Search Results (62)

This study examined the effects of both nitrogen (N) rate and form on the growth, nutrient uptake, and quality parameters of hydroponically grown purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) during a spring cultivation cycle. Purslane was cultivated in a floating hydroponic system under either adequate or limiting N conditions. More specifically, under adequate N conditions, plants were supplied with NS where ammonium nitrogen (NH₄-N) accounted for either 7% (Nr7) or 14% (Nr14) of the total-N. The limiting N conditions were achieved through the application of either an NS where 30% of N inputs were compensated with Cl (N30), or an NS where 50% of N inputs were balanced by elevating Cl and S by 30% and 20%, respectively (N50). The results demonstrated that mild N stress enhanced the quality characteristics of purslane without significant yield losses. However, further and more severe N restrictions in the NS resulted in significant yield losses without improving product quality. The highest yield reduction (20%) occurred under high NH₄-N supply (Nr14), compared to Nr7-treated plants, which was strongly associated with impaired N assimilation and reduced biomass production. Both N-limiting treatments (N30 and N50) effectively reduced nitrate accumulation in edible tissues by 10% compared to plants grown under adequate N supply (Nr7 and Nr14); however, nitrate levels remained relatively high across all treatments, even though the environmental conditions of the experiment favored nitrate reduction. All applied N regimes and compensation strategies improved the antioxidant and flavonoid content, with the highest antioxidant activity observed in plants grown under high NH₄-N application, indirectly revealing the susceptibility of purslane to NH₄-N-rich conditions. Overall, the form and rate of N supply significantly influenced both plant performance and biochemical quality. Partial replacement of N with Cl (N30) emerged as the most promising strategy, benefiting quality traits and effectively reducing nitrate content without significantly compromising yield. Full article

The present research focused on the physiological alterations and antioxidant potential of Portulaca oleracea L. due to mycorrhizal symbiosis with diverse strains. Purslane belongs to the plants that form a symbiosis with mycorrhizal fungi and show tolerance to various strains. Inoculation with Funneliformis mosseae gave better mycorrhizal colonization results and positively affected biomass accumulation and the concentration of reducing sugars. The total accumulation of plastid pigments was higher in symbiotic plants, although this effect was not specific to any particular strain. Mycorrhizal fungi increased the levels of carotenes in the shoots, while xanthophylls decreased, with the highest values observed in non-inoculated plants. Both strains influenced the ratio of betalains: Funneliformis mosseae promoted the accumulation of β-cyanins, while Claroideoglomus claroideum increased β-xanthines. The association with Funneliformis mosseae also affected antioxidant capacity, as indicated by the FRAP test, by altering the concentrations of secondary metabolites, particularly phenols and flavonoids. Targeted inoculation with specific strains boosts both non-enzymatic (including water-soluble and lipid-soluble metabolites) and enzymatic antioxidant activity; however, it was not dependent on the strain. These findings underscore the benefits of mycorrhizal associations in purslane cultivation, promoting sustainable ecological practices and enhancing its quality as a food product. Full article

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is a plant recognized as a valuable source of nutrients and bioactive compounds such as omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. This study investigates the effects of grinding techniques (knife, ball, and planetary ball mill) on the properties of purslane powder (surface microstructure, particle size distribution, and color), their influence on the phenolic content in the extracts of purslane powder before and after in vitro simulated digestion process, and the antioxidant activity of the purslane extracts. The results showed that applied grinding techniques affected the particle size distribution and surface morphology of the powder, which in turn influenced the gastrointestinal stability of the dominant phenolic compounds in purslane powder extracts. The powder obtained via ball milling, characterized by the highest proportion of fine particles (x < 100 µm), showed the highest content of total phenolics (656 mg GAE/L). Ball milling resulted in high preservation of the dominant phenolic acids in the powder extract after simulated gastric and intestinal digestion (83.55% and 69.42%) and high free radical scavenging activity (DPPH and ABTS) and ferric reducing power (FRAP). The results obtained emphasize the nutritional and biological benefits of purslane in the form of a fine powder. Full article

