Plant Secondary Metabolism Research Papers (original) (raw)

2025, EFSA Journal

By definition, "cured meat products" contain curing salts, usually salt (sodium chloride) and either nitrites or nitrates. The use of nitrites as a curing agent provides the cured meat colour, the cured meat flavour, and, in combination with other factors, slows or prevents growth of bacterial pathogens. Nitrites exert a concentration-dependent antimicrobial effect in cured meat products, including inhibition of the outgrowth of spores of putrefactive and pathogenic bacteria such as Clostridium botulinum. Their antimicrobial effects are pH-dependent, increasing ten-fold for each unit fall in pH. In most cured meat products, the addition of nitrites (or nitrates) is necessary to prevent the growth and toxin production by C. botulinum.

2025, Genetics and Molecular Research

Cytochrome P450s (P450s) comprise a gene superfamily encoding enzymes that are involved in diverse plant metabolic pathways that produce primary and secondary metabolites such as phenylpropanoids, terpenoids, nitrogen-containing compounds, and plant hormones. They comprise one of the most diverse gene families in plant evolution. Although there are many studies that aim to characterize P450s in plants, there is no report on the characterization of this superfamily in Coffea arabica, where they might be related to plant tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, as well as aromarelated compounds. In this study, we report the characterization and annotation of 87 putative P450s from C. arabica obtained from the Brazilian Coffee Genome Project and describe their transcriptional pattern in different tissues and coffee organs. To validate our approach, we measured the transcriptional profile of the CaCYP81D8_1 gene by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in leaves, flowers, and fruits. This study is the first effort to present and analyze the P450 superfamily

2025, JBIC Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry

A new series of silver compounds could be of interest on designing new drugs for the treatment of leishmaniasis. The compounds [Ag(phen ), and imzt have been synthesized and evaluated in vitro for antileishmanial activity against Leishmania. (L.) amazonensis (La) and L. (L.) chagasi (Lc), and two of them were selected for in vivo studies. In addition to investigating the action on Leishmania, their effects on the hydrogen peroxide production and cysteine protease inhibition have also been investigated. As for antileishmanial activity, compound (4) was the most potent against promastigote and amastigote forms of La (IC 50 = 4.67 and 1.88 μM, respectively) and Lc (IC 50 = 9.35 and 8.05 μM, respectively); and comparable to that of amphotericin B, reference drug. Beside showing excellent activity, it also showed a low toxicity. In the in vivo context, compound (4) reduced the number of amastigotes in the liver and spleen when compared to the untreated group. In evaluating the effect of the compounds on Leishmania, the level of hydrogen peroxide production was maintained between the lag and log phases; however, in the treatment with compound (4) it was possible to observe a reduction of 25.44 and 49.13%, respectively, in the hydrogen peroxide rates when compared to the lag and log phases. It was noticed that the presence of a nitrate ion and imzt in compound (4) was important for the modulation of the antileishmanial activity. Thus, this compound can represent a potentially new drug for the treatment of leishmaniasis.

2025, Plants

The phytochemical constituents from the roots of Millettia speciosa were investigated by chromatographic isolation, and their chemical structures were characterized using the MS and NMR spectroscopic methods. A total of 10 compounds, including six triterpenoids, two flavonoids, and two phenolic compounds, were identified from the roots of M. speciosa. Out of the isolated compounds, eight showed inhibitory effects on NO production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, with IC50 values ranging from 43.9 to 449.5 µg/mL. Ursane-type triterpenes significantly suppressed NO production compared to the remaining compounds. In addition, these compounds also exhibited remarkable inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase. Among the tested compounds, 4, 5, and 10 exhibited excellent α-glucosidase inhibition, with IC50 values ranging from 1.1 to 2.2 µg/mL. Almost all of the test compounds showed little or no acetylcholinesterase inhibition, except for 5, which showed moderate anti-ac...

2025, Ecology, Environment and Conservation

Plant tissue culture plays an extremely important role in contemporary plant biotechnology due to its potential for mass production of enhanced crop varieties and high yield of significant secondary metabolites. Utilizing biotic and abiotic elements, several attempts have been made to increase the efficiency and output of plant tissue culture. Due to its efficacy in microbial cleaning and the increase of secondary metabolites, the use of nanoparticles as elicitors has recently attracted interest on a global scale. Nanoparticles are objects with a nanometric dimension; they have distinct physico-chemical characteristics. Among all nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are well-known for their antibacterial and hormetic properties, which, in the right doses, improved plant biomass and promoted the accumulation of secondary metabolites. The assessment of the application of nanotechnology to plant tissue culture is the main objective of this review. The emphasis is placed mostly on the augmentation of secondary metabolites, their impacts on plant development and biomass accumulation, as well as their potential mechanisms of action.

2025

Nano-gardening has revolutionized agriculture by leveraging nanotechnology for enhanced plant growth and sustainability. Among different types of nanoparticles, metal nanoparticles (MNPs) are recognized as potential candidates for use in diverse agricultural products like fertilizers, growth enhancers, and pesticides per se. Additionally, there is an increasing interest in regulating plant regeneration with the application of MNPs. Understanding the influence of these nano-scale particles on different aspects of plant developmental biology and their underlying mechanism is quite indispensable. In this review, the effect of different MNPs like silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), Titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO 2 NP), Iron oxide nanoparticles (FeNP), Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnONP), and Copper nanoparticles (CuNP) was considered. Among all the applications of nanoparticles on plant systems, the studies on improvements in shoots and root multiplication, induction of callus cultures, and establishment of somatic embryogenesis have gained the utmost importance. The advancement in plant tissue culture techniques has enormous importance in plant micropropagation, disease elimination, and increase in plant secondary metabolite production. The present review focused on the role of different MNPs in controlling the plant regeneration processes and their associated mechanisms of action. The study also tried to compile the overall plausible mode of action of MNPs in upgrading the plant regeneration process which involves the triggering of different signalling cascades in plant cells.

