4 research outputs found
From Global Origins to Local Fields%253A First Comprehensive Profiling of Nigella sativa L. Nutritional and Fatty Acid Composition in Albanian Agroecological Conditions
No full textNigella sativa L. (black cumin) is a widely used medicinal and nutritional crop, yet its chemical characteristics under Albanian agroecological conditions remain unexplored. This study provides the first assessment of the fatty acid profile and macronutrient composition of N. sativa L. varieties cultivated in Tirana, with the aim of supporting breeding efforts, functional food development, and crop diversification. Eight varieties originating from different countries were grown at the Experimental Didactic Field of the Agricultural University of Tirana. Mature seeds were analyzed for fatty acids following derivatization to FAMEs using GCMS-QP2010 Ultra, while macronutrient concentrations (Na, K, Ca, Mg, P) were quantified using ICP-MS. The varieties exhibited significant inter-varietal variability. T7 showed the highest monounsaturated fatty acids (21.9%25) and calcium concentration (2,012.31 mg kg⁻¹). T8 recorded the highest saturated fatty acids (17.2%25) and sodium level (128.58 mg kg⁻¹), whereas T4 had the highest polyunsaturated fatty acids (63.0%25). For minerals, T3 contained the greatest potassium (11,450.19 mg kg⁻¹) and magnesium (2,904.45 mg kg⁻¹), while T5 had the highest phosphorus content (9,309.01 mg kg⁻¹). These results highlight substantial nutritional diversity within N. sativa L. grown under Tirana conditions, identifying promising genotypes with superior fatty acid and mineral profiles. Such genotypes have strong potential for use in functional foods, nutraceutical production, and sustainable agricultural development
Uncovering the oxidative stress and hematological consequences of chronic cobalt exposure on atherosclerosis
No full textScanning electron microscopic investigation on Chicory tribe (Compositae) botanical sources and their antimicrobial potential
No full textThis study discusses the micro-level structural details of Cichorieae pollen sources elucidated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and explains their symmetry and morphometry. The in-depth knowledge from the electron ultrastructure of Asteraceae pollen has provided insights into enhanced pollen morphology, and the antimicrobial significance of species under study presents novel avenues for their natural defense mechanisms in the development of antimicrobial agents. In this research, both quantitative and qualitative features of pollen were examined. The pollen grains are prolate-spheroidal and oblate-spheroidal in shape, characterized by a maximum polar diameter of 55.6–61.0 μm and a maximum equatorial distance of 68.3–74.4 μm. SEM reveals various configurations such as echinate perforate-tectate, psilate, and echino-lophate perforate. The Cichorieae species have significant antimicrobial efficacy and are promising sources for the development of novel antimicrobial drugs with potential implications in pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. SEM analysis of Cichorieae pollens has provided remarkable insights into their unique structures, revealing diverse shapes and surface ornamentations, which can be used for accurate Asteraceae species identification. Research Highlights: SEM provides unique pollen surface structures and patterns of Chicory pollen grains. Chemical composition of Chicory botanical sources provides valuable information on their potential as antimicrobial agents. SEM imaging reveals specialized fenestrate grain structures of taxonomic importance
Assessment of the botanical origin of Saudi Arabian honey samples to identify pollen with chromatographic tools and packing and storage
No full textThe increasing demand for honey purification and authentication necessitates the global utilization of advanced processing tools. Common honey processing techniques, such as chromatography, are commonly used to assess the quality and quantity of valuable honey. In this study, 15 honey samples were authenticated using HPLC and GC–MS chromatographic methods to analyze their pollen spectrum. Various monofloral honey samples were collected, including Acacia, Hypoestes, Lavandula, Tamarix, Trifolium, and Ziziphus species, based on accurate identification by apiarists in 2023 from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Honey analysis revealed the extraction of pollen from 20 different honeybee floral species. Pollen identified from honey samples using advanced chromatographic tools revealed dominant vegetation resources: Ziziphus species (23%), Acacia species (25%), Tamarix species (34%), Lavandula species (26%), Hypoestes species (34%), and Trifolium species (31%). This study uses HPLC to extract phenolic compounds, revealing dominant protocatechuic acid (4.71 mg g−1), and GC–MS to analyze organic compounds in honey pollen. Specifically, 2-dodecanone was detected with a retention time of 7.34 min. The utilization of chromatographic tools in assessing honey samples for pollen identification provides a reliable and efficient method for determining their botanical origins, thereby contributing to the quality control and authentication of honey products
