Search Results (62,240)

Fruit coloration is a key determinant of tomato quality, yet how light and temperature interact to regulate pigmentation during ripening remains unclear. Using a semi-in-fruit experimental system, we demonstrate that while high light accelerates chlorophyll degradation and lycopene accumulation at 25 °C, supra-optimal temperature (40 °C) completely abolishes lycopene biosynthesis irrespective of light conditions, primarily through transcriptional suppression of SlPSY1 and SlGGPS2. Elevated postharvest temperatures (≥30 °C) not only change the carotenoid composition but also reduce the antioxidant capacity and vitamin C content in fruit. Temperature-switch experiments revealed a critical developmental window, days 2–4 after ethylene treatment, during which temperature exerts dominant control over carotenoid metabolism. Exposure to high temperature within this window irreversibly shifts pigment accumulation from lycopene to yellow/orange carotenoids. These findings identify a temporally precise regulatory nexus integrating environmental signals with the ripening program, offering a framework for targeted temperature management to optimize tomato color and nutritional quality. Full article

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of enriching carrot slices by NFC (not from concentrate) juices from chokeberry (CH), sea buckthorn (SB), cherry (CHE) and carrot (CA) before microwave-vacuum (MVD) and freeze-drying (FD) carrot on the physicochemical and thermal properties. While water activity (AW) was not dependent on enrichment treatment but only on drying method, NFC juices significantly enriched carrot slices with biocomponents. Freeze-dried samples, as a reference, had significantly lower AW than those dried by the MVD method. Both FD and MVD-dried samples had comparable polyphenol content and DPPH antioxidant activity (AA), but the MVD-dried samples exhibited higher ABTS antioxidant activity. Carrot enrichment in chokeberry and cherry juices resulted in up to six and 10 times higher TPC than in the raw material. In addition, samples enriched in these juices and dried with FD proved to be the most stable in terms of water state and glass transition temperature (61.4 and 69.6 °C) and water activity (approx. 0.10). In FTIR analysis, all samples exhibited similar spectral shapes, indicating similar chemical composition and functional group composition. Only in the spectral region below 900 cm⁻¹ were unique molecular vibrations induced by various organic compounds present. Enriching carrot in juices and MVD can lead to increased hardness (Fmax and breaking work), although this is associated with increased crispness, resulting from the microstructure with a large number of small pores, especially in MVD samples enriched with cherry, chokeberry, and carrot juices, with scores of 8.0–8.4 In this respect, the average crispness rating of the MVD samples (7.2) exceeded that of the FD samples (6.8). If there is a requirement for crunchiness in the future production of dried vegetables as snacks, changes in hardness should be prioritized, along with color and biocomponent content. Full article

Acorns (Quercus spp.) are an underutilized forest resource with recognized nutritional and bioactive potential, making them promising candidates for the development of sustainable plant-based functional foods. This study aimed to valorize acorns through the formulation of two novel acorn-based products, a plant-based beverage, and a pudding, and to assess their nutritional properties, sensory acceptability, and, for the beverage, refrigerated shelf-life stability. The beverage was optimized as a neutral-flavored milk alternative, using sodium alginate as a natural clean-label stabilizer to enhance emulsion stability and physicochemical properties. The final formulation exhibited low energy density and a lipid profile rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, contributing to its nutritional and functional value. Throughout 63 days of storage at 4 °C, sodium alginate effectively prevented phase separation and supported the retention of antioxidant capacity, as evidenced by stable ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and total phenolic content, although ABTS radical scavenging activity declined over time. No microbial growth was detected during storage, confirming the adequacy of the applied thermal treatment and aseptic filling procedures applied. The acorn-based pudding, developed by adapting a traditional egg-based recipe, functioned as a proof of concept illustrating the technological versatility of acorns across distinct plant-based matrices, exhibiting a nutritional profile comparable to commercial counterparts and high consumer acceptability. Overall, this work demonstrates the technological feasibility and versatility of incorporating acorns into plant-based food matrices, supporting their potential as sustainable ingredients for the development of innovative value-added foods and contributing to the valorization of forest resources. Full article