2025, Zeitschrift für Naturforschung B

A new dimeric naphtho-γ-pyrone, 2-hydroxydihydronigerone (1), along with five compounds, nigerone (2), pyrophen (3), kojic acid (4), 4-(hydroxymethyl)-5-hydroxy-2H-pyran-2-one (5), and p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (6), was isolated from an endophytic fungus Aspergillus niger AKRN associated with the roots of Entandrophragma congoënse. The structure of the new compound has been elucidated using spectroscopic data including 1D and 2D NMR as well as the high-resolution mass spectrometry. Compounds 1–5 showed weak antimicrobial activity on five selected Gram-negative bacteria, namely Enterobacter aerogenes (CM64), Enterobacter cloacae (BM67), Klebsiella pneumonia (K2), and Escherichia coli (ATCC8739 and ATCC10536).

2025, Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture

BACKGROUND: Studies of perennial peanut (Arachis glabrata Benth.) suggest its hay and haylage have greater levels of rumen undegraded protein (RUP) than other legume forages such as alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Greater RUP can result in more efficient nitrogen utilization by ruminant animals with positive economic and environmental effects. We sought to determine whether, like red clover (Trifolium pretense L.), perennial peanut contains polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and PPO substrates that might be responsible for increased RUP. RESULTS: Perennial peanut extracts contain immunologically detectible PPO protein and high levels of PPO activity (>100 nkatal mg -1 protein). Addition of caffeic acid (PPO substrate) to perennial peanut extracts depleted of endogenous substrates reduced proteolysis by 90%. Addition of phenolics prepared from perennial peanut leaves to extracts of either transgenic PPOexpressing or control (non-expressing) alfalfa showed peanut phenolics could reduce proteolysis >70% in a PPO-dependent manner. Two abundant likely PPO substrates are present in perennial peanut leaves including caftaric acid. CONCLUSIONS: Perennial peanut contains PPO and PPO substrates that together are capable of inhibiting post-harvest proteolysis, suggesting a possible mechanism for increased RUP in this forage. Research related to optimizing the PPO system in other forage crops will likely be applicable to perennial peanut.

2025, Scientific Reports

Great are the expectations for a new generation of antimicrobials, and strenuous are the research efforts towards the exploration of diverse molecular scaffolds—possibly of natural origin – aimed at the synthesis of new compounds against the spread of hazardous fungi. Also high but winding are the paths leading to the definition of biological targets specifically fitting the drug’s structural characteristics. The present study is addressed to inspect differential biological behaviours of cinnamaldehyde and benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone scaffolds, exploiting the secondary metabolism of the mycotoxigenic phytopathogen Aspergillus flavus. Interestingly, owing to modifications on the parent chemical scaffold, some thiosemicarbazones displayed an increased specificity against one or more developmental processes (conidia germination, aflatoxin biosynthesis, sclerotia production) of A. flavus biology. Through the comparative analysis of results, the ligand-based screening strategy here de...

2025, Applied microbiology and biotechnology

Aspergillus flavus is an opportunistic mold that represents a serious threat for human and animal health due to its ability to synthesize and release, on food and feed commodities, different toxic secondary metabolites. Among them, aflatoxin B1 is one of the most dangerous since it is provided with a strong cancerogenic and mutagenic activity. Controlling fungal contamination on the different crops that may host A. flavus is considered a priority by sanitary authorities of an increasing number of countries due also to the fact that, owing to global temperature increase, the geographic areas that are expected to be prone to experience sudden A. flavus outbreaks are widening. Among the different pre- and post-harvest strategies that may be put forward in order to prevent fungal and/or mycotoxin contamination, fungicides are still considered a prominent weapon. We have here analyzed different structural modifications of a natural-derived compound (cuminaldehyde thiosemicarbazone) for t...

2025

In our search for quorum-sensing (QS) disrupting molecules, 75 fungal isolates were recovered from reef organisms (endophytes), saline lakes and mangrove rhizosphere. Their QS inhibitory activity was evaluated in Chromobacterium violaceum CVO26. Four strains of endophytic fungi stood out for their potent activity at concentrations from 500 to 50 μg mL -1 . The molecular characterization, based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequences (ITS1, 5.8S and ITS2) between the rRNA of 18S and 28S, Mar. Drugs 2014, 12 5504 identified these strains as belonging to four genera: Sarocladium (LAEE06), Fusarium (LAEE13), Epicoccum (LAEE14), and Khuskia (LAEE21). Interestingly, three came from coral species and two of them came from the same organism, the coral Diploria strigosa. Metabolic profiles obtained by Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS) suggest that a combination of fungal secondary metabolites and fatty acids could be the responsible for the observed activities. The LC-HRMS analysis also revealed the presence of potentially new secondary metabolites. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report of QS inhibition by marine endophytic fungi.

