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Fruit coatings serve a dual purpose in preserving the quality of fruits. Not only do they act as a barrier against water evaporation and fungal infiltration, but they also enhance the fruit’s visual appeal in the market. Yet, their influence on the fruit’s quality components, which play a crucial role in determining its nutritional value, taste, and overall flavor, has remained relatively unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of carnauba wax coating on the quality of Moro oranges during storage. The selected fruits were meticulously chosen for uniformity in size. The experiment involved applying carnauba wax, a commonly used type among local producers, at four different concentrations: 0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%. These treatments were applied during various storage periods, including immediately after fruits were harvested and after 40 and 80 days. Following the application of these treatments, the oranges were stored in a controlled environment (morgue) at a temperature of 4 ± 1 °C. Subsequently, several physicochemical parameters of both the fruit flesh and skin were examined. The results unveiled a decline in the overall ascorbic acid content of the fruits. In terms of phenol content, a general decreasing trend was observed after harvesting. At each sampling interval during storage, the phenol content in uncoated fruits consistently exceeded that of their waxed counterparts. Significant reduction in fruit weight was observed throughout the storage period. Both vitamin C and total acidity levels in the fruit exhibited decreases during the storage period. As time passed, fruit firmness gradually declined, while fruit decay increased during the 40- and 80-day storage periods for untreated Moro oranges. The anthocyanin content showed an increasing trend. The study also unveiled a decline in the antioxidant capacity of citrus fruits during storage. Strong significant positive correlations were observed between total phenol content and key parameters, such as antioxidant activity (0.941 ** ), MDA (0.364 * ), vitamin C content, and total carbohydrate content (0.475 ** ). Skin radiance showed a perfect correlation with chroma and hue (1.000 ** ). Principal component analysis revealed that the first principal component accounted for 34.27% of the total variance, out of a total of five principal components that explained 77.14% of the variance. Through cluster analysis, the variables were categorized into three distinct groups; one associated with weight loss and another with ion leakage. Considering these findings, carnauba wax-based coating emerges as a promising solution for preserving Moro oranges. It effectively mitigates fruit weight loss and helps maintain fruit firmness during storage, making it a valuable tool for fruit preservation.

Lemon balm ( Melissa officinalis ) is a vital industrial and medicinal plant widely utilized in pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries due to its rich bioactive metabolites, including terpenoids and phenolic compounds, as well as its diverse therapeutic properties. This study examined the effects of silicon nanoparticles (Si-NPs; 300 mg/L foliar spray), superabsorbent polymer (SAP; 1 g/kg soil), and drought stress (75% field capacity) on the phytochemical, physiological, and growth parameters of lemon balm under greenhouse conditions. Conducted over 2023–2024 at Arak University’s medicinal plants department, the experiment followed a randomized complete block design with eight treatments and three replicates. Drought stress significantly reduced chlorophyll *a* (0.74 mg/gFW) and total chlorophyll content (1.00 mg/gFW), while Si-NPs and SAP mitigated these effects by enhancing chlorophyll levels, stem height, and diameter while reducing electrolyte leakage and proline accumulation. Conversely, drought stress elevated electrolyte leakage (32.45%) and proline (1.26 µmol/gFW). The combined Si-NP and SAP treatment yielded the highest flavonoid concentrations (6.76 mg QE/g DW) and antioxidant activity (59.37%). Notably, Si-NPs and SAP alleviated drought-induced morphological and physiological impairments. Essential oil content peaked (0.29%) under drought stress, with geranial and neral identified as primary constituents. The control and SAP treatments produced the highest geranial content (51.53%), whereas SAP alone maximized neral (34.95%). Si-NPs elevated linalool acetate (5.71%), and drought stress increased isopulegol (11.16%). These findings demonstrate the efficacy of Si-NPs and SAP in enhancing lemon balm’s drought tolerance and phytochemical yield.

