Complete genome sequence of a novel totivirus isolated from the leaves of Myrica rubra.

Chinese bayberry is a fruit that is appreciated for its taste. A novel totivirus associated with rolling, disfiguring, chlorotic and vein-clearing symptoms on the leaf apices of Chinese bayberry was identified by transcriptome sequencing and reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). The complete genome of the virus was determined to be 4959 nucleotides long, and it contains two open reading frames (ORFs). Its genomic organization is similar to that of previously reported totiviruses. ORF1 encodes a putative coat protein (CP) of 765 aa, and ORF2 encodes an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of 815 aa. These two putative proteins share 55.1% and 62.6%, amino acid sequence identity, respectively, with the corresponding proteins of Panax notoginseng virus A, respectively. According to the demarcation criteria for totivirus species established by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV), the new virus should be considered a member of a new species in the genus totivirus, family Orthototiviridae, which we have tentatively named ''Myrica rubra-associated totivirus'' (MRaTV).

Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogels containing montmorillonite-NaClO2 for postharvest preservation of Chinese bayberries.

Owing to their lack of outer skin, Chinese bayberries are highly susceptible to mechanical damage during picking, which accelerates bacterial invasion and rotting, shortening their shelf life. In this study, montmorillonite (MMT) was used to absorb an aqueous sodium chlorite solution embedded in a carboxymethyl cellulose sodium hydrogel after freeze drying, and the hydrogel was crosslinked by Al3+ ions. Al3+ hydrolyzed to produce H+, creating an acidic environment within the hydrogel and reacting with NaClO2 to slowly release ClO2. We prepared a ClO2 slow-release hydrogel gasket with 0.5 wt% MMT-NaClO2 and investigated its storage effect on postharvest Chinese bayberries. Its inhibition rates against Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes were 98.84% and 98.96%, respectively. The results showed that the gasket preserved the appearance and nutritional properties of the berries. The antibacterial hydrogel reduced hardness loss by 26.57% and ascorbic acid loss by 46.36%. This new storage method could also be applicable to other fruits and vegetables.

The combined effect of diffuse radiation and leaf wetness on functional traits and transpiration efficiency on a cloud forest species.

Cloud forests are unique biomes that thrive in foggy environments for a substantial part of the season. Fog in cloud forests plays two critical roles: it reduces incoming radiation and creates a humid environment, leading to the wetting of the canopy. This paper aims to investigate the combined effect of both radiation and wetness on Myrica faya Wilbur-a cloud forest species present in subtropical regions-both directly in plants and through simulations. Experiments consisted of a controlled environment with two levels of radiation and leaf wetness: low radiation/wet conditions, and high radiation/no-wetness; and three treatments: continuous low radiation and wetness, continuous high radiation and no wetness and alternate high low radiation and alternate wetness. The results revealed that a combination of low radiation and leaf wetness significantly improves leaf stomata conductance and increases the specific leaf area (SLA). Changes in SLA were driven by leaf size changes. However, the minimum leaf conductance (gmin) did not respond to any of the treatments. The simulations focused on exploring the impact of radiation and canopy wetness on transpiration efficiency (TE), i.e. the ratio between photosynthesis (An) and transpiration (Tc). The simulations demonstrated that TE increased exponentially as the canopy was gradually wetted, regardless of the radiation environment. This increase in TE results from Tc approaching zero while An maintains positive values. Overall, this study provides an integrated understanding of how fog alters M. faya functioning and, potentially, other cloud forest tree species.

Modulation of rhizosphere microbial community and metabolites by bio-functionalized nanoscale silicon oxide alleviates cadmium-induced phytotoxicity in bayberry plants.