2025, Scientific African

Available evidence suggests serious food safety concerns in Ethiopia. Most available studies focus on single contamination types, geographies, or commodities. This analysis synthesizes food safety research in Ethiopia taking a food system perspective. Our synthesis identified four thematic areas of concern (1) aquatic ecosystems and water as an agricultural input, (2) chemicals and heavy metals in agriculture and agricultural outputs, (3) mycotoxins, and (4) contamination in food products. We conclude with key actions in the short, medium, and long term and identify key stakeholders to take action to improve food safety. A safe food system requires collaboration. In Ethiopia, this requires multisectoral collaboration across federal ministries (horizontal) with all levels of regional-state governance (vertical) as well as the private sector. Regulation alone is insufficient; collective action is essential. The Food and Nutrition Council should lead coordination, ensuring policy coherence and navigating socio-political trade-offs. In the short term, a multisectoral committee should be established for immediate action. This committee should work with the research community to advance the evidence base. Medium term efforts should involve regional universities in monitoring of contamination and evaluating food safety actions. While long-term commitment is needed to address the issues identified, effective action can begin now, based on available evidence. * Corresponding author. 1 As of December 8, 2024, there are 1915 publications on Scopus that match the keyword search for 'Ethiopia AND "food security"' while 'Ethiopia AND "food safety"' had only 266.

2025, Cell

Although biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) have been discovered for hundreds of bacterial metabolites, our knowledge of their diversity remains limited. Here, we used a novel algorithm to systematically identify BGCs in the extensive extant microbial sequencing data. Network analysis of the predicted BGCs revealed large gene cluster families, the vast majority uncharacterized. We experimentally characterized the most prominent family, consisting of two subfamilies of hundreds of BGCs distributed throughout the Proteobacteria; their products are aryl polyenes, lipids with an aryl head group conjugated to a polyene tail. We identified a distant relationship to a third subfamily of aryl polyene BGCs, and together the three subfamilies represent the largest known family of biosynthetic gene clusters, with more than 1,000 members. Although these clusters are widely divergent in sequence, their small molecule products are remarkably conserved, indicating for the first time the important roles these compounds play in Gram-negative cell biology.

2025, HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe)

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L'archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d'enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés.

2025, Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology

Caves are regarded as extreme habitats with appropriate conditions for the development of Actinobacteria. In comparison with other habitats, caves have not yet been the target of intensive screening for bioactive secondary metabolites produced by actinomycetes. As a primary screening strategy, we conducted a metagenomic analysis of the diversity and richness of a key gene required for non-ribosomal peptide (NRP) biosynthesis, focusing on cave-derived sediments from two Canadian caves (a lava tube and a limestone cave) to help us predict whether different types of caves may harbor drugproducing actinobacteria. Using degenerate PCR primers targeting adenylation domains (AD), a conserved domain in the core gene in NRP biosynthesis, a number of amplicons were obtained that mapped back to biomedically relevant NRP gene cluster families. This result guided our culturedependent sampling strategy of actinomycete isolation from the volcanic caves of Canada (British Columbia) and Portugal (Azores) and subsequent characterization of their antibacterial and enzymatic activities. Multiple enzymatic and antimicrobial activities were identified from bacterial of the Arthrobacter and Streptomyces genera demonstrating that actinomycetes from volcanic caves are promising sources of antibacterial, antibiofilm compounds and industrially relevant enzymes.

2025, Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering Reviews

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2025, Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

A randomized complete block (RCBD) study was designed to investigate the effects of cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) on the growth, bioaccumulation of the two heavy metals, metabolite content and antibacterial activities in Gyanura procumbens (Lour.) Merr. Nine treatments including (1) control (no Cd and Cu); (2) Cd 2 = cadmium 2 mg/L; (3) Cd 4 = cadmium 4 mg/L; (4) Cu 70 = copper 70 mg/L; (5) Cu 140 = copper 140 mg/L); (6) Cd 2 + Cu 70 = cadmium 2 mg/L + copper 70 mg/L); (7) Cd 2 + Cu 140 = cadmium 2 mg/L + copper 70 mg/L); (8) Cd 4 + Cu 70 = cadmium 4 mg/L+ copper 70 mg/L and (9) Cd 4 + Cu 140 = cadmium 4 mg/L + copper 140 mg/L) were evaluated in this experiment. It was found that the growth parameters (plant dry weight, total leaf area and basal diameter) were reduced with the exposure to increased concentrations of Cd and Cu and further decreased under interaction between Cd and Cu. Production of total phenolics, flavonoids and saponin was observed to be reduced under combined Cd an...

2025, Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)

Plants are unrivaled in the common world in both the number and unpredictability of secondary metabolites they produce, and the pervasive phenylpropanoids and the heredity explicit glucosinolates speak to two such vast and artificially various gatherings. Advances in genome-empowered natural chemistry and metabolomic innovations have incredibly expanded the comprehension of their metabolic systems in assorted plant species. There additionally has been some advancement in explaining the quality administrative systems that are critical to their combination, gathering and capacity. Secondary metabolites have essential defense and flagging jobs, and they add to the general quality of creating and aging natural products. Particularly, light conditions and temperature are exhibited to have an unmistakable job on the organization of phenolic compounds. The present survey centers around the examinations on components related with the guideline of key secondary metabolites, mostly phenolic compounds, in different plants are a helpful cluster of normal items as well as an essential piece of plant defense framework against pathogenic assaults and environmental stresses. With astounding biological exercises, plant SMs are progressively utilized as drug fixings and nourishment added substances for remedial, fragrant and culinary purposes. Different hereditary, ontogenic, morphogenetic and environmental components can impact the biosynthesis and aggregation of SMs. As indicated by the writing reports, for instance, SMs gathering is unequivocally reliant on an assortment of environmental factors, for example, light, temperature, soil water, soil richness and saltiness, and for most plants, an adjustment in an individual factor may modify the substance of SMs regardless of whether different elements stay steady. Here, we survey with accentuation how every one of single elements to influence the collection of plant secondary metabolites, and lead a relative examination of applicable normal items in the stressed and unstressed plants. Hopefully, this narrative survey will diagram a general picture of environmental elements in charge of change in plant SMs, give a handy method to get reliable quality and high amount of bioactive compounds in vegetation, and present a few proposals for future innovative work.

