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Carotenoids and phenylpropanoids play a dual role of limiting and countering photooxidative stress. We hypothesize that their “antioxidant” function is prominent in plants exposed to summer drought, when climatic conditions exacerbate the light stress. To test this, we conducted a field study on Phillyrea latifolia, a Mediterranean evergreen shrub, carrying out daily physiological and biochemical analyses in spring and summer. We also investigated the functional role of the major phenylpropanoids in different leaf tissues. Summer leaves underwent the most severe drought stress concomitantly with a reduction in radiation use efficiency upon being exposed to intense photooxidative stress, particularly during the central hours of the day. In parallel, a significant daily variation in both carotenoids and phenylpropanoids was observed. Our data suggest that the morning-to-midday increase in zeaxanthin derived from the hydroxylation of ß-carotene to sustain non-photochemical quenching and limit lipid peroxidation in thylakoid membranes. We observed substantial spring-to-summer and morning-to-midday increases in quercetin and luteolin derivatives, mostly in the leaf mesophyll. These findings highlight their importance as antioxidants, countering the drought-induced photooxidative stress. We concluded that seasonal and daily changes in photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic pigments may allow P. latifolia leaves to avoid irreversible photodamage and to cope successfully with the Mediterranean harsh climate.
Antonella Gori; Cecilia Brunetti; Luana Dos Santos Nascimento; Giovanni Marino; Lucia Guidi; Francesco Ferrini; Mauro Centritto; Alessio Fini; Massimiliano Tattini. Photoprotective Role of Photosynthetic and Non-Photosynthetic Pigments in Phillyrea latifolia: Is Their “Antioxidant” Function Prominent in Leaves Exposed to Severe Summer Drought? International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2021, 22, 8303 .
AMA StyleAntonella Gori, Cecilia Brunetti, Luana Dos Santos Nascimento, Giovanni Marino, Lucia Guidi, Francesco Ferrini, Mauro Centritto, Alessio Fini, Massimiliano Tattini. Photoprotective Role of Photosynthetic and Non-Photosynthetic Pigments in Phillyrea latifolia: Is Their “Antioxidant” Function Prominent in Leaves Exposed to Severe Summer Drought? International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021; 22 (15):8303.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAntonella Gori; Cecilia Brunetti; Luana Dos Santos Nascimento; Giovanni Marino; Lucia Guidi; Francesco Ferrini; Mauro Centritto; Alessio Fini; Massimiliano Tattini. 2021. "Photoprotective Role of Photosynthetic and Non-Photosynthetic Pigments in Phillyrea latifolia: Is Their “Antioxidant” Function Prominent in Leaves Exposed to Severe Summer Drought?" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22, no. 15: 8303.
Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOCs) include many chemical compounds emitted by plants into the atmosphere. These compounds have a great effect on biosphere–atmosphere interactions and may affect the concentration of atmospheric pollutants, with further consequences on human health and forest ecosystems. Novel methods to measure and determine BVOCs in the atmosphere are of compelling importance considering the ongoing climate changes. In this study, we developed a fast and easy-to-handle analytical methodology to sample these compounds in field experiments using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibers at the atmospheric level. An improvement of BVOCs adsorption from SPME fibers was obtained by coupling the fibers with fans to create a dynamic sampling system. This innovative technique was tested sampling Q. ilex BVOCs in field conditions in comparison with the conventional static SPME sampling technique. The results showed a great potential of this dynamic sampling system to collect BVOCs at the atmosphere level, improving the efficiency and sensitivity of SPME fibers. Indeed, our novel device was able to reduce the sampling time, increase the amount of BVOCs collected through the fibers and add information regarding the emissions of these compounds at the environmental level.
Dalila Pasquini; Antonella Gori; Francesco Ferrini; Cecilia Brunetti. An Improvement of SPME-Based Sampling Technique to Collect Volatile Organic Compounds from Quercus ilex at the Environmental Level. Metabolites 2021, 11, 388 .
AMA StyleDalila Pasquini, Antonella Gori, Francesco Ferrini, Cecilia Brunetti. An Improvement of SPME-Based Sampling Technique to Collect Volatile Organic Compounds from Quercus ilex at the Environmental Level. Metabolites. 2021; 11 (6):388.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDalila Pasquini; Antonella Gori; Francesco Ferrini; Cecilia Brunetti. 2021. "An Improvement of SPME-Based Sampling Technique to Collect Volatile Organic Compounds from Quercus ilex at the Environmental Level." Metabolites 11, no. 6: 388.
The use of plant extracts in skin-care cosmetics is a modern trend due to their richness in polyphenols that act as anti-aging molecules. Hibiscus roseus is a perennial species naturalized in Italy, with beautiful soft pink flowers; its phenolic composition and biological activities have not been studied yet. The aim of this study was to characterize and quantify the phenolics and to evaluate the antioxidant, sun protection factor (SPF), and anti-collagenase activities of the ethanolic extracts of H. roseus leaves (HL) and flowers (HF). p-Coumaric, chlorogenic, and trans-ferulic acids derivatives as well as quercetin and kaempferol flavonoids were the main phenolic compounds detected. Catechin, epicatechin, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, kaempferol-7-O-glucoside, tiliroside, oenin, and peonidin-3-O-glucoside were detected only in HF, while phloridzin was exclusive from HL, which also showed greater amounts of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives. HF was richer in flavonoids and total phenolics, also exhibiting greater antioxidant capacity. The SPF and anti-collagenase activity of both extracts were similar and comparable to those of synthetic standards. The overall results demonstrate that H. roseus extracts are promising sources of bioactive phenolic compounds that could be potentially applied as anti-aging agents in skin-care cosmetics.