Cadmium (Cd) is an extremely toxic heavy metal that can originate from industrial activities and accumulate in agricultural soils. This study investigates the potential of biologically synthesized silicon oxide nanoparticles (Bio-SiNPs) in alleviating Cd toxicity in bayberry plants. Bio-SiNPs were synthesized using the bacterial strain Chryseobacterium sp. RTN3 and thoroughly characterized using advanced techniques. A pot experiment results demonstrated that Cd stress substantially reduced leaves biomass, photosynthesis efficiency, antioxidant enzyme activity, and induced oxidative damage in bayberry (Myrica rubra) plants. However, Bio-SiNPs application at 200 mg kg-1 significantly enhanced plant biomass, chlorophyll content (26.4 %), net photosynthetic rate (8.6 %), antioxidant enzyme levels, and mitigated reactive oxygen species production under Cd stress. Bio-SiNPs modulated key stress-related phytohormones by increasing salicylic acid (13.2 %) and abscisic acid (13.7 %) contents in plants. Bio-SiNPs augmented Si deposition on root surfaces, preserving normal ultrastructure in leaf cells. Additionally, 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated that Bio-SiNPs treatment favorably reshaped structure and abundance of specific bacterial groups (Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota, and Acidobacteriota) in the rhizosphere. Notably, Bio-SiNPs application significantly modulated the key metabolites (phenylacetaldehyde, glycitein, maslinic acid and methylmalonic acid) under both normal and Cd stress conditions. Overall, this study highlights that bio-nanoremediation using Bio-SiNPs enhances tolerance to Cd stress in bayberry plants by beneficially modulating biochemical, microbial, and metabolic attributes.

Ancient bayberry increased stress resistance by enriching tissue-specific microbiome and metabolites.

The ancient bayberry demonstrates superior resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses compared to cultivated bayberry, yet the underlying mechanisms remain largely unexplored. This study investigates whether long-term bayberry cultivation enhances stress resistance through modulation of tissue-specific microbes and metabolites. Employing microbiome amplicon sequencing alongside untargeted mass spectrometry analysis, we scrutinize the role of endosphere and rhizosphere microbial communities and metabolites in shaping the differential resistance observed between ancient and cultivated bayberry trees. Our findings highlight the presence of core microbiome and metabolites across various bayberry tissues, suggesting that the heightened resistance of ancient bayberry may stem from alterations in rhizosphere and endosphere microbial communities and secondary metabolites. Specifically, enrichment of Bacillus in roots and stems, Pseudomonas in leaves, and Mortierella in rhizosphere soil of ancient bayberry was noted. Furthermore, correlation analysis underscores the significance of enriched microbial species in enhancing ancient bayberry's resistance to stresses, with elevated levels of resistance-associated metabolites such as beta-myrcene, benzothiazole, L-glutamic acid, and gamma-aminobutyric acid identified through GC-MS metabolomics analysis. The beneficial role of these resistance-associated metabolites was further elucidated through assessment of their promotive and allelopathic effects, as well as their phytostatic and antioxidant functions in lettuce plants. Ultimately, our study delves into the intrinsic reasons behind the greater resistance of ancient bayberry to biotic and abiotic stresses by evaluating the impact of long-term planting on the microbial community and metabolites in the bayberry endosphere and rhizosphere, shedding light on the complex dynamics of host-microbial interactions.

Selecting autochthonous lactic acid bacteria for co-inoculation in Chinese bayberry wine production: Stress response, starter cultures application and volatilomic study.

This study focused on isolating and characterising autochthonous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from spontaneously fermented Chinese bayberry (CB) and their potential application in CB wine fermentation in co-inoculation with yeast starter cultures. Numerous LAB, including Lactiplantibacillus (Lp.) plantarum (9), Limosilactobacillus (Lb.) fermentum (6), Lactococcus (Lc.) lactis (3), Enterococcus (Ec.) hirae (1), Leuconostoc (Le.) mesenteroides (1), and Weissella (Ws.) cibaria (1), were isolated and identified. The isolated strains Lp. plantarum ZFM710 and ZFM715, together with Lb. fermentum ZFM720 and ZFM722, adapted well to unfavourable fermentation environment, including ethanol, osmolality, and acidity stresses, were selected for producing CB wine by co-inoculation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae. During fermentation, the presence of LAB promoted the development of S. cerevisiae, while the population dynamics of LAB in different groups at different stages showed strain-specific differences. Fermentation trials involving LAB yielded a lower ethanol concentration except for Lp. plantarum ZFM715. Compared to the pure S. cerevisiae fermented sample, the addition of LAB led to a clear modulation in organic acid composition. Lb. fermentum strains in co-fermentation led to significant decreases in each classified group of aroma compounds, while Lp. plantarum ZFM715 significantly increased the complexity and intensity of aroma compounds, as well as the intensities of fruity and floral notes. The study selects interesting strains for the design of starter cultures for use in CB wine production, underlining the interest in the selection of autochthonous LAB in fruit wines, with the aim of improving the adaptation of bacteria to specific environmental conditions and shaping the unique traits of the finished products.

