Piquin chili, a wild spice: natural variation in nutraceutical contents.

The piquin chili is a wild spice widely consumed from the South United States to Central America and stands out as a source of flavonoids, essential metabolites with antioxidant properties. The concentrations of flavonoids, carotenoids, and capsaicinoids vary according to regions, maturity stages, and ripening processes. These compounds, which are known for their health benefits and industrial applications, highlight the importance of identifying ideal environmental conditions for collecting fruits with the highest contents. Comprehensive studies of the piquin chili are essential for understanding its properties for the benefit of consumers. This approach fortifies trade, contributes to resource conservation, and advances cultivated chili production.

Contribution of Phenolic Compounds to the Antioxidant Activity of Leaf and Flower Extracts of Sinapis pubescens L. subsp. pubescens (Brassicaceae).

Within a study focused on Sinapis pubescens subsp. pubescens wild from Sicily (Italy), an edible species still unexplored, our earlier published work has demonstrated good in vitro antioxidant properties for the flower and leaf hydroalcoholic extracts, exhibiting quite different qualitative-quantitative phenolic profiles. Herein, further research was designed to elucidate the role played by phenolic compounds in the different antioxidant mechanisms highlighted for the extracts. To achieve this goal, the crude extracts were subjected to liquid-liquid partitioning with solvents of increasing polarity; then, the fractions were investigated for their antioxidant properties using different in vitro assays. For both flowers and leaves, the ethyl acetate fractions exhibited the best activity in DPPH and reducing power assays, followed by n-butanol. The total phenolic content determination indicated these fractions as the phenolic-rich ones, which were characterized by HPLC-PDA/ESI-MS analysis. Conversely, the phenolic-rich fractions did not show any chelating activity, which was highlighted for the more hydrophobic ones.

An efficient protocol for extracting thylakoid membranes and total leaf proteins from Posidonia oceanica and other polyphenol-rich plants.

BACKGROUND: The extraction of thylakoids is an essential step in studying the structure of photosynthetic complexes and several other aspects of the photosynthetic process in plants. Conventional protocols have been developed for selected land plants grown in controlled conditions. Plants accumulate defensive chemical compounds such as polyphenols to cope with environmental stresses. When the polyphenol levels are high, their oxidation and cross-linking properties prevent thylakoid extraction. RESULTS: In this study, we developed a method to counteract the hindering effects of polyphenols by modifying the grinding buffer with the addition of both vitamin C (VitC) and polyethylene glycol (PEG4000). This protocol was first applied to the marine plant Posidonia oceanica and then extended to other plants synthesizing substantial amounts of polyphenols, such as Quercus pubescens (oak) and Vitis vinifera (grapevine). Native gel analysis showed that photosynthetic complexes (PSII, PSI, and LHCII) can be extracted from purified membranes and fractionated comparably to those extracted from the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Moreover, total protein extraction from frozen P. oceanica leaves was also efficiently carried out using a denaturing buffer containing PEG and VitC. CONCLUSIONS: Our work shows that the use of PEG and VitC significantly improves the isolation of native thylakoids, native photosynthetic complexes, and total proteins from plants containing high amounts of polyphenols and thus enables studies on photosynthesis in various plant species grown in natural conditions.

Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of Mexican Oregano Essential Oil, Extracted from Plants Occurring Naturally in Semiarid Areas and Cultivated in the Field and Greenhouse in Northern Mexico.

In recent years, the determination of the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of essential oils in wild plants, such as Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens Kunth), has become increasingly important. The objective was to compare the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Mexican oregano essential oil obtained from plants occurring naturally in semiarid areas (Wild1 and Wild2), and those cultivated in the field (CField) and greenhouse (CGreenhouse) in northern Mexico. The Mexican oregano essential oil extraction was performed using the hydrodistillation method, the antioxidant activity was determined using the ABTS method, and the antibacterial activity was assessed through bioassays under the microwell method at nine different concentrations. The aim was to determine the diameter of the inhibition zone and, consequently, understand the sensitivity level for four bacterial species. The results revealed an antioxidant activity ranging from 90% to 94% at the sampling sites, with Wild1 standing out for having the highest average antioxidant activity values. Likewise, six out of the nine concentrations analyzed showed some degree of sensitivity for all the sampling sites. In this regard, the 25 µL mL-1 concentration showed the highest diameter of inhibition zone values, highlighting the Wild2 site, which showed an average diameter greater than 30 mm for the four bacteria tested. Only in the case of S. typhi did the CGreenhouse site surpass the Wild2, with an average diameter of the inhibition zone of 36.7 mm. These findings contribute to the search for new antioxidant and antibacterial options, addressing the challenges that humanity faces in the quest for opportunities to increase life expectancy.