2025, Annual Review of Phytopathology

Trichoderma species are widely used in agriculture and industry as biopesticides and sources of enzymes, respectively. These fungi reproduce asexually by production of conidia and chlamydospores and in wild habitats by ascospores. Trichoderma species are efficient mycoparasites and prolific producers of secondary metabolites, some of which have clinical importance. However, the ecological or biological significance of this metabolite diversity is sorely lagging behind the chemical significance. Many strains produce elicitors and induce resistance in plants through colonization of roots. Seven species have now been sequenced. Comparison of a primarily saprophytic species with two mycoparasitic species has provided striking contrasts and has established that mycoparasitism is an ancestral trait of this genus. Among the interesting outcomes of genome comparison is the discovery of a vast repertoire of secondary metabolism pathways and of numerous small cysteine-rich secreted proteins. ...

2025, Nature

Magnaporthe grisea is the most destructive pathogen of rice worldwide and the principal model organism for elucidating the molecular basis of fungal disease of plants. Here, we report the draft sequence of the M. grisea genome. Analysis of the gene set provides an insight into the adaptations required by a fungus to cause disease. The genome encodes a large and diverse set of secreted proteins, including those defined by unusual carbohydrate-binding domains. This fungus also possesses an expanded family of G-protein-coupled receptors, several new virulence-associated genes and large suites of enzymes involved in secondary metabolism. Consistent with a role in fungal pathogenesis, the expression of several of these genes is upregulated during the early stages of infection-related development. The M. grisea genome has been subject to invasion and proliferation of active transposable elements, reflecting the clonal nature of this fungus imposed by widespread rice cultivation. The gene content of a plant pathogenic fungus Within the M. grisea genome, 11,109 genes were predicted with articles

2025, Nanoscale Advances

This review provides a comprehensive overview of nanoparticles, with a particular focus on plant extractmediated green-synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs). This article is one of the simplest to read as it aims at beginner researchers, who may not have advanced knowledge on topics like nanoparticles, including metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, their classification, and techniques to prepare them. Various synthesis procedures are discussed, emphasizing green synthesis methods that utilize plant extracts as reducing and stabilizing agents. Subsequently, the mechanisms involved in the formation of CuO NPs are highlighted. Their significant applications with a mechanistic overview on environmental remediation, especially in the eradication of textile dyes and pharmaceutical wastes, and their antimicrobial properties are elucidated. By carefully scrutinizing the information available in the literature, this article aims to equip novice researchers with a foundational understanding of nanoparticles, their synthesis, and their practical applications, fostering further exploration in the field of nanotechnology.

2025, Indian Journal of Agricultural Research, Volume 59 Issue 5 (May 2025)

Background: Indian Pennywort (Centella asiatica L.) is an important tropical medicinal plant having pharmaceutical, neutraceutical and cosmoceutical properties but it is treated as threatened species due to indiscriminate collections from the wild. The whole herb is economically important and its biological effects have been attributed to the existence of major triterpene derivatives including madecassoside, asiaticoside, madecassic and asiatic acid. To meet the industrial requirement on sustainable basis, commercial cultivation of Centella asiatica L. is the only solution. The sustained supply of quality raw material to the industry is possible only through cultivation of elite genotypes with high potency as the natural resources are dwindling. Increased productivity will also facilitate the international trade with high potency raw material at a reasonable cost. Methods: The field evaluation was carried out at

2025

An LC-MS-based metabolomics approach was used to characterise the variation in secondary metabolite production due to changes in the salt content of the growth media as well as across different growth periods (incubation times). We used metabolomics as a tool to investigate the production of rifamycins (antibiotics) and other secondary metabolites in the obligate marine actinobacterial species Salinispora arenicola, isolated from Great Barrier Reef (GBR) sponges, at two defined salt concentrations and over three different incubation periods. The results indicated that a 14 day incubation period is optimal for the maximum production of rifamycin B, whereas rifamycin S and W achieve their maximum concentration at 29 days. A "chemical profile" link between the days of incubation and the salt concentration of the growth medium was shown to exist and reliably represents a critical point for selection of growth medium and harvest time.

2025, Chinese journal of natural medicines

The present study was designed to determine the taxonomic diversity and metabolic activity of the actinomycetes community, including 13 traditional medicinal plants collected in Sichuan province, China, using multiple approaches such as morphological and molecular identification methods, bioactivity assays, and PCR screening for genes involved in antibiotics biosynthesis. 119 endophytic actinomycetes were recovered; 80 representative strains were chosen for 16S rRNA gene partial sequence analyses, with 66 of them being affiliated to genus Streptomyces and the remaining 14 strains being rare actinomycetes. Antimicrobial tests showed that 12 (15%) of the 80 endophytic actinomycetes displayed inhibitory effects against at least one indicator pathogens, which were all assigned to the genus Streptomyces. In addition, 87.5% and 58.8% of the isolates showed anticancer and anti-diabetic activities, respectively. Meanwhile, the anticancer activities of the isolates negatively correlated with...