Identification and Genome Characterization of a Novel Virus within the Genus Totivirus from Chinese Bayberry (Myrica rubra).

Chinese bayberry (Myrica rubra) is an economically significant fruit tree native to eastern Asia and widely planted in south-central China. However, studies about the viruses infecting M. rubra remain largely lacking. In the present study, we employed the metatranscriptomic method to identify viruses in M. rubra leaves exhibiting yellowing and irregular margin symptoms collected in Fuzhou, a city located in China's Fujian province in the year 2022. As a consequence, a novel member of the genus Totivirus was identified and tentatively named "Myrica rubra associated totivirus 1" (MRaTV1). The genome sequencing of MRaTV1 was determined by overlapping reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The two deduced proteins encoded by MRaTV1 have the highest amino acid (aa) sequence identity to the coat protein (CP) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) of Panax notoginseng virus A (PNVA), a member of the genus Totivirus within the family Totiviridae, at 49.7% and 61.7%, respectively. According to the results of the phylogenetic tree and the species demarcation criteria of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) for the genus Totivirus, MRaTV1 is considered a new member of the genus Totivirus.

Ultrasonic synergistic slightly acidic electrolyzed water processing to improve postharvest storage quality of Chinese bayberry.

In the postharvest storage of Chinese bayberry, microbial loads and exogenous contaminants pose significant challenges, leading to rapid decay and deterioration in quality. This study introduced a synergistic approach, combining ultrasonics and slightly acidic electrolyzed water (US + SAEW), to enhance the postharvest storage quality of Chinese bayberry. This approach was benchmarked against conventional water washing (CW), standalone ultrasonic (US), and slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) processing. Notably, compared to CW, the US + SAEW method enhanced iprodione and procymidone removal rates by 69.62 % and 72.45 % respectively, improved dirt removal efficiency by 122.87 %, repelled drosophila melanogaster larvae by 58.33 %, and curtailed total bacterial, mold & yeast growth by 78.18 % and 83.09 %. Furthermore, it postponed the appearance of sample decay by 6 days, compared to 4 days for both US and SAEW alone. From a physicochemical perspective, compared to CW-treated samples, US + SAEW processing mitigated weight loss and color deviations, retained hardness, amplified the sugar-acid ratio, augmented activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase enzymes, suppressed polyphenol oxidase activity and malondialdehyde synthesis, and preserved total phenolic, anthocyanin, and antioxidant levels. These findings underscore the potential of US + SAEW as a strategic tool to preserve the quality of Chinese bayberry during postharvest storage.

Active colorimetric bilayer polycaprolactone-eucalyptus oil@silk fibroin-bayberry anthocyanins (PCL-EO@SF-BAs) membrane with directional water transport (DWT) for food packaging.

