Pelargonium graveolens leaves are widely used in traditional medicine for relieving some cardiovascular, dental, gastrointestinal, and respiratory disorders. They are also used as food and tea ...additives in Palestine and many other countries. Consequently, this investigation aimed to describe the chemical markers, cytotoxic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, metabolic, and cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes inhibitory characteristics of P. graveolens essential oil (PGEO) from Palestine utilizing reference methods. There were 70 chemicals found in the GCMS analysis, and oxygenated terpenoids were the most abundant group of the total PGEO. Citronellol (24.44%), citronellyl formate (15.63%), γ-eudesmol (7.60%), and iso-menthone (7.66%) were the dominant chemical markers. The EO displayed strong antioxidant activity (IC50 = 3.88 ± 0.45 µg/mL) and weak lipase and α-amylase suppressant effects. Notably, the PGEO displayed high α-glucosidase inhibitory efficacy compared with Acarbose, with IC50 doses of 52.44 ± 0.29 and 37.15 ± 0.33 µg/mL, respectively. PGEO remarkably repressed the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), even more than Ampicillin and Ciprofloxacin, and strongly inhibited Candida albicans compared with Fluconazole. The highest cytotoxic effect of the PGEO was noticed against MCF-7, followed by Hep3B and HeLa cancer cells, with IC50 doses of 32.71 ± 1.25, 40.71 ± 1.89, and 315.19 ± 20.5 µg/mL, respectively, compared with doxorubicin. Moreover, the screened EO demonstrated selective inhibitory activity against COX-1 (IC50 = 14.03 µg/mL). Additionally, PGEO showed a weak suppressant effect on COX-2 (IC50 = 275.97 µg/mL). The current research can be considered the most comprehensive investigation of the chemical and pharmacological characterization of the PGEO. The results obtained in this study demonstrate, without doubt, that this plant represents a rich source of bioactive substances that can be further investigated and authenticated for their medicinal potential.
This study examined the in vitro proliferation efficiency of shoot-tip explants from four cultivars of banana (Musa spp) and one species of Pelargonium graveolens. The explants were cultured on ...Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with growth regulators. The comparative in vitro proliferation efficiency of banana cultivars was in the following order: Bluggoe > Injagi > FHIA-25 > Kamaramasenge, the comparative ratio was 10:7:4:2. The best number of shoot buds proliferation was observed on MS medium supplemented with 100 mu M BAP while the quick buds development was observed on culture media with 10 mu M BAP. The ANOVA proved that the genotype of explants of banana, the concentration in BAP and their interaction have high significant influence on their in vitro proliferation rate. Bluggoe, Injagi and FHIA-25 were described as subjects favorable for Rwanda's in vitro propagation program of high-performance plant varieties. P. graveolens required high quantity of hormones and bit complicated disinfection compared to banana. For P. graveolens, the medium MS + 100 mM BAP + 1 mM NAA + 1 mM GA sub(3) was the best for in vitro regeneration while the addition of 10 and 100 mM Kin favored the rooting. The results of this study contributed a lot to the in vitro regeneration, with minimal explants material of banana (Musa spp.) and P. graveolens currently carried out in Rwanda by ISAR and IRS, respectively.
Chlorpyrifos (CP), a broad-spectrum organophosphorus insecticide, is known for deleterious effects on soil enzymatic activities. Hence, the present study aims to examine the resilience effect of ...biochar (BC) aided
Pelargonium graveolens
L. plantation on enzymatic activities of chlorpyrifos contaminated soil. The two chlorpyrifos contaminated agriculture soils (with concentrations: S1: 46.1 and S2: 95.5 mg kg
−1
) were taken for the pot experiment. The plant biomass, plant growth parameters, soil microbial biomass, and enzymatic activities such as alkaline phosphatase, N-acetyl glucosaminidase, aryl sulphatase, cellulase, β-glucosidase, dehydrogenase, phenoloxidase, and peroxidase enzymes were examined. Ecoenzyme activities and their stoichiometry were used to enumerate the different indices including geometric mean, weighted mean, biochemical activity indices, integrated biological response, treated-soil quality index, and vector analysis in all treatments. The results of the study demonstrated that the biochar incorporation enhanced the tolerance of
P. graveolens
(from 42–45% to 55–67%) in chlorpyrifos contaminated soil and reduced the CP accumulation in plants. A reduction in the inhibitory effect of chlorpyrifos on soil enzymatic activities and plant growth by BC incorporation was observed along with an increase in the activities of ecoenzymes (16.7–18.6%) in soil. The investigation indicated more microbial investments in C and P than that in N acquisition under CP stress. The BC amendment catalyzed the activities of lignin and cellulose-degrading enzymes and enhanced nutrition acquisition. The CP contamination and BC amendment have no significant effect on the oil quality of
P. graveolens
. The study demonstrated that BC-aided
P. graveolens
plantation offers sustainable phytotechnology for CP contaminated soil with an economic return.
The sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci MED (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is highly harmful to solanaceous crops. The use of essential oils (EOs) is promising for the management of several ...insect pests, promoting both lethal and sublethal effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sublethal concentrations of Pelargonium graveolens L'Her (Geraniaceae) EO on the feeding behavior of B. tabaci MED on tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L., Solanaceae). For this research, the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique was used to monitor whitefly stylet activities on their host plants. Two sets of plants were previously sprayed with two concentrations of EO (the LC25 and LC50, which were determined in a mortality test), a third set was treated with the insecticide cyantraniliprole, and a fourth set received a control treatment. Our results indicate that the insecticide cyantraniliprole and the EO could both reduce the stylet feeding activity of B. tabaci MED, as well as reduce the number and duration of phloem sap ingestion events (waveform E2), which could avoid or reduce the transmission of viruses. Thus, the application of sublethal concentrations of P. graveolens EO, as well as exposure to cyantraniliprole, negatively affected the feeding behavior of B. tabaci MED. This information may contribute to the management of this pest and the reduction of the incidence of viruses in tomato production.
Bemisia tabaci MED (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is an important pest of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum, Solanaceae). We assessed the effects of Pelargonium graveolens (Geraniaceae) essential oil (EO) and the insecticide cyantraniliprole on the feeding behavior of B. tabaci MED on tomato. Using the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique, our results indicate that both EO and cyantraniliprole negatively affected feeding of B. tabaci MED. This information may contribute to pest management and reduction of virus transmission by the insect.
The antifungal properties of 12 Eos, that is, Syzygium aromaticum, Pelargonium graveolens, Lavandula angustifolia, Cupresus sempervirens, Mentha piperita, Santolina chamaecyparissus, Citrus sinensis, ...Pogostemon patchouli, Thymus mastichina, Thymus vulgaris, Eucalyptus globulus and Rosmarinus officinalis, were screened. The influence of five doses of each EOs was tested against Botrytis cinerea, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Fusarium oxysporum, Phytophthora parasitica, Pythium aphanidermatum, Alternaria brassicae, Cladobotryum mycophilum and Trichoderma aggressivum f.sp. europaeum using disc‐diffusion method. The mycelial growth inhibition and ED50 were calculated. The chemical analysis of the EOs was analysed using gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy. A total of 58 compounds were identified in the 12 EOs. All essential oils (EOs) analysed showed antifungal activity against the test pathogens in the range of 5·32–100%. The inhibitory effect of oils showed dose‐dependent activity on the tested fungus. Based on the ED50 values, clove, rose geranium, peppermint and patchouli were the most effective. This study warrants further research into the practical use of EOs for the control of important myco‐ and phytopathogens in intensive horticulture.
Significance and Impact of the Study
Due to the serious damage caused by fungal pathogens of vegetables and mushrooms, it is necessary to search for integrated strategies of disease control. This study provides relevant information about the effects of 12 essential oils (EOs) against eight pathogens of agricultural interest, included mycopathogens with emphasis on the possible future application of the EOs as alternative antifungal agents.
Significance and Impact of the Study
Due to the serious damage caused by fungal pathogens of vegetables and mushrooms, it is necessary to search for integrated strategies of disease control. This study provides relevant information about the effects of 12 essential oils (EOs) against eight pathogens of agricultural interest, included mycopathogens with emphasis on the possible future application of the EOs as alternative antifungal agents.
Summary
Geraniol, citronellol and their esters are high‐value acyclic monoterpenes used in food technology, perfumery and cosmetics. A major source of these compounds is the essential oil of ...rose‐scented geraniums of the genus Pelargonium. We provide evidence that their biosynthesis mainly takes place in the cytosol of glandular trichomes via geranyl monophosphate (GP) through the action of a Nudix hydrolase. Protein preparations could convert geranyl diphosphate (GDP) to geraniol in in vitro assays, a process which could be blocked by inorganic phosphatase inhibitors, suggesting a two‐step conversion of GDP to geraniol. Pelargonium graveolens chemotypes enriched in either geraniol or (−)‐citronellol accumulate GP or citronellyl monophosphate (CP), respectively, the presumed precursors to their monoterpenoid end products. Geranyl monophosphate was highly enriched in isolated glandular trichomes of lines producing high amounts of geraniol. In contrast, (−)‐isomenthone‐rich lines are depleted in these prenyl monophosphates and monoterpene alcohols and instead feature high levels of GDP, the precursor to plastidic p‐menthane biosynthesis. A Nudix hydrolase cDNA from Pelargonium glandular trichomes, dubbed PgNdx1, encoded a cytosolic protein capable of hydrolyzing GDP to GP with a KM of about 750 nm but is only weakly active towards farnesyl diphosphate. In citronellol‐rich lines, GDP, GP and CP were detected in nearly equimolar amounts, while citronellyl diphosphate was absent, suggesting that citronellol biosynthesis may proceed by reduction of GP to CP in this species. These findings highlight the cytosol as a compartment that supports monoterpene biosynthesis and expands the roles of Nudix hydrolases in the biosynthesis of plant volatiles.
