Nicoliella lavandulae sp. nov., a novel fructophilic Nicoliella species isolated from flowers of Lavandula angustifolia.

A survey of fructophilic lactic acid bacteria associated with wild and cultivated plants in the metropolitan area of Valencia (Spain) led to the isolation of a novel strain of the genus Nicoliella, named Es01T, from flowers of Lavandula angustifolia. The genus Nicoliella encompasses a single species, Nicoliella spurrieriana. Partial 16S rRNA coding gene sequencing revealed a similarity of 98.8% to N. spurrieriana SGEP1_A5T. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) calculations revealed an ANI value of 80.49% with strain SGEP1_A5T, the only N. spurrieriana strain with an available genomic sequence. A digital DNA-DNA hybridization value of 20% was estimated by the Type Strain Genome Server tool when Es01T was compared with strain SGEP1_A5T. On the basis of these results, strain Es01T represents a novel species, for which the name Nicoliella lavandulae sp. nov. is proposed with Es01T (=CECT 30999T=DSMZ 117325T=CCM 9394T) as type strain.

Water deprivation modifies the metabolic profile of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) leaves.

Lavender plantation is globally expanded due to the increasing demand of its essential oil and its popularity as an ornamental species. However, lavender plantations, and consequently essential oil industries, are threatened by more frequent and severe drought episodes in a globally changing climate. Still little is known about the changes in the general metabolome, which provides the precursors of essential oil production, by extended drought events. Prolonged drought fundamentally results in yield losses and changing essential oil composition. In the present study, the general metabolome of a main cultivated lavender species (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) in response to water deprivation (WD) and re-watering was analyzed to identify the metabolomics responses. We found prolonged WD resulted in significant accumulations of glucose, 1,6-anhydro-ß-D-glucose, sucrose, melezitose and raffinose, but declines of allulose, ß-D-allose, altrose, fructose and D-cellobiose accompanied by decreased organic acids abundances. Amino acids and aromatic compounds of p-coumaric acid, hydrocaffeic acid and caffeic acid significantly accumulated at prolonged WD, whereas aromatics of cis-ferulic acid, taxifolin and two fatty acids (i.e., palmitic acid and stearic acid) significantly decreased. Prolonged WD also resulted in decreased abundances of polyols, particularly myo-inositol, galactinol and arabitol. The altered metabolite profiles by prolonged WD were mostly not recovered after re-watering, except for branched-chain amino acids, proline, serine and threonine. Our study illustrates the complex changes of leaf primary and secondary metabolic processes of L. angustifolia by drought events and highlights the potential impact of these precursors of essential oil production on the lavender industry.

Flower Power: An Overview on Chemistry and Biological Impact of Selected Essential Oils from Blossoms.

Natural raw materials such as essential oils have received more and more attention in recent decades, whether in the food industry, as flavorings and preservatives, or as insecticides and insect repellents. They are, furthermore, very popular as fragrances in perfumes, cosmetics, and household products. In addition, aromatherapy is widely used to complement conventional medicine. This review summarizes investigations on the chemical composition and the most important biological impacts of essential oils and volatile compounds extracted from selected aromatic blossoms, including Lavandula angustifolia, Matricaria recutita, Rosa x damascena, Jasminum grandiflorum, Citrus x aurantium, Cananga odorata, and Michelia alba. The literature was collected from PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. Blossom essential oils discussed in this work are used in a wide variety of clinical issues. The application is consistently described as safe in studies and meta-analyses, although there are notes that using essential oils can also have side effects, especially dermatologically. However, it can be considered as confirmed that essential oils have positive influences on humans and can improve quality of life in patients with psychiatric disorders, critically ill patients, and patients in other exceptional situations. Although the positive effect of essential oils from blossoms has repeatedly been reported, evidence-based clinical investigations are still underrepresented, and the need for research is demanded.

Phytophthora Root and Crown Rot of Lavender: New Host-Pathogen Relationships Involving Six Species of Phytophthora and Three Species of Lavandula.

