Oilseed crop sunflower (Helianthus annuus) as a source of food: Nutritional and health benefits

Strengthen sunflowers resilience to cadmium in saline-alkali soil by PGPR-augmented biochar

In the center of the Nile Delta in Egypt, the Kitchener drain as the primary drainage discharges about 1.9 billion m3 per year of water, which comprises agricultural drainage (75 %), domestic water (23 %), and industrial water (2 %), to the Mediterranean Sea. Cadmium (Cd) stands out as a significant contaminant in this drain; therefore, this study aimed to assess the integration of biochar (0, 5, and 10 ton ha-1) and three PGPRs (PGPR-1, PGPR-2, and PGPR-3) to alleviate the negative impacts of Cd on sunflowers (Helianthus annuus L.) in saline-alkali soil. The treatment of biochar (10 ton ha-1) and PGPR-3 enhanced the soil respiration, dehydrogenase, nitrogenase, and phosphatase activities by 137 %, 129 %, 326 %, and 127 %, while it declined soil electrical conductivity and available Cd content by 31.7 % and 61.3 %. Also, it decreased Cd content in root, shoot, and seed by 55.3 %, 50.7 %, and 92.5 %, and biological concentration and translocation factors by 55 % and 5 %. It also declined the proline, lipid peroxidation, H2O2, and electrolyte leakage contents by 48 %, 94 %, 80 %, and 76 %, whereas increased the catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and polyphenol oxidase activities by 80 %, 79 %, 61 %, and 116 %. Same treatment increased seed and oil yields increased by 76.1 % and 76.2 %. The unique aspect of this research is its investigation into the utilization of biochar in saline-alkali soil conditions, coupled with the combined application of biochar and PGPR to mitigate the adverse effects of Cd contamination on sunflower cultivation in saline-alkali soil.

Assessing Nutritional Characteristics and Bioactive Compound Distribution in Seeds, Oil, and Cake from Confectionary Sunflowers Cultivated in Serbia

Sunflower seeds are key agricultural commodities due to their nutritional and industrial value. This study aimed to analyze the distribution of targeted bioactive compounds and assess the physical properties across 27 sunflower seed genotypes, including parental lines and F1 and F2 hybrids, cultivated in Serbia. Various analytical techniques were employed to determine the chemical composition and physical characteristics of the seeds. This research revealed significant genetic variability in fatty acid profiles, with differences in polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acid levels among the genotypes. Hybrid seeds displayed variations in 1000-seed weight and bulk density compared to parental lines, which exhibited higher essential fatty acid contents and mechanical properties advantageous for industrial processing. These insights highlight the potential for refining breeding strategies to improve seed quality for specific industrial purposes. Overall, this study emphasizes the critical role of genetic selection in enhancing the nutritional and processing qualities of sunflower seeds, offering valuable perspectives for advancing agricultural and breeding practices.

Characterization of Cellulosic Pulps Isolated from Two Widespread Agricultural Wastes: Cotton and Sunflower Stalks

Globally, huge amounts of cotton and sunflower stalks are generated annually. These wastes are being underutilized since they are mostly burned in the fields. So, in this work, we proposed a three-step method consisting of acid pre-treatment, alkaline hydrolysis, and bleaching for the extraction of cellulose pulps. These pulps were characterized to assess their morpho-structural and thermal properties. The design of experiments and response surface methodology were used for the optimization of the acid pre-treatment in order to achieve maximum removal of non-cellulosic compounds and obtain pulps enriched in cellulose. For cotton stalks, optimal conditions were identified as a reaction time of 190 min, a reaction temperature of 96.2 °C, and an acid (nitric acid) concentration of 6.3%. For sunflower stalks, the optimized time, temperature, and acid concentration were 130 min, 73.8 °C, and 8.7%, respectively. The pulps obtained after bleaching contained more than 90% cellulose. However, special care must be taken during the process, especially in the acid pre-treatment, as it causes the solubilization of a great amount of material. The characterization revealed that the extraction process led to cellulose pulps with around 69-70% crystallinity and thermal stability in the range of 340-350 °C, ready to be used for their conversion into derivatives for industrial applications.

Microencapsulation of peanut skin polyphenols for shelf life improvement of sunflower seeds

Derived from industrial processing waste, peanut skins contain polyphenols that delay oxidative food spoilage. However, these compounds are susceptible to light, heat, and oxygen exposure. Microencapsulation provides a solution by offering protection from these factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of peanut skin extract microcapsules on the chemical, microbiological, and sensory property and shelf life of sunflower seeds during storage. Five roasted sunflower seed samples were prepared: control (S-C); added with butylhydroxytoluene (S-BHT); coated with carboxymethyl cellulose (S-CMC); coated with CMC and the addition of peanut skin crude extract (S-CMC-CE); coated with CMC and the addition of microcapsules (S-CMC-M20). Sensory acceptability was determined using hedonic testing. Chemical (peroxide value, conjugated dienes, hexanal and nonanal content, and fatty acid profile), microbiological, and descriptive analyses were carried out on samples stored for 45 days at room temperature. Shelf life was calculated using a simple linear regression. All samples were microbiologically fit for human consumption and accepted by consumer panelists, scoring above five points on the nine-point hedonic scale. S-CMC-M20 exhibited the lowest peroxide value (6.59 meqO2/kg) and hexanal content (0.4 µg/g) at the end of the storage. Estimated shelf life showed that S-MC-M20 (76.3 days) extended its duration nearly ninefold compared to S-C (8.3 days) and doubled that of S-CMC-CE (37.5 days). This indicates a superior efficacy of microencapsulated extract compared to its unencapsulated form, presenting a promising natural strategy for improving the shelf life of analogous food items. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Incorporating peanut skin extract microcapsules in coating sunflower seeds presents a promising strategy to extend the shelf life of lipid-rich foods, capitalizing on the antioxidant properties of polyphenols. This innovative approach not only enhances nutritional quality but also addresses sustainability concerns by repurposing agro-industrial byproducts, such as peanut skins. By meeting consumer demand for functional foods with added health benefits, this technique offers potential opportunities for the development of novel, value-added food products while contributing to circular economy principles and waste management efforts.

Biomass-based activated carbons produced by chemical activation with H3PO4 as catalysts for the transformation of α-pinene to high-added chemicals

In the era of ecology and careful care for the environment, it becomes important to use renewable raw materials of plant origin, which are often more easily available and cheaper. One of the important and rapidly developing directions of research are works related to the use of waste plant biomass; an example of this trend is the production of activated carbons from food industry waste. One of the examples of the application of derived from biomass activated carbons can be using them as catalysts for the isomerization of terpene compounds. Carbons based on waste biomass are characterized by the minimal amount of waste formation during their manufacture, and their use in the isomerization reaction allows to obtain high conversion of organic raw material and high selectivities of transformation to the desired products, making these carbons environmentally friendly substitutes for the catalysts used usually in this process. In this work, obtained carbonaceous catalysts were tested in the process of isomerization of α-pinene to high value chemicals (mainly camphene and limonene). Under the most favorable conditions (activated carbon from sunflower husks content in reaction mixture 5 wt%, temperature 180 °C, and reaction time 100 min), α-pinene was completely converted (conversion 100 mol%) with high selectivity towards camphene (54 mol%). To prepare activated carbons, biomass precursors (orange peels, sunflower husks, spent coffee grounds) were activated with 85% H3PO4 through the chemical activation. The obtained materials were characterized by such methods as sorption N2 at - 196 °C, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to determine the relationship between their textural-chemical properties and catalysts activity in isomerization process. The synthesized materials were characterized by a specific surface area in the range of 930-1764 m2, total pore volume in the range of 0.551-1.02 cm3/g, and total acid-site concentrations in the range of 1.47-2.33 mmol/g. These results showed that textural parameters of the obtained activated carbons have the important role in the isomerization of α-pinene.

Lemon Flavonoid Extract Eriomin Improves Pro/Antioxidant Status and Interferes with Cholesterol Metabolism without Affecting Serum Cholesterol Levels in Aged Rats

This study aimed to assess the antioxidant capacity of lemon flavonoid extract Eriomin® (LE) and its impact on cholesterol metabolism in the context of healthy aging. We orally treated 24-month-old male Wistar rats with an LE (40 mg/kg) suspended in 0.3 mL of sunflower oil. At the same time, control groups received an equal volume of sunflower oil (CON) or remained untreated (ICON) daily for 4 weeks. We examined LE's effects on superoxide dismutase and catalase- and glutathione-related enzyme activities, the concentration of lipid peroxides and protein carbonyls, total oxidant status (TOS) and antioxidant status (TAS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) in the liver, jejunum, and ileum. We also measured total cholesterol, its biosynthetic precursors (lanosterol, lathosterol, desmosterol), its degradation products (bile acid precursors) in the serum, liver, jejunum, and ileum, and serum phytosterols (intestinal absorption markers). LE reduced TOS, TAS, and OSI (p < 0.05) compared with control values, indicating its consistent antioxidant action in all examined organs. LE lowered hepatic desmosterol (p < 0.05) while also reducing 7α- and 24-hydroxycholesterol levels in the liver and ileum (p < 0.01). Serum cholesterol, hepatic gene expression, and the immunostaining intensity of CYP7A1 were unchanged. In conclusion, LE exerted non-enzymatic antioxidant effects and reduced cholesterol degradation, reducing its biosynthesis products, thereby maintaining serum cholesterol levels.

