Multi-omics-driven advances in the understanding of triacylglycerol biosynthesis in oil seeds.

Vegetable oils are rich sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids and energy as well as valuable sources of human food, animal feed, and bioenergy. Triacylglycerols, which are comprised of three fatty acids attached to a glycerol backbone, are the main component of vegetable oils. Here, we review the development and application of multiple-level omics in major oilseeds and emphasize the progress in the analysis of the biological roles of key genes underlying seed oil content and quality in major oilseeds. Finally, we discuss future research directions in functional genomics research based on current omics and oil metabolic engineering strategies that aim to enhance seed oil content and quality, and specific fatty acids components according to either human health needs or industrial requirements.

Micro/trace/toxic elements and insecticide residues level in monofloral bee-collected sunflower pollen- health risk assessment.

The aim of the current research was to determine the content of (potentially) toxic elements and insecticide residues in monofloral sunflower bee-collected pollen. For micro- and trace elements determination Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission (ICP-OES) analytical method was used while insecticide residue content was monitored by applying Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technique. In total, seventeen micro/trace elements were quantified. None of the twenty four examined insecticides were detected above the limit of detection (LOD) which makes studied sunflower bee-collected pollen eco-friendly both to bees and humans. Based on presence of several toxic as well as potentially toxic elements calculations for estimated weekly intakes (EWI), and oral intakes (OI) were made and used for health risk assessment based on the computation of two different health risk quotients (HQ)- acute (HQA) and long-term (HQL). The obtained results proved that all HQ values for adults were negligible or low except in case of HQL value for arsenic (0.32) which can be characterized as medium. However, in case of children much more precaution is needed due to significant HQL risk for arsenic (1.511). The attained data can help to make additional linkage between bee-collected pollen as food ingredients and potential benefits/risks for human health.

Comparative assessment of chromate bioremediation potential of Pantoea conspicua and Aspergillus niger.

The recent work aims at the use of Pantoea conspicua (MT5) and Aspergillus niger (CRS3) to assess their bioremediation potential and growth restoration of Helianthus annuus L. under chromate (Cr+6) stress. The growth of the P. conspicua and A. niger was tested in Cr+6 supplemented media. The strains can withstand up to 1200 and 900 ppm respectively in the media and effectively bio-transform it to nontoxic form. Supplemented metal's levels significantly decreased the growth attribute of H. annuus (p< 0.05). On the other hand, P. conspicua and A. niger rescued the host plant by establishing higher colonization frequency with the host roots. Moreover, MT5 bio-transformed the toxic Cr+6 to non-toxic Cr+3 form in the rhizosphere. It also enhanced the host plant growth by producing phytohormones and ceasing Cr uptake and accumulation. Contrarily, CRS3 tends to accumulate and bio-transform metal in their hyphae. Nonetheless, both of the microbes tend to modulate phytohormones production and strengthening antioxidant system of the host. Improvement in the antioxidant system enabled the host plant to produce higher phenolics and flavonoids, and lower peroxidase. The associated plant species also exhibited higher ROS scavenging and lower ROS accumulation. Besides, the strains were able to produce higher amounts of phytohormones, including IAA, GA, and SA. Such activities rendered them as excellent phytostimulants, that can be used as biofertilizers in chromium polluted soils.

Helianthus Annuus L. Alleviates High-Fat Diet Induced Atherosclerosis by Regulating Intestinal Microbiota, Inhibiting Inflammation and Restraining Oxidative Stress.

Helianthus Annuus L. (HAL) is composed of flavonoids and polysaccharides. Flavonoids have demonstrated beneficial effects on atherosclerosis (AS). The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-atherosclerosis effect and the related mechanism of HAL. In this study, the AS model induced by high-fat diet (HFD) mice that lacked apolipoprotein E (Apoe[Formula: see text] received feed containing 5% HAL for 24 weeks. After administration, the analysis of plaque on aorta was conducted, and the possible mechanisms were further explored. With HAL treatment, the size of atherosclerotic lesions in HFD-induced AS model mice was reduced. HAL ameliorated dyslipidemia and decreased the combined ratio. HAL up-regulated concentrations of superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NO) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and down-regulated concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the aorta. In addition, 16S rRNA analysis showed that HAL also reduced diversity of the intestinal microbiota, decreased the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio, and increased the relative abundance of probiotics such as Akkermansia muciniphila and Lactobacillus. In the end, HAL decreased the permeability of intestine by increasing the levels of occludin and tight junction protein 1 (ZO-1) in the colon, consequently decreasing concentration of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1[Formula: see text] and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-[Formula: see text] in serum and mRNA expressions in the aorta. Data showed that HAL alleviates AS by restraining oxidative stress, regulating intestinal microbiota, decreasing intestinal permeability and inhibiting inflammation. Our findings provided novel insights into the role and mechanism of anti-atherogenic potential of HAL.

