Search Results (343)

This study investigated the optimisation of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) leaf tisane formulation using response surface methodology (RSM), targeting total phenolic content (TPC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and DPPH radical scavenging activity as quality indicators. A face-centred central composite design was employed to evaluate dose effects (0.5–2.5 g) and infusion time (5–15 min). Multi-response optimisation using the desirability function identified 1.81 g dose and 5 min infusion as the optimum condition, yielding predicted values of 24.46 mg GAE/100 mL (TPC), 61.07 µmol Fe²⁺/100 mL (FRAP), and 80.47% (DPPH), with a composite desirability score of 0.64. Validation experiments confirmed strong predictive accuracy, with deviations of 0.80% (FRAP) and 3.92% (DPPH), and a modest deviation of 13.2% (TPC), acceptable within complex food matrices. The findings demonstrate that short infusion times are sufficient to extract key bioactives, ensuring consumer convenience and energy efficiency, while valorising roselle leaves as an underutilised by-product into a sustainable functional beverage. Future studies should address sensory acceptance, stability, and bioavailability to support industrial applications further. Full article

In this study, the singlet oxygen photosensitization potential of three natural African plant extracts was investigated using the photooxygenation of α-terpinene (1). Utilizing visible light, the Carpolobia lutea extract achieved high conversions towards the anthelmintic ascaridole (2) of >60% after 90 min of irradiation, while the extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa and Justicia secunda failed to induce significant photoreactivity. Quenching using 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) confirmed a singlet oxygen pathway for irradiation with the C. lutea extract. Further separation of the C. lutea extract and subsequent photooxygenation screening established several active fractions for ascaridole generation. Advanced HPLC–MS analyses of these active fractions revealed several photosensitizing constituents. These findings establish C. lutea extract as a sustainable and effective photosensitiser with comparable performance to commercial dyes. Full article

The two-spotted cotton leafhopper, Amrasca biguttula (Ishida) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), is an invasive species native to the Indian subcontinent and an emerging pest of cotton, okra, eggplant, and hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus; Malvaceae) in the southeastern United States. Its presence in ornamental nurseries has not been previously documented, posing a serious threat to hibiscus. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of feeding damage and the potential spread of the pest across plant species within a nursery; thus, a study was conducted in a Georgia (USA) wholesale nursery in 2025. We used leaf samples to determine establishment, and leaf discoloration to categorize damage. We used yellow sticky cards to detect the presence of adults. Results showed that the life stages of A. biguttula were more common in the upper canopy than in the middle and lower levels. Both leafhopper numbers and exuviae were higher on the ‘Bali’ cultivar of H. syriacus compared to ‘Dark Lavender Chiffon’. No stages were found on neighboring species, including abelia, vitex, and rose. Yellow sticky card captures confirmed that adults were present on hibiscus cultivars. Feeding injury on H. syriacus was characterized by yellowing at the margins that spread inward and puckering of young leaves. Feeding damage ratings were significantly higher on ‘Bali’ than on ‘Dark Lavender Chiffon’, and adult captures were positively linked to damage severity. This is the first report of A. biguttula infestation and related injury on hibiscus in a U.S. wholesale nursery. Full article

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the Malvaceae family. Its medicinal properties and edible value have attracted widespread scientific attention, yet its systematic taxonomy, evolution, and photosynthetic mechanisms warrant further investigation. Chloroplasts, specialized semi-autonomous organelles within green plants, possess their own genetic material and serve as an excellent source of genetic information. This study employed Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology to sequence the complete chloroplast genome of the cultivar ‘Gan Kui No. 1’. The complete chloroplast genome was determined to be 163,121 bp in length, with A, C, G, T, and GC nucleotides accounting for 31.24%, 18.71%, 18.02%, 32.02%, and 36.74% of the total, respectively. It exhibits a classic tetrad structure, comprising one large single-copy region (88,071 bp), one small single-copy region (19,032 bp), and one pair of inverted repeat regions (28,009 bp). The entire chloroplast genome contains 132 annotated genes, including 37 tRNA genes, 8 rRNA genes, 87 mRNA genes, and 0 pseudogenes. A phylogenetic tree constructed using 20 species, including Abelmoschus esculentus, revealed a clear phylogenetic relationship between the genus Hibiscus and Abelmoschus esculentus. The complete gene sequences have been uploaded to the NCBI database (accession number PX590535). This study provides insights into understanding the evolutionary relationships of Abelmoschus esculentus and refining its taxonomy, laying a theoretical foundation for subsequent research on the Abelmoschus esculentus chloroplast genome. Full article

