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Phenolic profiles and susceptibility of plum cultivars to brown rot caused by Monilinia spp.
No full textStone fruits are the most important fruit crops in Serbia, with plums (Prunus domestica L.) significantly contributing to the overall fruit production. With an annual yield of around 400,000 tons, Serbia is the second largest plum producer in Europe [1]. However, plum production is significantly threatened by brown rot, a widespread disease caused by three Monilinia species: Monilinia laxa, Monilinia fructicola, and Monilinia fructigena. M. laxa and M. fructigena have been known to affect stone fruits in Serbia for a long time, whereas M. fructicola was recorded for the first time in 2011 [2]. The study aims to assess the susceptibility of different fruit developmental stages of two plum cultivars (‘Stanley’ and ‘Čačanska rodna’) to these pathogens, analyse their phenolic profiles, and explore possible correlations between phenolic content and brown rot incidence. Results indicate similar phenolic profiles of healthy fruits across cultivars, while early in brown rot development, some phenolic compounds correlated with lesion size. As the disease progressed, severity of lesions was negatively correlated with compounds such as quercitrin, rutin, naringin, isoferulic acid, polydatin, and catechin, but positively correlated with naringenin and aesculetin. The strongest correlations occurred during pit hardening and fruit colour change, suggesting that these compounds directly influence plum susceptibility to Monilinia infections. These findings suggest that specific phenolic compounds are a keys determinant of the susceptibility of plum fruits to infections caused by Monilinia species. Cultivars exhibiting higher levels of flavonol glycosides at the commercial maturity stage may exhibit enhanced resistance to brown rot, thereby extending postharvest shelf life. Taking into account bioactive and nutraceutical properties of flavonol glycosides, cultivar selection may also offer additional benefits for human and animal health, with broader implications for the food and beverage industry.Book of Abstracts: International FoodTec Conference: Shaping the Future of Sustainable Food Ecosystems; 2025 Oct 27-29; Bragança, Portugal. Bragança, Portugal: Instituto Politécnico de Bragança Campus de Santa Apolónia; 2025. p. 317
The effects of Lactobacillus and/ or Bifidobacterium in fermented foods on cognitive health: a systematic review
No full textBackground: Psychobiotics are microorganisms that modulate brain function
via the gut–brain axis and are increasingly studied for their cognitive benefits.
Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, widely present in fermented
foods, are considered safe and may influence cognition by modulating
neuroinflammation, neurotransmitters, and gut barrier integrity. This systematic
review examined the effects of foods fermented with these species on cognitive
performance in healthy adults and individuals with mild cognitive impairment.
Methods: We conducted the systematic review following EFSA guidelines,
Cochrane methodology, and a PROSPERO protocol, using CADIMA for study selection and data extraction. PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library were searched (1 January 1970–31 August 2023) for human intervention and observational studies assessing cognitive outcomes after ingestion of foods fermented with Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium. Eligible populations included healthy adults and individuals with mild cognitive impairment; studies involving disease were excluded. Screening, data extraction, and bias assessment followed Muka et al.’s 24-step guide using ROBINS and Cochrane/CADIMA frameworks. Evidence was synthesized narratively, while a non-systematic component examined food characteristics, potential mechanisms, and factors affecting bioavailability of bioactive constituents.
Results: We included 21 studies (8 interventional, 13 observational). The majority of studies reported benefits, particularly in episodic memory, executive functions, and global cognition, but evidence was limited by inadequate controls, small sample sizes, short interventions, inconsistent domain assessment, and incomplete food characterization. Observational studies had larger populations and longer follow-ups but were limited by exposure assessment and depth of cognitive testing.
Conclusion: Consumption of foods fermented with Lactobacillus and/or Bifidobacterium species may offer promising cognitive benefits. However, following EFSA’s guidance on the substantiation of health claims, the current evidence is “neither convincing nor sufficient” to establish a causal relationship. Well-designed studies with thorough product characterization are needed to substantiate effects and support potential health claims.
