Search Results (1,051)

Fruits and vegetables are essential for a healthy diet, providing vital nutrients and contributing to global food security. Fungal pathogens that interact with fruits and vegetables reduce their quality and shelf life and lead to economic losses and risks to human health through the production of mycotoxins. Chemical fungicides, used to control postharvest pathogens, are posing serious environmental and health risks, driving interest in safer alternative strategies. Biocontrol methods using antagonistic microbes, such as yeasts, are eco-friendly, sustainable, and the most promising, but they often have limited efficacy and specificity in diverse produce. There is growing interest in the innovative enhancement of biocontrol strategies. The present review shows that inducing, enhancing, co-application, encapsulation, and post-application treatments are common enhancement techniques, while environmental, host, and pathogen characteristics, antagonistic microbial traits, and chemical inputs are the major gearing factors for the best application methods. These methods do not involve genetic modification, which is adequate to reduce the proliferation of GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) while optimizing antagonistic microbial performance by promoting growth, inducing host resistance, enhancing antifungal properties, improving adhesion, and boosting stress tolerance. Most enhancers fall under groups of nutritional additives, protective carriers, growth stimulants, and encapsulants. Integrating these enhancers and best methods promises reduced postharvest losses, supports sustainable agriculture, and addresses economic losses and food security challenges. This study highlights the role of organic and natural elicitors, their application methods, their mechanisms in improving BCAs (Biological Control Agents), and their overall efficiency. This review concisely compiles recent strategies, calling for further research to revolutionize fungal pathogen management, reduce food waste, and promote responsible farming practices. Full article

Lactiplantibacillus pentosus is a lactic acid bacterium frequently detected in various fermented foods; however, the genomic traits related to its biotechnological potential have been underexplored. In this study, 34 catalase-negative isolates were obtained from pickled mustard greens, among which strain P7 exhibited the highest exopolysaccharide (EPS) yield (781.9 ± 14.7 mg/L) and was capable of growing in a chemically defined medium lacking riboflavin. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a 3,749,478 bp circular chromosome with 46.5% G + C content and 3389 protein-coding genes. A phylogenomic analysis identified P7 as L. pentosus. Functionally, 1 mg/mL EPS extracted from P7 demonstrated strong antioxidant activity, with DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging capacities of 89.8 ± 4.6% and 76.5 ± 9.5%, respectively. The use of 0.2 mg/mL EPS also protected Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells from oxidative stress. A comparative genomic analysis indicated the presence of nearly complete biosynthetic pathways for riboflavin, folate, and pyridoxine. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) confirmed the production of 23.8 ± 0.4 µg/mL riboflavin, 36.6 ± 0.6 µg/mL folic acid, and 0.42 ± 0.02 µg/mL pyridoxine in the culture supernatant, which have not been previously reported. Additionally, strain P7 produced 91.2 ± 12.3 g/L of lactic acid after 24 h of incubation. These results support the potential of L. pentosus P7 as a candidate for industrial applications in the production of EPS, B-group vitamins, and lactic acid. Full article

