Search Results (3,316)

This research aimed to assess the effect of chitosan nanoparticles (ChNPs) during in vitro shoot proliferation of vanilla using temporary immersion bioreactors (TIB). TIB culture is a biotechnological process that uses semiautomated containers for the production of explants exposed in liquid culture medium. Concentrations of control, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/L ChNPs were evaluated in Murashige and Skoog culture medium. Morphological characterization of ChNPs was performed using scanning electron microscopy. At 60 days of culture, survival (%), development variables, photosynthetic pigment content, lipid peroxidation expressed in malondialdehyde, total phenolic content (TPC), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) content, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) expressed in trolox equivalents were evaluated. The data were analyzed with analysis of variance, with a Tukey test (p ≤ 0.05) using SPSS statistics software, version 29. The results revealed that the greatest survival (%) was obtained at concentrations of control, 25, and 50 mg/L ChNPs, while the lowest survival (%) was observed at concentrations of 400 mg/L ChNPs. Growth stimulation was found, as well as an increase in chlorophyll and β-carotene at concentrations of 25 and 50 mg/L ChNPs. The level of H₂O₂ increased at 25 and 50 mg/L ChNPs. Lipid peroxidation showed no differences among treatments. TPC increased at 100 and 200 mg/L ChNPs, while TAC increased at 200 and 400 mg/L ChNPs. In conclusion, the administration of ChNPs at low concentrations can stimulate growth, while at high concentrations they can inhibit it, a response known as hormesis or hormetic effect. Full article

Agricultural activities are major contributors to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions accounting for 40% and 60% of total agricultural emissions, respectively. Therefore, developing effective emission reduction pathways in agriculture is crucial for achieving carbon budget balance. This article synthesizes the impact of farmland management practices on GHG emissions, evaluates prevalent accounting methods and their applicable scenarios, and proposes mitigation strategies based on systematic analysis. The present review (2000-2025) indicates that fertilizer management dominates research focus (accounting for over 50%), followed by water management (approximately 18%) and tillage practices (approximately 14%). Critically, the effects of these practices extend beyond GHG emissions, necessitating concurrent consideration of crop yields, soil health, and ecosystem resilience. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct joint research by integrating multiple approaches such as water-saving irrigation, conservation tillage and intercropping of leguminous crops, so as to enhance productivity and soil quality while reducing emissions. The GHG accounting framework and three primary accounting methods (In situ measurement, Satellite remote sensing, and Model simulation) each exhibit distinct advantages and limitations, requiring scenario-specific selection. Further refinement of these methodologies is imperative to optimize agricultural practices and achieve meaningful GHG reductions. Full article

Glycerol fatty acid esters (GFAEs) exhibit potential applications in ruminant production, including enhancing animal performance, improving nutrient utilization, and modulating rumen function. However, studies on indigenous Dabieshan beef cattle are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate GFAE’s effects on their performance, meat quality, and rumen function. Thirty 2-year-old cattle (294.73 ± 3.21 kg; mean ± SD), were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10): on a dry matter (DM) basis, CON (basal diet), 0.05 GFAE (basal + 0.05% GFAE), 0.1 GFAE (basal + 0.1% GFAE), fed for 60 days. The crude protein (CP) digestibility of the 0.05 GFAE group showed a significant 4.55% increase compared with the CON group, while that of the 0.1 GFAE group was significantly elevated by 2.76% relative to the CON group. For key meat quality indices of Dabieshan beef cattle, compared with the CON group, the 0.05 GFAE and 0.1 GFAE groups showed increases in L value by 10.14% and 7.11%, respectively (p = 0.042); decreases in shear force by 5.24% and 1.48%, respectively (p = 0.024); and increases in ether extract(EE) content by 10.91% and 2.33%, respectively (p = 0.019). Compared with the CON group, the 0.05 GFAE and 0.1 GFAE groups showed significant alterations in key serum biochemical indices of Dabieshan beef cattle: TP (total protein) levels elevated significantly by 6.44% and 13.04%, respectively (p = 0.010); total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) increased significantly by 33.96% and 46.23%, respectively (p = 0.001); UREA concentrations decreased significantly, by 22.67% and 33.53%, respectively (p = 0.002); superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity rose significantly, by 7.30% and 7.99%, respectively (p = 0.020); and malondialdehyde (MDA) content declined significantly, by 20.25% and 28.03%, respectively (p = 0.040). Relative to the CON group, dietary supplementation with GFAE significantly increased ruminal butyrate concentrations, with the 0.05 GFAE and 0.1 GFAE supplemented groups exhibiting respective increments of 17.38% and 18.03% (p = 0.025). Both Groups 0.05 GFAE and 0.1 GFAE reduced CH4 emissions (p = 0.005) and elevated Prevotella abundance (p = 0.001). The study findings revealed that dietary supplementation with GFAE at concentrations of 0.05% and 0.1% of dry matter resulted in substantial decreases in daily methane emissions, representing respective reductions of 6.91% and 11.63% compared to the control group (p = 0.005). At the species level of the rumen microbial community, the relative abundance of the genus Prevotella_sp. was significantly elevated by 60.52% and 38.48% in the 0.05 GFAE and 0.1 GFAE groups, respectively, when contrasted with the CON group (p = 0.001). Collectively, these results demonstrate that the inclusion of dietary 0.05% GFAE supplementation conferred multifaceted benefits to Dabieshan beef cattle, thereby highlighting its potential as a viable strategy to enhance the sustainability of beef cattle production systems. Full article