Systematic review registration: This study was registered at the Open Science Framework (10.17605/OSF.IO/Z6GRW)
Novel Adamantane–Sclareol Hybrids Exploit ROS Vulnerability to Overcome Multidrug-Resistance in Glioblastoma Cells
No full textMultidrug resistance (MDR) presents a significant challenge in the treatment of glioblastoma. We evaluated six novel adamantane–sclareol hybrids that integrate a natural labdane diterpene scaffold with an adamantane moiety to address this issue. Compounds 2, 5, and 6 demonstrated the ability to bypass P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated resistance in resistant U87-TxR cells and induced collateral sensitivity, with compound 2 exhibiting the highest selectivity for glioblastoma compared to normal glial cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that compounds 2 and 5 selectively triggered early apoptosis in MDR cells, significantly elevated levels of H2O2 and peroxynitrite, and disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential. Additionally, these compounds altered the expression of key genes involved in glutathione (GSH) and thioredoxin (Trx) antioxidant defense systems and in creased ASK1 protein levels, indicating the activation of ROS-driven apoptotic signaling. Both compounds inhibited P-gp function, leading to enhanced intracellular accumulation of rhodamine 123 (Rho 123) and synergistically sensitized U87-TxR cells to paclitaxel (PTX). A preliminary Rag1 xenograft study demonstrated that compound 5 effectively suppressed tumor growth without causing significant weight loss. Collectively, these findings position adamantane–sclareol hybrids, particularly compounds 2 and 5, as promising strategies that exploit an MDR-associated reactive oxygen species (ROS) vulnerability, combining selective cytotoxicity, redox disruption, and P-gp modulation to eliminate resistant glioblastoma cells and enhance the efficacy of chemotherapeutic
Profiling of endogenous phytohormones in shoots of transgenic Llccs lines of Viola cornuta
No full textCapsanthin/capsorubin synthase (CCS) is an enzyme of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway that
catalyzes the synthesis of the red plant pigments, namely capsanthin and casporubin, in fruits and
flowers of plants. Transgenic lines of Viola cornuta cv. “Lutea Splendens” were regenerated after
genetic transformation with Agrobacterium tumefaciens harbouring the empty pWBVec10a vector
(Llccs−)
or
the pWBVec10a/CaMV 35S::Llccs::TNos vector (Llccs+) carrying the
capsanthin/capsorubin synthase gene (Llccs) from the tiger lily (Lilium lancifolium). Due to the
lower shoot multiplication and rooting ability of Llccs- and Llccs+ transgenic lines, compared to
the non-transformed control plants, we wanted to investigate the phytohormone profiles of the
regenerated shoots. The resulting phytohormone analyses showed that the manipulation of
carotenoid synthesis significantly affected the endogenous phytohormone status in the shoots of V.
cornuta. The results show that the total content of cytokinins and their precursors is more than 30%
higher in transgenic shoots (Llccs- and Llccs+) than in non-transformed shoots. A significant
change in total auxin content (45% increase) and auxin catabolic products (1.4-fold) was only
observed in Lccs+transgenic shoots compared to Llccs- and the non-transformed shoots. In
addition, a significant increase in the content of jasmonic acid (by 68.5%) and gibberellic acid (8.9
fold) was observed in the shoots of the transgenic Llccs+ lines. In contrast, a significant decrease
in ABA content (65.7%) was observed in the Llccs+ transgenic lines compared to the non
transformed and Llccs-transformed shoots. Our results suggest that manipulation of the carotenoid
biosynthetic pathway by metabolic engineering of capsanthin/capsorubin synthesis may lead to
significant alternations in the endogenous phytohormone profile, which may further affect plant
growth and regeneration, especially in photosynthetic tissues such as shoots.Book of abstracts and program: 6th Balkan Conference on BioSciences; 2025 Oct 30-31; Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Plovdiv, Bulgaria: University of Plovdiv "Paisii Hilendarski"; 2025. p. 114
Monochromatic Light Interactions in the Early Hypocotyl Elongation of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Seedlings