The hibiscus bud weevil (Anthonomus testaceosquamosus, HBW) is an economically important pest of tropical hibiscus, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. Although Jaliscoa hunteri parasitizes other Anthonomus species, its suitability as a biocontrol agent for HBW remains unknown. This study evaluated its potential under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. In laboratory assays, a couple of parasitoids were exposed to HBW at different developmental stages. Parasitism was rarely observed, but host feeding was evident, and eggs, first instar larvae, and pupae showed high mortality in comparison to controls with no parasitoids. Cage experiments compared three release rates (one, two, or three parasitoid pairs) on infested flower buds. Mortality was lowest in controls, but increasing parasitoid numbers did not enhance pest suppression. In greenhouse trials, hibiscus plants were infested and exposed to the same release rates. Mortality was higher in the one-pair treatment than in controls, whereas higher release rates produced intermediate mortality, suggesting possible disruption of female reproductive activity or other unknown limiting factors. Overall, J. hunteri showed promising potential as a natural enemy of HBW, functioning like a predator rather than a parasitoid. Additional research on its reproductive biology, host interactions, and release strategies is needed to improve its effectiveness for biological control in hibiscus nurseries. Full article

Background: Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) is an important fiber crop belonging to the genus Hibiscus in the Malvaceae family. Research on its chloroplast genome holds significant importance for deciphering the evolutionary relationships of the Hibiscus species, developing genetic markers, and promoting kenaf (H. cannabinus) genetic breeding. Methods: Based on high-throughput sequencing technology, this study completed the sequencing and assembly of the kenaf (H. cannabinus) chloroplast genome. Results: (1) The kenaf (H. cannabinus) chloroplast genome exhibits a typical circular quadripartite structure with a total length of 163,019 bp, including a large single-copy region (LSC) of 90,467 bp, a small single-copy region (SSC) of 19,486 bp, and a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRa/IRb) of 26,533 bp each. The total GC content is 36.62%, among which, the IR region has the highest GC content (42.61%) and the SSC region the lowest (30.87%). (2) A total of 131 genes were annotated, including 85 mRNAs, 37 tRNAs, 8 rRNAs, and 1 pseudogene. Their functions cover photosynthesis (e.g., pet and atp family genes), self-replication (e.g., rpl, rps, and rpo family genes), and genes with unknown functions (e.g., ycf1 and ycf2). A codon usage bias analysis revealed that the relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) value of the stop codon UAA is the highest (1.6329), and codons ending with A/U are preferentially used (e.g., GCU for alanine with RSCU = 1.778). (3) A repeat sequence analysis identified various interspersed repeat sequences (predominantly 30~31 bp in length, with a relatively high proportion in the 30~40 bp range, including forward and palindromic types) and simple sequence repeats (cpSSRs). Among them, single-base repeat SSRs account for the highest proportion (e.g., (A)8 and (T)9), and specific SSR primers were designed. (4) A comparative evolutionary analysis indicated that the Ka/Ks ratios (nonsynonymous substitution rate/synonymous substitution rate) of core chloroplast genes (e.g., rps2 and rpoC2) in kenaf (H. cannabinus) are all less than 1 (0.145~0.415), suggesting that they are under purifying selection. The collinearity similarity of chloroplast genomes between kenaf (H. cannabinus) and its closely related species reaches over 99.97%, and the IR region boundaries are relatively conserved. The phylogenetic tree shows that kenaf (H. cannabinus) clusters with closely related Hibiscus species with a 100% bootstrap value, indicating a close genetic relationship. Conclusions: This study provides basic data for the functional analysis of the kenaf (H. cannabinus) chloroplast genome, the phylogeny of Hibiscus, and the utilization of genetic resources. Full article