Seed pretreatment with brassinosteroids stimulates sunflower immunity against parasitic weed (Orobanche cumana) infection

Broomrape (Orobanche cumana) negatively affects sunflower, causing severe yield losses, and thus, there is a need to control O. cumana infestation. Brassinosteroids (BRs) play key roles in plant growth and provide resilience to weed infection. This study aims to evaluate the mechanisms by which BRs ameliorate O. cumana infection in sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Seeds were pretreated with BRs (1, 10, and 100 nM) and O. cumana inoculation for 4 weeks under soil conditions. O. cumana infection significantly reduced plant growth traits, photosynthesis, endogenous BRs and regulated the plant defence (POX, GST), BRs signalling (BAK1, BSK1 to BSK4) and synthesis (BRI1, BR6OX2) genes. O. cumana also elevated the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), hydroxyl radical (OH-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide (O2 •-) in leaves/roots by 77/112, 63/103, 56/97 and 54/89%, as well as caused ultrastructural cellular damages in both leaves and roots. In response, plants activated a few enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and reduced glutathione but were unable to stimulate the activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT) enzymes. The addition of BRs (especially at 10 nM) notably recovered the ultrastructural cellular damages, lowered the production of oxidative stress, activated the key enzymatic antioxidants and induced the phenolic and lignin contents. The downregulation in the particular genes by BRs is attributed to the increased resilience of sunflower via a susceptible reaction. In a nutshell, BRs notably enhanced the sunflower resistance to O. cumana infection by escalating the plant immunity responses, inducing systemic acquired resistance, reducing oxidative or cellular damages, and modulating the expression of BR synthesis or signalling genes.

Promoting sustainable agriculture by exploiting plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to improve maize and cowpea crops

Maize and cowpea are among the staple foods most consumed by most of the African population, and are of significant importance in food security, crop diversification, biodiversity preservation, and livelihoods. In order to satisfy the growing demand for agricultural products, fertilizers and pesticides have been extensively used to increase yields and protect plants against pathogens. However, the excessive use of these chemicals has harmful consequences on the environment and also on public health. These include soil acidification, loss of biodiversity, groundwater pollution, reduced soil fertility, contamination of crops by heavy metals, etc. Therefore, essential to find alternatives to promote sustainable agriculture and ensure the food and well-being of the people. Among these alternatives, agricultural techniques that offer sustainable, environmentally friendly solutions that reduce or eliminate the excessive use of agricultural inputs are increasingly attracting the attention of researchers. One such alternative is the use of beneficial soil microorganisms such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). PGPR provides a variety of ecological services and can play an essential role as crop yield enhancers and biological control agents. They can promote root development in plants, increasing their capacity to absorb water and nutrients from the soil, increase stress tolerance, reduce disease and promote root development. Previous research has highlighted the benefits of using PGPRs to increase agricultural productivity. A thorough understanding of the mechanisms of action of PGPRs and their exploitation as biofertilizers would present a promising prospect for increasing agricultural production, particularly in maize and cowpea, and for ensuring sustainable and prosperous agriculture, while contributing to food security and reducing the impact of chemical fertilizers and pesticides on the environment. Looking ahead, PGPR research should continue to deepen our understanding of these microorganisms and their impact on crops, with a view to constantly improving sustainable agricultural practices. On the other hand, farmers and agricultural industry players need to be made aware of the benefits of PGPRs and encouraged to adopt them to promote sustainable agricultural practices.

Sesquiterpenes and α-pyrones from an endophytic fungus Xylaria curta YSJ-5

Chemical investigation of the culture extract of an endophyte Xylaria curta YSJ-5 from Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) Burtt. et Smith resulted in the isolation of eight previously undescribed compounds including five eremophilane sesquiterpenes xylarcurenes A-E, one norsesquiterpene xylarcurene F, and two α-pyrone derivatives xylarpyrones A-B together with eight known related derivatives. Their chemical structures were extensively established based on the 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic analysis, modified Mosher's method, electronic circular dichroism calculations, single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments, and the comparison with previous literature data. All these compounds were tested for in vitro cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, α-glucosidase inhibitory, and antibacterial activities. As a result, 6-pentyl-4-methoxy-pyran-2-one was disclosed to display significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus with minimal inhibitory concentration value of 6.3 μg/mL.

Effects of adding green tea extract on the oxidative stability and shelf life of sunflower oil during storage

This study aimed to compare different concentrations effect of green tea extract (GTE) (200, 400, and 800 ppm) with TBHQ (75 ppm) in extend the shelf-life of sunflower oil (SO) and to evaluate the protective effect of GTE on the oxidation of refined SO. The sample's peroxide value (PV), acidity value (AV), anisidine value (pAV), Totox value (TV), oxidative stability, and total phenol content (TPC) were analyzed at specific intervals during 12-month at 25 °C and 60-day at 60 °C. The optimum kinetic model corresponding to the first order for PV, TV, and pAV was obtained at 25, 35, and 45 °C. SO containing GTE (800 ppm) had a similar performance to TBHQ at 25 °C and 60 °C and possessed a longer shelf life than samples treated with TBHQ. Due to synthetic antioxidant's health risk and toxicity, GTE can be a good substitute for TBHQ in the edible oil industry.

Genome-wide identification and characterization of protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C) gene family in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and their expression profiles in response to multiple abiotic stresses

Plant protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C) plays vital roles in responding to various stresses, stimulating growth factors, phytohormones, and metabolic activities in many important plant species. However, the PP2C gene family has not been investigated in the economically valuable plant species sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). This study used comprehensive bioinformatics tools to identify and characterize the PP2C gene family members in the sunflower genome (H. annuus r1.2). Additionally, we analyzed the expression profiles of these genes using RNA-seq data under four different stress conditions in both leaf and root tissues. A total of 121 PP2C genes were identified in the sunflower genome distributed unevenly across the 17 chromosomes, all containing the Type-2C phosphatase domain. HanPP2C genes are divided into 15 subgroups (A-L) based on phylogenetic tree analysis. Analyses of conserved domains, gene structures, and motifs revealed higher structural and functional similarities within various subgroups. Gene duplication and collinearity analysis showed that among the 53 HanPP2C gene pairs, 48 demonstrated segmental duplications under strong purifying selection pressure, with only five gene pairs showing tandem duplications. The abundant segmental duplication was observed compared to tandem duplication, which was the major factor underlying the dispersion of the PP2C gene family in sunflowers. Most HanPP2C proteins were localized in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and chloroplast. Among the 121 HanPP2C genes, we identified 71 miRNAs targeting 86 HanPP2C genes involved in plant developmental processes and response to abiotic stresses. By analyzing cis-elements, we identified 63 cis-regulatory elements in the promoter regions of HanPP2C genes associated with light responsiveness, tissue-specificity, phytohormone, and stress responses. Based on RNA-seq data from two sunflower tissues (leaf and root), 47 HanPP2C genes exhibited varying expression levels in leaf tissue, while 49 HanPP2C genes showed differential expression patterns in root tissue across all stress conditions. Transcriptome profiling revealed that nine HanPP2C genes (HanPP2C12, HanPP2C36, HanPP2C38, HanPP2C47, HanPP2C48, HanPP2C53, HanPP2C54, HanPP2C59, and HanPP2C73) exhibited higher expression in leaf tissue, and five HanPP2C genes (HanPP2C13, HanPP2C47, HanPP2C48, HanPP2C54, and HanPP2C95) showed enhanced expression in root tissue in response to the four stress treatments, compared to the control conditions. These results suggest that these HanPP2C genes may be potential candidates for conferring tolerance to multiple stresses and further detailed characterization to elucidate their functions. From these candidates, 3D structures were predicted for six HanPP2C proteins (HanPP2C47, HanPP2C48, HanPP2C53, HanPP2C54, HanPP2C59, and HanPP2C73), which provided satisfactory models. Our findings provide valuable insights into the PP2C gene family in the sunflower genome, which could play a crucial role in responding to various stresses. This information can be exploited in sunflower breeding programs to develop improved cultivars with increased abiotic stress tolerance.