No full textSunflower is a crop species well adapted for cultivation in open fields under full sunlight. Young plantlets can be grown in growth chambers under low irradiance, where different aspects of light can be easily tracked. Using time-lapse imaging, we have shown how monochromatic red, blue, and far-red light and their combinations interacted, affecting the rhythmicity and elongation of sunflower hypocotyls. Monochromatic light of any color, applied individually, canceled all manifestations of diurnal rhythmicity and anticipation of imminent light transitions present in diurnal photoperiods established by white LED light panels. Monochromatic light also significantly increased the rate of hypocotyl elongation, which became uniform (arrhythmic) and often triggered the appearance of guttation. The rate of hypocotyl elongation was highest with the blue light and lowest with red light. In double light combinations, red light suppressed the stimulative effect of blue light, but it promoted the elongation rate when used together with far-red light. A triple light combination of red, blue, and far-red light stimulated hypocotyl elongation to a high degree and increased the elongation rate more than twofold compared with red and fourfold compared with white LED light
Rosmarinic acid accumulation in micropropagated and acclimatized Micromeria Graeca (L.) Benth. ex Rchb. plants
No full textMicromeria graeca L. (Lamiaceae), a Mediterranean perennial subshrub, is rich in polyphenols with antioxidant-linked pharmacological effects. The present study was initiated with the aim to analyze the phenolic profile of M. graeca shoot cultures grown for 4 weeks on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with various plant growth regulators (PGRs): N6-benzyladenine (BA), kinetin (Kin), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), BA or Kin in combination with IAA. Basal MS medium devoid of PGRs was used as a control, and the results were compared to those obtained from acclimatized plants. Three replicates, each consisting of 10 explants, were used per treatment and the experiment was repeated (n=60). The data were averaged and statistically analyzed, and differences were tested for significance using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test at the significance level of p ≤ 0.05. Rosmarinic acid (RA), the most abundant phenolic compound in M. graeca methanolic extracts, was quantified using HPLC method. RA content in micropropagated shoots ranged from 15.1–37.7 mg g-1 DW, greatly exceeding that of acclimatized plants (2.3 mg g-1 DW). Kin increased RA levels dose-dependently, peaking at 10 µM Kin + 0.57 μM IAA. Across most Kin and low BA treatments, adding IAA at 0.57 µM did not significantly increase RA, suggesting that cytokinins were the primary drivers of RA production. The highest RA content was recorded on medium containing 3 μM BA + 0.57 μM IAA, but dropped sharply at 30 μM BA. These findings highlight the potential of in vitro culture to enhance RA production in M. graeca, supporting scalable systems for pharmacological and commercial applications.Golub D, editor. Book of asbtracts: V Symposium of biologists and ecologists of Republic of Srpska SBERS2025; 2025 Nov 13-25; Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Banja Luka: Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Banja Luka; 2025. p. 37
Comparative analysis of genetic variability in plants using single- and multi-locus DNA markers
No full textUvid u varijabilnost vrsta predstavlja osnovu za konzervacione strategije, taksonomsku preciznost, oplemenjivanje biljaka i evoluciona istraživanja. Jednolokusni markeri, uključujući hloroplastne regione (matK, rbcL, trnH-psbA, trnL-F) i nuklearni ITS lokus, široko se koriste za identifikaciju biljnih vrsta i filogenetske analize, uprkos nedostatku univerzalnog DNK barkod regiona za biljne vrste. Višelokusni DNK markeri omogućavaju istovremenu analizu više genomskih regiona i najčešće se koriste mikrosatelitski markeri, (SSR). Ovo istraživanje je obuhvatilo odabrane vrste iz rodova Nepeta, Digitalis i Centaurium, sa glavnim ciljevima precizne taksonomske identifikacije i razjašnjavanja genetičke strukture unutar populacija. Analiza je pokazala različit stepen diskriminatorne moći među ispitivanim DNK markerima. Region trnL-F je pokazao doslednu efikasnost u identifikaciji svih analiziranih taksona, dok rbcL nije pružio dovoljnu rezoluciju među vrstama istog roda. Marker matK se pokazao informativnim kod rodova Nepeta i Centaurium, ali je ispoljio ograničenu varijabilnost kod vrsta roda Digitalis. Takođe, marker psbA nije mogao biti uspešno amplifikovan kod vrsta roda Nepeta, dok je kod taksona roda Digitalis pokazao zadovoljavajuću divergenciju sekvenci. Kombinovanje DNK markera sa jednim i više lokusa predstavlja komplementarnu strategiju za procenu genetičke varijabilnosti kod biljaka. Jednolokusni