Search Results (127)

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) leaves are the major by-product after harvesting the commercial calyces, and they contain diverse functional metabolites such as phenolic acids and flavonoids. This study aimed to comprehensively characterize the metabolite profiles of the leaves of two Taiwanese roselle varieties (Taitung No. 6 and Taitung No. 3) and to evaluate their antiproliferative and insulin resistance-ameliorating activities. Extracts prepared with 50% EtOH and n-hexane were analyzed by untargeted and targeted LC-MS/MS and GC-MS, respectively. Results revealed that the 50% EtOH extracts of both varieties were rich in neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, rutin, and nicotiflorin. Taitung No. 6 uniquely contained higher levels of anthocyanins including delphinidin-3-O-sambubioside and cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside. Acidified 50% EtOH extraction increased flavonoid aglycone and polyamine contents. n-Hexane extracts were identified as potential sources of vitamin E, α-linolenic acid, squalene, and phytol. Both varieties exhibited antiproliferative activity against BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer cells (IC₅₀: 289.2–356.8 μg/mL) and significantly improved the glucose uptake in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells. Neochlorogenic acid and cryptochlorogenic acid were identified as primary active contributors to these bioactivities. This study elucidated the metabolite composition of Taiwanese roselle leaves and provided a scientific basis for the utilization of roselle leaves as a promising functional ingredient. Full article

Roselle beverage residue (RBR), a by-product of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. processing, retains bioactive compounds, including soluble and insoluble dietary fiber and polyphenols. Its antihyperglycemic effect in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been previously demonstrated; however, its role in lipid metabolism remains unknown. This study assessed the preventive and therapeutic potential of RBR on dyslipidemia and hepatic steatosis in a rodent model of late-stage T2DM characterized by hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia. Male Wistar rats with T2DM induced by a high-fat and high-fructose diet combined with streptozotocin received 6% RBR supplementation as either a preventive intervention (starting at week 1 in healthy rats or week 9 in insulin-resistant rats) or a therapeutic intervention (starting at week 14 in diabetic rats). After 17 weeks, RBR supplementation significantly reduced serum triglycerides and total cholesterol, attenuating hepatic lipid accumulation regardless of the timing of intervention. Hepatic Acadm expression, involved in fatty acid β-oxidation, was significantly upregulated in rats treated with RBR from week 1 and 9, whereas no significant modulation was observed for genes related to fatty acid synthesis or uptake. These findings suggest that RBR supplementation may contribute to improving lipid metabolism and hepatic steatosis in a rat model of late-stage T2DM. Full article

The intensive use of chemical fertilizers in medicinal plant production raises significant environmental and quality concerns, particularly under arid and high-temperature conditions. This study investigated the effectiveness of indigenous endophytic bacteria consortium as a sustainable approach to reduce mineral fertilizer inputs while improving the growth, yield, and phytochemical quality of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) under Upper Egypt conditions. A field experiment was conducted during the summer of 2024 in Aswan, Egypt, using a factorial randomized complete block design. Treatments included a ten-strain endophytic consortium applied alone or combined with 25%, 50%, and 75% of the recommended NPK dose, alongside an unfertilized control and 100% NPK alone. Results highlighted clear percentage-based improvements with integrated treatments. The combination of 75% NPK with endophytic inoculation increased dry calyx yield by 16% relative to the conventional 100% NPK treatment. Significant increases were also observed in vegetative growth, fruit number, biomass accumulation, and photosynthetic pigments relative to full chemical fertilization. Moreover, antioxidant activity and concentrations of anthocyanins, phenolics, and flavonoids were maintained or enhanced under reduced fertilizer regimes, indicating qualitative gains without yield penalties. In contrast, complete fertilizer omission caused marked reduction in growth and yield parameters. Overall, substituting 25% of mineral fertilizers with indigenous endophytic inoculation not only sustained productivity but generated measurable yield gains, improved nutrient use efficiency, and strengthened crop resilience, demonstrating a practical and environmentally sound strategy for sustainable roselle cultivation in arid regions. Full article

