Search Results (392)

Modern agriculture faces the critical need to develop sustainable, safe, and effective strategies for enhancing productivity, protecting plants and animals, and ensuring food security. Challenges posed by antibiotic resistance and the adverse environmental and consumer health impacts of chemical agents are driving the search for eco-friendly alternatives. In this context, bacteriocins—naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides synthesized by diverse bacteria—represent a promising alternative to traditional chemical compounds. This article reviews the potential and current advances in bacteriocin applications across agricultural sectors, with particular focus on their targeted antagonistic activity, structural diversity, commercial bacteriocin-based products, and their utilization in livestock farming, crop production, poultry farming, and aquaculture. Key findings demonstrate that bacteriocins, particularly nisin and pediocin PA-1, exhibit potent activity against major agricultural pathogens including Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, and Escherichia coli, with efficacy rates reaching 90% in mastitis treatment and significantly reducing pathogen loads in poultry and aquaculture systems. Commercial products such as Nisaplin, Wipe Out, and ALTA 2431 have been successfully implemented in veterinary medicine and food production. In aquaculture, bacteriocins effectively control Lactococcus garvieae, Aeromonas spp., Vibrio spp., and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, contributing to sustainable disease management with minimal environmental impact. It can be suggested that bacteriocins may play an essential role in combating pathogens and offer viable alternatives to conventional antibiotics across primary food production systems, though optimization of production methods and regulatory frameworks remains essential for broader commercial adoption. Full article

The agricultural industry faces increasing environmental degradation due to the intensive use of conventional chemical fertilizers, leading to water pollution and alterations in soil composition. In addition, root-knot and cyst nematodes are major constraints to cucumber production, causing severe root damage and yield losses worldwide, underscoring the need for sustainable alternatives to conventional fertilization and pest management. Under greenhouse conditions, a four-month cultivation trial evaluated vegetable oil-, micronutrient-, and activated flavonoid-based biostimulants, applying Key Eco Oil^® (Miami, USA) via soil drench (every 15 days) combined with foliar sprays of CropBioLife^® (Victoria, Australia) and KeyPlex 120^® (Miami, USA) (every 7 days). Results showed reduced parasitic nematodes by 66% in soil and decreased gall formation by 41% in roots. Chlorophyll fluorescence and infrared gas analysis revealed higher oxygen-evolving complex efficiency (38%), increased PSII electron transport, improved the fluorescence decrease ratio, also known as the vitality index (Rfd), and higher CO₂ assimilation compared to conventional treatments. Processed cucumbers showed higher sugar and nearly double ascorbic acid content, with improved flesh consistency and color. Therefore, the application of these bioactive products significantly reduced nematode infestation while enhancing plant growth and physiological performance, underscoring their potential as sustainable tools for crop cultivation and protection. These results provide evidence that sustainable bioactive biostimulants improve plant resilience, productivity, and nutritional quality, offering also an environmentally sound approach to pest management. Full article

Oxidative stress arises from an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defense mechanisms and disrupts the structural integrity of macromolecules such as lipids, proteins, and DNA. This biochemical imbalance triggers the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and leads to lipid oxidation and quality degradation in food systems. Plant-derived bioactive compounds (BACs) such as polyphenols and terpenes develop versatile molecular strategies to mitigate this oxidative damage. In addition to their direct radical scavenging effects, polyphenols stimulate the synthesis of endogenous antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) by activating the Nrf2–Keap1 signaling pathway. Terpenes, on the other hand, create a specialized protective shield in lipid-based matrices through “chain-breaking” reactions and a “slingshot” mechanism that externally halts the oxidation of γ-terpinene. In food engineering applications, these compounds meet the demand for “clean-label” products by providing alternatives to synthetic antioxidants such as BHA and BHT. Specific terpenes, such as carnosic acid, demonstrate higher performance in inhibiting lipid oxidation compared to their synthetic counterparts. Although BAC use extends the shelf life of products while maintaining color and flavor stability, potential interactions with protein digestibility necessitate dosage management. From a clinical perspective, these compounds suppress inflammatory responses by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway and contribute to the prevention of chronic diseases by modulating the gut microbiota. This review evaluates the capacity of BACs to manage oxidative stress in food preservation technologies and human health through a mechanistic and application-based approach. Full article