A review on vegetable oil-based non isocyanate polyurethane: towards a greener and sustainable production route

The transition from conventional polyurethane (PU) to non isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) is driven mainly by safety concerns, environmental considerations, and sustainability issues associated with the current PU technology. NIPU has emerged as a promising alternative, addressing limitations related to traditional PU production. There has been increasing interest in bio-based NIPU aligning with the aspiration for green materials and processes. One important biomass resource for the development of bio-based NIPU is vegetable oil, an abundant, renewable, and relatively low cost feedstock. As such, this review aims to provide insight into the progression of NIPU derived from vegetable oils. This article highlights the synthetic and green approach to NIPU production, emphasizing the method involving the polyaddition reaction of cyclic carbonates and amines. The review includes case studies on vegetable oil-based NIPU and perspectives on their properties. Further, discussions on the potential applications and commercial importance of PU and NIPU are included. Finally, we offer perspectives on possible research directions and the future prospects of NIPU, contributing to the ongoing evolution of PU technology.

Added γ-oryzanol boosted anti-inflammatory effects of canola oil in adult subjects with type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled clinical trial

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to examine the effects of daily intake of γ-oryzanol (ORZ)-fortified canola oil, as compared with plain canola and sunflower oils, on certain inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in adult subjects with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D).

METHODS

We randomly allocated 92 adult subjects with T2D from both sexes to one of the following groups to receive: (a) ORZ-fortified canola oil (ORZO; n1 = 30); (b) unfortified canola oil (CANO; n2 = 32); or (c) sunflower oil (SUFO; n3 = 30) for 12 weeks. Dietary and laboratory evaluations were performed initially and finally.

RESULTS

Serum hs-CRP concentrations significantly decreased in ORZO group (from 3.1 ± 0.2 to 1.2 ± 0.2 mg/L), as compared with CANO (p = 0.003) and SUFO (p < 0.001) groups. Serum IL-6 significantly decreased just in ORZO (- 22.8%, p = 0.042) and CANO groups (- 19.8%, p = 0.038). However, the between-group differences were not significant. Serum IL-1β slightly decreased in ORZO (- 28.1%, p = 0.11) and increased in SUFO (+ 20.6%, p = 0.079) but between-group difference was statistically significant (p = 0.017). Serum IFN-γ concentrations decreased significantly only in ORZO (from 3.3 ± 0.08 to 2.9 ± 0.21 IU/mL, p = 0.044). Salivary IgA concentrations increased significantly in all three intervention groups. Notwithstanding, only the difference between ORZO and CANO groups was statistically significant (p = 0.042). Similarly, circulating malondialdehyde concentrations significantly decreased in all three groups but with no between-group significant difference.

CONCLUSIONS

Daily consumption of ORZ-fortified canola oil, compared with unfortified canola and sunflower oils, for 12 weeks resulted in boosting of certain anti-inflammatory effects of canola oil. These findings may have preventive implications for both clinicians and policy makers. This clinical trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (03.08.2022; NCT05271045).

Impact of Using Oilseed Industry Byproducts Rich in Linoleic and Alpha-Linolenic Acid in Ruminant Nutrition on Milk Production and Milk Fatty Acid Profile

Milk contains more than 400 different fatty acids, some of which play a positive role in promoting human health. The profile of fatty acids in milk can be enhanced by providing animals with plant-based resources that possess feeding characteristics adequate for favorable changes in the fatty acid composition and increasing healthy fatty acids in milk. This review summarizes the available 41 research studies on the utilization of oilseed industry byproducts rich in linoleic acid (hemp, pumpkin, sunflower) and alpha-linolenic acid (camelina and linseed) in dairy cow, sheep, and goat nutrition; their impact on milk production characteristics; and potential to improve fatty acid composition of milk through the diet. This review illustrates that incorporating byproducts into the diet for dairy ruminants generally does not have any adverse effects on both milk production and composition. A similar trend of improvement in milk fatty acid profile was observed when ruminants were fed diets supplemented with camelina, linseed, and sunflower byproducts, while no significant changes were noted with pumpkin byproducts. Hempseed byproducts showed potential for use as an alternative ingredient in dairy ruminant diets. Nevertheless, more in-depth research investigating the inclusion of selected byproducts is required before valid conclusions can be drawn regarding their value.

Prolonged Supplementation of Ozonated Sunflower Oil Bestows an Antiaging Effect, Improves Blood Lipid Profile and Spinal Deformities, and Protects Vital Organs of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) against Age-Related Degeneration: Two-Years Consumption Study

Ozonated sunflower oil (OSO) is renowned for its diverse therapeutic benefits. Nonetheless, the consequences of extended dietary intake of OSO have yet to be thoroughly investigated. Herein, the effect of 2-year dietary supplementation of OSO was examined on the survivability, obesity, skeletal deformities, swimming behavior, and liver, kidney, ovary, and testis function of zebrafish. Results showed that the zebrafish feed supplemented with 20% (wt/wt) OSO for 2 years emerged with higher survivability and body weight management compared to sunflower oil (SO) and normal diet (ND)-supplemented zebrafish. Radio imaging (X-ray)-based analysis revealed 2.6° and 15.2° lower spinal curvature in the OSO-supplemented groups than in the SO and ND-supplemented groups; consistently, OSO-supplemented zebrafish showed better swimming behavior. The histology analysis of the liver revealed the least fatty liver change and interleukin (IL)-6 generation in the OSO-supplemented group. Additionally, a significantly lower level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptotic, and senescent cells were observed in the liver of the OSO-supplemented zebrafish. Also, no adverse effect on the kidney, testis, and ovary morphology was detected during 2 years of OSO consumption. Moreover, lower senescence with diminished ROS and apoptosis was noticed in the kidney and ovary in response to OSO consumption. The OSO supplementation was found to be effective in countering age-associated dyslipidemia by alleviating total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoproteins (LDL-C) and elevating high-density lipoproteins (HDL-C)/TC levels. Conclusively, prolonged OSO consumption showed no adverse effect on the morphology and functionality of vital organs; in fact, OSO supplementation displayed a protective effect against age-associated detrimental effects on spinal deformities, vital organ functionality, cell senescence, and the survivability of zebrafish.

Tryptophan Seed Treatment Improves Morphological, Biochemical, and Photosynthetic Attributes of the Sunflower under Cadmium Stress

Tryptophan, as a signal molecule, mediates many biotic and environmental stress-induced physiological responses in plants. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of tryptophan seed treatment in response to cadmium stress (0, 0.15, and 0.25 mM) in sunflower plants. Different growth and biochemical parameters were determined to compare the efficiency of the treatment agent. The results showed that cadmium stress reduced the growth attributes, including root and shoot length, dry and fresh weight, rate of seed germination, and the number of leaves. Cadmium stress also significantly reduced the contents of chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll, carotenoid contents, phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanin, and ascorbic acid. Whereas cadmium stress (0.15 and 0.25 mM) enhanced the concentrations of malondialdehyde (45.24% and 53.06%), hydrogen peroxide (-11.07% and 5.86%), and soluble sugars (28.05% and 50.34%) compared to the control. Tryptophan treatment decreased the effect of Cd stress by minimizing lipid peroxidation. Seed treatment with tryptophan under cadmium stress improved the root (19.40%) and shoot length (38.14%), root (41.90%) and shoot fresh weight (13.58%), seed germination ability (13.79%), average leaf area (24.07%), chlorophyll b (51.35%), total chlorophyll (20.04%), carotenoids (43.37%), total phenolic (1.47%), flavonoids (19.02%), anthocyanin (26.57%), ascorbic acid (4%), and total soluble proteins (12.32%) compared with control conditions. Overall, the tryptophan seed treatment showed positive effects on sunflower plants' growth and stress tolerance, highlighting its potential as a sustainable approach to improve crop performance.

Effects of food price on nutrition outcomes among women in Nigeria

Nutrition outcomes (undernutrition, overweight, and obesity) among women are growing concerns across the globe. Currently, the rate of undernutrition and overweight among women in Nigeria is ranked among the highest in Africa. A major contributory factor reported is unstable food prices in the country. This study, therefore, examined the effects of food prices on nutrition outcomes among women in Nigeria. Secondary datasets retrieved from two different sources were used for this study. Cross-sectional data on weight and height for women were obtained from Nigeria Health Demographic Survey (NHDS). Data on monthly prices of the selected food items were obtained from the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The data were categorized into energy dense (yam tuber, garri, rice, and maize) and nutrient dense (egg, beef, and chicken). Multinomial logit regression was used to estimate the relationship between the prices of energy and nutrient-dense food prices concerning respondents' personal and environmental characteristics such as age, wealth status, and region; as well as the three nutrition outcomes for women (undernutrition, overnutrition, and obesity). This study revealed that the prevalence of overweight and obesity among women was 19.9% and 10.3%, respectively. Nutrition outcomes (obesity and overweight) were positively correlated with the price of energy-dense food with 0.2% and 0.3%, respectively. Nutrient-dense food price is negatively correlated with undernutrition with a probability of 0.1%. The study recommends that food policy instruments such as food prices and subsidies can be introduced to favor the consumption of healthier food to stem the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Nigeria.

