Nitrogen Mineralization of Selected Organic Materials and Their Combined Effects with Nitrogen Fertilizer on Spinach Yield.

A 2-month incubation study was carried out using two soil types to determine the nitrogen mineralization of different inorganic-organic amendments. The following seven treatments (Ts) were established: T1 = control (no amendment), T2 = 5 g of dry algae per kg of soil (100%DA), T3 = 136 g of agri-mat per kg of soil (100%GAM), T4 = 61 g of ground grass per kg of soil (100%GG), T5 = 0.6 g of N using lime-ammonium nitrate (LAN) + 2.

Anticancer Potential of β-Carboline Alkaloids: An Updated Mechanistic Overview.

his comprehensive review is designed to evaluate the anticancer properties of β-carbolines derived from medicinal plants, with the ultimate goal of assessing their suitability and potential in cancer treatment, management, and prevention. An exhaustive literature survey was conducted on a wide array of β-carbolines including, but not limited to, harmaline, harmine, harmicine, harman, harmol, harmalol, pinoline, tetrahydroharmine, tryptoline, cordysinin C, cordysinin D, norharmane, and perlolyrine. Various analytical techniques were employed to identify and screen these compounds, followed by a detailed analysis of their anticancer mechanisms.

Sustainable Applications of Endophytic Bacteria and Their Physiological/Biochemical Roles on Medicinal and Herbal Plants: Review.

Bacterial endophytes reside within the tissues of living plant species without causing any harm or disease to their hosts. These endophytes can be isolated, identified, characterized, and used as biofertilizers. Moreover, bacterial endophytes increase the plants' resistance against diseases, pests, and parasites, and are a promising source of pharmaceutically important bioactives.

Green synthesis and characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles using bush tea ( DC) natural extract: assessment of the synthesis process.

Nanoparticles are globally synthesized for their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, catalytic, magnetic, optical, and electronic properties that have put them at the forefront of a wide variety of studies. Among them, zinc oxide (ZnO) has received much consideration due to its technological and medicinal applications. In this study, we report on the synthesis process of ZnO nanoparticles using   DC natural extract as a reducing agent.

Effect of Optimized Precursor Concentration, Temperature, and Doping on Optical Properties of ZnO Nanoparticles Synthesized via a Green Route Using Bush Tea ( DC.) Leaf Extracts.

Nanoparticles possess several properties, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, catalytic, magnetic, optical, and electronic properties, that have allowed them to be used in different fields. Among them, zinc oxide (ZnO) has received copious consideration due to its technological and medicinal applications. Plant-mediated synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles has provided a cost-effective and eco-friendly method.

Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Diabetic, Anti-Oxidant and Cytotoxicity Assays of South African Herbal Teas and Bush Tea Blends.

South Africa is home to a variety of herbal teas, such as bush tea ( DC.), honeybush tea ( E. Mey and Vogel), special tea ( Planch.

Neglected and Underutilised Crops: A Systematic Review of Their Potential as Food and Herbal Medicinal Crops in South Africa.

The African continent harbours many native species with nutraceutical and pharmaceutical potential. This study reviewed underutilised crops in South Africa to determine their potential as food and herbal medicinal crops. Over 5,000 species have been identified and earmarked for their medical attributes in formal and informal setups.

Three Selected Edible Crops of the Genus as Potential Sources of Phytochemicals: Biochemical, Nutritional, and Medicinal Values.

species (Family Cucurbitaceae) are cultivated throughout the world for their edible fruits, leaves, shoots and seeds. Among the species of the genus there are three selected species that are used as vegetable, and for medicinal purposes, L (Bitter melon), Schumach (Bitter cucumber) and L (African pumpkin). The fruits and leaves of these species are rich in primary and secondary metabolites such as proteins, fibers, minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc), -carotene, foliate, ascorbic acid, among others.

Microbial biomass carbon and enzyme activities as influenced by tillage, crop rotation and residue management in a sweet sorghum cropping system in marginal soils of South Africa.