Turnera subulata is traditionally used to treat inflammatory and infectious conditions; however; its biological activities remain incompletely characterized. In this study, aqueous (AETS) and hydroethanolic (HETS) extracts obtained from the aerial parts (leaves, stems, and flowers), as used in traditional infusions, were compared regarding physicochemical composition, redox behavior, cytotoxicity, immunomodulatory, and antimicrobial activities. HETS showed significantly higher phenolic content (2555.96 ± 43.55 mg GAE/100 mL) compared to AETS (1269.54 ± 20.60 mg GAE/100 mL) and exhibited stronger DPPH (83.05 ± 0.05%) and ABTS (85.1 ± 1.5%) radical scavenging activity. In contrast, AETS showed greater antioxidant capacity in the TRAP assay from 50 µg/mL (p < 0.0001). Both extracts displayed dose-dependent pro-oxidant behavior in the deoxyribose/Fenton system. In vitro assays demonstrated that both extracts exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells, with no significant cytotoxic effects observed at concentrations ≤ 50 µg/mL. HETS significantly increased IL-10 levels (p < 0.05), indicating immunomodulatory activity. In antimicrobial assays, HETS showed selective activity against Staphylococcus aureus, with MIC values ranging from 0.625 to 1.25 mg/mL, while no relevant inhibition was observed against Escherichia coli. No synergistic interaction with vancomycin was detected. Overall, the results indicate that the extraction solvent strongly influences the phenolic enrichment and biological activity. The hydroethanol extract showed the most consistent bioactivity, highlighting its potential for applications as a natural antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-staphylococcal agent. Future studies should focus on compound isolation, mechanistic validation, and evaluation in in vivo models to support potential commercial and therapeutic applications. Full article

Elicitation is a powerful strategy for increasing bioactive metabolites in plant systems. This study is among the first to integrate growth responses, antioxidant enzyme activities, and metabolite profiling in G. paniculata adventitious roots (ARs). The study aims to evaluate the effects of yeast extract (YE) and salicylic acid (SA) on biomass traits, antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase), and phenolic metabolite profiles. ARs were exposed to YE (0.25–2 g L⁻¹) and SA (50–400 µM) for 28 days. Yeast extract significantly enhanced antioxidant capacity by promoting enzyme activities, phenolics, and flavonoids. In contrast, SA exhibited concentration-dependent effects. Moderate concentrations improved antioxidant activity, while higher concentrations promoted the accumulation of specific flavonoids. Maximum biomass production was achieved with 1 g L⁻¹ YE, which also resulted in the highest metabolite productivity. Conversely, SA treatments caused a progressive reduction in biomass with increasing concentration, although they enhanced the accumulation of selected bioactive compounds. Notably, 100 µM SA resulted in the highest phenolic content and antioxidant activity, whereas 400 µM SA markedly increased flavonoids such as rutin and quercetin. HPLC analysis identified seventeen phenolic compounds, demonstrating that YE acts as a broad-spectrum elicitor, whereas SA functions as a selective metabolic modulator. The differential enzymatic responses further highlight elicitor-specific regulatory patterns in antioxidant defense and secondary metabolism. Overall, these findings demonstrate that elicitor type and concentration differentially influence the balance between growth and secondary metabolism, providing a framework for optimizing metabolite production in controlled in-vitro systems. Full article

The aim of this study was to valorize by-products of blue poppy (Papaver somniferum), a widely used ingredient in the food industry. This study focused on the isolation of bioactive compounds from leaves, stems, roots, capsules and cold-pressed cake. All samples were subjected to conventional solid–liquid extraction (SLE) using ethanol–water solutions of varying concentrations (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 96%) as the extraction solvent. The obtained extracts were analyzed for total phenolic content (TP), hydroxycinnamic acids (HCA), flavonols (FL), total flavonoids (TF), condensed tannins (CT) and antioxidant activity. Furthermore, the extracts were subjected to untargeted LC-MS analysis for qualitative characterization. Ethanol concentration significantly influenced the extraction efficiency of bioactive compounds, with the optimal solvent varying depending on the plant part and the specific class of compounds analyzed. Based on TP and TF content, capsule extracts exhibited the highest polyphenol levels. HCAs were detected in extracts from leaves, capsules, and cold-pressed cake. In total, 62 compounds were identified, belonging to various biochemical classes, including organic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, alkaloids, flavonoids, and fatty acids. Overall, the results indicate that poppy by-products are a valuable source of bioactive components, with promising applications across different industrial sectors. Full article

Extracellular DNA (eDNA) has gained attention as a danger signal between organisms because of the ecological implications of this mechanism and its great potential as a biological modulator in agriculture. Self-DNA and non-self DNA have been evaluated earlier, both as plant immune system elicitors. Here we show the effect of eDNA extracted from the bacterial phytopathogen Clavibacter michiganensis applied to tomato plants in different concentrations (50, 100 and 150 µg mL⁻¹). Monitoring morphology of the plants, spectrophotometric determinations and RT-qPCR assays showed a dose-dependent effect on plant growth and root development, activation of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and superoxide dismutase, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, including phenolic compounds and flavonoids, and differential expression of genes related to plant stress response, such as chalcone synthase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. Lower concentration treatments showed an increment in the variables as beneficial responses for agricultural practices, and the higher concentration (150 µg mL⁻¹) showed reduced or no effects on the evaluated variables. This work represents a step forward in the development of effective and more sustainable agricultural technology in crop production. Full article

