attributed the same score to milk enriched with bulk essential oil. The novel nanometric delivery system presents significant interest for agroalimentary industries. Full article

Dogroses belong to a taxonomically difficult genus and family and represent important phytogenetic resources associated with high ornamental, pharmaceutical-cosmetic and nutritional values, thus suggesting a potentially high exploitation merit. Triggered by these prospects, wild-growing Rosa canina populations of Greece were selected for investigation and evaluation of their potential for integrated domestication. We collected ripe rosehips from Greek native wild-growing populations (samples from seven genotypes) for phytochemical analysis (total phenolics, total flavonoids, antioxidant activity and vitamin C content), leaf samples for DNA analysis using the ITS2 sequence (nine genotypes) and fresh soft-wood stem cuttings for propagation trials (seven genotypes). After evaluation of these materials, this study reports for the first-time distinct DNA-fingerprinted genotypes from Greece with interesting phytochemical profiles mainly in terms of Vitamic C content (up to 500.22 ± 0.15 mg of ascorbic acid equivalents/100 g of sample) as well as effective asexual propagation protocols for prioritized R. canina genotypes via cuttings. The latter highlights the importance of the levels of external hormone application (2000 ppm of indole-3-butyric acid), the effect of season (highly-effective spring trials) and genotype-specific differences in rooting capacities of the studied genotypes. All inclusive, this study offers new artificially selected material of Greek native R. canina with a consolidated identity and interesting phytochemical profile. These materials are currently under ex-situ conservation for further evaluation and characterization in pilot field studies, thus facilitating its sustainable exploitation for applications in the agro-alimentary, medicinal-cosmetic, and ornamental sectors. Full article

In the case of the Romanian urban consumer, ecological agroalimentary products do not merely operate on the discursive line mapped by the rules of certification. The ecology of the agroalimentary products is reinterpreted and, thus, an interesting phenomenon occurs. The products perceived as natural, local, or peasant are seen as ecological enough to influence the purchase decision. Hence, according to the Romanian urban consumer, the ecological product stands for a symbolic projection provided by their own experience and trust level as a consumer. In the present paper, we aimed to go beyond the theory claiming that such behavior is determined by confusion in the social action of purchase and, following this line of interpretation, we also intended to identify the symbolic systems and hermeneutical criteria by which the Romanian urban consumer makes a social projection of ecological agroalimentary products through certain ethnocentralizing mechanisms. Our research paper was based on a qualitative and quantitative anthropological analysis that had, as a starting point, a questionnaire applied online (with a total of 1792 respondents, out of which 1342 were urban respondents). Full article

The need for real-time/reliable/low-maintenance distributed monitoring systems, e.g., wireless sensor networks, has been becoming more and more evident in many applications in the environmental, agro-alimentary, medical, and industrial fields. The growing interest in technologies related to sensors is an important indicator of these new needs. The design and the realization of complex and/or distributed monitoring systems is often difficult due to the multitude of different electronic interfaces presented by the sensors available on the market. To address these issues the authors propose the concept of a Universal Intelligent Sensor Interface (UISI), a new low-cost system based on a single commercial chip able to convert a generic transducer into an intelligent sensor with multiple standardized interfaces. The device presented offers a flexible analog and/or digital front-end, able to interface different transducer typologies (such as conditioned, unconditioned, resistive, current output, capacitive and digital transducers). The device also provides enhanced processing and storage capabilities, as well as a configurable multi-standard output interface (including plug-and-play interface based on IEEE 1451.3). In this work the general concept of UISI and the design of reconfigurable hardware are presented, together with experimental test results validating the proposed device. Full article