Luana Dos Santos Nascimento; Antonella Gori; Andrea Raffaelli; Francesco Ferrini; Cecilia Brunetti. Phenolic Compounds from Leaves and Flowers of Hibiscus roseus: Potential Skin Cosmetic Applications of an Under-Investigated Species. Plants 2021, 10, 522 .
AMA StyleLuana Dos Santos Nascimento, Antonella Gori, Andrea Raffaelli, Francesco Ferrini, Cecilia Brunetti. Phenolic Compounds from Leaves and Flowers of Hibiscus roseus: Potential Skin Cosmetic Applications of an Under-Investigated Species. Plants. 2021; 10 (3):522.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLuana Dos Santos Nascimento; Antonella Gori; Andrea Raffaelli; Francesco Ferrini; Cecilia Brunetti. 2021. "Phenolic Compounds from Leaves and Flowers of Hibiscus roseus: Potential Skin Cosmetic Applications of an Under-Investigated Species." Plants 10, no. 3: 522.
Pistacia lentiscus leaves are used in several applications, thanks to their polyphenolic abundance. Thiswork aimed to characterize the polyphenols and to optimize the extraction conditions to shorten the time, decrease the consumption of solvent, and to maximize the yield of different classes of phenolics, which have diverse industrial applications. The variables were optimized by applying a Box–Behnken design. Galloyl and myricetin derivatives were the most abundant compounds, and two new tetragalloyl derivatives were identified by LC-MS/MS. According to the models, the maximum yields of polyphenols (51.3 ± 1.8 mg g−1 DW) and tannins (40.2 ± 1.4 mg g−1 DW) were obtained using 0.12 L g−1 of 40% ethanol at 50 °C. The highest content of flavonoids (10.2 ± 0.8 mg g−1 DW) was obtained using 0.13 L g−1 of 50% ethanol at 50 °C, while 0.1 L g−1 of 30% ethanol at 30 °C resulted in higher amounts of myricitrin (2.6 ± 0.19 mg g−1 DW). Our optimized extraction decreased the ethanolic fraction by 25% and halved the time compared to other methods. These conditions can be applied differently to obtain P. lentiscus extracts richer in tannins or flavonoids, which might be employed for various purposes.
Cassandra Detti; Luana Dos Santos Nascimento; Cecilia Brunetti; Francesco Ferrini; Antonella Gori. Optimization of a Green Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Different Polyphenols from Pistacia lentiscus L. Leaves Using a Response Surface Methodology. Plants 2020, 9, 1482 .
AMA StyleCassandra Detti, Luana Dos Santos Nascimento, Cecilia Brunetti, Francesco Ferrini, Antonella Gori. Optimization of a Green Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Different Polyphenols from Pistacia lentiscus L. Leaves Using a Response Surface Methodology. Plants. 2020; 9 (11):1482.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCassandra Detti; Luana Dos Santos Nascimento; Cecilia Brunetti; Francesco Ferrini; Antonella Gori. 2020. "Optimization of a Green Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Different Polyphenols from Pistacia lentiscus L. Leaves Using a Response Surface Methodology." Plants 9, no. 11: 1482.
Cistus x incanus L. is a Mediterranean evergreen shrub used in folk medicine for the treatment of inflammatory disorders but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. We therefore investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of an ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) from C. x incanus L. leaves on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. HPLC analysis revealed myricetin and quercetin derivatives to be the major compounds in EAF; EAF up to 1 µM of total phenolic content, was not cytotoxic and inhibited the mRNA expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) (p < 0.05) and the production of prostaglandins E2 (PGE2) (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, EAF triggered the mRNA expression of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and elicited the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), as well as the expression of its main target gene, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) (p < 0.05). These data indicate that EAF attenuates experimental inflammation via the inhibition of proinflammatory mediators and at least in part, by the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. These effects are likely due to myricetin and quercetin derivatives but the role of other, less abundant components cannot be excluded. Further studies to confirm the relevance of our findings in animal models and to highlight the relative contribution of each component to the anti-inflammatory activity of EAF should be conducted.
Mario D’Ambrosio; Elisabetta Bigagli; Lorenzo Cinci; Antonella Gori; Cecilia Brunetti; Francesco Ferrini; Cristina Luceri. Ethyl acetate extract from Cistus x incanus L. leaves enriched in myricetin and quercetin derivatives, inhibits inflammatory mediators and activates Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C 2020, 76, 79 -86.
AMA StyleMario D’Ambrosio, Elisabetta Bigagli, Lorenzo Cinci, Antonella Gori, Cecilia Brunetti, Francesco Ferrini, Cristina Luceri. Ethyl acetate extract from Cistus x incanus L. leaves enriched in myricetin and quercetin derivatives, inhibits inflammatory mediators and activates Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C. 2020; 76 (1-2):79-86.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMario D’Ambrosio; Elisabetta Bigagli; Lorenzo Cinci; Antonella Gori; Cecilia Brunetti; Francesco Ferrini; Cristina Luceri. 2020. "Ethyl acetate extract from Cistus x incanus L. leaves enriched in myricetin and quercetin derivatives, inhibits inflammatory mediators and activates Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages." Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C 76, no. 1-2: 79-86.
