Mustafa Çelik

Background and Aims: The genus Scaligeria DC. s.l. represents approximately 50 species globally. In Türkiye, six species were identified within this genus: Scaligeria napiformis Grande, S. glaucescens Boiss., S. meifolia Boiss., S. lazica Boiss., S. hermonis Post., and S. tripartita (Kalenicz.) Tamamsch. The non-monophyletic status of the genus Scaligeria s.l has led to significant challenges in its infrageneric classification, prompting several studies aimed at addressing these issues. In this study, we examined six species distributed in Türkiye, including five species (Bunium hermonis, Pimpinella lazica, P. tripartita, Elaeosticta meifolia, and E. glaucescens) that were previously classified within the genus Scaligeria, as well as Scaligeria napiformis.This study has two main objectives: the first is to conduct a comprehensive examination of the morphological characteristics of Scaligeria napiformis and the species Bunium hermonis, Pimpinella lazica, P. tripartita, Elaeosticta meifolia, and E. glaucescens, previously classified within Scaligeria, in order to fill gaps in existing morphological descriptions. The second objective was to investigate the phylogeny of the genus Scaligeria and its related species, with a particular focus on Pimpinella lazica and Pimpinella tripartita, using nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences and chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) regions, including the trnL-trnF, trnL intron, and matK genes.Methods: Plant materials were collected from different localities in Türkiye. In addition, specimens of these species were studied through visits to both national and international herbaria or examined digital images of the specimens. The specimens were examined under a stereomicroscope and compared with the type materials and descriptions in the Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands. The phylogeny of Scaligeria s.l. and its allies were examined based on the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS), plastid matK and plastid trnLF+trnL DNA regions by conducting maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) analyses for 82 accessions.Results: The morphological description of Scaligeria napiformis, Bunium hermonis, Pimpinella lazica, P. tripartita, Elaeosticta meifolia, and E. glaucescens has been expanded. Photographs of the natural habitats of these species, along with their phenology and distribution data, have been provided. Identification keys have also been given for the species of Scaligeria distributed globally, as well as for the species of Elaeosticta present in Türkiye.In our study, the trnL-trnF gene, trnL intron, and matK gene regions of these species were sequenced for the first time. Additionally, the phylogenetic positions of P. lazica and P. tripartita, based on nrDNA ITS and cpDNA trnL-trnF gene, trnL intron and matK gene sequences, were demonstrated for the first time in our study. Our phylogenetic results showed that Scaligeria + Carum appuanum (Viv.) Grande and Elaeosticta Fenzl were monophyletic, whereas Pimpinella L. (99% BS, 1.00 PP and 100% BS, 1.00 PP) and Bunium L. (99% BS, 1.00 PP and 95% BS, 0.95 PP) were polyphyletic with strong support. The transfer of S. lazica and S. tripartita species to the genus Pimpinella, the transfer of S. meifolia and S. glaucescens species to the genus Elaeosticta, and the transfer of S. hermonis species to the genus Bunium have been confirmed.Currently, the genus Scaligeria is represented by only one species, S. napiformis, in Türkiye. Elaeosticta, which was represented by a single species in Türkiye, is now represented by three species. Following the transfer of the species S. hermonis, the number of species within the genus Bunium present in Türkiye increased to 18. After the inclusion of S. lazica and S. tripartita into the genus Pimpinella, the total number of Pimpinella species found in Türkiye increased to 30.

The sesquiterpene lactones (SL) of Inula helenium (I. helenium) roots were extracted using high-pressure homogenization (HPH) and compared against those derived from maceration. The effect of process conditions on the extraction efficiency of bioactive compounds (alantolactone, isoalantolactone, total phenols, and flavonoids); the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical-scavenging activity, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and antimicrobial activity of the extract; and the inhibition of advanced glycated end product (AGE) formation were assessed. The HPH of 90 MPa for 4 passes demonstrated the highest alantolactone (38.1 ± 0.7 mg/g) and isoalantolactone yields (34.4 ± 0.2 mg/g), respectively, which were significantly higher than the rates obtained using maceration (20.0 ± 0.2 mg/g and 18.9 ± 0.7 mg/g). Under optimal extraction conditions of 90 MPa for 4 passes, inhibition of AGE formation in the extract reached a rate of 97.16 ± 1.86%, with the highest DPPH and FRAP of 231.63 ± 2.96 µg/mL and 949.43 ± 1.86 µmol TE/100 mL, respectively. HPH exhibited lethal activity against all tested bacteria and fungi strains (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, and Penicillum expansum) at a concentration of 15 µL. SEM results proved that HPH severely damaged the cell structures of roots, increased solvent permeability, and improved the extraction rate of bioactive compounds. Additionally, this study also demonstrated that HPH yields high recovery with a specific energy consumption of 0.22 kWh/kg, which is close to the recommended minimum energy demand for an extraction procedure within industrial production processes. Therefore, these findings showed that HPH can be used as an efficient extraction technique for the production of SL in related industries.