Phytophthora root and crown rot has become a major threat to the lavender industry worldwide. Isolations from symptomatic plants between 2015 and 2019 revealed a number of potential causal agents in the United States. In this study, we tested nine species of Phytophthora and four species of Lavandula and used Koch's Postulates to prove pathogenicity for six new host-pathogen relationships and confirm two pathogenic relationships for the first time in the United States. A total of 10 experiments were conducted with each consisting of two independent trials. Only host-pathogen combinations that occurred in the field were evaluated. All isolates used in these experiments were recovered from diseased lavender plants or, for one isolate, soil associated with a diseased plant sent to our lab or the Clemson University Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic for diagnosis. Experiments were conducted over 3 years, 2017 to 2019, in a research greenhouse under relatively uniform environmental conditions following a standard protocol. Plants were evaluated weekly for foliage symptom severity, and, at the end of each trial, plants were scored for final foliage symptom severity and root rot severity, area under the disease progress curve was calculated, fresh plant mass was weighed, and isolation of pathogens from roots was attempted. These studies successfully demonstrated for the first time pathogenicity of Phytophthora nicotianae, P. palmivora, and P. cinnamomi to hybrid lavender (Lavandula × intermedia), P. nicotianae to sweet lavender (L. heterophylla), and P. cryptogea and P. drechsleri to English lavender (L. angustifolia). In addition, a soil isolate of P. tropicalis was shown to be potentially pathogenic to L. × intermedia. Our results also documented for the first time in the United States pathogenicity of P. palmivora and P. citrophthora to L. angustifolia. We were not able to confirm pathogenicity for three host-pathogen relationships: P. megasperma on English lavender, P. cactorum on hybrid lavender, and P. nicotianae on Spanish lavender (L. stoechas). Results from this study expand the list of Phytophthora species causing root rot on lavender (Lavandula species) in the United States and elsewhere.

Lavender Harbors More Viruses than Previously Thought: First Report of Raspberry Ringspot Virus and Phlox Virus M in Lavandula × intermedia.

Plants of the genus Lavandula are thought to be rarely infected by viruses. To date, only alfalfa mosaic virus, cucumber mosaic virus, tobacco mosaic virus, and tomato spotted wilt virus have been reported in this host. In this study, we identified for the first time raspberry ringspot virus (RpRSV) and phlox virus M (PhlVM) in lavender using herbaceous indexing, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and high-throughput sequencing. Nearly complete genome sequences for both viruses were determined. Phylogenetic and serological characterizations suggest that the obtained RpRSV isolate is a raspberry strain. A preliminary survey of 166 samples indicated RpRSV was spread only in the lavender cultivar 'Grosso', while PhlVM was detected in multiple lavender cultivars. Although RpRSV raspberry strain may have spread throughout Auckland and nearby areas in New Zealand, it is very likely restricted to the genus Lavandula or even to the cultivar 'Grosso' due to the absence or limited occurrence of the nematode vector. Interestingly, all infected lavender plants, regardless of their infection status (by RpRSV, PhlVM, or both) were asymptomatic. RpRSV is an important virus that infects horticultural crops including grapevine, cherry, berry fruits, and rose. It remains on the list of regulated pests in New Zealand. RpRSV testing is mandatory for imported Fragaria, Prunus, Ribes, Rosa, Rubus, and Vitis nursery stock and seeds for sowing, while this is not required for Lavandula importation. Our study revealed that lavender could play a role not only as a reservoir but also as an uncontrolled import pathway of viruses that pose a threat to New Zealand's primary industries.

Medicinal Anti-Inflammatory Patch Loaded with Lavender Essential Oil.