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations elucidate the mechanism of diastereoselective cyclization of 2-picoline with 1,5-hexadiene catalyzed by a cationic half-sandwich scandium complex. The catalytic cycle proceeds through four key stages: formation of active species, initial alkene insertion, cis-selective cyclization, and protonation. Central to the mechanism is the dual role of 2-picoline, which initially coordinates as a supporting ligand to facilitate C–H activation and regioselective 1,2-insertion but must dissociate to enable stereocontrol. The mono(2-picoline)-coordinated complex C3 is identified as the thermodynamically favored active species. C–H activation reactivity follows the trend: ortho-C(sp²)–H (2-picoline-free) > ortho-C(sp²)–H (2-picoline-coordinated) > benzylic C(sp³)–H (2-picoline-free) > benzylic C(sp³)–H (2-picoline-coordinated), a preference governed by a wider C_α–Sc–C_α′ angle and shorter Sc···X (X = C_α, C_α′, H) distances that enhance scandium–substrate interaction. Subsequent 1,5-hexadiene insertion proceeds with high 1,2-regioselectivity through a picoline-assisted pathway. The stereoselectivity-determining step reveals a mechanistic dichotomy: while picoline coordination is essential for initial activation, its dissociation is required for intramolecular cyclization. This ligand displacement avoids prohibitive steric repulsion in the transition state, directing the reaction exclusively toward the cis-cyclized product. The cycle concludes with a sterically accessible mono-coordinated protonation. This work establishes a “ligand-enabled then ligand-displaced” mechanism, highlighting dynamic substrate coordination as a critical design principle for achieving high selectivity in rare-earth-catalyzed C–H functionalization. Full article

Cattle breeds are optimized either for milk or meat production and secrete consumed nutrients in the form of milk or accrete nutrients as skeletal muscle tissue, respectively. Surplus energy is usually stored in the form of fat in adipose tissues. To gain more insight into the physiological and genetic background of nutrient accretion as either protein or fat, an experimental F₂ population was generated crossing Charolais (CH) bulls and German Holstein (GH) cows. Mutations in two genes with known, profound effects on growth were segregating in this population: the I442M mutation in the non-SMC condensin I complex, subunit G (NCAPG) gene, and the Q204X mutation in the myostatin (MSTN) gene. The major aim of this study was to close the gap between the described effects of the NCAPG/LCORL region and MSTN SNPs on carcass and meat quality traits, as well as on the structure and composition of the underlying tissues. Whole carcass data, meat quality traits, composition of major cuts and their dominating muscles, including muscle and fat cell structure, were analyzed as well as chemical and fatty acid composition. Mutant alleles of both loci were associated with higher weights, increased muscularity, and reduced fatness, e.g., each explaining about 15% of the observed variance. However, both loci apparently affect traits in a specific manner, influencing either dimensional traits or mass accretion. Full article

Methane (CH₄), a significant greenhouse gas, ranks second only to carbon dioxide in its contribution to global warming. The application of Chinese herbs as a strategy to mitigate CH₄ emissions in ruminants has shown promise. However, there is limited information regarding the efficacy of Chinese herb straw in reducing CH₄ emissions in ruminants. This research aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of varying levels of Astragalus straw supplementation on methane emissions and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. The study examined the effects of different supplementation levels (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%) on in vitro rumen fermentation, CH₄ emissions, and ruminal microbial community in Lanzhou fat-tailed sheep using an in vitro fermentation method. The findings indicated that IVDMD, gas production, and CH₄ production significantly decreased with increasing levels of Astragalus straw supplementation (p < 0.05). Simultaneously, the lowest levels of AA, AA/PA, and NH₃-N, along with the highest concentrations of PA, BA, and MCP, were observed in the 20% supplementation group after 48 h of fermentation. In addition, supplementation with Astragalus straw resulted in an increased abundance of Bacteroidota, Spirochaetota, and Actinobacteriota, while decreasing the abundance of Firmicutes, Fibrobacterota, and Verrucomicrobiota. At the genus level, there was an observed increase in the abundance of Prevotella and Streptococcus, accompanied by a decrease in Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group. In conclusion, the supplementation of Astragalus straw has the potential to reduce CH₄ production by altering ruminal fermentation patterns, fermentation parameters, and microbial dynamics. Full article

