Vitis vinifera (V. vinifera) is a herbaceous plant, cultivated worldwide and known for its biological benefits. The aim of this study is the investigation of the chemical composition as well as the determination of the biological potential of different grape stem extracts obtained by maceration and accelerated solvent extraction (ASE). The HPLC analysis of the tested extracts led to the identification of 28 compounds of which 17 were identified for the first time in grape plants, in addition to seven revealed in the stem part for the first time. Twenty-nine volatile molecules have been detected by GC-MS in the grape stem part; among them seven were identified for the first time in the grape plant. For the biological analysis, the ethyl acetate extract (EtOAc) obtained by maceration showed a significant potential regarding antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 42.5 µg/mL), anti-Alzheimer (IC₅₀ = 14.1 µg/mL), antidiabetic (IC₅₀ = 13.4 µg/mL), cytotoxic with HCT-116 (IC₅₀ = 12.5 µg/mL), and anti-inflammatory (IC₅₀ = 26.6 µg/mL) activities, as well as showing the highest polyphenol content (207.9 mg GAE/g DW).

Prunus dulcis is one of the most widely cultivated species in the world. Its fruit (almond) is rich in various nutritious and bioactive compounds that exert several beneficial effects. The aim of this study was to determine the chemical profile and evaluate the biological potential in vitro of almond shell extracts. The chemical analysis of shell extracts led to the identification of 15 compounds by HPLC-DAD, of which 11 were first detected in the almond plant. Twenty-six volatile compounds were identified by the GC-MS technique; among them, seven were firstly detected in the studied plant. For the biological activities, the extracts demonstrated moderate inhibition potential against the antioxidant, antidiabetic, and cytotoxic activities. The methanol extract at 50 µg/mL showed the highest antioxidant (45%) and antidiabetic activities (45% against alpha-glucosidase and 31% against alpha-amylase extracts), while the cyclohexane and dichloromethane at 50 µg/mL showed the highest cytotoxic activity towards Hela (32.2% with cyclohexane) and RAW 264-7 (45% with dichloromethane). Overall, these findings demonstrate the potential of almond shell extracts as a source of bioactive compounds that could be applied in the pharmaceutical and medical fields.

Lupin is a high-protein legume crop that grows in a wide range of edaphoclimatic conditions where other crops are not viable. Its unique seed nutrient profile can promote health benefits, and it has been proposed as a phytoremediation plant. Most rhizobia nodulating Lupinus species belong to the genus Bradyrhizobium, comprising strains that are phylogenetically related to B. cytisi, B. hipponenese, B. rifense, B. iriomotense/B. stylosanthis, B. diazoefficiens, B. japonicum, B. canariense/B. lupini, and B. retamae/B. valentinum. Lupins are also nodulated by fast-growing bacteria within the genera Microvirga, Ochrobactrum, Devosia, Phyllobacterium, Agrobacterium, Rhizobium, and Neorhizobium. Phylogenetic analyses of the nod and nif genes, involved in microbial colonization and symbiotic nitrogen fixation, respectively, suggest that fast-growing lupin-nodulating bacteria have acquired their symbiotic genes from rhizobial genera other than Bradyrhizobium. Horizontal transfer represents a key mechanism allowing lupin to form symbioses with bacteria that were previously considered as non-symbiotic or unable to nodulate lupin, which might favor lupin’s adaptation to specific habitats. The characterization of yet-unstudied Lupinus species, including microsymbiont whole genome analyses, will most likely expand and modify the current lupin microsymbiont taxonomy, and provide additional knowledge that might help to further increase lupin’s adaptability to marginal soils and climates.