Inula helenium roots are consumed as natural flavor components and raw or cooked as food, and their extracts are rich in sesquiterpene lactones such as alantolactone (AL) and isoalantolactone (IAL), which have recently attracted great attention due to their pharmacological properties. The industrial utilization of these compounds requires the development of green, efficient, cost‐effective, and sustainable extraction protocols. Therefore, this study focused on the optimization of microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE) process variables using Face‐Centered Central Composite Design (FC‐CCD). Then, maceration was applied as a conventional technique, and these techniques were compared in terms of extraction efficiency, morphological changes, antimicrobial activities, carbon emissions, and energy consumption. As a result, optimal MAE conditions, i.e., EtOH: water ratio (X₁) = 100:0, liquid/sample ratio (X₂) = 30:1 mL/g, microwave power (X₃) = 300 W, and irradiation time (X₄) = 5 min, were obtained with AL and IAL yields of 54.99 ± 0.11 (mg/g) and 48.40 ± 0.19 (mg/g), respectively. The extract obtained by MAE had similar or better activity than positive controls in most cases and formed the largest inhibition zones against E. coli (29.5 ± 0.71 mm) and A. niger (34.75 ± 1.06 mm). Morphological changes of I. helenium roots after extraction were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, MAE was 43.4 times faster than maceration, resulting in 228.6 times less energy consumption and carbon emissions. Based on these findings, it is recommended to use MAE as an industrial green technique for the extraction of sesquiterpene lactones with potential applications in nutraceuticals and food products in terms of sustainable economy and environmental protection.

The aim of the present study was to analyse the support for reducing Chaerophyllum karsianum and C. posofianum , both local endemic to northeast Anatolia, to synonyms of C. bulbosum . Chaerophyllum karsianum is closely related to C. bulbosum but may be distinguished from it by its pink petals, ciliate bracteoles, entire leaf segments and 12–16 rays. Chaerophyllum posofianum is also closely related to C. bulbosum but differs from it by its entire leaf segments, ciliate bracteoles and purple anthers. However, our field observations and examination of herbarium specimens showed that all these diagnostic morphological characters overlap. The flower color of C. bulbosum ranges from white to purple within populations or even individuals, and the bracteole margin ranges from entire to ciliate. We also investigated and compared the anatomical and micromorphological characteristics of fruits of C. bulbosum , C. karsianum and C. posofianum , but found no diagnostic differences. Furthermore, nucleotide sequence data generated for the present study showed that the internal transcribed spacer sequences of C. karsianum and C. posofianum were identical to those of C. bulbosum . Our results thus strongly support that C. bulbosum , C. karsianum and C. posofianum are conspecific.

Oliveria is a little-known, monotypic genus of the family Apiaceae. The only accepted species, O. decumbens, is distributed throughout Mesopotamia. It is an annual, aromatic plant that has been used in traditional medicine since ancient times. The aim of this study was to examine morphological, micromorphological, and anatomical characters of O. decumbens in order to increase the current botanical knowledge of this genus.

In this study, the morphology, palynology, fruit micromorphology and anatomy of Sanicula europaea L. were studied. The morphological description of S. europaea is expanded. Pollen morphology of the species was examined by SEM and LM, and the micromorphological characters of the fruit were also examined by SEM. Cross-sections of mature fruits were examined, and a detailed anatomical description is presented.

A phylogenetic study of the Opopanax and Crenosciadium was conducted to elucidate their circumscription and infrageneric relationships. Sequence data from nrDNA ITS, cpDNA matK and trnL-F were used to determine their phylogenetic relationship. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplifications of all regions were performed using universal primers. Maximum Likelihood (ML) trees were constructed using PAUP* software, another phylogenetic tree of ITS sequences showing node ages was obtained from MrBayes programme and Neighbour Net Diagrams were constructed using Splits Tree programme. Our results clearly showed that Smyrniopsis and Opopanax are allied strongly with Petroedmondia syriaca, Magydaris panacifolia, and Crenosciadium siifolium.

The poorly known monotypic genus Szovitsia Fisch. & C.A.Mey, in the Apiaceae family, is here revised. Szovitsia callicarpa Fisch. & C.A.Mey. is an annual herb with a restricted distribution in the Caucasus region and adjacent areas of northwestern Iran and northeastern Turkey. The genus is unusual within the family because of the transverse plicae covering its fruits. In this study, morphological, micromorphological, and anatomical characters of S. callicarpa are reviewed. In addition, a previous lectotypification of the name S. callicarpa is discussed and amended.

Chromosomal data and karyological relationships provide valuable information about karyotype evolution and speciation. For the genus Bunium, the chromosomal data are limited. In the present study, the chromosomal data of 10 taxa are provided, 6 of which are given for the first time, 2 present new chromosome numbers, and 2 agree with previous reports. Four different chromosome numbers (2n=18, 20, 22 and 40) were detected, and 2n=40 is a new number in the genus Bunium. B. brachyactis is the first polyploid species of the genus with a ploidy level of 4x. The most asymmetric karyotypes are those of B. pinnatifolium and B. sayae. Regarding karyological relationships, B. pinnatifolium forms a monophyletic group by quite different karyological features such as large chromosomes, more submedian chromosomes and most asymmetric karyotypes. In addition, the other 5 taxa form a strong monophyletic group. B. verruculosum and B. ferulaceum are cytotaxonomically very close species, as are B. sayae and B. elegans var. elegans. The chromosome numbers of 2 Turkish species, B. nudum and B. sivasicum, remain unknown. The presented results provide important contributions to the cytotaxonomy of Bunium.