An ethnobotanical study on the medicinal herb practices of the gelao ethnic minority in North Guizhou, China: an exploration of traditional knowledge.

Introduction: The Gelao ethnic minority of northern Guizhou, China have long possessed extensive traditional knowledge of medicinal herbs. This ethnobotanical study aimed to document and evaluate wild plants used medicinally by the Gelao people, providing insights into their traditional medicine and knowledge systems. Methods: Field research was conducted in Gelao communities of Daozhen, Wuchuan and Zheng'an counties using interviews, surveys and participatory rural appraisal. Results: Quantitative ethnobotanical indices were utilized to assess the cultural significance of 187 herbs identified. The herbs belonged to 84 families, primarily Compositae, and were mostly roots, rhizomes and whole plants. They were used to treat digestive, respiratory and inflammatory disorders, gynecological diseases, bites and other conditions, mainly through decoctions. 25 highly significant herbs (national plant cultural significance index > 1000) were known to protect health. Some function as food and are considered safe. However, the study revealed issues including a declining number of knowledgeable elders and inadequate hygiene controls. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate the Gelao's extensive medicinal plant knowledge and highlight the need for further ethnobotanical research to document and preserve this culturally important tradition. The identified herbs also represent an alternative medicinal resource with potential modern applications pending further investigation of their pharmacology and sustainable use. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into Gelao ethnobotanical knowledge and the potential of indigenous medicine for modern healthcare.

A holistic and sustainable approach linked to drought tolerance of Mediterranean crops.

The rapid increase in average temperatures and the progressive reduction in rainfalls caused by climate change is reducing crop yields worldwide, particularly in regions with hot and semi-arid climates such as the Mediterranean area. In natural conditions, plants respond to environmental drought stress with diverse morphological, physiological, and biochemical adaptations in an attempt to escape, avoid, or tolerate drought stress. Among these adaptations to stress, the accumulation of abscisic acid (ABA) is of pivotal importance. Many biotechnological approaches to improve stress tolerance by increasing the exogenous or endogenous content of ABA have proved to be effective. In most cases the resultant drought tolerance is associated with low productivity incompatible with the requirements of modern agriculture. The on-going climate crisis has provoked the search for strategies to increase crop yield under warmer conditions. Several biotechnological strategies, such as the genetic improvement of crops or the generation of transgenic plants for genes involved in drought tolerance, have been attempted with unsatisfactory results suggesting the need for new approaches. Among these, the genetic modification of transcription factors or regulators of signaling cascades provide a promising alternative. To reconcile drought tolerance with crop yield, we propose mutagenesis of genes controlling key signaling components downstream of ABA accumulation in local landraces to modulate responses. We also discuss the advantages of tackling this challenge with a holistic approach involving different knowledge and perspectives, and the problem of distributing the selected lines at subsidized prices to guarantee their use by small family farms.

Sage, Rosemary, and Bay Laurel Hydrodistillation By-Products as a Source of Bioactive Compounds.

