Aug 2026· Frontiers in Plant Science· 0 citations· 251 references
Abstract
Kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.), a medicine-food homologous crop with high botanical diversity, is rich in polyphenols, pectin, ascorbic acid, and phytosterols. These bioactive compounds confer diverse pharmacological activities, including antioxidation, anti-inflammation, metabolic regulation, cardiovascular protection, and antitumor effects. This review summarizes the botanical traits, resource distribution, and phytochemical profiles of
Actinidia
spp., and outlines key advances in propagation, breeding, and postharvest preservation. Recent genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic data are integrated to dissect gene families and regulatory networks underlying fruit quality, stress tolerance, and bioactive compound biosynthesis in
A. chinensis
. Applications in functional foods and ecological agriculture are discussed, and future directions for sustainable utilization are proposed. This work provides a foundation for germplasm innovation, molecular breeding, and high-value kiwifruit utilization.
The Karditsa region of Central Greece hosts a rich diversity of woody plant species that represent valuable sources of bioactive phytochemicals with significant ecological, nutritional, and industrial importance. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the phytochemical composition, biological activities, and bioeconomic potential of five selected woody species occurring in the region, namely Rosa canina, Cornus mas, Rubus fruticosus, Prunus spinosa, and Satureja montana. Particular emphasis is placed on the occurrence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanins, tannins, terpenoids, and essential oils, which are responsible for a wide range of biological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Current extraction technologies and analytical approaches used for the recovery and characterization of these bioactive compounds are also discussed, highlighting recent advances in green and sustainable extraction methods. Furthermore, the potential applications of these plant-derived metabolites in functional foods, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and other bio-based products are critically evaluated. Finally, the review discusses the importance of conserving regional plant biodiversity while promoting the sustainable utilization of natural resources through environmentally responsible valorization strategies. By integrating available phytochemical, biological, and applied research, this review provides an updated synthesis of the scientific evidence and identifies future research directions for the sustainable exploitation of selected woody flora from the Karditsa region.
Christos Chiolos, V. Athanasiadis, Ekaterini Koura et al.· Applied Sciences· 0 citations
Pepper fruits contain diverse primary and secondary metabolites, including ascorbic acid, carotenoids, phenolics, and flavonoids, which contribute to nutritional quality, antioxidant capacity, coloration, and consumer acceptance. Chilaca chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a Mexican cultivar valued for its distinctive flavor and pungency, representing a valuable resource for studying fruit quality and sustainable crop improvement. This study evaluated the individual and combined effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on growth, physiological responses, antioxidant activity, and fruit quality traits. Twelve treatments in a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial designs were evaluated for chlorophyll, soluble solids, biomass, APX and LOX activities, and vitamin C and capsaicin contents at three ripening stages (green, mid-red, and red). Enzyme activities were determined spectrophotometrically, and bioactive compounds were quantified from methanolic fruit extracts. Microbial inoculation primarily improved fruit physiological quality rather than vegetative growth. Biomass and growth traits showed no significant differences among treatments (p > 0.05), whereas biochemical responses exhibited distinct ripening-dependent patterns. APX activity, vitamin C, and capsaicin increased from green to mid-red stages and declined at full ripeness. Bacillus sp.-based treatments (T1 and T2) produced a significant transient increase in LOX activity during mid-ripening, while T7 showed a similar but weaker response. AMF progressively enhanced LOX activity and capsaicin accumulation in green fruits. PGPR effects were strain-dependent, with Bacillus sp. promoting early capsaicin accumulation and A. deleyi favoring higher levels during advanced ripening. Overall, AMF and PGPR differentially regulate antioxidant metabolism, vitamin C accumulation, and capsaicinoid biosynthesis while interacting with mineral fertilization to improve fruit quality. These findings support beneficial microorganisms as sustainable tools for enhancing nutrient-use efficiency and fruit nutritional and functional value without replacing mineral fertilization.
