The research team, led by Setiasih Setiasih and colleagues at Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and partner institutions, published their findings in Results in Chemistry. Their strategy centered on a single deceptively simple question: what exactly is inside rose myrtle leaves, and how does the answer change depending on how you extract it? To find out, they harvested leaves from an experimental garden in Riau Province, dried them at 40 degrees Celsius for three days, and ground them into a flour. That flour was then subjected to maceration with three solvents spanning the polarity spectrum: 96 percent ethanol as a polar solvent, ethyl acetate as a semipolar solvent, and n-hexane as a nonpolar solvent. Each extract was subsequently analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry, or LC-HRMS, at BRIN’s Advanced Characterization Laboratories.

The choice of solvent turned out to matter enormously. LC-HRMS profiling tentatively identified 191 distinct compounds in the ethanol extract, 226 in the ethyl acetate extract, and 206 in the n-hexane extract. Ethanol preferentially pulled out polar molecules, yielding a profile dominated by flavonoid glycosides, phenolic acids and related derivatives, including myricitrin, myricetin, quinic acid derivatives and multiple dihydroxybenzoic acids. These hydroxyl-rich compounds dissolve readily in polar solvents through hydrogen bonding and are classic free-radical scavengers, which helps explain the high antioxidant activity long associated with the plant. The ethyl acetate extract displayed the greatest metabolite diversity of all, dominated by pentacyclic triterpenoids such as ursolic acid, asiatic acid, oleanolic acid, arjungenin and glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives, alongside phenolics including ellagic acid, gallic acid, myricetin and taxifolin. The n-hexane extract, by contrast, was rich in lipophilic sesquiterpenes such as caryophyllene oxide, alpha-farnesene and curcumene, together with assorted triterpenoid derivatives.

The analytical power of the method lies in its ability to go beyond a simple mass readout. Using higher-energy collisional dissociation fragmentation, the researchers could watch molecules break apart in characteristic ways, dramatically raising confidence in their identifications. Myricitrin, for example, produced a precursor ion at mass-to-charge ratio 463.0881 that fragmented to give a product ion at 316.0224, corresponding to the loss of its rhamnose sugar and formation of the myricetin aglycone. Oleanolic acid showed a precursor at 455.3534 with a diagnostic fragment at 411.3472 reflecting loss of carbon dioxide, while caryophyllene oxide in the n-hexane extract yielded sequential ring-cleavage fragments at 161.0962 and 109.1014. The authors are careful to stress that this was qualitative screening rather than quantitative metabolomics, conducted without biological replicates, so peak areas reflect relative signal intensity within a run rather than absolute concentrations. Even so, the picture that emerges is of a plant whose chemistry shifts meaningfully with every solvent a chemist chooses.

With the chemical inventory in hand, the team turned to biological testing. Using the agar disc diffusion method, they challenged four bacterial strains with each extract at concentrations of 25, 50 and 80 percent: Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14028 as Gram-negative representatives, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19115 as Gram-positive representatives. The result was a clean split. Every extract, regardless of solvent, inhibited both Gram-positive species and failed entirely to inhibit either Gram-negative one. Chloramphenicol, the reference antibiotic, produced a 14.82 millimeter zone against S. aureus, larger than the 7.11 to 7.70 millimeter zones produced by the extracts, but the n-hexane extract at 80 percent actually outperformed chloramphenicol against Listeria, generating a 7.17 millimeter zone compared with the antibiotic’s 5.23 millimeters.

The selectivity is rooted in bacterial architecture. Gram-negative bacteria wrap themselves in an outer membrane studded with lipopolysaccharides, an exceptionally effective permeability barrier that excludes hydrophobic molecules and is reinforced by selective porins and efflux pumps that expel antimicrobials before they reach lethal intracellular concentrations. Gram-positive bacteria, lacking that outer membrane, rely on a thick but porous peptidoglycan layer some 20 to 80 nanometers deep, through which small plant metabolites can diffuse relatively freely toward the cytoplasmic membrane. The researchers also observed that solvent type shaped potency: ethanol extracts, rich in phenolics and flavonoids, were most effective against S. aureus, while n-hexane extracts, loaded with membrane-disrupting terpenoids, were the champions against Listeria, a reminder that even within the Gram-positive category, membrane composition and defensive machinery differ enough to matter. The findings align with earlier reports that rose myrtle extracts and the pure compound rhodomyrtone, an antibiotic candidate with activity comparable to vancomycin, are most effective against Gram-positive organisms.

