Search Results (331)

Allelopathy means that one plant produces chemical substances to affect the growth of other plants. Crop rotation is considered as a potential strategy to alleviate the allelopathic inhibition. So, it is important to identify rotation crops with wide availability and low inhibitory effects. In this study, the allelopathic potential of soil extracts was investigated on the germination, seedling growth, biomass, and biochemical parameters (malondialdehyde, photosynthetic pigments, and antioxidant enzyme activities) of five crops, by a series of laboratory experiments. Firstly, both soil water extracts (SWE) and soil ethanol extracts (SEE) exhibited allelopathic inhibition on the seed germination and the root length of all seedlings in a dose-dependent relationship. The SWE significantly promoted the shoot length of bok choy and Chinese lettuce, while the SEE had no significant effect in bok choy. The application of SEE resulted in a significant increase in the dry weight of bok choy and rocket. In contrast, SWE had a negligible effect on bok choy and lettuce. Both of them caused decrease in the dry weight of the other seedlings. Then, the allelopathic synthetic effect index of water/ethanol extracts was chemo-inhibitory, and the inhibitory effect increased with increasing extract concentration. The SWE had the strongest inhibition on rocket and the SEE on lettuce. Both of them had the weakest effect on bok choy. The extracts significantly inhibited the photosynthetic capacity in five crops, manifested as decrease in photosynthetic pigments and dose-dependent effects. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content in all crops increased in a dose-dependent manner, confirming that the extracts caused lipid peroxidation. However, the defense strategies of different crops vary significantly. There is crop with active defense, such as bok choy treated with SWE. It delayed oxidative damage by continuously upregulating the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). This is the key physiological mechanism for tolerance. There is also the oxidative stress failure type, as follows: CAT activity of rocket and cabbage increased, but the SOD activity did not increase by SEE. This reveals the physiological essence of their sensitivity—the lack of persistent scavenging ability for reactive oxygen species. Based on the inhibition of peroxidase (POD) and ascorbic acid peroxidase (APX), it is speculated that the extracts may inhibit the hydrogen peroxide scavenging pathway, which centered on the ascorbate–glutathione cycle. It is the fundamental reason why the continuous accumulation of MDA though SOD/CAT is up. This study confirmed the allelopathic effects of the water and ethanol extracts on five vegetable crops, and found that bok choy was less affected by them. The soil extracts affected the growth and development of seedlings by regulating their oxidative metabolism and photosynthetic capacity. These results support recommending pak choi as a rotation crop. This provides crops for subsequent field experiments and a new direction for next-step research on continuous cropping obstacles. 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

The marine benthic invertebrate Urechis unicinctus exhibits extraordinary tolerance to hypoxic environments, making its coelomic fluid a unique and promising biological source for discovering novel stress-adapting macromolecules. Polysaccharides derived from the coelomic fluid of U. unicinctus were systematically extracted, fractionated, and characterized to investigate their structural features and associated biological activities. Gradient ethanol precipitation (30–80%) combined with DEAE-52 ion exchange chromatography yielded twelve fractions with distinct physicochemical properties. Significant variations were observed in molecular weight (10³–10⁵ Da), sulfate content (3.77–24.26%), and monosaccharide composition. High-ethanol fractions, particularly U68P and U18P (extracted at 60 °C and 100 °C, respectively, and both precipitated with 80% ethanol), were enriched in low-molecular-weight, highly sulfated heteropolysaccharides composed of galactose, fucose, glucosamine, and ribose. These fractions exhibited superior antioxidant activities, including strong scavenging effects against DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radicals. Moreover, they demonstrated pronounced neuroprotective effects in the oxygen–glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model using SH-SY5Y cells, significantly improving cell viability. Structure–activity relationship analysis revealed that reduced molecular weight, increased sulfation degree, and more diverse monosaccharide composition (e.g., more diverse monosaccharide composition) synergistically contribute to improved bioactivity by facilitating cellular uptake and exposing functional groups. In contrast, high-molecular-weight homoglucan fractions showed relatively weak effects. Overall, this study identifies U. unicinctus coelomic fluid as a promising source of bioactive polysaccharides and provides a theoretical basis for the development of marine-derived anti-hypoxic and antioxidant agents. Full article

The resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis is a rare species endemic to Greece and Bulgaria, renowned for its exceptional desiccation tolerance and rich phytochemical composition. This study investigated the antioxidant, cytoprotective, and wound-healing-associated effects of H. rhodopensis ethanolic extract (HEE) in human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) under oxidative and cytotoxic stress conditions. Antioxidant capacity was initially evaluated using a plasmid DNA protection assay, in which HEE attenuated oxidative DNA damage induced by a Fenton reaction system and preserved the native supercoiled structure of pUC19 plasmid DNA. Cytotoxicity screening using the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay and real-time proliferation monitoring (HoloMonitor^® M4) identified 20 μg/mL as a non-toxic pre-treatment concentration (EC₁₀). Under hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative stress, HEE pre-treatment maintained cell viability and significantly reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, indicating a protective effect. In vitro wound-healing assays demonstrated enhanced scratch closure in keratinocyte monolayers. RT-qPCR analysis revealed modulation of antioxidant-related genes (CAT, SOD1, HMOX1, NQO1, GPX, GSR), while mRNA sequencing suggested selective stress-adaptive responses, involving extracellular matrix (ECM)-, metabolic-, and tissue-repair/aging-associated pathways. Overall, HEE exhibits antioxidant and cytoprotective effects in keratinocytes and is associated with transcriptional changes linked to cellular stress responses and wound closure. These findings support its potential relevance for dermatological, pharmaceutical, and cosmeceutical applications, while further studies are required to establish the underlying molecular mechanisms. Full article

Background/Objectives: Chronic ethanol (EtOH) consumption is a major cause of metabolic dysfunction and multi-organ injury, particularly in the liver and pancreas. Because oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress are central mechanisms in both organs, this study evaluated the protective efficacy of 4-hexylresorcinol (4HR) against EtOH-induced hepato-pancreatic injury. Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice (6 weeks old) were assigned to four groups (n = 10/group): control, EtOH, EtOH + 4HR (5 mg/kg), and EtOH + 4HR (10 mg/kg). After a 1-week adaptation period, mice were fed a liquid EtOH diet for 5 weeks. Glucose tolerance, fasting glucose, serum insulin, and insulinogenic index were assessed. Liver and pancreas were analyzed by histology, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, periodic acid-Schiff staining, Oil Red O staining, and malondialdehyde assay. Results: Chronic EtOH exposure impaired glucose homeostasis, reduced the insulinogenic index, increased hepatic inflammation and ALT levels, depleted hepatic glycogen, elevated pancreatic lipid peroxidation, and upregulated GADD153 (CHOP) expression in both the liver and pancreas. 4HR administration, particularly at 10 mg/kg, attenuated several of these alterations. 4HR treatment was associated with reduced hepatic inflammatory changes and ALT elevation, decreased pancreatic malondialdehyde levels, and suppressed GADD153 expression in both organs. Although PAS staining in the 4HR-treated group showed a qualitative tendency toward increased hepatic glycogen deposition, quantitative analysis did not demonstrate significant recovery relative to the EtOH group. Conclusions: 4HR showed protective effects against several aspects of chronic EtOH-induced hepatic and pancreatic injury, including hepatic inflammation, pancreatic lipid peroxidation, and ER stress-related GADD153 expression. However, quantitative PAS analysis did not support significant restoration of EtOH-induced hepatic glycogen depletion by 4HR. These findings suggest that 4HR may serve as a potential multi-organ protective agent against alcohol-induced inflammatory, oxidative stress-, and ER stress-related injury, although its effect on hepatic glycogen metabolism remains limited under the present experimental conditions. Full article