Kombucha’s growing popularity worldwide has been accompanied by a growing consumer interest in exploring new flavors and adopting healthier diets. In this preliminary consumer-driven study, we investigated the application of white hibiscus (WH) calyces in the development of novel kombucha beverages. Kombuchas were made from 100% black tea (BT), 100% WH, and 50% BT/WH blend infusions, then their pH, total titratable acidity (TTA), ethanol content, sucrose, glucose, and fructose concentrations were measured. Untrained sensory participants (N = 97) rated the kombuchas using a 9-point hedonic scale, described them using a check-all-that-apply list of attributes, and answered a willingness-to-pay (WTP) question. Tea infusion and fermentation time had a significant effect on pH, TTA, ethanol, sucrose, fructose, and glucose content (p < 0.05). High residual sugar levels observed in the WH kombucha indicated sluggish fermentation. Kombuchas differed significantly in overall-liking, color, aroma, flavor, and mouthfeel liking, and WTP (p < 0.05). Overall, BT kombucha was preferred over the WH kombuchas (100% and blend). Sensory attributes “refreshing”, “floral”, “hibiscus”, “fruity”, and “sweet” were positive drivers of acceptability, while “pungent” and “astringent” were negative drivers. Results suggest that blends containing less than 50% WH may provide more appealing sensory attributes to consumers, and that further study is needed. Full article

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

Background: Hemodynamic overload induces left ventricular remodeling and heart failure across various clinical presentations. While geometric remodeling is classically associated with increased vascular resistance in hypertension, distinct patterns emerge under the mechanical stress of aortic stenosis (AS). Concept: The “Stress Septal Sign” (Triple S) represents a marker of stress-mediated hemodynamic overload driven by diverse stimuli, ranging from mechanical stress in AS to emotional triggers in acute stress cardiomyopathy. Within this spectrum, Stressed Heart Morphology describes a specific phenotype characterized by a predominant and hyperdynamic LV septal base. Results: Chronic hemodynamic stress in severe AS results in prominent basal septal hypertrophy. This remodeling is characterized by distinct tissue energetics: hypermetabolic activity at the basal septum contrasted with reduced metabolic activity or hypokinesis in the apical regions. These findings on myocardial geometry, function, and energetics align with the adaptive phase of LV remodeling. Conclusions: The presence of adaptive myocardial basal tissue suggests an advanced remodeling stage that may require timely therapeutic intervention in severe AS. Therefore, identifying these specific tissue characteristics offers a unifying imaging paradigm (Triple S) for assessing cardiac stress, independent of the primary etiology. 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

Background: The health and viability of captive elephants, which are central to off-site conservation efforts and health management in Thailand, is threatened by emerging infectious diseases. This is partly due to genetic differences in immune-related genes, especially in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and, among these, loci such as DQA play a crucial role in immune surveillance. Data pertaining to MHC polymorphisms in elephants are scarce, and thus this study investigated such polymorphisms and selection signatures in a partial fragment of exon 2 of the MHC Class II DQA gene. Methods: The approach we used targeted next-generation sequencing and diversity analyses of individuals from three captive elephant camps in Northern Thailand. Results: Eight alleles containing 11 SNPs were identified in the exon 2 fragment, encompassing both silent and missense mutations, some of which may influence immune function. Notably, the allele Elma-DQA*TH3, which is identical to Loaf-DQA*01 and Elma-DQA*01, previously reported as the most common alleles in Loxodonta and Elephas, was found at low frequencies. This shift may reflect local selective pressures that shape MHC allele distributions. Evidence of mixed selection (both positive and balancing) was detected in the partial fragment of DQA exon 2, suggesting a dynamic interplay between evolutionary forces. Positive selection likely reflects an adaptation to emerging or locally prevalent pathogens, whereas balancing selection maintains allelic diversity over time to enable a broad immunological response. Conclusions: Our findings reveal immunogenetic variations in captive Thai elephants, and provides insights into host–pathogen interactions that inform conservation and health strategies with the aim of improving disease resilience. Full article

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterial pathogen that infects half of the world population. While standard treatment was initially effective, eradication rates have declined over the last 20 to 30 years, and the use of adjuvants, such as probiotic supplements, has been suggested to improve efficacy. This review presents evidence supporting the use of Lacidofil^®, an established blend of two thoroughly characterized probiotic strains, as an adjuvant to standard therapy for H. pylori eradication. The microbiology and epidemiology of H. pylori infection as well as current approaches to diagnosis and treatment are summarized, and the roles of probiotics to support standard H. pylori treatment are outlined. Lacidofil^® and its component strains are described, and evidence from eight clinical trials supporting its efficacy is presented. H. pylori eradication rates were increased in participants receiving Lacidofil^® (90–100%) compared to controls (70–86.7%), and the incidence of side effects was decreased (e.g., antibiotic-associated diarrhea—Lacidofil^®: 0–13.6%; controls: 20–40.9%). Published summaries, including systematic reviews with meta-analysis and an umbrella review, are discussed. To expand on the discussion of clinical studies, in vivo and in vitro studies are reviewed, including studies using state-of-the-art molecular methods. They characterize Lacidofil^®’s mechanism of action and further support its efficacy as an adjuvant strategy for H. pylori eradication, side effect reduction, and return to gut microbiota homeostasis. Full article

