AC317 The Plant Phenome Journal editorial board

An initial quality control check was completed for the journal and magazine content and a check of the books content is currently under way. Authors make edits directly to the HTML article file, which cuts down time to publication and reduces errors introduced during typesetting. [...]far we've received positive response and hope to expand this program to additional titles. [...]the group reviewed mismatched guidelines and adopted a standardized Scientific Misconduct Statement for all 13 journals to create uniformity across the journal collection. The JIF is one tool used to evaluate a journal's relative importance when compared with other journals in the same study area.

INVESTIGATION OF COVID-19 IMPACT ON AEROSOL OPTICAL DEPTH OVER MALAYSIA AND INDONESIA

Lockdown or movement control order (MCO) was implemented all over the world, including Malaysia and Indonesia, during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. During the lockdown period, human activities were restricted. The restriction led to the reduction of human-made particulate matter released to the atmosphere. One of the indicators that could be used to estimate the concentration of particulate matter in the atmosphere is aerosol optical depth (AOD). The aim of this study is to investigate the variation in AOD level over the Malaysia and Indonesia region during this restriction period. This study has utilized monthly and daily Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Terra AOD product that can be accessed through National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'s Geospatial Interactive Online Visualization and Analysis Infrastructure (GIOVANNI) system. The developed long-term time-averaged map showed a high AOD level over Sumatera and South Kalimantan, with the maximum value being 0.4. The comparison among during, pre- and post-lockdown periods showed a reduction in the AOD level. The maximum AOD level decreased to 0.3 during the lockdown period compared to 0.4 in the pre- (2019) and post-lockdown periods (2021 and 2022). Average monthly time series showed no spike in the AOD level in 2020 and 2021. Hovmöller diagram showed low AOD throughout the latitude and longitude during lockdown compared to the pre- and post-lockdown periods. Analyses of the yearly AOD level showed reduction in the AOD level from +11.31% in 2019 to -18.17% and -18.01% in 2020 and 2021, respectively. The result also showed that the average daily AOD percentage during the lockdown period in 2020 had decreased to -5.34% from -3.18% in 2019 and had increased to +1.26 in 2021.

Addressing another threat to food safety: Conflict

Conflicts across the globe affect food security and also have a heavy toll on food safety. Many of the areas affected by conflict are breadbaskets for multiple countries. When the production of staple crops is compromised by diverse conflicts, it becomes necessary to grow them somewhere else to satisfy local, regional, and/or international requirements. However, if that production is done in tropical and subtropical zones, it must be done incorporating strategies to prevent mycotoxin contamination, which has negative health, social, and economic impacts. Otherwise, increased production of susceptible crops in mycotoxin-prone areas may augment the already occurring negative impacts, which are severe in the global south.

MEDICINAL PLANTS AND VACCINATIONS USED AGAINST COVID-19: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

The newly emerged severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has deteriorated the global order economically, socially and politically. As an emergency of global concern, the disease continuously spread havoc with its dreadful health manifestations with no regard for any race, religion and region. The mortality rates in different countries are surprisingly variable and there is debate about population-wise differential response to virus. Different countries have imposed lock-down to reduce the spread of virus;however, the positive outcomes of lock-down in terms of reducing mortality rate and transmission of virus are still questioned. Further, public accusations and debate of world powers regarding the origin of virus has created regional hate sentiments and political chaos which could result is serious repercussions following miscalculation of actual facts. Scientific communities are struggling to cope with the disease by developing potential vaccines against the S protein of SARS-CoV-2 and were testing the already marketed drugs against this coronavirus. Therefore, several medicinal plants and various vaccinations have been used against Covid-19. This review highlights the origin, virulence, vaccination but most importantly the plants extracts used against the causative agent of COVID-19.

In-Silico Studies for the Inhibition of Proprotein Convertase Furin using Synthetic Compound Databases to see the Effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 Transmission