Yogurt fortification with purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) can improve its health benefits, but it may alter the fermentation step and its final properties. Thus, the current study investigated the suitability of Fourier Transform-Near Infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy for in-line monitoring of lactic acid fermentation of purslane-fortified yogurt compared with fundamental rheology. Changes in the yogurt properties during storage were also assessed. Set-type yogurts without and with lyophilized purslane leaves (0.55%) were produced and stored at 4 °C for up to 18 days. Lactic acid bacteria concentrations before and after fermentation at 43 °C for 2.5 h showed that the presence of purslane did not interfere with bacterial growth. The purslane addition increased the milk viscosity, resulting in a yogurt with complex modulus values higher than those of the reference sample (360 vs. 172 Pa). The elaboration of spectral data with Principal Component Analysis and the Gompertz equation enabled calculation of the kinetic critical points. Applying the Gompertz equation to the rheological data, it was evident that FT-NIR spectroscopy detected earlier the fermentation progression (the critical times were about 18% earlier on average), thus enabling better control of yogurt production. No significant changes in microbial or textural properties were noted during yogurt storage, demonstrating that purslane addition did not affect the product stability. Full article

Medicinal plants are rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds, making them potentially suitable for use as chemotherapeutic agents and as additives in aquafeed. Our research evaluated the effects of purslane (Portulaca oleracea) extract supplemented in sunflower-based diets on the growth, carcass composition, blood indices, mineral content, liver antioxidant enzyme profile, and immune response in Cirrhinus mrigala (8.26 ± 0.07 g/fish). The juveniles were fed one of seven different diets—T₀ (no extract), T₁ (0.5%), T₂ (1%), T₃ (1.5%), T₄ (2%), T₅ (2.5%), and T₆ (3%)—twice daily, at a feeding rate of 5% of their live body weight. They were stocked in V-shaped steel tanks for 90 days, with 15 juveniles per tank and three replicates per dietary treatment. The results of this research revealed that 1–2% purslane extract substantially enhanced growth indices in fish (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the supplementation of 1–2% dietary purslane extract in the diet significantly lowered fat content and improved protein content (p < 0.05) compared to the diets with 0% and 3% purslane extract inclusion. The outcomes also indicated that the hematology and mineral content in the bodies of juveniles were significantly improved (p < 0.05) at all levels of purslane supplementation, relative to the control groups with 0% and 3% inclusion levels. Moreover, the administration of purslane extract markedly increased the liver antioxidant profile, including glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. Additionally, there was a notable reduction in malondialdehyde levels when fish were fed diets having 1% and 1.5% extract. The findings of this study also revealed improvements in immunological markers, characterized by increased lysozyme activity and elevated total globulin levels. The current research suggests that supplementing C. mrigala diets with 1% purslane extract optimally enhances growth and immunity. Full article

Background/Objectives: Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane) is a widely distributed plant known for its medicinal and nutritional properties. This study aims to evaluate the fatty acid composition and bioactivities of crude lipophilic extracts (chloroform/methanol 2:1) from purslane collected in Serbia and Greece, with a focus on its antimicrobial and anticancer potential. Methods: Chemical analysis was conducted to determine the fatty acid composition of the extracts. Antibacterial activity was assessed using standard microdilution assays, while antibiofilm assays evaluated the extracts’ ability to inhibit biofilm formation. Cytotoxicity was tested on cancer cell lines (MCF7, HeLa, CaCo2, HepG2) and normal keratinocyte cells (HaCaT). Molecular docking and dynamics simulations were performed to explore the interactions of bioactive fatty acids with microbial and cancer-related proteins. Results: The analysis revealed significant levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, with linoleic acid as the predominant fatty acid in both samples (31.42% and 34.51%). The Greek extract exhibited stronger antibacterial activity than the Serbian extract, particularly against Aspergillus versicolor, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. Antibiofilm assays showed up to 89.54% destruction at MIC levels, with notable reductions in exopolysaccharide and extracellular DNA production, especially for Greek samples. Cytotoxicity testing indicated moderate effects on cancer cell lines (IC₅₀ = 178.17–397.31 µg/mL) while being non-toxic to keratinocytes. Molecular docking identified strong interactions between key fatty acids and microbial and cancer-related proteins. Conclusions: These results highlight purslane’s potential as a source of bioactive compounds, particularly in antimicrobial and anticancer applications. The findings suggest that purslane extracts could be developed for therapeutic purposes targeting microbial infections and cancer. Full article