In Chiapas, Mexico, traditional fermented beverages represent an important cultural resource and serve as reservoirs of native microorganisms, particularly Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In Taberna, a beverage produced from the sap of Acrocomia aculeata, morphological variation among S. cerevisiae colonies has been reported across different fermentation stages. This study aimed to determine whether colony morphological traits are related to intraspecific variability among isolates and to assess whether this variability is associated with the locality of origin and fermentation stage. Twenty Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolates collected from three fermentation stages (initial, intermediate, and final) in two localities (Benito Juárez and Tierra y Libertad) were characterized. Macromorphological and physiological traits—including thermotolerance, osmotolerance, cycloheximide tolerance, ethanol resistance, and carbohydrate fermentation—were evaluated. Genetic variability was assessed by Arbitrarily Primed-Polimerase in Chain Reaction (AP-PCR)using the microsatellites (CAG)₅, (GAC)₅, and MR, and by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) of the ITS-5.8S and NTS regions; data were analyzed using Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic mean (UPGMA). The isolates exhibited high physiological and molecular heterogeneity, primarily associated with locality. Isolates C15, K8, and X5 grew at temperatures up to 45 °C, and isolated Ñ5 tolerated ethanol concentrations up to 15%. Genetic profiles showed intraspecific polymorphism and geographic differentiation. These findings highlight substantial physiological variation among isolates, suggesting potential relevance for future applications in traditional fermentation processes. Full article

Organic solvent reverse osmosis (OSRO) is an emerging membrane technology for low-energy separation of organic mixtures, yet developing OSRO membranes with both high permeance and robust stability remains challenging. Herein, we present a surface modification strategy using a D-glucamine/ethanol solution to tailor the physicochemical properties of a crosslinked polyimide-supported polyamide OSRO membrane. D-glucamine, as an amino sugar alcohol compound contains a primary amino group and multiple hydroxyl groups, endowing it with specific chemical reactivity and potential for interface modification. The optimized OSRO membrane exhibited a significantly decreased water contact angle from 52.6° of the control membrane to 36.6°, indicating substantially enhanced surface hydrophilicity. The optimized membrane (TFC-D-0.2) achieves a high water permeance of 12.84 LMH/MPa with a NaCl rejection of 98.25% and demonstrates excellent operational stability and pressure resistance (2.5~4.0 MPa). The membrane also shows good tolerance to most organic solvents, maintaining >96.5% NaCl rejection after 30 days of immersion in all tested solvents except acetone. In concentrating ethyl cinnamate/ethanol mixtures over 50 h, the membrane delivers stable performance with an ethanol permeance of ~2.5 L m⁻² h⁻¹ MPa⁻¹ and a solute rejection of >88%. This work provides an effective surface modification strategy for developing high-performance OSRO membranes, holding promise for green separation processes in fine chemical industries. Full article

This work presents the design and evaluation of cerium and zinc oxide-incorporated indium oxide (Ce/ZnO-In₂O₃) nanocube composites synthesized via a hydrothermal process for advanced ethanol gas sensing. The incorporation of Ce and ZnO effectively modified the surface chemistry and electronic structure of In₂O₃ without causing significant morphological degradation. Compared with pristine In₂O₃, the Ce/ZnO-In₂O₃ sensor exhibited a significantly enhanced response of 33.2 toward 100 ppm ethanol at 300 °C, corresponding to an 8.7-fold improvement, along with a low detection limit of 0.8 ppm. In addition, the composite sensor demonstrated stable and reversible sensing behavior, excellent repeatability over 100 cycles, and long-term operational stability. Notably, improved humidity tolerance was achieved, with approximately 77% of the initial response retained at 80% relative humidity. The enhanced sensing performance is attributed to the combined effects of heterojunction formation between ZnO and In₂O₃ and Ce-induced lattice distortion, which promote oxygen adsorption and facilitate charge transfer during gas reactions. Principal component analysis (PCA) further confirmed the improved discrimination of ethanol against interfering gases. These results underscore the synergistic effects of Ce and ZnO incorporation in tailoring electronic structures and surface chemistry, thereby emphasizing the potential of this strategy for reliable ethanol detection in environmental and industrial applications. Full article

