In this work, the effect of dyes extracted through the Naviglio method (an eco-innovative solid-liquid extraction technique) was tested, which proved interesting for such an extraction. The dyes extracted from Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller waste were treated to maximize the extraction of the coloring molecules. The extraction method was compared with conventional methods under the same conditions. The results showed that the extracts obtained with the different techniques, in the same extraction conditions (solvent, pH, temperature, time), were richer in the pigments for the extract obtained with the Naviglio method. The stability of the dyes was tested before the staining. A plant-based fiber, cotton, as well as an animal-based fiber, wool, were chosen for the staining tests. For the two types of fiber, two etching methods were used: one with rock alum, a method widely used to fix a color and one with lemon juice, a method used for a long time by rural populations who practiced the coloring of hides and tissues. In addition, the qualitative content of the pigments was also verified with an HPLC profile of the Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller extracts. Ultimately, the results suggest that the Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller fruit can be of great interest as a natural source of dyes and be used for tinctures.

Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) are a persistent environmental organic contaminant. The possibility of obtaining synergistic effects between plants and microorganisms has further increased the possibility of alternative techniques for bioremediation. Oloptum miliaceum (L.) Röser & H.R. Hamasha and Pennisetum setaceum (Forssk.) Chiov. are, undoubtedly, good model plants for phytoremediation because they have large roots, leaf biomass, and a fast and effective renewal capacity, also, they have a great capacity to host endophytes in their roots. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) based on carbon fraction number was a basic technique used to determine the hydrocarbon degradation, and microorganism’s population was identified by high-throughput sequencing of 16s rRNA. The microbial consortium used allows the plant to increase overall biomass, adapt more in terms of redox biology (Superoxide dismutase SOD, catalase CAT, ascorbate peroxidase APX, guaiacol peroxidase GPX), and stress markers (Glutathione S-transferase GST, Phenylalanine Ammonia Lyase PAL, Proline content, and lipid peroxidation MDA). In addition, the photosynthetic efficiency and the soil dehydrogenase activity were monitored. After 240 days, the percentage of TPHs removed in Group 2 was 94%, whereas in Group 1, it was 78% in Oloptum miliaceum and Pennisetum setaceum. The removal of aliphatic hydrocarbons (C₁₃–C₃₆) was observed in Oloptum miliaceum and Pennisetum setaceum inoculated with the consortium of indigenous bacteria selected from rhizosphere soil and mycorrhizae strains. Our data demonstrate that, the Poaceae, in relation to its great ecological and vegetative potential, could be a great candidate for extensive remediation of soils contaminated by TPHs.

• AMF and bacteria enhance PAHs degradation patways. • PAHs with 6 aromatic rings were drastically decreased. • Our findings depict a successful mycorrhization. • Soil enzymes activity increase over time. • Our microbial consortia enhanced the presence of PAHs degrading genes.

Mandarin, one of the winter fruits commonly used in the preparation of foods and juices, is a fruit native to China and Southeast Asia. In this work, essential oils (EOs) obtained from by-products of the Citrus reticulata Blanco flavedo of five cultivars present and cultivated within the Botanical Garden of Palermo were chemically and biologically studied: C. reticulata ‘Avana’ (C1), C. reticulata ‘Tardivo di Ciaculli’ (C2), C. reticulata ‘Bombajensis’ (C3), C. reticulata ‘Aurantifolia’ (C4), and C. reticulata ‘Padre Bernardino’ (C5). The GC and GC-MS analysis performed on all the extracted samples clearly highlighted the notable presence of limonene, a characteristic hydrocarbon monoterpene of EOs of the Citrus genus. C1, C2, C3, C4, and C5 were tested in relation to their possible antibacterial and allelopathic activity, also highlighting the activity of limonene, the main compound. For the antibacterial activity, eight different bacterial strains were used, both Gram-positive and Gram-negative (Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, and Enterobacter aerogens). For the allelopathic effect, two model systems were chosen: the germination of radish seeds (Raphanus sativus L.) and of spores in the moss Tortula muralis (Hedw.). The EOs from all cultivars showed pronounced antibacterial effects against all strains with an MIC comprised in the range of 16–256 μg/mL. Limonene showed the highest activity with an MIC between 4 and 16. The allelopathic effects showed a decrease in the percentage of seed germination, root, and epicotyl growth on Raphanus and a strong reduction in the germination of Tortula spores with an alteration in the development of the protonema. Limonene showed the same but more intense allelopathic activity.