Search Results (132)

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in alkaline soils threatens wheat safety in northern China. This study evaluates biochar’s dual role in Cd remediation and ecological trade-offs using a multi-species soil system (wheat–earthworm–soil). Biochar (Pennisetum hydridum) was applied to Cd-contaminated alkaline fluvo-aquic soils under controlled conditions. The results revealed that biochar increased soil pH (8.6–9.6) and reduced CaCl₂-extractable Cd by 30–45% in the topsoil (0–20 cm), lowering shoot Cd accumulation in wheat by 42–47%. However, alkaline stress from biochar suppressed wheat biomass by 42%, while earthworm Cd concentrations rose 30–45%, correlating with reduced survival (75% vs. 85–87% in controls). Structural equation modeling identified pH-driven chemisorption as the primary Cd immobilization mechanism, yet biochar amplified ecotoxicity to soil fauna. These findings highlight the need for balanced strategies to optimize biochar’s benefits in alkaline agroecosystems. Full article

Heavy metal pollution in landfill soil poses a dual challenge of environmental toxicity and resource depletion. Enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) was systematically evaluated as a sustainable stabilization method for cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and chromium (Cr) under both solution- and soil-phase conditions. Laboratory-scale experiments demonstrated that EICP achieved over 80% removal efficiency for Cd, Pb, and copper (Cu) in solution-phase systems, while soil-phase trials focused on Cd, Pb, and Cr to simulate realistic field conditions. Optimal performance was achieved using a 1:1 molar ratio of soybean-derived urease (1.0 U/mL) to CaCl₂ (0.5 M), with Cd stabilization reaching 91.5%. Vacuum-assisted filtration improved treatment uniformity by 29.2% in clay soils. X-ray diffraction identified crystalline otavite in Cd systems, while Pb and Cu were stabilized via surface adsorption. Sequential extraction confirmed that over 70% of Cd was transformed into carbonate-bound phases. Treated soils met TCLP leaching standards and reuse criteria, maintaining neutral pH (7.2–8.1) and low salinity. Compared to cement-based methods, EICP avoids CO₂ release from calcination and fossil fuel use. Carbon in urea is retained as solid CaCO₃, reducing emissions by 0.3–0.5 t CO₂-eq per ton of soil. These findings support EICP as a scalable, low-carbon alternative for landfill soil remediation. Full article

Purple soil, predominantly found in the Sichuan Basin of China with a favorable climate, is renowned for its fertility, making it an ideal soil for citrus cultivation. To investigate the effect of citrus plantation on the acidification characteristics of purple soil, we selected one field where citrus trees coexist with varying ages of 3, 10, and 50 years. The soil is a neutral purple soil developed from Jurassic Shaximiao Formation mudstone. A total of 138 soil samples were collected at different depths (0–20, 20–40, and 40–60 cm) beneath the canopies of these citrus trees for physicochemical property analysis. Our results indicate that citrus cultivation caused significant spatial variability in the purple soil acidity within the same field. The pH values of these soils varied from 3.97 to 7.90. The degree of soil acidification under the citrus canopies adheres to the following order: 10-year-old > 50-year-old > 3-year-old citrus trees. Soil pH values were negatively correlated with the contents of N, P, and K available in the soil, particularly exhibiting a significantly negative correlation with these soil fertility indicators under the canopy of the 10-year-old citrus at p < 0.01, suggesting that the intensive fertilizer application typical in citrus plantations accelerated soil acidification. Additionally, soil acidification was associated with an increase in the exchangeable Al³⁺ (from 0 to 7.03 cmol kg⁻¹) and a decrease in the exchangeable Ca²⁺ (from 25.07 to 6.48 cmol kg⁻¹), exchangeable Mg²⁺ (from1.53 to 0.62 cmol kg⁻¹), base saturation (from 100% to 53.4%), and effective cation exchange capacity (from 24.3 to 13.1 cmol kg⁻¹).The acidification of the purple soil enhanced the extractability of metal elements, increasing the bioavailability of essential plant nutrients, such as Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Ni, as well as enhancing the mobility of harmful heavy metals like Pb and Cd. In conclusion, unlike the widespread acidification observed in Oxisols or Ultisols at the field scale, citrus cultivation caused varying degrees of acidification within purple soil at this scale. This variability in soil acidification at the field scale of purple soil can lead to a series of soil degradation problems and should be given due attention in the management of citrus and similar high-economic-value fruit trees. Full article

