Celery (Apium graveolens L.) Performances as Subjected to Different Sources of Protein Hydrolysates

Biofortification and Valorization of Celery byproducts Using Selenium and PGPB under Reduced Nitrogen Regimes

Due to climate change and exacerbated population growth, the search for new sustainable strategies that allow for greater food productivity and that provide greater nutritional quality has become imperative. One strategy for addressing this problem is the combined use of fertilization with a reduced dose of nitrogen and biostimulants. Celery processing produces a large amount of waste with its concomitant pollution. Therefore, it is necessary to address the valorization of its byproducts. Our results revealed reductions in the biomass, Na, P, Mn, B, sugars, and proteins in the byproducts and increased lipid peroxidation, Fe (all celery parts), and K (byproducts) when the N supplied was reduced. Plants inoculated with Azotobacter salinestris obtained a greater biomass, a higher accumulation of K (byproducts), a build-up of sugars and proteins, reduced concentrations of P, Cu, Mn, B, Fe (petioles), and Zn (byproducts), and reduced lipid peroxidation. The application of Se at 8 μM reinforced the beneficial effect obtained after inoculation with Azotobacter salinestris. In accordance with our results, edible celery parts are recommended as an essential ingredient in the daily diet. Furthermore, the valorization of celery byproducts with health-promoting purposes should be considered.

Amino Acids Biostimulants and Protein Hydrolysates in Agricultural Sciences

The effects of different types of biostimulants on crops include improving the visual quality of the final products, stimulating the immune systems of plants, inducing the biosynthesis of plant defensive biomolecules, removing heavy metals from contaminated soil, improving crop performance, reducing leaching, improving root development and seed germination, inducing tolerance to abiotic and biotic stressors, promoting crop establishment and increasing nutrient-use efficiency. Protein hydrolysates are mixtures of polypeptides and free amino acids resulting from enzymatic and chemical hydrolysis of agro-industrial protein by-products obtained from animal or plant origins, and they are able to alleviate environmental stress effects, improve growth, and promote crop productivity. Amino acids involve various advantages such as increased yield and yield components, increased nutrient assimilation and stress tolerance, and improved yield components and quality characteristics. They are generally achieved through chemical or enzymatic protein hydrolysis, with significant capabilities to influence the synthesis and activity of some enzymes, gene expression, and redox-homeostasis. Increased yield, yield components, and crop quality; improved and regulated oxidation-reduction process, photosynthesis, and physiological activities; decreased negative effects of toxic components; and improved anti-fungal activities of plants are just some of the more important benefits of the application of phenols and phenolic biostimulants. The aim of this manuscript is to survey the impacts of amino acids, different types of protein hydrolysates, phenols, and phenolic biostimulants on different plants by presenting case studies and successful paradigms in several horticultural and agricultural crops.

Mineral Content Variation in Leaves, Stalks, and Seeds of Celery (Apium graveolens L.) Genotypes

Celery is an important nutritionally rich crop in the family Apiaceae. It is cultivated worldwide for food as well as for use in pharmaceutics. It is an excellent source of minerals, vitamins, and phytochemicals. Identification of superior genotypes with improved nutritional content is the requirement to develop cultivars for commercial cultivation. For mineral analysis of celery, an experiment was carried out taking 20 diverse genotypes. These genotypes were analysed for macro- and micronutrients which include nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and sodium (Na). The study revealed high content of K (20.3-26.1 mg/g dry weight (DW)) and Zn (0.09-0.14 mg/g DW) in leaves while the stalks were rich in Ca (41.5-51.3 mg/g DW) and Na (5.2-8.0 mg/g DW). High contents of P (5.2-6.8 mg/g DW), Fe (0.41-0.56 mg/g DW), Cu (0.015-0.026 mg/g DW), and Mn (0.020-0.029 mg/g DW) were observed in seeds. Based on the mineral content, three genotypes, viz., PAU2, PAU4, and PAU7, were found to be superior in terms of mineral composition in leaves, stalks, and seeds. Cluster analysis divided the genotypes into two major groups. These genotypes can be used in crosses as they showed great potential for use in biofortification. This study opens newer avenues for future research, encouraging researchers to enhance the product quality and production efficiency of the leaves, stalks, and seeds valuable for human consumption.