Natural dyes have emerged as a promising alternative to synthetic dyes for industrial applications due to their advantages, namely, easy availability, low cost, and environmental friendliness. In this sense, natural dyes, due to their potential to react over the pH range, could offer an alternative to conventional pH measuring techniques for industrial products, such as potentiometers, sensors, or indicator drops. Therefore, this project aims to evaluate the potential of several natural organic dyes in response to changes in pH and develop an indicator for determining pH grades. We extracted and analyzed the pigments of forty natural vegetable species using two extraction methods with a mixture of solvents, specifically 70% MeOH/30% H₂O. The results find that pigments of cabbage, hibiscus flower, radish, and turmeric in their dry state exhibit the best reaction over a broad pH range, and color can be easily distinguished according to its level. These findings demonstrate the potential of natural dyes as a novel approach for pH verification, providing a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to conventional techniques. Full article

Urban vegetation plays a role as a sink, but accurately estimating carbon storage requires cultivar-specific allometric equations due to variations in growth patterns. This study develops and compares carbon storage models for cultivars of Hibiscus syriacus L.: ‘Wonhwa’ and ‘Chilbo’, ranked first and second in preference in South Korea and most widely planted in urban areas, to address the lack of specific data for these popular varieties. We destructively sampled 106 trees from experimental nurseries in Korea, measuring growth parameters, partitioned biomass, and component-specific carbon content. A non-linear regression equation modeled the relationship between root collar diameter (RCD) and total carbon storage. RCD proved the most effective predictor, resulting in high-performance power-function models (R² = 0.99) for both cultivars: ‘Wonhwa’ (CS = 0.02RCD^2.41) and ‘Chilbo’ (CS = 0.01RCD^2.38). An extra sum-of-squares F-test confirmed a statistically significant difference between the models (p < 0.001). Notably, both cultivars exhibited a branch-dominant allocation pattern (accounting for approximately 50–51% of total biomass), which contrasts significantly with the stem-dominant pattern typically observed in forest-grown trees. The observed inter-cultivar differences indicate that using a single species-level equation can yield inaccurate carbon estimates. Consequently, we recommend that urban managers apply these cultivar-specific equations rather than generic species-level models to minimize estimation uncertainty and support precise carbon inventory management. Full article

In this work, microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) from ash branch wood was used as reinforcement in a thermoplastic starch matrix to develop environmentally friendly materials. Pulp fibers and MFCs were characterized by SEM, TEM, and FTIR. Corn starch biofilms were prepared via casting, formulating eight biofilms with 5 and 10 wt% of MFC. Also, extracts of Muicle and Hibiscus were added to incorporate antibacterial properties. The biofilms were evaluated for mechanical, thermal, and antibacterial properties. Also, properties such as color, opacity, morphology, electrical conductivity, contact angle, and solubility, among others, were evaluated. The reinforced biofilms were homogeneous, dimensionally stable, and transparent with slight color changes. MFC incorporation enhanced hydrogen bonding, which increased the ultimate tensile strength from 11.2 MPa to approximately 19–21 MPa and the Young’s modulus from 809 MPa to 1034–1192 MPa. The presence of MFC also reduced solubility from 48.7% to 38.7–39.8% and decreased water vapor permeability by about 20–23% in biofilms with 10 wt% MFC. Gas barrier properties and the glass transition temperature depended on extract type and fiber content, indicating greater rigidity. The use of ash-based MFC encourages the implementation of circular economy strategies and the development of sustainable biocomposites. Full article