2025, Journal of Biotechnology

A strain (S. fradiae ΔurdQ/R) with mutations in urdQ and urdR encoding a dTDP-hexose-3,4dehydratase and a dTDP-hexose-4-ketoreductase, respectively, produces a new urdamycin analogue (urdamycin X) with changes in the polyketide structure. The structure of urdamycin X has been elucidated by NMR spectroscopy. Urdamycin X was not detectable, even in small amounts, in either S. fradiae ΔurdQ, in S. fradiae ΔurdR or in S. fradiae A0, a mutant lacking all glycosyltransferase genes. Complementation of S. fradiae ΔurdQ/R restored urdamycin A production indicating that the mutations did not cause any polar effect.

2025, SINET: Ethiopian Journal of Science

In many temperate woody species, short days (SDs) induced growth cessation has been shown to be prevented by the application of gibberellins (GAs). Evidence has also been forwarded for the influence of photoperiod on the metabolism of applied GAs. Continuing with this line of research, we studied the metabolism of 14 C-labelled GA19 and GA53. [ 14 C]GA19 and [ 14 C]GA53 were applied to the apices of the northern ecotype (67º N) and to the leaves of the southern ecotype (64º N) of Betula pendula Roth. under different photoperiods and at different times in order to compare metabolism during day and night periods. Assay of metabolites was made 10 h after application. Less than half of each applied GA was taken in by the plants and most of the activity was recovered from the application points. There was no clear effect of photoperiod on uptake of the GAs. After the HPLC anal ysis, most of the absorbed radiolabelled GAs were eluted as unmetabolised forms. However, significant levels of gibberellins A20, A29, A1, and A8 were recovered as metabolites of [ 14 C]GA19 both in apical stems and leaves. In 1SD and 4SD-treated plants, there was less metabolism of [ 14 C]GA19 compared to LD-treated plants. The difference was due to reduced metabolism of [ 14 C]GA19 by SD-treated plants during the night period. On the other hand, metabolism of [ 14 C]GA53 was very limited in all day-length treatments and during both, day and night periods. The most abundant metabolite was [ 14 C]GA19 (10% of the activity in the samples).

2025, Plant Signaling & Behavior

An in vitro method of multiple shoot induction and plant regeneration in Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC was developed. Cotyledons, hypocotyls, epicotyls, internodal and young seedling leaves were used as explants. MS media supplemented with various concentrations of either thidiazuron (TDZ) or N6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) along with NAA or IAA combinations were used to determine their influence on multiple shoot induction. MS media supplemented with TDZ induced direct shoot regeneration when epicotyls and internodal segments were used as explants. TDZ at 3 mg L ¡1 induced highest rate (89.2 § 3.28%) of regeneration with (13.4 § 2.04) shoots per explant. MS media supplemented with BAP in combination with NAA or IAA induced callus mediated regeneration when cotyledons and hypocotyls were used as explants. BAP (2.5 mg L ¡1 ) and IAA (0.2 mg L ¡1 ) induced highest rate (100 § 2.66%) of regeneration with (23.2 § 2.66) shoots per explant. Mature plants produced from regenerated shoots were transferred successfully to the greenhouse. In a comparative study, the phenolics contents of various parts of greenhouse-grown plants with that of in vitro-raised plants showed significant variations.

2025, The Journal of Antibiotics

2025, TheScientificWorldJournal

Mutations that reduce glucose or insulin/insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) signaling increase longevity in organisms ranging from yeast to mammals. Over the past 10 years, several studies confirmed this conserved molecular strategy of longevity regulation, and many more have been added to the complex mosaic that links stress resistance and aging. In this review, we will analyze the similarities that have emerged over the last decade between longevity regulatory pathways in organisms ranging from yeast, nematodes, and fruit flies to mice. We will focus on the role of yeast signal transduction proteins Ras, Tor, Sch9, Sir2, their homologs in higher organisms, and their association to oxidative stress and protective systems. We will discuss how the "molecular strategy" responsible for life span extension in response to dietary and genetic manipulations appears to be remarkably conserved in various organisms and cells, including neuronal cells in different organisms. Taken ...

2025, Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants

In the present investigation, metabolites of Streptomyces sp. MTN14 and Trichoderma harzianum ThU significantly enhanced biomass yield (3.58 and 3.48 fold respectively) in comparison to the control plants. The secondary metabolites treatments also showed significant augmentation (0.75-2.25 fold) in withanolide A, a plant secondary metabolite. Lignin deposition, total phenolic and flavonoid content in W. somnifera were maximally induced in treatment having T. harzianum metabolites. Also, Trichoderma and Streptomyces metabolites were found much better in invoking in planta contents and antioxidants compared with their live culture treatments. Therefore, identification of new molecular effectors from metabolites of efficient microbes may be used as biopesticide and biofertilizer for commercial production of W. somnifera globally.

2025, Metabolomics

Hybridization between plant species can have a number of biological consequences; interspecific hybridization has been tied to speciation events, biological invasions, and diversification at the level of genes, metabolites, and phenotypes. This study aims to provide evidence of transgressive segregation in the expression of primary and secondary metabolites in hybrids between Jacobaea vulgaris and J. aquaticus using an NMR-based metabolomic profiling approach. A number of F 2 hybrid genotypes exhibited metabolomic profiles that were outside the range encompassed by parental species. Expression of a number of primary and secondary metabolites, including jacaronone analogues, chlorogenic acid, sucrose, glucose, malic acid, and two amino acids was extreme in some F 2 hybrid genotypes compared to parental genotypes, and citric acid was expressed in highest concentrations in J. vulgaris. Metabolomic profiling based on NMR is a useful tool for quantifying genetically controlled differences between major primary and secondary metabolites among plant genotypes. Interspecific plant hybrids in general, and specifically hybrids between J. vulgaris and J. aquatica, will be useful for disentangling the ecological role of suites of primary and secondary metabolites in plants, because interspecific hybridization generates extreme metabolomic diversity compared to that normally observed between parental genotypes.