Transdermal drug delivery offers a promising alternative for administering medications like ibuprofen, known for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, with reduced gastrointestinal side effects compared to oral administration. This study explored the potential synergistic effects of combining ibuprofen with lavender essential oil (LEO) in transdermal patches. The composition of LEO was analyzed, revealing predominant compounds such as linalyl acetate and linalool, which are known for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. The physicochemical properties of the patches were investigated, indicating improved cohesion with the addition of LEO. Additionally, thermal stability assessments demonstrated enhanced stability with LEO incorporation with an increase in onset decomposition temperature from 49.0 to 67.9 °C. The antioxidant activity of patches containing LEO was significantly higher with a free radical scavenging ability of 79.13% RSA compared to 60% RSA in patches without LEO. Release and permeation studies showed that patches with LEO exhibited an increased permeation of ibuprofen through the skin with 74.40% of the drug released from LEO-containing patches compared to 36.29% from patches without LEO after 24 h. Moreover, the permeation rate was notably faster with LEO, indicating quicker therapeutic effects. The inclusion of LEO in transdermal patches containing ibuprofen holds promise for enhancing drug delivery efficiency and therapeutic effectiveness, offering a potential strategy for improved pain management with reduced side effects.

Interaction between Enrofloxacin and Three Essential Oils (Cinnamon Bark, Clove Bud and Lavender Flower)-A Study on Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from 1-Day-Old Broiler Chickens.

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) causes a variety of infections outside the intestine. The treatment of these infections is becoming increasingly difficult due to the emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains, which can also be a direct or indirect threat to humans as consumers of poultry products. Therefore, alternative antimicrobial agents are being sought, which could be essential oils, either administered individually or in interaction with antibiotics. Sixteen field isolates of E. coli (originating from 1-day-old broilers) and the ATCC 25922 reference strain were tested. Commercial cinnamon bark, clove bud, lavender flower essential oils (EOs) and enrofloxacin were selected to assess the sensitivity of the selected E. coli strains to antimicrobial agents. The checkerboard method was used to estimate the individual minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for each antimicrobial agent as well as to determine the interactions between the selected essential oil and enrofloxacin. In the case of enrofloxacin, ten isolates were resistant at MIC ≥ 2 µg/mL, three were classified as intermediate (0.5-1 µg/mL) and three as sensitive at ≤0.25 µg/mL. Regardless of the sensitivity to enrofloxacin, the MIC for cinnamon EO was 0.25% v/v and for clove EO was 0.125% v/v. All MDR strains had MIC values for lavender EO of 1% v/v, while drug-sensitive isolates had MIC of 0.5% v/v. Synergism between enrofloxacin and EO was noted more frequently in lavender EO (82.35%), followed by cinnamon EO (64.7%), than in clove EO (47.1%). The remaining cases exhibited additive effects. Owing to synergy, the isolates became susceptible to enrofloxacin at an MIC of ≤8 µg/mL. A time-kill study supports these observations. Cinnamon and clove EOs required for up to 1 h and lavender EO for up to 4 h to completely kill a multidrug-resistant strain as well as the ATCC 25922 reference strain of E. coli. Through synergistic or additive effects, blends with a lower than MIC concentration of enrofloxacin mixed with a lower EO content required 6 ± 2 h to achieve a similar effect.

Seasonal and Geographic Dynamics in Bioproperties and Phytochemical Profile of Limonium algarvense Erben.

This study delved into the influence of ecological and seasonal dynamics on the synthesis of secondary metabolites in the medicinal halophyte Limonium algarvense Erben, commonly known as sea lavender, and examined their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Aerial parts of sea lavender were systematically collected across winter, spring, summer, and autumn seasons from distinct geographic locations in southern Portugal, specifically "Ria de Alvor" in Portimão and "Ria Formosa" in Tavira. The investigation involved determining the total polyphenolic profile through spectrophotometric methods, establishing the chemical profile via liquid chromatography electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS), and evaluating in vitro antioxidant properties using radical and metal-based methods, along with assessing anti-inflammatory capacity through a cell model. Results unveiled varying polyphenol levels and profiles across seasons, with spring and autumn samples exhibiting the highest content, accompanied by the most notable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities. Geographic location emerged as an influential factor, particularly distinguishing plants from "Ria de Alvor". Seasonal fluctuations were associated with environmental factors, including temperature, which, when excessively high, can impair plant metabolism, but also with the presence of flowers and seeds in spring and autumn samples, which also seems to contribute to elevated polyphenol levels and enhanced bioproperties of these samples. Additionally, genetic factors may be related to differences observed between ecotypes (geographical location). This study underscores sea lavender's potential as a natural source of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents, emphasizing the significance of considering both geographic location and seasonal dynamics in the assessment of phenolic composition and bioactive properties in medicinal plant species.