The root bark of Morus alba L. is commonly used as a natural antioxidant; however, its active constituents and underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, a bioactivity-guided isolation approach was employed to identify antioxidant substances from the root bark of Morus alba L. and to investigate their protective effects against oxidative damage in HaCaT cells. Using techniques such as silica gel column chromatography and semi-preparative HPLC, combined with NMR and HR-ESI-MS analysis, 22 compounds were isolated and identified from the dichloromethane extract of Morus alba L. root bark, including Diels–Alder adducts, flavonoids, and benzofurans. Among them, compounds 1 and 2 are new compounds, while compounds 12 and 16 were isolated from this plant for the first time. Bioactivity screening revealed that Kuwanon A (compound 17) exhibited significant cytoprotective effects in an H₂O₂-induced HaCaT cell injury model, effectively scavenging intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), restoring mitochondrial function, and enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD and GSH. Further studies indicated that H₂O₂ induced ferroptosis in HaCaT cells, characterized by abnormal Fe²⁺ levels, lipid peroxidation, and elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α). Kuwanon A significantly ameliorated these pathological changes. Consistently, ELISA and Astral DIA quantitative proteomics analyses demonstrated that Kuwanon A specifically upregulates the expression of the sulfurtransferase NFS1, thereby promoting the expression of the core antioxidant enzyme GPX4 and the iron storage protein ferritin-H, collectively inhibiting ferroptosis. This study elucidates that Kuwanon A is a key active component responsible for the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Morus alba L. root bark, and its mechanism is closely associated with regulating the NFS1-mediated ferroptosis defense pathway. Full article

Low temperature and low irradiance (LTLI) stress severely limits strawberry growth and productivity during winter protected cultivation. This study investigated the physiological responses of the short-day strawberry cultivar ‘Benihoppe’ to individual and combined LTLI stress and developed a quantitative damage evaluation index. Seedlings were exposed to four treatments for 20 d: control (25/15 °C, 600 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), single low temperature (LT: 15/5 °C), single low irradiance (LI: 100 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), and combined stress (LTLI: 15/5 °C, 100 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹). Compared to isolated stress factors, combined LTLI treatment exhibited a statistically verified synergistic damaging effect (two-factor ANOVA, LT × LI p < 0.01) on leaf structure and function. LTLI-treated plants showed severe reductions in leaf area, palisade tissue thickness, chlorophyll content, and net photosynthetic rate (Pn), alongside elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation. Chlorophyll a fluorescence (OJIP) analysis revealed that LTLI stress strongly blocked the electron transport chain at the PSII acceptor side, increasing the J-step relative variable fluorescence (Vj) and suppressing the performance index (PI). To quantify these impacts, a Low Temperature and Low Irradiance Damage Index (LTLDI) was derived from 12 core physiological and morphological variables. The LTLDI scores demonstrated that LTLI induced severe damage by day 10 (score: 0.69) and extremely severe damage by day 20 (0.87), which were substantially higher than the damage caused by LT (0.58 at 20 d) and LI (0.63 at 20 d) alone. The index reliability was confirmed by its strong correlation (r > 0.9) with key stress markers (Fv/Fm, Pn, and MDA). Overall, combined LTLI stress exacerbates structural degradation and PSII photoinhibition in strawberry leaves. The proposed LTLDI offers a practical, standardized tool for evaluating stress severity, facilitating timely environmental management in greenhouse strawberry production. Full article