2025, Journal of Chemical Ecology

Plants produce a variety of secondary metabolites (PSMs) that may be selective against herbivores. Yet, specialist herbivores may use PSMs as cues for host recognition, oviposition, and feeding stimulation, or for their own defense against parasites and predators. This summarizes a dual role of PSMs: deter generalists but attract specialists. It is not clear yet whether specialist herbivores are a selective force in the evolution of PSM diversity. A prerequisite for such a selective force would be that the preference and/or performance of specialists is influenced by PSMs. To investigate these questions, we conducted an oviposition experiment with cinnabar moths (Tyria jacobaeae) and plants from an artificial hybrid family of Jacobaea vulgaris and Jacobaea aquatica. The cinnabar moth is a specialist herbivore of J. vulgaris and is adapted to pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), defensive PSMs of these plants. The number of eggs and egg batches oviposited by the moths were dependent on plant genotype and positively correlated to concentrations of tertiary amines of jacobine-like PAs and some otoseninelike PAs. The other PAs did not correlate with oviposition preference. Results suggest that host plant PAs influence cinnabar moth oviposition preference, and that this insect is a potential selective factor against a high concentration of some individual PAs, especially those that are also involved in resistance against generalist herbivores.

2025, Open Chemistry

Dihydroquercetin (dhq) and its 3-acetate react with acetic anhydride in the absence of a base catalyst to yield mixtures of partially acetylated products. Three new esters were characterized by NMR spectroscopy as dhq 3,7,3′-triacetate, 3,7,4′-triacetate and 5,7,3′,4′-tetraacetate. At its melting point neat dhq 3,7,3′,4′-tetraacetate is partially converted to dhq 3,3′,4′-triacetate and dhq pentaacetate by intermolecular acetyl transfer. Dhq 7,3′,4′-triacetate yields exclusively dhq 3′,4′-di- and 3,7,3′,4′-tetraacetate under these conditions. The acetylation/deacetylation reactions are accompanied by partial epimerization: 3 new acetates with 2,3-cis stereochemistry (dhq 3-, 3,7,3′,4′-tetra- and penta-) were identified. Dhq and its 3,7,3′,4′-tetraacetate undergo regiospecific dibromination at C-6 and C-8 with excess N-bromosuccinimide in polar solvents, and 6,8-dibromo-dhq can be regioselectively debrominated to 8-bromo-dhq with sodium sulfite.

2025, BioScientific review

Many copies of a single plant can be grown using the plant tissue culture technology. These copies have the right characteristics to satisfy medical and nutritional demands. Secondary metabolites are purposefully synthesized by using the in vitro technique. These metabolites act as protectors for plants during stressful conditions and offer resistance against different organisms and factors, ultimately helping the plant to survive. With the passage of time, the development of new instruments for the improved synthesis of secondary metabolites via the genetic control of biosynthetic pathways has been aided by the speedy development of recombinant DNA technology. Plants generate a wide range of secondary metabolites that have various biological functions, such as fungicide, herbicide, anti-parasitic, and antimicrobial functions. Nanotechnology has the potential to drastically alter conventional plant growing methods and bring about the synthesis of flavonoids, anthocyanin, and diosgenin by using silver nanoparticles and cadmium oxide nanoparticles (CdONPs). The technique of callus cultures is increasingly utilized to produce secondary metabolites. Hence, the main objective of the current review is to increase the synthesis of secondary metabolites.

2025

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2025, The 1st International Electronic Conference on Plant Science

Mexico is a megadiverse country, with a high quantity of unique plant species with different uses and applications, such as bactericidal, fungicidal, insecticidal, and, recently, nutrimental. The content of phytochemicals, and the impact of them on animal and human health, has made them a target for biotechnological improvement. In the region Bajio in Mexico, several plants that are associated with ecological, medical and industrial potential have been identified, but also those associated with the traditions. The work in this project includes the development of systems for the culture for the production of secondary metabolites (in vitro root tissue culture) and the miRNA expression analysis, in order to find the molecules that are associated with metabolites production. In this study, we include the following two plants: marigold (Tagetes erecta), in which genes associated to lutein production had been identified in flower development; systems for cell culture and plant transformation have been developed, but no systems for in vitro root culture. Up until now, there are not studies related to miRNA expression and association to these molecules to secondary metabolites. In Heliopsis longipes, several methodologies had been developed for the isolation of afinnin and its uses in agriculture, medicine, and, recently, as analgesic activities in some other metabolites. First, a root tissue culture was established for both of the plants (marigold and Heliopsis), using a combination of auxins (2,4-D, IAA, IBA) in a kinetic assay, as the base for manipulation; differences in the root architecture were determined mainly in the time of production and root architecture. In the molecular analysis, four miRNAs were found to be differentially expressed, and associated to secondary metabolites production (miR146, miR164, miR168, miR171). The reordering of miRNAs synthesis and the targets was analyzed, and is associated with the secondary metabolites production, in order to establish a system for the in vitro induction of metabolites.