Lavandula angustifolia Essential Oil Inhibits the Ability of Fusobacterium nucleatum to Produce Volatile Sulfide Compounds, a Key Components in Oral Malodor.

Oral malodor still constitutes a major challenge worldwide. A strong effort is invested in eliminating volatile sulfur compound-producing oral bacteria through organic natural products such as essential oils. Fusobacterium nucleatum is a known volatile sulfur compound-producing bacteria that inspires oral malodor. The aim of the present study was to test the effect of lavender essential oil on the bacterium's ability to produce volatile sulfide compounds, the principal components of oral malodor. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed using GC-MS. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of lavender essential oil on Fusobacterium nucleatum was determined in a previous trial. Fusobacterium nucleatum was incubated anaerobically in the presence of sub-MIC, MIC, and above MIC concentrations of lavender essential oil, as well as saline and chlorhexidine as negative and positive controls, respectively. Following incubation, volatile sulfur compound levels were measured using GC (Oralchroma), and bacterial cell membrane damage was studied using fluorescence microscopy. Chemical analysis of lavender essential oil yielded five main components, with camphor being the most abundant, accounting for nearly one-third of the total lavender essential oil volume. The MIC (4 µL/mL) of lavender essential oil reduced volatile sulfur compound secretion at a statistically significant level compared to the control (saline). Furthermore, the level of volatile sulfur compound production attributed to 1 MIC of lavender essential oil was in the range of the positive control chlorhexidine with no significant difference. When examining bacterial membrane damage, 2 MIC of lavender essential oil (i.e., 8 µL/mL) demonstrated the same, showing antibacterial membrane damage values comparative to chlorhexidine. Since lavender essential oil was found to be highly effective in hindering volatile sulfur compound production by Fusobacterium nucleatum through the induction of bacterial cell membrane damage, the results suggest that lavender essential oil may be a suitable alternative to conventional chemical-based anti-malodor agents.

Phytochemical Composition and Antimicrobial Properties of New Lavandula angustifolia Ecotypes.

The purpose of this study was to characterize ethanol extracts from leaves and flowers of two ecotypes (PL-intended for industrial plantations and KC-intended for cut flowers) of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. The plant was cultivated in 2019 in southern Poland as part of a long-term research plan to develop new varieties resistant to difficult environmental conditions. The collected leaves and flowers were used to prepare ethanol extracts, which were then analyzed in terms of phytochemical composition and antioxidant, bactericidal, and fungicidal properties. Using UPLC techniques, 22 compounds belonging to phenolic acids and flavonoids were identified. UPLC test results indicated that ethanol extracts from leaves and flowers differ in phytochemical composition. Lower amounts of phenolic acids and flavonoids were identified in leaf extracts than in flower extracts. The predominant substances in the flower extracts were rosmarinic acid (829.68-1229.33 µg/g), ferulic acid glucoside III (810.97-980.55 µg/g), and ferulic acid glucoside II (789.30-885.06 µg/g). Ferulic acid glucoside II (3981.95-6561.19 µg/g), ferulic acid glucoside I (2349.46-5503.81 µg/g), and ferulic acid glucoside III (1303.84-2774.17 µg/g) contained the highest amounts in the ethanol extracts of the leaves. The following substances were present in the extracts in trace amounts or at low levels: apigenin, kaempferol, and caftaric acid. Leaf extracts of the PL ecotype quantitatively (µg/g) contained more phytochemicals than leaf extracts of the KC ecotype. The results obtained in this study indicate that antioxidant activity depends on the ecotype. Extracts from the PL ecotype have a better ability to eliminate free radicals than extracts from the KC ecotype. At the same time, it was found that the antioxidant activity (total phenolic content, ABTS•+, DPPH•, and FRAP) of PL ecotype leaf extracts was higher (24.49, 177.75, 164.88, and 89.10 µmol (TE)/g) than that determined in flower extracts (15.84, 125.05, 82.35, and 54.64 µmol (TE)/g). The test results confirmed that leaf and flower extracts, even at low concentrations (0.313-0.63%), significantly inhibit the growth of selected Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and Candida yeasts. Inhibition of mold growth was observed at a dose extract of at least 1 mL/100 mL.