The Role of Consumption of Molybdenum Biofortified Crops in Bone Homeostasis and Healthy Aging

Osteoporosis is a chronic disease and public health issue in aging populations. Inadequate intake of micronutrients increases the risk of bone loss during an adult's lifespan and therefore of osteoporosis. The aim of the study was to analyze the effects of consumption of biofortified crops with the micronutrient molybdenum (Mo) on bone remodeling and metabolism in a population of adults and seniors. The trial enrolled 42 senior and 42 adult people randomly divided into three groups that consumed lettuce biofortified with molybdenum (Mo-biofortified group) or without biofortification (control group) or molybdenum in a tablet (Mo-tablet group) for 12 days. We chose an experimental period of 12 days because the bone remodeling marker levels are influenced in the short term. Therefore, a period of 12 days allows us to determine if there are changes in the indicators. Blood samples, obtained at time zero and at the end of the study, were compared within the groups adults and seniors for the markers of bone resorption, C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) and bone formation osteocalcin, along with the markers of bone metabolism, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin, albumin-adjusted calcium, vitamin D, phosphate and potassium. Consumption of a Mo tablet did not affect bone metabolism in the study. Consumption of Mo-biofortified lettuce significantly reduced levels of CTX and PTH and increased vitamin D in adults and seniors while levels of osteocalcin, calcitonin, calcium, potassium and phosphate were not affected. The study opens up new considerations about the role of nutrition and supplementation in the prevention of chronic diseases in middle-aged and older adults. Consumption of Mo-biofortified lettuce positively impacts bone metabolism in middle-aged and older adults through reduced bone resorption and improved bone metabolism while supplementation of Mo tablets did not affect bone remodeling or metabolism. Therefore, Mo-biofortified lettuce may be used as a nutrition intervention to improve bone homeostasis and prevent the occurrence of osteoporosis in the elderly.

Iodine Biofortification and Seaweed Extract-Based Biostimulant Supply Interactively Drive the Yield, Quality, and Functional Traits in Strawberry Fruits

The horticultural sector is seeking innovative and sustainable agronomic practices which could lead to enhanced yield and product quality. Currently, plant biofortification is recognized as a valuable technique to improve microelement concentrations in plant tissues. Among trace elements, iodine (I) is an essential microelement for human nutrition. Concomitantly, the application of biostimulants may improve overall plant production and quality traits. With the above background in mind, an experiment was designed with the aim of assessing the interactive impact of a seaweed extract-based biostimulant (SwE) (0 mL L^-1 (served as control) or 3 mL L^-1 (optimal dosage)) and 0, 100, 300, or 600 mg L^-1 I on the growth parameters, yield, fruit quality, minerals, and functional characteristics of the tunnel-grown "Savana" strawberry. SwE foliar application improved the plant growth-related traits, total and marketable yield, fruit color parameters, soluble solids content, nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg) fruit concentrations. Furthermore, an enhancement in the fruit dry matter content, ascorbic acid, and I concentration in fruits was detected when the SwE supply interacted with a mild I dose (100 or 300 mg L^-1). The research underlined that combining SwE application and I biofortification increased the strawberry yield and quality and enhanced the plant nutritional status variation, thereby, determining a boosted strawberry I tolerance.

Morpho-Anatomical, Physiological, and Mineral Composition Responses Induced by a Vegetal-Based Biostimulant at Three Rates of Foliar Application in Greenhouse Lettuce

A promising strategy for sustainably increasing the quality and yield of horticultural products is the use of natural plant biostimulants. In this work, through a greenhouse experiment, we evaluated the effect of a legume-derived biostimulant at three dose treatments (0.0 control, 2.5 mL L−1, and 5.0 mL L−1) on the yield performance, nutrients traits, leaf anatomical traits, gas exchanges, and carbon photosynthetic assimilation of greenhouse lettuce. The lettuce plants were foliar sprayed every 7 days for 5 weeks. The application of plant biostimulant, at both lower and higher dosages, increased the nutrient use efficiency, root dry weight, and leaf area. However, it is noteworthy that the 5.0 mL L−1 dose enhanced photosynthetic activity in the early phase of growth (15 DAT), thus supplying carbon skeletons useful for increasing the number of leaves and their efficiency (higher SPAD), and for boosting nutrient uptake (P, S, and K) and transport to leaves, while the 2.5 mL L−1 dose exerted specific effects on roots, increasing their dimension and enabling them to better use nitrate and Ca. A higher dose of biostimulant application might find its way in shorter growing cycle, thus presenting new horizons for new lines of research in baby leaves production.