Polyamine depletion enhances oil body mobilization through possible regulation of oleosin degradation and aquaporin abundance on its membrane

Oil body (OB) mobilization, a crucial event associated with early seedling growth, is delayed in response to salt stress. Previous reports suggest that careful regulation of polyamine (PA) metabolism is essential for salt stress tolerance in plants. Many aspects of PA-mediated regulation of metabolism have been uncovered. However, their role in the process of OB mobilization remains unexplored. Interestingly, the present investigations reveal a possible influence of PA homeostasis on OB mobilization, while implicating complex regulation of oleosin degradation and aquaporin abundance in OB membranes in the process. Application of PA inhibitors resulted in the accumulation of smaller OBs when compared to control (-NaCl) and the salt-stressed counterparts, suggesting a faster rate of mobilization. PA deficit also resulted in reduced retention of some larger oleosins under controlled conditions but enhanced retention of all oleosins under salt stress. Additionally, with respect to aquaporins, a higher abundance of PIP2 under PA deficit both under control and saline conditions, is correlated with a faster mobilization of OBs. Contrarily, TIP1s, and TIP2s remained almost undetectable in response to PA depletion and were differentially regulated by salt stress. The present work, thus, provides novel insights into PA homeostasis-mediated regulation of OB mobilization, oleosin degradation, and aquaporin abundance on OB membranes.

Comparative genomics of light harvesting chlorophyll (LHC) gene family and impact of chlorophyll-A contents under drought stress in Helianthus annuus

Drought is one of the main environmental stressors that can alter the water status of plants; negatively affect growth, assimilation, and photosynthesis; and eventually reduce crop yield. We explored the dependence of drought tolerance traits on chlorophyll-A content. Local sunflower cultivars (FH-01, FH-628, FH-633, FH-572, and FH-653) were grown in pots and subjected to drought by withholding water for 10, 15, or 20 d. One month after germination, the leaves of the treated and non-treated plants were collected and subjected to biochemical analyses. Under different water stress levels, the levels of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and proline increased, whereas those of chlorophyll-A decreased. Regression analysis clearly found that proline (-0.442), POD (-0.528), SOD (-0.532), and CAT (-0.814) have negative beta coefficient values. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the LHC gene family is divided into six clades. Subcellular locations indicated that most LHC genes were located in the chloroplast; however, only few genes were present in the peroxisomes and endoplasmic reticulum. Our research found that Arabidopsis thaliana LHC genes were highly homologous to the LHC genes of Helianthus annuus. Furthermore, the LHC genes of both species are located in the chloroplasts; therefore, they play a role in photosynthesis and renewable energy production. This study opens a new horizon for discussing the role of chlorophyll-A in the drought-related traits of sunflowers.

Hydrogen sulfide priming enhanced salinity tolerance in sunflower by modulating ion hemostasis, cellular redox balance, and gene expression

BACKGROUND

The salinity threat represents an environmental challenge that drastically affects plant growth and yield. Besides salinity stress, the escalating world population will greatly influence the world's food security in the future. Therefore, searching for effective strategies to improve crop salinity resilience and sustain agricultural productivity under high salinity is a must. Seed priming is a reliable, simple, low-risk, and low-cost technique. Therefore, this work aimed to evaluate the impact of seed priming with 0.5 mM NaHS, as a donor of H2S, in mitigating salinity effects on sunflower seedlings. Primed and nonprime seeds were established in nonsaline soil irrigated with tape water for 14 d, and then exposed to 150 mM NaCl for 7 d.

RESULTS

Salinity stress significantly reduced the seedling growth, biomass accumulation, K+, Ca2+, and salinity tolerance index while elevating Na+ uptake and translocation. Salinity-induced adverse effects were significantly alleviated by H2S priming. Upregulation in gene expression (HaSOS2, HaGST) under NaCl stress was further enhanced by H2S priming. Also, H2S reduced lipid peroxidation, electrolyte leakage, and H2O2 content, but elevated the antioxidant defense system. NaCl-induced levels of ascorbate, glutathione, and α tocopherol, as well as the activities of AsA-GSH cycle enzymes: ascorbate peroxidase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, dehydroascorbate reductase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione S-transferase, were further enhanced by H2S priming. Increased level of H2S and total thiol by NaCl was also further stimulated by H2S priming.

CONCLUSION

H2S priming has proved to be an efficient strategy to improve sunflower seedlings' salinity tolerance by retaining ion homeostasis, detoxifying oxidative damage, modulating gene expression involved in ion homeostasis and ROS scavenging, and boosting endogenous H2S. These findings suggested that H2S acts as a regulatory molecule activating the functional processes responsible for sunflower adaptive mechanisms and could be adopted as a crucial crop management strategy to combat saline conditions. However, it would be of great interest to conduct further studies in the natural saline field to broaden our understanding of crop adaptive mechanisms and to support our claims.

Influence of seed-roasting degree on quality attributes of sunflower oil

To facilitate the typical flavor of sunflower oil, seed roasting is widely applied. In this study, the effects of seed-roasting degree (160, 180, 200°C for 0-25 min) on the quality attributes of sunflower oil were assessed, particularly tocopherols, sterols, total phenolics, fatty acids, and triglycerides composition as essential compounds for the nutritional value of the sunflower oil. Roasting seeds at a high temperature can significantly raise oxidative stability by 1.5-1.8 times, the content of carotenoids by 2.0-5.5 times, chlorophyll by 7.5-17.0 times, as well as increase the browning index by 4.0-10.0 times and deepen the color of the sunflower oil. However, the fatty acid and triglyceride profiles of sunflower oils have little change under distinct seed-roasting degrees. Synthetically considering the various indicators measured in the current study. It is recommended that the seed roasts at 160-180°C for about 20 min to ameliorate the oxidative stability and quality. Practical Application: A well-defined roasting process is very important for the food industry to be able to produce sunflower oil with desirable nutrition, unique flavor produced by the Maillard reaction and chemical properties of sunflower oil, which changes during the roasting. Considering the flavor, peroxide values, oxidation stability, and other quality attributes of oil obtained from the roasted seed, we found that sunflower seed oil better quality is obtained when roasted at 160- -180°C for about 20 min (e.g., 160°C for 20-25 min or 180°C for 15-20 min).

Health Benefits, Antioxidant Activity, and Sensory Attributes of Selected Cold-Pressed Oils

The consumption of cold-pressed oils (CPOs) has continuously increased due to their health-promoting compounds, such as polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), tocopherols, sterols, and polyphenols. This study focused on the estimation and comparison of the physicochemical properties and sensory quality of six CPOs: linseed oil (CPLO), pumpkin oil (CPPO), milk thistle oil (CPMTO), rapeseed oil (CPRO), camelina oil (CPCO), and sunflower oil (CPSO), which are the most popular in the Polish market. These oils were analysed for their fatty acid composition (FAC), their tocopherol, sterol, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs), water, and volatile matter (WVM) contents, as well as their antioxidant activity (AA) and oxidative stability parameters. Moreover, quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) was performed to obtain detailed information on the sensory profiles and quantitative data on the CPOs' attributes that affected consumer acceptability and purchase intent. All of the analysed CPOs were rich in PUFA (27.94-68.42%). They were characterised by the different total amounts of health-beneficial compounds, such as tocopherols (TTC = 44.04-76.98 mg/100 g), sterols (TSC = 300-684 mg/100 g), and polyphenols (TPC = 2.93-8.32 mg GA/100 g). Additionally, their AA was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods, with results ranging between 185.36-396.63, 958.59-1638.58, and 61.93-119.21 µmol TE/100 g, respectively. However, the deterioration parameters of CPOs, such as peroxide values (PV = 0.24-4.61 meq O2/kg), p-anisidine values (pAnV = 0.39-4.77), acid values (AV = 0.31-2.82 mg KOH/g), and impurity amounts (Σ4PAHs = 1.16-8.76 μg/kg and WVM = 0.020-0.090%), did not exceed the level recommended by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The obtained results indicated that all of the investigated CPOs are valuable sources of health-promoting bioactive compounds.

VTE1 and VTE3 Gene Expression During Vitamin E Production in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Treated with Different Fertilization

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Sunflower is one of the important commodities in agriculture. The oil content in sunflower seeds has been widely used as cooking oil, but in Indonesia, the utilization of this oil is still relatively low. In addition, sunflowers also contain vitamin E which is useful as an antioxidant, so it can be used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. This study aims to determine gene expression at the RNA level towards vitamin E biosynthesis using different fertilization treatments. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Sunflowers that had been given different fertilizers were taken in three flowering phases, R3, R5 and R8. Flower samples were isolated until RNA was obtained. The isolation results were tested using real-time PCR to determine the relative gene expression of the <i>VTE1</i> and <i>VTE3</i> genes. After the sunflower seeds were fully ripe, vitamin E content was tested in each treatment and the results were compared with the relative gene expression obtained. <b>Results:</b> The results obtained were fluctuating, but in general, the relative gene expression obtained in the <i>VTE1</i> gene increased in the R3 phase and then decreased in the R5 and R8 phases. Whereas, in the <i>VTE3</i> gene, the relative gene expression obtained experienced an increase in the R3 and R5 phases and then decreased in the R8 phase. The highest vitamin E content was obtained by sample P3 (4218 μg mL¹) and the lowest was obtained by sample P2 (1798 μg mL¹). <b>Conclusion:</b> A balanced ratio of 92:46:30 kg ha¹ of major nutrient fertilizer involving N, P and K could increase vitamin E content in sunflowers. Such a combination exhibited stable expression of the <i>VTE1</i> and <i>VTE3</i> genes in all phases of flowering.

