Wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum L.), the young shoot of common wheat, has attracted increased interest as a functional microgreen due to its rich phytochemical profile and reported nutritional and bio functional properties. This review summarises cultivation practices, biochemical composition and reported medicinal attributes of wheatgrass. Wheatgrass is a concentrated source of chlorophyll, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, essential amino acids, vitamins (A, C, E and B-complex) and enzymatic antioxidants such as catalase and superoxide dismutase. Among the many pharmacological effects these bioactive elements support is antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, anti-diabetic, antibacterial, detoxifying and may exhibit anticancer effects, as suggested by preliminary experimental studies actions. Cultivation approaches such as hydroponics and soil-based systems enable sustainable production of wheatgrass biomass including in urban and space-limited environments. Under optimised light and substrate conditions, elevated chlorophyll and phenolic levels enhance its potential nutritional and functional relevance. Findings from several in vitro and animal-based studies suggest potential applicability of wheatgrass in nutraceutical development. Its more general use depends on further standardising growth conditions, phytochemical extraction techniques and clinical confirmation. This review aims to highlight the botanical significance of wheatgrass as a sustainable microgreen and its potential role in nutrition-focused food system.
Findings demonstrate that T. obliquus cultivated in AIE preserves bioactive functionality and supports circular biorefinery strategies integrating wastewater remediation, agricultural biostimulant production, and lipid valorization for potential aquaculture applications.
Diego Serrasol Do Amaral, D. T. Bueno, Paula Freitas Filoda et al.· Green Energy and Environment...· 0 citations
The impact of climate change presents an opportunity for orphan crops like millet to contribute to sustainable food systems. A prime example of an orphan crop with special traits and the potential to develop climate-smart agriculture is Barnyard millet (BYM). Alkaloids, steroids, polysaccharides, glycosides, tannins, phenols, dietary lignans and flavonoids are just a few of the antioxidants that are abundant in BYM. BYM’s antioxidant potential, prebiotic status, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, antibacterial and anticancerous properties help it to combat a myriad of diseases. The antinutritional compounds present in BYM such phytic acid, tannins, polyphenols, and amylase inhibitors limit the absorption of minerals because they form complexes with dietary minerals like calcium, zinc, magnesium, and iron and make them inaccessible for absorption. Various processing methods like dehulling, soaking, heating, gamma irradiation, cold plasma processing, fermentation might enhance the nutritional and technological functional qualities of BYM. The bioactives in BYM can improve their bioavailability, in vitro digestibility, efficiency, structural modification and stability by biological processing techniques such as germination and fermentation employing microbial strains. BYM straw’s high cellulose and hemicellulose percentage makes C5 and C6 sugars accessible for bioconversion into bioethanol.
M. Sasi, Veda Krishnan, Ramesh M. Naik et al.· Frontiers in Plant Science· 0 citations
Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad., a drought-tolerant member of the Cucurbitaceae family, has been used in traditional medicine for centuries and has recently attracted increasing interest because of its potential pharmacological, agricultural, and ecological applications. This review examines current information on the plant’s distribution, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical composition, biological activities, applications in poultry, and ecological significance. Its bioactive constituents include cucurbitacins, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, glycosides, fatty acids, and tocopherols. These compounds have been associated with anticancer, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, and other biological activities, although most of the available evidence comes from in-vitro and preclinical studies. Initial findings also indicate that the plant may have value as a phytogenic feed additive in poultry and as a drought-tolerant species for soil stabilization, rangeland rehabilitation, and desertification control. However, the practical application of these findings is still constrained by differences in research methods, variation in phytochemical composition, limited clinical evidence, and the plant’s narrow therapeutic window and dose-dependent toxicity. Consequently, its therapeutic effectiveness and suitability for routine agricultural use cannot yet be established with certainty. Future research should focus on phytochemical standardization, quality control, thorough toxicological assessment, mechanistic studies, and well-designed clinical and animal trials using standardized preparations. Collectively, the available evidence indicates that C. colocynthis is a promising source of bioactive compounds with potential pharmaceutical, veterinary, and ecological applications, although rigorous scientific validation is required before its safe and effective utilization can be recommended.
Hanan Al-Khalaifah, T. Al-Surrayai, S. Shreaz et al.· Biology· 0 citations
Soil salinization is an increasing global concern, demanding sustainable strategies for agricultural recovery and food security. Halophytes such as Alternanthera littoralis P. Beauv. represent a promising alternative for phytoremediation and forage production in saline environments. This study evaluated gas exchange, effective quantum yield of PSII (ΦPSII), electron transport rate (ETR), antioxidative enzyme activity, and nutritional composition of A. littoralis under 0, 100, 200, and 300 mM NaCl. The species showed high salinity tolerance, with preferential Na⁺ accumulation in shoots (up to 84.51 g kg⁻¹ dry mass at 300 mM NaCl) and maximum accumulation in roots (21.94 g kg⁻¹ at 200 mM), highlighting its potential for Na⁺ phytoextraction. Despite increasing salinity, A. littoralis maintained stable ΦPSII and electron transport rate (ETR) values under saline conditions, indicating maintenance of photochemical activity. Leaf SOD activity increased under saline conditions, whereas MDA, H₂O₂, and electrolyte leakage did not differ among treatments, suggesting activation of antioxidative defense response without evidence of severe oxidative damage. Bromatological analyses revealed high protein content, reduced acid detergent fiber, and increased concentrations of essential minerals. These compositional changes were associated with higher in vitro dry matter digestibility under increasing NaCl concentrations, suggesting a potential forage application for the species under saline conditions. Collectively, these findings demonstrate the remarkable salinity tolerance of A. littoralis, highlighting its ability to maintain physiological functionality under saline conditions. In addition, the species shows potential as a multifunctional resource for the recovery of salt-affected soils and as a nutritious forage in saline environments.
C. Y. S. Ritter, Jaqueline da Silva dos Santos, M. N. do Amaral et al.· Acta Physiologiae Plantarum· 0 citations
The growing global challenges of food insecurity posed by climate change, and micronutrient deficiencies have intensified interest in climate resilient, nutrient-dense functional foods. Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is a promising candidate owing to its exceptional nutritional profile and adaptability to harsh agroecological conditions. This review provides a comprehensive and critical synthesis of existing literature on the agronomic management, nutritional composition, and functional food potential of purslane, with particular emphasis on its omega-3 fatty acid content and the role of nitrogen and mineral nutrition. The review reveals that purslane is a rich source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), vitamins (C and E), carotenoids, minerals, and diverse bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its nutritional quality is highly variable and influenced by genotype, environmental conditions, cultivation systems, and nutrient management strategies. Nitrogen plays a dual role of enhancing biomass production while exerting complex, compound-specific effects on nutrient density, often leading to trade-offs between yield and quality. The novelty of this study lies in its integrated, multi-dimensional perspective that links agronomy, plant physiology, and nutritional science, moving beyond fragmented analyses in existing literature. It highlights the importance of genotype-by-environment interactions and introduces the concept of “nutritional efficiency” as a more appropriate framework than yield-focused optimization. This study contributes to knowledge by identifying critical gaps and proposing a systems-based approach for optimizing purslane as a sustainable, plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids and functional nutrients, particularly in resource-constrained and climate-vulnerable regions.
Peter A. Y. Ampim, Eniola A. Faluyi, M. Salisu et al.· Frontiers in Plant Science· 0 citations