This study developed high-oxygen-barrier active bilayer packaging films by combining corona-treated low-density polyethylene (LDPE) with chitosan/glycerol (CS/Gl) and carvacrol@natural zeolite (CV@NZ) nanohybrid layers using industrially scalable processes. LDPE film was surface-activated via ambient-pressure corona treatment (0.75 s/cm² at 45 kV, 30 W) and assembled with solution-cast CS/Gl or CS/Gl/CV@NZ monolayers via hot-pressing (110 °C, 1 min). Corona treatment enabled robust interfacial adhesion, evidenced by statistical equivalence between monolayer and bilayer mechanical properties. Incorporation of 10 wt.% CV@NZ nanohybrid increased elastic modulus by 60% (to ≈2970 MPa) and tensile strength by 30% (to ≈50 MPa). The LDPE-CS/Gl film achieved a 64-fold reduction in oxygen permeability; CV@NZ incorporation maintained excellent barrier performance (22-fold reduction). Antioxidant potency increased 16-fold upon CV@NZ incorporation. The LDPE-CS/Gl/CV@NZ film demonstrated exceptional antibacterial activity (5.08–5.30 log reductions; >99.999% kill) against both Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli—substantially exceeding additive effects—confirming synergistic action between chitosan and carvacrol. In fresh minced pork preservation (8 days, 4 °C), the active film achieved a 1.73 log reduction in Total Viable Count (98.2% inhibition) and extended microbiological shelf life from 6 to beyond 8 days (33% increase). The bilayer configuration utilizes only 40% of the total thickness as biopolymer, aligning with circular economy principles. Unlike conventional high-barrier films (e.g., PA/PE) which require complex compatibilization for recycling, the water-soluble chitosan layer in this bilayer design can be readily separated from the LDPE backbone, enabling recovery of a pure polymer stream. This work demonstrates a feasible pathway for developing next-generation active packaging that combines a high oxygen barrier, potent antioxidant activity, and exceptional antimicrobial efficacy through industrially scalable manufacturing. Full article

Solanum lycopersicum is highly sensitive to water deficits, which negatively affect photosynthesis and increase oxidative stress. Although chitosan nanoparticles (ChNPs) offer a sustainable solution, research on their effects on this species is scarce. This study evaluated whether ChNPs mitigate the physiological and biochemical effects of water deficit on S. lycopersicum seedlings. Thirty-day-old seedlings were grown under greenhouse conditions, and two irrigation levels were established: 80% of substrate water-holding capacity (well-watered, WW), and 50% of water-holding capacity (mild-to-moderate water deficit, WD). Spherical ChNPs with a size of 39.52 ± 10.9 nm were suspended in 1% acetic acid and foliar-applied at 0, 60, or 120 mg L⁻¹. After 10 days, biomass accumulation, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (F_v′/F_m′, ΦPSII, and ETR), gas exchange, and non-enzymatic antioxidant traits were determined. Even under this early-stage stress regime, water deficit significantly reduced shoot and root biomass, net photosynthesis, and stomatal conductance, while increasing lipid peroxidation. Foliar application of ChNPs, particularly at 60 mg L⁻¹, restored dry matter production and improved photochemical efficiency and electron transport rate by 14%; likewise, net CO₂ assimilation increased by 11.7%. In addition, this dose enhanced antioxidant activity and total phenols by 66% and 1.6-fold, respectively. ChNPs at 60 mg L⁻¹ mitigated the effects of WD in S. lycopersicum by increasing antioxidant and photosynthetic performances. Nevertheless, additional molecular studies, including enzymatic antioxidant characterization and compatible solute profiling, are required to elucidate the mechanisms involved. Full article

Ethanol is a pervasive chemical stressor in fermentative environments and represents a major ecological challenge for Drosophila melanogaster, a species that naturally inhabits decaying fruits. Although ethanol tolerance has traditionally been attributed to detoxification and antioxidant pathways, accumulating evidence indicates that immune-related genes, particularly those encoding immune deficiency (IMD) pathway-associated antimicrobial peptides (IMD-AMPs), contribute importantly to chemical stress adaptation. Previous studies have demonstrated that IMD-AMP induction is required for ethanol tolerance; however, whether elevated IMD-AMP expression alone is sufficient to enhance tolerance has remained unresolved. In this study, we investigated the functional significance of IMD-AMP upregulation in ethanol tolerance using dietary propolis as an experimental immune-modulating agent. D. melanogaster were reared throughout their life cycle on propolis-supplemented diets and subsequently exposed to ethanol. Propolis-fed flies exhibited significantly enhanced survival under ethanol stress compared with control flies. Notably, this increased tolerance was not accompanied by upregulation of classical ethanol metabolism genes or broad induction of antioxidant-related genes. Instead, propolis feeding increased baseline and early-stage expression of IMD-AMP genes, including Diptericin A (DptA), Diptericin B (DptB), Attacin (AttC), and Metchnikowin (Mtk) before and during ethanol exposure. These findings suggest IMD-AMP upregulation is positively associated with enhanced ethanol tolerance in D. melanogaster. Our results establish a proactive role for immune-related pathways in chemical stress resistance and extend the functional scope of AMPs beyond pathogen defense. This study identifies IMD-AMPs as key effectors linking immune activation to physiological adaptation under ethanol-induced chemical stress. Full article

