Search Results (1,176)

Trichilia emetica and T. dregeana butter oils are gaining recognition in the cosmeceutical industry, yet comparative data on their yields and bioactive composition remain scarce. This study assessed oil yields, fatty acid profiles, and tocol compositions of kernel and aril oils extracted by screw press from seeds collected in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. T. emetica produced smaller but more numerous seeds (603 per 200 g) than T. dregeana (159). Kernel oil yields were slightly higher in T. emetica (52.86%) than in T. dregeana (50.81%), while aril oils averaged 48.61% and 45.22%, respectively. Kernel oils of both species showed strong oxidative stability, with low peroxide and anisidine values and lower free fatty acid content compared to aril oils. T. emetica kernel oil was dominated by saturated fatty acids (SFAs), particularly palmitic acid (51.8%), and contained high γ-tocopherol (202 mg/kg), supporting applications in soaps, bio-lubricants, and industrial formulations. In contrast, T. dregeana kernel oil was richer in oleic acid (47.6%) and α-tocotrienol, favouring nutraceutical and cosmetic uses. Aril oils were dominated by linoleic acid (24–25%), with T. dregeana aril oil distinguished by elevated α-tocopherol (91.8 mg/kg) and a more diverse tocotrienol profile, making it suitable for antioxidant-rich cosmetics and dietary products. The dual-oil system offers complementary value: kernel oils provide structural stability for industrial applications, while aril oils supply bioactive-rich lipids for health and cosmetic formulations. Seed cakes present additional potential as biofertilizers or feedstock. This study provides the first comparative analysis of kernel and aril oils from T. emetica and T. dregeana, revealing interspecific differences in yield, fatty acid composition, and tocol profiles, and linking these to ecological adaptation and differentiated industrial potential. Full article

This study aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying cyanogenic glycoside accumulation in flax. As an important oil and fiber crop, the nutritional value of flax is compromised by the toxicity of cyanogenic glycoside. To clarify the key genetic regulators and temporal patterns of cyanogenic glycoside biosynthesis, transcriptomic sequencing was performed on seeds from high- and low-cyanogenic glycoside flax varieties (‘MONTANA16’ and ‘Xilibai’) at three developmental stages: bud stage, full flowering stage, and capsule-setting stage. A total of 127.25 Gb of high-quality data was obtained, with an alignment rate exceeding 87.80%. We identified 31,623 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which exhibited distinct variety- and stage-specific expression patterns. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering demonstrated strong reproducibility among biological replicates and revealed the seed pod formation stage as the period with the most significant varietal differences, suggesting it may represent a critical regulatory window for cyanogenic glycoside synthesis. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that DEGs were primarily involved in metabolic processes (including secondary metabolism and carbohydrate metabolism), oxidoreductase activity, and transmembrane transport functions. Of these, the cytochrome P450 pathway was most significantly enriched at the full bloom stage (H2 vs. L2). A total of 15 LuCYP450 and 13 LuUGT85 family genes were identified, and their expression patterns were closely associated with cyanogenic glycoside accumulation: In high-cyanogenic varieties, LuCYP450-8 was continuously upregulated, and LuUGT85-12 was significantly activated during later stages. Conversely, in low-cyanogenic varieties, high expression of LuCYP450-2/14 may inhibit synthesis. These findings systematically reveal the genetic basis and temporal dynamics of cyanogenic glycoside biosynthesis in flax and highlight the seed pod formation stage as a decisive regulatory window for cyanogenic glycoside synthesis. This study provides new insights into the coordinated regulation of cyanogenic pathways and establishes a molecular foundation for breeding flax varieties with low CNG content without compromising agronomic traits. Full article