The interventricular septum is recognized as the first region to undergo remodeling, and a septal bulge is described as an early echocardiographic sign of hypertensive heart disease. Using third-generation microscopic ultrasonography in an animal model, we validated, for the first time, that remodeling originates in the basal septum, presenting as basal septal hypertrophy (BSH), an early imaging biomarker, and subsequently progresses to other regions, leading to tissue dysfunction and heart failure. We have termed this finding the “stress septal sign” (Triple S) because a variety of stress stimuli, such as treadmill exercise or pressure overload from aortic banding in animals, induced BSH, a region with more intensive sympathetic innervation than the mid-apex. This finding also represents a conjunctive point between functional etiologies, such as hypertension, and emotional etiologies that precipitate acute stress cardiomyopathy. Microscopic analysis of the remodeling revealed that hemodynamic stress has a specific effect on cardiac geometry. The Triple S is associated with exercise-induced hypertension and high stress scores in patients with hypertension. Furthermore, three-dimensional segmental remodeling is more effective than cross-sectional measurements for detecting the impact of superimposed multiple stressors. A high-rate pressure product and blood pressure variability in patients exhibiting the Triple S should be managed comprehensively through an integrated approach to stress and hypertension to avoid high mortality in clinical practice. A precise etiologic evaluation of incidentally detected BSH may contribute to the early diagnosis of hypertensive disease. The integrated and timely management of stress and hypertension is important for patients presenting with the Triple S and high stress scores. This management strategy may provide a practical solution for avoiding the adverse hypertensive consequences of global remodeling and maladaptation to superimposed multiple stressors. Full article

Hibiscus sabdariffa (H. sabdariffa) is a high-value economic and functional crop, limited by agroclimatic conditions and low technological adoption. This systematic review examines the current state of artificial intelligence applications in agricultural management, analyzing 2111 records, selecting 82, and synthesizing 22 studies that meet the inclusion criteria. This review adopts a holistic framework aligned with three priority areas in agriculture—resource and climate management, crop productivity and quality, and sustainability—to explore how AI addresses key challenges in the cultivation and post-harvest processing of Hibiscus sabdariffa. The results show a predominance of classical machine learning techniques, with limited implementation of deep learning models. The most common applications include image classification, yield prediction, and analysis of bioactive compounds. However, limitations remain in the availability of open data, reproducible code, and standardized metrics. The narrative synthesis identified clear opportunities to integrate emerging technologies, such as deep neural networks and the Internet of Things (IoT), particularly in water management and stress monitoring. The review concludes that strengthening interdisciplinary research and promoting data openness is key to achieving a more resilient, sustainable, and technologically advanced crop. Full article

This study analyzes the potential of optical and radar satellite data to monitor faba bean (Vicia faba L.) phenology over six years (2016–2021) in southwestern France. Using Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, and Landsat-8 data, temporal variations in NDVI and radar backscatter coefficients (γ⁰_VV, γ⁰_VH, and γ⁰_VH/VV) are examined to assess crop growth, detect anomalies, and evaluate the impact of climatic conditions and sowing strategies. The results show that NDVI and the radar ratio (γ⁰_VH/VV) were suited to monitor faba bean phenology, with distinct growth phases observed annually. NDVI provides a clear seasonal pattern but is affected by cloud cover, while radar backscatter offers continuous monitoring, making their combination highly beneficial. The signal γ⁰_VH/VV exhibits well-marked correlations with NDVI (r = 0.81) and LAI (r = 0.83), particularly in orbit 30, which provides greater sensitivity to vegetation changes. The analysis of individual fields (inter-field approach) reveals variations in sowing strategies, with both autumn and spring plantings detected. Fields sown in autumn show early NDVI (and γ⁰_VH/VV) increases, while spring-sown fields display delayed growth patterns. This study also highlights the impact of climatic factors, such as precipitation and temperature, on inter-annual variability. Moreover, faba beans used as an intercropping species exhibit a shorter and more intense growth cycle, with a rapid NDVI (and γ⁰_VH/VV) increase and an earlier end of the vegetative cycle compared to standard rotations. Double logistic modeling successfully reconstructs temporal trends, achieving high accuracy (r > 0.95 and rRMSE < 9% for γ⁰_VH/VV signals and r > 0.89 and rRMSE < 15% for NDVI). These double logistic functions are capable of reproducing the differences in phenological development observed between fields and years, providing a reference set of functions that can be used to monitor the phenological development of faba beans in real time. Future applications could extend this methodology to other crops and explore alternative radar systems for improved monitoring (such as TerraSAR-X, Cosmos-SkyMed, ALOS-2/PALSAR, NISAR, ROSE-L…). Full article