Ocimum basilicum (basil) leaves are rich in polyphenols, conferring them a high antioxidant activity. The application of UV-B can be used to maintain the post-harvest nutraceutical quality of basil leaves. We aimed to investigate the effects of pre-harvest UV-B application on polyphenolic and pigment contents, antioxidant capacity, and the visual quality of basil stored leaves. We also evaluated the applicability of the non-invasive Dualex® for monitoring the accumulation of leaf epidermal phenolics (Flav Index). After exposing plants to white light (control) and to supplemental UV-B radiation for 4 d, the leaves were harvested and stored for 7d (TS7). The UV-B leaves showed both a higher phenolic content and antioxidant capacity than the controls at TS7. In addition, the correlations between the Flav Index and phenolic content demonstrated that Dualex® can reliably assess the content of epidermal phenolics, thus confirming its promising utilization as a non-destructive method for monitoring the phytochemical quality of O. basilicum leaves. In conclusion, a pre-harvesting UV-B application may be a tool for enhancing the content of polyphenols and the antioxidant potential of basil stored leaves without detrimental effects on their visual quality. These results are important considering the nutraceutical value of this plant and its wide commercial distribution.
Luana Beatriz Dos S. Nascimento; Cecilia Brunetti; Giovanni Agati; Clara Lo Iacono; Cassandra Detti; Edgardo Giordani; Francesco Ferrini; Antonella Gori. Short-Term Pre-Harvest UV-B Supplement Enhances the Polyphenol Content and Antioxidant Capacity of Ocimum basilicum Leaves during Storage. Plants 2020, 9, 797 .
AMA StyleLuana Beatriz Dos S. Nascimento, Cecilia Brunetti, Giovanni Agati, Clara Lo Iacono, Cassandra Detti, Edgardo Giordani, Francesco Ferrini, Antonella Gori. Short-Term Pre-Harvest UV-B Supplement Enhances the Polyphenol Content and Antioxidant Capacity of Ocimum basilicum Leaves during Storage. Plants. 2020; 9 (6):797.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLuana Beatriz Dos S. Nascimento; Cecilia Brunetti; Giovanni Agati; Clara Lo Iacono; Cassandra Detti; Edgardo Giordani; Francesco Ferrini; Antonella Gori. 2020. "Short-Term Pre-Harvest UV-B Supplement Enhances the Polyphenol Content and Antioxidant Capacity of Ocimum basilicum Leaves during Storage." Plants 9, no. 6: 797.
It is known that the urban environment amplifies the effects of climate change, sometimes with disastrous consequences that put people at risk. These aspects can be affected by urban vegetation and planting design but, while there are thousands of papers related to the effects of climate change, a relatively limited number of them are directly aimed at investigating the role of vegetation as a mitigating factor in the urban context. This paper focuses on reviewing the research on the role of urban vegetation in alleviating the adverse conditions of the urban environment in order to provide some practical guidelines to be applied by city planners. Through an analysis of the documents found in Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using urban vegetation and climate change-related keywords we selected five major issues related to the urban environment: (1) particulate matter, (2) gaseous pollution, (3) noise pollution, (4) water runoff, (5) urban heat island effect. The analysis of existing knowledge reported here indicates that the roles of urban vegetation on the adverse effect of climate change could not be simply deemed positive or negative, because the role of urban green is also strongly linked to the structure, composition, and distribution of vegetation, as well as to the criteria used for management. Therefore, it could help to better understand the roles of urban green as a complex system and provide the foundation for future studies.
Francesco Ferrini; Alessio Fini; Jacopo Mori; Antonella Gori. Role of Vegetation as a Mitigating Factor in the Urban Context. Sustainability 2020, 12, 4247 .
AMA StyleFrancesco Ferrini, Alessio Fini, Jacopo Mori, Antonella Gori. Role of Vegetation as a Mitigating Factor in the Urban Context. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (10):4247.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancesco Ferrini; Alessio Fini; Jacopo Mori; Antonella Gori. 2020. "Role of Vegetation as a Mitigating Factor in the Urban Context." Sustainability 12, no. 10: 4247.
Mediterranean plants biosynthesize high amounts of polyphenols, which are important health-promoting compounds. Leaf polyphenolic composition changes according to environmental conditions. Therefore, it is crucial to know the temporal variation in their production. This study aimed to: i) evaluate the monthly and daily changes in polyphenols of Phyllirea latifolia, Cistus incanus, and Pistacia lentiscus to identify their best harvesting moment, ii) verify the possible correlations between phenolic production and temperature and irradiation, iii) evaluate their antioxidant capacity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radical (OH)scavenging assays. The extracts of leaves harvested at 8:00, 13:00 and 18:00, in May, July, and October for two years were analysed by HPLC-DAD. Both “month” and “time of the day” affected the polyphenolic content in all species. July at 13:00 was the best harvesting moment for all polyphenolic classes of P. latifolia and only for some classes of C. incanus and P. lentiscus. Environmental parameters positively correlated with the polyphenols of C. incanus and P. latifolia, while the antioxidant capacity only varied in this last species, reaching the highest value in July. Results of the study allow to determine the balsamic time for each species. Moreover, the relationship between polyphenols and environmental data can be useful for the cultivation of these plants under controlled conditions.
Antonella Gori; Luana Beatriz Nascimento; Francesco Ferrini; Mauro Centritto; Cecilia Brunetti. Seasonal and Diurnal Variation in Leaf Phenolics of Three Medicinal Mediterranean Wild Species: What Is the Best Harvesting Moment to Obtain the Richest and the Most Antioxidant Extracts? Molecules 2020, 25, 956 .