Olive pomace (OP) contains phytotoxic compounds that can impair plant growth and soil quality. Composting provides an effective method for detoxifying olive pomace (OP) and improving its suitability for agricultural use. Therefore, this study investigated the phytotoxic effects of raw olive pomace filtrate (OPF) on seed germination in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), as well as the impact of composted olive pomace (COP) on their growth. Seeds were exposed to OPF at concentrations of 0% (control), 1%, 3%, 5%, 10%, 20%, and 100%. Additionally, three composting treatments were evaluated: R1 (control: OP + barley straw), R2 (OP + barley straw + urea), and R3 (OP + barley straw + sheep litter). Results showed that OPF at concentrations of 10%, 20%, and 100% significantly reduced seed germination, with complete inhibition at concentrations > 10%. The COP treatments showed different physicochemical properties, such as R2 exhibiting better nutrient availability (C/N = 19, oil content = 0.04%). R3 had the highest concentrations of K (40,430.2 mg/kg) and P (6022.68 mg/kg). Results also indicated that R1 significantly reduced radish dry biomass production compared to barley, although R2 performed slightly better than R1 and R3. The findings highlight the need for proper compost stabilization to minimize the phytotoxicity and improve the agricultural potential of COP for improving soil health. Full article

Crude hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seed oil (HSO) has a high degree of unsaturation, which has increased its interest in many industrial applications, especially epoxy-resin production. Crude HSO is refined to remove impurities and pigments; however, refining after epoxidation (post-epoxidation refining) also removes impurities and side products, similar to the vegetable oil refining process. Therefore, this study evaluates if it is worth refining crude HSO before epoxidation (pre-epoxidation), and to what extent pre-refining (before epoxidation) is needed to maintain yield and quality. Crude, degummed, and bleached HSOs were epoxidized at 60 °C for 5.5 h using amberlite 120H+ solid catalyst. The cumulative recovery yield, oxirane, conversion, color, and other quality parameters were analyzed before and after epoxidation of HSOs. Results showed that the recovery yield pre- and post-epoxidation of the epoxidized hempseed oils (EHSOs) ranged from 74 to 85%, with the bleached EHSO having the lowest yield. The oxirane content and epoxy conversion ranged from 8.4 to 8.6% and 99.5%, respectively. There was a significant decrease (approximately 99%) in the chlorophyll color content after epoxidation for samples that were not bleached initially with bleaching earth. Hydrogen peroxide was very effective in bleaching the HSO. Other quality parameters did not show any significant benefit from pre-epoxidation bleaching of the HSO. Therefore, it is recommended to directly epoxidize crude HSO or degummed HSO. Full article

As one of the major oil crops worldwide, peanuts play a crucial role in ensuring the stability of global oil production and quality. Seed quality, a direct determinant of yield, is influenced by various factors, among which storage temperature and moisture content are critical. However, the mechanisms by which storage conditions affect peanut seedling development and final yield remain unclear. To address this, we conducted field plot experiments using different storage temperature regimes (0 °C, −10 °C, −20 °C, −40 °C) and seed moisture contents (5%, 10%, 15%) to evaluate their effects on seed quality, subsequent growth, and yield. The results showed that, at the same storage temperature, seed vigor declined with increasing seed moisture content. Conversely, at the same seed moisture content, seed vigor decreased with lower storage temperatures. Overall, the highest germination rate (99.21%) and emergence rate (96.79%) were observed under the 0 °C/5% treatment. Nutrient composition analysis revealed that, at a constant storage temperature, protein content was negatively correlated with seed moisture content, whereas linoleic acid content was positively correlated. After sowing, antioxidant enzyme activities in leaves were monitored throughout seedling development. Enzyme activities initially increased and then declined as plants matured. At the early seedling stage, the highest activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) were detected under the 0 °C/5% treatment. In contrast, malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased significantly with decreasing storage temperature and increasing seed moisture content. From a yield perspective, these factors collectively influenced yield components under different treatments, with the maximum yield (6187.5 kg/ha) obtained under the 0 °C/5% treatment. In summary, the increase in nutrient content and peroxidase activity during the seedling stage of peanut seeds treated with 0 °C/15% water content improved seed quality and vitality, making seed preservation more suitable under these conditions. On the other hand, we conducted transcriptome sequencing on peanut varieties with different cold tolerance levels and identified a cold tolerance gene AhCOLD1, which was preliminarily validated to be involved in cold stress response. In summary, we have determined the optimal storage method for local peanut seeds and identified a cold resistant gene, providing effective technical support for stabilizing local peanut production. Full article

