Pterostilbene-loaded PLGA nanoparticles alter phenylpropanoid and oxylipin metabolism in Solanum lycopersicum L. leaves.

Due to the fast-changing global climate, conventional agricultural systems have to deal with more unpredictable and harsh environmental conditions leading to compromise food production. The application of phytonanotechnology can ensure safer and more sustainable crop production, allowing the target-specific delivery of bioactive molecules with great and partially explored positive effects for agriculture, such as an increase in crop production and plant pathogen reduction. In this study, the effect of free pterostilbene (PTB) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with pterostilbene was investigated on Solanum lycopersicum L.

Functionalized biochar from waste as a slow-release nutrient source: Application on tomato plants.

Licorice processing waste was pyrolyzed at different temperatures (500 and 700 °C) to obtain biochar (BC500 and BC700) for use as a slow-release fertilizer on . The materials were characterized through BET analysis, SEM, elemental analysis, pH, and pyrolysis temperature effect was evaluated. The biochars were functionalized by the impregnation method to enrich them with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK), and desorption tests were performed in aqueous solution at different pHs (5 and 7).

Protective Effect of Procyanidin-Rich Grape Seed Extract against Gram-Negative Virulence Factors.

Biofilm formation and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are implicated in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases caused by Gram-negative bacteria. Grape seeds, wine industry by-products, have antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. In the present study, the protective effect of procyanidin-rich grape seed extract (prGSE), from unfermented pomace of L.

Natural Compounds with Antimicrobial Activities in Oral Candida Infections during Head and Neck Radiotherapy.

Background: Oral colonization and infections are frequently observed in patients during and soon after radiation therapy. Infective mucositis is a common side effect associated with cancer therapy, characterized by an inflammation of the oral mucous membranes with histological mucosal and submucosal changes. Ulcerative mucositis is responsible for significant pain, impairing the patient's nutritional intake and leading to local or systemic infections promoting mycosis due to several species of the genus Candida.

Confocal Microscopy Investigations of Biopolymeric PLGA Nanoparticle Uptake in L. Cultured Cells and Plantlet Roots.

To date, most endocytosis studies in plant cells have focused on clathrin-dependent endocytosis, while limited evidence is available on clathrin-independent pathways. Since dynamin a is a key protein both in clathrin-mediated endocytosis and in clathrin-independent endocytic processes, this study investigated its role in the uptake of poly-(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs). The experiments were performed on cultured cells and roots of .

Xanthones: Biosynthesis and Trafficking in Plants, Fungi and Lichens.

Xanthones are a class of secondary metabolites produced by plant organisms. They are characterized by a wide structural variety and numerous biological activities that make them valuable metabolites for use in the pharmaceutical field. This review shows the current knowledge of the xanthone biosynthetic pathway with a focus on the precursors and the enzymes involved, as well as on the cellular and organ localization of xanthones in plants.

Protective Role of Natural Compounds under Radiation-Induced Injury.

In recent years, evidence has shown the potential therapeutic effects of different natural compounds for the prevention and treatment of radiotherapy-induced mucositis (RIOM). RIOM represents one of the most frequent side effects associated with anti-neoplastic treatments affecting patients' quality of life and treatment response due to radiation therapy discontinuation. The innate radio-protective ability of natural products obtained from plants is in part due to the numerous antioxidants possessed as a part of their normal secondary metabolic processes.

Poly-(lactic--glycolic) Acid Nanoparticles Entrapping Pterostilbene for Targeting Section .

Poly-(lactic--glycolic) acid (PLGA) is a biodegradable, biosafe, and biocompatible copolymer. The section causes otomycosis localized in the external auditory canal. In this research, , a species belonging to the section, was tested.

Biostimulant Effects of and Culture Filtrates on Plant: Growth Performance and Metabolomic Traits.

In this study, we investigated the biostimulant effect of fungal culture filtrates obtained from and on growth performance and metabolomic traits of chicory () plants. For the first time, we showed that culture filtrate exerts a direct plant growth-promoting effect through an increase of biomass, both in shoots and roots, and of the leaf area. Conversely, no significant effect on morphological traits and biomass yield was observed in plants treated with culture filtrate.

A novel approach to control Botrytis cinerea fungal infections: uptake and biological activity of antifungals encapsulated in nanoparticle based vectors.

Botrytis cinerea, responsible for grey mold diseases, is a pathogen with a broad host range, affecting many important agricultural crops, in pre and post harvesting of fruits and vegetables. Commercial fungicides used to control this pathogen are often subjected to photolysis, volatilization, degradation, leaching, and runoff during application. In this context, the use of a delivery system, based on poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (PLGA NPs) represents an innovative approach to develop new pesticide formulations to successfully fight B.

Effects of Organic Biostimulants Added with Zeolite on Zucchini Squash Plants Infected by Tomato Leaf Curl New Delhi Virus.

The use of organic substances in integrated pest management can contribute to human- and environment-safe crop production. In the present work, a combination of organic biostimulants (Fullcrhum Alert and BioVeg 500) and an inorganic corroborant (Clinogold, zeolite) was tested for the effects on the plant response to the quarantine pest tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV). Biostimulants were applied to healthy and infected greenhouse-grown zucchini plants, and the vegetative parameters and viral titer were evaluated.

Comparison between In Vitro Chemical and Ex Vivo Biological Assays to Evaluate Antioxidant Capacity of Botanical Extracts.

The anti-oxidative activity of plant-derived extracts is well-known and confers health-promoting effects on functional foods and food supplements. Aim of this work is to evaluate the capability of two different assays to predict the real biological antioxidant efficiency. At this purpose, extracts from five different plant-derived matrices and commercial purified phytochemicals were analyzed for their anti-oxidative properties by using well-standardized in vitro chemical method (TEAC) and an ex vivo biological assay.