Lactic acid is a crucial bio-based chemical with widespread applications in industries such as the food, chemical, bioplastic, and pharmaceutical industries. As demand for lactic acid rises, the search for efficient fermentation strains has become increasingly important. This study aimed to optimize fermentation conditions to enhance lactic acid production using Latilactobacillus sakei L-7. We began by screening key medium components and process parameters through single-factor experiments. Subsequently, we applied response surface methodology for a more comprehensive optimization. The optimal medium formulation was determined to be 40 g/L glucose, 39.54 g/L yeast extract, 10 g/L CH₃COONa, 6 g/L K₂HPO₄, 0.2 g/L MnSO₄, 0.4 g/L MgSO₄, and 1 mL/L Tween 80. Under the optimized fermentation conditions of 30.27 °C and pH 8.46, the lactic acid production reached 26.18 ± 0.44 g/L, a 50.6% increase compared to pre-optimization levels. These results offered preliminary support for utilizing L. sakei L-7 in the industrial production of lactic acid. Full article

Background/Objectives: Tallaga cheese is an artisanal form of traditional Egyptian soft white Damietta cheese, characterized by high moisture, elevated salinity, and a limited shelf life, which collectively increase its vulnerability to microbial contamination. Typically produced from raw or minimally heated cow or buffalo milk, Tallaga cheese represents a relevant model for studying emerging food safety challenges. Methods/Results: This study revealed marked variability among commercial samples and, unexpectedly, a general absence of typical lactic acid bacteria (LAB) such as Lactococcus spp. Instead, enterococci, microorganisms increasingly associated with antimicrobial resistance and virulence traits, emerged as the dominant LAB group, with the detection of Enterococcus faecium strains posing particular concern for dairy safety. To address these challenges, the antimicrobial potential of isolated LAB was evaluated against Latilactobacillus sakei (CECT 906). Twelve bacteriocin-producing strains were identified: ten Enterococcus faecalis, one E. faecium, and one Lactococcus lactis. Enterococci demonstrated robust tolerance to stress conditions, including high salt concentrations, emphasizing their persistence in dairy environments. Given the relevance of controlling resistant and potentially virulent strains such as E. faecium, the bioprotective capacity of two bacteriocinogenic L. lactis strains (IPLA 1064 and AHRI ST9) was assessed using a laboratory-scale cheese model. Both strains effectively inhibited E. faecium AHRI CH4, achieving reductions of 2.6 and 3.6 log units (99.9%). Conclusions: These findings underscore the relevance of bacteriocin-producing L. lactis as natural biopreservatives to mitigate emerging threats related to antimicrobial-resistant food-borne pathogens in dairy products. Full article

Brown algae of the Cystoseira genus are recognized as valuable sources of bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides. Within the framework of current restoration efforts regarding damaged Ericaria amentacea populations in the Mediterranean Sea, the valorization of apices derived from ex situ cultivation waste represents a sustainable opportunity for industrial and biomedical applications. In this study, sodium alginate (SA) was extracted from E. amentacea apex by-products using a hydrothermal–alkaline method and subsequently chemically characterized. FTIR analysis showed O-H, C-H, and COO- stretching compatible with commercial alginates, while 1H-NMR spectroscopy indicated high β-D-mannuronic acid content, with an M/G ratio of 2.33. The extracted SA displayed a molecular weight of 1 × 10⁴ g/mol and a polydispersity index of 3.5. The bioactive properties of the SA extract were investigated in chemico and in vitro. SA exhibited remarkable antioxidant activity, showing significant DPPH and nitric oxide-radical-scavenging capacity. Furthermore, SA demonstrated a strong anti-inflammatory effect in LPS-stimulated macrophages through modulation of several inflammatory mediators (i.e., IL-6, IL-8/CXCL5, MCP-1, and TNF-α). In particular, SA promoted a striking iNOS gene expression inhibition, which, paired with its direct NO-scavenging ability, paves the way for future pharmacological use of E. amentacea derivatives, particularly if sustainably obtained from restoration activity waste. Full article

