Giuseppe Bazan

Several species of the genus Athamanta L. (Apiaceae) have been used since ancient times for their remarkable therapeutic properties and biological potential. Among them, Athamanta sicula L. is the only species of this genus found in Sicily, Italy. This study highlights the chemotaxonomic variability of the essential oils of this species by correlating chemical results with environmental and geographical data. Chemical analysis by GC-MS confirmed the predominance of apiol (47.5%), while spectroscopic analysis confirmed both the spectrometric characterization of the entire essential oil and the analytical purity of the isolated apiol. Biological assays showed that the apiol-rich essential oil retained antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities comparable to those of the previously characterized myristicin-rich chemotype, while displaying enhanced activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Membrane-permeabilization assays supported membrane damage as a major antibacterial mechanism, whereas antioxidant tests revealed a more efficient scavenging response of the apiol-rich chemotype at lower concentrations. Overall, these findings suggest that climate-associated chemotypic variation modifies specific functional traits without substantially compromising the biological activity of the essential oil.

In recent years, the concept of resilience has become increasingly prominent across a wide range of disciplines, offering a valuable lens through which to explore how landscapes evolve over the long term

The full extent of the ecological threat posed by non-native invasive leguminous N-fixing trees to Italian ecosystems has not been thoroughly documented at the national level. This study, conducted by the Working Group on Alien Species of the Italian Botanical Society, aims to develop a comprehensive dataset that provides information on invaded and non-invaded areas, supporting multi-scale ecological analyses on the impact of black locust ( Robinia pseudoacacia ) and different Acacia sensu lato species across Italy. We conducted paired vegetation surveys across 18 distinct invasion contexts, comparing invaded and non-invaded plant communities. These invasion contexts were selected opportunistically by the participating research groups, based on the availability of well-documented sites where the focal species were already established and exerting ecologically relevant effects. Overall, we conducted 342 vegetation surveys across 10 Italian administrative regions and identified 824 plant species. Our surveys highlighted areas affected by five invasive species, including A. dealbata, A. mearnsii, A. saligna , Vachellia karroo , and R. pseudoacacia . Most of the surveys focused on areas invaded by A. saligna . The plant formations investigated fall under 23 EUNIS habitat codes and 10 Natura 2000 habitats. The most frequently occurring vegetation types under the EUNIS code are temperate and Mediterranean-montane scrub, and the most frequently investigated habitat is priority habitat 2250*: Coastal dunes with Juniperus sp. pl. This dataset provides a robust baseline that can facilitate more detailed assessments of the impacts of these invasive species on native ecosystems.

Athamanta L. is a small genus of the Apiaceae family, comprising only sixteen species and subspecies, which are distributed in the Canary Islands, Central Europe, and the Mediterranean basin. Background/Objectives: Since the time of Dioscurides, the species of this genus have been reported to have had several ethnopharmacological activities, and some of them are also used currently. Athamanta sicula L., growing in Italy, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco, is the only species of this genus present in Sicily. To further explore the phytochemical profile and biological properties of this species, the present study focused on the essential oil (EO) extracted from the aerial parts of wild A. sicula populations collected in central Sicily. Methods: The chemical composition of the EO, obtained by hydrodistillation, was determined by GC–MS analysis. The presence of myristicin was confirmed by isolation and by ¹H-NMR spectroscopic characterization. Results: The EO and its main constituents have been tested for possible antimicrobial properties against several bacterial strains, showing MIC values in the of 15–30 mg/mL range, and the mechanism of action was further investigated, revealing membrane-targeting effects consistent with outer membrane permeabilization. In addition, antibiofilm activity (with up to ~80% inhibition of biofilm formation at sub-MICs), antioxidant potential (demonstrating dose-dependent radical scavenging activity), and biocompatibility with eukaryotic cells were assessed to provide a comprehensive pharmacological profile of A. sicula EO. Specifically, the most abundant constituent was myristicin (62.2%), the principal representative of the phenylpropanoid class (64.4%). Hydrocarbon monoterpenes represented the second class of the EO (27.4%), with β-phellandrene (12.2%) as the main compound. Conclusions: Myristicin emerged as the key contributor to the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of the EO. The obtained results highlight the relevance of A. sicula EO as a myristicin-rich essential oil with notable in vitro biological activity.

Nigella sativa, or black cumin, is used as a spice in cooking and as a food supplement like seeds or oil for its biological properties, including antioxidant capacity, anti-inflammatory action, and support for the immune system. In the present study, the chemical composition and biological activities of the Nigella sativa seeds’ fatty oil (NS) were investigated. The analytical composition was carried out by several techniques, such as GC-MS spectrometry and ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopies using appropriate internal standards. The GC-MS analysis highlighted the presence of palmitic and linoleic acid as major compounds. The antioxidant potential was evaluated through the DPPH radical-scavenging assay, and, furthermore, the NS effect on intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels was assessed in HaCaT cells (non-tumorigenic human keratinocytes) under oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide. The cytotoxic and genotoxic profiles were evaluated on Caco-2 cells (human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells) using the CCK-8 viability assay and the Comet assay, respectively. Overall, the results demonstrated that NS possessed antioxidant activity, as evidenced by concentration-dependent DPPH radical scavenging and reduced intracellular ROS levels in HaCaT cells under oxidative stress. In Caco-2 colorectal cancer cells, NS induced significant cytotoxicity and DNA damage at higher concentrations, suggesting potential genotoxic effects. These findings support the dual role of NS as a natural antioxidant and a promising candidate for nutraceutical and dermatological applications, including those targeting oxidative stress-related conditions and cancer.