Essential oils from Mediterranean wild plants are widely used, but the hydrodistillation residues produced in parallel with these essential oils are significantly understudied and underexploited. Since there are only fragmentary data in the literature, we have, for the first time, systematically analyzed the chemical composition of the by-products obtained after hydrodistillation of sage, bay laurel, and rosemary leaves, i.e., hydrolates, water residues, and solid residues. The chemical composition of the hydrolates changed compared to their respective essential oils towards the dominance of more hydrophilic, oxygenated compounds, such as camphor in sage, 1,8-cineole in bay laurel, and berbenone in rosemary. However, some compounds, mostly sesquiterpenes, which were present in considerable amounts in essential oils, were absent or only present in very small amounts in the hydrolates. Furthermore, both the water and the solid residues were rich in polyphenols, such as procyanidins in bay laurel and rosmarinic acid in rosemary and sage. In conclusion, we demonstrate the valuable chemical composition of sage, rosemary, and bay laurel hydrodistillation by-products and discuss a wide range of their possible applications.

Nutritional values of wild edible freshwater macrophytes.

Background: The social acceptability of wild freshwater macrophytes as locally consumed vegetables is widespread. Freshwater macrophytes have several uses; for example, they can be used as food for humans. This study determined the proximate composition and mineral content of three freshwater macrophyte species, i.e., Eichhornia crassipes, Limnocharis flava, and Neptunia oleracea. Methods: Young shoots of E. crassipes, L. flava, and N. oleracea were collected from shallow channels of Puchong (3°00'11.89″N, 101°42'43.12″E), Ladang 10, Universiti Putra Malaysia (2°58'44.41″N, 101°42'44.45″E), and Kampung Alur Selibong, Langgar (06°5'50.9″N, 100°26'49.8″E), Kedah, Peninsular Malaysia. The nutritional values of these macrophytes were analysed by using a standard protocol from the Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Eight replicates of E. crassipes and L. flava and four replicates of N. oleracea were used for the subsequent analyses. Results: In the proximate analysis, N. oleracea possessed the highest percentage of crude protein (29.61%) and energy content (4,269.65 cal g-1), whereas L. flava had the highest percentage of crude fat (5.75%) and ash (18.31%). The proximate composition trend for each species was different; specifically, all of the species possessed more carbohydrates and fewer crude lipids. All of the species demonstrated a similar mineral trend, with high nitrogen and potassium and lower copper contents. Nitrogen and potassium levels ranged from 12,380-40,380 mg kg-1 and from 11,212-33,276 mg kg-1, respectively, and copper levels ranged from 16-27 mg kg-1. The results showed that all three plant species, i.e., E. crassipes, N. oleracea, and L. flava are plant-based sources of macro- and micronutrient beneficial supplements for human consumption.

Checklist of national key protected wild plants on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

Background: Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is a global biodiversity hotspot due to the unique geographical environment. However, there are few reports on the list of national key protected plants and the distribution pattern of their diversity in this area. Based on the flora and online database, this paper summarised the species diversity and distribution patterns of national key protected wild plants on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. New information: The results showed that there were 350 species of national key protected wild plants on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, belonging to 72 families and 130 genera. Amongst them, 22 species were under class I protection, 328 species were under class II protection and 168 species were endemic to China. Its endangered status involves EW 1 species, CR 17 species, EN 90 species, VU 90 species, NT 30 species, LC 60 species and DD 62 species. Species diversity declined gradually from the southeast to the northwest with hotspots located within Sanjiang Valley subregion (ⅢE14a). The list of national key protected wild plants and their diversity and distribution patterns in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau can provide basic data for the conservation of regional biodiversity and the formulation of conservation strategies.

Study on wild medicinal plant resources and their applied ethnology in multiethnic areas of the Gansu-Ningxia-Inner Mongolia intersection zone.