The second half of the study addresses climate. Ruminant livestock account for roughly a quarter of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions measured by methane’s contribution, with enteric fermentation in the digestive tract responsible for 80 to 89.5 percent of that methane and manure contributing the rest. Methanogenic archaea in the rumen generate the gas, and feed additives that suppress them are among the most actively pursued mitigation strategies. Because flavonoids, tannins and saponins have documented anti-methanogenic effects, the team tested the ethyl acetate extract, the richest in bioactive triterpenoids and phenolics, in an in vitro rumen fermentation system using Brachiaria ruziziensis grass as the basal feed, at inclusion levels of 1 to 4 percent, with methane measured by gas chromatography over 48 hours.

The outcome was striking in one particular way. Total gas production was unaffected across all treatment levels, meaning fermentation efficiency was preserved, but methane output fell steadily as the extract dose increased. The methane percentage of total gas dropped from 7.72 percent in the untreated control to 3.77 percent at the 4 percent inclusion level, a statistically significant reduction, and methane volume declined as well with a P value of 0.056, right at the threshold of significance. The chemical fingerprint offers a plausible mechanism in several complementary parts. Triterpenoids such as ursolic acid are membrane-active against rumen protozoa, which maintain physical symbioses with methanogenic archaea and supply them with hydrogen; suppressing protozoa often drags methane down with it. Phenolic compounds can selectively inhibit methanogens while redirecting metabolic hydrogen toward propionate synthesis, an energetically favorable route for the animal. Terpenoids such as caryophyllene oxide may interfere with membrane integrity and ion gradients in anaerobic microbes. The authors also cite prior molecular docking work showing that rose myrtle compounds bind strongly to methyl coenzyme M reductase, the enzyme at the heart of methanogenesis, with rhodomyrtial A achieving a predicted binding affinity of minus 10.4 kilocalories per mole.

The researchers are appropriately measured about what these results do and do not prove. The antibacterial assay was a preliminary screen, and they recommend follow-up with minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentration determinations, plus in vivo testing, to establish therapeutic potential; earlier work suggests possible veterinary applications including mastitis treatment in dairy cows. Similarly, they emphasize that the methane findings provide a chemical rationale rather than a demonstrated field benefit, and that in vivo feeding trials will be required to confirm efficacy and safety. Nevertheless, the study is the first LC-HRMS-based phytochemical characterization of rose myrtle in the context of ruminant nutrition, and it reveals an intertwined network of triterpenoids, phenolics, flavonoids and lipophilic terpenoids whose combined effects may prove more stable than any single isolated compound. In an era when agriculture is under intense pressure to cut emissions without compromising animal productivity, a shrub that grows wild across tropical Asia, fights Gram-positive pathogens in the laboratory, and measurably dampens methane in simulated rumen fluid is exactly the kind of natural lead worth chasing.

Subject of Research: Phytochemical characterization of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa leaves and their antibacterial and methane-mitigating bioactivities

Article Title: LC–HRMS-based phytochemical characterization and biological activities of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa leaves extracts: Antibacterial and methane mitigation potentials

Article References: Setiasih, S., Anggraeny, Y. N., Puspito, S., Widodo, S., Wardi, W., Prihandini, P. W., Antonius, A., Shiddieqy, M. I., Sasongko, W. T., Istiqomah, N., Haryanto, B., Kurniawati, A., Prihartini, I., Wulansari, W. I., & Ernawati, A. (2026). LC–HRMS-based phytochemical characterization and biological activities of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa leaves extracts: Antibacterial and methane mitigation potentials. Results in Chemistry, 30, Article 103812. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rechem.2026.103812

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1016/j.rechem.2026.103812

Keywords: Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, rose myrtle, LC-HRMS, phytochemical profiling, antibacterial activity, triterpenoids, flavonoids, enteric methane, ruminant nutrition, feed additives, methanogens, Results in Chemistry

The methodology employed in this research is particularly noteworthy. The team utilized advanced transcriptomic techniques to analyze the gene expression profiles of Sunit lambs raised under varied rearing conditions. By isolating and profiling mRNA sequences from lamb tissues, this study provided a high-resolution view of which genes are upregulated or downregulated in response to different environmental factors and dietary regimes. This meticulous approach highlights the importance of functional genomics in optimizing livestock production.

