Lens culinaris, commonly known as lentils, has undergone extensive research to uncover its multifaceted nature, delve into its rich traditional applications, and explore its modern therapeutic ...potential. This leguminous plant holds a central role in global culinary traditions, revered for its exceptional versatility as a nourishing ingredient. Recent scientific investigations have unveiled the latent medicinal properties of lentils, primarily through the meticulous isolation and identification of bioactive compounds. Noteworthy examples of these bioactive constituents include arbutin, β-sitosterol, uridine, trigonelline, and kaempferol, each capturing researchers' attention due to their remarkable health-enhancing attributes. These compounds exhibit a wide spectrum of benefits, ranging from potent antioxidant effects and anti-inflammatory properties to cholesterol-lowering capabilities and even potential anti-cancer properties. This article offers a comprehensive overview of Lens culinaris, spanning its global geographical distribution. It not only underscores the enduring significance of lentils in traditional culinary practices but also highlights their contemporary therapeutic potential. Furthermore, it delves into the chemical identities and structures of these bioactive compounds, shedding light on their pivotal role in promoting health and well-being.
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•Lentil, a nutrient-rich legume is widely cultivated in Canada and India.•Traditionally used in gut, skin, blood diseases, also in snake bites and blister.•Significant anticancer, anti-obesity, and cardioprotective attributes are observed.•Isolated active constituents include arbutin, kaempferol, uridine, and β-sitosterol.
To ensure that honey belongs to a very appreciated botanical class, the classical methodology is melissopalynology analysis to identify and count pollen grains. However, this method is time-consuming ...and laborious. In this work, four stable isotopes (δ13Ch, δ13Cp, δ18O and δ2H) and twelve elemental contents (Na, Mg, Ca, K, Fe, Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Sr, Se, Mo) were used to build the dataset, and the Random Forest (RF) algorithm, Support Vector Machines (SVM), Classification and Regression Trees (CART) and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) were investigated to classify six varieties of Chinese honey (linden, sunflower, vetch, rape, acacia, and jujube). The results showed the RF algorithm exhibits the highest training accuracy (99.4%) and testing accuracy (96.5%) of the four algorithms. Hence, the RF algorithm was selected to rank the 16 attributes according to their contribution, and δ2H, Sr, δ18O, Mn, Ca, and K were considered the most important factors for identifying six varieties of honey. Furthermore, the results of the RF algorithm were verified by the parallel coordinates plot. This suggests that the RF algorithm provides an effective and accurate approach for classifying Chinese honey according to stable isotopic and elemental composition, which theoretically can be used to classify more types of honey.
•A simple and rapid random forest algorithm classification method was developed.•Six varieties of Chinese honey samples were analyzed.•δ2H, Sr, δ18O, Mn, Ca and K establish valuable contributions for classification.•The RF algorithm exhibits a higher classification accuracy (96.5%).
Discrimination of honey based on geographical origin is a common fraudulent practice and is one of the most investigated topics in honey authentication. This research aims to discriminate honeys ...according to their geographical origin by combining elemental fingerprinting with machine-learning techniques. In particular, the main objective of this study is to distinguish the origin of unifloral and multifloral honeys produced in neighboring regions, such as Sardinia (Italy) and Spain. The elemental compositions of 247 honeys were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The origins of honey were differentiated using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), and Random Forest (RF). Compared to LDA, RF demonstrated greater stability and better classification performance. The best classification was based on geographical origin, achieving 90% accuracy using Na, Mg, Mn, Sr, Zn, Ce, Nd, Eu, and Tb as predictors.
Prunus padus L. (bird cherry) belongs to the Racemosa group in subgenus Padus in the genus Prunus L. It is a hardy invasive species, which makes it valuable for securing slopes, and for eco-design. ...It is a good solitary park tree with early flowering of white flowers in racemes, which have a pleasant smell. However, it may be attacked by cherry-oat aphid, and the small ermine moth, which may weave giant webs over the whole tree, which demonstrates the important role of P. padus in the food web of forest ecosystems. The species is in balance with these pests, other herbivores and diseases throughout Europe and Asia. Another threat is the competition against the invasive P. serotina, but it seems that P. padus is not strongly threatened, though they compete for the same habitats. Moreover, human interference of forest community ecology is probably the greatest threat. The tree is not only winter hardy; it can also survive hot summers and tolerate a wide variety of soil types. It may form dense thickets due to the regeneration of branches bent to the ground and basal shoots, and may be invasive. These characteristics are important in determining the ecological niche of P. padus, which involves the position of the species within an ecosystem, comprising both its habitat requirements and the functional role. It is also important that P. padus has effective dispersal of pollen and seeds. This, together with the previously noted characteristics and the fact that the tree can cope well with climate change, define it as a not threatened species. However, the ssp. borealis is threatened and national level monitoring is required. Prunus padus has been exploited by farmers and rural population, but is less used today. However, it is still used for making syrup, jam and liquor. Moreover, the wood is valuable for wood carving and making cabinets. All tissues are valuable as sources of powerful natural antioxidants. However, the interest in the P. padus fruit and other tissues is overshadowed by the interest in other wild species of edible and human health-related berries. Moreover, the tree is used in horticulture as an ornamental in gardens and parks, values that deserve a new focus.
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