Polysaccharides are important bioactive components of dried tangerine peel, exhibiting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hypoglycemic activities. However, the ability of dried tangerine peel polysaccharides to alleviate gastric injury remains insufficiently understood. Therefore, the structure and alleviation of gastric injury induced by dried tangerine peel polysaccharides were explored in this study. Firstly, DTPP-4 was purified from dried tangerine peel. As shown in the HPLC chromatogram, DTPP-4 is a homogeneous polysaccharide with a mean molecular weight of 1.35 × 10³ kDa. DTPP-4 was mainly composed of L-Rha, L-Ara, D-Gal, and D-GalpA with percentages of 10.56%, 9.15%, 4.83%, and 75.45%, respectively. Methylation and NMR results suggested that DTPP-4 was a pectic polysaccharide with →4)-α-D-GalpA-6-OMe-(1→ and →4)-α-D-GalpA-(1→ as the backbone. The alleviation of gastric injury of dried tangerine peel polysaccharide was evaluated in ethanol-induced acute gastric injury mice. Based on the macroscopic images of gastric tissues and the area of gastric tissue injury in mice, the dried tangerine peel polysaccharide can reduce the mouse gastric lesion area and alleviate gastric tissue pathological damage. Histopathological analysis of H&E and PAS staining revealed that the dried tangerine peel polysaccharide could ameliorate the disordered arrangement and necrosis of epithelial cells, reduce inflammatory cell infiltration, and thus alleviate gastric injury. Dried tangerine peel polysaccharide confers gastroprotection by modulating MPO and PGE2 levels, reducing MDA accumulation, enhancing SOD and CAT antioxidant activities, suppressing IL-1β and TNF-α secretion, and upregulating IL-10 expression. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for subsequent structure–activity relationship investigations and provide empirical support for the subsequent development and practical application of this polysaccharide. Full article

Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in the Yellow River Delta is limited by saline–alkali soils and freshwater scarcity, while the responses of different straw-returning modes under contrasting irrigation regimes remain unclear. A field experiment was conducted with two irrigation regimes, normal irrigation (W1) and deficit irrigation (W2), and four straw-returning modes, direct straw return (RS), straw-derived cattle manure return (RM), straw biochar return (RB), and straw pellet return (RG). The experiment followed a split-plot randomized block design with three replicates. Soil properties, leaf physiology, photosynthetic performance, grain yield, and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) were evaluated. Compared with W2, W1 increased mean grain yield by 9.4%, whereas W2 increased mean IWUE by 36.7%. Among the straw-returning modes, RS showed the most consistent performance. Under W1, W1RS produced the highest grain yield (3509.72 kg ha⁻¹). The stable performance of RS was characterized by relatively favorable soil moisture status, lower MDA content, higher antioxidant enzyme activity, and better maintenance of Pn. Pearson correlation analysis showed that grain yield was positively correlated with Pn and CAT activity, whereas MDA was negatively correlated with Pn. These results suggest that RS may be a feasible straw-returning mode for winter wheat production in saline–alkali soil. Full article

Precision nano-fertilization offers transformative potential for sustainable improvement of grape quality, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the effects of foliar-applied nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) and potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH₂PO₄), in combination, on berry quality and secondary metabolic reprogramming in Vitis vinifera cv. Marselan. The combined nZVI/KH₂PO₄ treatment improved photosynthetic capacity, Fe/P co-accumulation, and berry quality traits including soluble solid content, sugar–acid ratio, and phenolic and aroma metabolite profiles. Crucially, integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling identified 631 differentially expressed genes and 838 differentially accumulated metabolites, converging on flavonoid biosynthesis and glutathione metabolism as the dominant regulatory axes. Correlation network analysis pinpointed five hub regulatory genes—VvHCT, VvFLS1, VvLAR1/2, VvUGT88F5, and VvODC—as central orchestrators of nanomaterial-driven metabolic reprogramming: VvHCT and VvFLS1 coordinately redirected carbon flux toward hydroxycinnamic acid conjugates and flavonol accumulation, while VvLAR1/2 governed proanthocyanidin polymerization, and VvUGT88F5 modulated glycosylation-dependent metabolite stabilization. Notably, VvODC linked polyamine metabolism to glutathione-mediated stress buffering, revealing a previously uncharacterized crosstalk between nano-iron signaling and antioxidant reprogramming. These findings establish a mechanistic framework in which nZVI and KH₂PO₄ synergistically remodel the secondary metabolome through discrete yet interconnected transcriptional nodes, providing molecular targets for nano-enabled precision viticulture and broader applications of engineered nanomaterials in high-value crop improvement. Full article