Rosa canina L. (Rosaceae), commonly known as the rose hip, is originated from Europe, Africa, and Asia with a long history in medicinal applications. This study aimed to analyze the morphological traits, fatty acids profile, and content of phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, vitamin C, total carotenoid, total phenol, total flavonoid, and antioxidant activity of the fruits of eleven Iranian R. canina ecotypes (RCEs). The highest coefficient of variation was obtained in 1000 seed weight (46.57%). The seed oil varied from 8.08 ± 0.17% to 16.91 ± 0.35%. Linoleic (35.41 ± 0.78% to 49.59 ± 0.96%) and eicosanoic (17.67 ± 0.06% to 25.36 ± 0.54%) acids were the predominant fatty acids in the studied samples. The anthocyanin content in the fruits was ranged from 0.98 ± 0.03 to 4.41 ± 0.04 mg cyanidin 3-glucoside/100 g of dry weight (mg C3G/100 g DW). The high content of vitamin C (103.51 ± 1.24–419.70 ± 3.12 mg/100 g DW), total carotenoid (111.22 ± 0.78–206.98 ± 1.25 mg β-carotene equivalents per g of dry weight (mg β-CARE/g DW)), total phenol (52.87 ± 0.82–104.52 ± 0.23 mg GAE/g DW), and total flavonoid (14.20 ± 0.12–25.18 ± 0.47 mg RE/g DW) were observed in the studied samples. Catechin (20.42 ± 0.47–19.22 ± 0.13 µg/g DW) was the major phenolic compound. The high antioxidant activity in the fruits of the plant was recorded in the studied RCEs (IC 50  = 12.54 ± 0.18–26.33 ± 0.13 μg/ml). A significant correlation between some phytochemical compounds (dependent variable) and morphological features (independent variable) was found. Based on our findings, the fruit of the studied ecotypes can be used for future breeding programs and drug development.

The production of surface compounds coated with active substances has gained significant attention in recent years. This study investigated the physical, mechanical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of a composite made of starch and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) containing various concentrations of Ferula gummosa essential oil (0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%). The addition of ZnO NPs improved the thickness, mechanical and microbial properties, and reduced the water vapor permeability of the starch active film. The addition of F. gummosa essential oil to the starch nanocomposite decreased the water vapor permeability from 6.25 to 5.63 g mm −2  d −1  kPa −1 , but this decrease was significant only at the concentration of 1.5% of essential oils ( p  < 0.05). Adding 1.5% of F. gummosa essential oil to starch nanocomposite led to a decrease in Tensile Strength value, while an increase in Elongation at Break values was observed. The results of the antimicrobial activity of the nanocomposite revealed that the pure starch film did not show any lack of growth zone. The addition of ZnO NPs to the starch matrix resulted in antimicrobial activity on both studied bacteria ( Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli ). The highest antimicrobial activity was observed in the starch/ZnO NPs film containing 1.5% essential oil with an inhibition zone of 340 mm 2 on S. aureus . Antioxidant activity increased significantly with increasing concentration of F. gummosa essential oil ( P  < 0.05). The film containing 1.5% essential oil had the highest (50.5%) antioxidant activity. Coating also improved the chemical characteristics of fish fillet. In conclusion, the starch nanocomposite containing ZnO NPs and F. gummosa essential oil has the potential to be used in the aquatic packaging industry.

Salinity is the major abiotic stress among others that determines crop productivity. The primary goal is to examine the impact of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on the growth, metabolism, and defense systems of pea plants in simulated stress conditions. The ZnO NPs were synthesized via a chemical process and characterized by UV, XRD, and SEM. The ZnO NPs application (50 and 100) ppm and salt (50 mM and 100 mM) concentrations were carried out individually and in combination. At 50 ppm ZnO NPs the results revealed both positive and negative effects, demonstrating an increase in the root length and other growth parameters, along with a decrease in Malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide concentrations. However, different concentrations of salt (50 mM and 100 mM) had an overall negative impact on all assessed parameters. In exploring the combined effects of ZnO NPs and salt, various concentrations yielded different outcomes. Significantly, only 50 mM NaCl combined with 50 ppm ZnO NPs demonstrated positive effects on pea physiology, leading to a substantial increase in root length and improvement in other physiological parameters. Moreover, this treatment resulted in decreased levels of MAD, Glycine betaine, and hydrogen peroxide. Conversely, all other treatments exhibited negative effects on the assessed parameters, possibly due to the high concentrations of both stressors. The findings offered valuble reference data for research on the impact of salinity on growth parameters of future agriculture crop.