Jael González Flores, Angel Adrian Bernal Lopez, Mónica Andrea Valdez Solana et al.· Crops· 0 citations
ABSTRACT Guar ( Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) is a valuable and multifunctional summer legume crop that is widely exploited for seed gum extraction due to the presence of galactomannan in the seed endosperm, as well as for its protein‐rich by‐products (germ and hull), which are extensively used in various industries. The objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the nutritional value, bioactive compounds, and functional characteristics of seeds from fifteen guar genotypes in order to identify superior genotypes for breeding programs and industrial applications. In this study, a wide range of key traits was assessed, including seed gum percentage (SG), gum viscosity, dry matter digestibility (DMD), protein, fiber, total oil, ash, tannin, total phenolic content (TPC), flavonoids, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and carotenoids. Seed gum content varied from 25.7% in the Pishen genotype to 32.8% in the RGC‐986 genotype. Similarly, gum viscosity ranged from 2353.67 to 3466.67 cP, with the highest value observed in RGC‐986. Dry matter digestibility differed markedly among genotypes, ranging from 43.37% in Pishen to 51.97% in RGC‐986, reflecting genotypic variation in seed nutritional quality. Fiber and protein contents also showed considerable variability, with ranges of 10.57%–12.95% and 25.33%–33.33%, respectively, and RGC‐986 exhibited the highest values for both traits. Antioxidant‐related attributes, including TAC and carotenoids, varied significantly among genotypes; to enable simultaneous selection of superior genotypes based on multiple nutritional and functional traits, the multi‐trait genotype–ideotype distance index (MGIDI) was applied. According to this index, genotype BR‐99, with the lowest MGIDI value (2.04), was identified as the most desirable genotype, followed by RGC‐986 with a value of 2.45. Overall, the findings of this study highlight the considerable genetic variability among guar genotypes in terms of nutritional, biochemical, and functional traits, and demonstrate the potential of exploiting this diversity in breeding programs aimed at developing guar cultivars with enhanced nutritional value and improved industrial performance.
W. ShariffAl-Sheikh, H. Alawadi, A. F. Jabbar et al.· Food Science & Nutrition· 0 citations
Dragon fruit peel, an agro-industrial by-product, has gained considerable attention across various sectors, including aquaculture, due to its rich composition of functional compounds beneficial to aquatic animals. This review focuses on the major bioactive phytochemicals present in dragon fruit peel, namely phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, and betalains, along with the essential nutrient vitamin C. It provides a comprehensive overview of these components, including their chemical characteristics and functional roles in fish nutrition when incorporated into diets. In addition, the effects of dragon fruit peel supplementation in aquaculture are discussed based on findings from various studies to enhance current understanding. Collectively, these bioactive constituents have been reported to improve growth performance, enhance feed utilization, strengthen antioxidant defence systems, and promote intestinal health through modulation of gut microbiota and immune-related pathways.
Ng Chinglembi Devi, Cheryl Antony, E. Prabu et al.· Journal of Fisheries· 0 citations
Wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum L.), the young shoot of common wheat, has attracted increased interest as a functional microgreen due to its rich phytochemical profile and reported nutritional and bio functional properties. This review summarises cultivation practices, biochemical composition and reported medicinal attributes of wheatgrass. Wheatgrass is a concentrated source of chlorophyll, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, essential amino acids, vitamins (A, C, E and B-complex) and enzymatic antioxidants such as catalase and superoxide dismutase. Among the many pharmacological effects these bioactive elements support is antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, anti-diabetic, antibacterial, detoxifying and may exhibit anticancer effects, as suggested by preliminary experimental studies actions. Cultivation approaches such as hydroponics and soil-based systems enable sustainable production of wheatgrass biomass including in urban and space-limited environments. Under optimised light and substrate conditions, elevated chlorophyll and phenolic levels enhance its potential nutritional and functional relevance. Findings from several in vitro and animal-based studies suggest potential applicability of wheatgrass in nutraceutical development. Its more general use depends on further standardising growth conditions, phytochemical extraction techniques and clinical confirmation. This review aims to highlight the botanical significance of wheatgrass as a sustainable microgreen and its potential role in nutrition-focused food system.
R. Manju, T. Jayanti, B. Shivangi et al.· Plant Science Today· 0 citations
Marine halophytes are gaining attention as a source of plant-derived bioactive compounds with potential applications across nutraceuticals, functional foods, and preventive nutrition. Among them, Salicornia europaea L. is a coastal succulent whose adaptation to hypersaline environments shapes a distinctive phytochemical profile of pharmacological interest. This narrative review integrates current evidence on the bioactive composition, mechanistic activities, and translational relevance of S. europaea and related Salicornia species. Their secondary metabolome includes flavonols, isorhamnetin glycosides, hydroxycinnamic acids, oleanane-type triterpene saponins, fermentable polysaccharides, carotenoids, and a mineral-rich ionic matrix. Reported activities span antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, vascular-protective, anti-adipogenic, glycaemic-modulating, antimicrobial, and microbiome-related effects, mediated through pathways involving NF-κB, PPAR-γ, endothelial nitric oxide signalling, and short-chain fatty acid production. Beyond its individual phytochemical components, the matrix as a whole may also support sodium-reduction strategies in food formulation, providing a complementary nutritional rationale for its incorporation as a functional ingredient. Despite a coherent body of mechanistic and preclinical findings, clinical evidence remains limited, particularly regarding long-term efficacy, dose standardisation, and bioavailability in humans. Future work should prioritise adequately powered intervention trials and standardised characterisation of marine halophyte bioactives to clarify their evidence-based role in functional food development and future precision nutrition applications.
J. F. Tornero-Aguilera, Carlota Valeria Villanueva-Tobaldo, E. Sancho-Haro et al.· Marine Drugs· 0 citations