INTRODUCTION: This study conducted an ethnobotanical survey of wild medicinal plants in the multi-ethnic areas of Gansu-Ningxia-Inner Mongolia intersection zone. Traditional knowledge of medicinal plant use in the region was compiled to identify important medicinal plants currently used for treating relevant diseases and to determine species with potential for development. METHODS: Key informant interviews, semi-structured interviews, participatory rural appraisal methods, and ethnobotanical quantitative evaluation were used to investigate and study the traditional knowledge of local residents' use of wild medicinal plants in the region. The relative importance of the referenced plants was assessed, as well as the prominent species widely used in medicinal applications. RESULTS: The study found that the region has a total of 204 wild medicinal plant resources, belonging to 149 genera of 51 families. Among these resources, a total of 50 commonly used plants were identified (44 of which were herbs, some of which were multi-origin), belonging to 27 families, with the most species found in the Asteraceae family, with 11 species. These herbs are mainly used for preventing and treating colds and nourishing health, followed by treatment of fever, stomach problems, and bleeding. The most frequently used medicinal plant in the region is "Ai", which includes Artemisia argyi Lévl. et Van. and Artemisia kanashiroi Kitam. All respondents provided information about the use of this medicinal plant to varying degrees, followed by Artemisia annua Linn., Ephedra sinica Stapf, Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz., Sonchus arvensis Linn., Artemisia capillaris Thunb., among others. CONCLUSION: Our investigation gained a wealth of traditional knowledge about the use of wild herbs, using wild herbs, which plays an important role in the lives of local residents. Especially, the herbs and application methods used for treating colds, bleeding, and stomach problems are worthy of further research and development.

Tomato Leaf Curl New Delhi Virus Spain Strain Is Not Transmitted by Trialeurodes vaporariorum and Is Inefficiently Transmitted by Bemisia tabaci Mediterranean between Zucchini and the Wild Cucurbit Ecballium elaterium.

Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) is a bipartite begomovirus (genus Begomovirus, family Geminiviridae) persistently transmitted, as with all other begomoviruses, by whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) of the Bemisia tabaci cryptic species complex. The virus, originally from the Indian subcontinent, was recently introduced in the Mediterranean basin, where it is currently a major concern for protected and open-field horticulture. The Mediterranean ToLCNDV isolates belong to a novel strain named "Spain strain" (ToLCNDV-ES), which infects zucchini and other cucurbit crops but is poorly adapted to tomato. Recently, it has been reported that another whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, is able to transmit an isolate of ToLCNDV from India which infects the chayote plant, a cucurbit. The present work aimed to clarify some aspects of whitefly transmission of ToLCNDV-ES. It was shown that T. vaporariorum is not able to transmit ToLCNDV-ES between zucchini plants. In addition, Ecballium elaterium may not act as a relevant reservoir for this virus strain in the Mediterranean basin, as B. tabaci Mediterranean (MED), the most prevalent species of the complex in the region, is not an efficient vector of this begomovirus between cultivated zucchini and wild E. elaterium plants.

Chemical Profile, Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activity of a Phenolic-Rich Fraction from the Leaves of Brassica fruticulosa subsp. fruticulosa (Brassicaceae) Growing Wild in Sicily (Italy).

Recently, our research team has started a study on Brassica fruticulosa subsp. fruticulosa, an edible plant traditionally used to treat various ailments, little investigated to date. Good in vitro antioxidant properties were highlighted for the leaf hydroalcoholic extract, with the secondary higher than the primary ones. In continuation of the ongoing research, this work was designed to elucidate the antioxidant properties of the phenolic compounds contained in the extract. For this purpose, a phenolic-rich ethyl acetate fraction (Bff-EAF) was obtained from the crude extract by liquid-liquid extraction. The phenolic composition was characterized by HPLC-PDA/ESI-MS analysis and the antioxidant potential was investigated by different in vitro methods. Furthermore, the cytotoxic properties were evaluated by MTT, LDH and ROS determinations on human colorectal epithelial adenocarcinoma cells (CaCo-2) and human normal fibroblasts (HFF-1). Twenty phenolic compounds (flavonoid and phenolic acid derivatives) were identified in Bff-EAF. The fraction exhibited good radical scavenging activity in the DPPH test (IC50 = 0.81 ± 0.02 mg/mL), and moderate reducing power (ASE/mL = 13.10 ± 0.94) and chelating properties (IC50 = 2.27 ± 0.18 mg/mL), contrary to what previously observed for the crude extract. Bff-EAF reduced in a dose-dependent manner CaCo-2 cell proliferation after 72 h of treatment. This effect was accompanied by the destabilization of the cellular redox state due to the antioxidant and pro-oxidant activities displayed by the fraction at lower and higher concentrations. No cytotoxic effect was observed on HFF-1 fibroblasts, used as control cell line.