In this study, the mitigating effects of CaO NPs obtained from pomegranate extract via environmentally friendly green synthesis on CdCl₂ stress in two varieties (Yolboyu and Kirac) of Turkish Kavilca wheat (Triticum dicoccum Schrank) under in vitro callus culture conditions were investigated. The calluses developed from embryos of both wheat varieties were exposed to either CaO NPs alone (1 and 2 mg/L), CdCl₂ alone (1 or 10 mM) or the different combinations of these two compounds in MS medium for 4 weeks. Changes in the expressions of two genes (Traes_5BL_9A790E8CF and Traes_6BL_986D595B9) known to be involved in wheat’s response to CdCl₂ stress were analyzed by qRT-PCR. Additionally, certain physiological parameters, such as lipid peroxidation (LPO), H₂O₂, proline and soluble sugar content, and SEM-EDX analysis were used to assess the response of calluses to the applications. The CaO NPs treatments alone generally upregulated the expression of the 5BL and 6BL genes, while the CdCl₂ applications decreased their expression in both cultivars. The CaO NPs reduced the proline content in both cultivars compared to the control. Co-treatment with CdCl₂ and CaO NPs increased the sugar content and decreased the MDA content, but did not cause a significant change in the H₂O₂ content. SEM analysis showed that when CdCl₂ and CaO NPs were applied to calluses together, the membranous and mucilaginous spherical structures were regained. The application of CaO NPs reduces the amount of cellular damage caused by CdCl₂ stress and improves gene expressions. Full article

To investigate the feasibility of cellulose extraction from lignocellulosic waste biomass using ionic liquids—a sustainable and efficient approach—for preparing cellulose aerogel adsorbents, we employed a fully green amino acid-derived ionic liquid, cysteine nitrate ([Cys][NO₃]), for cellulose separation from diverse biomass sources. The extracted cellulose, with a purity range of 83.8–93.9%, was processed into cellulose aerogels (CAs) via a conventional aerogel preparation protocol. The resulting CA exhibited promising adsorption capacities, including 0.2–11.6 mg/g for Na⁺, 4.4–19.9 mg/g for Ca²⁺, 4.15–35.6 mg/g for Mg²⁺, and 1.85–13.3 mg/g for Cd²⁺, as well as 9.7–17.7 g/g for engine oil. These results demonstrate the presence of effective mass transfer channels in the CA, proving that the cellulose’s fibrillation capacity was preserved in the pre-treatment. This study illuminates the potential of this green, straightforward method for preparing aerogels from cellulose derived from waste biomass, with promising applications in wastewater treatment and material recovery. Full article

Non-chemical methods of fertilisation and protection have been gaining importance in recent years. This trend is closely linked to current European Union (EU) agricultural policy and the growing consumer awareness of the impact of nutrition on health. Newly developed biopreparations have to be tested for their agricultural efficiency alongside a quality assessment of the resulting food. The aim of this study was to determine whether the use of newly developed microbially enriched fertilisers in organic strawberry cultivation had an effect on fruit chemical composition and heavy metal accumulation. In the research, five biopreparations (K2–K6 combinations) containing selected Bacillus strains and plant extracts were tested in 2021 and 2022 on three strawberry cultivars: ‘Honeoye’, ‘Rumba’, and ‘Vibrant’. After the vegetation period, the collected fruit samples were frozen, freeze-dried, and subjected to chemical analyses to determine the total carbon and nitrogen content, as well as the concentration of microelements (Mn, Fe), macroelements (Na, Mg, K, Ca, P) and heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn). The application of the tested biopreparations did not significantly impact the total carbon content of strawberry fruit. For most of the tested traits, cultivars reacted differently to the tested preparations. A higher total nitrogen content was found for treatments treated with biopreparations, especially for the ‘Vibrant’ cultivar—ranging from 15.2 g·kg⁻¹ K2 (BacilRoots) to 16.3 g·kg⁻¹ K3 (BacilRoots + BacilExtra) and K5 (BacilRoots + BacilExtra + BacilHumus)—being about 10–18% higher than on the control object (K1). The content of sodium, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium did not change significantly under the influence of biopreparations. The use of the K3 and K5 treatment resulted in significantly lower iron contents when compared to those of the control (strawberries sprayed with water with no biopreparations added)—respectively, by 16.1% and 17.9%. ‘Vibrant’ treated with water (control treatment) showed the highest contents of iron, copper, and zinc when compared to those treated with biopreparations. No exceedances of the permissible heavy metal content were found in the samples tested. Full article