In December 2019, cases of the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by a new betacoronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), were first reported in Wuhan, China. These cases were characterized by acute pneumoniaassociated symptoms, such as fever, dry cough, chills, shortness of breath, and muscle pain. On comparing SARS-CoV-2 with SARS-CoV, significant differences were observed in the sequence of the S gene of SARS-CoV-2, including three short insertions in the N-terminal domain, changes in four out of five of the crucial residues in the receptor-binding motif, and the presence of an unexpected furin cleavage site at the S1/ S2 boundary of the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein. This insertion is a novel feature that differentiates SARS-CoV-2 from SARS-CoV and several SARS-related coronaviruses (SARSr-CoVs). The SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) protein, which is the viral protein responsible for binding the ACE2 receptor on the host cell. Prior to and after attachment, the S needs to be activated by cellular proteases (e.g. furin, TMPRSS2), triggering the virus' entry into the target cell. Presence of a multibasic site, an amino acid motif recognised by furin protease, and whose cleavage activates the S protein. Hence researchers are exploring furin inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 infection. In our study we have performed virtual screening of natural and synthetic compounds with furin structure (PDB ID: 5JXH). The docking and ADMET results showed that Nafamostat, DAPI, Propamidine, Hydroxystilbamide compounds showed similar activity as per standard drug Diminizine (anti-parasitic drug). Nafamostat compound has shown highest binding affinity with -9.1 kcal/mol against the furin enzyme target and hence it could be considered as a potential inhibitor drug.

Curcuma longa Linn.: A Medicinal Plant with Therapeutic Potential against COVID-19

COVID-19 had been declared a pandemic in March 2020. The disease has caused destruction all around the world. Symptomatic treatment, supportive care, isolation and experimental measure are the most important ways to manage this disease. However, 81% of the COVID-19 patients showed mild-to-moderate symptoms such as fever, cough, nasal congestion, fatigue, sore throat, loss of smell and loss of taste etc. Patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms may not need hospitalization because most of them will be able to manage their sickness at home through medication or supportive care. It will be useful to take both preventive measures and substances that boost the immunity while rest at home. Ministry of AYUSH in India recommended several approaches for preventive health care to boost immunity and respiratory health: following yoga and meditation plus intake of a few medicinal-plant-based compounds such as those from turmeric (Curcuma longa), cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and coriander (Coriandrumsativum) etc., once or twice a day. C. longa has been one of the most commonly used remedy for symptoms during COVID-19 pandemic in India. Based on existing scientific evidences, C. longa has been proved to be a potent anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antioxidant source, as well as a medicinal plant effective for respiratory disorders. In this review, scientific evidence of C. longa phytochemicals responsible for pharmacological activities are presented using in silico, in vitro and in vivo models. This review also discusses the disease COVID-19 and its causative virus SARS-CoV-2.

Structural characterization and anti-inflammatory activity of fucoidan isolated from Ecklonia maxima stipe

Enzyme-assisted hydrolysis is frequendy used as a cost-effective and efficient method to obtain functional ingredients from bioresources. This study involved die enzyme-assisted hydrolyzation and purification of fucoidan from Ecklonia maxima stipe and die investigation of its anti-inflammatory activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Fucoidans of Viscozyme-assisted hydrolysate from E. maxima (EMSFs) harvested in Jeju, Korea. Structural and chemical characterizations were performed using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, and monosaccharide analysis. Among fucoidans, EMSF6 was rich in fucose and sulfate and had a similar structural character to commercial fucoidan. EMSF6 showed a strong inhibitory effect on nitric oxide generation in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells and significantly decreased die production of LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6, interleukin-1 p, and tumor necrosis factor a. The anti-inflammatory potential of EMSF6 was mediated through the down-regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression. Thus, fucoidans from&temppound;. maxima stipe are promising candidates for functional food products.

First report of Phasey bean mild yellows virus in Kenya with a new host record

Genome studies in Australia reported a novel virus, Phasey bean mild yellows virus (genus Polerovirus;PBMYV), in mixed infections with Bean leaf roll virus, Faba bean polerovirus 1, Soybean dwarf virus and Turnip yellows virus naturally infecting phasey bean (Macroptilium lathyroides) (Sharman et al., 2021). Symptoms observed on groundnut in Kenya included mild chlorosis, chlorotic mottling and spots, interveinal chlorosis, reddening and thickening of the leaves, leaf curling and bunching, reduced leaf size and stunting A total of 673 leaf samples were collected, pooled into one sample then sequenced on the MiSeq platform (Illumina, USA). The British Society for Plant Pathology Covid-19 PhD Student Support;COmmunity Network for africaN vECTor borne plant viruses (CONNECTED) training grant;Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology Second University Innovation Fund;and the JR Biotek Foundation Plant Molecular Biology and Agricultural Research Capacity Building Program.