Fungal phytopathogens cause significant global crop losses and remain a constant obstacle to sustainable food production. Biological control has become a vital alternative to synthetic fungicides, supported by the wide variety of antifungal molecules produced by bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and plants. This review consolidates current knowledge on the main classes of microbial secondary metabolites—particularly cyclic lipopeptides and polyketides from Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Streptomyces, Trichoderma, and related generа. It emphasizes their structural diversity, biosynthetic pathways, regulatory networks, and antifungal mechanisms. These molecules, including iturins, fengycins, surfactins, syringomycins, candicidins, amphotericin analogs, peptaibols, and epipolythiodioxopiperazines, target fungal membranes, mitochondria, cell walls, and signaling systems, offering broad activity against damaging pathogens such as Fusarium, Botrytis, Magnaporthe, Colletotrichum, Phytophthora, and Rhizoctonia. The plant-derived antifungal metabolites include essential volatile compounds that complement microbial agents and are increasingly important in eco-friendly crop protection. Recent progress in genomics, metabolic engineering, and synthetic biology has accelerated strain improvement and the discovery of new bioactive compounds. At the same time, global market analyses indicate rapid growth in microbial biofungicides driven by regulatory changes and consumer demand. Full article

(1) Background: Oat (Avena sativa L.) is a crop that is widely used in human nutrition, while it also plays an important role in animal husbandry as a high-quality forage crop. However, this crop is particularly susceptible to combined biotic stressors, including insect pests (Agriotes lineatus) and fungal infections (Fusarium spp.). These stresses act synergistically: root damage caused by wireworms increases the plant’s susceptibility to fungal infection, while pathogens further limit nutrient uptake and root system development. In recent years, the reduced efficacy of chemical pesticides against both insect pests and fungal pathogens has highlighted the need for alternative strategies in oat protection, leading to an increased focus on developing bacterial bio-inoculants as sustainable and effective biocontrol agents. (2) Methods: This study aimed to identify bacterial strains capable of suppressing wireworms (Agriotes lineatus) and Fusarium spp. in oats, while simultaneously promoting plant growth. Bacterial isolates were screened for key Plant Growth Promoting (PGP) and biocontrol traits, including IAA and siderophore production, phosphate solubilization, and the presence of toxin- and antibiotic-coding genes. (3) Results: The highest insecticidal effect against wireworms was recorded for Bacillus velezensis BHC 3.1 (63.33%), while this isolate also suppressed the growth of F. proliferatum for 59%, F. oxysporum for 65%, F. poae for 71%, and F. graminearum for 15%. The most effective Bacillus strains (with insecticidal and antifungal activity) were identified and tested in two pot experiments, where their ability to enhance plant growth in the presence of insects and fungi was evaluated under semi-controlled conditions. An increase in plant biomass, grain yield, and nitrogen content was observed in oat inoculated with B. velezensis BHC 3.1 and B. thuringiensis BHC 2.4. (4) Conclusions: These results demonstrate the strong potential of both strains as multifunctional bio-inoculants for enhancing oat growth and mitigating the adverse effects of wireworm damage and Fusarium infection. Full article

The increasing environmental challenges facing modern agriculture necessitate development of sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives to chemical inputs. This study aimed to isolate and characterize rhizophilic bacterial strains from the rhizosphere of the maize hybrid Turan 480 SV (Zea mays L.), with a focus on their plant growth-promoting and biocontrol traits. A total of 23 bacterial isolates were obtained, including 15 Gram-negative and 8 Gram-positive strains. Among these, three strains—CR14, CR18 and CR22—were selected for detailed analysis. All three demonstrated significant indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, phosphate and zinc solubilization, nitrogen fixation and antifungal activity. CR14 synthesized 56.01 mg L⁻¹ of IAA and demonstrated the highest zinc solubilization, while CR18 exhibited superior phosphate solubilization and protease activity. CR22 produced the highest IAA (61.46 mg L⁻¹) and demonstrated strong cellulase and amylase activity. In antagonism tests, CR14 suppressed Alternaria alternata with an 80 mm inhibition zone, while CR18 and CR22 effectively inhibited both A. alternata and Fusarium graminearum. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA sequencing identified CR18 as Serratia quinivorans, CR14 as Pantoea agglomerans and CR22 as Pantoea sp. The functional diversity of rhizobacteria holds promise as bioinoculants for enhancing maize growth and protecting against soil-borne pathogens in sustainable agriculture. Full article