What Does a Community Think About Aromatherapy?

The awareness and usage of aromatherapy applications are increasing day by day in society. The current study aims to evaluate the thoughts and attitudes of individuals toward aromatherapy in Türkiye and to determine factors affecting the use of aromatherapy. This community-based descriptive study is conducted throughout Türkiye. Nine hundred eighty-five questionnaires were suitable for data quality. SPSS 23.0 statistical package program was used, and the statistical significance level was accepted as P value of less than .05. Approximately 72.4% of the participants have heard of aromatherapy. The rate of hearing about the concept of aromatherapy was found to be statistically significantly higher among women (P = .000), those residing in a province/district (P = .011), and those working in an income-generating positions (P = .003). It was determined that 58.9% of the participants used any essential oil. The 5 most commonly used essential oils are lavender, tea tree, peppermint, rose, and thyme, respectively. The rate of essential oil use in women is higher than in men (P = .000). The conditions in which essential oils are most frequently used are to provide beauty to the skin (51.7%), skin diseases (51.0%), and respiratory tract diseases (46.0%), respectively. The most common sources of information about the essential oils used by the participants are the Internet/social media (57.6%) and pharmacists (53.4%). The results of this research revealed that the awareness and use of aromatherapy practice in the community are high according to the literature. Considering the high tendency to use these products among the public, physicians, pharmacists, and nurses must provide consultancy services on the use of these products.

Investigation of The Alleviating Effect of Liquid Seaweed Fertilizer on Lavandula officinalis under Salt Stress.

Sustainable practices in plant production involve various environmental methods that improve the urban ecosystem by preserving both natural resources and biological diversity. Organic material application against salt stress is one of the most important sustainable practices. The purpose of this study was to explore how various traits of Lavandula officinalis under salt stress were affected by seaweed liquid. To this end, the experiment was performed as a completely randomized experimental design with two factors including four replications under greenhouse conditions. In the experiments, salt concentrations were prepared as control (distilled water), 40 mM and 80 mM NaCl, and seaweed liquid levels were applied as control (0%) - 0.5%-1%-2% and 4%. L. officinalis was considerably negatively affected by salt stress in terms of its quality, growth, photosynthetic and biochemical traits. According to the results of this empirical research, seaweed liquid application was the alleviating factor in negative effects in all traits resulting from the increase in NaCl concentrations. Seaweed liquid also revealed the highest values of all traits in the absence of salt stress. Photosynthetic and biochemical traits without proline, Relative water content, and chlorophyll a/b declined more than other quality and growth traits with a rise in salt content from 0 to 40 mM. Further research will be needed to test the beneficial effects of seaweed liquid on traits of L. officinalis seedlings in outdoor landscaping that includes salty spaces.

Effect of Lavender Oil on Preoperative Anxiety: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Surgical interventions are known to induce anxiety in patients due to the associated risks and potential complications. Various methods are employed to alleviate preoperative anxiety. This study aimed to investigate the impact of lavender oil application on the anxiety levels of patients scheduled for surgical procedures. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: Studies were accessed using the keywords "preoperative and lavender oil and stress" in Turkish and English between July 1 and 30, 2022, through PubMed (including MEDLINE), Cochrane, EBSCOhost, Web of Science, YÖK National Thesis Center, and Google Scholar. The standardized mean difference was calculated using random-effects models, and the Cochrane Collaboration tool was used to assess the risk of bias in each study. The study was prepared according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis checklist. FINDINGS: Twenty studies were included in the analysis. The anxiety level of the experimental group to which lavender oil was applied before the surgical intervention was significantly lower than that of the control group (standardized mean difference:-5.40; 95% CI: -8.76 to -2.04). CONCLUSION: Preoperative lavender oil application was found to be an effective method for relieving patients' anxiety. Lavender oil is thought to be a potential standalone treatment for preoperative anxiety.