Extraction, Radical Scavenging Activities, and Chemical Composition Identification of Flavonoids from Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Receptacles.

This study was focused on extraction, radical scavenging activities, and chemical composition identification of total flavonoids in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) receptacles (TFSR). We investigated the optimal extract parameters of TFSR using response surface methodology. The highest yield of TFSR was 1.04% with the ethanol concentration 58%, the material-to-liquid ratio 1:20 (v/w), the extraction time 2.6 h, and the extraction temperature 67 °C. The results of radical scavenging activities showed that ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) was the strongest by using 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2, 2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzo thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and iron ion reducing analysis. The EAF had the highest flavonoids contents. Four fractions A, B, C and D were enrichment from EAF by polyamide resin. Fraction B had the highest flavonoids content. Thirteen chemical components of flavonoids in fraction B were first identified by Ultimate 3000 Nano LC System coupled to a Q Exactive HF benchtop Orbitrap mass spectrometer (UHPLC-HRMS/MS). Among of the thirteen chemical components, isoquercetin and daidzein were identified accurately by comparing with standard samples. Radical scavenging analysis showed that isoquercetin and EAF had strong activities. Therefore, sunflower receptacles can be used as a source of natural flavonoids. TFSR as a natural radical scavenger has potential applications in pharmaceutical industry.

Metabolic characterization and oil profile of sunflower cultivars cultivated with increasing nitrogen doses / Caracterização metabólica e perfil do óleo de cultivares de girassol cultivados sob doses crescentes de nitrogênio

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) has great economic importance due to its oil yield and quality. Among the factors influencing these parameters, nitrogen fertilization stands out. In this study we evaluated the effect of different N-urea doses (0,10,30,50,90,130 kg N-urea ha-1) at planting and 30 days after emergency on soluble fractions, oil profile and yield of three sunflower cultivars (BRS324, Catissol 01and Neon). Plants were harvested at the flowering stage for metabolic study, and at the end of the cycle for oil extraction and characterization. The Catissol 01 genotype presented the highest N-NO3- accumulation capacity, mainly in the stem. The Neon genotype presented the highest achene production at 30 and 50 kg N ha-1. Oleic oil had the highest yield, with the Catissol 01 and Neon cultivar standing out. Among the cultivars, Catissol 01 is economically more suitable for biofuel production, when cultivated at 50 kg N ha-1 since higher N doses did not result in increased oil yield.

O girassol é uma espécie com importante valor econômico pela qualidade e rendimento de óleo. Entre os fatores que influenciam esses parâmetros se destaca a fertilização nitrogenada. Este trabalho avaliou o efeito de doses crescentes de N-uréia (0, 10, 30, 50, 90, 130 kg de N-Uréia ha-1 aplicadas no plantio e aos 30 dias após a emergência) sobre as frações solúveis, rendimento e perfil do óleo de três genótipos de girassol (BRS324, Neon e Catissol 01). As plantas foram coletadas no estádio de floração para o estudo metabólico e ao final do ciclo para a extração e caracterização de óleo. O genótipo Catissol 01 apresentou maior capacidade de acúmulo de N-NO3-, preferencialmente no caule. A maior produção de óleo por planta foi observada no BRS324, nas doses entre 30 e 50 kg N ha-1, embora o genótipo Neon tenha apresentado a maior produção de aquênios. O ácido oléico foi o de maior rendimento com destaque para os genótipos Catissol 01 e Neon. Dentre os genótipos avaliados, o Catissol 01 é economicamente mais indicado para a produção de óleo destinada ao biocombustível, quando cultivado com a dose de 50 kg N ha-1, pois doses superiores de N não resultam em aumento na produção de óleo.

Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Essential Oil of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Receptacle.

