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524. Conservation hints for Pinna nobilis from a century-old genetic time capsuleIlenia Azzena, Chiara Locci, Noemi Pascale, Ilaria Deplano, Riccardo Senigaglia, Edoardo Batistini, Daniela Caracciolo, Mariachiara Chiantore, Saul Ciriaco, Maria Paola Ferranti, Daniele Grech, Arianna Liconti, Monica Montefalcone, Alice Oprandi, Valentina Pitacco, Marco Segarich, Rym Zakhama-Sraieb, Ahmed Ben Hmida, Salma Zribi, Fabio Scarpa, Marco Casu, Daria Sanna, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: The noble pen shell, Pinna nobilis, is an iconic marine bivalve endemic to the Mediterranean Sea, playing a key role as an ecosystem engineer. Over the past century, it has faced severe threats from overharvesting, pollution, and catastrophic mass mortality events. This study analysed 119 mitochondrial COI gene sequences from historical (1700s, 1920s, 1970s, 1990s) and modern (2000s) samples, including survivors of recent mass mortality crises. We standardised a protocol to extract DNA from ancient byssus samples over a century old and dated the emergence of the mitochondrial lineages of Pinna nobilis, uncovering its evolutionary history in unprecedented detail. Our findings suggest two main temporal origins for the species’ genetic variation: (i) a group of modern lineages directly descended from Pinna nobilis early ancestors originating 2.5 mya, and (ii) a large group derived from the first Pleistocene radiation of the species, approximately 1.5 mya. Importantly, our research depicts the evolutionary response of Pinna nobilis to three major challenges in the last century: human overexploitation, pollution, and environmental changes. Our results highlight the species’ remarkable resilience, likely mediated by Pleistocene genetic traits, whose persistence over time mainly depends on the maintaining of a high effective population size to ensure successful recruitment.
Keywords: noble pen shell, genetic variability, evolutionary response, species conservation
Published in DiRROS: 19.11.2025; Views: 124; Downloads: 88
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525. Phytochemistry, bioactivities of metabolites, and traditional uses of Fagopyrum tataricumIvan Kreft, Mateja Germ, Aleksandra Golob, Blanka Vombergar, Alena Vollmannová, Samo Kreft, Zlata Luthar, 2022, review article Abstract: In Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum), the edible parts are mainly grain and sprouts. Tartary buckwheat contains protecting substances, which make it possible for plants to survive on high altitudes and under strong natural ultraviolet radiation. The diversity and high content of phenolic substances are important for Tartary buckwheat to grow and reproduce under unfriendly environmental effects, diseases, and grazing. These substances are mainly flavonoids (rutin, quercetin, quercitrin, vitexin, catechin, epicatechin and epicatechin gallate), phenolic acids, fagopyrins, and emodin. Synthesis of protecting substances depends on genetic layout and on the environmental conditions, mainly UV radiation and temperature. Flavonoids and their glycosides are among Tartary buckwheat plants bioactive metabolites. Flavonoids are compounds of special interest due to their antioxidant properties and potential in preventing tiredness, diabetes mellitus, oxidative stress, and neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. During the processing and production of food items, Tartary buckwheat metabolites are subjected to molecular transformations. The main Tartary buckwheat traditional food products are bread, groats, and sprouts.
Keywords: tartary buckwheat, rutin, quercetin, flavonoid, secondary metabolites, nutrition
Published in DiRROS: 19.11.2025; Views: 136; Downloads: 86
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526. Molecular shield for protection of buckwheat plants from UV-B radiationIvan Kreft, Alena Vollmannová, Judita Lidiková, Janette Musilová, Mateja Germ, Aleksandra Golob, Blanka Vombergar, Darja Kocjan Ačko, Zlata Luthar, 2022, review article Abstract: Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn.) and common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) are adapted to growing in harsh conditions of high altitudes. Ultraviolet radiation at high altitudes strongly impacts plant growth and development. Under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, protecting substances are synthesized in plants. The synthesis of UV-B defense metabolites is genetically conditioned, and their quantity depends on the intensity of the ultraviolet radiation to which the plants and plant parts are exposed. These substances include flavonoids, and especially rutin. Other substances with aromatic rings of six carbon atoms have a similar function, including fagopyrin, the metabolite specific for buckwheat. Defensive substances are formed in the leaves and flowers of common and Tartary buckwheat, up to about the same concentration in both species. In comparison, the concentration of rutin in the grain of Tartary buckwheat is much higher than in common buckwheat. Flavonoids also have other functions in plants so that they can protect them from pests and diseases. After crushing the grains, rutin is exposed to contact with the molecules of rutin-degrading enzymes. In an environment with the necessary humidity, rutin is turned into bitter quercetin under the action of rutin-degrading enzymes. This bitterness has a deterrent effect against pests. Moreover, flavonoids have important functions in human nutrition to prevent several chronic diseases, including obesity, cardiovascular diseases, gallstone formation, and hypertension.
Keywords: buckwheat, rutin, quercetin, flavonoid, secondary metabolites, UV radiation, altitude, climatic change
Published in DiRROS: 19.11.2025; Views: 201; Downloads: 66
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527. Impact of rutin and other phenolic substances on the digestibility of buckwheat grain metabolitesIvan Kreft, Mateja Germ, Aleksandra Golob, Blanka Vombergar, Francesco Bonafaccia, Zlata Luthar, 2022, review article Abstract: Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.) is grown in eastern and central Asia (the Himalayan regions of China, Nepal, Bhutan and India) and in central and eastern Europe (Luxemburg, Germany, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina). It is known for its high concentration of rutin and other phenolic metabolites. Besides the grain, the other aboveground parts of Tartary buckwheat contain rutin as well. After the mixing of the milled buckwheat products with water, the flavonoid quercetin is obtained in the flour–water mixture, a result of rutin degradation by rutinosidase. Heating by hot water or steam inactivates the rutin-degrading enzymes in buckwheat flour and dough. The low buckwheat protein digestibility is due to the high content of phenolic substances. Phenolic compounds have low absorption after food intake, so, after ingestion, they remain for some time in the gastrointestinal tract. They can act in an inhibitory manner on enzymes, degrading proteins and other food constituents. In common and Tartary buckwheat, the rutin and quercetin complexation with protein and starch molecules has an impact on the in vitro digestibility and the appearance of resistant starch and slowly digestible proteins. Slowly digestible starch and proteins are important for the functional and health-promoting properties of buckwheat products.
Keywords: tartary buckwheat, phenolic substances, rutin, quercetin, protein, starch, nutrition, digestibility, flavonoid
Published in DiRROS: 19.11.2025; Views: 126; Downloads: 63
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