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It Runs in the Family: The Importance of the Lamiaceae Family Species

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A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Horticultural and Floricultural Crops".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 January 2024) | Viewed by 20383

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Antonios Chrysargyris

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Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology and Food Science, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol 3036, Cyprus
Interests: aromatic plants and vegetable cultivation; development of strategies for plant nutrition and response to abiotic stress; soil-less culture, substrates and hydroponics; postharvest storage and processing of medicinal and aromatic plants; essential oil analysis and biocidal activity; evaluation of natural products
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues，

In industry, academia, agriculture and health sciences, interest is growing in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs). This trend is taking place due to MAPs having strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, as well as other biological properties, in their tissue and extracts, which exceed many commonly used natural and synthetic antioxidants. These properties are related to the presence of a series of compound groups (phenols, flavonols/flavonoids, alkaloids, polypeptides, vitamins, catechins, phytoestrogens, carotenoids, chlorophyll, minerals, etc.). One of the most prominent medicinal plant families, with a great variety of species (more than 7000 species in 236 genera) of cosmopolitan distribution, is the Lamiaceae family (Labiatae). Species from this family are of great economic importance at a global level, being sold as fresh matter, dry material, essential oils and a number of by-products.

What makes these species so unique? Cultivation offers the opportunity to optimize yield and achieve a uniform, high-quality product, while wild-grown plants provide unique and rare traits, but with great variability. Moreover, a series of difficulties should be faced: low seed germination rates, fertigation and irrigation needs, and harvesting and postharvest management for fresh and dry plants. Intensive cultivation systems (hydroponics, new substrates) and their effect on Lamiaceae growth, production and quality are yet to be explored.

The aim of this Special Issue is to collect state-of-the-art research on species from the Lamiaceae family that will provide new insights on the importance and unique properties of these plants. All recent advances in the introduction of native (or new) species to cultivation schemes, new cultivation techniques (hydroponics, substrates), new applications and uses (edible flowers, urban uses, postharvest management, etc.), and innovative and improved methods of determining biological properties will also be covered in this Special Issue.

Dr. Antonios Chrysargyris
Guest Editor

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

edible flowers
organic farming
urban uses
natural products/biological activities
unexplored edible plants
introduction of native populations to cultivation schemes
added-value products
plant byproducts
new technological applications
new cultivation techniques
hydroponics/substrates
essential oils and extract properties

Related Special Issue

It Runs in the Family: The Importance of the Lamiaceae Family Species—2nd Edition in Agronomy

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 1414 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Nutrient Solutions in an NGS^® Soilless System on the Yield, Quality and Shelf Life of Fresh-Cut Commercial Mint at Different Harvest Times

by Saeid Hazrati, Giuseppe Pignata, Manuela Casale, Seyyed Jaber Hosseini and Silvana Nicola

Agronomy 2024, 14(3), 610; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14030610 - 18 Mar 2024

Viewed by 746

Abstract

The optimal fertilizer concentration for Mentha plants is contingent on the growing systems and harvest time, serving as operational solutions to control and enhance quality and yield. This study aimed to determine the effects of three macronutrients concentration in hydroponic nutrient solution (HNS) during three harvest times on the growth, quality, yield, and shelf life of three mint species (M. spicata L. var. viridis (MV); M. piperita L. (MP); M. spicata L. var. rubra (MR)) grown in a New Growing System (NGS^®). Total dry matter (DM), nitrate (NO₃⁻), phosphate (PO₄³⁻), and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) concentrations were increased with the addition of higher levels of nutrient fertilization in three species. When the ion concentration of the HNS was increased, total fresh yield decreased. The highest total bacterial count (TBC) was obtained in MR species in the three harvests in all the levels of HNS. The lowest browning potential (BP) and soluble o-quinone (So-Q) levels were observed at second harvest in the MR species with the application of one of the two HNS high in nitrogen (N). In conclusion, the combination of optimal HNS ion concentration and appropriate species is considered essential to obtain suitable yield, quality, and ensure shelf life of mint. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue It Runs in the Family: The Importance of the Lamiaceae Family Species)

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16 pages, 1684 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Origanum dictamnus Essential Oil in Vapour or Aqueous Solution Application for Pepper Fruit Preservation against Botrytis cinerea

by Nikolaos Tzortzakis

Agronomy 2024, 14(2), 257; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14020257 - 25 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 710