Glycolysis-derived pyruvate is the almost exclusive source of acetyl-CoA for energy production in mitochondrial compartments of all types of neuronal and glial cells. Neurons utilize several times more glucose than glial cells due to their neurotransmitter functions. Cholinergic neurons that are responsible for cognitive functions require additional amounts of acetyl-CoA for acetylcholine-transmitter synthesis in their cytoplasmic compartment. It may be assured by preferential localization of ATP-citrate lyase (ACLY) in the cytoplasm of cholinergic neurons’ perikaryons and axonal terminals. This thesis is supported by the existence of strong regional and developmental correlations of ATP-citrate lyase and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activities and ACh levels in the brain. Electrolytic or chemical lesions of cholinergic nuclei cause proportional loss of the above parameters in the respective cortical target areas. On the other hand, the regional activity of mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHC), which synthesizes nearly the whole pool of neuronal acetyl-CoA, displays no correlation with cholinergic innervation. It makes cholinergic neurons highly susceptible to brain pathologies impairing energy metabolism. Therefore, the ACLY pathway, which provides acetyl units directly to the site of acetylcholine synthesis in cholinergic nerve terminals, plays a key role in the maintenance of cholinergic neurotransmission. On the other hand, in cholinergic motor neurons, various ACLY–protein complexes are involved not only in neurotransmission but also in axonal transport of cholinergic elements from the perikaryon to cholinergic neuro-muscular junctions. This review presents findings supporting this thesis. Full article

Electrochemical CO₂ reduction (CO₂RR) is a promising route to transform a major greenhouse gas into value-added fuels and chemicals. However, its deployment is still hindered by the sluggish activation of CO₂, poor selectivity toward multielectron products, and competition with the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have emerged as powerful materials to address these challenges because they combine maximal metal utilization with well-defined coordination environments whose electronic structure can be precisely tuned through metal–support interactions. This minireview summarizes current understanding of how structural, electronic, and chemical features of SAC supports (e.g., porosity, heteroatom doping, vacancies, and surface functionalization) govern the adsorption and conversion of key CO₂RR intermediates and thus control product distributions from CO to CH₄, CH₃OH and C₂⁺ species. Particular emphasis is placed on selectivity descriptors (e.g., coordination number, d-band position, binding energies of *COOH and *OCHO) and on rational design strategies that exploit curvature, microenvironment engineering, and electronic metal–support interactions to direct the reaction along desired pathways. Representative SAC systems based primarily on N-doped carbons, complemented by selected examples on oxides and MXenes are discussed in terms of Faradaic efficiency (FE), current density and operational stability under practically relevant conditions. Finally, the review highlights remaining bottlenecks and outlines future directions, including operando spectroscopy and data-driven analysis of dynamic single-site ensembles, machine-learning-assisted DFT screening, scalable mechanochemical synthesis, and integration of SACs into industrially viable electrolyzers for carbon-neutral chemical production. Full article

Non-invasive acidic pretreatments using acetic acid (1–5 mM) and citric acid (0.02–0.1 g g⁻¹ TS) were investigated to enhance anaerobic digestion (AD) of waste-activated sludge (WAS). Both pretreatments improved short-term process stability, with pH (6.5–7.1) and alkalinity (1000–5000 mg CaCO₃ L⁻¹) remaining within optimal ranges during 10-day digestion. Acetic acid markedly enhanced solubilization and acidification, increasing volatile fatty acids to ~2500 mg L⁻¹ (+67% vs. control), whereas citric acid achieved ~2000 mg L⁻¹ (+37%). EPS analysis revealed pronounced redistribution of polysaccharides and proteins, with acetic acid inducing stronger disruption of the EPS matrix (SB-EPS polysaccharides up to 34.1 mg eq Glc mL⁻¹). Specific methane yield increased from 28.5 mL CH₄ g⁻¹ VS (control) to 101.7 mL CH₄ g⁻¹ VS with acetic acid (3.6-fold) and to 73.8 mL CH₄ g⁻¹ VS with citric acid (2.5-fold). Gompertz modeling confirmed higher maximum methane potential, ~68% higher maximum methane production rates, and reduced lag phases for both pretreatments. In contrast, pharmaceutical concentrations (31 compounds) were largely unaffected by acid pretreatment, with significant reductions observed only for selected biodegradable molecules. Full article