A New Potential Dietary Approach to Supply Micronutrients to Physically Active People through Consumption of Biofortified Vegetables

Micronutrients are required in many reactions involved in physical activity and exercise. Most physically active people do not meet the body’s needs in terms of micronutrients through diet. The novelty of the present manuscript is the use of an innovative dietary approach to supply micronutrients to physically active people through biofortified food. Therefore, the key point of this study was to verify whether supplementation with biofortified vegetables—and specifically molybdenum (Mo)-enriched lettuce—in healthy volunteers affects essential regulators of body homeostasis and, specifically, hematological parameters, iron and lipid metabolism, and hepatic function. Twenty-four healthy volunteers were allocated in a double-blinded manner to either a control group that consumed lettuce, or the intervention group, which consumed Mo-enriched lettuce, for 12 days. Blood samples were collected at baseline (T0) and after 12 days (T1). We found that supplementation with Mo-enriched lettuce did not affect hematological parameters, liver function, or lipid metabolism, but significantly improved iron homeostasis by increasing non-binding hemoglobin iron by about 37% and transferrin saturation by about 42%, while proteins of iron metabolism (e.g., transferrin, ferritin, ceruloplasmin) were not affected. The serum molybdenum concentration increased by about 42%. In conclusion, this study shows that consumption of Mo-biofortified lettuce ameliorates iron homeostasis in healthy subjects, and suggests that it could be used as a new nutritional supplementation strategy to avoid iron deficiency in physically active people.

Biostimulatory Action of Vegetal Protein Hydrolysate Compensates for Reduced Strength Nutrient Supply in a Floating Raft System by Enhancing Performance and Qualitative Features of "Genovese" Basil

The floating raft constitutes a valuable system for growing herbs as it effectuates high yield and prime functional quality. However, the pressing need for advancing sustainability in food production dictates the reduction of chemical fertilizer inputs in such intensive production schemes through innovative cultivation practices. In this perspective, our work appraised the productive and qualitative responses of two "Genovese" basil genotypes (Eleonora and Italiano Classico) grown in a floating raft system with nutrient solutions of varied electrical conductivity (EC; 2 and 1 dS m^-1) combined with root application of protein hydrolysate biostimulant at two dosages (0.15 and 0.3 0 ml L^-1 of Trainer^®). The phenolic composition, aromatic profile, and antioxidant activities (ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP) of basil were determined by UHPLC/HRMS, GC/MS, and spectrophotometry, respectively. "Eleonora" demonstrated higher number of leaves (37.04 leaves per plant), higher fresh yield (6576.81 g m^-2), but lower polyphenol concentration (1440.81 μg g^-1 dry weight) compared to "Italiano Classico." The lower EC solution (1 dS m^-1) increased total phenols (+32.5%), ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP antioxidant activities by 33.2, 17.1, and 15.8%, respectively, and decreased linalool relative abundance by 5.5%. Biostimulant application improved crop performance and increased total phenolic concentration in both genotypes, with the highest phenolic concentration (1767.96 μg g^-1 dry weight) registered at the lowest dose. Significant response in terms of aromatic profile was detected only in "Eleonora." Our results demonstrate that the application of protein hydrolysate may compensate for reduced strength nutrient solution by enhancing yield and functional quality attributes of "Genovese" basil for pesto.

Stand-Alone or Combinatorial Effects of Grafting and Microbial and Non-Microbial Derived Compounds on Vigour, Yield and Nutritive and Functional Quality of Greenhouse Eggplant

The current research investigated the effects of endophytic fungi such as Trichoderma atroviride (Ta) or Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed extract (An) and their combination on growth, yield, nutritive and functional features, and mineral profile of 'Birgah' F₁ eggplant either ungrafted, self-grafted or grafted onto the Solanum torvum rootstock. Eggplant exposed to An or An+Ta had a significant increase in root collar diameter 50 days after transplanting (RCD₅₀), total yield (TY), marketable yield (MY), ascorbic acid (AA) content, Mg, Cu, and Zn concentration, and a reduction in glycoalkaloids (GLY) compared with the control. Furthermore, grafted plants had a higher TY, MY, number of marketable fruits (NMF), RCD₅₀, AA, Cu, and Zn and a lower SSC, GLY, and Mg than the ungrafted plants. The combination of grafting and An+Ta significantly improved mean weight of marketable fruits (MF), plant height 50 days after transplanting (PH₅₀), number of leaves 50 days after transplanting (NL₅₀), fruit dry matter (FDM), chlorogenic acid (ClA), proteins, and K and Fe concentration. This combination also produced fruits of high premium quality as evidenced by the higher AA and ClA concentration, the lower GLY concentration, and an overall improved mineral profile.