Background: Meniere’s disease (MD) is a rare inner ear disorder characterized by endolymphatic hydrops and symptoms such as vertigo and hearing loss, with no curative treatment currently available. XuanYunNing tablets (XYN) have been clinically used to treat MD, but their molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate the pharmacological effects of XYN in a guinea pig model of MD and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of both MD pathogenesis and XYN intervention through integrated multi-omics analyses, including transcriptomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics. Methods: A guinea pig model of endolymphatic hydrops was induced by intraperitoneal injection of desmopressin acetate (dDAVP). Pharmacodynamic efficacy was evaluated via behavioral scoring and histopathological analysis. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) modulated by XYN treatment were identified using high-throughput transcriptomic and proteomic sequencing. These data were integrated through multi-omics bioinformatic analysis. Key molecular targets and signaling pathways were further validated using RT-qPCR and Western blotting. Results: Pharmacological evaluations showed that guinea pigs in the model group exhibited a 26% increase in endolymphatic hydrops area, while high-dose XYN treatment reduced this area by 19% and significantly improved functional parameters, including overall physiological condition (e.g., weight and general appearance), auricular reflexes to low-, medium-, and high-frequency sound stimuli, nystagmus, and the righting reflex. High-throughput sequencing combined with integrative omics analysis identified 513 potential molecular targets of XYN. Subsequent network and module analyses pinpointed the JAK-STAT signaling pathway as the central axis. Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis further supported a causal relationship between MD and metabolic, immune, and inflammatory traits, reinforcing the central role of JAK-STAT signaling in both MD progression and XYN-mediated intervention. Mechanistic studies confirmed that XYN downregulated IFNG, IFNGR1, JAK1, p-STAT3/STAT3, and AOX at both mRNA and protein levels, thereby inhibiting aberrant JAK-STAT pathway activation in MD model animals. In addition, a total of 125 chemical constituents were identified in XYN by UHPLC-MS analysis. ZBTB20 and other molecules were identified as potential blood-based biomarkers for MD. Conclusions: This study reveals that XYN alleviates MD symptoms by disrupting a pathological cycle driven by JAK-STAT signaling, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction. These findings support the clinical potential of XYN in the treatment of Meniere’s disease and may inform the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Full article

Hedeoma multiflora Benth. is an endangered aromatic and medicinal wild species native to Argentina, widely used in traditional medicine, whose cultivation represents a small and untapped sector within the agricultural industry. Current market supply relies on wild harvesting practices by rural communities, leading to population decline and genetic diversity loss through inappropriate extraction methods, including uprooting during suboptimal phenological stages. This study evaluated phenotypic and phytochemical variability in four populations of H. multiflora in the province of Córdoba to develop conservation strategies and cultivation protocols. Forty individuals were sampled from each population to analyze morphological, chemical, phenological, edaphological, and climatic variables. Significant differences were observed between populations: Tulumba had the tallest plants and largest leaves, while Bialet Massé had the highest number of internodes. Essential oil yield ranged from 1.01% to 2.10%, with Ongamira having the highest content. Phytochemical analysis revealed two chemotypes: pulegone-dominant (Bialet Massé and Río Cuarto) and menthone-dominant (Ongamira and Tulumba). Phenological patterns differed significantly, with Ongamira showing the greatest reproductive synchronization. Soil organic matter content significantly influenced morphological and chemical traits. The high variability among populations underscores the importance of preserving genetic diversity for domestication and conservation strategies. Full article

Background: Nitrogen fixation (diazotrophy) is a desirable trait present in some cyanobacteria with potential applications in sustainable agriculture and chemical feedstock production. This study discovers a predictive relationship modeled between secondary metabolites and diazotrophic cyanobacteria by leveraging chemical structure similarity to identify diazotrophic strains. Methods: An algorithm was developed using chemical fingerprint similarity of metabolites curated from CyanoMetDB and evaluated with leave-one-out cross-validation on 133 manually labeled metabolites. Results: The model demonstrated strong predictive performance, achieving 88% accuracy and a ROC-AUC of 0.96. We then applied this approach to prioritize likely diazotrophic strains among 1980 unlabeled metabolites and their associated organisms, providing a rank order of most likely undetected diazotrophic strains. Toxicity analysis showed that diazotrophic-associated metabolites show similar toxicity to non-diazotrophic metabolites in rats, with less toxicity in Daphnia magna, suggesting that these metabolites are not playing a defensive role. However, these metabolites did have relatively high nitrogen presence, and many were cyclic peptides, potentially serving as signaling molecules. Conclusions: This study underscores the potential of secondary metabolites in identifying diazotrophs, even when they may not be actively demonstrating diazotrophic physiology. Discovering more diazotrophic cyanobacteria has strong implications for advancing agricultural biotechnology towards the goal of self-fertilizing crops. Full article