Antifungal Activity of Phenolic and Polyphenolic Compounds from Different Matrices of L. against Human Pathogens.

Phenolic compounds, the most widely distributed class of natural products in the plants, show several biological properties including antifungal activity. Phenolics contained in grapes can be classified in two main groups, flavonoids and non-flavonoids compounds. Variability and yield extraction of phenolic and polyphenolic compounds from different matrices of depends of cultivar, climate, soil condition and process technology.

Remediation of hexavalent chromium contaminated water through zero-valent iron nanoparticles and effects on tomato plant growth performance.

Contaminated water with hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) is a serious environmental problem. This study aimed to evaluate the Cr(VI) removal by zero valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) reduction process and the impact of Cr(VI), nZVI and combined treatment with nZVI and Cr(VI) on tomato growth performance. To evaluate the Cr(VI) toxic effect on germination capability, seeds were exposed to increasing Cr(VI) concentrations up to 1000 mg L.

Microfluidic synthesis of methyl jasmonate-loaded PLGA nanocarriers as a new strategy to improve natural defenses in Vitis vinifera.

The objective of the present work was to synthesize biopolymeric nanoparticles (NPs) entrapping the resistance-inductor methyl jasmonate (MeJA) to be employed as a novel and alternative strategy in integrated pest management. NPs were prepared by using a continuous flow microfluidic reactor that allows to precisely control some features that are crucial for applications such as size, polydispersion, morphology and reproducibility. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), a biopolymer largely studied for its use in biological applications, was chosen for the production of NPs entrapping MeJA, a biotic endogenous elicitor able to trigger plant's defense responses.

Phytochemical and biological characterization of Italian "sedano bianco di Sperlonga" Protected Geographical Indication celery ecotype: A multimethodological approach.

Celery is a widely used vegetable known for its peculiar sensorial and nutritional properties. Here, the white celery (Apium graveolens L.) "sedano bianco di Sperlonga" PGI ecotype was investigated to obtain the metabolic profile of its edible parts (blade leaves and petioles) also related to quality, freshness and biological properties.

Anti- Biofilm Activity of Pterostilbene or Crude Extract from Non-Fermented Grape Pomace Entrapped in Biopolymeric Nanoparticles.

Polymeric nanoparticle-based carriers are promising agents to deliver drugs to cells. phenolic compounds are known for their antifungal activity against . The aim of the present study was to investigate the antifungal activity of pterostilbene or crude extracts from non-fermented grape pomace, entrapped in poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid nanoparticles (NPs), with diameters of 50 and 150 nm, on biofilm.

Antifungal activity of Mongolian medicinal plant extracts.

The antifungal activity of extracts obtained from 14 medicinal plants of the mongolian flora were investigated by measuring their minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) against fungi cause of cutaneous diseases such as species, dermatophytes and . Among the species examined, L., L.

Stilbene biosynthesis and gene expression in response to methyl jasmonate and continuous light treatment in Vitis vinifera cv. Malvasia del Lazio and Vitis rupestris Du Lot cell cultures.

Vitis rupestris is used as rootstock or to obtain hybrids with Vitis vinifera, due to its resistance to certain pathogens. Its resistance mechanisms are poorly understood, while it is known that stilbene neo-synthesis is a central defense strategy in V. vinifera.

Chitosan oligosaccharides affect xanthone and VOC biosynthesis in Hypericum perforatum root cultures and enhance the antifungal activity of root extracts.

Water-soluble chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) affect xanthone and volatile organic compound content, as well as antifungal activity against human pathogenic fungi of extracts obtained from Hypericum perforatum root cultures. Several studies have demonstrated the elicitor power of chitosan on xanthone biosynthesis in root cultures of H. perforatum.

Effects of ionizing radiation on bio-active plant extracts useful for preventing oxidative damages.

Humans are exposed to ionizing radiations in medical radiodiagnosis and radiotherapy that cause oxidative damages and degenerative diseases. Airplane pilots, and even more astronauts, are exposed to a variety of potentially harmful factors, including cosmic radiations. Among the phytochemicals, phenols are particularly efficient in countering the oxidative stress.

Phenolic content and in vitro antifungal activity of unripe grape extracts from agro-industrial wastes.

The antifungal activity of unripe grape extracts from agro-industrial wastes has been evaluated against several strains of Candida spp. and dermatophytes. All the extracts tested showed antifungal activity.

Exodermis and endodermis are the sites of xanthone biosynthesis in Hypericum perforatum roots.

Xanthones are specialized metabolites with antimicrobial properties, which accumulate in roots of Hypericum perforatum. This medicinal plant provides widely taken remedies for depressive episodes and skin disorders. Owing to the array of pharmacological activities, xanthone derivatives attract attention for drug design.

Endocytic pathways involved in PLGA nanoparticle uptake by grapevine cells and role of cell wall and membrane in size selection.

PLGA NPs' cell uptake involves different endocytic pathways. Clathrin-independent endocytosis is the main internalization route. The cell wall plays a more prominent role than the plasma membrane in NPs' size selection.

Anti-Dermatophyte and Anti-Malassezia Activity of Extracts Rich in Polymeric Flavan-3-ols Obtained from Vitis vinifera Seeds.

Several human skin diseases are associated with fungi as dermatophytes and Malassezia. Skin mycoses are increasing and new alternatives to conventional treatments with improved efficacy and/or safety profiles are desirable. For the first time, the anti-dermatophytes and the anti-Malassezia activities of Vitis vinifera seed extracts obtained from different table and wine cultivars have been evaluated.