The Effect of Aromatherapy with Lavender Essential Oil on the Sleep and Fatigue Level of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Turkey: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Fatigue is a common problem in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and is one of the most serious symptoms of the disease. Although many factors play a role in the etiology of fatigue in patients with MS, it has been reported that fatigue is caused by irregular or disrupted sleep patterns. AIM: The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of lavender oil aromatherapy on the sleep and fatigue of MS patients. METHODS: The study was designed as a randomized controlled trial and was conducted in Turkey. The data of the study were collected using the Patient Description Form, Fatigue Severity Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. RESULTS: The mean FSS score in the experimental group was 6.86 ± 0.94 before the procedure and 3.42 ± 0.85 after the procedure, the mean PSQI score was 9.45 ± 1.23 before the procedure and 6.68 ± 2.87 after the procedure, and the difference in the mean scores between the two groups was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results showed that aromatherapy with lavender essential oil has significant impacts on fatigue and sleep in MS patients. Lavender essential oil aromatherapy can be used by nurses as an independent nursing practice. It is an inexpensive, noninvasive, and reliable technique to manage fatigue in individuals with MS.

Cloning, functional characterization and evaluating potential in metabolic engineering for lavender ( +)-bornyl diphosphate synthase.

KEY MESSAGE: We isolated and functionally characterized a new ( +)-bornyl diphosphate synthase (( +)-LiBPPS) from Lavandula x intermedia. The in planta functions of ( +)-LiBPPS were evaluated in sense and antisense transgenic plants. The monoterpene ( +)-borneol contributes scent and medicinal properties to some plants. It also is the immediate precursor to camphor, another important determinant of aroma and medicinal properties in many plants. ( +)-Borneol is generated through the dephosphorylation of bornyl diphosphate (BPP), which is itself derived from geranyl diphosphate (GPP) by the enzyme ( +)-bornyl diphosphate synthase (( +)-BPPS). In this study we isolated and functionally characterized a novel ( +)-BPPS cDNA from Lavandula x intermedia. The cDNA excluding its transit peptide was expressed in E. coli, and the corresponding recombinant protein was purified with Ni-NTA agarose affinity chromatography. The recombinant ( +)-LiBPPS catalyzed the conversion of GPP to BPP as a major product, and a few minor products. We also investigated the in planta role of ( +)-LiBPPS in terpenoid metabolism through its overexpression in sense and antisense orientations in stably transformed Lavandula latifolia plants. The overexpression of ( +)-LiBPPS in antisense resulted in reduced production of ( +)-borneol and camphor without compromising plant growth and development. As anticipated, the overexpression of the gene led to enhanced production of borneol and camphor, although growth and development were severely impaired in most transgenic lines strongly and ectopically expressing the ( +)-LiBPPS transgene in sense. Our results demonstrate that LiBPPS would be useful in studies aimed at the production of recombinant borneol and camphor in vitro, and in metabolic engineering efforts aimed at lowering borneol and camphor production in plants. However, overexpression in sense may require a targeted expression of the gene in glandular trichomes using a trichome-specific promoter.

Terpene produced by coexpression of the TPS and P450 genes from Lavandula angustifolia protects plants from herbivore attacks during budding stages.

