Search Results (986)

With increasing global challenges related to water scarcity and phosphorus depletion, the recovery and reuse of wastewater-derived nutrients offer a sustainable path forward. This study evaluates the dual role of lanthanides (Ce³⁺ and La³⁺) in recovering phosphorus from municipal wastewater and supporting corn (Zea mays) cultivation through lanthanide phosphate (Ln-P) and lanthanide-reclaimed wastewater (LRWW, wastewater spiked with lanthanide). High-purity precipitates of CePO₄ (98%) and LaPO₄ (92%) were successfully obtained without pH adjustment, as confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Germination assays revealed that lanthanides, even at concentrations up to 2000 mg/L, did not significantly alter germination rates compared to traditional coagulants, though root and shoot development declined above this threshold—likely due to reduced hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) production and elevated total dissolved solids (TDSs), which induced physiological drought. Greenhouse experiments using desert-like soil amended with Ln-P and irrigated with LRWW showed no statistically significant differences in corn growth parameters—including plant height, stem diameter, leaf number, leaf area, and biomass—when compared to control treatments. Photosynthetic performance, including stomatal conductance, quantum efficiency, and chlorophyll content, remained unaffected by lanthanide application. Metal uptake analysis indicated that lanthanides did not inhibit phosphorus absorption and even enhanced the uptake of calcium and magnesium. Minimal lanthanide accumulation was detected in plant tissues, with most retained in the root zone, highlighting their limited mobility. These findings suggest that lanthanides can be safely and effectively used for phosphorus recovery and agricultural reuse, contributing to sustainable nutrient cycling and aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals of zero hunger and sustainable cities. Full article

The efficient separation of antimonate minerals from quartz remains a significant challenge in mineral processing due to their similar surface properties and strong hydrophilicity. This study explored the application of sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDS) as a selective collector for antimonate–quartz flotation separation. Micro-flotation tests demonstrated that SDS achieved optimal recovery of antimonate minerals (90.25%) at pH 8 with a dosage of 70 mg/L, while quartz recovery remained below 10%. Contact angle measurements revealed a significant increase in the hydrophobicity of antimonate minerals after SDS treatment, whereas quartz remained highly hydrophilic. FTIR and XPS analyses confirmed the selective chemisorption of SDS on antimonate mineral surfaces through Sb-O-S bond formation, while negligible adsorption occurred on quartz. Adsorption isotherms further showed the higher SDS uptake on antimonate minerals compared to quartz. These findings collectively demonstrate the effectiveness of SDS as a selective collector for the flotation of antimonate minerals, providing a promising approach to enhancing the recovery of fine antimonate particles. Full article

Ectomycorrhizal symbiosis is a cornerstone of ecosystem health, facilitating nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, and biodiversity maintenance in trees. Optimizing Pinus armandii–Tuber indicum mycorrhizal synthesis enhances the ecological stability of coniferous forests while supporting high-value truffle cultivation. This study conducted a pot experiment to compare the effects of three root nutrient regulations—Aolu 318S (containing N-P₂O₅-K₂O in a ratio of 15-9-11 (w/w%)), Aolu 328S (11-11-18), and Youguduo (19-19-19)—on the mycorrhizal synthesis of P. armandii–T. indicum. The results showed that root nutrient supplementation significantly improved the seedling crown, plant height, ground diameter, biomass dry weight, and mycorrhizal infection rate of both the control and mycorrhizal seedlings, with the slow-release fertilizers Aolu 318S and 328S outperforming the quick-release fertilizer Youguduo. The suitable substrate composition in this experiment was as follows: pH 6.53–6.86, organic matter content 43.25–43.49 g/kg, alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen 89.25–90.3 mg/kg, available phosphorus 83.69–87.32 mg/kg, available potassium 361.5–364.65 mg/kg, exchangeable magnesium 1.17–1.57 mg/kg, and available iron 33.06–37.3 mg/kg. It is recommended to mix the Aolu 318S and 328S solid fertilizers evenly into the substrate, with a recommended dosage of 2 g per plant. These results shed light on the pivotal role of a precise N-P-K ratio regulation in fostering sustainable ectomycorrhizal symbiosis, offering a novel paradigm for integrating nutrient management with mycorrhizal biotechnology to enhance forest restoration efficiency in arid ecosystems. Full article