In this study, the effect of oven and microwave roasting at different times on oil content, total phenol, flavonoid, fatty acids, phenolic components and mineral contents of purslane seeds was investigated. The total phenolic quantities of the purslane seeds roasted in the oven and microwave were characterized to be between 252.0 ± 1.80 (180 °C/5 min in the oven) and 256.6 ± 3.51 (10 min in the oven), and between 216.3 ± 0.28 (720 W/15 min in the microwave) and 203.7 ± 1.93 GAE/100 g (30 min in the microwave), respectively. The highest total flavonoid (613.8 ± 4.36 mg QE/100 g) was detected in the application of roasting in the oven for 10 min. Roasting in the oven for 5 min caused a decrease in the total flavonoid content (584.3 ± 4.95 mg QE/100 g), while roasting for 10 min caused an increase in the flavonoid content (613.8 ± 4.36 mg QE/100 g). The oil yields of purslane seed samples roasted in the oven for 5 min and 10 min were defined as 40.40 ± 0.99% and 45.00 ± 0.71%, respectively. Statistical differences were observed between the oil, total phenol and flavonoid contents of the samples depending on the roasting times in the oven and microwave (p ≤ 0.01). The protein contents of the purslane seeds were established to be between 27.89 ± 0.279% (control) and 37.24 ± 0.407% (10 min in the oven). The calcium (Ca) contents of the purslane seeds changed between 8314.99 ± 327.53 ppm (5 min in the oven) and 4340.62 ± 498.45 ppm (15 min in the microwave), while the phosphorus contents varied between 4905.13 ± 43.02 ppm (15 min in the microwave) and 4051.23 ± 6.39 ppm (unroasted). In addition, the potassium content was found to be between 4565.89 ± 153.47 (5 min in the oven) and 3904.02 ± 7.17 ppm (unroasted). It was also observed that the purslane seeds roasted in the oven for 10 min maintained a linolenic fatty acid content of up to 65.57%. Considering the bioactive properties and phytochemical components of purslane seeds roasted in both roasting systems, they are important in terms of the nutritional enrichment of foods as a food supplement. Full article

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is an herbaceous species that is traditionally consumed across the world due to its nutraceutical quality, boasting anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic properties. These traits render purslane an attractive wild edible species for research and commercial exploitation. The current study examined the effect of different nitrogen (N) concentrations (100–200 mg L⁻¹; as N100, N200) in combination with different levels (decreased 0.66-fold: dec, recommended 1-fold: rec, or increased 1.5-fold: inc) of phosphorus (P; 47–70–105 mg L⁻¹) and potassium (K; 250–350–525 mg L⁻¹) in the nutrient solution (NS) used in hydroponic nutrient film technique (NFT) cultivation. The N200_PKinc NS resulted in improved crop growth compared to N200_PKrec NS, suggesting a positive correlation between optimal N levels (i.e., 200 mg L⁻¹) and increased P and K levels (105 and 525 mg L⁻¹, respectively). Plants grown in N200_PKinc revealed decreased antioxidant activity (e.g., DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS), phenols and flavonoids, while simultaneously increased total soluble solids levels. The recommended levels of P and K mirrored low levels in lipid peroxidation, mainly due to the increase in catalase enzymatic activity. Higher nutrient use efficiency was observed when both N100_PKinc and N200_PKinc were applied, resulting in higher yield and enhanced plant growth, while N100_PKinc produced plants with increased antioxidant activity. These findings suggest that both (N200_PKinc and N100_PKinc) NS have potential benefits for the hydroponic cultivation of purslane, with the latter NS offering additional advantages in terms of higher produce quality. Full article

The introduction of alternative crops, including wild edible and medicinal plants, in organic cultivation systems presents an attractive approach to producing healthy and high-quality products due to their content in beneficial compounds and increased nutritional value. The current study evaluated the impact of organic and conventional fertilization on the growth, quality, nutrient status and stress response of the two wild edible species, e.g., purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) and common sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.), under field conditions. The fertilization treatments included the following: a control (NoFert) treatment with no fertilizers added, base dressing with conventional fertilization (CoFert), base dressing with organic fertilization (OrFert), base dressing and side dressing with conventional fertilization (OrFert + S_CoFert) and base dressing and side dressing with organic fertilization (CoFert + S_CoFert). Organic fertilization was carried out using a commercial vinasse-based organic fertilizer. In both purslane and common sowthistle, the application of organic fertilizers provided comparable or even enhanced plant growth traits, macronutrient content (i.e., P and K for purslane, and N for sowthistle) and quality (i.e., total soluble solids) compared to the application of conventional fertilizers. On the other hand, conventional fertilization with supplementary fertilization positively influenced the plant growth of purslane (i.e., plant height and stems biomass), as well as its physiological parameters (i.e., chlorophylls content), total phenolics content and antioxidant capacity (i.e., DPPH and FRAP). Similarly, conventional fertilization led to increased total phenolics and antioxidants in common sowthistle, while variable effects were observed regarding plant physiology, stress response and antioxidant capacity indices. In conclusion, the use of organic fertilization in both purslane and common sowthistle exhibited a performance similar to that of conventional fertilization, although further optimization of fertilization regimes is needed to improve the quality of the edible products. Full article