Currently, designing smart membranes with multifunctional effectiveness is crucial to food freshness monitoring and retention. Herein, an active colorimetric Janus bilayer membrane with directional water transport (DWT) performance is constructed by electrospinning, which comprises a hydrophilic layer of silk fibroin-bayberry anthocyanins (SF-BAs) and a hydrophobic layer of polycaprolactone-eucalyptus oil (PCL-EO). The entities of BAs and EO are well dispersed in the fiber matrix by hydrogen bonds and physical interactions, respectively. BAs endow the membrane colorimetric response and antioxidant activity, and EO contributes to the antibacterial activity while DWT performance is generated from the asymmetric wettability of the two layers. The bilayer membrane has an accumulative one-way transport index of 1077%, an overall moisture management capacity of 0.76 and a water evaporation rate of 0.48 g h-1. Moreover, the release of BAs and EO was predominantly controlled by Fickian diffusion. As a pH-sensing indicator, PCL-EO@SF-BAs is highly sensitive to external pH stimuli and the response is reversible. In addition to freshness monitoring, PCL-EO@SF-BAs can extend the shelf-life of pork beyond 100% at 4 °C. Also, it can extend the shelf life of shrimp by approximately 70% at 25 °C with the synergistic effect of antibacterial activity and the DWT performance.

Myricitrin from bayberry as a potential inhibitor of cathepsin-D: Prospects for squamous lung carcinoma prevention.

Cathepsin-D (CATD) inhibitors' design and development drawn interest due to their potential therapeutic applications in managing different cancer types, including lung cancer. This study investigated myricitrin, a flavonol-3-O-rhamnoside, for its binding affinity to CATD. Molecular docking experiments revealed a strong binding affinity (-7.8 kcal/mol). Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation confirmed the complex's stability, while enzyme activity studies showed inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 35.14 ± 6.08 µM (in cell-free) and 16.00 ± 3.48 µM (in cell-based) test systems. Expression analysis indicated downregulation of CATD with a fold change of 1.35. Myricitrin demonstrated antiproliferative effects on NCIH-520 cells [IC50: 64.11 µM in Sulphorhodamine B (SRB), 24.44 µM in 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT)], but did not affect healthy CHANG cells. It also prolonged the G2/M phase (at 10 µM: 1.19-fold; at 100 µM: 1.13-fold) and increased sub-diploid population by 1.35-fold. Based on the analysis done using SwissADME program, it is predicted that myricitrin is not a cytochrome p450s (CYPs) inhibitor, followed the rule of Ghose and found not permeable to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) which suggests it as a safe molecule. In summary, the experimental findings may establish the foundation for myricitrin and its analogues to be used therapeutically in CATD-mediated lung cancer prevention.

The completed genome sequence of Pestalotiopsis versicolor, a pathogenic ascomycete fungus with implications for bayberry production.

The pathogenic fungus Pestalotiopsis versicolor is a major etiological agent of fungal twig blight disease affecting bayberry trees. However, the lack of complete genome sequence information for this crucial pathogenic fungus hinders the molecular and genetic investigation of its pathogenic mechanism. To address this knowledge gap, we have generated the complete genome sequence of P. versicolor strain XJ27, employing a combination of Illumina, PacBio, and Hi-C sequencing technologies. This comprehensive genome sequence, comprising 7 chromosomes with an N50 contig size of 7,275,017 bp, a GC content ratio of 50.16%, and a total size of 50.80 Mb, encompasses 13,971 predicted coding genes. By performing comparative genomic analysis between P. versicolor and the genomes of eleven plant-pathogenic fungi, as well as three closely related fungi within the same group, we have gained initial insights into its evolutionary trajectory, particularly through gene family analysis. These findings shed light on the distinctive characteristics and evolutionary history of P. versicolor. Importantly, the availability of this high-quality genetic resource will serve as a foundational tool for investigating the biology, molecular pathogenesis, and virulence of P. versicolor. Furthermore, it will facilitate the development of more potent antifungal medications by uncovering potential vulnerabilities in its genetic makeup.

Characteristic aroma improvement mechanisms of heat-sterilized bayberry juice regulated by exogenous polyphenols.