Questions on sustainable and appropriate cropping systems for bioenergy sweet sorghum in the smallholder farming sector still exist. Therefore, a short-term experiment was carried out to study the influence of management on microbial biomass carbon (MBC), β-glucosidase, acid phosphatase, and urease activities in a sweet sorghum cropping system in South Africa. Tillage [no-till (NT) and conventional tillage (CT)], rotation [sorghum-vetch-sorghum (S-V-S) and sorghum-fallow-sorghum (S-F-S)] and residue retention [0%, 15% and 30%] were evaluated.

Plants: A Genus Rich in Vital Nutra-pharmaceuticals-A Review.

species, known as "Yams," belong to family . This genus consists of more than 600 species distributed from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean's South America, and the South Pacific islands. Their organoleptic properties make them the most widely used carbohydrate food and dietary supplements.

Insights on the anticancer potential of plant-food bioactives: A key focus to prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is an international health problem and represents one of the most encountered malignancies among men. In this complex and heterogeneous disease, androgens and their receptors play a crucial role in both progression and development. Although the search for its effective treatment is still ongoing, among other priorities it requires developing better anticancer agents with greater efficacy and fewer side effects.

Biofortified Crops for Combating Hidden Hunger in South Africa: Availability, Acceptability, Micronutrient Retention and Bioavailability.

In many poorer parts of the world, biofortification is a strategy that increases the concentration of target nutrients in staple food crops, mainly by genetic manipulation, to alleviate prevalent nutrient deficiencies. We reviewed the (i) prevalence of vitamin A, iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) deficiencies; (ii) availability of vitamin A, iron and Zn biofortified crops, and their acceptability in South Africa. The incidence of vitamin A and iron deficiency among children below five years old is 43.

Sensory Characteristics and Volatile Compounds of Herbal Teas and Mixtures of Bush Tea with Other Selected Herbal Teas of South Africa.

South Africa has a traditional heritage of using indigenous herbal teas, and the demand for herbal teas motivated by the functional health benefits has far exceeded global supply. This has led to worldwide interest in the sensory characteristics and volatile compound characterisation of herbal drink formulations. The objective of this study was to investigate the descriptive sensory analysis and volatile compounds of bush, special, honeybush and rooibos tea and the blend of bush tea with special, honeybush and rooibos, respectively.

Phytochemicals in Prostate Cancer: From Bioactive Molecules to Upcoming Therapeutic Agents.

Prostate cancer is a heterogeneous disease, the second deadliest malignancy in men and the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men. Traditional plants have been applied to handle various diseases and to develop new drugs. Medicinal plants are potential sources of natural bioactive compounds that include alkaloids, phenolic compounds, terpenes, and steroids.

Metabolic profiling of four South African herbal teas using high resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance.

Increased preference to herbal drinks has led to global interest in the use and production of different plant species for the preparation of various drink formulations. Medicinal properties derived from bioactive compounds remain the main driver of choice for herbal teas. This study determined the chemical variation in honeybush, rooibos, special and bush tea, profiled compounds responsible for such differences and compared their peak areas.

The synergistic potential of various teas, herbs and therapeutic drugs in health improvement: a review.

Tea is one of the most widely consumed non-alcoholic beverages in the world next to water. It is classified as Camellia sinensis and non-Camellia sinensis (herbal teas). The common bioactive compounds found mainly in green teas are flavan-3-ols (catechins) (also called flavanols), proanthocyanidins (tannins) and flavonols.

Chemical compositions and antimicrobial activities of Athrixia phylicoides DC. (bush tea), Monsonia burkeana (special tea) and synergistic effects of both combined herbal teas.

Objective: To determine the chemical compositions and evaluate the antimicrobial activity of bush tea (Athrixia phylicoides DC.), special tea (Monsonia burkeana) and synergy (combination of bush tea and special tea).

Methods: Total polyphenols were determined using the methods reported by Singleton and Rossi (1965) and modified by Waterman and Mole (1994).