Plant-Based Dairy Alternatives-A Future Direction to the Milky Way

One significant food group that is part of our daily diet is the dairy group, and both research and industry are actively involved to meet the increasing requirement for plant-based dairy alternatives (PBDAs). The production tendency of PBDAs is growing with a predictable rate of over 18.5% in 2023 from 7.4% at the moment. A multitude of sources can be used for development such as cereals, pseudocereals, legumes, nuts, and seeds to obtain food products such as vegetal milk, cheese, cream, yogurt, butter, and different sweets, such as ice cream, which have nearly similar nutritional profiles to those of animal-origin products. Increased interest in PBDAs is manifested in groups with special dietary needs (e.g., lactose intolerant individuals, pregnant women, newborns, and the elderly) or with pathologies such as metabolic syndromes, dermatological diseases, and arthritis. In spite of the vast range of production perspectives, certain industrial challenges arise during development, such as processing and preservation technologies. This paper aims at providing an overview of the currently available PBDAs based on recent studies selected from the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, and Scopus. We found 148 publications regarding PBDAs in correlation with their nutritional and technological aspects, together with the implications in terms of health. Therefore, this review focuses on the relationship between plant-based alternatives for dairy products and the human diet, from the raw material to the final products, including the industrial processes and health-related concerns.

Genomic and Transcriptomic Survey Provides Insights into Molecular Basis of Pathogenicity of the Sunflower Pathogen Phoma macdonaldii

Phoma macdonaldii (teleomorph Leptosphaeria lindquistii) is the causal agent of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) black stem. In order to investigate the molecular basis for the pathogenicity of P. ormacdonaldii, genomic and transcriptomic analyses were performed. The genome size was 38.24 Mb and assembled into 27 contigs with 11,094 putative predicted genes. These include 1133 genes for CAZymes specific for plant polysaccharide degradation, 2356 for the interaction between the pathogen and host, 2167 for virulence factors, and 37 secondary metabolites gene clusters. RNA-seq analysis was conducted at the early and late stages of the fungal spot formation in infected sunflower tissues. A total of 2506, 3035, and 2660 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between CT and each treatment group (LEAF-2d, LEAF-6d, and STEM) were retrieved, respectively. The most significant pathways of DEGs from these diseased sunflower tissues were the metabolic pathways and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Overall, 371 up-regulated DEGs were shared among LEAF-2d, LEAF-6d, and STEM, including 82 mapped to DFVF, 63 mapped to PHI-base, 69 annotated as CAZymes, 33 annotated as transporters, 91 annotated as secretory proteins, and a carbon skeleton biosynthetic gene. The most important DEGs were further confirmed by RT-qPCR. This is the first report on the genome-scale assembly and annotation for P. macdonaldii. Our data provide a framework for further revealing the underlying mechanism of the pathogenesis of P. macdonaldii, and also suggest the potential targets for the diseases caused by this fungal pathogen.

Chemical Characterization and Metagenomic Identification of Endophytic Microbiome from South African Sunflower (Helianthus annus) Seeds

Helianthus annus (sunflower) is a globally important oilseed crop whose survival is threatened by various pathogenic diseases. Agrochemical products are used to eradicate these diseases; however, due to their unfriendly environmental consequences, characterizing microorganisms for exploration as biocontrol agents are considered better alternatives against the use of synthetic chemicals. The study assessed the oil contents of 20 sunflower seed cultivars using FAMEs-chromatography and characterized the endophytic fungi and bacteria microbiome using Illumina sequencing of fungi ITS 1 and bacteria 16S (V3-V4) regions of the rRNA operon. The oil contents ranged between 41-52.8%, and 23 fatty acid components (in varied amounts) were found in all the cultivars, with linoleic (53%) and oleic (28%) acids as the most abundant. Ascomycota (fungi) and Proteobacteria (bacteria) dominated the cultivars at the phyla level, while Alternaria and Bacillus at the genus level in varying abundance. AGSUN 5102 and AGSUN 5101 (AGSUN 5270 for bacteria) had the highest fungi diversity structure, which may have been contributed by the high relative abundance of linoleic acid in the fatty acid components. Dominant fungi genera such as Alternaria, Aspergillus, Aureobasidium, Alternariaste, Cladosporium, Penicillium, and bacteria including Bacillus, Staphylococcus, and Lactobacillus are established, providing insight into the fungi and bacteria community structures from the seeds of South Africa sunflower.

Turning Food Protein Waste into Sustainable Technologies

For each kilogram of food protein wasted, between 15 and 750 kg of CO₂ end up in the atmosphere. With this alarming carbon footprint, food protein waste not only contributes to climate change but also significantly impacts other environmental boundaries, such as nitrogen and phosphorus cycles, global freshwater use, change in land composition, chemical pollution, and biodiversity loss. This contrasts sharply with both the high nutritional value of proteins, as well as their unique chemical and physical versatility, which enable their use in new materials and innovative technologies. In this review, we discuss how food protein waste can be efficiently valorized not only by reintroduction into the food chain supply but also as a template for the development of sustainable technologies by allowing it to exit the food-value chain, thus alleviating some of the most urgent global challenges. We showcase three technologies of immediate significance and environmental impact: biodegradable plastics, water purification, and renewable energy. We discuss, by carefully reviewing the current state of the art, how proteins extracted from food waste can be valorized into key players to facilitate these technologies. We furthermore support analysis of the extant literature by original life cycle assessment (LCA) examples run ad hoc on both plant and animal waste proteins in the context of the technologies considered, and against realistic benchmarks, to quantitatively demonstrate their efficacy and potential. We finally conclude the review with an outlook on how such a comprehensive management of food protein waste is anticipated to transform its carbon footprint from positive to negative and, more generally, have a favorable impact on several other important planetary boundaries.

Modifying of calcareous soil with some acidifying materials and its effect on Helianthus annuus (L.) growth

Calcareous soils contain a high concentration of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), which influences soil properties related to plant growth. Humic acid (HA) and ammonium molybdate (AM) were added as treatments for calcareous soils at concentrations of 0.1, 0.5 and 1 g/l respectively. The pots were divided into three groups. The first set of groups were irrigated with AM, while the second set of groups were irrigated with HA. As a control, the third group was irrigated using only tap water. Many soil properties and plant characteristics were measured during the experiment. The results showed that most of the studied treatments aided to increase organic carbon of calcareous soil and improved sunflower height, leaf area and shoot and root biomass. All investigated treatments significantly enhanced carbohydrates content in the sunflower shoots, except the treatment with 0.1 g/l AM, while only the with AM (under all studied concentrations) significantly enhanced carbohydrates content in roots higher than untreated. Proteins content in the shoots and roots of sunflower significantly increased when treated only with 1 g/l HA higher than control. The amino acid content of sunflower roots enhanced when treated with 0.1 and 1 m/l HA and 0.5 g/l AM Evidently, acidifying materials enhanced the calcareous soil and increased productivity.

A Deep Learning Image System for Classifying High Oleic Sunflower Seed Varieties

Sunflower seeds, one of the main oilseeds produced around the world, are widely used in the food industry. Mixtures of seed varieties can occur throughout the supply chain. Intermediaries and the food industry need to identify the varieties to produce high-quality products. Considering that high oleic oilseed varieties are similar, a computer-based system to classify varieties could be useful to the food industry. The objective of our study is to examine the capacity of deep learning (DL) algorithms to classify sunflower seeds. An image acquisition system, with controlled lighting and a Nikon camera in a fixed position, was constructed to take photos of 6000 seeds of six sunflower seed varieties. Images were used to create datasets for training, validation, and testing of the system. A CNN AlexNet model was implemented to perform variety classification, specifically classifying from two to six varieties. The classification model reached an accuracy value of 100% for two classes and 89.5% for the six classes. These values can be considered acceptable, because the varieties classified are very similar, and they can hardly be classified with the naked eye. This result proves that DL algorithms can be useful for classifying high oleic sunflower seeds.

Alcoholic liver disease and intestinal microbiota in an experimental model: Biochemical, inflammatory, and histologic parameters

OBJECTIVES

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is the leading cause of alcohol-related deaths worldwide. Experimental ALD models are expensive and difficult to reproduce. A low-cost, reproducible ALD model was developed, and liver damage compared with the gut microbiota. The aims of this study were to develop an experimental model of ALD, through a high-fat diet, the chronic use of ethanol, and intragastric alcohol binge; and to evaluate the composition of the gut microbiota and its correlation with markers of inflammatory and liver disease progression in this model.