This study explores the chemical composition of different macrophyte species and infers their potential in extracting nutrients and some heavy metals from water as well as the use of macrophytes’ biomass as natural fertilizers. It used a dataset obtained from a previous study composed of 445 samples of chemical concentrations in the dried biomass of 16 macrophyte species collected from the Santana Reservoir in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Correlation tests, analysis of variance, and factor analysis of mixed data were performed to infer correspondences between the macrophyte species. The results showed that the macrophyte species can be grouped into three different clusters with significantly different profiles of chemical element concentrations (N, P, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, S, B, Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺, Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cr³⁺, Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺) in their biomass (factorial map from PCA). Most marginal macrophytes have a lower concentration of chemical elements (ANOVA p-value < 0.05). Submerged and floating macrophyte species presented a higher concentration of metallic and non-metallic chemical elements in their biomass (ANOVA p-value < 0.05), revealing their potential in phytoremediation and the removal of toxic compounds (such as heavy metal molecules) from water. A cluster of macrophyte species also exhibited high concentrations of macronutrients and micronutrients (ANOVA p-value < 0.05), indicating their potential for use as soil fertilizers. These results reveal that the plant’s location in the reservoir (marginal, floating, or submerged) is a relevant feature associated with macrophytes’ ability to remove chemical components from the water. The obtained results can contribute to planning the management of macrophyte species in large water reservoirs. Full article

Background: Our previous research in an experimental model of current environmental human exposure to cadmium (Cd) (female rats fed a diet containing Cd at 1 and 5 mg/kg for up to 2 years) revealed that chronic treatment with this toxic element destroyed the metabolism of the bone tissue, decreased mineralisation, and weakened bone biomechanical properties, whereas the co-administration of a 0.1% chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa L. (Michx.) Elliott berry) extract (AME) ameliorated the osteotoxic action of Cd. Methods: In this study, it was explored whether the unfavourable effect of Cd and the protective action of AME might be mediated by the impact on the metabolism of bone essential elements such as calcium (Ca) and inorganic phosphorus (P_i), including the pathways of its regulation by calciotropic hormones (parathormone—PTH, calcitonin—CT, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃—1,25(OH)₂D₃) and Klotho. Results: Low-level Cd treatment (1 mg/kg) caused only a temporary elevation in the serum PTH concentration and a decline in the concentration of CT. Moderate treatment with Cd (5 mg/kg) destroyed the body homeostasis of both mineral elements (lowered their concentrations in the serum and enhanced urinary loss), influenced the serum concentrations of Klotho and calciotropic hormones, as well as reduced the concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D 1alpha-hydroxylase (1alpha-OHase) and 1,25(OH)₂D₃ in the kidney. The application of AME during Cd intoxication improved the pathways involved in maintaining Ca and P_i homeostasis and allowed subjects to maintain the proper levels of these elements in the serum and urine. Conclusions: In conclusion, Cd at low-to-moderate exposure may exert an unfavourable impact on bone by influencing the pathways involved in regulating Ca and P_i metabolism and destroying the body status of these minerals. It seems that the possible mechanism of the osteoprotective effect of AME during chronic intoxication with this toxic element involves normalization of the concentrations of calciotropic hormones and Klotho in the serum and improvement of the homeostasis of Ca and P_i. This study provided further evidence that chokeberry products may be an effective strategy in counteracting the unfavourable effects of chronic low-to-moderate exposure to Cd. Full article

Microplastic (MP) contamination in soil is an emerging environmental concern, influencing the mobility and bioavailability of heavy metals (HMs). This study investigates how different MP types (PP, PS, PVC, HDPE, LDPE, PES, and PET-Glitter) affect HM behavior in soil, focusing on sorption/desorption, and the extraction efficiency of Pb, Cu, Co, Ni, Cr, and Cd. Soil samples incubated with MPs showed significant pH increases, particularly with PES and HDPE at 0.8 and 0.6 pH units, respectively. The extraction experiments using 0.05 M EDTA and 0.01 M CaCl₂ revealed that MPs altered metal bioavailability—with HDPE reducing Pb mobility by 15%—and increased Cd and Co mobility by 10–20%. The batch sorption tests confirmed higher Pb adsorption onto HDPE but decreased Cd and Co sorption compared to control soils without MP. These findings demonstrate that MPs act as additional sorption sites, modifying metal speciation and availability, which has critical implications for soil health, agricultural sustainability, and remediation strategies. However, results may vary based on soil type, MP aging, and environmental conditions, indicating the need for further long-term field studies. This research provides valuable insights into the complex interactions between MPs, heavy metals, and soil systems, contributing to a better understanding of pollution dynamics and risk assessment in contaminated environments. Full article