Abstract

The use of synthetic sanitizers for fresh commodities preservation is of concern, with eco-friendly alternatives, including essential oils (EOs), attracting research and industry interest. Dittany (Origanum dictamnus—DIT) oil was applied, either through vapour or dipping, on pepper fruit or in vitro against Botrytis cinerea, and compared to untreated (control) or chlorine (CHL)-treated fruits stored at 11 °C. Direct DIT vapours (up to 6 d) suppressed lesion growth, spore germination, and spore production compared to the untreated fruits. The antimicrobial properties of EOs were evidenced in pre-exposed-to-DIT oil vapours (residual effect), resulting in fruit lesion suppression. However, DIT-pretreated fruits had the same spore production and spore germination as the control and CHL applications. In in vitro tests, DIT vapours decreased colony growth and spore production when fungi were grown on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) or PDA pre-exposed to DIT following B. cinerea inoculation. This evidenced that the disease suppression after DIT vapour application primarily affected the interaction of the fruit–pathogen and/or residual responses on fruit tissue and/or PDA media. Fungal biomass in Potato Dextrose Broth (PDB) was evaluated after DIT and CHL applications (10–50–100–500–5000 μL L⁻¹) and decreased with the DIT oil. Additionally, DIT or CHL sanitary dipping on pepper was ineffective against B. cinerea compared to vapour application. Therefore, DIT vapours revealed antimicrobial properties and could be an alternative postharvest sanitiser. DIT oil application should also be evaluated at semi-commercial scale for further optimizations, prior to commercialisation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue It Runs in the Family: The Importance of the Lamiaceae Family Species)

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12 pages, 2120 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Metabolic Characterization of Four Members of the Genus Stachys L. (Lamiaceae)

by Ekaterina-Michaela Tomou, Anastasia Karioti, Giorgos Tsirogiannidis, Nikos Krigas and Helen Skaltsa

Agronomy 2023, 13(10), 2624; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy13102624 - 17 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1524

Abstract

Several members of Stachys L. (among the largest Lamiaceae genera) have been traditionally used as medicinal plants. With 54 Stachys taxa (species and subspecies) occurring in mainland and/or insular Greece, the present study aimed to investigate the metabolic profiling of four range-restricted local Stachys members: Stachys candida and S. chrysantha (protected and endangered local Greek endemics), S. leucoglossa subsp. leucoglossa (local Balkan endemic), and S. spinulosa (local Balkan subendemic). In this investigation, the infusions of their above-ground parts were characterized using NMR and HPLC-PDA-MS techniques. Thus, 1D- and 2D-NMR spectra were obtained to compare the chemical fingerprints of these plants. Furthermore, previously isolated compounds from Stachys spp. were used to identify specific constituents. NMR screening revealed the presence of: (i) phenylethanoid glycosides, mainly acteoside in S. candida and S. chrysantha (section Candida, Swainsoniana phyloclade), and (ii) flavone 7-O-allosylglucoside (isoscutellarein 7-O-[6‴-O-acetyl-β-D-allopyranosyl]-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside) and iridoids (monomelittoside or/and melittoside) in S. leucoglossa subsp. leucoglossa (section Olisia, Swainsoniana/Olisia phyloclade, Swainsoniana phyloclade) and caffeoylquinic acid (chlorogenic acid) in S. spinulosa (section Campanistrum, Stachys phyloclade). In total, 26 compounds were detected by HPLC-PDA-MS belonging to flavonoids, phenylethanoid glycosides, and phenolic acids. Among them, chlorogenic acid was identified in all samples as one of their main metabolites. The present study complements previous studies with first reports of constituents detected in the studied taxa, reports for the first time on the metabolic characterization of S. spinulosa, and discusses the chemotaxonomic significance of such findings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue It Runs in the Family: The Importance of the Lamiaceae Family Species)

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17 pages, 1118 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of Lavender and Rosemary Essential Oils (EOs), Their Mixture and Eucalyptol (EOs Main Compound) on Cucumber Fruit Quality Attributes and Microbial Load

by Panayiota Xylia, Christos Goumenos, Nikolaos Tzortzakis and Antonios Chrysargyris

Agronomy 2023, 13(10), 2493; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy13102493 - 27 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 987