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) contains active ingredients, such as flavonoids, alkaloids and tannins. Nevertheless, few studies have focused on essential oil from the receptacle of sunflower (SEO). In this work, we investigated the chemical composition and antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of SEO. The yield of SEO was about 0.42% (v/w) by hydrodistillation. A total of 68 volatile components of SEO were putatively identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The main constituents of SEO were α-pinene (26.00%), verbenone (7.40%), terpinolene (1.69%) and α-terpineol (1.27%). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of SEO against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus was 0.2 mg/mL. The MIC of SEO against S. cerevisiae was 3.2 mg/mL. The MIC of SEO against E. coli and Candida albicans was 6.4 mg/mL. The results showed that SEO had high antibacterial and antifungal activities. Three different analytical assays (DPPH, ABTS and iron ion reducing ability) were used to determine the antioxidant activities. The results showed that SEO had antioxidant activities. To summarize, the results in this study demonstrate the possibility for the development and application of SEO in potential natural preservatives and medicines due to its excellent antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

Helianthus annuus L. flower prevents UVB-induced photodamage in human dermal fibroblasts by regulating the MAPK/AP-1, NFAT, and Nrf2 signaling pathways.

BACKGROUND: Excessive ultraviolet radiation usually causes skin photoaging, inflammation, and even photocarcinogenesis. UV radiation-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a major contributing factor to photodamage. The flowers of Helianthus annuus L. have been reported to possess strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. However, there are few reports on the use of H. annuus L. to relieve UVB-induced photoaging. PURPOSE: In this study, we evaluated the protective effect of a 50% ethanol extract of H. annuus L. flower (HAF) against UVB-induced photodamage using normal human dermal fibroblasts. METHODS: The secretion of ROS, interleukin-6 (IL-6), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), procollagen type I, and transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) was measured with kits. The messenger RNA levels of COX-2, iNOS, and TGF-α were measured by RT-PCR. The AP-1, MAPK, NFAT, and Nrf2 pathways were investigated by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: HAF extract significantly blocked UVB-induced ROS and MMP (MMP-1 and MMP-3) production and procollagen type I reduction. Further study demonstrated that the photoaging inhibitory actions were related to promotion of Nrf2 nuclear translocation, upregulation of TGF-ß1 level, and downregulation of AP-1 and MAPK phosphorylation. Importantly, HAF effectively inhibited UVB-induced VEGF and inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, COX-2, iNOS, and TNF-α secretion, which might be involved in the regulation of the NFAT signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that HAF is a useful botanical source protecting against UVB-mediated skin photodamage.

Antifungal Polyamides of Hydroxycinnamic Acids from Sunflower Bee Pollen.

The aim of the bioassay-guided fractionation was the selection of the most potent group of compounds responsible for the protection of sunflower bee pollen grains. Synthesis of prospective antifungal polyamides of hydroxycinnamic acids was based on previous structural elucidation of ethanol soluble fraction by 1H,1H-PFG-COSY, 1H,13C-HSQC, FT-IR, FT-Raman, and LC-MS experiments. The main compounds found were tri- p-coumaroylspermidines accompanied by other HCAA of spermidine and putrescine. Several model HCAA derivatives were prepared to test their antifungal activity against widespread spoilage fungi ( A. niger 42 CCM 8189, F. culmorum DMF 0103, and P. verrucosum DMF 0023). A. niger CCM 8189 and F. culmorum DMF 0103 exhibited higher resistance to the antifungal effects of hydroxycinnamic acid amides, whereas P. verrucosum DMF 0023 was the most sensitive strain. It has been discovered the effect of HCAA polarity on the role of secondary metabolites in the microbial protection of pollen grains. The combination of bioassay-guided fractionation, structural elucidation, selection of prospective compounds, and their synthesis to determine their antifungal properties could be considered as an original approach.

Closing the loop on human urine: Plant availability of zeolite-recovered nutrients in a peat-based substrate.

Recycling mineral nutrients from household wastewater is a central step in the development of a circular economy based society. The objective of this study was to evaluate plant availability of mineral elements and plant performance in a peat substrate containing nutrient-enriched zeolite (NEZ) obtained by nutrient recovery from human urine in a source separated wastewater system. Substrate content of potentially available mineral nutrients was determined by CaCl2/DTPA-extraction during a 12 weeks incubation experiment for 20:80 (R20) and 30:70 (R30) volume % of NEZ:sphagnum peat, limed R20 (R20L), and 20:80 vol% of unloaded zeolite:sphagnum peat (Z20). Plant availability of mineral elements from R20, R20L, R30 and Z20 was compared with conventionally fertilised sphagnum peat (P100) for sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cv. 'Topolino' in a pot experiment. Recovery of nutrients in a potentially available form in the R20 substrate after 12 weeks was 3% (K), 23% (N, P), 34% (Mg) and 90% (S). Liming increased the recovery of mineral N to 39%, suggesting that nitrification was an important driver for the release of NH4+. For R20, estimated recovery of urine-derived N in sunflower shoots was 30-36%. Shoot biomass was similar in R20 and in conventionally fertilised peat (P100). However, P100 plants had more leaves and flowers+buds. Initial addition of ammonium phosphate or supplemental fertilisation with a complete nutrient solution increased flower+bud number in R20. For the NEZ-treatments, Cu and B shoot concentrations were in the low or marginal range while Zn and Mn were high or in excess. Shoot growth and nutrient uptake of sunflower were highly restricted in the unloaded zeolite control (Z20). We conclude that 20% NEZ in a peat substrate was effective as a macronutrient source for sunflower, producing similar biomass as in conventionally fertilised peat. However, micronutrient balance and early P supply may need to be adjusted for optimal plant performance.