Verticillium-like fungi within the Sordariomycetes hold significant ecological and economic importance, especially in biocontrol. This study describes two novel species, Leptobacillium gasaense and Ovicillium yunnanense, and provides DNA sequence data and identification keys for the genera Leptobacillium and Ovicillium. The genus Muscodor, known for its considerable biotechnological value, comprises endophytes characterized by sterile mycelia that produce antibiotic volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Historically, the classification of Muscodor has relied on culture characteristics, VOC chemical profiles, and molecular phylogenetic analyses. However, culture characteristics and VOC profiles lack a definitive diagnostic value. Although asexual morphological traits are crucial for genus-level classification, no conidiogenous structures have been observed in Muscodor. Here, we report the asexual morphological characteristics of Muscodor and describe M. coffeanus as a new record in China, supported by both its asexual morphology and molecular phylogenetic evidence. Full article

This on-farm study explored the effects of diverse pasture systems and seaweed bio-stimulants (AgriSea NZ Seaweed Products, Paeroa, New Zealand) on sheep performance, metabolic health, milk composition, and carcass characteristics. A 3 × 2 factorial design was used to compare three pasture systems; ryegrass-white clover (RW), a 23-species diverse mix (DI), and functionally diverse strip swards (ST), with (SW) or without (CO) a seaweed bio-stimulant. Ninety pregnant ewes were stratified by live weight and allocated across six treatment groups (15 ewes per treatment). Lambing occurred on treatment paddocks. At weaning, 90 lambs (15 per treatment) were selected based on body weight and sex balance to continue through to finishing. Pasture chemical composition differed among treatments: ST had lower fibre (neutral detergent fibre, NDF; acid detergent fibre, ADF) than RW and DI, while SW increased dry matter digestibility (DMD) and metabolisable energy (ME), and reduced NDF and ADF (p < 0.05). Strip pastures improved lamb average daily gain (ADG) by 17% from lambing to weaning compared to DI, and by 14% from weaning to finishing compared to RW (p < 0.05). Seaweed bio-stimulant treatment enhanced lamb ADG by up to 12% and improved carcass traits, including loin and shoulder yields (p < 0.05). Ewes and lambs on seaweed-treated pastures exhibited lower serum non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations (p < 0.05), indicating better energy balance. Milk from ST and/or SW treated ewes had elevated omega-6 fatty acids and essential amino acids, suggesting enhanced nutritional value. These findings demonstrate that combining botanical diversity with natural bio-stimulants can improve animal growth, metabolic health, and product quality, offering a promising strategy for sustainable and welfare-oriented sheep production systems. Full article

Dark septate endophytes (DSEs) are commonly found in saline environments, such as the Flooding Pampas (Argentina), where the forage grass Chloris gayana has been introduced. This study evaluated the effect of salinity on the DSE fungus Exserohilum rostratum, isolated from C. gayana, and its contribution to the grass’s salinity tolerance. Two greenhouse experiments were conducted under three salinity levels (0, 40, and 80 meq Na·L⁻¹), with and without fungal inoculation. Fungal growth, root colonization, functional traits, plant biomass, chemical composition, and salinity tolerance indices were assessed. The fungus tolerated salinity and colonized roots, showing qualitative evidence of enzyme production and phosphate solubilization. In both experiments, shoot and root biomass decreased with increasing salinity. Inoculation significantly enhanced shoot biomass only under non-saline conditions in the first experiment, whereas in the second experiment no inoculation effect was observed on shoots. For roots, no effect of inoculation occurred in the first experiment, but a positive interaction between salinity and inoculation was recorded in the second experiment, where moderate salinity increased root biomass in inoculated plants. The K/Na and Ca/Na ratios decreased under salinity regardless of inoculation, indicating limited influence on ionic balance. These results suggest that although E. rostratum tolerates salinity and expresses functional traits, its ability to enhance plant performance under stress is context-dependent and restricted to specific conditions. Full article