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is characterised by insulin resistance and leads to hyperglycaemia. Its prevalence and associated complications continue to rise exponentially, despite the existence of pharmaceutical drugs, and this has prompted research into exploring safer herbal remedies. Portulaca oleracea (purslane) has been investigated in animal and clinical trials to explore its effects on diabetes, yielding conflicting results. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of purslane on inflammation and oxidative stress in diabetes mellitus. We conducted a comprehensive literature search on Scopus PubMed, and through a manual bibliographical search to find relevant studies from inception to 13 September 2024. The search terms included purslane, portulaca oleracea, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Of the 38 retrieved studies, 12 were considered relevant and underwent critical review. Evidence from rodent studies showed decreased inflammatory markers such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), nuclear factor kappa-beta (NF-κβ), and C-reactive (CRP), while interleukin-10 (IL-10) was increased after intervention with purslane. The markers of oxidative stress such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels increased, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased. Notably, the evidence from clinical trials showed a significant reduction in NF-κβ and CRP after purslane treatment; however, no effect was observed on MDA and TAC. The evidence gathered in this study suggests that purslane exerts anti-inflammatory properties by downregulating NF-κβ, thus suppressing the production of associated pro-inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, purslane may be used as an antioxidant and inflammatory agent for diabetes. However, further clinical evidence with a broader population is required to validate the therapeutic properties of purslane in diabetes. Full article

This study investigated Portulaca oleracea (purslane) as a potential antioxidant supplement in cooked sausages, focusing on its effects on lipid oxidation, fatty acid composition, and antioxidant activity. The fatty acid profile of the sausages enriched with 1.2% purslane powder revealed a 1.3-fold increase in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential omega-3 fatty acid. Improved oxidative stability during refrigerated storage was observed, with peroxide values of 10.9 meq/kg in the sausages with purslane by day 10 compared with 12.5 meq/kg in the control sausages. The thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values, reflecting lipid peroxidation, were also significantly lower in the sausages with purslane. The antioxidant capacity of the sausages containing purslane was significantly enhanced, demonstrating a ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of 13.5 mg GAE/g, whereas the control sausages showed undetectable FRAP levels. Additionally, the DPPH radical-scavenging activity in the sausages with purslane was 21.70% compared with 13.73% in the control. These findings suggest that purslane improves the nutritional profile of meat products by increasing beneficial fatty acids while providing substantial protection against oxidative spoilage. Purslane offers a promising natural alternative to synthetic antioxidants, enhancing the shelf life and quality of processed meats. Full article

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is a common weed that attracts research and agricultural attention because of its significant nutritional value, and it is used commercially. The present work rated the effect of different nitrogen (N) concentrations, i.e., N50: 50 mg L⁻¹; N100: 100 mg L⁻¹; N200: 200 mg L⁻¹; and N300: 300 mg L⁻¹, on the growth, physiology, antioxidant capacity, and nutrient accumulation in the different plant parts of hydroponically grown purslane. Seedlings were transplanted to a Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) system and exposed to different N levels. The plants grown in high N levels of 300 mg L⁻¹ had decreased biomass production, leaf number, leaf stomatal conductance, and total flavonoid content because of the increased oxidative stress, as shown by the elevated lipid peroxidation levels. Several enzymatic (superoxide dismutase) and non-enzymatic (ascorbic acid, total phenolics) plant antioxidant activities were activated to counteract the oxidative factors. Plants grown in intermediate N levels in the NS (i.e., 100 mg L⁻¹) had decreased oxidative stress as several enzymatic antioxidant activities, i.e., peroxidases and catalases, were increased. Additionally, the water use efficiency and nitrogen uptake, as well as leaf stomatal conductance and leaf chlorophyll fluorescence, were increased in plants grown at a N level of 200 mg L⁻¹. The mineral accumulation in the leaves, stems, and roots fluctuated, with increased calcium, magnesium, and sodium content being observed in the plants grown at high N levels in the nutrient solution. The stems accumulated less N compared with the leaves, but the N content and accumulation rates in purslane leaves were not affected by the N levels in the nutrient solution. Therefore, to increase the yield, nutritional value, and water use efficiency of purslane that is grown hydroponically, a concentration of 200 mg L⁻¹ N in the nutrient solution is recommended. Full article