Abstract

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), one of the most widely consumed vegetables, presents high perishability during storage and marketing if it is not handled and stored properly. Currently, there is an increased interest of the food industry to reduce waste (due to quality losses) and to utilize natural products for the preservation of fresh commodities. This study’s goal was to evaluate the effects of lavender (Lav) and rosemary (Ros) essential oils (EOs), their mixture (Lav + Ros, 1:1 v/v) and their main compound (eucalyptol) via vapor phase on cucumber’s postharvest quality. The outcomes of this study demonstrated that 200 μL/L of Lav and Ros EOs increased the respiration rate of cucumbers after 10 days of storage at 11 °C, while 100 μL/L of the EOs mixture and Eucalyptol (100 and 200 μL/L) had no effect on respiration, on the same day. The application of Eucalyptol (100 and 200 μL/L) resulted in less acceptable fruits (less pleasant aroma and unpleasant taste). A decrease in fruit firmness was found in cucumbers exposed to Lav 200 μL/L and Ros 100 μL/L. Interestingly, Eucalyptol was found to accelerate the fruit ripening index after five days of storage, and to decrease organoleptic properties of the fruit (i.e., aroma, taste) on the fifth day of storage. The fruit revealed increased oxidative stress (i.e., increased lipid peroxidation), especially at a high concentration (200 μL/L) of Eucalyptol after 10 days. This has resulted in the activation of other non-enzymatic antioxidant mechanisms such as the increase in fruit ascorbic acid content. Notably, no effects on fruit weight loss, total soluble solids and color were observed with the examined treatments. Overall, this study suggests that the investigated products (EOs and their main compound) have a putative role in postharvest storage for the preservation of cucumbers. However, further investigation is needed for the determination of the optimum application conditions (i.e., concentration, time and method of application) on cucumbers and other fresh produce. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue It Runs in the Family: The Importance of the Lamiaceae Family Species)

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14 pages, 1851 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing the Extraction Process Efficiency of Thyme Essential Oil by Combined Ultrasound and Microwave Techniques

by Adina I. Gavrila, Ciprian G. Chisega-Negrila, Laura Maholea, Mircea L. Gavrila, Oana C. Parvulescu and Ioana Popa

Agronomy 2023, 13(9), 2331; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy13092331 - 06 Sep 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1367

Abstract

In this paper, the essential oil (EO) extraction from thyme by the consecutive use of ultrasound and microwave treatments is presented. The aim of this study was to apply an ultrasound pre-treatment of thyme leaves to enhance the thymol content and the extraction yield of the EO obtained by microwave-assisted hydro-distillation (MWHD). Compared with conventional hydro-distillation (CHD), the consecutive use of ultrasound pre-treatment and microwave extraction resulted in a 72% lower extraction time. When the ultrasound pre-treatment (using the ultrasonic processor with an amplitude of 70%) was applied, the EO content was 23% higher compared to the extraction without pre-treatment (2.67 ± 0.06 g EO/100 g DM for the MWHD with ultrasound pre-treatment compared with 2.18 ± 0.07 g EO/100 g DM for the MWHD without pre-treatment). The EO samples were analyzed by GC/MS. The results showed that the major component, thymol, varied from 43.54% (by CHD) to 65.94% (by the consecutive use of ultrasound and microwave treatments). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue It Runs in the Family: The Importance of the Lamiaceae Family Species)

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13 pages, 2592 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biological Activities of Lamiaceae Species: Bio-Guided Isolation of Active Metabolites from Salvia officinalis L.

by Eleni Tsitsigianni, Ekaterina-Michaela Tomou, Chara Almpani, Michail Ch. Rallis and Helen Skaltsa

Agronomy 2023, 13(5), 1224; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy13051224 - 26 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1125

Abstract

Lamiaceae family includes various medicinal and aromatic plants used in cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. The present study aimed to investigate in vitro the cytotoxic, photoprotective and antioxidant activities of ten Lamiaceae taxa; Melissa officinalis subsp. altissima (Sm.) Arcang., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Salvia officinalis L., Sideritis cypria Post, S. euboea Heldr., S. perfoliata L. subsp. perfoliata, S. scardica Griseb., S. sipylea Boiss., Stachys iva Griseb., and Thymus vulgaris L. The aqueous extract of Salvia officinalis was bio-guided fractionated to obtain the main bioactive metabolites, which were evaluated for the aforementioned effects and their wound-healing potential. In total, five compounds were isolated and identified through NMR spectra, namely salvianic acid A, rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acid K, luteolin-3′-O-β-D-glucuronide and hispidulin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide. All the compounds were photoprotective and non cytotoxic, while no statistically significant oxidative stress reduction was obtained. Regarding the wound-healing potential, salvianolic acid K was the most promising candidate. Overall, this study suggests photoprotective natural agents from various Lamiaceae species, widely found in Greece, and provides a better insight into Salvia officinalis and its bioactive constituents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue It Runs in the Family: The Importance of the Lamiaceae Family Species)