AMA StyleAntonella Gori, Luana Beatriz Nascimento, Francesco Ferrini, Mauro Centritto, Cecilia Brunetti. Seasonal and Diurnal Variation in Leaf Phenolics of Three Medicinal Mediterranean Wild Species: What Is the Best Harvesting Moment to Obtain the Richest and the Most Antioxidant Extracts? Molecules. 2020; 25 (4):956.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAntonella Gori; Luana Beatriz Nascimento; Francesco Ferrini; Mauro Centritto; Cecilia Brunetti. 2020. "Seasonal and Diurnal Variation in Leaf Phenolics of Three Medicinal Mediterranean Wild Species: What Is the Best Harvesting Moment to Obtain the Richest and the Most Antioxidant Extracts?" Molecules 25, no. 4: 956.
Waste orange peel represents a heavy burden for the orange juice industry, estimated in several million tons per year worldwide; nevertheless, this by-product is endowed with valuable bioactive compounds, such as pectin, polyphenols, and terpenes. The potential value of the waste orange peel has stimulated the search for extraction processes, alternative or complementary to landfilling or to the integral energy conversion. This study introduces controlled hydrodynamic cavitation as a new route to the integral valorization of this by-product, based on simple equipment, speed, effectiveness and efficiency, scalability, and compliance with green extraction principles. Waste orange peel, in batches of several kg, was processed in more than 100 L of water, without any other raw materials, in a device comprising a Venturi-shaped cavitation reactor. The extractions of pectin (with a remarkably low degree of esterification), polyphenols (flavanones and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives), and terpenes (mainly d-limonene) were effective and efficient (high yields within a few min of process time). The biomethane generation potential of the process residues was determined. The achieved results proved the viability of the proposed route to the integral valorization of waste orange peel, though wide margins exist for further improvements.
Francesco Meneguzzo; Cecilia Brunetti; Alexandra Fidalgo; Rosaria Ciriminna; Riccardo DeLisi; Lorenzo Albanese; Federica Zabini; Antonella Gori; Luana Beatriz Dos Santos Nascimento; Anna De Carlo; Francesco Ferrini; Laura M. Ilharco; Mario Pagliaro. Real-Scale Integral Valorization of Waste Orange Peel via Hydrodynamic Cavitation. Processes 2019, 7, 581 .
AMA StyleFrancesco Meneguzzo, Cecilia Brunetti, Alexandra Fidalgo, Rosaria Ciriminna, Riccardo DeLisi, Lorenzo Albanese, Federica Zabini, Antonella Gori, Luana Beatriz Dos Santos Nascimento, Anna De Carlo, Francesco Ferrini, Laura M. Ilharco, Mario Pagliaro. Real-Scale Integral Valorization of Waste Orange Peel via Hydrodynamic Cavitation. Processes. 2019; 7 (9):581.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancesco Meneguzzo; Cecilia Brunetti; Alexandra Fidalgo; Rosaria Ciriminna; Riccardo DeLisi; Lorenzo Albanese; Federica Zabini; Antonella Gori; Luana Beatriz Dos Santos Nascimento; Anna De Carlo; Francesco Ferrini; Laura M. Ilharco; Mario Pagliaro. 2019. "Real-Scale Integral Valorization of Waste Orange Peel via Hydrodynamic Cavitation." Processes 7, no. 9: 581.
Molecular mechanisms that are the base of the strategies adopted by Mediterranean plants to cope with the challenges imposed by limited or excessive solar radiation during the summer season have received limited attention. In our study, conducted on C. incanus plants growing in the shade or in full sunlight, we performed measurements of relevant physiological traits, such as leaf water potential, gas exchange and PSII photochemistry, RNA-Seq with de-novo assembly, and the analysis of differentially expressed genes. We also identified and quantified photosynthetic pigments, abscisic acid, and flavonoids. Here, we show major mechanisms regulating light perception and signaling which, in turn, sustain the shade avoidance syndrome displayed by the 'sun loving' C. incanus. We offer clear evidence of the detrimental effects of excessive light on both the assembly and the stability of PSII, and the activation of a suite of both repair and effective antioxidant mechanisms in sun-adapted leaves. For instance, our study supports the view of major antioxidant functions of zeaxanthin in sunny plants concomitantly challenged by severe drought stress. Finally, our study confirms the multiple functions served by flavonoids, both flavonols and flavanols, in the adaptive mechanisms of plants to the environmental pressures associated to Mediterranean climate.
Federico Sebastiani; Sara Torre; Antonella Gori; Cecilia Brunetti; Mauro Centritto; Francesco Ferrini; Massimiliano Tattini. Dissecting Adaptation Mechanisms to Contrasting Solar Irradiance in the Mediterranean Shrub Cistus incanus. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2019, 20, 3599 .
AMA StyleFederico Sebastiani, Sara Torre, Antonella Gori, Cecilia Brunetti, Mauro Centritto, Francesco Ferrini, Massimiliano Tattini. Dissecting Adaptation Mechanisms to Contrasting Solar Irradiance in the Mediterranean Shrub Cistus incanus. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2019; 20 (14):3599.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFederico Sebastiani; Sara Torre; Antonella Gori; Cecilia Brunetti; Mauro Centritto; Francesco Ferrini; Massimiliano Tattini. 2019. "Dissecting Adaptation Mechanisms to Contrasting Solar Irradiance in the Mediterranean Shrub Cistus incanus." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 20, no. 14: 3599.