Significance Statement
Monoterpenes are ordinarily synthesized from geranyl diphosphate in the plastid, but rose‐scented geraniums make acyclic monoterpenes such as geraniol from geranyl monophosphate in the cytosol of glandular trichomes. We show the involvement of a Nudix hydrolase in this process, a family of enzymes with emerging roles in plant terpenoid metabolism.
The present work aims to apply the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with carbon dioxide as a clean technology to extract the natural essential oil from a Portuguese-grown rose geranium (
...Pelargonium sp.). Geranium oil is an important ingredient in perfumery as middle note and is a natural resource with potential to be explored in Portugal, since this plant is well adapted to our climate and soil. A new SFE equipment was designed and constructed and it was used for the extraction of geranium. The obtained extracts were characterised by GC/MS and their organoleptic quality (colour and odour) was evaluated and compared with the materials obtained by the traditional techniques—hydrodistillation and organic solvent extraction. The best extraction conditions were: extraction time of 15–30
min, temperature of 40
°C, pressure of 90–100
bar, cut fresh plant and dynamic mode. The SFE yields varied between 0.019 and 0.22%. The CO
2 geranium extract had a superior organoleptic quality, with very fresh natural floral–fruity character and a pale yellow colour, most suitable for the use in perfumery.
An essential aromatic plant,
Pelargonium graveolens
, does not grow well in areas where chromium contamination is a problem. Because of oxidative stress and the collapse of the photosynthetic system, ...crops frequently sustain severe damage. The production of excess ethylene, known as stress ethylene, which is detrimental to plant growth, the formation of roots, and early senescence, is also increased by heavy metal exposure. The effectiveness of the 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase gene in transgenic
Pelargonium graveolens
under the control of CaMV 35S promoter was investigated to lessen the stress ethylene during chromium stress. Chromium was administered as potassium dichromate (K
2
Cr
2
O
7
) at four distinct concentrations (100 µM, 200 µM, 300 µM, and 500 µM) to transgenic and wild-type
P. graveolens
and stress-induced physiological changes were monitored. Transgenic
P. graveolens
demonstrated greater tolerance to chromium stress than wild-type
P. graveolens
, as evidenced by higher leaf-relative water content, chlorophyll content, CO
2
absorption, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, proline buildup, and antioxidant activity. The L1, L5, and L7, ACC deaminase-expressing transgenic lines also show a drop in ACC content during chromium stress, which subsequently lowered ethylene synthesis. Therefore, the reported transgenic
P. graveolens
lines having the ACC deaminase gene could be useful resources for growing in chromium-prone regions.
The different wavelengths of solar radiation incident on earth herein: Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) , Ultra Violet-A (UV-A) and Ultra Violet-B (UV-B) and their spectral balance not only ...have an impact on plants' growth, morphology and physiology, but also are important for the quality and quantity of plant secondary metabolites. In an outdoor study we addressed the effects of PAR intensity and UV-A and UV-B on the growth, yield, phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant activity and essential oil composition of Pelargonium graveolens L'Hér. The experiment was performed with split plots in a randomized complete block design with three replications. During the growth, two PAR intensities (ambient PAR and reduced PAR) and four UV treatments (ambient UV, enhanced UV-A, enhanced UV-B and enhanced UVA + B) were applied. High PAR intensity decreased the length and width of leaf, the height of plant and fresh weight of aerial parts, and increased the dry weight of aerial parts. Enhanced UV-B irradiation was associated with reduced plant height, leaf expansion and fresh and dry weight of aerial parts. Interestingly, the negative effect of UV-B radiation on morphology and growth of plant was largely alleviated by high PAR intensity. The amount of total phenols and flavonoids, antioxidant activity and essential oil production of P. graveolens strongly increased with the increase of UV-B irradiation and PAR. On the other hand, UV-A radiation did not significantly influence total phenol and flavonoid content, antioxidant activity and essential oil composition. Moreover, the combination of high PAR intensity and UV-B led to further increases in total flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity. Both high PAR intensity and enhanced UV-B increased the percentage of geraniol in essential oil, leading to a slight reduction of citronellol/geraniol ratio which is a marker of quality for rose geranium essential oil. Overall, we conclude that UV-B irradiation was associated to reduction of plant growth and yield, while, the adverse effect of UV-B irradiation on the plant was mitigated by high PAR intensity. On the other hand, both high PAR and enhanced UV-B boosted the production of phenols, flavonoids and essential oil. Considering that the lower citronellol/geraniol ratio is the most important indicator for the economic value of rose geranium essential oil, reducing citronellol/geraniol ratio under enhanced UV-B radiation and/or high PAR is likely to be favorable.