Longgang Wang^2,3,#, Xiangxun Zhuansun^2,3,#, Yao Li^2,3, Qili Yao^2,3, Qi Liu^2,3,*, Huijing Lin^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.2, pp. 441-454, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.061720 - 06 March 2025

Abstract Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (FLL) refers to the dried mature fruit of Ligustrum lucidum Ait., a species from the Oleaceae family, widely distributed across East Asia and India. This study aimed to optimize the extraction process for Fructus Ligustri Lucidi essential oil (FLLO) to develop an efficient and practical extraction method. Additionally, the chemical composition of FLLO was analyzed, and its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities were evaluated. FLLO was extracted using supercritical CO₂ extraction, and response surface methodology was applied to optimize the extraction parameters: pressure of 16 MPa, temperature of 40°C, and extraction time of 40… More > Graphic Abstract

Jalil Ahmad^1,*, Muhammad Munir^2,*, Nashi Alqahtani^2,3, Tahira Alyas⁴, Muhammad Ahmad⁵, Sadia Bashir⁶, Fasiha Qurashi⁷, Abdul Ghafoor⁸, Hassan Ali–Dinar²

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.2, pp. 281-302, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.061534 - 06 March 2025

Abstract A steady rise in the overall population is creating an overburden on crops due to their global demand. On the other hand, given the current climate change and population growth, agricultural practices established during the Green Revolution are no longer viable. Consequently, innovative practices are the prerequisite of the time struggle with the rising global food demand. The potential of nanotechnology to reduce the phytotoxic effects of these ecological restrictions has shown significant promise. Nanoparticles (NPs) typically enhance plant resilience to stressors by fortifying the physical barrier, optimizing photosynthesis, stimulating enzymatic activity for defense, elevating More >

Amine Batbat^1,2, Mohamed El Fadili³, Naoufal El Hachlafi^4,*, Amine Elbouzidi^5,*, Chaymae Hmimen⁶, Hiba Yahyaoui^2,7, Samir Jeddi⁶, Abdellatif Benbouazza², Kawtar Fikri-Benbrahim⁶, Mohamed Addi⁵, Samiah Hamad Al-Mijalli⁸, Khaoula Habbadi², Hassane Greche¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.2, pp. 481-501, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.059841 - 06 March 2025

Abstract This study highlights the regulatory potential antibacterial and antiradical of Origanum elongatum essential oil (EO), an endemic medicinal plant of Morocco used for its various properties. The chemical composition of the EO was characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antibacterial activity against different agricultural phytopathogens was determined by disc diffusion and microatmosphere methods, as well as by the determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), while the antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH and FRAP assays. To complement the experimental analyses, a molecular docking approach was used to predict and elucidate… More >

Samiah Hamad Al-Mijalli¹, Hanae Naceiri Mrabti², Amine Elbouzidi^3,*, Naglaa S. Ashmawy^4,5, Amine Batbat⁶, Emad M. Abdallah⁷, Wafa Laaboudi⁸, Mohammed Aladhadh⁹, Fahad M. Alshabrmi¹⁰, Sulaiman Mohammed Alnasser¹¹, Mohamed Addi³, Naoufal El Hachlafi¹²

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.1, pp. 209-227, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.060438 - 24 January 2025

Abstract Thymus serpyllum L., often known as wild thyme, has been used since ancient times due to its multifaceted culinary and medicinal attributes. It is usually utilized in folk medicine to manage different health issues. This work aimed to investigate the chemical composition and biological characteristics of T. serpyllum essential oil (EO), including its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory capabilities. Moreover, we have prompted an in-silico simulation to reveal the underlying mode of action of these properties. The chemical characterization of T. serpyllum (EO) by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) indicated sabinene (17.33%), terpinen-4-ol (11.73%), phellandral (13.18%), and thymol (10.54%) as main… More >

Marwa Rezgui^1,#,*, Wided Ben Ammar¹, Muhammad Nazim^2,3,#, Walid Soufan⁴, Chiraz Chaffei Haouari¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.1, pp. 137-155, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.058851 - 24 January 2025

Abstract Nickel (Ni) toxicity significantly impairs plant growth, photosynthesis, and metabolism by inducing oxidative stress. This study evaluates the potential of exogenous Alpha-Ketoglutarate (AKG) in mitigating Ni-induced stress in Peganum harmala L. Seedlings were exposed to 0, 200, 500, and 750 μM NiCl₂, with or without AKG supplementation. Under 750 μM Ni stress, dry weight (DW) decreased by 33.7%, tissue water content (TWC) by 39.9%, and chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll levels were reduced by 17% and 15%, respectively. Ni exposure also significantly increased secondary metabolite production, with leaf anthocyanin content rising by 131%, and superoxide dismutase (SOD)… More >