Background: This study investigated the effects of increasing levels of salinity on leaf phytochemical composition and the antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-obesity activities. Method: Three quinoa accessions grown under escalating NaCl treatments had their leaves exposed to various chemical analyses. Polyphenols, tannins, and flavonoids were among the phenolic substances whose concentrations were measured. The phenolic chemicals in the water extract were identified using HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS. In vitro and in silico methods were used to measure anti-radical (DPPH), anti-alpha glucosidase, anti-alpha-amylase, and anti-lipase activities. Results: The results showed that water and ethanol, due to their polarity, were the most effective solvents for extracting phenolic compounds. Additionally, salt application led to a dose-dependent increase in total phenols (TPC), flavonoids (TFC), and tannins (CT) across all accessions. The accession DE-1 exhibited the highest contents with average values of 1453.03–4398.36 mg EGA/100 g DW, 322.7–1090.7 mg CAE/100 g DW, and 77.9–335.96 mg CAE/100 g DW of TPC, TFC, and Tannins, respectively. HPLC-ESI-DAD-MS/MS profiling of phenolic compounds led to identifying 18 constituents, including five major compounds (p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, p-coumaroyl hexose, and HHDP-galloyl glucose). Except for p-coumaroyl hexose and HHDP-galloyl glucose, which were extensively biosynthesized/accumulated in the salt-tolerant accession DE-1, the remaining phenolic compounds showed irregular evolution depending on accession and salt concentration. Moreover, ethanol and water extracts were evaluated for their anti-radical and enzyme-inhibitory activities. Conclusion: Salt-stressed DE-1 water extract showed strong antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities, indicating potential antidiabetic and anti-obesity effects. These activities were confirmed by in silico analysis. Full article

Oenococcus oeni (O. oeni) can initiate and complete the malolactic fermentation (MLF) process, which significantly improves wine quality. However, stress factors commonly encountered in wine, such as acid stress and ethanol stress, can hinder this process. Overexpression of certain key functional genes using genetic recombination technology can enhance the stress tolerance of O. oeni. In this study, the large-conductance mechanosensitive channel (mscl) gene was overexpressed in O. oeni SD-2a using genetic recombination technology. The results showed that overexpression of this gene enhanced the growth rate of O. oeni under 10% ethanol stress conditions. Physiological index measurements indicated that overexpression of this gene enhanced the control of cell membrane permeability in the recombinant strain at different time points under ethanol stress and altered cell membrane fluidity at these time points. Proteomic analysis after 12 h of treatment under 10% ethanol stress revealed that mscl overexpression significantly altered the protein expression pattern of O. oeni. The most significantly affected proteins included some cell membrane transporters (for sugars, lipids, amino acids, and nucleotides) and proteins involved in cell wall synthesis. These results suggest that mscl overexpression enhances the ethanol stress tolerance of O. oeni by altering its cell membrane properties and affecting the expression levels of proteins related to cell membrane transport and cell wall synthesis. This study provides a theoretical reference for obtaining O. oeni recombinant strains with enhanced stress tolerance through genetic recombination technology. Full article

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a widely used nucleic acid detection method, but its application is often limited by the suboptimal performance of wild-type Bacillus stearothermophilus (Bst) DNA polymerase. This study employed a combined deep learning and semi-rational design strategy to engineer Bst DNA polymerase. High-throughput screening identified the A0A150MFP3 sequence and the L105M mutation, which increased enzymatic activity by 32.92%. Fusion with the CL7 protein generated a CL7-Bst mutant with enhanced thermal stability and tolerance to common inhibitors, including 7% (v/v) ethanol, 0.18‰ (w/v) SDS, 80 mmol/L NaCl, and 0.8 mmol/L EDTA. Systematic optimization of the LAMP reaction system determined the optimal pH (9.0), enzyme concentration (0.20 U/μL), and temperature (64 °C). When applied to Escherichia coli O157:H7 detection, the CL7-Bst mutant achieved Tt values of 15.13 and 12.78 for crude and purified DNA, respectively, with a limit of detection of 1 × 10³ CFU/mL. In summary, integrating deep learning with semi-rational design and fusion protein engineering yielded a high-performance DNA polymerase that facilitates rapid, sensitive, and field-deployable LAMP-based pathogen detection. Full article