This study presents research on the production of activated biocarbons derived from herbal waste. Sage stems were chemically activated with two activating agents of different chemical natures—H₃PO₄ and K₂CO₃—and subjected to two thermal treatment methods: conventional and microwave heating. The effect of the activating agent type and heating method on the basic physicochemical properties of the resulting activated biocarbons was investigated. These properties included surface morphology, elemental composition, ash content, pH of aqueous extracts, the content and nature of surface functional groups, points of zero charge, and isoelectric points, as well as the type of porous structure formed. In addition, the potential of the prepared carbonaceous materials as adsorbents of model organic (represented by Triton X-100 and methylene blue) and inorganic (represented by iodine) pollutants was assessed. The influence of the initial adsorbate concentration (5–150 (dye) and 10–800 mg/dm³ (surfactant)), temperature (20–40 °C), and pH (2–10) of the system on the efficiency of contaminant removal from aqueous solutions was evaluated. The adsorption kinetics were also investigated to better understand the rate and mechanism of contaminant uptake by the prepared activated biocarbons. The results showed that materials activated with orthophosphoric acid exhibited a significantly higher sorption capacity for all tested adsorbates compared to their potassium carbonate-activated counterparts. Microwave heating was found to be more effective in promoting the formation of a well-developed specific surface area (471–1151 m²/g) and porous structure (mean pore size 2.17–3.84 nm), which directly enhanced the sorption capacity of both organic and inorganic contaminants. The maximum adsorption capacities for iodine, methylene blue, and Triton X-100 reached the levels of 927.0, 298.4, and 644.3 mg/g, respectively, on the surface of the H₃PO₄-activated sample obtained by microwave heating. It was confirmed that the heating method used during the activation step plays a key role in determining the physicochemical properties and sorption efficiency of activated biocarbons. Full article

Chemically demethoxylated and Ca-cross-linked orange-peel waste was engineered as a biosorbent for Mn(II) removal from water. A three-factor Box–Behnken design (biosorbent dose 3–10 g L⁻¹, initial Mn²⁺ 100–300 mg L⁻¹, contact time 3–8 h; pH 5.5 ± 0.1, 25 °C) required only 16 runs to locate the optimum (10 g L⁻¹, 100 mg L⁻¹, 8 h), at which the material removed 94.8% ± 0.3% manganese removal under the optimized conditions (10 g L⁻¹, 100 mg L⁻¹, 8 h, pH 5.5) of dissolved manganese and reached a Langmuir capacity of 29.7 mg g⁻¹. Equilibrium data fitted the Freundlich (R² = 0.968) and Sips (R² = 0.969) models best, indicating a heterogeneous surface, whereas kinetic screening confirmed equilibrium within 6 h. FTIR and SEM–EDX verified abundant surface –COO⁻/–OH groups and showed Mn deposits that partially replaced residual Ca, supporting an ion-exchange component in the uptake mechanism. A preliminary cost analysis (<USD 10 kg⁻¹) and > 90% regeneration efficiency over three cycles highlight the economic and environmental promise of this modified agro-waste for polishing Mn-laden effluents. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of intercropping Brassica oleracea. with three perennial grasses (Poa pratensis L., Lolium perenne L., and Festuca rubra L.) under varying levels of iron (Fe) availability (Fe0, Fe1 and Fe5) in nutrient solutions. The research focused on biomass accumulation, photosynthetic efficiency, root development, nutrient uptake, and oxidative stress response. In the absence of Fe, Brassica sp. exhibited chlorosis, reduced biomass, and increased ferric chelate reductase (FCR) enzyme activity as an adaptive response. Brassica plants intercropped with Poa sp. maintained higher chlorophyll (Chl) levels and photosystem II efficiency (F_v/F_m values), mitigating Fe deficiency effects. Catalase activity and polyphenol production varied with intercropping species, indicating differential stress response mechanisms. Intercropping improved Zn, Mn, and P accumulation, with Poa sp. facilitating greater Zn and Mn uptake. Intercropping Brassica sp. with specific grass species offers potential agronomic benefits by improving Fe use efficiency, mitigating stress, and enhancing nutrient uptake. Future research should focus on optimizing intercropping combinations for sustainable agricultural practices. Full article