This study evaluated hot-water infusion as a practical and sustainable extraction method for functional flower petal teas. Six edible flowers—Tagetes erecta, Lonicera japonica, Celosia argentea var. cristata, Centaurea cyanus, Hibiscus sabdariffa, and Malva sylvestris—were compared under hot-water and 80% ethanol extraction. Hot-water extraction was performed at 100 °C for 15 min. Hot-water extracts showed 1.3–4.0 times higher total phenolic content (TPC) and stronger antioxidant activities (ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP) than 80% ethanol extracts, reflecting efficient extraction of hydrophilic phenolic acids. UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS and GC–MS analyses of hot-water extracts revealed chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, coumaric acid derivatives, flavonoid glycosides, and aroma volatiles such as hexanal and α-pinene. These findings confirm that simple hot-water infusion effectively recovers both bioactive and aroma-active compounds, supporting its application in developing safe, natural, and functional flower teas. Full article

This study systematically investigated the liposoluble components and their potential correlation with antibacterial activity in six bast fiber varieties—Apocynum venetum, Corchorus capsularis, Hibiscus cannabinus, Linum usitatissimum, Cannabis sativa, and Boehmeria nivea—using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The analysis identified a range of compounds including alkanes, phenols, sterols, esters, and triterpenoids, with notable compositional differences among the fibers. Tetracontane was predominant in A. venetum (40.39%) and H. cannabinus (22.47%), while γ-sitosterol was highest in C. capsularis (12.80%). L. usitatissimum was rich in n-hexadecanoic acid (9.16%), C. sativa in heptacosanal (8.96%), and B. nivea in both tetracontane (45.42%) and tetracosane (10.09%). Based on existing literature, components such as 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, γ-sitosterol, n-hexadecanoic acid, lupeol, and betulin were inferred as key antibacterial constituents. A comprehensive review of reported antimicrobial activities revealed distinct antibacterial spectra and intensities across the varieties, aligning with their unique liposoluble profiles. This study provides a systematic chemical profile of bast fibers and offers a predictive assessment of their antibacterial potential. The findings lay a chemical foundation for future targeted research and development of antibacterial materials derived from specific bast fiber varieties. Full article

Background: Few trials have evaluated liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS)–standardized ready-to-drink formulations, and short-term responses of composite lipid–glucose indices under controlled intake remain unquantified. This study assessed 8-week changes in Atherogenic and triglyceride–glucose indices (AIP and TyG) after the consumption of a Hibiscus–inulin (HIB–INU) beverage and tested whether baseline risk modified these effects. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in adults aged 18–50 years with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² (n = 100: 50 per group) who consumed a daily 60 mL Hibiscus–inulin shot or sensory-matched placebo for 8 weeks. The Hibiscus–inulin shot was LC–MS–standardized to ensure reproducible exposure; co-primary outcomes were AIP and TyG (pre-specified as exploratory), and secondary outcomes were mean arterial pressure (MAP) and pulse pressure (PP). ANCOVA adjusted for baseline, age, and sex was used to estimate between-group differences and to test for interactions by baseline risk. Results: Adjusted 8-week differences versus placebo were −0.09 for AIP (95% CI −0.15 to −0.03; p = 0.004) and −0.14 for TyG (−0.26 to −0.03; p = 0.020). MAP and PP showed no significant differences between the groups (p > 0.05). Effects were larger in high-risk baseline strata. Conclusions: A standardized hibiscus–inulin shot produced short-term improvements in composite lipid–glucose indices without hemodynamic change. Because minimal clinically important differences for AIP/TyG have not been established for short durations, these findings reflect analytical responsiveness rather than clinical benefits, supporting their exploratory use in short-term nutrition trials and cardiometabolic monitoring. Full article

