Medicinal plants are rich sources of bioactive compounds widely used as medicaments, food additives, perfumes, and agrochemicals. These secondary compounds are produced under stress conditions to carry out physiological tasks in plants. Secondary metabolites have a complex chemical structure with pharmacological properties. The widespread use of these metabolites in a lot of industrial sectors has raised the need to increase the production of secondary metabolites. Biotechnological methods of cell culture allow the conservation of plants, as well as the improvement of metabolite biosynthesis and the possibility to modify the synthesis pathways. The objective of this review is to outline the applications of different in vitro culture systems with previously reported relevant examples for the optimal production of plant-derived secondary metabolites.

In the face of escalating global challenges, including climate change, food insecurity, freshwater scarcity, soil degradation, and rapid urbanization, soilless farming systems, such as hydroponics, aquaponics, and bioponics, have emerged as innovative and sustainable farming solutions. Combined with precision agriculture technologies, these systems enable real-time optimization of inputs through smart sensors, automation, and predictive modeling, significantly reducing resource consumption while improving crop yields. This review provides a unique contribution by integrating and comparing the three major soilless systems within a single framework and by highlighting, for the first time, their potential synergies with precision agriculture. It critically examines soilless cultivation systems and their relationship with precision agriculture, assessing the agronomic, environmental, and economic benefits as well as the main challenges, including high initial costs, high energy consumption, the complexity of managing biological inputs, the lack of standardized protocols, and limited accessibility for small-scale producers. The review highlights the need to integrate renewable energy sources, develop biodegradable substrates, apply life cycle assessment methodologies, and implement adequate training and regulatory frameworks to promote wider adoption and sustainability.

Skin aging involves oxidative stress, inflammation, and hyperpigmentation, prompting growing interest in plant-based treatments. Pistacia lentiscus L. and Pistacia atlantica Desf. (Anacardiaceae), North African pharmacopoeia species with recognized phytotherapeutic and cosmeceutical properties, were analyzed to elucidate these biological activities through their phytochemical composition and in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hyperpigmentation potentials. Leaves were successively extracted with hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol. The methanolic leaf extract of P. atlantica exhibited the highest total phenolic content (430.28 ± 0.01 mg GAE/g), while P. lentiscus showed the highest flavonoid content (230.00 ± 0.01 mg QE/g). LC–MS/MS analysis identified thirteen major phenolic compounds, including methyl gallate and myricitrin. Biological assays revealed that P. lentiscus exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 5.19 ± 0.01 µg/mL) and the highest ferric-reducing power, whereas P. atlantica showed strong inhibition of protein denaturation (139.10 ± 0.55 µg/mL). Both extracts displayed potent anti-lipoxygenase activity (IC₅₀ = 22.53 ± 0.05 and 22.67 ± 0.04 µg/mL, respectively), as well as anti-tyrosinase effects (IC₅₀ = 39.80 ± 0.08 and 38.25 ± 0.02 µg/mL, respectively). Altogether, these findings underscore the cosmetic potential of these Pistacia species and support their use as valuable raw materials for the development of dermatological treatments.

Aquaponic systems are among the sustainable approaches for combining fish farming and plant cultivation and have been proposed as potentially economically viable food production technologies. Their performance depends on the balanced environmental conditions shared by fish, nitrifying bacteria, and plants. This study assessed the performance of a trout-based (Oncorhynchus mykiss) decoupled aquaponic system for basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) growth and essential oil composition. Two cultivation strategies were compared over 60 days: a non-supplemented system relying exclusively on trout rearing water, and a system supplemented with mineral nutrients formulated according to the recommendations of the Hoagland nutrient solution. Basil grown without mineral supplementation maintained a healthy appearance and stable physiological status, with satisfactory growth, although it remained lower than in supplemented plants. The mineral profile of the plants showed similar nitrate and phosphorus concentrations between non-supplemented and supplemented plants, with nitrate levels of 5.40 ± 0.29 mg g⁻¹ and 5.52 ± 0.29 mg g⁻¹, respectively, and phosphorus levels of 5.46 ± 0.23 mg g⁻¹ and 6.14 ± 0.91 mg g⁻¹, respectively. In contrast, potassium concentration was lower in non-supplemented plants (36.89 ± 3.31 mg g⁻¹) compared to supplemented plants (55.56 ± 7.16 mg g⁻¹). Essential oil yield expressed per cultivated surface area remained comparable between systems, reaching 2.96 and 3.09 mL m⁻² in the supplemented and non-supplemented systems, respectively. GC–MS analysis revealed that linalool (≈24%) was the predominant compound in both systems. Notably, estragole content was higher in non-supplemented plants (21.35 ± 1.46%) compared to supplemented plants (5.24 ± 0.68%). Overall, trout-based aquaponic systems not only support satisfactory basil growth but also enhance the production of essential oils with desirable aromatic characteristics, representing a sustainable and efficient strategy for aromatic plant cultivation.