The growing negative environmental effects associated with chemical fertilizers have led to the promotion of organic fertilizers in agriculture. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impacts of organic fertilization on nitrogen and phosphorus content, uptake and use efficiency in Origanum dictamnus (Dittany) cultivation. With this aim, a randomized complete blocks field experiment was carried out in Istron Kalou Xoriou (Agios Nikolaos—Crete). The study included three fertilization treatments (N0: 0 kg/ha⁻¹, N1: 1250 kg/ha⁻¹ and N2: 2500 kg/ha⁻¹). Throughout the growing period, measurements were taken for the plant’s content, uptake and efficiency indices of total nitrogen (TN) and phosphorus (P). The findings indicated that the fertilization doses affect nutrient uptake and efficiency. The highest values of TN and P were recorded 60 days after transplants. N1 treatment showed the greatest improvement in nitrogen use efficiency, while phosphorus use efficiency reached its maximum level under N2 treatment. That research can contribute to achieving an in-depth insight of organic fertilization practices for aromatic and medicinal plants such as Dittany, promoting a sustainable agricultural strategy and enhancing product quality. Full article

Calcareous soils, characterized by high pH and calcium carbonate content, often limit the availability of essential nutrients for crops such as rice (Oryza sativa L.), reducing yield and nutritional quality. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the halotolerant yeast Debaryomyces hansenii on the growth, nutrient uptake, and phosphorus acquisition mechanisms of rice plants cultivated in calcareous soil under controlled greenhouse conditions. Plants inoculated with D. hansenii, particularly via root immersion, exhibited significantly higher SPAD chlorophyll index, plant height, and grain yield compared to controls. A modest increase (~4%) in dry matter content was also observed under sterilized soil conditions. Foliar concentrations of Fe, Zn, and Mn significantly increased in plants inoculated with D. hansenii via root immersion in non-sterilized calcareous soil, indicating improved micronutrient acquisition under these specific conditions. Although leaf phosphorus levels were not significantly increased, D. hansenii stimulated acid phosphatase activity, as visually observed through BCIP staining, and upregulated genes involved in phosphorus acquisition under both P-sufficient and P-deficient conditions. At the molecular level, D. hansenii upregulated the expression of acid phosphatase genes (OsPAP3, OsPAP9) and a phosphate transporter gene (OsPTH1;6), confirming its influence on P-related physiological responses. These findings demonstrate that D. hansenii functions as a plant growth-promoting yeast (PGPY) and may serve as a promising biofertilizer for improving rice productivity and nutrient efficiency in calcareous soils, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices in calcareous soils and other nutrient-limiting environments. Full article

Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) are vital for electrochemical energy devices such as alkaline fuel cells and water electrolyzers, enabling the use of non-precious metal catalysts despite challenges from alkaline degradation. Hyperbranched polymers (hbPs) with their globular structure, high functional group density, and simple synthesis, offer a promising platform for enhancing transport and stability. In this study, multifunctional hbPs were synthesized from 4-vinylbenzyl chloride (VBC) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) via atom transfer radical self-condensing vinyl polymerization (ATR-SCVP) and crosslinked into polyurethane-based AEMs. Characterization confirmed successful copolymerization and crosslinking, with excellent alkaline stability. Membranes crosslinked with higher molecular weight (MW) and VBC-richer hbPs (e.g., OH-hbP1-PU) exhibited high water uptake (75%) but low ion-exchange capacity (1.54 mmol/g) and conductivity (186 µS/cm), attributed to steric hindrance and insufficient ionic network connectivity. In contrast, OH-hbP2-PU exhibited optimal properties, with the highest OH⁻ conductivity (338 µS/cm) and IEC (2.64 mmol/g), highlighting a balanced structure for efficient ion transport. This work offers a tunable strategy for high-performance AEM development through tailored hbP architecture. Full article

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) symbiosis has great potential in improving grapevine performance and reducing external input dependency in viticulture. However, the precise, strain-specific impacts of different AMF species on ‘Summer Black’ grapevine cuttings across multiple physiological and morphological dimensions remain underexplored. To address this, we conducted a controlled greenhouse pot experiment, systematically evaluating four different AMF species (Diversispora versiformis, Diversispora spurca, Funneliformis mosseae, and Paraglomus occultum) on ‘Summer Black’ grapevine cuttings. All AMF treatments successfully established root colonization, with F. mosseae achieving the highest infection rate. In detail, F. mosseae notably enhanced total root length, root surface area, and volume, while D. versiformis specifically improved primary adventitious and 2nd-order lateral root numbers. Phosphorus (P) uptake in both leaves and roots was significantly elevated across all AMF treatments, with F. mosseae leading to a 42% increase in leaf P content. Furthermore, AMF inoculation generally enhanced the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase, along with soluble protein and soluble sugar contents in leaves and roots. Photosynthetic parameters, including net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), and transpiration rate (Tr), were dramatically increased in AMF-colonized cutting seedlings. Whereas, P. occultum exhibited inhibitory effects on several growth metrics, such as shoot length, leaf and root biomass, and adventitious lateral root numbers, and decreased the contents of Nitrogen (N), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and iron (Fe) in both leaves and roots. These findings conclusively demonstrate that AMF symbiosis optimizes root morphology, enhances nutrient acquisition, and boosts photosynthetic efficiency and stress resilience, thus providing valuable insights for developing targeted bio-fertilization strategies in sustainable viticulture. Full article