Produced water, a typical byproduct of oil and gas extraction, is considered a significant environmental and health problem due to its heavy metals content. The objective of this study is to evaluate and compare the efficiency of seven low-cost, waste-derived adsorbents in removing Cr³⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Pb²⁺ from simulated produced water. The sorbents include gypsum, neem leaves, mandarin peels, pistachio shells, date seed powder, date seed ash, and activated carbon from date seeds. Adsorption experiments were performed using 2.5 and 5 g/L of the adsorbent. SEM and EDX analyses were used to confirm morphological changes and metal deposition after adsorption. Results showed that date seed ash exhibited the highest efficiency (85–100% across all metals), followed by activated carbon (25–98%), with strong Fe and Cu removal but a lower Pb uptake. Neem leaves, mandarin peels, and date seed powder showed moderate efficiencies (30–97%), while gypsum and pistachio shells were the least effective (0–81%). Lignocellulosic peels also showed good results due to the abundance of –OH and –COOH functional groups. Gypsum performed poorly across most metals. Integrating these waste-based adsorbents into secondary or tertiary treatment stages is an economical and sustainable solution for oil wastewater treatment. The results revealed the potential for valorizing agro-industrial and construction waste for circular economic applications in heavy metal pollution control. Full article

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is an important oil and economic crop widely cultivated worldwide. Increasing the oil yield is a major objective for oilseed crop improvement. Plant LEAFY COTYLEDON1s (LEC1s), FUSCA3s (FUS3s), and WRINKLED1s (WRI1s) are known master regulators of seed development and oil biosynthesis. While previous studies in peanut have primarily focused on two AhLEC1s and one AhWRI1 genes, this study identified a broader set of regulators, including two AhLEC1s, two AhFUS3s, nine AhWRI1s, two AhWRI2s, and four AhWRI3s from the variety HY917. The analyses of phylogenetic trees, gene structures, conserved domains, sequence alignment and identity, and collinearity revealed that they were highly similar to their homologs in other plants. Expression profiling demonstrated that two AhLEC1s, two AhFUS3s, and three AhWRI1s (AhWRI1a/b/c) were specifically expressed in developing seeds, suggesting critical roles in seed development, whereas AhWRI1d, AhWRI1f, and AhWRI1g showed high expression in root nodules, pointing to potential functions in symbiosis and nodulation. Furthermore, co-overexpression of AhLEC1b, AhFUS3b, AhWRI1a, and AhWRI1d in Arabidopsis significantly enhanced seed oil content and thousand-seed weight, but also led to reduced germination rate, plant height, and silique length. The findings allow for the extensive evaluation of AhLEC1s, AhFUS3s, and AhWRIs gene families, establishing a useful foundation for future research into their multiple roles in peanut development. Full article

Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is a retrovative crop with highly nutritious seeds. The study aimed to assess the effect of plant density and type of fertilizer on crop growth and productivity. A three-year experiment was conducted at the Agricultural University of Athens, focusing on two densities (D1 and D2) and four fertilizers (urea with inhibitors (I), organic (O), urea (U) and control (C)). Measurements included plant height, dry weight, number of capsules, number of seeds per capsule, Thousand Seeds Weight (TSW), yield, Harvest Index (HI), seed oil content and oil yield. Fertilization increased plant height (14.6–15.2%), dry weight (34.1%) and number of capsules (24.9%). D2 improved biomass production by 52.6%, while D1 increased the number of capsules by 16.4%. TSW increased by 6.7 and 23.9% at D2 and fertilized treatments, respectively. Yield, HI and oil yield were affected by the interaction of density and fertilization, while seed oil content was affected only by fertilization. D2I increased yield by 67.9% compared to D2C, while oil yield increased over twofold. Overall, flax represents a promising alternative crop against climate change in the Mediterranean Basin. Full article

Seed oil and protein contents are critical agronomic traits that determine soybean quality. However, the key loci and corresponding genes controlling these quality traits remain to be elucidated. Here, we performed bulked segregant analysis by sequencing (BSA-seq) using an F4 population derived from a cross between the cultivars Heinong 35 (HN35) and Dengke 3 (DK3). A major soybean oil and protein quantitative trait locus (QTL) designated as q-OP18 was identified on chromosome 18, and the sugar transporter gene GmSWEET46 was further cloned. Haplotype analysis revealed that a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the sixth exon of GmSWEET46 results in an amino acid change between HN35 and DK3 and is associated with seed oil and protein content, suggesting its important role in determining seed quality in soybean. GmSWEET46 is expressed during the early stages of seed and pod development and localizes to the plasma membrane, indicating its potential function as a sugar transporter. Further studies demonstrated that GmSWEET46 can regulate seed protein content, oil content, and seed size in Arabidopsis and soybean. Collectively, this study provides a novel locus and gene for regulating soybean seed traits and offers valuable resources for the breeding of high-quality and high-yielding soybean cultivars. Full article