The results from this meticulous study revealed numerous differentially expressed genes that are intricately associated with growth rates and the overall quality of meat. For instance, genes linked to muscle development and adipogenesis, the process of fat formation in tissues, were significantly expressed differently based on the rearing conditions. Such findings showcase the direct impact that rearing practices have on the genetic expression associated with desirable traits, emphasizing the need for tailored strategies in livestock management.

In addition to growth and meat quality, the study placed significant emphasis on fatty acid metabolism. The analysis unveiled critical pathways that govern fat deposition and composition in Sunit lambs. Notably, the expression of genes involved in lipid transport and biosynthesis was notably altered, suggesting that specific feeding strategies could be employed to enhance the quality of meat in terms of fatty acid profiles. This finding has major implications for both producers and consumers who are increasingly concerned with the health implications of meat consumption.

The implications of these findings extend beyond academic interest, reaching into practical applications within the food production industry. By comprehensively understanding the genetic factors at play, livestock producers can make more informed decisions regarding breeding and rearing practices. For example, insights gleaned from this research could lead to the development of lamb varieties that not only grow faster but also produce meat with healthier fat compositions, catering to the demands of health-conscious consumers.

Furthermore, the research highlights the importance of environmental factors in shaping genetic outcomes. The variations observed in the expression patterns of specific genes under different conditions underscore the adaptability of Sunit lambs and point to the potential for selective breeding programs that prioritize resilience and performance under diverse agricultural scenarios. This adaptability is crucial, especially in the context of climate change and shifting agricultural landscapes.

In an era where sustainable practices are paramount, the findings from this study could facilitate strategies that align production efficiency with animal welfare. By enhancing the understanding of genetic expression in relation to growth and meat quality, farmers could optimize both returns on investments and the well-being of livestock. This balance is essential for the long-term viability of the livestock industry, providing a pathway to sustainable meat production.

While the infectious nature of the information presented in this research may provoke enthusiasm among scientists and producers alike, it also raises important ethical considerations. As livestock breeding becomes increasingly driven by genetic manipulation, the impact on animal welfare and biodiversity must remain at the forefront of discussions. The study effectively introduces a discourse on responsible innovation in agriculture, making a case for not just enhancing production, but also ensuring that animal well-being is maintained.

The interplay between genetics, environment, and diet elucidated by this research is poised to influence future studies significantly. Subsequent research may delve deeper into understanding the genomic underpinnings of traits related to flavor, tenderness, and juiciness—elements that are paramount to consumer satisfaction in the meat market. Thus, the findings serve as a stepping stone for innovation, paving the way for further investigations into the intricate tapestry of livestock genetics.

In conclusion, this study offers a comprehensive glimpse into the multifaceted world of animal genomics, particularly in lamb rearing. It provides vital insights into how varying environmental factors can affect gene expression patterns that ultimately contribute to growth, meat quality, and metabolic processes. As the agricultural industry evolves, studies like this one will be instrumental in guiding sustainable practices, improving livestock productivity, and addressing consumer health concerns.

The research not only emphasizes the importance of a genomic approach in agriculture but also highlights the need for an interdisciplinary approach, combining genetics, nutrition, and environmental science. Such collaborations could yield innovative strategies that resonate across different areas of agricultural research, ultimately creating a holistic framework for enhancing livestock production efficiency while prioritizing animal welfare and environmental responsibility.

The future of agriculture may well depend on how effectively such research is integrated into practice. As we unravel the complexities of genetic expression in livestock, the potential to develop superior breeds, through both traditional breeding and modern genomic techniques, holds promising prospects. This study, with its robust findings, stands as a significant contribution to the body of knowledge necessary to navigate this complex landscape.

Subject of Research: The genetic factors associated with growth, meat quality, and fatty acid metabolism in Sunit lambs under varying rearing conditions.

Article Title: Transcriptomic analysis of differentially expressed genes associated with growth, meat quality, and fatty acid metabolism in Sunit lambs under varying rearing conditions.

Article References:

Zhang, Y., Guo, Y., Huang, H. et al. Transcriptomic analysis of differentially expressed genes associated with growth, meat quality, and fatty acid metabolism in Sunit lambs under varying rearing conditions.
BMC Genomics (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-025-12119-2

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s12864-025-12119-2

Keywords: Transcriptomic analysis, Sunit lambs, gene expression, growth, meat quality, fatty acid metabolism, sustainable agriculture, livestock genetics.