Climate change has intensified extreme weather events and accelerated soil salinization, posing serious threats to crop yield and quality. Salinity stress, now affecting about 20% of irrigated lands, is expected to worsen due to rising temperatures and sea levels. At the same time, the global population is projected to exceed 9 billion by 2050, demanding a 70% increase in food production (UN, 2019; FAO). Agriculture, responsible for 34% of global greenhouse gas emissions, urgently needs sustainable solutions. Microbial inoculants, known as “plant probiotics,” offer a promising eco-friendly alternative by enhancing crop resilience and reducing environmental impact. In this study, we evaluated the plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits and melatonin-producing capacity of Bacillus aerius EH2-5. To assess its efficacy under salt stress, soybean seedlings at the VC stage were inoculated with EH2-5 and subsequently subjected to salinity stress using 150 mM and 100 mM NaCl treatments. Plant growth parameters, the expression levels of salinity-related genes, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes were measured to determine the microbe’s role in promoting plant growth and mitigating salt-induced oxidative stress. Here, our study shows that the melatonin-synthesizing Bacillus aerius EH2-5 (7.48 ng/mL at 24 h after inoculation in Trp spiked LB media) significantly improved host plant (Glycine max L.) growth, biomass, and photosynthesis and reduced oxidative stress during salinity stress conditions than the non-inculcated control. Whole genome sequencing of Bacillus aerius EH2-5 identified key plant growth-promoting and salinity stress-related genes, including znuA, znuB, znuC, and zur (zinc uptake); ptsN, aspA, and nrgB (nitrogen metabolism); and phoH and pstS (phosphate transport). Genes involved in tryptophan biosynthesis and transport, such as trpA, trpB, trpP, and tspO, along with siderophore-related genes yusV, yfhA, and yfiY, were also detected. The presence of multiple stress-responsive genes, including dnaK, dps, treA, cspB, srkA, and copZ, suggests EH2-5′s genomic potential to enhance plant tolerance to salinity and other abiotic stresses. Inoculation with Bacillus aerius EH2-5 significantly enhanced soybean growth and reduced salt-induced damage, as evidenced by increased shoot biomass (29%, 41%), leaf numbers (12% and 13%), and chlorophyll content (40%, 21%) under 100 mM and 150 mM NaCl compared to non-inoculated plants. These results indicate EH2-5′s strong potential as a plant growth-promoting and salinity stress-alleviating rhizobacterium. The EH2-5 symbiosis significantly enhanced a key ABA biosynthesis enzyme-related gene NCED3, dehydration responsive transcription factors DREB2A and NAC29 salinity stresses (100 mM and 150 mM). Moreover, the reduced expression of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) by 16%, 29%, and 24%, respectively, and decreased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroxy peroxidase (H₂O₂) by 12% and 23% were observed under 100 mM NaCl compared to non-inoculated plants. This study demonstrated that Bacillus aerius EH2-5, a melatonin-producing strain, not only functions effectively as a biofertilizer but also alleviates plant stress in a manner comparable to the application of exogenous melatonin. These findings highlight the potential of utilizing melatonin-producing microbes as a viable alternative to chemical treatments. Therefore, further research should focus on enhancing the melatonin biosynthetic capacity of EH2-5, improving its colonization efficiency in plants, and developing synergistic microbial consortia (SynComs) with melatonin-producing capabilities. Such efforts will contribute to the development and field application of EH2-5 as a promising plant biostimulant for sustainable agriculture. Full article

Soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition is a critical biogeochemical process that regulates the carbon cycle, nutrient availability, and agricultural sustainability of cropland systems. Recent progress in multi-omics and microbial network analyses has provided us with a better understanding of the decomposition process at different spatial and temporal scales. Climate factors, such as temperature and seasonal variations in moisture, play a critical role in microbial activity and enzyme kinetics, and their impacts are mediated by soil physical and chemical properties. Soil mineralogy, texture, and structure create different soil microenvironments, affecting the connectivity of microbial habitats, substrate availability, and protective mechanisms of organic matter. Moreover, different microbial groups (bacteria, fungi, and archaea) contribute differently to the decomposition of plant residues and SOM. Recent findings suggest the paramount importance of living microbial communities as well as necromass in forming soil organic carbon pools. Microbial functional traits such as carbon use efficiency, dormancy, and stress tolerance are essential drivers of decomposition in the soil. Furthermore, the role of microbial necromass, alongside live microbial communities, in the formation and stabilization of persistent SOM fractions is increasingly recognized. Based on this microbial perspective, feedback between local microbial processes and landscape-scale carbon dynamics illustrates the cross-scale interactions that drive agricultural productivity and regulate soil climate. Understanding these dynamics also highlights the potential for incorporating microbial functioning into sustainable agricultural management, which offers promising avenues for increasing carbon sequestration without jeopardizing soil nutrient cycling. This review explores current developments in intricate relationships between climate, soil characteristics, and microbial communities determining SOM decomposition, serving as a promising resource in organic fertilization and regenerative agriculture. Specifically, we examine how nutrient availability, pH, and oxygen levels critically influence these microbial contributions to SOM stability and turnover. Full article

Dimensional stability is a key trait for structural wood applications such as flooring, yet its genetic basis in Eucalyptus pellita F.Muell. and its hybrids remain poorly understood. Addressing this gap is essential for improving processing efficiency and product quality through targeted breeding. This study assessed variation in shrinkage and density, their relationships with growth and chemical traits, and associated genetic markers. Wood samples from E. pellita, E. pellita × E. urophylla S.T.Blake, and E. pellita × E. brassiana S.T.Blake were collected from two plantation sites in northern Australia. Radial and tangential shrinkage and density were measured alongside growth and chemical traits. SNP genotyping was conducted to identify markers linked to these physical properties. Significant differences were observed among hybrid types. E. pellita × E. urophylla recorded the lowest tangential unit shrinkage (0.06%), while E. pellita × E. brassiana had the highest basic density (651 kg/m³). Shrinkage and density showed moderate to strong correlations with growth and chemical traits. Several SNPs were associated with these properties; all were located in the intergenic region near Eucgr.A00211. Among these, only one SNP exceeded the −log₁₀(p) significance threshold. These results provide early genetic insights and potential candidate markers for improving wood quality in Eucalyptus breeding programs. This exploratory study, constrained by a small sample size (n = 58), identifies putative SNPs for future validation in broader, multi-environment trials. Full article

Acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.) is a tropical fruit known for its high vitamin C (ascorbic acid) content. This study aimed to determine the optimal sample size (OSS) required to reliably estimate postharvest quality traits in acerola. A total of 50 red-ripe fruit from four cultivars (BRS Rubra, Cabocla, Costa Rica, and Junko) were evaluated individually for their physical (weight, diameter, length, color, and firmness) and chemical (soluble solids content [SSC], titratable acidity [TA], SSC/TA ratio, and vitamin C) attributes. Bootstrap resampling and nonlinear power models were used to model the relationships between sample sizes and the width of 95% confidence intervals (CI_95%). Three methods were applied to determine the maximum curvature point (MCP): general, perpendicular distance (PD), and linear response plateau (LRP). The PD and LRP methods led to consistent and conservative OSS estimates, which ranged from 12 to 28 fruit depending on the trait and cultivar. A sample size of 20 fruit was identified as a practical and reliable reference. Chemical traits showed greater variability and required larger samples. Cultivar comparisons indicated that ‘BRS Rubra’, ‘Cabocla’, and ‘Costa Rica’ are suitable for fresh consumption, while ‘Junko’ is ideal for vitamin C extraction. These results provide statistical support for experimental planning in acerola postharvest research. Full article