Ragini Singh¹, Noushina Iqbal^1,*, Shahid Umar^1,*, Sayeed Ahmad²

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.12, pp. 3237-3271, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.057189 - 31 December 2024

Abstract Lignans are a prominent group of phenolic compounds ubiquitously present in the plant kingdom, playing a critical role in both plant physiology and human health. Structurally they are characterized by the dimerization of two phenylpropane units to attain diverse chemical configurations that contribute to their wide range of biological activities. In plants, lignans function primarily as defense molecules, protecting against pathogens, herbivores, and environmental stressors. These compounds also participate in plant growth regulation and lignification processes. From a nutritional and medicinal perspective, lignans are valued for their significant health benefits. They act as phytoestrogens,… More >

Chen Hao, Chunfeng Mu, Xinyan Yu, Xiaoran Chen, Mengmeng Zhu, Jianrui Wang^*, Yu Liu^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.12, pp. 3549-3572, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.056114 - 31 December 2024

Abstract Entoloma clypeatum, a kind of edible ectomycorrhizal fungus, can be usually symbiotic with Rosaceae fruit trees. Fruit trees have become an important part of China’s agriculture. The present work focused on exploring how E. clypeatum affected symbiotic Rosaceae plants and establishing a symbiotic culture with Malus robusta, Pyrus betulifolia and Prunus armeniaca rootstocks. The results showed that E. clypeatum and three Rosaceae plants can generate cylindrical or clavate mycorrhizae. The inoculation treatment had different degrees of positive effects on the three plants. Relative to the non-inoculated group, biomass in symbiotic plants increased (32.8%–191.1%), and photosynthesis enhanced. In the level of… More >

Clara Pastor, Chelo González-Martínez, Maite Cháfer, Amparo Chiralt^*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.12, pp. 1949-1962, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.056404 - 20 December 2024

Abstract Chitosan films with propolis aqueous extract were obtained in order to improve the antioxidant capacity of the materials. Likewise, oleic acid (OA) was also incorporated to enhance the film hydrophobicity, with and without previous infusion with propolis, to extract other potentially active compounds. The propolis extracts and the chitosan film-forming dispersions were characterised as to their particle size distribution, zeta potential and rheological behaviour. Chitosan-based films with aqueous extract and with oleic acid, containing or not propolis compounds, were obtained and characterised as to their microstructure, mechanical, barrier and optical properties and antioxidant capacity in… More > Graphic Abstract

Md. Tahjib-Ul-Arif^1,2,*, Md Asaduzzaman³, Bir Jahangir Shirazy^2,4, Md. Shihab Uddine Khan⁵, A. M. Sajedur Rahman^2,6, Yoshiyuki Murata², Sozan Abdel Hamed⁷, Arafat Abdel Hamed Abdel Latef^8,9,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.11, pp. 3013-3027, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.058710 - 30 November 2024

Abstract Chilling is one of the major abiotic stresses for plants, especially for rice cultivation. Many essential metabolic processes for growth and development are temperature-dependent. In that case, reducing the negative effects of cold stress using exogenous chemicals is a possible option. Therefore, the current study examined the effects of pre-sowing seed treatment with different chemicals, viz. hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), salicylic acid (SA), calcium chloride (CaCl₂), thiourea (TU), and citric acid (CA) on the germination of rice seeds (cv. BRRI dhan28) under chilling environments. Rice seeds were soaked in distilled water (control), 10 mM CA, 2 mM SA,… More >

Adil Mihoub^1,*, Mohammed Mesnoua¹, Nabil Touzout², Reguia Zeguerrou¹, Nourelislm Siabdallah¹, Chawqi Benchikh¹, Saliha Benaoune¹, Aftab Jamal³, Domenico Ronga⁴, Jakub Černý^5,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.11, pp. 2993-3011, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.057536 - 30 November 2024

Abstract Globally, salinity is a brutal environmental constraint that poses a major threat to agriculture worldwide, causing nutrient imbalances and oxidative stress, leading to reduced crop yields and quality. Date palm waste from the agro-industry is a major environmental problem, but its conversion to biochar for soil amendment could help alleviate the effects of salinity stress. Pepper is a commonly grown horticultural crop that is sensitive to salinity. That’s why the current experiment was conducted with the novel idea of exploring the potential use of biochar-based fertilizer derived from date palm waste as a mitigation strategy… More >