Organic agriculture: Short communication on the current situation

Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation, and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and good quality of life for all involved" (IFOAM 2008). [...]organic agriculture can be seen as a mediator capable of reducing the conflict between what people need and take from nature and what nature has to offer (Petrescu et al 2015). Authors: Ioan Valentin Petrescu-Mag, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Faculty of Agriculture, 3-5 Calea M&acaron;n&acaron;ştur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania, European Union, e-mail: zoobiomag2004@yahoo.com Marian Proorocu, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Faculty of Agriculture, 3-5 Calea M&acaron;n&acaron;ştur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania, European Union, e-mail: mproorocu@yahoo.com This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. For a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system. https://ec.europa.eu/food/system/files/202005/f2f_action-plan_2020_strategy-info_en.pdf European Commission, 2020c Regulation 2020/464 of 26 March 2020 laying down certain rules for the application of Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the documents needed for the retroactive recognition of periods for the purpose of conversion, the production of organic products and information to be provided by Member States.

HISTO-ANATOMICAL STUDIES IN TUSSILAGO FARFARA L. A SPECIES WITH MEDICINAL POTENTIAL AGAINST RESPIRATORY DISEASES

This study aimed to describe the histo-anatomy of Tussilago farfara L. species from the Asteraceae family, with medicinal importance in Romania for the alternative treatment of respiratory diseases (asthma, laryngitis, cough, emphysema) and other disorders. The chemical composition of Coltsfoot includes more than 150 chemical substances (triterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, alkaloids) with different medicinal proprieties (expectorant, antimicrobial, antitussive) and contraindications (pregnancy, lactation, hepatic disorders). The vegetal material used in this study was collected from the waterside of river Sireţel in the village Sireţel from Sireţel commune in Iaşi County. The cross-sections were performed manually through vegetative organs (rhizome, stem, and leaf) with the help of a hand microtome and a botanic razor. The structures of the sections were highlighted by double coloration (iodine green and ruthenium red), the observation was performed on a Novex microscope. The characteristics structures observed by us (epidermis, vascular bundles, trichomes, angular collenchyma, assimilating parenchyma, stomata, mesophyll) correspond with Toma and Rugină (1998) observations and descriptions.

Opportunities and Challenges of Plant Bioactive Compounds for Food and Agricultural-Related Areas

The growing development of biological products highlights the social and environmental responsibility that several industrial companies are facing in recent years. In this context, the advancement of bioprocessing as an alternative for exploring the potential of ecologically based products, especially in biofuels, food, and agro-industrial business, exposes the rational efficiency of the application of renewable sources in different industrial segments. Industries strongly associated with food production concentrate large amounts of wastes rich in bioactive compounds. A range of highly effective technologies has been highly explored to recover large concentrations of prominent compounds present in these materials. The advances in this scenario assurance value addition to these by-products, in addition to highlighting their various technological applications, considering the biorefinery and ecologically based production concepts. Accordingly, this review article described a detailed and systematic approach to the importance of using bioactive compounds and exploring the main sources of these elements. Also, some recent and innovative research that has achieved encouraging results was highlighted. Furthermore, the study included the main extraction technologies that have been investigated as a strategy of prospecting the application of bioactive compounds and optimizing the processes for obtaining natural compounds from plant sources. Finally, future outlooks were presented to contribute to the innovative opportunities and applicability of highly promising technologies and manipulations of bioactive compounds from a range of perspectives.

Preliminary assessment of the conservation status of medicinal plant species in Canada

Natural health products in North America represent a $9.6 billion USD industry that has seen increased demands, particularly in products for immune support and in anti-viral supplements as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been estimated that approximately 40% of the plant raw materials used in natural health products are wild harvested each year, but exact data are missing for many species. Our data show that there are at least 1445 medicinal plant species harvested for commercial products in Canada, and 1217 of these are native species. Medicinal plants and non-timber forest crops are also increasingly impacted by climate change as suitable growing areas shift. To ensure long-term species survival in the wild, it is necessary to generate accurate information about the distribution of wild populations, the need for conservation, and the development of sustainable methods. Our objective was to provide a preliminary assessment of the conservation status of Canadian medicinal plants by analyzing the available data resources.Alternate :En Amérique du Nord, les produits de santé naturels représentent une industrie de 9,6 $ milliards de dollars américains dont la demande est en croissance, notamment pour les produits de soutien immunitaire et les suppléments antiviraux en réponse à la pandémie de COVID-19. L’on estime qu’environ 40 % des matières premières végétales utilisées dans les produits de santé naturels sont récoltées à l’état sauvage chaque année, mais les données exactes manquent pour de nombreuses espèces. Les données colligées par les auteurs montrent qu’il existe au moins 1445 espèces de plantes médicinales récoltées pour des produits commerciaux au Canada et que 1217 d’entre elles sont des espèces indigènes. Les plantes médicinales et les cultures forestières non ligneuses sont également de plus en plus touchées par les changements climatiques, car les zones de croissance appropriées se déplacent. Afin d’assurer la survie à long terme des espèces dans la nature, il est nécessaire de générer des informations exactes sur la distribution des populations sauvages, le besoin de conservation et le développement de méthodes durables. L’objectif des auteurs était de fournir une évaluation préliminaire de l’état de conservation des plantes médicinales canadiennes en analysant les ressources de données disponibles. [Traduit par la Rédaction]