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease characterized by recurrent eczema and chronic itching, affecting a significant portion of the global population. This study investigated the effects of Corydalis Tuber 70% ethanol extract (CTE) on tumor necrosis factor-α- and interferon-γ (TI)-stimulated human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and a house dust mite-induced AD mouse model, elucidating its mechanism via transcriptome analysis. A total of 13 compounds, including columbamine, corydaline, dehydrocorydaline, and glaucine, were identified in CTE using ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. CTE downregulated pathways related to cytokine signaling and chemokine receptors in TI-stimulated HaCaT cells. It significantly inhibited C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL)5, CCL17, and CCL22 levels by blocking the Janus kinase-signal transducers and activators of transcription and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells pathways. In the AD mouse model, topical CTE significantly decreased dermatitis scores, epidermal thickening, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Plasma levels of histamine, immunoglobulin E, CCL17, CCL22, corticosterone, and cortisol were reduced. Lesions showed decreased thymic stromal lymphopoietin, CD4⁺ T cells, interleukin-4, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression. The findings demonstrate that CTE alleviates AD by modulating inflammatory mediators, cytokines, and chemokines, reducing inflammatory cell infiltration, and alleviating stress-related factors. Full article

Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is an aggressive and metastatic tumor, resulting in high mortality rates. Despite significant advances in therapeutics, the available treatments still require improvements. Thus, purinergic signaling emerged as a potential pathway to cancer therapy due to its involvement in cell communication, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. In addition, due to safety and acceptable clinical tolerability, carotenoids from microalgae have been investigated as adjuvants in anti-melanoma therapy. Then, this work aimed to investigate the in vitro anti-melanogenic effect of carotenoid extract (CA) and total biomass (BM) of the Scenedesmus obliquus microalgae on two cutaneous melanoma cell lines (A375 and B16F10). Cells were cultivated under ideal conditions and treated with 10, 25, 50, and 100 μM of CA or BM for 24 h. The effects of the compounds on viability, oxidant status, and purinergic signaling were verified. The IC50 cell viability results showed that CA and BM decreased B16F10 viability at 24.29 μM and 74.85 μM, respectively and decreased A375 viability at 73.93 μM and 127.80 μM, respectively. Carotenoid treatment for 24 h in B16F10 and A375 cells increased the release of reactive oxygen species compared to the control. In addition, CA and BM isolated or combined with cisplatin chemotherapy (CIS) modulated the purinergic system in B16F10 and A375 cell lines through P2X7, A2AR, CD39, and 5′-nucleotidase. They led to cell apoptosis and immunoregulation by activating A2A receptors and CD73 inhibition. The results disclose that CA and BM from Scenedesmus obliquus exhibit an anti-melanogenic effect, inhibiting melanoma cell growth. Full article

Bulgarian wines are renowned worldwide and serve as a symbol of the country. However, ensuring wine authenticity and establishing reliable methods for its assessment are critical challenges in wine quality control. This study investigates the migration of chemical elements within the soil/grape/wine system and utilizes the findings to develop a method for identifying specific elements capable of distinguishing the geographical origin of wine. Additionally, it explores the potential to determine its botanical origin. Thirty monovarietal Bulgarian wines, specifically produced for this study with precisely known geographical and botanical origins, were analyzed for 20 chemical elements. These included macroelements such as Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Sr, and Zn, as well as microelements like As, Cd, Co, Cr, Li, Ni, and Pb. The study encompassed white wines from Chardonnay, Muscat Ottonel, Sauvignon Blanc, Tamyanka, and Viognier varieties, as well as red wines from Egiodola, Broad-Leaved Melnik, Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Marselan, Melnik, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. The chemical composition was determined in soil extracts (using acetate and EDTA extract to represent the bioavailable fraction), vine leaves, primary musts, and raw wines before clarification and stabilization. Statistically significant correlation coefficients were calculated for the soil/leaves, soil/must, and must/wine systems, enabling an analysis of the migration of chemical elements from soil to wine and the concentration changes throughout the process. The results identified elemental descriptors capable of indicating the geographical origin of wine. Full article