Cooked-rice aroma strongly affects consumer choice, yet the chemical traits distinguishing glutinous rice from normal-amylose japonica rice remain underexplored because earlier studies targeted only a few dozen volatiles using one-dimensional gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In this study, four glutinous and seven normal Japanese cultivars were cooked under identical conditions, their headspace volatiles trapped with MonoTrap and qualitatively profiled by comprehensive GC × GC-TOFMS. The two-dimensional platform resolved 1924 peaks—about ten-fold previous coverage—and, together with hierarchical clustering, PCA, heatmap visualization and volcano plots, cleanly separated the starch classes (78.3% cumulative PCA variance; Euclidean distance > 140). Volcano plots highlighted 277 compounds enriched in the glutinous cultivars and 295 in Koshihikari, including 270 compounds that were not previously documented in rice. Normal cultivars were dominated by ethers, aldehydes, amines and other nitrogenous volatiles associated with grainy, grassy and toasty notes. Glutinous cultivars showed abundant ketones, furans, carboxylic acids, thiols, steroids, nitro compounds, pyrroles and diverse hydrocarbons and aromatics, yielding sweeter, fruitier and floral accents. These results expand the volatile library for japonica rice, provide molecular markers for flavor-oriented breeding and demonstrate the power of GC × GC-TOFMS coupled with chemometrics for grain aroma research. Full article

Wild edible mushrooms are increasingly recognised for their nutritional and therapeutic potential, owing to their richness in bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties. This study assessed the chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, and bioaccumulation of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Ni) in Boletus edulis, Imleria badia, and Leccinum scabrum collected from two forested regions of north-western Poland differing in anthropogenic influence and soil characteristics. The analysis encompassed structural polysaccharides (β- and α-glucans, chitin), carotenoids, L-ascorbic acid, phenolic and organic acids. B. edulis exhibited the highest β-glucan and lycopene contents, but also the greatest cadmium accumulation. I. badia was distinguished by elevated ascorbic and citric acid levels and the strongest DPPH radical scavenging activity, while L. scabrum showed the highest ABTS and FRAP antioxidant capacities and accumulated quinic acid and catechin. Principal component analysis indicated strong correlations between antioxidant activity and phenolic acids, while cadmium levels were inversely associated with antioxidant potential and positively correlated with chitin. Although all metal concentrations remained within EU food safety limits, B. edulis showed consistent cadmium bioaccumulation. From a practical perspective, the results highlight the importance of species selection and sourcing location when considering wild mushrooms for consumption or processing, particularly in the context of nutritional value and contaminant load. Importantly, regular or excessive consumption of B. edulis may result in exceeding the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) levels for cadmium and nickel, which warrants particular attention from a food safety perspective. These findings underscore the influence of species-specific traits and environmental conditions on mushroom biochemical profiles and support their potential as functional foods, provided that metal contents are adequately monitored. Full article

Acacia mearnsii De Wild. has been introduced to over 150 countries for its economic value. However, it easily escapes from plantations and establishes monospecific stands across plains, hills, valleys, and riparian habitats, including protected areas such as national parks and forest reserves. Due to its negative ecological impact, A. mearnsii has been listed among the world’s 100 worst invasive alien species. This species exhibits rapid stem growth in its sapling stage and reaches reproductive maturity early. It produces a large quantity of long-lived seeds, establishing a substantial seed bank. A. mearnsii can grow in different environmental conditions and tolerates various adverse conditions, such as low temperatures and drought. Its invasive populations are unlikely to be seriously damaged by herbivores and pathogens. Additionally, A. mearnsii exhibits allelopathic activity, though its ecological significance remains unclear. These characteristics of A. mearnsii may contribute to its expansion in introduced ranges. The presence of A. mearnsii affects abiotic processes in ecosystems by reducing water availability, increasing the risk of soil erosion and flooding, altering soil chemical composition, and obstructing solar light irradiation. The invasion negatively affects biotic processes as well, reducing the diversity and abundance of native plants and arthropods, including protective species. Eradicating invasive populations of A. mearnsii requires an integrated, long-term management approach based on an understanding of its invasive mechanisms. Early detection of invasive populations and the promotion of public awareness about their impact are also important. More attention must be given to its invasive traits because it easily escapes from cultivation. Full article