Bayberry juice is favored for its unique taste and flavor, while heat sterilization tends to reduce the aroma quality during processing, which limits its acceptability to consumers. To address this issue, we use exogenous polyphenols to regulate flavor compounds to improve the product quality. Total 13 differential key aroma-active compounds were identified between fresh bayberry juice (FBJ) and heat-sterilized bayberry juice (HBJ) using aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA), orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and odor activity values (OAVs). Further, eight polyphenols were added to investigate their influences on the aroma quality of HBJ respectively. The results showed that all tested polyphenols could maintain the aroma profile of HBJ closer to FBJ and improve the odor preference of HBJ, among which resveratrol and daidzein were most effective. Their aroma molecular regulatory mechanism involved enhancing the characteristic aroma of bayberry and reducing the certain off-flavored compounds produced by heat sterilization.

Complete genome sequence analysis of a novel citlodavirus isolated from the leaves of Myrica rubra in Yunnan.

Through high-throughput sequencing, a novel citlodavirus, tentatively named "Myrica rubra citlodavirus 1" (MRV1, accession no. OP374189), was isolated from the leaves of Myrica rubra in Yunnan exhibiting narrow deformity of leaf tips, shrinkage, and chlorosis along the veins. The complete genome sequence was determined and analyzed using cloning and Sanger sequencing. MRV1 is a single-stranded circular non-enveloped DNA virus with a genome size of 3775 nucleotides and contains six open reading frames (ORFs). The virion-sense genome strand encodes a coat protein (CP, nt 750-1,493, 247 aa), two hypothetical movement proteins (V3, nt 382-666, 94 aa; and V2, nt 461-895, 144 aa), and one movement protein (MP, nt 1,527-2,438, 303 aa). The complementary strand of the genome encodes two replication proteins (RepA, nt 3,712-2,834, 292 aa; Rep, nt 2,867-2,553, 104 aa). The MRV1 genome contains the stem-loop motif 5'-TAATATTAC-3', which is a highly conserved nonanucleotide motif found in the origin of virion-strand replication in geminiviruses. Genome sequence alignment analysis showed that citrus chlorotic dwarf associated virus (CCDaV, accession no. JQ920490) shared the highest nucleotide sequence similarity (66.10% identity) with MRV1. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CCDaV is the closest known relative of MRV1, and that these viruses clustered in a single branch within a clade consisting of citlodaviruses. These results indicate that MRV1 should be regarded as a new species of the genus Citlodavirus in the family Geminiviridae.

Ultrasonic assisted extraction of polyphenols from bayberry by deep eutectic supramolecular polymer and its application in bio-active film.

Ultrasound and deep eutectic supramolecular polymers (DESP) is a novel combination of green extraction method for phytochemicals. In this study, a new type of green extractant was developed: DESP. It is a derivative of deep eutectic solvent (DES) and was prepared by supramolecular polymer unit ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) as hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) and organic acid as hydrogen bond donor (HBD). The current work focuses on the use of ultrasonic-assisted (UAE) DESP extraction of polyphenolic compounds (PCs) from bayberry. The experimental results showed that DESP synthesized with ß-CD and lactic acid (LA) in a ratio of 1:1 (w/w %) had the best extraction effect. And by using a three-level factor experiment and the response surface method, the predicted TPC content is very close to the actual content (28.85 ± 1.27 mg GAE/g). The DESP extract including PCs were further used as plasticizer for chitosan (CS) to prepare highly active green biofilms (DESP-CS). It is possible to reduce the tedious procedures for separating biologically active substances from DESP. The experiment proved that the prepared films have good mechanical properties, plastic deformation resistance, thermal stability and antioxidant activity.

Antioxidative properties of bayberry tannins with different mean degrees of polymerization: Controlled degradation based on hydroxyl radicals.