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16 pages, 2189 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Comparative Evaluation of Aquaponic and Soil Systems on Yield and Antioxidant Levels in Basil, an Important Food Plant in Lamiaceae

by Maryam A. O. K. Albadwawi, Zienab F. R. Ahmed, Shyam S. Kurup, Mohammed A. Alyafei and Abdul Jaleel

Agronomy 2022, 12(12), 3007; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12123007 - 29 Nov 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3101

Abstract

Greenhouse and aquaponic productions of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) are well established, but the comparison between these two methods is not studied in detail. A study was conducted to evaluate the performance of basil in both aquaponic and soil systems under greenhouse conditions. The plants were raised in aquaponic beds with ornamental fish and a set of plants was raised in soil pots under a greenhouse setup. The studied parameters were morphological, biochemical and antioxidant levels. In order to analyze the stress effects of an aquaponic system on plant defense mechanism, two different antioxidant enzymes (catalase and peroxidase) were analyzed. Water quality parameters were monitored during the entire study period. Based on the results, there was a significant increase in growth parameters in the aquaponic system when compared to the conventional greenhouse cultivation of basil plants. The photosynthetic parameters showed a decline in the aquaponic system, but the biochemical parameters showed an enhancement in the aquaponic system of growing basil plants. The antioxidants exhibited a significant increase in the aquaponic system, which suggests a water stress effect on the plants induced by the aquaponic growing system. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that the aquaponic system is the best suitable method for basil production in the UAE condition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue It Runs in the Family: The Importance of the Lamiaceae Family Species)

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11 pages, 1260 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chemical Composition and Insecticidal Properties of Origanum vulgare (Lamiaceae) Essential Oil against the Stored Product Beetle, Sitophilus granarius

by Angelica Plata-Rueda, Marcelo Henrique Dos Santos, José Eduardo Serrão and Luis Carlos Martínez

Agronomy 2022, 12(9), 2204; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12092204 - 16 Sep 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2638

Abstract

Although phosphides are utilized in stored pest control, efforts have been made to discover environmentally friendly insecticides. For insecticidal properties, essential oils (EOs) are considered to be novel alternatives for pesticide use. This study characterized the Origanum vulgare EO by gas chromatography–flame ionization detector (GC–FID) × gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and assessed the insecticidal activities against Sitophilus granarius. Mortality, post-exposure survival, behavior, and respiration caused by this EO in S. granarius were investigated. The majority of the compounds were p-cymene, carvacrol, linalool, and thymol. In dose–mortality bioassays, the lethality of this EO (LD₅₀ = 3.05 µg insect⁻¹ and LD₉₀ = 10.02 µg insect⁻¹) was confirmed in S. granarius. The survival rate was 99.9% in adults not treated with O. vulgare EOs, reducing to 44.9% and 10.3% in weevils treated with 3.05 µg insect⁻¹ and 10.02 µg insect⁻¹, respectively. The O. vulgare EO alters the behavioral pattern in terms of walking distance and resting time, displaying repellency. Additionally, this EO reduced the gas exchange of weevils from 2.78 to 2.36 µL CO₂ h⁻¹ at 3.05 µg insect⁻¹, after 3 h EO exposure. The results suggest that O. vulgare EOs affect different biological functions in the insect, and open new perspectives for controlling stored pests, representing a first step in the innovation of green pesticides. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue It Runs in the Family: The Importance of the Lamiaceae Family Species)

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16 pages, 3698 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lamiaceae Plants in Bulgarian Rural Livelihoods—Diversity, Utilization, and Traditional Knowledge

by Teodora Ivanova, Yulia Bosseva, Mihail Chervenkov and Dessislava Dimitrova

Agronomy 2022, 12(7), 1631; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12071631 - 07 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1819

Abstract

Lamiaceae comprises widely distributed medicinal and aromatic plants, many of which are traditionally used in European countries. The current study aimed to document Lamiaceae taxa used in rural Bulgaria (Southeast Europe) and to explore the related local knowledge and cultural practices that influence their utilization for various purposes. Field work included inventory of Lamiaceae diversity in home gardens and semi-structured interviews focused on the cultivation, collection, and utilization practices common among elderly inhabitants of 34 settlements in rural Bulgaria. We report the utilization of 27 Lamiaceae taxa, 9 of which were collected from the wild. Traditional and contemporary ways of utilizing Lamiaceae taxa as culinary and medicinal plants, in herbal teas, as repellents, ritual plants, etc., are presented. Recent knowledge on medicinal properties contributed to the introduction of new taxa in gardens (wild and cultivated), while traditional culinary practices were found to sustain the diversity of local forms (landraces). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue It Runs in the Family: The Importance of the Lamiaceae Family Species)