Background/Objectives: Onion (Allium cepa) peems are an underutilized by-product rich in polyphenols. This study evaluated the physicochemical profile, and bioactive potential (antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticoagulant) of Moroccan red onion peels using integrated in vivo, in vitro, and in silico approaches. Methods: Moisture, pH, ash content, and mineral elements were determined, followed by phytochemical screening and three extractions: decoction E0, aqueous Soxhlet E1, and hydroethanolic Soxhlet E2 (70/30; ethanol/water, v/v). The measurement of polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins was carried out using colorimetric methods, while the molecular profile was studied by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to ultraviolet detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC/UV-ESI-MS). Biological activities were determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, ferric reducing antioxidant power, and total antioxidant capacity assays (in vitro antioxidant); microdilution (antimicrobial); prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time (anticoagulant); and α-amylase/α-glucosidase enzymatic inhibition and oral glucose tolerance tests on normoglycemic rats. Also, acute toxicity was evaluated, and molecular interactions between these proteins and ligands (docking, molecular dynamics, and MM-PBSA) were analyzed. Results: Physicochemical analyses showed an acidic pH (3.06) and high ash content (15.21%), with the concentration of regulated elements remaining within FAO/WHO limits. The extractive content was between 6.90% E0 and 19.18% E2. The E1 extract had the maximum amount of total polyphenols (178.95 mg GAE/g); on the other hand, E2 was the richest in flavonoids by 121.43 mg QE/g. The HPLC/ESI-MS analysis of E0 revealed 20 compounds, among which flavonoids (84.93%) were predominant, with isorhamnetin (30.26%), followed by quercetin and its glycosylated forms. E1 showed the most potent antioxidant effects (IC₅₀ DPPH, 22.38 µg/mL, as that of ascorbic acid). The antibacterial activity of E0 was especially potent towards Enterobacter cloacae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC 75 µg/mL). A mild dose-dependent anticoagulant effect was seen. Antidiabetic activity was found to be outstanding: α-amylase (IC₅₀ 62.75 µg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ 8.49 µg/mL, stronger than acarbose) inhibitions were corroborated in vivo by a considerable decrease in the glycemic area under the curve. The molecular docking study in silico demonstrated strong molecular interactions, especially for quercetin 4′-O-glucoside with good binding energies. Conclusions: A. cepa peels from Morocco can be considered a safe plant matrix containing bioactive flavonoids with strong antioxidant and selective antimicrobial activities and promising antidiabetic effects, supported by molecular modeling. Full article

Spontaneously fermented wines are a habitat for many Saccharomyces and non-Saccharomyces strains that are typical for a given region. The isolates obtained can serve as regional starter cultures for winemaking. The aim of this study was to isolate, identify and evaluate the oenological properties and fermentation suitability of selected yeast isolates obtained from Polish spontaneously fermented grape wines. The isolated yeasts were genetically identified and characterised in terms of ethanol tolerance, enzymatic activities, H₂S production, and preliminary killer activity. In small-scale fermentations conducted in CDGJ medium and grape juice, the fermentation rate, pH, number of yeast, content of sugars, ethanol, organic acids and volatile compounds were determined. Genetic identification revealed the species: Saccharomyces cerevisiae, S. paradoxus, Metschnikowia pulcherrima, M. ziziphicola, Hanseniaspora uvarum, and Pichia kluyveri. Non-Saccharomyces and Saccharomyces strains grew poorly in the presence of 4–6% (v/v) and 14–16% (v/v) ethanol, respectively. The yeasts had varied enzymatic activities in API ZYM tests, and production of H₂S, but did not exhibit killer activity. The monocultures showed differences in fermentation rates. The best growth was recorded for all strains during grape juice fermentation, up to 10⁹ cfu/mL, producing ethanol and glycerol in the range of 53.92–86.54 g/L and 0.0–4.48 g/L. Yeasts produced characteristic volatile compounds, e.g., esters: 2-phenylethyl acetate and ethyl decanoate. The monocultures of isolated yeasts can be used in fermentation of grape must, yielding wines with diverse characteristics in terms of ethanol, organic acids and volatile compounds. Full article