Effect-directed analysis via hyphenated high-performance thin-layer chromatography for bioanalytical profiling of sunflower leaves.

High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) coupled with effect-directed analysis was used for non-targeted screening of sunflower leaf extract for components exhibiting antioxidant, antibacterial and/or cholinesterase enzyme inhibitory effects. The active compounds were characterized by HPTLC-electrospray ionization-high resolution mass spectrometry (ESI-HRMS) and HPTLC-Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART)-MS/MS. The latter ambient ionization technique (less soft than ESI) resulted in oxidation and fragmentation products and characteristic fragment ions. NMR spectroscopy after targeted isolation via preparative normal phase flash chromatography and semi-preparative reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography supported the identification of two diterpenes to be (-)-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid and 15-α-angeloyloxy-ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid. Both compounds found to be multi-potent as they inhibited acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase and showed antibacterial effects against Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis and Gram-negative Aliivibrio fischeri bacteria. Kaurenoic acid was also active against the Gram-negative pepper pathogenic Xanthomonas euvesicatoria bacteria.

Biologically active antimicrobial and antioxidant substances in the Helianthus annuus L. bee pollen.

The objective of this study was to measure the content of flavonoids, polyphenols, and carotenoids in the Helianthus annuus L. bee pollen. It was also to evaluate the ability of the dried, frozen, and freeze-dried extracts of sunflower (H. annuus) pollen, its scavenged free radicals and reducing action. Another aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial in vitro action of the H. annuus pollen extracts against the Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. All pollen extracts showed medium antiradical activity and reductive ability. The most effective was the freeze-dried extract in both evaluation systems. The evaluation of the protective effects of DNA using a biosensor showed an opposite trending-frozen ˃ dried ˃ freeze-dried pollen. For the evaluation of antiradical activity, the DPPH method was used, and reductive ability was assessed by means of phosphomolybdic complex formation. The comparison of the polyphenols content shows higher values in freeze-dried bee pollen than in the dried and frozen pollen. The highest content of flavonoids was found in the frozen samples and the most carotenoids were present in the dried samples. In our study, the best antibacterial effects of the dried sunflower bee pollen extracts were found against Paenibacillus larvae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus raffinosus. The best inhibitory properties of the frozen sunflower bee pollen extracts were found against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Paenibacillus larvae. Very good inhibitory effects of freeze-dried sunflower bee pollen were found against Paenibacillus larvae, Brochotrix thermosphacta, and Enterococcus raffinosus. The best antifungal activity of the sunflower bee pollen was found in the frozen bee pollen extracts against Aspergillus ochraceus and freeze-dried bee pollen extracts against Aspergillus niger.

In vitro mutagenicity assay (Ames test) and phytochemical characterization of seeds oil of Helianthus annuus Linné (sunflower).

The objective of this research was to investigate the genotoxic potential of the oil of H. annuus L. (sunflower) seeds via the Ames test as well as its oxidative properties and lipid composition. The pre-incubation method, system metabolic activation (S9 fraction) and five S. typhimurium strains (TA97, TA98, TA100, TA1535 and TA102) were employed for the Ames test. The oxidative stability and fatty acid composition were analyzed by standard methods and gas chromatography. A revertant analysis showed no significant differences between the treatment doses (10-200 µl/plate) and the negative controls, regardless of S9+ and S9-, and included all of the S. typhimurium strains. Chromatographic analysis showed high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, followed by monounsaturated, saturated and total trans-isomers. Among the polyunsaturated, monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids, linoleic, oleic and palmitic acids predominated. The results suggest that the sunflower oil is not genotoxic as indicated by frameshift mutations and base pair substitutions regardless of the treatment dose, but shows dose-dependent toxicity. The oxidative properties of the sunflower oil were consistent with the requirements of national and international standards. However, its composition could also indicate phytotherapeutic properties.