Rosehip ( Rosa canina L.) is a perennial medicinal plant from the Rosaceae family. Due to its important bioactive compounds and oil, its use in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries is expanding. As elicitation is an effective strategy for the production of secondary metabolites and oil, this study aimed to investigate the exogenous application of salicylic acid (SA) (0, 1, 2, and 3 mM) and jasmonic acid (JA) (0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 mM) on the accumulation and production of oil, the profile of seed fatty acids, as well as the content of phenolic acids, vitamin C, total carotenoid, anthocyanin, total phenolic content, and total flavonoid content of rosehip pericarp. Based on the results, applying SA and JA externally increased the seed oil content by 32.57% compared to the control. The treatment of 3 mM SA and 1.5 mM JA resulted in the highest (11.68%) seed oil content. Eicosanoic acid and palmitic acid production increased under this treatment, while the amount of linoleic acid decreased as the concentrations of SA and JA increased. There was a significant increase in the amount of phenolic acids in rosehip pericarp extract under the influence of SA and JA treatments. Spraying with 3 mM SA and 1.5 mM JA increased vitamin C content and total phenol content by 50.44% and 39.13%, respectively, compared to the control. Additionally, the treatment of 2 mM SA and 1.5 mM JA resulted in the highest total flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, and total carotenoid. These results suggest that using appropriate concentrations of SA and JA as biodegradable, fast, and cost-effective stimulants can be a suitable solution for increasing the production of seed oil content and secondary metabolites of rosehip extract on a large scale, supplying raw material for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries.

Identifying the optimal cultivation regions and evaluating the impact of environmental factors are crucial for selecting the best conditions for the commercial production of important medicinal and industrial plants. This study examined the effects of different cultivation areas-Rayen, Eghlid, Kalat, and Zanjan-on the agro-morphological and phytochemical traits of Glycyrrhiza glabra . The findings revealed that the location where the plants were grown significantly influenced their physical and chemical characteristics. The Kalat region produced the tallest plants, measuring 96.86 cm, along with the highest shoot dry weight at 205.17 g, root dry weight of 318.00 g, root yield of 1590.12 g/m², and glabridin content of 2.92 mg/g dry weight (DW). Conversely, samples from the Rayen region had the highest glycyrhizic acid content at 17.92 mg/g DW and liquritigenin content at 1.22 mg/g DW. The Eghlid region showcased the highest total phenol content and antioxidant activity. Additionally, the study found a negative and significant correlation between altitude and glabridin content, indicating that glabridin levels decrease with increasing altitude. Based on the needs of the food and pharmaceutical industries, the study recommends the Rayen region for the production of glycyrhizic acid, the Kalat region for glabridin, and the Eghlid region for phenolic compounds.

