Daocheng Ma

Spatholobus suberectus is a traditional edible, ornamental, and medicinal vine with an abundant flavonoid content in its dried stems. An integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis was conducted on its vegetative organs to identify flavonoid biosynthesis pathways. The results showed that: (1) a total of 268 flavonoids could be identified among all the vegetative organs, and stems accumulated most of them; (2) a total of 449,569,220 clean reads were retained from all the vegetative organs (many genes related to key enzymes of flavonoid biosynthesis and transcription factors were found in all the compared groups between different organs; among them, 77 genes showed high correlations with key flavonoids in different pathways); and (3) PAL (encoding phenylalanine ammonia-lyase), 4CL (encoding 4-coumarate: CoA ligase), C4H (encoding cinnamate-4-hydroxylase), CHS (encoding chalcone synthase), DFR (encoding dihydroflavonol 4-reductase) and others showed positive correlations with L-phenylalanine and various flavonoids, while FLS (encoding flavonol synthase) showed negative correlations with many flavonols and flavonoids, as revealed through integrated analysis. This study reveals the flavonoid biosynthesis characteristics in S. suberectus and provides new insights into the utilization of its biological resources.

Alpinia hainanensis Hayata (family Zingiberaceae) is a medicinal plant with high potential for understory cultivation, but the variations in growth, morphological status, physiological conditions, nutrient absorption and phytochemical contents between different understory provenances originating from southern China remain poorly understood. In this study, different growth, physiological and phytochemical indices of three provenances [Hainan (HN) and Bobai (BB)/Baise (BS) from Guangxi] were determined, in order to better evaluate their introduction potentials. The results showed that two Guangxi provenances (BB and BS) showed superior aboveground growth and biomass accumulation compared to the HN provenance, yet most the leaf functional traits and medicinal qualities of some organs were similar. Sprout and leaf growth were consistent, and a negative correlation was observed between leaf nitrogen and flavonoid content. Based on principal component analysis (PCA), BB performed better than two other provenances in growth and phytochemical aspects. Due to the limited number of collections of provenances and absence of microclimate data, these findings should be considered preliminary. This study provides a basis for provenances selection and understory cultivation in A. hainanensis in (sub)tropical regions.

Dendrocalamus latiflorus is widely distributed in southern China and has high ornamental and edible value. The growth dynamics and the associations between growth and the distribution of nutrients or chemical components across various parts and stages of shoot development remain inadequately understood. In this study, tender shoots of D. latiflorus from Guangxi, China, were used to conduct experiments. During the edible growth period, the height, ground diameter, and morphology of the tender shoots were investigated, and the growth stages were classified by conducting ordered sample cluster analysis. The internal internode anatomy and nutritional/chemical components of the tender shoots at different growth stages and parts were measured and analyzed. The optimal harvesting stages and parts were determined by conducting a comprehensive analysis using the technique for order preference by similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS). The height growth of D. latiflorus tender shoots lasted for 21 days and can be divided into four stages: I (0-9 d), II (10-13 d), III (14-17 d), and IV (18-21 d), while thickening growth lasted about 19 days. The moisture content of D. latiflorus tender shoots decreased as growth increased. Cell division and elongation increased the height of tender shoots. Among the four stages, cell division dominated in Stages I and II, whereas cell elongation dominated in Stages III and IV. The changes in nutrients and chemical components in different parts and stages of tender shoot development have distinct characteristics, and the differences are significant. The starch and reducing sugar contents reached a maximum value in the lower part of Stage II (10.19 mg·g^-1, 18.87 mg·g^-1), whereas the soluble sugar content reached a maximum value in the middle of Stage III (2.15 mg·g^-1). The protein and fat contents were the highest in the upper part of Stage IV (3.84% and 4.8%). The contents of the chemical components of flavonoids and vitamin C were the highest in the middle of Stage IV (5.51 mg·g^-1, 33.58 mg·100 g^-1), whereas the contents of cellulose and lignin in the later part of Stage IV were the highest (9.43% and 13.67%, respectively). Stage II (10-13 d) was the best harvest stage for D. latiflorus tender shoots, according to the comprehensive TOPSIS analysis, and the comprehensive quality of the upper part was the best in this stage. Additionally, the middle part of Stage III and the lower part of Stage IV were also high quality and could also be harvested. This study revealed the growth patterns of the tender shoots of D. latiflorus from morphological, anatomical, and physiological perspectives, as well as the dynamic changes in nutrient content during their growth. Within the 21-day edible stage, Stage II (10-13 days) was identified as the optimal harvesting stage, with the upper part of the shoot being the best section for harvest. This study provided a theoretical basis for further cultivating high-quality D. latiflorus for shoot production and has significant potential for increasing economic benefits.