Flavonoids and Phenolic Acids Content in Cultivation and Wild Collection of European Cranberry Bush Viburnum opulus L.

Guelder rose (Viburnum opulus L.) is known for its health benefits. V. opulus contains phenolic compounds (flavonoids and phenolic acids), a group of plant metabolites with wide biological activities. They are good sources of natural antioxidants in human diets owing to their prevention of the oxidative damage responsible for many diseases. In recent years, observations have shown that an increase in temperature can change the quality of plant tissues. So far, little research has addressed the problem of the common impact of temperature and place of occurrence. Towards a better understanding of phenolics concentration that could indicate their potentials as therapeutic agents and towards predicting and controlling the quality of medicinal plants, the aim of this study was to compare phenolic acids and flavonoids content in the leaves of cultivation and wild collection V. opulus, and to examine the impacts of temperature and place of occurrence on their content and composition. Total phenolics were determined using the spectrophotometric method. Phenolic composition of V. opulus was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The following hydroxybenzoic acids there were identified: gallic, p-hydroxybenzoic, syringic, salicylic, benzoic, as well as hydroxycinnamic acids: chlorogenic, caffeic, p-coumaric, ferulic, o-coumaric and t-cinnamic. The analysis of extracts from V. opulus leaves has indicated the presence of the following flavonoids: flavanols: (+)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin; flavonols: quercetin, rutin, kaempferol, myricetin; and flavones: luteolin, apigenin and chrysin. The dominant phenolic acids were p-coumaric and gallic acids. The major flavonoids found in V. opulus leaves were myricetin and kaempferol. Temperature and plant location affected the concentration of tested phenolic compounds. The present study shows the potential of naturally grown and wild V. opulus for the human.

DNA Barcoding of Wild Plants with Potential Medicinal Properties from Faifa Mountains in Saudi Arabia.

Wild medicinal plants are the main source of active ingredients and provide a continuous natural source for many folk medicinal products, a role that is important for society's health with an impressive record of utilization. Thus, surveying, conserving, and precisely identifying wild medicinal plants is required. The current study aimed to precisely identify fourteen wild-sourced medicinal plants from southwest Saudi Arabia, within the Fifa mountains area located in Jazan province, using the DNA barcoding technique. Two DNA regions (nuclear ITS and chloroplast rbcL) were sequenced and analyzed for the collected species using BLAST-based and phylogeny-based identification methods. Based on our analysis, ten of the fourteen species were successfully identified by DNA barcoding, five were identified as morphologically inspected, and three were morphologically indifferent. The study was able to distinguish some key medicinal species and highlight the importance of combining morphological observation with DNA barcoding to ensure the precise identification of wild plants, especially if they are medicinally relevant and associated with public health and safety usage.

Proximate Composition and Nutritional Values of Selected Wild Plants of the United Arab Emirates.

Wild plants supply food and shelter to several organisms; they also act as important sources of many nutrients and pharmaceutical agents for mankind. These plants are widely used in traditional medicinal systems and folk medicines. The present study analyzed the nutritional and proximate composition of various compounds in selected wild plants available in the UAE, viz., Chenopodium murale L., Dipterygium glaucum Decne., Heliotropium digynum Asch. ex C.Chr., Heliotropium kotschyi Gürke., Salsola imbricata Forssk., Tribulus pentandrus Forssk., Zygophyllum qatarense Hadidi. The predominant amino acids detected in the plants were glycine, threonine, histidine, cysteine, proline, serine, and tyrosine; the highest quantities were observed in H. digynum and T. pentandrus. The major fatty acids present were long-chain saturated fatty acids; however, lauric acid was only present in S. imbricata. The presence of essential fatty acids such as oleic acid, α-Linoleic acid, and linolenic acid was observed in H. digynum, S. imbricata, and H. kotschyi. These plants also exhibited higher content of nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, ash, and fiber. The predominant vitamins in the plants were vitamin B complex and vitamin C. C. murale had higher vitamin A, whereas vitamin B complex was seen in T. pentandrus and D. glaucum. The phosphorus and zinc content were high in T. pentandrus; the nitrogen, calcium, and potassium contents were high in H. digynum, and D. glaucum. Overall, these plants, especially H. digynum and T. pentandrus contain high amounts of nutritionally active compounds and important antioxidants including trace elements and vitamins. The results from the experiment provide an understanding of the nutritional composition of these desert plant species and can be better utilized as important agents for pharmacological drug discovery, food, and sustainable livestock production in the desert ecosystem.