To deter herbivore attacks, plants employ a diverse array of volatile compounds, particularly during the early developmental stages. The highly expressed genes LaTPS7, LaTPS8, and LaCYP71D582 were identified during the budding phases of Lavandula angustifolia. In vitro studies revealed that LaTPS7 generated nine distinct compounds, including camphene, myrcene, and limonene. LaTPS8 enzymatically converted eight volatiles by utilizing geranyl diphosphate and nerolidyl diphosphate as substrates. Overexpression of plastid-localized LaTPS7 in Nicotiana benthamiana resulted in the production of limonene. Furthermore, the endoplasmic reticulum-associated enzyme LaCYP71D582 potentially converted limonene into carveol. In N. benthamiana, LaTPS8 is responsible for the synthesis of α-pinene and sylvestrene. Furthermore, leaves transfected with LaTPS7 and leaves cotransfected with LaTPS7 and LaCYP71D582 exhibited a repellent effect on aphids, with an approximate rate of 70%. In comparison, leaves with an empty vector displayed a repellent rate of approximately 20%. Conversely, tobacco leaves expressing LaTPS7 attracted ladybugs at a rate of 48.33%, while leaves coexpressing LaTPS7 and LaCYP71D582 attracted ladybugs at a slightly higher rate of 58.33%. Subsequent authentic standard tests confirmed that limonene and carveol repel Myzus persicae while attracting Harmonia axyridis. The promoter activity of LaTPS7 and LaCYP71D582 was evaluated in Arabidopsis thaliana using GUS staining, and it was observed that wounding stimulated the expression of LaTPS7. The volatile compounds produced by LaTPS7, LaTPS8, and LaCYP71D582 play a crucial role in plant defence mechanisms. In practical applications, employing biological control measures based on plant-based approaches can promote human and environmental health.

Formation mechanism of glandular trichomes involved in the synthesis and storage of terpenoids in lavender.

BACKGROUND: Lavender (genus Lavandula, family Lamiaceae) is an aromatic plant widely grown as an ornamental plant. The chemical composition of lavender is characterized by monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, and other compounds, which are primarily synthesized and stored in epidermal secretory structures called glandular trichomes (GTs). Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are responsible for the aroma characteristics of plant oil that drive consumer preference. Aroma is usually regarded as a characteristic trait for the classification of aromatic plants. Interestingly, VOCs are synthesized and stored in GTs. Lamiaceae species such as purple perilla, peppermint, basil, thyme, and oregano usually possess two types of GTs: peltate glandular trichomes (PGTs) and capitate glandular trichomes (CGTs). But the development process of PGTs in lavender has been reported in only a few studies to date. RESULTS: In this study, we identified and quantified the VOCs in four lavender cultivars by headspace-solid phase micro extraction-gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS). A total of 66 VOCs were identified in these four cultivars, the most prominent of which were linalyl acetate and linalool, and flowers were the main site of accumulation of these VOCs. Here, we examined the developmental process of PGTs, including the formation of their base, body, and apex. The apex cells contained secretory cavities, which produced VOCs. Based on the reference genome sequence of the lavender cultivar 'Jingxun 2', several R2R3-MYB subfamily genes related to GT formation were identified. These results will guide the engineering of GTs and molecular breeding of lavender for improving the VOC content. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we identified the VOCs in four lavender cultivars. We analyzed the formation of GTs, and compared the number and diameter size of PGTs among four lavender cultivars. Additionally, we identified four candidate genes belonging to the R2R3-MYB family.

A first look at sea-lavenders genomics - can genome wide SNP information tip the scales of controversy in the Limonium vulgare species complex?

BACKGROUND: Sea-lavenders (Limonium Mill., Plumbaginaceae) are a cosmopolitan group of diploid and polyploid plants often adapted to extreme saline environments, with a mostly Tethyan distribution, occurring in the Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian, Euro-Siberian and in the New World. The halophylic Limonium vulgare polyploid complex in particular, presents a large distribution throughout extreme salt-marsh habitats and shows little morphological but high taximetric variation, frequently blurring species delimitation. In this work we pursue three main goals: assert whether SNP data from polyploid individuals has the resolution to distinguish the seven sampled species, to better understand how genetically structured Limonium vulgare is, and attempt to identify specific molecular mechanisms for the differentiation between L. maritimum and L. vulgare. For this purpose, 95 individuals were genotyped using Genotyping by Sequencing (GBS), which were assembled as two independent datasets using IPYRAD. All analyses performed downstream of assembly were fully automated. Phylogenetic inference, PCA, and admixture plots were used to infer answers to the study's main goals. RESULTS: Close to 10,000 SNPs were obtained for each dataset. Phylogenetic analyses reveal that polyploid data can be used to infer species relationships. Population structure analyses suggest a genetically structured L. vulgare. A set of 34 SNPs were found to be fully segregated between L. vulgare and L. maritimum, two of which are potentially linked to proteins that might be involved in the speciation process. CONCLUSION: Despite polyploid data analyses shortcomings, GBS generated SNPs have the resolution to discern all seven included species. Limonium vulgare revealed pronounced genetic structure along a geographical north-south cline. L. maritimum always appears as a distinct genetic entity. Segregated SNPs between L. vulgare and L. maritimum indicate salinity response and morphological trait control genes as potentially interesting to follow up for studying these species' divergence process.