Background/Objectives: There is growing interest in the benefits of probiotic supplementation during pregnancy and lactation, but evidence supporting the beneficial effects for mother–infant dyads remains scarce. This study assessed the effects of probiotic supplementation on infection frequency and immunity in pregnant women and infants, and on microbiome establishment during the first month of life. Methods: At 28 weeks of gestation, 180 healthy pregnant women were randomized to receive either a placebo (n = 90) or a probiotic supplement (n = 90), Prenatis™, containing 5 billion CFU/day of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus Rosell^®-11 and Bifidobacterium bifidum HA-132. Results: There was a significantly lower number of women with one or more infections during the study in the probiotics group (8 vs. 18, p = 0.05) and a trend for a lower number of infections during pregnancy (primary outcome) in the probiotics group (p = 0.07). Regarding infants, a lower number of days with infections during the first month of life was observed in the probiotics group (4.7 days on average vs. 10.5 days, p = 0.03). The vaginal microbiota composition during pregnancy and after childbirth showed no significant differences between groups while the infants’ gut microbiome demonstrated a significantly higher abundance/prevalence of beneficial taxa in the probiotics group. The benefits conferred by probiotics were especially notable when considering birth by C-section. Probiotics promoted the vertical transmission of beneficial species and the induction of a highly interconnected microbiota, structured around key species. Conclusions: Probiotic supplementation during the third trimester of pregnancy and lactation is a valid strategy for conferring benefits to mothers and infants. Full article

Globally, Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Malvaceae), commonly known as roselle or hibiscus, is a multipurpose vegetable crop. In Malawi, where it is referred to as ‘Chidede’ (Chichewa), it is recognized as an underutilized traditional plant with significant potential. Traditional vegetable production in Malawi is being promoted to enhance nutritional food security and climate change mitigation. Recently, biochar has become increasingly used to improve agricultural productivity through climate-smart technologies. To date, the influence of rice husk biochar (RHB) on H. sabdariffa remains underexplored. This study aims to evaluate the effects of RHB on the vegetative growth, response to water stress, and post-stress recovery of H. sabdariffa using a greenhouse pot experiment. Our findings indicate that biochar-amended soil enhanced plant height, stem thickness, and total leaf area by 16.5%, 12.0%, and 12.9%, respectively. Water stress significantly reduced all assessed growth parameters (p < 0.05) except total leaf area and average leaf area per plant. Under water stress conditions, biochar-treated plants were significantly taller (p < 0.05) and had a higher specific leaf area (p < 0.05), demonstrating a positive effect. A post-stress recovery analysis revealed that H. sabdariffa fully recovered in height and biomass, while partial recovery was observed for root collar diameter and compensatory recovery for total leaf area and average leaf area. Biochar-treated plants exhibited superior post-stress recovery compared to those grown in unamended soil. Overall, plants grown with biochar were taller and had a larger root collar diameter, higher stem and leaf fresh biomass, and greater total leaf area. These findings underscore biochar’s potential as a sustainable soil amendment for enhancing growth and resilience in underutilized crops. Further studies should explore field experiments to access environmental heterogeneity and examine the diverse factors influencing biochar efficiency. Full article

Cotton biomass residues consist of an important portion of the agricultural byproducts. In this work, we systematically analyzed and compared the morphology and thermal properties of nine cotton biomass byproducts. The unique tubular and/or porous morphology of some samples (e.g., main stems, branch stems, and petioles) implied their structural advantage in the development of electric supercapacitors and pollutant absorbents. The higher heating values of the nine samples ranged between 17 and 20 MJ kg⁻¹, higher than some of the other common agricultural byproducts (e.g., rice husk and sugarcane bagasse). The moisture content showed a positive correlation (p > 0.05) to the dehydration temperature of the differential scanning calorimetric plots. The residual char after thermogravimetric analysis could be separated into a high-yield cluster (34.4–26.6%) of leaf blades, bracts/peduncles, burrs, defatted meal, and petioles, and a low-yield cluster (20.5–13.6%) of main stems, branch stems, cotton gin waste, and cottonseed hull. These observations and data are useful for a better understanding of the fundamental chemistry of cotton biomass byproducts. Growing knowledge is useful for improving their recycling strategies and may shed light on the exploration of new value-added products or applications from these cotton biomass byproducts for a circular economy with sustainable agriculture. Full article