markeri, koji se zasnivaju na jednostavnim PCR metodama i sekvenciranju, odlikuju se niskim troškovima i lakom obradom podataka, te su efikasni za identifikaciju vrsta i filogenetsku rekonstrukciju. Nasuprot tome, višelokusni pristup, zasnovan na mikrosatelitskim molekularnim markerima, omogućava detaljniji uvid u populacionu strukturu i genetičke odnose, ali zahteva složenije laboratorijske protokole i analitičke postupke. Zbog kompleksnosti biljnih genoma i promenljive rezolucije pojedinačnih markera među taksonima, preliminarna testiranja kompatibilnosti su neizostavna.Insights into genetic variability of plant species underpin conservation strategies, taxonomic resolution, breeding programs, and evolutionary researches. Single-locus markers, including chloroplast regions (matK, rbcL, trnH-psbA, trnL-F) and nuclear ITS locus, are widely used in authentication of plant species and reconstruction of phylogenetic relations, despite the fact that no universal DNA barcode region for plant species is available. Multilocus DNA markers, which enable simultaneous assessment of multiple genomic regions, and are represented by microsatellite markers, also known as Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs). This study encompassed selected species from the genera Nepeta, Digitalis, and Centaurium, with the primary objectives of achieving precise taxonomic identification and elucidating intrapopulation genetic structure. Variable discriminatory power among the tested DNA markers was demonstrated. The trnL-F region exhibited consistent efficacy in authentication of all examined taxa, whereas rbcL lacked sufficient resolution across species. The matK marker proved informative for Nepeta and Centaurium taxa but showed limited variability within the genus Digitalis. Additionally, psbA could not be successfully amplified in Nepeta species, while it displayed satisfactory sequence divergence in Digitalis taxa. The integration of single- and multi-locus DNA markers represents a complementary strategy for assessing genetic variability in plants. Single-locus markers, based on simple PCR protocols and sequencing, offer low-cost analysis and straightforward data processing, making them effective for species identification and reconstruction of phylogenetic relations. In contrast, approaches relying on microsatellite molecular markers provide deeper insights into population structure and genetic relationships but require more complex laboratory procedures and analytical workflows. Due to the genomic complexity of plants and the variable resolution of individual markers across taxa, preliminary compatibility testing is indispensable.Golub D, editor. Book of asbtracts: V Symposium of biologists and ecologists of Republic of Srpska SBERS2025; 2025 Nov 13-25; Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Banja Luka: Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Banja Luka; 2025. p. 79-80
Ameliorative Effect of Banana Lectin in TNBS-Induced Colitis in C57BL/6 Mice Relies on the Promotion of Antioxidative Mechanisms in the Colon
No full textBackground: The global burden of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, is constantly rising. As IBDs significantly reduce patients’ quality of life, prevention and efficient treatment of IBDs are of paramount importance. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying IBD pathogenesis are still not completely understood, numerous studies indicate the essential role of oxidative stress in the progression of the diseases. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether prophylactic administration of recombinant banana lectin (rBanLec) could positively affect antioxidative mechanisms in the colon and thus prevent or alleviate the severity of experimental colitis induced in C57BL/6 mice. Methods: The prophylactic potential of rBanLec, a mannose-binding lectin with immunomodulatory properties, was investigated in a model of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in C57BL/6 mice. Mice received rBanLec at various doses (0.1, 1 and 10 μg/mL) before the induction of colitis. The severity of the disease was assessed by weight loss and reduction in colon length, and correlated with histopathological findings, cytokine milieu, and oxidative stress markers in the colon. Results: The obtained results revealed that pretreatment with a low dose of rBanLec (0.1 μg/mL) significantly reduced the severity of TNBS-induced colitis, as indicated by reduced weight loss, less severe histopathological damage, and a favorable anti-inflammatory cytokine milieu (increased IL-10 and TGFβ). In addition, rBanLec pretreatment improved the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GST) and reduced markers of oxidative stress such as nitric oxide levels at the peak of the disease. In contrast, higher doses of rBanLec exacerbated inflammatory responses. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that at low doses rBanLec can alleviate the severity of colitis by modulating oxidative stress and promoting anti-inflammatory cytokine responses, positioning rBanLec as a potential candidate for treating IBDs