Modern agriculture relies heavily on chemical inputs to sustain productivity, yet their intensive use poses environmental and health risks. Sustainable strategies based on biostimulants have emerged as promising alternatives to reduce agrochemical dependence. Among these compounds, humic substances (HS) stand out for their ability to modulate plant growth and activate defense responses. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of HS from different sources—vermicompost (Vc) and peat (Pt)—on the salicylic acid (SA)-mediated defense pathway in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Micro-Tom) infected with Oidium sp. The HS were characterized by solid-state ¹³C CPMAS NMR to determine the relative distribution of carbon functional groups and structural domains, including alkyl, O-alkyl, aromatic, and carbonyl carbon fractions, as well as hydrophobicity-related indices. Enzymatic activities of lipoxygenase, peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, and beta 1,3-glucanase were determined spectrophotometrically, and RT-qPCR quantified gene transcription levels involved in SA signaling and defense (MED25, MED16, MED14, NPR1, ICS, PAL, LOX1.1, MYC2, JAZ, jar1, CAT, POX, SOD, APX, ERF, PR-1, PR-2, PR-4 e PR-5). Both HS significantly reduced disease severity and activated key SA-related defense genes, including the regulatory gene NPR1 and the effector genes PR1, PR2 and PR5, with Pt providing greater protection. Notably, HS amplified defense-related gene expression and enzymatic activities specifically under infection, showing a stronger induction than in non-infected plants. These results demonstrate that structural differences among HS drive distinct and enhanced defense responses under pathogen challenge, highlighting their potential as sustainable tools for improving plant immunity in agricultural systems. Full article

Thanks to both endogenous and exogenous antioxidants (AOs), the antioxidant defense system ensures redox homeostasis, which is crucial for protecting the body from oxidative stress and maintaining overall health. The food industry also exploits the antioxidant properties to prevent or delay the oxidation of other molecules during processing and storage. There are many classical methods for assessing antioxidant capacity/activity, which are based on mechanisms such as hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), single electron transfer (SET), electron transfer with proton conjugation (HAT/SET mixed mode assays) or the chelation of selected transition metal ions (e.g., Fe²⁺ or Cu¹⁺). The antioxidant capacity (AOxC) index value can be expressed in terms of standard AOs (e.g., Trolox or ascorbic acid) equivalents, enabling different products to be compared. However, there is currently no standardized method for measuring AOxC. Nanoparticle sensors offer a new approach to assessing antioxidant status and can be used to analyze environmental samples, plant extracts, foodstuffs, dietary supplements and clinical samples. This review summarizes the available information on nanoparticle sensors as tools for assessing antioxidant status. Particular attention has been paid to nanoparticles (with a size of less than 100 nm), including silver (AgNPs), gold (AuNPs), cerium oxide (CeONPs) and other metal oxide nanoparticles, as well as nanozymes. Nanozymes belong to an advanced class of nanomaterials that mimic natural enzymes due to their catalytic properties and constitute a novel signal transduction strategy in colorimetric and absorption sensors based on the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) band. Other potential AOxC sensors include quantum dots (QDs, <10 nm), which are particularly useful for the sensitive detection of specific antioxidants (e.g., GSH, AA and baicalein) and can achieve very good limits of detection (LOD). QDs and metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) operate on different principles to evaluate AOxC. MNPs rely on optical changes resulting from LSPR, which are monitored as changes in color or absorbance during synthesis, growth or aggregation. QDs, on the other hand, primarily utilize changes in fluorescence. This review aims to demonstrate that, thanks to its simplicity, speed, small sample volumes and relatively inexpensive instrumentation, nanoparticle-based AOxC assessment is a useful alternative to classical approaches and can be tailored to the desired aim and analytes. Full article