METHODS

Adult male Wistar rats were randomized (N = 24) to one of three groups: control (standard diet and water + 0.05% saccharin), ALC4 and ALC8 (sunflower seed, 10% ethanol + 0.05% saccharin for 4 and 8 wk, respectively). On the last day, ALC4/8 received alcoholic binge (5 g/kg). Clinical, nutritional, biochemical, inflammatory, pathologic, and gut microbiota data were analyzed.

RESULTS

ALC4/8 animals consumed more alcohol and lipids (P < 0.01) and less total energy, liquids, solids, carbohydrates, and proteins (P < 0.01), and gained less weight (P < 0.01) than controls. ALC8 had lower Lee index scores than controls and ALC4 (P < 0.01). Aminotransferases increased and albumin diminished in ALC4/8 but not in the control group (P < 0.03 for all). Glucose and aspartate transaminase/alanine aminotransaminase ratios were higher in the ALC8 rats than in the controls (P < 0.03). Cholesterol was higher in ALC4 and lower in ALC8 compared with controls (P < 0.03). Albumin and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lower in ALC8 (P < 0.03). Hepatic concentration of triacylglycerols was higher in ALC8 than in ALC4 and controls (P < 0.05). ALC4/8 presented microvesicular grade 2 and 3 steatosis, respectively, and macrovesicular grade 1. No change in the gene expression of inflammatory markers between groups was seen. ALC4/8 had lower fecal bacterial α-diversity and relative abundance of Firmicutes (P < 0.005) and greater Bacterioidetes (P < 0.0007) and Protobacteria (P < 0.001) than controls. Gut microbiota correlated with serum and liver lipids, steatosis, albumin, and aminotransferases (P < 0.01 for all).

CONCLUSION

The model induced nutritional, biochemical, histologic, and gut microbiota changes, and appears to be useful in the study of therapeutic targets.

The crux of bioactive metabolites in endophytic and thermophilic fungi and their proximal prospects in biotechnological and industrial domains

Fungi are ubiquitous in distribution and are found in grasses to hot springs. Their mode of nutrition provides sustenance for living and propagation. Ironically, varied fungal species have developed customized strategies for protection and survival by producing diverse secondary metabolites. The review aimed to project the contrasting potential features of the endophytic and thermophilic fungi groups. The metabolites and the enzymes of endophytic and thermophilic fungi served as the backbone to thrive and adapt within-host and in extreme conditions like higher pH, heat, and salinity, respectively. Identification, knowledge of their biochemistry and pathway, exploration, production, and utilization of these bioactive molecules in various commercial, industrial, and pharmaceutical domains were briefly discussed. The uniqueness of endophytes includes stress management and improved biomass production of the host, green fuel production, omnipresence, selected triple-symbiosis with the virus, synthesis of polyketides, and other active metabolites are widely used in biomedical applications and agriculture management. This review attempted to limelight the specific applications of thermophilic fungal metabolites and the roles of thermo-stable enzymes in bioprospecting. Moreover, probing the metabolites of thermophiles rendered novel antibiotic compounds, which were proven effective against multi-drug resistant bacteria and harboured the potential to curtail infectious diseases.

Metabolomic analysis and ecofriendly enrichment of sunflower meal extract

BACKGROUND

The presence of phenolic compounds in sunflower is well reported in the literature; however, knowledge is scarce when it comes to the composition of other secondary metabolites in this species and their by-products. This work evaluated, for the first time, the phytochemical composition of sunflower meal produced in Brazil. A combination of mixture design and central composite rotatable design 2³ models was then applied to maximize the recovery of bioactive compounds using ecologically friendly solvents and concentrating by applying activated carbon, a sustainable adsorbent. The product of this extraction-concentration was also evaluated by an untargeted metabolomic approach using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

A diverse and abundant profile of phenolic compounds was obtained from Brazilian sunflower meal: in total, 51 natural products were tentatively identified, 35 of which for the first time in sunflower. The sorption capacity of the activated charcoal, in the optimized process conditions, was effective in the separation and concentration of minority secondary metabolites. The ecofriendly extract proved to be enriched in plumberoside, p-coumaric acid, and alkaloids.

CONCLUSIONS

Investigation of the phytochemical profile of sunflower meal produced in Brazil pointed to several secondary metabolites reported for the first time in sunflower samples, including phenolic compounds, alkaloids, and terpenes. The use of activated charcoal in an alkaline medium as an adsorbent for the concentration of these phytochemicals, from an aqueous extract, generated a potentially cost-effective, ecofriendly extract, enriched in minor metabolites, indicating a possible innovative way to selectively obtain these compounds from sunflower meal. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of UBiA Family Genes Associated with Abiotic Stress in Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus L.)

The UBiA genes encode a large class of isopentenyltransferases, which are involved in the synthesis of secondary metabolites such as chlorophyll and vitamin E. They performed important functions in the whole plant's growth and development. Current studies on UBiA genes were not comprehensive enough, especially for sunflower UBiA genes. In this study, 10 HaUBiAs were identified by domain analysis these HaUBiAs had five major conserved domains and were unevenly distributed on six chromosomes. By constructing phylogenetic trees, 119 UBiA genes were found in 12 species with different evolutionary levels and divided into five major groups, which contained seven conserved motifs and eight UBiA subsuper family domains. Tissue expression analysis showed that HaUBiAs were highly expressed in the roots, leaves, and seeds. By using promoter analysis, the cis-elements of UBiA genes were mainly in hormone signaling and stress responses. The qRT-PCR results showed that HaUBiA1 and HaUBiA5 responded strongly to abiotic stresses. Under ABA and MeJA treatments, HaUBiA1 significantly upregulated, while HaUBiA5 significantly decreased. Under cold stress, the expression of UBiA1 was significantly upregulated in the roots and stems, while UBiA5 expression was increased only in the leaves. Under anaerobic induction, UBiA1 and UBiA5 were both upregulated in the roots, stems and leaves. In summary, this study systematically classified the UBiA family and identified two abiotic stress candidate genes in the sunflower. It expands the understanding of the UBiA family and provides a theoretical basis for future abiotic stress studies in sunflowers.

In Silico and In Vitro Analysis of Tacca Tubers (Tacca leontopetaloides) from Banyak Island, Aceh Singkil Regency, Indonesia, as Antihypercholesterolemia Agents

Tacca leontopetaloides (T. leontopetaloides) contain a number of active compounds such as flavonoids, tannins, phenolics, steroids, and alkaloids. The active compounds from plants have been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering cholesterol levels by inhibiting the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzym A (HMG-CoA) reductase activity. This study aims to investigate the potential active compounds in the ethanolic extract of Tacca tubers (T. leontopetaloides) from the Banyak Islands, Aceh Singkil Regency, Aceh Province both in vitro and in silico. Tacca tubers contain secondary metabolites including flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, steroids and saponins, according to phytochemical screening. In vitro investigation of ethanolic extract of Tacca tuber revealed inhibitory activity of HMG Co-A reductase with an IC₅₀ value of 4.92 ppm. Based on the in silico study, active compound from the extract, namely Stigmasterol with the highest binding affinities with HMG Co-A reductase (-7.2 kcal/mol). As a comparison, the inhibition of HMG Co-A reductase activity by simvastatin with an IC₅₀ 4.62 ppm and binding affinity -8.0 Kcal/mol. Our findings suggest that the ethanolic extract of Tacca tuber (T. leontopetaloides) from Banyak Islands, Aceh Province has the potential to inhibit the activity of HMG Co-A reductase.

A highly active esterase from Lactobacillus helveticus hydrolyzes chlorogenic acid in sunflower meal to prevent chlorogenic acid induced greening in sunflower protein isolates

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is an ester between caffeic and quinic acid. It is found in many foods and reacts with free amino groups in proteins at alkaline pH, leading to the formation of an undesirable green pigment in sunflower seed-derived ingredients. This paper presents the biochemical characterization and application of a highly active chlorogenic acid esterase from Lactobacillus helveticus. The enzyme is one of the most active CGA esterases known to date with a Km of 0.090 mM and a kcat of 82.1 s-1. The CGA esterase is easily expressed recombinantly in E. coli in large yields and is stable over a wide range of pH and temperatures. We characterized CGA esterase's kinetic properties in sunflower meal and demonstrated that the enzyme completely hydrolyzes CGA in the meal. Finally, we showed that CGA esterase treatment of sunflower seed meal enables the production of pale brown sunflower protein isolates using alkaline extraction. This work will allow for more widespread use of sunflower-derived products in applications where neutrally-colored food products are desired.