Lipophilic Extracts of Portulaca oleracea L.: Analysis of Bioactive Fatty Acids Targeting Microbial and Cancer Pathways
No full textBackground/Objectives: Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane) is a widely distributed plant known for its medicinal and nutritional properties. This study aims to evaluate the fatty acid composition and bioactivities of crude lipophilic extracts (chloroform/methanol 2:1) from purslane collected in Serbia and Greece, with a focus on its antimicrobial and anticancer potential. Methods: Chemical analysis was conducted to determine the fatty acid composition of the extracts. Antibacterial activity was assessed using standard microdilution assays, while antibiofilm assays evaluated the extracts’ ability to inhibit biofilm formation. Cytotoxicity was tested on cancer cell lines (MCF7, HeLa, CaCo2, HepG2) and normal keratinocyte cells (HaCaT). Molecular docking and dynamics simulations were performed to explore the interactions of bioactive fatty acids with microbial and cancer-related proteins. Results: The analysis revealed significant levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, with linoleic acid as the predominant fatty acid in both samples (31.42% and 34.51%). The Greek extract exhibited stronger antibacterial activity than the Serbian extract, particularly against Aspergillus versicolor, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. Antibiofilm assays showed up to 89.54% destruction at MIC levels, with notable reductions in exopolysaccharide and extracellular DNA production, especially for Greek samples. Cytotoxicity testing indicated moderate effects on cancer cell lines (IC50 = 178.17–397.31 µg/mL) while being non-toxic to keratinocytes. Molecular docking identified strong interactions between key fatty acids and microbial and cancer-related proteins. Conclusions: These results highlight purslane’s potential as a source of bioactive compounds, particularly in antimicrobial and anticancer applications. The findings suggest that purslane extracts could be developed for therapeutic purposes targeting microbial infections and cancer
Pre-sowing seed exposure to static magnetic field can improve cabbage yield
No full textThe static magnetic field (SMF) has been shown to influence living organisms, for example, plants, fungi, insects, mice, and rats. The effects caused by SMF depend on the intensity of the applied field and exposure duration; however, discovered dependence on these parameters is non-linear. Numerous studies that used SMF for interaction with plants reported increased germination, seedling growth, length and biomass of plants, as well as drought and salinity tolerance of different plants. However, majority of the published studies rely on experiments performed in the laboratory conditions. In order to investigate if and how the conditions of pre-sowing exposure of cabbage seeds (Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. alba) to SMF affect the yield of crops we took the experiment into the agricultural field and followed plant development from sowing to harvesting. Pre-sowing seeds exposures for one hour to highly homogeneous field of 50, 100, and 350 mT were considered and the plants were analyzed two and 3.5 months after sowing. In the transplant stage, seed exposure to 100 mT was found to produce 21.5% more leaves and plant weight increase of 30.7% compared to the control group. In the mature stage, the seed treatment with 350 and 100 mT caused statistically significant increase of the plant weight and head weight. In the group exposed to 350 mT the increase of plant and head weight was 22.7 and 24.8%, respectively, whereas for the 100 mT exposure the corresponding increases were 16.9 and 18.3%, respectively. Consequently, the pre-sowing 1 h exposure of cabbage seeds to 350 mT was found to be the most effective of the three studied SMF treatments, since it can produce 24.8% larger cabbage yield compared to the non-treated control.This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: [http://dx.doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-025-02108-7