Due to its appealing composition, grape pomace (GP), the major by-product of the wine industry, could be considered an ideal candidate for innovative functional foods development. In this study, a rice/GP-yogurt alternative, also known as gurt, fermented with selected lactic acid bacteria, was designed. An extensive characterization of the gurts led to the selection of the one fermented with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum T0A10. The strains showed good pro-technological performances (fast acidification and growth up to 9 log cfu/g in the specific plant-based composite substrate), as well as the ability to increase DPPH radical scavenging activity compared to the unfermented control (57% against 40%). Then, an in-depth focus on the effect of fermentation on phenolic compounds and their related antioxidant efficacy on human keratinocytes was provided, elucidating a compound/function relationship. Fermentation significantly modified the phenolic profile of the gurt, reducing glycosylated forms of flavonols and phenolic acids and increasing the content of catechin and pyrogallol (more than 100 mg/kg combined). Such modification was responsible for significantly up-regulating (p < 0.05) the expression of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase 2, thus protecting NCTC 2544 cells against oxidative stress. Overall, these findings provide a foundation for developing value-added products from GP, supporting both circular economy initiatives and functional ingredient innovation. Full article

Between 2023 and 2025, we conducted experiments at the Laboratory Field of the Bio-technical Faculty in Ljubljana to study alternative methods for controlling wireworms in potato fields. The trials were arranged in three blocks with five first-order (Brassica carinata, Brassica juncea, Nemakil 330, Rasti Soil Tonic G, positive control) and five second-order treatments (entomopathogenic nematodes, entomopathogenic fungi, zeolite combined with half-doses of these products, positive control with tefluthrin, and negative control), giving twenty-five treatments per block. Foliar pests and diseases were managed with contact plant protection products. We measured total tuber yield and divided it into three size classes, then assessed wireworm damage (holes per tuber). The purpose of the soil excavations in the first-order treatments was to verify the abundance of wireworms in the soil. Most combinations reduced wireworm abundance. The lowest tuber damage comparable to the positive control occurred when using zeolite with half-doses of entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi. The highest yields across all three weather-distinct years resulted from combining Rasti Soil Tonic with zeolite and half-dose entomopathogenic products. Although Nemakil 330 increased soil phosphorus, it neither improved yield nor reduced wireworm damage. Overall, the tested environmentally acceptable methods show promising insecticidal potential for sustainable wireworm control in potatoes. Full article

Floating photovoltaic systems represent a promising solution for renewable energy generation, offering an alternative to agricultural land consumption. However, these installations have the potential to exert an effect on the aquatic ecosystem, emphasizing the necessity of effective monitoring strategies also related to system management issues. In this paper, the use of an unmanned surface vehicle, which can also operate as an autonomous surface vehicle, is proposed to overcome many difficulties of maintenance and monitoring in aquatic environments. A review of the extant literature reveals the scarcity of a cohesive monitoring framework for these plants, highlighting the urgent need for standardized guidelines for plant management and water quality monitoring. The implementation of automated plants directly addresses this gap by providing a tool for efficient and sustainable monitoring tasks, enabling, at the same time, aquatic ecosystem protection and energy production optimization. To address these challenges, a low-cost prototype of an autonomous surface vehicle is proposed. Preliminary test results on trajectory control and obstacle recognition are reported. Full article

Fungal diseases represent relevant constraints on global agricultural productivity, causing severe yield losses and deterioration of crop quality. The extensive use of chemical fungicides has produced environmental and health concerns due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, toxicity, and the increasing development of resistant fungal strains. To promote sustainable plant protection strategies, this study aimed to evaluate natural alternative products derived from botanical sources and agro-industrial wastes. Eighteen putative inhibiting products (PIPs), selected based on their availability as spontaneous plants or agro-industrial wastes, together with a commercial resistance inducer, were screened in in vitro assays against a collection of 31 phytopathogenic fungi. The inhibitory activity (IA) from the PIPs was evaluated, and statistical analyses were performed to identify the best performer. Several PIPs showed significant inhibitory activity against several fungal species, while others promoted fungal growth, highlighting the dual nature of the tested PIPs as potential bio-fungicides and growth-promoting agents for beneficial fungi. These findings highlight the value of plant-derived metabolites and agricultural waste valorization as promising sources for the development of sustainable botanical fungicides as well as support the transition toward eco-friendly crop protection strategies aligned with the European Green Deal objectives. Full article