The antioxidant properties of condensed tannins (CTs) are closely related to the mean degree of polymerization (mDP), and CTs with low mDP show stronger antioxidant effects. Therefore, obtaining CTs with a low mDP are very meaningful in improving their antioxidant properties and utilization. In this study, hydroxyl radicals generated by the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide under UV irradiation were used to degrade bayberry tannins in a clean and controllable manner. Taking the formaldehyde reactivity as an index to control the mDP of the degradation product, the changes in antioxidant properties of bayberry tannins with different mDP were studied by the method of 1,1-diphenyl-2-trinitrophenylhydrazine (DPPH), and 2,2-azido-di(3-ethyl-benzothiazole-6-sulfonic acid)diammonium salt (ABTS). Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR), and reversed-phase HPLC-ESI-MS were used to characterize the mDP, molecular weight (Mw), and chemical structure of the degradation products of bayberry tannins in different degradation stages. Results showed that hydroxyl radicals could cause significant degradation of bayberry tannins, and the controllable degradation of bayberry tannins could be achieved with the formaldehyde reactivity as an index. At the degradation times of 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h, the mDP (Mw) of the degradation products were as follows: 5.22 (2457), 4.36 (1895), 3.36 (1534), 2.87 (1153), and 1.78 (813), respectively. The antioxidant activity of the degraded product increased with the decrease in the mDP, and the degraded products had the largest formaldehyde reactivity and the best oxidation resistance when degraded for 6 h. This study provided a new method to achieve clean and controllable degradation of tannins and supported those tannins with low mDP could provide higher antioxidant activity.

Effect of Humic Acid on Soil Physical and Chemical Properties, Microbial Community Structure, and Metabolites of Decline Diseased Bayberry.

In recent years, bayberry decline disease has caused significant damage to the bayberry industry. In order to evaluate whether humic acid can be used to effectively control the disease, this research examined the nutritional growth and fruit quality of bayberry, soil physical and chemical properties, soil microbial community structure, and metabolites. Results indicated that the application of humic acid not only improved the vigor and fruit quality of diseased trees, but also increased the diversity of microbial communities in the rhizosphere soil. A great increase was observed in the relative abundance of bacterial genus Mycobacterium and Crossiella; fungal genus Fusarium and Coniosporium. In contrast, a significant decrease was observed in the relative abundance of bacterial genus Acidothermus, Bryobacter, Acidibacter, fungal genus of Geminibasidium and Mycena. Analysis of redundancies (RDA) for microbial communities and soil characteristics showed that the main four variables, including available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium, had a great effect on the composition of bacterial and fungal communities in bayberry rhizosphere soil at the genus level. The main four variables had a greater effect on bacterial communities than on fungal communities. In addition, ABC transporter, arginine and proline metabolism, galactose metabolism, and glutathione metabolism were significantly affected by humic acid, which changed the content of 81 metabolites including 58 significantly down-regulated metabolites such as isohexonic acid and carinitine, and 23 significantly up-regulated metabolites such as acidic acid, guaninosuccinate, lyxose, 2-monoolein, epicatechin, and pentonolactone. These metabolites also significantly correlated with rhizosphere soil microbiota at the phylum, order, and genus levels. In conclusion, the results demonstrated the role of humic acid on plant growth and fruit quality, as well as rhizosphere soil characteristics, microbiota, and secondary metabolites, which provides novel insights into the control of bayberry decline disease.

Comparative analysis of the potential physiological and molecular mechanisms involved in the response to root zone hypoxia in two rootstock seedlings of the Chinese bayberry via transcriptomic analysis.

The negative effects of waterlogging can be effectively improved through the use of waterlogging-resistant rootstocks. However, the underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms of Chinese bayberry (Morella rubra) rootstock tolerance to waterlogging have not yet been investigated. This study aims to unravel the molecular regulation mechanisms underlying waterlogging-tolerant rootstocks. Two rootstocks, Morella cerifera (tolerant) and Morella rubra (sensitive), were selected for root zone hypoxia treatments, assessments of hormone levels and antioxidant enzyme activity, and transcriptomic analysis. While the contents of abscisic acid (ABA) and brassinosteroid (BR) in the roots of M. rubra decreased significantly after root zone hypoxia treatment, there were no significant changes in M. cerifera. Both the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased in M. cerifera but were decreased in M. rubra. Transcriptome sequencing identified 1,925 (928 up- and 997 downregulated) and 733 (278 up- and 455 downregulated) differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the two rootstocks. The gene set enrichment analysis showed that 84 gene sets were enriched after root zone hypoxia treatment, including 57 (35 up- and 22 downregulated) and 14 (five up- and nine downregulated) gene sets derived from M. cerifera and M. rubra, respectively, while the remaining 13 gene sets were shared. KEGG pathway analysis showed specific enrichment in six pathways in M. cerifera, including the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), tyrosine metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, ribosome, cyanoamino acid metabolism, and plant-pathogen interaction pathways. Overall, these results provide preliminary insights into the molecular mechanisms of Chinese bayberry tolerance to waterlogging.