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19 pages, 1903 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Joint Effects of Developmental Stage and Water Deficit on Essential Oil Traits (Content, Yield, Composition) and Related Gene Expression: A Case Study in Two Thymus Species

by Kazem Yousefzadeh, Saadollah Houshmand, Behrouz Shiran, Sadegh Mousavi-Fard, Hossein Zeinali, Nikolaos Nikoloudakis, Mohammad Mehdi Gheisari and Dimitrios Fanourakis

Agronomy 2022, 12(5), 1008; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12051008 - 22 Apr 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1443

Abstract

In this study, the joint effects of developmental stage and soil water availability on biomass accumulation, harvest index, as well as essential oil content, yield and composition were investigated in Thymus armeniacus. For comparison purposes, Thymus kotschyanus was also considered. Plants were irrigated to either 75 or 50% of field capacity, and were sampled at 50 or 100% blooming. In both species, water deficit exerted limited effect on the time required to initiate or complete flowering. In most critical aspects of yield (harvestable organs dry weight, essential oil yield), T. armeniacus was found to be superior than T. kotschyanus. In these traits, however, T. armeniacus underwent a more drastic water deficit-induced decrease. Across treatments, metabolite levels fairly correlated to transcript accumulation profiles of terpene synthases and cytochrome P450 genes. Indices affiliated with reactive oxygen species were inter-correlated with the activity of five major antioxidant enzymes, while the same was noted between leaf water status and pigment content. Taken together, these results indicate that when water availability can be achieved, higher yields will be obtained by cultivation of T. armeniacus. Under water deficit conditions, instead, the more drought tolerant T. kotschyanus stands out as the primary choice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue It Runs in the Family: The Importance of the Lamiaceae Family Species)

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17 pages, 1037 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Essential Oil Composition and Bioactive Properties of Lemon Balm Aerial Parts as Affected by Cropping System and Irrigation Regime

by Antonios Chrysargyris, Spyridon A. Petropoulos and Nikolaos Tzortzakis

Agronomy 2022, 12(3), 649; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12030649 - 07 Mar 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2731

Abstract

The ongoing climate crisis necessitates the sustainable use of natural resources and the adoption of environmentally friendly agronomic practices. Deficit irrigation is an ecofriendly technique that allows for the improvement in the water use efficiency of crops. On the other hand, medicinal and aromatic crops, which usually have an innate tolerance to harsh conditions, are suitable candidates for cultivation under low-input cropping systems. In the present study, Melissa officinalis plants were cultivated under conventional and organic cropping systems, while in each system two irrigation regimes (full irrigation or deficit irrigation) were tested. The aerial parts of the plants were evaluated in terms of growth and physiological parameters, chemical composition, antioxidant activity, essential oil yield and essential oil composition. Our results indicate that prolonged water stress after two deficit irrigation cycles had detrimental effects on the plant growth and biomass production, whereas it significantly increased the essential oil yield, regardless of the cropping system (organic or conventional cultivation). The recorded physiological parameters are in agreement with morphological features, especially the stomatal conductance, which was significantly reduced under deficit irrigation for both cultivation systems, revealing that the growth inhibition was the result of stomatal closure and carbon dioxide deprivation. Deficit irrigation and organic cultivation also increased total phenol and total flavonoid content, especially in the second harvest, thus resulting in higher antioxidant activity assayed by the FRAP method. In contrast, DPPH and ABTS methods did not show any differences among the tested treatments in the second harvest, which suggests that other bioactive compounds are also involved in the overall antioxidant mechanism of lemon balm plants, as indicated by the increased ascorbic acid content. Regarding the essential oil composition, the major detected compounds were geranial and neral and, although they were both increased under the organic cropping in the first harvest, the same trend was not observed in the second harvest. Finally, a variable effect of cropping system and irrigation regime on minerals content was recorded. In conclusion, deficit irrigation is an ecofriendly practice that could be applied in conventional and organic cropping systems of lemon balm crops, aiming to reduce irrigation water consumption and compensate for reduced herb yields with increased essential oil yield and polyphenol content. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue It Runs in the Family: The Importance of the Lamiaceae Family Species)

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