This study aims to evaluate the potential of Lemna minor (common duckweed) for the removal of galaxolide (HHCB) from polluted water, a compound commonly used in consumer products such as perfumes and detergents. The focus was to identify the optimal conditions for removal, determine the removal efficiency, and elucidate the mechanisms involved. The experiment was conducted by cultivating Lemna minor using as a cultivation medium synthetic sewage and laboratory solutions (MilliQ water) containing galaxolide at two levels of concentration (1034 µg·L⁻¹ and 2326 µg·L⁻¹). The plants were exposed to light for 16 h a day and grown at pH 5. Removal efficiency was assessed through liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection (FLD). Kinetics of observed process was modelled using a pseudo-first-order equation. The study of the HHCB decay mechanism included determining the contributions to the final effect of the following processes occurring simultaneously: sorption on the plant surface, photodegradation, and uptake by Lemna. The removal efficiency (RE%) of galaxolide by Lemna minor was 99.7% when aqueous standard solution was used as the cultivation medium after 14 days, and between 97.8% and 98.6% in the case of wastewater samples. Sorption onto plants surface, photodegradation, and uptake by the plants were identified as the primary mechanisms for HHCB removal. Toxicity studies revealed that galaxolide exposure adversely affected Lemna minor growth, altering photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll and carotenoid) levels. Full article

In this study several phosphorus fertilizers were evaluated under controlled production conditions using Lactuca sativa var. baby leaf and a clay-loam soil of pH 6.5 as a plant–soil model system. Various inorganic (phosphate rock, monoammonium phosphate, struvite), organic (bone meal and bone meal pelletized with compost) and organomineral fertilizers (phosphate rock, monoammonium phosphate, struvite pelletized with compost) were compared. The soil properties, crop yield, morphological aspects and metabolomics of the plants were analyzed. After 45 days of the growing cycle, the organomineral fertilizers (OMFs) composed of compost and monoammonium phosphate (OMF₂(MAP+C)) or struvite (OMF₃(STR+C)) exhibited the best yield results: 101.37 g and 83.21 g, respectively. These treatments also exhibited the best phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) results: 7.40% and 8.33%, respectively. The yield of plants treated with MAP was 56.01 g, and its PUE was 5.33%. The yield of plants treated with STR was 62.10 g and the PUE was 4.67%. Accordingly, the development of OMFs with compost had a positive effect regarding MAP and STR fertilization. Lettuce fertilized with organic bone meal fertilizers had the lowest yield and nutrient use efficiency. The non-targeted metabolic study of green tissue revealed an overactivation of the TriCarboxylic Acids-TCA cycle and amino acid biosynthesis in plants fertilized with bone meal and phosphate rock treatments, likely as a plant stress response. The overall conclusion of this work is that the development of OMFs with compost is a good strategy to increase soil P availability and, accordingly, plant P uptake and %PUE. Full article

Background: Chitosan (CS) crosslinked with genipin (GNP) provides a mild, non-toxic route to generate nanogels (NGs) with enhanced integrity and colloidal stability. Objectives: To develop and characterise CS-GNP NG as a novel platform for targeted cellular delivery, optimising design through physicochemical characterisation and biocompatibility evaluation. Methods: NGs were synthesised under optimised conditions by adjusting the pH of the CS solution, followed by high-intensity ultrasound (HIUS) to achieve disaggregation. Physicochemical characterisation was carried out using UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Rheological studies and SAXS analysis assessed structural properties. Biocompatibility was evaluated via MTT assay, and internalisation was monitored by fluorescence microscopy on mammalian cell lines. Results: NG formation was highly pH-dependent, with optimal configuration at pH 4.5, yielding stable, uniformly sized particles (~200 nm, ζ-potential +29 mV). Kinetic modelling showed a sigmoidal formation pattern, suggesting nucleation, growth, and stabilisation. FTIR confirmed covalent bonding between CS and GNP via primary amide bonds and Schiff bases. Rheology indicated pseudoplastic behaviour, and SAXS revealed a compact network formation. Biocompatibility assays confirmed non-cytotoxicity below 100 µg/mL and efficient cellular uptake. Conclusions: This study presents a rapid, reproducible protocol for generating colloidally stable, biocompatible NGs suitable for drug delivery. Full article

