The main objective of this study was to increase the economic value of broccoli green agro-waste using three wet fractionation methods in the shadow of green biorefinery and the circular economy. Product candidates were obtained directly by using a mechanical press, and indirectly by using microwave coagulation or via lactic acid fermentation of green juice. The leaf protein concentrates (LPC) fractions displayed significantly higher dry matter content and crude protein content (34–39 m/m% on average) than the green juice fraction (27.4 m/m% on average), without considerable changes in the amino acids composition ratio. UHPLC-ESI-ORBITRAP-MS/MS analysis showed that kaemferol and quercetin are the most abundant flavonols, forming complexes with glycosides and hydroxycinnamic acids in green juice. Lacto-ermentation induced a considerable increase in the quantity of quercetin (48.75 μg·g⁻¹ dry weight) and kaempferol aglycons (895.26 μg·g⁻¹ dry weight) of LPC. In contrast, chlorogenic acid isomers and sulforaphane disappeared from LPC after lactic acid fermentation, while microwave treatment did not cause significant differences. These results confirm that both microwave treatment and lacto-fermentation coagulate and concentrate most of the soluble proteins. Also, these two processes affect the amount of valuable phytochemicals differently, so it should be considered when setting the goals.

The effects of progressive drought stress were examined in four economically important plant species belonging to the Lamiaceae family: catnip (Nepeta cataria L.), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.), holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum L.), and perilla mint (Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton). Plants were grown in a controlled pot experiment under three soil water capacity levels: 70% (control), 50% (moderate stress), and 30% (severe stress), and the drought stress lasted for 30 days. The study evaluated a comprehensive set of leaf micromorphological parameters, including the density and diameter of glandular trichomes, stomatal density and size, and the thickness of the lamina, mesophyll, epidermis, cuticle, and parenchymal layers. In addition, essential oil (EO) content, total flavonoid content (TFC), and elemental composition were analyzed. Drought responses were strongly species-specific. O. tenuiflorum, P. frutescens, and N. cataria showed high sensitivity characterized by reduced biomass and thinning of leaf tissues. These changes were accompanied by typical xeromorphic adaptations, such as increased stomatal and glandular trichome density, and reduced stomatal size. L. angustifolia exhibited pronounced cuticle thickening, suggesting an effective structural mechanism to minimize water loss. Secondary metabolism also responded differently among species. In some cases, drought shifted metabolic allocation toward flavonoid accumulation at the expense of essential oils, whereas in others, moderate stress promoted the co-accumulation of both compounds. These patterns indicate distinct adaptive strategies linking anatomical plasticity with metabolic regulation. Overall, moderate drought supported adaptive responses, while severe water limitation impaired growth and metabolic production. From a practical perspective, maintaining moderate soil water availability appears critical to optimize both plant performance and the accumulation of valuable secondary metabolites in Lamiaceae species.

Napjainkban növekvő érdeklődés mutatkozik a kereskedelmi forgalomban is megtalálható gyógygombák, azaz valamilyen pozitív élettani hatással bíró nagygombák fogyasztásának vagy alkalmazásának előnyei iránt általában, illetve a bőr öregedésének vonatkozásában. Tanulmányunk célja, hogy összefoglaljuk azokat a tudományos eredményeket, amelyek alátámasztják, hogy a Ganoderma lucidum bioaktív komponensei a bőr öregedési folyamatai ellen hatnak és hozzájárulnak annak fiatalon tartásához. Áttekintjük, milyen hatással vannak a gomba kivonatai a bőr, vagy a bőr sejtjeinek pigmentációjára, a sebgyógyulásra, a gyulladásra in vitro sejtkultúrákban és in vivo állatkísérletekben. Valamint megvizsgáljuk, melyek azok az esettanulmányok, illetve klinikai vizsgálatok, amik indokolttá teszik a pecsétviaszgomba széleskörű dermatoklinikai, kozmetikai alkalmazását.