This contribution presents new Italian data on the distribution of Annex I Habitats. Specifically, 9 records are reported, including 3 occurrences within Natura 2000 sites and the addition of 9 new cells to the EEA 10 km × 10 km reference grid. The new data refer to the Italian administrative regions of Apulia, Basilicata, Calabria, Piedmont, Sardinia, and Sicily.

Daucus is a large genus of the Apiaceae family, comprising around forty-five accepted species, that has a worldwide distribution. Species of this genus have been reported to have several traditional medicinal uses, and some of them are also largely used as food and spices. Daucus nebrodensis Strobl. is an endemic species of Sicily growing in the montane environments of the Madonie and the Nebrodi Mountains. In this work, the essential oil of D. nebrodensis (DnEO), collected wild near Messina (Italy), was chemically and biologically investigated. The hydrodistilled essential oil (yield 0.15%), obtained from fresh aerial parts, was evaluated by GC-MS, and It was particularly rich in monoterpene hydrocarbons, with sabinene (33.6%), α-pinene (17.2%), γ-terpinene (9.8%), and α-terpinene (7.6%) as the main metabolites. DnEO, and its main constituents, have been tested to evaluate their biological properties. Given the current problem of antibiotic resistance, it is of great interest to identify alternative molecules that could counteract the its progression. Therefore, DnEO was tested against Gram-negative species, such as E. coli DH5α and P. aeruginosa PAOI, and Gram-positive species, such as S. aureus ATCC6538P, B. subtilis AZ54, and M. smegmatis MC²155, showing notable antibacterial activity. The MIC for Bacillus subtilis, the most sensitive strain, was 18 mg/mL, while the MIC for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the least sensitive strain, was 30 mg/mL. Moreover, interesting antibiofilm activity was observed against Mycobacterium smegmatis with a 55% inhibition. Its ability to form biofilms contributes to its persistence and resistance in clinical settings. These findings highlight the potential of D. nebrodensis EO as a source of bioactive compounds with promising antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties.

We present ReSurveyDunes — the first database of Italian coastal dune vegetation plots, developed through a collaborative network of Italian vegetation scientists. This paper describes the scope of the initiative, provides an overview of the available data, and highlights its key features, research applications, and future potential. ReSurveyDunes currently comprises 972 vegetation plots distributed across 11 Italian regions (Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio, Molise, Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany, and Veneto). The original plots were surveyed between 1974 and 2009, with a primary focus on herbaceous psammophilous coastal zonation (habitats 1210, 2110, 2120, 2130*, 2210, 2230, and 2240, as defined by the 92/43/EEC Habitats Directive). Resurveys were conducted in 2023 and 2024. Each plot dataset includes (i) a complete list of vascular plant species with cover estimates; (ii) geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude); (iii) sampling dates; and (iv) plot size. Designed to analyze fine-scale temporal trends in Italian coastal vegetation, ReSurveyDunes is a versatile tool for diverse ecological studies. It represents a valuable resource for evidence-based decision-making, enabling targeted conservation and management actions informed by up-to-date ecological data.

Floristic and biodiversity knowledge play a crucial role in ecosystem conservation and sustainable land management, particularly in urban-rural contexts that can serve as biodiversity reservoirs, hosting species of high biogeographic value. Focusing on the new municipality of Misiliscemi, established in 2021 in Sicily and now facing the challenge of developing new management strategies, this study provides fundamental knowledge on the plant biodiversity of the area and explores how the integration of floristic and environmental data can guide territorial planning strategies aimed at preserving natural capital and ecosystem services. The research, based on field surveys conducted over many years, taxonomic identification of species, analysis of biological forms and chorological data, evaluation of ecological indicators, and GIS-based habitat mapping according to the EUNIS classification, has made it possible to obtain a comprehensive dataset. The results of this work led to the identification of 623 taxa, recording new findings for the Sicilian flora, including both native and alien species, which represent primary biodiversity data crucial for plant resource management. In addition, 42 habitat types were mapped, highlighting that approximately 80% of the territory is occupied by vegetated man-made habitats. Despite anthropogenic pressures and landscape modifications, Misiliscemi retains significant plant biodiversity, including habitats and species of conservation interest, that represent a vital resource for natural capital and ecosystem services. This knowledge base, in addition to constituting the scientific foundation upon which this young municipality can develop an urban planning strategy aimed at achieving sustainable local development, also represents a methodological approach that highlights how basic knowledge of urban biodiversity should be considered a crucial aspect of sustainable urban planning worldwide.

New Italian data on the distribution of some of the Annex I Habitats are reported in this contribution. Specifically, 16 records are presented including 9 new occurrences in Natura 2000 sites, and 27 new cells are added in the EEA 10 km × 10 km reference grid. The new data refer to the Italian administrative regions of Abruzzo, Apulia, Latium, Marche, Lombardy, Piedmont, Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany, and Veneto.