Purslane has been suggested as an alternative crop suitable for human consumption due to its high content of minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, and several health-beneficial compounds. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of salinity stress (tap water (control), 2000, 4000, 6000, 8000, and 10,000 mg L⁻¹), biostimulant application (putrescine and salicylic acid at 200 mg L⁻¹), and the combination of the tested factors (i.e., salinity × biostimulant application) on the growth and chemical composition of purslane plants (Portulaca oleracea L.) over two growing seasons (2022 and 2023). Irrigation with tap water and putrescine application resulted in the highest plant height, weight of aboveground and underground parts, and number of shoots per plant. In contrast, the lowest values of growing parameters were recorded under severe saline stress (10,000 mg L⁻¹), especially for the plants that were not treated with biostimulants. The same trends were observed for macronutrients (N, P, K), total carbohydrates, total chlorophylls, and vitamin C content in leaves. Moreover, nitrate and proline content was higher in plants grown under salinity stress, especially under severe stress (8000–10,000 mg L⁻¹) without biostimulant application. In general, the application of biostimulants mitigated the negative impact of salinity on plant growth and leaf chemical composition, while the effect of putrescine on the tested parameters was more beneficial than that of salicylic acid. In conclusion, this study provides useful information regarding the use of putrescine and salicylic acid as biostimulatory agents with the aim of increasing purslane growth under salinity conditions. Full article

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is highly valued for its nutritional, medicinal, and ecological significance. Genetic transformation in plants provides a powerful tool for gene manipulation, allowing for the investigation of important phenotypes and agronomic traits at the genetic level. To develop an effective genetic transformation method for purslane, various organ tissues were used as explants for callus induction and shoot regeneration. Leaf tissue exhibited the highest dedifferentiation and regeneration ability, making it the optimal explant for tissue culture. By culturing on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with varying concentrations of 6-benzyleaminopurine (6-BA) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), somatic cells from leaf explants could be developed into calli, shoots, and roots. The shoot induction results of 27 different purslane accessions elucidated the impact of genotype on somatic-cell regeneration capacity and further confirmed the effectiveness of the culture medium in promoting shoot regeneration. On this basis, a total of 17 transgenic plants were obtained utilizing the genetic transformation method mediated by Agrobacterium. The assessment of GUS staining, hygromycin selection, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the transgenic plants as well as their progeny lines indicated that the method established could effectively introduce foreign DNA into the purslane nucleus genome, and that integration was found to be stably inherited by offspring plants. Overall, the present study demonstrates the feasibility and reliability of the Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation method for introducing and integrating foreign DNA into the purslane genome, paving the way for further research and applications in purslane genetic modification. Full article

Cultivating edible salt-tolerant plants (halophytes) for human consumption is increasingly important due to climate change and soil salinization, and offers sustainable agricultural solutions. Optimizing seed germination, the crucial initial stage of crop growth, is essential for enhancing crop production. This study aimed to optimize the germination of edible halophytes under greenhouse conditions, focusing on select soil (salinity and substrate) and non-soil-related factors (chemical and mechanical treatments). The target species were selected for their commercial value and included Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. (crystalline iceplant), Salicornia ramosissima J. Woods (sea asparagus), Medicago marina L. (sea medick), Ammophila arenaria (L.) Link (European beachgrass), Portulaca oleracea L. (common purslane), and Atriplex halimus L. (Mediterranean saltbush). Salinity negatively impacted germination rates (GRs) and delayed mean germination time (MGT) across species. P. oleracea had the highest GR (95.6%) in coco peat under freshwater irrigation, and the shortest MGT (5.2 days). A. halimus did not germinate under the tested conditions. Scarification with sulfuric acid improved the GR of M. marina by 42.2%, while scarification with ultrasounds improved the GR of A. arenaria by 35.5%. Our results indicate that the choice of substrate and the application of specific treatments like scarification can significantly improve the germination of certain halophyte species under variable saline conditions. Full article