Pesticide residues from agrochemicals pose significant environmental and public health risks due to their persistence and widespread contamination of soil, water, and crops. The persistent challenge of pesticide contamination requires innovative and sustainable treatment strategies to safeguard public health and environmental integrity. Although wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are designed to mitigate these pollutants, their efficiency varies, and certain pesticides persist or transform into more toxic by-products during treatment. Therefore, developing alternative methods for the effective removal of pesticide residues is imperative. This review critically evaluates the potential of adsorption, particularly using green adsorbents, as a sustainable and efficient approach for removing pesticide contaminants from soil and wastewater. Green adsorbents, derived from agricultural and industrial by-products such as sea materials, biomasses, humic acid, spent mushroom substrate, biochar, and cellulose-based adsorbents, offer a cost-effective, abundant, and environmentally friendly solution for soil treatment and water purification. Their high pollutant-binding capacity, selectivity, and affinity make them promising candidates for widespread application in soil and wastewater treatment. Ongoing research focuses on optimizing the scalability and real-world application of these adsorbents for large-scale remediation efforts. In conclusion, addressing the risks posed by pesticide residues necessitates revisiting agricultural practices and wastewater treatment strategies. The integration of green adsorbents offers a sustainable approach to mitigating pesticide contamination, thereby protecting public health and supporting environmental sustainability. This review highlights the importance of adopting green adsorbents as viable alternatives to conventional treatment methods, emphasizing their potential to revolutionize wastewater management and mitigate the adverse impacts of pesticide residues on ecosystems and human well-being. Full article

Eurydema ventralis has recently intensified in Brassica production in Central and Southeastern Europe, increasing the need for alternatives to conventional insecticides. This laboratory study evaluated five locally sourced inert and plant-derived dusts on the mortality and feeding damage of E. ventralis adults and nymphs. The tested materials were diatomaceous earth, zeolite, quartz sand, wood ash of Norway spruce and Ailanthus altissima leaf dust, compared with an untreated control and a lambda-cyhalothrin control. Mortality and feeding damage were recorded over seven days. The insecticide caused complete mortality in both developmental stages. Diatomaceous earth exhibited the highest efficacy among inert dusts, i.e., 78.3% mortality in adults and 55.2% in nymphs, and a feeding damage index of 3.5. Zeolite and wood ash caused moderate mortality (30.4 and 26.1% in adults; 37.9 and 24.1% in nymphs) and feeding indices of 4.5 and 4.5. A. altissima leaf dust caused low mortality (≤14.5%) but reduced feeding damage (3.7), indicating a deterrent or antifeedant effect. Quartz sand showed negligible efficacy. Diatomaceous earth appears most suitable for integration into sustainable Brassica protection, and A. altissima leaf dust may act as a complementary deterrent, though optimized composition and persistence should be further investigated. Full article

Biofungicide products are a rapidly expanding sector of the plant protection market. Powdery mildew of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), caused by Erysiphe neolycopersici, can result in significant yield loss in high tunnel (HT) tomato production. Copper-based fungicides are heavily used in HTs, especially those in certified organic production, to control powdery mildew and other fungal diseases. Reliance on copper can lead to its overuse, subsequent resistance development in pathogens, and accumulation of high amounts of copper in the soil. In this study, we evaluated two bio-product alternatives to copper for efficacy against powdery mildew in an organic HT tomato production system over three growing seasons. These alternatives were a commercial biofungicide containing Bacillus subtilis GB03 and a filtered and unfiltered microbial fermentation product (F-MFP and UF-MFP, respectively). UF-MFP was a proprietary blend of yeast cell walls and inactive fermentation media, whereas F-MFP was processed to remove any particles larger than 0.2 μm. The HT-grown tomato plants were inoculated with E. neolycopersici (10⁴ conidia/mL) and three to five foliar applications of biofungicide were made per season. Powdery mildew severity was lower with MFPs compared to the water-treated inoculated treatment and B. subtilis, although this was not always statistically significant (p = 0.05). At assessment dates where statistically significant difference among treatments were observed, the MFP treatments were generally equivalent to the cuprous oxide standard. These results suggest that MFP may be a suitable alternative or alternation partner to copper-based products currently in use in HT tomato systems affected by powdery mildew. Full article