2025, Biotechnology for Biofuels

Background: Understanding how fungi degrade lignocellulose is a cornerstone of improving renewables-based biotechnology, in particular for the production of hydrolytic enzymes. Considerable progress has been made in investigating fungal degradation during time-points where CAZyme expression peaks. However, a robust understanding of the fungal survival strategies over its life time on lignocellulose is thereby missed. Here we aimed to uncover the physiological responses of the biotechnological workhorse and enzyme producer Aspergillus niger over its life time to six substrates important for biofuel production. We analysed the response of A. niger to the feedstock Miscanthus and compared it with our previous study on wheat straw, alone or in combination with hydrothermal or ionic liquid feedstock pretreatments. Conserved (substrate-independent) metabolic responses as well as those affected by pretreatment and feedstock were identified via multivariate analysis of genome-wide transcriptomics combined with targeted transcript and protein analyses and mapping to a metabolic model. Initial exposure to all substrates increased fatty acid beta-oxidation and lipid metabolism transcripts. In a strain carrying a deletion of the ortholog of the Aspergillus nidulans fatty acid beta-oxidation transcriptional regulator farA, there was a reduction in expression of selected lignocellulose degradative CAZymeencoding genes suggesting that beta-oxidation contributes to adaptation to lignocellulose. Mannan degradation expression was wheat straw feedstock-dependent and pectin degradation was higher on the untreated substrates. In the later life stages, known and novel secondary metabolite gene clusters were activated, which are of high interest due to their potential to synthesize bioactive compounds. In this study, which includes the first transcriptional response of Aspergilli to Miscanthus, we highlighted that life time as well as substrate composition and structure (via variations in pretreatment and feedstock) influence the fungal responses to lignocellulose. We also demonstrated that the fungal response contains physiological stages that are conserved across substrates and are typically found outside of the conditions with high CAZyme expression, as exemplified by the stages that are dominated by lipid and secondary metabolism.

2025

The lycophyte Selaginella moellendorffii represents early vascular plants and is studied to understand the evolution of higher plant traits such as the vasculature, leaves, stems, roots, and secondary metabolism. However, little is known about the gene expression and transcriptional coordination of Selaginella genes, which precludes us from understanding the evolution of transcriptional programs behind these traits. We here present a gene expression atlas comprising all major organs, tissue types, and the diurnal gene expression profiles for S. moellendorffii. The atlas is part of the CoNekT-Plants database (conekt.plant.tools), which enables comparative transcriptomic analyses across two algae and seven land plants. We show that the transcriptional gene module responsible for the biosynthesis of lignocellulose evolved in the ancestor of vascular plants, and pinpoint the duplication and subfunctionalization events that generated multiple gene modules involved in the biosynthesis of ...

2025, Frontiers in Microbiology

Editorial on the Research Topic Plant disease management in the post-genomic era: from functional genomics to genome editing, Volume II

2025, International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV) is a recently identified virus. Previous research indicates primarily a substantial impact on berry ripening in all varieties studied. The current study analyzed grapes’ primary and secondary metabolism across grapevine genotypes and seasons to reveal both conserved and variable impacts to GRBV infection. Vitis vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon (CS) grapevines grafted on two different rootstocks (110R and 420A) were analyzed in 2016 and 2017. Metabolite profiling revealed a considerable impact on amino acid and malate acid levels, volatile aroma compounds derived from the lipoxygenase pathway, and anthocyanins synthesized in the phenylpropanoid pathway. Conserved transcriptional responses to GRBV showed induction of auxin-mediated pathways and photosynthesis with inhibition of transcription and translation processes mainly at harvest. There was an induction of plant-pathogen interactions at pre-veraison, for all genotypes and seasons, except for CS 11...

2025, Journal of Bacteriology and Mycology

Various protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions are extant which are fundamental for the regulation of biosynthetic pathways, metabolic and cellular processes in bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms, but their role and significance must be clearly elucidated. To effectively and efficiently compete in their natural habitat or niche, bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms utilize regulatory mechanisms in metabolic production and other cellular processes; thus controlling overproduction and excretion of the secondary metabolites of excess concentrations into the environment. The knowledge and information regarding fungal natural product biosynthesis have been retarded in comparison to the corresponding extant bacterial biosynthetic pathways due to salient externalities, constraints and challenges.

2025, In Vitro Cell Dev Biol – Plant

Nanoparticles, typically from 1 to 100 nm in size, have unique physical and chemical properties that allow them to penetrate biological barriers, making them effective in plant biotechnology for delivering genes, nutrients, and pesticides. Absorbed through roots, leaves, or seeds, they move through the vascular system, enhancing agricultural practices and productivity. Their applications include gene delivery with gold nanoparticles, nanofertilizers for efficient nutrient delivery, and silver nanoparticles for effective pest control, representing significant advancements in sustainable agriculture. However, challenges such as potential toxicity to plants and non-target organisms, high production costs, and environmental impact are the uncertainties that require further research for safe and widespread adoption. Emerging trends include smart nanocarriers that respond to environmental triggers and biodegradable nanoparticles to minimize environmental accumulation. Future research aims to enhance delivery precision and integrate nanotechnology with tools like CRISPR-Cas9 and machine learning for advanced crop management, potentially revolutionizing plant biotechnology and boosting global food security. A study on Stevia rebaudiana revealed that using silver nanoparticles (AgNPs: Argovit™) in temporary immersion bioreactors (TIBs) improved propagation and stimulated secondary metabolite production. Specifically, 25.0 and 37.5 mg L-1 AgNPs reduced shoot multiplication, while 12.5 mg L-1 enhanced endogenous diterpene levels. Similarly, applying AgNPs in TIBs to Gerbera jamesonii increased vase life by 21%, suggesting a potential method for extending the post-harvest longevity of cut flowers. Further research will explore these findings in the context of biotic and abiotic stress.

