This study investigated the antifungal activity of a number of pomegranate genotypes. Since the main compound of pomegranate extract is punicalagin, an important substance involved in antifungal and antimicrobial activity, we analyzed the contents of punicalagin (α and β) in 21 different pomegranate genotypes. Ellagic acid content, total phenolic content, acidity and pH were also determined. This work allowed us to determine which genotypes of pomegranate can be used to obtain extracts with the highest content of punicalagin, with the goal of developing a green alternative to synthetic pesticides. To improve the extraction system from pomegranate peel fruits, several different solvents were tested. All the pomegranate genotypes tested showed antifungal activity; some genotypes were able to almost completely inhibit the fungus, while others had very low inhibitory activity. Research results also showed that the use of water as a solvent for extraction is very effective, especially when it is combined with ethanol. This is very important for the practical use of the extracts since water is economical and environmentally friendly. The research showed that among the genotypes there is also great variability regarding the chemical parameters. Genotypes with a high phenolic and punicalagin content were significantly correlated with antifungal activity. All the other chemical parameters (pH, titratable acidity and ellagic acid content) were not correlated with antifungal activity. The results obtained indicate that the fruits of some pomegranate genotypes could be used to obtain extracts very rich in punicalagins and that these substances could be used as an alternative to synthetic products to control plant disease and improve the quality of the plant products, avoiding the impact of synthetic chemicals on the environment.

Natural compounds are emerging as agents for the treatment of malignant diseases. We previously showed that extracts from in vitro cell suspension cultures of strawberry reduced murine melanoma cell proliferation, as shown for fruit extracts. In this work, chromatographic, mass spectrometric, and spectrophotometric analyses were carried out to identify the bioactive compound exerting the detected cytotoxic activity. Moreover, aiming to confirm the anti-proliferative activity of the extracts against both paediatric and adult human tumors, cytotoxic experiments were performed on neuroblastoma, colon, and cervix carcinoma cell lines. Extracts from in vitro cell suspension cultures of strawberry induced a statistically significant reduction of cell growth in all the tumor cell lines tested. Interestingly, human fibroblasts from healthy donors were not subjected to this cytotoxic effect, highlighting the importance of further preclinical investigations. The accurate mass measurement, fragmentation patterns, and characteristic mass spectra and mass losses, together with the differences in chromatographic retention times and absorbance spectra, led us to hypothesize that the compound acting as an anti-proliferative agent could be a novel acetal dihydrofurofuran derivative (C₈H₁₀O₃, molecular mass 154.0630 amu)

Several studies have demonstrated that ultraviolet-band-C (UV-C) irradiation can enhance plants’ natural resistance to pathogens and diseases. A suitable dose of UV-C radiation induces the production of metabolites that strengthen plant defenses, an effect known as “hormesis”. Hormesis presents a promising alternative that could supplement and reduce the use of pesticides, which pose risks to the environment and human health. This paper investigates the effects of UV-C radiation emitted by an array of Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) in generating a hormetic response in three kiwifruit species, namely A. chinensis var. deliciosa cv. Hayward, A. chinensis var. chinensis cv. Soreli^®, and A. arguta plantlets, grown in vitro and in pots, exposed to the pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa) either before or after UV-C irradiation. Analyses of morpho-physiological parameters and spectrophotometric assays were conducted to evaluate changes in chlorophyll a and b content, carotenoids, total phenols, and antioxidant activity in relation to the UV-C irradiation. Results indicate partial protection against Psa infection and increased levels of chlorophylls, carotenoids, polyphenols and antioxidant activity. The optimal UV-C dose was determined to be 2.2 kJ/m² for in vitro shoots and 1.3 kJ/m², for ex vitro plants.