Myrica esculenta Buch.-Ham. (ex D. Don): A Review on its Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Nutritional Potential.

Myrica esculenta is an important ethnomedicinal plant used in the traditional system of medicine and as an important nutraceutical. Several studies on the plant justify its use in alternative systems of medicine and establish a scientific rationale for its possible therapeutic application. The plant contains a range of biologically active classes of compounds, particularly diarylheptanoids, flavonoids, terpenes, tannins, and glycosides. The nutraceutical potential of the plant can be particularly attributed to its fruit, and several studies have demonstrated the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, fiber content, and minerals like sodium, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, copper, and zinc, in it. The current review aims to provide complete insight into the phytochemistry, pharmacological potential, and nutritional potential of the plant, which would not only serve as a comprehensive source of information but also will highlight the scope of isolation and evaluation of these molecules for various disease conditions.

Effects of sex and soil water chemistry on leaf morphology and physiology of Myrica gale var. tomentosa.

Plants respond to environmental stressors, such as an oligotrophic environments, by altering the morphological and physiological functions of their leaves. Sex affects these functions because of the asymmetric cost of reproduction in dioecious plants. We compared the leaf mass per leaf area (LMA), ratio of intercellular air space in leaf mesophyll tissue (mesophyll porosity), palisade thickness, and carbon isotope ratio (δ13C) of leaves of the dioecious shrub Myrica gale based on sex and gradients of soil water chemistry across habitats in the field. The PCA showed that the first three principal components accounted for 84.5% of the variation. PC1 to PC3 were associated with the origin of soil water, nitrogen status of habitats, and sea-salt contributions, respectively. LMA varied from 5.22 to 7.13 µg/cm2, and it was positively related to PC2 and negatively related to PC3, but not to PC1 or sex, suggesting that LMA was low under poor nitrogen conditions and varied with salinity. Mesophyll porosity values were over 50% for all habitats. Mesophyll porosity was positively affected by PC3 and smaller in females than in males. This suggests that M. gale exhibits differences in mesophyll anatomy according to sex. Palisade thickness ranged from 0.466 to 0.559 mm/mm. The leaves of females had thinner palisade layers per mesophyll layer than those of males; however, the habitat did not affect the thickness of the palisade layer per mesophyll layer. The δ13C values of leaves varied from -32.14 to -30.51 ‰. We found that δ13C values were positively related to PC2 but not to PC1, PC3, and sex. Under poor nitrogen conditions, the δ13C of M. gale leaves decreased, suggesting that nutrient deficiency would decrease more under the long-term averaged ratio of photosynthesis than stomatal conductance, leading to low water use efficiency.

Macroalga-associated bacterial endophyte bioactive secondary metabolites twinning: Cystoseira myrica and its associated Catenococcus thiocycli QCm as a model.

Marine ecosystems represent the largest biome on the earth. Until now, the relationships between the marine microbial inhabitants and the macroalgal species unclear, and the previous studies are insufficient. So, more research is required to advance our understanding of macroalgal- microbial interactions. In this study, we tried to investigate the relationship between the brown marine macroalga, Cystoseira myrica and its associated bacterial endophyte, Catenococcus thiocycli, as the first study concerning the production of bioactive secondary metabolites from a macroalgal species comparing with its associated endophytic bacteria. Secondary metabolites were extracted from alga and its bacterial endophyte with ethyl acetate and methanol. All extracts contained significant quantities of phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins. Strikingly, extracts possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities which were significantly correlated to phenolic and flavonoid contents.