2025, Phytochemistry

The present study describes the eect of a Phytophthora sojae 25-amino acid oligopeptide (Pep25) elicitor on the secondary metabolism of parsley cell cultures (Petroselinum crispum L.). HPLC analysis of the accumulated compounds in the elicitortreated cultures revealed the expected accumulation of furanocoumarins (e.g. marmesin and bergapten) as well as various noncoumarin compounds which have not been described previously to occur in this cell culture. These compounds were isolated by preparative HPLC and identi®ed by spectroscopic methods (MS, NMR) as 5-hydroxy-and 7-hydroxy-3-butylidenephthalides including two novel conjugates of the 7-hydroxy derivative, i.e. 7-O-glucoside and 7-O-(6 '-malonylglucoside).

2025

ARTÍCULO ORIGINAL Diversidad genética de Trichoderma spp. en Venezuela, determinada mediante análisis combinado ITS-AFLP RESUMEN: Se estudió la diversidad genética entre 68 aislados de Trichoderma procedentes de diferentes cultivos, sustratos y localidades, mediante los análisis ITS-AFLP. Se secuenció la región ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 del ADN ribosomal amplificada con los cebadores ITS1 e ITS4 y en el caso de los AFLP se utilizaron cuatro combinaciones de oligonucleótidos. Las relaciones genéticas entre los aislados se analizaron mediante el uso combinado del Análisis de Coordenadas Principales, el Análisis de Conglomerados y el ajuste de un Biplot Logístico Externo sobre datos de disimilitud, utilizando los coeficientes de Jaccard, Emparejamiento simple, Dice y Rogers y Tanimoto. Se identificaron nueve especies y las más abundantes fueron Hypocrea lixii (anamorfoTrichoderma harzianum) y T. koningiopsis representadas por 22 y 20 aislados, respectivamente. Le siguen Hypocrea virens (anamorfo ...

2025

Se estudió la diversidad genética entre 68 aislados de Trichoderma procedentes de diferentes cultivos, sustratos y localidades, mediante los análisis ITS-AFLP. Se secuenció la región ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 del ADN ribosomal amplificada con los cebadores ITS1 e ITS4 y en el caso de los AFLP se utilizaron cuatro combinaciones de oligonucleótidos. Las relaciones genéticas entre los aislados se analizaron mediante el uso combinado del Análisis de Coordenadas Principales, el Análisis de Conglomerados y el ajuste de un Biplot Logístico Externo sobre datos de disimilitud, utilizando los coeficientes de Jaccard, Emparejamiento simple, Dice y Rogers y Tanimoto. Se identificaron nueve especies y las más abundantes fueron Hypocrea lixii (anamorfoTrichoderma harzianum) y T. koningiopsis representadas por 22 y 20 aislados, respectivamente. Le siguen Hypocrea virens (anamorfo T. virens), Trichoderma ghanense; Trichoderma asperellum y Trichoderma brevicompactum con 7, 6, 4 y 4 aislados respectivamente. Las especies menos frecuentes fueron Trichoderma erinaceum con dos aislados y Trichoderma spirale y Trichoderma longibrachiatum con un aislado cada una. Los AFLP formaron cuatro grupos, correspondiendo uno de ellos al 99,52 % de los aislados de Trichoderma asperellum, otros dos agruparon al 85,54 y 50% de H virens y H. lixii, respectivamente. Las otras seis especies se ubicaron el cuarto grupo, y no pudieron ser diferenciadas entre si. El iniciador con mayor contenido de Información Polimórfica fue AG+CAG, que además permitió separar la especie H. lixii del resto. La combinación AG+CAG separó a T. asperellum de las otras especies.

2025, BMC Genomics

Background: The described species from the Metarhizium genus are cosmopolitan fungi that infect arthropod hosts. Interestingly, while some species infect a wide range of hosts (host-generalists), other species infect only a few arthropods (host-specialists). This singular evolutionary trait permits unique comparisons to determine how pathogens and virulence determinants emerge. Among the several virulence determinants that have been described, secondary metabolites (SMs) are suggested to play essential roles during fungal infection. Despite progress in the study of pathogen-host relationships, the majority of genes related to SM production in Metarhizium spp. are uncharacterized, and little is known about their genomic organization, expression and regulation. To better understand how infection conditions may affect SM production in Metarhizium anisopliae, we have performed a deep survey and description of SM biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) in M. anisopliae, analyzed RNA-seq data from fungi grown on cattle-tick cuticles, evaluated the differential expression of BGCs, and assessed conservation among the Metarhizium genus. Furthermore, our analysis extended to the construction of a phylogeny for the following three BGCs: a tropolone/citrinin-related compound (MaPKS1), a pseurotin-related compound (MaNRPS-PKS2), and a putative helvolic acid (MaTERP1).

2025, Frontiers in plant science

Plant cell cultures constitute a potentially efficient and sustainable tool for the production of high added-value bioactive compounds. However, due to the inherent restrictions in the expression of secondary metabolism, to date the yields obtained have generally been low. Plant cell culture elicitation can boost production, sometimes leading to dramatic improvements in yield, as well as providing insight into the target biosynthetic pathways and the regulation of the genes involved. Among the secondary compounds successfully being produced in biotechnological platforms are taxanes and -resveratrol (-R). In the current study, perfluorodecalins (PFDs) and hexenol (Hex) were tested for the first time with and cell cultures to explore their effect on plant cell growth and secondary metabolite production, either alone or combined with other elicitors already established as highly effective, such as methyl jasmonate (MeJa), coronatine (Coro) or randomly methylated β-cyclodextrins (β-CDs)...