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Azarnejad N, Celletti S, Ghorbani M, Fedeli R, Loppi S. Dose-Dependent Effects of a Corn Starch-Based Bioplastic on Basil ( Ocimum basilicum L.): Implications for Growth, Biochemical Parameters, and Nutrient Content. TOXICS 2024; 12:80. [PMID: 38251035 PMCID: PMC10818275 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12010080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Plastic pollution is a pressing global issue, prompting the exploration of sustainable alternatives such as bioplastics (BPs). In agriculture, BPs have gained relevance as mulching films. This study investigated the effect of the presence in the soil of different concentrations (0-3%, w/w) of a corn starch-based bioplastic on basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). The results showed that increasing bioplastic concentration reduced shoot fresh biomass production. Biochemical analyses revealed changes in the shoot in soluble protein content, biomarkers of oxidative and osmotic stress (malondialdehyde and proline, respectively), anti-radical activity, and antioxidant compounds (phenols, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid), which are indicative of plant adaptive mechanisms in response to stress caused by the presence of the different concentrations of bioplastic in the soil. Macro- and micronutrient analysis showed imbalances in nutrient uptake, with a decreased content of potassium, phosphorus, and manganese, and an increased content of magnesium, iron, and copper in the shoot at high BP concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazanin Azarnejad
- Department of Life Sciences (DSV), University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (N.A.); (M.G.); (R.F.); (S.L.)
| | - Silvia Celletti
- Department of Life Sciences (DSV), University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (N.A.); (M.G.); (R.F.); (S.L.)
- BioAgry Lab, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Majid Ghorbani
- Department of Life Sciences (DSV), University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (N.A.); (M.G.); (R.F.); (S.L.)
| | - Riccardo Fedeli
- Department of Life Sciences (DSV), University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (N.A.); (M.G.); (R.F.); (S.L.)
- BioAgry Lab, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Stefano Loppi
- Department of Life Sciences (DSV), University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (N.A.); (M.G.); (R.F.); (S.L.)
- BioAgry Lab, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- BAT Center—Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80138 Napoli, Italy
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Fedeli R, Marotta L, Frattaruolo L, Panti A, Carullo G, Fusi F, Saponara S, Gemma S, Butini S, Cappello AR, Vannini A, Campiani G, Loppi S. Nutritionally enriched tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) grown with wood distillate: chemical and biological characterization for quality assessment. J Food Sci 2023; 88:5324-5338. [PMID: 37961008 DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.16829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Bio-based products are nowadays useful tools able to affect the productivity and quality of conventionally cultivated crops. Several bio-based products are currently on the market; one of the newest and most promising is the wood distillate (WD) derived from the pyrolysis process of waste biomass after timber. Its foliar application has been widely investigated and shown to promote the antioxidant profile of cultivated crops. WD was used here as additive for the cultivation of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plants. The application improved quality (chemical) parameters, minerals, polyphenols, and lycopene contents of tomato fruits. The extracts of WD-treated and untreated tomatoes have been chemically and biologically characterized. The 1 H-NMR and ESI-mass spectrometry analyses of the extracts revealed the presence of different fatty acids, amino acids and sugars. In particular, the WD-treated tomatoes showed the presence of pyroglutamic acid and phloridzin derivatives, but also dihydrokaempferol, naringenin glucoside, cinnamic acid, and kaempferol-3-O-glucoside. When tested in cells, the extracts showed a promising anti-inflammatory profile in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, the extracts displayed a slight vasorelaxant activity on rat aorta rings (either endothelium-denuded or endothelium-intact) pre-contracted with phenylephrine or potassium chloride. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Wood distillate has been used for tomato plant growth. Tomatoes showed improved nutritional parameters, and their extracts displayed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Fedeli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Ludovica Marotta
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Luca Frattaruolo
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Alice Panti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Gabriele Carullo
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Fabio Fusi
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Simona Saponara
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Sandra Gemma
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Stefania Butini
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Cappello
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Andrea Vannini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Campiani
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Stefano Loppi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- BAT Center-Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
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Celletti S, Fedeli R, Ghorbani M, Aseka JM, Loppi S. Exploring sustainable alternatives: Wood distillate alleviates the impact of bioplastic in basil plants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 900:166484. [PMID: 37611709 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
The growing interest in bioplastics and bio-based crop management products in agriculture is driven by the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda. However, recent research has raised concerns about the sustainability of bioplastics due to their potential negative impact on crop growth and yield, with implications for the environment and human health. In this study, wood distillate (WD) was evaluated as a natural enhancer of plant growth and defence system to mitigate the negative impact of a starch-based bioplastic on basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) plants. The study analyzed physiological and biochemical changes in basil plants subjected for 35 days to single or combined treatments of WD and bioplastic by measuring biomarkers of healthy growth, such as soluble proteins, sugars, vitamin C, and malondialdehyde (MDA). The results showed that WD promoted basil development, whereas the presence of bioplastic hindered it. Interestingly, WD did not affect sugars but increased vitamin C by 12 %, which is considered a positive effect as changes in sugar levels could indicate plant stress. In contrast, bioplastic resulted in reduced sugars (-41 %) and increased (+17 %) MDA level, while vitamin C content remained unchanged. However, when WD was added to plants grown with bioplastic, it elevated the levels of all examined parameters, except for sugars and vitamin C, which experienced reductions (-66 % and 33 %, respectively). Intriguingly, despite this reduction, the observed direct correlation between sugar and vitamin C contents was maintained, indicating that the decrease in sugar content may have reached a critical threshold. This study suggests that the use of WD has the potential to alleviate the adverse effects of bioplastic on basil growth and development and highlights the importance of adopting sustainable practices in agriculture, as well as the need for a critical assessment of the environmental impact of new technologies and products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Celletti
- Department of Life Sciences (DSV), University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Riccardo Fedeli
- Department of Life Sciences (DSV), University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Majid Ghorbani
- Department of Life Sciences (DSV), University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Jonan Mbela Aseka
- Department of Life Sciences (DSV), University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Stefano Loppi
- Department of Life Sciences (DSV), University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; BAT Center - Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Naples "Federico II", 80138 Napoli, Italy.
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Carril P, Ghorbani M, Loppi S, Celletti S. Effect of Biochar Type, Concentration and Washing Conditions on the Germination Parameters of Three Model Crops. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:2235. [PMID: 37375860 DOI: 10.3390/plants12122235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Biochar has been recognized as a promising and efficient material for soil amendment. However, its effects on seed germination are variable due to its alkaline pH and/or the presence of phytotoxic substances. In this study, two types of biochar (B1 and B2) were mixed with soil at different concentrations (0%, 5%, 10%, 25%, 50% and 100%, w:w), and both the solid and liquid fractions of these mixtures were tested on the germination of basil, lettuce and tomato seeds. Furthermore, solid fractions subjected to a pre-washing treatment (B1W and B2W) were also investigated for their effects on seed germination. Three germination parameters were then measured: seed germination number (GN), radicle length (RL) and germination index (GI). Biochar B2W at 10% increased both RL and GI in basil by 50% and 70%, respectively, while B1 at 25% increased these parameters in tomato by 25%. No effects or negative effects were recorded for lettuce. Liquid fractions (L1 and L2) generally hampered seed germination, suggesting the presence of potentially water-soluble phytotoxic compounds in biochar. These results point to biochar as a suitable component for germination substrates and highlight that germination tests are critical to select the best performing biochar according to the target crop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Carril
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Majid Ghorbani
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Stefano Loppi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- BAT Center-Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, University of Naples 'Federico II', 80055 Naples, Italy
| | - Silvia Celletti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
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