In this study, the effectiveness of three choline chloride (ChCl)-based deep eutectic solvents (DESs) formed using malonic acid (MalA), glycerol (Gly), and glucose (Glu) as hydrogen bond donors and two conventional solvents (50% methanol and 50% ethanol) for ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) of antioxidant compounds from four herbs (chamomile, lemon balm, nettle, and spearmint) were estimated. The antioxidant capacity (AC) of the obtained herb extracts was determined by the modified 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) methods. Profiles of phenolic acids, flavonoid aglycones, and flavonoid glycosides in the green and conventional herb extracts were quantitatively analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). Among the prepared DESs, the highest antioxidant potential and total contents of phenolic acids, flavonoid aglycones, and flavonoid glycosides in herb extracts were achieved using ChCl:MalA (1:1). Unexpectedly, the selected green solvents extracted significantly lower amounts of total antioxidants from the investigated herbs than 50% alcohols. Additionally, macroelements (K, Na, Ca, Mg), micronutrients (Mn, Zn, Fe, Cu), and a toxic element (Cd) in four herbs were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS). Determining the compositions of antioxidants and elements in herbs is essential for understanding their nutritive importance when applied in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Full article

This study investigates the potential of microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) for soil stabilization and heavy metal immobilization, utilizing landfill leachate-derived ureolytic consortium. Experimental conditions identified yeast extract-based media as most effective for bacterial growth, urease activity, and calcite formation compared to nutrient broth and brown sugar media. Optimal MICP conditions, at pH 8–9 and 30 °C, supported the most efficient biomineralization. The process facilitated the removal of Cd²⁺ (99.10%) and Ni²⁺ (78.33%) while producing stable calcite crystals that enhanced soil strength. Thermal analyses (thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)) confirmed the successful production of CaCO₃ and its role in improving soil stability. DSC analysis revealed endothermic and exothermic peaks, including a significant exothermic peak at 444 °C, corresponding to the thermal decomposition of CaCO₃ into CO₂ and CaO, confirming calcite formation. TGA results showed steady weight loss, consistent with the breakdown of CaCO₃, supporting the formation of stable carbonates. The MICP treatment significantly increased soil strength, with the highest surface strength observed at 440 psi, correlating with the highest CaCO₃ content (18.83%). These findings underscore the effectiveness of MICP in soil stabilization, pollutant removal, and improving geotechnical properties. Full article

The skin hydration level is a key factor that influences the physical and mechanical properties of the skin. The stratum corneum (SC), the outermost layer of the epidermis, is responsible for the skin’s barrier function. In this study, we investigated the role of a unique composition of Viola yedoensis extract for its ability to activate CD44, a cell-surface receptor of hyaluronic acid, and aquaporin-3, a water-transporting protein, in human keratinocytes (HaCaT). An ELISA assay evaluating the protein expression levels of CD44, aquaporin-3 (AQP3), filaggrin, and keratin-10 revealed that V. yedoensis extract upregulated the levels of CD44 and AQP3 by 15% and 78%, respectively. Additionally, V. yedoensis extract demonstrated a comparative effect on water vapor flux in TEWL and lipid perturbation in DSC versus the reference, glycerin. In light of this new biological efficacy, a detailed phytochemical characterization was undertaken using an integrated LC-HRMS/MS-based metabolomics approach, which provided further insights on the chemistry of V. yedoensis. This led to the identification of 29 secondary metabolites, 14 of which are reported here for the first time, including esculetin, aesculin, apigenin and kaempferol C-glycosides, megastigmane glycosides, roseoside, platanionoside B, and an eriojaposide B isomer, along with the rare, calenduloside F and esculetin diglucoside, which are reported for the first time from the genus, Viola. Notably, two active components identified in the V. yedoensis extract, namely, aesculin and schaftoside, showed an upregulation of the protein expression of CD44 in HaCaT cells by 123% and 193% within 24 h of treatment, respectively, while aesculin increased AQP3 levels by 46%. Aesculin and schaftoside also significantly upregulated the expression of K-10 levels by 299% and 116%, which was considerably higher than sodium hyaluronate, the positive control. The rationale used to characterize the new structures is outlined along with the related biosynthetic pathways envisioned to generate roseoside and Eriojaposide B. These findings provide new molecular insights to deepen the understanding of how V. yedoensis extract, along with the biomarkers aesculin and schaftoside, restores the skin barrier and skin hydration benefits. Full article