Koelreuteria paniculata is an amenity landscape tree whose seed extracts and cold-pressed oil are proven biopesticides and biodiesel feedstocks. However, the residual seed cake phytochemical profile has not been systematically assessed or evaluated for multifunctionality across pesticidal, fertilizing, and nutritional domains. Therefore, the aim of this study was to perform a comprehensive chemotyping of K. paniculata seed cake and evaluate its potential for use as a biopesticide, biofertilizer, and feed additive, contributing to sustainable and circular agricultural systems. Detailed analyses of the defatted seed cake included moisture, crude protein, crude ash, crude fat, and crude fiber determination, as well as amino acid and fatty acid composition determination, supplemented with HPLC and antioxidative capacity investigation. Results delivered a comprehensive chemotyping of K. paniculata seed cake, revealing a nutrient-rich profile with moderate protein (20.01%), substantial monounsaturated fatty acids (75.8%, mainly eicosenoic and oleic), and significant phenolic content, including ellagic acid, rutin, catechin, and gallic acid. Antioxidant assays (DPPH and ABTS) confirmed moderate radical scavenging activity, indicating that bioactivity is retained after cold-press extraction. These compositional and functional traits highlight the potential of the seed cake as a raw material for natural biopesticides, biofertilizers, and value-added agro-industrial products. However, due to its unusual fatty acid profile and possible anti-nutritional factors, feed applications should proceed with caution and be preceded by targeted safety evaluations. Full article

Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) are emerging green solvents widely applied to improve the extraction of essential oil (EO) through plant tissue pretreatment. Various NADESs, formulated from polyalcohols, sugars, and organic acids, were employed as pretreatment solvents prior to microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD) to facilitate plant cell wall breakdown and improve the efficiency of EO extraction. The findings revealed that the most effective pretreatment conditions for enhancing EO extraction involved using a NADES composed of choline chloride and glycerol (in a 1:2 molar ratio), applied to fennel seed powder at a solid-to-NADES ratio of 1:6 g/mL. Optimal performance was achieved with 20% water content in the NADES, microwave irradiation at 400 W for 6 min, followed by 96 min of MAHD. Under these conditions, the NADESs-based MAHD achieved the highest EO yield, increasing it from 1.33% with water-based MAHD to 2.70%. Fennel EO demonstrated the strongest antimicrobial activity against S. pyogenes and C. albicans., while the EO obtained from NADES-MAHD using Ch:Gly (1:2) showed the highest antioxidant activity, with 72.41% inhibition. Finally, GC-MS phytochemical analysis of the extracted EOs revealed anethole as the major compound. Notably, the application of NADES, particularly Ch:Gly (1:2), enhanced the relative content of monoterpene hydrocarbons. These findings highlight the superior effectiveness of deep eutectic solvents during the pretreatment stage in enhancing EO production. Full article

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient for human health, yet its deficiency remains prevalent worldwide. Biofortification through foliar Se application is an effective strategy to enhance Se levels in crops. Paeonia ostii ‘Fengdan’ is a multifunctional woody plant with potential for Se enrichment, though its Se uptake and transformation mechanisms remain unclear. This study systematically investigated the effects of foliar-applied Na₂SeO₃ (0–200 mg L⁻¹) on Se uptake, accumulation, speciation, and nutritional quality in tree peony. Results showed that Se uptake increased with higher Na₂SeO₃ concentrations, displaying a clear dose-dependent pattern across all organs. Se accumulation significantly enhanced, with a pronounced shift in distribution towards above-ground organs under experimental conditions. Notably, tree peony exhibited strong biotransformation capacity, converting over 73% of Se in leaves and over 81% in seeds into organic forms, primarily SeCys₂ and SeMet, with minor MeSeCys. Comprehensive evaluation indicated that 100 mg L⁻¹ Na₂SeO₃ yielded optimal results, significantly enhancing leaf and seed biomass, increasing seed nutrient contents (soluble proteins, sugars, phenolics), and improving the unsaturated fatty acid profile of seed oil. These findings highlight tree peony’s potential as an efficient bioreactor for organic Se and provide a theoretical foundation for developing Se-enriched products from tree peony. Full article