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is a plant rich in bioactive constituents, serving as a unique material for the food and beverage industry and therapeutic applications. Despite its significant utility, few studies have focused on the molecular breeding of the plant. Chloroplasts are organelles in plant cells with independent genetic information, making them ideal for investigating plant phylogeny and genetic evolution. In this study, the roselle breeding material ‘Zhe Xiao Luo 1’ was selected to assemble and analyze the entire chloroplast genome using the Illumina NovaSeq X Plus platform. The phylogenetic relationships between roselle and other species within Malvaceae family, particularly within the genus Hibiscus, were clarified. The results showed that the complete chloroplast genome of roselle was 162,428 bp in length, with nucleotide proportions of 31.14% (A), 18.73% (C), 18.01% (G), 32.12% (T), and 36.74% (GC). It exhibited a typical tetrad structure consisting of four segments: the large single copy (LSC) region (90,327 bp), the small single-copy (SSC) region (19,617 bp), and two inverted repeat sequences (IRa and IRb, each 26,242 bp). A total of 130 genes were identified, including 37 tRNA genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 85 mRNA genes, and no pseudogenes were detected. Phylogenetic analysis using 23 revealed a clear phylogenetic relationship between H. sabdariffa and H. esculentus (okra) among all tested species. Building on previous research, this study further explored the functional annotation of genes in the roselle chloroplast genome, as well as its codon preference, repetitive sequences, simple sequence repeats (SSR), Ka/Ks ratio, nucleotide diversity (pi) analysis, and boundary analysis. The complete gene sequences have been uploaded to the NCBI database (accession number PX363576). This study provides evidence for elucidating the phylogenetic relationships and taxonomic status of H. sabdariffa, laying a theoretical foundation for studies on molecular mechanism resolution and cultivar development. Full article

This article evaluates the influence of replicated natural structures, produced by micro-machining, on the wettability of plastic parts made from hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymer materials under various temperature and pressure conditions. Although many studies have focused on biomimetic surface design, the effect of specific processing parameters on the accurate replication of natural topologies and their resulting wettability has been only partially explored. This study addresses this gap by systematically analyzing the effect of melt temperature and packing pressure on the functional replication of micro-machined biomimetic structures. The research describes the design of hierarchical microstructures inspired by biomimetics and their fabrication by micro-milling on molded parts. Test samples were prepared from polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and polyamide 6.6 (PA 6.6) under different processing parameters, and wettability was assessed using contact angle (CA) measurements. The results confirmed significant variations in surface wettability depending on polymer type, melt temperature, and packing pressure. For the hydrophilic relief (Rock Moss), contact angles below 90° were obtained for all tested polymers, including PP, which decreased from 98.7° on a flat surface to 82.4° at 220 °C and 500 bar. In PA 6.6, a reduction of up to 12% in contact angle was observed compared to smooth samples at 310 °C and 500 bar. For hydrophobic reliefs (Three-part Hibiscus and Tricolor Pansy), contact angles exceeded 100–110°, with the highest value of 108.3 ± 1.6° for PP at 200 °C and 500 bar. Suitable combinations of melt temperature and packing pressure enabled accurate replication of microstructures while preserving their functional wettability, demonstrating the possibility of tuning surface properties through topological design. Full article

The federally threatened Neches River rose-mallow (Hibiscus dasycalyx) is a rare wetland species restricted to Eastern Texas, where population recovery depends on successful pollination and reproduction. The reproductive ecology was investigated to evaluate how floral phenology, pollinator activity, and breeding system influence reproductive success in natural versus created populations. Observations and controlled breeding system trials were conducted during 2024–2025 in a natural population (Houston County) and a created population (Walker County). Flowering was extended and synchronous in the natural population but shorter and less synchronized in the restored population. Breeding system trials confirmed self-compatibility without autogamy: fruit set was highest in outcrossed flowers, moderate in hand-selfed flowers, and absent in bagged flowers. Seed set, seed weight, and germination did not differ significantly between treatments. Pollinator visitation was high in the natural population, dominated by the specialist bee Ptilothrix bombiformis (>98% of visits), resulting in high fruit set. In contrast, low visitation in the restored population was associated with reduced fruit production. Pollen receipt varied significantly between sites and was strongly associated with P. bombiformis activity. These results demonstrate that the successful restoration of H. dasycalyx requires not only suitable habitat and planting efforts but also the presence of effective pollinators to ensure reproductive success. Full article