Uptake of Cu, Hg, and As in wild vegetation, associated to surface water in the Copiapó valley, before the 2015 alluvium.

In an annual monitoring in the Copiapó valley, the concentration of Cu, Hg, and As in sediments was related to environmental transfer processes, these elements also being present in surface water. The goal was to evaluate the uptake of the mentioned elements in wild plants of the Copiapó Valley, to determine if these species could be indicator plants to prevent environmental risks in local agriculture. From the same monitoring, the uptake of the elements was determined in wild plants growing near the irrigation channels; canopy of Tessaria absinthioides, Equisetum giganteum, Arundo donax, Melilotus indicus, Cortaderia rudiscula, and Sarcocornia neei was analyzed for the same elements. These plants were able to uptake Cu, Hg and As in concentration between 19 and 4674.5 times the environmental limits allowed for edible plants. This result shows that crop plants can also capture contaminants elements due to the frequency of irrigation. These plants can be used as indicators for the diagnosis of capture of the pollutants elements by plants and to prevent environmental hazards to human health in agricultural products from the Copiapó valley.

Chemical characterization by GC/MS analysis of Lactuca tatarica (L.) C.A.Mey. aerial parts and seeds.

Lactuca tatarica is a wild species belonging to Asteraceae family omnipresent in Southern Caucasus region including Azerbaijan. Previous studies on the chemical content of some extracts obtained from its different organs have reported the presence of lactone sesquiterpenes, triterpenoids and flavonoids. For the first time, we investigated the volatile composition of L. tatarica aerial parts and seeds by GC/MS technique. The results showed the predominant presence of fatty acids, both saturated and unsaturated. Palmitic acid was prevalent in the aerial parts (up to 89.9%) while linoleic acid (up to 82.6%) was the most abundant component in the seeds. Other minor components were terpene and hydrocarbon derivatives. Some of the detected constituents in L. tatarica have already demonstrated antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. Therefore, this species could be better studied for its biological properties and considered as a source of active ingredients useful in various fields including the pharmaceutical one.

LC-HR/MS Analysis of Lipophilic Extracts from Calendula arvensis (Vaill.) L. Organs: An Unexplored Source in Cosmeceuticals.

As part of a project aimed at promoting the use of Calendula arvensis (Vaill.) L. (field marigold, Asteraceae) phytocomplexes in cosmeceutical formulations, the chemical composition in apolar specialized metabolites is herein elucidated. Furthermore, the screening of the cytotoxicity of the apolar extracts was evaluated in order to underline their safety as functional ingredients for cosmetics. After dissection of Calendula organs (florets, fruits, leaves, bracts, stems, and roots), ultrasound-assisted maceration in n-hexane as an extracting solvent allowed us to obtain oil-like mixtures, whose chemical composition has been highlighted through a UHPLC-ESI-QqTOF-MS/MS approach. Twenty-nine metabolites were tentatively identified; different compounds, among which the well-known poly-unsaturated fatty acids, and oxylipins and phosphatides were detected for the first time in Calendula genus. The screening of the dose-response cytotoxicity of the apolar extracts of C. arvensis highlighted the concentration of 10 µg/mL as the most suitable for the formulation of cosmeceutical preparations. Sera enriched with leaf and fruit apolar extracts turned out to have the best activity, suggesting it can be used as a new source in skin care thanks to their higher content in fatty acids.

Ethnobotanical study of the wild edible and healthy functional plant resources of the Gelao people in northern Guizhou, China.