Improvements in the biochemical responses and Pb and Ni phytoremediation of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia L.) plants through Funneliformis mosseae inoculation.

BACKGROUND: Heavy metals (HMs) phytoremediation is a well-recognized protocol to remove toxic elements from the soil. As known, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) enhance the plants' growth responses. The idea of the present study was to assay the response of lavender plants to HMs stress under AMF inoculation. We hypothesized that mycorrhiza will enhance the phytoremediation and simultaneously reduce the harmful effects of heavy HMs. So, lavender (Lavandula angustifolia L.) plants were inoculated with AMF (0 and 5 g Kg-1 soil) under Pb [150 and 225 mg kg-1 soil from Pb (NO3)2] and Ni [220 and 330 mg kg-1 soil from Ni (NO3)2] pollution, in the greenhouse conditions. The control treatment was plants not treated with AMF and HMs. Doing this, the root colonization, HMs uptake, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants pool, MDA, proline, total phenolics (TPC), flavonoids (TFC), anthocyanins, and essential oil (EO) components were evaluated. RESULTS: According to the findings, the AMF inoculation enhanced shoot and root Pb and Ni content, antioxidant enzymes activity, the total antioxidant activity by DPPH and FRAP methods, TPC, TFC, anthocyanins, and H2O2 content in the lavender plants subjected to Pb and Ni stress. Moreover, the highest (28.91%) and the least (15.81%) percentages of borneol were identified in the lavender plants subjected to AMF under 150 mg kg-1 of Pb and the control plants without AMF application, respectively. Furthermore, the top 1,8-cineole (12.75%) content was recorded in AMF-inoculated plants. CONCLUSIONS: The overall results verify that AMF inoculation can be a reliable methodology to enhance the phytoremediation of Pb and Ni by lavender plants while maintaining reliable growth potential. The treatments improved the main EO constituents content, especially under moderate HMs stress conditions. With more detailed studies, the results will be advisable for the extension section for the phytoremediation of polluted soils.

Decoupling subgenomes within hybrid lavandin provide new insights into speciation and monoterpenoid diversification of Lavandula.

Polyploidization and transposon elements contribute to shape plant genome diversity and secondary metabolic variation in some edible crops. However, the specific contribution of these variations to the chemo-diversity of Lamiaceae, particularly in economic shrubs, is still poorly documented. The rich essential oils (EOs) of Lavandula plants are distinguished by monoterpenoids among the main EO-producing species, L. angustifolia (LA), L. × intermedia (LX) and L. latifolia (LL). Herein, the first allele-aware chromosome-level genome was assembled using a lavandin cultivar 'Super' and its hybrid origin was verified by two complete subgenomes (LX-LA and LX-LL). Genome-wide phylogenetics confirmed that LL, like LA, underwent two lineage-specific WGDs after the γ triplication event, and their speciation occurred after the last WGD. Chloroplast phylogenetic analysis indicated LA was the maternal source of 'Super', which produced premium EO (higher linalyl/lavandulyl acetate and lower 1,8-cineole and camphor) close to LA. Gene expression, especially the monoterpenoid biosynthetic genes, showed bias to LX-LA alleles. Asymmetric transposon insertions in two decoupling 'Super' subgenomes were responsible for speciation and monoterpenoid divergence of the progenitors. Both hybrid and parental evolutionary analysis revealed that LTR (long terminal repeat) retrotransposon associated with AAT gene loss cause no linalyl/lavandulyl acetate production in LL, and multi-BDH copies retained by tandem duplication and DNA transposon resulted in higher camphor accumulation of LL. Advances in allelic variations of monoterpenoids have the potential to revolutionize future lavandin breeding and EO production.