The leaves of Magnoliaceae family plants contain abundant essential oils (EOs), and these species can be used in many fields due to their high industrial, medicinal, and ornamental values. This study aims to identify the main compounds of the EOs from the leaves of five common Magnoliaceae species (Michelia maudiae, Michelia hedyosperma, Michelia macclurei, Manglietia lucida, Manglietia conifer) using hydrodistillation, GC–MS analysis, and in vitro tests. Additionally, the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the EOs were also evaluated. The results show that 151 compounds were identified across five species, with sesquiterpenes being dominant. Some key compounds (such as β-caryophyllene, δ-amorphene, β-guaiene, globulol, and β-acorenol) were common among all the species, highlighting their crucial roles in plant physiology and resilience. Other compounds (like valeranone and nerolidol in M. maudiae and β-elemene in M. macclurei) were specific, indicating different functions. Among the five species, the essential oil of M. macclurei contains β-elemene and nerolidyl acetate, and it has the weakest antioxidant activity (IC50 value: 2918.61~21,341.98 μg/mL) but the strongest antibacterial activity (inhibition zone diameter: 8.55 ± 0.93~22.92 ± 0.46 mm; LC50 value: 0.02~0.78 mg/mL). Meanwhile, the EO of M. maudiae demonstrated the best antioxidant activity (the IC50 value was 1283.58~6258.32 μg/mL) and the second-best antibacterial activity (the inhibition zone diameter ranged from 7.61 ± 0.02 to 26.92 ± 0.46 mm, and the LC50 value was 0.03~2.28 mg/mL). Overall, the EO of M. maudiae had the best comprehensive performance. Therefore, the EOs of M. macclurei and M. maudiae showed different performances in biological activity categories, and they could be developed and used in different fields, with the possibility of discovering new applications. This brings inspiration to the potential commercial and industrial uses of sesquiterpenes in Magnoliaceae.

Erythropalum scandens Bl. is a medicinal woody vegetable found in southern China and parts of Southeast Asia. Studies have shown improper substrate hindered E. scandens seedling growth, causing water accumulation and nutrient deficiency. In pursuit of an ideal growth medium for E. scandens seedlings during the early stages, this study conducted a pot experiment to identify a mixed substrate with optimal water permeability and fertility. In this study, pure Alfisols soil treatment as the control (CK), and two soilless substrates (peat soil and perlite) were combined with Alfisols soil into different volume ratios, in order to better use soil resources from understory space and balance the texture of mixed substrates. The growth, physiological characteristics and nutrient status of 24-month-old E. scandens seedlings were determined after planting in different mixed ratios. The results showed that as the proportion of peat soil increased in the mix, most indexes exhibited an initial increase followed by a decline, while soluble protein content decreased consistently. Conversely, an increasing perlite ratio resulted in a general decline in most growth and physiological indexes. Root growth, biomass accumulation and chlorophyll content, peaked in the 66.67% Alfisols soil + 33.33% perlite (T4) treatment. Notably, T3 (66.67% Alfisols soil + 33.33% peat soil) showcased the best above-ground growth, while T1 (50.00% Alfisols soil + 50.00% peat soil) excelled in element content accumulation. In conclusion, the cultivation substrate should primarily consist of Alfisols soil, constituting at least 50%. The addition of peat soil enhances above-ground growth and nutrients accumulation, while perlite contributes to robust root development. One third of peat soil and a small amount of perlite can be added to the substrate during E. scandens seedling cultivation, and proper fertilization should also be used in order to increase nutrient accumulation in aboveground and underground parts. This research provides valuable insights into maximizing the potential of E. scandens seedlings through precise cultivation methods.