Drought is one of the abiotic stresses that can reduce crop yields. It has a major impact on crop yield reduction. For crops under stress, organic modifiers such as biochar can be useful. Guar ( Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.), an annual legume from the Fabaceae Family, is highly adaptable to arid and semi-arid regions, with many applications in various industries. Field experiments were carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications using a split-split plots arrangement. The aim was to evaluate the influence of irrigation levels (Ir1 = 10, Ir2 = 14, and Ir3 = 17 days irrigation cycle) and biochar (B1 = 0, B2 = 5, and B3 = 10 tons ha −1 ) application on physiological traits [(chlorophyll a and b, chlorophyll index (SPAD), relative leaf water content (RWC), electrolyte leakage (EL), canopy temperature, leaf area, water use efficiency (WUE)], morphological parameters (length and diameter of the stem, pod length, fresh weight of root and plant, root length), yield components (seed yield, number of branch plant −1 , number of clusters plant −1 , pod plant −1 , seed pod −1 , seed plant −1 , 1000-seed weight, and gum contents), and leaf nutrient uptake (Ca, Mg, P, Na, and K) of two commercial and local cultivars (cv1 = RGC-936 and cv2 = Saravan) of the guar plant. It was observed that the Ir3 irrigation treatment produced the highest seed yield (1921.8 kg ha −1 ) in terms of water stress. However, the maximum pod plant −1 (75.5), seed plant −1 (454.2), seed yield (1871.1 kg ha −1 ), leaf area (861.8 mm 2 ), SPAD (92.2), Mg (49.8 mg g −1 ), Na (43.3 mg g −1 ) and P (0.49 mg g −1 ) were observed in RGC-936. The results also revealed that biochar was more effective than cultivars in terms of morphological traits. While yield and yield components were affected by cultivar, irrigation at different levels also had a significant effect on functional traits, physiology, and morphology. The addition of biochar appeared to have a positive effect on water stress alleviation and guar growth and leaf nutrient uptake. According to Pearson’s correlation analysis, plant weight and length, root weight and length, stem diameter, seed pod −1 , branches plant −1 , and 1000-seed weight are moderately correlated with seed yield, while pod plant −1 and seed plant −1 are strongly associated with seed yield. On the other hand, the pod length, branches plant −1 , and gum content showed a positive but not significant relationship.

The current study explores the potential impact of seed priming with silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs, 0, 100, 200, 500 mg/L) and silicate (Si, 0, 1, 1.5, 2 mg/L) under polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced drought stress (0, −0.5, −1, and −1.5 MPa, respectively, control, mild, moderate and severe drought stress) on germination features and vigor index of marigold (Calendula officinalis L.). The study was performed in a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. Based on scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, application of SiNPs at high level in seeds subjected to the severe drought stress clearly revealed the greater deposition of SiNPs on root cell walls compared to the mild or moderate drought stress. The cumulative germination in response to various concentrations of Si and SiNPs showed different germination patterns under drought stress intensities. Two-way interaction of SiNPs and drought stress significantly (P < 0.01) affected the mean germination time only, however, interaction of Si and drought stress significantly influenced germination rate (P < 0.05) and germination index (P < 0.01). The vigor index (VI) based on seedlings length (SL) and dry weight (DW) at 14 days after planting were significantly higher in Si- and SiNPs-treated seeds at 2 and 500 mg/L compared to the other treatments, respectively. In both Si and SiNPs treatments, VI-SL and VI-DW showed positive and significant correlation (r0.01 = 0.737 and r0.01 = 0.859) and (r0.01 = 0.639 and r0.01 = 0.821) with germination percentage under drought stress, respectively. These findings will open the opportunity of using Si and SiNPs as priming agents to enhance seed germination and improve seedling growth under water deficit stress.

Arsenic is a nonessential toxic metalloid hampering the growth and development of plants. The cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum ) is of great economic importance in the textile industry as well as in the production of edible oil. In developing countries, especially Pakistan, the export of cotton has a distinct position. However, there has been a significant decline in cotton production over the past few years due to climate change, heavy metals induction and biotic stresses. A notable decrease in cotton growth and product is observed in response to arsenic stress. Selenium nanoparticles (Se NPS) were prepared by green chemistry approach and characterized by UV–Vis, FTIR, and XRD to mitigate the heavy metals induced toxicity in cotton seedling. Results shows that arsenic toxicity causes a drastic decrease in photosynthesis, phenolics, proteins, growth of seedlings, relative water content, and overall plant biomass. However, these physio-biochemical attributes were upregulated by applications of Se NPs. Moreover, As stress causes severe oxidative damage by overproduction of MDA, H 2 O 2 and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The supplementation of SeNPs positively regulate the As stress in cotton seedlings by altering important antioxidant enzymes involved in ROS detoxification such as SOD, POD, and CAT. Se NPs ameliorate the toxicity by increasing activities of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. The accumulation of As in roots alter the architecture of roots including reduced branching of roots. Current results suggest that the applications of selenium nanoparticles especially 20 mg/L concentration confidently alleviate the As induced toxicity in cotton seedlings.