After an unpreceded physical separation occurred since the Industrial revolution, at present there is growing understanding that depriving humans from their connections with nature reduces mental, physical and social well-being. Accordingly, urban edible landscaping is now booming worldwide but, although UE is adopting policies supporting food production within the boundaries of many cities, research and knowledge on design and management practices for urban food forestry is still limited and no common guidelines for fruit production in urban areas are available. In particular, the urban environment is a pollution hotspot, and knowledge about the uptake and translocation of pollutants to a plant edible part is needed to match food security to food safety of edible landscapes. Widespread heavy metal pollution in urban soils sets the need of understanding the species-specific patterns of metal translocation within the plant and to its edible parts. Most common strategies include: exclusion, passive accumulation and active accumulation, but mechanisms are known only for very a limited number of woody edible species. Particulate matter and atmospheric can be other appreciable, soil-independent, sources of pollution for food cultivated in urban sites. Airborne metals can directly enter into the fruit or be absorbed by leaf through stomata and then translocated. Existing knowledge and gaps about metal uptake through leaf and re-distribution within the plant are reviewed here. This knowledge may guide species and cultivar selection to produce healthy food in urban sites and might be a pre-requisite to drive planning and management of edible landscapes with a higher degree of ecological complexity than urban orchards, such as urban food forests.
Antonella Gori; Francesco Ferrini; Alessio Fini. Reprint of: Growing healthy food under heavy metal pollution load: Overview and major challenges of tree based edible landscapes. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 2019, 45, 126292 .
AMA StyleAntonella Gori, Francesco Ferrini, Alessio Fini. Reprint of: Growing healthy food under heavy metal pollution load: Overview and major challenges of tree based edible landscapes. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. 2019; 45 ():126292.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAntonella Gori; Francesco Ferrini; Alessio Fini. 2019. "Reprint of: Growing healthy food under heavy metal pollution load: Overview and major challenges of tree based edible landscapes." Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 45, no. : 126292.
Seaweed-based extracts have been recently employed as sustainable tools to improve abiotic stress tolerance and increase grape quality. However, the effect of these extracts on secondary metabolism compounds, that are fundamental for grape and wine quality, is still scarce. In the present study, the effects of foliar treatments with an Ascophyllum nodosum extract on physiological and biochemical parameters of Vitis vinifera (cv. Sangiovese) were investigated. We hypothesized an enhancement in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in berry skins and in leaves in response to these treatments, effective in improve grape quality and help vines to cope with abiotic stresses. Gas exchanges, chlorophyll fluorescence and midday stem water potential on leaves treated with A. nodosum extract and non-treated control leaves, were monitored over two growing seasons at three phenological stages: full véraison, mid maturation and full maturation. In addition, anthocyanins, flavonols and hydroxycinnamic acids were quantified both in berry skins and in leaves. The foliar treatments with A. nodosum increased photosynthesis and stomatal conductance in treated compared to control plants. Furthermore, extract-treated vines were able to maintain the potential efficiency of photosystem II close to the optimal value even during the hottest periods. No effect of A. nodosum extract treatments was observed on stem water potential. A. nodosum applications delayed berry ripening, leading to a lower sugar content and a higher anthocyanin content in treated berry skins. Interestingly, treatments also affected the content and the partitioning of secondary metabolites in berry skins, as anthocyanins and flavonols contents were higher in treated compared to control plants, while the ratio of methoxylated to non-methoxylated anthocyanins was lower in treated than in control vines. Furthermore, A. nodosum extract-treated plants also had higher content of flavonols and hydroxycinnamic acids both in berry skins and in leaves and showed a reduction in the biosynthesis of methoxylated anthocyanins, which are usually accumulated in grapes under environmental constraints. Considering the challenges posed by climate change in the Mediterranean basin, the use of seaweed extracts might represent a sustainable tool to mitigate the increasing severity of drought, often associated to heat-waves, on the viticulture sector.
Linda Salvi; Cecilia Brunetti; Eleonora Cataldo; Alberto Niccolai; Mauro Centritto; Francesco Ferrini; Giovan Battista Mattii. Effects of Ascophyllum nodosum extract on Vitis vinifera: Consequences on plant physiology, grape quality and secondary metabolism. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 2019, 139, 21 -32.
AMA StyleLinda Salvi, Cecilia Brunetti, Eleonora Cataldo, Alberto Niccolai, Mauro Centritto, Francesco Ferrini, Giovan Battista Mattii. Effects of Ascophyllum nodosum extract on Vitis vinifera: Consequences on plant physiology, grape quality and secondary metabolism. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry. 2019; 139 ():21-32.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLinda Salvi; Cecilia Brunetti; Eleonora Cataldo; Alberto Niccolai; Mauro Centritto; Francesco Ferrini; Giovan Battista Mattii. 2019. "Effects of Ascophyllum nodosum extract on Vitis vinifera: Consequences on plant physiology, grape quality and secondary metabolism." Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 139, no. : 21-32.
After an unpreceded physical separation occurred since the Industrial revolution, at present there is growing understanding that depriving humans from their connections with nature reduces mental, physical and social well-being. Accordingly, urban edible landscaping is now booming worldwide but, although UE is adopting policies supporting food production within the boundaries of many cities, research and knowledge on design and management practices for urban food forestry is still limited and no common guidelines for fruit production in urban areas are available. In particular, the urban environment is a pollution hotspot, and knowledge about the uptake and translocation of pollutants to a plant edible part is needed to match food security to food safety of edible landscapes. Widespread heavy metal pollution in urban soils sets the need of understanding the species-specific patterns of metal translocation within the plant and to its edible parts. Most common strategies include: exclusion, passive accumulation and active accumulation, but mechanisms are known only for very a limited number of woody edible species. Particulate matter and atmospheric can be other appreciable, soil-independent, sources of pollution for food cultivated in urban sites. Airborne metals can directly enter into the fruit or be absorbed by leaf through stomata and then translocated. Existing knowledge and gaps about metal uptake through leaf and re-distribution within the plant are reviewed here. This knowledge may guide species and cultivar selection to produce healthy food in urban sites and might be a pre-requisite to drive planning and management of edible landscapes with a higher degree of ecological complexity than urban orchards, such as urban food forests.