Cytoprotective Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antifibrotic Impact of Celery Seed Oil and Manuka Honey Against Cyclophosphamide-Induced Cystitis in Rabbits

Patients treated with cyclophosphamide (CP) usually suffer from severe hemorrhagic cystitis (HC). Our previous study exhibited that mesna + celery cotherapy partially ameliorated HC. Therefore, there is a substantial need to seek alternative regimens to get complete protection against CP-induced HC. The current study investigated the effects of mesna + celery seed oil (MCSO) or mesna + manuka honey (MMH) cotherapy against CP-induced HC in adult male rabbits. The forty rabbits were divided into four equal groups and treated for three weeks. The control group (G1) received distilled water and the second group (G2) received CP (50 mg/kg/week). The third group (G3) received CP + MCSO (CPMCSO regimen), and the fourth group (G4) received CP + MMH (CPMMH regimen). The urinary bladder (UB) specimens were processed to evaluate UB changes through histopathological, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and biochemical investigations. In G2, CP provoked HC features (urothelial necrosis, ulceration, and sloughing), UB fibrosis, and TNF-α immunoexpression. Besides, CP reduced the activity of antioxidant enzymes (GPx1, SOD3, and CAT) and elevated the serum levels of NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1B, and IL-6 cytokines in G2 rabbits. In contrast, the CPMMH regimen caused significant increments of UB protection against HC in G4 rabbits compared to the partial protection by the CPMCSO regimen in G3. Therefore, our study indicated for the first time that the novel CPMMH regimen resulted in complete UB protection against CP-induced HC via combined antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic properties.

Application of enzyme-digested soy protein hydrolysate on hydroponic-planted lettuce: Effects on phytochemical contents, biochemical profiles and physical properties

•

Protein hydrolysates (PH) prepared from soy via enzymatic-digestion method.

•

PH tested on hydroponic-planted lettuce.

•

Increased phytochemical, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents detected in lettuce.

•

Limited improvements in lettuce length and weight observed at 0.01 mg/mL PH.

•

Potential PH application as agricultural nutrient supplement for hydroponic plants.

Plant-derived protein hydrolysates (PH) offer many promising benefits and applications. In this paper, PH was prepared from soy-based processing waste via enzymatic-digestion method and supplemented into hydroponic grow medium solution. The hydroponic-planted lettuces were then harvested and assessed for their selected phytochemical contents, biochemical parameters, antioxidative enzymes and mineral contents. Additionally, the lettuce’s physical properties were assessed. Based on our results, increases in three phytochemical contents were observed, in a PH concentration-dependent manner (0–0.01 mg/mL). Similar trends were also observed for chlorophyll and carotenoid contents. Harvested lettuce length and fresh weight peaked at 0.01 mg/mL PH treatment group, but not in a PH concentration-dependent manner. Whereas, for other physical properties (lettuce leaf surface area, root length, root weight), no significant difference was detected. Through this study, we are hoping to contribute toward the potential PH application as agricultural nutrient supplement for hydroponic plants, with accompanied improvements in harvest yields and nutritional contents.

Seaweed Extract Improves Lagenaria siceraria Young Shoot Production, Mineral Profile and Functional Quality

Vegetable landraces represent the main source of biodiversity in Sicily. Lagenaria siceraria is appreciated by Southern Mediterranean consumers for its immature fruits and young shoots. Plant-based biostimulants supply, such as seaweed extract (SwE), is a contemporary and green agricultural practice applied to ameliorate the yield and quality of vegetables. However, there are no studies concerning the effects of SwE on L. siceraria. The current study evaluated the effects of SwE foliar application (0 or 3 mL L−1) on five L. siceraria landraces (G1, G2, G3, G4 and G5) grown in greenhouses. Growth traits, first female flower emission, fruit yield, young shoot yield, fruit firmness, young shoot nitrogen use efficiency (NUEys) and specific young shoot quality parameters, such as soluble solids content (SSC), mineral profile, ascorbic acid, and polyphenols, were appraised. Plant height and number of leaves at 10, 20 and 30 days after transplant (DAT) were significantly higher in plants treated with SwE as compared with untreated plants. Treating plants with SwE increased marketable fruit yield, fruit mean mass, young shoot yield and number of young shoots by 14.4%, 15.0%, 22.2%, 32.4%, and 32.0%, respectively as compared with untreated plants. Relevant increments were also recorded for NUEys, P, K, Ca, Mg, ascorbic acid and polyphenols concentration. SwE application did not significantly affect total yield and SSC. Furthermore, SwE treated plants produced a lower number of marketable fruits than non-treated plants. The present study showed that SwE at 3 mL L−1 can fruitfully enhance crop performance, young shoot yield and quality of L. siceraria.