The investigation of phosphorus metabolism and regulatory mechanisms is conducive to maintaining stable production of crops within a low-phosphorus environment. In phosphorus signal transduction, a few phosphorus starvation response (PHR) transcription factors were identified to bind to the characteristic cis-element, namely the PHR1 binding sequence (P1BS). While the molecular function of the PHR transcription factor has been intensively elucidated, here, we explore a novel transcription factor, BnaA01.KAN3, that undergoes specific binding to the P1BS by yeast one-hybrid and electrophoretic mobility shift assays, and its expression is induced with low-phosphorus stress. BnaA01.KAN3 possessed transcriptional activation and was located in the nucleus. The spatiotemporal expression pattern of BnaA01.KAN3 exhibited tissue specificity in developmental seed, and its expression level was especially high 25–30 days after pollination. Regarding the phenotype analysis, the independent heterologous overexpression lines of BnaA01.KAN3 in Arabidopsis thaliana exhibited not only significantly longer taproots but also an increased number of lateral roots compared to that of the wild type undergoing low-phosphorus treatment, while no differences were seen under normal phosphorus conditions. Furthermore, these lines showed higher anthocyanin and inorganic phosphorus contents with normal and low-phosphorus treatment, suggesting that BnaA01.KAN3 could enhance phosphorus uptake or remobilization to cope with low-phosphorus stress. In summary, this study characterized the transcription factor BnaA01.KAN3 that modulates low-phosphate adaptation and seed development, providing insights for improving phosphorus use efficiency and yield traits in Brassica napus. Full article

Microalgae-based bioremediation is increasingly recognized as a sustainable, efficient, and straightforward technology. Despite this growing interest, the potential of Parachlorella hussii for metal biosorption remains underexplored. This study is the first report evaluating the metal biosorption activity in Parachlorella hussii ACOI 1508 (N9), highlighting the impact of the culture age on the monosaccharide composition and its correlation to the metal binding capacity. The capsular strain (N9) was isolated from the hypersaline ecosystem—Lake Chott Aïn El-Beida—in southeastern Algeria. Cultivated in Bold’s Basal medium, the strain produced 0.807 ± 0.059 g L⁻¹ of RPSs and 1.975 ± 0.120 g L⁻¹ of CPSs. Biochemical analysis of the extracts revealed a high total sugar content (% w/w) that ranged from 62.98 ± 4.87% to 95.60 ± 87% and a low protein content (% w/w) that ranged from 0.49 ± 0.08% to 1.35 ± 0.69%, with RPS-D7 and RPS-D14 having high molecular weight (≥2 MDa). HPLC-based monosaccharide characterization demonstrated compositional differences between the exponential and stationary phases, with rhamnose dominating (~55%) in RPS-D14 and with the presence of uronic acids comprising 7–11.3%. Metal removal efficiency was evaluated using the whole biomass in two growth phases. Copper uptake exhibited the highest capacity, reaching 18.55 ± 0.61 mg Cu g⁻¹ DW at D14, followed by zinc removal with 6.52 ± 0.61 mg Zn g⁻¹ DW. Interestingly, removal efficiencies increased to about twofold during the stationary phase, reaching 51.15 ± 1.14% for Cu, 51.08 ± 3.35% for Zn, and 36.55 ± 3.09% for Ni. The positive results obtained for copper/zinc removal highlight the biosorption potential of P. hussii, and notably, we found that the metal removal capacity significantly improved with culture age—a parameter that has been poorly investigated in prior studies. Furthermore, we observed a growth phase-dependent modulation in monosaccharide composition, which correlated with enhanced functional properties of the excreted biomolecules involved in biosorption. This metabolic adjustment suggests an adaptive response that may contribute to the species’ effectiveness in heavy metal uptake, underscoring its novelty and biotechnological relevance. Full article