Antonella Gori; Francesco Ferrini; Alessio Fini. Growing healthy food under heavy metal pollution load: Overview and major challenges of tree based edible landscapes. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 2019, 38, 403 -406.
AMA StyleAntonella Gori, Francesco Ferrini, Alessio Fini. Growing healthy food under heavy metal pollution load: Overview and major challenges of tree based edible landscapes. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. 2019; 38 ():403-406.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAntonella Gori; Francesco Ferrini; Alessio Fini. 2019. "Growing healthy food under heavy metal pollution load: Overview and major challenges of tree based edible landscapes." Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 38, no. : 403-406.
Over the past decades, introduction of many fast-growing hygrophilic, and economically valuable plants into xeric environments has occurred. However, production and even survival of these species may be threatened by harsh climatic conditions unless an effective physiological and metabolic plasticity is available. Moringa oleifera Lam., a multipurpose tree originating from humid sub-tropical regions of India, is widely cultivated in many arid countries because of its multiple uses. We tested whether M. oleifera can adjust primary and secondary metabolism to efficiently cope with increasing water stress. It is shown that M. oleifera possesses an effective isohydric behavior. Water stress induced a quick and strong stomatal closure, driven by abscisic acid (ABA) accumulation, and leading to photosynthesis inhibition with consequent negative effects on biomass production. However, photochemistry was not impaired and maximal fluorescence and saturating photosynthesis remained unaffected in stressed leaves. We report for the first time that M. oleifera produces isoprene, and show that isoprene emission increased three-fold during stress progression. It is proposed that higher isoprene biosynthesis helps leaves cope with water stress through its antioxidant or membrane stabilizing action, and also indicates a general MEP (methylerythritol 4-phosphate) pathway activation that further helps protect photosynthesis under water stress. Increased concentrations of antioxidant flavonoids were also observed in water stressed leaves, and probably cooperate in limiting irreversible effects of the stress in M. oleifera leaves. The observed metabolic and phenotypic plasticity may facilitate the establishment of M. oleifera in xeric environments, sustaining the economic and environmental value of this plant.
Cecilia Brunetti; Francesco Loreto; Francesco Ferrini; Antonella Gori; Lucia Guidi; Damiano Remorini; Mauro Centritto; Alessio Fini; Massimiliano Tattini. Metabolic plasticity in the hygrophyte Moringa oleifera exposed to water stress. Tree Physiology 2018, 38, 1640 -1654.
AMA StyleCecilia Brunetti, Francesco Loreto, Francesco Ferrini, Antonella Gori, Lucia Guidi, Damiano Remorini, Mauro Centritto, Alessio Fini, Massimiliano Tattini. Metabolic plasticity in the hygrophyte Moringa oleifera exposed to water stress. Tree Physiology. 2018; 38 (11):1640-1654.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCecilia Brunetti; Francesco Loreto; Francesco Ferrini; Antonella Gori; Lucia Guidi; Damiano Remorini; Mauro Centritto; Alessio Fini; Massimiliano Tattini. 2018. "Metabolic plasticity in the hygrophyte Moringa oleifera exposed to water stress." Tree Physiology 38, no. 11: 1640-1654.
Francesco Ferrini. Applied Tree Biology, Andrew Hirons, Peter Thomas, Editor Wiley Blackwell (2018), 411 pp., ISBN: 9781118296400, LCCN: 2017039501. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 2017, 31, 261 .
AMA StyleFrancesco Ferrini. Applied Tree Biology, Andrew Hirons, Peter Thomas, Editor Wiley Blackwell (2018), 411 pp., ISBN: 9781118296400, LCCN: 2017039501. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. 2017; 31 ():261.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancesco Ferrini. 2017. "Applied Tree Biology, Andrew Hirons, Peter Thomas, Editor Wiley Blackwell (2018), 411 pp., ISBN: 9781118296400, LCCN: 2017039501." Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 31, no. : 261.
Isoprene is synthesized through the 2-C-methylerythritol-5-phosphate (MEP) pathway that also produces abscisic acid (ABA). Increases in foliar free ABA concentration during drought induce stomatal closure and may also alter ethylene biosynthesis. We hypothesized a role of isoprene biosynthesis in protecting plants challenged by increasing water deficit, by influencing ABA production and ethylene evolution. We performed a split-root experiment on Populus nigra L. subjected to three water treatments: well-watered (WW) plants with both root sectors kept at pot capacity, plants with both root compartments allowed to dry for 5 days (DD) and plants with one-half of the roots irrigated to pot capacity, while the other half did not receive water (WD). WD and WW plants were similar in photosynthesis, water relations, foliar ABA concentration and isoprene emission, whereas these parameters were significantly affected in DD plants: leaf isoprene emission increased despite the fact that photosynthesis declined by 85% and the ABA-glucoside/free ABA ratio decreased significantly. Enhanced isoprene biosynthesis in water-stressed poplars may have contributed to sustaining leaf ABA biosynthesis by keeping the MEP pathway active. However, this enhancement in ABA was accompanied by no change in ethylene biosynthesis, likely confirming the antagonistic role between ABA and ethylene. These results may indicate a potential cross-talk among isoprene, ABA and ethylene under drought.