Five new secondary metabolites from an endophytic fungus Phomopsis sp. SZSJ-7B

Two previously undescribed lactones, phomolides A and B (1 and 2), and three new sesquiterpenoids, phomenes A-C (3-5), together with one known compound, colletotricholide A (6), were isolated from the endophytic fungus Phomopsis sp. SZSJ-7B. Their chemical structures, including the absolute configurations, were comprehensively established by extensive analyses of NMR, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, electronic circular dichroism powered by theoretical calculations, and X-ray diffractions. Moreover, the cytotoxic and antibacterial activities of compounds 1-6 were also evaluated, and the results demonstrated that compound 2 showed significant antibacterial effects towards methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and S. aureus strains with minimum inhibitory concentration as low as 6.25 μg/ml, which was comparable to that of the clinical drug vancomycin. Moreover, all compounds showed no cytotoxic activity.

Oxidative Stability and Protective Effect of the Mixture between Helianthus annuus L. and Oenothera biennis L. Oils on 3D Tissue Models of Skin Irritation and Phototoxicity

The present study was aimed to evaluate the oxidative stability as well as to assess the protective effect of the mixture of Helianthus annuus L. (HAO) and Oenothera biennis L. (OBO) oils on 3D tissue models of skin irritation and phototoxicity. The following methods were used: GS analysis (fatty acids composition), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances assay (TBA) (lipid oxidation degree of tested samples), 3D EpiDerm models (skin irritation and phototoxicity). For HAO the detected saturated fatty acids (SFA) were palmitic acid (7.179%), stearic acid (3.586%), eicosanoic (0.138%) and docosanoic acid (0.548%) The monounsaturated acids (MUFA) were palmitoleic acid (0.158%) and oleic acid (28.249%) and the polyunsaturated acids (PUFA) were linoleic acid (59.941%) and linolenic acid (0.208%). For OBO the detected SFA were myristic acid (0.325%), pentadecylic acid (0.281%), palmitic (7.2%), stearic (2.88%), and arachidic acid (0.275%). Regarding MUFA, even a lower proportion (8.196%) was observed, predominantly being oleic acid, cis form (7.175%), oleic (n10) (0.558%) and 11-eicosenoic (0.210%) acids. The higher content was found for PUFA (82.247%), the most significant proportions being linoleic acid (72.093%), arachidonic acid (9.812%) and linolenic (0.233%). Obtained data indicate a good oxidative stability and biocompatibility of the mixture on the 3D EpiDerm models with no irritant and no phototoxic effects. Oenothera biennis L. oil may be an excellent natural choice in order to delay or prevent oxidative damage of Helianthus annuus L. oil.

Major chemical carcinogens and health exposure risks in some therapeutic herbal plants in Nigeria

People of all ages and genders utilize herbal medicine to treat varieties of problems all around the world. The accumulation of Cd and Cr in therapeutic herbs (Adansonia digitata, Psidium guajava, and Carica papaya) can lead to a variety of health complications. These leaf extracts are used to treat varieties of ailments, including cancer, in the northern Nigerian states of Borno, Jigawa, and Kano. The researchers employed high-resolution continuous source atomic absorption spectrometry. The statistical parameters such as mean, range, minimum and maximum were computed along with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to assess activity concentrations of Major Chemical Carcinogens (MCCs) in the herb extracts from the three states. The result demonstrated substantial statistical variation in the concentration of Chromium between groups with C. papaya (F = 190.683, p = 0.000), P. guajava (F = 5.698, p = 0.006), A. digitata (F = 243.154, p = 0.000). The post hoc test revealed that the C. papaya and A. digitata observed concentrations were statistically significant across the three states (p = 0.000). It was observed that there is no statistically significant difference between concentrations of the extracts between Kano and Borno states for P. guajava (p = 0.686). For Cd, the one-way ANOVA showed significant statistically variation in the concentration between groups with C. papaya (F = 77.393, p = 0.000), P. guajava (F = 4.496, p = 0.017), A. digitata (F = 69.042, p = 0.000). The post hoc test with multiple comparisons revealed that the activity concentration of all extracts was statistically significant across the three states (p<0.05). The target risk quotient (THQ) for Cd was more than unity in A. digitata and C. papaya, except for P. guajava from Borno State. The probable cancer risk was observed for consumption of plant extracts as a result of Cr and Cd.

The degradation and toxicity of commercially traded vegetable oils following spills in aquatic environment

The production of commodity and specialty vegetable oils is increasing every year to fulfill the ever-increasing demand where the trading of oils occurs primarily via sea shipping. Spills of vegetable oil into the aquatic environment may result in detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems. Environmental degradation of vegetable oil spills occurs mainly via microbial activity, chemical oxidation, wave and wind actions. However, the polymerization of oils can hinder their ability to naturally degrade. Thus, human intervention in the form of both short- and long-term remediation, is desirable to reduce the effects of vegetable oil spills on aquatic ecosystems. Studies have been conducted to determine how the type and concentration of the vegetable oil contamination influence its toxicity on various organisms. Some studies show that the effect of vegetable oil spills is found to be relatively short-lived and to a certain extent increase the survivability of certain organisms. However, the integrated effect of vegetable oil spills on aquatic organisms and their environment is still being researched. This review summarizes the existing knowledge on the reported occurrences of vegetable oil spills, their degradation, and their toxicity towards the surrounding aquatic environment which would be helpful in the knowledge transfer of remediation of vegetable oils.

The Production of Helianthus Haploids: A Review of Its Current Status and Future Prospects

The genus Helianthus comprises 52 species and 19 subspecies, with the cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) representing one of the most important oilseed crops in the world, which is also of value for fodder and technical purposes. Currently, the leading direction in sunflower breeding is to produce highly effective heterosis F₁ hybrids with increased resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The production of inbred parental lines via repeated self-pollination takes 4-8 years, and the creation of a commercial hybrid can take as long as 10 years. However, the use of doubled haploid technology allows for the obtainment of inbred lines in one generation, shortening the time needed for hybrid production. Moreover, it allows for the introgression of the valuable genes present in the wild Helianthus species into cultivated sunflowers. Additionally, this technology makes it possible to manipulate the ploidy level, thereby restoring fertility in interspecific hybridization. This review systematizes and analyzes the knowledge available thus far about the production of haploid and dihaploid Helianthus plants using male (isolated anther and microspore cultures) and female (unpollinated ovaries and ovules culture) gametophytes, as well as by induced parthenogenesis using γ-irradiated pollen and interspecific hybridization. The genetic, physiological, and physical factors influencing the efficiency of haploid plant production are considered. A special section focuses on the approaches used to double a haploid chromosome set and the direct and indirect methods for determining the ploidy level. The current analyzed data on the successful application of haploid sunflower plants in breeding are summarized.

Quantifying the reproductive progression of sunflower using FIJI (Image J)

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is today the third leading oilseed crop in the world and seed yield is a valuable trait for breeders and researchers. The sunflower capitulum is composed of 700 to 3000 individual flowers on a flattered receptacle. Most reproductive stages (R5 to R6) have at least two disc flower phenophase's coexisting in the same receptacle (E1 to E4). Today, researchers in agroecology and breeders manually quantify the number of disc flowers that achieve the anthesis at different developmental stages of the receptacle. The presented method applies a bioinformatic tool to estimate: (1) the number of disc flowers of each phenophase that are constituting the sunflower´s capitula at different reproductive stages and, (2) the number of developing seeds of each sunflower capitulum. The ImageJ software was used as an image-analysis tool on sunflower capitula photographs. A use case and method validation for each presented protocol is provided. This method will contribute to correlation analysis in agroecological studies and also would be useful for the early prediction of seed yield in breeding programs.•This is a simple method for the estimation of the number of disc flowers at each phenophase in the sunflower receptacle.•It is based on integrating the knowledge of sunflower reproductive development with an open-source image analysis platform applied in single workflows.•This is a precise, non-destructive, rapid, and low-cost method; thus, it has the potential to be adopted as a phenotyping tool for sunflower breeding and research in agroecology.

Oxidative stability and elemental analysis of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) edible oil produced in Brazil using a domestic extraction machine

The consumption of regular vegetable oils has been linked to energy acquisition, nutritional benefits, health improvement, and the regulation of metabolic diseases. This study evaluated fatty acids composition, physicochemical, thermal, oxidative, and optical properties, and quantified trace elements in the sunflower oil extracted by a domestic cold-press machine. The oil presented linoleic (54.00%) and oleic (37.29%) primary unsaturated fatty acids (91.67%), in which atherogenic (0.05), thrombogenic (0.16), hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic (21.97), peroxide (16.16), saponification (141.80), and relative density indices (0.92) demonstrated to be suitable for human consumption and possible health promotion. In addition, the concentrations of trace elements by ICP OES were ordered Zn &gt; Fe &gt; Al &gt; Cu &gt; Mn &gt; Cr. Concentrations of Zn, Fe, Al, Cu, and Mn were lower than FAO/WHO and DRI/AI limits, while Cr concentrations exceeded the FAO/WHO limits, which can be used as an indicator of the polluted ambiance. Sunflower oil quantities daily consumption were calculated by taking into account non-carcinogenic risk (CR &lt; 10−4), and total non-carcinogenic hazard index (HI &lt; 1). Based on trace elements determined in this study, the suitable quantity of sunflower oil consumption varies according to individuals aged 8, 18, and 30 years and will be deemed 0.61, 1.46, and 1.65 g/kg, respectively, attending HI = 0.99 and CR &lt; 10−4.

