Purslane is highly suitable for intensive microgreen cultivation due to its rapid growth, high germination rate, and exceptional nutritional profile, including omega-3 fatty acids, essential vitamins, and minerals. While previous studies have mostly emphasized its basic composition, our research investigated additional functional traits, such as pigment accumulation and antioxidant activity. We also explored the cultivation potential of a wild purslane genotype (G2), naturally growing in the Botanical Garden of the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, as a sustainable alternative to commercially available seeds (G1). This study examined how genotype and substrate interactions influence growth performance, pigment concentration, and antioxidant capacity in Portulaca oleracea microgreens. Both genotypes were grown on two different substrates: agar mixed with perlite and mineral wool. Although conserved DNA-derived polymorphism marker analysis revealed a high degree of genetic similarity between G1 and G2, significant phenotypic differences were observed. G1 exhibited greater fresh biomass and shoot length, making it more visually appealing for commercial microgreen production. In contrast, G2 showed higher dry matter content and enhanced accumulation of chlorophylls and carotenoids. Antioxidant activity, measured by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)), and FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) assays, peaked in G1 cultivated on agar–perlite mix. These findings emphasize the importance of selecting the right genotype–substrate combination to optimize both quality and productivity in microgreen systems.

Medicinal plants have been a part of human life from a very early age. In the field of plant genetics, they are still widely investigated for their genomic variability. This study used two DNA marker techniques to obtain polymorphic profiles in selected species from Lamiaceae. Both are based on the variability of plant genes that code for allergens - BBAP (Bet v 1-Based Amplicon Polymorphism) and PBAP (Profilin-Based Amplicon Polymorphism). Variability of Bet v 1 homologues within individual genomes showed similarity of basil and oregano as well as basil with common sage and rosemary with creeping thyme. PBAP profiles were the most similar profiles for basil and rosemary.

This study investigated whether miR-31-5p abundance in fresh Holstein bull semen is associated with post-thaw sperm resilience. The initial cohort comprised 36 Holstein bulls, from which 16 ejaculates representing the highest- and lowest-ranking post-thaw freezers were selected for epigenetic and molecular analyses. Fresh semen was analyzed for miR-31-5p, while BAX and BCL2 were evaluated at transcript and protein levels before and after cryopreservation. Post-thaw sperm quality was assessed using total motility, viability, JC-1 mitochondrial membrane potential, Annexin-negative spermatozoa, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and sperm DNA fragmentation. Cryopreservation significantly impaired sperm quality, increased ROS and DNA fragmentation, and shifted the molecular profile toward increased BAX and reduced BCL2. Ejaculates with superior post-thaw motility showed higher miR-31-5p levels, accompanied by better preservation of viability, mitochondrial function, non-apoptotic membrane status, lower ROS burden and DNA fragmentation after thawing. Fresh miR-31-5p was positively associated with post-thaw motility, viability, mitochondrial function, and Annexin-negative spermatozoa and negatively associated with post-thaw ROS. Our data support miR-31-5p as a potential candidate biomarker of sperm freezability in Holstein bulls.

Essential oils are widely studied for their natural antimicrobial properties, which are suitable for different fields of postharvest food preservation and plant protection. This study evaluated the chemical composition, antimicrobial activity, and stress-response modulation induced by Pinus sylvestris L. essential oil (PSEO) in Petroselinum crispum M. and Pyrus communis L. plant models. Headspace-Gas chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (HS-GC-MS) analysis identified a total of 18 volatile compounds with β-pinene (22.8%) as the major constituent. The antibacterial activity of PSEO was assessed against five plant-associated bacterial strains. PSEO showed the highest antibacterial activity against Xanthomonas arboricola, whereas Pseudomonas syringae was the least susceptible strain. MIC₅₀ and MIC₉₀ values ranged from 0.69 to 1.12 mg/mL. In situ assays demonstrated a clear concentration-dependent antimicrobial effect of PSEO in both parsley and pear matrices, with inhibition rates exceeding 60% at the highest tested concentration (500 µL/L). The influence of PSEO on plant stress responses was analyzed by qRT-PCR, assessing fold changes in PR10 gene expression. In parsley tissues, bacterial inoculation generally caused significant upregulation, with Priestia megaterium showing an 85.86-fold change, followed by P. syringae (5.93-fold change). In pear tissues, the strongest induction of PycPR10 expression was recorded for Pectobacterium carotovorum (408.33 up-regulated fold change) and P. syringae (3.23 up-regulated fold change). The correlation between essential oil composition and docking predictions suggests that antibacterial activity may reflect the combined contribution of multiple monoterpenes rather than a single dominant compound. These findings suggest that P. sylvestris essential oil may contribute to antimicrobial protection in plant tissues, particularly under vapor-phase application, although its direct in vitro activity against the tested strains was comparatively modest. To our knowledge, this is the first study to combine chemical characterization, antibacterial testing, and PR10 gene expression analysis to evaluate the dual antimicrobial and plant defense-modulating potential of PSEO. Graphical Abstract

Pseudocereals are increasingly consumed as healthier alternatives to traditional cereals due to their high micronutrient and phytonutrient content and gluten-free nature. However, information regarding their allergenic safety remains limited. Hypersensitivity reactions caused by homologous proteins from different dietary sources represent an important clinical issue. Based on the hypothesis that sequence homology may exist among cereal, pseudocereal, and pollen allergen - particularly PR-10 proteins and profilins, this study combined in silico and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approaches. The study summarizes available genomic data on allergens from selected pseudocereals, specifically Fagopyrum spp. and Amaranthus spp. In silico analysis was performed using BLAST to compare sequences of major cereal and pollen allergens, including Bet v 1 and profilins, with pseudocereal genomic data. In addition, key pseudocereal allergens were analyzed for homology with the genomes of commonly consumed cereals. Selected results were validated by PCR analysis. The findings demonstrate the presence of Bet v 1 and profilin homologs in the genomes of the studied pseudocereals. Furthermore, homologs of the major buckwheat allergen Fag e 1 were identified in wheat, barley, oats, and amaranth. These results provide evidence for potential cross-reactivity among cereal, pseudocereal, and pollen allergens. Improved understanding of these relationships may support the development of more accurate diagnostic tools and personalized management strategies for food-allergic individuals.

Avena sativa L. is the most typical cultivated oat species, highly valued as a good source of essential nutrients. Its genome stores a great mass of repetitive elements (86,95%) including Ty1-copia LTR-retrotransposons. Their activation in a stress environment was characterized in tobacco as a defence response. The genomic activity of OARE-1 was studied by PBS, IRAP DNA-based marker techniques and transcriptomic activity of OARE-1 was measured by qPCR in three varieties of oat including analysis of five morphological parts. Both DNA marker techniques were able to describe various profiles, PBS with 49 loci and PIC value of 0,303, IRAP with 218 loci and average PIC value of 0,291. A very variable fingerprint profiles were obtained, and no variety specificity was confirmed. The highest expression level of OARE-1 showed samples of root and the lowest levels of OARE-1 were expressed by chaff samples.