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Liu Y, Li W, Wu K, Lei B, Chen J, Zhang X, Lei H, Duan X, Huang R. Antifungal molecular details of MNQ-derived novel carbon dots against Penicillium digitatum. Food Chem 2023; 413:135687. [PMID: 36804745 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.135687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
It is urgent to develop high-efficiency and low-toxicity natural antifungal agents on green mold caused by Penicillium digitatum. The effect of 2-methoxy-1, 4-naphthoquinone (MNQ) inhibition of P. digitatum was not very satisfactory. MNQ-derived carbon dots (MNQ-CDs) synthesized through a solvothermal route were used as antifungal agents against P. digitatum. The antifungal activity of prepared MNQ-CDswas enhanced compared to MNQ, and the minimum inhibitory concentration was 2.8 μg/mL. A total of 441 genes and 122 metabolites have undergone significant changes. The omics data revealed that MNQ-CDs primarily modified the metabolism of aromatic amino acids and synthesis of the cell membrane in P. digitatum, thereby inhibiting its propagation. Furthermore, compared with MNQ, MNQ-CDs had a better control effect on the green mold of citrus fruits, and could more significantly inhibit the propagation of P. digitatum. This study provides a new idea for the design of new and efficient antifungal materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongchun Liu
- University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Wei Li
- Key Laboratory for Biobased Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education, College of Materials and Energy, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Keyue Wu
- University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Bingfu Lei
- Key Laboratory for Biobased Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education, College of Materials and Energy, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jianying Chen
- Key Laboratory for Biobased Materials and Energy of Ministry of Education, College of Materials and Energy, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xiaoyong Zhang
- University Joint Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao Region on Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation, College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Hongtao Lei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety, College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xuewu Duan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
| | - Riming Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety, College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
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2
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Ge YH, Li X, Huang M, Huang Z, Wu M, Sun B, Wang L, Wu JL, Li N. Aroma correlation assisted volatilome coupled network analysis strategy to unveil main aroma-active volatiles of Rosa roxburghii. Food Res Int 2023; 169:112819. [PMID: 37254394 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.112819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
To investigate the main aroma-active volatiles out from comprehensive chemical profile, we proposed an aroma correlation assisted volatilome coupled network analysis strategy and applied it to the study of Rosa roxburghii. Based on 475 detected volatiles with GC × GC-TOF/MS analysis, the volatilome was screened with both positive aroma activities and high contents to discover some aliphatic acids, alcohols, aldehydes and esters, terpenoids as well as some alkenes and ketones. Especially, a series of homologous C6- and C8- acids, alcohols, aldehydes, esters as well as some terpenoids like limonene take the predominant contributions to the aromas. Moreover, two aroma-active and aroma-contributing volatile groups including acid-aldehyde-alcohol-ester and terpenoid groups were clustered to integrally be responsible for the major aromas of R. roxburghii with network analysis. Additionally, the accumulation of C6- and C8-family homologous aliphatic volatiles was also elucidated with linoleic and linolenic acid derived pathways. This strategy is practical to investigate the main aroma-active volatiles based on volatilome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Hui Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa 999078, Macau, China
| | - Xue Li
- Institute of Mass Spectrometry and Atmospheric Environment, Jinan University, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for On-line Source Apportionment System of Air Pollution, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Mingzheng Huang
- College of Food and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Guizhou Institute of Technology, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Zhengxu Huang
- Institute of Mass Spectrometry and Atmospheric Environment, Jinan University, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for On-line Source Apportionment System of Air Pollution, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Manman Wu
- Institute of Mass Spectrometry and Atmospheric Environment, Jinan University, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for On-line Source Apportionment System of Air Pollution, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Baoqing Sun
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center of Respiratory Disease, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lishuang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa 999078, Macau, China
| | - Jian-Lin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa 999078, Macau, China.
| | - Na Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa 999078, Macau, China.