The increasing global demand for clean hydrogen necessitates production methods that minimize greenhouse gas emissions while being scalable and economically viable. Hydrogen has a very high gravimetric energy density of about 142 MJ/kg, which makes it a very promising energy carrier for many uses, such as transportation, industrial processes, and fuel cells. Methane pyrolysis has emerged as an attractive low-carbon alternative, decomposing methane (CH₄) into hydrogen and solid carbon while circumventing direct CO₂ emissions. Still, the process is very endothermic and has always depended on fossil-fuel heat sources, which limits its ability to run without releasing any carbon. This review examines the integration of geothermal energy and methane pyrolysis as a sustainable heat source, with a focus on Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and Closed-Loop Geothermal (CLG) technologies. Geothermal heat is a stable, carbon-free source of heat that can be used to preheat methane and start reactions. This makes energy use more efficient and lowers operating costs. Also, using flared natural gas from remote oil and gas fields can turn methane that would otherwise be thrown away into useful hydrogen and solid carbon. This review brings together the most recent progress in pyrolysis reactors, catalysts, carbon management, geothermal–thermochemical coupling, and techno-economic feasibility. The conversation centers on major problems and future research paths, with a focus on the potential of geothermal-assisted methane pyrolysis as a viable way to make hydrogen without adding to the carbon footprint. Full article

Supercritical CO₂ modifies deep coal reservoirs through the coupled effects of adsorption-induced deformation and geochemical dissolution. CO₂ adsorption causes coal matrix swelling and facilitates micro-fracture propagation, while CO₂–water reactions generate weakly acidic fluids that dissolve minerals such as calcite and kaolinite. These synergistic processes remove pore fillings, enlarge flow channels, and generate new dissolution pores, thereby increasing the total pore volume while making the pore–fracture network more heterogeneous and structurally complex. Such reservoir restructuring provides the intrinsic basis for CO₂ injectivity and subsequent CH₄ displacement. Both adsorption capacity and volumetric strain exhibit Langmuir-type growth characteristics, and permeability evolution follows a three-stage pattern—rapid decline, slow attenuation, and gradual rebound. A negative exponential relationship between permeability and volumetric strain reveals the competing roles of adsorption swelling, mineral dissolution, and stress redistribution. Swelling dominates early permeability reduction at low pressures, whereas fracture reactivation and dissolution progressively alleviate flow blockage at higher pressures, enabling partial permeability recovery. Injection pressure is identified as the key parameter governing CO₂ migration, permeability evolution, sweep efficiency, and the CO₂-ECBM enhancement effect. Higher pressures accelerate CO₂ adsorption, diffusion, and sweep expansion, strengthening competitive adsorption and improving methane recovery and CO₂ storage. However, excessively high pressures enlarge the permeability-reduction zone and may induce formation instability, while insufficient pressures restrict the effective sweep volume. An optimal injection-pressure window is therefore essential to balance injectivity, sweep performance, and long-term storage integrity. Importantly, the enhanced methane production and permanent CO₂ storage achieved in this study contribute directly to greenhouse gas reduction and improved sustainability of subsurface energy systems. The multi-field coupling insights also support the development of low-carbon, environmentally responsible CO₂-ECBM strategies aligned with global sustainable energy and climate-mitigation goals. The integrated experimental–numerical framework provides quantitative insight into the coupled adsorption–deformation–flow–geochemistry processes in deep coal seams. These findings form a scientific basis for designing safe and efficient CO₂-ECBM injection strategies and support future demonstration projects in heterogeneous deep coal reservoirs. Full article

Syringic acid (SA) is a natural derivative of syringaldehyde (SD), derived from lignin depolymerization. Its application in the food industry focuses on the properties of natural functional ingredients; it is mainly used as a food antioxidant and food preservative, but can also be used as an ingredient to enhance food flavor and functional foods. This compound exhibits a remarkable spectrum of biological activities, including potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, hypoglycemic, detoxifying, and anti-cancer effects, positioning it as a highly promising candidate for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. In this study, suitable sites were first screened through homologous sequence alignment, and a variant of aryl-alcohol oxidase (CgAAO) with high efficiency in catalyzing the conversion of SD to SA was obtained via site-directed mutagenesis. A deep eutectic solvent (DES) system based on choline chloride/urea (ChCl/UR) in water was developed to enhance SA production. Additionally, key parameters of the biological reaction were optimized, including temperature, pH, metal ions, as well as the type and dosage of DES. The optimal performance was achieved using recombinant E. coli pRSFDuet-CgAAO-Y335F whole-cell biocatalysts, yielding 75% and producing 0.75 g/L SA in 100 mM KPB buffer (pH 7.0) containing 5 wt% ChCl/UR and 1 mM Fe³⁺. This study established a novel biosynthetic pathway for SA that was efficient, mild, green, and environmentally friendly. Full article