Ethnobotany in the Andes and the Amazon in a world of Nagoya Protocol and post SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Plants provide humankind with our most basic resources — food, medicines, fiber, and a whole array of other useful products. Relatives of wild crops and traditional plant varieties have been the foundation of crop domestication, plant breeding, and indeed the whole of modern agriculture. Plants provide the molecular basis of many pharmaceuticals, as direct compounds or as molecular blueprints. Modern science has started to confirm that the distinction between nutrition and medicine is blurred. With economic development empowering a greater percentage of the world’s people, urban areas continuing to expand, and human populations projected to double in the next 50 years, it seems certain that natural resources will face increasing threat. Habitat loss, unsustainable extraction of plants, spread of invasive species, climate change, and other human activities will have tremendous impacts. In this overview, we assess the changes in ethnobotanical research in the Andes and Amazon in the last decades using the Chábobo Ethnobotany Project as an example for modern ethnobotanical research under Convention on Biological Diversity and the attached Nagoya Protocol, and reflect on the possibilities of using this model for future ethnobotanical studies in a post-SARS-CoV-2 world.Alternate :Les plantes fournissent à l’humanité nos ressources les plus élémentaires — nourriture, médicaments, fibres et toute une gamme d’autres produits utiles. Les parents des cultures sauvages et des variétés traditionnelles ont été à la base de la domestication des cultures, de la sélection végétale et, en fait. Les plantes fournissent la base moléculaire de nombreux produits pharmaceutiques, sous forme de composés directs ou de plans moléculaires. La science moderne commence à confirmer que la distinction entre nutrition et médecine est floue. Étant donné que le développement économique autonomise un plus grand pourcentage de la population mondiale, que les zones urbaines continuent de s’étendre et que la population humaine devrait doubler au cours des 50 prochaines années, il semble certain que les ressources naturelles seront de plus en plus menacées. La perte d’habitat, l’extraction non durable de plantes, la propagation d’espèces envahissantes, le changement climatique et d’autres activités humaines auront un impact considérable. Les espèces végétales seront perdues, la diversité génétique des espèces survivantes sera diminuée et les connaissances traditionnelles associées à l’utilisation des plantes seront érodées. Dans cet aperçu, nous évaluons les changements dans la recherche ethnobotanique dans les Andes et l’Amazonie au cours des dernières décennies en utilisant le Projet Ethnobotanique Chábobo comme exemple pour la recherche ethnobotanique moderne dans le cadre de la Convention sur la diversité biologique et du Protocole de Nagoya, et réfléchir aux possibilités d’utiliser ce modèle pour de futures études ethnobotaniques dans un monde SARS-CoV-2.

Practical consequences of digital sequence information (DSI) definitions and access and benefit‐sharing scenarios from a plant genebank’s perspective

It is currently discussed whether the use of digital sequence information (DSI) on genetic resources would need to be subject to access and benefit‐sharing obligations, like the use of genetic resources. In this paper, we analyse the consequences of genebank management of DSI definitions currently considered, and of scenarios proposed for dealing with the access and benefit‐sharing aspects of DSI.The analysis is based on publicly accessible literature and experiences of and discussions with genebank managers, researchers and experts on genetic resources policies. The key findings are as follows:the definition of DSI is still disputed and definitions currently considered vary from only the base sequence of genomic DNA to all information associated with genetic resources;four groups of scenarios proposed for arranging the access and benefit‐sharing aspects of DSI can be distinguished, with these scenarios differing in their benefit‐sharing modalities, technical feasibility, the complexity they generate and thus the ease of access to information and genetic resources;from a genebank perspective, the scenario generating the lowest complexity and the easiest access to DSI would be preferable.It is concluded that the multilateral and the free access scenarios seem most beneficial for genebanks, as these scenarios limit the complexity for users and allow easy access and use. We are aware of the political difficulties to arrive at these solutions, but hope this paper will contribute to guiding the discussions in a direction that will be beneficial for genebanks, for users of genebank materials and information, and ultimately for addressing the challenges to present and future food security.