Petunia Performance Under Application of Animal-Based Protein Hydrolysates: Effects on Visual Quality, Biomass, Nutrient Content, Root Morphology, and Gas Exchange

Sustainable plant production practices have been implemented to reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers and other agrochemicals. One way to reduce fertilizer use without negatively impacting plant nutrition is to enhance crop uptake of nutrients with biostimulants. As the effectiveness of a biostimulant can depend on the origin, species, dose, and application method, the aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of a commercial animal-based protein hydrolysate (PH) biostimulant on the visual quality, biomass, macronutrient content, root morphology, and leaf gas exchange of a petunia (Petunia × hybrida Hort. "red") under preharvest conditions. Two treatments were compared: (a) three doses of an animal-based PH biostimulant: 0 (D0 = control), 0.1 (D0.1 = normal), and 0.2 g L^-1 (D0.2 = high); (b) two biostimulant application methods: foliar spray and root drenching. The dose × method interaction effect of PH biostimulant on the plants was significant in terms of quality grade and fresh and dry biomass. The high dose applied as foliar spray produced petunias with extra-grade visual quality (number of flowers per plant 161, number of leaves per plant 450, and leaf area per plant 1,487 cm²) and a total aboveground dry weight of 35 g, shoots (+91%), flowers (+230%), and leaf fresh weight (+71%). P and K contents were higher than in untreated petunias, when plants were grown with D0.2 and foliar spray. With foliar spray at the two doses, SPAD showed a linear increase (+21.6 and +41.0%) with respect to untreated plants. The dose × method interaction effect of biostimulant application was significant for root length, projected and total root surface area, and number of root tips, forks, and crossings. Concerning leaf gas exchange parameters, applying the biostimulant at both doses as foliar spray resulted in a significant improvement in net photosynthesis (D0.1: 22.9 μmol CO₂ m^-2 s^-1 and D0.2: 22.4 μmol CO₂ m^-2 s^-1) and stomatal conductance (D0.1: 0.42 mmol H₂O m^-2 s^-1 and D0.2: 0.39 mmol H₂O m^-2 s^-1) compared to control. These results indicate that application of PH biostimulant at 0.2 g L^-1 as foliar spray helped to achieve extra-grade plants and that this practice can be exploited in sustainable greenhouse conditions for commercial production of petunia.

Impact of Ecklonia maxima Seaweed Extract and Mo Foliar Treatments on Biofortification, Spinach Yield, Quality and NUE

Seaweed extract (SE) application is a contemporary and sustainable agricultural practice used to improve yield and quality of vegetable crops. Plant biofortification with trace element is recognized as a major tool to prevent mineral malnourishment in humans. Mo deficiency causes numerous dysfunctions, mostly connected to central nervous system and esophageal cancer. The current research was accomplished to appraise the combined effect of Ecklonia maxima brown seaweed extract (SE) and Mo dose (0, 0.5, 2, 4 or 8 µmol L^-1) on yield, biometric traits, minerals, nutritional and functional parameters, as well as nitrogen indices of spinach plants grown in a protected environment (tunnel). Head fresh weight (FW), ascorbic acid, polyphenols, N, P, K, Mg and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) were positively associated with SE treatment. Moreover, head FW, head height (H), stem diameter (SD), ascorbic acid, polyphenols, carotenoids as well as NUE indices were enhanced by Mo-biofortification. A noticeable improvement in number of leaves (N. leaves), head dry matter (DM) and Mo concentration in leaf tissues was observed when SE application was combined with a Mo dosage of 4 or 8 µmol L^-1. Overall, our study highlighted that E. maxima SE treatment and Mo supply can improve both spinach production and quality via the key enzyme activity involved in the phytochemical homeostasis of SE and the plant nutritional status modification resulting in an enhanced spinach Mo tolerance.

Biostimulants Application: A Low Input Cropping Management Tool for Sustainable Farming of Vegetables

Biostimulants, are a diverse class of compounds including substances or microorganism which have positive impacts on plant growth, yield and chemical composition as well as boosting effects to biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. The major plant biostimulants are hydrolysates of plant or animal protein and other compounds that contain nitrogen, humic substances, extracts of seaweeds, biopolymers, compounds of microbial origin, phosphite, and silicon, among others. The mechanisms involved in the protective effects of biostimulants are varied depending on the compound and/or crop and mostly related with improved physiological processes and plant morphology aspects such as the enhanced root formation and elongation, increased nutrient uptake, improvement in seed germination rates and better crop establishment, increased cation exchange, decreased leaching, detoxification of heavy metals, mechanisms involved in stomatal conductance and plant transpiration or the stimulation of plant immune systems against stressors. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of the application of plant biostimulants on different crops within the framework of sustainable crop management, aiming to gather critical information regarding their positive effects on plant growth and yield, as well as on the quality of the final product. Moreover, the main limitations of such practice as well as the future prospects of biostimulants research will be presented.