Giovanni Marino; Cecilia Brunetti; Massimiliano Tattini; Andrea Romano; Franco Biasioli; Roberto Tognetti; Francesco Loreto; Francesco Ferrini; Mauro Centritto. Dissecting the role of isoprene and stress-related hormones (ABA and ethylene) in Populus nigra exposed to unequal root zone water stress. Tree Physiology 2017, 37, 1637 -1647.
AMA StyleGiovanni Marino, Cecilia Brunetti, Massimiliano Tattini, Andrea Romano, Franco Biasioli, Roberto Tognetti, Francesco Loreto, Francesco Ferrini, Mauro Centritto. Dissecting the role of isoprene and stress-related hormones (ABA and ethylene) in Populus nigra exposed to unequal root zone water stress. Tree Physiology. 2017; 37 (12):1637-1647.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiovanni Marino; Cecilia Brunetti; Massimiliano Tattini; Andrea Romano; Franco Biasioli; Roberto Tognetti; Francesco Loreto; Francesco Ferrini; Mauro Centritto. 2017. "Dissecting the role of isoprene and stress-related hormones (ABA and ethylene) in Populus nigra exposed to unequal root zone water stress." Tree Physiology 37, no. 12: 1637-1647.
Photosynthetic performance and the expression of genes involved in light signaling and the biosynthesis of isoprenoids and phenylpropanoids were analysed in green (‘Tigullio’, TIG) and red (‘Red Rubin’, RR) basil. The aim was to detect the physiological and molecular response mechanisms to high sunlight. The attenuation of blue-green light by epidermal anthocyanins was shown to evoke shade-avoidance responses with consequential effects on leaf morpho-anatomical traits and gas exchange performance. Red basil had a lower mesophyll conductance, partially compensated by the less effective control of stomatal movements, in comparison with TIG. Photosynthesis decreased more in TIG than in RR in high sunlight, because of larger stomatal limitations and the transient impairment of PSII photochemistry. The methylerythritol 4-phosphate pathway promoted above all the synthesis and de-epoxidation of violaxanthin-cycle pigments in TIG and of neoxanthin and lutein in RR. This enabled the green leaves to process the excess radiant energy effectively, and the red leaves to optimize light harvesting and photoprotection. The greater stomatal closure observed in TIG than in RR was due to enhanced abscisic acid (ABA) glucose ester deglucosylation and reduced ABA oxidation, rather than to superior de novo ABA synthesis. This study shows a strong competition between anthocyanin and flavonol biosynthesis, which occurs at the level of genes regulating the oxidation of the C2–C3 bond in the dihydro-flavonoid skeleton.
Massimiliano Tattini; Federico Sebastiani; Cecilia Brunetti; Alessio Fini; Sara Torre; Antonella Gori; Mauro Centritto; Francesco Ferrini; Marco Landi; Lucia Guidi. Dissecting molecular and physiological response mechanisms to high solar radiation in cyanic and acyanic leaves: a case study on red and green basil. Journal of Experimental Botany 2017, 68, 2425 -2437.
AMA StyleMassimiliano Tattini, Federico Sebastiani, Cecilia Brunetti, Alessio Fini, Sara Torre, Antonella Gori, Mauro Centritto, Francesco Ferrini, Marco Landi, Lucia Guidi. Dissecting molecular and physiological response mechanisms to high solar radiation in cyanic and acyanic leaves: a case study on red and green basil. Journal of Experimental Botany. 2017; 68 (9):2425-2437.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMassimiliano Tattini; Federico Sebastiani; Cecilia Brunetti; Alessio Fini; Sara Torre; Antonella Gori; Mauro Centritto; Francesco Ferrini; Marco Landi; Lucia Guidi. 2017. "Dissecting molecular and physiological response mechanisms to high solar radiation in cyanic and acyanic leaves: a case study on red and green basil." Journal of Experimental Botany 68, no. 9: 2425-2437.
Cistus incanus (Cistaceae) is a Mediterranean evergreen shrub. Cistus incanus herbal teas have been used as a general remedy in traditional medicine since ancient times. Recent studies on the antioxidant properties of its aqueous extracts have indicated polyphenols to be the most active compounds. However, a whole chemical characterisation of polyphenolic compounds in leaves of Cistus incanus (C. incanus) is still lacking. Moreover, limited data is available on the contribution of different polyphenolic compounds towards the total antioxidant capacity of its extracts. The purpose of this study was to characterise the major polyphenolic compounds present in a crude ethanolic leaf extract (CEE) of C. incanus and develop a method for their fractionation. Superoxide anion, hydroxyl and DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assays were also performed to evaluate the antioxidant properties of the obtained fractions. Three different polyphenolic enriched extracts, namely EAC (Ethyl Acetate Fraction), AF1 and AF2 (Aqueos Fractions), were obtained from CEE. Our results indicated that the EAC, enriched in flavonols, exhibited a higher antiradical activity compared to the tannin enriched fractions (AF1 and AF2). These findings provide new perspectives for the use of the EAC as a source of antioxidant compounds with potential uses in pharmaceutical preparations.
Antonella Gori; Francesco Ferrini; Maria Cristina Marzano; Massimiliano Tattini; Mauro Centritto; Maria Camilla Baratto; Rebecca Pogni; Cecilia Brunetti. Characterisation and Antioxidant Activity of Crude Extract and Polyphenolic Rich Fractions from C. incanus Leaves. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2016, 17, 1344 .