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3
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Van Haute S, Nikkhah A, Malavi D, Kiani S. Prediction of essential oil content in spearmint (Mentha spicata) via near-infrared hyperspectral imaging and chemometrics. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4261. [PMID: 36918607 PMCID: PMC10014940 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31517-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) is grown for its essential oil (EO), which find use in food, beverage, fragrance and other industries. The current study explores the ability of near infrared hyperspectral imaging (HSI) (935 to 1720 nm) to predict, in a rapid, nondestructive manner, the essential oil content of dried spearmint (0.2 to 2.6% EO). Spectral values of spearmint samples varied considerably with spatial coordinates, and so the use of averaging the spectral values of a surface scan was warranted. Data preprocessing was done with Multiplicative Scatter Correction (MSC) or Standard Normal Variate (SNV). Selection of spectral input variables was done with Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO), Principal Component Analysis (PCA) or Partial Least Squares (PLS). Regression was executed with linear regression (LASSO, PLS regression, PCA regression), Support Vector Machine (SVM) regression, and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP). The best prediction of EO concentration was achieved with the combination of MSC or SNV preprocessing, PLS dimension reduction, and MLP regression (1 hidden layer with 6 nodes), achieving a good prediction with a ratio of performance to deviation (RPD) of 2.84 ± 0.07, an R2 of prediction of 0.863 ± 0.008, and a RMSE of prediction of 0.219 ± 0.005% EO. These results show that NIR-HSI is a viable method for rapid, nondestructive analysis of EO concentration. Future work should explore the use of NIR in the visible spectrum, the use of HSI for determining EO in other plant materials and the potential of HSI to determine individual compounds in these solid plant/food matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Van Haute
- Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium. .,Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Environmental Technology, and Food Technology, Ghent University Global Campus, 119, Songdomunhwa-Ro, Yeonsu-Gu, Incheon, 21985, South Korea.
| | - Amin Nikkhah
- Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Environmental Technology, and Food Technology, Ghent University Global Campus, 119, Songdomunhwa-Ro, Yeonsu-Gu, Incheon, 21985, South Korea.,Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Derick Malavi
- Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Environmental Technology, and Food Technology, Ghent University Global Campus, 119, Songdomunhwa-Ro, Yeonsu-Gu, Incheon, 21985, South Korea
| | - Sajad Kiani
- Biosystems Engineering Department, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Sari, Iran.
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4
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Parrey ZA, Shah SH, Fayaz M, Casini R, Elansary HO, Mohammad F. Nitrogen Supplementation Modulates Morphological, Biochemical, Yield and Quality Attributes of Peppermint. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:809. [PMID: 36840157 PMCID: PMC9962011 DOI: 10.3390/plants12040809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Due to the rising demand for essential oil in the world market, peppermint has gained an important status among aromatic and medicinal plants. It becomes imperative to optimize its performance in terms of the growth, physiological functioning and biosynthesis of specialized metabolites. A factorial randomized pot experiment was performed using three peppermint cultivars (Kukrail, Pranjal and Tushar) and five levels of leaf-applied nitrogen (N), viz. 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2%. The phenological features, biochemical parameters, viability of root cells, stomatal and trichome behavior were assessed at 100 days after transplanting (DAT). The yield-related parameters, viz., herbage yield, essential oil content, menthol content and yield were studied at 120 DAT. The results revealed that increasing the N doses up to 1.5% enhanced all the studied parameters of peppermint, which thereafter (at the dose above 1.5% N) decreased. The variation pattern of the studied parameters was "low-high-low". Cultivar Kukrail surpassed the two other cultivars Tushar and Pranjal. Among the foliar sprays, the application of 1.5% N increased chlorophyll content and net photosynthetic rate in all three cultivars. Moreover, the essential oil (EO), EO yield and menthol yield of the plant were also increased linearly in all three cultivars as compared with their control plants. Nitrogen application enhanced the trichome size and density of the plants, as revealed through scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, from the GC-MS studies, the EO content in the studied cultivars increased, particularly in the case of menthol, with the N application. It may be concluded that two sprays of N (1.5%) at appropriate growth stages could be beneficial for improving morphological, physio biochemical and yield attributes of peppermint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zubair Ahmad Parrey
- Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Section, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sajad Hussain Shah
- Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Section, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Mudasir Fayaz
- Plant Tissue Culture Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar 190006, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Ryan Casini
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 2121 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA
| | - Hosam O. Elansary
- Department of Plant Production, College of Food & Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Firoz Mohammad
- Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Section, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Zhang J, Zhang J, Guan Y, Huang X, Arslan M, Shi J, Li Z, Gong Y, Holmes M, Zou X. High- sensitivity bilayer nanofiber film based on polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate/polyvinylidene fluoride for pork spoilage visual monitoring and preservation. Food Chem 2022; 394:133439. [PMID: 35753256 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.133439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A colorimetric bilayer film for pork freshness detection and preservation was developed using electrospinning technique. The bilayer film consisted of a layer with polyvinyl alcohol - sodium alginate - alizarin as sensor layer and a layer with polyvinylidene fluoride - vanillin as antibacterial layer. The water contact angle of bilayer film was larger than the single colorimetric layer. The color sensitivity to the ammonia of the bilayer film was higher, with an ΔE value of 47.99. The film could display color shifts from yellow to purple with the naked eye is critical for checking pork freshness. In addition, the bilayer film exhibited sensitive antibacterial activity, with an inhibition zone against S. aureus (8.3 mm) and E. coli (14.7 mm), respectively. Finally, the bilayer film was applied to freshness monitoring of pork. The film displayed significant color changes and prolonged the pork shelf life by 24 h at 25 °C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianing Zhang
- Agricultural Product Processing and Storage Lab, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Junjun Zhang
- Agricultural Product Processing and Storage Lab, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Yefeng Guan
- Agricultural Product Processing and Storage Lab, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Xiaowei Huang
- Agricultural Product Processing and Storage Lab, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China.
| | - Muhammad Arslan
- Agricultural Product Processing and Storage Lab, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Jiyong Shi
- Agricultural Product Processing and Storage Lab, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China.
| | - Zhihua Li
- Agricultural Product Processing and Storage Lab, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China
| | - Yunyun Gong
- School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Melvin Holmes
- School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Xiaobo Zou
- Agricultural Product Processing and Storage Lab, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China.
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6
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Ćavar Zeljković S, Schadich E, Džubák P, Hajdúch M, Tarkowski P. Antiviral Activity of Selected Lamiaceae Essential Oils and Their Monoterpenes Against SARS-Cov-2. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:893634. [PMID: 35586050 PMCID: PMC9108200 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.893634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This study presents the very first report on the in vitro antiviral activity of selected essential oils of Lamiaceae plant species and their monoterpenes against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Nineteen essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation of dried plant material, and their monoterpene profiles were determined. In addition, the exact concentrations of each monoterpene that were found at a significant level were defined. Both essential oils and their monoterpene components were tested for cytotoxic and antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in infected Vero 76 cells. The results showed that the essential oils of four Mentha species, i.e., M. aquatica L. cv. Veronica, M. pulegium L., M. microphylla K.Koch, and M. x villosa Huds., but also Micromeria thymifolia (Scop.) Fritsch and Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam., and five different monoterpenes, i.e., carvacrol, carvone, 1,8-cineol, menthofuran, and pulegone, inhibited the SARS-CoV-2 replication in the infected cells. However, the antiviral activity varied both among essential oils and monoterpenes. Carvone and carvacrol exhibited moderate antiviral activity with IC50 concentrations of 80.23 ± 6.07 μM and 86.55 ± 12.73 μM, respectively, while the other monoterpenes were less active (IC50 > 100.00 μM). Structure-activity relations of related monoterpenes showed that the presence of keto and hydroxyl groups is associated with the activity of carvone and carvacrol, respectively. Furthermore, the carvone-rich essential oil of M. x villosa had the greatest activity among all active essential oils (IC50 127.00 ± 4.63 ppm) while the other active oils exhibited mild (140 ppm < IC50 < 200 ppm) to weak antiviral activity (IC50 > 200 ppm). Both essential oils and monoterpenes showed limited or no cytotoxicity against Vero 76 cells. Hierarchical cluster analysis showed that the differences in the antiviral activity of essential oils were directly attributed to the antiviral efficacies of their particular single monoterpenes. The findings presented here on the novel antiviral property of plant essential oils and monoterpenes might be used in the development of different measures against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanja Ćavar Zeljković
- Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Department of Genetic Resources for Vegetables, Medicinal and Special Plants, Crop Research Institute, Olomouc, Czechia
- Centre of Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czechia
- *Correspondence: Sanja Ćavar Zeljković, ,
| | - Ermin Schadich
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czechia
| | - Petr Džubák
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czechia
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czechia
| | - Marián Hajdúch
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czechia
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czechia
| | - Petr Tarkowski
- Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Department of Genetic Resources for Vegetables, Medicinal and Special Plants, Crop Research Institute, Olomouc, Czechia
- Centre of Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czechia
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7
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Nazar N, Howard C, Slater A, Sgamma T. Challenges in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants DNA Barcoding-Lessons from the Lamiaceae. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:137. [PMID: 35009140 PMCID: PMC8747715 DOI: 10.3390/plants11010137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The potential value of DNA barcoding for the identification of medicinal plants and authentication of traded plant materials has been widely recognized; however, a number of challenges remain before DNA methods are fully accepted as an essential quality control method by industry and regulatory authorities. The successes and limitations of conventional DNA barcoding are considered in relation to important members of the Lamiaceae. The mint family (Lamiaceae) contains over one thousand species recorded as having a medicinal use, with many more exploited in food and cosmetics for their aromatic properties. The family is characterized by a diversity of secondary products, most notably the essential oils (EOs) produced in external glandular structures on the aerial parts of the plant that typify well-known plants of the basil (Ocimum), lavender (Lavandula), mint (Mentha), thyme (Thymus), sage (Salvia) and related genera. This complex, species-rich family includes widely cultivated commercial hybrids and endangered wild-harvested traditional medicines, and examples of potential toxic adulterants within the family are explored in detail. The opportunities provided by next generation sequencing technologies to whole plastome barcoding and nuclear genome sequencing are also discussed with relevant examples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazia Nazar
- Biomolecular Technology Group, Leicester School of Allied Health Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Leicester LE1 9BH, UK;
| | - Caroline Howard
- Tree of Life Programme, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK;
| | - Adrian Slater
- Biomolecular Technology Group, Leicester School of Allied Health Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Leicester LE1 9BH, UK;
| | - Tiziana Sgamma
- Biomolecular Technology Group, Leicester School of Allied Health Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Leicester LE1 9BH, UK;
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Heylen OCG, Debortoli N, Marescaux J, Olofsson JK. A Revised Phylogeny of the Mentha spicata Clade Reveals Cryptic Species. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:819. [PMID: 33924227 PMCID: PMC8074783 DOI: 10.3390/plants10040819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The genus Mentha is taxonomically and phylogenetically challenging due to complex genomes, polyploidization and an extensive historical nomenclature, potentially hiding cryptic taxa. A straightforward interpretation of phylogenetic relationships within the section Mentha is further hindered by dominant but outdated concepts on historically identified hybrid taxa. Mentha spicata is traditionally considered to be of hybrid origin, but the evidence for this is weak. Here, we aim to understand the phylogenetic relationships within the section Mentha using large sample sizes and to revisit the hybrid status and identity of M. spicata. We show that two of three traditional species in the subsection Spicatae are polyphyletic, as is the subsection as a whole, while the real number of cryptic species was underestimated. Compared to previous studies we present a fundamentally different phylogeny, with a basal split between M. spicata s.s. and M. longifolia s.s. Cluster analyses of morphological and genotypic data demonstrate that there is a dissociation between morphologically and genotypically defined groups of samples. We did not find any evidence that M. spicata is of hybrid origin, and we conclude its taxonomic status should be revised. The combination of genetic and phenotypic information is essential when evaluating hyperdiverse taxonomic groups.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jill K. Olofsson
- Section for GeoGenetics, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, bygning 7, DK-1353 Copenhagen, Denmark;
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