This work aims to develop bio-based and biodegradable materials for active food packaging purposes by comparing the properties of avocado seed flour (ASF) and avocado extracted starch (AES). A 36.4% dry basis yield is obtained for the extracted AES from ASF. ASF presents a higher crystallinity, and SEM images show a mixture of starch granules and other materials, whereas AES presents lower ash, protein, and lipid content relative to ASF. To make a comparison between the two, ASF or AES are mixed with glycerol at different concentrations, then twin-screw extruded and injection-molded to develop thermoplastic starch-based materials. The morphological, mechanical, barrier, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and disintegrability properties are evaluated to compare their different compositions. ASF-based films exhibit better barrier properties and a 134% higher intrinsic antioxidant capacity. Conversely, the homogenous nature of AES-based materials results in better interactions with the plasticizer, allowing a wide range of mechanical properties. Moreover, cinnamon essential oil (CEO) was incorporated into the preferred compositions of both ASF and AES to improve antimicrobial properties. Adding a 5% concentration of CEO to samples was sufficient to completely inhibit the growth of P. expansum. These results support waste valorization for developing active packaging materials with high antioxidant and antimicrobial properties without competing for resources with the food industry. Full article

The global challenge of food waste presents an opportunity to explore the untapped potential of agricultural by-products. Coffee pulp, a major by-product of the coffee industry, is a promising source of functional polysaccharides such as coffee pectin, which can be valorized for sustainable applications in food systems. This study investigates the microencapsulation of hemp seed oil—rich in essential fatty acids and bioactive lipids—using coffee pectin and maltodextrin as wall materials via spray drying. Emulsions with varying oil-to-wall ratios were formulated and characterized for viscosity, particle size, and zeta potential. The resultant microcapsules were analyzed for physicochemical properties, encapsulation efficiency, oxidative stability (peroxide value), and in vitro release in simulated gastrointestinal fluids. Encapsulation efficiencies ranged from 63.27% to 70.77%, with lower oil content formulations exhibiting higher efficiency. The peroxide values indicated enhanced oxidative stability, with the lowest value (10.69 meq O₂/kg oil) observed in the most efficient encapsulation formulation. Microcapsule morphology analysis confirmed the formation of spherical particles with varying degrees of surface roughness. Release studies demonstrated controlled oil delivery, with higher retention in gastric conditions and progressive release in intestinal fluids. These findings demonstrate the potential of upcycled coffee pulp-derived pectin as a functional, sustainable encapsulant, aligning with circular economy principles and supporting the development of stable bioactive delivery systems for nutraceutical and food applications. Full article

The growing demand for renewable energy has spurred an interest in non-edible feedstocks for biofuel production. Ricinus communis (castor) seeds are a promising resource due to their high oil and starch content, as well as their adaptability to marginal lands. This study evaluated the integrated use of R. communis seeds for the production of biodiesel and bioethanol using eco-efficient technologies. Ultrasound-assisted extraction enhanced oil recovery reached a maximum yield of 34%, surpassing the conventional Soxhlet method. Transesterification was optimized through factorial design, achieving a predicted biodiesel yield of 97% (Qualitek 4.0, 90% confidence interval), with an experimental maximum yield of 90.8% under optimal conditions (24:1 methanol-to-oil ratio, 0.4% catalyst, 90% sonication amplitude, 60 min). The biodiesel met international standards for engine applications. Starch from the residual seed cake was hydrolyzed with enzymatic complexes, yielding 6.8 g/L of reducing sugars, equivalent to 91.4% hydrolysis yield. Fermentation of the hydrolysates with Zymomonas mobilis produced 3.1 g/L ethanol, corresponding to 90.8% of the theoretical yield. This integrated approach exemplifies a circular bioeconomy model by combining biodiesel and bioethanol production, maximizing resource utilization, and minimizing waste. The results highlight the potential of R. communis as a sustainable, scalable feedstock for renewable energy, contributing to energy security and environmental sustainability. Full article