AMA StyleAntonella Gori, Francesco Ferrini, Maria Cristina Marzano, Massimiliano Tattini, Mauro Centritto, Maria Camilla Baratto, Rebecca Pogni, Cecilia Brunetti. Characterisation and Antioxidant Activity of Crude Extract and Polyphenolic Rich Fractions from C. incanus Leaves. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2016; 17 (8):1344.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAntonella Gori; Francesco Ferrini; Maria Cristina Marzano; Massimiliano Tattini; Mauro Centritto; Maria Camilla Baratto; Rebecca Pogni; Cecilia Brunetti. 2016. "Characterisation and Antioxidant Activity of Crude Extract and Polyphenolic Rich Fractions from C. incanus Leaves." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 17, no. 8: 1344.
The ability to modify mesophyll conductance (gm) in response to changes in irradiance may be a component of the acclimation of plants to shade-sun transitions, thus influencing species-specific distributions along light-gradients, and the ecological niches for the different species. To test this hypothesis we grew three woody species of the Oleaceae family, the evergreen Phillyrea latifolia (sun-requiring), the deciduous Fraxinus ornus (facultative sun-requiring) and the hemi-deciduous Ligustrum vulgare (shade-tolerant) at 30 or 100% sunlight irradiance. We show that neither mesophyll conductance calculated with combined gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence techniques (gm) nor CO2 assimilation significantly varied in F. ornus because of sunlight irradiance. This corroborates previous suggestions that species with high plasticity for light requirements, do not need to undertake extensive reorganization of leaf conductances to CO2 diffusion to adapt to different light environments. On the other hand, gm steeply declined in L. vulgare and increased in P. latifolia exposed to full sun conditions. In these two species, leaf anatomical traits are in part responsible for light-driven changes in gm, as revealed by the correlation between gm and mesophyll conductance estimated by anatomical parameters (gmA). Nonetheless, gm was greatly over-estimated by gmA when leaf metabolism was impaired because of severe light stress. We show that gm is maximum at the light intensity at which plant species have evolved and we conclude that gm actually plays a key role in the sun and shade adaptation of Mediterranean species. The limits of gmA in predicting mesophyll conductance are also highlighted.
Alessio Fini; Francesco Loreto; Massimiliano Tattini; Cristiana Giordano; Francesco Ferrini; Cecilia Brunetti; Mauro Centritto. Mesophyll conductance plays a central role in leaf functioning of Oleaceae species exposed to contrasting sunlight irradiance. Physiologia Plantarum 2016, 157, 54 -68.
AMA StyleAlessio Fini, Francesco Loreto, Massimiliano Tattini, Cristiana Giordano, Francesco Ferrini, Cecilia Brunetti, Mauro Centritto. Mesophyll conductance plays a central role in leaf functioning of Oleaceae species exposed to contrasting sunlight irradiance. Physiologia Plantarum. 2016; 157 (1):54-68.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlessio Fini; Francesco Loreto; Massimiliano Tattini; Cristiana Giordano; Francesco Ferrini; Cecilia Brunetti; Mauro Centritto. 2016. "Mesophyll conductance plays a central role in leaf functioning of Oleaceae species exposed to contrasting sunlight irradiance." Physiologia Plantarum 157, no. 1: 54-68.
The hypothesis was tested that isoprenoids and phenylpropanoids play a prominent role in countering photooxidative stress, following the depletion of antioxidant enzyme activity in plants exposed to severe drought stress under high solar irradiance and high temperatures. Platanus × acerifolia, a high isoprene‐emitting species, was drought‐stressed during summer (WS) and compared with unstressed controls (WW). Water relations and photosynthetic parameters were measured under mild, moderate, and severe drought stress conditions. Volatile and nonvolatile isoprenoids, antioxidant enzymes, and phenylpropanoids were measured with the same time course, but in four different periods of the day. Drought severely inhibited photosynthesis, whereas it did not markedly affect the photochemical machinery. Isoprene emission and zeaxanthin concentration were higher in WS than in WW leaves, particularly at mild and moderate stresses, and during the hottest hours of the day. The activities of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase steeply declined during the day, while the activity of guaiacol peroxidase and the concentration of quercetin increased during the day, peaking in the hottest hours in both WW and WS plants. Our experiment reveals a sequence of antioxidants that were used daily by plants to orchestrate defense against oxidative stress induced by drought and associated high light and high temperature. Secondary metabolites seem valuable complements of antioxidant enzymes to counter oxidative stress during the hottest daily hours.
Massimiliano Tattini; Francesco Loreto; Alessio Fini; Lucia Guidi; Cecilia Brunetti; Violeta Velikova; Antonella Gori; Francesco Ferrini. Isoprenoids and phenylpropanoids are part of the antioxidant defense orchestrated daily by drought‐stressed P latanus × acerifolia plants during Mediterranean summers. New Phytologist 2015, 207, 613 -626.
AMA StyleMassimiliano Tattini, Francesco Loreto, Alessio Fini, Lucia Guidi, Cecilia Brunetti, Violeta Velikova, Antonella Gori, Francesco Ferrini. Isoprenoids and phenylpropanoids are part of the antioxidant defense orchestrated daily by drought‐stressed P latanus × acerifolia plants during Mediterranean summers. New Phytologist. 2015; 207 (3):613-626.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMassimiliano Tattini; Francesco Loreto; Alessio Fini; Lucia Guidi; Cecilia Brunetti; Violeta Velikova; Antonella Gori; Francesco Ferrini. 2015. "Isoprenoids and phenylpropanoids are part of the antioxidant defense orchestrated daily by drought‐stressed P latanus × acerifolia plants during Mediterranean summers." New Phytologist 207, no. 3: 613-626.