INTRODUCTION: The Gelao people are a unique minority in Southwest China with a unique culture for the utilization of edible plants, including a large number of medicinal plants. They believe that at least 61 species are edible and have medicinal value. Ethnobotany research can reveal the local knowledge of the Gelao people regarding the traditional use of plants and the relationship between this minority and their living environment to help retain and pass on this traditional knowledge forever. METHODS: Edible wild plants and their applied ethnic knowledge were investigated in three counties in northern Guizhou. Gelao residents were the main informants, and literature search, village interviews, participatory observation and quantitative ethnobotany evaluation were used. RESULTS: A total of 151 species of wild plants in 67 families are collected and eaten by Gelao residents, among which 61 species were considered to have medicinal value, accounting for 40.4% of the total, and 43 were listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. There were 57 plant species with fruits as their edible parts, which are consumed as snacks, followed by 54 species whose young seedlings and leaves are the edible parts, most of which are consumed cold or stir-fried. Other edible parts included roots or rhizomes (bulbs), flowers, whole plants, seeds, fruiting bodies and stems. There were two consumption modes: raw and cooked. Raw foods were mainly consumed as snacks, which mainly comprise fruits. Cooked foods were mainly vegetables consumed cold or stir-fried. Some plants were used as seasonings, infused wines, condiments and grains. The main medicinal functions were nourishing and reducing heatiness. Nourishing plants were mainly "shen" plants and Liliaceae, while plants able to reduce heatiness were mainly Asteraceae. Others functions included anti-hangover, anticancer and insecticidal. There were 38 species of important edible wild plants (CFSI > 500) in northern Guizhou, which had a high utilization rate. Houttuynia cordata Thunb. and Mentha suaveolens Ehrh. were the most representative edible wild plants in this area. The species, edible parts, edible categories, consumption modes and medicinal functions of edible wild plants in this area are diverse, and the traditional knowledge on their uses is rich. However, the number of wild plant species eaten by the informants and their related knowledge were positively correlated with age, which indicates that the rich traditional knowledge in this area is gradually disappearing with urbanization. CONCLUSIONS: The Gelao have a rich history of consuming wild plants. With the development of the social economy, the traditional knowledge passed from older generations is gradually being lost and its inheritance is facing great risks. This study collects, sorts and spreads this precious traditional knowledge, which is of great value to its protection and inheritance and fully demonstrates the value and importance of our work.

Plant-derived saponin enhances biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in the rhizosphere of native wild plants.

Plant-derived saponins are bioactive surfactant compounds that can solubilize organic pollutants in environmental matrices, thereby facilitating pollutant remediation. Externally applied saponin has potential to enhance total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) biodegradation in the root zone (rhizosphere) of wild plants, but the associated mechanisms are not well understood. For the first time, this study evaluated a triterpenoid saponin (from red ash leaves, Alphitonia excelsa) in comparison to a synthetic surfactant (Triton X-100) for their effects on plant growth and biodegradation of TPH in the rhizosphere of two native wild species (a grass, Chloris truncata, and a shrub, Hakea prostrata). The addition of Triton X-100 at the highest level (1000 mg/kg) in the polluted soil significantly hindered the plant growth (reduced plant biomass and photosynthesis) and associated rhizosphere microbial activity in both the studied plants. Therefore, TPH removal in the rhizosphere of both plant species treated with the synthetic surfactant was not enhanced (at the lower level, 500 mg/kg soil) and even slightly decreased (at the highest level) compared to that in the surfactant-free (control) treatment. By contrast, TPH removal was significantly increased with saponin application (up to 60% in C. truncata at 1000 mg/kg due to enhanced plant growth and associated rhizosphere microbial activity). No significant difference was observed between the two saponin application levels. Dehydrogenase activity positively correlated with TPH removal (p < 0.001) and thus this parameter could be used as an indicator to predict the rhizoremediation efficiency. This work indicates that saponin-amended rhizoremediation could be an environmentally friendly and effective biological approach to remediate TPH-polluted soils. It was clear that the enhanced plant growth and rhizosphere microbial activity played a crucial role in TPH rhizoremediation efficiency. The saponin-induced molecular processes that promoted plant growth and soil microbial activity in the rhizosphere warrant further studies.