Oral fungal infections resulting from non-albicans Candida species and new opportunistic yeasts are increasingly linked to antifungal resistance, especially in individuals with periodontal disease. Bioactive compounds may serve as potential alternatives; nevertheless, there is a paucity of research that has comprehensively assessed their antifungal and antibiofilm efficacy against clinically defined oral yeast isolates. This study aimed to (i) describe the variety and antifungal resistance profiles of oral yeasts isolated from women with various periodontal diseases; (ii) assess four ethanolic extracts of Aseer medicinal plants (Foeniculum vulgare, Solanum incanum, Forsskaolea tenacissima, and Abutilon pannosum) for their antifungal and antibiofilm properties; and (iii) correlate phytochemical composition determined by GC–MS with biological activity. Oral samples (saliva and subgingival plaque) were collected from 50 female participants with documented periodontal parameters. Fungal isolates were identified using morphological, biochemical (VITEK 2), and molecular (ITS rDNA sequencing) methods. Testing for antifungal susceptibility was performed according to CLSI guidelines. Plant extracts were evaluated for antifungal activity (disk diffusion, MIC, MFC), antibiofilm activity (crystal violet assay and light microscopy), and phytochemical profiling (GC–MS). Fungal growth was detected in 37 of 50 samples (74%), yielding six yeast species: Nakaseomyces glabratus (40.5%), Candida tropicalis (18.9%), C. parapsilosis (13.5%), Pichia kudriavzevii (10.8%), Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (8.1%), and Aureobasidium melanogenum (8.1%). N. glabratus demonstrated reduced susceptibility to fluconazole. A. pannosum and F. vulgare exhibited the strongest in vitro antifungal activity (inhibition zones up to 19.2 mm; MIC 0.19–0.78 mg/mL; MFC 0.39–1.56 mg/mL), significantly greater than F. tenacissima (p < 0.0001). Sub-MIC concentrations of A. pannosum reduced C. tropicalis biofilm biomass by 59.6%. GC–MS analysis identified methyl salicylate (20.3–40.2%) and cyclohexanol derivatives (8.0–23.2%) as major constituents. Antifungal activity showed a trend in relation to methyl salicylate content (R² = 0.78). However, because only four plant extracts were included, this relationship should be interpreted as a descriptive observation rather than a statistically testable association. Ethanolic extracts of Abutilon pannosum and Foeniculum vulgare demonstrated significant in vitro antifungal and antibiofilm activity against clinically relevant oral yeasts, including azole-tolerant Nakaseomyces glabratus. The observed trends between phytochemical composition and biological activity warrant further investigation into their potential as adjunct therapeutic agents for oral fungal infections. Further studies are required to confirm these results and see if they can be used in therapeutic settings. Full article

Soil hypoxia caused by waterlogging severely restricts kiwifruit growth, and screening waterlogging-tolerant rootstocks and analyzing their mechanisms are of great significance for industrial development. In this study, waterlogging-tolerant Actinidia valvata ‘Shuixiu’ was used as the test material and Actinidia chinensis ‘Hongyang’ as the control. Waterlogging stress was simulated artificially, and physiological measurements combined with transcriptome sequencing were used to explore its waterlogging tolerance regulatory characteristics based on respiratory metabolism. The results showed that the waterlogging tolerance of ‘Shuixiu’ was significantly better than that of ‘Hongyang’. It upregulated sucrose synthase and α/β-amylase genes and inhibited the continuous up-regulation of trehalose-6-phosphate synthase genes, leading to significant accumulation of glucose-6-phosphate, a key glycolytic substrate. Some members of glycolytic key gene families, such as glucose-6-phosphate isomerase and phosphofructokinase, were upregulated in ‘Shuixiu’, which increased phosphoglycerate kinase activity and accumulated 3-phosphoglyceric acid and pyruvate, ensuring efficient conversion of carbon sources to ATP. Some members of core tricarboxylic acid cycle gene families, such as pyruvate dehydrogenase and citrate synthase, were upregulated in ‘Shuixiu’, with significantly higher pyruvate dehydrogenase activity and acetyl coenzyme A content, maintaining partial aerobic respiration capacity. Some members of the alanine transaminase gene family were upregulated in ‘Shuixiu’ to enhance alanine fermentation, resulting in a significant reduction in root ethanol accumulation. This study clarified the core respiratory metabolic regulatory characteristics of kiwifruit in response to waterlogging and provided key targets and a theoretical basis for molecular breeding of waterlogging-tolerant rootstocks. Full article