Effect of the Nanoclay Treated Streptomyces sp. UTMC 3136 as a Bioformulation on the Growth of Helianthus annuus

Biofertilizers based on plant growth-promoting actinobacteria are used as potential alternatives to chemical fertilizers for sustainable agricultural systems. However, successful application of PGPA to agricultural land is challenging. The present study was an attempt to develop and evaluate the effect of a low-cost biofertilizer named NCTS (nanoclay-treated-Streptomyces) based on Streptomyces sp. UTMC 3136 spores amalgamated in a hybrid material of nanoclay Na-montmorillonite K10-glycerol-water substrate. In addition, the effect of NCTS on sunflower growth was investigated. In vivo tests showed a statistically significant increase in the agronomic characteristics of sunflowers treated with NCTS. Characterization of NCTS by FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy testified to the structural alignment and good adhesion of NCTS components. The viability of NCTS was 100% after 72 h of storage at 4 °C. Overall, the present study attempted to validate the efficacy of the formulation of Streptomyces sp. UTMC 3136 in nanoclay for growth improvement of sunflower. It was the first study to show the administration of PGPA in combination with nanomaterials as a growth enhancing biofertilization agent for sunflower.

Sunflower Oilcake as a Potential Source for the Development of Edible Membranes

Sunflower oilcake flour (SFOC) resulting from the cold extraction of oil is a rich source of valuable bio-components that stimulated the development of novel, biodegradable and edible films. The films were prepared by incorporating different concentration of sunflower oilcakes (0.1-0.5 g). The obtained films were characterized in terms of physical, water-affinity, antimicrobial and morphological properties. The edible-film properties were affected significantly by the presence and the level of SFOC added. The water vapor permeability and water vapor transmission rate improved with the amount of SFOC added. However, the solubility, oxygen and grease barrier were slightly lower than control film. SEM analysis revealed a rougher but continuous structure with the increases in sunflower oilcake. Moreover, the films with different SFOC levels were opaque, thus presenting good protection against UV radiation. Overall, the SFOC can be use as raw material to produce edible films with suitable properties and microbiological stability for food-packaging applications.

Nectar Dynamics and Pollinators Preference in Sunflower

Nectar is a complex biochemical substance secreted with particular rhythm by flower nectaries. Nectar is the base of a mutualism in which pollinators consume nectar, as food source, and are involuntarily responsible for the transport of pollen and pollination. The dynamics and temporal patterns of nectar secretion are still not fully understood as well as the environmental and climatic factors influencing its production. The quantity and quality of nectar found in standing crops at flowering influence the mutualistic relationship with pollinators and their foraging behavior. This situation is even more significant considering the reduction in undisturbed environments, the loss of soil quality, the spread of monoculture agricultural management and the use of self-fertile hybrids. The objects of the study are understanding the relationship among soil properties and nectar quality, comparing the nectar composition in a sunflower hybrid variety and evaluate pollinator preferences in selecting nectar sources among hybrid and non-hybrid varieties. For these purposes, two different experimental tests were established. Results highlighted that fertilization strategy influenced crop biomass development, determined soil characteristics and nectar composition in Sunflower. However, when comparing nectar composition of hybrid and non-hybrid varieties of sunflower, no significant differences were found. Despite this, the analysis of number of visits on the two treatments showed statistically significant differences. This research provides further understanding of the very complex relationship among soil, crop and nectar to support the definition of agricultural management strategies and reach the optimal nectar composition level for pollinators in agricultural crops.

Physiological Studies and Ultrastructure of Vigna sinensis L. and Helianthus annuus L. under Varying Levels of Nitrogen Supply

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different nitrogen fertilizers (potassium nitrate and/or urea) on shoot parameters, relative growth rate, net assimilation rate, and nitrogen fractions, as well as to conduct transmission electron microscopy, of Vigna sinensis L. (cowpea) and Helianthus annuus L. (sunflower) leaves. A general improvement was recorded in the shoot parameters of the two plants, except for a decrease in the net assimilation rate by treatment of the two plants with 100% potassium nitrate plus 100% urea. The total nitrogen, insoluble protein, and total soluble nitrogen generally decreased in cowpea shoots from the treatments but increased in case of cowpea roots and sunflower shoots and roots. The examination of the ultrastructure changes in cowpea leaves confirmed the presence of two starch granules (in response to 100% potassium nitrate, 100% potassium nitrate plus 100% urea, and the control) and three granules (in response to 50% potassium nitrate plus 50% urea) and the disappearance of the starch granules (in response to 100% urea). Despite the starch granules not being detected in the leaves of the untreated sunflower, the treated plant showed the appearance of the highest number after treatment with 50% potassium nitrate plus 50% urea (2) and the most cell size with the 100% potassium nitrate treatment. Generally, our findings demonstrated that fertilization with 50% potassium nitrate plus 50% urea has the best influence on the growth parameters and nitrogen content in the two plants, but the magnitude of response was more pronounced in case of cowpea plants.

In vitro Screening of Sunflower Associated Endophytic Bacteria With Plant Growth-Promoting Traits

Harnessing endophytic microbes as bioinoculants promises to solve agricultural problems and improve crop yield. Out of fifty endophytic bacteria of sunflowers, 20 were selected based on plant growth-promoting. These plant growth-promoting bacteria were identified as Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Stenotrophomonas. The qualitative screening showed bacterial ability to produce hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, siderophore, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), exopolysaccharide, and solubilize phosphate. The high quantity of siderophore produced by B. cereus T4S was 87.73%. No significant difference was observed in the Bacillus sp. CAL14 (33.83%), S. indicatrix BOVIS40 (32.81%), S. maltophilia JVB5 (32.20%), S. maltophilia PK60 (33.48%), B. subtilis VS52 (33.43%), and P. saponiphilia J4R (33.24%), exhibiting high phosphate-solubilizing potential. S. indicatrix BOVIS40, B. thuringiensis SFL02, B. cereus SFR35, B. cereus BLBS20, and B. albus TSN29 showed high potential for the screened enzymes. Varied IAA production was recorded under optimized conditions. The medium amended with yeast extract yielded high IAA production of 46.43 μg/ml by S. indicatrix BOVIS40. Optimum IAA production of 23.36 and 20.72 μg/ml at 5% sucrose and 3% glucose by S. maltophilia JVB5 and B. cereus T4S were recorded. At pH 7, maximum IAA production of 25.36 μg/ml was obtained by S. indicatrix BOVIS40. All the isolates exhibited high IAA production at temperatures 25, 30, and 37°C. The in vitro seed inoculation enhanced sunflower seedlings compared to the control. Therefore, exploration of copious endophytic bacteria as bioinoculants can best be promising to boost sunflower cultivation.

Effect of slow release nitrogenous fertilizers and biochar on growth, physiology, yield, and nitrogen use efficiency of sunflower under arid climate

Sunflower plants need nitrogen consistently and in higher amount for optimum growth and development. However, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of sunflower crop is low due to various nitrogen (N) losses. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the advanced strategies to minimize N losses and also improve sunflower productivity under arid climatic conditions. A field trial was conducted with four slow release nitrogenous fertilizers [SRNF (bacterial, neem, and sulfur-coated urea and N loaded biochar)] and three N levels (100% = 148 kg N ha^-1, 80% = 118 kg N ha^-1, and 60% = 89 kg N ha^-1) of recommended application (100%) for sunflower crop under arid climatic conditions. Results showed that neem-coated urea at 148 kg N ha^-1 significantly enhanced crop growth rate (CGR) (19.16 g m^-2 d^-1) at 60-75 days after sowing (DAS); leaf area index (2.12, 3.62, 5.97, and 3.00) at 45, 60, 75, and 90 DAS; and total dry matter (14.27, 26.29, 122.67, 410, and 604.33 g m^-2) at 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 DAS. Furthermore, higher values of net leaf photosynthetic rate (25.2 µmol m^-2 s^-1), transpiration rate (3.66 mmol s^-1), and leaf stomatal conductance (0.39 mol m^-2 s^-1) were recorded for the same treatment. Similarly, neem-coated urea produced maximum achene yield (2322 kg ha^-1), biological yield (9000 kg ha^-1), and harvest index (25.8%) of the sunflower crop. Among various N fertilizers, neem-coated urea showed maximum NUE (20.20 kg achene yield kg^-1 N applied) in comparison to other slow release N fertilizers. Similarly, nitrogen increment N₆₀ showed maximum NUE (22.40 kg grain yield kg^-1 N applied) in comparison to N₈₀ and N₁₀₀. In conclusion, neem-coated urea with 100% and 80% of recommended N would be recommended for farmers to get better sunflower productivity with sustainable production and to reduce the environmental nitrogen losses.