Isolation of Bioactive Compounds from Sunflower Leaves (Helianthus annuus L.) Extracted with Supercritical Carbon Dioxide.

The work described herein is a continuation of our initial studies on the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with CO2 of bioactive substances from Helianthus annuus L. var. Arianna. The selected SFE extract showed high activity in the wheat coleoptile bioassay, in Petri dish phytotoxicity bioassays, and in the hydroponic culture of tomato seeds. Chromatographic fractionations of the extracts and a spectroscopic analysis of the isolated compounds showed 52 substances belonging to 10 different chemical classes, which were mainly sesquiterpene lactones, diterpenes, and flavonoids. Heliannuol M (31), helivypolides K and L (36, 37), and helieudesmanolide B (38) are described for the first time in the literature. Metabolites have been tested in the etiolated wheat coleoptile bioassay with good results in a noteworthy effect on germination. The most active compounds were also tested on tomato seeds, heliannuol A (30) and leptocarpin (45) being the most active, with values similar to those of the commercial herbicide.

Análise de crescimento do girassol em função do suprimento de fósforo e boro / Sunflower growth related to the phosphorus and boron supply

A cultura do girassol é de grande importância no cenário mundial por ser uma planta de múltiplas finalidades. No Brasil, o interesse do produtor por esta cultura vem crescendo a cada ano, pois além do destacado teor de óleo nos aquênios, a planta pode ser utilizada para alimentação animal na forma de silagem. Outro fator que merece destaque é que o Governo Federal em parceria com o Governo do Estado, a Petrobras S.A. e as prefeituras dos municípios envolvidos vem incentivando o plantio da oleaginosa através da agricultura familiar gerando renda aos pequenos agricultores e desenvolvimento para a região. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o crescimento do girassol (Helianthus annuus L.) híbrido "Helio 358" em diferentes níveis de fósforo e boro no solo, cultivado em sistema convencional no município de Cruz das Almas, Bahia. O experimento foi conduzido no Campus da Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, em Latossolo Amarelo coeso, no período de Julho a Novembro de 2008. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em esquema fatorial 5x2, sendo cinco doses de fósforo (0; 40; 80; 120 e 200 kg ha-1 de P) e duas de boro (0 e 2 kg ha-1 de B), com os tratamentos distribuídos em blocos casualizados, com três repetições e amostragens na parcela a cada quinze dias. Em cada coleta avaliou-se o rendimento de matéria seca total da parte aérea, a área foliar, a altura das plantas e o diâmetro das hastes. Através da variação da matéria seca e da área foliar obteve-se a taxa de crescimento da cultura, a taxa de crescimento relativo e taxa assimilatória líquida. Verificou-se que não houve efeito significativo da interação entre fósforo e boro nas variáveis em estudo, contudo houve significância para a aplicação isolada de fósforo no crescimento do girassol. A aplicação de fósforo acelerou o desenvolvimento do girassol e o florescimento, antecipando a colheita e a obtenção do índice de área foliar ótimo.

The sunflower crop is of great importance on the world stage to be a multi-purpose plant. In Brazil, the interest of the producer of this crop is growing every year, because besides the highlighted achene oil content, the plant can be used for animal feed in the form of silage. Another factor worth mentioning is that the Federal Government in partnership with the State Government, Petrobras S.A. and municipal governments involved has encouraged the planting of oilseed by family farms generating income for small farmers and development for the region. The purpose of this study was to analyze the growth of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) hybrids "Helio 358" at different levels of phosphorus and boron in the soil, grown in conventional system in Cruz das Almas, Bahia. The experiment was conducted on the campus of the Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, in Oxisoil, from July to November 2008. The experimental design was a 5x2 factorial design, with five levels of phosphorus (0, 40, 80, 120 and 200 kg ha-1 P) and two boron (0 and 2 kg ha-1 B), with treatments arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications and plot sampling in a fortnight. At each sampling evaluated the yield of total dry matter of shoots, leaf area, plant height and diameter of the rods. By varying the dry matter and leaf area obtained the rate of crop growth, the relative growth rate and assimilation rate. It was found that there was no significant interaction between phosphorus and boron in the variables under study, but there was significance to the isolated phosphorus application on the growth of sunflower. Phosphorus application accelerated the development and flowering sunflower, anticipating harvesting and obtaining optimal leaf area index.